exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tydings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Park and his tongue for not revealing his griefe his Physition being so readie to heare that despairing of his hope he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet Reason affirming That the learnedst Phisition could not discover the disease of his patient without he shew it how neare soever he ghesse Entring further into consideration of her favourable speaches shaking off feare like a hardie Souldier he determined in writing to let her know his love since he had no hope to meet her againe at the like advantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon lived Eliosto yet desirous to be resolved either of comfort or despaire he called for pen and ynke and wrote thus To the onely mistresse of my heart the most beautifull Cleodora happinesse and hearts content IF Iupiter being a God was vanquished by love and many mightie Monarches have beene forced to seeke the love of beautifull Ladies I have lesse cause to accuse my fortune or exclaime against his soveraigntie who hath framed my heart to like and love your excellencie how long I have honoured you onely I omit and desist to impart the many griefes endured for your sake Now as you are by nature pitifull so vouchsafe to credite the lines of me your sworne servant and by your favour reclaime from the gates of death my soule which vpon deniall is readie to leave her earthly mansion Therefore peerlesse Ladie if thou holde the life of thy servant in any regard grant me thy love and with thy love gratious liking so shall I live to honour thee or die through thy crueltie I write not as a Poet but as a passionate lover of your highnesse and therefore if thou dislike these lines atâ—…ribute the shortnesse of my stile to my ardencie which without flatterie hath delivered the summe of my miserie and hope shal be by your gracious courtesie mitigated So attending your answere either of life or death I wish thy ioyes never to have end and my selfe a speedie death without your liking Your Graces in life most humble Eliosto What man living hath either heard or read of such sensuall and incontinent designes such libidinous and incestuous affection Thou Hyppolite for not yeelding to the lust of Phaedra thy Stepmother wast through her false accusation by thy father pursued till the Charioâ—… wherein thou fleddest brake and thou miserably among the sharpe stones rent to peeces but by thy fall thou hast preserved thy name from blacke mouthed infamie who onely is delighted with her brazen Trumpet to sound the harsh tunes of our foule defame as for thee Eliosâ—…o whom the Fates likewise have reserved to perpetuitie must with thy licencious Phaedra abide continually the detestable brand of vnspeakable ignominie But I digresse When he had ended these lines sealed and directed the same he could not find by many devises which hee sought how it should be brought to his mothers hands at length after many and sundry wayes invented this was thought best calling to mind Lucilâ—…a the Queenes Maid which he often noted to be in some regard with her determined to procure her either for courtesie or reward to deliver it And verie early in the morning as soone as he could get readie addressed himselfe to the Court attending the comming of his mother thither as she vsually did but vnhappie Elâ—…osto it â—…ell not out so well with him that day for the Queeâ—…e distempered in her thoughts had her mind so much on loue as she enâ—…oyed no sleepe by night nor content by day so that she was enforced with weaknesse to keepe her Chamber to the great discomfort and griefe of all the Ladies But Cupid which is alwayes benigne to them that serve him brought him this pleasure It fortuned that Lucilla with whom Eliostoes chief desire was to have some speech passed into the Garden either to walke or for some occasion of the Queenes I know not whether whom he followed with a fearâ—…full countenance more like a novice in Loves schoole then any way skilfull in such enterprises yet whetâ—…ed on by the hopes which his heart conceyved he saluted the Gentlewoman who was not a little abashed to see the Prince so neare her nor could she iudge any cause of his comming vnto her Lucilla being willing to heare what he would say with a face blushing shewing a kind countenance she enquired of his health with other ordinarie prattle vnto which hee answered and returning her many thanks said Mistresse Lucilla though my deserts have never merited favour at your hands yet let me crave your furtherance in a sute for that I heare my mother is weake and not willing to bee troubled so that I cannot attaine vnto hir speech and besides my businesse of importance compelleth me very shortly to leave the Court to deliver this Letter into her owne hands and at your leysure to returne me such answer as she shall please to deliver in doing which you shal both do me a favour of great esteeme and cause me her eaâ—…ter not to wound this your kindnes with oblivion The Gentlewoman which did know where the Queenes shooe did wring her began immediatly to coniecture his disease and to shootâ—… at that which indeed she hit without any great aime supposing the Prince to be wounded with like affection was glad to become so happie a Messenger to her who could willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kind deniall she said Sir though I could willingly doe you more service then modestie will I acquaint you with yet it is not the part of our Country Gentlemen to make poasts of women having Pages fit for that purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discourtesie in me which am verie loath to offend her hâ—…ghnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your Paper may breed any discontent or no. That many Messengers have incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserved I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmlesse bearer knownâ—… as little what he carried as I desirous to know of you Sweet Lucilla quoth the Prince that it is wisdome by others harmes to beware I denie not yet notwithstanding it is discourtesie not to fulfill the request of a Gentleman which hath evermore shewed himselfe most dutifull vnto her Maiestie can I therfore frame my heart to preiudice that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heavens never permit me life if in the least thought I once offend her Lucilla noting by the often change of his colour in telling his tale that his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then willingly he would reveale loath to move his patience by her deniall answered Sir perswading my self of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Excellence whose favour I hold as deare as my life and that
the most a kisse wherby finding occasion shee sealed the same with her bright sanguine lippes saying that now she had given him his desired guerdon to which Amasias smiling replied after this maner Either my arrivall in this place is suspected or not suspected if suspected certes the outwardmost is suspected if not suspected neither will this be revealed Nay cut off my head quoth he if now I reape not the fruit of my hope I but it is sinne said Florinda Sinne quoth he It is sinne not to swallow in delights dangling at our lips it is sinne to abstaine from pleasure if that only may preserve our life Yet would I not preserve my life by doing wrong answered Florinda Nay thy selfe earst did dest say quoâ—…h Amasias that thou weâ—…t mine by right therfore where are now your weake reasons weake they were God-wote and scarce currant but let me see whether your selfe be as stout to resist as your gentle perswasions were substantiall to make mee desist This being said Amasias as it best beseemed Amasias offred her gentle violence and violent gentlenes which as some say seldome comes to women vnaccepted shee againe for fashions sake combated but willing to bee conquered for indeed ere long Amasias rode in triumph and which some men may maruaile at he behaved himselfe like Hydra whose neckes pared off with the heads were renued with two in each place like Anteus by each fall gathering more force or as the stone of Thracia which dipped in water to be cooled waxeth most fervent After this Florinda feasted him with as daintie and delicate dishes as her selfe could devise wherevnto wanted no Vâ—…num Cos the Whetstone of his fortitude Which done Amasias thanking his goddesse for his entertainment they both tooke their leave as though they had lost their lives especially Florinda who often wringing him by the wrests with her whitest handes kissed him as if her heart had desired to meete with his and his soule to joyne with hers and thence betaking her selfe into a window like the fairest garden flowers which beholding the departure of gladsome Phoebus to his purple bed whose being earst was their light and life some hanging downe their heades as deprived of all pleasure and others more erecting vp their loftie and leavie crests strive to injoy his sweete sight so farre as poâ—…sible they may so Florinda now pearched aloft to possesse his beloved sight as far as her watry eies could suffer and now againe hung downe her head in her bofome as not able to sustaine to behold his departure Now Amasias ever after was so wedded to the vaine suppose of pleasure and delight that his Peeres sorowed at the course of his vnbrideled follies and his subjects groned not vnder the burden of his covetous desires but were taxed with the griefe of his voluptuous appetite for such was the incontinencie of his life as sacietie of wanton affections never glutted his minde with content but as the Serpent Hydaspis the more he drinketh the more he is a thirst and as the Salamander the more he lieth in the fire the more desirous he is of the flame so Amâ—…sias the more hee offended in this intemperate concupiscence the more his thoughts were addicted to the vice insomuch as everie man did wish hee might fall headlong into the Centre of some deepe misfortune Wallowing thus in the selfe conceit of his wickednesse his â—…ife Clâ—…odora through over much impatience not sufficiently commanding his constancie or greatly moderating his affections began palpably to feele extraordinary passions within her to be praedominant For fond Affection like a heady ruler possessing the chiefest portion of her interests over-ruled her more honest resolutions at the entertainement of incestuous lust Which when she most evidently perceived for the better effecting of her purpose manifested her griefe vnto a damsell whom shee had brought w th her out of Lemnos and in whose confidence she reposed much Lucilla for so was the maid named being vpon a day in her Mistris chamber seeing that beyond measure she was melancholie and that her health not a little impeached through sorrow strained modesty and with these words interrupted her mournings Ah Cleodora more loved of me then mine owne life and more deere vnto me then my selfe would God I might be plagued with all earthly diseases so I might see thee free from distresse how can Lucâ—…lla be without sorrow to see Cleodora oppressed with sicknesse how can she but sinke in calamitie to see her but once touched with care alas vnfold vnto me thy sore and I will adde the meanes to apply the salve make me privie to thy malady and I will procure a medecine The regard which ever since my first being with you I have had of your welfare I had rather leave it to your consideration then with the rehearsall of it but wearie your patience Which endevours of mine if your Majestie shall recompence with advertisement of your griefe I will not onely studie to procure your contentment by my industrious resolutions but my selfe also not a little satisfied shall rest in great security Alas quoth the Queene it is not vnknowne not only to vs but to the whole Kingdome how my Lord seduced by the flattering allurements of strumpets hath not onely violated the law of our gods in prophaning my nuptiall bed made sacred by the holy law of matrimonie but also the law of Cyprus which vtterly forbiddeth such disorder and wanton actions But sith in a Monarchie the wills of Princes may bide no checke but their reasons howsoever vnreasonable are the principles that may not be infringed it resteth onely for me to complaine but not to redresse lest venturing too farre I set my rest on the hazard and so desperately throw at all What Madame answered Lucilla have you no other cause to disquiet your selfe then the foolish love of the King Truely this is a very small occasion and a cause more then frivolous after this manner to vexe your selfe remove away these dolorous passions and endevour to live joyfully with those amongst whom your reputation and credite shall be honourable attending til Time shal coole his ardent desires and enforce him to change his affections with this proviso that by vnlawfull acquaintance your honour likewise be not depraved Indeede replyed the Queene the whole can with facilitie minister counsell to them that are sicke but if thou didst but feele that distemperature which permitteth me to take no rest in my minde and the cause of the anguish that doth deprive me of sence I am assured that having pittie vpon me thou wouldest otherwise comfort me or else help to execute that which should serve for the intire solace and contentment of my spirit The King hath led this life a long time and it is now impossible but by death or extreamity of age he should alter it in the meane while I passe my time away in vaine no waies comforted which maketh my griefe seeme more intolerable Lucilla
altogether vncertaine as soone the enuious ennemie as the well-willer may haue the perusall thereof in which some word simply meant of you or me may be by them at their pleasure construed whereby both a slaunder which is not easily suppressed may be raised and your name brought into question Writing is a thing whereof the subtill Lawyer takes no small aduantage To auoyde all which casualties this may you doe pretend some matter of conference with him and appoynt the time when he at your lodging shall attend you whither comming secretly and at such a season as the king your husband shal be employed in serious affaires you may vse your speech at your pleasure This would Lucilla doe your grace may vse your discretion I like thy deuise well quoth Cleodora therefore faile not to meete him for thy promise sake Now in faith Madam said Lucilla you haue made a good choise for a sollicitor but take me as I am this is the first suite for which I euer was retained and I doubt not if I now speed well of many cliants As they were thus pleasant betweene themselues they heard which caused the Queene to send forth her page for the enquirie of the matter who returned her answer that the King with his traine were setting forward to hunt a wild Boare which his Forresters had roused this newes gaue them cause of ioy hoping that fortune had fauoured them with a happie time which doubting the like opportunitie they were loath to omit Cleodora especially who could not be quieted in minde vntill shee had heard of the Princes answer wherefore a Page was presently commanded to search for him willing him with such conuenient speed as he could to meete Lucilla in the garden the Page vsed such diligence that speedily he was brought vnto his presence whom he found solitarie as a holy father at his Orizons whom the Page awaked with his ioyfull message which was albeit doubtfull whether of weale or woe most welcome vnto him The suddaine hearing of which caused him to pause a while when hauing determined courteously returned answer to the gentlewoman that he would incontinently attend her The boy he so bounteously rewarded as that he had cause to boast himselfe of his well emploied seruice Lucilla hauing receiued his answer aduertised the Qu. thereof who commanded her to haste least by her absence she should giue him cause of disconteÌ„t but for al her speed Eliosto was long there before attending her comming who was no sooner of him perceiued to enter the place but his heart presaging some good hap was thence more delighted then at al the motions that euer could be imagined After his courteous salutations done he encontred her thus Sweet Lucilla I know not what to imagine of thy suddaine message yet willing to bee resolued as one that by thy answer expecteth his doome either of life or death I attend thy pleasure say therfore what saith the Queene to my letters Lucilla purposing to be pleasant yet not to cloy his stomacke with such pleasant confections that there with hee should surfet but framing her countenance to her speech shee tould him that of all the gentlemen in the Cyprian Court her good opinion was such of him that vpon his word shee thought shee might haue hazarded her greatest credit which expectation of mine being deceiued Thou art not worthy quoth shee to bee accounted among such honorable men at armes which deeme their chiefest reputation to consist in the perseuerance of their word to gentlewomen At the deliuery of which hee that had viewed the Princes countenance might haue supposed him to haue bin past Physicks recouerie and withal standing so mute Lucilla was verely perswaded that he was ready to deliuer his lifes interest which made her in altering her words with a smoother methode to file them suspecting that her Comedie begunne in mirth might prooue to the great griefe of the whole countrie who generally honoured him a dismal Tragedie Wherefore taking him by the hand shee said Sir I am sorie I haue charged you so farre but it is womanlike to be slaine with words and for one of your calling no fit Passion in such sort to be vanquished That you may comfort your selfe I first pardon the offence against mee committed and enioine you as you tender your credit with the Queene to repaire at such conuenient time to her lodging as you can best which if you performe the messenger wil be excused Oh Lucilla how haue thy speeches tormented me filling my entrailes with such a confusion of comfortlesse thoughts as haue ouercome my sences Yet if thou haue any sparke of gentilitie abiding within thee informe me how the Queene did countenance my bashfull paper vouchsafed she the reading of them What else quoth she for to discomfort you any longer it were pittie beeing already at so low a datum which not a litle troubles me Comfort I can giue none to thy desires but this thy suite is loue as your letters import in which albeit vnlawful despaire not for thy mother is a woman though a Qu how compassionate our sexe is I will not boast but wish thee not to diffide for since it is ineuitable I wil be a faithful solicitor Mis-take meâ—… not Eliosto I speake as a friend and so leaue thee vntill thy comming to my Lady which detract not for time lost is such a pretious thing as that it can againe neuer be recalled Before whom when thou shalt come plead thine owne cause and discouer thine owne griefe but with this caution alwaies thinke that whatsoeuer you goe about your aduersaries eies to be fixed ready to take any exceptions which may blemish the lustre of your estiâ—…ation Eliosto which by these her last words had some greater hope of his content was so surprised with ioy that he could not bidde her farewell yet after his memento past farewell quoth hee the faithfullest friend that euer I found in my distresse Oh Lucilla happie maist thou be in thy loues and highly regarded amongst men by whom my cares are thus lightened trustie Lucilla the worker of my hearts happie content by whom past all hope I am by thy fidelitie and trueth in deliuering my message freed from such a heauie burden which was likely to haue beene my vtter ruine Thus applauding Lucilla hee had almost forgotten his word But leauing further to descant vpon this plaine song returne we to the Queene who was aduertised by her woman of that which had passed between the Prince and her not omitting his heauie lookes and pittifull speeches And then againe as glad to please the Queene whom shee was assured loued him spared not at large to set out his honours gained his comelinesse of person 〈◊〉 and whatsoeuer else the world admired in him shee admirably aduanced to the greatest content of Cleodora who thought euery minute a yeare vntill shee saw him whom with heartie desire ardently shee expected and with that looking out at the casement
shee might espie her beloued sonne what ioy it caused let them iudge which haue made better experience in louers delights The Queene hauing the sight of her so long desired obiect sent Lucilla to entertaine him and to conduct him vnto her presence Cleodora staying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eâ—…tsoones doubting by hir too pleasant and kinde vsage to be held too forward in loue than what discontent her lowring aspects might mooue vnto him whom she most desired to please In this quandary sitting vppon a pallet and leaning her head on her pillowe Lucilla had brought the Prince in who doing his duty very feebly for the remembrance of his attempt had astonisht him was by the queen againe saluted attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death Eliosto thus at a non plus ouercome with the beholding of her excellent perfection was by her the mirror of affabilitie and courtesie remooued out of his dumpes in this maner Eliosto whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing to me so boldâ—…ly or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my Lord therewith I thought good to heare thee speake for that I would not so sodainly disgrace thee whome so often I haue fauoured as well to heare thy intent in committing so great a foly as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor in such maner by their kinred to be assailed therfore thou hast greatly erred in that which is committed incurred the danger of our chiefest lawes by which were thy fact knowne thou art already condemned The prince standing at the barre where Beautie sate chiefe iudge was surprised with many griefes so that hardly he could vtter a word yet reuiued by the hope of those comfortable and sweete sayings pronounced by Lucilla hee shaped her this reply Gratious Lady in that I haue presumed faâ—…e I â—…an not but acknowledge yet that I haue incurred such punishment as your Highnesâ—…e would iâ—…flict vpon me I denie vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the saithfull for duetifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to seekethy fauor in loue without the which I cannot liue so deepely are thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if Ienioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore madam if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thee doe but say the word and this blade so often embrued in the blood of 〈◊〉 enemies shall sacrifice his masters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe may witnesâ—…e how faithfully Eliosto hath loued thee The Queene grieued to heare these speeches moued with great compunction could hardly forbeare shedding of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to faine a counterfeit shewe of displeasure to him whose teares wroong drops of blood from her tender heart yet that snee might not too suddainly confesse her desires nor giue him cause of vtter despaire made this answer Eliosto that thou maist see and seeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pittie I graunt thee pardon for thy fault and with it that life which was wholly at my disposing For louing mee as thy prince I heartily thanke thee but in seeking to obtaine my loue as thy Concubine in that I defie thee let each estate frame it selfe in affection as it becommeth equalitie so shall men sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be maintained Thou knowest that such absurde actions are in the extreamest degree of sinne Wilt thou therefore wish me in violating the faith which I haue plighted vnto thy father purchafe vnto my selfe such a name the remembrance whereof is not lesse grieuous vnto mee than death No no desist not any further to prosecute thy suâ—…te let reason vanquish thy brain-sicke humour which so affâ—…icts thâ—…e in doing which thou shalt make demonstration of that true nobilitie wherewith thou art endued for no greater conquest can be imagined than that which vpon a mans vntâ—…med affections is atchieued Do this and thou 〈◊〉 finde Cleodora thy louing and faithfull friend who 〈◊〉 be as carefull with fauours to aduance thee as I haue found chee prompt and ready by thy seruice to pleasure me Aâ—…as good Madame answered the Prince it is a thing farre more easie to giue counsell than once giuen to follow it The full gorged Churle little regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but could you conceiue the leasâ—… part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would at the length pittie me though further fauour from you I receiued none If thy heart be not harder than the Adamant yield thy grace sweet Lady to augment my life or vtterly for euer deny me your good will I expect but your answer for my resolution is no other than I haue protested dastards feare to die but the noble mind preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Queene as full of anguish as hee of sorrow beeing at her wits ende turned her speeches to an other matter and requested him to contriue as cunningly as he could his fancie in a fiction willing therefore to shew his Mistresse for such I must now tearme her that he was not ignorant in musicke taking a Lute in his hand began to warble out this Roundelay Loue was arm'd with fatall bow Shafts which Mother did bestow Mother gaue but Father fram'd Father Mother both werâ—… blam'd Wantâ—…n Goddesse did beguile Husband with afained smile For a kisse shee did obtaine Labour neuer spent in vaine Thaâ—… her sonne by Vulcans trade Might the chiefest God be made Thus shee wonne him to her will Wily worke of Womans skill But the Boy more prowd then wise Waues his wings and forth he flies Soone as he on earth had lighted Thus the fondlâ—…ng was despighted As he vaunted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 olde Thinking all that glistered gold Tearming in a 〈◊〉 thought Which his selfe conceit had â—…rought Heau'â—… his footstooâ—…e gods his marke Men his obiects Earth his parke Gods and men his hunting game Beautie natures darling came Beautie clad in natiue hue Whom the Graces did indue With rich plentie of their gifts Beautie cause of wittie shifts Beautie with whose worth delighted Poets haue sweete Hymnes 〈◊〉 Faire as is thâ—… ruddie morne Leauing restfull Bowre forlorâ—…e Mâ—…rne did with Vermiâ—…ion redde Rising from â—…ld Tithons bedde Thus the fairest of all faire Denide to grace the liquid aire Passing by where Loue did stand Holding powerfull bowe in hand Not saluting as shee went Him that ragde in discontent Boyliâ—…g wrath must issue finde Wrath that boyld in troubled minde For the ease of whose vnrest Thus his furie was exprest Loue said he was Beauties better She said Loue was natures debter Loue exclaimde on Beauties pride Which all duties force denide Shee said Loue receiu'd no wrong Where no dutie did
plea therefore omitting all friuolous prattle know that as well at the sight of thy Beautie as by the report of thine Honestie affection hath so fettered me in the snares of fancie that formy best refuge I am come to thy sweet selfe to craue a salue for those passions which no other can appease I deny not but thou hast both Loue and Law to withhold thee from this perswasion and yet we know women haue their seuerall friends Venus though shee loues with one eie yet she can look with th' other Cupid is neuer so vnprouided but he hath two arrowes of one temper Offences are not measured by proportion but by secrecy Sinon castè tamen cautè If not chastely yet charily thou maist both winne a frind and preserue thy fame yea Ballinea such a friend whose countenance shal shrowd thee from enuy and whose plentie shall free thee from penurie I will not stand longer vpon this point let it suffice that in louing me thou shalt reap preferrement and in denying my suite purchase to thy husband and thy selfe such an hatefull enemy as to requite thy deniall will seeke to preiudice thee with all mishaps Ballinea who knew the length of his arrow by the bent of his bow resolued rather to taste of any misery than for lucre to make shipwracke of hir chastity returned him this sharp answer Indeed my Liege a lesse haruest might haue serued for so bad corne that how warily soeuer you gleane it will scarce proue worth the reaping Tru it is that preambls are friuolous that perswade men to such follies therefore had you spar'd this speach your credit had bin the more your labor lesse If on the sodaine my beauty hath inueagled you for as for my virtue you hazard but a suppose sith ofttimes report hath a blister on her tong I must blame your eye that is bleer'd with euery obiect accuse such a mind as suffers honor to be suppressed with affection my Lord soone ripe soone rotten hot loue is so one cold Mens fancies are like fire in straw that flames in a minute ceaseth in a moment But to return you a denial with your own objection true it is that I am tide to my husband both by loue law which to violate both the gods and nature forbids vs vnles by death Venus may loue look as she list at last proue hirselfe but a wanton hir inordinate affections are no presidents wherby to direct my actions And whereas you say Offences are measured by secrecie I answer Euery thing is transparent to the sight of the gods their diuine eyes pierce into the hart and thoughts they measure not reuenge by dignity but by iustice For preferrement knowe mighty prince ther are no greater riches than content nor no greter honor than quiet I esteem more of fame than of gold rather chuse to die chast than liue rich threatnings are small perswasions little is her honesty that preferres life before credit Therefore may it please you this is my determined resolution which take from me as an Oracle that as preferment shall neuer perswade me to be vnchaste so death shall neuer disswade me from being honest Amazias hearing this rough replie of the woman was driuen into a maruellous choller so that skarce affording her a farewel he flung out of dores and going to horse he hied home to the court The good wife glad that he tooke the matter so in snuffe commanded her maid to say nothing to hir master lest it should disquiet his minde But the King impatient of this deniall thought that the Citie which would not yield at the parley might be conquered by an assault and that which intreaty could not command force would constraine therefore he commanded one of his Peeres whom he made priuie to his practise to giue him warning to depart out of his house but with this prouiso that if his wife were found tractable then she should remaine there still The Noble man fulfilling his Soueraignes command proued straight by experience that it was as possible to force the streame against his course or the earth to ascend from his center as to draw her minde from vertue and honestie and therefore contrarie to all law and conscience charged them to leaue their liuings The poore man after his wife had made him priuie to the cause of their suddaine calamitie tooke it very patiently chose rather to liue poorely content then richly discredited so that the prefixed time of his departure being come he quietly departed from the farme to a cottage where his wife and he liued as perfect louers in vnfained affection Amazias seeing his pollicie tooke small effect impatient stil in his restles passions accompanied one day with 5 or 6 of his nobles taking the aduantage of the time perforce brought Ballinea away priuily left two of his guard in ambush to kil Lewesohiln The neighbors hearing of this mischiefe secretly sent to Lewesohiln where he was at plow forewarnd him of all that Amazias had done and intended The poore man seeing that to striue with him was to shoote against the Heauens preferring life before wealth euen as he was apparrelled went farre from the place of his residence and as a man in distresse seeking seruice went to a Collier who entertained and gaue him such wages as hee deserued where quietly although disquieted in minde for the absence of his wife he passed away a few daies Diuerse were poore Lewesohilns thoughts for when hee considered the Chastitie of his wife Suspition hidde her face for shame but when he saw that womens thoughts are aspiring and gape after preferment and that the greatest assault to honestie is Honour he began to frowne so that thus betweene Dread and Hope he liued disquieted But poore Ballinea whose miserie was redoubled by hearing of her husbands mishappe powred out such continuall fountaines of teares as not onely Amazias but all men tooke pitie of her plaints But the vnbrideled furie of Lust that while it runnes headlong into a Laborynth of mischiefes feeleth no remorse had no consideration of her daily sorrowes but resolued if not by intreatie at least by force to come to the ende of his lasciuious desire Which resolution beeing knowne to Ballinea from Praiers shee went to Pollicie and therefore on the suddaine became more courteous desiring Amazias that he would giue her some space to forget her old Loue and entertaine a new choice Hee whose fancy was somwhat appeased with this good speech granted her the tearme of a Moneth with free libertie to walke in the garden and else-where at her pleasure Ballinea enioying her wish so fortunately taking Time by the forehead earely in a morning stole secretly from the Palace and fledde into the Countrie where in the day time hiding her selfe amongst bushes and in the night trauelling as fast as shee could at last shee came to the place where her husband was with the Collier and there
wilfully the fury of his owne frantike fancie O that the date of his birth had beene the day of his buriall or that by some siâ—…ister storme of fortune hee had beene stifled on his mothers knees so that his vntimely death might haue preuented my ensuing sorrowes and his future calamities For I see that the yong frie will alwayes prooue olde frogs that the crooked twig wil proue a crabbed tree how that which is bred in the bone will not easily out of the slesh that hee which is carelesse in youth will be lesse carefull in age that where in prime of yeeres vice raigneth there in mature age iniquitie beareth sway Why Amazias if thou seest the â—…ore why doost thou not apply the salue and if thou perceiuest the mischiefe why doost thou not preuent it with a sublimatum Take away the cause and the effect faileth if Eliosto be the cause of thy ruth cutte him off betimes lest hee bring thee to ruine better hadst thou want a sonne than neuer want sorrow Perhappes thou wilt suffer him so long till hee fall sicke of the father and then hee will not onely seeke thy lands and possessions but life and all if thou in time pâ—…euent not his purpose yea and after thy death hee will be through his lasciuious life the oueâ—…throw of thy house the consumer of thy kingdome the wracke of thy common-weale and the very man that sâ—…al bring the state of Cyprus to mischiefe and miserie Sâ—…th then thy sonne is such a sincke of sorrowes in whose liâ—… lies hid a loathsome masse of wretched mishappes cut him off as a gracelesse graft vnworthy to growe out of such a Stocke Alas most miserable and lamentable case would to God as I said the Destinies had decreed his death in the swadling-clowts or that the Fates had prescribed his end in his infancie then should not I my selfe haue beene as I will be so vnnaturall as to seeke the spoile of mine owne child or more sauage than the bruite beastes in committing such crueltie Herevpon Amazias stumbling as fast as he could to his Peeres reuealed vnto them the whole cause of his distresse requiring their fauourable assistance in these his determinate proceedings Who with rage incens'd promising in what thing soeuer their allegeance hee commanded that his wife and Eliosto should be carried to straite prison vntill they heard further of his pleasure The Guaâ—…d vnwilling to lay their hands vpon their Queene and Prince and yet fearing the Kings furie went very sorrowfull to fulfill their charge Comming to the Queenes lodging they found her playing with her sonne and other Ladies at Cardes vnto whom with teares doing their message Eliosto and Cleodora were astonished at such a hard censure and finding their galled consciences sure aduocates to pleade in their cases went to Lymbo most willingly where with sighes and teares they past away the time till they might come to their triall Especially Cleodora who after shee had almost blubbered out her eies for griefe fell at length into this passion Infortunate Cleodora and therefore infortunate because thy sorrowes are more then thy yeares and thy distresse too heauie for the prime of thy youth Are the Heauens so vniust the Starres so dismall the Planets so iniurious that they haue more contrarie oppositions than fauourable aspects that their influence doth infuse more preiudice than they can inferre profit Then no doubt if their motions be so maligne Saturne conspiring with all balefull signes calculated the houre of thy birth full of disaster accidents Ah Cleodora thou maist see the birds that are hatched in winter are nipt with euery storme such as flie against the Sunne are either scorched or blinded and those that repugne against nature are euer crossd by Fortune Thy faithfull seruaunt Lucilla foresaw these euills and warned thee by experience thou reiectedst her counsaile and therefore art bitten with repentance Such as looke not before they leape oft fall into the ditch and they that scorne admonition can not possibly auoyd punishment The yoong tygres followe the braying of their olde sire the tender fawnes chuse their food by the old Bucke These bruite beasts and without reason stray not from the limites of nature thou a woman and indued with reason arte therefore thus sorrowfull because thou hast beene vnnaturall Better hadst thou beene borne a Beggar than a Prince so shouldst thou haue brideled Fortune with want where now shee sporteth her selfe with thy plenty Ah happy life where poore thoughts and meane desires liue in secure content not fearing fortune because too lowe For fortune thou seest now Cleodora that Care is a companion to Honour not to Pouertie that hie Cedars are frushed with tempests when lowe shrubs are not toucht with the winde pretious diamonds are cutte with the file when despised pearles lie safe in the sands Delphos is sought by Princes and not by Beggars and Fortunes Altars smoake with Kings presents not with poore mens giftes Happy are they Cleodora that curse Fortune for contempt not for feare and may wish they were not sorrow they haue beene Thou arte a Princesse and yet a prisoner borne to the one by discent assignâ—…d to the other by despight accused not without cause and therfore oughtest to die without care for patience is a shield against fortune Ah but infamy galleth vnto death and liueth after death Report is plumed with Times feathers and Enuy oftentimes soundeth Fames trumpet thy detected incest shall flie in the aire and thy knowne vertues shall lie hid in the earth One moale staineth a whole face and what is once spotted with infamy can hardely be worne out with Time Die then Cleodora Cleodora die for if the gods should say thou arte guiltlesse yet Enuy would heare the gods but neuer beleeue the gods After that she had many sighs and sobs most bitter teares passd ouer many melancholy thoghts one while seeing death ready to execute the last part of sorrow another while seeing sorrow increasing now looking towards heauen and anone seeing the kinde of hell that she liued in now reuiuing with a hope of some vnlooked for happinesse and by and by stroke dead with the despaire of all hope almost whatsoeuer In fine so beset with sorrowe as she had almost no thought of comfort in the midst of all this misery throwing herselfe vpon her bed after shee had laine a while musing vpon her incomparable crosses shee tooke penne and incke and paper and as a woman halfe bestraught wrote this issue of her humour being indeede a fancie which that learned Author N. B. hath dignifiâ—…d with respect Among the groâ—…s the woods and thickes The bushes brambles and the briers The shrubbes the stubbes the thornes and prickes The ditches plashes lakes and miers Where fish nor fowle nor bird nor beast Nor liuing thing may take delight Nor reasons rage may looke for rest Till heart be dead of hatefull spight Within the caâ—…e of cares vnknowne Where hope of comfort