well I might abide Among some kindred by my mothers side I went aboord and safely there arriu'd Full merrily my time I spent vnwiu'd Let cleare and rainy dayes of all the yeare Compared be and more shall be the cleare But he that liues a whole yeare with a shrow More foule than faire dayes shall be sure to know Er long at hau'n-side walking on a day As was my wont I saw come-in a Cray Which while I marke well what it brought and whom Er plancke lay fast I saw leape out a groome Who came t' embrace me kindly Charias hight And said O Cnemon now plucke vp thy sprite Good newes I bring thee Demenet is dead And so as well deseru'd her deu'lish head Thy father gan repent it aft'r a while T' haue beene the cause of thine vniust exile And in his Countrey-village desolate Selfe-fretting spent his time but she gan hate Herselfe and Thisbe for her loues depart So thee she cals and takes it so to heart That mad by fits she often threats her maid Who fear'd the worst and thus preuenting said They say forsooth that Cnemon since his doome Hath left the land but he hath found a roome To lurke in here enquiring for your sake This haue I learn'd Arsinoe I take You know the Queane she closely keepes him hid For this I tell you let me not be chid O happy she quoth Demenet but what Is this to me O mistresse verie pat Repli'd the Maid mine old acquaint is she And one whom I haue vs'd in that degree I le say I Cnemon loue and pray and pay That in her roome this night she will me lay And if she grant the turne shall not be mine But yours and I le him bring well soakt in wine The plot is lik'd and hasted all they can But with Arsinoe turn'd cat in pan For vnto her the suttle Thisbe saith She loves one Teledemus and her pray'th Sweet lodge vs both to night he comes before And I when Dame a bed hath shut the dore Agreed she goes in haste to Aristippe And saith Sir I deserue more than the whip That you haue lost your sonne not principall But instrument I was your wiues at call Whom when I knew abuse your bed I durst Not tell to you but vnto Cnemon first Her fault at night he thought I said that night And start-vp suddenly with all his might Tooke sword in hand and casting on his coat Vnto your chamber went the rest you wote But now forgiue m' and I will you light How to reuenge your sonne and you this night And take your wife in breach of Nuptialls Nor yet at home nor yet within the walls Doe not quoth he from this thy proffer swerue But well performe't thou shalt no longer serue I le set thee free it shall prolong my life To be reueng'd of such a wicked wife T her suspected by some marks aloofe But thought it best be silent wanting proofe You know quâ—th she the tombe of th'Epicures And garden where it stands this parts is yours Expect me there at Eu'n so went her way To Demenet and thus vnt'her gan say Come make you fine for that I promised Is ready for you he will straight to bed So led her forth and comming nigh the place Shee wils her Mistres stay and went a space Before and pray'd Arsinoe withdraw T'anothter house for Teledem but raw And yet a Nouice vnto Cupids Queene Would blush at first of strangers to be seene Arsinoe departs then Thisbe fet And laid in bed her Mistres Demenet Put out the candl ' and said lest you should know her Who then at Aegin were and shut the dore Then for her Master went and wisht him hold Th'Adulter fast He comes in Iealous-bold And cries O haue I caught thee wicked wretch Then Thisbe as though some man thence made a breach Cries-out th'adulter's gone anâ— clasht the dore No matter wench quoth he sith here 's the whore And fast her holding brought her thence but shee Bethinking what a shame it would her bee What punishment to her offence was due And by the Law without all helpe t' ensue And mad that by her maid she was so mockt While people wondring all about her flockt You know the deepe pit where our Leaders won Doe solemne Rites when they came neere vpon 't With struggling much she broke his hold at last And thereinto her selfe downe headlong cast So broke her necke full oft conioyned be Bad life bad death so my reuenge quoth he Preuents the Law and forthwith to the States Her life and death and all thy case relates Gets hardly pardon for himselfe the while His friends entreat to call thee from exile But done or not as yet I know no whether Faire wind and sudden businesse call'd me hether That all the people giue consent no doubt And soone thy father will goe seeke thee out This Charias told me but what else befell And here how came I more time askes to tell Then he and they for company gan weepe And eas'd with teares together fell asleepe But Thyamis th'arch Outlawes name was so Had rested well till houshold Cocke gan crow As all by kinde some say because they feele The Sunne returning with his mid-night wheele And would salute him some for natures heat So quicke-digesting and desire of meat They call to worke the men with whom they dwell Then dreampt and had a vision thus befell He seem'd at Memphis entring Isis Fane That all th'rowout with fire-brands it shane That th' Altars were with sacrifice besprent That in the porch and all about theâ—e went Men all in tumult raising hideous cries As hauing tooke the Temple by surprise That comming neere the shrine the Goddesse met him With his faire prise in hand and thus she gret him This Maid O Thyam I command thee saue her From hurt but know thou hauing shalt not haue her Thou shalt a guest kill though against my Law But she shall liue this when he heard and saw His minde was troubled how to conster it And thus he made all for his purpose fit Haue and not haue a wife no more a maid But how then kill O Hymen stab he said For many a virgin her virginitie May wounded haue and of the wound not die When Sun began t'enamell th'Easterne sand He calls him-to the chiefe of his command And bids the Spoyle so by more noble name He tearm'd the Prey to keepe vntainted Fame Be laid before him Cnemon eke he wils Bring forth the prisners O quoth they what ills Yet more betide vs and him weeping pray'd And he them promis'd if he could some aid And cheer'd them vp and told them how their Chiefe Ne bore the minde of rude and sauage thiefe But noble and gentle was to iust complaint And would not liue thus but vpon constraint When all were come and Thyam set on high To speake them-to as wont he commonly He Cnemon bids vnto that Youth
Meroebus anger'd gaue a stamp Though greatly pleas'd therewith was all the Camp Chariclia's colour went and came the while But at the fall she laught beyong a smile This Queene of Di'monds fairest of the packe Was she that holpe the red suit win the blacke But soone was dampt her victorie for loe The King arising from his Throne said O What pittie 't is that such a man should die Vntimely death but helpe it cannot I. Come young man now remaines that you be crown'd For Sacrifice and yet this deed renown'd Deserues no lesse then set a golden stem Vpon his head beset with pearle and Gem And weeping said triumph though by our Lay The ioy thereof will haue an end to day But sith I cannot free you though I strivve Aske what I may doe for you whilst you liue And I shall grant it Then Theagenes If sacrific'd I must be let it please Your Maiestie that your so new-found heire May vse the sword vpon me and I le obey her The King was strook remembring how that clause Agreed with hers yet would not search the cause But said I promis'd what I might but this I may not doe against the Law it is That saith the Sacrifice still out be laid By one that is a wife not by a Maid She hath an husband quoth the Knight To that Repli'd the King you speake you know not what And like a man to die the fire hath cleane Refuted that conceit except you meane Meroebus here whom I intend t' aduance By marrying her as you haue heard perchance You neuer shall effect it quoth the Knight If I conceiue Chariclia's minde a right And you may trust me as a Sacrifice That of the truth diuinely prophesies To that Meroebus Sacrifices slaine Doe prophesie not while they liue remaine And father well you said and hit himpat At point of death he speakes he knowes not what 'T were good you sent him vnto th'Alt'r againe And at your leisure put him out of paine So sent he was The Princesse that before Had some small ioy receiu'd with hope of more For game at wrestling won now gan to droope When vnto death againe she saw him stoope Her mother comforts her and saith full well He might be sau'd if she would further tell What was betwixt them When she saw no way But plainly must a Maidens loue bewray And sith it was but to the Queene that bore her She pluckt-vp heart and laid the case before her Meanewhile the King Embassadours if moe Yet were to come a Sergeant sent to know The same brings word againe that from Sieen Are letters come with gifts to King and Queene A graue old man comes in as one elect To bring the letters and to this effect T' Hydaspes King of Indies West and East Orondates of all his Traine the least By Deeds of Armes your valour all men see And bounteousnesse by fauour shew'd to mee And sith your all-admired Maiestie Me gaue so soone th' Aegyptian Satrapie It makes me thinke this little suit that I Haue now to make you will me not deny A certaine Maid to me from Memphis sent As I am told by some that with her went And are escapt is by your high command With others captiue brought to Meroland I pray me send her this I vndertake Both for her owne and for her fathers sake Who seeking her was tooke by some of mine Before the peace and left at Elpentine Now prayest ' appeare before your Maiestie In hope to taste herein your clemencie O King returne him not with heauie thought But glad to finde the grace we both haue sought When this was read the King said where is he That seekes a daughter captiue let me see Th' old man who brought the letters said 't is I. Then said the King I will you not deny A fathers suit and well it shall me please To grant this first request t' Orondates There are but ten and one hath Parents knowne Goe view the rest and finding take your owne The man for verie ioy began to greet And fell before the King and kist his feet Then view'd them all but his there could not finde And told the King you se quoth he my minde Th' old man hung downe his head and sorely wept Yet looking vp againe to th' Altar stept And as in sudden furie fast he goes And on Theagenes as'twere a noose His twisted tippet casts The Knight gaue way And let th' old man alone to doe or say What ere he list for though by such a swing Content he was to come before the King And looke againe vpon Chariclia Deiected since he last was sent away The Dotard puls and cries I haue I haue That false Aeacide maiden-stealing Slaue And drawes him willing to be drawne before The King and State and thus begins to rore O King behold this is that wicked wight Who stole my daught'r and now like hypocrite At Altar kneeles they could not well arreed What 't was he meant but wonder'd at the deed And some it pittied some it mou'd to laughter To heare him cry My daughter O my daughter My daughter thus far haue I sought in vaine O Templ ' at Delph O Phoebus O Diane The King commands him tell his case more plaine 'T was Charicles who thus began againe The maine truth hiding Sire I had a childe A guirle although I say 't both faire and milde As any could be seene of flesh and blood Who seru'd Diana vowing maiden-hood In famous Templ ' at Delph this Thessalite Himselfe pretending Achillaean Knight From Phoebus Templ ' and from within the gate Her stole a way and left me desolate Wrong is't to you that place if one profane Your Sun is Phoebus and your Moone Diane When I had sought all ouer Thessalie Pelasgiot Estaetin Phthiotie And found them not I had intelligence The Priest of Memphis had them guided thence And him then seeke I but I found him dead A sonne of his then priesting in his stead Who told me all how that my guirle was sent T' Orondates then to Siene I went And taken was and staid at Elpentine Vntill the Satrap hither sent m'in fine And here I finde yet her I cannot say But this the man that tooke her first a way So held his peace and many brackish teares Fell downe his cheekes vpon his siluer haires Then King to Knight to this Sir what say you Theagenes repli'd Sir all is true Me thiefe and rauisher confesse I must As vnto him but vnto you am just Restore him then the Damsell quoth the King Not he that stole but he that hath the thing Repli'd the Knight restore it ought your selfe The Damsell haue the Priestesse was at Delph 'T is eu'n your daughter faire Chariclia And if he see her so the man will say They all are mou'd and then Sisimithres Who knew it true embraced Charicles And said your nursling whom I once you gaue Is well and her now her right parents haue With that Chariclia this old man to meet Ran from the Queene and fell downe at his feet And said O father deere to me as they Who me begot because I went away So rudely leauing you and holy Delph Take what reuenge you will I yeeld my selfe With that Persina kist the King and said Beleeue my Lord of this our daughter maid This all is true and no man else but he That noble Grecian must her husband be And now by many signes all vnderstood The Gods would haue no more of humane blood The King agreed and glad was of such heires To beare with him the burd'n of Kings affaires Then on their head he set in full renowne The white silke Turban with the Blackmore Crowne And two by two to Mâ—roë they ride Persina with her new-come daughter Bride Hydaspes with his sonne Theagenes And Priest of Delphos with Sisimithres There many dayes together and many nights They celebrate with ioy the nuptiall rites And as they sate at boord with royall cheere What ere was daintie were it ne're so deere A curle-head blacke-boy taught by Zanzibar Who th' Art to learne had trauelled as far As th' Isle of Britain sung to th' Irish harp How Sun and Moone about the Center warp And passing thr'ow the signes of heauenly Ring Make Summer first then Autumne Winter Spring How Greeke Achilles Troian Hector slew And thrice about the Citie wall him drew How mightie Memnon faire Aurora's son Before he fell had many a battell won How Perseus came in t ' Aethiopia And from Sea-monster freed Andromeda Whose picture faire in black Kings chamber seene That Faire-one made be borne of Blackmore Queene This haue I wrought with day-and-nightly swinke To file our tongue so rough let no man thinke It was for wealth or any vaine desire As of a minde that aimes at nothing higher T' enable me to till or let more land T' haue men and women-seruants at command To stretch my selfe on costly bed of state In faire-hung chamber furnished with plate Or in Caroch to whirle the Towne about With humble suitors follow'd home and out To quaffe in chrystall glasse the deerest grapes And make my guests therewith as merrie as Apes To weare the linnen fine and white as milke And purpl ' engrain'd of softest wooll and silke With mule in street to see my foot-cloth fould In field on horse to stamp the grassie mould At wilde-goose chase or after hawke or hound Or run for siluer bell and hundred pound For none of these what rhen that abl ' I bee Without debt or restraint of libertee At land and sea peace and war booke and sword With more effect to serue my Sou'raigne Lord To write road giue keepe hospitalitee As heretofore haue done mine Ancestree That after-câ—mmers know when I am dead I somâ— goo◠〈…〉 life endevoured 〈◊〉 I cannot muâ—◠〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 vse 〈◊〉 Make causey draiâ—â— bridge â—â—â—mon 〈…〉 Poore boyes binde Prentice marrie 〈…〉 When Common-wealth requires such kinde of aids Nor purchase and restore vnto the Church Th'improued Tythes that Auarice did lurch Nor yet build wall fort hospitall or schoole To keepe my name vndrown'd in Lethe poole Yet will I labour what I can with pen To profit my succeeding Countrey-men In vaine may seeme is wealth or learning lent To man that leaues thereof no monument FINIS
backe And cries O Gods what hap is this Alacke W' are quite vndone Chariclia here is slaine And downe the candle cast and wept amaine Theagenes as smit downe by some force Fell and embrac'd the bloud-embrued corse And long so lay that Cnemon lest he should Himselfe doe hurt came softly and was so bold As draw his sword that hung downe by his side And went for light Then lamentably cry'd The Knight and said O griefe vnsufferable Malignant Starre or Furie vnsatiable Was 't not enough to banish me from home All vp and downe the world to make me rome To cast me where no comfort man releeues At sea to Pyrats and at land to theeues Yea more than once and take my ioyes away Of all but one was left and that to day Is also lost my deare Chariclia Slaine in defence of vertue dare I say To keepe her selfe for me These eyes of thine That all men cheer'd as with a light diuine Be darke and nothing see nor he them saw Who thee assail'd or hand had staid for awe But this of mine shall ioyne vs and this Caue Our bodies both shall keepe in hidden graue Then felt he where he thought his sword had hung And said O Cnemon this is double wrong Both vnto her and me As thus he said A slender voyce as 't were of boy or maid Was heard to call Theagenes and he Full well it heard and answer'd Call'st thou me Sweet soule I come then Cnemon came with light And plainely heard the voyce of such a sprite As call'd Theagenes O God quoth he Chariclia liues that was her voyce 't is she O Cnemon quoth Theagenes O leaue And doe me not thus often times deceiue I both deceiue quoth he and am deceiu'd If this dead-one be she and therewith heau'd The head from ground and to them turn'd the face Whereat amaz'd he started backe a space And cry'd O wonder this the countenance Of This be should be what concealed chance Should bring her hither then Theagenes Came to himfelfe and feeles at heart some ease And comforts Cnemon almost out of winde That with his helpe he might the sooner finde His deere Chariclia this now Cnemon knew For Thisbe chiefly by a ribban blue Which with a scroule from off her necke he tooke And as he would vpon the writing looke Theagenes him bids forbeare as then And seeke Chariclia further in the den So he 's content but I had nigh forgot The sword of Thyamis that in the plot Was also found well hatcht and richly guilt Which Cnemon said he knew well by that hilt Who sits in darke sees such as come with light And knowes them sooner than is knowen this might Excuse Chariclia that came first t' embrace And kisse Theagenes with modest grace The fairest thing is Iustice Health the best And most delightfull that we loue possest And haue I got th'againe quoth she And liues My Deere quoth he thus each vnt'other giues The kinde salute and count'r embracing fell For sudden ioy aswound there was a well And Cnemon sprinkled wat'r vpon their faces Which brought againe their rosie-blushing graces For now asham'd they were and chiefly she That Cnemon did what past betweene them see Though all but well yet as they had offended They pardon craue for that which he commended But you Theagenes he said for that You did before I cannot praise for what Embrace a stranger hauing no relation To you at all and in so foule a fashion While I stood by and told you plaine that she Your best Beloued liued yet quoth he O charge me not before Chariclia I tooke that course for her But can you say Ought for your selfe who first the same mistooke And wail'd my case and started backe and shooke For feare of woman dead an armed man O Souldiour stout O braue Athenian Hereat they smil'd a little but with teares As more to sorrow bent amid their feares And yet Chariclia scratching at her eare As if sh 'had then concein'd some iealous feare By thinking on 't broke out thus Happie she Whom he so wail'd and kist what ere she be And but you both will thinke of iealousie I aske thereof faine would I know if thee Sweet heart what one it was that so for me Was kist vnknowen You maruell will quoth he For Cnemon saith 't was Thisbe that Athenian The Minstrellesse that wrought so with a wenian 'Gainst him and Demenet Chariclia scar'd With newes thereof askt Cnemon how it far'd That Thisbe's brought from Greece into this den And neither he nor she perceiu'd her when They thither came That who can tell quoth he But that of her I know is this when she Had circumuented Demenet the plot Against me knowen at first my father got Himselfe a pardon and my home-recall And me to seeke prepar'd a ship and all This while the queane had leisure t'exercise her In minstralsie Arsinoe enuies her Chiefly because the Merchant Nausicles Became her loue before Arsinoes She vnto friends of Demenet relates The plot of Thisbe they vnto the States And cause to plead procure with great expence The men of greatest wit and eloquence They cry that Demenet was cast away Vniudged vnconuict and further say This crime of wed-breach was deuis'd for shame And way to death where is he what 's his name That should commit this foule adulterie Him bring aliue or dead or else to trie The cause aright that Thisbe let be rackt My father promis'd but she closely packt Herselfe away what like to fall vpon her Fore-seeing well and then with much dishonour My father cleer'd of murder by the lawes As one that had related right the cause Yet lost his goods and was himselfe exil'd For ouerthrowing so his guiltlesse childe And helping Thisbes plot against his wife That better had he led still widdow life The man that buries wife and weds againe Doth after ship-wrack lanch into the Maine But this same Thisbe here that hath her due Now in my sight from Athens came I knew By Anticles at Aegin therefore twice With him in t ' Aegypt sail'd I with aduice To finde her there that by her meanes I might Releeue my father State enforming right But how to Lake or how into this Den She was conuey'd I cannot tell nor when But if you please let 's see what 's in the writ I found about her thus beginneth it Vnto my master Cnemon Know you Sir My mistres death and I procur'd it her For your reuenge but how because forsooth 'T were long to write I le tell by word of mouth If you be pleas'd your hand-maid to receiue And while I tell the manner giue me leaue Ten dayes I haue beene here captiu'd t' a theefe Who vaunts himselfe Shield-bearer to the Chiefe So close he keepes me that I cannot moue Vnt'any doore and saith it is for loue I rather thinke and liker 't is for feare Lest any take me from him yet mine Here Some pow'r diuine
in haste Her father chiefe man is of all the Delph Why then quoth he let 's goe vnto himselfe And for his daughter pray him giue consent I trust it shall be no disparagement But he quoth I her promis'd long agoe T' his sisters sonne It shall be for his woe His woe quoth he and little for his ease Who gets Chariclia from Theagenes Nor blunt my sword is nor my hand so weake Good Sir quoth I what need you thus to speake 'T is better done another way be wise And counsaile keeping doe as I aduise Be little seene with me our enteruiew May breed suspect so forc'd he bids m'adiew Then Charicles came thankt embrac'd and said O th' only man to turne deuoted Maid This is your Art and your great wisdome able My guirle is conquer'd earst vnconquerable She 's now in loue Then I looke big and strut And say though little I gaue I knew 't wold do 't But how appeares it you quoth he vs bid Physitians counsaile aske and so we did When they came in she turning to the wall As if she minded not or scorn'd them all That verse of Homer sung with dewie cheekes O great Achilles chiefest of the Greekes The wise Acestin sure you know the man Her caught by th' hand the malady to scan And by the pulse her troubled heart bewray'd Then vnto me good Charicles he said In vaine you call vs this is no disease Whereof our physicke can the fits appease O Gods quoth I and must I lose my deare And only guirle Peace you quoth he and heare So call'd m'aside and softly told me thus The body not the minde is cure for vs She 's sicke in minde she loues and only he That made her sicke will best Physitian be So went his way and I straight hither ran To you my best Director for the man I would it were Alcamenes my lad Whom for her husband I appointed had 'T were good quoth I to try and let him go To visit her he said it should be so And thankt me for th' aduice and yet e're noone The next day met m'and cry'd I am vndone My daughter 's mad I sent as you aduis'd Alcamenes and him she so despis'd And turn'd away-from shreeking as the sight Of Gorgons head had put her in affright Nay threat with cord to make her selfe away Except we left her suddenly that day 'T was time to goe but now good Calasire Proceed t' accomplish that which I require And make her leane to loue I doubt quoth I Lest some malignant counter-sorcerie Be wrought vpon the silken scarffe you said Was with her Iewels by that Infant laid Forthwith he ran and fetch it me and so I lookt thereon and told him this to know Requires some time then to my hand he sped it And I went home and all at leisure readde it In letters Aethiopick not the same Of common sort but that the Kings they name And verie like the sacred Characters That Priests of Aegypt use thus it refers Persina wofull Queene of Blackmoreland This wrote her selfe in haste with trembling hand I know not how except by pictures white Wherewith my King would haue his chamber dight I brought him forth this white-one but affraid Of that high crime would to my charge be laid Ne durst be known thereof but said she di'de And by a trustie Groome her sent aside To saue both her and me from death and shame That hate th'Adultresse and the Bastards name And now sweet Babe in vaine so faire that art Whereby thy selfe and I were like to smart These jewells and this swath-band I thee giue To make thee known if be thy hap to liue Which O! and then thinke on thy Pedegree And like a Princesse guard thy chastitee Of all thy jewells this Pantarbe stone Haue care to keepe 't is worth all them alone And more there was in lamentable fashion Set downe t' expresse a tender mothers passion Which here I skip but Cnemon when I saw The name Persina strooke I was with awe And in my minde were griefe and ioy at strife The griefe to note this faire young Ladies life And what she was indeed and what suppos'd The ioy to see the Prophecie disclos'd That now I thought was meet fit season watch And what I did intend with speed dispatch To her I goe and finde her all alone Nigh ouercome with languishing and mone Yet some what cheer'd to see me Then I said I now expect the promise of a Maid Which was to tell me what 's you griefe I pray Make if you will haue ease no more delay You know my trust and that I can it know Though you conceale But why should you doe so She tooke and kist my hand and said O father Then by your wisdome vnderstand it rather Well then quoth I you are not th' only she But many braue and vertuous Ladies be That loue a man and he that hath you heart If any worthy be hath all desart This if you marke may set your minde at ease For what is wanting in Theagenes But Sir quoth she you speake as if 't were sure My father would consent and th' other endure To wooe a Maid Quoth I to tell you true The man is deeper strooke in loue than you Then as for your supposed father he Wife vnt ' Alcamenes would haue you be Alcamenes quoth she first let me die For but Theagenes will no man I. But why my father call you so suppos'd Then I that written on the silke disclos'd And shew'd it her and askt her if she knew 't She said such-one she had but he with-drew't To lay-vp safe lest it be worne or stain'd Yet neuer knew before what it contain'd Then vp she lookt with courage void of pride With count'nance well assur'd and stedfast e'yd And askt what 's to be done I tell her how I was my selfe in Blackmoreland ere now To learne the tongue and ioyne Gymnosophie With Gypsie skill and Greeke Philosophie And that her fathers Court without obstacle Of learned men was chiefest Receptacle That there so grew I known to Queene Persine And was esteemed as an Arch-Diuine She when she heard that home returne I ment Sent form ' and told me why she for me sent To wit she durst but vnt'a stranger tell A childe she had which fare it ill or well Dead liuing where faine would she know and pray'd That with my skill therein I would her aid And told your case and said she could not finde That any such now liu'd in land of Inde But made me first to keepe her counsaile sweare I learne of Isis that you liue and where Your mother then me prayes in any wise I cast would how to finde you and denise To bring you home and if you come in heale To King Hydaspes she will all reueale Now time hath well approu'd her loyaltie And for succession of his royaltie Glad will he be to finde vnhoped heire And doubt not
bids no longer stay her But as a mother to them both obey her Well was his meaning though it ill befell As ill that ment is often falls-out well They condescend O ne're had been so gull'd This louing paire but that they had been dull'd The day before with ioy that night with griefe And so them stole this man-and-woman-thiefe No sooner came they to the Palace gate And saw the sumptuous buildings and the state Where workmanship excelled manifold The matter selfe though Porphyrite and gold But maruell'd much and troubled were in minde For they had thought some priuate Host to finde And not belodg'd in Court too late they thought To start backe now and further still are brought Vntill they came to Cybels lodging where She made them sit and came and sate them neere And said My children well I doe perceiue 'T is forth'Arch-Bishops death that you so greiue Your reuerend friend it seemes he lou'd you well And you him also but I pray me tell Of whence and who you be of Greece I know And well descended by the grace you show In lineaments and lookes but of what towne Of Greece you be and how thus vp and downe You come to wander let me know I pray That to my Lady better may I say For your behoofe she loues a Greeke full well And in that language few can her excell That are not Greekes and is to strangers all Of worthy parts most noble and hospitall The royall wife of Prince Orondates And sister to the great King Artabes You shall not speake it but t' a faithfull frend And one that will continue yours to th' end For Greeke I am and Lesbis they me name Of that braue Isle and Citie whence I came From place to place a captiue did I rome But settled here far better than at home I mannage all my Ladies great affaires And eu'rie stranger first to me repaires And I them bring acquainted with her Grace Then let me somewhat understand your case He then this hearing vnto minde doth call Arsaces wanton glances from the wall And thought no good was like to come thereon But rather mischiefe now he feares begon And as he gan to speake Chariclia Him rounds i'th'eare and saith in that you say Your sister think-on Mother then quoth he We Grecian borne and broth'r and sister be Our Parents were by Rouerstak'n away And we them seeking worse haue far'd than they Till now of late with holy Calasire We fell acquaint and at his kinde desire Resolu'd to liue with him this is our case Now if you loue vs doe vs but the grace To let vs lodge in place more solitarie For from the Court our habits greatly varie Then of your Ladies fauour make pause And trouble not her Highnesse for our cause Glad was the Grammer when she heard they were A broth'r and sister that she might not feare Chariclia would be some impediment For her t' effect Arsaces main intent And said good sonne you neuer would so say If you my Lady known had but a day So kinde to strangers so compassionate Vnt ' all that suffer crosse in there estate Though Persian borne she loues the Grecian guise And of the two our Nation counts more wise Then feare not you shall best preferment get That fits a man your sister shall be set At boord with her to keepe her company Both neere each other liuing merrily But now your names Theagenes quoth he My selfe am called and Chariclia she Then bids she them her straight returne expect And vnt ' her Lady Arsace runs direct And told what seruice sh 'had already done To bring those young ones hardly to be won Into the Court where now without offence May enterview be had and conference She gaue command'ment first t'another Hag That kept her doore no bolt thereof to wag For anies comming in or going out What if your son quoth she Keepe backe the Lout Cyb-hag reply'd And she no sooner gone But comes and knocks hard at the doore her sonne Then O Theagen O Chariclia Say th' one to th' other she doth vs betray And keeping Louers chaste and faithfull grace Embrace and weepe and kisse kisse weepe embrace They then the losse of Calasire lament And chiefly she that most time with him spent And said O sweetest name of father quite Bereft me now for him that was my right I neuer knew and him that foster'd me Whose name I beare how can I hope to see That left him so no better than betray'd And this that was my best and surest aid Lies flat aground embalmed for the beere And cruell custome lets me not come neere Then would she teare her locks and on them weepe And said thy funerall yet thus I keepe But he held both her hands then she the more Fell thus againe her Patron to deplore My guide in forraine lands and as I rome My staffe to lean-on who shall bring me home Who shall me lead Who shall my Parents finde Put-by my dangers comfort me so kinde Now thou art gone O were my head a fount To weepe my fill and yeeld thee iust account Meane time Theagenes did inly grieue But hid his owne her passion to relieue Achamenes without doore all this while Against the Porteresse began to moyle Yet when he knew his mothers charge I thinke He said no more but peept in at a chincke And saw them both and thought how braue a Swain Were that and this a wench in merrie vain Who so become their griefe Again he peekes And bett'r obserues the count'nance of these Greekes For such he learn'd they were and by his mother Late thither brought and viewes both one and other Till at the last is strooke by th'Archer blinde In loue with her and gan him call to minde And thought is this not he whom th' other day The Male-contents of Bessa tooke away From me and my Conuoy by Mitranes Sent to present him vnt ' Orondates And should he not I haue it vnder ring From hence be sent to serue the mightie King But not a word vntill I know the rest And how my Lady likes of this her guest Now Cybel came againe and chid her sonne For prying so into that she had done As oftentimes the curious are shent For searching things to them not pertinent He mutt'ring went his way but thought this youth Was kept of-purpose for Arsaces tooth As for that wench it shall goe hard and if By mothers helpe I get her not to wife The Bawd discern'd as soone as she came in Though now compos'd in what case they had bin Why mourne my children so quoth she that reason Haue more to laugh for their good hap this season My Lady wils me that you nothing want And here assure you no good cheere is scant To morrow must I you to her present Then doe not still so babishly lament But vnto cheerfulnesse now change your face And set your selues to please her noble grace Good mother
Condemne the guiltlesse to be burnt with fire The crime proclaim'd nor better was nor worse Then for the poys'ning Lady Arsaces Nurse Tormentors lead her forth without the walls And such a sight the people much appals Arsace for successe of her inuents Comes forth her selfe vpon the battlements And for she would not lose her pleasant sight Of louers torment standing in her light But when the fire was ready and slam'd aloft Chariclia them that led her pray'd goe soft And giue her leaue to speake and loud she cri'de O Sunne and Heauen can any from you hide This cruell fact I suffer willingly But innocent to put-off miserie For this I pardon craue but as for her This woman monster femall Gouerner That cares not what she doth in lusts-excesse To take my husband filthy Adulteresse O pay her home these words with resolution Made some prepare to stay that execution But she preuents them mounting as to game And straight way sate as in a throne of flame For by degrees the pile about her stood Of straw of sedge of reed and solid wood What need I names of sundrie trees compute Of eu'rie kinde there was that bore no fruit The bearing tree is priuiledg'd from fire Which vnto th' other payes deserued hire And now her beautie by resplendent shine Of flashing light appeares the more diuine Yet burnt she not although to speed her death And rid her of this vndelightsome breath Faine would she burne and though from sted to sted She follow'd still the fire the fire her fled Whereat she wonders much and all that saw 't Arsace sees it from the murall vault And threatens her tormentors they fling-on More straw sedge reed and wood fire all anon And more deuoures and yet no whit the more Came nigh the Maid nor heat vnto her bore The peopl ' are mou'd and twice or thrice they said The Maid is guiltlesse guiltlesse is the Maid And droue the Tortors off by Thyamis Stirr'd-vp thereto that com'n was there by this And though they could themselues approach do nier They stood aloofe and call'd her from the fire Which when she heard and saw the Gods she thought To shew her innocence that wonder wrought And lest she should vnthankfull seeme she came Forth all vnhurt amid the yeelding flame The Towne for ioy and wonder gaue a shout Which made Arsace as mad come running out With all her Guard and Noblemen of Perse And on Chariclia she then looking fierce Laid hand her selfe and said with rage enflam'd What meane this peopl ' and are you not asham'd To hinder justice on this wicked wretch Whom more condemnes that you to wonder stretch For poys'ners all and witches are the same And by her witchcraft hath she scapt the flame Come all to morrow to the Iudgement Hall And there you shall be satisfied all Then her by shoulder griping led away As cruell Faulcon seiseth on her pray Such as liue wicked woman bee 't or man The noting scape not doe they what they can They shall be curst aliue and trod-on dead By all them knew whereas the blamelesse head Th' vntainted life such honours fame attaines As flies all ore the land-and-water Maines No sooner came they to the Palace gate But sent againe the Virgin is t' Euphrate And harder bound not so to keepe her in As purposely to fret her tender skin Yet all in good she tooke and more at ease As fellow-pris'ner with Theagenes Although Arsace will'd it so for spight That one might grieue the more at others sight For Louers more at paine of their Beloued Than at their owne are lamentably moued But they to comfort turne it while they striue To shew their loue in bearing well the guiue And now each oth'r exhorts they stoutly stand T' endure the worst Arsace could command Before they faile in faith so firmly plighted And so they talke-on till they were benighted Nor slept they then because they deemed either This was the last that they should talke together At length they minde the miracl ' at the fire And what might be the cause thereof enquire He said it was the grace of Pow'r Diuine That caus'd the fire an Innocent decline Why then quoth she abide we more and more Th'vniust commands of this vsurping whore But now I call to minde a dreame I had Thus Calasire me thought in verse it radde Pantarbe wearing feare thou not the flame With such a vertue Nature did it frame Therewith Theagenes as much as guyues Would suffer him leaps and his heart reuiues Remembring what he likewise dreampt last night That such a verse him Calasiris dight To Blackmorland the Maid with thee shall come And scape to morrow fell Arsaces doome I see quoth he whereto these verses tend To Blackmorland that is vnto mine end The land of shaddowes and Proserpina The Maid is whom I must attend to day And scape Arsaces doome that is be free From bodies bond in Soules simplicitee And for your verse sweet heart what doth it say But may be turn'd or this or th' other way Pantarbe signifies of all thing Feare Yet Feare not fire it saith yee that it weare Then she my heart my deere Theagenes O be not led with such conceits as these Whom Fortune much afflicts he cannot choose But feare the worst and still on ruine muse Ye men will say that women passe for toung And I haue liu'd so much the Greekes among That well I know this Tarbos oft is read As well for great amazement as for dread And for a stone so much t' oppose the fire It may amaze and make men all admire Then heare me rather this your Maid is I Whom you shall bring home vnt'Aethiopie For is not that the proper Blackmans roome And so escape this fell Arsaces doome But how 't will be I know not though I know The Power for showing can effect the show And who would thinke that I should hitherto Ha scaped death and yet you see I doe And when I bore my helpe about me loe That then I knew not now I plainly know Among my mothers jewels there is one That bindes in gold a rare Pantarbe stone I had them all about me when I went Condemn'd to fire for if I scapt I ment They should maintaine me if I di'd withall Me stand in stead of solemne funerall And now I thinke that this so wondrous thing Is only wrought by that Pantarbe-ring As pleas'd the Gods And often Calasire Me told it was an Antidote to fire Though then I thought not on 't nor euer since Till now the triall did the truth euince Well haue you said quoth he for that is past But what Pantarbe shall vs saue at last Or from to morrowes doome Good hope quoth she And trust in that to come as that we see Faln-out according to the Pythian verse You know 't so well I need it not rehearse Our fatall rest we seeke through much anoy Whereon to thinke hereafter
Whereof they brought for solemne Sacrifice And for the feast a wondrous multitude To satisfie both ciuill men and rude Some meet the King a great way off for ioy Some neare and all cry-out Vive le Roy. The graue Gymnosophists maintaine their state And meet the King not much beyond the gate Of sacred field and there they kisse his hands The Queene within the porch of Temple stands Receiues him there with men of noble ranks And all for victorie the Gods giue thanks Then out of Cloyster to the place they went Of Sacrifice and set them in their Tent Foure-square it was and pillarets in steed At eu'rie corner born-vp with a reed As big as trunke of Oake in Canopee Met close aboue with boughs of Phoenix tree Another Tent there was two stories high Wherein aboue the pictures set are by Of Memnon Perseus and Andromeda Of whom the Blackmore Kings I cannot say How true it is but as it is pretended From time to time are lineally descended Hereunder sit the graue Gymnosophists Round about the Souldiours keepe the lists That force of people breake not vpon those Who should doe Sacrifice amid the close The King them told what for the Common-wealth Was lately done and all pray for his health He then commands according t'ancient guise Whom-to it long'd proceed to Sacrifice For now the time of day grew toward Noone Three Altars were there two for Sun and Moone Together set the third for Bacchus was By 't selfe alone and this for offring has All sorts of creatures to the God of wine Th'vncleane and cleane th'impure and pure encline But th' other two for either heau'nly light That all the world about doe shine so bright The Sun white horses had for swiftest flight The Moone for helping tillage oxen white And while men busie be preparing those Confused cries among the peopl ' arose For humane Sacrifice of strangers tane That after custome first should there be slaine The King them all appeas'd with beck'ning hand And for the strangers bringing gaue command They brought are loose the rest all heauie and sad The Greekes vndaunted rather seeming glad And cheerfully Chariclia cast her eyes Vpon Persina which the Queene espies And marking was affected much and said With deep-set sigh O husband what a Maid Haue you pickt-out to kill so sweet a face I neuer saw With what a cheerfull grace And haughtie courage comes she to her death The daught'r I brought you had she drawn her breath Till now I thinke should beare the selfe-same age What pitie it is that on this bloudy stage The flowre of Maids is brought I should delight In such a waiter if I saue her might A Greeke I thinke the more I pitie her case For if you marke it sh' hath no Gypsie face A Greeke indeed quoth he and though she said Here parents will be here it cannot aid I pittie her my selfe but cannot stead Except it proue sh' hath lost her Maiden-head Which must be tri'd by fire And if 't be so For you to take her were it fit or no No matter quoth the Queene or maid or wife Or otherwise so I but saue her life Captiuitie and warre and banishment Though fault committed were excuse intent So said sh'and hardly could her swelling eye Conceale th' affection from the standers-by Then call'd the King for th' artificiall fire That wont discerne the broken from th' entire For though it were with burning gold made hot Yet man or woman virgin burnt it not That gold by fire and woman 's tri'd by gold And men by women cannot be control'd Though Maid to try by scaping thus enfir'd It cannot be but from aboue inspir'd Theagenes is call'd and all admire So young so goodly a man t' endure the fire To see him tri'd so was Chariclia glad Though no suspition of his loue she had And grieu'd againe when triall was so done He should be sacrifis'd vnto the Sunne As said the King To her Theagenes Then softly said among such peopl ' as these Is Sacrifice reward of chastity And death of honest life Sweet heart but why Reueale you not your selfe to saue our life You see me neere the Sacrificers knife Or will you stay vntill you see me dead Or till your mothers sword strike-off your head I prethee saue me yet I care not I So thou be sure to liue although I die The time 's at hand quoth she what shall I say Our fortunes now are all at Hay now hay Then op't her fardell quickly drest her selfe In sacred mantle that she brought from Delph Dispred her golden haire about her shoulders And to th' amazement there of all beholders On fire she leapt in furie as 't were diuine That made her beautie more and more to shine And hurt her not All wonder many weepe That she her maiden-head so well should keepe To make her die Persina most of all Affected is and rising from her stall Entreats the King In vaine you speake quoth he And troubl ' vs all for that which cannot be The Gods you see doe choose her since she leapt Vpon the fire and therefore haue her kept Vntainted hitherto but O yee Wise Wherefore begin you not the Sacrifice Sisimithres replies then out of hand In Greeke that all there might not vnderstand Far bee 't O King with Sacrifices such Polluted are w'already too too much But wee 'll aside into the Temple draw And not assist man-sacrifising Law Wherewith the Gods offended are we know Yet sith the people needs will haue it so 'T is meet the King doe stay and see it done For feare the vulgar to disorder run And after shall your Maiestie haue need Be cleansed for assisting such a deed And yet not so for done it shall not bee A beame about the strangers heads I see Which plainly tels me that some Pow'r Diuine In tok'n of aid hath cast on them this shine So saying rose and all his company So parting were Chariclia presently From fire downe running fell before his way And said O reu'rend Sire beseek you stay I haue to plead against his royall grace And you are only iudge in such a case As I am told then heare and quickly know That such a death I ought not vndergoe The stranger then quoth he O King appeales Now doe her right as father of Common-weales Hydaspes smil'd and said how can it be Or what hath such an one to doe with me That shall you know quoth he if she declare But Sir repli'd the King you must beware You giue not way for iudgement or Appeale To wrong a King and Fath'r of Common-weale As you me terme and doe me this disgrace Against a Captiue so to plead my case Sisimithres reparted Equitie Respects not high Degrees or Maiestie But he that right with reason best maintaines At Iustice bar is only man that raignes But with mine owne repli'd the King and not With strangers ought I thus to try my lot O Sir