him his pike in his hand Cacique said he this is the day that thou must undergoe the punishmens for thy disloyaltie The Cacique without being dismayed at the threatning knew Zelmatida or at least doubted that t was he Contrary then to the custome of miscreants his courage increased by the remembrance of his câ—…imes and the neerenesse of the perill made him lose the feare of it He came resolutely to Zelmatida and Zeimatida received him with an intent not to spare him The combat was long and furious but it was reasonable that the justice of heaven should have his ordinary slowenesse to chastise so samâ—… us an offender Zelmatida which from all times had beene chosen by that incomprehensiâ—…le to perfect this remarkable vengeance strooke so great a blowe at his Enemy that he cut off his right arme and redoubling it as soone gave him another so great a wound that that monstrous toy of ambition fell on the earth and saw fall with him all his abhominable hopes and expectancies Zelmatida quickly clapt his foote on his belâ—… and ayming his Javelyn at the others throate repent thee said he if thou wilt have me give thee thy life Coatelicamat with a constancy as great as his ambition answered I will never repent me since I never doe any thing till it first seeme just to me For the life that thou promisest me I laugh at it for I see it is not in thy power but if thou wilt doe me any favour tell me what thou art and whence thou comest Zelmatida swore to him that he could not content his curiositie since he could not tell of what country he was nor of what parents borne At that word Catelicamat lifting up with fury the arme that was left him as if he would have striken some one Impostors cryed he they are your eyes that have beene the authors of my crimes You assured me that I should one day see my selfe seated on the throne of Montezuma if I could escape the thundring arme of the Inca. In saying this last word he plunged his hand into his wound and by that violence tore out his Soule that would not yet have abandoned his body The death of Coatelicamat was the entyre ruine of all his army The Mexicans had their wills of them destroyed them cleerely They pierced without resistance the greatest batalions and went on beating those disordered troopes till late in the night the flaughter was horrible and of that prodigious number of men which came to the Seige of Mexico there was not above fifteene or twenty thousand that saved themselves Twelve thousand were taken alive and brought into the City to be sacrificed to the gods of the Estate Zelmatida did his utmost to hinder so great a Massacre but knowing that he had to doe with Barbarians who place their pleasure and glory in spilling the blood of their adversaries he left them and returned into Mexico with two thousand that remayned of the sixe thousand men whom he had made the â—…roope of his guard The old men the women the children and the Souldiers that were left behinde for the defence of the towne losing all memory of what they owed to Montezuma received Zelmatida as their king and called him the victorious the father of the people the defender of Mexico and the only hope of the State These glorious Titles were followed with offrings and inestimable presents All that particular persons had gathered of gold silver pearles costly habiliments and other excellent moveables were throwne aâ—… the feete of their Deliverer and were as generously refused as they were freeâ—…y 〈◊〉 Zelmatida having beene a long time in freeing himselfe from the prease of the peâ—…le came at last to the Palace but instead of shoutes and bonefires of which all the City was full he met there with nothing but terror silence solitude and oâ—…scurity This sad apearance strooke him to the heart and made him presently cast his thoughts on Iâ—…atida He stayed the first that he met withall and asked them of the King and the Queen and what new accidents had begot in the Court so generall and unhoped for a sadnesse they answered him that Montezuma and Hismalita were together and shewed but little by their countenances their feeling or resentment of their common deliverance Zâ—…lmatida presaging then the ill that the basenesse and cruelty of the husband and wife have made him suffer went to see them and relating to them with that grace particular to him the successe of the last battell drew them as by force out of the depth of their insensibility and desiring to bring them absolutely to their mindes What good said he friend to your Enemies hath made you insensible of your felicities and ties up your tongues in a time when you should use them in actions of prayse and thanksgiving Come come let us a way to the Temples to offer pure offrings and sacrifices of laud to the divinities by whom your perfidious Subjects have beene punished your deare Mâ—…xico delivered your throne exalted and your celestiall persons avenged from the shame of fetters and the infamy of a publique death Doe not you feare that your gods take notice of your ingratitude and that repenting the good which you so ill acknowledge they rayse not againe the cruell and felonious Coatelicamat and give you over to the rage of his complices Zelmatida after he had used this bold language to those timorous Princes turned himselfe to some Priests that were with them and you too said â—…e to them contemners of the sacred character that makes you reigne over your like doe you misâ—…value the authors of your power and for feare to brush at the iniquity of men betray ye the cause of the gods Run run to the Temples adorne the Altars sâ—…nd even to Heaven the odor of your perfumes and let all ring againe with your sacred Songs and Eulogies Montezuma not daring to oppose things so just rose from his 〈◊〉 and taking the Queene went with Zelmatida and all his Court to the great Temple of 〈◊〉 He could scarce enter it was so full of people but as if he was come thither only but to confirme him in his first errors and to have most certaine proofes of that misfortune which he did but suspect all the people saluted him but for fashions like and fixing their eyes on Zelmatida calld him a hundred times the father and delivâ—… of Mâ—…xico The prayers being ended Montezuma returned more confusâ—…d and afflicted then when he came Hismalita that regarded no more my deare Master out as a Monster ready to devoute her could not at all open her mouth to answere him but followed the king her husband As soone as they were all at the Pallace they gave atleast in shew the good night to Zelmatida and put off till the morrow the entâ—…rtayning him with publique affaires The generous Prince pittied the folly of those two Princes and resolving in himselfe to try his uttermost to
Syziphus had tried the hazard and orecome the difficulties to the end that arriving after the battle wonne he might be at no more paine then in gathering the best part of the spoiles But when he saw his brother dead he changed his resolution and desperately casting away his vizard of dissimulution concluded he would be talked of To this end he thought no better pretext was to be chosen then the avenging his brothers death Very privately he sent a Gentleman of his to Polexander and giving him to understand to what sensibility the death of his brother obliged him laid before him his own generousnesse that should not refuse any content to those whom had offended Polexander no sooner received the challenge but he prepared to give it a satisfaction He 〈◊〉 Alcippus and giving him order for what was necessary for the comâ—…at went forth secretly with the Gentle man Alcippus came to them at the place Polexander appointed and without distrusting one another came all three where Tantalus expected them At first sight he made shew of a great courage and much hope and spoake so loftily and altogether with so much falcity of his brothers death that Polexander forgetting his usuall patience told him in heate that he wondred how he had so long time lingered and not sooner beene sensible of this pretended murther and with that drew his sword and ingaged Tantalus to give over his revilings As soone as Alcippus saw them ready he told the Gentleman who brought the challenge that 't was not honorable for them to be idle whilst their Masters were so busied The words stirred the generousnesse of the Gentleman which by a dangerous consequence cost him his life Polexander and Tantalus were the while hard at it and because they fought on horseback they had not so soone done as their seconds Yet had Tantalus received three woundes and Polexander thinking himselfe too much satisfied intreated him to thinke on his safety and to believe there was no â—…oule play in the death of his brother But Tantalus had done too much to stop till he had ended He passed furiously on Polexander and in passing gave him a wound which he thought would have ended the combat Indeede the wound was great for it went quite through the Kings arme but 't was neither mortall nor dangerous The generous Prince finding himselfe wounded renewed his strength and courage and sheathing his sword in Tantalus side let out from his heart at once both his pride and life The unfortunate man was not falne from his horse when Alcidiana's Lievtenant Generall her great Chamberlaine and many other Lords came to their place of combat They blamed Tantalus unjust resentment and bewailed his misfortune But those two things not much troubled them they rejoyced with Polexander for his last victory As he gave them thankes for their affection they saw his arme all bloody and thinking him sore hurt made shew of all the forwardnesse and double diligence that Courtiers use when there is any service to be done to a man in the Princes favour Polexander assured them 't was nothing and though he would gladly have returned to the City without so much company yet for feare of offending any he was forced to undergoe that punishment Before he came to a great causeway which crosseth the Lake in which Arzilea is built there were assembled so many people to see him passe that he could scarce get into the Towne Every one called him the invincible the Exterminator of Rebells and mothers with their fingers shewing him to their children told them that for all their happinesse they were obliged to that Prince his valour At last he got to his lodging and all a voyding to leave him at liberty Diceus unclad him looked on his wound and having stopped the blood applied the first dressing With much a doe he got him to his bed but as soone as he was laid pondering on his action and fearing lest Alcidiana might thinke he sought occasions to be talked of would needes excuse it to her by a letter Presently he writ and giving it to Alcippus commanded him to deliver it to Amintha and be seech her in his name to do those good offices for him to the Queene which he expexted from her noblenesse Alcippus performed his Commission and earnestly pressing the Lady to tell him what his Master might hope All replied she provided he mistrust his good fortune Alcippus was wary enough of relating her speech to his Master for feare his explaining it to his owne disadvantage might give him more dangerous woundes then that which made him keepe his chamber In the meane time Amintha did her best endeavour for the Princes contentment The very next day she gave him a proofe of it which raised him to the height of happinesse and glory if the follies of Lovers deserve to unfold them the use of tearmes so noble and serious For that Lady came to him from Alcidiana In the name of the Princesse she made proffers to him a thousand times more considerable then the Principality she had given and intreating him to hasten his cure that he might himselfe be Judge of the recompence his virtue deserved delivered into his hands Alcidiana's answere to his letter You may imagine whether so speciall a remedy did not extraordinarily operate on our Patient Had every word been as powerfull as the Magicians most mysterious spells and all the Characters equalized the virtue of those which force dead bodies from their graves and call soules out of hell they could not have wrought greater prodigies nor produced more wonderfull alterations by the hidden virtue of five or six lines Polexander had lost all memory of himselfe He not only thought he was invulnerable but immortall and in that extasie promised no lesse to absent Alcidiana then the laying of all the Crownes of the earth at her feete Amintha leaving him in this amourous heate went questionlesse to tell the Queene what miracles she had done by her answere The Princesse continued them by her continuall sending to visit her Defender and Diceus noted it in the supernaturall healing his Masters wounde One day he told him that indeede his hand dressed the wounde but certainely said he 't is cured by the secret virtue of Alcidiana's Polexander was pleased with Diceus fancy and confessed to his Chyrurgion that the honour he received from the Queene did sensibly forward his health As soone as he left his chamber he went to the Pallace and being permitted the entrance to Alcidiana's Sanctuary if I may speake as foolishly as amorous people use to doe ne found her in that fashion which by his only relation to me I thought capable to touch even insensibility She had layd by her habit and dresse of Ceremony and in putting it off disrobed her selfe of that stately and awefull Majesty which made all to cast downe their lookes that gazed on her Love sweetnesse delicacy and the graces had taken her place and seemed to
Africk and getting hold 〈◊〉 him just as hee was about to throw himselfe into the Sea I did that through avaricâ—… which another would have done for compassion When hee found himselfe stai'd he â—…ell on mee with the fury of a Lion that is oppos'd in his passage I told him that his â—…paire was unworthy a man of valour and how extraordinary soever his misfortunâ—… were 〈◊〉 ought not free himselfe from them by a way so base criminall My discourâ—… having recollected him hee would have told mee hee had causes enough why he shoâ—…ld hate tâ—… live but beleeving hee did not sufficiently expresse himselfe by his signes he tooke me by the hand and led me backe to the Tombe where opening the goâ—…den grate and making me enter he shew'd me the body which I had before seene At tâ—…is sad object he renewed his plaints and teares and was a long time thus celebratinâ—… the funeralls of that dead I that had no other thought but to execute my first designe was about foâ—…re or five times to ridde my selfe of him but being I know not by what feare as often hindred I got him from the Sepulchre and led him towards the Sea side the night tooke us ere we got thither and was followed with so great a darknesse that in spite of aâ—… my care and all the eyes which hope and feare could give me I was seperated from the Mute I gave not over walking all night long for feare of losing him But it was already day when I found him sleeping at the point of that Rock whence you saw us fall Foâ—… feare of wakening him I laid my selfe softly downe close by him and made so good use of the sleight that divers excellent masters have taught me that nimbly and insensibly I got from him his two chaines the boxes tide to them I put them presently about my neck and to have no more to doe with the Mute resolv'd to send him to his eternall sleep But in the very instant Fortune who had runne mad if any good had betided me awak'd him and made him take notice not only of what I â—…d done but of that which I was on the point to execute He threw himselfe upon me with a terrible fury and in spite of all my resistance lifted me from the ground grasped me with his armes so strictly that I could scearce breath carried me to the point of our fatall Rock and howling as a beast enraged threw me headlong with himselfe into the Sea See Sir the unhappy successe of an enterprise whereon my highest hopes were planted Suffer me now to complaine of you and insteed of asking you pardon for my faults to accuse you for the hindring of their punishment Why have you drawne me from the bottome of the Sea and by a cruell pitty given me the feeling of my miseries and the knowledge of sad fortune Let the happy Mute possesse in quiet since I see it your resolution those so ill gotten riches but let him not possesse them for ever to my perpetuall despaire and at least grant me the losse of my life that with it I may lose the thought of so much treasure as was once assur'd me The young Turke that was not ignorant oâ—… forâ—…es injustices stood lesse on the ill inclinations of this souldier then on his coâ—…stancy and disgraces And assuring him that if he would live well he would make him fortune made him to reflect on the calumnies which he had invented against the Mâ—… and to confesse in spite of his envy that that man had asmuch innocency as courage It added he let us know the rest of his fortune and try to drawe from him by signe â—…r writing that which thou canst not tell me Herewith he caus'd the Mute to comâ—… with the rest that follow'd him out and having intreated him to remember no morâ—…â—…e actions of the Canarian besought him to make knowne what Prince it was wâ—…se heart he caried The Mute drew out that beloved heart from his bosome and after hâ—… often kissing it held it up aloft as if he would say that it was the heart of a man inâ—…mparable After many inarticulate exclamations he presented it to the young Turkeand shewing him with his finger the Island of Iron invited him to goe there on shot to have a full understanding of those adventures which he could not recount to him And when he saw that the young Turke made no more haste to be gone be feared that â—…hey conceiv'd not his meaning and therefore to make himself better understood he â—…oke his other boxe and with a countenance full of indignation and sadnesse deliver'd â—…t to the Turke He receiv'd it and curiously regarding it observ'd that the diamonds â—…erewith it was cover'd were not only of an extreame beauty and greatnesse but that they were too almost all graven Upon some they might see flames which seem'd to give the diamonds the luster which they ow'd them Upon others ciphers of severall fashions of Scepters mixed with arrowes crownes of palmes and mirtles interlac'd one within another After he had well view'd the cover of the boxe he opened it and found withâ—… the Pictâ—…re of a young Marvell who by the Majesty which the Painter represented iâ—… the face made her condition to be better knowne then by the Crowne she wore on her head The delicatenesse of her feature the carnation of her lips and the beauty of her colour would have made her to have been taken for a childe but that the becomming fulnesâ—… of her neck and brest and the luster of her eyes made them judge her to be about fifâ—…ene or sixteene yeares old Her haire was neither too light nor too browne and seem'd to be expresly made to accompany a face so perfectly delightfull and highten a tâ—…cture so wonderfull lively The young Turke having been long fixed on this Picture restor'd it to the Mute and told him he had never seene the originall The Mute oftenstriking his brest and receiving the Picture againe in choler made them know by hâ—…s actions that she was the sole cause of the death of the unknowne Prince The Turke â—…eing not yet well satisfied of his doubts resolv'd to land in the â—…sland of Iron and 〈◊〉 goe to that famous Monument to have some intelligence of the Mutes actions He câ—…uld not execute his intention for just then a mariner which was at the scuttle of the sâ—…ip witnessing at once his vigilancy and care cried out Sayles Sayles Sayles of Moâ—…cco These few words brought such a fright and confusion into the ship that the Marinâ—…s harkned not to the Pilot nor the Souldiers to the Captaine and some there were who â—…ot daring to attend the death that threatned them threw them selves into the Sea to â—…revent it The young Turke who was the onely man that stood firme amongst the fall of â—…ll his oppos'd an incredible greatnesse of courage to their not to be beleeved astonishâ—…nt He ran up
successe And now I will tell you by what chance the Picture of Alcidiana came into my hands and thereby make you confesse that there is a fatality in my adventure You have heard from my companions the beginning of our chase I will only tell you what betided me after I was stragled from them The Lionesse which we had strook lead us so quick and so far that my company and my dogs being left behind I spurred on alone after her and with much eagernesse I followed till her speed was too good for my horse and so I lost her weary then and ill pleased with the chase I alighted and from the middle of that rock whose trees rang'd one above another make an admirable Piramis I stood long considering the vast extention of the sea which by I know not what horror full of Majesty at one time both astonisheth the understanding and ravisheth the sense I saw in the road a very great Ship and afterwards a Shallop which was run on the sand curiosity which is naturall to me and a desire to know who was landed on our shores forcing me to leave the woods and the chase I tied my horse to a tree and by divers windings on the mountain came down to that little haven where we are wont to take boat for our fishing from thence I perceived amongst those trees which cover the Lions fountain something extremely shining At first I thought it had been one of those fair serpents which have their scales as it were gilded but the object growing greater as I drew neerer I distinctly saw that it was a man armed at all points when I was some ten or twelve paces from him I perceived he slept and that he was unawares fallen asleep because he had before him the picture of Alcidiana and held in his hand the paper that I shewed you I drew neerer to him as softly as I could and by chance having cast mine eyes upon that divine face which henceforward must make my good or bad fortune I stood so surprized that it was impossible to take me off the more I saw it the more I desired to see it From the pleasure of seeing I passed to the desire of possession and without thinking on the stealth I was about the act I was enforced by an Imperious and blind motion to take from him this fair portaict with the paper which the Knight had moistned with his teares It fell out happily for me that as I was about to take it from him if fell out of his hands as soone as I had them both I fled I was now gotten far into the Forrest when my reason got again into the place whence my transport had thrust her What dost thou said she Almanzor Hath the wise and valiant Almandarin so carefully bred thee up and tutored thee that thou shouldest turn thief consult with and be advised by thy conscience and she will tell thee that she is tormented with a cruell remorse But thou dost but too well know thy offence since it compells thee to fly and makes thee fear that this great Forrest is neither obscure nor thick enough to hide thee I confesse my deare Master this consideration staid me on the sudden and made me turn backward but another thought more proude absolute and perswading my preoccupated imagination represented to me my theft as a conquest and spake to me so disadvantagiously of the sleeping Knight that it made me passe for a thief that robs in the sight of all the world that he may possesse without trouble a treasure whereof he thinks himself unworthy It continued on thus t was for thee only Almanzor that Love and Fortune ordain'd it keep it without seruple as the gods gave it thee without condition and run and search both by Land and Sea to find the place where raigneth the miracle which this picture representeth Whilest this strange Counsellor advised me thus pleasingly I walked a round pace and got to the place where I had tied my horse I leapt on him with haste and feare that made me sensible enough of my fault but the violent and delicious poyson which by the sight of this fair picture had troubled my judgement would not suffer me to make any reflection upon mine offence it made me take pleasure in it even then when I condemned it and took from me its hatred in disguising the foolishnesse of it I was gotten hither before I discovered it but your discouse hath unblinded mine eyes and I now see my action with all his blacknesse and deformities I likewise make a solemne vow to be my self the avenger of this crime and to enjoy neither rest nor contentment till I have restored again this picture into the hands of the Knight from whom I stole it After he had finished these different discourses he commanded one of his slaves to bring him a horse and without lending an eare to any of my reasons or to tarry till day he parted from me and returned to the place where he had found the Knight sleeping He came thither at day-break but in vain for the Knight was gone and after Almanzor had track'd the footings left in the sand he knew that the man he search'd for was again put to Sea His sorrow was so much in seeing his ill without a remedy that had it not beene hindred by the strength and force of his slaves he had then slaine himselfe and made an end of his miserable destiny Back he came more sadde more asham'd and more dejectâ—…ed then if effectâ—…ually he had beene as guilty as he imagin'd Two daies entire he spake to me of nothing but his pretended theft and if the thought of Alcidiana and her Picture on which his eyes were almost alwaies fixed had not diverted his melancholy imaginations griefe and shame had infallibly killed him I knew not what counsell to take neither for himselfe nor me when happily what say I When unhappily for all Africa I receiv'd letters from Zabaym and the Queen his wife They sent me word that the constellation which threatned their Son had been chang'd by the death of Almanzaira and therefore to satisfie their mutuall desire and the requests of their Subjects I should returne to the Court with Almanzor I shew'd him the letters and conjured him to suspend his passions and disquiets that being recollected to himselfe when he should present himselfe to the King his Father he might not bely the good opinion which by my letters I had setled in them of his wit and courage My deare Master said he for your sake I will strive to hide all my defects and make appeare the excellency of the Artizan by the beauty of the worke But keepe me not long in this constraint and since my love aswell as duty calls me whether you lead me le ts thither with the best haste and acquit our selves quickly of that which we owe to others that without more delay we may doe the like in
the walls of Mexico a great Scaffold raised in the middest of the Lake upon many boates linked to oâ—…e another On one side of the scaffold there was an Altar on which was an Idoll of gâ—…ld which held a Javelin in his hand many great â—…aions of gold round about the Altaâ—… and in them those instruments wherewithall the Mexican Priests did use to open those men that were sacrificed to their gods When the enemies sawe all the walls of Mexico ranged with men and women they caused those Priests to mount the Scâ—… which they had chosen for that sad ceremony The Priests perfumed the Idoll and repeated oftentimes the words of Venâ—…ce Retribution and Liberty After them were seene some Souldiers who gâ—…ed and brought those that were condemned to their deaths The first being at the place destiâ—… for execution was laid on a table and with an horrible inhumanity a Priest â—…ke 〈◊〉 great knife into his left side and thence drew out his heart presently he stuck it on the end of a javelin to make it seene the farther off and after he had so held it a while gave it to one of his companions This done two Souldiers tooke the body and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iâ—…to the lake twenty men were executed in this manner and 〈◊〉 knowiâ—…g sâ—…e of them cryed out alas thus infallibly will these Barbarians put to death all 〈◊〉 Tâ—…iths the Mexicans call all their great Lords so which have beene taken prisoneâ—… 〈◊〉 the King She had scarce ended these words but she heard a muttering of voices mingled with the resounding of trumpets and presently saw on the scaffold the wretched Montezuma who clad in his royall habiliments had his chaines on his legs and hands and witnessed by his trembling and lamentations that he was never worthy of that quality which he was now about to lose At this sight Hismalita growing furious tore her hayre plucked in peeces the Diadem she had on her head and was with much adoe held by the Princes that were about her What ye Mexicans cryed she will you endure that the hangman shall lay his abhominable hands on the sacred person of your King of your visible god What is become of that faith you swore to him on the Altars and in the presence of the gods Doe you no more remember that you have acknowledged him for your Master for your Father for your Life and at his coronation all falling on the Earth offered your selves as Sacrifices ready to shed your blood for his preservation She would have continued her remonstrances but a new object of griefe depriving her of understanding as well as speech put her some time from her selfe she came againe with being much troubled and came againe to her more sorrow and anguish for she sawe foure Priests take Montezuma and despoyling him of his robes bound his eyes and layed him along on the same table where the other prisoners had lost their lives The excesse of her resentment rendring her speech Hangman cry'd she strike not the King see mee here ready to receive the blowe come come glut your rage upon the unfortunate Hismalita and in so saying she fell as dead among the armes of her women and fortune would have it so to the end that that Princesse by the violence of her afflictions should learne to be no more insensible of the misery of others She was no sooner swounded but the boates of Mexico fell on those of the Theviciens and during their fight one man alone forcing his way in spite of so many enemies ascended the scaffold where Montezuma was ready to be executed threw five or sixe of the Priests into the lake overturned the Altar and the Idoll and unbinding the King of Mexico changed his scaffold into a theater of tryumph The Mexicans seeing so glorious a beginning of the enterprise of my Lord the Inca you may well thinke that any other then he could not have performed so difficult an action rushed in on their enemies and fearing no more death fell on them so vigorously that above a thousand boates and more then sixe thousand Theviciens â—…nke to the bottome There were taken of them some foure thousand who loaden with chaines were throwne into the towne Prisons Hismalita returning â—…rom her swound was told that by the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida the Theviciens were overthrowne on the lake and Montezuma delivered when he was at the point to receive the stroake of death The enemies wounded and fettered which they drew along the streetes were sufficient proofes of those victories which she might doubt of yet imagining that her happinesse was too great to be true she could not beleeve it till she sawe Zelmatida who leading Montezuma by the hand came to restore to her that other precious halfe of her selfe and bring againe all those prosperities and glories she had lost As soone as she had resettled Montezuma in his throne and left him with his Queene and daughters he departed without saying any thing and causing the trumpets and other instruments of warre to sound every where drew out of the towne all those that were of age sufficient to fight He made them to be fylde along the causseyes with an extreeme diligence and put them into batalia in the sight of the enemies The Cacique of Thevic knew the designe of the beseiged and in spite of the terror that the name of Zelmatida gave him prepared himselfe to fight and did all that could be expected from a man that was as valiant as he was ambitious He put his people in order aâ—…d told them that if they overcame their enemies they went not away with one sole victory but that there were five or sixe linked one to another Therefore in winning the battell said he your liberty is assured you your Tyrants become your slaves all Mexico is conquerd and our short misfortunes followed by perpetuâ—… â—…elicities Zelmatida for his part went from batalion to batalion and according to the diversitie of mindes and countries changed his tongue and perswasions Every one was animated by his owne interest and the eloquence of this invincible Commander Presently the skyrmishes began and continued on both sides At last the grosse of the Army moved the battalions joyned and their arrowes gave place to more mortall weapons I will not make you a particular description of the battell nor anoy you in remarking what the Mexicans performed Let us fixe if you please on Zelmatida since 't is his victory that you would knowe and not that of his enemies This Prince then searching out the ambitious Cacique of Thevic among his troopes was compelled in finding him to come to handy stroakes with many hardy Theviciens whom he overcame not without much hazarding himselfe At last being already all bloody and weary with so many brunts already sustained he met with Coatelicamat that was driving before him a whole batalion of Mexicans he put himselfe betweene the Runawayes and the Cacique and comming up to
the first that shall deliver the Maiden into the hands of our enemy Hismalita at that word interâ—…upting the King her husband I know said she an expedient far more easy then all that T is fit that the death of one single person should save the lives of a whole Nation and that we secure our owne and our Empire by cutting off those that are to deprive us of them O never have so horrible a thought replied Montezuma it is expresly forbidden us to lay violent hands on the Virgin She ought to be more pretious to us then our owne lives and I have learnt from the very mouth of the great Mirzenia that in the very same instant that this Innocent shall die I shall meet the full period of my daies Know then what we must doe answered Hismalita let us send her to my Brother and conjure him to keepe her for us as carefully as he doth the valiant Inca which those of Quito put into our hands after the death of Guina Capa We shall have cause to live at quiet when this misfortunate Protectresse shall â—…e so far from all mens knowledge and seeing that the captivity of Alisma who without doubt is the to-be-feared stranger with whose fury the gods doe threaten us hath made us live these twelve yeeres in a tranquâ—…y which hath not beene interrupted but by your bondage let us be confident that the imprisonment of our Daughter will make our good daies everlasting I should be of your minde replied Montezuma if Mirzenia had spoken to me but of one stranger but I take notice of two in his prediction and when I shall beleeve that Alisma may passe for one of them I must yet feare a second And that second is no other then that invincible stranger who may terme himselfe more then I the absolute Master of my Empire To put him to death besides that it is expresly forbidden me I cannot consent to it since I have no moâ—…e life nor other Crowne then what his valour hath given me I am not said Hismalita swaied by these considerations unworthy of a royall soule but I am resolved by the menaces of Mirzenia Make me see that that stranger cannot die without the losse of our selves and I will make you soone knowe that Kings ought not to have any consideration but for themselves and as they are above all the services that can be rendred them they are so too above all the conceptions that nature gives to common persons May the gods this very day accomplish all their threates said the King to her rather then I consent to those mischievous Maximes No no the stranger shall never perish by my will nor shall the life that he hath given me be the cause of his death Thâ—…t which we have to doe is to intertaine him in such sort that our people may know that we are neither so weake spirited to be jealous of him nor so ingrate to deny him the recompence of his labours T is possible that time may cleare our doubts and make us see that we interpret ill the will of our gods Galtazis after he had thus faithfully related the discourse between Montezuma and Hismalita advised him to stand on his guard and not to trust so much in the goodnesse of the husband but that he should be alwaies armed against the malice of the wife My deare Master thinking lesse on his owne conservation then that of Isatida but Galtazis said he where is the faire Mistris What doth she with Hismalita is it impossible for me to see her And should she be taken for the Virgin mentioned in this impertinent prediction To all this said the Dwarfe I can give you but little satisfaction My faire Mistris is more strictly guarded then her Sisters she lies with the Queene her Mother and goes not out of her Chamber She weepes she sighes she pities your misfortune more then her owne and knowing in what perplexity you are she sends me to entreat you either that you will goe out of Mexico or secke not the meanes to see her As for that which belongs to the prediction I cannot tell you whether Isatida be the Virgin so necessary for the conservation of Montezuma but I will tell you that I most passionately wish it for if she be the Maiden I feare not any more that terrible anger which I read in the eyes and all the actions of Hismalita For other things prepare you selfe for the honours that Montezuma resolves to conferre on you and faine so well that he may not perceive that you doe dissemble I will informe you to morrow if I can the councells which the night shall give to my faire Mistris Galtazis tooke back againe the letter after he had given this advise to Zelmâ—…ida and returned to the Pallace The Inca was left alone and knowing not what to resolve on passed in a moment from pity to indignation and from love to all hatred At last reposing all his affaires in that providence which had never forsaken him let us suffer Zelmatida said he to himselfe and prepare our selves for all the injustices that fortune is capable of provided that the hope to see Isatida again be not taken from us we may vaunt our selfe sufficiently strong to overcome all things These speeches and others the like intertaining him all night he rose without taking the least rest He was no sooner out of his bed when five or six of those old Princes who during the siedge of Mexico had beene witnesses of his noble actions came to him and said that Montezuma had sent them to accompany him to the triumph that all Mexico did owe to his incomparable vaiour Zelmatida much surprised at so great a change begun his discourse by very obliging demeanures and continued it by as humble thanks which he besought the Princes to present to Montezuma I know said he that all that which comes either from gods or Kings ought to be received by men with as much amazement as glory and t is a most proud humility to reject their presents under pretext that they doe not deserve them The king yet I hope will have so much goodnesse as not to constraine me to a thing which I refuse not because I am unwotthy of it but I would refuse it because my condition of a banished man and the calamity of those that brought me into the world permit me not to be fortunate Those Princes used aâ—… their eloquence to get him to receive that honour and grew so earnest in it that they deputed one from among them to give notice to Montezuma of Zelmatida's refusall The weake King if ever there were any going from one extreamity to another came himselfe to the lodging of my Lord the Inca and after he had asked his pardon for his retirement told him that he had not kept himselfe alone two daies but to the end that he might passe all the rest of his life in the others company Your
the other a Phenix on a Cedar with foure words that may be thus expounded Only like my selfe Pollexander tooke this vellome with a kinde of adoration and rendring particular homages to the picture of Alcidiana he read his condemnation with such a tone that made them well judge his life was not so considerable to him as the glory of that Queene These were the words of the Declaration Alcidiana seated in the throne of the Sun by a long succession of Kings to all that shall see the Decrees of our Will Love and Feare The sanctity of our Empire and the purity of our people had remained inviolable through many ages and the contagion of strange manners had not yet infected our Provinces when certâ—…ine unknowne vessels brought thither with the knowledge of some vices men impudent enough to practise them 'T is true that these cunning criminels borrowed the ornaments of virtue to hide the deformity of their lives and that the innocency of our peâ—…ple might not be corrupted till they had beene beguyled But although crimes are not crimes when they be not voluntary and by consequence our Subjects not criminall since they offend without an intention of offending Yet the complying with their errors and the little care they had not to be deceived made them at last guilty Now He by whose power we reigne having commanded us to stop the current of this Ill We forbid all our Subjects to entertaine correspondence with any strangers or to receive them into our ports without giving us first notice of them And We command to the Princes of the Sacrifices and to our Pilots which are yearely sent to the Islands of the Sun not to take any stranger into their ships and rather to lose themselves in fighting then to yeeld to the discretion of those that shall assayle them And for as much as we understand that some of our Subjects more by ignorance then malice publish certaine discourses that tend to the contempt of our Authority and the shame of our sâ—…x We condemne to an everlasting forgetfullnesse as well the name of him that can be said to be the Author as the Cause And 't is Our pleasure that our Isle be shut up to him 〈◊〉 ever And if his boldnesse dares give him a hart to set footing thereon We ordaine and command that he be presently taken as an enemy to our greatnesse and estate and sacrificed with his Complices on the Altar of the god of vengeance Polexander after he had read this Declaration kissed it and shewing a secret joy of his ill fortune restored the volume into the hands of Pallantus The illustrious slave seeing so incredible a resignation from a man whom he looked on as the miracle and astonishment of his Age Truely said he those that vaunt of knowing you doe infinite wrong to your virtue It is exceedingly above their relation and discovery for my part I confesse that till now I have beene ignorant in that which hath beene most admirable in your life Let no man talke to me hereafter of that invincible courage which by many heroicall actions hath acquired you the love or the admiration of all men Let that magnanimity be forgotten which hath made you refuse those Crownes that have beene offered you to render them to those from whom fortune had plucked them Let us thinke no more on that generous humanity by which you have entred into the greivances of your enemies and participated with their disgraces In a word let there be a perpetuall silence of all those eminent virtues which you practise in your prosperity and let none admire but at the strength of that soule that makes you receive with a benediction the unjust Judgement of a passionate Judge and to run to a death that you have not deserved Alcidiana shall pardon me if she please in saying that she knowes not what she condemnes and that Amalthea hath not only beene wise in abandoning all reason to follow so worthy a subject but that her error should give a desire to those that feare to die as the vulgar of her sex Polexander unwilling to answer to the beginning of Pallantus speech tooke from the latter end his cause of reply and asked him what that Amalthea was who at one time he seemed to condemne and absolve T is a yong Princesse said Pallantus lost with love and one with whose losse Alcidiana much touched hath commanded me to search all the Islands that inviron hers If by chance she be fallen into the hands of Bajazet you will render a signall service to my Princesse to restore her Presently Polexander cast his eyes on Bajâ—…zet to entreat him in the name of Alcidiana to cause Amalthea to be searcht for amongst his slaves Bajazet prevented his petition and told him that ever since he had beene chosen Generall of the Rovers no man had taken any woman but that he presently set her at liberty Pallantus having no other businesse in that place would have taken leave of the Princes that so he might not give that time to his pleasure which he ought to the service and honour of Alcidiana But Polexander staied him and intreated that he would bestow on him the rest of the day that at more leasure he might instruct him of somethings that belonged to the service of his Queene Pallantus durst not refuse to give the Prince that contentment He therefore staied with him and signifying that he desired his company apart Bâ—…jazet brought Zelmatida to Iphidamantus and left those two slaves at their owne liberty They went forth together out of the Fortresse and engaged themselves in so long and so pleasing discourses that it was two houres within night before they returned Bâ—…jazet the while had tried to alay the melâ—…ncholy of the two other Princes by new diversions and shewed them a certaine warlike dance wherein his slaves armed at all pointes shewed equally their strength and activity This exercise was done part by day and part by torcâ—…light to give more luster to the diversity of their habits and the fire workes that set forth the dance Polexander came in a little after it was ended and as if he had received some newes that obliged him to depart instantly he addressed himselfe to Bajazet and speaking to hiâ—… seriously tell me said he on what conditions are men accustomed to have their liberties from you When you are ready to depart answered Bajazet I will set downe your ransome Let it be then presently replied Polexander for if your service stay me not I should be glad to be no longer heere Yet said Bajazet you will be pleased to give us some â—…ime to thinke of this seperation Besides Pallantus whom you have retained intends not to set saile by night and I know you would not leave him in the hands of Pirates This jeasting being well liked on gave occasion for others which diverted the Princes till they were called to the Table They were intertained as before that was
a little while that he might at â—…is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some 〈◊〉 enjoy the â—…ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ—… walke to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aâ—…ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ—… daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ—… the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enâ—…t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and â—…an â—…o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
lesse he would not have much cared for hiding himselfe But for our sakes he resolved not to stirre but by night And indeed failed not the next following to steale from us to goe and continue his lamenâ—…ations neere that fatall Sepulchre The care we had of him sufferedus not to sleepe long We waken'd as he went forth and followed him for feare some mishappe might beâ—…de him As soone as he came into the Temple he ran to Isatidaes Tombe as one mad and draâ—…ing his sword stood a while speechlesse Presently he threw himselfe on the grounâ—… and after he had above a hundred times called on the name of Isatida spoke these words aloud What have I now to doe faire Soule but to follow you and aâ—…andon those places that are deprived of the onely thing which made them amiable But how can I resolve to leave a place that is filled with your selfe You are not dead Isatida I see every where heere the lustre of your faire eyes T is their preâ—…ence that gives me the beames that enlighten me All this gold shines not but because it encompasseth you and these diamonds have none other fire but that which you lend them But O vaine consolations O discourse unworthy a reasonable man Thou 〈◊〉 now no more Isatida but gone for ever That faire body which charmed â—…e Sences is separated from that sweet soule which so imperiously reigned over mine That complexion so fresh and lively hath but one of is colours or to say true haâ—…h lost â—…hem all and those eyes that could not be seene without love are shut up that their change should not be noted for in lieu of being the throne of love 〈◊〉 they were living are â—…ow become his tombe for he is dead with them Come see what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done inhumane Father And thou barbarous mother approach and see how weâ—… 〈◊〉 knâ—…w â—…o end what you have begun This is the instaâ—… that shall free you from those 〈◊〉 which your unhappy jealousies threw on you And thou Isatida whose name 〈◊〉 have for the last time in my mouth if it be not a horror to thee to â—…urne thâ—… eyes from heaven where thou dwellest and cast them on this abhominable Earth behold thy Zalmatida ready to follow thee and to follow thee in such a sort that there shall be no more any consideration noâ—… tyrany able to divide him from thee Come then 〈◊〉 thâ—… pâ—…as faire Soule and receive the other halfe of thy selfe and thinke it noâ—… 〈◊〉 to accomplish the promise you have so solemnly made me After he had said thus he arose and chusing the place where he intended to strike was falling on the point of his Sword when I caught him behinde and turning away the unfortunate weâ—…pon hiâ—…dred the greatest death that all the foregoing ages have bemoaned He fell 〈◊〉 iâ—…o a great choler but as soone as he had recollected himselâ—…e my deare 〈◊〉 said he I beleeved not that after your testimoniall of so much affection to me you would have discovered your haâ—…red at a time when I desired to make use of your courage What would â—…ou should become of me and why think you it not fit that one sole moment effect that which doubtlesly some houres shall or at least some dayes which you will needs add to my miserable life I made no answer at all but Bereamis representing the wrong he would doe his reputation to kill himself in lieu of resolving on a revenge worthy himselfe and his Mistris knew so well to make him waver by so many different reasons that he wonne him and brought him out of the Temple When we were returned to our lodging and that we saw him fit to heare us we strove to lenify his afflictions and a little to divert his cogitations intended to get him to depart the next day But when we proposed it to him he forbad us to speake of it and was eight daies intire to hearken after nothing but his griefes and to doe nought else but moysten with his teares the gold and pretious stones on Isatidaes tombe At last overcome by our importunities he resolved to be gone Yet upon this condition that wee should not speake to him either of Kingdomes nor of warre nor other matters that might divert his sorrow and wee on the contrary told him that he could not sufficiently lament his losse and so by little and little flattering his affliction wee tooke of all that it had most dangerous and made us capable to be hearkned to From Vacipala even to the Port where in coming from Cuba we had left our vessell wee had none other discourse but of Isatida Zelmatida recounted to us all the Graces she had living then told us the charms of her conversation anon the vivacity of her wit He extolled the knowledge she had in what ever was good and forgot nothing of all that which might make her to be beleeved for more then mortal At last after we had long traveled with much affliction wee came to the Port I last spoke of Our Mariners ravished with joy to see us after so long absence ran to salute Zelmatida to expresse their contentment but he looked on them as strangers nay even as enemies and could scarce abide the prayers they made for his preservation He went aboord and entred into the same Cabine wherein Bajazet first saw him I acquainted the Mariners in few words with all that which had befalne us and then went to Zelmatida to know what he intended Let 's be gone said he and lose our selves farre enough from a World wherein I finde nothing but new causes of despayre Let us fly from the unfortunate Quasmez from the happy Guina Capa and never more see those that may hereafter give us a sillable of consolation In a word let us seeke out death I perceived by his speeches that to irritate his melancholly was to lose him I therefore commanded my Mariners to steere for the Island of Hayty and did it of purpose to finde amongst the Spanyards some diversion that might be sufficient to cure the despayre of my Master In the meane while I was still with him and intended for feare of offending not to speake a word but when he should command me Our shippe was no sooner in full Sea but the winde shifted and made the Saylors feare a great Tempest For how could our voyage be happy when the good fortune of my Lord the Inca forsooke him at his comming forth of Quito It continued foule all night and the day following we lost sight of land and our Martiners now no more Masters abandoned the shippe to the mercy of the Sea The king was insensible of whatsoever was spoke to him But when one told him that we were certainly like to perish and that there was no more hope of safety I aske nought else said he and am where I have long wished me the only thing that grieves me in this accomplishment of my
command by the oath of fidelity you have made me by the respect you owe to my place and by the fresh memory of those victories I have gotten you that you will not suffer me to live wronged Next if there remaine in you any desire of your owne preservation get you from before me and keeping off this Christian that cannot be else so by reason make your selves not guilty of a crime whereof you are yet innocent Scarce had he ended these words but those Barbarians stood astonished and instead of continuing their requests grew silent and gave him way And Iphadamantus without any unjust obstination unable to take from his frend the liberty of doing what he resolved put off his revenge to another time and somewhat retyred with all the Pyrats that were about him The roome where this disorder happened was so spatious that it was fit enough for fight You might have seene all the spectators playstered against the walls and as unmoveable and affrighted stood impatiently expecting the event of so important a quarrell Thalemut was at one end of the Hall and Bajazet at the other They ranne at one another Bajazet his Cymeter in his hand prevented that abhominable Corsary and bore him a blow that in all likelyhood should have bereft his life The resolute Pyrat put it by and threw himselfe on Bajazet with a resolution that made Iphidamantus feare the successe of the combat T is true if Bajazet would have beene carefull of himselfe he had not runne any great hazard but lying open with his body at all times the sooner to decide the difference he could not avoide a great wound which Thalemut gave him on his right side We are to judge equally of all things there was a proportion in these two courages but despayre had reduced Thalemut to sell his life at a high rate and Bajazet to take a way the cause of a new sedition by the death of his Enemy threw himselfe on headlong Let none any more accuse the Poets for inventing so strange blowes that their falsitie is visible I dare say that in this combat was seene one so prodigious that the history being very true and very scrupulous hath made me fearefull to leave it to posterity Yet t is most certaine that Bajazet gave Thalemut such a back-blowe with his Cymiter that taking him on the right side he almost cut him in two as if he would have sought for his revenge even in the heart of his enemy and follow into his Center the abhominable bruitishnesse of that Monster The fearefull sight of so great a blowe comming from ae man extreamly wounded seazed on the harts of all those Barbarians and confirmed them in the opinion they had that Bajazet was somewhat more invincible then the rest of men And in lieu of fearing the like handling and by consequence wishing no good to the Author they never shewed more affection to the Vanquisher then at that time norlesse sorrow for the party overcome With one voice they proclamed Thalemut guilty and by usuall formes of their justice presently attainting and condemning him of treason and felony adjudge him dead as he was to have his head cut off and to be placed in the number of those that were set as incorruptible guards at the entry of the Fortresse Bajazet the meane while not able any longer to resist the weakenesse caused by his so much lâ—…sle of blood fell into the armes of Iphidamantus and lost at once his sight and speech The Prince thought him dead and transported with his friendship spake words sufficient to have caused him to be murthered by the Pirats They yet with muttring let him alone and seeing Polexander Zelmatida haste thither went to meet them as to cleare themselves from the death of Bajazet Those Heroës witnessing no such an occasion their sweetnesse of nature as well as the height of their soules tooke their friend themselves and assisted by Alcidiana's slaves Garruca and Bereamis carried him into his chamber Polexander afterwards taking his brother aside inquired how this mischance betided but Iphidamantus dissolved in teares and could give Polexander no other information of the businesse but what he could get by his sorrowes and sighes At last perceiving how much it afflicted his brother he forced himselfe and told him in few words the cause of the combate betweene Bajâ—…zet and Thalemut But said he to him let us not stand on complaints for our friends disaster let us rather seeke to some remedies and not suffâ—…r him to be lost since wee have yet time enough to save him Polexander reserving to himselfe those resolutions he had taken to avenge the death of his friend intreated his brother to make use of all his credit he had with the Pirates to assist Bajazet and not leave him to the mercy of those Barbarians who may be would be glad to be rid of him That Prince had an excellent Chyrurgion with him called Diceus who twice or thrice by his art and remedies had saved his life On his care he beleeved he might intrust the life of his friend and therefore called him and signifying the feare he was in for the helpe of Bajazet commanded him to looke on his woundes and to neglect nothing that might be available for his recovery Diceus expected no second command He unclad Bajazet and by the helpe of other Chyrurgions laid him on a bed The greatnesse of his woundes much amazed them yet unwilling to make shew of what they conceived they stanched his bloud and did it with the promptitude that was admited by all them that were present Though this lessing of paine was very great yet was it not enough to bring Bajazet from his fainting He came not to himselfe till two or three houres after his first dressing and towards evening beginning to know those that were about him amongst others he knew the three Princes He would willingly have used his accustomed civilities but Diceus forbad him to speake and intreated his friends to retire for feare that in their desire of comforting him they might aggravate his malady The first night passed in feare and disquiet and the two daies following gave no lesse sorrow to the Cortaries then to Polexander and the two other Princes The third day Bajazet rather chusing to dye then not to see his friends intreated Diceus that they might come to him To give him content Diceus promised to send for them on condition that he spoke not at all or at most but five or six words The Princes who were in one next to Bajazets chamber to the intent to see what passed went to see him as soone as they thought by Diceus order they might fitly doe it Scarce had Bajazet seene them but that he expressed a joy not to be hoped for from a man so sick and wounded and intreating Polexander to come neere spoke to him a pretty while in his eare after which he raised his voice and began to excuse himselfe
to Zelmatida but the Prince unwilling to give him that time he held his peace and a while thence calling by their names five or six of the principall Rovers that were come to visit him he spake to them in this manner My Companions since in the estate I am I cannot promise to serve you any more I have entreated Polexander not to forsake you You cannot doubt of his courage nor experience The only thing you are to feare is that he loves you not enough But be assured of the contrary He hath promised me to doe in all as my selfe if he find that his government please you Make your selves worthy of a protection far more powerfull then mine and be confident that you will have no cause to lament my death But said he turning to Polexander I yet aske you one favour and t is that you will let me know in what case I am and be not so cruell under the shadow of pity to let me dye without setling my affaires I have such things in my minde that the rest I expect in the other life depends absolutely on them and I protest as being ready to give up my soule that if I dye without time to discharge my selfe of one thing I never yet told I shall dye desperate There hapned then in the persons of those Pirates a novelty that their nature might make passe for a prodigy They were moved to pity and as if from wild beasts which they were wont to be they had beene suddainely turned to men they felt themselves sensible of griefe and wept in beholding the constancy of Bajazet Fame that gets in every where and hath wings to fly over the walls when the gates are shut against her published this sad newes in the Army and knew to paint it to the Souldiers in such lively colours that the desire of booty was neither their only nor the strongest passion whereof they found themselves capable Their shouts of joy were changed into lamentations their laughter into teares and the hopes of their safety being on the suddaine utterly extinct they were strucken with the apprehension of a thousand different tortures Yet since it was the custome during the sicknesse of their Generalls that the Pirates incamped and abode day and night in a body of an Army they stirred not from the place where Bajazet had left them in going to the Magazins Notwithstanding to give them some refreshing during so long a toile it was advised to execute all that Bajazet had appointed T is true that the largesse was a great ease to their sorrow and brought them to themselves by the greatnesse of the present liberality and promise of a second that should surpasse the first On the other side Bajâ—…zet being left to rest for the space of foure and twenty houres begun in good earnest to feele how extreame great his wound was Yet as weake and pained as he was it was but little more perceived then in the Princes They were so cast downe with griefe and feare that it was hard to be judged who was the sickest of them or Bajazet When they were about to take open the greatest tent there was not a man in the chamber whose feare gave him not severall conjectures though they were all sad ones and deadly The Chyrurgions were not the last that doubted of the vertue of their remedies and power of their art since Bajazet had had withall a Fever above thirty houres They already heard him talke idely and now and then sigh and lament Sometimes he seemed to threaten and then that he tooke leave with a great deale of sorrow from some one whom he called his soule and his life By reason of this they duâ—…st not meddle with his wound but when they saw they were not to deferre it any longer Diceus and his Companions put their hands to the worke As soone as the hurt place felt the paine there gush't out a streamâ—… of blood by whose losse Bajazet fell againe into his first swoundings Yet they gave not over to finish what they had begun and when t was done neere all the Chyrurgions confessed that they had seene signes of a dangerous wouâ—…d and said openly that if within twelve houres the accidents which began to appeare ceased not there was no more hope of him Diceus only despaired not assuring Polexander tâ—…t if bsides the Fever there happened not some other thing he promised himselfe to save Bajazet Whilst every one according to his severall passion was of the one or the others minde the wounded man came out of his swound and began to sigh so often that they well judged some great thing afflicted him As soone as they saw him well come to himselfe they gave him something to strengthen him and perceiving he had a minde to speake every one retired to take from him that desire All the night passed in this manner and the next day till evening they thought he would have dyed He knew it well enough and fearing least death might prevent him commanded paper and incke to be brought Zelmatida and Polexander intreated him and the Chyrurgions threatned to divert him from those strainings which they foresaw he must undergoe if he began to write But neither of them could doe any thing There was no remedy but to give him what he called for but he had not writ above two or three lines but the extreame paâ—…ne he had put him to was like to cast him into a swound He grew setled againe and resolute to what he had undertaken and making a little Roll of the paper in which he had writ drew from under his shirt a Picture boxe that was enamelled with green incarnation and white As soone as he had opened the boxe his strength failed the cover fell out of his hand wiâ—…h the Roll that he held and himselfe fell backward on his bolster senselesse Iphidamantus was the first hat ran to him who putting his arme under Bajazets head for ease saw the Picture in the box The sight had almost done him as much hurt as to Bajazet He made shew of a great alteration retired two or three paces changed colour and as if he was become Bajazets enemy had no more care of his recovery and was a long while in withdrawing his eyes from that portract Those that tooke of the novelty at first wondered But ignorant of the true cause took Iphidamantus transport for an effâ—…ct of friendshippe At last he became recollected and impossible to hide all his concâ—…ptions O God said he must mine eyes deceive me Reason would not have me beleeve what they see Bajazet then opening his eyes as if he had awakened with Iphidamantus words and comming to himselfe just heaven said he with a dying voice must it needs be that after you had obliged me in occasions such as I most desired not you would forsake me in the principall Permit not if it be your pleasure that I perish under the burthen that orewhelmes me
Assembly who are men of courage to have pity of my mis-fortune and to employ their valour for the deliverance of my Princesse Every one being moved with this preface gave double attention and promising to himselfe to heare something that should be strange made known to Median that they had a great minde to heare him He thereupon after he had discovered the Picture of the Princesse of Telinfin that was painted on his Buckler went on thus There is none in this Assembly who knowes not the greatnesse of the Kingdome of Telensin and who in some way hath not heard that the Kings of it have made themselves redoubtable to their Enemies He which now raigns What said I He which raigns No he raignes not for the fury of his Subjects excited by the Sorceries and predictions of a false Prophet come out of Tefesca hath loaden him with Irons and dispoyld him of his Government The poore Habdulac-Numen so is that Prince called hath one only daughter of whom I dare say nothing for feare I should not speake as I ought This Angell of Light is called Arzila and should not have been put amongst the List of mortall things if the affection which she beares to the least of men had not cut off somewhat from the opinion they had conceived of her Divinity I was that Happy man though an unworthy object for Arzila's affection I received that favour with the respect that I ought and not being able to deserve her by any service I never vaunted of any thing but that I could not merit her I was even on the point to be elevated unto heaven when a Divell gotten loose from hell I meane the false Prophet of whom I have spoken ruined all my hopes and buryed my felicities under the ruines of the Royall Progeny Habat Elmely so was that cruell Tyrants Name covering his ambition and Pride with a falle and pernicious piety entred into Telensin with a great company of his Sectaries and after he had there preach'd his Heresies gain'd the Brutish and inconstant people and made them rise in armes against heir Soveraign I Joyn'd my selfe with those that were loyall and did my best endeavour tBut after divers defeates and being left for dead in the feild of the last Battle Abdulac Vmen was taken prisoner loaden with Irons and thrown into a horrible Dungeon The false Prophet presently took on him the Royall Authority and since that he had acused to be published at the beginning of the War that he was come from Heaven and the great Prophet Mahomet to teach the truth to the Telensiens and by the marriage of himselfe with Arzila beget them Kings that should chase all the Christians out of Africa he commanded that in what place soever that Princesse should be retyr'd they should bring her to him and declar'd that not only he which conceal'd her should be impal'd alive but also that if she came not in within foure dayes Abdulac Vmen should be flead alive in the great place of Telensin At this last newes Arzila who passionately lov'd her Father left the place where she was in safety thought it good in appearance not to dis-allow of the false prophets designe came to him to his Palace only with two Women and casting her at his feet Behold said she the Maiden for whom thou hast testified hitherto so much respect and affection reduc'd to submssions and prayers If the desire to raigne which hath made thee forget the Loyalty thou owest my Father hath not made thee lose the Love thou didst beare the Daughter repent thy selfe for having displeased him and setting a period to his mis-fortune give him cause to acknowledg so great a service I present not my selfe before thee to make use of that absolute power which my birth and thy affection gives me over thy will but I beseech thee as a Subject and submit to all thou shalt ordeine me Provided thou restore to me the King my Father Ought not the false Emely to have beene moved by the prayers and tears of that faire Princesse He was not a jot though he feigned to be so His infamous brutality seeing it self at the point to be satiated made him dissemble his hatred and advis'd him to promise Arzila all that she requested to the end that she might the more willingly sacrifice her self for the safety of her Father He then led her into a place where she could be heard by no body and taking her by the hand said I keep not Abdulac prisoner not have I taken on me the title of a King but to oblige you not to be cruell to me Have pity of one that is unfortunate succour a man desperate pay with some small favour so many yeares services which I have given you though my discretion hath hindered me from making it appeare to you and dispose as you please of the Crown of Telensin I restore it you with your Father and renounce for ever all other glory but that of enjoying you He added many other immodest and lascivious words to those and seeing himselfe sweetly refused began to be moved and told the Chast Arzila that she should not hope to see againe her Father on the throne if she did not grant him what he had so many yeares search'd for The Princesse hiding her just displeasure threw her selfe again at the feet of that abhominable wretch in Lieu of answering him and melting into teares My Lord said she consider what t is you require of me thinke who I am and do notmake me beleeve that thou hast ever lov'd me The Tyrant laugh'd at the Princesse virtue and raising her from the ground you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me invane said he if you havenot a will to fulfill my desire I have a long time observâ—… all the Lawes which Love and respect imposed on me You must now receive mine or we must be equally miserable At those words Arâ—…ila be came red as fire and stepping a pace or two backwards My honour then said she is the only ransome thou desirest for thy Princes liberty I ever beleev'd that thou wert an in famous fellow and a Traytor But expect not that the feare of death nor the hope of reseeing Abdulac in the throne shall ever bring me to lose that which I love more then the Crown or my life The King my Father would disavow me for his Daughter and would be his owne executioner should he know I had reestablish'd him by so sordid so shamefull and execrable a treaty The false Prophet enraged to see himselfe so farre from his purpose caus'd Arzila to be taken away by some of his guard brought her into the Dungeon where her father lay and to affright her more and by other wayes then by threatnings commanded her Fathers Nose to be cut off At which horrible spectacle Arzila tore her haire cast her selfe into her Fathers Armes be-bloodied her face against his and after some lamentations able to make the heart of a common Executioner
she is faire that she is witty that she is virtuous I shall not have saied enough of her when I have told you that she is beauty it selfe that she is the highest of the created Intelligences and in short should be taken for that extraordinary virtue to which the ancient Philosophers gave the Sirname Heroicall This Princesse to have nothing equalize her on Earth lost the Queene her Mother assoone as she was borne To preserve the memory of his marriage Alcidus out of his owne Name and his Wives composed that of the Young Princesse and called her Alcidiana At that Name Polexander sigh'd but fearing least the old Shepheard might discover the cause he stifled within him more then the halfe of his Sigh The Old Man taking no â—…eed to it thus went on with his discourse Some few dayes after this Princesse birth the Riner Arzilea overflowed his banckes and rising hie even to some old buildings which were called the Tombes of the Prophets cast downe a peece of a wall which inclosed the Vaults where the bodyes of the Prophets had been buried When the River was retir'd into his Channell some body mark'd that ruine and his curiosity leading him into those Caves He saw a great Tombe covered with plates of Gold Presently he published this wonder through the City and the King being advertiz'd of it sent thither a guard A little after thrust on no doubt by some divine inspiration he went himselfe to those Sepulchers made the plates of them to be cleans'd and thereon found very ancient characters by which he understood 't was neere three hundred yeares since the death of those Prophets He had patience to read all that was there written and hapned on a plate separated from the rest to meet with certaine predictions which gave him matter enough to meditate and ponder on There was one whereon it was manifestly spoken of his raigne and of his House I cannot relate to you the proper termes but I will tell you the Substance The Prophesiy spoke of Alcidus Voyage of the short continuance of those two marriages of a Sonne which he was to have by the first which should be one day one of the most valiant Princes of the World and King of a very great Kingdome if he could be taken alive out of the Wombe of his dead Mother It added further how of a second marriage Alcidus should have a Daughter of so much perfection and rarity thar she should be esteem'd the miracle of her age and be passionately desired by many Strange Princes But that it behoved them to have a wonderfull care for the gard of that Princesse because she was threatned by many Accidents and among others to be stolne away and forc'd in her owne Pallace and to be one day the Wife of a Slave sprung from the most barbarous of all the Nations of Affrica To this prophesie there was joyn'd another in which the Prophet seem'd to see that African Slave arrive in 〈◊〉 Kingdome He solicites him for his undertaking the defence thereof against the enterprizes of many Strangers that would have lain it desolate and promiseth the Queen in the name of the Deity that if she could resolve to take that to her Husband the felicities of her Raigne should be farre more great then those of the precedent Governments Hitherto we have seen nothing of all that which the Prophesie presageth us except the death of our two Queenes that of the King who was taken from us at his age of five and forty and if the speech be true the designe which a Prince of this country called Siziphus had on Alcidiana But the late King who naturally was devout euen to superstition gave such credit to these prophesies that he caused the Princesse his daughter to be nursed in a Palace whereto no person could approach and when she was past the brest he chose many young Gentlemen of his Court to be oâ—… her guard Of them he compos'd an order of Knighthood obliged them by an irrevocable oath to dy for the defence of his daughter and appointed them to weare great chayns of gold to the end rhey might shew themselves to be the Slaves of Alcidiana This Company hath almost still subsisted and during the life of the King my Master some French and other Strangers driven by tempests on our coastes by their brave actions obtaind to be put in the number of Alcidianas Slaves Some time and not long after the death of Alcidus the Princesse sequestred her selfe wholly from the conversation of men and besides her publique Court which is composed of the Grandys of her Kingdome and the Officers of the Crowne She constituted a particular one whereinto only Maides and Women are admitted The Queen is never seen of men but when she is obliged to do some publique action be it as a Princesse or a Prelatesse Sometimes to recreate her She betakes her to the country and there enjoyes the pleasure of Hunting The rest of her time She remaines shut up in her palace amongst her Women Thus the Old Shepheard instructed Polexander in all the State secrets he knew and so fully satisfied all his curiositieâ—… that he gave him not place to aske him any one Question Seeing himselfe then so well informed he tooke hold of and went over againe with the Shepheards discourse and to content his passion he began to exaggerate the Majesty of Alcidiana and the happinesse of her subjects and ended his speech with new thankes and new Offers to the Old man and to oblige him to stay yet drew from his little finger a very great Diamond and with a good grace presented it to him The good Old man very civily refused it and told him that when he tooke on the Habit of a Shepheard hee had put off not only the Hope but the desire of riches That he wanted nothing because he could content himselfe with a little and that if he found any one that would disburthen him of a part of the meanes his Ancestors had left him he should walke on to his Grâ—…ve with a merrier heart then he did Polexander admiring so solid a virtue would not atake the paines againe or try new waies to incline it Contrarily he thought it amisse done in putting it to that tryall and imployed all the best words he had to crown it as worthily as it deserved The old Shepherd was a little tempted by the Eares as had he been by his Eyes The Prince his praises put him into a confusion and made him resolve to put somewhat in action that might oblige the Prince not to continue them He therefore arose and making avery low reverence to the Prince humbly besought him he might know whither he could be any further usefull to him you will bee extreamely so alwaies replied the Prince but for the present I intreat you one favour and 't is if your affaires can permit it you will do me the Honor to let me enjoy your company till
his Queene guilty of high treason and to condemn her to a prison unlimitable but by the ends of her life Nay she had woâ—… him to have strangled with his owne hands the Sonne 〈◊〉 had by that unfortunate Princesse but that Almaid a Lord of Senega hindered the murther and plucked the 〈◊〉 from the blinde fury of the Father and the sharpe sighted rage of his step-mother who for a long time knew not what was become of the Childe but her spies were so industrious that at last they discovered he was bred up in King Benin's Court. As soone as she heard it she resolved his death and chusing me for the executioner or at least the prosecutor she put in practice all that she knew might conduce to the perfecting of her damnable designe She forced Zabaim to write to Benin for the delivering his Sonne into my hands and in case he should refuse it forced to denounce war against him You may easily see all this wickednesse proved when you please to read the letter I gave you But in as much as the African Kings never make denuntiation of wars but they send the Ring which is the principall note of their dignity I found a way to steale it from Zabaim Now to tell you after so many villanies that which hath beene the cause of my being now your prisoner know I parted from Senega expressely on a message to King Benin and if that Prince had delivered into my hands the lawfull heire of Senega for certaine blinded as I was with ambition I had executed Zelopa's command and sheathed the sword I weare in the breast of that Innocent Polexander affrighted at so horrible a relation told his prisoner he gave thankes to heaven for his being mistaken and that in his misfortunes he found a great deale of consolation since the divine goodnesse had vouchsafed to make use of his errour for the hindring the death of the Prince of Senega It belongs to me answered the prisoner throwing himself at our Princes feete to give thankes to the fountaine of all mercy for the enlightning my soule with the raies of his love in spight of my obduratnesse I therefore make a vow not to abuse it any more nor ever to returne into my Countrey till it be freed from Zelopa's tyranny You shall doe very well replied Polexander and to quit you from the sorrowing for the losse of your fortunes by this resolution I engage my selfe to restore them to you The Prince infallibly had beene better then his word to him but heaven seeing the holy and rigorous penitence of that sinner was willing to recompence him more liberally then Polexander For it tooke him out of this world the very same day that wee arrived at the Canaries I will not relate to you the sundry fights Polexander had with the Pirates whilst wee strove to bring him back into his Kingdome I will only tell you he was there no more happy then he was at sea At his arrivall he heard of the death of the incomparable Axiamira He bewailed her losse as much as it deserved and after some moneths of mourning from one part of piety â—…ell to another He bestowed all his time in hearing the complaints of his Subjects to reconcile their differences and to free them from all feare of the Spanish forces After all this he deigned to cast his eyes on me declared me his Vice-roy in all his Isles and establishing me in that authority before his departure commanded that in his absence I should be obeyed as himselfe Scarce tooke he any time of repose after so many travells and disquiets Amintha's Confident whom he had brought from the Islands of mad men seeing him still to grieve for the losse of the picture strive said she one day to get the thing it selfe rather then the shadow That thought answered the Prince comes on me a hundred times in a day but I give no eare to it because it proposeth to me a thing impossible T is so indeed replied Elida by ordinary meanes but you must have recourse to such as are not so Alas and what are those asked the Prince I imagine to my selfe one added Elida that seemes to me infallible I prithee tell that me said the King It behooves you then added Elida either under pretext of religion or otherwise to get entrance into the Isle of the Sun and when you are permitted to abide there stay for the comming of Lynceus or some other of Alcidiana's Pilots I intend so much sadly answered Polexander but when I have attempted it what will be the issue for my consolation I make it no difficulty to get into the Isle of the Sun since it is never denied to such as come thither to sacrifice And I may too stay there nay and meete with those that come from Alcidiana's Island but all this is nothing for I am certaine the Queenes Pilots will never receive me into their vessell What ground have you for that feare said Elida to him From some what you have spoaken to me unawarres replied Polexander I thinke I know what you would say answered Elida Yet faile not to doe all that lies in your power and leave the rest to fortune If you gatâ—…er thence no other satisfaction yet you shall at least have thus much that you have not neglected any meanes of making your selfe happy Well I 'le believe you deare Elida said the Prince and indeed followed her advice so absolutely that the very next day he put to Sea and tooke with him that Maiden Alcippus and Diceus and though his Pilot knew not the scituation of the Island of the Sun yet he promised to finde it provided it were not inchanted as that of Alcidiana But the season being extreamely ill and the difficulty which the Pilot thought to orecome greater then he imagined he was above two moneths contesting with his ignorance and the frequent stormes At last he drew neere to that Island and Polexander being where he might discover a far off perceived a vessell which came away from the Isle He made up to her he carefully marked her and finding by assured tokens that she belonged to Alcidiana followed her but in such a manner as he believed he made them not jealous of him Yet Lynceus for t was he perceived the Kings designe and winding up and downe all the rest of the day thrust himselfe into the Haven of the Sun as soone as the obscurity of the night had made him lose sight of the Princes vessell The next morning he sought for her he pursued her he got with all the sailes he could make away from the place where he might have found her in short by often turning and traversing that sea Polexander returned to the place from whence he set saile Heere he spent a part of the winter for all his impatiences At last his strength being by little and little ore come by the weakenesse of his minde he fell sick of a languishing disease
him into choler and made him change his resolution When they had brought him another horse and that he was in câ—…se to fight he told Pâ—…lexander that it was not â—…me to pacifie Alcidiana and satisfie the spectators expectation I am glad said Polexander to heare you of that mâ—…de Let us on then in good time to alter the opinion which our first courses have given all the Assembly With that they withdrew from one another and when they were at the end of the list they turned head and expected when the Judges would command the trumpets to make them start As soone as they heard the signall they ran against one another with an impetuosity that made all the Spectators thinke their complements had now given place to their resentments At their incounter the lances flew in shivers When that was done without advantage on either part they tooke new speares and met with more vigour then in the preceding course They broke their speares to their very gantlets and held on with so much equallity to the eight course that the people ravished with theiâ—… mighty brants could not make shew of their astonishment but by their silence The King â—…f Denmarke and his Courtiers who for the most part are excellent Tilters confessed they had never seen better performance and asked one another who that Knight might be which had so â—…ong time resisted him that Phelismond by his relation made them conjecture to be the most valiant of the times Whilst all were in these thoughts the two Rivalls came on their eight course but it had an event far differing from the other Polexanders victorions destiny unhorâ—…ed Phelismond As soone as he was on ground Polexander alighted and putting not his hand to hâ—…s sword till he had seen Phelismond doe so came towards him but would not give the first blow Phelismond tooke no heed to that complement but made 〈◊〉 feele the weight of his arme who streight imitated him and pressed him very neere If these two Rivalls had made shew in their courses of their dexterity and strength they declared their constâ—…t foot fight that their courage and vigour surpassed the beliefe even of those who saw the proofes of them In a thousand places were their armes slashed and broaken and their bâ—…ood which distained all the dust had already converted into horrour and compâ—…ssion the admiration of all the Spectâ—…tors This combate continued from one of the clock till seaven at evening At last the Danish Prince staggered and fell through weakenesse When he perceived himselfe unable to rise he presented his sword to Polexander and uttring his words with a great deale of paine I confesse said he 〈◊〉 is just and only you of all the world dâ—…serve to serve her Returne then to 〈◊〉 â—…appy Polexander and assure her that death was welcome to me since I knew it was the sole meanes to content her But stay no longer here rather gâ—… 〈◊〉 of this Kingdome the soonest you may you shall not be pursued whilst I am â—…eere Polâ—…xander came neare to his generous â—…my to comfort him and to aske his pardon â—…r wâ—…t had passed but as he was stooping both his sight and understanding failing him he fâ—…ll â—…s dead some three paces from Pâ—…elismond The King of Denmarke pitted to see two so valiant men in that estate and said to those who were about him he repented of what he had granted â—…o Paelismond withall sent to see where he was and thinking he was one oâ—… Pâ—…lexanders Conductors caused him to 〈◊〉 for among that Troope but they were â—…re enough from finding â—…im thâ—…re Wâ—…â—…ey brought the Kiâ—…g word of his not â—…ing there he commanded some Officers of â—…is guard to inqâ—…ire what was â—…come oâ—… hiâ—… They went to all the houâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ked inâ—…o â—…he pâ—…ace then into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and lâ—…ft no place unsearched â—…o 〈◊〉 â—…m â—…t 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 At lâ—…st they reâ—…ned to tâ—…e King and assured him that no man câ—…uld tell â—…m what was â—…ecome of Phelismond How 's this said he Phelismond was nâ—…t â—…ont to forget himselfe in things that concerne me The night comes and let it as fast as 't will yet should I stay heâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…omorrow I will keepe my word After he had thus sâ—…d he commanded torches to be lighted and as soone as those of his pavillion were presently all the windows throughout the place were full oâ—… 〈◊〉 Amidst the new pay which tâ—…e infinite number oâ—…â—…ches mâ—…de the Spectatâ—… began to clap their hands and were abovâ—… two houres shewing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by their silence and then by their shoutes The King 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 weâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ing Phelismond when from among the suddaine all those which had been even â—…ly there was sâ—…ene to enter the field tweâ—…ty oâ—… 〈◊〉 men in his hand Behinde which Troope foure others and seemed to be extraordinarily where Phelismond and 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 out as dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…er own hâ—…s she tooke off the Favourites helmet and commanded onâ—…â—…f her much to Polexander He was free from his â—…ing wâ—…en 〈◊〉 Lady came and â—…ner felt the aire but he came to himselfe So could not Phelismond for he had lost almost all his blood and was in so ill a case that they believed him dead No body was seene so much grieved as the Lady who so happily arrived long wept she and at last said it was not fit the death of so generous a Prince should be left unpunished After she had much vexed her selfe she came to Polexander and gazing on him as if she knew him she called one of her women and giving her a paper goe said she shew this to the King and tell him that Phelismond hath deceived him The Damsell went and was presently with the King In the meane time the noise which was begun by the vailed Ladies arrivall increased with clapping of hands and unusuall clamours During this tumult the King came into this place and drew to Phelismond Polexander was risen before he came and as soone as he saw the King stood still as well as his weakenesse could suffer him and perceived he was no lesse afflicted then angry He cast himselfe on the body of his Favourite wept long and on a suddaine rising up in a rage He shall dye for it said he that miscreant who came to murther me in the person of Phelismond In saying so he turned him to Polexander and full of rage thou shalt not have the honour said he to perish by so glorious a hand as that of Phelismond and when he had thus threatned he looked on the Captaine of his Guard and commanded him to lay hold of Polexander but before he had time to execute his charge Polexander came to the King presented him his sword and in offring it spoke thus I know what respect is due to Kings Since your very Subjects protract time in obeying you so much feare have they lest you should be accused of perjury I will act what they dare not
agitated spirit makes me feare the explanation of certaine words which that old woman spake to me who came for Almanzaira Whilst he said thus he saw that Matron running as fast as she could He would faine have avoided her but not being able to do it without incivility he went to meet her and ask'd whether she desired any service from him You may render a signall one replied she to the person that sends me and she therefore conjures you by the name of Alcidiana that you will not disdaine to see her At that word Polexander grew pale and trembled but unwilling the aged woman should perceive it I will goe said he where you please Yet I am most certaine you take me for another With that he went in great haste to the garden gate and there remembring his pace was not proportionable with the Matrons he return'd to her and so went to the same Cell where he staid at his entrance into the Hermitage Almanzaira met him at the doore and shewing her sadnesse by her eyes full of teares Amalthea said she knew you at your first entrance into this place and though that knowledge hath brought her into the misery she is yet hath she an extreame desire to see you It may be she expecteth her cure from the hand that wounded her Be pleased then to enter and let us see what lessening of paine that poore sick Lady can receive from your presence Almanzaira presently led Polexander into Amalthea's chamber and plac'd him where she might see him 'T is he cried the dying Lady 't is even he but miserable Amalthea regards him not The desire thou hast made knowne to see him is certainely a temptation of those cruell Enemies who would retard thee from that rest which vertue hath prepared for thee in heaven With that she shut her eyes turn'd her head aside and calling Almanzaira Madam said she to her let him depart if he please and when I am dead give him the letter which you shall finde under my beds-head She spake so low those last words that the Queene well deem'd she was departing She lamented her as much as if she had beene her owne daughter and to performe her last will tooke the letter which she had laid under her boulster and gave it to Polexander The Prince unwilling to stay in a place where his sight was so deadly went forth much afflicted and felt in Amalthea's death one of those new disasters whereof a little before he had spoken to Alcippus and Diceus He forbore not to open the dead Ladies Letter but he durst not reade it for all his imaginations having no other object but Alcidiana he conceiv'd he should therein meet some great example either of that Princesses anger or contempt After he had well considered on what he had to do he ventur'd to reade the letter and first found these words on it To the unfortunate Polexander 'T is to me indeed said he this letter is addressed For though there may be other Polexanders in the world yet there is none that can dispute with me for the title of Unfortunate Reade then Polexander reade a Letter which must bely its superscription if it be not extremely dismall to thee After these words he leant on Alcippus and found in the paper this that followes SOme other may talke to you of my life for mine owne part I will give notice to you of nothing but my death I say of that long and cruell death of which I have beene three yeares or rather three ages dying I was with the divine Alcidiana and liv'd in that delightfull and continuall repose which Innocence crownes youth withall when the Queens Sacrificers and Pilots publish'd in the Inaccessible Island the wonders of your life They spake of your courage as of that of the ancient Semi-gods They extold your generosity beyond all others and prov'd your incredible prosperities were the pure effects of your excellent vertue and not the favours nor Capricioes of fortune I confesse it unfortunate Polexander I was struck to the heart with the recitall of so many miracles and Love whose name and maliciousnesse I knew tooke the maske of esteeme and admiration to gaine under that disguise what he could never have obtained of himselfe I was in Alcidiana's privy Chamber when this mischance betided I lost the respect I ow'd to her quality and that to mine owne birth and declaring to her my folly Madam said I is it possible you have so long time beene ignorant of these things or have you envi'd your Subjects the protection of so brave a man Alcidiana blush'd to heare me say it and ask'd me whether her people had need of any other safeguard then her owne Nature said she hath beene too favourable to reduce us to the shamefull necessity of imploring the help of man We have no need of Polexander For had we beene so unfortunate as to have occasion to use his courage we would have retain'd him when Fortune cast him on our Island Have you then seene him said I interrupting him and can you keep this indifferency or rather so cruell a neglect Ah Madam your insensibility will be one day punish'd I durst not prosecute this discourse because I perceiv'd by Alcidiana she lik'd it not but desirous to leave to her Subjects a memorable example of her severity she not onely forbad them to speake of you but by a declaration contrary to her owne inclination condemn'd your memory to an eternall oblivion and any whosoever of her Priests or Pilots which should conduct you into the Inaccessible Island to be expos'd with you to the flames of the Altar of Vengeance All these rigours no way lessen'd my passion It got new strength in growing elder and when I knew it proceeded from love I found my selfe too weake to suppresse it One day finding my selfe alone with the Queene I cast my selfe at her feet and besought her with teares in mine eyes to let me know all she had heard of you She grew extremely cholerique at it but seeing her anger did but the more stirre up my desire and impatiency I will said she give you that vaine contentment yet I vow your extravagancy amazeth me A hundred times I kissed her hands in lieu of being troubled and confessed to her I was no more rationall In the meane time my teares my sighs my dying looks and my faintings wrought so much pity in the heart of that Princesse that she told me of your arrivall in her Kingdome and the command she gave for your departure thence assoone as she knew your affection By the content she tooke in that narration I judg'd you were not so indifferent to her as she would make me believe and that her passion betraying it selfe discovered that which she held with so much difficulty Assoone as she had ended her discourse I felt my selfe cleane alter'd from what I was before Reason which had forsaken me tooke her place againe and setting before mine
Courtiers take notice of my extraordinary favour From that day he demean'd himselfe towards me as if truly I had been his father and added a many more slaves to those he had given us before your departure The more my credit increased the more I suspected him and knowing well it came not out of any respect to you nor from any merit in me I imputed and laid all the cause of it on the love Zabaim bore to Axiamira Nor was it long conceal'd from me The Kings frequent visiting us the excessive presents which hee continually sent my wife and the submissions wherewith he presented himselfe before Axiamira were to me too certaine proofes of his follie and too assured presages of our approaching ruine At last he resolv'd to put off the maske he had long worn and imagining Axiamira lov'd you he thought there was no better way to settle himselfe in her thought then by driving thence the memorie of you To that end he spoke to her of you but in such a way as taxing was subtlely intermix'd with praise contempt with estimation and envie with acknowledgement I will not my Lord relate the particulars of his discourse for Axiamira would never tell it me know onely that after Zabaim had well prais'd you he made an ample declaration of his extreame love Then hee told my daughter that if she would give him some assurance of her affection he would promise her no lesse a recompence then the three Crownes which Zelopa wore on her head Axiamira incens'd at his detestable propositions was ready to breake out but the greatnesse of her heart and that scrupulous vertue whereof she hath alwaies made profession neither permitted her to make shew of her spirit nor to answer Zabaim's words She would avenge it on her self and by teares watchings and other austerities ruinate the innocent cause of that Princes offences He for all that did not give over his enterprise for so comfort lesse a beginning On the contrary the difficultie of it adding to his desires he resolv'd to carrie away that victorie either by force or cunningâ—… 'T was then we began to see the infallibilitie of our destruction When it was permitted us to be alone and all three together could freely disclose the thoughts of our hearts we broke forth into infinite sorrowes and lamentations We invok'd heavens Justice to assist us against the impudicitie of so often and many wayes guiltie a Prince Wee call'd for it's thunder We besought you to be yet once more our deliverer but seeing our selves for saken of gods and men and growing desperate of your returne we fell from plaints and teares into a resolution to die Axiamira shewing her brave spirit in â—…hat extremitie Father said she my constancie hath now beene long in contestation with fortune I feare it may faint and after so high a flight have an ignominious stouping deliver it then from those new enemies which assaile her and if your power extend not so farre I pretend not to engage you on impossibilities Your example makes me but too well know by what way we must generously enfranchise our selves from a place where we cannot live with honour Let us get hence and make Zabaim know we were born free But if all passages are stopt us and we be no more permitted the use of our libertie let us trie our courage Death is alwayes ready to succour such who call on her as they ought It shall be it my deare Protectors it shall be it which in spight of all the tyrants chaines and guards shall put a period to our feares and slaverie When we heard Axiamira speake so generously my wife and my selfe stopped the teares which had so long time distill'd from our eyes and prepar'd our selves by a mutuall constancie to a glorious death Yet before our putting that last resolution in execution I had a mind to attempt some new meanes to save Axiamira I tri'd but in vaine to corrupt some of our slaves I writ to you divers letters which I gave to divers persons whom I thought very trustie I especially hop'd you would come and relieve us but I know wel now that my letters never came to your hands and that Zabaim had them from the traitor who promis'd me to deliver them to you I wonder'd no more why he was so jealous of me nor why he plac'd neer my daughter so many blacke Eunuches who not content to prie into all our actions would even heare out words too At last he tooke away that little libertie was left us Hee himselfe forbad us the going forth from our lodging and told me one day in choler that his love being too much contemn'd would turne into furie To this lamentable estate were we brought when Vice it selfe tooke armes for the defence of Vertue and though it was not its intention imploi'd all that could be of force and furie to make her victorious Zelopa who for six moneths had been sicke as they said of love and despaire understood by some of her confidents that Zabaim had forgotten her and passionately in love with a young maiden which had been sold him by her owne father note my Lord how wicked the vulgar are in their judgement was ready to seat her in Zelopa's place These newes getting her out of the bed wherein she languished made her leave Senega Into Guinea she came more furious then a Lionesse that pursues the hunters which have stolne her whelps She call'd to her succour all those Devills which the publicke voyce gave her altogether for her gods and slaves She sacrific'd to her furie three of her principall Officers for not advertising her presently of our arrivall or rather for not imploying fire and poyson against the father and daughter Zabaim hearing of his wife's frenzies was terrified with her threatnings and cruelties and as an offender escap'd out of prison seeing himselfe ready to fall into the hands of them who are doubly irritated by his flight he growes pale loseth his resolution repents him for breaking his fetters and lookes on those that advis'd him to escape as on so many enemies Axiamira who lately was his sole delight his happinesse his life and somewhat more then even Zelopa with all her Philters and Spirits was become to him a subject of horrour and hatred and if I know not what remainder of dying vertue had not opposs'd it selfe against the outrage of his bewitch'd soule he had doubtlesse himselfe to obtaine remission for his inconstancie cut the throat of Axiamira before Zelopa's eyes In the meane time that Witch like another Furie broke loose from hell came by great journey 's to fill the Court with massacres and impoysonings The blinded Zabaim hearing of her coming resolv'd to goe meet her and by that submission aswell as by his teares to pacifie the furie of his tyrannesse Before he parted he would yet once more see Axiamira and by that view give a secret and new aliment to the fire he
HE IS DEAD FOR ALCIDIANA 'T IS A GLORY THAT COMMANDS YOU WHETHER YOU WILL OR NO TO ENVY HIM YOU WOULD HAVE ESTEEM'D HIM MOST HAPPY IF THE PLEASURE OF THAT PRINCESSE SIGHT HAD PRESERV'D THAT BRAVE LIFE HEE HAD BEGUN HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD YOU ESTEEME HIM SINCE THE ONELY FEARE OF NEVER SEEING ALCIDIANA WAS ABLE TO MAKE HIM DYE Whilst our Heroe was making amourous Comments on Almanzors testament Cydaria went to see a little Altar which was in the chiefe front of the Tombe Upon it were foure statues of marble Some lay along and others sate Two represented the Pleasures as well by their youth their mirthsomenesse somewhat alaid with a kinde of sadnesse and their Crownes of roses as by the Instruments of Musick which lay at their feet And the two other by the many Crownes on their armes and the Diamonds Pearles and other Jewels which they carelesly let fall from their hands plainely enough intimated they were Magnificence and Majesty They all foure held a great heart of Albaster and speaking by a Roll of brasse hanging downe from the same hands which held the heart thus seem'd to expresse their thoughts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IN LIEV OF THIS HEART NOW IN OUR HANDS WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT OF THE GREAT ALMANZOR HAD HE NOT SCORN'D TO HAVE LIV'D FOR ANY OTHER THEN ALCIDIANA FEW HEARTS HAVE PREFER'D SLAVERY BEFORE COMMAND OR DISCONTENTS BEFORE ALL PLEASURES FEW HEARTS TOO CAN BE COMPAR'D WITH THAT OF SO GENEROUS A PRINCE AND FEW SHOULD WITH JUSTICE EXPECT FROM OUR RESENTMENT THOSE TEARES WHICH SO GREAT A LOSSE SHALL ETERNALLY DRAW FROM OUR EYES 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Polexander and Cydaria unwilling to stay longer among so many causes of sadnesse retir'd into the most obscure part of the Sepulcher and not thinking it an offence to implore heaven for a miserable soule besought it with teares to convert its justice into mercy and save him who like a mad-sick man had taken poyson in thinking to take a wholesome potion Their prayers once ended they came out of the Tombe where they found Osmin and Alcippus who by their action made knowne how much they were astonish'd Osmin spake first who shewing his admiration proceeded from somewhat else then Almanzors Sepulcher This Isle said he to Polexander may rather be call'd the Isle of Tombes then the Isle of Fer. I cannot conceive through what urgency so many unfortunate people should be compell'd hither to graspe with death About fifty paces hence you may see if you please to walke thither foure Monuments under which are interr'd so many Spaniards which are called by the Inscriptions the foure Lovers of the Princesse Benzaida A little further we have seene a Sepulchre as meane as this is stately The outside which is painted black and powdred all over with flames and teares made well guess'd what horrour there might be within In the midst is an Inscription which neither Alcippus nor my selfe can understand Cydaria besought her brother to goe see this novelty and getting his consent march'd foremost to satisfie her longing Polexander after he had seene the foure Spaniards Tombes went to the last and presently spied the Characters which neither Osmin nor Alcippus could decipher He thought it not strange for 't was Slavonique ill enough done to puzzle more understanding men then they in the knowledge of languages He turn'd to Cydaria after he had twice or thrice read it over and assuring her she was to heare some very strange thing Do you see said he the letters drawne on that linnen which two Cupids crowned with myrtle and Cypresse hold in so mournefull a posture and looke on with so much griefe that the teares fall from their eyes they tell us that Sepulcher is the Monument of two Sisters The other Inscription which is incompass'd with trophies of love troden under foote by death and cruelty and sowne with golden flames and silver teares is the Epitaph of those two Princesses This is the Explication word for word TO THE ETERNALL MEMORY OF HISTERIA AND MELICERTA'S MISFORTUNES AND TO THE PERPETUALL SHAME OF THE INSENSIBLE SOLIMAN ONe same instant brought us into the light and one and the same Destiny giving us equall inclinations made us alike misfortunate Death hath not sever'd those who by birth and fate were knit in so strong a ligament They are buried in one grave and have done that by Election which Nature had done by Chance Thy curiosity Reader is not may be satisfied with these generall notions See wherewithall to content it Yet if causes exacting teares comply not with thy humour turne thine eyes away from these following lines and give way no more to a desire that shall be so mournefull to thee But for all this thou wilt weep and no admonitions can coole thy charity Well then reade on and marke seriously with what rigour and command both the senses and passions do tyrannize o're all rationall soules The greatnesse of our births raysing us above all the Princesses of the world seem'd to have establish'd us in a felicity which could not be travers'd by the injuries of earth or heaven But O the vanity of humane condition what all the strength of the Universe could not execute weakenesse alone hath done it and Fortune to surprise us made use of that which we neither ought to feare or foresee A Slave hath triumph'd over our liberties and he whose life was at our disposall hath seene us at his feet shamefully begging the continuance of our owne 'T is true the mercilesse Solyman hath seene us implore his clemency and with teares beseech him he would afford us the honour of living his slaves Neither birth beauty nor love no nor vertue it selfe could obtaine any thing from that rock He saw the constant Hysteria dye and was no more capable of pity then he was of love Melicerta surviv'd her Sister but 't was onely to outlive all her hopes She hath beene inforced to intombe her selfe alive within this Sepulcher to finde in death that compassion which she could not meet withall in ingratefull Solyman 'T is enough Passenger we should be as mercilesse as he if we kept thee longer in the affliction of reading this Go then in peace and if it be possible obtaine from heaven that our second life may be more happy then our former After Polexander had read this Epitaph seeing his sister so much mov'd at it was willing to withdraw her from those mournfull places though he depriv'd himselfe of the contentment he receiv'd among the Monuments of so many desperate lovers But Alcippus entering on a sudden with an affrighted countenance ingag'd Polexander to inquire of him the cause of his astonishment 't is so strange said he that the more I call to minde the more I doubt of it mine eyes and eares which assure me of it cannot perswade me and I should beleeve I dream't if the thing were not yet before me And whence come you said Polexander that in so
themselves You are not here in the quality of a Combatant but of a Judge and a Master Consider then what Justice would have you doe with an offender and the authority of a Master with a fugitive slave Polexander interrupting the unknowne Knight Solyman said he either be silent or speake so as you may cleere Achomat from that error whereinto you have brought him Make knowne to him by what unfortunate chance he lost Histeria and Melicerta But I shall do better to speake for you With that he turn'd to Achomat thus Generous Basha said he Solyman is guilty but 't is not of too much love as you beleeve 't is of neglect and insensibility If he be the Author of the disasters befalne in your family 't is as the Sun is the cause of darknesse I will say he hath ruin'd the Princesses your daughters in refusing what they requested from him and if I may say so in hiding from them that light without which their young hearts were perswaded there was none at all But not to hold you any longer in expectation of the cleering a doubt which must either appease or at least alter the face of your displeasure I will in few words declare what your daughters affections were and what the insensibility of the Prince your Slave Know that those Princesses Twins in their affection as well as in their birth turn'd at once their eyes on Solyman and though he alwayes insolently neglected them yet was he so happy as to be desperately belov'd Some other lesse skill'd in the power of that passion then I am would justifie Solyman in telling you that his duty and respect forbad him to cast his eyes on the daughters of his Master But I intend not to bring you such excuses If Solyman were so indiscreet as to make use of them I should be the first would condemne them either as absolutely false or more criminall then his owne insensibility In a word this young Prince hath beene ignorant of what is knowne to beasts and plants and all Nature which cries out that we must love and inspires that passion when first our life is breath'd into us hath found a monster in your Slave who in the very height of his bloud in the fire of his youth and in the midst of all the allurements and beauties of your daughters hath belied his birth and made appeare to the shame of his Sexe that a man might be borne incapable of all love Histeria and Melicerta could not indure this prodigy The one died of it with griefe at the siege of Lepanto and the other is buried alive in a tombe that she may never more see that unjust heaven which knowes so great a crime and doth not punish it Achomat who had diligently hearkened to all that Polexander had said was a while without answering as if he was asking himselfe whether all that which the Prince would perswade him could be true At last thinking well that this accident was not impossible he addressed his speech to our Heroe and interrupting it with sighes You have said hee judiciously forseene that your narration would change the face of my afflictions I perceive Solyman is not so guilty as I thought him but withall I know that I am not lesse miserable then I imagined Whilst these two Princes were talking thus the unknowne Knight tooke off his helmet and displaying his admirable countenance which could not bee seen without wonder You said hee coming neerer to Polexander are not deceived 'T is true my Lord I am that monster who by my ingratitude and insensibility have violated the most holy and sweet lawes of nature and who in stead of acknowledging Achomat's favours and goodnesse have by my excessive contempt hastened the tragicall end of the Princesses his daughters But by what chance have you come to the knowledge of things so private and for what cause doth Achomat deferre his revenge The Basha's indignation seeing it selfe strip'd of all that which had so long time nurs'd it yeelded at last to Iphidamantus Innocence and reason taking her place which passion had usurp'd made Achomats weapons to fall out of his hands With teares in his eyes he turn'd to Polexander and witnessing to him his sorrow and noblenesse Since said he at last I know Solyman to be guiltlesse and that 't is the cruell destiny of my race which alone hath produc'd my misfortune and shame tell me I intreat you Sir where I shall finde my daughters bodies that by rendering them to their desolate mother I may give her that deplorable consolation which she can expect from so sad and lamentable a restitution Since your equitable love repli'd Polexander makes you alike wish for your two daughters dry from henceforth the halfe of your teares or let the one part testifie your griefe and the other be an evidence of your joy Histeria is dead but her sister liveth and were it not for the obstinacy wherewithall she opposeth all that may conduce to her happinesse and avenge her of Iphidamantus insensibility she would have as well as I the content of seeing her deare father and that lover who as barbarous as he is is no lesse wished for At those words Iphidamantus shew'd well he had not so hard a heart as Polexander upbraided him withall but made knowne by his sighes and teares he knew how to love and casting himselfe at Polexanders feet sadly besought him to discover where Melicerta was and what he was to performe for the freeing her from her miseries Is it repli'd our Heroë an intent to be a spectator of the ills thou hast made her undergoe that thy curiosity breeds that desire in thee or to say better by a humanity too inhumane to sticke thy ponyard in that Innocents breast to free her from her further languishment Ah my Lord said Iphidamantus be more indulgent to an offender that repents him And since I had the honour as well as you to have the generous Periander for my father doe him not that wrong to beleeve he was the Author of producing a creature monstrous in all his qualities I confesse I have been long incapable of that desire they call Love and I have laugh'd at Achomat Bajazet at the King of Morocco and at your self as often as your passion hath made you act something not conformable with my opinion But if I have been impassible and to use your owne words disdainfull and without pity yet have I never beene cruell nor unjust I have endeavour'd many and many a time to suppresse Melicerta and her sister's madnesse I offered them all the remedies reason furnished me withall I have not taken pleasure in their sorrowes but if I had thought my death could have made them happy they had long since beene so I will not yet by these justifications lessen the enormity of my offences whatsoever I have done I have deserv'd death since the misfortune of two the fairest Princesses of the East had their Originall
nature of the King your father Had you seen him as I did ready to expiate by the effusion of his bloud those faults which Zelopa had made him perpetrate you would be more sensible then you are of his repentance and not deny him the comfort he expecteth in your returne But what doe you here Are you not satisfi'd with the death of Nephisus and may be with that of Abdelmelec Would you have their unfortunate father to be ranged in the number of those sacrifices which Axiamira demands from your amorous anger and that it shall be deadly for all Princes to have had any affection for that happy infortunate one Bajazet deeming by this discourse that Polexander knew all his designes would againe have falne at his feet to have ask'd pardon for the love he bore the Princesse his sister but Polexander who look'd on him as on something more then a King retain'd him in his armes and after often calling him brother If said he your discretion had not so long time contested with your quiet and not given to Iphidamantus and my selfe thoughts unworthy to be related to you we had both contributed all we could and may be more reclaim'd the untractable humour of that Princesse which sometimes under the name of Axiamira then under that of Iphidamantus or againe of Ennoramita set on fire all the Kingdomes of Africa Is not she the cause of this warre too have you not mistaken her brother for her Bajazet waxing pale at that question There is no doubt of it said he my misfortune is as great as ever and I know too well for my peace that Almaid being deceiv'd next the King of Morocco tooke Iphidamantus for Axiamira This discourse had infallibly continued but the Sentinels seeing a great Troupe of horse sallying out of Morocco gates advertis'd the Princes they were to be set on Achomat instantly commanded foure Squadrons of foot to advance which had stood to their armes since the beginning of the combate and placing himselfe in the front of a Troup of Cavalry rid to force the enemy backe againe into the Towne The three Princes got on horsebacke to assist him though he had no need of them and were Spectators of that incomparable valour which had rais'd him to the supreame greatnesse of all the Ottoman Court Assoou as feare and night had shut up the last Enemy within the walls of Morocco Polexander and the three other Princes return'd to the place of their Combate and scorning to intermingle ought of base or cruell with their victory commanded fires and torches to be lighted to see in what case Abdelmelec and the Moorish Knight were Our Heroë found the last sighing for his misfortune and cursing the stars which seem'd to affect the dishonour and ruine of the Princes of Grenada by the same charming humanity he comforted him wherewithall he was wont to suffer himself to be overcome by such as he had vanquish'd and without any importunate soliciting either to tell him his condition or name commanded some Arabians to take him up and carry him into Morocco In the meane while Bajazet who found Abdelmelec dead lamented that the chance of Warre was not able to make him a vanquisher without depriving so valiant a Prince of his life Iphidamantus came just as he was bewailing and seeing his friend all over wounded and drown'd in his blood was almost at the losse of his judgement and life at last reason recollected him and then his sorrow breaking forth Unfortunate Prince said he how fatall have thy fathers errours been to thee And what a dangerous Enemy hast thou had of thy great courage Thou art dead Abdelmelec and I live and avenge not thy death But the same law which seemes to engage imperiously forbids me to undertake it My duty is oppos'd by my duty my friendship by my friendship and my faith by my faith I am Polexanders I am Achomats I owe my selfe to Bajazet I cannot be thine Thou knowest it now deare Abdelmelec and thy soule which reads my heart sees well whether I be so perfidious as to faile of my word I have sworn to thee an amitie not to be terminated but by the one of us thy misfortune hath disingaged my word and â—…y interests ceasing by thy death give me the libertie on thinking on mine owne Farewell then Abdelmelec and since 't is the will of heaven enjoy for ever the glory thy vertues have deserved Achomat and the two other Princes were extreamly sorrowfull for the losse of their Enemie and would not have been so indisconsolate but onely for taking off Iphidamantus discontent Bajazet by the advise of the rest sent the body of Abdelmelec to the King his father and intimated by Hydaspes they had been both deceiv'd and their errours being equally lamentable the griefe of the one should not be lesse then that of the other Hydaspes performed his Commission but whilst the too amorous and inraged Hely bewailed the losse of his pretended Ennoramita more then the death of his son and ruminated in his long watchings all the tragicall events wherewithall the beautie of one same person had laid waste his Estate the foure Printes retir'd into the Campe and without giving themselves any rest after so much travell meditated on the execution of some new designes Polexander that thought on nothing but how to see Alcidiana againe would not cause Bajazet and Iphidamantus to languish any longer nor put off till any other time the contentments he was able to give them But how extreame soever his owne longing was that of the two other Princes was no lesse Iphidamantus came and cast himselfe at his feet and embracing his knees My Lord said hee if without impudence I may dare take the boldnesse of calling you brother and if any one action of my life hath made mee worthy that honour I intreate you even by that or rather by Alcidiana not to leave mee any longer in my offence and infamy Let mee not be guilty even after my repentance nor let Melicerta continue her reproaching my ingratitude when I have given over my being ingratefull Get leave of Achomat repli'd Polexander to goe and free that Princesse and assure your selfe you shall no sooner have that granted but you shall obtaine all the rest too Achomat over-heard what our Heroe spake to his brother and desirous to witnesse to them both that hee remitted all his resentments to their merits and his affection Goe said he to Iphidamantus goe my deare Solyman gather up if it be possible the remainder of my shipwrack and assure your selfe that what you can save of it you preserve that for your selfe After this declaration which not onely included the leave Iphidamantus requested but withall a cleere assurance of enjoying her whom he was to deliver he tooke Achomat's hands and moystning them with his teares My Lord said hee is it possible that you will forget those offences which my mishap hath made me commit
who as Bajazet's friend had for his aid arm'd all the vessels he could make ready Our Admirall who was absolute in his command sent not to Bajazet for his direction but presently dispatch'd Telisman and my selfe to Zabaim We made to him and coming aboard perform'd those complements whereto his assistance and quality obliged us he seem'd very sad and perceiving we tooke notice of it Pardon me said he if I entertaine you not with all the joy I ought to shew you As you came my wife and my selfe were busied about the cleering to our selves somewhat which even now makes me not able to speake to you but with some disturbance the adventure is such as you must beare a share in it but that you may the more freely understand it let us retire to some roome in the place where we are both more commodious and quieter then here among so many Souldiers and Mariners equally affrighted Zabaim having received us with these civilities and excuses brought us into his cabin and spending not long time in speaking of his forces and the cause of his getting them together My ship said he with some few others staid at the foot of that dangerous rocke which over-hangs the entrance into this River and I attended the Moone rising for my setting saile againe when I heard a voyce over my head which in words the most lamenting I ever heard besought heaven and earth things sensible and insensible to be witnesses after his death of his faith and constancy Whilst I was attentive to those complaints there grew a great bustling among the sailes and ropes of my ship and running to see what it was I found a man hung in the tackling I commanded to have him straight taken downe and seeing that the height from whence he fell had depriv'd him of his senses have caus'd him to be brought into a cabin neere to this no sooner cast I mine eyes on him but I know not what remembrance fill'd me with feare and horrour my wife coming in to practise that charity which hath gotten her the name of Mother to the afflicted earnestly look'd on him and was no lesse troubled then I. We have for these two houres done all we can to get out of our astonishment and o'recome the long trance of that unfortunate man but as effectlesse in the one as in the other this is the cause you have not been entertain'd as you might expect When Zabaim had ended Sir said I may 't is fit our Generall were advertis'd of the accident therefore we both beseech your Majesty to let us see that desperate person My thoughts said the King which are not yet well setled made me forget that which particularly I had a desire to tell you 't is that I am much deceiv'd if the man we have succour'd be not one of the principall of your Army By something he weares he seemes to be a man of command and if my wife mistake not it must necessarily be your Generall himselfe Here Zabaim stopp'd and we who found no likelihood in this conjecture besought him to let us see the man and to put him out of the opinion he was in we related to him what Bajazet had done that very day but assoone as he shewed him to us lying yet stretched out as dead I knew him and cried out 't was my Generall My companion as much afflicted as my selfe thinking Bajazet had beene dead cast himselfe on him and kissing his hands began to call to him in his eares as all the Sectaries of Mahomet use to hollow in the eares of their dead In the meane while whether Nature after it had beene so long time dull'd awaked suddainely or the Princes strength recall'd by their applying of remedies had disengaged his spirits which his fall had as ' were suffocated so it was that Bajazet came to himselfe The first signes of life he gave us were his sighes which being not well perfected perished in the place of their conception and were not perceiv'd but by their heavings about the seate of his heart These halfe-sighes were followed by others which seem'd to flye headlong to get forth At last after he had a while mutter'd what none could understand yet came he out distinctly with this I will no more depend on the injustice of fortune and my soule unloaden of the weight of my body may freely goe in quest and finde thee faire Axiamira in what corner of the earth soever my cruell destiny hath hidden thee Almanzaira recovering from her deadly sorrow by degrees as her Son came out of his swoon ceas'd not to invoake that eternall Pity which had so often and so miraculously redeem'd her out of her afflictions and to beseech thence with her teares an end to those miseries which continually travers'd her life Her prayer ended she oftentimes kissed Bajazet whose head she kept on her breast and calling him sometimes Almanzor and othertimes Bajazet intreated him to know her and to come out of his reaveries To strike his imagination with some name well knowne to him she intreated him to looke on Almaid and Hydaspes who infinitely grieved for him At those names he strove to open his eyes but the brightnesse of the lights forcing him to shut them againe Almaid said he and Hidaspes are with me for their fidelity would not permit them to survive my death You are welcome deare Companions of my many miseries and since in your life-time you have lov'd nothing more deare then my company and contentment continue that affection and joyning for ever your shadowes with mine let us goe together in quest of faire Axiamira Whilst Bajazet mov'd all that heard him to compassion and Zabaim with Almanzaira melted into teares I came to that incomparable lover and so talk'd with him as he came out of his musing Yet no sooner was he come to himselfe but he began to cry out as he had felt some great torture and afflicting himselfe for being alive How Bajazet said he thou liv'st then and yet hast for ever lost the hope of finding Axiamira Ah Polexander Ah Iphidamantus what will you say of me To get him from this new affliction I said you were in great care and search'd for him every where With that I came away and had so good fortune as to meet with Diceus when I was out of hope of finding you If therefore you regard the friendship of Bajazet save his life while it is in your power Here Hamet ended and Polexander replied to comfort him that his Generall should soone have satisfaction But what doe you the while faire Cydaria You sigh in secret you beare a part in the griefes you conferre on the loyall Almanzor and repent for suspecting so wonderfull a constancy I see well your scrupulous vertue growes angry with your disposition and it is not lesse griev'd then your lover to be compell'd to receive so sensible a blow and not have sufficient armes to defend it selfe from it But let her
to be happy that this face so full of allurements shall quickly finde greater then its owne there are Sorceresses in this city that trouble not themselves as those of old did with drawing the Moone downe from her Spheare in spoiling with haile their enemies harvests nor to change the course of Rivers their imployments are farre more mortall and sad towards such whom nature hath endow'd with any lovelinesse and beautie Those they binde in unperceiveable chaines and by their sorcerie depriving them of all understanding sell them to rich voluptuous women who finde no pleasure truly high if they change them not every day Looke to thy selfe young man this misfortune threatens thee it hangs over thy head 't is done thou art lost I went with that out of Amatonis hermitage in such a choler that I scarce had any feeling of my miseries and had not gone a hundred paces into the Town when a women covered with a great vaile and holding a long Chaplet after the Turkish manner staid me by my arme What my sonne said she 't was sure your ill Angell that led you to the Cell of the abominable Amatonis Bethinke your selfe well said she affrightedly Doe you know what you are Doe not you take your selfe for some Tiger or Lion or other such beast For 't is the custome of that wretch to trouble the mindes of all that consult with him I confesse I was so weak as to stop at the words of that old Phantasm but finding no alteration in my selfe Mother said I the man you speake of is not so good a friend as to deprive me of all reason and knowledge but on the contrary hath for all my life time made me miserable in conserving it to me and rob'd me of that little hope which kept me alive He hath taken nothing from you but he may be glad to restore it repli'd the old woman Beleeve me my sonne his predictions are all false and many times already he hath for his impostures given satisfaction under the cudgell of the hangman to the indignation of the most eminent in this Towne Ah Mother said I if you would bring me to some one that could tell me newes of the good which I have lost I promise to make you forget the incommodities of your old age My sonne quoth the Sorceresse 't is my custome to doe good to every body and receive no requitall Come along and assure your selfe how extraordinary soever your affliction be I will finde a remedy for it My griefe and passion which made me more senslesse then I have been fince through that old womans inchantments wonne me to follow her to the end I might learne the scituation of that Island where the Ghost of Histeria had shewed me Melicerta I should be too tedious if I related to you the richnesse of the house whereinto the Witch brought me without it seemed a little one but within there were stately roomes and lodgings with furniture of silke and gold and a garden wherein many fountaines mingled their sweet murmurs with the perfumes of Orange trees and Jessemines Assoone as I was in this delightfull lodging Thou art welcome childe of my heart said the old Sorceresse and being thus entertain'd she led me into a Closet which was all hung with the pictures of the fairest Ladies in Africa Mother said I if that pity which you lately shewed me was not fained and if ever anothers miseries have sensibly touched you doe your utmost indeavour to give some comfort to the most unfortunate of all men I extreamly love a Lady as great by birth as incomparable in beauty and my miserie is such that I know not to what part of the world she hath betaken her selfe She is in no lesse care for thee my sonne repli'd the Witch then thou art for her cheere up then and assure thy selfe that ere long you shall both receive the contentment you seeke after This discourse was a wonder to me neverthelesse since we easily beleeve what we wish I imagin'd this woman would not have promis'd me a thing so assuredly if it had not beene in her power I intreated her to let me see assoone as she could the effect of her promises How said she what dost thou not see it I with that turned my head and saw at the closet dore a young Lady very lovely and richly clad whom I thought to have othertimes seen but I knew it was not Melicerta and as I would have found fault with the Witch for deceiving me that Lady cast her selfe about my necke and moistning me with her teares Is it possible deare Solyman said she that thy insensibilitie should continue still Doest thou not repent thee of the griefes thou hast made me suffer by thy neglect and flight It is almost a yeare that I have sought thee and neither the thought of my birth the feare of dangers nor the duty I owe my father have been able to detaine me I have crossed all the Mediterranean got into the Ocean and finally not knowing where to finde thee retir'd to this Towne For these eight dayes I have enquired diligently after thee I have imployed all the Sooth sayers and Magicians to learne what place hid thee from my inquiry but none could satisfie my passion This aged woman onely mov'd with my affliction kept me in hope of seeing thee againe and as one day to please me she shewed me thy amiable face in her inchanted glasse on an instant she snatch'd away that powerfull crystall and cri'd to me runne for at this very time Solyman passeth by the windowes of your chamber My love making me forget what was seemly made me run not onely to the window but into the street to imbrace thee thou vanishedst from mine eyes and for all that I could doe from that day hitherto it hath been out of my power of seeing thee againe This faithfull companion of my miseries seeing how extreame they were was willing to mitigate them by her art and going forth hence this morning Daughter said she give over your teares and put on againe your former blithenesse this day thou shalt fee thy insensible faire one I gave credit to her words and see they were not frivolous I hold thee now my deare Solyman and protest that nothing but death shall separate me from thee The kindnesses and talke of that Lady had so disturb'd the little sense was left me that all I could doe was to looke on her with mine eyes all threatning and full of anger Shee on the contrary cast her amorous glances on me and beseeching for some pity on her afflictions Alas said she is it possible that the unfortunate Ennoramita must eternally intreate and never be heard At that name I remembred that she who spake to me was the same daughter to the King of Tunis whose young errours I have related to you and found my selfe extreamly pusled yet faining not to be so Rather said I Ennoramita is it possible that so
Melicerta triumph on her Rivall Thou art alone ô infortunate Ennoramita the person on whom Heaven powres all its choler and Love hath chosen as a victime which must be sacrific'd for the happinesse of Solyman and Melicerta The Princesses passion still furnish'd her with so many new thoughts that I had need of a wonderfull memorie to retaine them The King her father produc'd no lesse and seeing in the declining of my sicknesse that my mirthsomnesse came againe with my strength he thought Melicerta began to be worne out of my memorie That opinion gave him the boldnesse to discover his love to me and intimating that he would not treate me as other beauties which he kept shut up for his pleasure he at first promis'd me the Crowne of Tunis Your vertue said he and beautie which are both extraordinary exempt you from the Law of indifferent personages I will suspend the customes of the Kings my Predecessours to teach all Barbary that a merit without comparison may worke something without example Philomela shall be plac'd in the Throne without feare of companions or Rivall and if her vertue cannot indure in my Palace any subjects of impuritie from this houre I breake open the doores of my Seraglio and give both libertie and honour to so many faire slaves as the chance of warre hath given me To all these faire promises I continually oppos'd my inabilitie of accepting them and the losse of Melicerta 'T was a great deale worse when I had absolutely recovered my health and that the beautie which I will beleeve I had for feare of disobliging Cydaria taking new vigour shone in the eyes of Muley Hassen as he told me like the Sunne when after his leaving the Tropicke of Capricorne he ascends towards that of Cancer But leave we at last these extravagancies of love and since 't is the will of Fate end this Comedie by a tragicall Catastrophe Muley Hassen and Ennoramita meditated on nothing but how to become masters of a place which they had so long and vainly assaulted when they themselves were set on by the Garrison of Argiers who had correspondencie with some inhabitants of Tunis The Towne was instantly wonne and the Palace beset before Muley could resolve whether he should defend himselfe or flie the Turkes who knew his cowardise urg'd him to yeeld and after two daies battering wonne it by force See what love can doe Muley fearing more my losse then his owne no sooner saw the Turkes enter the Court of his Palace but he ran to my chamber and staying at the dore with his sword and buckler made them see that he who wanted a courage to defend his Crowne and life had an extraordinarie one to maintaine his passion and protect his pretended Mistresse The most resolute Turkes gave ground before the blowes of that Prince and seeing their obstinacie to contest with him did but serve to ruine them they talk'd to him of his safetie and that he should not hazard with his owne person his daughter and people Ah traitours cri'd the Prince you have not violated your faith and forc'd my City with an intent to have a care either of me or mine No I will die like a King and not doe as those infamous Princes who to prolong an unfortunate life cowardly present their neck and arms to the fetters of your Tyrant With that he flew among the Turkes and though they had command not to kill him yet the necessity of defending themselves made them neglect that order Assoone as I saw him fall at the feet of his enemies I was touched with an extreame shame for counterfeiting so long the maids part In a rage I flung out of Ennoramita's armes who besought me not to hazard my selfe and seising on a Cymitar and Target which were falne from a dying Turke I flew on those that were entred my chamber some of them I slew and drove out the rest I thinke verily that the respect to my sexe bridled the Turkes fury for exposing my selfe as I did to their arrowes and swords it had been very easie for them to have given me my pasport with Muley Hassen Ennoramita seeing me in that danger forgot what she was and the feare of my losse causing a neglect of her preservation she ran after me and as my buckler boldly defi'd death which inviron'd her on all sides One while the Turkes in respect to of her retaining their fury she fell on her knees and imploring their pity Take my Crowne said she and leave me this companion of my miseries but as she would have gone on with her petition an arrow shot at randome stroke through her tongue and passing on so dangerously hurt her that she fell downe halfe dead presently she cast her eyes upon me and calling me with a weake and pitifull voice Deare Solyman said she what a favourable shot was this since in depriving me of my life it hath taken away my feare of losing thee As she ended these words the bloud choaked her and I who thought I could not live without shame did I not rerenge the death of the father and the daughter so provoked those which would have spar'd me that they lost all respect and left me for dead between Muley and Ennoramita The Basha Aladin who commanded the forces of Argier hearing that one onely Lady resisted a great many Turkes sent word they should beware of wronging me and presently after came to see me but he found me among the dead and witnessing he was extreame angry at it would have had all those Souldiers undergoe the edge of the sword whom he thought authors of my death He drew neere to see whether I were absolutely dead and perceiving in me some remainder of life commanded his guard to take me up and brought me into the chamber of the too generous Ennoramita His extraordinary care of me sav'd my life and the warinesse wherewithall I conceal'd what I was thriv'd so happily that I was alwayes taken for a woman and so look'd after The Turkes being absolute masters of the Towne and not weeting from whence any force could come strong enough to trouble them in their conquest gave themselves over to all kinde of liberty But when they thought least on it they were set on by a Cozen to the late King called as himselfe Muley Hassen and whom the jealousies of State had banished into Mezila which is on the confines of the Numidian deserts That Prince understanding the devastation of his countrey got together a great many Arabians which usually frequented that Towne and assembling all the souldier-like of Distef of Necan of Thefas and of Thebessa fell unlooked for into the City of Tunis cut part of the Turkes in pieces and compell'd the rest to retire shamefully to Argiers Thither was I convay'd by the Basha's Eunuches and so carefully garded that when I strove to escape I found all meanes depriv'd me and all wayes shut up but love who had brought me to
of Fez and towards mount Atlas as well to hinder any succour from the Moores as to oppose the incursions of the Arabians Wee seldome sallied but wee brought in prisoners or much incommodated Bajazet's Campe. When a companie is reduced to the like extremitie as those of Morocco were there needs no such wonders to be done for the getting a reputation among them By this meanes the unknowne Knight made himselfe so famous in so short a time that his name came to the eares of the ficke King He would needs see mee and Abdelmelec must bring me to him even with the hazard of being no more unknowne But sicknesse had so altered the good old Kings senses that he neither knew me by word or countenance Many times hee imbraced me and calling mee the tutelar Angell of Morocco sent at need by his great Prophet intreated the taking into my protection the safety of his people and to expect from Abdelmelec those acknowledgements which death might perchance hinder him from rendring mee I gave him many thankes for his profers and well-wishes and told him I hop'd his age would not alwayes be crossed but that Heaven reserved for him a peacefull and contented issue out of all his troubles in the meane time I advised Abdelmelec to send to Fez for succour But Granada's desolation and the mortalitie or exile of that Kingdomes Subjects before-time so flourishing had so abated all the Moores courages that they were farre more miserable in Africa then they had beene in Spaine Their misfortune was still in their sight they thought continually Ferdinand and Isabell were imbarking for Africa and that great name of Cardinall of Spaine was a perpetuall cause of astonishment and feare They still privately sent us victualls and in such plenty that from thenceforward the Citizens of Morocco beleeved Bajazet would be inforced to raise his Siege Some little time after one of our Spies ill informed as most commonly are such kinde of people gave notice that Bajazet was re-inforced by a mighty succour under the command of one of the prime Basha's belonging to the Grand-Signior Thereupon Abdelmelec and my selfe resolved to make a powerfull sally to discover their new aide and know whether it were compos'd of Turkes or Africans There was not in all the Siege so brave a conflict as at that time we were in fight from morning till night Abdelmelec incountred Bajazet and I not knowing him buckled with my benefactor Achomat Night onely severed us after the losse of more then two thousand men on both sides At last wearied with the Siege and perceiving the succours from Fez failing us we must render our selves to their mercy I got Abdelmelec to a resolution of determining all by a Duell Wee therefore sent our Defye to Bajazet and Achomat which they accepted and each party being agreed on the conditions we waited with equall impatience for the day on which this great difference was to be decided Two dayes since I sent an intelligent Spy into Bajazet's Campe and commanded him not to returne till hee knew certainly who the Basha was with whom I was to change blowes last night he came backe and related that being stolne into Achomats Tents he had learnt who he was and for what cause he was come to the Siege of Morocco This newes so surpris'd me that when Abdelmelec this morning came into my chamber to conduct mee to the place appointed for our Combate he found me still in my bed He began to chide me for my sloath and imbracing me with a great deale of love Deare Iphidamantus said hee I have long time wished for this day 'T will tell mee what shall be my fortune and one way or other I promise to my selfe before night I shall have no more to long for Whilst hee talked thus I got ready and arm'd me not for my defence but to oblige Achomat to take his revenge of mee and to hide my designe from the Prince of Morocco You know without doubt this daye 's successe and how farre happier it hath beene to mee then Abdelmelec I will therefore trouble you no further Thus Iphidamantus ended the relation of his strange and sad Adventures The end of the first Book of the fourth Part of Polexander THE FOURTH PART OF POLEXANDER The second Booke IPhidamantus left his Auditors in such an admiration of the wonders he had related that they were a while unable to breake off that silence they had kept during his discourse At last Almanzaira spoke who not being fully satisfied though she had her eyes fixed on that sonne she so tenderly loved would need make him speake that her soule as well charmed by the eare as by the eye might receive all the contentment it was capable of After Iphidamantus narration said she addressing her to her deare Almanzor It is not hard to guesse at the cause which caus'd you make warre on the King of Morocco Neverthelesse I thinke you will much pleasure the company and particularly the King your father if you will relate to him to me of the most remarkable accidents of your life and in particular thâ—…se which beâ—…ided you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Love made you change the condition of a slave for that of a 〈◊〉 â—…et unable 〈◊〉 refuse any thing to so good a mother and marking besides that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Princesses were on him and joyn'd their requests with Almanzâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 began to â—…nt his Adventures The sole misfortune at my birth 〈◊〉 having 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 pluck'd mee out of the armes of the Queene my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…e at least in appearance lose the love of the best father living I regained in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and fidelity of Almaid part of that which fortune had forced from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 related how he had been brought up by the King and Queene of Beâ—… and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 other particulars you have read in the three former parts of this Story When 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the occasion that made Iphidamantus goe from the Pirates Isle he cast his 〈◊〉 Cydaria and beseeching her humbly to be pleas'd he might acquaint the company to what extremities his affection had brought him thus prosecuted his History When I was left alone for so I may say I was after the departure of Iphidamantus there was nothing that hindered me from continually meditating on the losse of Cydaria she had been constantly in my thought but she was never so there as she was then I fell into such impatiencies as no consideration could moderate and though I had put on a resolution to expect in quiet Hydaspes and Almaid's returne yet was I tempted to abandon the Generall-ship of the Rovers and put my selfe againe in quest of Cydaria After three moneths absence Hydaspes returning he intimated that he had sail'd along all the coasts of Africa landed in all the principall maritime Townes searched all the Isles from the Cape of good Hope even to Denmarke and all in vaine Imagine
Combatants of their devoir the Spaniard gave spurs to his horse and made him start and fly on like lightning Polexander putting on his eagerly and inveloping himselfe as I may say in a cloud of dust rais'd by his horses hoofs met the Spaniard in the midst of the careere and with the extreame shock he gave him bore over horse and man and made him roule two or three turnes on the ground There was not a Lady the Queene excepted but began to cry out for joy our Heroe the meane while attended till the Don was got up who darting fire from his eyes and blaspheming what was most venerable above freed him from his horse and came on with his sword drawne to avenge him on his enemie Polexander to take no advantage alighted and met him with an intent onely to disarme him but the Spaniard made him know he was truely courageous and knew how to die with honour for he would never either confesse himselfe vanquish'd nor aske his life though the blowes he receiv'd from that thundring arme to which no other is to be compared made him feele sufficiently that he must either humble him selfe or die Polexander often drew backe to give him time to thinke of his preservation but perceiving he scorn'd it thought himselfe not bound to value his life more then its master did he therefore let drive so furious a blow on his head piece that cleaving his skull he laid him dead at his feet The affrighted Queene seeing the defender of her extravagances so rigorously chastis'd shot from her eyes as dreadfull flashes as those of comets and commanded eight or ten Knights which were under the window to avenge her on her enemy They were not lesse barbarous then their Princesse but came all cowardly rushing on Polexander who so stoutly receiv'd them that with the three first blowes hee laid two of them along and dead a third he made safe enough for fighting and cast such a terrour among the rest that had he delighted in bloud he might have shed what he had listed without any hazard Hee therefore contented himselfe with the driving those wretches before him and thrusting them to the utmost list of the field the Queene at the sight plai'd the mad woman and ask'd her Ladies who had brought that devill into her-dominion shee that was next to her making a low reverence and humbly beseeching to be heard If your Majestie said she considers nothing but for the present you may beleeve this stranger came hither for no other ends but such as might tend to your disadvantage but if you cast your thoughts on what hath passed and may betide you will confesse that a particular protection from heaven hath sent you this redoubted Knight to avenge you of the cruell Astramadan's tyrannie and to extinguish for ever that bloudy tribute hee exacts from your subjects for the safety of your owne person Tisiphone so was the Queene call'd meditated a while on what the Lady spoke and confessing to her selfe that Polexander's preservation was very behovefull for her shee staid those who were running to the defence of their companions and with her loud and terrible voyce commanding them to lay downe their weapons sent word to Polexander to give over the prosecuting her servants and come presently before her Hee obeyed without disputing that Princesses will and presented himself all arm'd save his head she found him more pleasing in his armour then in the habit of a shepheard and pardoning him the death of the Spaniard and her Knights If said she you will obtain the liberty to love you must avenge me on a Barbarian who by his brutishnesse hath forc'd me to beleeve that Love was a Monâ—…er which perswaded us to nothing but cowardise and villanies Tisiphone strove to sweeten her eyes as she spoke thus and as if she had forgotten what she was made the Ladies which looked oâ—… beleeve that she would not die in the detestation of love Polexander that was otherwise too much amaz'd then to note the Queenes impertinencies promised her all she desired and humbly besought her to hasten as much as possibly she could the occasion in which shee would imploy him and so tooke leave and was by her command put in posssession of the unfortunate Castilians goods and lodgings presently he dispatched Diceus to his ship to bring him thence such necessaries as he wanted to call for Alcippus and to give order to his Pilot to disanchor from the rode where he lay and to ride in that of the palace In lesse then foure houres all this was done and Polexander clothing himselfe according to his birth and the present condition of his fortune made appeare by a pleasing mixture state and magnificence intermingled with sorrow His earnestnesse to acquit him of the promise to Tisiphone scarce giving him leave to breathe he went to her presently after supper she welcom'd him with as smiling a countenance as she could put on and looking on him with an attention which seem'd very strange to the Ladies did a thousand braveries and ingag'd her selfe so farre in a businesse she knew not that she strai'd and was lost without any hope of ever recovering her old way she retir'd much later then she was wont and had not her women advertis'd her of it she had spent the whole night with Polexander Assoone as she was in bed she strove to sleep but she perceiv'd that some I know not what strange thoughts and certaine unknowne desires spight of her heart kept her eyes waking At first she began to grow angry with her selfe and having a spirit as inconstant as malicious shee alter'd her minde a hundred times in an houre went from praises to reproaches and in a word witnessed whether in loving or hating too quickly that she was neither capable of love or hatred When shee perceiv'd her thoughts were resolv'd to keep her awake I will said she traitors as you are which deceive in soothing hinder you well enough from the prolonging your malice I am not so farre from the Port but I can enter againe when I list Retire then ye too importunate gusts and hope not my voyage will be long unlesse the faire gale continue Love who intended to avenge himselfe on this extravagant woman would not terrifie her with these beginnings he gave her the calme she demanded and rais'd not a tempest till she had lost all kenning of the haven She then slept and the next more awaking with an extreame desire of re-seeing Polexander she loaded her selfe with so many jewels that if our Heroe had been covetous he would certainly have found her very amible But being not in humour to remarke ought of faire or foule in Tisiphone he besought her againe to send a defiance to her enemie or be pleas'd himselfe might carry it Tisiphone forg'd excuses to retaine Polexander neere her and whether he would or no oblig'd him to stay seven or eight dayes for the returne of such Heralds
combate for though Polexander were cover'd with wounds and had scarce force to uphold himselfe yet he was constrain'd to renew his forces A woman all dischevel'd entered the lists with a sword in her hand and inciting every one to fall on our Heroe Can you indure my friends cry'd she that the inhumane Tisiphone's Protector shall returne to her with your and my Lord's head But should you prove so cowardly as not to dare revenge him and so ingratefull as to forget the benefits you have receiv'd I alone fill'd with a just resentment will on and inforce from him the soule of this murderer Those words were so powerfull that all they about the barriers which had weapons flew on Polexander and not caring for death forc'd him at last to yeeld to their number Diceus gave then a great proofe of his wonted fidelitie he fought till he was so wounded that he came and fell for dead at his masters feet The multitude was not contented with that revenge but being on a further prosecution saw themselves assail'd by divers troupes which came from the sea-side which flew with fire and sword through all the streetes of the city Those that abode in the field were slaine and the rest which had retir'd themselves into some advantageous places after a little resistance ran the same fortune The ships in the haven were burnt and the towne almost wholly on a fire the flame for the whole night made a new day the better to discover the run-awayes to the cruell prosecution of the vanquisher This succour a little too late for Polexander was conducted by Tisiphone her selfe Love causing in that Furie what crueltie had done in other times She put to sea presently after Polexander and with such forces as she had ready followed him either to make use of his victorie if he overcame or not to over-live him if hee were slaine She landed from her ship by the light of the burning towne and understanding how great a massacre her men had made on those of Astramadan she call'd before her some Inhabitants of the Island which had escap'd the Souldiers furie and question'd what was become of their Prince and the Knight who fought with him They answered that Polexander after he had slaine seven Knights belonging to Astramadan and their master to boote had been assaulted by that Prince's guard and slaine after an incredible resistance No sooner did Tisiphone heare this newes but she caus'd those poor innocents to be taken and their throats cut before her that cruell execution satisfied not her fury she hasten'd to the place of combate and commanded her Souldiers to respect neither sex nor age Palace nor Temple Whilst those barbarous people with a great deale of pleasure executed so horrible a command Tisiphone sought every where for our Heroe but he was not there where she thought to have found him Some little while after Diceus was falne as dead at his masters feet he came to himselfe and though he were exceedingly wounded his affection yet gave him if not strength enough at least courage sufficient to surmount his misfortune and indeavour to serve the King his master Hee at first sight knew him by his armes and plucking him out from many bodies which in dying were falne on him did all his art had learn'd him to see if there were any life left in him for Polexander throwing forth weake fighes and now and then groaning made him conjecture he was yet in case to be assisted Presently hee tooke on the very place some of the earth mollified by the quantity of bloud which had been there shed and clapp'd it on his masters wounds After he saw hee was come to himselfe Sir said he 't is not enough that you live but if possible it may be wee must worke so that your enemies know not of it trie therefore to get hence whilst the tumult the night and distraction gives you some meanes to escape Polexander who knew no more then Diceus of Tisiphone's arrivall thought there was no other fit means for his safety then what Diceus had propounded To make use of it he quitted the remainder of his armour and covering himselfe with certaine skinnes which hee found on some of those he had slaine with a great deale of paine followed Diceus At every foote he ask'd who had set Astramadan's city on fire Diceus who thought on nothing but how to save his master answer'd he knew not and so slincking from the light as much as he could passed through divers companies of men without any the least stay At last he got out of the inflamed towne but taking a way cleane contrary to that of the haven he led Polexander two or three houres through narrow pathes that lay betweene two little hills The losse of bloud constrained the Prince through weaknesse to lay him downe and he had infallibly falne againe into another swoune if Diceus had not given him some graines of an exceeding cordiall composition That faithfull servant thinking his master could bee in no safety whilst hee was in the power of those traitors that had so unworthily wrong'd him went along the shore to see whether he were farre from the haven He had not gone above fifty paces but he met with a pretty broad River which rolling downe head-long from the top of the hill into the sea stopp'd his further passage This obstacle would have almost made him desperate but that he instantly spi'd through the darke a little boat made fast neere the banke of the torrent into it he went and finding there five or six oares thought it not best to neglect a conveniency which was as it were miraculously offered him Backe therefore went he to Polexander and intimating to him that extreame misfortunes aske the like remedies Your good hap said he should it bring you from hence to the Canaries in a simple boate will have wrought no greater miracle then it hath done in preserving your life after the receiving so many wounds and among so many enemies Never then deliberate I beseech you and betide what may give not to the most perfidious of men time to perfect their revenge Polexander arising with a great deale of paine Come said he to Diceus let 's goe since thou wilt have it so and bestow on the sea that body which thou deniest the earth Without any more words he went on and having no other armes then his sword came to the rivers side where entering the boat by the help of his trusty servant and cutting the rope that fastned it the impetuousnesse of the streame bore him farre off into the sea with an extreame swiftnesse At the same time Tisâ—…phone equally transported with griefe and choler for the losse of that Prince and intending to avenge it to the utmost came to the place of combate shee was attended by Amintha Alcippus and other of our Heroe's servants and as if the flame of so many houses had not to her wish cast light enough
question whatsoever Phelismond spoke to him dismissed all the Physitians and thought that dances maskes playes and other sportive pastimes were the best remedies which my new physitian prescribed for my recoverie But that new Leech soone repented him of his counsell for the King imagining that Phelismond would be as able to suppresse my malady as he had judgement to discover it commanded him to be with me as often as he could and intreating I would cast off that melancholy which might be my ruine assured me that if I did but contribute somewhat to part of my health Phelismond's conversation would be able to perfect all the rest thus he parted after he had unwittingly given me so true counsell Phelismond who hath ever kept that respect to his Master as not to abuse his favour staid at my beds-head to shew his obedience and being excellent at the relation of stories was willing to begin one that might divert me and withall relate his fortune but presently I perceiv'd how violently he forc'd himselfe to it and therefore touched with his constraint I stopp'd him at the very first to let him know the excesse of my love by that of my compassion Doe not said I Phelismond force your selfe any more your concent is too deare to me to sacrifice it to my peace I had rather die then to redeeme my self from the grave with the losse of your happinesse leave then when you please the miserable Helismena and seare not that either to be revenged or to be cured she will ever complaine of your crueltie death is most deare to her since she is permitted to tell you that for you she dies Phelismond unable to resist his sweet nature nor the pity I wrought in him shed a torrent of teares before me call'd himselfe a hundred times ufortunate lastly cast himselfe on his knees and speaking to me with a freedome which gave me some satisfaction Madam said he if I may expect from your Highnesse a favour which I deserve not be pleas'd I may discover my thoughts to you and that without coloring either with feare or respect or any other specious falsities the refusall I am bound to make of your love I may say to you that being absolutely anothers I cannot be yours that Queene whose picture hath ravished all the Court possesseth what you desire of me and I should be a traitor if I promised you an affection which is not in my power to give you I confesse my ingagements to the King your father and your incomparable vertues should plucke out of my soule this stranger passion and forcing my inclination make me finde my pleasure in my dutie and what concernes me but Madam what opinion would you have of a man that should be capable of so great an infidelity and what can your Highnesse expect from a heart so remisse and weake as to accommodate his love with his fortune or faithlesse enough to conceive as many desires as there are objects worthie to be coveted Give me leave then Madam to repeate what I lately said and make a protestation which shall be just though it may seeme insolent and 't is that Alcidiana shall be the sole object of my love and that I will sooner die as many times if it be possible as your lawfull indignation can make you wish it rather then I will infranchise my selfe from the glorious servitude wherein my inclination and Alcidiana's vertues have so sweetly inthrall'd me When Phelismond had done I was so ravished at his constancie and generousnesse that it was not in my power either to condemne his resolution or to complaine of the contempt he made of my affection on the contrary I approv'd of them both and seeing that Prince at my feet which seem'd to confesse himselfe guiltie and ask'd me pardon for his offence Love Alcidiana said I since heaven will have it so and because 't is there decree'd too permit Helismena to love you Phelismond arose from before my bed-side so pusled and divided betweene his love and mine that I doubt not but in himselfe he thought him very unhappie that he could not absolutely become at my disposall and solely mine This inabilitie was the cause of my recoverie for I tooke comfort in my misfortune by knowing that the author of it was no lesse afflicted for it then my selfe and I thought that in his intimation of his impossibilitie of loving me he made knowne to me a new kinde of love whereof till then I was altogether ignorant Assoone as I had recovered my strength and was permitted to leave my chamber I appear'd in Court with that same cheerfulnesse which had before time got me the name of the delight of Denmarke for all that I was secretly fed on by my passion but I conceal'd it very warily for feare lest Phelismond should be thereby anew discontented and though there scarse passed a day wherein I spent not at least two houres in bewailing with teares apart the misfortunes of my life yet in publike I appeared so pleasant that Phelismond himselfe was deceiv'd aâ—… it and beleev'd time had absolutely cured me To that extremitie was I brought when you came to fight with Phelismond his defeature mightily afflicted me and but for his consideration which retained me I had wrought my father's choler to higher violence then it ran then It may be you are yet ignorant of the person who wonne him to violate the faith he had given you and made him so wilfully bent to your ruine I would have you know Polexander that my desire to revenge the affront you had done my love mademe imploy all my credit and power for your destruction The King who hath alwayes beene a great observer of his word was a very long time before he would hearken to the reasons I alledged against you but I so pli'd him on all sides and gave him so many severall assaults that he was forc'd to yeeld hereupon your death was resolv'd on but when I understood that Phelismond grew inraged at your ill treatment and had therefore pluck'd off all that which had been appli'd to his wounds of purpose to undoe himselfe my desire to preserve him kept me from perfecting your ruine I dexterously therefore put a new face on all businesse and had lesse trouble to obtaine your pardon from the King my father then I had in getting him to signe a warrant for your death When I was inform'd that Phelismond affected you I slack'd my hatred and turned all my choler on Alcidiana No said I to my self I will never indure that any poore pettie Princesse who for all her Territories hath but a little shelfe or rocke knowne only by the shipwracke of some unfortunate mariners should be so overweening as to esteeme of the most excellent of men no otherwise then as of one incivilis'd and unworthy either to breathe or to serve her Presumptuous Alcidiana said I as if she had beene present thy insolence will ruine thee and if Phelismond
the respect which Ambition and Impiety would have robb'd them of Let us on then said I my brethren and friends and forgetting all of us our owne interests labour for the glory of our great Master That very day I took leave of mine Hermitage and the blessed Ghost of the holy Hermit and imbarquing my selfe in the Vessell of the Sun happily arriv'd in this Island Here was I receiv'd by all the Clergy as some great Saint and install'd with a great deale of ceremony in the dignity of Soveraigne Sacrificator Since I exercis'd this charge I have seen the catalogue of all the Princes and Nations which have used to visit the Temple of the Sun and noting that the Princes of the Inaccessible Island came hither to celebrate the sacrifice of Alliance whereof we have spoken I not onely more lamented then ever your losse but I let my selfe fall into mutterings and speeches injurious to that Providence But it hath out of pitie and infinite wisdome subverted them and rendring me that blisse which I thought utterly lost ingaged me to convert my griefes and lamentations into thanksgivings Alter Alcippus had thus ended his discourse he humbly besought his Master to let him know how he fell into the hands of the King of Gheneoa Diceus said Polexander will at leasure informe you of all that The businesse is now to take order how I must hereafter demeane my selfe in this Island Alcippus having confirm'd him in all that Pisander had related touching the arrivall of Alcidiana's ship and made known the facility of sending to that Princesse for his being inroll'd in the number of her Slaves intreated he would not discover himselfe to any but expect with patience the houre of his good fortune Polexander approving Alcippus advice retir'd to his chamber as privately as he came thence When he was laid instead of sleeping he began to muse on the contentment he was to receive at his up-rising But as if his memorie had been jealous of his satisfaction though it was but imaginary it represented to him Alcidiana's anger farre greater and more mortall then it was and bringing him to meditate on that bloudy Declaration she had publish'd against his life made him conceive that he could not without disobeying her dare to set foot on the Inaccessible Island With that thought crying out as if hee had indeed committed some execrable crime Let me perish said hee since Alcidiana commands it nor let me by any subterfuge dispense with the necessitie of dying since the Lawes of this Temple ingage mee to it Throw in againe Alcippus throw in againe the ball to the vessell of death and doe not betray thy conscience for the sparing of a life which I cannot lose too soone since Alcidiana will not have it last any longer But may be thou wilt say You but little know that Princesses intention Those things which she hath made publick are different from those she retaines in private Her thoughts are not altogether answerable to her words You must interpret Alcidiana by Alcidiana and beleeve that she hath not pronounc'd the sentence of death against you for any other end then that she might have cause to make you sensible of her pitie Amintha and Pallante have said that you cannot doubt of Alcidiana's goodnesse without obliging her to doubt of your fidelity 'T is true Alcippus I have infallible testimonies of that Princesses favour If her Edicts affright me her thoughts re-assure me if I see my death in the one I meet my life in the other Let us therefore cast off all kind of settled will and resting in a generall indifferencie as to our selves goe and heare from the mouth of our Judge whether we must live or die With this resolution Polexander fell asleep and it caus'd it so soundly that the Sun was got far above the Hemisphere before he awak'd Diceus who durst not make any noise was as long in bed too But assoon as hee heard his Master stirre he arose and came and drew his curtaine Friend said the Prince wee doe ill observe the diligence prescrib'd us If our superiours come to know what we are doing and find us yet in bed I doubt we shall receive sharp reprehensions from them Your Majesty may give them leave to talk repli'd Diceus and laugh at the severity of a government under which you are so little while to live Thou sayest true said Polexander smiling Therefore help me up and expose me not to a displeasure which I may avoid Hee was no sooner clad but the usuall cry obliged him to goe to the common Hall There he found the King of Gheneoa's Embassadors which came to take their leave and to aske him in the name of their Master whether hee were fully resolv'd to persevere in the service of the Sunne and Alcidiana After Polexander had imbrac'd them all one after another Relate said he to the King your Master that I am more obliged to him then he can imagine and ere it be long I will send to give him thanks proportionable to the favours I have received The Embassadors tooke their leaves with teares in their eyes and went presently to imbark themselves with all the Pilgrims Assoon as the guards of the Isle saw they were out of sight the chiefe Priest with his Clergie and all the Slaves went to the Temple to make their accustomed prayers for the good successe of the Pilgrims voyage That day Alcippus had a long discourse with Polexander and ingaged Diceus to related to him in particular the adventures which had betided their Master since hee was left for dead in the Island of Astramadan Diceus forgot nothing in his relation but gave Alcippus so many new causes of astonishment that he could not chuse but cry out O great Prince by whose valour we see renewed againe the true age of the ancient Hero's what thanks and Altars doest thou owe to the Power that hath rais'd thee so high above all other Princes For a whole moneth intire Polexander Alcippus and Diceus did nothing every night but entertaine themselves with their adventures and prepare for the happy day whereon Alcidiana's ship was to be descri'd on the coasts of the Island of the Sun The very day they expected her there was a great Vessell by them discover'd which came steering the course from Alcidiana's Island The guards gave notice of it to the chiefe Priest and after the wonted ceremonies done they caus'd the ship to enter the Port. Those who were within her confusedly got to shore and thereby made the guard suspect somewhat Yet their habit of Pilgrims re-assuring them they brought them to the entry to the Temple But by chance one of the Priests being there and judging by their wilde and curst looks that they hid some wicked designe under their devout habit had the curiositie to come neerer and view them better But his prying cost him his life for those disguis'd theeves perceiving they were discover'd inhumanely murdered the
sacred Island to visit the principall Courts of Africa and Europe and to cause that wondrous portraict to be there ador'd which without doubt participates somwhat with the miracles of its originall But a tempest tooke me in that long traverse of sea which is betweene the Island of the Sunne and the kingdome of Senega divers dayes was I in danger to be cast away at last committing my selfe to Fortune I was desirous to see what shee was able to doe ' Shee was not ingratefull for my confidence but brought me happily in to that Island made famous even to the extremities of the earth by the valour of Bajazet that Prince's reputation obliged me to discover to him the treasure I was intrusted withall but he had no sooner seen your Majesties picture then he cry'd out that art was gone beyond all that nature could possibly produce Iblam'd his incredulity and told him that art had been but a most imperfect imitator of nature My exclamation reply'd Bajazet is an effect of my astonishment not of my misbeliefe I make no question but Alcidiana is far fairer then this picture shewes her and if to confirme me in this opinion you had need of another witnesse then your selfe there is a Prince in this Island that would not denie you his testimonie A Prince said I and what Prince Never any but Polexander had the happinesse of seeing Alcidiana May be 't is of him I speak reply'd Bajazet with that Polexander came and imbrac'd me and kissing the chains I wore Thou feest said he O happy Pallantus the deplorable Polexander whom fortune not onely declares unworthy of re-seeing thy divine Princesse but also of bearing the markes of her servitude I answered him in such a fashion that he perceiv'd well hee had offended you and that the punishment of absence was but a part of those to which you had coâ—…demn'd him Hereat not able almost to refraine from teares Tell me said he deare Pallantus the most cruellest of my destinie and let me know what punishment Alcidiana's just anger reserves for my temeritie I thereupon intimated the just causes your Majestie had to make him feele the effects of your choler and after that declaration shewed him the other which you had made against his life with a great deale of respect he read it kiss'd it often and made shew to me of a great deale of joy for his ill fortune because it was your pleasure I would presently have departed but Bajazet having run a hazard of being slaine by one of his pirates I thought my selfe bound before I set saile to see the successe of his wound assoone as I was confident of his life I tooke leave of Polexander and the Princes which accompanied him he left me not till I was imbark'd and when he saw he must needs leave me Know said he my dear Pallantus that my miserie is increased by the hopes which thou hast given me and if ever thy good fortune bring thee backe againe to that blessed place where thy divine Princesse raignes tell her that thou hast left the wretched Polexander on the point of finishing by some new kind of death the incredible torments which his absence inflicts upon him 'T is not that which you promis'd me I reply'd nor doe you expect that I speake of you to our great Queene if you persevere not in the resolution of â—…ffering for her I will doe it then said Polexander since 't is for her glory and husbanding my life in the extremity of my affliction will not put in any hazard but whilst I am forc'd to it by the desire of re-seeing the incomparable Alcidiana After he had thus spoke he imbrac'd me againe and return'd where he was expected in the meane time driven by a favourable gale I sail'd along the coasts of Africa and cast anchor in the port of Morocco The Princes which raign'd there entertained me with all manner of civilitie which the name and picture of your Majestie imperiously exacts from the most barbarous minds From thence I sail'd into Spaine and came to Lisbone to make your portraict admir'd by all the Court of Portugall After I had gotten you a great many adorers there I tooke my course Northerly I saw France England Scotland and upon some newes brought me as I was going out of that great gulf which is commonly called the Scottish sea I sail'd into Denmarke where I saw that famous Phelismond whom your Majesties picture and indignation have rais'd to the highest point of honour At that word Alcidiana interrupting him said coldly I think some body hath heretofore spoken to me of that rash man but never made mention of him without relating to me the advantages which Polexander got on him 'T is true Madam reply'd Pallantus Polexander had the better of him in the combate he undertooke for your quarrell but if that generous Prince may be beleeved 't was not his valour but your Majesties anger which conquered Phelismond And indeed since that time that Prince by a thousand glorious actions hath made knowne to the world that he sprung from the bravest bloud which ever formed Kings It hath been told me said the Queene 't was one of unknowne birth on whom Fortune and the King of Denmark's fantasticall humour were desirous to practice all that they were able to produce 'T is truth Madam answered Pallantus that at first the King of Denmarke divided his authoritie with him and not content to see him the second person in his kingdome even before his death plac'd the Crowne on his head But why deferre I so long time the giving your Majestie a contentment whereof you must be extreamly sensible Be pleas'd Madam to know that Phelismond is your brother Sonne of the great Alcidus your father and of a Princesse who but for her Uncles tyrannie and the usurpation of an English Earle had been seated on the Throne of England At these unexpected and incredible newes Alcidiana stood still and earnestly regarding Pallantus To what end said she tell you me these fables What you say cannot be and put case it is so how are you sure of it I am so certaine of it reply'd Pallantus that if this be not there is nothing true in all the events which carry any thing of extraordinary with them Thereupon he related the loves of Alcidus and Phelismonda their flight into Scotland the death of the wife the affliction of the husband the birth of Phelismond the retreat of Thamiris into Denmark and generally all that we have written touching the adventures of that admirable Favorite and the love of the Danish Princesse Next he recounted how Polexander being driven into a desolate Island there met with that Princesse and learnt from her the cause why she had abandon'd her fathers Kingdome At last said he Helismena hearing of Phelismond's change imbarked her selfe with the Embassadors that Prince had sent towards your Majestie and had the happinesse that after two moneths saile she safely
lastly for the preservation of him which it had sent for their defence After she had ended her praier all the people confirm'd it by their acclamations and applauses and so went out of the Temple blessing the Queen and waited on her to the Palace with such testimonies of affection as were farre beyond all that had preceeded As she entred the second Court of her palace Diceus who had plotted that action with his Master presented himselfe and humbly besought her to have pity on a Canarian who had lately escap'd out of the Spanish fleet Alcidiana was so troubled and diverted that shee took no heed to what the man said But Amintha who attended her thought she should know the Supplicant and staid to look on him Ah madam said Diceus if the memorie of a personage whom you have somtimes affected be yet deare to you have compassion on that miserable estate whereto his losse hath reduc'd me Amintha knowing Diceus by his voice better then by his countenance and unable to suppresse that violent passion which she alwaies had in any thing concerning Polexander How Diceus cri'd shee art thou yet alive Arise and follow me Alcidiana at Amyntha's noise turned her head and saw the Lady talking to Diceus but not imagining whom he might be kept on her way and retir'd to her chamber where she presently â—…eil on a Couch and commanding all to withdraw fell to her usuall reveries An houre after she awoak and call'd Amintha They told her she was gone Let her be fetch'd hither said she and after that Commandement fell again into her former imaginations Amintha came presently after and approaching the Queen your Majestie said she may be knowes not the man who this morning fell at your feet The Queen answering that shee had not taken notice of him 'T was said Amintha that faithfull servant of Polexander who was only with him when he was murthered by Astramadans Subjects He was about to tell me in what manner hee escaped after his Masters death and by what accident hee arriv'd in this Island when your Majestie vouchsafed the honour to send for mee At these words Alcidiana coming as it were out of a deep sleep How said she is Diceus here O you thou lov'st me Amyntha let me see him The recitall he will make me of his Masters death will serve me for a great diversion A sad and dismall diversion replid ' Amyntha I doe not think Diceus can relate any thing more particularly to you then I have done 'T is all one said the Queen I shall be glad to see him and hear the reproaches he will throw on me for the death of his Master Hee hath been too well bred repli'd Amintha to take such libertie as shall not please you I am in such an humour said the Queen that whatsoever he shall say will not be able to displease me Therefore without losing more time let me see him With that Amintha making a low reverence went out of the chamber and calling for a Squire commanded him to go call Diceus The Squire obey'd the command and Diceus presently after entring the Queenes chamber Amintha brought him where she lay Alcidiana trembled at his sight and finding her selfe more troubled thâ—…n she thought she could be Alas poor Diceus said she thy Master is then dead Diceus continuing on his kneees though the Queen bad him arise Madam said he my Master dy'd because your Majestie thought his life was not worth the preserving Neither his life nor death depended on my will repli'd the Queen The will of your Majestie said Diceus hath alwayes had more power over him then that soveraign law on which depends the destinie of all other men It seemes then by what thou saiest answered the Queen that thou wouldst make me guiltie of thy Masters death Heaven said Diceus who can make us immortall was never accus'd but by blasphemers for confining the course of our life to so short a date Nor hath the King my Master who alwaies look'd on you though not as a Deity yet as its living image otherwise then with a benediction receiv'd the sentence of death you pronounc'd against him And the last time he did me the honour to speake to me Diceus said he let my death come when it will I will take it for a speciall favour from heaven since 't is the onely thing iâ—… left me whereby I may witnesse my obedience to the greatest Queen in the world Alas repli'd the Queen how knew he that I bore so great a hatred to his life Hee hâ—…d read it quoth Diceus in the declaration which Pallantus shew'd him in the Pirates Island but he read it more clearly in the effects of your anger I mean by the warre which nature her-selfe had denounc'd against him and by the ill successe of â—…ll the voyages he undertook to have the happinesse of continuing to you the testimonialls of his most humble Servitude I should condemne my Declaration answered the Queen though it were justly done if it hastened the death of your Master But 't was his valour and not Alcidiana that slew him Hee thought himselfe immortall as he was invincible and judging of his enemies by himselfe imagin'd there was none base enough to commit a murther Hee had too much loved life said Diceus or to speake better he had been as he was the superstitious observer of your commands if he had thought on the preservation of a life which he knew pleas'd you not He is dead Madam and died the more happily since he was perswaded in dying he should give you a strong and unquestionable proofe of the greatnesse of his love and obedience These last words touch'd Alcidiana to the heart so that spight of her selfe she sigh'd and feeling her teares in her eies turn'd her head towards Amintha that her too lively resentment might not be perceiv'd Assoon as her amorous teares were wip'd off she beganne again and would know of Diceus by what meanes he sav'd himselfe after the death of his Master I will not relate to your Majestie said he for what cause the King my Master came to the Isle of Astramadan Amintha was by when he was ingag'd to sight with him and I doubt not but she hath entertain'd your Majestie with it I will therefore content my selfe with the narration of the most strange and diversified Combate that ever was seen since weapons have been us'd He related how Polexander had sent to defie Astramadan with how many Knights he had to do till he came to haâ—…die stroakes with the Gyant in brief all that which we have descri'd at large heretofore But when he came to that part wherein we spoke of Tisiphone's arrivall and the firing of Astramadans City I had said he to the Queen the honour that day to serve my Master in the place of his Squire and to doe somewhat worthy my new quality assoon as the Tyrants Guard assail'd the King I fell in amongst them and wâ—…s so