the discord of the nobilitie and when other cause fayled him the nature of chaunce serued as a cause vnto him and sometimes the hearing other men speake valiantly and the quietnesse of his vnassailed senses woulde make himselfe beleue that hee durst doo something But now that present daunger did display it selfe vnto his eye and that a daungerous dooing must be the onely meane to preuent the danger of suffering one that had marked him woulde haue iudged that his eies would haue run into him and his soule out of him so vnkindly did either take a sent of daunger He thought the lake was too shallow and the walles too thin he misdouted ech mans treason and coniectured euery possibilitie of misfortune not onely fore-casting likely perils but such as all the planets together coulde scarcely haue conspired and already began to arme him selfe though it was determined he should tarrie within doores and while he armed himselfe imagined in what part of the vault he would hide himselfe if the enimies wonne the castle Desirous he was that euery body should do valiantly but himselfe and therefore was afraid to shew his feare but for very feare would haue hid his feare lest it shoulde discomfort others but the more he sought to disguize it the more the vnsutablenes of a weake broken voice to high braue wordes and of a pale shaking countenance to a gesture of animating did discouer him But quite contrarily Amphialus who before the enimies came was carefull prouidently diligent not somtimes with out doubting of the issue now the nearer danger approched like the light of a glow-worme the lesse still it seemed and now his courage began to boile in choler and with such impatience to desire to powre out both vpon the enimie that he issued presently into certaine boates he had of purpose and carying with him some choise men went to the fortresse he had vpon the edge of the lake which hee thought would bee the first thing that the enimy woulde attempt because it was a passage which commanding all that side of the country and being lost would stop victuall or other supply that might be brought into the castle in that fortresse hauing some force of horsemen he issued out with two hundred horse fiue hundred footmen embushed his footmen in the falling of a hill which was ouer shadowed with a wood he with his horsmen went a quarter of a mile further aside hand of which he might perceaue the many troupes of the enimie who came but to take view where best to encampe themselues But as if the sight of the enimie had bene a Magnes stone to his courage he could not containe himselfe but shewing his face to the enimie and his backe to his souldiers vsed that action as his onely oration both of denouncing warre to the one and perswading help of the other Who faithfully following an example of such authoritie they made the earth to grone vnder their furious burden and the enimies to begin to be angry with them whom in particular they knew not Among whom there was a young man youngest brother to Philanax whose face as yet did notbewray his sex with so much as shew of haire of a minde hauing no limits of hope nor knowing why to feare full of iollitie in conuersation and lately growne a Louer His name was Agenor of all that armie the most beautifull who hauing ridden in sportfull conuersation among the foremost all armed sauing that his beauer was vp to haue his breath in more freedome seing Amphialus come a pretty way before his cōpany neither staying the commaundement of the captaine nor recking whether his face were armed or no set spurs to his horse and with youthfull brauerie casting his staffe about his head put it then in his rest as carefull of comely carying it as if the marke had beene but a ring and the lookers on Ladies But Amphialus launce was already come to the last of his descending line and began to make the ful point of death against the head of this young Gentleman when Amphialus perceyuing his youth and beautie Compassion so rebated the edge of Choller that hee spared that faire nakednesse and let his staffe fal to Agenors vampalt so as both with braue breaking should hurtleslie haue perfourmed that match but that the pittilesse launce of Amphialus angry with being broken with an vnlucky counterbuffe ful of vnsparing splinters lighted vpon that face farre fitter for the combats of Venus geuing not onely a suddaine but a fowle death leauing scarsely any tokens of his former beautie but his hands abandoning the reynes and his thighes the saddle hee fell sidewarde from the horse Which sight comming to Leontius a deere friende of his who in vaine had lamentably cried vnto him to stay when he saw him beginne his careere it was harde to say whether pittie of the one or reuenge against the other helde as then the soueraigntie in his passions But while hee directed his eye to his friende and his hinde to his enimie so worngly-consorted a power coulde not resist the ready minded force of Amphialus who perceyuing his il-directed direction against him so paide him his debt before it was lent that hee also fell to the earth onely happy that one place and one time did finish both their Loues and liues together But by this time there had bene a furious meeting of either side where after the terrible salutation of warlike noyse the shaking of handes was with sharpe weapons some launces according to the mettall they mett and skill of the guider did staine themselues in bloud some flew vp in pieces as if they would threaten heauen because they fayled on earth◠But their office was quickly inherited either by the Prince of weapons the sworde or by some heauy mase or biting axe which hunting still the weakest chase sought euer to light there wher smallest resistance might worse preuent mischiefe The clashing of armour and crushing of staues the iustling of bodies the resounding of blowes was the first parte of that ill-agreeing musicke which was beautified with the griselinesse of woundes the rising of dust the hideous falles and grones of the dying The very horses angrie in their masters anger with loue and obedience brought foorth the effects of hate and resistance and with minds of seruitude did as if they affected glorie Some lay deade vnder their dead maisters whome vnknightly wounds had vniustly punished for a faithfull dutie Some lay vppon their Lordes by like accidents and in death had the honour to be borne by them whom in life they had borne Some hauing lost their commaunding burthens ranne scattered about the fielde abashed with the madnesse of mankinde The earth it selfe woont to be a buriall of men was nowe as it were buried with men so was the face thereof hidden with deade bodies to whom Death hade come masked in diuerse manners In one place lay disinherited heades dispossessed of their naturall seignories in an
the meane of perturbacions doth onely liue in the contemplatiue vertue and power of the omnipotent good the soule of soules and vniuersall life of this great worke and therefore is vtterly voide from the possibilitie of drawing to it selfe these sensible considerations Certenly answered Pirocles I easely yeeld that we shall not knowe one another and much lesse these passed things with a sensible or passionate knowledge For the cause being taken away the effect followes Neither do I thinke we shall haue such a memorye as nowe we haue which is but a relicke of the senses or rather a print the senses haue left of things passed in our thoughtes but it shall be a vitall power of that very intelligence which as while it was heere it helde the chiefe seate of our life and was as it were the last resorte to which of all our knowledges the hyest appeale came and so by that meanes was neuer ignorant of our actions though many times rebelliously resisted alwayes with this prison darkened so much more being free of that prison and returning to the life of all things where all infinite knowledge is it cannot but be a right intelligence which is both his name and being of things both present and passed though voyde of imagining to it selfe any thing but euen growen like to his Creator hath all things with a spirituall knowledge before it The difference of which is as hard for vs to conceaue as it had for vs when wee were in our mothers wombes to comprehende if any body would haue tould vs what kinde of light we nowe in this life see What kinde of knowledge we nowe haue yet nowe we do not only feele our present being but we conceaue what we were before we were borne though remembrance make vs not do it but knowledge and though we are vtterly without any remorse of any misery we might then suffer Euen such and much more odds shall there be at that second deliuery of ours when voyde of sensible memorye or memoratiue passion wee shall not see the cullours but lifes of all things that haue bene or can be and shall as I hope knowe our friendship though exempt from the earthlie cares of friendship hauing both vnited it and our selues in that hye and heauenly loue of the vnquenchable light As he had ended his speeche Musidorus looking with a heauenly ioy vpon him sang this song vnto him he had made before loue turned his muse to another subiecte SInce natures workes be good and death doth serue As natures worke why should we feare to dye Since feare is vaine but when it may preserue Why should we feare that which we cannot flye Feare is more paine then is the paine it feares Disarming humane mindes of natiue might While each conceate an ouglie figure beares Which were not euill well vew'd in reasons light Our owly eyes which dimm'd with passions bee And scarce discerne the dawne of comming day Let them be clearde and now begin to see Our life is but a step in dustie way Then let vs holde the blisse of peacefull minde Since this we feele great losse we cannot finde Thus did they like quiet Swannes sing their owne obsequies and vertuously enhable theyr mindes against all extremities which they did thinke woulde fall vppon them especially resoluing that the fyrst care they would haue should be by taking the faulte vpon themselues to cleere the two Ladyes of whose case as of nothing else that had happened they had not any knowledge Although their friendly hoste the honest Gentleman Kalander seeking all meanes how to helpe them had endeuored to speake with them and to make them knowe who should be their iudge But the curious seruaunt of Philanax forbad him the entrye vppon paine of death For so it was agreed vppon that no man should haue any conference with them for feare of newe tumults Insomuch that Kalander was constrayned to retire himselfe hauing yet obtayned thus much that he would deliuer vnto the two Princes their apparell and iewells which being left with him at Mantinea wisely considering that theyr disguised weedes which were all as then they had would make them more odious in the sight of the iudges he had that night sent for and now brought vnto them They accepted their owne with great thankefulnes knowing from whence it came and attired themselues in it against the nexte daye which being in deede ritch and princely they accordinglye determined to maintaine the names of Palladius and Daiphantus as before it is mencioned Then gaue they themselues to consider in what sort they might defende their causes for they thought it no lesse vaine to wish death then cowardly to feare it till something before morning a small slumber taking them they were by and by after callde vp to come to the aunswere of no lesse then theyr liues imported But in this sort was the iudgement ordred As soone as the morning had taken a full possession of the Element Euarchus called vnto him Philanax and willed him to draw out into the middest of the greene before the chiefe lodge the throne of iudgement seate in which Basilius was woont to sit and according to their customes was euer carried with the Prince For Euarchus did wisely consider the people to be naturally taken with exterior shewes farre more then with inward consideracion of the materiall pointes And therefore in this newe entrie into so entangled a matter he would leaue nothing which might be eyther an armour or ornament vnto him and in these pompous ceremonyes he well knewe a secreat of gouernment much to consist That was performed by the diligent Philanax and therein Euarchus did set himselfe all cloathed in blacke with the principall men who could in that sodainenes prouide themselues of such mourning rayments The whole people commaunded to keepe an orderly silence of each side which was duly obserued of them partly for the desire they had to see a good conclusion of these matters and partly striken with admiracion aswell at the graue and princely presence of Euarchus as at the greatnes of the cause which was then to come in question As for Philanax Euarchus woulde haue done him the honour to sit by him but he excused himselfe desiring to be the accuser of the prisoners in his maisters behalfe and therefore since he made himselfe a partie it was not conuenient for him to sit in the iudiciall place Then was it awhile deliberated whether the two young Ladies should be brought forth in open presence but that was stopped by Philanax whose loue and faith did descend from his maister to his children and only desired the smart should light vpon the others whome he thought guiltie of his death and dishonour alleaging for this that neyther wisedome would they should be brought in presence of the people which might herevpon growe to new vprores nor iustice required they should be drawen to any shame till some body accused them And as for Pamela he
a certaine Sycionian Knight was lost thorow want rather of valour then iustice her husband the famous Argalus would in a chafe haue gone and redeemed it with a new triall But shee more sporting then sorrowing for her vndeserued champion tolde her husbande shee desired to bee beautifull in no bodies eye but his and that shee would rather marre her face as euill as euer it was then that it should be a cause to make Argalus put on armour Then woulde Basilius haue tolde Zelmane that which she already knew of the rare triall of that coupled affection but the next picture made their mouthes giue place to their eyes It was of a young mayd which sate pulling out a thorne out of a Lambes foote with her looke so attentiue vppon it as if that little foote coulde haue bene the circle of her thoughts her apparell so poore as it had nothing but the inside to adorne it a shephooke lying by her with a bottle vpon it But with all that pouertie beauty plaid the prince and commanded as many harts as the greatest Queene there did Her beautie and her estate made her quicklie to be knowne to be the faire shepheardesse Vrania whom a rich knight called Lacemon farre in loue with her had vnluckely defended The last of all in place because last in the time of her being captiue was Zelmane daughter to the King Plexirtus who at the first sight seemed to haue some resembling of Philoclea but with more marking comparing it to the present Philoclea who indeed had no paragon but her sister they might see it was but such a likenesse as an vnperfect glasse doth giue aunswerable enough in some feitures and colors but erring in others But Zelmane sighing turning to Basilius Alas sir said she here be some pictures which might better become the tombes of their Mistresses thē the triumphe of Artesia It is true sweetest Lady saide Basilius some of them bee dead and some other captiue But that hath happened so late as it may bee the Knightes that defended their beauty knew not so much without we will say as in some harts I know it would fall out that death it selfe could not blot out the image which loue hath engrauen in them But diuers besides these said Basilius hath Phalantus woon but he leaues the rest carying onely such who either for greatnes of estate or of beauty may iustly glorifie the glory of Artesias triumph Thus talked Basilius with Zelmane glad to make any matter subiect to speake of with his mistresse while Phalantus in this pompous maner brought Artesia with her gentlewomen into one Tent by which he had another where they both wayted who would first strike vpon the shielde while Basilius the Iudge appointed sticklers and troumpets to whom the other should obey But non that day appeared nor the next till all ready it had consumed halfe his allowance of light but then there came in a knight protesting himselfe as contrarie to him in minde as he was in apparrell For Phalantus was all in white hauing in his bases and caparison imbroidered a wauing water at each side whereof hee had nettings cast ouer in which were diuers fishes naturally made and so pretily that as the horse stirred the fishes seemed to striue and leape in the nette But the other knight by name Nestor by birth an Arcadian in affection vowed to the faire Shepherdesse was all in black with fire burning both vpō his armour and horse His impresa in his shield was a fire made of Iuniper with this word More easie and more sweete But this hote knight was cooled with a fall which at the third course he receiued of Phalantus leauing his picture to keepe companie with the other of the same stampe hee going away remedilesly chafing at his rebuke The next was Polycetes greatly esteemed in Arcadia for deedes he had done in armes and much spoken of for the honourable loue he had long borne to Gynecia which Basilius himselfe was content not onely to suffer but to be delighted with he carried it in so honorable and open plainnes setting to his loue no other marke then to do her faithfull seruice But neither her faire picture nor his faire running could warrant him from ouerthrow and her from becomming as then the last of Artesias victories a thing Gynecias vertues would little haue recked at another time nor then if Zelmane had not seene it But her champion went away asmuch discomforted as discomfited Then Telamon for Polexena and Eurileon for Elpine and Leon for Zoana all braue Knights all faire Ladies with their going downe lifted vp the ballance of his praise for actiuitie and hers for fairenes Vpon whose losse as the beholders were talking there comes into the place where they ranne a shepheard stripling for his height made him more then a boy and his face would not allow him a man brown of complexion whether by nature or by the Suns familiaritie but very louely with all for the rest so perfectly proportioned that Nature shewed shee dooth not like men◠who slubber vp matters of meane account And well might his proportion be iudged for he had nothing vpon him but a paire of sloppes and vpon his bodie a Gote-skinne which hee cast ouer his shoulder doing all things with so pretie a grace that it seemed ignorance could not make him do a misse because he had a hart to do well holding in his right hand a long staffe so cōming with a looke ful of amiable fiercenes as in whō choller could not take away the sweetnes hee came towards the king and making a reuerence which in him was comely because it was kindly My liege Lord said he I pray you heare a few words for my heart wil break if I say not my mind to you I see here the picture of Vrania which I cannot tell how nor why these men when they fall downe they say is not so faire as yonder gay woman But pray God I may neuer see my olde mother aliue if I think she be any more match to Vrania then a Goate is to a fine Lambe or then the Dog that keepes our flock at home is like your white Greihounde that pulled downe the Stagge last day And therefore I pray you let me be drest as they be and my hart giues me I shall tumble him on the earth for indeede hee might aswell say that a Couslip is as white as a Lillie or els I care not let him come with his great staffe and I with this in my hand and you shall see what I can doo to him Basilius sawe it was the fine shepheard Lalus whom once he had afore him in Pastorall sportes and had greatly delighted in his wit full of prety simplicitie and therefore laughing at his earnestnesse he bad him be content since hee sawe the pictures of so great Queenes were faine to follow their champions fortune But Lalus euen weeping ripe went among the rest longing to
for Loue so forceth me Plangus doth liue and shall Erona dye Erona dye O heauen if heauen there be Hath all thy whirling course so small effect Serue all thy starrie eyes this shame to see Let doltes in haste some altars faire erect To those high powers which idly sit aboue And vertue do in greatest need neglect Basilius O man take heed how thou the Gods do moue To causefull wrath which thou canst not resist Blasphemous words the speaker vaine do proue Alas while we are wrapt in foggie mist Of our selfe-loue so passions do deceaue We thinke they hurt when most they do assist To harme vs wormes should that high Iustice leaue His nature nay himselfe for so it is What glorie from our losse can he receaue But still our dazeled eyes their way do misse While that we do at his sweete scourge repine The kindly way to beate vs on to blisse If she must dye then hath she past the line Of lothsome dayes whose losse how canst thou mone That doost so well their miseries define But such we are with inward tempest blowne Of windes quite contrarie in waues of will We mone that lost which had we did bemone Plangus And shall she dye shall cruell fier spill Those beames that set so many harts on fire Hath she not force euen death with loue to kill Nay euen cold Death enflamde with hot desire Her to enioy where ioy it selfe is thrall Will spoile the earth of his most rich attire Thus Death becomes a riuall to vs all And hopes with foule embracements her to get In whose decay Vertues faire shrine must fall O Vertue weake shall death his triumph set Vpon thy spoiles which neuer should lye waste Let Death first dye be thou his worthy let By what eclipse shall that Sonne be defaste What myne hath erst throwne downe so faire a tower What sacriledge hath such a saint disgra'st The world the garden is she is the flower That sweetens all the place she is the guest Of rarest price both heau'n and earth her bower And shall ô me all this in ashes rest Alas if you a Phoenix new will haue Burnt by the Sunne she first must build her nest But well you know the gentle Sunne would saue Such beames so like his owne which might haue might In him the thoughts of Phaëtons damme to graue Therefore alas you vse vile Vulcans spight Which nothing spares to melt that Virgin-waxe Which while it is it is all Asias light O Mars for what doth serue thy armed axe To let that wit-old beast consume in flames Thy Venus child whose beautie Venus lackes O Venus if her praise no enuy frames In thy high minde get her thy husbands grace Sweete speaking oft a currish hart reclaimes O eyes of mine where once she saw her face Her face which was more liuely in my hart O braine where thought of her hath onely place O hand which toucht her hand when we did part O lippes that kist that hand with my teares sprent O toonge then dumbe not daring tell my smart O soule whose loue in her is onely spent What ere you see think touch kisse speake or loue Let all for her and vnto her be bent Basilius Thy wailing words do much my spirits moue They vttred are in such a feeling fashion That sorrowes worke against my will I proue Me-thinkes I am partaker of thy passion And in thy case do glasse mine owne debilitie Selfe-guiltie folke most prone to feele compassion Yet Reason saith Reason should haue abilitie To hold these wordly things in such proportion As let them come or go with euen facilitie But our Desires tyrannicall extortion Doth force vs there to set our chiefe delightfulnes Where but a baiting place is all our portion But still although we faile of perfect rightfulnes Seeke we to tame these childish superfluities Let vs not winke though void of purest sightfulnes For what can breed more peeuish incongruities Then man to yeeld to female lamentations Let vs some grammar learne of more congruities Plangus If through mine eares pearce any consolation By wise discourse sweete tunes or Poets fiction If ought I cease these hideous exclamations While that my soule she she liues in affliction Then let my life long time on earth maintained be To wretched me the last worst malediction Can I that know her sacred parts restrained be From any ioy know fortunes vile displacing her In morall rules let raging woes contained be Can I forget when they in prison placing her With swelling hart in spite and due disdainfulnes She lay for dead till I helpt with vnlasing her Can I forget from how much mourning plainfulnes With Diamond in window-glasse she graued Erona dye and end this ougly painefulnes Can I forget in how straunge phrase she craued That quickly they would her burne drowne or smother As if by death she onely might be saued Then let me eke forget one hand from other Let me forget that Plangus I am called Let me forget I am sonne to my mother But if my memory must thus be thralled To that strange stroke which conquer'd all my senses Can thoughts still thinking so rest vnappalled Basilius Who still doth seeke against him selfe offences What pardon can auaile or who imployes him To hurt himselfe what shields can be desenses Woe to poore man ech outward thing annoyes him In diuers kinds yet as he were not filled He heapes in outward griefe that most destroyes him Thus is our thought with paine for thistles tilled Thus be our noblest parts dryed vp with sorrow Thus is our mind with too much minding spilled One day layes vp stuffe of griefe for the morrow And whose good haps do leaue him vnprouided Condoling cause of friendship he will borrow Betwixt the good and shade of good diuided We pittie deeme that which but weakenes is So are we from our high creation slided But Plangus lest I may your sicknesse misse Or rubbing hurt the sore I here doo end The asse did hurt when he did thinke to kisse When Zelmane had read it ouer marueyling verie much of the speeche of Eronas death and therefore desirous to know further of it but more desirous to heare Philoclea speake Most excellent Ladie saide she one may be little the wiser for reading this Dialogue since it nether sets foorth what this Plangus is nor what Erona is nor what the cause should be which threatens her with death and him with sorow therefore I woulde humbly craue to vnderstand the particular discourse thereof because I must confesse some thing in my trauaile I haue heard of this strange matter which I would be glad to finde by so sweet an authoritie confirmed The trueth is answered Philoclea that after hee knew my father to bee Prince of this countrie while hee hoped to preuaile something with him in a great request hee made vnto him hee was content to open fully the estate both of himselfe and of that Ladie which with my
thing in trueth neuer till this time by me either heard or suspected for who could thinke without hauing such a minde as Antiphilus that so great a beautie as Eronas indeed excellent could not haue held his affection so great goodnes could not haue bound gratefulnesse and so high aduancement could not haue satisfied his ambition But therefore true it is that wickednesse may well be compared to a bottomlesse pit into which it is farre easier to keepe ones selfe from falling then being fallen to giue ones selfe any stay from falling infinitely But for my Cosen and me vpon this cause we parted from Erona Euardes the braue and mighty Prince whom it was my fortune to kill in the combat for Erona had three Nephewes sonnes to a sister of his all three set among the foremost rancks of Fame for great minds to attempt and great force to perfourme what they did attempt especially the eldest by name Anaxius to whom all men would willingly haue yeelded the height of praise but that his nature was such as to bestow it vpon himselfe before any could giue it For of so vnsupportable a pride he was that where his deeds might wel stir enuie his demeanor did rather breed disdaine And if it bee true that the Gyants euer made war against heauen he had bene a fit ensigne-bearer for that company For nothing seemed hard to him though impossible and nothing vniust while his liking was his iustice Now he in these wars flatly refused his aid because he could not brooke that the worthy Prince Plangus was by his cosen Tiridates preferred before him For allowing no other weights but the sword and speare in iudging of desert how-much he esteemed himselfe before Plangus in that so much would he haue had his allowance in his seruice But now that he vnderstood that his vncle was slaine by me I think rather scorne that any should kil his vncle then any kindnesse an vn-vsed guest to an arrogant soule made him seeke his reuenge I must confesse in manner gallant enough For he sent a challenge vnto me to meete him at a place appointed in the confines of the kingdome of Lycia where he would proue vpon me that I had by some trecherie ouercome his vncle whom els many hundreds such as I could not haue withstood Youth and successe made mee willing enough to accept any such bargaine especially because I had heard that your cosen Amphialus who for some yeares hath vniuersally borne the name of the best Knight in the world had diuers times fought with him and neuer bene able to master him but so had left him that euery man thought Anaxius in that one vertue of curtesie far short of him in all other his match Anaxius still deeming himselfe for his superiour Therefore to him I would goe and I would needs goe alone because so I vnderstood for certaine he was and I must confesse desirous to do something without the company of the incomparable Prince Musidorus because in my hart I acknowledge that I owed more to his presence then to any thing in my selfe whatsoeuer before I had done For of him indeed as of any worldly cause I must grant as receiued what euer there is or may be good in me He taught me by word and best by example giuing mee in him so liuely an Image of vertue as ignorance could not cast such mist ouer mine eyes as not to see and to loue it and all with such deare friendship and care as ô heauen how can my life euer requite vnto him which made me indeed finde in my selfe such a kind of depending vpon him as without him I found a weakenesse and a mistrustfulnes of my selfe as one strayed from his best strength when at any time I mist him Which humour perceiuing to ouer-rule me I straue against it not that I was vnwilling to depend vpon him in iudgement but by weakenesse I would not which though it held me to him made me vnworthy of him Therefore I desired his leaue and obtained it such confidence he had in me preferring my reputation before his owne tendernesse and so priuately went from him hee determining as after I knew in secret maner not to be far from the place where we appointed to meete to preuent any foule play that might be offered vnto me Full loth was Erona to let vs depart from her as it were forefeeling the harmes which after fel to her But I ridde fully from those combers of kindnesse and halfe a dayes iorney in my way toward Anaxius met an aduēture which though in it self of smal importance I wil tel you at large because by the occasion thereof I was brought to as great comber and danger as lightly any might escape As I past through a Laund ech side whereof was so bordred both with high tymber trees and copses of farre more humble growth that it might easily bring a solitarie minde to looke for no other companions then the wild burgesses of the forrest I heard certaine cries which comming by pawses to mine eares from within the wood of the right hand made mee well assured by the greatnesse of the crie it was the voice of a man though it were a verie vnmanlike voice so to crie But making mine eare my guide I left not many trees behinde me before I sawe at the bottome of one of them a gentle-man bound with many garters hand foot so as well he might tomble and tosse but neither runne nor resist he coulde Vpon him like so many Eagles vpon an Oxe were nine Gentle-women truely such as one might wel enough say they were hansome Eche of them held bodkins in their handes wherewith they continually pricked him hauing bene before-hand vnarmed of any defence from the wast vpward but onely of his shirte so as the poore man wept and bled cried and praied while they sported themselues in his paine and delighted in his praiers as the argumentes of their victorie I was moued to compassion and so much the more that hee straight cald to me for succour desiring me at lest to kill him to deliuer him from those tormenters But before my-selfe could resolue much lesse any other tell what I would resolue there came in cholericke hast towards me about seuen or eight knights the foremost of which willed me to get me away not to trouble the Ladies while they were taking their due reuenge but with so ouer-mastring a maner of pride as truly my heart could not brooke it and therefore answering them that howe I woulde haue defended him from the Ladies I knew not but from them I would I began a combat first with him particularly and after his death with the others that had lesse good maners ioyntly But such was the ende of it that I kept the fielde with the death of some and flight of others In so much as the women afraid what angrie victorie would bring forth ran all away sauing onely one who was so flesht
cankred brest perceiuing that as in water the more she grasped the lesse she held but yet now hauing run so long the way of rigour it was too late in reason and too contrary to her passion to returne to a course of meekenesse And therefore taking counsell of one of her olde associates who so far excelled in wickednesse as that she had not onely lost all feeling of conscience but had gotten a very glory in euill in the ende they determined that beating and other such sharp dealing did not so much pull downe a womans hart as it bred anger and that nothing was more enemy to yeelding then anger making their tender harts take on the armour of obstinacy for thus did their wicked mindes blinde to the light of vertue and owly eied in the night of wickednes interpret of it and that therefore that was no more to be tried And for feare of death which no question would doo most with them they had bene so often threatned as they began to be familiarly acquainted with it and learned to esteeme threatning words to be but words Therefore the last but best way now was that the one seeing indeede the others death should perceiue there was no dallying meant and then there was no doubt that a womans soule would do much rather then leaue so beautifull a body This being concluded Cecropia went to Philoclea and tolde her that now she was to come to the last part of the play for her part though she found her hard harted obstinacie such that neither the sweetnesse of louing meanes nor the force of hard meanes could preuaile with her yet before she would passe to a further degree of extremity she had sought to win her sister in hope that her sonne might be with time satisfied with the loue of so faire a Lady but finding her also rather more then lesse wilfull she was now minded that one of their deathes should serue for an example to the other that despising worthy folks was more hurtfull to the despiser then the despised that yet because her sonne especially affected her and that in her owne selfe she was more inclinable to pittie her then she had deserued she would begin with her sister who that afternoone should haue her head cut off before her face if in the meane time one of them did not pull out their il-wrought stiches of vnkindnes she bad her looke for no other nor longer time then she told her There was no assault giuen to the sweet Philocleas minde that entered so far as this for where to all paines and daungers of her selfe foresight with his Lieutenant Resolution had made ready defence now with the loue she bare her sister she was driuen to a stay before she determined but long she staied not before this reason did shine vnto her that since in herselfe she preferred death before such a base seruitude loue did teach her to wish the same to her sister Therefore crossing her armes and looking side-ward vpon the ground Do what you will said she with vs for my part heauen shall melt before I be remoued But if you will follow my counsell for your owne sake for as for praiers for my sake I haue felt how little they preuaile let my death first serue for example to win her who perchaunce is not so resolued against Amphialus and so shall you not onely iustly punish mee who indeede doo hate both you and your sonne but if that may mooue you you shall doo more vertuously in preseruing one most worthy of life and killing an other most desirous of death lastly in winning her in steed of a peeuish vnhappie creature that I am you shall blesse your sonne with the most excellent woman in all praise-worthy things that the world holdeth But Cecropia who had already set downe to her selfe what she would do with bitter both termes and countenaunce told her that she should not neede to woo death ouer-egerly â—or if her sister going before her did not teach her wit her selfe should quickly follow For since they were not to be gotten there was no way for her sonnes quiet but to knowe that they were past getting And so since no intreating nor threatning might preuayle she bad her prepare her eies for a new play which she should see within fewe houres in the hall of that castle A place indeed ouerfit for so vnfit a matter for being so stately made that the bottome of it being euen with the ground the roofe reached as hie as any part of the castle at either ende it had conuenient lodgings In the one ende was one storie from the ground Philocleas abode in the other of euen height Pamelas and Zelmanes in a chamber aboue her but all so vaulted of strong and thickly built stone as one could no way heare the other each of these chambers had a litle windowe to looke into the hall but because the sisters should not haue so much comforte as to looke one to another there was of the outsides curtaynes drawne which they could not reach with their hands so barring the reach of their sight But when the houre came that the Tragedie should beginne the curtaynes were withdrawen from before the windowes of Zelmane and of Philoclea a sufficient challenge to call their eyes to defende themselues in such an incounter And by and by came in at one ende of the hall with about a dozen armed souldiers a Ladie led by a couple with her handes bounde before her from aboue her eyes to her lippes muffled with a faire kerchiefe but from her mouth to the shoulders all bare and so was led on to a scaffold raised a good deale from the floore and all couered with crimsin veluet But neither Zelmane nor Philoclea needed to be tolde who she was for the apparell she ware made them too well assured that it was the admirable Pamela Whereunto the rare whitenesse of her naked necke gaue sufficient testimonie to their astonnished senses But the fayre Ladie being come to the scaffold and then made to kneele downe and so lefte by her vnkinde supporters as it seemed that she was about to speake somewhat whereunto Philoclea poore soule earnestly listned according to her speach euen minding to frame her minde her harte neuer till then almost wauering to saue her sisters life before the vnfortunate Ladie could pronounce three wordes the executioner cut off the ones speech and the others attention with making his sworde doo his cruell office vpon that beautifull necke Yet the pittilesse sworde had such pittie of so pretious an obiect that at first it did but hit flat long But little auailed that since the Ladie falling downe astonnished withall the cruell villayne forced the sworde with another blowe to diuorce the faire marriage of the head and body And this was done so in an instant that the very act did ouerrun Philocleas sorrow sorrow not being able so quickly to thunderbolt her harte thorough her senses but first
when she sawe him come in with a sworde drawne and a looke more terrible then the sword she streight was stricken with the guiltines of her owne conscience yet the wel known humblenes of her sonne somwhat animated her till he comming nearer her and crying to her Thou damnable creature onely fit to bring forth such a monster of vnhappines as I am she fearing he would haue stricken her though indeed he meant it not but only intended to kill himselfe in her presence went backe so farre till ere she were aware she ouerthrew her selfe from ouer the Leades to receaue her deathes kisse at the ground and yet was she not so happie as presentlie to dye but that she had time with hellish agonie to see her sonnes then knowen whom she had in her Countrey but so olde as not able to trauaile but had giuen her soueraigne annointments to preserue his body withall till he might be brought vnto him and that Basilius had graunted leaue either naturall kindnes preuailing ouer all the offences done or rather glad to make any passage which might leade him out of his countrie and from his daughters This discourse Lycurgus vnderstanding of Helene deliuered to his brother with her vehement desire to see the body and take her last farewell of him Anaxius though hee were fallen out with all womankind in respect of the hate he bare the sisters whom hee accounted murtherers of Amphialus yet at his brothers request graunted her leaue And she poore Lady with grieuous expectation and languishing desire caried her faint legs to the place where he lay either not breathing or in all appearance breathing nothing but death In which pittious plight when she saw him though Sorow had set before her minde the pittifullest conceit thereof that it could paint yet the present sight went beyonde all former apprehensions so that beginning to kneele by the bodie her sight ranne from her seruice rather then abide such a sight and she fell in a soune vpon him as if she could not choose but dye of his wounds But when her breath aweary to be closed vp in woe broke the prison of her faire lippes and brought memorie with his seruaunt senses to his naturall office she yet made the breath conuey these dolefull wordes with it Alas said she Amphialus what strange disasters be these that hauing sought thee so long I should be now sorie to finde thee that these eyes should looke vpon Amphialus and be grieued withall that I should haue thee in my power without glory and embrace thee without comfort How often haue I blest the meanes that might bring me neere thee Now woe worth the cause that brings me so neere thee Often alas often hast thou disdained my teares but now my deare Amphialus receiue them these eyes can serue for nothing else but to weepe for thee since thou wouldest neuer vouchsafe them thy comfort yet disdaine not them thy sorrow I would they had bene more deare vnto thee for then hadst thou liued Woe is me that thy noble harte could loue who hated thee and hate who loued thee Alas why should not my faith to thee couer my other defects who only sought to make my Crowne thy foote-stoole my selfe thy seruaunt that was all my ambition and alas thou disdainedst it to serue them by whom thy incomparable selfe were disdained Yet ô Philoclea wheresoeuer you are pardon me if I speake in the bitternes of my soule excellent may you be in all other things and excellent sure you are since he loued you your want of pittie where the fault onely was infinitenesse of desert cannot be excused I would O God I would that you had graunted his deserued suite of marrying you and that I had bene your seruing-maide to haue made my estate the foile of your felicitie so he had liued How many weary steps haue I trodden after thee while my onely complaint was that thou wert vnkinde Alas I would now thou wert to be vnkind Alas why wouldest thou not commaund my seruice in persuading Philoclea to loue thee who could or if euery one could who would haue recounted thy perfections so well as I who with such kindly passions could haue stirred pittie for thee as I who should haue deliuered not only the wordes but the teares I had of thee and so shouldest thou haue exercised thy disdaine in me and yet vsed my seruice for thee With that the body mouing somewhat and giuing a groneful of deaths musick she fell vpon his face and kist him and with all cried out O miserable I that haue onely fauour by miserie and then woulde shee haue returned to a fresh careere of complaints when an aged and wise Gentleman came to her and besought her to remember what was fit for her greatnesse wisdome and honour and with all that it was fitter to show her loue in carying the body to her excellent Surgeon first applying such excellent medicines as she had receiued of him for that purpose rather then onely shew her selfe a woman-louer in fruitles lamentations She was streight warned with the obedience of an ouerthrowen minde and therefore leauing some surgeons of her owne to dresse the body went herselfe to Anaxius and humbling her selfe to him as lowe as his owne pride could wish besought him that since the surgeons there had vtterly giuen him ouer that he would let her carie him awaye in her litter with her since the worst he could haue should bee to die and to die in her armes that loued him aboue all things and where he should haue such monuments erected ouer him as were fit for her loue and his worthines beseeching him withall since she was in a country of enemies where shee trusted more to Anaxius valour then Basilius promise that he would conuey them safely out of those territories Her reasons something moued him but nothinge thoroughly perswaded him but the last request of his helpe which he streight promised warranting all securitie as long as that sword had his master aliue She as happy therein as vnhappines coulde be hauing receiued as small comfort of her owne surgeons as of the others caused yet the body to bee easily conueyed into the litter all the people then beginning to roare and crie as though neuer till then they had lost their Lord. And if the terrour of Anaxius had not kept them vnder they would haue mutinied rather then suffered his bodie to be caried away But Anaxius him selfe riding before the litter with the choyce men of that place◠they were affraid euen to crie though they were ready to crie for feare but because that they might doo euery bodie forced euen with harming themselues to doo honour to him some throwing themselues vpon the grounde some tearing their clothes and casting duste vpon their heades and some euen woundring themselues and sprinkling their owne bloud in the aire The generall consort of whose mourning perfourmed so the naturall tunes of sorrow that euen to them if
gates and walles leauing none within but himselfe and his brothers his thoughts then so full of their intended pray that Mars-his lowdest trumpet could scarcely haue awaked him But while he was directing what he would haue done his yongest brother Zoilus glad that he had the commission went in the name of Anaxius to tell the sisters that since he had answere from their father that he and his brother Licurgus should haue them in what sort it pleased them that they would now graunt them no longer time but presently to determine whether they thought it more honorable comfort to be compelled or perswaded Pamela made him answere that in a matter whereon the whole state of her life depended and wherein she had euer answered she would not lead but follow her parents pleasure she thought it reason she should either by letter or particular messenger vnderstand somthing from theÌ„selues not haue her beleef bound to the report of their partiall seruant and therfore as to their words she her sister had euer a simple true resolution so against their vniust force God they hoped would either arme their liues or take away their liues Well Ladies said he I will leaue my brothers who by and by will come vnto you to be their owne embassadors for my part I must now do my selfe seruice And with that turning vp his mustachoes and marching as if he would begin a pauen â—e went toward Zelmane But Zelmane hauing had all this while of the messengers being with Basilius much to do to keepe those excellent Ladies from seeking by the pasport of death to escape those base dangers wherevnto they found themselues subiect still hoping that Musidorus would finde some meanes to deliuer theÌ„ and therefore had often both by her owne example and comfortable reasons perswaded them to ouerpasse many insolent indignities of their proud suters who thought it was a sufficient fauour not to do the vttermost iniurie now come againe to the streight she most feared for them either of death or dishonor if heroicall courage would haue let her she had bene beyonde herselfe amazed but that yet held vp her wit to attend the vttermost occasion which euen then brought his hairie forehead vnto her for Zoilus smacking his lippes as for the Prologue of a kisse and something aduancing himselfe Darling said he let thy hart be full of ioy and let thy faire eies be of counsell with it for this day thou shalt haue Zoilus whom many haue loÌ„ged for but none shall haue him but Zelmane And oh how much glory I haue to think what a race wil be betwne vs. The world by the heaueÌ„s the world will be too little for them And with that he would haue put his arme about her necke but she withdrawing her selfe from him My Lord said she much good may your thoughts do you but that I may not dissemble with you my natiuitie being cast by one that neuer failed in any of his prognostications I haue bene assured that I should neuer be apt to beare children But since you will honor me with so hie fauor I must onely desire that I may performe a vow which I made among my countriwomen the famous Amazons that I would neuer marrie none but such one as was able to withstand me in Armes therefore before I make mine owne desire seruiceable to yours you must vouchsafe to lend me armor and weapons that at least with a blow or two of the sword I may not finde my selfe periured to my selfe But Zoilus but laughing with a hartie lowdnes went by force to embrace her making no other answere but since she had a mind to trie his Knighthood she should quickly know what a man of armes he was and so without reuerence to the Ladies began to struggle with her But in Zelmane then Disdaine became wisdome and Anger gaue occasion For abiding no longer aboad in the matter she that had not put off though she had disguised Pyrocles being farre fuller of strong nimblenes tript vp his feete so that he fell downe at hers And withall meaning to pursue what she had begun puld out his sword which he ware about him but before she could strike him withall he gat vp and ranne to a faire chamber where he had left his two brethren preparing themselues to come downe to their mistresses But she followed at his heeles and euen as he came to throw himselfe into their armes for succor she hit him with his owne sword such a blow vpon the waste that she almost cut him asunder once she sundred his soule from his body sending it to Proserpina an angry Goddesse against rauishers But Anaxius seing before his eyes the miserable end of his brother fuller of despite then wrath and yet fuller of wrath then sorow looking with a wofull eye vpon his brother Lycurgus Brother said he chastice this vile creature while I go downe and take order lest further mischiefe arise and so went downe to the Ladies whom he visited doubting there had bene some further practise then yet he conceiued But finding them only strong in pacience he went and lockt a great Iron gate by which onely any body might mount to that part of the Castle rather to conceale the shame of his brother slaine by a woman then for doubt of any other anoyance and then went vp to receaue some comfort of the execution he was sure his brother had done of Zelmane But Zelmane no sooner saw those brothers of whom Reason assured her she was to expect reuenge but that she lept to a target as one that well knew the first marke of valure to be defence And then accepting the oportunitie of Anaxius going away she waited not the pleasure of Lycurgus but without any words which she euer thought vaine when resolution tooke the place of perswasion gaue her owne hart the contentment to be the assailer Lycurgus who was in the disposition of his nature hazardouse and by the luckie passing through many dangers growne confident in himselfe went toward her rather as to a spoile then to fight so farre from feare that his assurednesse disdained to hope But when her sword made demonstrations aboue all flattery of arguments and that he found she prest so vpon him as shewed that her courage sprang not from blinde despaire but was garded both with cunning and strength self-loue then first in him diuided it selfe from vain-glory and made him finde that the world of worthines had not this whole globe comprised in his brest but that it was necessarie to haue strong resistance against so strong assailing And so between them for a fewe blowes Mars himselfe might haue bin delighted to looke on But Zelmane who knew that in her case slownesse of victory was little better then ruine with the bellowes of hate blew the fire of courage and he striking a maine blow at her head she warded it with the shield but so warded that the shield was cut in two pieces
insupportable and yet in deapth of her soule most deserued made it more miserable At length letting her tong goe as her dolorous thoughts guided it she thus with lamentable demeanour spake O bottomles pit of sorrowe in which I cannot conteyne my selfe hauing the fyrebrands of all furyes within me still falling and yet by the infinitenes of it neuer falne Neyther can I ridde myselfe being fettred with the euerlasting consideracion of it For whether should I recommend the protection of my dishonored fall to the earth it hath no life and waites to be encreased by the reliques of my shamed carcasse to men who are alwayes cruell in their neighboures faultes and make others ouerthrowe become the badge of their ill masked vertue to the heauens ô vnspeakeable torment of conscience which dare not looke vnto them No sinne can enter there oh there is no receipt for polluted mindes Whether then wilt thou leade this captiue of thine ô snakye despayre Alas alas was this the free-holding power that accursed poyson hath graunted vnto me that to be held the surer it should depriue life was this the folding in mine armes promised that I should fould nothing but a dead body O mother of mine what a deathfull sucke haue you geuen me O Philoclea Philoclea well hath my mother reuenged vppon me my vnmotherly hating of thee O Zelmane to whome yet least any miserye should fayle me remayne some sparkes of my detestable loue if thou hast as now alas now my minde assures me thou hast deceaued me there is a fayre stage prepared for thee to see the tragicall ende of thy hated loues With that worde there flowed out two riuers of teares out of her fayre eyes which before were drye the remembraunce of her other mischiefes being dryed vp in furious fyre of selfe detestation loue only according to the temper of it melting it selfe into those briny tokens of passion Then turning her eyes agayne vpon the body she remembred a dreame she had had some nights before wherein thinking herselfe called by Zelmane passing a troublesome passage she found a dead body which tolde her there should be her only rest This no sooner caught holde of her remembraunce then that she determining with her selfe it was a directe vision of her fore-appoynted ende tooke a certayne resolucion to embrace death assoone as it should be offred vnto her and no way to seeke the prolonging of her annoyed life And therefore kissing the cold face of Basilius And euen so will I rest sayd she and ioyne this faultye soule of mine to thee if so much the angry gods will graunt mee As shee was in this plight the Sunne nowe climing ouer our Horizon the first Shepherds came by who seeing the King in that case and hearing the noyse Damaetas made of the Lady Philoclea ranne with the dolefull tidings of Basilius death vnto him who presently with all his company came to the Caues entrye where the Kings body lay Damaetas for his parte more glad for the hope he had of his priuate escape then sorye for the publike losse his Countrie receaued for a Prince not to be misliked But in Gynaecia nature preuayled aboue iudgement and the shame shee conceaued to be taken in that order ouercame for that instant the former resolucion so that assoone as she sawe the formost of the pastorall troupe the wretched Princesse ranne to haue hid her face in the next woods but with such a minde that she knewe not almost her selfe what she could wish to be the grounde of her safetie Damaetas that sawe her runne awaye in Zelmanes vpper rayment and iudging her to be so thought certaynely all the spirits in hell were come to play a Tragedie in these woods such strange change he sawe euery way The King dead at the Caues mouth the Queene as hee thought absent Pamela fledde away with Dorus his wife and Mopsa in diuers franzies But of all other things Zelmane conquered his capacitie sodainly from a woman growne to a man and from a lockt chamber gotten before him into the fieldes which hee gaue the rest quicklie to vnderstande for in steede of doing any thing as the exigent required he beganne to make circles and all those fantasticall defences that hee had euer hearde were fortifications against Diuells But the other Shepheards who had both better wittes and more faith forthwith deuided themselues some of them running after Gynecia and esteeming her running away a great condemnation of her owne guiltinesse others going to their Prince to see what seruice was left for them eyther in recouerie of his life or honoring his death They that went after the Queene had soone ouertaken her in whome nowe the fyrst feares were stayde and the resolucion to dye had repossessed his place in her minde But when they sawe it was the Queene to whome besides the obedient dutie they ow'de to her state they had alwayes carried a singuler loue for her courteous liberalities and other wise and vertuous partes which had filled all that people with affection and admiracion They were all sodainely stopped beginning to aske pardon for their followinge her in that sorte and desiring her to be their good Ladie as she had euer bene But the Queene who nowe thirsted to be ridde of her selfe whome she hated aboue all thinges with such an assured countenance as they haue who alreadie haue dispensed with shame and digested the sorrowes of death she thus sayde vnto them Continue continue my friends your doing is better then your excusing the one argues assured faith the other want of assurance If you loued your Prince when he was able and willing to doo you much good which you could not then requite to him doo you now publish your gratefulnes when it shall be seene to the world there are no hopes left to leade you vnto it Remember remember you haue lost Basilius a Prince to defend you a Father to care for you a companyon in your ioyes a friend in your wants And if you loued him shew you hate the author of his losse It is I faithfull Arcadians that haue spoyled the Countrie of their protector I none but I was the minister of his vnnaturall end Cary therfore my blood in your hāds to testifie your own innocencie neither spare for my titles sake but consider it was he that so entituled me And if you think of any benefits by my meanes thinke with it that I was but the instrumēt and he the spring What stay ye Shepheards whose great Shepheard is gone you neede not feare a woman reuerence your Lords murtherer nor haue pittie of her who hath not pittie of herself With this she presented her faire neck some by name others by signes desired them to do iustice to the world dutie to their good king honor to themselues and fauour to her The poore men looked one vpon the other vnused to be arbiters in Princes matters and being now falne into a great perplexitie betwixt a Prince dead
and a Princesse aliue But once for them she might haue gone whether she would thinking it a sacriledge to touch her person when she finding she finding she was not a sufficieÌ„t oratour to perswade her own death by their haÌ„ds well said she it is but so much more time of miserie for my part I will not geue my life so much pleasure from hence forward as to yeeld to his desire of his own choise of death since all the rest is taken away yet let me excell in miserie Leade me therfore whether you will only happy because I can not be more wretched But neyther so much would the honest Shepheards do but rather with many teares bemoned this encrease of their former losse till she was faine to leade them with a very strange spectacle either that a Princesse should be in the hands of Shepheards or a prisoner should direct her gardiens lastly before either witnes or accuser a Lady condemne her selfe to death But in such monefull â—arch they went towards the other Shepheards who in the meane time had left nothing vnassaied to reuiue the King but all was bootles and their sorrowes encreased the more they had suffred any hopes vainly to arise Among other trialls they made to know at least the cause of his end hauing espied the vnhappy cup they gaue the little liquor that was left to a dogge of Damaetas in which within a short time it wrought the like effect although Damaetas did so much to recouer him that for very loue of his life he dasht out his braines But now all togither and hauing Gynaecia among them who to make her selfe the more odious did continuallie record to their mindes the excesse of their losse they yelded themselues ouer to all those formes of lamentacion that dolefull images do imprint in the honest but ouer tender hartes especially when they thinke the rebound of the euill falls to their owne smart Therefore after the auncient greeke maner some of them remembring the nobilitie of his birth continued by being like his Auncestors others his shape which though not excellent yet fauour and pittie drew all things now to the highest point others his peaceable gouernment the thing which most pleaseth men resolued to liue of their owne others his liberalitie which though it cannot light vpon all men yet men naturallie hoping it may be they make it a most amiable vertue Some calling in question the greatnes of his power which encreased the compassion to see the present change hauing a dolefull memorie how he had tempered it with such familier curtesie among them that they did more feele the fruites then see the pompes of his greatnes all with one consent geuing him the sacred titles of good iust mercifull the father of the people the life of his Countrie they ranne about his body tearing their beards and garments some sending their cryes to heauen other inuenting perticular howling musicke manie vowing to kill themselues at the day of his funeralls generallie geuing a true testimonye that men are louing creatures when iniuries put them not from their naturall course and howe easily a thing it is for a Prince by succession deeplie to sinke into the soules of his subiects a more liuely monument then Mausolus Tombe But as with such hartie lamentacion they dispersed among those woods their resounding shrikes the Sunne the perfectest marke of time hauing now gotten vp two howres iourney in his dayly changing Circle their voice helped with the only answering Echo came to the eares of the faithfull and worthy Gentleman Philanax who at that time was comming to visite the King accompanyed with diuers of the worthie Arcadian Lords who with him had visited the places adioyning for the more assurance of Basilius solitarines a thing after the late mutinie he had vsually done and since the Princesses returne more diligentlie continued which hauing nowe likewise performed thinking it as well his duty to see the King as of good purpose being so neare to receyue his further direction accompanied as aboue sayd he was this morning comming vnto him when these vnpleasant voices gaue his minde an vncertaine presage of his neere approching sorow For by and by he saw the bodie of his dearely esteemed Prince and heard Gynecias lamenting not such as the turtle-like loue is wont to make for the euer ouer-soone losse of her only loued make but with curfings of her life detesting her owne wickednes seeming only therefore not to desire death because she would not shew a loue of any thing The Shepheards especially Damaetas knowing him to be the second person in Aucthoritie gaue forthwith relacion vnto him what they knewe and had proued of this dolorous spectacle besides the other accidents of his children But he principally touched with his maisters losse lighting from his horse with a heauie cheare came and kneeled downe by him where finding he could do no more then the Shepheards had for his recouerie the constancie of his minde surprised before he might call together his best rules could not refraine such like words Ah deere maister sayd he what change it hath pleased the Almightie Iustice to worke in this place How soone not to your losse who hauing liued long to nature and to time longer by your well deserued glorie but longest of all in the eternall mansion you now possesse But how soone I say to our ruine haue you left the fraile barke of your estate O that the words in most faithfull dutie deliuered vnto you when you first entred this solitarie course might haue wrought as much perswasion in you as they â—prang from truth in me perchaunce your seruaunt Philanax should not nowe haue cause in your losse to bewayle his owne ouerthrowe And therewith taking himselfe and in deede euill fitteth it me sayde he to let goe my harte to womanish complaints since my Prince being vndoubtedly well it rather shewes loue of my selfe which makes me bewaile mine owne losse No the true loue must be proued in the honor of your memorie and that must be shewed with seeking iust reuenge vpon your vniust and vnnaturall enemies and farre more honorable it will be for your Tombe to haue the blood of your murderers sprinkled vpon it then the teares of your friendes And if your soule looke downe vppon this miserable earth I doubt not it had much rather your death were accompanyed with well deserued punishment of the causers of it then with the heaping on it more sorrowes with the ende of them to whome you vouchsafed your affection let them lament that haue wouen the webbe of lamentacion let theyr owne deathes make them crye out for your death that were the authors of it Therewith carying manfull sorowe and vindicatiâ—e resolucion in his face he rose vp so looking on the poore guiltlesse princesse transported with an vniust iustice that his eyes were sufficient herauldes for him to denounce a mortall hatred She whome furies of loue firebrands of her conscience shame of the
world with the miserable losse of her husband towardes whome nowe the disdaine of her selfe bred more loue with the remembrance of her vision wherewith she resolued assuredly the Gods had appointed that shamefull end to be her resting place had set her mind to no other way but to death vsed such like speeches to Philanax as she had before to the Shepheards willing him not to looke vpon her as a woman but a monster not as a princesse but a traytor to his prince not as Basilius wife but as Basilius murtherer She tolde him howe the worlde required at his handes the iust demonstration of his friendship if hee nowe forgot his Prince hee shoulde shewe hee had neuer loued but hys fortune like those vermine that sucke of the liuing bloud and leaue the body assoone as it is dead poore Princesse needelesly seeking to kindle him who did most deadly detest her which he vttered in this bitter answere Madame saide he you do well to hate your selfe for you cannot hate a worse creature and though we feele enough your hellish disposition yet we neede not doubt you are of counsell to your selfe of much worse then we know But now feare not you shall not long be combred with being guided by so euell a soule therefore prepare your selfe that if it be possible you may deliuer vp your spirit so much purer as you more wash your wickednes with repentaunce Then hauing presently giuen order for the bringing from Mantinea a great number of tents for the receipt of the principall Arcadians the maner of that countrie being that where the Prince died ther should be orders taken for the countries gouernment and in the place any murther was committed the iudgement should be giuen ther before the body was buried both concurring is this matter and alredy great parte of the Nobilitie being ariued he deliuered the Princes to a gentelman of greate trust and as for Damaetas taking from him the keyes of both the lodges calling him the moth of his Princes estate and onely spot of his iudgement he caused him with his wife and daughter to bee fettered vp in as manye chaines and clogges as they coulde beare and euery thirde howre to bee cruelly whipt till the determinate iudgement should be giuen of all these matters That done hauing sent alredy at his comming to all the quarters of the countrie to seeke Pamela although with smal hope of ouertaking them he himself went wel accompanied to the lodge where the two vnfortunate louers were attending a cruell conclusion of their long painefull and late most painefull affection Damaetas clownish eyes hauing ben the onely discouerers of Pyrocles stratagem had no sooner taken a full vewe of them which in some sightes would rather haue bred any thing then an accusing minde and locked the doore vpon these two yong folkes now made prisoners for loue as before they had bene prisoners to loue But that imediatly vpon his going downe whether with noyse Damaetas made or with the creeping in of the light or rather that as extreame griefe had procured his sleepe so extreame care had measured his sleepe giuinge his sences a very early salüe to come to themselues Pyrocles awaked And being vp the first euill hansell he had of the ill case wherein he was was the seeing himselfe depriued of his sworde from which he had neuer seperated himselfe in any occasion and euen that night first by the Kinges bedd and then there had laid it as he thought safe putting great parte of the trust of his well doing in his owne cowrage so armed For indeed the confidence in ones self is the chiefe nurse of magnanimitie which confidence notwithstanding doth not leaue the care of necessarie furnitures for it and therefore of all the Grecians Homere doth euer make Achilles the best armed But that as I say was the first ill token but by and by he perceaued he was a prisoner before any arest for the doore which he had lefte open was made â—o fast of the outside that for all the force he could employe vnto it he could not vndo Damaetas doing then went he to the windowes to see if that waye there were any escape for him and his deare Lady but as vaine hee founde all his employment there not hauing might to breake out but onely one barre wherin notwithstanding he strained his sinewes to the vttermost And that he rather took out to vse for other seruice then for any possibilitie he had to escape for euen then it was that Damaetas hauing gathered together the first comming sheepheards did blabber out what hee haâ— founde in the Ladye Philocleas chamber Pyrocles markingly harkned to all that Damaetas said whose voice and minde acquaintance had taught him sufficiently to know But when he assuredly perceaued that his being with the Lady Philoclea was fullie discouered by the follie or malice or rather malicious follie of Damaetas her honour therein touched in the hiest degree remembring withal the crueltie of the Arcadian lawes which without exception did condemn al to death who were fouÌ„d as Damaetas reported of them in acte of mariage without solemnitie of mariage assuring himselfe besides the law the King the Queene woulde vse so much more hate against their daughter as they had found themselues sotted by him in the pursute of their loue Lastly seing they were not only in the way of death but fittly encaged for death looking with a hartie griefe vpon the honour of loue the fellowes Philoclea whose innocent soule now enioying his owne goodnes did little knowe the daunger of his euer faire then sleeping harbour his excellent wit strengthened with vertue but guided by loue had soone described to himselfe a perfect vision of their present condition wherein hauing presently cast a resolute reckoning of his owne parte of the misery not only the chiefe but sole burthen of his anguish consisted in the vnworthy case which was like to fall vpon the best deseruing Philoclea He saw the misfortune not the mismeaning of his worke was like to bring that creature to end in whom the worlde as he thought did begin to receaue honour hee saw the weake iudgement of man woulde condemne that as death deseruing voice in her which had in troth neuer broken the bonds of a true liuing vertue how often his eye turned to his attractiue adamant so often did an vnspeakable horror strike his noble hart to coÌ„sider so vnripe yeares so fautles a beautie the mansion of so pure goodnes should haue her youth so vntimely cut off her naturall perfections vnnaturallie coÌ„sumed her vertue rewarded with shame somtimes he would accuse himselfe of necligence that had not more curiously looked to al the house entries yet coulde hee not imagine the way Damaetas was gotten in to call backe what might haue ben to a maÌ„ of wisdom courage caries but a vaine shadow of discourse somtimes he could not chose but with a dissolutioÌ„ of his inward
might lamentably consider with what face he might looke vpon his till then ioy Philoclea when the next light waking should deliuer vnto her should perchaunce be the last of her hurtles life And that the first time she should bend her excellent eyes vpon him shee should see the accursed aucthor of her dreadfull end euen this consideration more then any other did so set it selfe in his well disposed minde that dispersing his thoughts to all the wayes that might be of her safetie finding a verye small discourse in so narrowe lymits of time and place at length in many difficulties he saw none beare any likelyhood for her life but his death For thē he thought it would fal out that when they foūd his body dead hauing no accuser but Damaetas as by his speach he found there was not it might iustly appeare that either Philoclea in defending her honour or els he himself in dispaire of atchieuing had left his carcase profe of his intent but witnes of her clearenes hauing a small while staied vpon the greatnes of his resolution and loked to the furthest of it be it so said the valiant Pyrocles neuer life for better cause nor to better end was bestowed for if death be to follow this doing which no death of mine could make me leaue vndon who is to die so iustly as my self And if I must die who can be so fit executioners as mine owne hands Which as they were accessaries to the doing so in killing me they shall suffer their owne punishment But then arose ther a new impediment for Damaetas hauing caried away any thing which he thought might hurt as tender a man as himselfe hee coulde finde no fit instrument which might geue him a finall dispatch at length makinge the more haste leaste his Lady should awake taking the Iron barre which being sharper something at the one end then the other he hoped ioynd to his willing strength might breake of the former threed of mortallitie truely said he fortune thou hast well perseuered mine enemie that wilt graunt me no fortune to be vnfortunate nor let me haue an easie passage now I am to troubl thee no more But said he O bar blessed in that thou hast done seruice to the chamber of the paragon of life since thou couldest not help me to make a perfitter escape yet serue my turne I pray thee that I may escape from my selfe there withall yet once looking to fetch the last repast of his eyes and newe againe transported with the pittifull case hee lefte her in kneeling downe he thus prayed O great maker and great ruler of this worlde saide hee to thee do I sacrifice this bloud of mine and suffer Lorde the errors of my youth to passe away therein and let not the soule by thee made and euer bending vnto thee be now reiected of thee neither be offended that I do abandon this body to the gouernment of which thou hadst placed me without thy leaue since how cā I know but that thy vnsearchable minde is I should so doe since thou hast taken from me all meanes longer to abide in it And since the difference stāds but in a short time of dying thou that hast framed my soule enclyned to do good howe can I in this smal space of mine benefit so much all the humane kinde as in preseruing thy perfittest workmanship their chiefest honour O iustice it selfe howsoeuer thou determinest of me let this excellent innocency not bee oppressed Let my life pay her losse O Lord geue me some signe that I may die with this comfort And pawsing a little as if he had hoped for some token and when soeuer to the eternall darknes of the earth she doth followe me let our spirits possesse one place and let them bee more happie in that vniting With that word striking the barre vpon his harte side withall the force he had and falling withall vpon to giue it the thorower passage the barre in troth was to blunt to do theffect although it pearced his skinne and brused his ribbes very sore so that his breath was almost past him But the noyse of his fall draue away sleepe from the quiet sences of the deere Philoclea whose sweete soule had an earely salutation of a deadly spectacle vnto her with so much more astonishment as the falling a sleepe but a litle before she had retired her selfe from the vttermost pointe of wofulnes and sawe now againe before her eyes the most cruell enterprise that humane nature can vndertake without discerning any cause therof But the liuely printe of her affection had soone taught her not to stay long vpon diliberation in so vrgent a necessitie therefore getting with speede her weake though well accorded limmes out of her sweetned bedd as when Iuells are hastely pulled out of some riche coffer she spared not the nakednes of her tender feete but I thincke borne as fast with desire as feare carried Daphne she came running to Pyrocles and finding his spirits somthing troubled with the fall she put by the barre that lay close to him and strayning him in her most beloued embracement my comforte my ioye my life saide shee what haste haue you to kill your Philoclea with the most cruell torment that euer Lady suffred Do you not yet perswade your selfe that any hurte of yours is a death vnto me And that your death shoulde bee my hell Alas if any sodaine mislike of mee for other cause I see none haue caused you to loath your selfe if any fault or defect of mine hath bred this terriblest rage in you rather let mee suffer the bitternes of it for so shal the deseruer be punished mankind preserued from such a ruine I for my part shall haue that comforte that I dye by the noblest hande that euer drew sword Pyrocles greued with his fortune that he had not in one instant cut of all such deliberation thinking his life onely reserued to be bound to bee the vnhappie newes teller Alas said he my onely Starre why doe you this wrong to God your selfe and me to speake of faultes in you no no most faultlesse most perfet Lady it is your excellencie that makes me hasten my desired end it is the right I owe to the generall nature that though against priuate nature makes me seek the preseruation of all that she hath done in this age let me let me dye There is no way to saue your life most worthy to be conserued then that my death be your clearing then did he with farre more paine and backward loathnes then the so neere killing himselfe was but yet driuen with necessitie to make her yeeld to that hee thought was her safetie make her a short but pithie discourse what he had heard by Damaetas speeches confirming the rest with a plaine demonstratiō of their imprisonment And then sought he new meanes of stopping his breath but that by Philocleas labour aboue her force he was stayed to heare her In whom a
indeede you shall haue the ende you shoote at for in steede of one death you shall geue me a thousand and yet in the meane time depriue me of the helpe God may sende me Pyrocles euen ouerwayed with her so wisely vttred affection finding her determinacion so fixed that his ende should but depriue them both of a present contentment and not auoyde a comming euill as a man that ranne not vnto it by a sodayne qualme of passion but by a true vse of reason preferring her life to his owne nowe that wisedome did manifest vnto him that waye woulde not preuayle he retired himselfe with as much tranquillitie from it as before he had gone vnto it Like a man that had set the keeping or leauing of the bodye as a thing without himselfe and so had thereof a freed and vntroubled consideracion Therefore throwing away the barre from him and taking her vp from the place where he thought the consummating of all beawties very vnworthely lay suffring all his sences to deuoure vp their chiefest foode which he assured himselfe they should shortly after for euer be depriued of well said he most deere Lady whose contentment I preferre before mine own and iudgement esteeme more then mine owne I yeeld vnto your pleasure The gods send you haue not woon your owne losse For my part they are my witnesses that I thinke I do more at your commaundement in delayeng my death then another would in bestowing his life But now sayd he as thus farre I haue yeelded vnto you so graunt me in recompence thus much againe that I may finde your loue in graunting as you haue sound your authoritye in obteyning My humble suite is you will say I came in by force into your Chamber for so am I resolued now to affirme and that will be the best for vs both but in no case name my name that whtsoeuer come of me my house be not dishonored Philoclea fearing least refusall would turne him backe againe to his violent refuge gaue him a certayne countenance that might shewe she did yeeld to his request the latter part whereof indeed she meant for his sake to performe Neyther could they spend more wordes together for Philanax with twentie of the noblest personages of Arcadia after him were come into the Lodge Philanax making the rest stay belowe for the reuerence he bare to womanhood as stillie as he could came to the dore and opening it drewe the eyes of these two dolefull louers vpon him Philoclea cloasing againe for modestie sake within her bed the ritchesse of her beawties but Pyrocles tooke holde of his barre minding at least to dye before the excellent Philoclea should receyue any outrage But Philanax rested awhile vppon himselfe stricken with admiracion at the goodlie shape of Pyrocles whome before he had neuer seene and withall remembring besides others the notable acte he had done when with his courage and eloquence he had saued Basilius perchaunce the whole state from vtter ruyne he felte a kinde of relenting minde towardes him But when that same thought came waighted on with the remembraunce of his maisters death which he by all probabilities thought he had bene of Councell vnto with the Queene compassion turned to hatefull passion and lefte in Philanax a straunge medley betwixt pittie and reuenge betwixt lyking and abhorring O Lorde sayde hee to himselfe what wonders doth nature in our tyme to set wickednesse so beawtifully garnished and that which is straungest out of one spring to make wonderfull effectes both of vertue and vice to issue Pyrocles seeing him in such a muse neyther knowing the man nor the cause of his comming but assuring himselfe it was for no good yet thought best to begin with him in this sort Gentleman sayde hee what is the cause of your comming to my Lady Philocleas chamber is it to defende her from such violence as I might goe about to offer vnto her if it be so truly your comming is vayne for her owne vertue hath bene a sufficient resistaunce there needes no strength to be added to so inuiolate chastetie the excellencie of her mind makes her bodie impregnable Which for mine own part I had soone yelded to confesse with going out of this place where I found but little comfort being so disdainefully receiued had I not bene I know not by whom presently vpon my cōming hether so locked into this chamber that I could neuer escape hence where I was fettred in the most gilty shame that euer mā was seing what a paradise of vnspotted goodnes my filthy thoughts sought to defile If for that therfore you come alredy I assure you your arrāt is performed but if it be to bring me to any punishmēt whatsouer for hauing vndertaken so vnexcusable presumption Truly I beare such an accuser about me of mine own conscience that I willingly submit my selfe vnto it Only this much let me demaund of you that you will be a witnesse vnto the King what you heare me say oppose your selfe that neither his sodaine fury nor any other occasion may offer any hurt to this Lady in whome you see nature hath accomplished so much that I am faine to lay mine owne faultines as a foile of her purest excellency I can say no more but looke vppon her beawtie remember her bloud consider her yeares and iudge rightly of her vertues and I doubt not a gentlemans mind will then be a sufficient enstructer vnto you in this I may tearme it miserable chaunce happened vnto her by my vnbridled audacitie Philanax was content to heare him out not for any fauour he owed him but to see whether he would reueale any thing of the originall cause and purpose of the kings death But finding it so farre from that that he named Basilius vnto him as supposing him aliue thinking it rather cunning then ignorance Yong man said he whome I haue cause to hate before I haue meane to know you vse but a point of skill by confessing the manifest smaller fault to be beleeued hereafter in the deniall of the greater But for that matter all passeth to one end and hereafter we shal haue leisure by torments to seke the truth if the loue of truth it selfe will not bring you vnto it As for my Lady Philoclea if it so fall out as you say it shall be the more fit for her yeares comedy for the great house she is come of that an ill gouerned beawtie hath not cancelled the rules of vertue But howsoeuer it be it is not for you to teach an Arcadian what reuerent duty we owe to any of that progeny But said he come you with me without resistance for the one cannot auaile and the other may procure pitie Pitie said Pyrocles with a bitter smiling disdained with so currish an answere no no Arcadian I can quickly haue pitie of my selfe and I would think my life most miserable which should be a gift of thine Only I demaund this innocent Ladies securitie which vntill
with me but that I finde not how to excuse your geuing ouer your body to him that for the last proofe of his treason lent his garments to disguise your miâ—erable mother in the most vile fact she hath coÌ„mitted Hard sure it will be to separate your causes with whome you haue so neerely ioyned your selfe Neither do I desire it said the sweetly weeping Philoclea whatsoeuer you determine of him do that likewise to me for I knowe from the fountaine of vertue nothing but vertue could euer proceede only as you finde him faultlesse let him finde you fauourable and build not my dishonor vpoÌ„ surmises Philanax feeling his hart more more mollifieng vnto her renewed the image of his dead master in his fancy and vsing that for the spurres of his reueÌ„gefull choller went sodainly without any more speach from the desolate Lady to whome now fortune seemed to threaten vnripe death and vndeserued shame among her least euils But Philanax leauing good guard vpon the Lodge went himselfe to see the order of his other prisoners whome euen then as he issued he found increased by this vnhoped meanes The noble Pamela hauing deliuered ouer the burthen of her fearefull cares to the naturall ease of a well refreshing sleepe reposed both mind body vpoÌ„ the trusted support of her princely shepheard wheÌ„ with the brayeng cryes of a rascall company she was robbed of her quiet so that at one instaÌ„t she opened her eyes the enraged Musidorus rose froÌ„ her enraged betwixt the doubt he had what theâ—e men would go about the spite he conceiued against their ill-pleasing presence But the clownes hauing with their hideous noyse brought them both to their feet had soone knowledge what guests they had found for in deede these were the skummy remnant of those rebels whose naughty minds could not trust so much to the goodnes of their Prince as to lay their hangworthy necks vpoÌ„ the constancy of his promised pardon Therfore wheÌ„ the rest who as shepe had but followed their fellowes so sheepishly had submitted theÌ„selues these only coÌ„mitted their safety to the thickest part of those desert woods who as they were in the constitution of their mindes little better then beastes so were they apt to degenerate to a beastly kinde of life hauing now framed their gluttonish stomackes to haue for foode the wilde benefites of nature the vttermost ende they had being but to drawe out as much as they could the line of a tedious life In this sorte vagabonding in those vntroden places they were guided by the euerlasting Iustice vsing themselues to bee punishers of theyr faultes and making theyr owne actions the beginning of their chastizements vnhappely both for him and themselues to light on Musidorus Whom as soone as they saw turned towards them they full well remembred it was he that accompanyed with Basilius had come to the succour of Zelmane and had left among some of them bloudie tokens of his valure As for Pamela they had many times seene her Thus fyrst sturred vp with a rusticall reuenge against him and then desire of spoyle to helpe their miserable wants but chiefly thinking it was the way to confirme their owne pardon to bring the Princesse backe vnto her father whome they were sure he would neuer haue sent so farre so sleightlie accompanyed without any other denouncing of warre set altogither vpon the worthy Musidorus Who being before hand asmuch enflamed against them gaue them so braue a welcome that the smart of some made the rest stand further off crying and prating against him but like bad curres rather barking then cloasing he in the meane time placing his trembling Lady to one of the Pyne trees and so setting himselfe before her as might shewe the cause of his courage grewe in himselfe but the effect was only employed in her defence The villaines that now had a second proofe how ill wordes they had for such a sword turned all the course of their violence into throwing dartes and stones in deede the only way to ouermaister the valure of Musidorus Who finding them some already touch some fall so neere his chiefest life Pamela that in the ende some one or other might happe to doo an vnsuccourable mischiefe setting all his hope in despaire ranne out from his Lady among them Who streight like so many swyne when a hardy mastife sets vpon them dispersed themselues But the first he ouertooke as he ranne away carying his head as farre before him as those maner of runnings are wont to doo with one blowe strake it so cleane off that it falling betwixt the handes and the body falling vppon it it made a shewe as though the fellow had had great haste to gather vp his head agayne Another the speede he made to runne for the best game bare him full butte agaynst a tree so that tumbling backe with a brused face and a dreadfull expectation Musidorus was streight vpon him and parting with his sword one of his legges from him left him to make a roaring lamentation that his morter-treading was marred for euer A third finding his feete too slowe aswell as his handes too weake sodaynely turned backe beginning to open his lippes for mercye But before hee had well entred a rudely compilde oration Musidorus blade was come betweene his iawes into his throate and so the poore man rested there for euer with a very euill mouthfull of an answere Musidorus in this furious chafe would haue followed some other of these hatefull wretches but that he heard his Lady cry for helpe whome three of this villanous crue had whiles Musidorus followed their fellowes compassing about some trees sodainly come vpon and surprized threatning to kill her if she cried and meaning to conuey her out of sight while the Prince was making his bloud-thirstie chase But she that was resolued no worse thing could fall vnto her then the being depriued of him on whome she had established all her comfort with a pittifull cry fetched his eyes vnto her who then thinking so many weapons thrust into his eyes as with his eyes he sawe bent against her made all hartie speede to her succour But one of them wiser then his companions set his dagger to her Alablaster throate swearing if hee threwe not away his sword he would presently kill her There was neuer poore scholler that hauing in stede of his booke some playing toy about him did more sodainly cast it from him at the child-feared presence of a cruell Scholemaister Then the valiant Musidorus discharged himselfe of his only defence wheÌ„ he saw it stood vpoÌ„ the instaÌ„t point of his Ladies life And holding vp his noble hands to so vnworthy audience O Arcadians it is I that haue done you the wrong she is your Princesse said he shee neuer had will to hurt you and you see shee hath no power Vse your choller vpoÌ„ me that haue better deserued it do not your selues the wrong to doe her any hurte which in
your wise coÌ„sideration For my hart hastens to the miserable point of Basilius murder for the executing of which with more facilitie this yong nimph of Dianas bringing vp fayned certaine rites she had to performe so furious an impietie had caried him from all remembrance of goodnes that hee did not onely not feare the Gods as the beholders and punishers of so vngodly a villany but did blasphemously vse their sacred holly name as a minister vnto it And forsooth a Caue hereby was chosen for the temple of his deuotions a Caue of such darkenes as did prognosticate he ment to please the infernall powers for there this accurssed catife vpon the alter of falshood sacrificed the life of the vertuous Basilius By what meanes he trayned him thether alas I knowe not for if I might haue knowen it either my life had accompanied my master or this fellowes death had preserued him But this may suffise that in the mouth of this Caue where this traytor had his lodginge and chapple when already master sheepeheard his companion had conueyed away the vndoubted enheritrix of this cuntrie was Gynecia founde by the dead corps of her husband newly empoysoned apparelled in the garments of the young Lady and reddy no question to haue fled to some place according to their consorte but that she was by certaine honest-shepeheards arrested while in the meane time because their should be lefte no reuenger of this bloudy mischief This noble Amazon was violently gotten into the chamber of the Lady Philoclea wherby the mingling as much as in him lay of her shame with his misdeede he might enforce her to be the accessary to her fathers death and vnder the countenaunce of her and her sister against whom they knew wee woulde not rebell seaze as it were with one gripe into their treacherous hands the regiment of the mightie prouince But the almightie eye preuented him of the end of his mischiefe by vsing a villaine Damaetas hand to enclose him in there where with as much fortification as in a house could be made he thought himselfe in most securitie Thus see you most iust iudge a shorte and simple story of the infamous misery falne vpon this contrie In deed infamous since by an effeminate man we should suffer a greater ouerthrow then our mightiest enemies haue ben euer able to lay vpon vs. And that all this which I haue said is most manifest aswell of the murdering of Basilius as the rauishing of Philoclea for those two partes I establish of my accusation who is of so incredulous a minde or rather who will so stoppe his eyes from seing a thing cleerer then the light as not to holde for assured so palpable a matter For to beginne with his most cruell misdeede is it to be imagined that Gynecia a woman though wicked yet wittie woulde haue attempted and atchieued an enterprise no lesse hazardous then horrible without hauing some councellor in the beginning and some comforter in the performing Had she who shewed her thoughtes were so ouerruled with some straunge desire as in despite of God nature and womanhood to execute that in deedes which in wordes wee cannot heare without trembling had shee I saye no practise to leade her vnto it Or had shee a practise without conspiracie Or coulde shee coâ—â—â—re without some boddye to conspire with And if one were whoe so likelye as this to whome shee communicated I am sure her minde the worlde thinkes her boddye Neither let her wordes taking the whole faulte vppon her selfe bee heerein any thinge availeable For to those persons who haue vomited out of their soules all remnants of goodnes there restes a certaine pride in euill and hauing ells no shadowe of glorye lefte them they glorye to bee constante in iniquitye and that God knowes must bee helde out to the laste gaspe without reuealing their accomplices As thinking greate courage is declared in being neither affeard of the heauens nor ashamed of the worlde But let Gynecias action dye with her selfe what can all the earth answere for his comming hether Why alone if hee bee a Prince How so richly Iewelled if he be not a prince Why then a woman if nowe a man Why now Daiphantus if then Zelmane Was all this play for nothing or if it had an ende what ende but the ende of my deere master Shall we doubte so many secret conferences with Gynecia such fained fauour to the ouer soone beguiled Basilius a Caue made a lodging and the same lodging made a temple of his religion lastly such changes and trauerses as a quiet Poet coulde scarse fill a poeme withal were directed to any lesse scope then to this monstrous murder O snakie ambition which can winde thy selfe in so many figures to slyde thether thou desirest to come O corrupted reason of mankinde that can yeelde to deforme thy selfe with so filthie desires And O hopelesse bee those mindes whom so vnnaturall desires doe not with their owne ouglinesse sufficiently terrefie But yet euen of fauour let vs graunt him thus much more as to fancie that in these foretolde thinges fortune might be a greate Actor perchaunce to an euill ende yet to a lesse euill end all these entangled deuises were entended But I beseech your Ladyshippe my Lady Daiphantus tell me what excuse can you finde for the chaunging your lodging with the Queene that verie instant shee was to finish her execrable practise How can you cloake the lending of your cloake vnto her was all that by chance too Had the starres sent such an influence vnto you as you should bee iuste weary of your lodging and garments when our Prince was destenied to the slaughter What say you to this O shamefull and shamelesse creature Fit indeede to bee the dishonour of both sexes But alas I spend too many words in so manifest and so miserable a matter They must be foure wilde horses which according to our lawes are the executioners of men which murdre our Prince which must decide this question with you Yet see so farre had my zeale to my beloued Prince transported me that I had almost forgotten my second parte and his seconde abhomination I meane his violence offred to the Lady Philoclea wherewith as if it had wel become his womanhoode he came brauing to the iudgement seate indeede our lawes appointe not so cruell a death although death too for this sacte as for the other But whosoeuer well wayes it shall finde it spronge out of the same fountaine of mischeuous naughtines the killing of the father dishonouring the mother and rauishing the child Alas could not so many benifites receaued of my Prince the iustice of nature the right of hospitalitie be a bridle to thy lust if not to thy crueltie Or if thou hadest as surely thou haste a harte recompensing goodnes with hatred could not his death which is the last of reuenges satisfie thy mallice but thou must heape vpoÌ„ it the shame of his daughter Were thy eyes so
thou hast cōfirmed vnto me by an oath assure thy selfe the first that layes hands vpō her shall leaue his life for a testimony of his sacriledge Philanax with an inward storme thinking it most manifest they were both he at least of counsell with the kings death well said he you speake much to me of the king I do here sweare vnto you by the loue I haue euer borne him she shal haue no worse howsoeuer it fal out then her own parents And vpon that word of yours I yeld said the poore Pyrocles deceiued by him that ment not to deceiue him Then did Philanax deliuer him into the hands of a noble man in the company euery one desirous to haue him in his charge so much did his goodly presence wherin true valure shined breede a delightfull admiration in all the beholders Philanax himselfe stayed with Philoclea to see whether of her he might learne some disclosing of this former conclusion But she sweet Lady whom first a kindly shamefastnes had separated from Pyrocles hauing bene left in a more open view then her modesty would well beare then the attending her fathers comming and studying how to behaue her selfe towards him for both their safeties had called her spirits all within her now that vpon a sodaine Pyrocles was deliuered out of the chamber from her at the first she was so surprized with the extreame stroke of the wofull sight that like those that in their dreames are taken with some ougly vision they would fain cry for help but haue no force so remained she awhile quite depriued not only of speach but almost of any other liuely actiō But whē indeed Pyrocles was quite drawne frō her eys that her vital strēgth begā to return vnto her now not knowing what they did to Pyrocles but according to the nature of loue fearing the worst wringing her hands and letting abundance of teares be the first part of her eloquence bending her Amber-crowned head ouer her bed side to the hard-hearted Philanax O Philanax Philanax sayd she I knowe how much authoritye you haue with my father there is no man whose wisedome he so much esteemes nor whose faith so much he reposeth vpon Remember how oft you haue promised your seruice vnto me how oft you haue geuen me occasion to beleeue that there was no Lady in whose fauor you more desired to remayne and if the remembrance be not vnpleasant to your mind or the rehearsall vnfitting for my fortune remember there was a time when I could deserue it Now my chaunce is turned let not your truth turne I present my selfe vnto you the most humble and miserable suppliant liuing neither shall my desire be great I seeke for no more life then I shall be found worthy of If my bloud may wash away the dishonor of Arcadia spare it not although through me it hath in deede neuer bene dishonored My only sute is you wil be a meane for me that while I am suffered to enioy this life I may not be separated from him to whom the Gods haue ioyned me and that you determine nothing of him more cruelly then you do of me If you rightly iudge of what hath past wherein the Gods that should haue bene of our mariage are witnesses of our innocencies then procure we may liue together But if my father will not so conceiue of vs as the fault if any were was vnited so let the punishmēt be vnited also There was no man that euer loued either his Prince or any thing pertaining to him with a truer zeale then Philanax did This made him euen to the depth of his heart receiue a most vehemēt griefe to see his master made as it were more miserable after death And for himselfe calling to mind in what sort his life had bene preserued by Philoclea what time taken by Amphialus he was like to suffer a cruell death there was nothing could haue kept him from falling to all tender pittie but the perfect perswasion he had that all this was ioyned to the packe of his maisters death which the misconceiued speech of marriage made him the more beleeue Therefore first muttering to himselfe such like words The violence the gentleman spake of is now turned to mariage he alledged Mars but she speakes of Venus O vnfortunate maister This hath bene that faire diuell Gynaecia sent away one of her daughters prostituted the other empoysoned thee to ouerthrowe the diademe of Arcadia But at length thus vnto her selfe he sayde If your father Madame were now to speake vnto truly there should no body be found a more ready aduocate for you then my selfe For I would suffer this fault though very great to be blotted out of my minde by your former led life your benefit towards my selfe and being daughter to such a father But since among your selues you haue taken him away in whome was the only power to haue mercy you must now be clothed in your owne working and looke for none other then that which dead pittilesse lawes may allot vnto you For my part I loued you for your vertue but now where is that I loued you in respect of a priuate benefit what is that in comparison of the publike losse I loued you for your father vnhappy folks you haue robbed the world of him These words of her father were so little vnderstood by the only well vnderstanding Philoclea that she desired him to tell her what he meant to speake in such darke sort vnto her of her lord and father whose displeasure was more dreadfull vnto her then her punishment that she was free in her owne conscience she had neuer deserued euill of him no not in this last fact wherein if it pleased him to proceed with patience he should finde her choise had not bene vnfortunate He that saw her words written in the plaine table of her faire face thought it impossible there should therin be contained deceite and therfore so much the more abashed Why said he Madame would you haue me thinke you are not of conspiracy with the Princesse Pamelas flight and your fathers death with that word the sweet Lady gaue a pittifull cry hauing streight in her face breast abundance of witnesses that her hart was far from any such abhominable consent Ah of all sides vtterly ruined Philoclea said she now in deed I may well suffer all conceite of hope to dye in mee Deare father where was I that might not do you my last seruice before soone after miserably following you Philanax perceiued the demonstracion so liuely true in her that he easily acquited her in his heart of that fact and the more was moued to ioyne with her in most heartie lamentation But remembring him that the burthen of the state and punishment of his masters murderers lay all vpon him Well sayde he Madame I can do nothing without all the states of Arcadia what they will determine of you I know not for my part your speaches would much preuaile