whether he staid with Artelinda saw him follow and thought that it was only the better to cozen her and though she told him she was not going home yet she did since the anguish of her minde would not permit her to make any more visits Ligdamis as soon as he saw her go into her own house knew certainly she was not friends with him and thought the reason of it to be because there was some other whom she loved of which the Letter he had seen and language Cleonice gave him were convincing proofs She dares not said he acknowledge her weakness unto me however she might have broke off with me a little more civilly Thus Madam did Ligdamis argue with himself who being very desirous to satisfie all doubts went the same hour unto Cleonice And coming into her chamber he did exceedingly surprize her Madam said he unto her I did not think that any little lyes if I may so phrase them were allowable amongst such as profess sincere friendship however if I durst I would chide you for telling me you would not go presently to your own house I did not intend it replyed she when I told you so but I altered my minde afterwards Oh Madam replyed Ligdamis do not adde crime to crime if you do not think me worthy of your friendship or that you cannot keep any longer within our conditions I beseech you let us break off I do not ask who that happy man is from whom that Letter came which you preserve so secretly That happy one replyed she sharply is more of your acquaintance then mine I do not know a man replyed he that merits those favours which you do him I do agree with you replyed she he does not deserve them Why then replyed he do you make him your friend or lover for I know not which of those two attributes he must have As for the last of these two replyed she let us refer it unto Artelinda and as for the other I hope he shall not long wear that title Artelinda has so many Lovers replyed Ligdamis much perplexed that I cannot imagine which you mean It is very true said Cleonice very fiercely but Cleonice has so few friends that you may quickly guess if you please but Ligdamis shame shuts up your mouth Mine Madam replyed he much amazed rather say a real respect imposeth silence and keeps me from accusing you You carry it very confidently replyed she to be so culpable and yet complain I must do so replyed he but with much respect therefore without further aggravations I beseech you Madam be so generous as to tell me sincerely whether it be fit I should be any longer your friend for since friendship as well as love should proceed from a free and voluntary consent I shall trouble you no further but free you from the trouble which my presence causes nor will I any longer disturb the joys of that happy stranger whose Letters are so dear unto you I do assure you said she unto him that he who writ the Letter which sticks so in your stomach is one whom I will never see again as soon as I have lost the sight of you Ligdamis amazed at this answer importun'd her to speak more plainly Then since she was fully resolved to break off with him that very day she pull'd out of her pocket that Letter which she took from Artelinda and shewing it unto him Look perfidious and dissembling man whether he that writ this Letter be my Lover or my Friend or whether he be not rather an Impostor Oh Madam cryed he out how fallacious are all appearances if you think this Letter any argument of Love to Artelinda Oh Ligdamis said she how can you be so impudent as to deny your crime and justifie your self No no I am not so easily gulled nor ever will for I will trust no more and then the most subtil shall never deceive me However Ligdamis was less grieved that she should complain against him then to have cause to complain against her because he knew he was not culpable But when he proffered to deliver his reasons she prevented him saying she would tell hers first But Madam said he unto her I believe you have no good ones Why said she do you not think I have just cause to think you the veryest impostor amongst men to counterfeit as you have done to condemn Love to vent continual Satyrs against it and in the shew of all the world to abhor it whilst in the mean time you loved Artelinda and to hide your Courtship wished her to entertain a hundred gallants about her Believe me Ligdamis she carries it very well but let me tell you that heart which you think is so totally yours is not so However let me tell you I will have no more of your friendship and since the conditions between us was not to be in love I have kept my promise How Madam replyed Ligdamis is it possible you should think I am in love with Artelinda Why Ligdamis said she I need not doubt it since I read this Letter and know what Artelinda told me Artelinda replyed he is a crafty woman whose words ought always to be held in suspition and as for the Letter Madam if you do but understand the true sense of it you will finde it to be far from any signs of love I do ingeniously confess my self to blame in not acquainting you with the extravagancies of Artelinda yet I hope it is not a fault impardonable on the contrary I conceive you are obliged unto me for it for the reason why I conceal'd her follies from you was out of respect and love to you and therefore you would be most unjust and cruel if you should punish me for it I do most seriously protest said he unto her that I am not in love with Artelinda that I never was nor ever will be If this be not fully satisfaction but that you will needs have me tell you the adventure between this Lady and me I must first for my satisfaction entreat you to seem as if you were ignorant of what I shall discover unto you for truly Artelinda is so indiscreet that she moves my pitty not that she is guilty of any such crimes as will put one to the blush for certainly never any of her most favored servants ever obtained any thing of her which did directly would her vertue and because she knows that those which serve her cannot accuse her of any crime she is therefore the more bold to speak to write and do a hundred things which are not very handsome A very handsom preamble said Cleonice and interrupted him to excuse one whom one does not love Ligdamis then seeing by the manner of her speech that there was an absolute necessity of a handsom interpretation of such contradictions was forced to confess that being one day with Artelinda she did with so much art and boldness together engage him in a conversation of Gallantry that
the beauty of the Princesse of Salamis though his unknown Mistresse and this Princesse be all one yet I have reason to feare that if he can quit my spirit for my beauty he may hereafter quit both my spirit and my beauty for some other person unto whom the grace of novelty will give advantage so that to have better assurance of the heart of Timantes I will yet try what absence will doe which questionlesse is the strongest test of all others therefore I will return into my solitude and returne without so much as bidding him adieu fearing that if he should know he would set so many spies about the house that he might follow me Amaxita did oppose her designe and perswaded her as much as she could to let Timantes know of her departure but all in vaine for she would not hearken unto her yet she could not depart the next morning because some orders were to be taken for the privacy of her journey so that she saw Timantes once more whom she chid for the excessive applaudes which he gave the Princesse of Salamis and for not speaking unto her in the same tearmes when he told her his opinion and therefore said she unto him I have cause to beleeve that they who accuse you of being in love with her had reason for it but I pray you if it be so confesse it unto me I conjure you unto it to the end I may not ingage my selfe in any further affection and that I may be no impediment unto you in that conquest but Sir deceive not your selfe you will not find so easie a matter as may be you think I know Parthenia and I know she is harder to please then I am and more delicate so that in all likelyhood if you quit me for her you will lose me and not find her Timantes hearing Parthenia say so did protest that he was not in in love with the Princesse of Salamis nor ever would be You promise me now said she and smiled more then I ask and it will be sufficient if you only assure me you doe not love her at present as for the time to come you are a little too bold with it if you speak for it with as much certainty as for the present But Madam said he unto her since I am not at present in love with the Princesse of Salamis it followes of necessity I never shall be for as I doe not seek to see her so though I would I cannot since she hath already denyed me that honour and therefore it is not likely I ever shall I doe confesse since you know I said it in other places that the Princesse of Salamis is the fairest that ever my eye beheld but since I find a greater beauty in your mind and spirit then in her face and since I am resolved to serve you all my life and never see her againe it doth of necessary consequence follow that I doe not love her and that I shall for ever love you However once more let me tell you said Parthenia it is good to submit unto the providence of the Gods for the time to come Why Madam said he have you not told me a hundred times that you would not valew any affection which you were not sure would be eternall so that you had an eye unto things to come aswell as things past and present However it be said Parthenia I would not have you answer equally for the present and the future lest you make me suspect both After much such discourse as this Timantes retired and the next morning Parthenia returned to her solitude leaving a letter with me for Timantes with orders to convay it so secretly unto him that he could not suspect or guesse how it came but since the difficulty was to find out a way how Timantes might answer and not know which way his letters went I was a long time before my invention could hit on it but at last I found out a way to convay Parthenia's letter to him and his answer to her unknown to him by whom and thus I went to work I sent the first letter of Parthenia to Timantes as I s 〈…〉 t the Jewells that is to say by an unknowne person who gave it unto his servant but I added a note unto this letter counterfeiting my hand as Parthenia did hers by which I intimated unto him if he would return an answer he should give his letter unto one who in the morning early should be at the statue of Venus in the great Temple of Paphos and to the end that the matter might be carryed with more safty I employed one of my friends and made him beleeve that it did highly concern me upon a design which hereafter I would impart to him when I had commission for it from a person who had absolute power over me to receive some letters which none should know by whom I received them nor for whom I received them and I did so entangle the matter that he could never know whether I negotiated for my selfe or for another or whether it concerned matter of State or matter of Gallantry so that he not knowing whether I transaâ—â—ed in things concerning love or ambition he did as I desired him and I giving him full instructions and he being both â—â—ld and trusty the businesse was done aswell as I could wish He delivered the Letter which Parthenia left at parting and which did extreamly surprise Timantes and it was thus indited To TIMANTES SIR IN this resolution which I have fixed upon to try whether the affection which you professe unto me will abide absence and surmount it I think you are a little be holding unto me for sparing you the labour of bidding me adieu think if you will that I spared my selfe that labour for since I hide my face from you it is but just I tell you that which my eyes would have done if you had seen them If during this absence I understand you continue faithfull unto me and that really you are not in love with the Princesse of Salamis to my prejudice perhaps at our next meeting you shall know who I am In the meane time remember it is not permitted you to enquire who gives you my Letters nor who receives your answers know that it concerns your good if you love me and mine also Adieu This Letter did not only surprise but extreamly grieve Timantes and he was so passionately both in love and sorrow for her absence that he was nothing but a lump of Melancholly and so continued many dayes The greatest augmentation of his inquietudes was that it was not permitted him to enquire of that which he had the greatest desire to know and that he was not able to keep within those strait limits which were prescribed him He went himself to carry his answer unto my friend who expected it in the place which I directed him to but he was exceedingly surprised when he saw him to be a
ignorant that the Letter was a little torn or defaced so that to be better satisfied he writ unto one of his friends in Elephantine but before he began to write he looked in his Table-book in which he had put dying Ladice's Letter before he was sick and there miraculously found a little bit of the Letter which made it apparent that Ladice left a Daughter and not a Sonne So that then apprehending the mistake of Amasis and knowing how he had formerly expressed himself that if it were a Daughter Heracleon should marry her hee thought that he had found out a way to undeceive the King of his errour to make Heracleon happy and to raise himself a fortune And therefore he carefully sealed up this little bit of the letter and as weak as he was he came to Elephantine in the night going streight unto Heracleon's house and found him in the company of Tanisis as I told you At first he desired to speake with him in private but Heracleon telling him that nothing was so secret which Tanisis should not know he began to tell him how he had found Ladice's Letter and how he had lost it and how he had found that which would convince Amasis of his errour in thinking Ladice left him a Sonne for it would be easie to prove it unto the King by that little bit of the Letter which mentioned a Daughter and which was torn out of the Letter so that comparing this bit with the Letter it self he might find them so evenly jump that the King might be put out of all errour Heracleon was beyond all expression glad that he could render the birth of Sesostris doubtfull but to goe surely to work he would have this Officer concealed in his house and examine all things at more leasure conjuring him to have a speciall care of that which must take the Crown from his Sister and Sesostris and put it upon his own head for he made no question but Timareta was daughter unto Amasis Yet could he not devise why Traseas should disguise the truth But since it appeared that Ladice had a Daughter it must necessarily follow that there was some imposture in the relation of Traseas So that to sift the matter before it came to the King Heracleon and Tanisis resolved to tamper with Traseas and either by promises or menaces to screw the matter out of him This course being resolved upon Heracleon and Tanisis went to the house of Traseas and came thither before the Sun was up or Timareta awake But the more to oblige unto a true relation Heracleon would tell him at first what he knew I come hither said he unto him to make you confesse the truth of the businesse which I know as well as your self but to know what reason you had to tell the King a lye and to make him most injustly to acknowledge Sesostris for his Son and to obscure that Daughter which the Princesse Ladice left him Speak Traseas said he tell me your reason for it but never goe about to maintaine Sesostris to be his and Ladice's Sonne for know that the King within these two dayes must see all that wants in Ladice's Letter which will apparently prove the King is gulled and that Sesostris is not his Sonne and that all tortures that can be devised will be inflicted upon you to make you speak the truth yet if you will trust me and tell me truly why you put this imposture upon him and where the Daughter of Amasis is I will promise not onely to protect you but to keep you in the Kings favour And if you will confesse unto me that Timareta is his Daughter and doe as I would have you I will promise you a recompence much above that which Amasis gave you Whilst Heracleon was speaking thus Traseas was extreamly perplexed for he perceived by his manner of speaking that hee knew all the truth so that fear damping his spirits he could not reason upon the matter yet he perceived that though Heracleon knew Sesostris was not the Son of Amasis yet he did not know him to be the Sonne of Apriez therefore hee conceived him to be ignorant of it otherwise hee would most certainly have intimated it unto him So that af-after he had seriously considered with himself he resolved to confesse unto Heracleon that Timareta was the daughter of Amasis conceiving it was that which he principally desired for Traseas being a man of a quick wit and spirit enough and knowing that the King when he was in the Isle said if he had a Daughter he would marry her unto Heracleon he doubted not but it was his own interest which he sought after But as he resolved to confesse the truth as relating unto Timareta and to say she was the daughter of Amasis So he resolved also not to discover that Sesostris was the Sonne of Apriez for it was a horror unto his conscience to deliver the Sonne of his Legitimate King unto the hands of an usurper who perhaps world put him to death so after he had well consulted with himselfe and seeing Heracleon multiply both promises and threatnings Sir said he unto him If you will solemnly swear that you will save my life I shall confesse all I know and as much perhaps as you desire to know Heracleon then swearing unto him Traseas confessed that Timareta was the Kings Daughter Adding that Sesostris was his own Sonne and that Fatherly indulgence prompted him to make him King in prejudice of Timareta and then King also to get a better recompence for finding the King a Sonne then a Daughter But said Heracleon unto him It appears Sesostris passed for the Sonne of Amenophis and not as yours and you confessed as much to the King 'T is very true Sir replyed Traseas boldly the better to colour his lie but the reason was because when the contagion did almost depopulate our Isle and when the Queen and the Prince Sesostris her Sonne dyed and spared this Sesostris whom now you know Amenophis with a thousand promises of recompence desired me to let my son pass for his never telling me his reason for it and indeed I consented knowing my Son would be more rich by passing for his Sonne then mine so that all the shepheards in the Isle never thought Sesostris to be my Sonne After this Heracleon and Tanisis began to whisper low one to another and to examine what Traseas had said concerning Sesostris For they saw Amenophis had a design to make Sesostris passe for the Son of Apriez and they began to suspect that Traseas had not told the truth but that Sesostris was really the Sonne of Apriez Yet they did not conceive it expedient to dive too deep into the matter for knowing that Amasis of late was much stung with remorse of conscience for all that was passed they feared that if he should come to know that Sesostris was the Sonne of Apriez and afterwards should heare of the affection between Sesostris and Timareta
Province where I was born to come and live with my aunt at Alfenes and since I never saw my brother but at that age I may very well say I know him not for certainly he is much altered since that time and though Clidaris was very like me yet I beleive I should not know him Yet by his letters I should know him very well for I have received many Letters from him yet for all that I should not know his face if I should meet him If he be such a man as my friend describes him replyed Astidamus you have reason to desire the sight of him for his Letter tells me that he is one of the most handsomest men and best wits in the world It tells me also that he is very kind with one of my sisters who dwells in that place and speaks so highly in his commendations that I am already his friend before I see him You may imagin Madam how Meliantes was non-plust when he heard himself thus talked of in his own presence yet he was afraid least he should render himself supect if he should put in nere a word and therefore he asked Astidamus very confidently when Cleonides brother would come thither I cannot tell you replyed he for the Letter beares no date For my part replyed Cleonide I wish that none had writ so much in his commendations for commonly high commendations raise high expectations and the person must be highly meritorious that can answer them It is so very likely that the fair Cleonide hath a most deserving man to her brother replyed Arpasia very obligingly that I have a great dsposition already to esteem him whensoever he comes Your expression Madam replyed she is infinitely obliging but to know whether I may in reason beleive what is writ concerning my brother I must aske whether he who gives this Character of my brother be a competent Judge of true merit or whether he be not one of those common commenders who use to make no difference between persons of inferiour parts and persons of extraordinary merits No on replyed Astidamus he who writ the Letter gives the same Character of Clidaris and therefore I dare answer for him for if my freind have any fault it is in being too niggardly in his commendations and in his esteeming over few persons and therefore I am most confident that Clidaris is a most excellent man and has a million of most admirable parts since my friend commends him For he who writ this Letter is so curions to be pleased that there are scarce four men in the Province where he lives who are sufficiently accomplished for his pallat and to define him in few words he is one of those nice and delicate men who use to anatomize the the hearts and spirits of any before he will commend them who examines all the words and actions of those he sees and who will see into their very thoughts before he will speak either good or bad of them Judge then whether I have not reason to be confident that Clidaris is worthy to be Cleonides brother After this Astidamus according to his custom turned the talk of which Meliantes was very glad and was very frolick in discourse yet what soever he said still he was nothing at all appliant unto Arpasia Presently after Cleonide going away Astidamus went also So that Meliantes remaining alone with Arpasia he looked upon him very seriously for reflecting upon what Astidamus had said concerning the brother of Cleonide she imagined considering the place where she met him and his desires to conceal his country that Meliantes might be he And the rather because the Character which was given of Cleonides Brother did fit him Yet not desiring to make her suspition appeare untill further certainty she roused her selfe out of her serious study just as Meliantes intended to interrupt her to tell her what he had understood from Alcianipe and beginning to speak Considering the state of things I am very sorry Madam said he unto her that I cannot speak as well of Astidamus as they have written unto him concerning Cleonides brother But Madam the fidelity I have vowed unto you and the zeale that I have unto your service forces me to tell you that I do know the name of her whom Astidamus hath long loved and unto whom he hath promised never to marry you I wish with all my heart replyed she that he would keep his promise But Meliantes added she who who is she that hath so captivated the heart of Astidamus It is Cleonide Madam replyed he and I know such circumstances of his affection to her that I must needs say he is infinitely too blame to be so engaged as he is How cryed out Arpasia is it Cleonide with whom Astidamus holds intelligence Yes Madam answered he it is Cleonide and Alcianipe hath so particularized things unto me that I cannot make the least doubt of the truth Alcianipe is so scandalous replyed she that there is no great heed to be taken unto what she saith But since I know how to discern truth from lies replyed he I dare assure you Madam that Astidamus doth love Cleonide After this Arpasia was a while mute and reflecting upon her former suspitions they all vanisht and she thought no more that Meliantes was Brother unto Cleonide since he told her of the intelligence which she had with Astidamus Afterwards calling to memory a hundred passages which formerly she took no notice of she found that indeed there was good cause to think that Astidamus loved Cleonide But maugre her aversion to him she could not choose but beare him a kind of spight for loving that faire one Yet her slight resentment of it quickly vanisht and in a moment after she was extreamly joyed in hopes that this love of Astidamus would break off her Marriage and she gave so many testimonies of it unto Meliantes that hee was fully satisfied Yet notwithstanding since she was resolved to stay untill Astidamus did himselfe break off because she was afraid to anger her Father Meliantes was forced to tell her that though Astidamus did dearly love Cleonide and had promised her to break off his Marriage for her sake yet because all his fortunes did depend upon Protogenes and because he was afraid to loose them by loosing his favour he was resolved to marry her and to deceive Cleonide How said Arpasia then does Astidamus intend to marry me and not to love me and to love Cleonide and not marry her Oh Meliantes I am not able to endure this double treachery And since I should be more miserable in marrying a man who neither loves me nor I him than Cleonide would be in not marrying a man who both loves her and she him it is my office to prevent such a misfortune For truly though I had no aversion to him yet his very infidelity to Cleonide is enough to hinder mee from marrying him therefore I beseech you Meliantes
be your Sanctuary Provided that you do not hereafter propound any thing which may divert my duty to Astiages I shall think it was the heat of your zeal to serve me prompted you unto these unjust Propositions and I shall consider that as it is my duty to respect my enemy so I shall think my self obliged to gratifie him who preserved me from his injuries But Harpagus said he with a more pleasant aspect it is not now a convenient time to talk more with you and I am very sorry to break off any discourse of Wars Combats Victories and Triumphs After these words this miraculous Childe turned towards the company and Harpagus being ravished with the wisdome of so young a Childe accepted of his offer only desired him that he would be pleased to acquaint the Queen his Mother and know her pleasure before he appeared in Court which Cyrus did also promise him thus Harpagus parted from him and mingled with the multitude and Cyrus also went away with intentions to follow the sports no longer I then had the Honour to be neer him and was appointed by the King and Queen to have the particular care of him And Feraulas whom you see here being but too years elder then Cyrus waited upon him as a Playfellow being very fit for such a purpose and of a close reserved inclination Feraulas was the first who observed how the minde of Cyrus was troubled and coming unto me who at that time did not minde him Sir said he to me methinks the Prince is very reserved and melancholy upon a sudden from whence should this change arise I know not said I nor did I perceive he has had any mischance all this day Perhaps said he to me the man whom I saw talking a long time with him in private hath told him something which hath angred him As we were thus discoursing Cyrus came neer us and said Chrisantes I would speak with you all the company then kept their distances and the Prince began to tell me in a low voice all which Harpagus told unto him with his answer unto it he told it me with such gravity wisdome generosity and spirit as really I was amazed and lookt upon him as a miracle When he did express that Joy which he apprehended when Harpagus offered him an Army of thirty thousand men Oh Heavens with what unwillingness did he refuse it and when he would shew his sorrows that it was not permitted him to accept the offer he expressed it to the life I cannot beleeve any man of greatest wisdome and highest parts that ever this age produced could with more prudence wisdome and nobleness detertermine upon a matter so nice and curious as he did upon a sudden He repented him though of his promise to protect Harpagus and of presenting him unto the Queen his Mother for thought he if she should know of her Father Astiages his cruelty it would but become her torment and it would be an infinite grief unto him to be a cause of hers In conclusion he said unto me Pray Chrisantes tell me whether I have done well or no and give me your counsel what I should do in the business for said he although I dare trust unto my own Courage yet I dare not conclude too much in my own Prudence and discretion since I have not yet attained unto such years of experience as I dare trust my self When he had ended I gave him his deserved commendations and told him I thought all he said was very well but as for acquainting the Queen with what Harpagus told him I did not conceive why he should not Take it upon your self then Chrisantes answered he as for my part I confess it goes against the hair of my disposition to tell so bad a story I promised him that I would When we came to Persipolis Cyrus went unto the Kings Lodgings and gave me opportunity to go unto the Queens I acquainted her with the Adventure and it moved her unto much Joy and much sorrow for she desired to keep the Prince ignorant of Astiages her fathers cruelty also she did much rejoice that her Sonne was so rarely qualified and had returned so wise an answer Upon the whole matter she charged Cyrus to speak nothing of it unto the King his Father since it was irrepairably past and would but most unprofitably vex him As for Harpagus she thought it but just to protect him and that it was necessary to detain him still in Persea in order to the Reconciling him unto Astiages for said this virtuous Princess although the King my Father was too too blame yet I am his Daughter which is argument enough for me to preserve him to the utmost of my power therefore Harpagus must not upon any terms depart a malecontent since he has thirty thousand men at his devotion which may kindle such a war in Medea as may prove its ruin It were better Policie to let this my own Country be his Sanctuary then another Princes who by his power and Intelligence may become prejudiciall unto me and my Father also Alas alas said he what crosse Fate is this Harpagus as he is Rebel to my Father should be my fo but as he preserved my Sonne must be my friend and deserves protection The King of Medes as he is my Father I owe him all obedience and love but as he is my Sons enemy and would destroy him if I may say it I do hate him What think you Chrisantes how can I reconcile these things In conclusion after she had well weighed all circumstances she resolved to move the King her Husband for Harpagus his Protection as one who had been an ancient servant unto her Father the King of Medes and whom he banished for some cause which afterwards she would devise and to stay him in Persia as long as they could least he should cause a war in Medea But withall to contrive it so as that he should dwell in the Country and not appear in Court least the entertaining of him should become offensive unto Astiages She gave me an especial charge to prevent his coming near young Cyrus least he should corrupt his thoughts All things are transacted according to these Resolutions The Queen is extreamly fond of her Sonne and commends him for his discretion in his carriage of the business Harpagus is civilly treated and presented unto the King her husband afterwards sent unto one of the Kings fairest houses with orders taken for his subsistency and kept continually in hopes All this while Astiages is not rightly composed in his minde but still fears least the menaces of the gods should be seconded with some disasterous effects He had Spies constantly at Persipolis who gave him intelligence of Harpagus his arrival and reception and how he had Conference with the Prince in the Forrest for afterwards several Persians knew Harpagus and divulged it He also had advertisement how the Province of Paretacenes whereof Harpagus had been Governour stood
bad a recompence as to expose your own in a fight which according to the Articles must needs be bloody and full of danger You are too good Madam answered Artamenes to fear my destruction But trouble not your self Madam for the care you have of me will preserve me in the midst of dangers and it cannot be thought the Gods will destroy what you would save Therefore Madam continued he smiling since I shall fight without danger do me the honour to assist me in my sute For Madam added he assuming a more serious look if I do not obtain it I must needs fly from the place I live in since I cannot live in it without dishonour and where they do not think me worthy to do that which two hundred others can do If there were but one to fight perhaps then I should not dare to think my self being a stranger worthy to defend your interest but since the number is two hundred which must have the honour I think Madam I may without any great presumption beg this noble Office I would very willingly answered the Princess most candidly Petition you another might be chosen in your room but since you do so earnestly desire it I will promise you to ask the King my Father As Artamenes was ready to answer and gratefully cast himself at her feet Ciaxares comes into the chamber the Princess no sooner saw him but she went towards him saying Sir This Noble stranger is so insatiable of honour and glory as not being content with the service he hath done you already would yet have you receive another victory from his hand and desires you to admit him into the number of the Combatants Ciaxares ravished with this Proposition embraced him and thanked him for his zeal to his service but it was a long while before he would consent and since the Princess did not speak all this while Artamenes turned towards her and said Madam do you remember your promise No answered she I do confess I cannot keep my word and that fighting is so contrary to my disposition that nothing can be obtained from me but prayers that all Warres and Fightings may cease Ah Madam replied he your goodness obliges me and undoes me both Then did he so earnestly importune Ciaxares that after many denials he consented not but that he was very glad a man so valiant as Artamenes would fight but his denial proceeded from him as an effect of his love to him and because he feared to lose him in this encounter To tell you what was the Joy of Artamenes how many thanks he gave the King what gracefull addresses he made unto the Princess and what excuses he had that he had so flenderly served her would be to lose pretious time since I have so many notable things to tell you however I must needs tell you how Philidaspes who put on to be one of this fatall number did miss of his desire for though Aribees could have told him that Ciaxares would not admit him yet he excused it hansomly and told him that Artamenes having spoken first and Ciaxares having already consented unto one stranger would not by any intreaties admit of any more least the Cappadocians should murmure who would think it a wrong done unto themselves This accident caused much sorrow in Philidaspes so that had he not otherwise been more considerably interested in the King he would have quitted the Court and Camp upon it that which most stuck in his stomack was that Artamenes should be preferred before him being a stranger as well as he And though Ciaxares told him afterwards that if he had spoken first he should not have been denied yet this did not satisfie him On the contrary the joyes of Artamenes were doubled by the sorrows of Philidaspes and this great soul as generous as he was could not chuse but rejoyce at his grief such was the violent emulation between these two high spirits Am I not very happy said he to me when he met me that I must either overcome in the Quarrel of my Princess or I must die for her If I escape the danger I shall be the Messenger of Victory and Triumph or if I die I am certain she will lament me Ah Chrisantes what honour is this Ha Sir answered I what have you done That which I ought my dear friend answered he and that which you would have done if you had been in my case But Sir said I to him have you forgot that Artamenes is more then such a common Knight as he seems to be but that he is Son to the King of Persia No no my Governour answered he and because I know my birth is not common therefore I must strive to do things above common capacities But Sir said I why have you not obtained as much for Feraulas and me as you have for your self Is it because you suspect our courages Ah Crisantes said he imbracing me I will rather suspect my own but it was not possible to be done and if I had put in for so many I might perhaps have been denied my self But notwithstanding all his reasons and though I was not possessed with such violent Passions as he was yet I was very sorry he should be engaged in such a desperate Design but there was no remedy he had got himself Listed before I got knowledge of his intention The choice of Combatants being made the day of Combate comes on Hostages were given on both sides they search and view the Combatants and Arms according to the conditions of the Articles Notice is sent unto the King of Pont of their readiness who sent the same message back of his men This selected Troop pass before the King who at break of day offered a Sacrifice unto the Gods for their Prosperity Arramenes was in hopes the Princess would have been with the King her Father when they parted yet she not having a heart for it staied still in the Temple praying for them so that he was deprived of that hope for consolation As for my self Sir I could not chuse but drop some farwell tears at parting since it was not now permitted to go with him as at other times but now we were not suffered to assist him or be a witness of his Valour He perceived our sorrows and saw us all drooping He looked upon us with as Gallant and Pleasant an aspect as ours was sad Cheer up said he to us I will Conquer I l'e warrant you and so laughed at us I see you are but bad Fortune-tellers as he spoke these words they came to the Gate of the Town where the King staied Sir said my Gallant Master to him marching in the head of the Troop I am going to make my self worthy of those honours which your Majesty hath done me and to imitate the example of these brave men which go with me And I am going answered the King to prepare a Lawrel for you and them not doubting of good success since
that Artamenes might be set at liberty Sir said Ariobantes unto Ciaxares all Galatia sayes the same and all your three Kingdoms cannot brook that a man whom they reverence as a god should be in prison Also that which I tell you of Cappadocia and Galatia I understand that all Medea intend the same Ciaxares harkened unto Ariobantes but returned no answer because he staied for the result of the King of Armenias answer before he would resolve upon any thing Mean while Chrisantes and Feraulas were continually negotiating both by their own endeavours and the solicitations of all the Kings Princes and friends which Artamenes had Ciaxares was never without some about him who was speaking for this illustrious prisoner The King of Phrygia was no sooner gone out but the King of Hircania came in and after him succeeded Persodes or Hidaspes In short either by Aglatidas or Thimocrates or Philocles or Gobrias or Gadates or Thrasibulus or Madates or Artucas the name of Artamenes was perpetually pronounced If Ciaxares went to the Temple the sacrificers spoke of him If he went into the streets of Sinope the inhabitants kneeled and begged his liberty If he went out to walk in the fields or Camp all the souldiers petitioned for their General and except that old friend to Aribeus who alwayes held intelligence with Artaxes there was not one but was ready to serve Artamenes so that this man whose name was Metrobates was doubtlesse the only man that had a design to destroy him Martesia for her part who was informed by Feraulas of all that passed was extreamly glad to see the merit of Artamenes so applauded and to see that it was not with him as with other favourites who when fortune forsakes them then all the world does the like but that on the contrary the love of every one augmented with his misfortunes She also received every day by Feraulas a complement from Artamenes who told her that his prison had wrought no alteration in him but that he still retained his passion as well as his civilitie As all things stood in this condition Megabises returned and came unto the King when very many were with him and more still pressed after him when he entered to hear news Ciaxares no sooner saw him without making any secret of his answer well Megabises said he unto him let us know how they have received my Daughter into Armenia will that King restore her unto me as he is obliged to do Sir answered Megabises my journey has not had happy successe I cannot know who the King is which the Princesse spoke of in her paper the King of Armenia will not acknowledge that she is in his dominions although there is great appearance she is nor did I find the Prince Tigranes in his fathers Court But yet said Ciaxares unto him how did that King receive you Sir answered Megabises when I came at Artaxates and had sent unto the King to demand audience he made me wait three dayes and during that time I was always carefully observed by several people Afterwards according to those commands which I had received from your Majesty I told him that since you understood the Princess your Daughter was within his dominions you had sent me unto him to demand her I thought said he unto me very fiercely you were come to solicite me about the payment of that Tribute which I paid unto Astyages but will not pay unto Ciaxares since I never promised it But as for the Princesse Mandana she is not in my power and though she were questionlesse I would not restore her but would keep her for a hostage until by an authentique Treaty your Master would acknowledge that the Kings of Armenia are not Tributary Kings Sir said I unto him consider well what you say before you dismisse me for the King my Master knows most certainly that the Princesse is in your dominions I will cause her to be searched for said he unto me and she shall be treated according to her quality but if she be here I tell you once again that I will not send her unto the King of Medes until he has quitted his pretensions unto any Tribute out of Armenia Let him be contented said he unto me that fortune has given him such a man as has made him so full of conquests and let that comfort him for the losse of a poor Tribute Sir said I unto him if you give me no other answer but that I have orders to tell you that the King my Master will come himself with an Army of an hundred thousand men and fetch the Princesse his daughter Go then speedily said he unto me and bid him prepare himself and tell him there are no such valiantsouldiers in the world as those who fight for their liberties and that since Artamenes is in prison as I understand he is the Prince Tigranes my son will not make any great difficulty of it to fight him and perhaps victories will not come so cheap unto him as they have done Megabises did know very well that there was no great prudence in speaking thus unto Ciaxares before so many people nor to tell so precisely what the King of Armenia said concerning Artamenes But thinking that perhaps it would be advantagious unto him he resolved to do so Then he ended his relation by telling that after he went out from the King of Armenia they brought him commands to be gone out of Artaxates the next morning and that they guarded him unto the utmost frontiers of Armenia Ciaxares hearing the answer of this Prince was in a high and cholerick passion and presently resolved upon war No no said he I make no question but Mandana is in Armenia she her self has writ it and Martesia confirms it also the answer of this audacious Prince do tell it plainly But yet said the King of Phrygia unto Megabises were you not enformed by any whether there were any forraign Princesse arrived at that Court Yes Sir said he for I heard that there came once some women whose quality every one was ignorant of and that they were sent unto a Castle towards the Countrey of the Chaldeans but stayed not at Artaxates No no said Ciaxares once again there needs no more information Mandana is in Armenia and I must carry the war thither And by consequence said the King of Phrygia with as much generosity as boldnesse we must have Artamenes out of prison for Sir if your souldiers do not see him in the head of them but that he should be left at Sinope they will march but very slowly into Armenia and perhaps not fight as they used to do when they come there also added the King of Hircania I cannot believe there is any better way to move the gods to become propitious then to protect that man whom they have so much favoured These two Princes were not the only persons who spoke thus for every one in the chamber said the same It seemed that
he could not understand what it was he concluded that it was such as he was ashamed to confess so that passing from this thought unto another Is Mandana said he descended from so many Illustrious Kings and who her self must one day raign over so many people and such great kingdomes so weak as to endure the unjust passion of an unknown man Ah No no I must punish Artamenes for his boldness and Mandana for her weakness furthermore when he saw that Feraulas would not suffer himself to be apprehended he did imagin that to be an infallible signe of his knowledg of many things for he knew that Feraulas was of such a couragious spirit as the fear of his life would never make him flee away In conclusion the king did suck so much venome out of every imagination that his minde became so much incensed against Artamenes as he would not suffer the king of Phrygia to speak any more in the behalf of him The king of Hircania was no lesse rudely rejected then he And seeing so many Princes and men of high Quality about him How is it possible said he unto them all that you should thus importunately presse me in the behalf of such a man as you know not who he is If he would himself say he were a Subject unto any one of you I should then with more patience hear you interest your selves in his fortunes But questionlesse he is of some such inconsiderable Countrey that he is ashamed to own his very Nation and yet all of you speak for him as if he were the Son of some great king or as if I should incense all the Kings upon earth by punishing him But said he unto them in a mighty fury either speak no more in his behalf or let me know your reasons why you should so eagerly interest your selves For let me tell you this once for all and it shall be my ultimate Resolution that if within two dayes space Artamenes do not confesse his faults his life shall pay for it and satisfie revenge and afterwards at more leisure all his complices shall follow him After Ciaxares had thus expressed himself he went into his Closet and left all the Kings and Princes extreamly dejected They all went then unto the house of Hidaspes because he was most interressed in him and because they were more free and at liberty there then any where else When they were all there the King of Phrygia having consulted with the King of Hircania with Hidaspes Aducius Artabases Thrasibulus Madates and Feraulas they concluded that since Ciaxares did object against Artamenes the basenesse of his Quality and thought that his greatest crime therefore it was requisite to tell him who he was and try if that way would prevent him from his violent resolutions They conceived that since Astyages was dead Ciaxares perhaps would not so much startle at the Stars and predictions of the Magi as the King his father did but that when he should know Artamenes was the sonne of a King his Cosin and had thirty thousand Persians in his Army he would perhaps look better about him before he destroyed him and that if it should once come to open force the Souldiers would fight with more fury for the son of a king then they would have done for an unknown stranger This resolution was not fixed upon without great Contests but after the grounds of it were well examined it was so determined and they resolved that after they had given all requisite Orders unto their Regiments they woul 〈…〉 â—act the next morning accordingly and that in the mean time 〈…〉 as they could to 〈◊〉 about Ciaxares that morning to 〈…〉 esse might 〈◊〉 spread and be 〈…〉 â—onferenc 〈…〉 King o 〈…〉 were on 〈…〉 fore Ci 〈…〉 safety 〈…〉 and in 〈…〉 be said 〈…〉 day T 〈…〉 〈…〉 a the King of H 〈…〉 L 〈…〉 nia 〈◊〉 Prince of Paphlagonia Gobria◠〈…〉 Th 〈…〉 Philocles Leontidas Megabises Ariobantes Hidaspes Adusius Madates Art 〈…〉 Aglatidas and a hundred others were there But their hast was notwithstanding so 〈…〉 full for do what they could it ws impossible for them to see the King t 〈…〉 morning 〈…〉 would by all means dine that day in private because he would avoid the soncitations 〈…〉 many as were opposite unto his designe But at last know that they were all of them extreamly importunate to speak with him and were come into his Chamber he came out of his Closet in a high fury absolutely resolved upon the death of Artamenes Presently after according unto the last dayes resolutions Feraulas came also into the Chamber and thrusting thorow the pr 〈…〉 to get neer the King he presented himself before him with as much boldnesse as reverence Ciaxares being infinitely surprized to see him What Feraulas said he unto him do you fear death so little that you dare put your self into the power of a Prince who has caused you to be sought for as a Delinquent It is not death Sir answered he that I stand in fear of but my greatest fear is lest your Majesty should precipitately act a piece of high injustice upon the person of my Master Therefore I come to tell you that Artamenes is so far from being of any obscure extract as he is the Son of a great and good King of what unknown Countrey I pray you is the Father of Artamenes King replied Ciaxares Ah my friend this excuse is too grosse and I cannot believe it unlesse all these Princes confirm what you say If that be Sir replied Feraulas you may very well believe that Artamenes is the Son of a great King since there are thirty thousand of his Fathers Subjects in your Army and all these Kings and Princes who hear me are able to attest the truth of it Truth is Sir Artamenes is Cyrus sonne to the King of Persia and Hidaspes Adusius and so many famous Persians as you see about you are all to be one day his Subjects Is Artamenes Cyrus replied the King of Mades away away it is impossible Sir said Hidaspes the thing is so true that nothing upon earth can be more Yes Sir pursued Adusius and we are able to make it most apparent unto you the report of his shipwrack was most false and Cyrus was never in any danger of death but in your Majesties service You know said the King of Phrygia that this is not likely to be an invented businesse for if it were not true Hidaspes would not say it I know replied Ciaxares infinitely unquiet and troubled in his minde that the thing which you discover unto me is the way to hast his ruine for Artamenes as he is onely a rash ingratefull and a deluding man and a particular enemy unto Ciaxares who according to his Clemencie or Justice may pardon or punish him But if it be true that he is Cyrus then it is as true that he is the generall enemy of all Asia and ought to be destroyed You are all
of his affection which he would have rendered her whilest he had continued a prisoner then for any love she bore him though she did esteem him very much After this Cyrus returned unto the Camp again contemplating always upon his dear Princess or discoursing either with Aglatidas or Feraulas or Chrisantes in whom he put much confidence He loved Araspes very well yet since he never had been in love he never spoke unto him concerning his passion When he was come into the Camp he went immediately unto the Tent of Thrasibulus where since he was at leasure he intended to pass that day and part of the night in hearing a relation of what he desired so much to know As soon as he went thither he expressed his desires of being alone with Thrasibulus so that every one did leave him the liberty of Conference and as soon as Cyrus saw this opportunity he said very obligingly unto him Well my old Conqueror said he will you suffer your self to be overcome and acquaint me with all the circumstances of that life which as far as I know of it is most glorious You will not say as much of the rest when you know it replyed Thrasibulus and sighed for Sir you will only find two things in it that is much weakness and much misfortune Yet since it is your pleasure to have it so and since indeed it concerns the present condition of my affairs that you know it therefore I shall very exactly obey you But can you endure Sir the relation of so many trivial passages which must needs be very impertinent unto you and indeed very inconsiderable unto any who knows not what belongs to love Praise them not trivial and inconsiderable replied Cyrus when they concern my friends and when my dear Thrasibulus said he and sighed also I am not ignorant of that misery whereof I think you complain tell it therefore I conjure you and know that I have leisure enough to hear it though it take up all the day and night also for since there is a truce with the King of Armenia I have little other imployment and since nights are but tedious and restless unto me Thrasibulus then seeing his opportunity and knowing that it was requisite Cyrus should be acquainted with his past adventures considering the present condition of his fortune was most willing to obey him and taking their seats he began thus The History of THRASIBULUS and ALCIONIDA HAd I a Soul as sensible of ambition as love I do not think it had been possible to endure all those misfortunes which have fallen upon me But since I ever thought it a greater glory to merit Crowns then possess them I stood in need of all my constancy since I was not tormented with that proud passion which has razed and ruined all the Monarchies and Republiques in the world And though I am sensible of the loss of that Soveraignty which belonged unto me yet did I not give my self over unto despair and sorrow for it but only as this loss was an obstacle unto my love so that it may almost be said I never was sensible of ambition until I began to be in love But to acquaint you Sir with those miseries I have suffered both in my fortune and in my love Give me leave to tell you that I am the Son of Thrasibulus Prince of Miletes whose name I bear who as long as he lived was an intimate friend of Periander King of Corinth and whose name was very notable as long as he lived for the wars which waged for eleven years together against Sadiattes the little son of Giges and against Alliates father of Craessus which he finished with too much good fortune wisdom and honour to be related in a few words and since that which followed after was the foundation of all my miseries This war Sir was the more considerable since it was begun during the Raign of Giges when he usurped the Crown from Heraclidus for since that Ardis who succeeded him did keep it from him as likewise Sadiattes his Son after him and as now Alliates does the same The Prince my father then being very busie in the beginning of his Raign to establish in his house that Soveraign Authority which belonged unto him he could not during the first years of his War against Sadiattes with all the forces he had resist him because he had many enemies within the Town and not daring to go out of it left in his absence a seditious party should gather to a head in it Sadiattes was absolute Master of the field and continued his wars for six years together in a very strange manner for without making any attempts against the Town he brought every year in the Harvest time a very vast Army of Foot into the Milesians Countrey and without any burning of houses or destroying Towns he only carried away all their corn and fruits and stayed no longer in the Countrey Since my father was stronger at Sea he saw it was in vain to attempt any thing against Miletes since it could not be famished but his hopes were that the Milesians being forced to buy their corn of strangers and money growing scant amongst them then they would revolt from their Prince But for all this my father would not draw out of the Town until such time as he saw himself absolute Master of his people saying That the Sea would bring him corn when as nothing would bring him Miletes if it were once lost Afterwards when by fears he had made the people absolutely to submit unto him he drew into the field presently after the death of Sadiattes and the new King of Lidia made war after another manner The Prince my Father without the assistance of any unless them of the Isle of Chios who remembred the aids which he lent them when the Erithreans made war upon them was in a condition to fight that famous Battel of Limenia and afterwards that upon the Banks of the River Meander where with his own hand he killed the Prince of Phocians Son And since these two battels were bloody unto both sides and the victory dubious they gave a stop unto the progress of Alliattes who despairing of absolute victory according to his hopes did upon his return set fire unto a great field of corn whose flames did not only consume the corn but by the greatness of the wind did set the Temple of Minerva on fire and entirely consumed it This sad accident did trouble the people of Miletes more then it did the King of Lidia But within a while after that Prince falling sick and sending to consult with the Oracle of Delphos the Pithian told the Lidians that she would return them no answer until they had rebuilt the Temple of Minerva which they had burned Periander who knew of this answer sent to advertise the King my Father that he might make the best use he could of it so that a while after when the Lidian Embassadours
forced to appear before you having failed in that service which I designed to do you It is rather my part to complain replyed Cyrus since I fear my misfortune is contagious and is a cause of yours I have more cause of fears and sorrows then you answered Cleander when I apprehend my misfortunes may chance follow me in your Army I know not replyed Cyrus whether your bad fortunes will follow but I am sure high Fame goes before you and the name of Illustrious Cleander has been long known unto me so that I am in love with his glory and honour in love I say most pure without any envy or jeslousie Happy Lovers replyed Cleander smiling are never jealous and they who possess honour and deserve it as the most illustrious Cyrus does will easily permit others to love it also yet Sir at this time I shall desire nothing but the honour to serve you You are so loaded with honours and glory replyed Cyrus that you have no reason to wish more then you have yet give me leave to oppose your desire of it at this time since I am already so much obliged unto you that I must needs endeavour to pay unto the Prince Artamas that debt which I owe unto the illustrious Cleander I have so little merited the first of those names replyed he that I dare hardly take it upon me though the King my father should appoint it Then I must go and move him to command you by his absolute Authority replyed Cyrus and so he carried Cleander unto the Tent of the King his father and presenting him Receive here with joy Sir said he unto him a Prince who is worthy to be your son and deserves more Crowns then Fortune as prodigal as sometimes she is knows how to give The King of Phrigia would have observed the same ceremonious respects which he was used to render unto Cyrus but that Prince being desirous he should embrace Cleander and natural affection being stronger then all rules of Civility he embraced him with unimaginable delight for as soon as he perceived Cleander he saw so perfect a resemblance of his dearer Elsimena that he changed colour so that his heart as well as eyes and reason telling him that he was really his son he received him with all the testimonies of a dear affection which a generous father could express unto an illustrious son Sir said Cleander unto him can you acknowledg me for your son after that which I have had the misfortune to do against you Yes replyed the King of Phrigia and smiled and it is most advantagious for me to do so otherwise I must acknowledg you to be my Conqueror If your goodness can pardon me this Crime answered he I beseech you let it be no more remembered It is a Crime so glorious said Cyrus that I make a question whether or no the King your father does wish it had never been committed for as you are a Debtor unto him for your life so as he hath told me you preserved his in this last War However Cleander if you will disclaim from what you have already done against the King of Phrigia I shall oblige him to remember nothing but what the Prince Artamas shall do in the future I conjure you Sir replyed he I command you said the King of Phrigia if I may command in the presence of one whom I will ever obey that you prefer the interests of the illustrious Cyrus before your own This is a Command so unjust replyed the invincible Prince of Perâ—a that I will not give Prince Artamas time to answer it And I declare unto him before you that I desire no more from him but what I will render unto him first that is a firm friendship so that amidst my misfortunes I may have the happiness of finding an illustrious Friend the same day the King of Phrigia finds an illustrious Son The King of Phrigia and the Prince Artamas whom we will no longer call Cleander answered Cyrus with all possible civility and since this Conference had continued something long the King of Phrigia grew impatient to talk with his Son in private and therefore they retired Yet in their passing the King of Phrigia carried him unto the King of Assyria and unto the King of Hircania who received him very civilly the first of these not daring to testifie that secret discontent which he always had against the King of Phrigia In the mean while all the Princess and men of Quality in the Army came to visit the prince Artamas who doubtless would have thought himself extreamly happy if his love of the princess Palmis had not tormented him Cyrus then seeing no hopes of releasing Mandana but by force called a Councel of War the day following where the prince Artamas took his place with much honour speaking unto every thing which was proposed with as much spirit and judgment as if a long experience had fortified his Reason and it plainly appeared that he who I 〈◊〉 to conquer betimes is exact in the knowledg of things when others who have not that experience are ignorant in them and that it is not impossible but that a young Conqueror may be more able then an old Captain who hath not seen so much as he though lived longer The Result of this Councel was that since the season of the year was far spent and Cressus had attempted nothing to send unto him and demand the princess Mandana before any open War was declared The prince Artamas insisted most upon this resolution because he could not forget his obligations unto Cressus notwithstanding the ill usage he had from him and he used all his Rhetorique to perswade Cyrus unto a tryal of all fair means before course was had unto the last Remedy of War Cyrus had much repugnancy to that Resolution alledging for reason his ill success of sending into Armenia and his repentance in sending But he was answered that the cases were not alike since the King of Lidia could not deny that the princess Mandana was in his Dominions and therefore he must needs answer directly Moreover it was further objected that it was impossible to besiege Ephesus considering the season of the year and also considering he had no strength at Sea therefore the attempt seemed to be unreasonable especially since if Cressus would protect the Ravisher of Mandana he must have a more plausible pretence for the War in the eyes of the people However Cyrus desired that Feraulas might return before he sent unto Cressus yet fearing he might stay too long he resolved that Hidaspes should go thither within two or three days and in the mean time that the Army should advance and march through part of Phrigia and enter into Lidia that way if the Answer of Cressus was not satisfactory In the interem he had intelligence that Abradates was gone unto Sardis and he acquainted the Queen his wife with this news who seemed to be very angry at it yet
of no better way then addresses unto him that he would be pleased to negotiate so with Croessus that he should not approve or consent unto the match Andramites who loved Perinthus and who hoped for some good offices from him towards Doralisa and who moreover knew that Croessus had reason to dislike the Marriage between Mexaris and Panthea did promise him to negotiate so effectually that he would absolutely hinder Mexaris from ever Marrying the Princess by the consent of Croessus for he knew the dislike of that Prince unto this Alliance Perinthus returned thanks with abundance of joy and stayed not long for accomplishment of his hopes for within two daies after Croessus did forbid Mexaris from thinking of any Marriage with Panthea proposing unto him another match Since Mexaris was resolved to look more high then formerly he used he took this language very fiercely But Croessus being transported with anger at an answer of so little respect did talk unto him with such Authority that Mexaris was glad to submit to be silent and to retire and I believe he would have left Sardis if his Love to Panthea had not stayed him In the mean time fearing the Prince of Clasomena should cool upon the matter he went unto him assuring him that he should ere long prevail with the King and conjuring him not to alter his intentions The truth is the Prince of Clasomena saw Mexaris so neer unto the Crown that he promised him what he could desire You may imagine Madam how great was the joy of Panthea when she heard of all the passages between Croessus and Mexaris and how Abradates was ravisht at the defeat of his Rival Since they knew not from whence this good fortune should proceed they did attribute it only unto Croessus who out of reasons of State did dislike and oppose the Marriage So that the first private meeting which Abradates had with Doralisa about it we consumed two whole hours in discourse of nothing else and rejoycing at it In the mean while whil'st Andramites was thus negotiating with Croessus against Mexaris Perinthus transacted secretly against Abradates with the Prince of Clasomena So that hoping to hinder both Princes from injoying that person whom both they and he loved he became more jocand and sociable then he used to be Mexaris for his part considering what courses were most expedient to take seemed to comply unto the Kings commands seeming to smother the passion which was in his soul though his intentions alwayes were to marry Panthea and so he assured the Prince her Father in secret Whil'st these things were thus carried on Andramites who was deeply in Love with Doralisa and had been so before he married that fair one who died about a year since desired Perinthus to do him all the good offices he could unto Doralisa which Perinthus promised to do and further telling him that if his own endeavours would not prevail he would beseech the Princess to favour his desires Thus was Perinthus ingaged to return the favours of Andramites so that he set himself not only to speak in his advantage unto Doralisa but he desired me also to speak which accordingly I did upon the first fit opportunity though I told her it was at the instance of Perinthus I think Madam that I told you already Doralisa did much esteem Perinthus and perhaps if she had been able to infuse such thoughts into his heart as she desired he should have been tender enough towards her and sinâ—e it was so it may easily be imagined that though he was importunate in behalf of Andramites yet he was so far from serving him that he did rather did prejudice him yet did she return no uncivil answers but in such a manner as he might easily see he did not very great good office for his friend Then Madam to perplex Perinthus the more It chanced that the Princess who breathed some hopes to marry the Prince Abradatâ—s and did foresee that she should then leave Sardis she resolved by no means to lose Doralisa and therefore did project to marrry her unto Perinthus since she knew that Doralisa did much esteem him she made no question but if he could or would express any affection to her she would receive him very favourably So that at his going out of Doralisa's house where he had been to solicite in behalf of Andramitâ—s he received command to come unto the Princess He was no sooner with her but she told him that she would give him some testimonies of her friendship I have received so many already Madam said he unto her that I need not wonder to find you so full of goodness But do what I can Madam I am afraid I shall dye in ingratitude You may soon acquit your self in point of gratitude said she if you please I most humbly beseech you Madam said he in haste tell me which way By applying your self a little more unto Doralisa said she unto him for Perinthus you will much oblige me if you look upon her as one whom I desire you to marry to the end I may not lose her and that engaging you both in my service we may be for ever inseparable I am sure said she and would not give him time to speak that Doralisa for all her talk does not think you in love no more then I do therefore knowing how much you esteem her and what the merit and fortune of this person is I do not think this an unjust Proposition nor that you ought to refuse it Panthea having ended her speech and Perinthus returned out of that maze which the motion of the Princess had put him into he answered her with no less subtilty then civility though with most sensible sorrow I think my self most unhappy Madam said he unto her that you should desire of me such things as are both unjust and impossible though you beleeve it to be so just and easie yet it is neither the one nor the other Why Perinthus said the Princess is it any Injustice that one that is a most accomplished man and one whose Soul is not already engaged should marry the most amiable and spritely woman upon Earth and one who wishing for a heart that never was in love finds such a one in you Yet Madam replyed he though I were such a one as you speak I should never please her for Doralisa expects to be loved and truly I cannot love her otherwise then I should do a Sister Yet I pray you seem as if you did more replyed the Princess and I shall think my self much obliged and though at the first you can love her no otherwise then as a Sister yet time may make you love her as your Wife Truly Madam replyed he I cannot do more for not knowing you had any such design as this I have spoke unto her with extream zeal in behalf of Andramites who is ready to dye for love of her and who is not only every way a more accomplished man
him that his recommendations were dear unto him excepting what related unto the Prince Artamas assuring him that he should have his answer in the morning that afterwards he desired permission to present a Letter unto the King of Pontus from the Princess his Sister and another from the Queen of Susiana unto the King her Husband unto which he accorded causing him to be conducted unto those two Princes by some of his guard But I pray tell me said Cyrus Were not the King of Pontus and Abradates in the Camp No Sir replied Aglatidas for they were at a Councel of War which was held neer the Town and the King of Pontus was ready to set forward to command the Van-guard But to tell you Sir how Abradates received me is impossible but I am most certain he loves the Queen Panthea with a most extraordinary affection and he had no sooner read her Letter but he assured me that he would be a Protector not only unto all such prisoners as were taken during the War as well as those now at Sardis but he would be ready to do any thing that generosity would permit him with a hundred obliging and sweet expressions unto me After which being desirous to execute the orders of Panthea that very hour he went unto Croessus as I shall tell you after I have related unto you how the King of Pontus did treat me I am confident replied Cyrus that he hath not forgot to be generous Certainly Sir replied Aglatidas I was much surprized at this manner of behaviour for Sir you never did any favour which he does not exactly remember he calls you his Protector and Liberator he protested that he hated ingratitude and swore unto me that he would protect the Prince Artamas and all the Prisoners more for your sake then for the Princess his Sister Then he carried me unto Croessus and I was a witness of all that the King of Susiana and he did plead in behalf of Artamas and the rest Croessus did obstinately affirm that the Prince of Phrigia ought not to be treated as a Prisoner of War but to be proceeded against as a Delinquent to the State And these two Princes did most zealously maintain the contrary telling him that he had no Right at all unto that Prince but what the Fortune of War did entitle him unto However the matter could not be that day resolved no nor the next day though Cressus promised to dispatch me During which time by the Kings permission I visited all the Prisoners I understood from Feraulas that the King of Assyria was known before he came into Sardis and that since his Imprisonment he is extreamly melancholy that he should not have the glory of ayding you in the Princess Mandana's Releasment and that he was forced to be obliged unto you for his Liberty and he charged me to express his sorrows unto you that he was not to be Partaker with you in the dangers of this War and desiring me to put you in memory of your Promises As for the Prince Artamas Sir he charged me with a hundred obliging Messages unto you as well as Anaxaris Sosicles and Tegeus Whilest I was with these illustrious Captives Abradates and the King of Pontus finding Cressus very resolute told him that there was two persons who were infinitely dear unto them in your Power and that they had great Reason to fear their usage if Artamas was treated otherwise then as a Prisoner of War Unto which he answered that as long as Mandana was in his Power there was no fear of either the Queen of Susiana or the Princess Araminta As Abradates was more earnest in the business then the King of Pontus he spoke something home unto Cressus telling him that he saw he was much deceived for he beleeved that if he had desired Prince Artamas to be exchanged for the Queen his Wife he would not have denyed him that favour but it seems he was so far from granting him that favour as at his request he would not let him be in the ordinary Conditions of War Adding many other things unto which Cressus answered so roughly as I am very much mistaken if the heart of Abradates was not much exasperated against him For when I came to receive his Answer I heard him relate the business unto one of his friends in a low voyce and in such a manner as I conceive as much However at last the King of Pontus and he did bend Cressus unto their desires so that I received as good an Answer as I could wish In taking my leave of Abradates he charged me with a Letter unto the Queen his Wife and appointed me to tell you Sir that if he were absolute Disposer of Affairs he would not only protect the Prince Artamas but release him Adding unto all this a Chain of Gold with a Medal on which was the Picture of Panthea which he desired me to take to put me in remembrance as he said to tell you Sir That there was one man amongst your Enemies who infinitely desires the honour to be your Friend Sir said I then unto him I beseech you excuse me from receiving such a magnificent gift as may render me suspected unto the Prince I serve Since your Masters merit replyed he is a stronger and more precious Chain to tye you unto his service then any I am able to give he will never suspect such a man as you of any subornation At last there was no remedy but I must submit unto the liberality of Abradates and accept it Afterwards I went unto the King of Pontus who gave me his Answer unto the Princess Araminta his Sister and who charged me to tell you Sir that you may ever expect any thing in the World from him which was not prejudicial unto his Love After this Aglatidas presenting the King of Lidia's Letter unto his hands he there found these words CRESSUS unto CYRUS WHat cause soever I have to treat the Prince Artamas as a Delinquent against my State yet I assure you that at your instance and the desires of those two Princes who did second you I shall treat him only as a Prisoner of War and that with much civility and sweetness I wish I may often be in a condition to do you the like offices and that I may never be necessitated to receive the like from you CRESSUS Fortune shall then forsake me said Cyrus in answer to his own thoughts and the King of Lidia's Letter After which embracing Aglatidas he asked him whether he had heard of a stranger of high reputation in Sardis whose name was Telephanes Oh Sir said Aglatidas I had forgot to tell you that the talk in Sardis is of nothing else but his valor and gallant importment yet none knows who he is However added he if the â—â—idians are to be beleeved their Army is so vast and strong that Victory is made sure of However they will give us leave to dispute for it with them
to tell you said he before you give me my last denial which is that if you will repent of your fault and quit Leonisa and return unto Cleodora and become as faithful as you have been inconstant I promise you to cease my sure and never to discover your Crime protesting unto you that I will not onely leave Cleodora but Susa also but then I expect that if it be so you will love Leonisa still and by consequence not pretend any thing unto Cleodora I expect I say you should assist me and no longer oppose my desire All that you say is ful of reason replied Belesis so that I am infinitely ashamed to return such an extravagant answer But Hermogenes if you love me you will pitie the imperfections of your friend and excuse me if I denie you and confesse that I cannot receive a more sensible displeasure then to see you love Cleodora though I Love Leonisa I know very well that it is extream folly to speak thus But it must be you Hermogenes who are wiser then I am that must connive at my weaknesse it was you that brought me to Susa and caused all my miseries and therefore it must be you that must comfort me T is true replied Hermogenes I did bring you to Susa but it was you first who brought me in love with Cleodora and by Consequence it is our parts to comfort one another After this I took upon me to talk unto them both but all to no purpose and thus we all parted without any conclusion at all And certainly it was very happy Belesis did not lodge neer Hermogenes as he did when he came first to Susa for if they had matters might have been worse between them In the mean time the poor Hermogenes was in a sad condition because Cleodora observing the inquietudes of Belesis and thinking he suffered them for the love of her she resolved to banish Hermogenes So that the six dayes which she gave him being expired she prepared her self for that hour of audience which he asked and she promised and taking hold of the opportunity in her Aunts chamber they went both to a window far enough from the rest of the company to talk and not be understood Therefore Cleodora began to conjure him not to speak unto her any more but by degrees to withdraw himself from coming to her However Madam said he unto her you will confesse that it is for Belesis his sake that you banish me and that if he were not in love with you you would not banish me Cleodora thinking that Hermogenes would be better satisfied if she spoke sincerely unto him then if she should dissemble a truth which he was not ignorant of told him in very obliging language that it was very true she desired to take from Belesis all causes of jealousy and all complaints against her assuring him that if she had not some compassion upon Belesis she would never deprive her self of his company but should desire him to regulate that affection which he said he bore her Hermogenes hearing Cleodora speak with more mildnesse then one that had any minde to banish another or absolutly disoblige him did beleeve that if she knew of Belesis his inconstancy perhaps he might possesse that place which this inconstant man inojyed in the heart of this Lady so that being prompted unto it by the excesse of his love and perceiving that be must either quit Cleodora or undeceive her in her belief that she had of Belesis his loving her began to think of changing the sentence of his death since he did extreamly Love Belesis he was extreamly unwilling to tell her what he knew but since it concerned the chiefe felicity of his life and love surmounting all lawes of friendship his spirits began to be exasperated against Belesis Whilst Hermogenes was thinking what to do Cleodora looked upon him imagining that the many alterations in his countenance were caused only because of his sorrows that he was not to speak unto her as he was used but at last Hermogenes prevailing with himself the gods are my witnesses Madam said he unto her what an extream unwillingnesse is in me to ease my soule of those miseries which oppresse it by telling one thing which doubtlesse will much trouble you and which is far from pleasing me For the melancholy which I shall see in your faire eyes when you shall understand that Belesis is unworthy of those honours you do him will infinitly grieve me But Madam though I should not attempt to revoke that fatal sentence which you have pronounced against me yet in consideration of your own interest I think my self obliged to discover unto you what I know for I am fully perswaded that when a Mistresse and a friend are in the scales the weights are much uneven Nor is it in my choice to deliberate since as the state of my case stands I must tell you that Belesis is an unconstant man that his jealousie is counterfeit and that he is in love with Leonisa At the first Cleodora did not beleeve Hermogenes but thought that all he told her was his own invention But since there is nothing more easie then to infuse mistrust into an amorous minde she no sooner had told Hermogenes that she gave no credit unto his words but she began insensibly to be jealous and aske him upon what conjectures he grounded his beliefe So that by little and little and hardly knowing what she said she asked Hermogenes of more things then he knew of and also he told her more then she desired to know yet since there still remained some kind of doubts in her Hermogenes told her that to clear them all she should get her picture out of Belesis his hands and there she might see Leonisas also Ah Hermogenes said Cleodora could I but see that I should extreamly hate Belesis and certainly you may see it replied he if you go handsomly about it but alas Madam said he it will not be enough to hate Belesis unlesse you love Hermogenes I assure you said she unto him if this you tell me be true I shall not easily love any and I shall so hate my self that I shall not be in any disposition to love others since to speak truly none ever loves but for love of themselves but however I assure you that I shall think my self eternally obliged unto you for discovering the perfidiousnesse of Belesis to me As she spoke these last words Belesis entered who seeing Hermogenes and Cleodora separated from the company went towards them to interrupt their discourse though Leonisa was in the same chamber In going thither his mind began to change because he feared Hermogenes had already discovered his crime yet since he had already stept a pace forward he went on with a spirit so full of turbulency as plainly told Cleodora his mind was unquiet On the other side this Lady was not a little troubled in dissembling her thoughts But since there was a
yet how shall I doe it unto whom can I trust the secret and how can I handsomly see him unlesse he come hither Moreover since it ought not to be by that little beauty I have that I must captivate him who must make me happy I conceive it ought rather to be by my vertue then my witt that I must make this conquest and therefore I make a question whether in consenting that Timantes shall see me in secret I bring my vertue in suspition for certainly I have a most invincible aversion against any thing of immodesty Amaxita seeing there was no difficulty in the minde of Parthenia but how to carry the matter handsomely began to consider how it might be done and she considered so well that her imagination had contrived a way how to satisfie the Princesse But Sir it is fit I tell you that the Principall reason which moved Amaxita to perswade Parthenia that Timantes might speake with her was because Philoxipes and Policrite had desired her a thousand times that she would perswade this Princesse to quitt her solitude and not to rely so punctually upon the strict words of the Oracle which they thought was ill interpreted This Sir was the motive which induced Amaxita unto what she did and to induce Parthenia to lay hold of this expedient which she proposed unto her she moved her to read over againe the Oracle of Delphos which was as I told you before in these words That if she would be happy she must not marry a man whom her eyes had not captivated and by consequence said Amaxita it must be concluded that there is one in the world who may love you and never see your eyes for the Gods doe never foretell things impossible so that it is almost evident that Timantes is the man whom the Gods have sent to make you happy therefore Madam if you will take my judgement thinke no more upon it but let him speak with you But I pray you Amaxita said Parthenia how can I goe unto Paphos and not be known and how can I see Timantes but he must see my face or talk with him but he may guesse who I am However after this cruell experience which I have had in the inconstant resolutions of those who only love Beauty I will not have Timantes know whether my eyes be faire or ugly nor know my quality for truly if I doe conquer his heart it shall not be by fading beauty which dies and his affection dies with it and which will leave me in such a sad despair as I have had but too much tryall off Amaxita hearing Parthenia say so would not contradict her because she thought it not impossible but Timantes might fall in love with her and not see her face and that he was not of their opinion who thinke the eyes only are the givers and receivers of love But Madam said she you must act your part and therefore you must give it out you intend a journey of fifteen dayes and in lieu of going to the place pretended go secretly iuto Paphos and lodge ata friends of my Brothers and stay there all that time during which time upon some pretence which we will think upon at leasure I will procure that your Chamber shall be a ground room towards the Garden with a Belcone which opens upon a Jessimine Arbor which is much darker then any other this friend is a woman of quality and vertue her Husband and Sonne are both at Athens and she is much obliged unto my Brother and he to her she it is we will trust in the businesse But if it should come to be knowne I was at Paphos said Parthenia what would people say and what would they think At the worst replyed Amaxita they can but say you had a mind to se a Horse-race and not be knowne and indeed this was a handsome excuse for there was to be one and the end of the race was to be behind the Ladies house yet Parthenia could not bring her mind unto it untill the sixth day when I came thither where I was no sooner come but she desired to ask me concerning Timantes purposely to know whether he had been secret for I had the honour to see him after with the Prince Philoxipes Amaxita in obedience to Parthenia's commands asked me before her whether the stranger of whom such wonders were reported was still at Paphos and whether he was as pleasant in the Court as he was at first Timantes replyed I is questionlesse as compleat a Gallant as the World hath but since a journey he took to see the Adonian feast he is become much more reserved and unquiet then he was before yet certainly it is by reason of some distemper in his body not minde for no ill accidents have any way crossed him Perhaps he is in love said Parthenia No no replyed I for since his return from Amathonte he never visited one Lady Then certainly said she laughing and looking upon Amaxita the Adonian feast hath inspired him with such a melancholy as it cannot be cured againe After this passing from one discourse to another I began to relate what expectation there was of a Horse-race to be at Paphos so that Parthenia whose heart desired to see Timantes took this occasion to colour her designe then she told my sister that she would not eternally detaine her from all manner of pleasures but would have her go and see this Horse-race and therefore said she unto her you shall have my Coach and Megasides shall go with you to Paphos and bring you back when the sport and Feast is done that you may relate all the passages of it unto me Amaxita hearing Parthenia say so knew this was but a colour for her owne voyage so that seeming to think she was in good earnest she told her that she would not goe unlesse she went also and in conclusion the journey was agreed upon and Amaxita seeing the Horse-race was her umbrage But for all this she was full of anxious circumspections such as were like to break off the voyage and she alledged so many obscure and intangled reasons to make me understand what cause she had to keep this journey close as I wondered and afterwards she made me sweare a thousand oaths of secrecy though heavens knows I knew nothing then but that she would goe to see this Horse race after which I went before to prepare her who was to entertain Parthenia and order all things for the concealment of her voyage my Mother her selfe knew not that my sister was at Paphos and the matter was carried so handsomely that none did so much as suspect any thing and certainly it was not a businesse of difficulty for since Parthenia told none at her owne house whither she went and since she arrived in the night and the house where she lodged very neare the gate of the Towne where she entered it was not any easie matter for any to discover any
man he knew not and a man of Quality He offered any thing unto him if he would tell him unto whom he was to give that Letter but all in vain insomuch as he was driven to the necessity of conjuring him not to tell hee asked the question So that my friend giving me the Letter which could have no suspition I sent unto Parthenia who found these words The unfortunate and miserable TIMANTES unto his cruell unknown one MADAM IN thinking to spare me the sorrows of bidding you adieu you have drowned me in them What can you think Madam will become of a man who adores you who knows not who you are nor whither you goe but is ignorant whether you will ever return for him or ever return at all For heavens sake Madam have some compassion upon my constancy and never fear that the Princesse of Salamis will dri 〈…〉 you out of my heart I doe admâ—â—e her I confesse but I will not love her as I told you before I will not see her In the mean 〈…〉 e I beseech yoâ— put not my patience to the utmost rack unlesse it be your 〈…〉 gn to makâ—â—e despair or unlesse you would put me to death not only for love but also f 〈…〉 riosity 〈…〉 urn Madam I beseech you if you be gone or shew your self unto me if you be not For truly I cannot imagine where you are or who you can be and I am perswaded that if your inhumanity last a little lâ—â—ger I shall not know my self Yet I am most certain that nothing can prevent me from being the most faithfull of your Lovers and the most zealous of your Adorers TIMANTES This Sir was the answer which I sent unto Parthenia who writ many times to Timant 〈…〉 and he also unto her Yet since the beauty of this Princesse who he saw in that little Temple which is in the way towards Amathonte did make a deep impression in his heart he spoke of her very much so that Amtimaques who was in love with Donida and would have been even ravished with joy to see him marryed unto Parthenia he alwaies was hinting unto him that was only this Princesse that he could marry with honor and not with an unknown woman who perhaps had no beauty or at least was of some fantasticall disposition Timantes then did remember him of his promise not to condemn his passion if the unknown Lady did refuse his present But Antimaques answered that when he said so he did not think there was in Cyprus any match for him so advantagious as this of this Princesse but now he undeâ—â—â—ood that the Prince Philoxipes did really wish that he should marry his sister he could not be any longer in his first opinion For I pray you Sir said he unto him do but compare your unknown Lady with Parthenia a little as for her quality it is most certain it cannot be more high nor so high for there is none in all the 〈…〉 e that is comparable unto her as for her beauty according to your owne description the comparison must needs be as unequall as for her vertue â—ou know what high reputation she hath and as for her spirit the world knowes no equall and would you preferre you know not who before her Doubtlesse I would replyed Timantes for I love her and she does not hate me as for the Princesse of Salamis though I could love her and though her ravishing beauty should force me to be perfideous yet it were very doubtfull whether she could love me for I have heard say she is of a nice spirit and few men can please her though many not without some merit have courted her therefore I pray you talk no more of this Princesse whose Idea is but too deeply imprinted already in my imagination In the mean time Dorida who for the interest she had in Antimaques desired that Timantes might stay in Cyprus used all her arguments to perswade Policrite that she would importune the Princesse of Salamis to quit her solitude so that unknown to Parthenia Philoxipes Policrite Dorida and Antimaques plotted her marriage with Timantes and truly it was happy they did so for otherwise I think Parthenia would never have made her selfe known unto Timantes for since her reason was not quite prejudicated she would often think her proceedings with him so fantasticall that she could not beleeve Timantes could really esteem her and as an effect of this opinion she did so firmly resolve never to discover her selfe but to break off absolutely with him that Amaxita quite despaired of ever altering her In the meane time Philoxipes knowing that Timantes thought his Sister very faire he thought that if he could make her like him aswell as he liked her the design so much desired might happily take effect But since she could never like Timantes unlesse she saw him and since Philoxipes knew not that she knew him aswell as he did he resolved to carry him unto the Princesse and to surprise her in her solitude But Timantes excused himselfe saying he respected her more then to force her to see a man whom she did not think worthy of that honour and had denyed it before adding further that it would be a meanes to make her hate him so that Timantes refusing to goe in a civill complement Philoxipes knew not what to think But Antimaques who was acquainted with the passage told it unto Dorida to the end she might tell Policrite that the reason why Timantes would not go to see the Princesse of Salamis was because he would not expose himselfe unto the danger of falling in love with one who perhaps would be insensible of him So that Dorida preparing the mind of Policrite and Policrite the mind of Philoxipes it was plotted and resolved amongst them to get out Timantes under colour of taking a journey of pleasure and in lieu of carrying him unto the pretended place to carry him unto the Princesse But since the Prince Philoxipes knew the humour of Parthenia it was thought expedient to gaine Amaxita therefore he made a visit unto the Princesse and negotiated the matter so dexterously that she found an opportunity whilst Parthenia was dressing her selfe for it was very early to talk with Amaxita in her chamber and imparted unto her their designe of marrying the Princesse his sister unto Timantes Let us tell her said he to satisfie her concerning the Oracles which she received that he is fallen in love with her reputation and with the commendation which every one gives of her spirit At first Amaxita thought that the Prince Philoxipes knew something of the passages between Timantes and Porthenia but she was greatly undeceived of that by severall passages he told her so that seeing it was the zeale and earnest desire of this Prince to promote this Marriage she resolved to impart the secret of all the story unto him conceiving that if she did not perhaps the Prince Philoxipes when he saw the amazement that Timantes
of that amazement he was in when he came within a daies journey of this great Town and heard that he whom Amasis had acknowledged for his Sonne proved to be no more then a simple shepheard and was returned to his former condition and that Amasis acknowledged a shepheardesse whose name was Timareta for his Daughter I say you may easily imagine how all these things surprised Amenophis However he conceived it expedient before he attempted to go into the Isle to know more certainly of the truth so that he resolved to go unto Elephantine in the night and lodge with his sister But he was much perplexed to understand when he came there that she was not in Town so that Amenophis not daring to trust himselfe with the Domestiques of the house and the Father of him with whom Sesostris and I lodged being his intimate friend he resolved to make the Sonnes house his Retreat whilst he enquired of the posture wherein things are So that we were not a little astonished when my friend who knew how dear Amenophis was unto us brought him into the Chamber where we were I cannot easily expresse unto you Sir both our joyes and his He asked us a hundred things and we in lieu of answers asked him other questions In the mean time the master of the house leaving us to the freedome of talke I beseech you said Sesostris who had an extreame desire to know who himself was Tell me who I am Am I the sonne of Amasis or the sonne of Traseas or your son you are none of all these replyed Amenophis whose am I then replyed Sesostris you are Sir replyed Amenophis since it is now time to tell you the Sonne of Apriez and the legitimate King of Aegypt and I come to fetch you that you may accomplish a designe which hath been a long time in plotting Sesostris was so surprised to hear this that he doubted whether he had well understood him so that he desired Amenophis to repeat what hee had said Then Amenophis gave him an account of his design in concealing his birth and told him it was he who raised all the revolts in Thebes Heliopolis and other places Then Sesostris and I told him all the adventures both of Timareta and himself which did no lesse surprise Amenophis then his relation did us The actions of Traseas did most puzzle him for hee did not beleeve that the Princes servant had revealed his secret However it be said Amenophis I had a designe to carry both Timareta and you unto Thebes and then acquainted Amasis that Apriez had left a Son and Ladice a Daughter so that when hee knew wee had a person so deare unto him in our power wee might have brought him unto some reasonable termes But since that the posture of things are otherwise Come Sir let us goe to Thebes whither I will conduct you and let the unjust Amasis see you are not his sonne but enemy if he will not restore the Crown which is your due I know very well Sir that when you parted from our Isle you had a great affection unto Timareta and though absence cannot cure you and though she be Daughter unto the Usurper of your Dominions you may yet love her and you must make a just War to conquer her and so enjoy at once both your Kingdome and your Mistris Remember that your very name obliges you unto high things and the Gods have given you spirit and heart enough to equall and perhaps to transcend the most illustrious of your Ancestors You know that when I taught you to be a faithfull and courageous Shepheard I taught you by it to be a great and generous King Begin then the conduct of your people whom the Gods have lawfully subjected unto you and know that the War you shall attempt is most just and cannot chuse but prove propitions It is to expell an Usurper it is to revenge your father most barbarously massacred it is to revenge the death of your mother whose sorrows onely put to death it is to crown your self with glory in the eyes of all Nations it is to get your own Kingdome and your Mistris Oh Father said Sesostris for I cannot call you otherwise I must tell you and tell you without basenesse that I cannot nor will not leave loving Timareta though she be the Daughter of an Usurper I doe affect glory and fear no dangers but I love Timareta and fear to offend her Timareta replyed Amenophis is questionless worthy of your esteem not onely for her beauty and excellency of spirit and virtue but also for the generosity of her mother who was as faithfull a Subject as Amasis was perfidious And for these reasons I am not against your loving her but agree if Amasis consent that you may marry her But to effect that and to oblige Amasis to give her unto you you must be in the head of an Army you must ask her as the sonne of Apriez and let him know that Sesostris the Shepheard and Sesostris the Prince are not the same Oh Father replyed he this Prince and this Shepheard you speak of are but one person yet have different desires and I doubt whether one can yeeld unto the other The Shepheard ought to yeeld unto the Prince replyed Amenophis Reason would have it so replyed Sesostris but Love will not consent unto it If you doe but consider the present posture of your fortune answered Amenophis you will find that Love as well as Reason requires you should follow my advice For the Shepheard Sesostris cannot pretend any thing unto the Princesse Timareta 'T is true replyed he but Sesostris the Prince ought not to pretend any thing unto the Daughter of his Enemy That you may cease being his enemy answered Amenophis you must become his master you must fight with him and conquer him and then give back Timareta that Crown which you have with justice taken from him These Sir were the arguments which Amenophis used unto Sesostris to convince him in point of love and to invite him unto Thebes but the passion which had taken up a strong residence in the soul of this Prince would not permit him so suddenly to resolve upon so difficult a matter He desired of Amenophis two dayes of consideration but indeed it was to finde out an expedient how to acquaint the Princesse Timareta with his true birth and to hinder Heracleon from marrying her yet he could not possibly compasse either for it being the custom of all mercenary minded vassâ—ls to follow fortune at the heels and change as it doth when Sesostris would have entered to have seen Timareta those who were at the Palace gate and kept it for Heracleon did treat him like a Shepheard and would not suffer him to enter This course entertainment did so incense him that he doubled his fury against Heracleon though he did not know that this triviall disgrace was caused directly by him His grief was hee knew not how to ruin
at that time fall so desperately in Love with Elisa as he was readie to run out of all his wits and patience for her and who did more hang upon her then ever Poligenes and Agenor did Asiadates is a man of much Spirit but verie violent and hastie which moved him to act his desires with an unexpressible impetuositie you may then verie well imagine that he being deeplie in Love with Elisa would do any thing to enjoy her he loved if he could finde out fit opportunities for it Since Elisa would not admit of any visits unless of her most intimate friends who could not be suspected of any Gallantrie he could not find his desired opportunitie of seeing her at that Ladies house At last he contracted a great league of amitie with a person of Qualitie who was one of Elisa's friends Since few men in all Phenicia were richer then siadates was and since he understood the decay of Elisa's estate he conceived that a woman who was as high-minded as even unto verie pride it self could never brook povertie but thought that perhaps excessive liberalitie haâ—â— somly carried would tempt her to admit of him as her friend at least though not as her Lover yet he durst not be so forward as to offer any presents unto Elisa with capituâ—ations of giving all his riches for the purchase of her heart but he told her by this friend whom he perswaded that generositie more then Love prompted him since he could not endure to see virtue poor that he made her an offer of all his estate without the thought of retribution or gratitude but her acceptance Also he put into the hands of this Ladie a vast number of Jewels to present them unto Elisa so that any other then she considering the state of her fortune might easilie have been dazled by them for Elisa then did subsist only by the generositie of her with whom she lived In the mean time all the eloquence of his Lady Solicitor could not perswade her to accept of this magnificent present though she did negotiate very cunningly with her for having insensibly ingaged Elisa to look upon them she carried her unto a Closet where this abundance of Jewels did lie upon a Table Elisa not knowing how they related unto her began to look upon them she thought most admirably rare and asked the Lady whose they were Before I return you an answer said this dangerous friend unto her let me ask you what you would think of a man who would give you all these Pearls Diamonds Rubies and Emeralds I would say and think replied Elisa that he were either much in Love or verie liberal or else not very wise for I know not what else I should either say or think Yet there is somthing to be said answered she unto him that would give such a Present For indeed Elisa it must needs be confessed that Asiadates is the most generous man alive and the most real friend that ever I knew and to make it evident be pleased to know that he is so charmed with your virtue as not being able to endure Fortune should treat you with so much injustice he hath charged me to beseech you that you will be pleased he may do that which Fortune would not and enrich you with what she has given him He thinks his estate is not his so long as you do want it and is perswaded that you have more right unto it then himself Moreover never think that he has any ill intentions in it he will not so much as see you if you please he expects no retalliation or gratitude but his liberalitie is all pure therefore Elisa make no scruple in accepting the assistance of such a man who offers it unto you by me who would never advise you unto any thing which might be prejudicial unto you and who would never offer you the aid of another if I were of abilitie enough my self All the while this Lady was talking Elisa's resentments were inexpressible somtimes anger made her blush and look with scorn upon her which spoke otherwhiles her shame made her deject her eyes and somtimes her wonder would bring such paleness into her face as if she were afraid But at last not being able to keep silence I could never have believed said she unto her that Fortune could have brought me into such a condition that any one should be so bold as to make such a Proposition unto me But as there are some who suck poyson out of the most innocent things so by contraries I will draw glory out of the most infamous act in the world And that you may not think I speak this out of an arrogant pride I will render you a reason of my thoughts Know then I am fully perswaded that the estates of our friends may be ours upon some certain occasions but I am fully perswaded withal that unless one will render her self infamous one ought never to take or accept any thing from a Lover Yet I have heard you say replied this interested friend that liberality and love are inseparable Concomitants And I assure you replied Elisa that woman who receiveth Presents does give her self or to say better doth sell her self So that when a Lover would be liberal it must be without any gifts unto his Mistress but in Feasts cloaths magnificent equipage not in any things which are profitable unto the person he loves for indeed I know nothing so base so wicked so opposite to modesty nor which begets greater thoughts of scorn then for a woman to take any thing of a man who is in love with her and truly for my part I had incomparably rather receive a benefit of such a nature as this you offer me from the hand of a mortal enemie then from any lover and to beg it upon my knees then to accept it from a man who is in love with me I beseech you think that as unfortunate as I am I have still a heart so high as Fortune cannot make it lower and if I were to chuse either death or these magnificent Jewels doubtless I should prefer it before them all rather chusing to die with glory then live with shame But Madam said this corrupt friend Asiadates doth not require any thing from you He doth insolently ask me all things replied she in offering me all these riches and I am confident that never any woman received any considerable present from a Lover but within few houres after he has less esteem of her then if she had refused it and looks upon her as one whom he has right unto as if he had bought a Slave Tell therefore Asiadates he is undiscreet in the management of his inclination which doubtless is liberal since in lieu of getting my esteem by this virtue he hath got my aversion if he will be shewing his liberality he must bestow it without any ends let him inrich many unfortunate Gentlemen of which the Court is full and never think
been more desirous to know the state of his wounds then they were but as inquisitive as they were yet they could not know any more then what pleased Cyrus to impart because those whom he left with the King of Assyria did give an accompt only to him so that since Cyrus gave it out he was very ill they knew no other In the mean time this journey being a journey of jollity and victory Cyrus did not only give order that Mandana should not be distasted at any thing but contrived all way possible to please and divert her in her journey so as if Mandana to rest her self in any Town did stay a day there the day was employed in seeing all that was remarkable in the place The Ladies all assembled they feasted they danced they had races and Cyrus carryed Mandana unto no places of his Conquest but he presented the sweet fruits of his victories unto her so that betwixt Cumes and Ecbatan seemed to be but one continuall triumph And the truth is the people were so fully perswaded of the vertues in Cyrus that nothing but universall acclamations were to be heard in all places where he came Also he had an extraordinary care that the march of his Troops should not do the least injury unto the Countrey And it may be most truly sayd that he came unto no place during all this voyage where hee had not signalized some one of his vertues For in one Town he had left testimonies of his humanity in cheering up the people in an another he made his Justice to appeare in punishing som insolent Souldiers In a hundred places he had left glorious marks of his liberality according as occasions presented themselves And in what place soever he came he was alwayes himself which was always incomparable As for Mandana she gave severall testimonies of her Piety during this Journey by re-edifying ruined Temples and giving them new foundations according to the peoples Petitions And it is most certain that Cyrus and Mandana passed not a day without some excellent work of goodnesse The Prince Intaphernes was such an admirer of their vertues that he could speak of nothing else when he talked with the Prince Artamas with Myrsiles Mazares Anaxaris or any else And there chanced one adventure which gave him further subject of talk For Cyrus desiring that Mandana should go but a very little journey that day by reason of convenient Lodging she came unto a place which afforded Intaphernes a subject of Compassion and to talk further of her vertue Cyrus then having resolved that the Princess should lye in a little Town upon the Rode not far from the place where she lodged before it was so long before she set out that she came as late to her Lodging as if her journy had been longer yet she came time enough to observe the extraordinary delighfull and odd scituation of this Village where she was to lye She saw as she came unto it that she was sometimes high and sometimes low somtimes on a mountain and sometimes in a valley and between Rocks Moreover she saw there an ancient and stately Castle standing upon the point of a Rock whose prospect was towards a Forrest over against it she saw three great deep vallies environed with Rocks into which they descended by a winding path in the Rocks And to make the place more pleasant and extraordinary there was to be seen at the foot of a hill and on the side of a Torrent 2. stately Tombs the one built after the Aegyptian the other after the Grecian mode So as the Sun setting that Evening without any cloudy umbrage it might almost be said that the Sun-beams did guild the whole Countrey and made it the more delectable This magnificent object did make a deep impression in the mind of Mandana so as when she arrived at this great Castle where she was to lodge she talked upon nothing else enquiring very earnestly whose were those Tombs which she saw as she passed and why one was built after the Aegyptian manner and the other the Grecian The questions you ask Madam replyed the Master of the Castle whose name was Eucrates a man well in years of a good spirit and much travelled is questionlesse worthy of your curiosity for the truth is Love was a cause of their foundation as well as Death it being most certain that if he who caused them to be built had not been in Love they had never adorned the Country about this Castle The Princesse Mandana hearing the old man say so was fuller of curiosity then before so as pressing him to tell her all he knew he related unto her in few words how a man of quality and high merits called Menesteus descended from the race of the first Phocensians who left Phocides to go and build Phoceus which the Prince Thrasibalus had taken being resolved to travell after he had lost his Wife who left him one Son and one Daughter he came into Aegypt where he fell desperately in love with a Lady of Heliopolis whom he with her consent did carry away That after this passing through Asia he came unto this Castle where this fair Aegyptian dyed within four dayes after he came thither and from whence he would not depart but built this stately Tomb after the mode of the Countrey and since Menesteus would never forsake her who had followed his fortunes and left her own Country for the love of him he built his own Tomb near hers which is also his house where he waits for death to finish his dayes How said Mandana and interrupted him does he live yet who caused these two Tombs to be built and lives he in that which is built after the Grecian work Yes Madam replyed he but it is in such a manner as deserves compassion It may be said he lives dying for he spends whole dayes in the Tomb of her he lost and never comes in his own but at such howrs when sleep forces him to take truce with his sorrows so as I assure you Death and Love together did never make such an emblem of despair as Menesteus Yet one would say that the Gods take delight in his sufferings and lets him live to pay an eternall tribute of sighes and tears unto his lost Lady for he has already lived above eight years in this mournfull manner and yet cannot dye I wonder said Mandana then that since he is of so good a Quality his friends and neighbours have not forced him to change his heartlesse habitation I assure you Madam replyed Eucrates that the illustrious Peranius his sonne who should be Prince of Phoceus after him if the Armies of the invincible Cyrus had not conquered his dominions has done all he was able to move Menesteus unto a change of his living but could never perswade him All he could obtain was to let two servants stay in a house next his Tomb to bring him once a day only such things as were of
choose his sorrows augmented his hatred of the Phocean Prince because he saw him in possibility of being elected as well as himself But since such tumultuous thoughts as these are great disturbers of the mind he scarcely talked any more that day But the Prince of Phoceus talked more then he did before and spoke such things as did discover the thoughts of his heart though he spoke nothing but what would admit of another interpretation But in conclusion Cleonisbe being ready to go away these two Rivals waited upon her to her Coach After which the Prince of Phoceus went to the King and Bomilcar returned to Glacidia from whom I departed immediately after But since I had the honour to be much in the lovely Ladies favour and it being in some sort necessary that I should know all the passages amongst these persons I understood from her since that as soon as Bomilcar was at liberty to talke in private with her he began thus I beseech you dear Glacidia said he unto her if ever you intend to oblige me of two things do one of them for me Doubtlesse Sir replied she I have a most strong inclination to do you any service therfore I beseech you tell me presently what are these two things of which you give me the choise Either to contrive it so answered he that the Prince of Phoceus may be no longer my Rivall or else that he be no longer your friend for the truth is I cannot endure he should either love Cleonisbe or you Suppose the Prince of Phoceus replyed Glacidia and smiled should desire me to contrive it so that either Bomilear should not love the Princess or that I should not be his friend what answer would you have me return I would have you answer him replyed he contrary to what I would have you answer me Fie Bomilcar replyed she in this you are not just But since I will not be unjust after your example I will give you the very same answer I would give the Prince of Phoceus if he should propound the same unto me Know then Sir that as I will never cease being a friend unto you though you be an Enemy unto the Prince of Phoceus So I will ever cease being his friend though he be not yours And as relating unto your passions as I will neither hinder nor help you so I will only exhort you both to vanquish your passions As for Cleonisbe I will advise her unto nothing but let her follow the dictates of her own reason which is much beyond my own Thus Bomilcar I shall be your friend without prejudice to the Prince of Phoceus and shall also be his without prejudice to you Though your friendship unto him replied he can do me no other harm but that I shall often see him with you and be civill to him yet I shall have great cause to grudg at it But Sir replied Glacidia though you do see him yet he sees you also and if he do love the Princess as you think doth the sight of you troubles him as the sight of him doth you And since he he carries himself civily to you be not you lesse rationall then he is For if you give me any just cause to think that he is more complaisant towards me then you are then perhaps retaliating friendship for friendship I shall be more for the Prince of Phoceus then I am for Bomilcar Oh cruell Glacidia said he unto her I had rather endure the sight of my Enemy then endanger to see you more his friend then mine As long as you carry your self as you ought Sir replyed she I shall continue the same I am but if you think to oblige me unto any injustice you will but deceive your self for as I told you before if the Prince of Phoceus should aflront you I would take your part and if you affront him I will take his I know he esteems you as you esteem him I know also that he loves me as you do And I know further that he who first falls out shall lose me and I will become a friend unto his Rivall Oh Glacidia replyed Bomilcar were you my Mistriss you could not lay a more tyrannicall injunction upon me You may better say Sir replyed she and smiled that were I the wisest of the Sorronides I could not speak more justly then I do for the very truth is you have no just cause in the Earth to hate the Prince of Phoceus he hath not raised either quarrell or faction in the Court he hath seen the Princess and he cannot choose but thinke her amiable what hurt in all this Also whether he love her or not love still the choise is in her and questionlesse she will make her choise without considering whether you love her or he love her And since Reason only is ner rule I can assure you that though the Law allow her the choise yet if her inclination do not concur with reason certainly she will reject it Thus your good or bad fortune depends meerly upon the Princess and not at all upon the Prince of Phoceus Live therfore civilly with him as he will live with you and make me not to become partiall between two whom I infinitely esteem and am much obliged unto And be confident that I will not speak any thing either in his favour nor yours unless you provoke me Oh Glacidia sayd he you are too wise to be a friend unto a Lover who is ready to run out of his very wits for I perceive by Cleonisbe that she knows not yet whom she shall make choise of And yet methinks she should â—or since I have done her a thousand services and adored her with all reverent devotion methinks I deserve to be preferred before either Britomartes or Galathes or the Prince of Phoceus who is only an unfortunate Exile If the Prince of Phoceus replyed she should tell me that you were only an unfortunate Carthaginian I should blame him for giving such invective terms as I blame you for upbraiding a great Prince with that terme of Exile an Exile yet whose cause is glorious since he left his Country only to preserve his liberty Furthermore let me tell you that I know not whether the Princess hath yet fixed upon any or no but though I did know it I profess unto you I would never tell it For I am resolved to be faithfull not only unto the Princess but unto you and unto the Prince of Phoceus all who are my deare friends but also unto my very Enemies Therefore Bomilcar believe that I will neither tell Cleonisbe not the Prince of Phoceus any thing wherewith you shall entrust me so I will not tell you any thing they are pleased to entrust me withall Let it suffice I promise you never to do you any prejudice but will do you all the Offices that the Lawes of a prudent and generous friendship can oblige me unto But to the end you may not deceive your selfe let me
desire the King to give you the choise of Galathes or Britomartes Oh Glacidia replyed she hastily I do not value them at so high a rate as my disobedience to the King It should never be they but doubtlesse it should be the ............. At these words Cleonisbe blusht and was silent not being able to get out with her thought but having spoken enough to make Glacidia understand her she was extreamly ashamed though she usually imparted her most secret thoughts unto her but at last being resolved to open her very heart she confessed that if she might follow her own inclination she would prefer the Prince of Phoceus before either Bomilcar Bâ—itomartes or Galathes and confessed that she had as great a disposition to love him as to hate Bomilcar Judg now my dear Glacidia said she unto her whether I had not good reason to say I stood in need of your Reason to support my own And therefore I conjure you to do two things continually untill the sad day of this fatall Ceremony be past The one to lessen my aversion unto Bomilcar the other to lessen my affection unto the Prince of Phoceus Though it was never yet in my power to disobey the least of your commands Madam replyed Glacidia yet I beseech you to excuse me in this For truly Madam I have so fully determined to keep my self a Newter between these two whom I equally honour as I am fully resolved neither to hurt nor help either of them in a business wherein I cannot oblige the one but I must dis-oblige the other and therefore I beseech you take it not ill if I disobey you for which choise soever you make between the Prince of Phoceus and Bomilcar you cannot choose amiss Had I discovered a disposition to prefer Britomartes or Galathes before either of them I should have opposed it with all my power but since I do not I have no more to say if you overcome your aversion to Bomilear you will be just unto his merit and his love And if you follow your inclination to the Prince of Phoceus you are but just unto his vertue and his passion Thus Madam which soever you do you will do well and which soever you do I shall have cause both of joy and sorrow and since by making one happy you make the other miserable I shall rejoyce with him you choose and grieve with him you reject and therefore I beseech you do me so much honour as not to move me any further to contribute any thing unto the misery of him whom you shall doom unto such a cruel punishment But Glacidia replyed Cleonisbe by thinking not to contribute unto it you do extreamly for if you do not put me in mind that if I disobey the King and favour an exiled Prince then I shall dishonour my self and perhaps bring a War upon the Kingdom Bomilear will never be chosen Let it even be as you please Madam without any intermedling replyed Glacidia for truly Madam I neither can nor ought to meddle and if I durst say it you would not have me obey you I do almost confess it Glacidia replyed Cleonisbe and sighed for if you should desire me to lessen my aversion unto Bomilcar I feare you would encrease it But truly I must confess I know not well what I would have though I am most certain I would have nothing done against my own glory But however my dear Glacidia added she since I have trusted you with my aversion unto Bomilcar and my inclination unto the Prince of Phoceus be sure you let neither of them have the least glimpes of my thoughts for if you should there is so much injustice in my hatred of Bomilcar and so much weakness in my affection to the Phocean Prince as I should be eternally ashamed You may well conceive Madam that Glacidia was ready to make this promise unto Cleonisbe and you may also believe she would perform it In the mean time Carimantes being of a fiery nature and having a flâ—ming passion in his heart he resolved upon a course which much tormented Menedorus and grieved Onesicrite For perceiving that this Princess entertained so favourable thoughts of Menedorus he acquainted Sfurius with it and desired him to oblige his son unto a quitting of Onesicrite hinting unto him that since he had given him a being in his Country it was the least of favours he could do for him adding withall that he would be so great a friend unto him as he should have good cause to be well satisfied with his acknowledgments Sfurius being alwayes of an humour to prefer the publique good before any particular though he approved of his sons affection unto Onesicrite yet he promised his sonne should pretend no further unto that Princess Assuring Carimantes that though Menedorus would yet he should not be able to disobey And in pnrsuance of this promise Carimantes was no sooner gone but he sent for his sonne At first he went about to perswade him by arguments drawn from reason That having a Rivall unto whom he was so much obliged and a Rivall who would ere long be in power to ruine him if provoked it were wisdome to submit since it were neither prudent nor just to expose so many innocent persons unto the fury of a Prince for the satisfaction of his love adding further that since it concerned the interest of their Towne in generall he ought to sacrifice all his private pleasures for its safety and the rather because he was not in any power to disobey As strong as all these reasons were yet they could not prevaile with Menedorus So as then joyning his authority unto his reasons and perswasions hee absolutely commanded him to think no more upon Onesicrite telling him that though he would yet he could not disobey him You may well imagine Madam that Menedorus was extremely startled yet his love would not give leave to submit but seemed so resolute that Sfurius grew angry and gave him harsh language insomuch as perhaps he had been forced to yeeld had he not been tampered withall by Galathes For Madam be pleased to know that this Prince according to his close way had plotted with severall Greeks and held private intelligence with a friend to Menedorus so that fearing extremely lest Carimantes should be well treated by Onesicrite and consequently induced to favour the Prince of Phoceus he sent unto Menedorus and bad him stand firm to his principles assuring him that the King would never allow of Carimantes his passion and consequently he needed not to feare since he should have him for his Patron Thus Madam Menedorus in spight of all his Fathers reasons and menaces did not change his mind In the mean time Sfurius assured Carimantes that he would keep Menedorus from being any obstacle unto his design desiring him only to have a little patience and give him some dayes to work so great a cure And indeed Sfurius applyed a most sad remedy unto Menedorus for
such despair as would not suffer him to consult with the winds nor hearken unto the counsell of the Pilot who would have disswaded him from departing The waves were so rough and the winds so furious that they dashed this Barque against the point of a Rock on the left hand of Marseilles and broke it all to pieces so as the unfortunate Menedorus was drowned almost in the very Port into which the waves brought his body and as if the Gods had a desire to force Onesicrite to water it with her teares they permitted the Corp of this unfortunate Lover to be cast by the Sea just under the window of that Princess who saw it with her owne eyes and resented his death with inconceivable sorrow In the mean time Onesicrite having as I told you before a sweet and easie soule she could not resist Aristonice who knew so well how to perswade her that it did not consist with her glory to alter that resolution which she bad taken that she resolved to smother part of her melancholy and to be rulâ—d by those who had most right to advise her provided they would not force her to marry Carimantes over-hastily On the other side Carimantes making a thousand excuses unto Sfurius for being the cause of his sonnes death Sfurius answered him accoding to his wonted generosity After which they returned to the King in thoughts that the marriage of the Phocean Prince with Cleonisbe should with all speed be celebrated But Madam at our return we understood that the state of things were not so disposed For be pleased to know that Galathes whom Menedorus had made acquainted with many Graecians had suborned some to them to tell the Segoregians that the Prince of Phoceus was not the same he gave himselfe out to be so as this falshood passing from mouth to mouth it made so great a noise amongst the People that nothing else was talked of For Galathes having suborned the Segoregians as well as Phocensians there went an hundred severall tales concerning the quality of the Phocean Prince And since the Law which permitted Cleonisbe to choose her Husband was conditionall that she should choose a man whose Quality was sutable to her own The case was such that if the Prince of Phoceus was not the same he sayd himselfe to be then the choise of the Princess was null And to make it Galathes had caused this lye to be divulged amongst the People And Madam he had done it with so much art that those whom he employed in the business were never suspected to have any hand in the imposture And to the end none should thinke him to be the Author he would not be the first that should forbid the banes between Cleonisbe and that Prince not doubting but Bomilcar and Britomartes would take hold of that occasion which he had given to deferr it he hoping all the while to find an opportunity of carrying away Cleonisbe as afterwards we came to understand And indeed Madam Britomartes and Bomilcar hearing of these great reports did say that for their parts they did believe the Prince of Phoceus to be the same he sayd he was but since it was made a doubt by a great People they could not suffer that the Princesse should marry him The testimonies which all the friends of the Phocean Prince did give were all in vaine and likewise what all the men in Marseilles did say For the people of that Countrey being of a mutinous inclination and since many were suborned to raise sedition they took up Armes and sided with Britomartes Bomilcar and Galathes Neither the King nor Carimantes who were fully perswaded of the Prince of Phoceus his quality were not able to act accoding unto their inclinations and the lesse able because at the same time the friends of Menedorus had caused a commotion in Marseilles upbraiding Sfurius with his cruelty to his sonne accusing also the Prince of Phoceus for consenting unto the marriage of Carimantes with Onesicrite Meane while Glacidia endeavoured to perswade Bomilcar that it was in vaine for him to hinder the Marriage of Cleonisbe since he might assure himselfe she would never love him But he answered her that since he could receive no other consolation but in the ruine of his Rivall she must pardon him if he did it maintaining that he might very well do it without giving him any cause of complaint since he did no more then what Britomartes and Galathes did also In the mean time as great a care was taken in observing these Rivalls as well as the Prince of Phoceus Bomilcar and he fought the second time and were both wounded but with this difference that when they parted them the Prince of Phoceus who was closed with his Enemy was the uppermost But Madam this Combate more and more incensing the people things grew to a great height For Galathes being exceeding subtle and witty had insinuated into the minds of many Segoregians that our Town was much to be feared and that if we made the Countrey better it would be only for our selves and that after they had received us as their friends we would become their Tyrants and they our slaves But disorder and confusion being in every place it was advised to appease the People to talke of a Negotiation knowing it to be much better then to stop their first fury So they asked this incensed people and the three Rivalls who were their heads what proofs they required to testifie the condition of the Phocean Prince But they found themselves much gravelled for an answer for since there remayned none in Phoceus it was in vaine to send thither But after they had well thought upon it they agreed that the Conquerour of Phoceus should decide the businesse and that if the illustrious Cyrus would say unto those they would send unto him that Peranius was of the Familie of the Phocean Princes and that it was he who commanded the Fleet in departing from that Towne which his Armies had conquered then they would yeild up their Pretentions and agree that Cleonisbes choise was lawfull Though this Proposition might seem strange unto the Prince of Phoceus since his destiny must depend upon the testimony of a Prince unto whom he had not the honour to be known and who might hold him for his Enemy yet he did not refuse it For since he knew that the Prince Thrasibalus did know and that his action had been extraordinary and might be judged worthy to be related unto his invincible Conquerour he believed that the illustrious Cyrus would be so generous as to give a sincere testimony in his favour And so Madam it was agreed that I should come unto Cyrus That the King should send me with a person of Quality and that the three Rivalls should also send a person of Credance to heare what the Conquerour of Asia would say unto my demands But before we came away they made all their parties interested to swear solemnly to
deluded onely the simple On the other side Amaldea wishing the marriage of Artaxander with Telamire after the death of Algastus as shee did in the life of Cleossante shee negotiated the businesse so well with the kindred of that excellent Lady as she concluded the matter in few dayes But since they feared that Belermis would be some obstacle they did carry it very sacretly In the mean time since the reconcilation of Tysimenes and Artaxander was known Amaldea desired this friend of her sonnes not to forsake him untill he had married Telamire lest Belermis should oblige him to fight the second time acquainting him to what a passe she had brought the businesse and let him know that the marriage would bee celebrated very shortly And indeed Amaldea acquainting Artaxander what she had done for him and the friends of Telamire having told her what was resolved upon they both of them did think themselves as happy now as they were miserable before but Tysimenes was the saddest man that ever lived Not but that he did strive against himself with admirable generosity But yet the Passion in his soul was so strong that he was not able to overcome it As soon as Artaxander knew of his happinesse he went to tell it unto Tysimenes but hee was much surprized to finde him so melancholy and more surprized to finde that hee would not tell him the cause of his sadnesse as he had told him the cause of his Joyes Yet Tysimenes coloured his sorrows with some Domestique businesse which he said did not go so well as he wished so that since the soul of Artaxander was all joy he never examined the sadnesse of Tysimenes any further However it was so extreme that as soon as his friend was gone he thought he should have died and he was so neer it that as hee confessed since that he resolved upon twenty violent courses in a quarter of an hour Is it so said he to himself as he related afterwards that Telamire is going to be married unto Artaxander and he ready to be as happy as thou Tysimenes art ready to be miserable And yet it is thy self who hath contributed unto his happinesse and it is thy self who cannot see it without sorrow But thanks be unto the gods added hee and sighed that I can hope for nothing from Telamire for in spite of all my vertue if I had any hopes from her I should have much more ado to overcome my self But I have not so much Consolation as that I can complain either against my Mistresse or my Rivall And I can onely lay the blame upon my own weaknesse Yet though Artaxander be my friend and though I am resolved to carry my self as if I were not his Rivall I am not able to bee a spectatour of his felicity And when I consider that within four dayes hee shall enjoy Telamire I finde such a turbulency in my heart that if I should see him happy I should hazard the doing of things which would be farre from either Reason or Vertue Let then Artaxander alone in Peace Tysimenes since thou canst never bee so thy self But in order to that thou must never see Telamire Thou must quit thy Countrey banish thy self from that place where thou wilt leave Artaxander happy and seek out thy death in some Desart where thou canst never hear of their felicity who have caused thy misery And the truth is Tysimenes was so fully resolved to depart from Themiscyra and never to see either Telamire and Artaxander any more as nothing could stagger this Generous determination hee seemed therefore as if hee had some earnest businesse which called him away And without unfolding the cause of his journey hee told Artaxander that he would depart the day before his Nuptials of which Clorelisa and Belermis were ignorant At the first Artaxander used all his perswasions to make Tysimenes stay untill after he had compleated his happinesse and he perswaded him in such sweet expressions and tender words as Tysimenes was so ashamed that his resolution of going away was the stronger since hee was not able to see Artaxander enjoy Telamire without envy at his happinesse and grief to himself However since hee could not depart before hee had seen Telamire hee resolved upon a visit but it may bee very well said hee went to see her but speak he hardly was able and had not some company been there which helped out with discourse he had been put to a pitifull Non-plus But at last he left her and bid her Adieu without telling her whither he went nor why he departed At his going out from her he went unto Artaxander with whom he was not able to stay above a quarter of an hour so violent were the raptures of his grief which his passion caused Artaxander used all his Arguments to make him stay onely two dayes for since he was ignorant of the cause hee could not chuse but presse him to bee a witnesse of his happinesse But at last seeing hee would not be perswaded and thinking that the businesse he pretended was some secret of the Family which was not to bee imparted he pressed him no further but bad him Adieu with a thousand expressions of friendship Telling him that he was much beholding unto him for Telamire and that he would acknowledge his obligements for it eternally But Amiable Doralisa after that Tysimenes had left Artaxander and returned home hee thought himself more miserable then before For he found Telamire so early fair and Artaxander so full of tender expressions that Love and Friendship beginning to renew in his soul his suffering were beyond all expression or toleration Yet he stood firme unto his resolution But since love is a Passion which naturally would make it self known he could not resolve upon his departure before he had made known unto her who caused his misery what course he took against himself purposely to keep him from any attempts against Artaxander So as being resolved to write unto her he did so and when he was just ready to depart he gave it unto a trusty servant with orders to carry it unto Telamire an hour after his departure and to chuse such a time as when Artaxander was not with her After which taking horse he departed without any with him but one Page onely and went to a friends house some thirty Furlongs off to consult what course he should take and whither he should wander to make choise of his exile In the mean time he with whom he left the Letter which he writ unto Telamire having punctually obeyed him and given it unto her she was extremely amazed to finde it such as I shall afterwards read unto you for since she afterwards gave me a Copy I think it is about me In saying so she looked for this Copy and found it so she shewed it unto Doralisa and Martesia But before she read it she told them that Telamire after she had read it with much wonder and being
squable and a reconcilement In the mean time Ariantes being still more and more in the fetters of love and not being satisfied with the bare civilitie of Elibesis he resolved to tell her his mind But since her resolution was to cast him off and to engage no further with him he shunned being alone with him but still continued her complaisancy so as by this means she satisfied Agatherses and arrived at her proposed end which was to keep this Prince still in love with her as long as he stayed at Issedon only by being complacential and civil Thus as great a desire as Ariantes had to express the thoughts of his Soul he found it a hard matter to do and the harder because Elibesis had a friend called Argyrispe whom she entreated never to be out of her presence as long as the Prince Ariantes was at Issedon So that these two Ladies being continually together this lover could not meet with his desired opportunity Again since love cannot long lye hidden he came to know that Elibesis did not hate Agatherses but this in lieu of diminishing his passion did augment it and it grew to that height that he was capable of any undertaking to satisfie it Also he did so vigilantly watch his opportunity of talking in private with Elibesis that he found it mauger her intentions a few dayes after he sought it I understood since from her self that this Prince did express himself as passionately as ever lover did For after he had aggravated the Grandure of his affection he let her know how he was not ignorant of that esteem she had of Agatherses And afterwards he took an odd course of obliging her to prefer him before that Lover Moreover Madam said he unto her after much of her discourse do not think I will blame you for the esteem you have of Agatherses and for preferring him before all others For truely it was your choice before I had the honour to be known unto you and Agatherses is a most perfectly accomplished man so I cannot condemn what you have done for him before I knew you and before I loved you And to shew you that I am just I do not blame Agatherses for continuing his affection though he do know I love you because I know very well that you have not forbidden him But Madam as I am just both unto you and Agatherses so I expect you should be just unto me and that you will be pleased to take so much pains as to examine both my passion and his to the end that without any consideration of our conditions and qualities you may chuse him who loves you best But I beseech you examine the business very carefully ask both him and me the most difficult proofs of our loves And if you finde that there is a greater difference between his Passion and mine then there is between my birth and his I consent you should believe I do not love you and that you should hate me Sir replied Elibesis I will not say that there is no intimate affection from Agatherses to me or from me to him for the honour you have done me merits more sincerity from me than so but I must tell you that though I should do as you desire and should find that you love me more than Agatherses doth yet I ought not to cast him off For truely Sir our qualities are alike and it hath pleased Fortune to put me much below you so as since I cannot imagine there should be any innocent affection between two of unequall qualities doubtless to follow the rules of reason I ought to be just unto your merit and not suffer my self to be dazled with the glory of captivating such a heart as yours Truely Madam replied Ariantes you cannot in more civill tearms tell me that you will not cast off Agatherses but know too charming Elibesis there are no words which can make me receive so cruell an answer without abundance of grief and anger Eloquence may indeed sweeten the harshest news and sometimes it is used in telling the deaths of dearest friends but when it is imployed to take hopes out of a lovers heart it is too too weak to do it without abundance of sorrow But that you may assure your self it is impossible for me to lose my hopes I declare unto you that I will never do it For I find such an absolute impossibilitie of living without hopes of your love that my very reason tells me I must keep it alive in my heart Since so Sir replied Elibesis and smiled It is in vain to wish you would despair and therefore I conceive it better to give you the liberty of believing as you please provided I may keep to my self the same liberty of doing what I ought and what I would If you doe what you ought Madam replied Ariantes you will doe nothing against me For truely though it were so that you gave Agatherses some hopes of happiness it was in a time when his happiness would not have been my misery But now when his happiness will be my death you ought not to desire it nor I consent unto it Therefore Madam I beseech you consider seriously what you resolve upon Moreover I am so well acquainted with your inclinations that I know ambition is the predominate Passion of your soul So as if the poore merits of my person do not move you yet I beseech you let my qualitie finde acceptance and make amends and let Agatherses pay more respects unto Elibesis as a Princess then he can do as her Lover Sir replied she much perplexed your language is the most obliging in the world and hath a most sensible operation both upon my heart and my spirits But since I must not dissemble with you Sir I must tell you Sir I have already told Agatherses I will never cast him off unless it be to be a Queen Therefore Sir since I am not your Subject since you have no absolute command over me and since I have promised unto him eternall affection I beseech you be so good as to let me live in quietness If you Madam would let me live in quietness replied he after he had studied a while certainly I shall let you but since you will not take it not ill I beseech you if I let not you but I conjure you Madam to promise me two things The first is that you will not marry Agatherses within the compass of one year The second that if in the mean time a King do come and prostrate a Crown at your feet you will accept of it and cast off Agatherses Alas Sir replied Elybessis and laughed How can I give any answer unto such an impossible supposition For truely I do not frequent the Court of any strange King Long live Thomiris our Queen and Spargapises is so young that I shall be old before she know how to love and therefore I profess I know not how to answer you Since the thing is so far from
very easie to move them against him whom the Princess had trusted with her Authority also to drive him out of the Town and make the Prince Ariantes master of it And indeed since he had no Army which could come up time enough to appease this disorder Octomasades did happily execute his design of feising upon Issedon and began war in the very heart of the Kingdom I shall not Sir insist upon any particulat relation of the whole business for I have so many other passages less tedious to tell you that I will only in two words tell you that the people by the Artefice of Octomasades did rebel some said according as they were inspired that Ariantes was their legitimate King and that Thomiris did but usurp the Kingdom of Issedons from him others did second them and all proclaimed Ariantes King who took up arms and drove the Lievetenant of Thomiris out of the Kingdom and secured all the strong places of the Town And all this in so short a time that it had been done without any resistance if Agatherses had not been a rub unto his design But Sir since the passages were extraordinary I beseech you give me leave to insist a little longer upon them Be pleased to know therefore Sir that Agatherses whose mind was enflamed with love and jealousie he visited Elibesis as much as he could not only because he was pleased with the sight of her but because he would hinder Ariantes from all private discourse so as when this great tumult was in Issedon Agatherses was with Elibesis who lodged far from that part of the town where the sedition began in so much as Ariantes was master of a great part of the Town before they knew it But at last the disorder was so great and universall that the noise of it reached their ears and interrupted Agatherses who was discoursing with Elibesis both concerning his love and his jealousie As they were much surprised at so great a noise and full of curiositie to know the cause one of the women of Elibesis came frighted in and told her mistress that all the town was in arms That Ariantes would make himself King and that none durst resist him You may well imagine Sir that this news filled Agatherses and Elibesis with wonder yet Agatherses believed that Elibesis did not onely seem fuller of wonder than really she was and that she knew something of the design For I forgot to tell you Sir that the night before Ariantes talked at least two howers together of his passion with her and Aâ—atherses knew it So that this Lover hearing his Rivall would be King and fearing least he should become his Subject his sorrows were beyond expression and the more because he believed or at least feared that Elebesis was Prince to the plot and approved of it so as not knowing what to believe or not to believe he looked fixedly upon Elebesis as if his eyes would look into the very bottom of her heart I have reason to think Madam said he unto her that you are acquainted with the unjust proceedings of the Prince Ariantes since you told me once that unless you were a Queen I was in no danger of losing you But know Madam that since I am as faithfull a Subject as a Lover and as terrible an enemy as a Rivall the Prince Ariantes is not yet in a condition to offer you a Crown and he shall never set you upon the Throne untill after he hath sent me to my grave Let me therefore leave you Madam and either go meet death or give it him who removes me out of your heart For I do profess I can never live a Subject either unto my Rivall or my mistress And I swear by all the gods that are adored at Issedon or any where else in the world that I will never be your Subject or Ariantes After this Agatherses went his way though Elebesis would have stayed him for though she was ambitious and desired to preserve Ariantes yet she loved Agatherses But it was in vain to recall him for since the noise increased Agatherses transported with rage and fury would needs go and see if he could find any means to quash the Rivals design so as he went out at a back door least he should be compassed about with a croud of seditious people and not know what to do But he was no sooner got out then he met one of his friends who with a hundred men onely would seize upon a For or Tower which Ariantes was not yet master of So as Agatherses without more delay went with this party to oppose Ariantes But before they could get into this Tower they met with this Prince and fought him with incredible valour As for Agatherses he did as much as any jealous Lover could who fought with his Rivall and he made his way so through the press and got unto the Prince Ariantes who seeing him come on so furiously received him with the same vigour the other assaulted him asking him for all the tumult whether he fought as subject unto Thomiris or as the lover of Elebesis I fight replied he fiercely to hinder you from being King to hinder Elebesis from being Queen and to keep my self from being subject unto either her or you After this Agatherses made a blow at Ariantes which slightly hurt him in the left arm And Ariantes made another at Agatherses which scratched him on the right side and which had killed him had he not warded it with much cunning and force But in conclusion Ariantes being ten times more numerous then his enemies Agatharses was not able to retard the designs of this Prince For all his men being neither souldiers nor men of quality they ran away as soon as they saw ten or twelve of themselves killed So that Agatharses fearing to fall under the power of his Rivall or else to become either his Prisoner or subject he was forced to retreat by a back-lane but it was with so much sorrow and rage that never man was more desperate All he could do was to get into the house of a friend for since he had assaulted Ariantes he durst not go into his own house Furthermore he sadly heard that nothing could withstand his Rivall and that the tumultuous assembly had declared that Thomiris was onely daughter unto the Prince Lipacaris and that Ariantes was the son unto the late King of Issedons and consequently King according to the Lawes of the Realm But to his greatest grief he was given to understand that Ariantes whose wound was so slight that he wore his arm in a scarf rather for fashion than need had been a whole house with Elibesis And indeed Sir since the ambition of this Prince was onely an effect of his love he no sooner saw his design executed but maugre all his business he would needs visit her whom he loved and adored and he might the better do it because the main weight of this great enterprize did
a most high degree but since he knew that Noromata had an aversion unto Sitalces he could not charge her with inconstancie only of a little weakness though it was such as her vertue might excuse since she did it onely in obedience to her father But since this was a misery without remedy he complained sometimes in such feeling expressions as moved me to pittie him very much Alas alas said he the day he received Noromatas letter into what strange destiny am I reserved If I had a dozen Rivals and all preferred before me I should be much less miserable then I am though Noromata doth not hate me and hath a husband whom she loves not For such a misery though great yet was not without a remedy But that Noromata should be wife unto one whom she hates and that she should be a woman of a rare vertue this is a thing which leaves me nothing to do but complain and pittie both her and my self Yet surely her affection unto me was not great since she was able to obey so soon and I wish unto the gods that mine to her were no more violent However Sir Adonacris had a desire that Noromata should know his sorrows and therefore as soon as he heard that Targitas and Sitalces were gone unto Thomiris three dayes after the marriage and that they had sent unto a Town called Typanis with intention to continue there as long as the war lasted he dispatched one of his servants unto the place where she was Yet Sir she would not read his letter but sent it back sealed together with this note which had neither superscription nor subscription unto it SInce I am not now the same I was when I permitted you to write unto me forbear writing unto one whom decency will not allow so much as to see your letters much less to answer them I have not opened this you sent for I do not love to hear of miseries which I neither can nor ought to ease And I desire you with all my heart never to write to me again as long as you live And to believe confidently that I can never do any thing more advantagious for you than not to excuse my self and permit you to hate me if you cannot cease loving unless you pass from love to hatred After this ask no more of me for I do profess this is the last time of writing unto you and I would not have written now but onely to desire you to write no more unto me After the reading of this letter Sir the miserable Adonacris had nothing to do but to strive with his sorrows and to suffer them without seeking a remedy Yet he was vexed with a fresh inquietude For you must know that after Thomiris had her Army up and Ariantes in the head Agatharses upon the first occasion killed the brother unto a Lady of high account called Argirispe whom I told you was a friend unto Elibesis so as by this means Argirispe being one of the richest matches in all Issedon the father of Adonacris and Elibesis whose name was Tyssagetties had a fancy to marry his son unto her and he was so earnest upon it that he never let him injoy any rest Also he imployed the Prince Ariantes and Octomasades to perswade him unto a marriage with her For in those times of tumult Ceremonies were not stood upon and therefore the mourning of Argirispe was no hindrance unto her marriage And as for Argirispe she was not unwilling to marry such a well accomplished man who was brother unto her who was shortly to be a Queen So as the whole Family of Adonacris being met together to persecute him and to tell him that he did not love the Grandure of his house he was so chid by them that in the end he told them he would do as they desired Thus was the marriage made in four days by the authority of Ariantes but to tell you truly his greatest enducement was because I perswaded him to stifle a passion in which he had no hopes and because he hoped that perhaps the beauty of Argirispe might by degrees root Noromata out of his heart Thus though Adonacris did still love Noromata and not love Argirispe yet he lived very lively towards her But to his comfort the Prince Ariantes having viewed his Troops departed from Issedon with intention to meet the Army of Thomiris which was advancing with design to decide the matter by battel and by this means Adonacris was delivered from his constraint of being with Argirispe Thus Sitalces and Adonacris were engaged in two contrary sides for Sitalces followed his father in law and went to Thomiris three days after his marriage with Noromata And Adonacris engaged with Ariantes so as they were in contrary sides as well as Ariantes and Agatherses who as I told you before was Lievtenant General of Thomiris her Army which the young Spargapises commanded by the advice of the prudent Therez by reason of the Queens indisposition But to speak truth since Spargapises was but a child and his name only used to prevent the pretention of others and since Agatherses was more forward then any other being exasperated by the whet-stones of love hatred and revenge it was he who indeed was General of the Army In the mean time the Prince Ariantes before he went from Issedon did set guards upon Elibesis lest during his absence the friends of Agatherses should attempt any thing against her But Sir I forgat to tell you that before he went away he courted Elibesis as earnestly as he could to marry him For though he had told her that his Throne was yet but ill established to set her upon it yet since his love increased he pressed her unto it yet all in vain for she was resolved to marry none under a King and a King quietly settled in his Dominion It being certain that of all Subjects she loved Agatherses best and much better than Ariantes though a Prince Thus finding severall pretences which did not incense this Prince she denied his desire and he was forced to retire without marriage So as by this means Agatherses was not in so bad a condition as Adonacris for he had a Rivall to fight with whose death might be advantagious to him But as for Adonacris though Sitalces were killed he were never the better since Agarispes was his wife so that I think none could be in a sadder condition than he was during all that war I will not make any particular relation of this War unto you Sir lest I should abuse your patience yet I must needs tell you that when both armies met and many Subjects of one Princess ready to kill each other the most prudent of both sides and the least interested did make some overtures of an accommodation and began to talk mildly upon the matter before they fell to blows So as the wise Terez and Targitas did so negotiate the business mauger both Agatherses and Octomasades who were all
talk too much of their Wives and since it was so short a time since he was married that he talked of her more like a Lover then a Husband It chanced one day whilst the Commissioners were conferring together a friend of Sitalces told him in the presence of Adonacris that he had more reason then any other to perswade Agatherses unto an accommodation and to end the War For truly said he unto him it is one of the hardest adventures that can befall a man who having been whole years in love with a Beauty should part from her three daies after he had married her 'T is very true replied Sitalces the Adventure is very cross and I must confess I wish an end of the War as much because I would return unto Noromata as because I am a Lover of my Countryes Peace Whilst Sitalces talked thus Adonacris spoke not a word but sighed in secret Yet this friend unto Sitalces being a man that would put a hundred questions and Sitalces being one who though he had wit enough yet was not so delicate as to know one needs not answer precisely unto every question which is asked Such Questions and such Answers passed between them as made Adonacris desperate for this impertinent friend did oblige Sitalces not only to relate his passion unto Noromata but all passages since his marriage which Sitalces did aggravate in such tearms as so sadded the soul of Adonacris that he was ready to lose his patience and utter such things as might make it known that he was the Lover of Noromata yet he could not part from the place where he was because resentments of love would not let him forbear audience of all that could be said concerning Noromata But at the last he gathered some comfort from the words of Sitalces for his friend asked him after a hundred impertinent questions whether Noromata was not as sad at parting as she was glad of his company And whether she did not water her cheeks with tears Sitalces answered him that it seemed he never knew Noromata since he did not think her able to Mistress her self in all things For truly said he she hath such a command over her self that when I married her there was not the least sign of any joy in her eyes and when I parted from her there appeared not the least sorrow in her countenance And I am perswaded she can love and hate to the height if she please without being discovered and when I parted from her she did so well hide her thoughts from me that she seemed to be neither glad nor sad onely modest and serious As soon as Sitalces had said so the discourse changing subject Adonacris retired to injoy the consolation of thinking that Sitalces never saw any joyes in the eyes of Noromata since he married her and this thought was the sweeter because he remembred how often he had seen joy dance in her cheeks and eyes when he had given her any testimony of his love and how by a sweet communication of looks without any words she imparted her heart unto him So that not doubting but Noromata was capable enough of joy and knowing by experience that she was not alwayes a mistress of her self since she had more than once in vain striven to hide her thoughts he therefore thought to his comfort that she did not love Sitalces when she married him and that perhaps she loved him still at least grieved for him So that his love increasing he was so vexed that he was married as he had almost as much ado to keep himself from hating Argarispe as from loving Noromata For truely said he in himself since my affection to Noromata is not brutish onely grounded upon sence if I were sure that Noromata loved me as well as I loved her though she be the wife of Sitalces and as absent as I am yet I should entertain my self with many a pleasing thought and injoy many a sweet minute But alas how should Noromata ever believe I love her since I married Argirispe since she knows not how I was forced to it nor can consider that my affection to her is the cause of it Perhaps she is glad that my design of marrying did not take effect since I was so apt to change but alas Noromata you are much mistaken if you think so for Heavens know I never loved Argirispe but still you and shall do ever But alas what should or what would I have Noromata do Sitalces injoyes her she is all vertue and I shall never see her again stifle a passion Adonacris which will do nothing but torment thee and be not so foolishly fond as eternally to desire things impossible and to love where there is not the least hope Adonacris had good reason to consult with his reason how to quench his flames for I assure you his love augmented by suppressing it and he was the more overcome by striving against it In the mean time the Treaty being ended as I told you before Octomasades and Agatherses parted both very glad that nothing was done But as Adonacris was going away Agatherses came to him and speaking in his high and excellent Tone I Pray Adonacris said he unto him do me the favour to tell the fair Elibesis that it is not long of Octomasades but me the peace is not concluded and that I hindred Ariantes from being King by a Passion less interested then that by which Octomasades would hinder Thomiris from being Queen since his is ambition and mine revenge Since perhaps you shall be the Subject of Ariantes Sir whether you will or no replied Adonacris I will do you so good an office as not to tell my sister a thing which may offend her but will tell it her from my self Alas replied Agatherses in a fury and went away if ever I be Subject unto Ariantes be confident that I will be a very rebellious one After this Adonacris returned a sharp answer but Agatherses did not hear him And the truth is he did so dislike the proceedings of Elibesis with Agatherses that he retained the one half of his resentment out of a thought that she had done him wrong In the mean while as the state of things then stood a battell had decided the business and quite ruined the side which lost it and therefore both sides were very cautions of fighting untill they saw a great probability of being victorious But since both sides had officers admirably well known in Martiall affairs Since Ariantes of his side and Agatherses of the other were both very circumspect it was not easie for either side to suppress each other Moreover since Thomiris hoped every day to recover of her languishing disease which her sorrows for your departure Sir had caused she would not hazard her Army And to tell you truely what I think I am perswaded she had a mind to keep her Forces for another design then to punish Ariantes whom she alwayes believed would be reduced into his duty
felicity unlesse the thought of your mis fortunes and of that they are very sensibly greived also they both of them charged me to tell you how sadly they think themselves concerned for you and the Prince Thrasibulus in particular commanded me to make a tender unto you of all that is in his power I left him in a resolution of coming to serve you in person if he understood from me that the war was like to last long and to send him word how the true state of things doth stand was his chief reason of his sending me unto you After this and after Cyrus had returned a very obliging answer unto the kindness of Thrasibulus he thought upon his design of visiting that valiant Sauromate whose life he had saved So as Leontidus followed him with the other who was with him whom he presented unto Cyrus as his friend whose name was Democedes and they were witness of the discourse between this generous Conquerour and this brave prisoner and they took greater delight in it because it was in Greek their naturall language As for Cyrus it was no wonder to them he should speak it as well as his own but they were extreamly astonished to hear a Sauromate speak Greek and they could not choose but express their admiration unto one another Cyrus half hearing them and half guessing what they said he told that valiant Prisoner who still kept his bed that he was much honoured in being commended by Grecians and such as were the most accomplished men in all Greece for I contidus is such a one of my own knowledge and Democedes in being his friend must needs be the like If Democedes had no other advantage then in being my friend replyed Leontidus he would have gotten that great opinion which is due unto his merit But Sir when I shall have acquainted you that he is the intimate and particular freind of Saphâ— and that he is brother unto the dearest friend of that famous Lesbian I beleive you will think the commendations which he gives are of a far greater value than mine How said Cyrus is Democedes the freind of Saphâ— and brother unto the fair Cydnon whom I saw at Mytilene yes Sir replyed Democedes I am the brother of Cydnon and the freind of Sapho who h 〈…〉 d a thousand times of the Illustrious Artamenes For you know Sir that when you â—anded at Lesbos you went under that name I beseech you do me the favour replyed Cyrus to tell me in what condition that illustrious person is Sir replyed Democedes I cannot well tell for I come into Scythia to see if I can hear any news of her If you only desire to know how she does replyed the prisoner I am able to shorten your journey for it is not long since I saw her you do both of you so much surprize me replyed that Prince as I cannot tell what I should think For Democedes sayes he came into Scythia to see Sapho and at Sauromates sayes he I saw her not long since and if the last of these be true said Democedes I should be very glad of it and if what you say be true replyed Cyrus I should think it very strange For how could Sapho leave her own country and come unto one so far distant The adventure of that admirable Lady is so extraordinary replyed he as nothing can be stranger yet her life is not filled with such great events as commonly happen unto persons of a higher fortune than she is of But for all that there is somthing so singular and particular in her fate as that it may very well be said such things have hapned unto Sapho as never hapned unto any Happen what will replyed that valiant Sauromate whose name was Mezontes I am able to tell you of some things which you cannot know without me Cyrus was extreamly desirous to know what both of them knew but since he was afraid of making the Queen of Pontus and the Princess Onesile stay over long he left Democedes with Mereontes conjuring him to tell at better leisure what he had heard and knew concerning Sapho after which he went unto the Princesses Onesile who was giving an excellent judgment upon a question in dispute the Princess Araminta to commend her sayd that she did not think that the famous Sapho who was so talked of over all the world could judge better upon verses than shee could do of every thing so this giving Cyrus an occasion to speak of her he told them all that he heard of that illustrious person and commended her so highly that they were confident she did merit that reputation which she had So as much desiring to know her adventures they beseeched Cyrus that he would intreat Democides to relate them so as coming with Leontidus and many others into Arimintaes chamber presently after dinner Cyrus acquainted him with the curiosity of the Princesses and desired him to give them that satisfaction yet since there is a necessity of my returning to the Camp continued he I must needs ask you whether the relation will be long and whether it will be told in the compass of two houres Sir replyed he one may if he please Epitomize the largest history into that time and I will ingage my self Saphoes shall be no longer though there be many long discourses which I ought not to omit if you desire these Princesses should very well know the life of this excellent person Since time is so pretious said Araminta let us not loose it but to the end this story may be better heard let us go into my closet So Araminta Onesile Cyrus Telagenes Spitridates and Indithyrses went into a little Tent which she used as a closet and all the rest stayed with Intaphernes and Atergatis and Tygranes who discoursing upon this conflagration which helped the army of Cyrus unto an easie passage they never thought of following them However these six persons were no sooner in a place with Democedes but Cyrus intreated him to begin his relation but I beseech you said he since these Princesses do not know Sapho only by reports tell them exactly who she is before you acquaint them with her adventures for doubtless nothing doth more attract the spirits of those who are to hear the history than to make them well acquainted with the person whom it concerns The commands you impose upon me Sir replyed Democedes are very hard to be obeyed for it is not so easie a matter to draw the picture of the heart and mind and all the inclinations of a person as it is to draw the picture of her face since there is requisite a certain spirit of discernment which does know to finde out a difference between things sâ—mblable and things reall and without which one cannot make a true resemblance He ought to know how to distinguish all the severall degrees of melancholly and mirth and not content himselfe to say in generall that such a one is serious or
it is to be thought I was not in love where you mentioned since I left it upon such easie tearms but without any pumping for reasons to justifie my self I do consent that the fair Sapho refuse me her picture if she think I was in love with any in Scicily For my part said Amithone if I were to be credited none should have the fair Saphocs picture but my self And if my advice would be taken said Erinne I would have it sent over all the world so I had it replyed Athys it should be done as she pleased And provided my brother had one replyed Cydnon I should be contented she should deny it unto Alces unto Nicanor and unto Phaon I conceive my best course is replyed Sapho to give it unto none No no said Cynegere you shall not be mistress of your self But least you should dis-oblige any you shall give it unto all your friends without exception for if you should except any one perhaps you would do him a greater favour than in giving it Though what Cynegere said might well have pleased all the company yet Nicanor and Phaon did argue the business between themselves but at last least they should loose the Picture of Sapho they agreed upon the matter since the one could not have it unless the other had it also since Sapho knew what Phaon had said unto her she thought it expedient not to yeild so soon but to take some particular exceptions against him so as taking Nicanors part she told Phaon that perhaps he had twenty pictures which he would place before hers and there passed a very gallant discourse between them For though he seemed to have no other design in protesting that he loved none in Scicily but to obtain her picture yet he made a thousand protestations of love unto her which she understood very well though she seemed as if she did not Yet she did vere gallantly put him to the puzzle when he was to answer For said she unto him you think you have said enough when you have sworn that you loved none in Scicily but beleeve me you have not for you must swear also that you are in love with none in Mytelene Madam said he unto her to get himself out of this great plunge since I have seen none but you me thinks it is not necessary to say any more then what I have already told you for you know the course of my life since I came hither as well as my self I know so many lovely friends replyed she and smiled that though you go no further than my Chamber yet it is not impossible but you may be in Love For my particular replyed Amithone I shall not hinder Phaon from your picture for I do declare that he is not in love with me I can say so much of my self replyed Erinne I can say more than that said Athys since I dare answer for Cydnon and my self Though all this should be so said Alces yet all 's not enough to oblige Sapho to give her picture unto Phaon for perhaps he is in love with her and since she will bestow her picture only upon her friends and not her Lovers it is requisite he swear that he is not in love with her if he would have her picture As for that replyed Sapho I wil dispence with him for I am perswaded his heart has no such thoughts of me as may hinder me from giving him my picture Since it is so said Cynegere and gave Phaon no time to answer there need no disputes upon a thing resolved upon Therefore let the Artist begin his work to morrow And indeed so Leon did for he began to take the Picture of Sapho the next day Thus were the friends the Lovers and the Rivals of Sapho equally favoured yet Phaons soule found abundance of sweetness in thinking that Sapho should know he loved her and yet permit him her picture But these sweet thoughts were molested by others which followed a little after For he could not have any thoughts that Nicanor should be favoured as well as himself without a heart-burning Yet since he did not know whether his Rivall had discovered his passion unto Sapho he soothed up his soule with hopes He knew also that Alces was Tysanders Confident and they so assured him that there was no cause of any feares this way that the picture which he was to have never troubled him On the other side Sapho out of her violent inclination unto Phaon was not sorry that Chance had given her such an innocent way of bestowing her Picture upon him And she carryed her selfe in such an obliging manner towards him that it was impossible she should be sorry for it He still keeps himself within his prescribed bounds he hinted not the least syllable of his passion to her But yet he made it appear unto her by so many several other wayes that never any had a more subtle art of loving without speaking then he and he did it so curiously without any affectation that where soever she was she could not choose but see it and none else but she if at any time she had any accident of Joy he did so participate in it that she judging of his love by his satisfaction she judged aright if on the contrary and chance did separate him from her he made his sorrows so discreetly appear that the judging of his love by his Grief she could not choose but think it great The truth is he spoke unto her and was never heard and he spoke in an Aire so discreet so gallant and so passionate that she understood him as well as if he had used his tongue if he looked upon her his eyes told her what his heart thought and I have observed a hundred times by a lovely blush which dyed the cheeks of Sapho that shee understood the Lauguage of his looks and though she had no desire to answer him yet her faire eyes did it for her whether she would or no. When her Picture was taking and we looked on she would look fixedly upon Phaon and her thoughts of him being very advantageous she had such a languishing and amorous Aire though without any affectation that Nicanor not being able to endure his Rivall should be so favourably looked upon told her that she looked not enough upon the Painter to have her Picture well drawn and that if she continued in that deep study it would be taken too melancholick Nicanor had no sooner said so but Sapho blusht for she understood well enough out of what thoughts he spoke it Yet she knew how to give him an answer so to the purpose that she perswaded all the company it was impossible to have her Picture taken without being subject unto those kind of musings which proceed said she from the constraint of not stirring As for Phaon he was so vexed at Nicanor that he contradicted him all the rest of the day If Nicanor said that the Painter had happily
I am descended from a family which holds a considerable Rank in my country for since Democedes hath related the history of Sapho I am sure he hath told you of Clirantes who is my brother and by consequence who I am Nor am I obliged to acquaint you with the life of our Court For since you do know it to be gallant that there are Judges established to determine all the differences of Lovers and that the most admirable Sapho is very happy there you will easily beleive what I shall say But Sir since the beauty and merit of one whose name is Dorinice is the foundation of this adventure and the cause of my misfortune it is requisite I describe her unto you to the end you may the better know the violence of my passion and the greatness of my misery Since it was not the quality of Dorinice which made me love her I shall tell you only by the by that her family from whence she is descended is very illustrious but let me tell you that she is adorned with a thousand qualities which attract Love Indeed she is of a very handsom stature her Complexion is rare her Eyes black and full of spirit her hair is fair her smile charming her Teeth white her Air both gallant noble and modest and her neck and hands most fair Moreover her Wit is superlative her humour alwaies equally the same and there is such a just mixture of mirth and seriousness in this person that she doth infinitely please and suite with all the world both the melancholly and the merry She seemed to be a very good friend and indeed she was so though to my sorrow I found her heart but hollow yet it was a disguised hollowness For when one first sees her and sees the freeness of her looks her civility and sweetness one would say that for the time he had made a far progress into her soul and yet one should not be one step further in her favour at the end of three months than they are at the end of three dayes and the like at the end of three years all imaginable services and courtship will not work upon her heart Then Sir I must tell you that though we have but one City in our State yet Dorinice was eighteen years of age before I ever spoke unto her For besides the bigness of our City which is so large that one may easily be long there and not particularly known so it was that severall trifling passions did take up many of my young dayes and as chance would have it I fell into a Caballe opposite unto that of Dorinices Mother so as it may be said I knew her and I knew her not But since severall changes chanced which absolutely dis-engaged my heart I chanced one day to meet this fair one in an assembly at the Queens Thinking I should much spite those Ladies whom I had broke off withall if I did entertain Dorinice whom I knew they loved not I began discourse with her Thus I entertained her the first time more in spight to others then to please my self not but that I found much pleasure in her company for since she was glad to see I had quitted the Ladies whom she loved not she received me better then when I was in favour with her Enemies and yet she chid me when I began to tell her that I thought my self very happy in her company Before I give any direct answer unto your Civility Sir replyed she and smiled I beseech you give me leave to examine a little whether I should take you as a Spy or as a desertor of your friends or as one who hath changed sides Oh most lovely Dorinice said I and interrupted her I am neither a Spy nor a Desertor of my friends but I have changed my side with so much reason that you cannot in any justice blame me yet least you should have an ill opinion of me I will not speak any ill of your Enemies but since I have so much good to speak of you time is better imployed in that then in the other Were you to talk long replyed she and smiled you would both trouble me and your self for I have so many faults and so few good qualities that you would find it Sir a hard task to talk of such things only as should please me But since Sir it is probable you will tell me more of my good then my bad qualities I shall hope you will not tell me any thing which will displease me At the least I am sure Madam said I unto her I shall say nothing but truth when I tell you that you are the most fairest and loveliest person in the world As Dorinice was ready to reply they came to take her out to dance so as all that night I could not talk any more with her But since she had infinitely pleased me and since I observed that I had sufficiently vexed those Ladies whom I intended to spite I went the next day with one of my friends unto the house of Dorinices Mother whose name was Elicrate and Sir I was so much taken both with the Mother and the Daughter that I repented I had been so long unacquainted with them for the truth was their society was infinitely more pleasing then that I had quitted for those Ladies whom I had left off were persons who admitted all sorts of men without exception or choice which questionless goes against the grain of those who have nice and delicate spirits and not at all advantageous unto such as frequent them But Sir it was otherwise in the house of Elicrate for almost none frequented it but men of excellent parts and Dorinice had such an art of wearying those who were not well accomplished that if any such came once there they were sure not to come twice and yet there was alwaies much company with her because there was men more of excellent parts in our Court And Sir you must know that this Lady though never capable of love nor ever will as long as she lives yet is she the greatest fondling in friendship that is in the world for she has friends of all sorts and the wonder is she gets them every day and looses none and does so well keep all such secrets as are intrusted to her that she never injures any but as far as she is able is ready to do any service for those whom she hath promised any place in her friendship Yet as I said in the beginning of my discourse she hath this particular quality that she hath set bounds about her heart beyond the limits of which none whosoever can ever go for one shall be as high in her favour at three months as they can be in three years Dorinice being as I have described her very amiable and engaging at the first I thought my self the happiest man alive in her acquaintance and I presently perceived that my thoughts of her might be phrased Love and not at
glorious not to grant that which cannot be denyed without danger I will not promise you to leave loving Mandana or consent she should marry Ariantes nor promise to see her no more Since of these three things which I ask replyed Thomyris sharply there is one of them which depends absolutely upon me and not at all upon you I cannot tell whether it be prudence in you to incense any by your arrogant generosity for I need not your consent to hinder you from ever seeing Mandana nor need it in Ariantes marriage of her for since if I will I can look upon you as the murtherer of my Son If the fancy take me I shall lock you up eternally in my chains As Fortune hath brought me hither into them against my will replyed Cyrus so she may chance to take me out against yours And therefore Madam without any regard unto your needless threatnings I will tell you with all possible sincerity that could I ever have been unfaithfull unto Mandana your charms Madam would have made me so when I was in your Court under the name of Artamenes And I must ingeniously confess that I gave her a greater testimony of my Love in not loving you than in the taking of Babylon Sardis and Cumes Since certainly it is a more easy matter to win battells and take towns than to defend ones heart against such a person as you were when I had the honour first to see you For to tell you truly Madam Though you be as fair now as then you were yet you are less terrible to me now than you were than For truly as soon as you began to persecute Mandana as soon as ever you began to be cruell and would needs make your self loved by terrour you lost all that would make you amiable I cannot tell said she and in a rage interrupted him whether I can make my self Loved but I am sure I can make my self be obeyed And I perceive if I will ever have any rest I must hate you living as I did when you were dead and seek out my satisfaction in revenge After this Thomyris went away and stayed not for the answer of Cyrus and she carried with her more thoughts of fury than Love she was vexed at the Soul because she had not said enough to tender his heart she repented of every word she pronounced and somtimes she thought that if she had gone the mild way she had better effected her desires And sometimes again she thought that if she had menanaced him with the death of Mandana it would have staggered his constancy So as being unsatisfied with her self both at what she had done and what she should have done she was most insufferably tormented On the other side Cyrus was in a miserable condition for not knowing that she had seen that Letter which he had writ unto Mandana he thought that what she had spoke concerning Mandana's Levity had a right ground and was greived to the very soul at it But whilst the souls of Cyrus and Thomyris were thus disquietted Mereontes who wasconceal'd amongst the Sauromattan Captains with Myrsiles Hydaspes Chrysantes they continued the same design on foot which once was ready for Execution The 〈…〉 ends of Ariantes also bethinking themselves how to deliver this Prince and knowing how the Sauromates were discontented did make a proposition to joyn with them and get Ariantes out of the hands of Thomyris The Sauromattan Captains without giving any positive answer unto those who made this proposition acquainted Myrsiles Hydaspes Mereontes and Chrysantes with it Who all conceived that if they could unite the friends of Ariantes unto theirs that Thomyris would be infallibly lost and that Cyrus and Mandana would be delivered The reason why they hoped this was not impossible was because they knew that the friends of Ariantes were afraid Thomyris would put that Prince to death for since he once went about to take a crown from her they thought that she would seek for a colour to palliate her revenge upon him So as imagining that if this union could be made it would make much for the advantage of Cyrus these Sauromattan Captains entertained the motion and brought things to that pass that the friends of Ariantes conferred with the friends of Cyrus But since neither side could answer for those Princes for whom they transacted they agreed that both sides should endeavour to make known the state of things unto them And in order to that Myrsiles and Mereontes found out meanes to send word unto Cressus and Mazares that they should attempt nothing untill they heard further from them In the mean time there passed not a day in which Thomyris had not some new persecution for Cyrus and Mandana For she obliged all the prisoner Princes to see Cyrus one after another and to perswade him not to pretend any more unto Mandana Also she would have all the rest of the Captives in their turns to see Mandana and move her to marry Ariantes and she spoke her self unto the Prince her brother and perswaded him not to think any more of marrying Mandana but to give her over unto her vengeance for this violent Queen was come to that pass that she thought no more of making Cyrus love her but only to take his Love off her whom he adored So that when she saw it a thing impossible to perswade Mandana ever to marry Ariantes she had a fancy to perswade Ariantes to let her be put to death That which I desire of you Brother said she unto him you should me thinks ask me and should desire to be revenged of a strong hearted person who scorns and hates you And though you had no other advantage by it but to imagin the sorrows of your Rivall yet that were enough to move your consent unto it If you will suffer me replyed Ariantes rough y to go and ponyard Cyrus I shall perhaps consent that you shall poyson Mandana I agree unto your proposition answered Thomyris suddenly Oh most cruell Princess said Ariantes then what a most abominable Love is yours No no added he deceive not your self I am the Enemy of Cyrus but I will never be his butcher And moreover I do most solemnly protest that if you attempt any thing against the life of Mandana yours shall infallibly answer for it for though I cannot get out of your chains yet I have friends who will revenge your cruelty and I doubt not but all the world will arm themselves and ruin you Thomyris seeing with what an Aire Ariantes spoke this was ashamed but it was a shame accompanied with anger which made her express her self infinitely angry at that Prince You think perhaps said she unto him to get upon that Throne which once you rebelliously mounted But let me tell you that I will keep you in my fetters as a vanquished Usurper and as a rebellious Subject After this that enraged Queen left him and left him with thoughts of hatred as great
impart them unto any Sirs said he unto them upon a recollection into my memory of things past and when I think upon that prodigy which hapned when the Lights of severall Lamps united themselvs unto that which was over the head of the Queen of Persia after I say a comparison of that with this which wee have seen over the head of the illustrious Cyrus I examined the interpretation which was then upon it I have consulted with the most learned books we have I have seriously observed the stars I have so cleerly read in Characters of Gold and light the will of the Gods that I cannot make any more doubt of it And sirs continued he and looked upon Ciaxares and Cambises that which the Gods do require of you is that you refer the the whole cares of your Kindoms upon the Government of the invincible Cyrus and that you leaving off soveraign authority he may be the sole soveraign over all Asia so many Kings as he hath subdued do teach us that the Gods would have all obey him and this is the interpretation of all the Lights extinguishing and re-uniting again in one over the head of Cyrus as those were heretofore over the head of the Queen his Mother yes sirs I dare assure you that if you do as I now say you will satisfie the Will of the Gods your sacrifices will be acceptable unto them and you will see no more prodigies to astonish you But on the contrary you will peaceably enjoy all the pleasures of Life under the shadow of Cyrus his palms and Trophies you wil raign in his person and without your being his Subjects he may yet be the sole Soveraign over all Asia Conform your selves therefore unto the Will of Heaven And that you may both conjunctly raign in the person of this great Prince make up the marriage immediatly between Mandana and him This Magi had no sooner done speaking but Ciaxares and Cambises declared their will unto him and told him that they were ready to conform themsesves unto the will of the Gods The modesty of Cyrus was such that he refused to accept the soveraign power which the Kings would have yeilded up unto him but they were so urgent upon him and the Magi told him so peremptorily that the Gods would have it so as without any more delay Ciaxares and Cambises made a publick declaration the next day by which they made it known unto all the world that they did voluntarily invest their authorities in the hands of Cyrus and accordingly the cheif of the Magi in Ecbatane in the Presence of all the court and in the midst of as many people as that Temple was able to hold did invest him with all the ceremonies and signs of Soveraign Authority that is to say with a Scepter a Royall wreath and all other things which distinguish the Kings of Persia and the Kings of Medes from other Princes Ciaxares would haue thrown at his feet as many Crowns as he had conquered Kingdoms and made Tributary Kings But Cyrus would not have it so not only out of modesty but in consideration of Cressus and Myrsiles whom he highly esteemed and ranked as his friends The most observable was that the Sacrifice which was offered after Cyrus was declared King was very acceptably received And the Magi assured Cyaxares and Cambyses that the Gods whom they adored were never better pleased But after this magnificent Ceremony was accomplished Cyrus had a most impatient desire to see Mandana that he might offer unto her all the Crowns which he had taken upon him And dis-engaging himselfe as soon as he could he went unto her to tender that Homage and to assure her that he thought himself more glorious in being her Slave than in being Master of so many Kingdoms In the mean time the day of Marriage being set downe nothing was thought upon but preparations for that glorious Ceremony And Cyrus being a most dear lover of his friends he thought also of their satisfaction Therefore hee perswaded the Princesse of Bythinia who had full power over her selfe to make Intaphernes happy As for Gadates he did voluntarily consent unto it And Cyrus after that perswaded that Prince to give Istrina unto Atergatis As for Arpasia she was in a strange condition For she did so resent the absence of Meliantes that Hydaspes was hardly pleased and she was in many minds to recall Meliantes thought at the rate of Hydaspes his banishment and yet she was resolved to marry him because Gabrias her Father did so command her But certain it is she had much ado to carry her selfe between her love and her friendship since she neither made herselfe nor any of her friends happy for Hydaspes was but half contented after he had marryed her But when Cyrus went about to satisfie the love of the Prince Myrsiles he found himselfe a little puzled not that Cressus was against the affection of the Prince his sonne For though the quality of Doralisa was inferiour unto that Prince yet considering the state of things he did not insist upon it But the main difficulty was how Myrsiles should be assured of her Love before he marryed her for Doralisa would never confesse it though those who knew her best believed that shee did not hate Myrsiles However she spoke always either so lightly or so sharply or so negligently of it that none knew well what to think and which was rare Cyrus did sooner perswade her to marry Myrsiles than he could perswade her to confess that she loved him but after she was resolved upon it she did this favour unto that Prince in a very pleasant manner For said she unto him I know not why you should complain Sir 'T is true I tell you that I do only esteem you but it is not that I do no more but the reason is because I want words to expresse the thoughts of my heart and therefore I had rather have you guess at my minde than down-right tell you what it is But at last after the modesty and humour of Doralisa together had made her say yes and no unto all the propositions which were made unto her whether she would marry or not marry at last she explained her self that she consented to marry the prince Myrsiles And these foure marriages being resolved upon it was also resolved that they should be solemnized three days after that of Cyrus to the end that the joyes of that Court might the longer continue And certainly that Court was the most glorious that ever was seen for there were not a man nor woman of any quality in all Medea who was not there The lovely Amistris also had quitted the solitude wherein she lived during the absence of her deare Aglatidas and came to Ecbatane whereof she was still one of the greatest Ornaments But the day designed for the compleat felicity of Cyrus being come the Temple where the Ceremony of his Marriage was to be celebrated was illuminated with