thus low What more can be desir'd by cruell Fate No hope my sad thoughts know Of reinjoying their past happy state Oh my afflicted minde Death would'st thou come a welcome thou shalt finde With patience forlorne I passe the Moneths the yeares in solitude The Evening and the Morn In vaine my hopes thus striving to delude My teares I constant keep And as I am Aurora daily weep When the Rebellious Sea Armed with Snow strives to subdue this Rock It seemes my miserie At once kindly to warne and rudely mock For so the Destinies My life each minute offer to surprize Soon as the morne appeares And ushers in with dubious light the day My reall sorrow weares So true a shade of death that I betray My reason to that dreame And though awake dead to my selfe do seem All things within my view All things that grow and thrive by Natures care My sorrowes doe renew For by successive change they better'd are But to me fortune still Is therefore constant ' cause she first was ill This Tree from January No livery but the hoarie Frost receives Yet May its dresse doth vary Proudly adorning it with painted leaves Vnto the fruitfull plaine What August stole April restores againe This Sea somtimes enrag'd Swells up in Christall mountaines to the skies Yet often is aswag'd But onely I in constant miseries Confin'd to endlesse griefe Expect no liberty nor hope reliefe Aurora clos'd this sweet Musick with so many Sighes and Teares that hee must have had a soule truely insensible that could heare her without Compassion One evening as shee entertain'd her selfe with the present prospect of the sea shee saw a man strugling with the waters and breaking the waves though hee relyed more on the mercy of a Planke then the strength of his armes endeavouring to recollect his fainting Spirit till he might approach the shore for preservation of his life Aurora mov'd with a noble pitty and tender feare to have him die before her eyes commanded those few that attended her to relieve him who putting to sea in a little Skiffe took him up and treated him most carefully for so Aurora had commanded them besides the person and civilty of Pausanias for that was his name mov'd them to respect and affection Being recover'd from his rough usage which had caus'd him to vomit much water he shar'd amongst them some Jewells which hee had preserv'd from the sea in his late danger telling them that he was nobly descended and that untill he saw his fortune amended it was necessarie for him to live conceal'd and therefore desir'd the company to accept of his service for that possibly hereafter it might not repent them of that favovr His gold and person had purchas'd the affection of those that heard him they return'd thanks for the complement promising to serve him to the utmost of their power Pausanias was glad conceiving hee might securely continue there without being known for that Island was little acquainted with other then the watchfull Guardians of that beauty which so unjustly suffer'd Going forth one night when the bright 〈◊〉 with her beames enlightned the Wood hee heard a voyce that with a chearefull sweetnesse thus related its griefe to the Birds and Waters From th' early Dawne untill the Sun retire I to these woods and hills my griefe exspire My eyes with boundlesse Rivers over-flow Like troubled Fountaines murmuring at my woe Perpetuall miseries I still deplore As they are mine but as immortall more What is' t by nature beauties wealth to owne If to these woods confin'd I live alone Or that my eyes have power to kill with love If neere me none but birds and beasts doe move Too cruell heav'n that know'st my innocence Or with my sorrowes or my life dispence Thou to torment me dost forbid me die For death is pleasing unto misery Let those that happy are enjoy their breath The wretched never live but in their death To each dull houre that slides through lazy day My griefes or memory of griefes I pay Thus live I only pleas'd with this reliefe Death is the latest remedy of griefe For patience failes where th'injur'd soule sustaines The rigour of unintermitted paines Pausanius was astonisht as well at the sweetnesse of the voice as to heare it in so strange a place wondring who it could be whose soul so feelingly deplored its owne misfortunes and as well that he might not be ungratefull for the favour he recived though he were ignorant from whom as to try if by this meanes he might come to know the divine owner of so sweet a harmony to the suspence of the listning Nightingales he sung this song Torment of absence and delay That thus afflicts my memory Why do'st thou kill me every day Yet will not give me leave to dye Why dost thou suffer me to live All hope of life in life denying Or to my patience tortures give Never to dye yet ever dying To faire Narcissa's brighter eyes I was by loves instruction guided A happinesse I long did prize But now am from their light divided Favours and gifts my sute obtain'd But envious Fate would now destroy them Which if to lose I only gain'd What greater paine then to enjoy them The same wonder which before seiz'd Pausanias surpriz'd Aurora knowing none of her servants were of such extraordinary parts or could so sweetly complaine of the insupportable torment of absence Aurora inquisitive to know and incited by the curiosity that is incident to women was desirous to see the Orpheus of those Rocks but the shadow of the trees the distance of place and above all the regard of her quality which detained her represt this desire so that she deferr'd it till some other time and calling one of her attendants demanded of him if there dwelt any in that wood besides those that came with her out of Sicily The servant answered she forgot him whom not long since she commanded them to succour seeing him in danger of his life Aurora asked if he knew who he were Hee replyed he knew no more then thâ—t he had said he was call'd Pausanias concealing his quality and country yet could assure her that he seem'd to be of noble Parentage or at least his person and spirit deserv'd to bee so Aurora would not enquire further lest her curiosity might breed some suspition and although it be true that none can love what he never saw or convers'd with yet Fame Vertue and Desert incite a desire to see whether that satisfie the eye which had by the eare affected the soule Wee will not say Aurora was in love though her solitude might require it her greatnesse would not consent to it Yet she had a desire to know the man so well qualifi'd Pausanias soone seconded this desire for not enquiring the mystery inclosed in the Palace he continued to frequent the place where he first heard her and Aurora had the opportunity many evenings of seeing him passe by with such
suppoz'd the Queens was esteem'd heire of the Kingdome and I had a better pretence for my affection Gesimenes who was indeed my lawfull Son had Clorinda the Lady I most esteem'd assign'd for his mother The whole Kingdome wondered I should hate Gesimenes the son of her I adored and esteeme Lucander whose mother I hated I will not relate how cruelly I us'd Gesimenes iâ— cannot but grieve you to heare it if you love him my disaffection proceeded so farre as to banish him Albania If hee bee alive as we had newes of his death he hath lived many yeares miserably abroad in strange Countries But the nature of man is unconstant the love I beare Clorinda vanish't and my undeceived understanding perceiv'd its errour then began I so much to dislike Lucander that I intended to have discovered his Birth but I forbore considering the Crowne would be without an heire seeing Gesimenes was wanting But since Lucander proves so ungratefull as by treason to deprive me of life and Scepter you assure me Gesimenes lives if you performe your promise in bringing him you shall see him King of Albania that hee may have his owne and you in part be paid the debt is owing you for my life His happinesse cannot but reflect on you who are so much his friend Gesimenes was not able to containe his joy but falling downe at his Fathers feet discovered himselfe saying he was Gesimenes and that he was well content with the miseries Fortune had inflicted on him since he had been banisht from his sight Now shee had bestow'd on him the happinesse to rescue his gray haires Pharnazes transported with such joy to see him alive as the strangenesse of the accident required embraced him most affectionately and told him that he should goe along with him for on the morrow his Commanders should kisse his hand and his presence would animate the Souldiers for they all loved him extremely and knowing his valour would undertake the warre with the greater resolution In this Gesimenes could not obey excusing himselfe with the acknowledgement of many favours received from Perozes of whose Forces he was Generall yet that he had taken Armes against his Father was not to offend him as he had shewne but to be a meanes of peace between both Kingdomes Gesimenes at parting enquired of him for his Wife Polixena he much troubled desired him not to speak of her for it would afflict his heart to remember the cruelty which her Father and Lucander had us'd in her death Let it not grieve you so much said Gesimenes For she is living and although it may seeme impossible I have long enjoy'd her company in this Desart for Heaven doth favour innocence and protect those Lives which Power and Fortune doe unjustly persecute Hereupon Gesimenes departed joyfully And Pharnazes was no lesse glad for having found his son and with him his owne life which had that night been lost had it not been preserved by Gesimenes Then communicating this strange event to his Counsell he determined to treat with the King of Armenia and Prince Perezes concerning Peace and the former Marriage The evening following a place of meeting was appointed for the two Kings The first thing they did was the proclaming of Gesimenes King of Albania and the same day Polixena was confirm'd his Wife the King and Queen of Armenia offering themselves to give her at the Temple Perozes told Pharnazes that the reason why he rejected the propounded Marriage with the Princesse was because he was already married to Ismenia who was Niece to him and Daughter to Gesimenes and Polixena Hereupon they both to informe him of the truth replyed that they had no further knowledge of her then that she had been brought up some years in their company that the businesse was now of such consequence that it would be unjust to deceive him and though they had reason to love Ismenia as well as if she were their Daughter yet in truth she was but of poore and meane Parentage This struck Perozes as if he had heard the sentence of his death but it troubled him more when he understood Ismenia could not be found for seeing a necessitie that her deceit must bee discovered and that she must lose Perozes shame would not suffer her to appeare so she retired into the woods flying from him she loved and intending to end her life in that solitude The Nuptialls were deferred till they might have news of the lost Ismenia for the married couple were so discontented at her absence that their resentment gave occasion to many to suspect she was indeed their Daughter and that they denyed it onely because they were unwilling to give her to Perozes The truth was they lov'd her so extremely that if Gesimenes had not known Ismenias Parents might have contradicted it he would have owned her Perozes in great passion offered a great summe of money to any that should bring newes of her Gesimenes calling to minde that shee had often told him the place where she was borne instantly dispatched Messengers to informe themselves with all diligence of her Parents and to see whether shee were not return'd to them After enquirie they found them and upon examination they confessed That Ismenia was not their Daughter thought they had professed her such almost ever since shee was borne that a Gentleman of Albania named Artaspes one night brought her to their house to be brough up by them charging them upon forfeit of their lives not to reveale the secret to any that three yeares agoe having a desire to match her with a Kinsman of theirs on the day intended for marriage she stole away since which time they could never know whether shee were alive or dead This encreased the admiration of all seeing Artaspes had brought her thither they supposed shee must bee his He being at that time in Albania they sent for him to declare what he knew concerning Ismenia Being come hee desired a little privacy with Gesimenes and thus spake unto him What I shall affirme of her that you call Ismenia concernes none so much as your selfe to know not to keepe you in suspence Prince Lucander and my selfe walking late one night in the City as wee were returning to the Palace a woman with her Face vailed called to us and addressing her selfe to Lucander hee ask'd her being well nigh dead if she would goe along with him or that hee should doe her any service I would beseech you answered the Lady delivering a Childe into his armes to carry this infant to Gesimenes who will easily know from whence it comes and believe me we may both be able to requite this favour so giving it to Lucander whom if shee had knowne she would sooner have given it to a Lyon she went away desiring us not to follow her because it concern'd both her life and honour We both stood amazed devising who this Lady might be for knowing how intirely you did love Polixena wee could
him to him Thus went they forth together and coming to the most intricate place of the Wood Pausanias stuck the light upon a Tree and drawing his sword resolutely said to him I am Pausanias thy greatest enemy I love Celia and must enjoy her though the King of Syracuse himselfe should oppose it Since thou saist that thou seek'st mee earnestly make use of this suddaine occasion which is offer'd thee If thou refusest to draw thy sword because thou know'st mee not be assur'd my quality is so noble that whosoever thinks he hath any advantage of mee deceives himselfe I have served Celia if not with as much secresie yet with more affection if shee heretofore lov'd thee and now forgets thee complaine of thy fortune not her easinesse and since thou say'st the Letter which thou unjustly detain'st was sent to me give it me for I will put it a-amongst others that I have of hers if not I le force it from thee Doe not think answer'd Clearchus thy menaces move me my heart is form'd for higher enterprizes and e're long thou wilt repent this foolish rashnesse Yet that thou maist know the cause why I sought thee so earnestly and with what reason I complaine of Celia heare her falshood and thou wilt confesse that I have not spoken very extravigantly of her Celia and my selfe have these many yeares reciprocally exchang'd a pure and secret affection but shee being necessitated to absent her selfe from me for some reasons I was so unhappy that in that time shee saw and lov'd thee if she had neglected me for love of thee I had lesse reason to complaine but shee was so farre from neglect that shee never favour'd mee with larger expressions then now and that thou maist not thinke these calumnies proceeding rather from jealousie then the truth of one that respects his honour see whether it bee faâ—se or no so drawing out of his breast many Letters and Papers he cast them at his feet Pausanias read some of them amongst others his owne and another which the same day she had written to Clearchus A good while he tooke not his eye off from the Papers it seeming to him impossible there should be in the world a woman so facile and so cunning but at last being fully perswaded of her falsehood he gathered together all the cozening Letters and threw them into the fire as if hee could consume so many deceits at once Thereupon Clearchus with his sword in hand bad him if hee were a Gentleman prepaire to defend himselfe for it was not fitting it should bee said in Sicily that having had his enemy in the field he left him alive Thou shalt not need to prevent me answered Pausanias for that was the onely reason why I drew thee out into this wood and so assaulting him furiously the Combate began without any apparent advantage on either side Clearchus was the more weary as being lesse dextrous in the exercise of Armes Pausanias avoiding a blow that he made falsifi'd another and wounded him dangerously in the head Clearchus having his face bathed in bloud lost not his courage but enflam'd with revenge assaulted Pausanias so desperately that he was forced to use all his skill to guard himselfe The clashing of their swords disturb'd the Shepheards that went whistling their Sheep together They came in the instant when the losse of bloud abated strength but not courage in Clearchus They all ran in to him seeing him the more necessitated and carried him home to their Cottage where with medicinall Herbes they entertain'd and cured him The valiant Prince no lesse astonish'd at the courage of Clearchus then at the lightnesse of Celia expected the approach of day with intent to take shipping and returne to his Country He went towards the Sea and discoursing with himselfe on the various events of his fortune saw a ship which by its losse of tackling and sailes shew'd it had suffer'd the anger of inconstant Neptune He observ'd the Armes it carryed and knowing they were his drew neerer to satisfie himselfe but this doubt lasted not long for Leontius Sonne to the Admirall of Macedonia leaping a shore with his Company knew him and gave thankes to Heaven for the favour it had vouchsaf'd them in preserving his life They related to him how that after a long tempest and imminent death it pleas'd Fortune to appease the Sea But all of them bewailing their Princes absence resolv'd not to returne to Macedonia without him since hee might possibly escape alive Pausanias gratified their noble resolution with favours and rewards Hee caused them to repaire their Ship determining to goe privately into Sicily that they might not returne unsatisfied to Macedonia to see if the Beauty of Aurora pleas'd him and to revenge himselfe on the inconstant Celia With this resolution hee went to Court but his arrivall could not be so private but Dionysius had notice of it and immediately gave him a visit bestowing such extraordinary favours upon him that words sufficed not to expresse his thankfulnesse Dionisius carried him to see the Princesse knowing her beauty to bee the chiefe motive of his comming thither Pausanias amaz'd when he perceiv'd Celia to whom he spake to be by all call'd Aurora was ready to have accus'd Dionysius of imposture but Leontius who had beene Ambassadour before in Syracuse assuring him it was Aurora hee was almost distracted and not treating with Dionysius any further in that businesse he resolv'd to returne to Macedonia since a woman engaged to another in love was not fit to be his wife Aurora's thoughts were very different from his for perceiving her good fortune that Pausanias was every way equall to her shee thought the time long till shee had some meanes to accomplish her affection Celia already was inform'd of the quarrell that had beene betwixt Clearchus and the Prince And as Aurora was once complaining of him for not comming to sollicite that which he so much desir'd Celia told her that the reason why hee was so coole in his Love was the deceit of her Letters and thereupon recounted all that past advertising her that this mistake was as well cause of her losing Clearchus for hee was infected with the same jealousie so that it concern'd them both to discover the private devise her Love had made use of Aurora excusing the Princes indifferency in regard it proceeded rather from his owne honour then neglect of her called Clearchus and discover'd to him the whole businesse that he might not suspect any thing in prejudice of Celia's honour she commanded him to go visit Pausanias from her and to let him know the mistake that had detained him in jealousie Clearchus now freed from all former suspition obey'd and having kiss'd the Princes hand ask'd pardon for drawing his sword against him though unknown Pausanias told him he was engag'd to love his valour and to desire his friendship I must requite this honour answered Clearchus with welcome news and then related the
expressed noâ— his condition The timorous shepheardesse when she saw his savage appearance giving her selfe for lost fled from this counterfeit Satyr till staid by wearinesse shee fell at his feet so affrighted and out of breath that it pittied him he had overtaken her When hee beheld her divine beauty hee thanked Heaven that it had contracted its greatest perfections in a poore Shepherdesse Neither did this admiration proceed from a forgetfulnesse of his faire Polixena but the reason which induc'd him to this liking was her resemblance of the other such as would confound a Painter in drawing them both He took her in his armes and carried her to his poore Cave where having first recovered her senses with water which hee fetch'd in a Tortoise shell from the neighbouring Rock hee set before her Cakes and dryed fruits hee assured her that shee was not in danger that his quality was more gentle then his appearance promis'd that she might continne there in safety and that her beauty had kindled in his breast so just an affection that though he had been savage indeed hee should not have been so to her for at the first sight of her an inclination did secretly invade his soul which oblig'd him not onely to honour but to engage his life for her Therefore he entreated her by the great respect which in so short a time she had gain'd upon him not to leave his company but rather to help him to passe the tediousnesse of that solitude then afflict his love by her absence which hee should infinitely resent Truely replyed Ismenia so was the Shepherdesse nam'd what you require is not onely just but due to that civility and protection you promis'd besides it concernes my owne interest as well as yours for I am fled hither to avoid a man to whom my parents would have married me one they say doth every way equall me but to say truth though I was borne among the Rocks and am of a low parentage yet have I a spirit and thoughts so high that I am not in my owne opinion inferiour either the heire of Albania or the King of Armenia This morning I rose with intent to subdue that self-conceit and love him in obedience to those that perswaded me but finding I could not affect him nor reclaime my stubborne will I stole away and hid my selfe in this Mountaine chusing rather to be a prey to the wild beasts then to one I could not without disdaine behold though many women are of opinion that conversation may produce affection yet could not I expose my selfe to so apparent hazard fearing the worst For the danger is great which she incurs who out of this confidence undervaluing her owne liberty marries one that she abhorres But because I finde within my selfe besides the thanks I owe your curtesie and entertainment something that moves mee to love and respect you for though you appear outwardly a son of these Rocks yet your civill demeanour contradicts that appearance I conjure you therefore by your selfe to tell me who you are and the reason of your living in this Desart since we have agreed to dwell together and I have given you an account of my fortune it is fit you requite mee with the like This request said Gesimenes will much afflict me the remembrance of miseries cannot bee renewed without teares though I use often to repeate mine to the heavens to the fields and to this little river yet because in them you are my only comfort and to satisfie in some manner for the favour you do me in dwelling as you have promised with me I will relate my birth condition and misfortunes I am naturall son to Pharnazes King of Albania who dearely lov'd Clorinda a Lady whose eminence and merit made her hope to bee his wife in that confidence resigne her self into his arms but not long after was by reason of state induc'd to marry Rodantha who prov'd with childe at the same time that Clorinda my mother went with me I would to heaven I had never seen the light for he that is borne to be unfortunat e begins not his life but death So it happened that Pharnazes had in one day two sonnes one by his wife the other by his Mistris and though brothers of a different fortune and quality for Lucanders Mother was the more noble but who would think that Pharnazes loving my Mother so affectionately nay she her selfe forgetting the paines and griefe I had cost her should hate me It was sure the malignant influence of my Starres which arriv'd at that hight that I was constrain'd when I would obtaine any thing of my Father to have recourse to the Queen who though she had a just reason to hate me pittied and favour'd me Lucander and my selfe came to the state of youth I as being the lesse fortunate was more beloved of the people he of my Father as heire to the Monarchy Thus farre I cannot say I was very unhappy for if he may justly bee called so who is borne indiscreet and lives hated Lucander was the lesse fortunate but the originall of all my afflictions was the faire Polixena at the same time brought up at Court daughter to the Prince Saga one of great power and neare allyed to the King without whose advise he undertook nothing of weight I would discourse more largely of her beauty and perfections if my love would not make that seem passion which heaven and my selfe know is but truth I speake to a woman and such heare with small delight the prayses of others She was the fairest in that Conntrey and from our tender yeares wee began to court her I with lesse hope then Lucander as one not borne a Prince but Love both a childe and blinde often mistakes and stumbles I did ill to say my birth was attended by no happie fortune since Polixena fixed her eyes on me and that so freely that whatsoever I did shee graced with esteeme whatsoever my brother attempted displeased her At the publike and solemne Exercises her favourable eyes encouraged mee and made me successefull not without the envy of many Princes that ador'd her especially of Lucander truly I had the advantage of him in behaviour discretion and stature yet few women would have consider'd those accidents the qualities of the minde being in little esteem in the unfortunate But Polixena either lesse ambitious or more unhappy inclin'd her affection to mee so farre that after a long time she gave me leave to obtaine her embraces which by a private way into her chamber I enjoy'd Lucander had treated with her Father about marriage engaging himselfe still further in his fond affection knowing I was his rivall he was the more earnest in his solicitation being vext to see Polixena prefer mee the illegitimate sonne before him the heire to the Kingdome Her Father transported with his interest and hope of seeing the Crowne upon his Daughters head being displeas'd with my affection lookt not favorably
take away his life whom you your selves confesse to be of such estimable parts especially for that which may be remedied without bloud I understand that Pausanias saw one night one of my women whom either for the novelty or opportunity he courted and she I think heard him not unwillingly For this reason it concernes me that he stay no longer in this Island and since his absence is sufficient to secure you I take that and your danger upon my selfe for Pausanias is a gentleman and can conceale what he hath seen With these hopes they were satisfied and Aurora remained in a thousand perplexityes for she lov'd him so passionately that there would be but little difference betwixt loosing him and her owne life And indeed so powerfull was his discourse and conversation that although he had been lesse worthy of her beauty yet to see and heare him would beget affection And at last she became so resolute that it would have grieved her to have been freed from her prison if she should thereby be deprived of his pleasing conversation for women when they once fall in love are sensible neither of paines or misfortunes which befall them in the company they affect wherefore she considered by what meanes she might comply with her own affection and her servants feare To keep him there against all their wills were to hazard her honour and to give her enemies an occasion of a more severe revenge Having first adviz'd with Celia she writ a Letter wherein she informed him of what had past entreating him affectionately to preserve his life and to prepare for departure two things in appearance contrary When night was come the faire Princesse went forth to take leave of Pausanias and delivering him the Letter with a little Silver Cabinet wrapt in Taffata not having power to speake shee withdrew her selfe to lament her ensuing misfortunes Pausanias also retir'd through the suspition of the late quarrell and kissing the Signature which said Your Celia he read it with much feare on this manner SIr I have had much care for you this day I saw you draw your Sword and I assure you it troubled me I think it was love yet unfortunate since it must dye as soone as borne We are both the cause of it because I ghesse our affection hath been discovered My birth is more noble then you imagine and it concernes us both that you immediately absent your self that you lose not your life nor I my reputation Believe mee I am very sensible of it for in a word I love you and must lose you You may comfort your selfe with this thought that it was impossible I should ever have been yours not for love to any other but for my qualitie too transcendent I send you here a thousand Crowns to serve you in your journey with a knot of Diamonds and Emeralds which I did sometimes weare at my breast that in your Countrey you may remember it was mine and its owner yours Having read and deplor'd the rigorous sentence of his death hee resolved precisely to obey all that Aurora in it had commanded and to let her know some part of his regret he tooke the Pen and return'd this answer I Should have esteem'd it a happinesse if to day I had received death by my enemies since such they were that I might not have expected it from your hands Before the mornings light breakes forth I will absent my selfe from yours that you may say I knew how to love and to obey you What I would not doe for my owne life I will for your honour I cannot expresse what I feele because I write perplexed and can ascertaine nothing onely I assure you my bloud is so noble that the King of Syracuse himselfe cannot say hee is my better I came out of my Countrey to marry in this Kingdome for your sake will return back I give you infinite thanks for your Present and will not excuse my selfe from repaying it hereafter The knot I will keepe as your favour and since you have given me so much cause of griefe give me time to lament it though I hope so to resent it that when you least thinke of it you will heare newes of his death who knew how to love you but had not the happinesse to deserve you Aurora with much trembling made an end of reading the Letter and not able to restraine her eyes bath'd it in teares Celia came to her and tooke out of her hand the occasion of her griefe but that little avail'd for she tooke it not out of her breast so that as she went through a long Gallerie she wrung her hands beseeching heaven to increase her Fathers rigour and Arminda's hate that they might contrive her death She went to looke towards the Sea imagining that her lost lover was already embarqued and comming thither so excessive were her teares and passionat expressions that Celia fearing she might offer some violence to her selfe amongst other reasons said thus to her Is it possible Madam that a disproportion'd affection should so extremely work upon you I should not have beleev'd this of your reserv'd discretion if I had not seene it I confesse Pausanias deserves to be lov'd but you know he is not a man equall to your condition nor can in reason be yours what proofe have you of his discent more then his owne relation which may well be doubted for the meaner sort where they are not knowne give large testimonies of their bloud Alas replyed Aurora that uncertainty is my greatest trouble If Pausanias be as noble as he hath intimated perhaps I might have attempted something you would little have suspected from my reservednesse and I perswade my selfe it might yet well be done were it but to free my selfe from imprisonment And though I should marry into a stranger Country I should not lose my right to the Kingdom after my Father I believe his Subjects affect me so entirely that if they knew I were here in prison he would have little security either of his Kingdome or life Tell me Celia what can I hope for in this Castle but death My Father is married and in love Arminda governes the Kingdome and beares mee so much ill will that I many times eat my meat in feare suspecting shee hath sent something to kill me though I shall now need no other poison then the absence of Pausanias Oh Celia you would oblige me if you could contrive how I might speake with him and be better inform'd of his quality that I may not continue thus in suspence If hee bee of meane Parentage I will rather dye by mine owne hand then admit a thought may staine my bloud and if to my happy fortune he should prove as is not impossible some Prince cast upon this Island by accident be confident I would hazard my life for my liberty though in all things I should first take your advice that I might not erre through mine own opinion Celila was attentive
occasion of Aurorah's living in the Castle and how imagining he was below her greatnesse she had dissembled her name changing it for Celia untill she were fully inform'd of his condition how to avoid the danger of having her Letters known she caused Celia to write for her how the reason of his going to find him in the Wood was because he had for many yeares loved Celia as he had gather'd by his words and seeing the Letter with her Seale he was confirmed in his jealousie blaming the affection of guiltlesse Celia The Prince was surprized with wonder and joy at this relation of Clearchus and casting his Armes about his neck in signe of love and delight said the news was so conformable to his wishes that only time could expresse how highly he esteemed it Then went he to treat with Dionysius concerning his love who promised her to him thereby requiting the complement of having left his Countrey neither was any more worthy of the Princesse and immediately they writ to Timenides the Princes Father about their agreement Pausanias had now opportunity to visit her and to expostulate the favourable deceit whereby she had caused his jealousie Their Espousals were solemnized with the greatest Pompe that Cicily ever beheld jointly celebrating those of Clearchus and Celia whose constancy merited a successe no lesse fortunate Within a few daies they imbarqued for Macedonia attended by all the magnificence of the Court. Timenides received them with the joy of a Father who supposing his Son lost or dead found him so much improv'd in all things Then feeling himselfe burden'd with yeares and through infirmities unable to be the Atlas of that weight he transferred the Crown to his Sons head And that the pleasure of so true an affection might be compleat Heaven was pleased to bestow on their first yeare a Son Pausanias and Aurora living and loving so unanimously that every day seemed the first of their marriage The Prince FRom the top of Caucasus a Mountain in Armenia descended a man savage in appearance though not in mind cloath'd with severall skins of wild Beasts his limbs strong and swarthy his face scorch'd with the Sun his haire long at his shoulder hung a Quiver of Arrowes at his left side a Wood-knife and in his hand he carried a young tree which being stript of the boughes and leaves was both his stay and defence who sitting down upon a Carpet of sweet though ordinary Flowers drew out of his breast a beautifull Picture so lively in the obscure Tablet that it seem'd to have more soule then it received from the Pencill and beholding it as intentively as if it had beene the Originall much troubled he thus passionately discoursed to it Oh deare though absent Polixena it is long since I enjoy'd thy divine sight in another condition but what assurance will not envy and fortune dissolve where both conspire to prosecute When I first caus'd Tebrandes to draw thy Picture in this Tablet I little thought that this unequall shadow of thy beauty should ever have been my greatest comfort Who would have said when in Albania I maintain'd a Tourney in a habit which thy faire hands had embroydered that I should ever have seen my selfe in an estate so different the inhabitant of a mountaine my armes naked my feet covered only with the skin of a Beare a Trunke of a tree my Sword my lodging a Cave and companions a pair of Lions But the heavens know that neither to be so expos'd to the injury of weather that the Sun takes me for July and the Snow for January nor to be brought so low that I am forc'd every day to kill some wild Beast to sustaine me nor to live in this dismall solitude where I converse only with Flowers and Rivers nor yet to consider the small hopes I have of better fortune have power to make me sad but only the feare that thou dost forget me For amongst the troubles which an absent Lover suffers none but this is able to torment him It is now twelve yeares since for thy sake I first deserted Albania and were my selfe dilated to an age should alwaies thus preserve thee in my breast but alas I feare thou dost not requite me for women are said to place their eyes and wils only on what they see present because what is past is no longer enjoy'd Having so long disappeared can I doubt my death is not believ'd for certaine And some perhaps there are that affirme it to comply with those that hate me Yet if I live in thy memory nothing else can afflict or trouble me I often imagine that as being but a woman thou hast prov'd unconstant and though thy love might continue the first yeare my absence yet sure the second thou tookst comfort and the third didst quite turne me out of thy breast However this world hath had some whose constancy hath triumphed over the naturall imbecelity of their Sex and thou maist bee one of those The dagger of Lucretia the Coales of Portia and the Aspes of Cleopatra testifie that Love is an unapprehensive of Death Thy constancy faire Polixena would have had no such inconvenience it would not have hazarded thy life The tender-savage Lover would have proceeded in Discourse to the Picture had he not been interrupted by a young Shepheardesse who passing by the skirts of a green Mountaine imagining shee was heard of none but the Birds as she went along sung thus Menga a Shepheardesse neare these Brooks borne Wonder o' th' earth and envy of the morne Sad and asham'd complaines of her hard fate For beauty seldome proves more fortunate Love whose soft chaines she freely did dispence To all at least ensnar'd her innocence Anton a Swaine that many other eyes Attracted was to hers a sacrifice Nor slights she his affection though she feare Their envy who for him like passions beare Teresa's love she knowes to him enclin'd A Nymph though faire yet wanton as the wind Favours and gifts she never yet withstood Inconstancy deriving with her bloud All that shee sees her boundlesse thoughts desire For longing fancies greedy eyes require Once Menga found her with Anton lesse coy Then she could wish his but to rob her joy Shame did suppresse her anger but her teares Did unrestrain'd betray her jealous feares What have I done false shepheardesse she said That thou should'st all my happinesse invade Thou lov'st another me hast dispossest Because stolne pleasures are to thee the best I 've seen thee many love but true to none Thou dost hereditary lightnesse owne Enjoy thine owne not my delights remove Thou wrong'st thy beauty to molest my love Thus Menga who against Teresa cries When she begun to love left to be wise Gesimenes for so was this prodigie of fortune nam'd was much astonisht to heare so sweet a voice in a wilde wood unfrequented by any He arose and called to her bidding her not feare for he was a man rationall as others though his habit
a Barke so closed that the aire had no passage into which having kill'd poore Arnestes with many wounds he shut him dead and me alive to the intent that I might with the horrour miserably end my life Then setting the Barke a drift he committed us to the mercy of the waves pitied of as many as beheld us Thus we floated until heaven mov'd with my prayers and teares was pleas'd to cast me on this shore where your care hath brought me once more into the light and restored that happinesse which from my infancy I desir'd though it hath cost me so deare Ismenia and Gesimenes congratulated Polixena's good fortune for though it were Eclips'd with troubles and discontents yet the event being happy it cannot be called adverse Thus lived Gesimenes with his wife more contented then if he had been Lord of the whole world enjoying her beauty and company without feare or interruption endearing to himselfe that blessing which heaven after so many yeares of affliction had reserv'd for him Ismenia and Perozes past the time with lesse delight complaining each of the others affection she as thinking he was contracted to another and he as having the same opinion of her But Ismenia weary of concealing her jealousie was unwilling that Perozes should accuse her of inconstancy when she had just cause to condemne him wherefore she found him out amongst the Lawrels and Jesmines and shewed him the Pictnre and Letter She told him That the reason why she had belied her own affection and constancy was not that she lov'd any else but that she was of opinion he was anothers that those two witnesses would prove it that he could not wonder at her cruelty since his falsehood and ill requitall deserved it I confess faire Ismenia replyed Perozes that before I saw you I treated of a marriage with the Princesse of Albania but I assure you after I beheld your divine beauty and beleeved that I had obtained some place in your affection I alterd my resolution though to the discontent of my Father and his Subjects who earnestly desire the accomplishment of that match to put an end to the wars between the two kingdoms To comply with your affection I engage my faith never to marry as long as I live unlesse with you nor shall you be if the stories say true the first Queen that was bred up amongst Woods and Rocks but be sure that he whom you call your Father be so indeed for if you deceive me and he prove a Lover I will so revenge my selfe on both that my love shall wonder at my severity Ismenia was so well satisfied and pleas'd with Perozes promise that to confirme what shee had said she plac'd him so that he might see Gesimenes in his Wives armes and as Lovers seldome conceale any thing from one another notwithstanding she had told him that he was her Father shee related to him their true story to which Perozes hearken'd with much content seeing how nobly his beloved Ismenia was descended if Gesimenes and Polixena were her Parents for then she was Neece to the King of Albania a good reason to excuse his unadvised love since he married though not the Princess yet one of her bloud With these joyful hopes Perozes took his leave but Ismenia was troubled when she considered that she had done ill to feigne her selfe the daughter of Gesimenes knowing how easie it was to disprove it for though her affection and resemblance made it probable yet she was conscious that their births were extremely different Perozes devoting himself wholly to the affection of Ismenia and resolving to marry her refus'd the match with the Princesse of Albania and sent to give Pharnazes notice he was already married who was sensible of this affront believing that this neglect was in contempt of his alliance and without expecting either Letters or Ambassadors with his Son Lucander he raised a great Army binding themselves by a solemne Oath not to return to Albania till they had either taken or slaine Perozes On the other side Perozes was not negligent for having notice of the intention of Pharnazes he desired of his Father a Commission for that Warre and leavied sufficient forces to resist the proud Albanians Meane while visiting Ismenia he desired her to perswade her Father Gesimenes who was a great Souldier to command his Army as well to protect the cause which was his owne being his daughters as to revenge himselfe upon Lucander who now came insolently with Pharnazes besides the Albanians might hereby know he was alive and had power to oppose them Ismenia was much perplext to foresee her imposture would be soone discovered but committing all to time and fortune she determined to speake to Gesimenes and thereupon informed him of the Princes affection the occasion of the Warre and the opportunity which heaven hath offer'd him to returne from that miserable kind of life to his first estate Gesimenes disliked not the meanes which Ismenia in Perozes name offered for obtaining the desired end of his affaires Hee was willing to serve him but not therby to injure his father a relation though hee were ungratefull not to bee dispenc'd with His hope was to bee the instrument of peace and of the death of his treacherous brother upon whose death he might returne to Albania and enjoy the Crowne Ismenia told him that it would be requisite for some time to acknowledge her for his daughter Gesimenes reply'd that he should not onely for a time but as long as he lived esteeme her so For the love he bare her and the resemblance shee had to Polixena was such that if her Parentage had not been very meane it would easily have bin credited Ismenia brought him to Perozes the two Princes convers'd together with great expressions of affection Perozes wondred to behold him so alter'd and different from what he had known him before and enquiring after Polixena he intreated him to bring her along that she might beare his sister company They were honourably received by the Nobility and commons of that Kingdome with respect due to persons of such eminence The King conferred the Generalls Staffe on Gesimenes who changing his Habit appear'd so gracefull and majestick that they could hardly perswade themselves hee was the same whom the day before they had seen in that wilde shape so much do ornaments adde to exteriour Beauty By this time the proud Albanians were come so neare that the mountaines resounded with the eccho of their Warlike instruments At night Gesimenes went out in his old habit to espy in the Campe with what force his father came he was so well acquainted with that place that hee feared not to lose himselfe and wearing so strange a habit it was improbable they should suspect him One night as he went downe from his Cave to the bottome of the Hill with intent to returne to the Court hee heard some not farre off consulting privately together withdrawing himselfe behinde a tuft
AURORA ISMENIA AND THE PRINCE BY Don Juan Perez de Montalvan ORONTA THE Cyprian Virgin BY Sign r. Girolamo Preti Tout vient a poinct qui peut attendre Translated by Thomas Stanley Esq The Second Edition with Additions London Printed by W. Wilson for Humphrey Moseley at the Sign of the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard 1650. The Reader MAy be pleas'd to take Notice That what hee hath in his hand was undertaken with no other Intention then as an exercize of both Languages That it now comes abroad in Obedience to private command which could not be withstood That the Licentiousnesse of the French Translation brings hither no assistance But if he finde the Names of Persons or Places differ from the Originall let him suppose it done for the better accommodation of the Scaene Upon AVRORA THis Transplantation of Sicylian Loves To the more pleasing shades Albions Groves Though I admire yet not the thing betrayes My soule to so much wonder as the waies And manner of effecting that thy youth Vntravail'd there should with such happy truth Vnlock us this Iberian Cabinet Whose Diamonds you in polisht English set Such as may teach the eyes of any Dame I' th' British Court to give and take a Flame But here the greatest Miracle we see That Spain for this hath travell'd unto thee W. H. LAnguage and Wit which equally dispose Both light and life to Poetry and Prose In this traduction as their Orbe doe shine And make these Stories like thy selfe Divine Aurora brighter then she was of late The Prince in his misfortunes fortunate Montalvan proud to see himselfe out-done By a Reflection clearer then his Sun W. F. TRanslations that should give light Eclipse their Authors from our sight But here like Christalls doe convey The lustre of a forraigne day Which the inlightned world might see Is owing to thy Charity Who reinspir'st Aurora's cheek With such fresh Roses that we seek Truth in th' originall which Spaine To owne must borrow back againe J. H. Upon ORONTA FLames rescu'd faire Oronta from the power Of an insulting Thracian Conquerour The Fame of which brave action Preti's Rhime Freed from the greater tyranny of Time Yet in that freedom she lesse glories then In being thus made Captive by thy Pen. E. S. FArre brighter now in thy Poetick fire Oronta seemes then in her fatall Pyre For there her beauty lost her vertue shines But thy admir'd expression both combines And Cyprus whose best glories here are seen Is prouder of her Virgin then her Queen W. F. Aurora DIonysius the Sicilian Tyrant had a daughter for her Celestill beauty named Aurora not more faire then unfortunate scarse had she compleated the last yeares of her Infancie when Heaven was pleased to let her know that she was beautifull by eclipsing her fortune For Nature as if she esteem'd beauty a crime not her owne image doth for the most part punish it The Mother of Aurora dyed and Dionysius although the losse of his wife gave him no reall resentment exprest in feign'd teares how extremely he lov'd her but within a few days discover'd the hypocrisie of his griefe receiving in her place Arminda an Italian Lady of quality but not worthy of that Crowne because he had many yeares before kept her as a Mistris She was of a lively spirit witty and faire but of a disposition so harsh that she gain'd little upon the affections of the people bearing such command over her husbands actions that shâ— permitted not any thing to pass in the Kingdâ—me without first consulting her pleasure a care proper to suâ—h of small worth as make ostentation of the power they enjoy that by this meanes they may dissemble their low beginnings but the sucesse proves contrary in regard the injur'd by murmur and complaints discover more then was imagin'd Aurora considering that to permit such excesse were to lend wings to her pride advis'd her not to rely with so much confidence on her fathers affection since it was not impossible that it might faile then would she fall lower for not having treasured the good will of his subjects adding moreover that shee should remember what shee was formerly that shee might not vainly be transported with her new estate These words so incens'd Arminda that from thenceforward she plotted Aurora's death and to effect her desire made Dionysius beleeve that shee was jealous telling him hee lov'd his daughter so passionately for being the picture of the dead Originall since as the Phoenix leaves her ashes to perpetuate her succession so affection useth to leave some living pledges to preserve its memory and certainely the neglect he sometimes exprest towards her was occasion'd by that dead love pictur'd in the beauty of Aurora Arminda urg'd this so earnestly that Dyonisius making impiety a Complement resign'd his daughters fault into her hands allowing her in this cause to be both Judge Party Love the common excuse of all extravagace did not here acquit Dionisius for a man is not oblig'd to dispise the pledges of his blood for a woman that dissembles when she weepes and weepes when she pleases Arminda was satisfied so that Aurora were in some remote place out of her sight whereupon her Father commanded her to depart out of Sicily chusing rather to live without a daughter then displease a wife such was the affection of a blinded Lover the rashnesse of an unnaturall Father They conveig'd the faire Princesse to a little Island seated betwivt the two Promontories Pelorus and Pachynum which seem'd as a Garland of Flowers in the Tyrrhen Sea it was done privately to avoid the mutiny of the people who lov'd her for her beauty and her vertue Hee order'd a select number of servants for her attendants with forfiture of life to any who should discover that Aurora resided in that narrow Pallace The discreet Lady did with much wisedome beare her Fathers unkindnesse diverting her minde now with the musick of the little wanton Birds which hearing her name thought it ever morning and sung continually Now with the pleasant wind which sporting upon the smoothnesse of the Christall sea did amorously disquiet it now with reflecting on her owne misfortunes for the unhappy are often recreated with the same thing that afflicts them Now with the Ladies that attended her especially with Celia who being of the same age and kindred well deserv'd her privacie but when all fail'd and nothing could delight her she took an Instrument which in her hands might boast it was not dumbe and weeping sung thus When will arrive the Day Which must my life and sorrowes terminate That angry fortune may The tyrant goddesse of all humane state Her crueltie fulfilling By one kinde death thus make an end of killing When shall my troubled yeares Be to a verdant grave of flowers restor'd My injuries my feares Too little merited too much deplor'd When shall my just complaint From equall heaven receive a full restraint Now I am throwne