on the coppie of my Letter which I sent to Doralicia and vpon the answere which I receiued from that ruthlesse Minion â—hich after shee had read perceiuing how traiterously I had requited her loue with hateâ— she conueyâ—d â—er selfe couertly into her Chamber where after she had almost dimmed her sight with flouds of teares and burst her heart with blowing sighs she fell into these complaints O infortunate Myrania O haplesse Myrania yea O thrice accursed Myrania whom Fortune by spight seeketh to soyle whom the destinies by fate are appointed to plague and whom the gods by iustice will and must most cruelly reuenge Thou hast beene a paricide to thy father in seeking to destroy him by thy disobedience thou art a traitor to thy Countrey in sauing the enemy of the Common-wealth thou art a foe to nature in louing disloyall Arbasto can the Gods but plague those monstroâ—s iniuries No no Myrania thou hast deserued more mishap then either Fortune can or will affoord thee Ah cruell and accursed Arbasto I see now that it fareth with thee as with the Panther which hauing made one astonished with his faire sight seeketh to deuoure him with bloudy pursute with me poore wench as it doth with them that view the Basiliske whose eyes procure delight to the looker at the first glimpse but death at the second glance Alas was there none to like but thy foe none to loue but Arbasto none to fancy but a periured Dane none to match with but a flattering mate Now hath thy lawlesse loue gained a lucklesse and now thou triest by experience that the treâ— Alpinâ— is smooth to bee touched but bitter to bâ—e tasted that the fairest Serpent is most infectious the â—â—est colour soonest stained the cleerest glasse most brittle and that louers though they beare a delicate shew yet they haue a deceitfull substance that if they haue hony in their mouthes yet they hauâ— galâ— in their hearts the more is the pittie in thee to truâ—t without tryall and the greatâ— impietie for him to be a traytor being so well trusteâ— Is this this the â—urteâ—â—e of Denmarke towards friends to intreat them so disâ—ightfullâ— is my goodwil not only reiected without cause but also disâ—ained without colour Alas what shall I doe to this extremity being a forlorne wretch in a forraine Country which waâ— shall I turne me of whom shall I seeke remedy Pelorus will reiect me and why should he not Arbasto hath reâ—â—cted me and why should heeâ— the one I haue offended wish too much griefe the other I haue serued with too great good will the one is lost with loue the other with hate Pelorus because I cared not for him Arbasto because I cared for him but alas too much And with that she fetch such a sigh as witnessed a heart pained with most intolerable passions yea carâ— and griefe so fiercely and freshly assaulted her as shâ—e fell into a feuer refusing all sustenance wishing and calling for nothing but death While shee thus pâ—ned away with griefe I thought to search out her sore but I could not pâ—rceiue the cause of her sorrow only I did coniecture this that she doubted my Nobles would not consent to our marriage to â—id her therefore of this care I presently called a Parliament where without any great controuersie it was concluded This newes being come to the eares of Myrania it no whiâ— decreased her dolor but did rather far the more augment her distresse which made Egerio to muse and draâ—e me into a great maze so that accompanied with my Nobles I went to comfort her and to carry her newes that if shee could but come into the Chamber of her presence she should there be crowned Quéen But alas when I came saw her â—o altered in one wâ—â—ke wasted to the hard bones more like a ghost â—han a liuing creature I began thus to comfort her Ah Myrania quoth I more loued of me than mine owne life and more deare vnto meâ— than my selfâ— would God I might be plagued with al earthly diseases so I might sée thée free from distresse how can Arbasto be without sorrow to sée Myrania oppressed with sickenesse how can he but â—inke in calamitie to see her but once toucht with care alas vnfold vnto me thy sore and I will apply the salue make mé◠priuie to thy malady I will procure a medâ—cine If want of wealth worke thy wor thou hast the kingdome of Denmark to dispose at thy pleasure if absence from friends thou hast such a friend â—f thy louing spouse Aâ—basto as death it selfe shall neuer dissolue our loue I had no sooner vttered this word but Myrania as one possessed with some hellish fury start vp in her bed with staring lookes and wrathfull countenance séeming by her raging gestures to be in a frenzyâ— but being kept downe by her Câ—â—es shee roared out thesâ— hatefull curses O vile wretches quoth she will you not suffer me in my life to reuenge my selfe on that periured traytor Arbasto yet shall you not deny mee but after death my ghost shall torment him with gaâ—â—ly viâ—â—ons O thrice accursed caitiâ—e doest thou séeme to helpe mee with thy scabbard and secâ—etly hurt me with thy sword doest thou offer mâ—e hony openly and priuily present mee with gall doest thou say thâ—u wilt cure me with loue when thou séekest to kill me with hate haue I redéemed thée from mishap and wilt thou requite me with misery waâ— I the meanes to saue thy life and wilt thou without cause procure my death haue I forsaken my Country betrayed my Father and yet wilt thou kill me with discurtesâ—e O haplesse Myrania could not Medeas mishap haue made thee beware could not Ariadnes ill lucke haue taught thee to take héeâ— could not Phillis misâ—fortune haue feared thee from the like folly but thou must like and loue a stragling stranger Aye mâ— that repentance should euer come too late folly is sooner remembred then redressed and time may be repented but not recalled But I sée it is a practise in men to â—aue as little care of their owne â—â—thes as of their Ladies honors imitating Iupiter who neuer kept â—ath he sware to Iuno diddest thou not false Arbasto protest with solemne vowes when thy life did hang in the ballaâ—câ— that thy loue to Myrania should bee alwayes loyall and hast thou not since sent and sued secretly to winne the good will of Dâ—â—alicia diddest thou not sweare to take me to thy mate and hast thou not since sought to contract with hâ—r a new match thou diddest promise to be true vnto me but hast prooued trusty vnto her what should I say thou hast preseâ—ted her with pleasant drinkes and â—â—ysoned me with bitter potions the more is my penurie and the greater is thy periurie But vilâ— wretch doest thou thinke this thy villany shall be vnreuenged Noâ— no Egerio I hope the Gods haue appointed thee to reuenge my iniuâ—ies thou hast sworne it and
I feare not but thou wilt performe it And that thou maâ—st know I exclaime not without cause sée here the Letters which haue passed betwéene this false traytor and Doralicia The sight of these Letters so galled my guilty conscience as I stood as one astonished not knowing what to doe excuse my selfe I could not confirme my loue I durst not yet at last the water standing in mine eyes clasping her hand in minâ— I was ready to craue pardon if she had not preuented me with these iniurious spéeches Cléere thy false trayteâ—â—â— Arbasto thou canst not perswade meâ— thou shalt not forâ—iue thee I will not cease therefore to speake for in none of these thou shalt spéed Egerâ—o I saued thy life then reuengâ— my death and so content I die yet onely discontent in this that I cannot liue to hate Arbasto so long as I loued him And with that turning vpon her left side with a gasping sigh she gaue vp the ghoste which sight draue me into such a desperate mindeâ— that if Egerio and the rest had not holden mee I had sent my soule with heâ—â— to the graue CHAP. 8â— After Myranias death Doralicia relenteth and sendeth to Arbâ—sto who then hated her as much as he loued her before AFter Myranias death being carried by force to my bâ—d I lay for certaine dayes oppressed with such sorrow as if I had béenâ— in a trancâ— cursing and accusing my selfâ— of ingratitude of periurie and of most despightfull disloyalty I lay perplexed with incâ—â—â—ant passions Wâ—ll this heauy and haplesse newes being noysed in France Pelorus taking the death of his daughter to heartâ— in short time died leauing Doralicia the onely inhâ—ritour of his kingdome But yet sée how Fortune framed vp this tragedy who meant tâ— caâ—â— Doralicia from most happy felicitie to most haplesse miseriâ— for shée séeing that no siniâ—â—er chance could change my affection that neyther the length of time nor the distance of place the spight of Fortune the feare of death nor hâ—r most cruell discourtâ—siâ— could diminish my louâ— musing I say on this my inuiolable constancie Cupid meaning to reuâ—ngâ— séeing her now at discouert drew home to thâ— head and strooke her so déepe at the heart as in despight of Vesta shée vailed bonnet and giâ—ing ground sobbed forth secretly to her selfâ— these words Alas I loâ—e Arbasto and none but Arbasto Venus séeing that her boy had so well plaid the man began to triumph ouer Doralicia who now was in her dumps striuing as yet betwéene loue and hate till fancy sâ—t in her foot and then shée yéelded vp the bulwarke in these peaceable termes Why how now Doralicia quoth she doest thou dreame or dote Is it folly or frenzy melancholy or madnesse that driueth thee thus into dumps and so strangely distresseth thee with doleâ— what â—onâ— thoughts what vnacquainted passions what slumbring imaginations are these which perplexeth thee hast thou now â—â—ele fire to spring out of the coâ—d flint heat to â—ry or 〈◊〉 thâ— chilling frost loue to come from hate anâ— dâ—sire from disâ—â—ine Doest thâ—u fare as though thou hadst béene drencâ—ed in the Riuer Iellus in Phrigâ—a which at the first brâ—edeth sorrow through extreame cold but forthwith burneth the sinewes tâ—rough raging heat Hath Vâ—â—us now in despight of Vestâ— made thâ—e vaile â—onnet the more poore wench is thy mishappe and the wâ—rse iâ— thy fortune for loue though neuer so sweete cannot yet hâ— digeâ—ted without a most sharpe sauce faring like the gold that is neuer pâ—â—ect till it hath past through the furnaceâ— Loue Dolaricia but whom doest thou loue Arbasâ—o what the man whom euen now thou diddest sâ— deadly hate hast thou so littlâ— force ouer thy affections as to fancy thy â—oe No no fond foole Arbasto is thy friend and one that honoreth thee as a Saint and would seruâ— thee as his soueraigne that loueth and liketh thee as much as thou canst desire but more than thou doest deserue who being bitterly crossed with discurtesâ—e could neuer be touchâ—d of inconstancy but still remaineth like to Aristoâ—les Quadratus which howsoeuer it is turned alwayes standeth stedfast Thou canst not then of consciencâ— Doralicia but repay his loue with liking and his firme fancy with mutuall affection he is beautifull to please the eye vâ—rtuous to content the mind rich to maintaine thy hâ—nour of birth to counteruaile thy parentage wise courteous and constant and what wouldest thou â—aue more Yea but alas I haue reiected his seruice and now hee will not respect my sute I haue detested him and now he will despise mee I haue requited his good will with crueltie and he will reuenge me witâ— contâ—mpt Better hadst thou then conceale it with griefe than reueâ—le it tâ— thine owne shame for if thou ayme at the white and misse the mark thou shalt bee pointed at of those that hate thee pittied of those that loue thee scorned at by him and talked of by all suffer rather then pooâ—â— Doralicia death by silâ—nce than dirisâ—on by reuealing thy sâ—crets for death cutteâ—h off all care but decision breâ—deth endlesse calamity Tush doest thoâ— thinke Arbasto can so harden his heart as to hate thee so maâ—â—â—r hiâ— aâ—fections as to flee from fancy that he wil become so proud as to râ—fusâ— thy prâ—ffer No if thou sendest him but one line it will morâ— harme him then all Circes inchantments if thou lendest but one friendly looke it will be more estéemed than liâ—e Why but Doraliciaâ— and with that she sate still as one in a â—rance building castlâ—s in the aâ—re haâ—ging beâ—wâ—enâ— feare and hope trust and dispâ—iâ—e doubt 〈…〉 elfe thâ—rforâ— from these â—umps shâ— tooke her Luâ—e whereupon 〈…〉 this dittâ—e IN time we see that siluer drops The cragglâ— stones make softâ— The slowâ—st â—nâ—ile in time we see Dâ—th creeâ—e and climbe aloâ—t With feeble puffes the tallest pine In tract of time doth fallâ— The hardest heart in time doth yeeld To Venus luring call Where chilling frost alate did nip There flasheth now a fire Where deepe disdaine bred noysome hate There kindleth now desire Time causeth hope to haue his hap What câ—re in time not easd In time I loath'd that now I loue In both content and pleasd Doralicia hauing ended her dittie laid downe her Lute and betooke her to her former passions wherein she had not long plodded but she determined to write vnto me with as much speed as might be framing her Letters to this effect Doralicia to Arbasto health VVEighing with my selfe Arbasto that to be vniust is to offer iniury to the Gods and that without cause to be cruell is against all conscience I haue thought good to make amends for that which is amisse of a fained foe to become thy faithfull friend for since the receipt of thy Letters calling to minde the perfection of thy body and perfectnes of thy minde thy beautiâ— and vertuâ— thy curtesâ—e and constancy I haue béene so snared with â—ancy and fettered with affection as
not charmed with some secret inchantment were able either to keepe â—â—eir â—iâ—des from being inâ—â—amâ—d or else to coole desire being 〈◊〉 kindled for the dayes are spent in thoughts â—he nights in drâ—â—mes both in danger either begâ—â—â—ing vs of that wee had or promising vs that we haue not The head fraught with â—ancies sterâ—â— with zeale troubled with both yea so many inconueniâ—ncâ—s wâ—iâ—e vpon loue as to recken them all were infinite â— to taste but one of them intolerable being alwayes begun with grâ—â—â—e contiâ—â—â—â— with sorâ—ow and ended with â—eath for it is a paine shadowed with pleasure and iâ—y stuffed with misery so that I conclude that as none euer saw the Altars of Basyris without sorrow nor banqueted with Pâ—olus without surfetting so as impossible it is to dealâ— with Cupid and not incurre either spéedy death or endlesse danger As I was ready to reply to Egâ—rios reasons drawing to a small thickâ—t of trées which was hard adioyning to the City I spied where some of the French Dames were fâ—iendly â—â—tting about a cléere fountâ—in of whom after I had taken a narrow view easily perceiâ—ed they werâ— three Ladies accompanied with one Page namely Myrania Doralicia and their Nurse called Madame Vecchia which sudden sight so appalled my senses as if I had beene appointed a new Iudge to the three goddesses in the valley of Idâ—â— yet seeing before my eyes the mistresse of my thoughts and the Saint â—nto whom I did owe my deuotion I began to take courage thinking â—hat by this fit opportunitie Loue and Fortune would fauour my enterprise willing therefore not to let slip so good an occasion I boldly paced to them whom I saluted in this sort Faire Ladiâ—s the sâ—ght of your surpassing beauties so dazled mine â—yes as at the first I was in doubt whether I should honour you as heauenly Nymphes or salutâ— you as earthly creatures but as I was in this dumpe I readily called to minde the figure of your diuine facâ—s which being at my comming to your fathers Courte by some secret influence most surely imprinted in my fancy I haue hitherto without any sparke of forgetfulnes perfectly retained féeling â—uer sâ—nce in my hart such strange pâ—sâ—ions an vnaccustomed deuoâ—â—on to your beautie and vertues as I would thinâ—e the Gods and â—ortâ—ne did fauour mee if either I might fâ—ndâ—â—ccâ—sion to manifest my affection or liue to doe you seruice Doralicâ—a hearing mee thus strangely to saluâ—â— her although shée saw her selâ—e in the hands of her Fathâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â— yet nothing dismayed with a coy countenance she gaue me 〈◊〉 â—â—abbish answere Sir quoth she if at the first looke 〈…〉 for Nymphes by the perfection of our diâ—â—nâ— beautie 〈…〉 that eâ—ther your women in Denmark are very foâ—â—â— or your 〈…〉 lemishâ— since your comming into France for we â—now our imperâ—â—â—â—â—ons far vnworthy of such dissembled praise But Diomedes smiled most when he pretended greatest mischiefe Scyron entertaineâ— his guests best when he meant to intreat them worst Lycaon feasted Iupiter when he sought to betray him the Hiena euer fauneth at her preâ— â—he Syrenâ— sing when theâ— meane to enchaunt Circes is most 〈◊〉 when she presenteth poyson and so you in praising our beautie séeke to spoile our bloud inâ—xtolling our perfecâ—ion to make vs most imperfect in wishing openly out weale sâ—creâ—ly to worke ouâ— death and destruction For your seruice you offer vs wee so much the more misâ—ke it for his sake that makes the proffer for we are not so inueigled with loue or so sencelesse to conceiue but that we thinke he little fauoureth the steâ—s that cutteth dowâ—e the old stock he smally resâ—ectâ—th the twig that tendereth not the root he lighâ—ly loueth the â—hild that deadly hateth the fâ—ther Pol xena counted Achillâ—s a flâ—tterer because he continued the siege against Troy Cressid for sooke Troyâ—us because he warred against the Grecians nor can wee count him our prâ—uy friâ—nd which is our open foe Why Madame quoth I did not Tarpeia fauour Tatiâ—s thouâ—h a foe vnto Rome did not Scylla respect Mynos thogh he besieged Niâ—us Truth sir quoth Myrania but the gaines they got was pâ—rpetuall shame and eâ—dlesse discredit for the one was slaine by the â—abynes the other reâ—ected by Mynos The yong Faunes cannot â—bide to looke on the Tyger the Halciones are no soâ— nor hatched but they 〈◊〉 thâ— Eagle Andromache would neuâ—r trust the faire speeches â—f Pyâ—â—â—us nor Dydo laugh when shee saw Hiarbas smile where the partie is knowne to â—e a professed foe there suspicious hate ensueth of course and foâ—d were that person that would thinke well of â—â—m that proâ—eâ—â—â—â—h poyson though in a golden pot Madame quoth I I know it is hard where mistrâ—st is harboured to infer beliefe or to procure credit where his truth is called 〈◊〉 question but I wish no beâ—ter successe to happen to my selfe than in â—art I doe imagine to yâ—â— all sweaâ—ing by the gods that I do honor your beauties and â—â—â—tueâ— so much that if I had wonne the conquest and you were my caâ—â—ues yet would I honour you aâ— my soueraigâ—es and obey you as a louing subâ—â—ct But I pray God quâ—th â—â—â—â—me Vecchia you haue neuer occasion to shew vs such fauoâ—râ—â—oâ— we cause to staâ—â—◠〈◊〉 your â—â—â—tesâ—e â—or I doubt we should 〈◊〉 your â—lowing heat turnâ—d to a chilling cold and your greâ—â— promises to smâ—â—â—â—â—rformance In the â—â—an time and with that she tooke Myrania and Doralicia by the hands wee will leaue you to â—etâ—rne 〈◊〉 the Campe and wee will 〈◊〉 to the Citie willing to gâ—ue youâ—â—ankes for your good will when we find you a friend and not beâ—oâ—â—â— Nay â—adame quoth I not so for constrâ—e of my mâ—â—ning how you please or accept of my company how you list I will not bee â—o discourteous to leaue you so slâ—nderly guided as in the gard of this little Page And with that taking Doralicia by the hand willing not to let slip so good opportunity I began to Court her in this manner The choise is hard Madame where the party is compelled either by silence to die with griefe or by vnâ—olding his minde to liâ—e with shame yet so swéete is the desire of life and so bitter the passâ—ons of loue that I am enforced to preferre an vnseemely sute before an vnâ—imelâ— death Loth I am to speak and in dispaire I am to speed For considering what loue is I faint and thinking how I am counted a foe I feare But sigh where loue commandeth there it is â—olly to resist so it is Madame â—hat intending to be victor I become a vassall coâ—â—ing to conquer I am caught a captiue séeking to bring other into thrall I haue lost mine owne libertie Your heauenly beauty hâ—th brought me into bondage your exquisite perfection hath snared my fréedome your vertuous qualities haue subdued my minde and onely your curtesie may frée me from carâ— or your crâ—eltie crosse me with calamitie To
recount the â—â—rrowes I haue sustained since I first was inueigled with thy beauty or the seruice I haue vowed vnto thy vertue sâ—nce thou 〈◊〉 count by talke though neuer so true but meere toyes were rather to bréed in thée an admiration then a beléefe But this I added for the tiâ—e which the end shall â—ry for a truth that so faithfull is my affection and so loyall is my loue that if thou take not pitâ—y of my passâ—ons either my life shall be too short or my misery too long Doralicia hearing attâ—ntiâ—ely my talke oâ—t times changed her colour as one in great choller being so inflamed â—ith a melancholike â—inde of hate as shee was not of a long time able to â—â—â—er one word yet at last with a face full of fury shee â—urst forth inâ—â— thâ—se despightfull termes Why Arbasto quoth shee art thou of late become franticke or doeâ—â— thoâ— thinke me in a frenzy â—ast thou beene bitten with the serpent Amphisbena which procureth mâ—enes oâ— doâ—â— thou suppose me fraught with some lunaticke 〈◊〉 for thy speech mâ—keth me thinke eyther thou art â—roubled with the one or that thou counts me combred with the otherâ— if this thy poysoned parle were in â—est it was too â—road weyâ—ng the case if in earnest too bad considering the person for to talke â—f peace amidst the pikes sheweth either a coâ—ard or a counterfait to sue for loue by hate either frenzy or foâ—â—y It is a â—ad Hare Arbasto that will be caught with a Taber â— gréedy fish that commeth to a bare booke a blind Gâ—â—se that runneth to the Fores sermon â—nd she a louing foole that stoopeth to her enemies lure No no thinke mee not so fond or at least hope not to find me so foolish as with Phryne to fancie Cecâ—ops with Harpalice to like Archemerus with Scilla to loue Mynos with carelesse Minionâ— so farre to forget my honor my honesty my parents and my Country as to loue nay not deadly to hate him which is a foe to the leaâ—â— of these for experience tâ—acheth mâ— that the fairer the stone is in the Toades head the more pesâ—ilent is the poyson in her bowels the brigâ—tâ—r the Serpentâ— scales be the more infâ—ctious is her breath and the talke of an enemy the more it is seasoned with delight the more it sauoreâ—h of despight câ—â—se then to séeke for loâ—â— where tâ—ou shalt â—â—nde nothing but hate for assure thy self◠〈◊〉 thou didst fanâ—y as faithfully as thou doest flatter falâ—â—y yet the guerdeon for thy loue should bee onely this that I will pray incessantly to the Gods in thy life to pâ—stâ—r thâ—e with earthly â—orments and after death to plague thee with hellish tortures Although these bitter blastes of Doralicia had béene a sufficient cooâ—ing cardâ— to quench fond affâ—ction yet as the waâ—er causeth the sea-coale to burne more freshly so her despightfull termes farre more inflamed my â—â—â—â—re that I made her this friâ—â—dly reply Alas Madame weigh my case with equitie if you hate me as I am â—oe to Pelorus yet fauour me as I am friend to Doralicia If you loath mee as a conqueror of your countrey yet pittie mee as I am a captiue to your beautie If you vouchsafe not to listen to the lure of your enemy yâ—t heare the passionate complaints of a perplexed louer who leading others in triumph yet himselfe liueth in most haplâ—sse seruitude If I haue done aâ—isse Doralicia I will make amends if I haue committed a fault I will both requite it and recompence it aâ— I haue béene thy fathers â—oeâ— so I will be his faithfull friend as I haue sought his bale I will procure his blisse yea I will goe against the haire in all things so I may please â—hee in any thing But as I was about to make a longer discoursâ— shee cut mo off in this wise In faith 〈◊〉 quoth shee so well doe I like you that you â—annot more displease mee then in sâ—eking to please 〈◊〉 for if I knew no other causâ— to hate thâ—e yet this 〈◊〉 suâ—â—ise that I cannot but dislike thee he therefore my fathers friend or his foe like hâ—â— or haâ—â— him yet this assure thy selfe that I will nâ—â—â—â— loue thee And with that she flung from me in a great chaâ—â— Reply I could not for by thâ—â— wâ—e were come to the gates of the â—iâ—ie where though vnwilling I tooke my leaue of them in this sort I am sorâ—y â—adies that such is my lucke and so vnhâ—â—py is my lot that in offering my selfe a companion I haue greatly offended you wiâ—h my company yet sith I cannot striue against chance I thinke my selfe happy that Fortune hath honoured me with the fruâ—tion of your presence hoping when time shall try my words no tales but truth you will at last make me amends with cryiuâ— peccaui in the meane while I commit you to the tuition of the Gods praying Fortune rather to plaguâ— me with all mishap then to crosse you with any mischance The thankes I had for this my friendly curtesieâ— was a coy disdainfull looke of Doralicia and a câ—urlish vale of the old trot Vecchia but Myrania as one stung with the prickâ— of fancy â—ad me farewell wâ—th a more curious gloze Iâ— sir quoth she the secret intent of your friendship had béene agreeable to the outward manner of your curtesâ—e â—ee had ere this yeelded you great thankes for your company but sith you gréet vs with a Iudasâ—e kisse wee thinke wee haue small cause to gratifie you for your kindnes notwitâ—standing least you should accuse vs wholly of discourtesâ—e we say we thanke you whatsoeuer we thinke and with that she cast on me such a louing looke as she séemed to play â—oth to depart CHAP. 4. Arbasto and Myrania with seuerall coniectures for loue renewed their complaints THey now returning to the Court and I retâ—ring to the Campe fâ—â—ling my selfe déepely perplexed yet as much as I could dissembled my passions willing in loue nâ—t to bee counted a louer ieâ—â—ing therefore with Egerâ—o I thus began to drâ—â— him on How now Egerio hath not the beauty of these â—aires Ladies brought you from yoâ—r fond 〈◊〉 will you not â—ee content for blaspheming Loue in pennance to carry a burning â—â—ggot before Cupid me thought your eyes were gazing wheresoeuer your heart was gadding but tell mee in good trothâ— is not Doralicia worthy to bee loued Yes sir quoth he if she were not Doralicia for as shee is beauâ—â—â—full she is to be liked of all but as she is Pelorus daughter not to desired of Arbasto least in seeking to gaine her loue he get that which he least looked for Why Egerio what ill lucke can ensue of loue when I meane not to venâ—ure but vpon trust nor to trust without tryall Such as happened to Achilles by Polexenâ— and yet he feared Priamus But alas â—ir I sigh to thinke and I sorrow to sâ—e that reason should yeeld to affâ—ction liberty to loâ—e freedome to
went to Orleance determining both to conclude a peace and to demaund Dolaricia in marriage where no sooner arriued and entred in at the gates of the City but I found Pelorus and all his men in Armes which sight so appaled my senses that I 〈◊〉 as one trans-formed fearing that which presently I found truâ— for Pelorus hauing his force inflamed with furious choller commanded his Captaines to lay hold on me and to carrie me to close prison swearing that no lesse than the losse of life should mittigaâ—e his furie And raging in this choller after he had lodged me vp in Lymbo he went with all his army to the Campe where finding my souldiers secure as men little doubting of such misfortune he made such a monstrous and mercileâ—â—e slaughter as of fiftie thouâ—and he left â—ew a â—ue tâ—ose which â—emained he plagued with all kind oâ— slauerie returning â—â—om with his shamelesse triumph he commanded that in the midst of the Ciâ—ie there should be made a great scaffold whereupon within tâ—nne daies I should be executed these heauie and haplesse newes being come to mine eares such sorrâ—wfull passions perplexed my mind as aâ—ter flâ—udâ— of brinish tâ—aâ—es I burst forth into these biâ—ter termes O infortunate Arbasto quoth I art thou not worthy of this mishaâ— which wilfully sought thine owne miserie canst thou accuse the Gods which didst striue against the Gods canst thou condemne â—ortune which hast warred against nature and Fortune No no in suffering reason to yeeld vnto appetiâ—e wisedome vnto will and wit vnto affection thou hast procured thine owne death and thy souldiers destruction Loue yea loue it is that hath procured thy seâ—â—e beautie that hath bred thy bale fancie hath giuen thee the â—oâ—le and thine owne witlesse wil hath wrought thy owe the more is thy pain and the lesse thou art to be pittied was therâ— none to like but Doralicia none to chuse but thy foe none to loue but thâ—â—â— enemy O vile wretch fraught with carelesse folly And â—ith that 〈◊〉 I was readie to exclaime againâ—â— my cursed destinie I heard the prison doore â—pen where I saw presently to enter Doraliciaâ— and â—adame Vâ—cchia who seeing me sâ—t in such sorrowfull dumps began to smile at my â—olor and to laugh at my mishap which wilfully thrust my selâ—â— into such miserie thinking therfore to aggrauate my griefe by râ—bbing afresh my sore Doralicia began to gall me on this sort Hearing Arbasto quoth she that you were come to prosâ—cute your sâ—te playing the good Captaine that for the first foyle giuen not ouer the fâ—eld I thought good to giue you a smiling looke in recompence oâ— your flâ—ttering loue least if I should not be so courteous to so kinde a Gentleman thâ— world should account me â—ngratefull It is truth 〈◊〉 quoth Myrania it seemes hee is a passing amorous louer but it is pittie he hath very ill lucke he chooseth his chafâ—â—r 〈◊〉 but yet is an vnskilfull chapman for if he buy at such an vnreasonable rate he is like to liue by the losse Tush Madame Vecchia he playeth like the Dragon who sucking bloud out of the Elephant killeth him and with the same poysoneth her selfe so Arbasto seeking to betray others is himselfe taken in the trap a iust râ—ward for so vâ—â—â—â—â—â—ealing and a â—â—t â—euenge for so â—retchlesse an enemy And yet quoth Doralicia his purpose hath taken small place for whatsoeuer his minde was his malice hath wanted might wherein he resembleth the Serpent Porphirius who is full of poyson but being toothlesse hurteth none but himselfe Surely whatsoeuer his chance be heâ— hath made a very good choice for he preferreth sweete loue beforâ—â—itter death and the hope of euerlasting fame before the feare of momentary mis-fortune hee shall now for his constancy beâ— canonized in Denmarke for a saint and his subiects may boast and say that Aâ—basto our king died for loue Egerio seeing that extremity of gri 〈…〉 er me to vtter one word not able any longer to abide these â—cumps crost her with this châ—â—lericke reply Gentlewoman quoth he although I so terme you rather to shew mâ—â— own curtesie than to decipher your conditions it seemeth nurture hath taught you very few manners or nature affoorded very small moâ—â—â—â—y that seeing one in distresse you should laugh at his dolor and where the partie is crossed with mishap you would with bitter taunts increase his misery if he be your foâ— hee hath now the foyle he is taken in the snare his life hangeth in the ballance Though your father â—ee without piâ—tie yet in that you are a woman be not without pitty Hate him if you please as he is your eâ—emy but despise him not as hee iâ— Arbasto a king and your haplesse louer wee are captiues not to a worthy conquerour but to a wretched catife not van 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by prowesse but by periury not by fight but by falshood Wâ—o in ouâ— liueâ— to thy fathers lesse woon continuall fame and he by our deaths shall purchase perpetuall infamy Doralicia not willing to suffer him wade any fuâ—ther cut him short in this manner Sir if bragges could stand for paiment I am sure you wâ—â—ld not die in any mâ—â—s debt but if your prowesse had beene as good as your prattle you needed not â—aue daunced within so short a tâ—oder crâ—uen Cocks crow lowdest feareful curs barâ—e most and a hartlâ—sse coward hath alwaies more tongue thâ—n a hauty Captaine But I bearâ— with you for I doubt the feare of death and danger hath driuen thy master into a cold palsie and hath madâ— thâ—e either fraâ—ticke or lunaticke the one shewing his melancholly thâ— othâ—r bewraying thy choller willing theâ—efore as a friend you should passe ouer your passions with more patience we will â—eaue yâ—u as we found you vnlesse you meane to be shriâ—â—n then I will send you a ghostly father Our coâ—feâ—sion good mistresse quoth Egerio requires but a small â—hriâ—t for we â—aue very little to say but that Arbasto repents that eâ—eâ— hee loued such a perueâ—se minion and I that euer trusted such a pâ—riâ—red traytor The Gentlewomâ—n tooke this for a farewell paâ—sing merily to the Palace and leauing vs sitting sorrowfully in the prison bewayling our mishap with teares and exclaiming against Fortune with bitter curses what our complaints were it little auaileth to rehearseâ— for it would but driue thee into dumpes and redouble my dolor Suffice this that we were so long tormented with care that at last wée were past cure counting this our greatest calamitie that liuing euery houre we lookt to die But as thus wee were drowned in distresse so â—oore Myrania had her minde doubtfully perplexed Nature claimed by due to haue thâ— preheminence and loue â—ought by force to winne the supremacy Nature brought in Peloruâ— aged haires to make the challenge and Loue presented Aâ—bastoes swéet face to be the Champion â—â—ssed thus with two contrarie tempests at last she began to plead with her pasâ—ions Ah thrice
it selfe I will in yéelding to loue dissent from nature to leaâ—e my Father friends and Countrie and passe with thee into Deâ—marke And to cut off spéeches which might seeme to sauour either of flattery or deceit as thou art the first vnto whom I haue vowed my loue so thou shalt bâ— the laâ—â— requiring no meed for my merit nor no other gueâ—don for my good will but that thou wilt take mee to thy wife aâ—d in pledge of my truth see heere the keyes and all other things prouided for our spâ—ediâ— passage Myrania had no sooner vttered these wordes but my mind wâ—s so raâ—ished as I was driueâ— into an extasâ—e for ioy seeing that the terrour of my death was taken away with the hope of life that from heaâ—inesse I should â—e â—â—stored to happinesse â—â—d from most carefull miserie to most secure felâ—citie I therâ—fore â—ramed her this answerâ— Ah Myranâ—a â—he purest Cincelle â—â—ineth brightest when it hath no oyle and truth delighteth when it is apparelled worst Flatter I will notâ— faithfull I â—ust be willed from the one by conscience and driuen to the other by your câ—â—â—esie which by how much the lesse I haue meriâ—ed it by desert by so much the more I am bound to requitâ— it bâ— dutie To decipher in colourâ—d discourses and to paint out with curious shaâ—oâ—es how â—uâ—bly I accept of your oâ—fer and how â—reatly I thinke my selfe beholding to the Gods for blessing me wâ—th such an happy chance what my loyaltie and truth shall be were but to proue that which your Ladiship hoping of my constancie hath not put in question The guerdon you craue for your good will is such that iâ— your curtesie had not forced mee to it by constraint yeâ— your beauties and vertues are so great as fancie would haue compelled me by consent Myrania what thou canst wish in a true and trustie Louer I promise to performe swearing vnto thee that the â—louds shall flow against the streames the earth shall mount against his course yea my carcasse shall be consumed vnto dust and ashes before my minde shall be found disloyall and to this I call the Gods to witnesse of whom I desire no longer to liâ—e than I meane simply to loue Oh Arbasto quoth she would God I had neuer séene théeâ— or that I may finde thy workes according to thy wordes otherwise shall I haue cause to wish I had béene more cruell or lesse courteous But loue will not let me doubt the worst but bids mee hope the best yet thus much I may say when Iason was in danger who more faithfull when Theseus feared the Labyrinth who more loyall when Demophon suffered shipwracke who more louing but I will not say what I thinke Arbasto because thou shalt not suspect I fearâ— Madamâ— quoth Egerâ—o Arbasto is my soueraigne and I both honour and â—eare him as a subiect yet if hee should but once in heart thinke to bee disloyall to Myrania the Gods confound mee with all earthly plagues if I would not of a trustie friend become his mortall foe It is easie to perswade her Egerio quoth she who alreadie is most willing to beleeue let vs leaue therefore these needlesse protestations and goe to the purpose delay bréedes danger time tâ—rrieth for no man spéed in necessitie is the best spurre let vs hast therefore till we get forth of France least if we be preuented it breed my mishap and your fatall misery Upon this we stayed not but shutting the prison close got couertly out of the Citie passing throuâ—â— France with many fearefull perils which to rehearse wereâ—â—â—he needlesse or â—ootlesse suffice this wee at last happily arriued at Denmarke where how I was welcommed home with triumphes were too long to relâ—te But how Pâ—lorus was perplexed after he knew of our happy departure thouâ—h God â—ot most haplesse vnto him I referre to thy â—ood consideration to coniecture The old man fretted not so fast in his mâ—lancholy but Doralicia chased as much in her choller blaspheming bitterly both against me and her sister Myrania but as wordes breake no bones so we cared the lesse for her scolding fearing not the noyse of the peece as long as we were without danger of the shot Well leauing them to their dumps to vs again which floated in delight â—ckiâ— Fortune hauing now hoysed vs vp to the top of her inconstant whéelâ— séeing how carâ—lesse I slumbred in the cradle of securitiâ— thought to make me a very mirrour of her mutabilitie for she began a fresh to turne my tyâ—pet on this wise As daily I flattered Myrania for fancie her I could not promising with speed to call a Parliament for the confirmation of the marriage I still felt the sâ—umpes of the old loue I bare Doralicia to sticke in my stomackâ— the morâ— closely I couered the sparkes the more the flame burst forth I found absence to increasâ— affection not to decrease fancy in the day my mind dotâ—d of her vertues in the night I dreamed of her beautie yea Cupid began to encounter mâ— with so fresh canmizados as by distance my distresse was farre more augmented such sighes such sobs such thoughts such paines and passions perplexed me as I felt the last assault worse then the former batterie If I loued Doralicia in France I now liked her thrice better being in Denmarke If in presence her person pleased me now in absence her perfection more contented me To conclude I sware to my selfe with a solemne sigh Doralicia was is and shall be the mistresse of my heart in despight of the froward destinies yet amazed at mine ownâ—â—olly I began thus to muse wiâ—h my selfe O foolish Arbasto nay rather frantike fondling hast thou lesse reason then vnreasonable creatures the Tyger flyeth the traine the Lion escheweth the nâ—ts the Déere auoydeth the coyles because they are taken with these instruments and art thou so mad as hauing escaped pikes wilfully to thrust thy selfe into perill The childe being burnt haâ—eth the fire but thou being an old foole wilt with the worme Naplitia no sooner come out of the coales but leap into the flame But alas what then I sée the measure of loue is to hâ—ue no meane and the end to be euerlastingâ— that to loue is allotted to all but to be happie in loue câ—ntent to feelâ— why shall I bee so mad to loue Doralicia or so frought with ingratefull periury as not to like Myâ—ania the one hath crossed me with bitter girds the other courted mee wiâ—h sweet glaunces Doralicia hath rewarded me with disdaineâ— Myranâ—a intreated me with desire the one hath saued my life the other sought my death O Arbasto thou seest the best but I feare like to follow the worst Alas I cannot but loue Doralicia what then what resâ—eth for me to do but to dyâ— with patience séeing I cannot liue with plâ—asure yea Arbasto die die rathâ—r witâ— a secret scar than an open scorne for â—hoâ— mâ—ist well suâ— but neâ—er shalt thou haue good
THE HISTORY OF ARBASTO King of Denmarke Describing the Anatomy of Fortune in his loue to faire Doralicia Wherein Gentlemen may finde pleasant conceits to purge melancholy and perfect counsell to preuent mis-fortune By Robert Green Master of Art Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit vtile dulci. Wherevnto is added a louely poem of Pyramus and Thisbe O WORMES MEATE O FROATH O VANITIE WHY ART THOV SO INSOLENT LONDON Printed by I. B. for Roger Iackson and are to be sold at his shop neere Fleet Conduit To the Right Honourable and Vertuous Ladie the Ladie Mary Tolâ—â—t wiâ—e to the right Honourable Gilbert Lord Talbot Robert Greene wisheth increase of Honour and Vertuâ— MYRON that vnskilful Painter of Greece neuer drew any picture but the counterfait of Iupiter saying that if it were ill wrought his worthinesse should countenance out the meannesse of his workâ— if well commend the perâ—ection of his Art In like manner fareth it with me right Honourable who haâ—ing vnskilfully shadowed wiâ—h bad colours the counterfait of Fortune presume boldly to shrowde it vnder your Ladiships patronage as able to defend it be it neuer so meane and to countenance it were it neuer so good Thus hopefull of your Ladiships acceptance I remaine The vnfained honourer and admirer of your Noble perfections Robert Greene. To the Gentlemen Readers health ALexander whether wearied with Buâ—â—phaluâ— pace or deâ—â—rous of nouelâ—â—es as â—he nature of man delighteth in change rode on a time on 〈◊〉 horse for which being reprehended by one of his Captaines he made hiâ— this answere Though all quoth he cannot haue Bucephalus cairiâ—ge yet this is his horse So â—entlemen if some too Câ—rious 〈◊〉 at your curtesie that vouchsafe to take a view of this Pampâ—let I hope you wil answere Though it be not excellent yet it is a â—ooke Yours for a greater cuâ—â—â—sie Robert Greene. The Contents of this History CHAP. I. HOw Arbasto is discouered in his retired life by the traueller Chap. 2 Arbasto relateth his story and discouereth himselfe Chap. 3 Arbasto in loue with Doralicia And Myrania with Arbasto hauing opportunity to discoueâ— the same Chap. 4 Arbasto and Myrania with seuerall contraries for loue reuerts their complaints Chap. 5 Arbasto is traiterously surprised by Felorus and imprisoned in Orleance with all his army defeated Chap. 6 Myrania in loue with Arbasto contriueth his deliuery out of prison by a secret policy Chap. 7 Arbasto strangely transported with Doraliciaes loue forgetteth Myraniaes kindnes and sendeth couertly to â—â—ralicia who againe deliuereth him Chap. 8 After Myraniaes death Doraliciaâ—elenteth â—elenteth and sendeth to Arbasto who then hated her as much as hee loued her before Chap. 9. Doralicia hauing receiued Arbastoes vnkind answere dieth of a frenzy and Arbasto banished his kingdome THE HISTORIE of Arbasto with the Anatomy of Fortune CHAP. 1. Arbasto is discouered in his retired life by the Trauellerâ— AFter an vntoward iourney and seuerall infortunate tempests besides the vnskilfulnesse of our Pilâ—te I happily arriued at the Citie of Sydon where being set on shore I straight with my companions went to offer incense to the goddesse of Prosperity wâ—ich the Citizens call Araste â—â—â—hither being come my deuotion done and my oblations presented desired to take a view of the ancient Monuments of the Temple I passed through many places where most sumptuous sepulchers were erected which hauing seene as I thought to haue gone to my lodging I spied a Cell hauing the doore open whereinto as I entred I saw an Archslamin sitting as I supposed at his Orizons for so was the Priest of the goddesse termed who being clothâ—d in white Sattin Robes and crowned with a Diadem of perfect gold leaned his head vpon his right hand powring forth streames oâ— teares as outward signes of some inward pasâ—â—ons held in his leâ—t hand the counterfeit of Fortune which with one foote trode vpon a Polâ—pe 〈◊〉 and with the other on a Camelion as assured baâ—â—iâ—â— her mutabilitie Driuen into a dumpe with the siâ—ht oâ— this strange deâ—iâ—â— as I long gazed at the vnacquainteâ— gesture of this liue Flâ—min willing to know both the cause of his care what the picture of fortune did import I was so bold to wake him out of â—is passion with this parle Father quoth I if my presumpâ—ion bee great in preasing â—o rashly into so secret and sacred a place thaâ— I hope weighing my will you will somewhat excuse my boldnesâ— for I haue not presumed as thinking to giue any iust occasion of offence but as a stranger desirous to see the Monuments of this ancient Temple which 〈◊〉 I â—arrowly viewed happâ—ning by chancâ— into this your Cell anâ— seeing yâ—ur old age pâ—rplexed with â—trange passionâ— stated as one willing to learn what disaster hath driuen you into these dumps which if I wâ—â—hout offâ—nce may request and yoâ— without preiudice grant I shall find my selfe by duty bound to requite your vndeserued curtesâ—e After I had vttered these wordes staying a good space to heare what the â—lde man would answere seeing hâ—e did not so much as voâ—chsafe to giue an eare to my parâ—e or an eye to my person but still gazed on the picture of Fortune I saw a present Metamorphosis of his actions for from teares hee fell to trâ—flâ—ng from lowring to laughing from mourning to mirth yet neuer casting his eyes from Fortunes counterfeit till at last after hee had long smiled as I thought at thâ— piâ—â—ure hee as in despâ—te cast it from 〈◊〉 â—nd taking his Lute plaied a dumpe whereto he warbleâ— ouâ—â—â—ese wordâ— VVHereat erewhile I wept I laugh That which I feard I now despise My victor oncâ— my vassaile is My foe constrâ—ind my weale supplies Thus doo I triumph on my foe I weepe at weale I laugh at woâ— Mâ— care iâ— cuâ—'d yet hath no end Not that I want but that I hauâ—â— My chaâ—ge waâ— change yet still â— endâ— I would haue lesse if you me 〈◊〉 Aye me poore wretch 〈…〉 dâ—e liue Constraind to taâ—e y wishâ—d to giâ—â— Sheâ— whose delights aâ—e signes of death Who when shee smiâ—â—s begins tâ— lowreâ— Constant in this thâ—â—â—till shee change Her sweetest gifâ—s time proueâ— but sowreâ— I liue in careâ— frost with her guile Through 〈◊〉 I weepe at her I smile The graue Priest hauing with sigâ—â—s sobbed out this sorowfull ditty I was driuen into a maze what the contrary contentâ— of these verses should meane vntill at last casting hiâ— eye asidâ— and séeing me stand so solemnely â—e burst forth â—nto these cholerickâ— termes Friend quoth he if I may so terme thée thou hast either not hearâ— much or learned very little either thy curtesie is small or thy conditions too currish that séekest to come to counsell before thou be calledâ— If the secrecy of my Cell or the reuerâ—nce of my age or thy small acquaintance with me were not sufficient to hold thée from pressing so nigh yet seeing me thus perplexed thou mightest for modesty sake haue
infortunate Myrania what strange fits bee these that burne thée with heate and yet thou shakest with colde the body in a shiuering sweat and in a flaming Ice melting as â—axe and yet as hard as the Adamant is it loue then would it were death for likelier it is thou shall lose thy life than winne thy loue Ah haplesse Arbasto would to God thy vertues were lesse than thy beauty or my â—ertues greater then my auctions so should I either quickly free my selfe from fancie or be lesse subieâ—â—ed â—o folly But alas I â—éele in my mind fierce skirmishes beâ—â—â—â—ne reason and appetite loue and wisedome danger and desire the one perswading to hate Arbasto as a foe the other constraining to loue him as a friend If I consent to the first I end my daies with death if to the last I shall lead my life with infamy What shall I then do Ah Myrania either swallow the iuyce of Mandrake which may cast thée into a dead sleepe or chew the hearb Caâ—ysium which may cause thée to hate euâ—ry thing so either shalt thou die in thy slumber or dislike Arbasto by thâ— potion Tush poore wench what folliâ—s be â—hese wilt thou with the Wolâ—e barke at the Moone or with the young Griphons pecke against the starres Doest thou thinke to quench fire with a sword or with affection to mortifâ—e loue No no if thou bee wise suffer not the grasse to bee cut from vnder thy féet strike while the yron is hotte make thy market while the chaffer is to sale Now Arbasto is thine owne now thou maâ—st winne him by loue and weare him by law thou maist frée him from miserie without thy â—athers mishap thou maist saue his life without thy Fathers losse thou maist graâ—t thy good will vnto loue and yet not falsiâ—â—o thy faith vnto nature Caâ— Arbasto which is so courteous become so cruell but he will requite thy loue with loyaltie thy faithfull fancy with vnâ—ained affection Noâ— no he will and must loue thee of force since thou hast granteâ— him his life of free will hee will like theâ— in thy youth and honour thee in thine age he will be the port of prosperitie wherin thou maist rest and the hauen oâ— happinesse wherein thou maist harbour without harme so that thou maist say of him as Andromache said by Hector Tu Dominus tu vir tu mihi frater â—riâ— Yea but Myrania yet looke before â—hou leape aud learne by other mens harmes to beware Ariadne loueâ— Theseus frâ—ed from him the monstrous Mynotauâ—e taught him to passe the Laberinth yea forsooke Parents and Countrey for his cause and yet the guerdon hee gaue her for her good will was to leaue her a dâ—solate wrâ—tch in a desert wildernesse Medea and Iason from the danger of the Dragons and yet shee found him trothlesse Phillis haâ— bored Demophon and Dydo Eâ—â—as yet both repayed theiâ— loue with hate Tush the â—aiâ—e â—ower haâ—â— not â—heâ— best sent the Lapidaries choose not the stone by the outward colour but by the secret veâ—tue Paris was faire yet false Thieâ—tes was beautifull but deceitfull Vulcan was carâ—ed in white Iuory yet a Smith The pâ—ecious stonâ— of Mâ—saulous sepulchâ—r could not make the dead carcaâ—â—e swéâ—t Beautie Myrania is not alwayes accompanied with vertue honestie and constancie but oft times fraught with â—ice and â—â—riâ—ry What then if some were Tâ—aytors shall Arbasâ—o be troâ—hlesse if some weâ—â— faâ—se shall he be â—aiâ—hlesse no his beatle vertue hath woon me and he himselfe shall wearâ— me I will forsake Father â—riends and Country for his cause â—ea I will venture 〈◊〉 and life to frée hâ—â— from danger in despighâ— of froward Fortune and the destinies CHAP. 6. Myrania in loue with Arbastoâ— contriueth his deliuery out of prison by a secret policy MYrania being thus resolute in her opinion began to cast beyond the Moone and to frame a thousand deuises in her hâ—aâ— tâ— bring her purpose to passe fearing euery shadowâ— doubting euery wind stumbling aâ—â—he least straw yet at the last pricked forward by fancy she thought to preuent alâ— cause of feaâ—â—â—n this wise The euening before she meant to atchieuâ— her enterprise she secretly sent for the Iaylor by one of her maids to whom she durst commit â—er secret affaires who being taught by her mistresse to play her part cunningly brought the Iaylor into Myranias chamber by a pâ—â—â—â—rne gate so that they were neither séene nor suspected of any whâ—re hee no sooner came but hee was courteously entertained of thâ— young Ladie who faining that she had to debate wiâ—h â—im of weighâ—ie affaires called him into her closet where treading vpâ—n a falâ—â— boord he fell vp to the shoulders not being able to helpe himselfe but â—hat he there ended his life Myrania hauing desperately atchieâ—ed this deed â—hâ—e strait sought â—ot to rob him of his coyne but to bereaue him of his keyes which after she had gotâ—en aâ—d conueyed his carcasse into a sâ—â—ret placeâ— shée went in her night gowne accompanied onely with her maid to the prison Arbasto and Egerio hearing the doores oâ—â—n at such an vnaccustomed houre began straight to conieâ—ture that Pâ—lorus sought to murther them secretly least his owne people should accuse him oâ— crueltie but as â—hey looked to haue seene the Iaylor they spiâ—d Myrania in her night gowne which sudden and vnlooked for sight so appaled their senses as they were driuen into a maze till Myrania wakened them from thâ—iâ— dumps with this sugred harmony I percâ—iue Aâ—basto that my presence doth make thâ—e to muze and my sudden ariuall hath driuen thée into a maze what strange wâ—nd should laâ—d me in this coast In trâ—th thou maist thinke either my message is great or my modesty little either that I take small care of my selfâ— or repose very great trust in thee who at a time vnfit for my calling haue without any guard come to a stranger a captiue yea and my fathers fatalâ— foe I confesse it is a fault if I were not â—orst but seeing that necessitie hath no law I thinke I haue the lessâ— broken the law But to leaue off these needlesse preambleâ— where dâ—lay breeds no lesse danger then death know this Arbasto that since thy first arriuall at my Fathers Court my eyes haue béen so dazled with the beâ—mes of thy beautie and my minde so snareâ— with view of thy vertues as thoâ— onely art the man whom in heart I loue and like seeing thee therefore drowned héere by aduersâ— Fortune in most haplesse â—istresse willing to manifest the loyaltie of my loue in effect which I haue protested in words I haue rather chosen to hazard both my life and honor than not to offer thee peace if thou wilt agree vnto the conditions As my Father hath wrought thy woe I will worke thy weale as he hath sought thy bale I will procure thy blisse from peâ—urie I will set thee in prosperitie I will frée thâ—â— from prison from danger yea from death
successâ— And yâ—t Lions â—awne when they arâ— clawed the most cruell Tygers stoop when they are tickled and Women though neâ—er so obstinate yâ—â—lâ— whâ—n they are courted There is nâ— Pearlâ— so hard but vineger breaketh nâ— Diamond so stony but bloud molliâ—â—eth no heart so stiffe but loue weakeneth what though Doralicia sought thy dâ—ath perhaps now â—he repentâ— and will giue thee lifeâ— though at the â—â—rst she cast thee a stone shee will now throw thée an apple Why then Arbasto assault her once againe with a frâ—sh charge séeke to gâ—t thâ—t by Letterâ— which thou couldest not gainâ— by talke for one line is of more â—orce to perswade then a â—oneths parâ—e for in writing thou maist so set downe thy passions hâ—r perfections as â—â—â—e shall haâ—â— cause to thinke well of thee and better of her selfe bâ—t yet so warily as it shall be hard for her to iudge whether thy loue bâ— more faithfull or her beautie amiable CHAP. 7. Arbasto strangely transported with Doraliciaâ— loue forgetteth Myranias kindnesse and sendeth couertly to Doralicia who againe denieth him HAuing thus determined with my selfe though as couertly as I could to concâ—alâ— my â—affaires least either Myrania or Egerio should spie my halting I priâ—â—ly sent an Ambassadâ—ur to Peloâ—us to intreat for a contract betwéene vs and also to craâ—e his â—aughter Doralicia in marriage promising to send him Myrania safe vpon thiâ— consent and withall I framed a Letter to Doralicia to this effect Arbasto to the fairest Doralâ—cia health SUch and so extreame are the passionâ— of loue Doralicia that thâ— more they are quenched by disâ—â—ses the gâ—â—â—tâ—r flames is increased by desire and the more they are gallâ—d wiâ—h hatâ— the more thâ—y gape after loue like â—o the stone Tapozon which being oncâ— kindled burnâ—th most vehâ—mently in the water I speake â—his thâ— greater is my griâ—fe by proofe and expâ—rience for hauing my hâ—art scoâ—ched with the beames of thy beauty and my minde innamed witâ— tâ—y singular vâ—rtue neither can thy bitter lâ—â—kes abatâ— my loue nor extreame discourtâ—â—â—â— diminish my affection No Doraliciâ— I am not he that will leauâ— the swéet Englantinâ— because it prickes my finger and refuse the gold in the fire because it burnt my hand for the mindâ— of a faithful louer is neither to be daunted with â—espight nor affrighted with daunâ—er but as the Loadstone what windâ— soâ—uer doth blowe tâ—rneth alwayes to the North so the loue of Arbasto is euermore bent to the beautie and vertue of Doralicia whatsoeuer misfortune happeneth Yâ—â— iâ— fareth with me as with the herbe Basâ—ll thâ— which the moâ—e it is crusheâ— the sooner it springeth â—r the purâ— spice wâ—ich the more it is pounded the swéeter it â—â—â—â—leth or the Camomill which the more it is troden with the féeâ—e the more it flourisheâ—h so in these extremities beaten 〈◊〉 to the ground with disdaine yet my loue reacheth to the top of the house with hope â—itâ— then Doralicia thy beauty hath 〈◊〉 the sore let thy bounty apply the salue as thy vertue hath caused my maladie so let thy merciâ— giâ—â— the medicine repay not my constancy with cruâ—ltiâ— requitâ— not my loue with hate and my dâ—sirâ— with dâ—spight least thou procure my spéedy deâ—th â—nd thy endlesse infamy Thus hoping thou wilt hauâ— some remorse of my passions I attend â—hy friendly sâ—ntence and my â—atall destiny Thine euer though neuer thine Arbasto AS soone as I had written my Letter I dispatcht the Messengeâ— as spéedily and priuâ—ly as might be who within the space of thré◠wéekes arâ—iued at Orleance where deliuering his Ambassage to Pelorus and my Letter to Doralicia he stayed for an answere the spacâ— of tenne dayes in which time Pelorus consulting with his Councelâ— waâ— very willing to grant me his dauâ—htâ—r in mâ—rriage but that by no meanâ—s he could winne the good will of Doralicia seeing thereâ—â—re no perswasâ—â—â—â— could preuaile he dispaâ—cht my messenger with deniall and Doralicia returned me this froward answere Doralicia â—o Arbasto VVHere didst thou learnâ—â—ond â—oole â—hat being forbidden to bée â—inâ— thou shoâ—ldâ—st grow impuâ—ent that willed to leaue off thy sutâ— yâ—t thou shouldeâ—â— bee importâ—nâ—te doâ—st thoâ— thinke with the Spanâ—â—â— by â—awning when thou art beaten to make thy foe thy â—riâ—nd â—o let â—therâ— déeme of thée what they list I will count thée â— câ—r Dost thoâ— thinkâ— I will be drawne by thy counâ—erfait conceits aâ— the straw by the Iet or as tâ—e gâ—ld by the minerall Chrisocalla No no if thou sâ—ekest to obtaine â—auour at my hands thou doeâ—â— striue to wriâ—g water out of thâ— Pummice and doâ—â— work thâ— means to increase â—hine owne sâ—ame and seueritie for as by instinct of nature there is a secret hate betwéenâ— the Uine and the Cabbish betwâ—ene the Bore and the Goord and beâ—wéene the yron and the Theamides so in my minde I feele a secret grudge betwéene Arbasto and Doralicia cease then to gape for that thou shalt neuer get and take this both fâ—r a warning and an answere For if thoâ— prosecute thy sute thoâ— dost but persâ—cute thy selfâ— seeing I am neither to be woed with thy passionâ— whilest thou liuest nor to repent me of my rigour when thou art dead For I sweare that I will neuer consent to loue him whose sight if I may say with modesty is more bitter vnto mâ— than death Short I am though sharpe for I loue not to â—atter take this therefore for thy fâ—rewell that I liâ—e to hate thee Willing after death if it could be thy foe Dâ—ralicia After that the Messenger was returned to Denmarke aâ—d that I had receiued and read the Letter such sundry â—houghts assailed me that I becâ—me almost â—ranticke â—eare despaice grieâ—e â—â—te choller wraâ—h desire of reâ—enge what not so tormentâ—d my mind that I fell â—o raging agaâ—nst the Gâ—ds â—o râ—â—lâ—ng at Doralâ—cia and to câ—rsing of all â—â—maâ— kinde conceiâ—ing such an extreame hate against her as beâ—oâ—e I loued her not so hearâ—ily as now I loathed her hatefully counting my selfe an vngrate wretch toward Myâ—â—niâ— and calling to minde her beaâ—â—ie and vertâ—e her bounty and curtesie I â—ell more deepely in loâ—e with heâ— than euâ—r with Doralâ—cia so that I could not spare one glance from gâ—zing vpon her person nor draw my minde from musing on her perâ—ectâ—on But a sudden change alas a sorrowfull chance Myrania peâ—ceiuing me souâ—ed of these sorrowfull dumps began straighâ— without casting any water to coniecture my disease and â—o shâ—â—â—â—t that which indéed she hit without any great ayme But as loâ—e is most suspicioâ—s so she began to doubt the worst feâ—â—ing that as yet the â—eautie of Doralicia was not blotted out of my mindâ— searching â—herefore narrowly what she could either hearâ— or learne of my secretâ— aâ— last she founâ— out that which wrought heâ— finall mishap and my fatall misery For by lucklesse chance leauing the doore of my closet open Myrania thinking to finde me at my Muses stumbled