Matie we impose a penance upoÌ„ you for your oversight and this it shal be that henceforth you neither speake nor think of that you account your fault and to helpe you in obeying my commands I must intreat you to keep your mind and tongue for a time busied in telling me what befel you in your travel since our being at Corinth and do it not so niggardly as if you meant to conceale what fame hath so largely blowne abroad yet if you were expos'd at anie time to much danger dwell not there too long least I forget I have you heere Most deere Ladie said Amphialus to conforme my selfe to your last request would make me disobedient to your first command Shall I begin with my departure from you alas at vvhat time should I more imploy my memorie speech in discoverie of my faultie selfe than now But I see your eies begin to take anger into them I will no longer insist on mine owne accusation Know therefore most constant Ladie that accompanied onely with Fidutio my Page when I had past the limits of your dominion at that time of day wheÌ„ the high mounted Sunne makes least shadowes wearied with travell and desirous of some shelter from the Sunnes violent rayes I laid my selfe under the protection of an Olive tree thinking to set my mutinous thoughts at peace but it would not beâ— these outward signes could not appease the furie of an inward enemie Thus I lay deerly purchasing the little ease of my bodie with the affliction of my minde untill mine eares like faithfull servants desirous to end this dissension between their Master and himselfe caus'd all the powers of my mind to joine in attentivenes and mine eies loath to be out-gone in such good offices did look that vvay from vvhence the noise came where I might discerne sixe men arm'd on horseback carrie a faire Ladie vvith them vvhose teares out-cries vvell shew'd her indispositioÌ„ to that journey This sight mov'd compassioÌ„ in me pittie brought a desire to help her distresse but my horse devining belike my intent unwilling to leave his food could by no meanes be taken so that madd vvith anger I began to repeat over all the misfortunes that ever had befaln me to let this know it wanted no fellowes when there came posting that way one whoÌ„ by his hast â— I ghest to have been of the companie gone before Of him I intreated to know what fault could be so heinous that might take away the name of injurie froÌ„ so unmanly a violence as they offred to so beauteous a Ladie but he with a scornfull silence smil'd would be goneâ— and so perhaps he might had not the narrownes of the vvay his courteous horse that vvould not tread upon me compel'd him to stay Whereat his anger burst forth into these threats Villain thy vvant of armour shall not excuse thee from a death wilfully drawn upon thee and though there be no glorie there will be satisfaction in thy overthrowe Then drawing his horse a little backe he lighted without further complement runnes towards me but his furie broght him too hastily to his death for thinking belike his threatning mouth was able to defend it selfe he forgot to put by my sword that by good fortune was laid in his way so justly his death entred at his mouth whose life I think vvas in his tongue At his fall Fidutio came in vvho helping to fit on the armour of vvhich we had disfurnisht this unserviceable knight I mounted on his horse that seem'd to have regarded my hast more than mine owne and riding on the spurre I overtook my companie for so they vvould needs make themselves saluting me by the name of their frieÌ„d Satibarsis But their better observance soone put them out of that opinion so as ghessing indeed rightly that I had kil'd Satibarsis by that mean got his armour without desire to be further then by their owne conjecture satisfied they join'd all hands in his revenge But the Ladies cause vvas just whose rescue I came too the all-seeing provideÌ„ce that vvould not see justice overlai'd fought for me And now five of them had either receiv'd their wel-deserved paimeÌ„t of death or vvere kept by their wounds from further opposition vvhen the sixt who all this time had held Ladie and lookt on seeing my hand vvhose vveakenesse had left such presidents of the effects of a good cause now set against him alone took his prisoner by the hair with his sword gave her a deep wouÌ„d in the neck That inhumane act vvould have giveÌ„ desire to the most barbarous power of revenge to the most cowardly but he as if he meant to save me a labour making hast that their vvarme bloud should meet with the same sword runnes himselfe thorow dying as just a ludge as he was a traiterous offendor Amazement would have fixt mine eies upon him but the La vvound brought them to her succour Experience on my selfe made me skilfull and my faire patient officious so that tying up the wound for some time I â—tanch't the bloud Shee in meane time with her vvatrie eies bent to heaven-ward heartily praying for my good fortune manie times thanking her destinie that with her death had ended the miseries of her ever-dying life When I had done comforting her as I thought with my opinion of her safetie I intreated to know her name the cause of this injurie done to her No no replied she Courteous straÌ„ger the comfort of my neer-comming death in spite of the torment the memorie of my most vvretched life puts me too brings this cheerfulnesse I now present in my lookes though the least delay of my end is accompanied with a vvorld of sorrowes yet I am glad for satisfaction of your demand my breath is a while preserv'd My name is Leaucade the onely daughter to Count Brunio a man of large possessions in this countrie whom you may well think because in expectation of his lands manie sued for those not of the meanest esteeme but my carelesnesse of love had taught me such a carriage that further then of the favour of my courtesie of which they did all indifferently partake none could boast And this till about a yeare since was my daily practise disdaining as most that have not known it do so ridiculous a passion as I then esteem'd love At which time this Fluento vvhose happie hand hath done us both right came to my fathers Courtâ— a neighbour Prince with vvhom for incroaching upon the bounds of his territorie my father hath had much dissention But a reconcilement being made betweene them and both alike thinking the best meanes to perseâ—er in amitie were to have us two join'd in marriage without my knovvledge as iâ— it vvere fit I should be a stranger to their proceedings determine of the match But alas sir at this time I was so far from being at their dispose that I was not
no such mischiefe should after happen They well weighing whence it arose being fully satisfied by the Oracle enact this law That neyther private nor publick respect shall detaine a virgin from revealing her love if her friends or pareÌ„ts thinks another then she hath chosen more fit for her the combate between them two shall determine the Gods pleasure How unwilling I was to hazzard my Persidas in this triall love that bleeds in the thought of a danger can best assure you but his earnestnesse that it might be so and the hard constraint that it could not be otherwise won me to it The day therefore being appointed Fluento upon whoÌ„ Fame the flatterer of greatnesse had pin'd the opinioÌ„ of valour entred the lists mounted on a bay Courser whose armour all over represented a greene Plaine through which ran little rivelets of bloud that sprung froÌ„ the wounds of manie Centaures dispearc't over all the field In his shield he bore the counterfeit of Hercules Deianira with this word â—ndeer'd by Conquest From him my Persidas drew the eyes hearts of all the company his horse was a fierie sorrell his armour like the azure skie curiously spotted with manie starres vvhose glimpse the vvell set Diamonds by reflection of the Sun represented shewed as if night had flowen thither to end in that assembly some controversie betweene her her brother In his shield he caus'd Andromada and Perseus to be ingraven vvith this vvord Never too deerly bought But I must hasten to the event said she for long I finde you may not enjoy your Historian Know therefore that my Persidas contenting himself only with the victorie vvhen he might have taken wo is me that he vvas so mercifull Fluento's life vvas accepted by my father for his sonne in law good fortune as I then thought changing my husband not my day of marriage In meane time Fluento repining at his disgrace and desirous even upon the basest teaâ—mes to be revenged plotted a treacherie unheard of against him This morning having before heard we were to hunt in this forrest Fluento with that companie your valor hath brought to their deserved ends lay in wait for us and when my selfe my Persidas Count Bruniâ— my father and the rest having followed the chase were left alone behold these bloudie villaines coÌ„ming unawares upon him with manie vvounds sent hiâ— soule to that place vvhither mine hoping to finde a more lasting union in that life then our loves hath found in this doth also hasten with this word her dull languishing eyes began to roll as if they strove to reserve motioÌ„ in spite of death yet raising her selfe a little her love found breath to say this Let me be buried by my Persidas and so grasping my hand as it vvere to put me in mind of her last words alas she dyes But manie teares I could not have bestowed as obsequies upon her vvhen some of her fathers traine vvho by chance crossing that way vvhere Persidas lay dead guided by Fidutio who vvith their helps had now taken my horse came to this place to whom vvhen I had related all vvhat I learn'd from Leaucade of Persidas his death together vvith her last vvill vvee all join'd hands in carrying her to the next village vvhither also certaine of their fellowes vvhom they had left behinde to that end conveyed the bodie of Persidas from whence soone after Count Brunio having begg'd of griefe a little respite of life to fulfill his daughters testament brought them both with all funerall pomp to his chiefe citie Coniga vvhere he â—aus'd a stately Tombe to be built for them on which this Epitaph vvas ingraven Love Beauty Valour when their death drew nye Consulted long where they should buried lye At length with one consent they hastned hither And chose this place to be intomb'd together Leaving the wofull kingdom of Argos no better accoÌ„panied then with Fidutio yet better guarded by Satibarsis armor my sorrow I think that bore infection with it made all places where I came fit stages for tragedies for descending unto a green valley where of each side the rocky mountains threatned the humble earth with the frowns of their downe-cast browes I might see a young man leaning with both hands on his sword breathing as overtoyl'd with labour and round about him foure or five cast prostrate at his feete who vvere dead or thoght their counterfeiting so to be vvould prove their best defence against this young mans furie But the clashing of my armor had no â—ooner made known my approach then he came running towards me uttering vvords whereby I might gather his quarrell to me brought the excuse of mistake with it Not to draw on therfore his misconceived opinioÌ„ that his breathlesse companions did witnes would be dangerous for me Sir replyed I I am so farre from maintaining their cause vvhose revenge upon a lone man being so manie mine owne eyes do perswade me vvas injurious that had I come at the beginning of your fight though this event shewes I should but have rob'd you of part of the honour of this action I vvould have joyn'd my selfe to you Alas sir said he to oppose your selfe against me though it vvere the more unjust would be the most secure vvay for vvhat you see is but a fore-runner of a certain destructioÌ„ soon at hand Leave me therfore courteous â—ir seek for safety death to me is so gratefull that I envie you should be a partner in so great a gaine But it were a fault unpardonable to have abandoned the most accomplisht man that ever mine eyes before that time beheld my resolution therefore though hard against his will must have prevail'd vvith him so that intreating to know the cause of his former fight further doubt I found his courtesie as forward in the relation of his own danger as it was obstinate in the care of my safetie Sir said he seeing my storie will be but a heape of misfortunes I shall do wel to lay the foundatioÌ„ my selfe then vvhom the Sunne looks not upon a more miserable creature My name is Cariâ—lio nephew by his brother Castor to the king of Natolia brought up in my youth in the good opinion of my uncle and the great expectation of manie Fortune then belike proroguing my miseries until a more serious age should make me more sensible of themâ— vvhich time had no sooner brought on but that my ill fate to traine me up for the burden of the mischiefe that vvas prepar'd for me began by little little to make me acquainted with the course I vvas to run first taking away my father vvhose vertuous age deserved if that may be thought a recompence for desert a longer time in this life vvhen he vvas dead that the slipperie steps of my rash youth vvanted the stay of his fatherly advice presently not knowing vvhat one mans hands I should put the raynes of my then unbridled youth into and yet well
received the honour due to his victorie At these newes Plangus causing the reporter to be safely kept giving to his vvearied souldiers som time to refresh themselves afâ—er the toile endur'd in their last daies travell an houre before day rightly imagining the aire vvas then apt to disperse a dull â—leepinesse among Plexertus carelesse souldiers he calls his Troupes together setting before them the easines of the victorie the riches of the Camp and the necessitie of the time he did incourage them with the repetitioÌ„ of their former conquest in Amasia the justnesse of their cause the fame oâ— their enterprise and then presently disposing of them for his most advantage he sets upon his enemie who dream'd of nothing but securitie But what should I fright you most deare Ladie vvith the particulars of this fight It will suffice you know that Plangus doing things in his own person past the power of expression made a bloudy slaughter among them Som few there vvere that escaped among vvhom Plexertus fortune being alway indulgent to mischiefe found in the speed of his horse a dishonourable safeguard for his wretched life This tâ—mult being soone perceiv'd by the citizens vvhom sorrow made vvatchfull and the well-knowne treacheries of Plexertus suspicious they as soon imagined this vvas a practise of his contrarie to his faith giveÌ„ to sack the town This once conceited it seemed by the hideous cryes and confused lamentations that as sorrow had put on the vizzard of night to make griefe ugly so black night had borrowed the mouth of sorrow to implore compassion The people leaving their vvalls and houses ran to their Temples and Altars offering up as they thought their last devotions to their Gods Nor did this mistake bring forth the effect of mistrust onely in the Citie the Campe had likewise this feare added to their present misfortune for Plexertus souldiers like Satyres frighted with the sound of the horne themselves blow thinking the Vantguard of the enemie had entred the towne and caus'd this confusion durst not venture to make themselves maisters of it But betweene both unable to determine of a meane of safetie stood fixt in a stupid irresolution Meane time Aurora vvearie of aged Titons bed began to vvarne Phebe of her brothers approach vvhen Erona vvho had set downe in her setled judgement a death vvorthie the greatnesse of her birth now first giving eare to the cryes of the citizens misdoubting the same false measure they expected not long after hearing a man arm'd comming up the staires to her lodging she took a poysoned cuppe long before for that end prepar'd and making hast lest she should be made a present to the proude Conqueror the vvicked Plexertus shee dranke more then halfe vvhen her eyes met with the eyes of Plangus who infortunate Gentleman desirous to be the messenger to Erona of Erona's freedome had made â—his hast The sight of Plangus stay'd her full draught a while but unable to satisfie her selfe how he might come thither she began to imagine that it was the force of the poyson which dimm'd her eyes and plac't the character of Plangus ever present to her minde upon each object With this thought she vvas readie to begin againe vvhen Plangus falling at her feet let her know the event of so manie dangers undergone for her Whereat Erona being much astonished lifting him up from the ground thus said Prince Plangus you come in a fit time to receive a heartie vvelcome and as heartie a farewell What I meane by this leave-taking alas you vvill too soone know now suffer me only at such a time vvhen the end vvill assure you I did not flatter speake a few vvords I would have you beleeve yet I am sorrie for your sake I have practis'd such a meane to vvorke a beleefe in you True it is most excellent Plangus nor let that truth accuse me of inconstancie that since the death of Antiphilus whose memorie even at this time is deere to me though at first the excesse of sorrow had clos'd up my mind from the thought of a second choyse yet enforc't by your desert and to reward mine own love in rewarding your desires I vvas resolv'd to satisfie you and make my self happie but my envious Fate finding the times fit to cause me to despair hath made your selfe the instrument to barre our hopes for ever Deere Erona replyed the Prince what may there now be that the most partiall judgement can equall to the excesse of content Plangus enjoyes in the welfare of his free and loving Erona For this I have pay'd the mercifull heavens the tribute of my vowes teares to this harbour through the Sea of griefe having imbarqu't my carefull love in the ship of my desire I have alway bent my course shall I now vvhen my vvishes be at anchor in so secure a haven feare fortune No no most deere Ladie you are the life and being of vvhat I only esteeme happie Alas Plangus said the sweet Erona the testimonies of your love have beene so manie that I feare and only feare they vvho have heard your undeserved affection and are not present at this my dying protestation will for ever record together with my want of judgement my injurie to your vertues Your dying protestation said Plangus affright not my soule with such hâ—avie news Long may you live the Fates must be indulgent to your youth and beautie And perhaps said she so they might had not my selfe hastened Clotho to cut in two the halfe-spun threed of my life And then she let him know how to prevent the tortuâ—es and disgraces Artaxia's indignation had prepar'd for her seeing the citie brought to that desperate state in which he found it and thinking himselfe to have beene an officer sent by Plexertus to bring her before him she had poysoned her selfe Plangus at these last words with a fixt look upon Erona as if his eyes would for ever dwel there indenting his hands suffering them to fall down or rather not able to stay them sinkes to the ground and was a while happie in this excesse of sorrow that made him senslesse of all sorrow Erona would have forc't her selfe to help him but this sight join'd with the inward working of the poyson constrain'd her to beare him companie in his happie forgetfulnesse of his misfortunes But when by the help of her women her senses were restor'd that my endevours wrought the same effect on Plangus as if this had beene but griefes dumb show Alas excellent Prince said she what unexpected effects hath the speech of my death brought forth and yet though I were silent I beleeve these deadly signes in mine eieâ— this trembling in my full-swolne veynes the often set and rise of the blood in my cheekes would expresse it But my Plangus should you whom the world is proude of take it so to heart Erona loves you why so may a more deserving Ladie yet Plangus remember me
knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is