their own weapons and the Gods would have made them all dye so had they not been willing to have afforded some glory to your valour On on O valorous take to heart the teares of Dianea my entreaties and your own reputation Make a slaughter of these impious ones kill them for they would do the same to you if your virtue would permit them To take a Prisoner is to adde an impediment to you and to save enemies Spoiles will not be wanting to you These words being ended which were attended by a felicious shout of all the Souldiers he marched against the Thracians who being got out of the Lists were put into that order which seare danger and the shortnesse of the time would permit them Dorcone on the other side inanimating and exhorting his said See to what termes your particular angers have reduced you Now by a generall resolution repaire that honour which in the opinion of men would be hardly censured of by reason of your rage Although the past misfortune hath swept away a great part of our Souldiers we are neverthelesse yet the more in number They would not have had the boldnesse to have affronted us without the advantage of our own differences They have been invited by us having built their hopes uponour ruine Perhaps you beleeve the Cretans will venture their lives for an old man repleat with ingratitude That they will dye without hope of reward They will hardly make triall of your force but they will supplicate us for pardon If you have nor the heart to defend your selves you will be necessitated to dye basely We are encompassed by enemies We must conquer or dye Call to mind your victories and that you are in the presence of your King who hath returned from all battels with honour These and other words the Thracian used to encourage them The fight begun the two Kings of Creete and Thracia defended their right Wings The left of the Thracians was maintained by the Duke of Nicopolis whilest the opposite was commanded by the Count of Cornia of the bloud Royall and who among the Chiefetaines of Creete held the first place Both the Armies fell to it with such an impetuousnesse that the desperation of the Thracians was very easily discerned and the boldnesse of the Cretensians Ire from it selfe presented miserable speeches Every thing was slaughter every thing demonstrated death horribly Dead bodies were seen in heaps in mountaines without distinction either of their dignity or merit The wounded fell upon the dead and before they could dye they had the horrour to see the destruction of a Parent or a friend Many unburied bodies the living buried Bloud fell in so great an abundance that the Souldiers could not keep their feet The Count of Cornia shewed proofes worthy truly of his valour opening a way through the thickest with the genuine fiercenesse of his heart He encountred the Duke of Soitone He turned upon him willing to Nobilitate his Victories by the death of some remarkable Person He strook him with two redoubled blowes upon the Helme while not being able to resist such a force gave way to the Iron to enter making almost his life to follow them The Count called out to his to strip him but being treacherously wounded in the Flank by the Baron of Achialo hee was enforced to fall with such a Resentment of his that they killed the Duke not yeelding to take him Prisoner for the which hee used all Importunity promising Mountaines of gold Astidamo hearing of the death of the Count became in such wise encruellized that neither Prayers nor Lamentations had power to move him to pitty Shields and Helmets had no more resistance against his sword then if they were of Glasse Every stroke fell'd to the Earth or kill'd By his look and voice he drove the souldiers before him who equally dreaded his menaces and strength And for the most part when his Sword fell upon them they believed it a Thunder-bolt Also Dorcone rusht into the Troops routing them with such a courage that there was not any that fled not from his blowes He struck downe wounded flew and with a desperate resolution abandoned himselfe into all dangers Astidamo who to attaine to the Victory knew the head of the Thracian was necessarie call'd him by name in the thickest Croud of the souldiers These words often and often repeated arrived to the Eares of Dorcone who disdaining himselfe for being challenged the first ran speedily thither where Astidamo carried death both in his Countenance and Sword Before he would strike him he said to him Who art thou that hast the boldnesse to invite me to the Combate Astidamo answered I am he who am glorious by the death of thy Brother O yee Gods replyed the Thracian I render you thanks of passion that I have suffered till now since you have presented me the occasion to revenge that bloud which was shed by so much injustice To thee O beloved soule I offer up this victory it thou disdainest not a Sacrifice so infamous Astidamo replyed not but with his Sword giving the Thracian a blow that made him a little wound in his Flanke On the other side the Thracian struck Astidamo on the arme so that the bloud issued forth in great abundance Whilst these Combated Victory turned her back upon the Thracians who by little and little drew back retreating All their Chiefe were either slaine or wounded Whereupon not having any that should awaken their Courages they began to be disordered and to flie thence whither they were transported by their feare VVhich encreased much more upon them when King Vassileo not pardoning those yeares which necessitated him to repose marched out with the Count of Salinera falling upon the backs of the Thracians who being so intercepted knew not whither to flye thence The burning of the Fleet and the cry of Souldiers confused by the fragour of Armours carried into Arsinoe the state of the Enemy who neverthelesse took on them a Resolution to issue out not willing to overcome without danger neither without labour Here the slaughter was more then great because the Thracians shut up into the midst knew not how to get off becomming of Besiegers the Besieged They knew not what to do but to cry for Quarter and throwing downe their Armes to embrace the feet of the Conquerours All the Standards were laid on the Earth and the Companies no longer acknowledged their Officers There was nothing else heard but indistinct Cries and pittifull of the overcome which inhorridated the aire Death and Feare had deprived the Thracians of all Resistance so that excepting Dorcone there was not any that made head at the least not to die cowardly The Thracian perceiving himself encompassed by so many victorious souldiers said to Astidamo You confesse your basenesse that you have not the boldnesse to overcome me one to one Astidamo answered Let us withdraw aside for I would that you your self should be judge of it This
of a base mind and yet then I had not the courage to lay hand on my sword I know not if the imagination that Dianea's beauty was superiout to that of Doricia occasioned that aversion in me or rather that some Devill diverted me from that fight Neverthelesse I enforced my selfe to convince Doricia with words not having the heart to give her satisfaction by my actions I said to her Doricia you mortifie my affection whilest being engaged in marriage you have an ambition to entice eies with your beauties and whilest you have a desire that they should be published The face of a wife should not pretend to more than to meet the satisfaction of her husband She is not more comely but by that heart by which she hath been judged and chosen for the most handsome your beauty henceforth is not to be submitted to opinion nor censure If I should maintaine it against the follies of the Prince of Hibernia the danger will be greater than the profit If I should conquer I should gaine nothing but a confirmation of my own thought which hath made choice of you as the most beautifull of this Age. If Fortune should rob from me the Palme of victory what a griefe would mine be I should be accused of imprudency for being more willing to give credit to the force of my sword then to the undeceivable judgement of my eies I should imagine my self worthy of reproaches from all mouths whilest I should defend the beautie of those things which are mine Give way to others to speake your praises The Encomiums of those that are interessed render merit suspected Woe be to that husband who desires that the Piazza should be the Theater of his wives beautie and would that an universall Fame should servefor an Eccho to the Glories of her Countenance He loves that beautie little who publishing it makes it more coveted and subject to Rapine He is very poore of desert who thinkes not himselfe alone sufficient to comprehend the beauties of his wife Who so publishes the comlinesse of her whom he loves or would have Companions or is distrustfull of himselfe or his own opinion had need of testimony from others That Face wants not proofes nor defences which can receive no greater prejudice than to see it selfe exposed to doubt If I should maintaine your beautie against the Prince of Hibernia I should render you equall to Dianea whilest by all others you would be accounted much her superiour I affect not so little the Delicacies of Doricia as I would gaine them Paragons nor adventure them in a battell which for the most part is over-ruled by Fortune Those things are vile which are hazarded to the Arbitrements of Conquerours If you be wise argue my affection from hence who not to put your beauty into a doubt am content in your opinion to be reckoned for a Coward With these and such like conceits I endeavoured to satisfie her She had no mind to answer me being doubly afflicted both with her griefe and my words And stuck in an opinion that I affected Dianea and could not find any meanes to undeceive her After he had staid sixe daies in a vaine expectation of Combatants the Prince of Hibernia departed And soone after I likewise determined upon going Doricia went with me in obedience to the Laws of Matrimonie and the Commands of her Father She would rather have died than departed thence if she had not scared the Censure of the World Being arrived in Island there was not any thing I omitted whereby I might rejoyce her and free her from her so vaine suspitions She was even convinced and thenceforward laying aside the sadnesses of her mind she was pleased with the expressions of my affection attending her abroad a Fishing of which our Island abounds above all other things To this she would come with much content we lying purposelie for some daies upon the shore Then also she took pleasure to view the wonders of the Island which even puzzle Faith and render the relation of them suspitious All the Crows there are milke-white and the Jay's utter an humane voice Island hath there high hills on the tops of which lies a perpetuall snow and the bottomes give nourishment to a continuall fire There are likewise foure Fountaines a stones cast distance one from the other all of contrary qualities The water of one is hotter than fire And of another so cold that it cannot be endured The third is pleasant to the taste and physicall and the fourth ranke poyson But all these Marvels of which Nature may glory yield to a voraginous place about the banks of which those men appeare that have perished by a violent death One morning but against my will Doricia stay'd there looking on a Damsell who with a loud voice called brother He suddenly appeared and had not been thought a Ghost if she had not embraced him He was demanded by her the cause of his death And answered that to performe an acceptable service to Prince Ossirdo he with some friends went to the Kingdome of Cyprus to steale Dianea thence That they having got notice she was to repaire to a Fountaine there waited to have taken her The performance had crowned the Designe if the unexpected comming in of a Knight had not deprived them all of their lives Doricia her old jealousies being awakened at these words perhaps perswading her selfe that this man by my appointment went into Cyprus began to provoke me with injuries so perspicuous that I could not abstaine from cursing my Fortune which I found daily in a readinesse to molest my Reposes I often offered to interrupt her and plead my excuses but her out-cries gave not an opportunity to my reasons Finally the unhappy Doricia not longer able to endure her sorrow ran for what ever I could do to the Fountaine of poyson and taking a draught of it fell presently down dead I although it be a species of Felicity to be rid of a jealous wife took so great a discontent at it that I fell into a sicknesse that endangered my life These newes being brought into the King of Norway's Court he was so offended that for all my Embassadours could say raising a powerfull Army he came to the harrowing of our Island I having in the first battell found Fortune averse fled away disguised esteeming it as a folly to tempt againe that Destinie who had evermore declared her selfe my enemy My Father yielded having not Forces to resist The Conquerour mollified by his teares or rather assured of my innocencie confirmed his Kingdome to him reserving to himselfe the Homage for it I had no mind afterwards to returne into Island but travell up and down the world with an hope to see the malignitie of those influences changed which have hitherto continuallie designed me to misery Whilest Ossirdo made this Relation of his adventures they heard some voices which broken between those Trees allowed not a distinction whether they were the effects
the prejudice of the Kingdome and their Subjects Rewards and Punishments are be-bestowed at randome Bribes overcome all difficulties nor is there a greater Desert then that of Riches Justice in that Kingdome hath eyes and hands There is no Religion but in habite and that for the most part so lascivious that it equals those of the most publick Courtezans Vertue which usually in that Kingdome attained to the Crowne is reduced into such a Contempt that either it is not known or if known despised Hypocrisie possesseth a great part of those that desire to deceive the people They endeavour the suppression of truth and there prohibite Pens and Pensils They forbid to others those things which they would enjoy alone and with the greatest severity punish those faults which they themselves are guilty of In briefe the most execrable Crimes and the most detestable by the Laws of Nature and the World are in this Court become naturalized Upon good Reason I can affirme so much having to my owne perill had tryall of them all To please the insatiability of those who deprived me of mine owne promising me what belonged to others in a short time I found my selfe made a scorne to the Covetousnesse of those impious ones who so extreamly hate Poverty that they cannot as much as endure it in others I was constrained to depart thence food failing me to sustain life withall The promises of my King vanishing together with that allowance which he owed me upon all Obligations But there is no reason that is prevalent with the powerful I retired into the Island of Roses where betaking my self to Navigation altogether clearing my minde of those hopes which were able to disquiet me I passe away my years in felicity They were in this while advanced a great way in their voiage and entred into the Archipelago when they discovered a Fleet which made them put a period to their Discourses They that stood Sentinell gave notice that they disoovered a number of Sailes so great that a greater had never been seen upon those Seas and that by their Streamers they appeared to be of Thracia Dorcone troubled at this Newes proceeded on in such an anxiety that he knew nor what to imagine but this change continued not loog For two Galleyes putting forth to know the Vessell and hardly understanding their King was aboard it but signe being given of it to the Navy there was not any demonstration of joy omitted The Duke of Nicopol is with all the other Knights came to receive him whereupon entring upon the Admirall he enquired the cause of their sayling When he understood it he began to thank the Gods that had exceeded him in his desires He acquainted them with his Thoughts and so without any delay they went on towards the Kingdome of Cyprus They sailed sixe daies and there wanted not two houres of determining the night of the seventh when the Fleet entred into the Port of Cromia distant from the City of Cury halfe a League scituated on the top of the Cape towards the West Although the Souldiers were prepared for battell they found no impediment that might prohibit their Landing King Vassileo being ascertained of this evill that was neare him by the preparations of so powerfull an enemy his sorrowes for the death of Draned being for the most part past over a new hurt frequently occasioning the forgetting of the paine of others betook himselfe to the defence of his Kingdome He confirmed Viralto the Duke of Filena in the Generalls place although he urged to it by Floridea had attempted all meanes possible to be dispensed with The King would have the opinion of his Councell about the state of this War so much the crueller by how much the unjuster There were divers opinions and many not without Interests Those that had possessions the nearest to the enemies violence eagerly maintained that they ought to impedite his Landing These were their reasons That it was not fitting at the beginning of a War to shew any signe of feare shutting themselves up within Walls erected only for the weaknesse of those minds that dare not make a wall of their own breasts against the courage of their enemies That keeping the Thracians by strength some daies at sea they might be constrained to suffer those discommodities that peradventure might have the power to perswade them into new deliberations That they ought not to abandon without bloud a thing so deare to them as the Port neither was it reasonable to lose it without danger Perhaps the Thracians having experimented our Force will repent them of the Enterprise There is not any thing that alters minds more than perill To concede ones owne to an enemy without blowes is to encrease his pride by the cowardice of our own Souldiers That the Thracian being kept aloofe at Sea will suffer the incommodities of hunger which being permitted to Land he will make us undergo These reasons though they were lively prevented by those to whom their own interests added the more carnestnesse did not attaine perswasion the Baron of Acamara speaking to the contrary with his utmost eloquence It is a rashnesse he said to contend against impossibility we must leave the Port free to our enemies because we have not Forces to defend it The reasons alleadged were probable if the Island of Cyprus had but one only Port But having so many which of them shall we defend The Thracian Fleet is so numerous that they divided can assaile us in divers parts On the other side we have not so many men that we can part them In my opinion it will be the surest way to preserve our Souldiery in the principall Cities untill wisdome or fortune shall afford us an occasion to attempt greater matters If by Armes we should oppose their landing we should have our enemies in our face Leaving them the Port and the Field fighting them they will be alwaies divided The Souldiers will the rather stick to our defence seeing that we would not have our security by their danger The Cities are well stored with provisions for life and Ammunition for war Is it possible then in the meane while that our miseries should not awaken the pity of those who feare the greatnesse and the ambition of the Thracian I beleeve the Embassage destined to the King of Egypt will not prove fruitlesse The King of Arabia would not see our oppression Mauritania and Gorsica doubtlesse willstir in our defence In the meane while to keep our Forces entire is the most secure way It will alwaies be time enough to hazard them Valour consists in fighting not in precipitating Let us let our enemies land it being an act of prudence to leave that which cannot be held without perill This is my opinion who have no Interest greater than that of the publike safety Notwithstanding I alwaies reserve my selfe to an obedience of what your Majesty shall command There was not any that had the confidence to oppose those
reasons Whereupon the Thracians came to land without hinderance But they would not remove from the Port untill they received information from their Spies Being certified of King Vassileos Resolutions they plundered a great part of the Isse with small profit to themselves the people and all things of value being got into the principall Cities They put it into a dispute whether they should first attempt the Conquest of the other Cities or of the Metropolis which was Arsinoe Many delivered their opinions and amongst others the Duke of Pereno maintained they should first take the other Cities before they laid siege to Arsinoe Conquests said he and victories consist in the reputation of Armies And how can this reputation be acquired continuing at the siege of a City rendred inexpugnable by the strength of the scituation and the obstinacy of the Defenders I for my own instruction have studied the designe and I thinke it insuperable if you have no secret intelligence which if you have I am satisfied It is built upon a naturall Rock and not liable therefore to be mined The walls are all of fine stone and so broad that two carts may meet On the top they are made after the fashion of a Scarpe and within there is so much roome that it can containe an infinite number of people Within it is fortified by an high Cavagliere and three Bastions of earth It hath a Bulwarke in the wall furnished with warlike instruments that both from above and below scoure the ditch from one side to the other It is also defended by great Towers which encompasse it and within hath a large street following the Circuit of the wals for the conveniency of the horse The Ditches are deep industriously made by the force of Chizels The Flankers of the Ditch are as high or higher than the top of the walls The earth without is made like a Scarpe so that the houses of the City cannot be discerned and in assaults can receive no harme There is also the Castle trenched about with ditches into which the Sea comes in such wise scituated that I figure to my selfe the winning of it an impossibility Contratiwise setting upon others lesse strong and weaklier defended our Souldiers will receive a recompence for their labours more commodiously and with lesse danger All the chief strength of King Vassileo is within Arsinoe there he attends us there he wishes for us He will consume us before he can be overcome It is provided with victuals a long time and fears not storming For my full discharge I must add that to besiege it is to endanger the Army the aire being unwholsome and the waters corrupted whilest they within the City on the other side have most pure in their wells All the Island being surprized what will King Vassileo do with the only place of Arsinoe Afterwards we may with lesse inconveniency besiege him having no Foe at our backs I beseech your Majesty to excuse me if peradventure I have not encountred the best and your meaning The Duke of Nicopolis all the other remaining silent thus answered him If all the Cities of the Kingdome of Cyprus would fall into our hands with that facility that your opinion figures to you I should likewise subscribe that Arsinoe should be the last that should prove our Forces But all the Cities being very strong I must affirme there can be no securer counsell given than in the first place to beare our Armes to the Siege of Arsinoe It will be a great terrour to King Vassileo and all his Kingdome to see us resolved upon the most difficult enterprise without taking Arsinoe and the King what will the Kingdome of Cyprus availe us When these are fala into our hands who can supply his Office Who will refuse to obey us Rewards and punishments are ordinarily fomentations to the greatest resistances The King being taken who will adventure his life without hope of reward And who will prove faithfull not fearing the punishment of infidelity But let us passe to a point of higher consequence We ought without doubt to beleeve that King Vassileo will be aided either by those that love him or by those that feare us To perswade our selves otherwise is to give credit to the apparency of dreames and to flatter our own desires in an impossible supposition Their Embassage designed for Egypt is now known and the jealousies of other Princes who feare our greatnesse Succours then comming in time before Arsinoe be tooke or King Vassileo slaine all our endeavours will prove in vaine and our Armies fruitlesse Then we shall be necessitated to adventure a battell with an incertainty to which side victory will encline The taken City seeing aide come will be against us partly for hating to be under our command and partly to deserve some reward from their King Having betrayed and renounced their friends with the greater facility they will deceive their enemies It is not a secure resolution to confide in the conquered whilest any hope of their former Liberty remaines in them They will rather be an impediment to us for being to go to field we must dismember our Forces to guard them with a good number of Souldiery not to afford them an opportunity of rebellion Arsinoe won all is won and the Kingdome subjugated The head is that which enlivens the members and gives motion and strength to all the rest of the body That the place is inexpugnable I know not to affirme although I acknowledge it very strong As light is communicable to all eyes so there is not any place that submits not to a valour above ordinary All that which is subject to necessity and to the command of the elements may also be brought under the Laws and strength of a Conquerour A Sword can make way through all neither is there any thing but perseverance and experience may overcome it So much the greater will the glory and the reputation of the Thracian Armies be which attempt not upon enterprizes imagined possible Facile attempts are thought unworthy of the Thracians This opinion prevailed whereupon all the Army began to presse upon Arsinoe they having tooke order that their Galleys should block up the mouth of the haven Viralto who was unwilling to adventure upon so unequall a battell kept within the Wals issuing forth onely under the advantages of night The first time he did great harme to the Thraeians with the slaughter also of many of their Officers But once falling into an Ambuscado he was in danger of being slaine losing a great part of his men Therefore he adventured but seldome forth and onely to impedite their Machines which the enemy built carrying fire to them but ever with very much danger The Duke of Nicopolis perceiving that a part of the Army was sufficient for the begirting of Arsinoe whilst they within possessed with feare stole out to runne away and not to fight counselled Dorcone to attempt some surprizall The Thracian approving of the
despaired of their lives In a short time the Field shewed it had produced an infinity of Carkasses There was nothing seen but dead men nothing heard but such as were trodden on and wounded The Thracians were become so formidable that there was not an eye that durst looke them in the Countenance The clamours of the Baron of Lapithy who encouraged them to fight were not heard The feare of death being powerfuller than all things Whilest he blamed their Cowardice with many words of infamy he was just struck with an Arrow in the mouth which he held open whence silence and dying seized him at one and the same time This death gave the last shake to the souldiers hopes having none remaining that could regulate their feares nor bridle their Cowardice they shewed their backs to their enemies Many retreated to the sea and many to save themselves hid themselves in Caves But the greatest part carried by feare ran they knew not whither leaving their heads and their members to the discretion of their heeles There were some that losing their breath with long running fell down an infamous prey to the horse that pursued them Others Feare not leaving to them a distinction of dangers ran of themselves into the sea and dyed there because they would not dye as if the waters had that pity which they despaired to find in men But many and those of the most worthy to whom death was not a terrour to daunt them flying and fighting tooke the way which lead to Arsinoe There they found that Fortune had presented a Tragedy not inferiour to theirs The Princes of Missia and Epirus emulatours betweene themselves ran together to make a Pompe of their valour by the death of those Souldiers who after Viralto was taken prisoner aimed at nothing but to retire There had not any oâ— them escaped with his life if King Vassileo fearing this the last day of his reigne had not issued out against them but the disorder and the terrour was so great that changing their retreat into flight that venerable old man with his words and entreaties was not able to stay their Cowardice Finally all the Chiefe ashamed to see their King in danger to be lost and their own duty adding courage to their feare they made a stand afront the Enemy so that their flight might succeed with the least dammage possible The two Princes notwithstanding had forced the Gates entring with the Souldiers that fled if the prevention had not come from the Walls The slaughter being over all those Princes retired into Dorcone's Tent the which although it was secured from being assaulted he would not nevertheless it being about an houre after Sun-set put off his Armes unwilling that the joyes for the Victory should againe produce the dangers of the night past He made the Sentinells and Corps de Guard to be doubled to be ready against all those suddaine Chances which ordinarily happen to Conquerors Fortune many times rejoycing to draw griefe out of Consolations In Arsinoe on the other side sorrow and terror was seen in the face of all Women old men and Children ran into the Temple making vowes to the Gods for their safety This night was so repleat with groanes that they occasioned horrour even in those Breasts who had â—ever known what it was This lamented for his Son this his Father she her Father shee her Husband And there figuring the enemy in the City victorious and triumphing increased their terror The greatest part of the Women altogether forgetting the weaknesse of their Sex ran to the Walls to carry stones and other instruments to resist the Assailants Others on whom Fear had not the power to cleare their mindes of Covetousnes hid their Money Jewels and Bracelets in the most secret places and the privatest holes Many giving themselves over to griefe were so over-whelmed in a dull sorrow that they were insensible to all things And some over their little Children deplored their owne and their infelicity feeding them more with teares then milk In summe every thing was so repleat with Confusion Terrour and Amazement that there was not an eye that had the boldness to take any sleep nor a member that desired or would have any repose The Day and the Light augmented their sadness the Loss and the Danger appearing ever greater then the feare The Field was lookt upon all covered with dead bodies that presented to the sight a spectacle so dolorous that it would have enforced to sorrow a breast of Marble But all their sadness notwithstanding gave place to the griefes of Floridea Her minde that seldome was deceived in its Auguries assured her of her dammage and the loss of the Duke of Fileâ—… she ran hastily to the Gate to enquire the newes on which her life or death depended One by one she entreated the Fugitives asking them of the Generall This said he was safe That that he would come presently Others that he was taken Prisoner and many that he was slaine Although feare that alwayes presents things greater then they are combated her yet in her selfe she was not void of desperate hope which after the manner of a Heart is the last that dies in our affection Sometimes being tormented by passion she vented her selfe upon the Cowardice of the Souldiers saying to them Where where O you pusillanimous have you left your Generall He that hath no greater Interest in this Warre then your safety hath hazzarded his life for you and have you so vilely abandoned him Perhaps you suppose you may be secure without the protection of his valour May be you perswade your selves you may live though he be dead VVho hath had the Guard of his person VVho was neare him in the Battaile Friends I am not afraid of unluckie Newes being alwaies accustomed to griefe Finally understanding that in the Entrance of the Enemies Rampiers it being impossible to relieve him he was taken Prisoner suddenly annimated by that Love which renders the weakest breasts valiant altogether forgetfull of her owne dangers she went out of the walls running like a mad woman towards the Tents of the Thracians Being stopped by the Guards she cryed to be carried to the King There was not any that had the boldnesse to deny her this request the simpler sort believing her a Goddess For just such an one her beauty described her She was seen to runne so swiftly over the dead bodies without any signe of feare that they could not imagine but she was above humane Shee was guided to the presence of Dorcone who with his Armes on discoursing with his about the conclusion of the Warre attended till Aurora had dismissed the night Floridea prostrating her selfe at his feet attempted with signes and teares to gain a pitty from them whom she was to perswade The Thracian unable to suffer that that Beautie should continue so languishing commanded That rising she should expresse her desires Let the Magnanimous breast of your Majestie added Floridea vouchsafe pardon
expecting death After the imprisonment of Viralto he gave the Command of the Army to the Count of Salinera who for wisdome and affection had few Equals in the service of his Prince The Count having regard to the weaknesse of his men had no other thought but to defend the Wells from assaults He had neither Forces nor the boldnesse to joyne Battail with them who rendred audacious by Victory and their number boasted themselves invincible The great abundance of Provision that was within Arsinoe suffered not the besieged to feele the incommodities of a siege On the other side the Thracians being become secure by the dauntedness of their enemies wore away all their dayes in Chases or Banquets One day the two Princes of Missia and Epirus the Infante of Macedonia with many others of the chief of the Army met together in the Scythian Kings Pavilion Heated with meates and Wine they fell into divers Discourses How much the more Fire is supprest so much the more it operates with greater force Some proposed what was the most unbeseeming thing for a Knight The doubt displeased not because there was not any that feared to have in himselfe any thing unworthy of a Knight The Opinions were as various as were the Genius's and the humours of those that discoursed The Scythian accommodating his words to his heart said To flye from Dangers is the indeleble blemish of a Knights Reputation Who would not encounter death hath not an undauntednesse who hath not that feare and who feares is base and Cowardile is that which above all things is contrarie to the Glories of a Knight A Knight ought not to suffer injuries no not from those who are much his Superiours in Fortune If he encounters not dangers to prepare a Revenge he blemishes his name with notes of Infamy VVhen perils enforce a Knight to make Resistance it is pure necessity not valour He ought to exceed others who would be greater then others He that with a virile leasâ—reness waits that Fortune should present him Subjects to trie himselfe is obliged to Fortune not to himselfe Even Cowards sometimes will maintaine a Bussle In briefe the animosity to create perils is the prime glory As to attend that Chance should deliver a City into his hands is the mightiest shame to a Knight Even the Sun would merit Reproaches if with a precipitate and continuall motion it should daily seek for dangers among shades In atchieving is honour and in things hard by others immortality The Infante of Macedonia said That so high Rewards being due to faithfulness he could not perswade himselfe that more blameable things could be in a Knight then infidelity This would soile the lights of the Sunne not onely the Actions of men An unfaithfull man is abhorred by all because all feare his Treacheries Faithfulness is a thing sacred the first daughter of Jove the honour of men and of the gods Without this neither the earth nor the sea would enjoy any peace It is a particular Deity which resides silently in those breasts that possesse it A man otherwise void of this may be termed a Carkasse And lesse he is more vile then nothing The Dammages of Infidelity are much more mightier then that which can be conceived in the minde or expressed by the tongue The Count of Tinia would that it should bee Ingratitude And what other said he can contaminate the birth and the vertues of a Knight but Ingratitude abominable in all A Knight is elected to chastise those that acting ungratefully offend Heaven Nature and their Friends Now how much the mightier will his Reproach be when he falls into that vice the Trespasses against which he is made choice of to punish All other faults carry with them some excuse or some Appearance of Reason Onely Ingratitude hath no pretence that can excuse it hath no reason that can defend it It is a vice so detestable that it becomes even odious to those that exercise it Whoever is unthankfull is unsaithfull be-because he rebels against those obligations which he owes to the favours of others He is cruell because he torments the Liberallity of those to whom he is knowne beholding In summe all Vices are seen in ingratitude and therefore an unthankfull Knight is unworthy of the name of a Cavalicre The Baron of Cardia maintained that Cruelty was the most blame-worthy thing in a Knight Cruelty he added is the most certaine Portent of or Folly or of Covetousnesse To be short all Vices are Vices but Cruelty holds the preheminence It spoiles unbowels unsoules the world It is the worst of all things by reason that from it all the worst things proceed Who is cruell is vile a desire of Blond not reigning but in those Bosomes which are corrupt He is an enemy of Nature since he procures the Destruction of his owne species He offends the Gods that with pitty onely have gained divine Attributes He injures himselfe because by the death of others he robs himselfe of those Duties which would have afforded him a superiority among others Lastly he is the worst of Animals the which although they be void of Reason are not neverthelesse without pitty The Prince of Missia with his usuall mordacity said That Love was the most detestable thing in a Knight This cried he is that that disturbes the Intellect that contaminates the Reason that tyrannizeth over the Will and that makes a man different from himselfe Who loves betraies himselfe in the tyranny of a face who knowes not to obey any thing but affections nor knowes not to be faithfull but to those who alwayes betray Love is a species of Infamie since it subjects the will of that heart to the which the Gods have prescribed no lawes but voluntary The Prince of Missia ushered in these Reasons with a laughter repleat with contempt holding his eyes continually fixed upon the Prince of Epirus He who in his owne conceit was lost in love thought that those words wounded his Reputation so much the more because upon him all their looks were cast as upon himalon who was subject of this Discourse He having no longer sufferance to see himselfe injured interrupting him said to him Prince of Missia if your declare your Opinion without thought to wrong me I shall take no Resentment at it because the Table even permits those things which should not be spoke If I have loved in Excess I repent not because my Affections have not been unworthy VVho is so bold to reprehend me lies and peradventure blames love because he is unworthy to be beloved Declare your selfe then because I am not accustomed to be reproached and in particular by you in these Errours The Prince of Missia answered I spoke by Chance dictated by Reason But that you should not believe that I say this for fear of your Anger I will make it good with my sword that having loved without Moderation you have done a thing unworthy of a Knight and therefore merited for it