this Prince had a desire to engage the Milesians to his party but the wise Thales did oppose it I understood also from Leosthenes that the Prince Tisander knowing that Craessus would send unto the King of Armenia desired that imployment and obtained it chusing rather to travel since he must needs be from Alcionida then to stay in a Court so gallant as it was So that coming to Artaxates just as you came thither he was shut up in it and was forced to follow the King of Armenia into the Mountains conceiving he might more easily escape from thence then out of Artaxates if he stayed in it And indeed his designe was to escape at this time when he was so dangerously wounded and to go and render an account of his negotiation unto the King of Lidia Leosthenes told me further that the Affairs at Milete had much changed faces for Anthemius who never set up Alexidesmus but only to ruine him had brought his designe 〈◊〉 pass having stirred all the people against him so that he was forced to retire to Phoc 〈…〉 with his mother his wife and Philodicea So that now Milete was as a free Town whe 〈…〉 popular Government was begun to be established Notwithstanding Thales and all my friend◠did resist this new alteration yet Leosthenes told me the fear was that if the people were once accustomed unto liberty they would never receive any Master again and he told me also that in the mean time the Prince of Phoceus was combining with all his Neighbour Princes to promote the interest of Alexidesmus But Sir Dare I after all this tell you that Leosthenes who had married her he loved told me that Alcionida was never so fair as now and will you excuse my weakness if I neglect all my State affairs to discourse of such things as only concerns my love Cyrus seeing Thrasibulus had no more to tell him did express much grief for his misfortunes and resolved to apply all expedient remedies for the satisfaction of his ambition for as concerning matters of love my dear Thrasibulus said he unto him it must be the same hand which wounded must cure you And though Tisander be your Rival yet I find him so worthy of assistance that I extreamly commend you for your cares of him As Cyrus was advising Thrasibulus of such expedients as he thought best for the recovery of his Dominions Leosthenes entered into the Tent very hastily Sir said he to Cyrus who understood all languages I ask your pardon for my bold interruption but the Prince Tisander being at the last gasp I thought it fit to advertise the Prince Thrasibulus of it At the last gasp replied Cyrus Yes Sir replied Leosthenes for having a great desire to write notwithstanding all my endeavours to disswade him as he ended his Letter all his wounds opened and he lost so much blood that he fell into abundance of weakness and swounding is not yet come unto himself Thrasibulus did then ask leave of Cyrus to go and assist his most faithful friend and Rival whom he could not love in one respect nor could not hate in another But Cyrus calling to mind the high valour of this Prince would also go himself As they entered into the Tent the Chyrurgeons had revived him out of his swound yet with such small hopes of life that they told Cyrus who asked what they thought he could not out-live that day yet since he had a free mind and a great soul he was not at all terrified at the looks of death and he carried it as one that was worthy to be Son unto such a Prince who was reputed the wisest in all Greece He patiently submitted unto the wills of the Gods and neither asking death nor life he prepared himself for the first of these with most admirable tranquility of mind and was contented to leave the other with unparalleld contentedness he knew Cyrus as soon as he came in so that addressing himself unto him Sir said he you see the Gods have punished me for lifting up my hand against so illustrious a life as yours since it had been much more glorious for me to have died by the invincible hand of Artamenes then by the Souldiers of great Cyrus It is also more advantagious to the Prince Thrasibulus said he that I die since then he would not be so miserable as he is Cyrus answered him with all possible civility and would have infused some hopes of recovery notwithstanding all the Chyrurgions said But Tisander interrupting him No no Sir said he I cannot live and therefore I beseech you let me imploy the last minuts of my life in remembrance of one who in causing my highest happiness has made my dearest friend most miserable In saying so he turned his head towards Thrasibulus and giving him the Letter which he had let fall after he had writ it and which was given unto him again upon his coming to himself Here my dear Thrasibulus said he unto him take this and I make you my Executour of my last Will give it if you please unto our dearest Alcionida and since I did not murmur when I heard her bestow some sighs for your misfortunes so I beseech you do not murmur when she bestows some tears in memory of my death since I shall no longer be an obstacle unto your happiness let me have the integrity of your friendship and look not upon me any more as your Rival I do acknowledge you merit Alcionida more then I and I will do that which fortune would not I give up all my interest in her unto you In pronouncing these last words Tisander blusht and tears trickled from his eyes so that Thrasibulus being extreamly moved with the generosity of his friend and not being able to contain his sorrows he came nearer him and taking him by the hand Live most generous Prince said he and be assured that I will never more envy your enjoyment of the incomparable Alcionida Indeed I shall ever love her but it shall be as she is yours without any other pretence unto her No no replied the weak Tisander that must never be Live you and let me die all the favour I ask is that you will sometimes speak of me unto my dear Alcionida Let me have this last satisfaction my dear Thrasibulus and I will leave you an unvaluable Treasure in the Person of Alcionida for her soul has an hundred thousand more shining beauties then her face But in recompence of so rich a Present promise me here in the presence of Illustrious Cyrus that you will tell her I value not the loss of life or Grandure or kindred or any thing in the world but only her and that I find no bitterness in death but only my sorrows to leave her and when you have done this enjoy her quietly all the rest of your life and live happy longer then I have done Thrasibulus was so grieved to see his Friend in this condition that his love
Sex Why why fair Doralisa said he unto her and smiled are you making me speak things I never thought upon I pray let me see this Letter which you say I thought so pleasant and which was so polite that I read it no less then three times Doralisa then perceiving that he had read all she writ thought it better to turn it into rallery then make a serious matter of it thinking that the more angry she was the more would he apprehend it mysterious also since those that use to play upon others cannot well take so much liberty unto themselves unless they allow it unto others so she thought that she had no reason to be angry with Perinthus because she had played him a hundred such tricks in her life so that changing her countenance and beginning to laugh and read the Letter to gain more time for the explanation of it Perinthus desired to read it also and she not denying he read it word for word I pray Doralisa said he unto her why did your Pen drop such a lye as this and to whom do you tell it for I am certain that all the day yesterday you did not speak one word unto me yet you tell the person unto whom you write that I spoke a hundred times of her yesterday in a most obliging manner And you add further that her last Letter was very pleasant and you told all these with such a confidence that you amazed me However said Doralisa I am confident I did you no ill office for in saying all this I said nothing in your disadvantage but on the contrary said that you acknowledg'd it for a Polite and pleasant Letter and that I durst not give her any commendations after you I beseech you Doralisa said he unto her tell me and shew me this that I commended so otherwise I shall be much incensed Truly answered she if I were a bad friend I should shew it but to let you see that I am a good one know that a Lady in Sardis who for her honour I will not name did write a Letter unto me which to shew her wit she hath stuffed full of Fustian and big words which signifie nothing So that knowing by her stile she loves to be commended doubtless I did her that office in the highest manner since I told her she had your commendations I should believe you Doralisa replied he if you would shew me this her Letter Since perhaps you are acquainted with her hand replied Doralisa I will not shew it unto you In the mean time Perinthus added she I pray leave me the liberty to finish out my Letter Really said he I do believe this is a business of some earnest for at the place where you left it seems you had more matters to express then complements 'T is true replied Doralisa and laughed therefore I desire you to leave me I cannot said he for to be plain with you I do not believe a word of all this you have told me What do you believe then said she unto him I know not what to believe or think yet I am the most mistaken man alive if this Letter do not contain some close secrets If you think so said Doralisa then you are unreasonable to press unto a discovery of it since you know secrets are such things as our friends must tell us themselves and we ought not to ask them If I had not seen my name in your Letter replied he doubtless I should be more discreet But since you are so bold as to tell three or four lies of me I thought I might be as bold in asking you the truth of those things which I desire to know What would you know replied Doralisa I would know said he unto whom you direct your Letter I have already told you replied she that I will not all that I can do for your satisfaction is to protest most solemnly that all I have or shall write unto her does not at all relate unto your interest For Heavens sake said Perinthus do not use me thus for if you refuse me this I shall relate the story of it not only to every one here but unto all the Court also when I return to Sardis Perinthus is so discreet replied Doralisa that I do not fear he will so far incense me Doralisa has been often so waggish with me replied he that Perinthus would not be much to blame if he were once in his life revenged When you have told all you can replied she What then will the issue be The issue doubtless will be answered Perinthus that they will know you keep a secret correspondence with some or other They know well enough already replied she and smiled that I have not yet found this compleat man I look for therefore my reputation will not be wounded by any thing you can say against me Perhaps said Perinthus then and looked stedfastly upon her you negotiate in behalf of some other and perhaps also you have less interest then I have in the secret meaning of this Letter I should have thought replied Doralisa that a man who will not open his own secrets unto any would not be so pressing to know the secrets of others However it be said he I have such an extream desire to be satisfied in what I ask of you or that you will confess it unto me if I can guess at it that there is nothing which I will not willingly do to oblige you unto it Let me then know what you guess it to be said she and afterwards I shall know how far I can answer As they were upon these tearms I chanced to enter not knowing of any contest betwixt them And since the Princess feared that Doralisa had not writ unto Abradates obligingly enough I came to tell her she should not seal up her Letter before she shewed it unto the Princess To acquit my self of this imployment I whispered my message into her ear but as low as I whispered it Perinthus heard it as well as Doralisa So that comparing what I told Doralisa unto what he had read in her Letter he believed that this Letter which the Princess desired to see was the same which included his name and he made no further scruple of it but that this mysterious Letter related unto the Princess and Abradates Doralisa then offered to tell me the passage vvhich vvas betvveen them but Perinthus cared no more for this Rallary and rising up to go avvay I need not ask you any more said he unto her for I knovv it already vvithout putting you to the trouble of telling it Doralisa seeing a great alteration in his countenance feared least he should speak something in prejudice of the Princess and therefore she stayed him Then telling me in three vvords the subject of their quarrel to let me understand vvhat I ought to say and to persvvade him also that there vvas no mystery in the Letter I did vvhat I could to make him believe
that you have no disposition to be sincere yet I must tell you Perinthus will die if he be not well looked unto And I do confess that since I am his debtor for the safety of Panthea I should be exceedingly troubled if he should any way miscarry But Sir said I unto him suppose all you imagine were true yet what Remedy is there Only this replyed Abradates to perswade the Princess that she will please to command him not to despair As he said so Panthea came into the Chamber and no sooner saw him but she asked how Perinthus did and what he thought of his sickness Madam said he unto her Perinthus hath told me many things and to so little purpose that I conceive his mind is more sick then his body and for my part I think he stands more in need of some comforts then any physick Yet I do not know said she that any misfortune hath happened unto him It is most true said he unto her there appears none unto us but perhaps there is some happiness which is befaln another which much grieves him Perinthus replyed she is not of any envious disposition no not of his very enemies unless Mexaris whose happiness indeed I think he would envy However it be Madam said he I am afraid Perinthus will dye if you do not take a care of his life Abradates spoke this in such a manner as let the Princess see there was some secret meaning in his words so that not knowing what to think she changed colour and discourse All the rest of the day her thoughts ran upon what Abradates told her yet notwithstanding after he was gone not daring to tell us what she thought of Perinthus nor being willing to give over her cares of him unto whom she was obliged she desired Doralisa to go and visit him and appointed me to accompany her hoping to be better informed at our Return then she had been by Abradates Doralisa and I were glad of this employment and went with joy thinking we had so much power over the spirits of Perinthus as might move him to cheer up his spirits and use all Remedies to live but alas Madam we found our selves extreamly deceived for the visit of Abradates had so incensed his sorrows and augmented his disease that we could not look upon him without extream compassion yet was he something satisfied that he might talk with us and commanded all to go out of the Chamber that he might with more freedom express himself But as soon as we began to chide him for refusing all helps No no said he unto us I ought not to think upon life and provided I might but dye before the King of Susiana marryed the Princess Panthea I should not at all think my self miserable but I fear I cannot avoyd this misfortune It is so far between Sardis and Susa replyed I that I hope it will be perfectly cured both of your miseries of mind and body before they can get thither or before they can be marryed Sure you do not know replyed he that there arrived within this hour a Messenger from the Queen of Susiana who hearing of the affection which the Prince her Son did bear unto the Princess Panthea sent unto him to continue his Love and that she consented unto his Marriage So that Abradates having now no rub in his way will infallibly marry her and make me absolutely despair if death do not speedily deliver me Doralisa and I did much wonder that Perinthus considering his condition should know the news before us yet we imagined it not impossible but Andramites might be his Intelligencer and therefore were doubted not of the truth And after this said he unto us I hope you are not so inhumane as to wish me live any longer but if the Princess did command you to perswade me I pray you do not obey her yet if the Princess did know my passion and after that had so much goodness or cruelty for I know not which of these two Epithites to use as to bid me live perhaps I should strive to obey her and use some vain remedies to prevent death but alas you know very well that she is ignorant I love her neither dare I desire she should know yet if you shall think it expedient to let her know it when I am dead and that she will not hate my memory for it I conjure you to tell her and beg my pardon for not rejoycing at her happiness But since I limited all my hopes to endeavor she should love none and see all those hopes ruined do not think it strange if I tell you that I cannot endure to live Nor is it less expedient for the tranquility of Panthea then my own that I dye For how is it possible I ever should be Master of my Raptures and of my Passion 'T is true I have been hitherto but it is because I did not see Abradates in his happiness nor in possession of the Princess Far better then had I dye then disturb her happiness which I prefer before my own Did ever any see more lamentable destinies then mine did he say unto us for I desire no other favour of Fortune to compleat my contentment but that one of my Rivals may not be in favour and I cannot obtain so much as it I did resolve to hide my passion as long as I lived I mastered my self so far as not to desire she should love me but satisfied my self with the bare esteem of Panthea but though I confined my self unto more narrow limits then ever any Lover was able to do yet I perceive Abradates becomes as happy as I am miserable However said I unto him be satisfied with this that you have no cause to complain either against your Rival or your Princess whom you loved Ah Pherenice cryed he out that which you think should satisfie me is it which sends me unto black despair since certainly I should have less cause to complain if I could complain with Justice of any but my self But since you are so full of Reason replyed Doralisa why do you not follow it Because I have eyes replyed he yet am such a slave as that I cannot see I see the way which I ought to take for the recovery of my Liberty but alas I am chained too fast to follow it and nothing but death is strong enough to break those chains And therefore if you be as much my friends as I beleeve you are you will not blame me nor desire me to live yet have I one favour to beg of you said he unto us in such a manner as would have moved a heart of stone which I conjure you not to deny me and that is to find out some expedient if it be possible that my adored Princess may not marry Abradates until the day after my death The term will be but short said he for if I be not much deceived four days is my longest limits I should desire said he
and consented to their demands appointing Feraulus to let the body of the dead Prince be carried in a Chariot of war whither they would have it desiring also to speak with the chief commanders of these Egyptians who without more delay lifted up the corps of their General But as if heaven would recompence them for their fidelity as the Chariot passed by Cyrus he casting his eyes upon him whom the Egyptians thought to be dead he perceived that as he leaned his head upon a Buckler he opened his eyes so that Cyrus seeing a Prince so handsom as he was in a condition to be recovered commanded Feraulus to carry him into one of his tents so after this pursuing his victory he went before Thybirra and summoned it which the same houre submitted unto his discretion So that having in one day won a battle took a town and released the king of Assyria Tigranes Anaxaris he was most triumphant it is worth observation that this prisoner king was he who did capitulate about the surrender of this town unto which they who took him carried him for the inhabitants seeing themselves with out any hopes of relief or any power to defend themselves threw themselves at his feet beseeching him to intercede for them unto Cyrus to use them well which he promised and performed for Cyrus at the request of his Rival did most generously expresse all signes of clemency and sweetnesse unto them upon all occasions This victory left the conquered no manner of consolation for the Lydians were totally defeated they lost all their Artillery all their Ensignes and all their Chariots and all their Baggage Abundance were killed and abundance were taken prisoners Arimaspes that valiant Ionian was taken and died the next day of his wounds and all this with a very inconsiderable losse unto Cyrus unlesse in the death of Abradates which did so sensibly grieve him that he expressed much sorrow upon the field and where he encamped that night notwithstanding his satisfaction not onely to see that all his friends and souldiers had exceedingly well behaved themselves but also that his very Rivals should adde unto his glory Seeing he had now nothing to do for the releasement of Mandana but to enforce the walls of Sardis his joyes at it did comfort him for the losse of Abradates whose corps he sent to seek that he might render it all the honours it deserved And since the gods were pleased to showre happinesses upon him after so many bitter storms of misfortunes as he went into his tent to rest himself after all his glorious paines there came a post unto him from Thrasibulus to let him know that his Armies were no lesse prosperous under his command then under his own for he had vanquished all that ever opposed him and that the greatest part of al lower Asia was reduced under his Empire at the same time also arived an Envoye from Ciaxares to tell him that he could spare him many fresh troopes because Thomiris was not in a capacitie to make any war upon him since she was desperately sick of a languishing disease which was like to cost her her life or her reason And to compleat his happinesse a Cavalier whom he knew to be one of those he heretofore had pardoned for being in the conspiracie of cowardly Artanus brought him a letter from Mandana which before he read it did induce him to beleeve that he had very ill expounded the oracles of the gods and that for the future he should be as happy under the name of Cyrus as he had been miserable under the name of Artamenes The end of the fift Part. THE Third Volume OF ARTAMENES OR The Grand CYRUS THAT EXCELLENT NEW ROMANCE Being the 〈…〉 Sixth PART 〈…〉 Written by that Famous Wit of FRANCE MONSIEVR de SCVDERY Governor of NOSTRE-DAME And now ENGLISHED by F. G. Esq LONDON Printed for HUMPHREY MOSELEY at the Prince's Arms in St. Paul's Church-yard and THOMAS DRING at the George in Fleet-street M. DC LIV. ARTAMENES OR CYRVS the GREAT The Sixth Part. BOOK I. THough Cyrus was infinitely impatient to see what the incomparable Mandana had writ unto him yet it was a long time before he could reade the Letter not only because excesse of Joy had disordered his heart so much that he knew not whether he should beleeve what he saw but also because hee would have the man who brought it tell him whether he received it from the hand of Mandana how hee saw and when but hee had no sooner asked him all such questions as he desir'd to be satisfied in them without staying for his answer he opened the Letter which had no superscription but when he had opened it hee knew her Character and found in the beginning of it these words The unfortunate Mandana unte the unfaithfull Cyrus This Prince had no sooner cast his eyes upon her cruell words but hee stopt and read them over the second time yet with so much wonder and despaire that hee could not chuse but breake out into sad expressions of his sorrowes insomuch that feeling his heart full of violent Agitations he return'd in private but still as he return'd he read Mandana's Letter which contained these words I would I could lock up in my heart my resentments of your Inconstancy But I doe confesse my wonder is so great to heare that you have changed your opinion of me that I cannot chuse but vent both my admiration and indignation though I know it argues weakeness to make any complaints unto such as offends me and that it speakes more greatness of Soule not to accuse such Delinquents as we are resolv'd never to pardon But since I cannot indure your change without complaint I will complaine like one that will never be appeas'd Therefore I doe declare unto you that I will not any longer be the Pretence of the ambition nor be the innocent cause of all Asias desolation Render back unto my Father those Forces which you have of his to the end my fetters may never be unloosed by your hand for I confess I had rather remaine a Captive still under a respective Ravisher then to bee set at Liberty by a perfidious Prince who hath heretofore given a hundred illustrious Testimonies of his fidelity unto MANDANA Cyrus read this Letter with so much sadnesse with such astonishment and perplexity of spirit that he was forced to read it over againe But the more he read the more he was amazed and the heavier was his heart and though his innocency might have been a cordiall unto him yet his too delicate a soule could not without extreame sorrow suffer such an unjust accusation and his purity of love could not chuse but be apprehensive that Mandana should think him capable of any change in his affection to her moreover since it appeared not by her letter who it was she thought he loved he could not guesse whether it was Panthea or Araminta for he rendred equall civilities unto
of Sidon writ her Epitaph all the refined wits of Phenicia did write in her glory the King is causing a most sumptuous Tomb to be erected and Elisa is lamented as one of the most admirable women that ever lived After all this there is not a day wherein all her friends do meet but they condole and celebrate her name with tears and sighs striving to make their illustrious friend to revive by their discourse and Elogies which they made to eternize her memory But to let you see Sir said Aristheus addressing himself unto Cyrus how all humane wisdome is limited and to incite your Noble heart unto pity be pleased to know that the King of Phenicia not doubting but that you would accord unto his demand hath designed a Tomb to be made for Elisa after such a fashion that the Statue which you will restore and which should have been the ornament of his Gallary shall be placed upon the top of this stately Sepulcher Aristheus closing up his Speech with a deep sigh he did communicate his sorrows unto all his illustrious Auditors all whom had extream compassion upon the lamentable destiny of Elisa and did participate in the sorrows of Aristheus and Telamis Doralisa her self as hard-hearted as she was did finde a complement as sorrow for Aristheus after which all the company parted and mourned for Elisa Cyrus collected this consolation from the misfortunes of another that he was forced to confess unto himself the King of Phenicia was more unfortunate in his passion then himself though he was alwayes accustomed to think himself the most unfortunate Lover in the world The end of the first Book ARTAMENES OR The Grand CYRUS The Seventh Part. BOOK II. Cyrus was no sooner returned to the Cittadel but his sorrows assumed fresh forces to torment him caused by the sight of all these happy lovers about him for whose felicity he had yet taken so much care not but that he was ever a zealous wisher of their happiness but comparing the state of their Fortunes with his own it was impossible but he should sigh to see the difference betwixt the one and the other though he did confess unto himself that he was less miserable then the King of Phenicia yet he said also that he was more unfortunate then all those about him but he said it with such sensibility of sorrow that had Mandana known the agony of his heart she would have chased all unjust jealousie out of her own for it is most certain that never man did know how to love so perfectly as Cyrus In the mean time the Phenician Ambassador knowing the King his Master to be in such a sad condition and having nothing else to do at Sardis prepared for his departure carrying the Statue of Elisa with him which Cyrus did accompany with Presents much more magnificent then those he received He writ also a Letter of thanks unto the King of Phenicia for the thirty thousand men which he offered desiring him to furnish out in exchange of those men as many Ships as he could for a secret design which he had imparted unto his Ambassador and Aristheus Thus all the Phenicians except Aristheus departed infinitely satisfied with Cyrus As for Aristheus he stayed still with this Prince for three reasons the first because the Ambassador of Phenicia and himself conceiving it would be advantageous unto their King to hold a good correspondency with so great a Conquerour they resolved it to be expedient one should remain with him to â—iment the friendship betwixt them The second was because indeed Aristheus was so charmed with the virtue of Cyrus that he was desirous to be a longer admirer of him And the third was the death of Elisa which having grieved him unto the very soul he was not willing to return unto the place where he had seen her so often and was never to see her again and though he did dearly love one of Elisa's friends yet he resolved to endure this absence especially since Doralisa did so very much resemble her as that one of them did comâ—ort him in the absence of the other Thus the Phenician Ambassador departed and Aristheus stayed Also within a few daies after the equipage of Sesostris and Timaretta being in a readiness those two illustrious persons departed from Cyrus to return into Egypt leaving behinde them so many charmed with their merit and affectionate unto their interests as they all did make a thousand prayers for their felicity The Princess of Phrigia and the Princess Timaretta did bid adieu in the language of sighs and all the Ladies of the Palace of Croessus were melted into tears As for Sesostris he expressed much sorrow to leave Cyrus before he had released Mandana and in acknowledgment of the obligations he had unto him for restoring unto him his dear Timaretta and for saving his life he left his Troops with him and promised to oblige Amasis to send him others Cyrus for his part gave this generous Prince the most obliging language in the world himself waiting upon the Princess Timaretta half a daies journey from Sardis where they took their last adieu's both Sesostris and Timaretta did carry themselves so admirably well and spoke in such a noble manner that it was not imagineable they ever were a Shepherd and Shepherdess Cyrus also sent many persons of quality to conduct them unto their Ship which waited for them having given unto Timaretta as many servants as she could have had if she were at Thebes or Memphis After the departure of Sesostris and Timaretta the restlessness of Cyrus augmented nor could he endure any conversation but where Mandana was the subject of their discourse Mazares for his part he was still in a continual turbulency of thoughts he imployed all his virtues to hinder himself from hating his Rival and loving his Mistress As for Croessus what joys soever he had at his being seated again on the throne yet he every day had some apprehensions of the difference between a vassal or tributary Kings and a Soveraign or Independent Majesty As for Myrsiles Love did more torment him then ambition and his not daring to speak unto Doralisa of his Love was insupportable yet he did so much fear to insence that cruel hearted Lady as he shuned her presence though it was a hell unto him to be where she was not In the mean time the Prince Artamas and all those happy Lovers whose sorrows were changed into joys they now had no other grief but in behalf of Cyrus who indeed did merit their pity both in consideration of his high deserts and his great misfortunes Some daies being passed over in continual turbulency of Spirit the sorrows of Cyrus redoubled for he understood that Harpagus who had orders from him to bring back the Army which aided Thrasibulus to conquer his Domidions was taken by the chief Officers of his Troops and the matter was grown unto that height as that they were divided
not make them confess which is not known unto all of any quality in Cumes I will not stay you Madam with a relation how Thrasiles is of a very noble extraction how he hath upon manie occasions made himself Signal iâ— war and how he hath abundance of wit But give me leave to tell you Madam that never man had a more passionate soul then Thrasiles hath for that passion of love is so predominate in him as he cannot live and not love but to manifest it unto you that he is not of the same temper which unconstants are I must let you know that all the loves which he hath professed were not bare Gallantries and Courtships but they were zealous and violent as well as tender and passionate And it is my opinion that if Thrasiles had been so hapie to love the first time one who had in some sort answered his affection I am most confident he would never have loved any but her and would have loved her until death And to let you see he is capable of constancy you may judg of his love by his friendship for he had a friend called Egesipes whom he constantly loved from his verie cradle yet the odness of his destinie was such as that he hath loved manie as I shall tell you Be pleased to know Madam that as soon as Thrasiles was out of his Tutorship and began to make visits of his own head he fell as much in love as the age at which he was would permit him But since you know young men who first enter into the world are not alwaies treated so well as those who have been longer in it unless by women who never use to repulse anie and such who would have slaves of all sorts so Thrasiles though verie handsome and of much spirit did not then meet with an equal civility amongst those Ladies who had the greatest reputation of beauty and he easily observed that they made some difference between men of his form and age and others who were elder then himself So that since it was glorious for him he did not fall in Love with such as would not treat him as a man of power to become their Lover but he fell desperately in love with a Lady who being of such an humour as I spoke of before was beyond all measure civil unto him omitting none of those fond fooleries which women who make it their professions use to enslave the poor Thrasiles The small experience he had in the world suffered him to be extreamly joyed at his good usage and to see that this Lady treated him as if he were the most accomplished man in all the Court When he made a visit any where else he sat upon thorns and stayed not for as it is usual unto such green men they either talked not at all to him or else talking somthing that angred him so that he hath often protested unto me that he hath been extreamly troubled at it when they either spoke low in his presence or else spoke only of his exercises or of his Parents and so would leave him I leave you to judg Madam what sweetness he found in those places where he found different usage where he was talked unto as others were and where a hundred trifles were imparted to him and he loved this Lady as desperatelie as ever any did and he loved her so much that for almost six moneths time he thought himself the happiest man in the world in being respected by a Ladie who really had both beautie and wit but who was the veriest cheat and the veriest Weathercock that ever was for she would write Letters of Gallantry unto a thousand several Gallants she would let all in Cumes love her and desired to be loved of all the world she would put all that ever loved her in hopes and yet jeerâ—â—d at all without exception I think Madam you will not at all wonder that Thrasiles being very young should be taken with her and that you will wonder less he should leave her when he discovered her cheats and fooleries and when he knew she loved him no better then she did a thousand of his Rivals if to justifie the change of Thrasiles it were requisite to give you a Catalogue of her tricks I could tell you that he met with many of her Letters that he understood she shewed his unto all his Rivals that she would jeer with them at his passion and with him at theirs that she would often send him word he could not see her whilst she was talking with others in private and that indeed she was the weakest and most foolish person of her Sex I leave you to judg Madam whether Thrasiles was able to continue loving her and whether his change could be called inconstancy I will not further aggravate the matter since for the justification of Thrasiles it is enough to say that I conceive he would have been extreamly to blame had he persisted loving such a contemptible woman after he knew her However since the amorous inclination of his heart would not let him live long without loving some or other after his return out of the Country and after he had broke off with his first Mistress he layed siege to a second But since now Thrasiles began to be reputed one of the compleatest Gallants in all over Court he was looked upon in a different manner from what he was at his first entrance into the world since there was not a woman of any qualitie who thought it not a glory to have some share in his esteem and his choice was not bad in fixing upon Atalia for the object of his second passion for as you see her a Lady of much beauty and wit so she is Mistress of much generosity goodness and freedome Thrasiles then finding her infinitely amiable did infinitely love her and he loved her the more because he found her of an humour different from her whom now he slighted for indeed Atalia affected neither gallants nor gallantry she rather shunned the tumult of the world then Courted it she was handsome without any affectation and of a sweet easie and agreeable conversation though of a little serious temper So that finding a thousand good qualities in her opposite unto those ill ones which he scorned in her he had quitted he applied himself unto her service and that very violently continuing a long time in doing all that love useth to incite the greatest Gallants to do for indeed he made her many magnificent Feasts and his love to her was not only violent but it was also apparent and made a great noise in the world He seeing that maugre all his endeavours Atalia did not answer his passion but on the contrary did slight it as much as in civility she could yet he perceived that it was not out of any aversion or scorn and that he had a share in her esteem though not in her affection so that he still applied himself to her
of Artamenes his most glorious descent It will suffice to say his Name is Cyrus and derived from the illustrious Race of Persides This is enough to inform you that there is not one more Noble in the world Cyrus hath this advantage above others that he is Soveraign of a people if it befit a Persian to say it amongst whom Virtue is loved and vice abhorred with such disgust that it dares not appear unless under a cloak of Virtue Artamenes moreover for so I will call him yet has the glory to be subject unto a Prince and Princess whose Applauds fills the story of all Nations so that he derives nothing from them but what is most Noble and Heroicque Now since the History of the King of Medes does much conduce to the cleering of my relation I shall be forced to fetch far off a foundation to build the rest of my discourse upon Be pleased to remember how the Ancient Kings of Assiria became Lords of all higher Asia and how the wise and famous Deiocus Sonne of Phraortes did incite his Countrymen to rebell against their Tyrant Kings and after he had got the Soveraignty of the Medes into his own Power restor'd it into the hands of a Mede again You know Sir that this Great and Generous Prince was Lineally descended from the Ancient Kings of Medes and that it was he who ordained such excellent Laws who built the stately Town of Ecbatane and who reduced under his obedience all the state of his Ancestors which were the Brussians the Paratecenians the Struchatians the Arisentines and the Budiens After Deiocus who raigned fifty three years Phaortes his Sonne inherited the Crown and raigned so peaceably as if the Assirians had never usurped But being not content to sit quietly in the Throne of his Predecessors he began to make war against the Persian a People so rusted with more then a whole age of Peace that they finding themselves assaulted by a most Martiall People accustomed to conquer and to prevent the utter desolation of their Country complied with them and Peace was so concluded that the two Crowns of Persia and Media were inseperably interested so that as often as Phraortes should stand in need of their Assistance they were obliged to lend it Here Sir was the first Connexion of the Medes with the Persians I need not relate how Phraortes swel'd with ambition pronounced war against the King of Assiria who slept securely in a downy bed of Peace within his own Dominions Nor how after he had raigned two and twenty years and besieging the Town of Minos perished in the attempt Nor how after his death Ciaxares his Sonne the first of that Name among the Kings of Medes succeeded in the Kingdom nor how Fortune was sometimes a friend and sometimes a fo unto this Prince for I know you are not ignorant how in giving Battle to the Libians when he was at the very point of being victorious it became so accidentally dark upon a sudden that it was impossible for him to continue fight and finish his almost gotten victory You know also that in besieging the Town of Minos of which we spake before intending to revenge the death of his Father Phraortes who was killed before this Town and being at the very point of taking it Medeas King of the Scythians appeared with an Army of a hundred thousand men within shot of his Camp You know also how this King lost the Battle unto the Scythians and his Empire with it but got again into the Throne for this Invasion of the Scythians lasted not above eight and twenty years You know also that this Ciaxares not changing his Resentments with his fortunes revived the warre with the King of Assiria and at last became Master of the Town of Minos Then Sir you know how this first Ciaxares was Father unto Astiages whom he left a quiet Inheritor of his Dominions but as this Prince was born in a turbulent time so I beleeve that the restless spirit of the Father was transmigrated into the soul of the Sonne and imprinted such Melancholy thoughts in this Prince his Sonne as caused him to passe his life with much inquietude and was partly a cause of all those thwartings in Artamenes his fortunes He was married very young and in a manner doubtless extraordinary though out of my memory The Battle which the King his father lost unto Aliattes King of Lydia by reason of that obscurity which blinded both Armies was a cause of this marriage for after so strange an accident the King of Medes consulted with the Priests and Aliattes went unto the Temple of Diana at Ephesus which by reason of the Oracles there was grown in great repute These Princes were told by the Priests and by the Oracle of Diana that the Gods did express by this remarkable sign they were not pleased with the warre but that they ought to resolve upon termes of Peace The King of Sicily who was a mediator in the matter did so negotiate between them that the King of Lydia who had but one Daughter Sister of Craessus should marry her unto Astiages the Sonne of his enemy So you may collect by this that the marriage which was made up so soon after the warre of Lydia gave me some say cause to say that this Prince born when the Starres had such tumultuous influence received from them such troublesome Inclinations As for his Raign Sir because it is so late since it ended it would be superfluous to relate it Let it suffice to tell you how he knowing that none of his Predecessors ever since the Famous Deiocus had enjoyed their Kingdom in Peace therefore he alwayes stood upon his guard and feared some Revolt You know Sir that he had by the Queen his wife and sister of Craessus Ciaxares who now raigns and retains the invincible Artamenes prisoner You know also that he had one Daughter called Mandana an admirable Beauty of great virtue and wisdome That long since the Queen his wife died and with her all his affections to any other so that he would never marry more Since this losse all his thoughts are upon his young Sonne Ciaxares and his young fair Daughter Mandana endeavouring to keep himself peaceable within his own limits without any attempts upon his Neighbours And though he had the good fortune never to be in any considerable actuall warre yet he had to be in continuall preparations for it sometimes against his antient enemy the King of Assiria sometimes against his Allies and sometimes against his own Subjects yet for all these inquietudes which his perpetual turbulencies did procure him his Court held up the proudest head in all Asia For as you know the Medes were alwayes addicted to Magnificence and Pleasures Astiages especially who was most of all devoted unto all manner of Diversions of his Melancholy and pensive cogitations Ecbatane was the fittest seat for it of all places in the world This Prince therefore ever
might get advantage by it therefore he began to change coulour and looking upon me with eyes full of rage and despair And is it true said he unto me that they have promised you Amestris and that Amestris hath consented It is true said I to him and I rejoice in the good fortune and Amestris did obey without any murmure Hah if it be so said he Megabises let me sight with the happy lover of Amestris and do not you meddle for I have more interest then you have and Aglatidas shall be more innocent in causing my death if it chance then yours In saying so he fell upon me with much fury and I stept aside not being willing to fight with my friend and yet wondering from whence these words should proceed Megabises very generously stept in betwixt us and incensedly said unto him What wilt thou shame us both and make all the world beleeve we were two against one Retire or else my thoughts of honour and love shall make me forget those of nature at these words I let fall the point of my Sword to let Artabes see I had no desire to fight with him How now Artabes said I to him can I beleeve what I see and can Aglatidas imagine that Artabes is become his enemy Ah no no said I I can never believe it for I cannot hate any unless the lovers of Amestris And it is under that notion answered the furious Artabes lighting from his horse and advancing towards me that I cannot suffer your good fortune and which prompts me to dispute the matter with you unto my very last drop of bloud Are you a lover of Amestris said Megabises as well as I Yes I am replied he unto us and so zealous a lover too that none shall ever enjoy her as long as I live I leave you to judge Sir how Megabises and I did wonder and admire a little the various effect of Artabes his language I who a little before did love this perfidious friend and hated Megabises as soon as I heard him so express himself the love I had formerly to him extinguished and the hate which I bore unto the other suspended this new jealousie operating upon my fancy more strongly then the old one Megabises for his part looking upon me as one that had been deceived by Artabes as well as himself 〈◊〉 lessen his aversion to me and increase his hate of the other And Artabes being all despair and violent passion made no difference as I thought between his brother and me his friend although I think he was the most unhappy it being to be thought that the mage of his crime and double treason did often present it self into his minde and tormented him without cessation yet Artabes could not now fight with me because indeed I refused and because Megabises would not suffer him and on the other side he would not stay to be a witness of the Combate which was begun between Megabises and my self nor was he as furious as he was able to fight against us both nor would I have suffered him to fight with his brother But because Megabises was not less amazed at the love of Artabes then I was Since when brother if I may call you Rival said he to him have you been in love with Amestris Since the first minute that ever I saw her answered he What said I to him interrupting him did you fall in love with her that day I carried you unto her Yes cruel friend replied Artabes it was you which forced me to go and who forced me to betray you afterwards to deceive Megabises to offend Amestris and to dishonour my self There Aglatidas said he since I can be no longer your friend it must of necessity be that either you or I must die It were better said I unto him that you did repent of your crime I cannot repent answered he untill Aglatidas and Megabises leave loving Amestris Since it cannot be but upon those terms said Megabises and I both together unto him we must bethink our selves whether it be better to pardon or to punish you As we stood thus arguing the matter we saw a number of people coming towards us who being told that we went out of the Town together came to seek us having some suspition of our quarrell The furious Artabes having no minde to stay took horse and told me in my ear that three daies hence he would expect me from morning till night in a certain place which he appointed and told me that if I were not the basest coward that ever lived I would come thither and give him satisfaction Then he presently rid away and we lost the sight of him Those men who sought us did finde us and brought us to the Town but for all their vigilance both Megabises and I escaped them and went out to fight some five hundred paces from Ecbatan I will not trouble you with relating the particulars of our Combate I will only tell you that I was so fortunate as to hurt Megabises slightly in the hand and disarm him I thought it not fit to go into the Town the same day because Megabises was allied unto the blood Royall and it would seem some disrespect in me to fight with him though it was not I who began the quarrell I went therefore unto a friends house without thinking that this way led me unto the place which Artabes had appointed for if I had considered it it may be I should not have took that way so much was my former love to him stronger then my present hate But Sir I forgot to tell you that in disarming Megabises my own Sword did break so that in the end of the Combat I could not restore unto him his own since it seemed not just unto me that he who had the good fortune to be Conqueror should himself be disarmed Therefore I had then Megabises Sword by reason of the fâ—ilt which was of a very extraordinary fashion So that as I came to the place Artabes had appointed and where he punctually expected me he no sooner saw me but he knew the Sword of Megabises and thought I had killed him This fight suspended all other thoughts for a time Why now said he in coming towards me I do not only see him who enjoyes Amestris but also my brothers murderer Your brother said I to him in going back is not in that condition and if it were as easie for me to leave loving Amestris as it is to render you your brother we should be quickly friends That cannot be so said he for none of our Family use to quit their Swords but with their lives but however it be you must fight with me and though that should not be yet I have other causes to hate your life and wish your death In the name of the Gods Artabes said I to him do not urge me to kill the man I so much love and lend me so much patience as to hear me a little
was not reasonable and that I asked such a thing which she ought not to consent unto and therefore she protested that she was resolute and would not upon any terms allow it but said Melesander unto her were it not better to suffer it then to suffer them to find out Thimocaates and put him to death Ah Melesander said she unto him you are no less unreasonable then your friend to press me unto that which I will not do and to urge me unto it against my mind At the last after a long contest she told him that so he would contrive a way which would not any way expose me unto danger and which would be handsome for her she would see me though said she it be to ground me in my obstinacy Melesander then bethinking himself proposed unto her to make a visit unto one of his cousins as formerly she used to do who was one of great merit and virtue unto whom he would bring me the night before she came thither But said she unto him what wil your cousin think what wil your self think what wil Thimocrates think No no Melesander I cannot I cannot consent unto such a meeting and indeed he could not that day perswade her But the next day I was in such danger to be taken that I was glad to take a new Sanctuary and she fearing to be the cause of my death it moved her to consent to see me at Melesanders cousins provided that she and he would be present at our discourse I cannot express the joy I then apprehended when I heard I was to see Telesile though it was only to bid her adieu But in short I was that night carried unto Melesanders cousin where my adored Telesile should meet me the next morning waited upon only by that woman who was my confident It is not easie for me to discribe how this visit did go against the hair of her disposition and against that precise virtue whereof she made profession she came unto the chamber where I was alone with Melesander and her cousin as if she had committed a great crime in coming and addressing her self unto her What will you think of me said she unto her for coming to you with resolutions to quarrel with your friends I should think answered she for we had told her all the business that you would have been most inhumane if you had exposed so precious a life as that of Thimocrates unto danger Madam said I then not giving her time to answer I most humbly beseech you pardon the trouble I have put you unto and beleeve that if I could possibly have done otherwise I should not have forced your inclination so far After this we all sat down and discoursed a long time of the misfortune which had faln upon me and of the resolute obstinacy of my enemies in prosecuting against me since Telesile would not permit me any privacy with her But some or other desiring to speak with Melesanders Cousin about some important business she desired Telesile to excuse her a little while and when she had spoken with this party in another chamber she would return unto her again so that without neglecting this opportunity whilest Melesander went unto the window with a woman which accompanied his cousin Madam said I are you then resolved upon my departure and that I must absent my self from you without any knowledg whether you will honour Thimocrates with any remembrance of him But Madam he is not able to depart upon such conditions The affection he bears unto you is too violent to endure it and if you be not pleased of your goodness to give him some obliging hopes to comfort him in his absence he will not depart at all I shall tell you for your satisfaction replied Telesile that I do much lament your misfortune and am so sorry that I should be the cause of it as that your absence will much grieve me and I shall heartily wish and long for your return This is much Madam said I unto her in a most respectful manner but it is not enough to preserve the life of a man who must be an age from you I know not said she whether this which I say unto you be enough for you but I am perswaded Thimocrates that it is a little too much for me yet I do not repent of what I said said she smiling but if you please I will repeat it again Not to trouble you with any repetitions of what you said already Madam said I unto her I beseech you speak something more then yet you have What would you have me say said she I desire replied I that my adored Telesile will assure me that my absence shall not root me out of her heart and that neither Menecrates or any other of my Rivals shall supplant me and take possession of it I promise you replied she to satisfie you in your first scruple and permit you to hope that none of the rest shall prejudice you without any fears of being deceived For indeed Thimocrates I have so bad an opinion of all men that I wonder how you come to be so much in my opinion You loâ—den me with honours and delight said I unto her but Madam notwithstanding all these sweet and gracious favours you are pleased to consent unto I am afraid of your virtue I fear that when Diophantes moves you to marry Menecrates I fear I say that absent Thimocrates has no such prevalency in your heart as to hinder your obedience Thimocrates said she then unto me me thinks you may be very well contented with what I have already said without forcing me as you do to give a more rigid answer Ah Madam said I unto her being extreamly transported with sorrow I understand you too well I see you will not chuse Menecrates but you will accept of him if it be the pleasure of Diophantes If he will absolutely have it so replied she doubtless I shall obey him Since it is so said I unto her I need not think any more of my departure from Delphos But I will stay Madam I am resolved upon it and say what you will unto me I will never leave you in such a cruel incertainty But Thimocrates said she you have lost your reason in speaking as you do But inhumane Telesile replied I you have lost your goodness in answering me as you do For what would you have that man who infinitely adores you do who when he is gone leaves you in a mind to marry him whom of all the rest of my Rivals Diophantes intends to propose unto you from whence can I have any consolation cruel Lady during so long and rigid an absence Can I ever contemplate your beauty without thinking that perhaps it is the felicity of Menecrates not mine to enjoy it Can I with any delight remember that sweetness which has several times proceeded from you since I am in fears that you will be eternally severe unto me Can
I am not only jealous of my Prince my friend my enemy and another of an inferiour quality unto me but I am jealous also of every one whom I do imagine sees her and when you see me sometimes stand in dull dumpish study and melancholy musing posture then am I calling them all into my memory one after another and imagining that Alcidamia is treating them better then she did me Let not Thimocrates then pretend that absence comes near the rigour of jealousie since there is no comparison between them The Remembrance of what is past the hopes of what is to come as the Prince Artibies hath very well observed does bring a thousand consolations unto an absent Lover that is beloved But a jealous Lover cannot find any thing either in his remembrance of the time past or in his hopes of the time to come which can afford him any quietness of mind An absent Lover never looks for any things but such as are agreeable and delightful the hopes of which are sweet unto him as the sight of his Mistress her company and many such advantages whereas jealousie is so irregular from all rules of reason that he does often wish not to see his Mistress I know very well that not to be loved is a grand misery yet not so great by far as his who imagins himself not only not loved but imagins that the person whom he loves does love an hundred thousand others better then himself Neither is the death of the party loved with all its terrours so tormentive as jealousie A Lover who laments the death of his Mistress has this consolation at the least that he is pitied by every one it moves compassion in his most mortal enemies whereas on the contrary a jealous Lover moves not the least jot of pitty from his dearest friends those that are the most discreet amongst them can do no more then not to speak against him but the ordinary sort do most commonly openly jeer and mock at him for it and yet though he see it in them all he knows no remedy Moreover that kind of sorrow which is caused by death hath some limits there can come nothing new nor worse unto him who resents it But a jealous Lover does every day endure an hundred thousand fresh and worse punishments then ever he could foresee and does so invent them himself that he is his own punisher When death hath ravished that which is dearest unto one away there is yet this advantage remaining that all the passions of his soul except that of love do rest in peace and suffers one to weep in a kind of tranquility But there is perpetual trouble confusion in that heart which is possessed with jealousie Hatred disputes with love for the Empire fear drives out all hopes fear takes place of tenderness dispair often follows one repents an hundred times in a day of his own wishes one desires death not only upon himself but his Mistress also one cannot see things as they are for whereas according to the order of nature the senses do commonly delude the imagination Here on the contrary the imagination deludes the senses and afterwards does force the ears and the eyes to think if it may be properly said so that they hear and see that which they do not and yet for all this the knowledg of these errours cannot cure the mind of those who know them and jealousie indeed may more firly be phraysed Whichcraft Inchantment or Magick rather then a bare passion Pronounce Judgement then in my favour Oh my most ingenious and just Judg and deny not your pitty unto the most unfortunate Lover in the world Leontidas having finished his Discourse Martesia desired Cyrus to pronounce Sentence upon these four famous Lovers But he denying it with most sweet and obliging civility and also refusing to give her any counsel she was forced to use her own ingenious apprehensiuns After that she had then pawsed and studied a while to recal into her memory what she intended to utter she pronounced her Sentence with a very handsome Grace though not without a blush in these terms The Judgment of MARTESIA I Know very well it was my own curiosity to know the Adventures of these four illustrious Persons which moved me unto so much injustice as to accept of the quality of being their Judg But I know also that all of you have so excellently expressed your selves and your reasons and so perfectly described your sufferings that it is almost impossible I should be erronious in my opinion I declare then with audacity that Thimocrates though absent yet since he is loved is the least unfortunate of the four That Philocles though not loved yet is he not the most unfortunate of all since that which causeth his misery may perhaps hereafter cause his cure And as for Leontidas I affirm that he is the least to be pitied though I am perswaded he has endured more misery then all the rest And to conclude I declare that the Prince Artibies in lamenting his dead Mistress is most worthy of compassion and him whom I most pitty though I am sensible of the miseries of all the rest except the jealous Leontidas for whom I reserve much esteem but little pitty Martesia had no sooner pronounced Sentence but Leontidas began to speak Did I not tell you replied he that it is one of my misfortunes not to be pittied by any However replied Cyrus I conceive that Martesia is most just in her Judgment The respects which I owe her said Thimocrates prevents my complaints I am not so reasonable as you are said Philocles for I confess that I do complain a little For my part said Artibies I do much commend her since truly the pity of this illustrious Lady is the greatest consolation that I have received since my loss Since now it was very late Cyrus did rise up after many applauds of Martesia Aglatidas and Erenice did the same and after Cyrus had discoursed a while in private with Martesia concerning his Dear Princess he went out accompanied with all those illustrious but unfortunate Lovers and went unto Ciaxares with a mind wholly possessed with his own passion and with the Idea of Mandana in it which no terene thought could remove out of his heart The End of the first Book ARTAMENES OR CYRUS the GREAT The Second Part. Book II. THe thoughts of Cyrus were wholly imployed concerning the Delivery of his Princess and therefore he disoursed with Ciaxares whom he found in his Closet thinking upon nothing but preparations for the Armenia War That which did most impede the Expedition in both their fancies was the Town of Pteria which yet being in the hands of Artaxes there was no likelihood of the Armenian Progress before it was taken Yet to engage themselves in a Siege amidst their great impatience to deliver Mandana was so harsh a thought that they could hardly resolve upon it But yet not withstanding since they had
her self I kneeled down before her my sorrows being so great that I could not cry for those are but slight sorrows which can be expressed by tears Oh Madam said I unto her inflict what punishment you please upon that sacrilegious hand which wounded you and do not think that though I defer the execution for a little while it is not with intentions of living long No Madam I would only see you in a way of recovery to the end you may see me dye and that way expiate this horrid crime which I have committed Alcionida was so surprized to see me and hear me thus express my self that though she had not been in so weak a condition as she was she would not have been able to hold any long discourse therefore not answering at all unto what I said If I dye said she unto me I shall pardon you with all my heart and also I entreat the Prince Tisander if he be living to pardon you as wel as I. The Prince Tisander Madam said I with much wonder is he here As she was about to answer the Chyrurgions prevented her and told me it would kill her if she spoke any more so that hastily retiring and leaving her with her women I took her Cousin by the hand and carring her to the Chamber door asked her what it was which Alcionida said unto me But at the same time some Souldiers which had taken Tisander in another Ship brought him into mine and he knowing that it was I which he had fought against desired to speak with me and when in entrance into the Ship he understood that Alcionida was wounded he was in as desperate a case as I Cruel Friend said he in coming first to me what a fatal adventure is befaln us Give me leave rather to say answered I what a fatal adventure is mine Ah said he you are not to be pitied so much as I for the thoughts of friendship are nothing so tender as those of love Doubtless you love me and will be sorry for fighting with me and for being perhaps the cause of her death whom I most adore and intend to marry But said I and interrupted him do you intend to marry this fair and most incomparable Lady Yes cruel Friend answered he and therefore imagine the sorrows of my Soul But I beseech you let me see this fair and unfortunate Lady In saying so he went into the Chamber where she was and I with him and he no sooner saw her but taking her hand kissing it and also washing it with his tears he expressed a hundred signs of sorrow and affection which I durst not render unto her She cast her eyes upon me and doubtless did so plainly perceive the sorrows I endured that she turned away her eyes and blushed Tisander observing this and fearing to be troublesom to her went from her imagining the alteration of her face to proceed from no other cause but the extremity of her pain We asked the Chyrurgions what they thought of her but they could not tell what juddgment to give until the second dressing not yet knowing whether any of the Nerves were molested or Veins cut In the mean time I understood that Tisander being cured of his passionate affection unto the fair and wise Sapho did consent unto the marriage which the Prince his father had made up between him and the fair Alcionida before he knew her and that as soon as ever he saw her he was more in love with her then ever he was with his first Mistress I understood afterwards that he did not know my Ship because it had been newly trimmed up at Gnides and since all the Banners and Flags which Leosthenes had set up for the entertainment of Alcionida did stand still it was not possible Tisander could know it Neither could I know his Ship for since his intended marriage his Flags also were full of gallant devices and other Motto's then he was accustomed to have Since this Prince was really generous and seeing me silent he did ask me pardon if in the extremity of his sorrows he had spoke any thing which was offensive to me But I my self was so much disturbed in my mind that I knew not what I should answer him But I gave orders that all his men should be set at liberty and treated as my own however the sight of this Prince was insufferable to me since I understood he was to be the husband of Alcionida and I could not resolve to go out of his Ship because I could not depart from her yet not being in freedom to grieve in her presence I went into my own under a pretence of giving out some orders and went into my own Cabin with a mind so full of sorrows that I was a hundred times ready to throw my self into the Sea and there bury my self and all my misfortunes together but there was a kind of secret chain which linked me to Alcionida that restrained me and kept me alive And being alone with Leosthenes I began to descant upon the strangeness of my misfortunes and my mind being a little more quiet then before Confess with me Leosthenes said I unto him that I was born under a most malignant Constellation for if you look upon the present condition of my fortune you may therein find miseries enough to make a hundred men unfortunate Were it only the inconsideration of my sorrows for fighting with my friend and hurting her whom I infinitely loved I deserved compassion though for nothing but to find my Friend my Rival I had cause enough to grieve for it extreamly were it for nothing else but to find my Mistress enjoyed by another I were most worthy of pity and were it for nothing but wounding with my own hand that Lady for whom only I desire to live all my tears are too few to lament the sadness of the accident But having in one day fought with my Friend wounded her I loved found him to be my Rival heard my Mistress is to be married and my own hand putting her in danger of death Ah Leosthenes these are too many miseries to be endured and it would be as base as impossible for me to live under the weight of them For indeed what can I do I must not hate my Rival since he is both my Friend and my Benefactor I never dare speak any more of my passion unto her who first did cause it my Soul is out of all hopes my Love cannot now be innocent I dare not hereafter find any fault with her I have no reason to accuse Tisander I have not power to acknowledg my passion unto him and it were in vain if I should since he is the husband of Alcionida In one word I am in as deplorable a condition at ever any Lover possible can be But alas what do I say and what would I do I speak as if Alcionida were not wounded and wounded by my own hand and that perhaps mortally Oh most
which was wont to triumph over any other thought was now forced to submit unto his sorrow and to lie hid in the bottom of his heart without any discovery upon this sad occasion He promised Tisander then to perform all his Commands in most grieving expressions and testified such real marks of tenderness that none would ever thought Tisander had been Rival to Thrasibulas In the mean while this weak Prince growing more feeble upon a sudden dyed and desiring to say something more concerning Alcionida he pronounced her name and left all those who saw him dye in such admiration of his Constancy and so molified with his discourse that had he been a prime Friend unto every one in particular he could not have moved more sorrows As soon as the Prince Tisander had fetched his last breath and no signs of life appeared Cyrus carried Thrasibulus out of the Tent whether he would or no and left Theosthenes to take all requisite orders for Tisanders Funeral which Cyrus would have most magnificently performed Having then carried Thrasibulus into his own Pavilion he took the Letter which was directed unto Alcionida and which was open then with the consent of Trasibulus he found written these words Dying TISANDER to his dearest ALCIONIDA I Am so near my Death that I cannot possibly say much unto you Let me in a few words conjure you to beleeve that I did love you beyond all expressions and that I dye full of the same affection and fuller then ever any except the Prince Thrasibulus You know he is my second self and so receive him I give him all my share in your heart for he deserves it Love him then for the love of me and force him to love my memory for the love of you and as far as it is possible let both of you love that Prince in his grave who whilest he lived loved none but you and when he dyed you were the only thoughts of TISANDER As Cyrus was of a most apprehensive and compassionate Soul so his heart was extreamly tendered at the reading of this Letter And Thrasibulus himself notwithstanding all the hopes he might conceive by the death of his Friend was most really grieved All possible care was taken to render the last honours of Burial with all Ceremony befitting a man of his quality Cyrus himself the King of Phrigia the King of Hircania and every Prince in the Army were Mourners and expressed all testimonies of esteem unto the honour of Prince Tisander After this Cyrus told Thrasibulus that both the affairs of his Dominions and those concerning his Love did require his sudden return unto Milete and unto Lesbos Then he went to give out Orders concerning the present Affair In the mean time the Prince Phraartes returning to the King his Father found all things in a lamentable condition because their Victuals would not last above two days though the King of Armenia to keep up the hearts of his Souldiers did make a shew as if they had enough for a Month hoping always that Ciaxares would be weary and draw off from Artaxates Phraartes then seeing things in that condition told the King his Father that there was a necessity of having recourse unto the clemency of the Conqueror since force was in vain and the more to merit his favour he thought it mst expedient to tell Ciaxares with all ingenuity whether the Princess Mandana and the King of Pont were in his Dominions or no That as for the Tribute demanded though it were just to pay what 's promised yet he knew that the principal cause of the War was the Princess Mandana so that if he had her in his hands he might easily free himself from the Tribute by restoring her unto the King her father and that if he had her not then he ought to make it so apparent as neither Ciaxares or Cyrus might doubt of it The King then protested unto Phraartes that he never knew the King of Pont or the Princess Mandana were ever in Armenia And that the Princess Araminta being in his Dominions had certainly raised that opinion of the Princess Mandana's being here Phraartes told the King his father that as he had promised so he must needs acquaint Cyrus with the truth of all this But the Souldiers being in a great Mutiny would needs see all the Magazines of Victual before the Prince Phraartes departed there was such a great disorder amongst them that they all forsook their Guards So that if the most generous Cyrus would have violated his faith and taken that advantage he might easily entered the Mountains and killed all those that fled thither for sanctuary for it was easie to be discerned from the Plains how they dispersed themselves in the Mountains without any order or any Arms But he did most inviolably observe whatsoever he promised but looked upon this disorder without taking that advantage or knowing the true cause of it But in conclusion the King of Armenia resolved to trust unto the generosity of Cyrus and put himself into his hands He sent therefore the Prince Phraartes before appeasing the Souldiers by assuring them that he went to make Peace This Prince returning then unto the Camp and being conducted unto the Tent of Cyrus where was the King of Assyria the King of Hircania the Prince of the Cadusians the Prince of Paphlagonia Thrasibulus Hidaspes Aglatidas and many others he told him how extreamly sorry he was that he was not able to tell him any news concerning the Princess Mandana of whom the King his father had no knowledg For Sir said he to Cyrus to shew you that he is most sincere I need tell you no more but that trusting absolutely in the goodness of the Medean King and your generosity I have perswaded him to descend from these Mountains with the Queen my Mother the Princesses my Sisters the Princess Onesila wife of Tigranes my Brother whom heretofore you have honoured with your friendship You may very well judg by this Sir said he unto him that if he had the Princess Mandana in his power he would not have done thus When Cyrus had well considered upon it he was most extreamly grieved that there was no hopes of finding Mandana The King of Assyria was as deeply wounded as he yet imagining that perhaps she might still be in Armenia though this Prince was ignorant of it a most strict search was resolved upon in lieu of a bloody War In the mean while Cyrus sent in all haste unto Ciaxares to acquaint him with the reports of Phraartes and to ask him whether he should bring the King of Armenia unto him But Ciaxares being not well that day sent him word that he absolutely referred all unto him and that he should do as he himself thought most expedient Cyrus having this answer received the King of Armenia and all his Royal Family into his Tent and observing a discreet mediocrity in his civilities there appeared in his discourse and actions all
then confiding in her and setting forth the injustice of Cressus in that he would not suffer Cleander to clear himself and that the Princess his daughter was sensible of his innocency he negotiated so well with her as she obtained of her Sister that Cylenisa should be entertained in the Temple and placed with the Princess not daring to ask leave for Cleander to speak with her for fear of being refused and lest it should prejudice her in lieu of serving her you may easily imagine what joy this was unto the Princess Palmis to see her dear Cylenisa again and to hear Cleander was out of prison and come unto Ephesus though she was still very fearful he should be discovered and taken again But when Cylenisa told her he seldom stirred out except mornings and evenings unto the Temple and that he was well disguised she was more at quiet 'T is true the liberty of Cleander did make the prison of the Princess more close if may call that sacred place a prison For as soon as Cressus heard that Cleandir was released he sent new Orders unto Agesistrata to take more care of the Princess Palmis and that she be better guarded But since the friend of Meneceus was for us the doubling of Guards was to no purpose One strange and happy accident more happened which was that Cleander found in the house where he lodged all those things which should testifie what he was and thus it came about Be pleased to know that the domestique servant whom my father had trusted with all those things and many others seeing that his Master was a Prisoner resolved to steal all that he had of his and embarqued for Ephesus That he being acquainted with a servant in this house he left with him many of those things to keep and amongst the rest all those things which would serve to clear Cleander declaring unto him that if he dyed he gave him all those things which he left in his hands and telling him that he durst not return until his Master were out of prison But the truth is he thought that Cressus would put my father to death and then he might return to Ephesus and enjoy the fruits of his Theft yet since he was gone no further then the Isle of Chio his friend heard often from him but indeed at last he understood that he was dead when Cleander came to lodg with his Master who was a very good friend unto Meneceus So that desiring to see what was given him he looked upon all those things which my fathers servant had left unto him and there found all those things which I told you of and not being able to conceal his wealth out of joy that he had to possess it he shewed the Picture unto his Masters wife who finding some resemblance between it and Cleander let him see it as some extraordinary piece so that to recover all that he had lost he recompenced him who had them and received them again I leave you to judg Madam what joy this was to Cleander in finding a Crown when he had no hopes to enjoy it he made the Princess Palmis acquainted with this prodigious accident But do what could be Meneceus could not obtain permission for Cleander to see the Princess All that could be done was by the contrivance of Cylenisa to convey Letters unto her which she out of her goodness was pleased to answer In the mean time we knew not what course to take because Cleander would not go and make himself known unto the King his father and leave the Princess Palmis at Ephesus he durst not think of taking her away though she should consent unto it not knowing where to find any place of security for her or whether he should be known for what he was neither durst he make it known unto Cressus that he had found those things which would manifest what he was understanding by a Letter from the Princess that the quality of the King of Phrigia's son would not at all advantage him in the opinion of the King her father Cleander being thus unresolved what course to take he was advertised of two things in one day which moved him unto that resolution which I shall tell you of the first was that I informed him of a Cicilian Ship come into the Port in which was the King of Pontus and the Princess Mandana the other was that absolute Orders came from Cressus that the Princess his daughter should enter into Orders and take upon her the habit of a Vestal You may imagine how much this severity of Cressus concerned Cleander and how much it grieved the Princess Palmis for she had no inclination unto that course Agesistrata protested unto the Princess that she would not receive her into Orders though she would have her because her will was forced which was positively against their Customs This being the state of things the Princess Mandana stole away from those who watched her and put her self into the Temple of Diana as a Sanctuary and the King of Pontus could not get her out again because the people would have risen against him if he had attempted it But Madam she was no sooner there but Cleander thought he had found an undoubted means to obtain an inviolable Sanctuary for his Princess if in getting away the Princess Palmis he could get away the Princess Mandana also and carry her unto Ciaxares from the King of Pontus or else in the absence of Ciaxares unto the illustrious Cyrus For said he If this design prosper although the King my father who is with him should not acknowledg me yet the service of restoring the Princess Mandana would be acceptable to the King that I shall obtain from Cyrus a protection for the Princess Palmis and it may well be hoped that the Heavens will favor so just a design since I do only rescue an innocent Princess out of the hands of her Ravisher to restore her unto the King her father This Project seemed so full of Reason were it but once executed that neither Thimettes Meneceus Tegeus my father nor I did at all contest concerning it We speedily then sought out ways to execute what Cleander had imagined We had already some men with us but not sufficient to do it by open force therefore policy must be the way Meneceus did so well employ the power which he had with his ancient Mistress that he moved her to speak unto her Sister who is one of a great virtue much spirit and greater Soul he set forth the injustice of Cressus and also the King of Pontus in such a moving manner as he forced her to acknowledg that whosoever could set the princess Mandana and the princess Palmis in any places of security would do an act which would be acceptable unto the Gods She had no sooner said so but using her own words he told her that it was she who was best able to do an act so generous Yet for
earnestly to tell him her reasons why she hated him and why she loved him for said he unto her I am certain the change was not in me but your self This unexpected Question did so surprize Amestris that she blushed and gave him 〈◊〉 satisfactory answer yet she told him that as long as her Father lived the disposition of her self was in him and after his death she was resolved to marry according to her own affection but she spoke this with so much disorder in her countenance that Ottanus changed colour as well as she Then urging her no further he went to walk by himself as one of my intimate friends who was also a friend of his did tell me and revealed all his secrets unto me But oh Heavens what odd phantastical thoughts did come into his mind during this walk and how severely did he punish himself with his own capricious phancy Then he called to mind all the severity which Amestris expressed towards him he remembered all her scornings of him and the great difference which she made between him and Aglatidas or Megabises and did not forget any act which this fair and virtuous Lady did either in contempt of him or in advantage unto any of his Rivals However said he after a memory of all these things I am the Enjoyer of Amestris and all my Rivals which in appearance were then more happy were yet really more unfortunate What then would I have said he and what do I want to compleat my happiness Then would he walk a while in a more calm temper and thinking he had setled himself in more tranquility of mind he gave over the thought of these things and began to delight himself in the variety of flowers which grew in the Garden where he walked he quitted that shady melancholy walk which he made choyce of at first and took one of a more open ayr but notwithstanding the enamelled beauty and variety of flowers as soon as he had changed places he began to make comparisons betwixt himself and his Rivals and he could find no reason in the world why Amestris should make choyce of him before them and though it be the custom of all the world to flatter themselves and seldom to do Justice when they are their own Judges yet Ottanus in this business did censure himself with all severity possible he concluded then that Amestris ought not to have made choyce of him since she had no prepossessed opinion of him or affection to him as he knew she had not For said he the very day before my happiness she was intolerably incensed against me I never found her more cruel or uncivil towards me in her life then that day and the next morning the fit took her to marry me and did so though I could never conceive any Reason why she should think of so much happiness for me But what matter is it which way our good fortune comes so we enjoy it Amestris is mine and all my Rivals go without her nor is there any likelyhood they ever had any shares in her heart since she made not choyce of any amongst them as if she had pleased she might have done but preferred one whom they loved not before them all Yet for all this said he Amestris did not love me two days before she married me and I am most certain I used neither any charms nor enchantments to change her heart nor did I so much as ask that favour from the hands of Heaven because I saw so little probability of obtaining it yet upon a sudden I became happy and Then he stayed a while and went no further Afterwards repenting himself of what he had said and what he thought to have said But am I very well assured that I am happy and is it not so that I have only changed misfortunes And indeed Ottanus as my friend whose name was Artemon of whom I already spoke since told me after he had well examined the matter and sufficiently tormented himself could never resolve with himself whether he was happy or unhappy but he went home very reserved and melancholy He resolved to get the mastery of his mind and wrastle with those thoughts which disturbed his good fortune and indeed for some certain days did endeavor to be contented As for Amestris her thoughts were as far from any calm serenity as the spirit of Ottanus was and she thought her self the most miserable woman upon Earth especially since she knew the innocency of Aglatidas for before that though she had an extream aversion towards Ottanus yet she had some consolation in her hopes to undeceive Aglatidas in the opinion he had of her and if he were once undeceived then had she cruelly revenged her self upon him But as the state of things were knowing that if she had not married Ottanus she might have been happy and Aglatidas contented she suffered unconceiveable torment of mind she could find no consolation in condemning him who was the cause of her sufferings nor in any thing else but condemning her self However Aglatidas at parting having sent a Letter unto Menasta to give unto Amestris she quitted her self very faithfully and gave it unto her though with much ado to move her unto a reception of it For since Amestris was as virtuous as fair she conceived it something against the Rules of Virtue to receive any expressions of love from Aglatidas yet after Menasta promised her it should be the last she should be troubled with she read it and this was the Contents The miserable AGLATIDAS unto the unfortunate AMESTRIS I Can never consent to go far from you before I have asked Pardon for being a cause of your sorrows I would I were able for your tranquilities sake to wish you would absolutely forget me but I do confess my weakness and acknowledg that I cannot be so generous but on the contrary I desire that the remembrance of my constant Passion may be the greatest torment of your life As for mine I do promise you it shall be so miserable that unless you be the most unhumane woman in the world you will have so much goodness as to let me know you pity me lest I should dye with despair AGLATIDAS After Amestris had read this Letter with tears in her eyes though she refused to receive it at the first yet she kept it at the last and would not give it again unto Menasta and talking together concerning the crossness of these accidents Menasta told her that since things past and done cannot be recalled and undone the best way was to make the best of things one could and to comfort ones self Ah Menasta said Amestris how difficult is this counsel to be practised and how hard a matter is it to find any comfort when one is forced to see him continually whom one hates and never to see him one loves and I assure you that since the time Aglatidas did justifie himself in my opinion the aversion which I ever
that the Affairs in Armenia were discomposed and that Ciaxares would draw the war into that Country So that Ottanus being moved unto it by apprehensions of rage dispair revenge and jealousie altogether he resolved to cast himself into the King of Armenia's Partie though he apparenly saw it would be the ruine of himselfe and losse of his estate flattering himself with hopes of some occasion to meet with Aglatidas knowing he would be in that war and he would seek him out though in places fullest of danger This designe being resolved upon without communicating it unto any he sent for Amestris who contrary to the advice of Menasta obeyed him Artemon who was returned to Ecbatan hearing of it would not let her goe alone but accompanied her whether she would or no When they drew neer the place unto which they were to goe they espied Dinocrates on horseback under a Tree who as soon as he saw them coming galloped with all speed towards the Castle where his master was This passage did much surprize Amestris and Artemon who could not devise the meaning of it But they were much more astonished when being come into the Castle they understood that as soon as Dinocrates advertized Ottanus of their coming hee took horse with three or four of his servants and went out at a back dore leaving a Letter with the Captain of the Castle to give unto Amestris He had no sooner declared it but she opened it and found these words OTANUS to the unworthy AMESTRIS I Goe from hence to hide that shame which you have brought upon me and in order to that I goe amongst men who know neither you nor me But the principall reason of my voyage is to kill Aglatidas if I can meet with him as I hope I shall If I hear you receive the news of his death without any tears I shall return and perhaps pardon you for loving that man whilst hee lived whose death should be indifferent unto you in the mean time keeep within this Castle obey him who commands it in my absence unlesse you have a minde I should return to punish you for all those evils you have brought upon me OTANUS Imagine Sir how this letter grieved Amestris who shewing it unto Artemon conjured him to follow after him and notwithstanding all the distwasion of the Captain he did so But whether Ottanus made too much haste to be overtaken or whether Artemon took a wrong road so it was he could not meet with him but returned to Amestris whom he found in a deluge of tears She was not well perswaded whether or no Ottanus was gone or if he were whether he was gone to kill Aglatidas as his Letter expressed or else whether he was only hid to see how she would behave her self during his pretended absence But however she collected by the beginning of his Letter that he was not gone into the Armie of Ciaxares since there he would be known After much debate upon the matter they hit upon the truth and Artemon beleeved he was gone into Armenia and was amongst the Kings enemies However Amestris told him that obedience unto her husband was her dutie and therefore she desired him to return back Artemon used all his arguments to perswade her that he might carrie her back again to Ecbatan But as she had no mind unto it so indeed she could not if she would for he whom Otanus had left commander in the Castle was an obstinate and resolved man and would not have permitted her Yet the sweet disposition of Amestris did obtain this singular favour from him that Menasta might come and see her Thus was Amestris after Artemons departure in a most terrible solitude especially because she knew no limits of time when it would end Her friends and Kinred did divers times offer to take her away in spight of him that kept the Castle if she would consent unto it but she never would not so much I think out of her obedience unto Ottanus which truly was without a paralel as out of her own disposition to avoid companie which she would not indure without constraint A while after she had the comfort to heare that Ottanus was certainly in Armenia and consequently she was in lesse fear of Aglattidas his life conceiving it a hard matter to meet with him amongst an Armie of a hundred thousand men Thus Sir did Amestris live during all the Armenean warre untill the news was spread throughout all Medea that Ottanus was dead It was told unto her with so many circumstances that none were afraid to rejoyce openly with her and all the world did make a publique thanksgiving for it in behalfe and out of affection to Amestris But the wonder of all was that shee who of all living had most reason to rejoyce at the death of Ottanus did receive the newes with the most moderation for there was not the least visible signe of any inward joy in the face of Amestris as it was a thing impossible shee should bee sad so nothing of that passion appeared likewise but without eyther any joy or sorrow shee made the wisdome of her minde and generositie of her soule most apparantly appeare in her discreet moderation and when Menasta asked her why shee was not more sensible of that freedom which shee was to enjoy shee answered that there was som scruples of minde yet unsatisfied and shee feared that the ill treatments of Ottanus would bee a meanes by which the gods would shorten her life Within a few dayes after the servants of Ottanus returned all except Dinocrates who they said was sick and stayed in Armenia which confirmed the reports of his death In the meane while the Captaine of the Castle where Amestris was in lieu of commanding her as before hee began to obey her as soone as hee heard of Ottanus his death and since hee was never very severe in his office shee treated him with much sweetnesse Within a few dayes after the kindred and friends unto Amestris came to carry her back unto Ecbatan where shee lived in all possible discretion as if Ottanus had not at 〈◊〉 beene jealous and fantasticall yet since it is not the custome of mourning in Medea to continue long and since Amestris was never in her life more faire then at that time the passionate affection of very many began to disclose and discover themselves by the tender of their services And amongst the rest Tharpis who whilst Ottanus was jealous had no other design in seeing Amestris and following her unto all places but to add fewel to his foolish fires was now really in love with her Artemon for his part he thought that meer compassion upon the miseries of Amestris was the only cause which prompted him to see and serve hen but now he perceived that he loved her with more tender affection then he thought on So that Amestris in losing a husband found many Lovers And that which was most strange was
well able to obey those Commands which Cleonice imposed upon me Ha Ismenea said Cleonice in throwing her work upon the table and desiring to read it herself sure this is not the Letter of Ligdamis Surely it is said I unto her and hid it from her though what is in it does not please you But pray tell me what you desire I should read I would not have you read any thing said she but I would read it my self whatsoever is in it Seeing then the inquisitive disposition of Cleonice after I had a while resisted her at last I let her see it and spoke so as if what before I feigned to read were really in it So that immediately opening it she read these words LIGDAMIS unto ISMENEA IF my adored Cleonice did but know that the less I see her the more I love her doubtless she would recall me though it were only to hinder the augmentation of my Passion Therefore I beseech you if you think it fit let her know that I shall be at the end of my banishment without all comparison more in love with her then the first day I began it The remembrance of her Beauty her Wit her Mind and my desire of seeing her is the only business of my solitude This Ismenea is my life which would be happy in the midst of my misery if I could hope to be neither hated nor forgotten LIGDAMIS Whilst Cleonice was reading I did attentively observe her and me thought I saw more confusion then anger in her looks I saw also that in reading the end of the Letter where Ligdamis said he should be happy to be neither hated nor forgotten she smiled a little Afterwards returning the Letter unto me and hardly daring to look upon me You have taken such good order said she to me that this last misfortune shall not befal Ligdamis that he needs not fear it But cruel woman that you are said she and assumed a more serious countenance what pleasure can you take in tormenting me I know Ligdamis is your Cosin and therefore I had been to blame if I had wished him not to write unto you But why must I be the subject of his Letters and yours For my part said I unto her since I did only answer Ligdamis you must accuse him only for speaking of you As for my particular when he spoke to me concerning Cleonice I did not think it civil to answer him concerning Artelinda or any other or to answer his Letters any otherwise then to the questions he asked me But what will you answer him replied she I will answer what you please said I unto her for I shall not write until to morrow Whatsoever you write said she unto him do not send him word I have seen his Letter I do not ask you what I shall not write said I unto her but what I shall You may when I shall tell you answered she in the mean time if you will indeed oblige me perswade him very earnestly to stifle that passion which procures him nothing but trouble Thus you see Madam what were the thoughts of Cleonice during the exile of Ligdamis who returned to Ephesus as soon as the time of his banishment was expired without asking Cleonice any leave As soon as ever he arrived he came to see me to assure me he was no changling and to take counsel what he should do Since I knew the minde of Cleonice very well I was of opinion that his best course was to send no Messages before he went himself and that he should visit Stenobea as he was used to do at the return from his travels So that hearkning unto my advice he went thither the same day and I went also having a great desire to see how this first visit passed but as ill luck would have it there was that day so much company with Stenobea that he had not one minutes opportunity to speak unto Cleonice in private Artelinda and Phocylides came also thither and because it was a long time since they had seen Ligdamis he was the only subject of the conversation Some accosted him with complements of sorrow for the imprisonment of Cleander others assured him they thought his travels long and Artelinda according to her humour told him she wondered how he could live in such a solitude as he had done applying her self after this to make a very pleasant Satyre of the Country Maintaining that to be in it eight day together were enough to make one stupid melancholly and insensible for ever and concluded since Ligdamis had been there six moneths though his spirit was never so great yet he must needs be very melancholly or for ever insensible Whilst Artelinda was thus talking Ligdamis was so perplexed that he knew not what to answer and Cleonice was so troubled that she had little delight in that days conversation though the next day she had more For Ligdamis came to my house whither she also came with intentions to desire me that I would deliver her from this obstinate Lover whom she had no desire to lose When she saw him she thought I had sent for him though I did not but yet after she had chid me a little for it she staid with me So that we three only being alone Ligdamis addressing himself towards her and looking upon her in such a manner as might let her see his soul was the same You see me here Madam said he unto her at the end of my banishment but it is you only who can tell me whether I be at the end of my misery and whether you will permit that man who cannot be your friend or leave off loving you to relate the sorrows which absence hath procured him I had rather you would tell me what courses you have taken said she unto him to overcome your unjust Passion Alas Madam replied he how could I ever hope to overcome it since I was never able to master my will so far as to fight against it I had not banished you replyed she but to the end you should I know it Madam answered he but as soon as ever my will went about it my heart my minde my reason and all my faculties rebelled against me and I could not chuse but continually repent my opposing so well grounded a Passion a Passion I say so noble so pure and divine that the most severe vertue could not condemn it So that Madam I must love you and love you as long as I live and so that if my love be insufferable to you there is no other way to free your self from it but by commanding me to dye If it be your pleasure Madam so to doom it I am resolved upon obedience for as soon as I see the divine Cleonice can better endure my death then my love despair will presently do it Speak then Madam is it your pleasure I should live or dye you are absolute Mistress of my Destinie and may make me what you please If I could
in tears for my own misfortunes then have any cause to shed them for your death Live therefore Artamas if you would have me live and neglect nothing that may conduce to your preservation Artamas then most respectively taking that fair and dear hand which she presented unto him and looking upon her in such a manner as if he would ask leave to kiss it he saw she blusht and gently pulling it back she silently told him that he should content himself with that favour which she had already done him So that saluting her with as much reverence as his wounds would permit him he saw her depart with her eyes full of tears which she could no way hide but by pulling down her hood Yet would she not have her Coach to move untill she saw Prince Artamas in that which was to carry him unto the next Town which was not above fifty furlongs from thence Andramites having no mind to carry him unto the Castle of Hermes because of the friendship that was between Ligdamis and that Prince After this the Princess Mandana and the Princess Palmis began to deplore their misfortunes and to impart their most secret thoughts In the mean while Ligdamis who had carried Tigranes Phraartes and Chrisantes unto a corner of the Wood where they stayed with much impatience for night bethought himself of the best wayes to conduct them unto the Castle of Hermes and there to advise upon the best course for Cyrus whose imprisonment extreamly troubled them Whilst they were in this condition they heard a noise and thought themselves discovered but as good fortune was it proved to be Artabases and Adusias who seeking to hide themselves did meet with them Yet their joy to see one another was qualified when both sides made a relation to each other of the accidents which had happened For Ligdamis telling Artabases that Cyrus was taken he was almost desperate And Adusius telling Tigranes that the King of Assyria was also taken and Ligdamis that the Prince Artamas was both taken and wounded they did nothing but make a mixture of sorrows among themselves But night at last being come and Ligdamis who was well acquainted with all the turns of the wood being gone to see whether they might all come out in safety found that all the Troops were gone and the coast very cleer so that he presently returned to his friends and brought them safe to the Castle of Hermes where they had the comfort to find the illustrious Cyrus who resolved to stay there that night but they found him so sad as their joyes were much mitigated The sight of Mandana a Captive did so disorder his heart that he could take no delight in that liberty which was given him but when he parted from his Rival he envied him because he could not part from him but by going further from Mandana And as soon as he came to the Castle of Hermes considering his adventure more exactly the more he envied his Enemy Yet sometimes he could not well reconcile his own resentments he no sooner apprehended one thing but he smothered another yet he always concluded himself the most unfortunate man alive and much more unfortunate then his Rival although he was a prisoner What good has the gaining of so many battel 's done me said he so many Towns taken so many Provinces reduced so many Kings conquered They have indeed got me a little noise in the world but they have not all released Mandana for whom only I made the war I do not find the glory that I desire I do not meet with Mandana but only for her to release me and not I her Most miserable Cyrus cryed he out why dost thou not dye of shame to appear before thy Princess in such a despicable condition as thou didst Hast thou not good cause to fear that she released thee only to remove out of her sight an object that was worthy of nothing but her scorn how canst thou suffer her to release thee who aspires unto the glory of being her deliverer There is a necessity of death upon thee the excess of love and shame must make thee rather receive thy freedom from death then from Mandana But how can I dye said he and reprehended himself when as I have seen her whom I so much desired to see and has seen her so admirably fair and so infinitely generous Hitherto I was a debtor unto the illustrious Mandana only for some good intentions and some favourable words but now by this adventure she has given me that which is the most precious thing in the world my Liberty She has so loaded me with obligations that a million of services cannot repay my debt no though I should dye ten millions of deaths She has kept me from falling into the power of my Rival and my enemy She has put me into some hopes of breaking her chains what would I have more ought I not to be fully satisfied with my journey It is true many of my illustrious friends are Prisoners but to my comfort so is my most terrible Rival also and I shall be delivered from the sight of a Prince whom I shall be glad to see no more until Mandana be out of Captivity and then see him with a sword in his hands But why do I rejoyce at that which ought to grieve me since certainly it would be more advantagious to me to have the King of Assyria at liberty and in my Army then a Prisoner with Mandana and it would be more tolerable unto me to see him continually then to know that he is continually in the sight of Mandana for the King of Assyria will be known as soon as he is at Sardis and as soon as he is known Cressus will treat him as a Prince of his quality ought to be let the King of Pontus his Rival do what he can Thus will this happy Captive see the fair and illustrious Mandana and whilst I am turmoiling for the liberty of them both and loaded with chains as he is he will perhaps win the heart of my Princess and take from me the sweet fruits of all my Conquests And if so what good will all my Conquests do me And though I should overcome Cressus and take Sardis and deliver only unconstant Mandana can I be at all happy or if I should fight with a loved Rival can I ever have force enough to overcome him or so much as desire a victory since I am certain to have no share in Mandana's affection Yes yes I will yet desire to conquer though that cruel chance do happen and I will not think my self absolutely miserable if I can but out live my enemy But why said this grieved Prince do I torment my self with imaginary miseries since I have so many real ones to complain of Is it not enough that I have lost my hopes of releasing Mandana so soon as I thought but I must further persecute my self Yet would I gladly know whether Mandana
chuse Since you force me to tell you replyed Abradates I will preserve Panthea I will defend my self and not assault you unless I must in my own defence This is all Sir that either Love or Respect can exact from me I wish that I were able to yeild the Princess of my Soul unto you but indeed I cannot and though my resolution is to do nothing against those Respects I owe you yet will I not do any thing against my Love When Abradates had said this he saw Mexaris go towards a thick Bush which grew close by a Christal Fountain in the middle of a Walk and that he pull'd out two Swords giving him one and saying that since he could not yeild Panthea he should win her if he could for he would dispute it with him until death Abradates at the first would not take it but only to defend himself from the blows of Mexaris in whose face he saw so much fury as might well exasperate him but when he saw that the better language he gave him and the more he recoyled the more did his choller augment and more furiously did he assault him Love and Jealousie being at last stronger then his respects unto Mexaris he then kept his ground and fought like one that would vanquish In the mean time since I beleeve you desire to know how Mexaris could find these two Swords in the Bush be pleased to remember that I told you at their going from the Princess that Prince whispered with one of his servants and let me tell you that he then commanded him to carry those two Swords unto the place appointed which was very remarkable because of the Fountain neer it and after this command executed he charged him with another purposely to send him away from that place and appointed him to go and seek for a man that dwelt in the furthest part of all Sardis expressely charging him not to speak a word of these two Swords But as he went out of the Garden to seek this man his Master sent him unto he met one of the Princess servants at the door who was his intimate friend unto whom he imparted his business and asked his advice for the servant of Mexaris thought that his Master intended to fight with him he sent for But the Princess servant having more wit then he and knowing that Mexaris and Abradates went out together he suspected some mischief and after he had advised him rather to return into the Garden then go upon his message and to tell his Master how he understood the man he sent him unto was not at home he himself went hastily unto the Princess whom he found in discourse with Perinthus and acquainted her with what he knew He had no sooner spoke it but the Princess cried out and changed colour so much that Perinthus could not chuse but see what a particular interest she took in the life of Abradates for he knew her cares could not be for the other I leave you to judg Madam in what a pittiful perplexity he was when looking upon the Princess he saw her eyes all tears and fears for the death of Abradates and since she knew that in such occasions as this a very minute is precious she came to Perinthus entreating him with extream earnestness My dear Perinthus said she unto him you will infinitely oblige me if you will go and prevent all mischief that may ensue upon this quarrel and to oblige you to make more hast let me tell you that it will be the most considerable service that I ever injoyned you You moy easily judg how Perinthus was surprized and vexed at this imployment which the Princess did put him upon he offered to speak two or three times but the Princess would not hear but bad him make all hast So that poor Perinthus much against his mind went to part two men whom he would rather have fought with if he durst True it is he was not the first that came in for the clashing of Swords being heard by those who were in other walks they ran in with all hast yet came too late also for the combate was first ended I shall not relate unto you Madam all the passes of it it will suffice to tell you that Abradates was Conquerour and Mexaris wounded and disarm'd and confessing that Abradates was of an invincible valour But I beseech you Madam imagine a little what might be the cogitations of Perinthus when in the incertainty of the event of this combate he went unto these two Princes He hath since confessed unto me that he could never compose or reconcile himself unto his own wishes Sometimes he wished them both killed sometimes that at least Abradates were vanquished and sometimes again finding much injustice and baseness in his wishes he wished his own death especially when he reflected upon the sorrows and fears of Panthea least any misfortune should befal Abradates Moreover to his further misery he met this illustrious Conquerour of Mexaris whom one of his friends with chance brought into the Garden did follow him and to compleat the miseries of Perinthus Abradates no sooner saw him but he addressed himself to him If I can without any incivility said he unto him desire you to tell the Princess of Clasomena that it is she only who hath preserved me from being vanquished by Mexaris I will desire so much favour from you and to assure her that I attribute the happy success of my combate unto the passion which I have towards her Perinthus was so confounded with this discourse that he silently hearkned unto it without any other answer then profound reverence But Abradates taking his silence for a consent unto his desires left him and went to expect what Croessus would think of his action In the mean while many of the Court did transact in his behalf and amongst the rest Andramites who to serve Perinthus had disswaded Croessus from consenting unto the Marriage between Mexaris and Panthea did now all he could to appease this Prince thinking it as serviceable to Perinthus as the other So that Croessus was so qualified that he reflected all the fault upon his Brother and excused Abradates It was also his pleasure they should imbrace each other as soon as Mexaris was recovered But the most cruel part for Abradates was that Perinthus moved Andramites to perswade the King that the only way to prevent all future quarrels between them was to charge them both equally not to think of any Marriage with Panthea And Andramites to colour the matter told Croessus that the Princess her self was in such fears lest either of these two Princes should come to untimely death by reason of her that she her self desired it so that Croessus charged them both to give over all thoughts of her 'T is true he spoke unto these two Rivals in different manners for he absolutely commanded Mexaris and entreated Abradates treating the one as a Subject and the other as a Stranger yet
replyed she but I am sure I cannot believe what you say therefore go and move those that let you in to let you out presently and content your self that I am so generous as not to ruine you by advertising the Guards who I am sure you have not corrupted that you are here Do not think that the reason why I do it not is because I make any doubts whether what you say be true or false but my reason is because I am not cruel and because your first services were so considerable that I will not be the cause of your death For Heavens sake Madam said he unto her do not drive me to dispair but believe me For Heavens sake replyed she trouble me no more but leave me in quietness I beseech you deare Martesia said this Prince perswade your illustrious Mistress to credit my words Sir replyed the wise Lady I profess unto you that for my part I do believe you but truly I dare not advise the Princess to do so because it is not fitting for me to give her counsel in any thing What shall I do then replyed he Or indeed what can I do but die For since I quitted my solitary life only to deliver you said he to Mandana and so to obtain my pardon and am not able to obtain either I will never look for any thing but death and I will seek for it upon all occasions in all places where there is any possibility of finding it Indeed Madam since you cannot indure me neither as your Lover nor as your friend nor I am able to make you believe my repentance I must and will find out such dangers as shall certainly rid you for ever from the sight of that Prince whom you hate and from whose hand you vvill not receive your liberty The Princess hearing my Master speak so violently did believe this peril and danger whereof he spoke was that he would fight with the illustrious Cyrus so that she expressed some fears that he would make some attempts against this Prince He no sooner understood her meaning but not giving her time to express her thoughts I understand you Madam said he unto her I understand you very well You would have Cyrus have the advantage of me because you would not have me fight with him But never fear Madam that I will ever entertain any such thoughts against him I owe more respect unto you then so and I am so obliged unto that Prince as I cannot do it with honour Therefore Madam if it be my fortune to die by the hand of illustrious Cyrus he must seek me out and kill me without any defending of my self which I know is infinitely below him These Madam are the thoughts of him whom you think would deceive you And I beseech you believe that when I meet Cyrus I shall beg my death from his hand as a recompence for that service which I would have done you as the only remedy against all thoseevils which I indure And when all this is done Madam will you hate Mazares both alive and dead Whil'st this Prince was speaking thus the Princess looked seriously upon him and sometimes I was in hope his perswasions had wrought upon her but yet they did not yet notwithstanding she used such sweet expressions to him after he had declared himself concerning Cyrus that if the conference had lasted a little longer I know not whether this virtuous Princess had not been overcome But the Captain who let us enter coming to tell us that it was full time to go out of the Cittadel a necessity compelled us to retire without any further perswasions upon the Princess Mandana and with deep sorrows that so great an enterprize so neer execution should be uneffected And when my Master came to his own Lodging and related the story unto Belesis I could not chuse but admire at the greatness of his Passion by the horror of his despair Death and nothing else was his thoughts he could not imagine why he should or how he could live so that Belesis and I had much ado to moderate the fury which he conceived against himself My greatest admiration was that the sight of Mandana should more augment his repentance and confirm him in his generous design The Guards upon the Princess her Lodgings and a thousand other circumstances which he observed at his entrance and coming out of the Cittadel though it was very dark were so many additions to his sorrows 'T is I would he say only I that am the fatal cause of her Imprisonment that she meets with all these horrid objects and that she enjoys not a minutes rest and she hath rightly proportioned her hatred according to those miseries which I have caused upon her for I think it is impossible to be hated more then she does me if she did not she would never chuse an Imprisonment under a Prince who hath a potent Army to oppose Cyrus rather then hazard her self upon that danger which she fears Certainly she hates me more then she doth the King of Pontus for if she did not though I should carry her away the second time yet it were a easier matter for Cyrus to force her out of my hands then from two Princes who have all Asia engaged in their Interests But questionless it is the Will of the Gods that she will not only not love me but infinitely hate me Yet for all this I understand or think I understand for my Reason is so ravelled that I dare not credit my own intellectuals that if Mandana could beleeve me really penitent she would then esteem me and be my real friend For Heavens sake said he go to Martesia once more and solicit her to do more then I my self can Bid her perswade her incomparable Mistress not to refuse her Liberty and let her contrive what security I shall give her that my only end is her Releasement The matter requires haste for if our enterprize be not executed while the Treaty lasts it will never be effected since if it do break off I must go into the Army and consequently cannot stay here unless suspected The counterfeiting my self to be not well at this time that I may have more liberty to negotiate the business does already begin to perplex the King of Pontus therefore dear Orsanus try once more what may be done that our enterprize may not be frustrate You may imagine that I was not able to deny such a request unto a Prince who had so much prevalency with me and who required nothing that was unjust But for a more colourable pretence of the business I took the Letter which Belesis was to deliver unto Celenise and intended to desire Martesia to deliver it unto her so that foliciting the Captain who was of our Intelligence he permitted me the next night to enter into the Cittadel and helped me to the speech of Martesia unto whom I used my best arguments that she would let the Princess know how
Hermogenes with tears in her eyes she went towards that door whom she who kept the door received in all the virgines beginning to sing hymnes unto the honour of Ceres as soon as she was entered and the door shut But Oh heavens how dolefull was that song unto Hermogenes and in what a pittifull plight was he in In the meane time there was no remedie but complaints for there was no possibilitie of procuring any more conference either with Cleodora whom they carried into the temple nor with any of the virgins But we were constrained to returne unto Susa and report this strange story and never since Sir was it possible for Hermogenes to see Cleodora yet we understood by one of the sacrificers that since she came into that place she never enquired of any worldly businesse except it were somtimes she would aske if any knew in what part of the world Belesis lived or in what part he died But as none could inform her what was become of him she was nothing satisfied yet we were told she was somthing joyed to know he was not returned into his own country which made us think she had rather be her self miserable then to know that he was happie Yet for all this she lived a most strict and exact life and as regular to the orders as any of the most ancient virgins of the temple though she had yet six monthes to be as a probationer before she made her last vowes This Sir was the adventure of Belesis and Hermogenes and I have no more to tell you unlesse that Hermogenes since Cleodora took this resolution was a hundred and a hundred times at deaths door with sorrow but beginning insensibly to consider that he himself was in some sort a cause of her reclusement and of his friends losse reason began to revive in his heart his passion by degrees grew lesse violent and I have heard him wish divers times that he were able to call back Belesis whom we thought to be dead in some unknown country and therefore I cannot chuse but wonder that he should quarrell with Belesis when he first met with him doubtlesse it must needs be Cleodoras picture which Belesis took from him the sight whereof did surprise his reason as well as his eyes which was the cause of it since I am very certain that he preserved a good opinion and much friendship for him especially since his love to Cleodora began to lessen Alcenor having ended Cyrus was well satisfied with his relation and gave him thanks Panthea Araminta Abradates and Mazares did also thank him afterwards upon examination of the matter they could not conceive it any great piece of difficulty to reconcile these two enimies For since Hermogenes could live without Cleodora and that his love to her was lessened doubtlesse it was fit for him to yeeld unto Belesis whose love was rather augmented then lessened they conceived also that as for the picture it was just it should remaine in the hands of him unto whom Cleodora gave it and that if Hermogenes could not consent to renounce Cleodora then to let that faire one know Belesis was alive and loved her still and that Hermogenes loved her also and that afterwards whether she would remain still in that place or chuse one of them for her husband they should conforme their wills thereunto accordingly and become friends but the best of the story is when Alcenor went to Blesis with intentions to acquaint him that Cleodora had not married Hermogenes he found them talking together having both of them desired their guards that they might meet so that Belesis understanding that Hermogenes had not married her his animositie against him so vanished that he was full of tender expressions in words to him making a short relation of the miserable life he had led so that Hermogenes being exceedingly moved with it considering that he was the cause of all his miseries resolved to overcome himself and consented to use his best endeavours to get Cleodora out of her Cloister Since Alcenor was friend unto them both he embraced them with much joy and carried them into Pantheas Chamber more to thank the company for their patience in hearing their Adventures then to be reconciled by them since they had composed all differences themselves Yet notwithstanding Cyrus willed them to promise the Queen of Susiana that they would live lovingly together and so they did very willingly Afterwards Cyrus and Mazares accompanied with Belesis and all that followed him thither returned to the Camp In the way thither Chrisantes brought a man unto Cyrus whom he thought to be a spie and upon whom they found a Letter directed unto the Princesse Araminta This did constantly affirme that he was not sent to know any thing concerning the Army but only with a letter to the Princesse of Pontus Cyrus taking this letter but not opening it asked him from whom it came but he answered he could not tell All he knew was that a man unknown to him came into Heraclea where he dwelt as it appeared by his language and taking him aside offered him a great recompence if he would undertake to carry a letter unto the Princesse Araminta and a greater if he brought him back an answar and told him that he would expect his return about eight dayes hence and would be every morning by sun-rise at the Temple expecting the successe of his voyage Cyrus knowing by the ingenuity of him who spoke that he lyed not did not set any guard upon him but to testifie the respect he owed unto the Princesse Araminta did send this letter unto that Princesse and never opened it Commanding Chrisantes who had orders to carry it to observe her countenance whilst she read it and in obedience to this command he went unto the Princesse and delivered the letter which as soon as ever she saw the superscription she knew it to be the hand of Spitridates so that opening it with extream desire to know where Spitridates was she read these words THE VNFORTVNATE SPITRIDATES VNTO THE PRINCESSE ARAMINTA Madam WHat sorrowes soever I suffered yet I do declare in the frontispiece of my letter that I do not intend to complain against you but to observe all those due respects which I ever rendred unto you and if in the sequell of my discourse any unbecoming word drop from my pen it is against my will After this Madam I shall not doubt to let you know the adventures of an unfortunate man who has no share in your affection and shall tell you that the prison in which my father keeps me for the love of you they cannot torment me more then by telling me every day that you have conquered the conqueror of all Asia and if I durst without offence speak it your heart is more illustrious in that victory and more secure I beseech you Madam do but imagine how insupportable is my imprisonment in hearing how kinde you are to him by a
that he should now lose Mandana as he had lost his Kingdomes so that these two Princes retired in silence and mourned in secret for their lamentable condition not being able to complaine either against Fortune or one another or of themselves since they knew themselves to be the causes of their miseries Terror had struck so deepe into the hearts of all their remainder of troops that those which followed them did continually imagine themselves to be followed and assaulted so that by degrees they disbanded themselves and in little troopes tooke severall waies And Cressus and the King of Pontus saw themselves so slenderly accompanied that they could easily count all that followed them so that considering how in the morning they were in the head of 200000 Men and that before night they saw themselves without one servant sorrow and despaire did so seise upon their sad soules that not knowing what they did and comming unto a place where theâ—e were severall waies they parted from each other without any intention so to doe and there was so very few men with them that it may well be said they were alone Which way soever Cressus turned his eyes at the beginning of his flight he saw nothing but dead and dying men and men that fled Presently after hee saw none but a few affrighted persons who saved themselves in the Towne with their Baggage At last leaving the high way and crossing the Country to get unto Sardis unseene in such a despicable condition he came unto a little solitary vally so that comming out of a terrible tumultuous world into a place where all was silent but onely a little murmuring Rivolet where birds were singing he sighed and as if a place of silence were a place of safety he marched softly But as hee turned his head to see who followed hee found himselfe alone for of those foure or five which did follow him when the King of Pontus strayed from him one of them had his horse wounded and could nor follow another himselfe wounded and stayed behind and all having some impediment or other upon them left their unfortunate Prince who seeing himself alone in this solitary Valley then knew that all his beloved treasures were but uselesse vanities and that wise Solon had good reason to despise them Whilst he was there in his sad contemplations still going forward he heard the sound of a pleasing Pipe and turning himself that way he saw that he who played upon that Rustique Instrument was a young silly Sheapheard about fourteen or fifteen yeares of age who without any feare of publique misery or knowledge of any Battle that had been fought plaid upon his Pipe and kept a little flock as innocent as himself Cressus then standing still and considering this young Shepheard who was very faire sighed with more Bitternesse then his countrey musique was sweet and casting up his eyes unto heaven he envied the happinesse of this silly Boy and though he was a King yet wished with all his heart he could change his Scepter into this Sheepheards hooke But since he could not be dictator to his destiny nor alter the mutable decree of that soveraigne power which rules the world he continued his March and came at last to Sardis where he was received by all the people with teares of tendernesse and sorrow The King of Pontus who wandred another way came not till an hower after him so did likewise the Prince Myrsiles and the Prince of Myssia who had taken another way All the Princes did what they could to keep up the hearts of the People but every minute wounded men came in who told the people of the death of some freind or other so that it was a hard matter to gull those men who saw their King return single after he went out in the head of the greatest Army in the World Moreover these Princes understood that the Thracians in lieu of coming to Sardis after they were rallied faced about into their owne country and that the Ionian Troopes did the like the Myssians also followed their example and retired so that in all appearance they could never recruit into a body againe and that their only course was to keep the Towne till they could make new levies for their reliefe Thus the people being too well informed of the lamentable state of things did murmur highly and said very boldly that the Prince Artamas must be released that there was no other way to prevent the danger which hung over their heads and that it was a shame for the Lydians to let so innocent a Prince be in prison who had formerly established their Empire by so many brought-home Victoryes and who onely was able to check the Power of Cyrus This murmur of the people seemed so full of justice and reason that it became the generall opinion of all in a short time and nothing could be heard of in all places but that Artamas was innocent Artamas was a gallant man Artamas knew what belonged to warr he was a great captaine and a fortunate conqueror so that pure respect which they bore unto their Soveraigne kept them from releasing this Prince But Cressus thought these respects considering the urgent necessity of things too weake an obstacle to prevent it so that he told them hee would release him and in order to that he propounded unto Prince Artamas to set him at liberty upon condition he would defend the walls of Sardis against Cyrus But since this Prince could not accept of this condition unlesse he should fight against the King of Phrygia his Father therefore as well as he loved the Princesse Palmis and as great a desire as he had to prevent the ruine of Cressus he refused it yet with so many signes of sorrow and evident testimonies of respect as made it apparent he grieved that Cressus should have such enemies against whom neither honor nor nature would permit him to fight However this unfortunate King was much incensed at the denyall of Prince Artamas and doubling his guards he divulged amongst the people all that he could possibly devise to allay their zeale of releasing him But the giddy incensed people who are light and capable of any impressions still continued their devices of this Princes liberty making eternall Elogies of his Valour and Magnanimity and rayling against Cressus threatening every hower to release this renowned Prisoner before they would sleep yet they did not attempt it In the meane time the King of Pontus took such order in the Citadell that the Princesse Mandana and the Princesse Palmis knew not that the Battle was lost untill Sardis was besieged as for the Princesse Mandana her soule was so full of sorrow that Cyrus should prove perfidious that those thoughts took up all her minde and she enquired of nothing therefore it was easie to hide it from her But whilst she thought upon nothing but the suspected inconstancy of the most constant Prince in the World And whilst the
Souldiers gave him but only to reduce them unto obedience But at the same time he sent one of his servants secretly unto the Princesse Ladice conjuring her to retire from the Court and to come and receive a Crown which the Gods by his hand did offer her In the mean time the King was advertised by some faithfull Officers of the Army how things passed and hee grew into such a choler against Amasis that in lieu of dissembling his resentments he railed against him as a Rebell and dispatched a man of good Quality named Paterbenis with orders to joyn with some few Officers who were faithfull and to seize upon the person of Amasis or else kill him if they could not take him On the other side Ladice who was truly generous and did extreamly disapprove of this manner of acting though she did extreamly love Amasis yet she sent him word that she was so farre from removing away from the Court or participating of his Crime as she would declare that if he did not quickly return unto his duty she would become his most mortall Enemy Yet did she endeavour to glosse the matter at Court as much as she could but all in vaine for Apriez being resolved already upon his course dispatched Paterbems with his Commission yet it took not successe for as secret as it was carryed Amasis did know it So that when Paterbenis came to the Camp he found him he was already acquainted with the businesse of his voyage When he came unto him he found him busie in exhorting the Souldiers to draw up into Battalia and to defend his life which Apriez would take from him by some amongst them Paterbenis comming to him as Amasis was thus busied he resolved to speak unto him as if the King did credit all which Amasis told him and as if he did not suspect his fidelity to the end he might gaine more time to plot with those Officers of the Army who advertized Apriez of the truth But Amasis knowing the cause of his coming gave him no time to talk No no Paterbenis said he unto him Dissemble not that which I know as well as your self You come with intentions to carrie my head unto Apriez but I cannot beleeve these Souldiers who Crowned it will suffer you therefore I advise you to return immediately and tell that Prince who sent you that if he defend his Crown as well as I shall my head I shall not be King a long while Paterbenis would have replyed unto this bold language but there was such an acclamation amongst the Souldiers at the answer of Amasis as the Messenger saw his best course was to return for the Souldiers began to threaten him with insolent menaces Paterbenis then returned to Sais where Apriez was in his stately Palace which he had newly built yet he found but faint entertainment from her for this unfortunate King seeing the ill successe of his voyage beleeved he did comply with Amasis so that upon the information of some Souldiers who followed him who affirmed that if he had stayed a little longer in the Army there had been a mutiny he did not onely arrest him but put him to death This hasty and violent death did ruin Apriez for Paterbenis being a man of much integrity and known honesty to all the world the people of Sais did exceedingly murmur at it All the friends of Amasis fearing the like treatment from the King since he was capable of so unjust an act did take their friends part and went unto him and amongst the rest the Father of Heracleon So that in lesse then a moneth Amasis had a formidable army which still did every day encrease from all the Provinces of Egypt In the mean time the heart of Amasis was very restlesse love of Ladice did strive with his ambition yet could not vanquish it and so much the lesse because his marriage with her being not known she was in lesse danger of Apriez his violence but alasse this unfortunate Princesse was much to be lamented for she was not onely forced to separate from her dearly loved Amasis but she perceived she was with child consequently must tel the Queen whom she tenderly loved and who tenderly loved her that she was Wife to him who would pull her from the Throne Being put to this extremity she consulted with all her thoughts and endeavours how to winne Amasis unto repentance and in order to that she sent to acquaint Amasis with her condition and after a thousand most tender and perswasive arguments and invitations she sent to tell him that if he would not condescend unto her desires she would acquaint the King how she was his wife and shared in his crime and so consequently the next news he should hear would doubtlesse be that hee had lost both a Wife and a Child since it was not probable but he who put to death the innocent would take the same course with the Wife of an Usurper who confessed her self culpable But all the perswasions and threats of Ladice were in vain For Amasis did think that the Queen loved her better then to see her perish and that Ladice was wiser then to accuse her self and therefore he sent her word that he thought himself unworthy of that honour which shee had done him unlesse he pursued his design and set her upon a Throne To that end he caused it to be proclaimed that he was descended from the Line of the first Kings of Egypt from whom the Predecessors of Apriez had usurped the Soveraign Power So that to give some colourable glosse to his rotten cause he made it passe for good and strengthned himself the more Apriez seeing himself forsaken of his own Subjects and particularly of Heracleons Father who was a man of great power made use of some Auxiliary Forces The Ionians the Carians and some other Asiatique people raised him thirty thousand men so that being in the head of this army he went out of Says with resolutions to fight One thing is here observable which never perhaps was seen before the right King of Egypt had not one Egyptian in his army which was composed all of Strangers and on the contrary all the army of the Usurper was composed of naturall Subjects who fought against their right King In the mean time the miserable Ladice having not power to execute the message shee sent unto Amasis hoping still to move his heart she remained in unconceivable sorrows for she knew that had not she been a Mediator for him he could never have arrived at that passe So that looking upon her selfe as the onely cause of his crime of her Countries desolation and of the States ruin there was not a day but she desired death Nor did she know what she should ask from the gods But ever refigning her self unto their will she waited for the successe of War with more restlessnesse of mind then did the Queen Sesostris her onely sonne was then some four or
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
Greeks did know and there was not any Science unto which he could not speak exceeding well but in lieu of that Language he was most perfect in the Assirian which is the most universal in all Asia and he was a Critique in his own natural tongue insomuch as there was none who was addicted to write in the Phenician Language but they consulted with Theodamus who had himself so polite and uncommune stile as never any had more fit more noble and more natural expressions of himself then he He writ also in an excellent Character which set off his works the better and I assure you without any flattery of him that there appeared a sweet regularity in every thing he did neatness was inseparable from every thing about him neat in his apparrel neat in his house neat in all things so that the high-prized Cabinets of others were not worth so much as his of less value at home every trifle were effects of the generosity of his judgment which could not endure to see any thing out af its place In the mean time there is such a Sea of goodness in his soul that though he can see the least blemish in those that converse with him yet he was never known to speak the least syllable of the faults and imperfections of others unless it were in a wilde and harmless way of acquainting the owners of them that they might correct them Nor had this his goodness the least tincture of distimulation in it when he thought it fit to speak unto any of his friends for since he transacted alwayes by the Rule of reason he never sought how to please them he advised but how he might profit them In the mean time he is all sweetness all civility and will commend even with the highest strains those whom he see deserve it He is so exceedingly taken with all manner of merit and virtue as makes most evident he is himself a man of superlative parts but my greatest admiration is that though his temper be both violent and serious yet his conversation is sweet easie mild agreeable natural and gallant never contesting in his discourse letting them speak who have a mind to it and himself full of ability to speak when he will and though he will somtimes argue upon things yet it is without any fury or intemperance but w 〈…〉 h such mildness as speaks him an absolute Master of his passion and a lover of reason but when he is at any time high and zealous he is perfectly convinced that Right and Justice is on his side and knows it requisite to dispute with zeal Moreover Theodamus makes it evident by his curiosity that his pleasures deserves applauds for he hath a Study which is adorned with most rare books haveing carefully and ingenuously collected all the learned witty polite gallant and pleasant writings of all the wits in Phenicia since he came into the world In short Madam I do assure you that Theodamus both for the beauty of his soul and the goodness of his heart and also for the fiâ—eâ—ess of his wit is worthy of infinite praises and to be ranked in the number of those whom Elisa prefers before the rest of the world and indeed it is most certain that she did prefer him above those she esteemed most and amongst those whom she admitted into her heart he had the highest place and indeed the truth is he was a man of such rare merits that he was worthy to be proposed as a model of a man of true honor After all this Madam I must beg your favour and permittance to make two descriptions more The first shall be of a man of twenty two years of age called Pherecides who at that age had the glory to have for his friends all that Phenicia had most illustrious And the other shall be of the famous Aristheus for though he was a Sardinian yet I am confident they know him not But to return unto Pherecides be pleased to know that he was not only of an advantageous stature but also extraordinary handsom yet of such a beauty as in his Sex speaks nothing of great and Noble his complexion was delicate his eyes gray and tender the proportion of his face was just even and pleasing but for all this he had no resemblance of that beauty which is in women his carriage was high and though there was an unconceiveable sweetness in the ayr of his countenance yet there was a kind of sweet austerity also which rendred him most amiable Moreover he had the most lovely head of hair in the world his locks lay in a thousand round curles without any art and was of the loveliest brown that ever eye beheld Pherecides being as I have represented him unto you adorned with all the ornaments of beauty and in the Spring of his youth yet he had neither bashfulness nor timidity nor over-great boldness nor inconsideration One may say he came knowing into the world so wisely and gallantly did he behave himself the tone of his voice was very amiable and he had this advantage from Nature that there was in all his action an unexplicable conformity Moreover his soul was so noble his inclinations so sweet and his heart so tender for his friends and so full of zeal and fervency to them as he merited much commendations Again he had naturally a pure wit and he composed Verses so fine so moving and so passionate as it was evident that he had not a neutral soul The Poetry of the great Therpandres his Uncle whose reputation was so high was not more excellent then he and I am very confident that never any had a heart more tender in point of friendship nor more fervent in love then Pherecides for commonly those who are hot in matters of Love are cool in matters of friendship and those who are capable of the most zealous friendship are seldome so of any violent love But as for Pherecides he loved both his Mistress and his friend with unlimited ardency Moreover he had one peculiar faculty which was at his hours of jollity to imitate as excellently and plausibly both as if he were the very same he represented But when he exposed himself unto this pastime it was alwayes in a little company or in the Palace of Cleomira with Elisa Again never could man act both a real gallantry and a counterfeit nor sigh so fitly as Pherecides and he had found out the art of making such a miscellany of respect and boldness by his way of acting with those he loved really and counterfeiting with those he dissembled as it was impossible he should be ill-treated Truth is Madam I do not think it possible to find a more amiable gallant nor a more pleasing friend then he and I am confident that if he had lived long he had been as compleat a man as ever was in Phenicia But Madam death ravished him from all his friends in the very Spring of his youth having the
no other reason for it but because she was fairer then her self I say Lyriope considering all these things she resolved upon a most horrid course which was to find out some way or other how to take away the beauty of Elisa thinking thereby to take away the cause of all her miseries in damping the love of the King and the love of Asiadates So that without further delay she conspired with an Arabian Physitian who was then at Tire and whose reputation in point of honesty was not over good and hiring him by rich rewards he promised her what she desired but he had much ado to keep his word for since Elisa never used any adulterations of art to help her beauty he could not find out any means to blast her complexion by any exteriour things So that this man at the earnest instigation of Lyriope who would not let him rest resolved since he could not do it otherwise to take away the beauty of Elisa by taking away her health by a kind of subtil powder which had a quality so malignant as it would make ail those who took it to grow very sick within a few daies by causing a kind of a Feaver and it had ordinarily such a quality as in the operation it would so burn the bloud as they would not be knowable So that Elisa being often very ill though to outward appearance she seemed to be in excellent health it was an easie thing for this Arabian Physitian to finde out wayes of suborning him who commonly carried medicines unto Elisa he did it so cuningly as that he did not seem to suborn him to commit a crime for he only seemed to be very desirous of seeing wLat remedies the Tirian Physitians used unto persons of such a temper as Elisa's So that being shewed several things which she was to take he mingled unseen to him that shewed them this dangerous powder which had such a fatal operation and fatal indeed for whether the Doctor was mistaken in his composition or that the temper of Elisa was too delicate for it the very next morning after she took this powder the Feaver took her and so extream violently as she said at first that she was dead but she spoke it with such incredible constancy of mind as was admirable seeming so little desirous of life or fear of death that she surprized all the by-standers yet she testified much tenderness unto her friends but it was a most generous and magnanimous tenderness which was not expressed by tears or giving any marks of weakness I leave you to imagine how Elisa's sickness troubled the King and how all the Court grieved but especially Cleomira and all those who commonly were with her All helps from Physitians were in vain for not knowing the cause of her disease they could not cure her In the mean time Asiadates who was upon the point of letting the faction which he had raised to appear thought now of nothing but Elisa's health So that those who were ingaged in the Faction admired to see he would meddle no more As for the Kings all intelligence that any designs were against his estate were never hearkened unto for since the life of Elisa was in danger he could not think of preserving any thing else As for Lyriope since envy and lealousie had rooted out of her soul all thoughts of virtue she was very glad to see that in all likelyhood she should be rid of Elisa whom she looked upon as the cause of all her misfortunes As for Phocilion he was unknowable and never man was in a more sad condition But the wonder was that this powder which according to the intention of the composer was to take away the beauty of Elisa and not her life did take away her life and not her beauty for never any breathing was fairer then she was when she was expiring In the mean time to imploy her last hours as well as the rest of her life after all Physitians declared her desperate she gave the King most generous and divine advise exhorting him to be just clement liberal to love his people never to let himself be governed by his passions afterwards most excellent counsel unto her friends speaking unto them with wonderful resolution and generosity disposing several things unto them as pledges of her friendship bequeathed unto them After this desiring they would speak no more unto her but of the Gods the chief Priest of Sidon stayed with her yet his excessive sorrow to see Elisa in so sad a condition would not permit him to enjoy the freedom of his reason but yet the reason of this fair generous and divine person was so quick and free that she did comfort him and inspired him with power to speak such things unto her as he had not been able to do if she had not revived him by her constancy and resolution But why should I lengthen this sad story Elisa died as she lived which was with abundance of glory and in looking death in the grim face with as much courage as the greatest Hero in the most dangerous and most glorious occasions I will not go about to represent the sorrows of the King for I cannot express them but I can tell you that the dispair of Phocilion was so great as he died three daies after Elisa yet this is not the most surprizing thing which I have to tell you for be pleased to know that Asiadates intending not only to abandon his designs but the Court also as he was ready to depart and passing from one Chamber into another he heard Lyriope by chance thanking the Arabian Doctor for somthing extream earnestly though she did not speak aloud So that upon a suddain suspecting the truth since the cause of Elisa's death could not be known he went unto them and being of a violent temper he did so black them by his suddain approach and by his menaces that finding somthing more to fortifie his suspition he called for his men caused the Physitian to be arrested who would have escaped and without more delay caused him to be so tormented as he confessed the whole truth which he no sooner knew but he went unto the Chamber of Lyriope to run her through with his Sword but she was already escaped but yet she did not escape the Justice of the Gods for the Boat into which she had gotten at the Port of Sinope with one of her women only was overturned by rushing against another so that Lyriope was drown'd and in one minute punished for all the extravagancies of her passions Asiadates could not punish the Arabian Doctor for since he ever used to carry poyson about him he took it to avoid the shame and punishment Thus the violent Asiadates was all fury and dispair after he knew the true cause of Elisa's death In the mean time the King made a most magnificent Funeral for this wonder of women all the Court was in mourning as well as himself the High-Priest
thither he took my house in his way to ask me what I knew concerning Cleocrite so that after my expressions of joy to see him alive and desiring to cure him of his passion I told him that the hard hearted indifferencie of Cleocrite was unworthy of his affection and I brought his mind into such a state as to wish he could love her no longer After which he went unto the place where she was in a strange perplexity As he entred into the hall she was dancing and danced so very well as it was apparent her mind was wholly upon it and the thoughts of his death did not hinder one step of her dancing You may imagine Madam how Thrasiles was troubled to see how indifferent Cleocrite was of him but much more after she had done dancing when he saw her talk to his Rivals with as much jolity in her looks as ever she had in her life There being much companie in that place Thrasiles was not at first perceived but anger upon a sudden rowzing up his heart and desiring to reproach Cleocrite with her horrible insensibility he broke through the crowd and came unto the place where she was discoursing Imagine Madam how Cleocrite was surprized to see Thrasiles by her whom she thought to be dead she scrieked out as if she had seen some horrid apparition So that all the company flocked about Thrasiles and rejoyced to see him As for Cleocrite she was as glad as if she had grieved extreamlie for his death and for half an hour the talk was so tumultuous as it was not possible for Thrasiles to speak particularly unto Cleocrite but at last when every one had complemented themselves out of breath he had opportunitie of speaking to her I would believe Madam for my satisfaction said he unto her in a twitting kind of jest that you are of the same opinion which some People in the world are of who think they ought to rejoyce and be finest at the death of their kindred and friends and who laugh at those which weep and put on mourning for if I were not perswaded of this I should have cause to think my self the most miserable of all men living since the reports of my death will not oblige you to bestow one sigh upon me nor stop the full carier of your joyes for one minute Cleocrite hearing Thrasiles say so as insensible as she was yet she blushed but it was more out of anger then any shame in lieu of confessing any fault or any repentance or seeking out for any excuses she answered him sharplie If you be risen from the dead said she unto him onlie to make perpetual complaints of me because I did not weep for you you put me to the necessitie of grieving more for your life then I did for your death Therefore if you will take my advice along with you said she with a forced smile be contented that I am glad to see you again without any further enquirie whether I grieved when I thought you dead Your insensibilitie Madam said Thrasiles goes too too far and certainlie I should be the least generous of all men if I should endure it I am sure Madam that the loss of my affection will never trouble you since the loss of my life did never reach your heart and it is not out of any humour of revenge that I withdraw this affection from you but it is onlie from my own tranquilitie for it is a thing most impossible for any man to love a person of such a rockie disposition and such a flintie insensibilitie as you are any long time When Thrasiles was silent and expected an answer from Cleocrite one came and took her out to dance and she went with as jocund a countenance as if Thrasiles were not at all displeased nor did take the least care in the world all the day after to give him any occasion of talking with her nor ever offered to excuse her insensibilitie I think Madam after all this you will not condemn Thrasiles for resolving to use all his endeavours to leave loving such a stony-hearted person as was not capable of loving any yet heaven knows it was a hard task for him to bring it about and he was a long time consulting which wayes might possiblie reach the heart of Cleocrite yet in conclusion growing out of all patience verie anger in a few daies did that which his reason could not and he cured himself of a disease which he thought incurable and the more to confirm him in his recovery Cleocrite did care as little for the loss of him as if she had esteemed him at the value of a rush yet I do believe since that some resentments of honour made her a little angrie that such a Slave had broken prison but I am certain that though she did apprehend the loss yet it was not at all out of any tenderness I conceive Madam that after all this Thrasiles cannot be charged with any inconstancie since there never appeared the least levitie in all his carriage and that if he did leave loving her it was onlie because it was most fitting he should do it Since the love of Thrasiles to Cleocrite made a great noise in the world it was soon perceived they were at odds and since the matter was never made any secret mysterie between them all the world did know the cause and I dare boldlie say all the world did lay the fault where it deserved and blamed Cleocrite But amongst the rest Lysidice could not chuse but much condemn her So that since Thrasiles did naturally love to be pitied and loved such as took his part and hearing what Lysidice said in his behalf and against Cleocrite he desired me to carrie him to her knowing that I was frequentlie with her I being glad to contribute any thing unto the consolation which he had found in one who condemned the insensibilitie of Cleocrite did willinglie consent unto his desire not being ignorant that Lysidice would think her self obliged unto me for bringing Thrasiles unto her whom she esteemed verie much though he never saw her at her own house But as I have described the other Ladies whom Thrasiles loved so it is requisite I describe this whose person you know is all beauty all amiable all charming in whose mind was a million of beauties and admirable graces but as for her humour it is such as none living can represent it unto you for indeed Madam there was never any more sweet more compliant nor more agreeable at certain times on certain daies and certain houres and at certain minutes but also never any was more austere more imperious more crabbed nor insupportable at other times so that there was such a prodigious miscellany and inequality in the humour of Lysidice as I conceive she may be fitlie compared unto one of those daies in the Spring time of the year when one shall see the Sun guild all the world give a fresh fragrancie unto
out It was not generous to kill a man who had no weapon Belermis turning his head aside and seeing him come with a sword in his hand and seeing the sword of Artaxander broken he was ashamed of his action and confessed that he was very sorry and that he did not see his sword to be broken Thus Tysimenes saved the life of his Friend and Rivall for though Artaxander was not wounded but Belermis was yet since he had the misfortune to break his sword Belermis had certainly killed him but for Tysimenes But afterwards company came in Belermis retired and the body of him whom Tysimenes killed was carryed away Tysimenes was so weak that he fell and they were forced to carry him back unto Themiscyra in a most lamentable condition since there was no place neerer where he could be dressed I beseech you Amiable Doralisa dispense with me from relating all the expressions from Tysimenes to Artaxander and from Artaxander unto Tysimenes for if I should offer it I should drown all my words in tears And to save you the sorrow of hearing it I will onely in short tell you That Tysimenes lived but five dayes after that whilest he lived he talked of nothing but Telamire that Artaxander was sadly with him all the while that Telamire was very sensible of this sad accident and that the very day designed for Artaxanders marriage was the funerall of Tysimenes But that solemnity was deferred and for some dayes the whole discourse of Artaxander and Telamire was onely of Tysimenes In the mean time Artaxander taking it to heart that he had not vanquished Belermis and since he thought he was obliged in point of honour to revenge the death of Tysimenes his friend as well as to fight for love of Telamire therefore he resolved to fight with Belermis again as soon as he was cured of his wounds But in this second Combat which was one to one he had the advantage cleerly for he wounded Belermis in two places and disarmed him In so much as Clorelisa was even mad to see that nothing could hinder the happinesse of Artaxander Yet shee found out a device to deferre it for she divulged such reports about the Town that never was such a clamour against Telamire not onely that she should marry Artaxander but that she should think of marrying him whilst she was in mourning and before her father was well cold in his grave In so much as Telamire being strangely moved at those clamorous reports how false soever did take a fancy not to marry till her time of mourning was over So that to passe away that time more safely which was not to be very long the two families joyned And since the Aunt of Telamire had a house very near unto Amaldeas it was concluded that all this company should come thither so as for this moneth wee have been alwayes together some times at one house and some times at another But since the time of Telamires mourning ended yesterday doubtlesse she will be married unto Artaxander as soon as this flux of waters will give us leave to return And that which will the more hasten the consummation of it is wee have received Intelligence that Belermis was cured of his wounds and that Clorelisa is more incensed then ever against Artaxander and Telamire As Erenice had ended her relation and Doralisa began to thank her for the delight she had in hearing it Amaldea entred and told Erenice that the body of Belermis was found upon the banks of the River and that his Page whose horse had saved him by swimming told her that his Master being come out of Themiscyra with intentions to hinder the marriage of Artaxander had been at Amaldea's house where hearing that she was on the other side of the River and that Artaxander was there also he would needs crosse it maugre its overflowing and strive to get unto the end of the bridge out of his fears lest Telamire should bee married before he could come to her who told her also that parting from his horse he was drowned Though Belermis was no friend unto any of those Ladies who were with Amaldea but on the contrary was an inveterate enemy of Artaxanders which was both kinsman and friend unto them all yet this accident did strike some sadnesse into all the Company As for Artaxander as much an enemy as he was he took care for his funeralls which were as well performed as if he had died in the time when he was Clorelisa's friend However since this Accident was it which brought Cyrus and Mandana to the knowledge of Artaxanders Adventure And seeing that the floods would not permit them to depart these four or five dayes Cyrus and Mandana desired Telamires Aunt and Artaxanders Mother to consent unto the marriage of these two Lovers and that it might be consummated in their presence And they having no power to deny the request both Cyrus and Mandana did honour the Feast with their presence which though in hast yet was very Magnificent both becomming the persons present and those for whom it was principally made 'T is very true there was more men at the Balls then Ladies but those few there were so Amiable that the shew was glorious And though there was no other Ornaments but Mandana and Cyrus the sight was worthy Admiration especially when they danced together since it was a thing most impossible to see two persons of a finer composure or that danced better and with a more noble Air. Mandana dazeled the eyes of all beholders There appeared a most extraordinary blithenesse in the countenance of Cyrus and one would have beleeved that he had received some high newes which had given him some ravishing satisfaction But the next mornings newes did most surprize the world for the common voge was that the King of Assyria was dead of his wounds and Cyrus himself said he beleeved it So as all those whom his death made melancholy or merry were either in tears of sorrow or tears of joy according to their severall Interests Anaxaris grieved Mazares was all compassion Mandana had some pity Chrisantes Martesia and Feraulas were all glad of it And every one now did look upon Cyrus as at the end of all his miseries since he now had not one Rivall which he had not vanquished or which was in the least respect to be feared as for Anaxaris the resentmentâ— of his passionate soul were beyond all expressions when he saw that nothing was likely to thwart his Rivalls happinesse For considering the condition in which the King of Pontus was said to go in from the Tombe of Menesteus he had not the least shadow of any hopes that he could be any obstacle unto the felicity of his Rivall However hee could not endure the very thoughts of it and though he knew well enough the injustice of his thoughts yet he was not able to regulate them but he still was desiring what he ought not
Pherenice to tell her So that having passed away the rest of the night and part of the morning in reasoning upon this strange adventure she sent to seek out Chrisantes yet it was long before her servant could get out because the foure Guards which Anaxaris had placed at the Gate of the Castle would not suffer any to pass out because their orders was to the contrarie but at last obtaining their leave this servant got out and went unto Chrisantes who understood before that you Sir was not at your own lodging And hearing at the same time by Arianita that the Princess was also gone out he thought it not fit to conceal her astonishment So that acquainting the Prince Artamas Mazares Intaphernes Myrsiles and others with it there was presently raised so great a report of your death Sir and of the Princesses her departure that I am not able to represent unto you the disorder which this sad news caused both amongst all your friends and amongst the Souldiers The greatest wonder was that none knew what course to take nor from whom to receive orders Some said the best way was to go unto the King of Hircania others unto Croessus and every one voting to revenge your death and going after Mandana yet all their Spirits were in such disorder that neither of those courses was taken Some said that happily Anaxaris had not carried away the Princess considering the manner of her departure But the Prince Myrsiles understanding from some of his servants that Andramites many daies since had prepared some of his friends for some great design which he said he had in hand he made no question but his design was that knowing Anaxaris would carry away Mandana he would also carry away his adored Doralisa So that supposing them to be carried away by fallacies this Prince making no reckonings of these reports which went of the King of Assiria's being alive and that he had killed you he assembled together some of his friends and went in all haste to see if he could discover which way Anaxaris took The Prince Mazares also took up the same design but took another way As for the Prince Artamas Intaphernes Chrisantes Aglatidas and my self we divided our selves with intentions to find you out So that being guided doubtless by the Gods unto the place where you were I have good reason to believe that they will also guide you Sir very shortlie unto the place where Mandana is No no replied this grieved Prince there is no hopes but on the contrarie all is to be feared After this the Sibels answer which was brought him by Ortalques coming into his mind he assured himself that he was destined unto a sad fate and that Thomiris would destroy him Then also he believed that the Oracle of the Assyrian King would be fully compleated and prove to his Rivals advantage nor durst he so much as hope that the Oracle which the Princess of Salamis had received could be interpreted unto his advantage So that his Spirits being wholly possessed with sorrow he talked no more of what happed in the place where Arianita was from whose own mouth he intended to be precisely satisfied of all that Feraulas told him He found her with Pherenice Amalde Telamire and all the rest of the Ladies which used to accompany her but he found them all in tears yet his sight was a great comfort unto them supposing that since he was living they needed not to fear Mandana However their astonishment was not a little unto them that believed the King of Assyria dead and had heard say afterwards that he had killed Cyrus when they saw them both living and carrie themselves to each other as formerlie And after they were informed of all that Arianita knew after they had examined the four Guards whom Anaxaris had left and who knew nothing but that Anaxaris had commanded them to let none go out of the Castle until it was late and that the King of Assyria had been dressed of a slight wound which he had in his left Atm they advised together upon the best expedients in such a disasterous occasion 'T is true their counsels were often interrupted for men come from all Quarters of the Army to be satisfied concerning this great report which was so suddenlie spread abroad both concerning the King of Assyria's life and the death of Cyrus and also the carrying away of Mandana But at the last since the necessity of the business did extreamly urge it Cyrus with the advice of all his friends and of his Rival and when they understood that Anaxaris had not above a hundered men with him resolved that the King of Assiria the Prince Artamas the Prince Intaphernes and himself should each of them take two hundered horse and divide themselves to try if any of them could find out the way which Anaxaris took of which they had no light at all But since Cyrus was glad that some of his friends would be with the Assirian King in case he should find Mandana and recover her out of Anaxaris his hands And so he had no means to break his promise and carry her away for himself therefore Cyrus transacted with abundance of discretion maugre all his sorrows And caused many of his friends to follow his Rival As Araspes Aglatidas and some others Thus these four Princes taking with them such men as they stood in need of they parted after they had agreed upon the several ways which they were to take and of the place unto which they would send intelligence in case they heard any news of Mandana But when these four Troops had taken their several ways and that Cyrus marched and enquired all the way he went also when he considered how after he had taken Sinope Artaxates Babylon Sardis and Cumes and how after he had subdued so many Kingdoms and delivered Mandana when she was carried away by the King of Assiria by the Prince Mazares and by the King of Pontus now to see her carried away again by the Prince Ariantes he fell into a most extream dispair For he saw himself in as miserable a condition as he was when he went under the name of Artamenes when upon his return from Massagettes as he approached Thimiscyra he understood that the King of Assiria under the name of Philidaspes had carryed away Mandana yet sometimes he imagined that Ariantes perhaps had not carried her away but this imagination was very weak in him for having confidence in his secresy he had told him the the hour when he was to fight with the King of Assiria So as seeing he had carried away Mandana before he had so much as fought with his enemy he could not find any foundation of hope And not knowing well what to think of this cross adventure he very well saw it to be full of cruelty unto him In the mean time all his vigilancy and cares to enlighten his knowledge was in vain The Prince Artamas was no
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
according as Thomiris should say after the ambiguons answer which he would make her to put himselfe into the power of that Queen Provided she would both spare the life of that Princess and release her So that his heart being at some rest after this resolution taken he found himselfe able to think upon what answer he should send unto Thomiris which might spin out the time to a length And after he had well thought upon it he resolved to send Chrisantes the third day to tell this unjust Princess that before he would put himselfe into her hands it was requisite he should know what security she would give him for the life of Mandana declaring unto her that there was no other then to set her at liberty and send her to the King of Meades But to have two strings unto his Bow he intended to advance with his whole Army the same day which Chrisantes departed and quarter himselfe at the very entrance into the wood to the end the answer of Thomiris might be more moderate But though this Resolution was the most reasonable which he could take yet he was not satisfied with it and he thought that there was a better course to be taken though he knew not what it was so as relapsing into his complaints he was in a very miserable condition Mazares for his part his sufferings were incredible and they were the more sharp because he durst not let them be seen least by shewing his sorrows he should shew his love Intaphernes and Atergatis were full of inquietudes for they conceived that if businesse were more intangled the Princess whom they loved would not be over-safe in the hands of Thomiris Gobrias and Hidaspes had the very same thoughts for Arpasia the first concerned as a father the second as a lover Myrsyles in his affection unto Doralisa had much sorrow for since he knew Mandana loved her his love made him fearful that the revenge of Thomiris would fall also upon her So that whether out of interest and concernment or out of compassion upon the myseries of Cyrus There were very few in the whole Army who were not sufferers and full of sorrows But the time when Cyrus was to returne his Answer being come Chrisantes and Feraulas being ready to depart the first unto the Massagettan Queen and the other secretly unto her brother It was told Cyrus that a man taken at the entrance into the wood desired to speak with him from Ariantes At this very word Cyrus trembled not only out of hatred to his Rivall but out of feares to heare some sad news from the Princess Mandana So as being extreamly impatient to know what his enemy had sent unto him for he commanded him to be brought in and as hee was in this fearefull impatience desiring to know what he feared This messenger from Ariantes came unto him and speaking in a low voice did with much exactness and reverence deliver his message Sir said he unto Cyrus The Prince Ariantes knowing your affection unto Mandana was afraid â—east you should do as the Massagettan Queen desires out of your feares to hazard Mandanas life Therefore in acknowledgement of his obligations to you and out of his desire to serve the Princess whom he adores he hath commanded me to tell you that you must be sure to keep your selfe out of the power of Thomiris and as long as you did so he would answer for the life of Mandana But on the contrary if you did not then perhaps he should not be able to save her but Sir Least my message should be suspected I beseech you keep me in your custody until the servant of yours called Ortalgues returnes from the Tents Royall and acquaints you with the state of things and what the Prince Arcantes hath done for the Princess Mandana Since he is to returne this night added he I shall not be long in custody but will assure you that when you see him you will not doubt of the sincere advice which the Prince Arcantes gives you though he be your Rivall and your enemy Since I may very well doubt the honesty of a Prince who once deceived me in carrying away the Princess Mandana replyed Cyrus I will take you at your word and since Ortalgues in to returne this night I will set you at liberty againe to morrow morning after this Cyrus committing this Massagettan into the custody of those who brought him in resolved to stay the sending of Chrisantes and Feraulas unto Thomiris that night there being yet time enough to returne the answer hee had promised Though this Message from Ariantes might well have been a comfort unto him yet his inquietude redoubled for besides his mistrust of a Rivalls Message he was in extream unpatience untill Ortalgues returned so that he could not rest in any place And certainly he had great reason to desire the knowledge of what he longed for because passages at the Tents Royall might very well alter since the departure of Anacharsis and the messenger from Thomiris And indeed that unjust Queen had no sooner commanded Anacharsis to depart without speaking unto any but Mandanas Guards were doubled Ariantes unto whom the life of that Princess was so deere had rather Cyrus should enjoy her then to see her dye and therefore he went immediatly and made sure of her Guards and went to work so handsomly and happily that unknown unto Thomiris he was more Master of Mandanas Guard then Thomiris was a Mistris That which did much facilitate the design of the Prince was because he who commanded those forces which were designed for Mandanas Guard had a brother who was Prisoner unto Cyrus So that being concerned in the preservation of this Princess life Ariantes made it appeare unto him that his brother was lost for ever if Thomiris put Mandana to death so that either out of a resentment of honour or compassion or interest of his Brother or friendship unto Ariantes or all he promised rather to dye then Thomiris should put Mandana to death Ariantes being well satisfied with this he went and plotted with all his friends and endeavouring to make sure of some of those Captains whch had escaped from the Battell he told them all that was possible to make them abhorre this dismall intention of Thomiris and justified Cyrus as much as ever he could concerning the death of Spargapices to the end that the design of his Sister might appeare the more unjust Furthermore Ortalgues who was concealed in a friends Tent all the time he was in the Tents Royal he saluted the friend of Anabaris and Adonacris to oppose Thomiris So as there was a great hurley burley in their Court. Moreover Ortalgues going to visit Gelonide he incited her to serve Mandana But yet she could not deliver those Letters which he had for that Princess only promised him to perswade Thomiris unto reason with all the Arguments she was able to produce Ortalgues in this great disorder could not deliver
any of the Letters which he undertook except those unto Adonacris and Anabaris And the preservation of Mandanas life did so wholly take up his mind that he could not think of any thing else In the mean time this unfortunate Princess wondered at the doubling of her Guards Doralisa and Martesia no less then shee Yet they were greeved much more when enquiring of one of the Guards the Cause he told them so as expecting every minute when Mandanas throat should be cut these two generous minded Ladies were greeved beyond all comforts On the other side the Princesse of Bythinia and the Princesse Istrina having not the liberty to see Mandana and enquiring the state of things they were exceedingly sad Arpasia for her part she found her selfe in a miserable condition by being in the Court of a Queen who was capable of so great a peece of Injustice And Aripithis himselfe who was the cause of all this tumult was extreamly vexed to see Thomiris as full of love as fury and to see that the measure of the one was the measure of the other Though all these several-Persons did suffer very much yet all was nothing in comparison of what Thomiris suffered For Love Hatred Revenge Jealousie and all Passions did shiver her heart with such violence as I assure you she was in a most strange Condition The truth is after the first fury was over she saw there was no Coulor to suspect Cyrus of killing Spargapises yet she was very Cautious of not divulging this thought for having a Design to revenge her slighted love upon Mandana she would still have this sad Pretence for her Revenge to blind the eyes of the People So that though she could not see the hands of Cyrus stained with the blood of her Son yet she would shed the blood of Mandana purposely to take away the cause of that Princes Love yet sometimes she doubted of his innocency and looking upon him as the Murtherer of Spargapises she would make himself a Sacrifice upon the Coffin of her Son But after these tumultuous Motions had ruffled her mind thinking somtimes that perhaps Cyrus would put himself into her Power part of her Fury cooled and she began to consider what she should do to justifie Cyrus before the People and justifie her self before Cyrus So that being somtimes surprized with thoughts of Revenge and hatred and somtimes with thoughts of Love she was ashamed at her own weakness and abhorred her own Cruelty but these good Intervals came not often but commonly Fury was the Mistress of her Reason Consider Thomiris would she say and be carefull to keep up the great Pretence thou hast to be revenged of thy proud Enemy who hath so cruelly affronted thee and though thou art sure he did not kill thy Son yet still look upon him as the cause of his death for though he were innocent yet he is Culpable of so many others that he deserves thy hatred Truth is he is a trouble to thy tranquility he hath caused the to lose all the innocency of thy life and he hath made the do things against thy own Glory Pursue him therfore to death and be revenged upon a Princess who is the cause of his scorning thee Consider that the Passion which he raised in thy heart hath sent thy Son to his Grave and that the fire of thy love hath kindled such a Warr as nothing perhaps will extinguish but the blood of all thy Subjects Sacrifice therfore Mandana as the first Victim of thy Revenge and stay till Cyrus be himself in a condition to be Sacrificed as a Victim unto thy Resentments But what am I doing sayd she and reprehended her self and what do I speak in my Fury I talk of Sacrificing a Prince who whether I will or no does Raign in my heart and who no sooner would be in my power but I should be absolutely in his Can I see Cyrus a Prisoner and look upon him with eyes and heart of hatred yes yes I can for since he comes into my Chains only out of his love to Mandana doubtless I shall hate him more then ever I loved him After this Thomiris being resolved to give way unto her fury intended to move the hearts of the People by the Funerals of Spargapises to the end so sad an Object might animate the Massagettans to revenge the death of their Prince And indeed this sad Ceremony moved many tears Aripathes in particular was deep in mourning and so was Ariantes But after the Ceremony was ended Ariantes followed Thomiris to her Tent and having made sure of many friends particularly of Octomasades and Agathises he talked to her very boldly in favour of Mandana moving her to send her back unto Cyrus So as this Princess being exasperated she answered him very sharply but Ariantes was resolute and cared not therfore he went on and told her all that was fit to be spoken both for her own Glory and the Preservation of that Princess whom he loved For I must profess unto you Madam sayd he unto her that since she never had been in your power but for me I will do all that I am able to get her from you if you offer to attempt any thing against her Since you are able to do but little sayd she very sharply to him I shall not much value what you do In the mean time I charge you to see me no more till I send for you I will obey you Madam replyed Ariantes but I pray take it not ill if I do stop you in all you shall attempt against Mandana If Cyrus do put himself under my power replyed she you need not fear that Princess If he do not I shall follow my own advice and not yours After this Ariantes having left her she went into a Tent which was her Closet and called for Aripithes purposely to give him severall Orders for opposing Ariantes if he should attempt any thing but it was to late For this Prince had not only got almost all the Officers and Sou 〈…〉 s on his 〈◊〉 but he had also sent unto those Forces which were coming up to make sure of them also if need were Moreover Aripithes though glad to be imployed by Thomiris yet he was very fearfull least Cyrus should become her Prisoner imagining that if ever Thomiris saw him all her fury would dye Also he being advertised that Ariantes had many friends and that this resolution of Thomiris to put Mandana to death did incense all men of any honour he plainly saw that he was Master only of that body which was under his Command And this act of cruelty seemed so horridly strange unto all the World that he durst not absolutely trust unto that neither In the mean time the wise Gelonide knowing that there was no thwarting the fury of Thomiris at first yet now thought it time to speak and endeavour to reduce her unto Reason Therfore striving to insinuate her self handsomly into the mind of the enraged
unto what a miserable condition she had brought her self and to examine seriously what Gelonide had sayd Also considering that if she should put Mandana to death it would then absolutely be impossible Cyrus should ever love her her heart began to relent and repent of what her Fury had hurried her unto yet since she did not think it impossible but Cyrus might submit himself her Prisoner to deliver his Princess she did not repent of the Message which she had sent yet she resolved that if he did not then to seek out for some pretence to moderate her fury though she did not very well know how to recall things since they had gone so far She asked Genolide how she should follow her advise in case Cyrus should not submit himself her Prisoner Alas Madam sayd Gelonide Violence and Vices need Pretences but an act of Vertue and Goodness never needs any And therfore if your Majesty resolve to change your mind you ought to undeceive Ariantes immediatly before things break out into a flame For who knows whether that Prince having a pretence to accuse you of cruelty against the person he loves will not make use of those whom he armes against you to pull the Crown from off your head as formerly he would have done Disarme your self therfore Madam that you may disarme him and if you will follow my advice tell him plainly that you never had any intentions to do as you seemed but only to get Cyrus into your Power and so sooner end the Warr and better secure the Possession of Mandana unto him you may also tell him Madam that the reason why your Revenge is not executed upon Mandana is only in consideration of him No no sayd Thomyris unto her I cannot tell him so for I have already told him the contrary All I can say to him is that for the love of him I altred my mind But Gelonide when I have told the Prince my Brother so what should I say unto Cyrus and all those who know I have sent unto him you may say replyed Gelonide that you never would have used such sharp menaces but only to procure peace unto the people but since you found not your expected effects you never intended to stain your reputation by any action of cruelty Thus doing nothing against the interest of your own passion you will get much glory unto your selfe I know not whether I shall get any or no replyed Thomiris and sighed but I am sure that I deserve none and see I am the most culpable and most miserable person upon the earth In the mean time since I have already said that I thought Cyrus had killed my son How can I now say that I have changed my opinion since you only sayd it in the heat of your passions and sorrowes replyed Geloniae no sollid heed will be grounded upon your words and all the world is so perswaded that it could never be that though such a thing were yet they will never accuse you After this Thomiris falling into a deep study and seriously considering the danger unto which shee was exposed especially what Gelonide sayd concerning the hatred of Cyrus if she put Mandana to death shee resolved to send for Ariantes immediatly At first this Prince was amazed at this command and some would have perswaded him from obedience out of their fears this Princesse should arrest him But Ariantes being confident in his friends especially in him who guarded Mandana went unto Thomiris with much boldnesse When he came to her he askt her whether shee sent for him to tell him that shee had changed her mind and she answered him so cunningly that any but himselfe would have been deceived by her discourse and would have beleeved that she had no other consideration in restraining her revenge but what she said she had Yet Ariantes understood well enough that it was her passion which was the principall cause of the alteration in her mind but he made no shew of it unto her and was willing to take upon himselfe all the obligation Also she added that she never had any intentions to put Mandana to death but only to oblige Cyrus to submit himself under her power However though shee spoke with abundance of seeming sincerity yet Ariantes knew very well that she bore an extream hatred unto Mandana and that though Cyrus should submit himselfe yet she might sacrifice the Princesse whom he adored if she were not hindred by force So then fearing least Cyrus in a rapture of his passion should do as Thomiris desired he resolved to prevent him However a reconciliation was made between Thomiris and Ariantes and before they parted they resolved upon what should be sayd unto the people what Cyrus had answered and upon what their expected forces should do when they were come up After which Ariantes leaving the Princesse he went immediatly unto his Tent to dispatch away a messenger unto Cyrus but as he was instructing him what he should say unto his Rivall he was told Ortalgues desired to speak with him Indeed this trusty servant by the advise of Gelonide came to tell the Prince how he had stayed in the Tents Royall and desired him for a passe to return unto his Master beseeching him for his own glories sake to do him so much honour as to give him some assurance of the Princesse Mandanas life For truly Sir sayd he knowing already what you have done for her I have some reason to hope that though you did it not for the interest of that great Prince unto whom I belong yet you will give me leave to carry the joyfull news unto him of your being heâ— Protector Ariantes being much taken with the boldness of Ortalgues he received him very well and very obligingly told him that he saw Cyrus was every way happy even in his Domestiques Afterwards told him that though Cyrus was both his Enemy and Rivall yet he would neither be ungratefull nor wicked but would ever acknowledge the Obligations upon him since the time he was Anaxaris by the assurance he would give him of Mandanas safety as long as shee was under the Queen his sisters power and the better to perswade him unto a beleif of it he told him as much as in any handsomenesse he could what he had done for the preservation of that Princesse he also told him that he might go unto his Master but to avoid suspition the man whom he intended to send with him should go by himselfe In the mean time Ortalgues after he understood that the messenger of Thomiris was returned and understood from Gelonide the good state of every thing he departed without rendring the Letters which he took upon him to deliver But he went in the Massagettan habit and with an order from Ariantes least he should be stayed by his forces So as this faithfull servant arriving just as the messenger from Ariantes was telling Cyrus that he would come he overjoyed that Prince when he told
upon earth since Agelaste had neither Father nor Mother living but had lost all which could render Lesbos delightfull unto her she followed the fortune of Sapho who left her own Country with as much joy as Phaon had to be in her favour And they both of them so satisfied each other by this resolution that they were most glad to be quit of it I was not at Mytelene when this passed My Sister was in Phrigia and though we had been with Sapho I believe she would not have imparted her design unto us least we should oppose it The greatest motive unto her forwardnesse in this designe was that knowing there was but one City in all this little Dominion of the new Sauromates Phaon could not be often from her so as being satisfied with his love in her presence she hoped that place would yield her much content since he could not possibly be long absent from her In the meane time Agelaste having acquainted Phylire and Clirantes with the designe of Sapho and Phaon they were extreamly glad of it for that Illustrious Sauromate did know that all those Persons would easily be admitted into his Country Also considering the credit which he had with the Queen he made no question but all this good company would be extreamly well entertained There great comfort in this journey was that they had no thoughts to take for their subsistance For Clirantes first assured them that his estate was sufficient to maintaine them all in full luster and besides this It was the custome of the Country for the Prince to give such estates unto such strangers as are received as is fitting for their quality and merit and all this Philires brother did know of a certainty In the mean time since Sapho did depart with intentions never to returne againe she disposed of her estate as if she were going to dye and left Letters which contained her will in the hands of an old Kinswoman she had with orders not to open them untill a month after After which the marriage of Clyrantes and Philire was secretly solemnized And the next morning all this good company embarqued with intentions to passe the Bosphorus of Thrace and to enter into the Euxine Sea afterwards to land about the Maeotidan lake But they were no sooner imbarqued then there did rise a Tempest which changed their course for after it had tossed them from place to place and from shore to shore it cast them upon Epirus at the foot of a great Rock which is beaten upon by the Leucadian Sea and upon which is built the Temple of Apollo This Rock hath also another thing very observable for it is said that there and from thence Deucalion when he was in love in Thessalia did throw himselfe into the Sea and cooled his passion However after all this good company had rendred thanks unto the gods there adored and after their ship was repaired they imbarqued and steered their course very prosperously as Meriontes told me But Madam before I tell you any further what he related unto me I must acquaint you with the wonder of all them in Mytelene when Saphoes Cosen opened the Letters in which she had declared how her Estate should be disposed of For when she was gon she colloured her journey with the accomplishment of a vow to Diana who had a Temple some three days journey from Lesbos But when they saw she disposed of her Estate as one who would never return again they kew not what to think In the mean time out of her generosity she left almost her Estate unto Charaxes though they were at great difference as for all those things which were in her closet she bequeathed them amongst her friends not mentioning her design nor the place unto which she was gone So as every one thought and spoke according to their fancies Since some reports went a broad that she was displeased with Phaon for fallingin Love in Scicily and since they knew not that he was returned unto her some beleived that she was gone unto him others said that she cast her selfe away and indeed this last beleif was the most generall though not the most probable For since it was known that Sapho was at her house in the country before she imbarqued the Plebeans who always love wonders and often beleive them sooner than probalities did say that as she was by the side of that pleasant Fountain which I mentioned a Nagade appeared unto her who did bid her go unto Epirus and that she should throw her self into the sea in a place where a Ducalion formerly had thrown himself and that she should there be cured of her passion as he was of his adding afterwards that Sapho did immediatly obey the Nagade that she went unto Epirus that she did precipitate her self and that death in the end cured her passion But the truth was the more understanding sort of people did not credit any such far fetcht unlike stories for Sapho was known to be wiser than so Also after I was returned unto Mytelene I made such exact inquisition that at last this friend of Phaons with whom he had concealed himself some certain dayes did discover unto me that Phaon had been with him that he had seen Sapho very often and that he was gone away with her but since he knew no further I was still ignorant of my friends design However I was so far satisfied that I knew Sapho was not dead and that Phaon was happy in her favour for I might well imagin that they would never have gone together unless they had been very well reconciled But the passage most observable was that though Phylire her brother and Agelaste were vanished as well as Sapho yet they were not so much as mentioned for Saphoes adventure did so take up their spirits and minds that they talked of none but her In the mean time the poor Nycanor was a gainer by this accident for when he heard that Sapho had drowned her self because she thought Phaon perfidious he cured himself of his passion thinking it not fit to love the memory of one whose love was so extream to another As for Damophile she was the only one who rejoyced at Saphoes ruin because then she thought her self the only wise woman in Mytelene But Madam after my sister was returned from Phrygia we discovered that Clirantes had marryed Phylire before they departed so as remembring we heard from Clirantes an admirable description of his Countryes Laws we imagined that it was thither unto which Sapho Phaon and Agelaste were gon and so confidently as to satisfie my self I underdertook this voyage with Leontidus whom I met In the mean time I may say that this journey did prosper neither well nor ill For I understood by the valiant Meriontes that Sapho and Phaon were received by the Sauromartan queen with more honours than ever were done unto any strangers that she was lodged in the Queens own Pallace that Phaon was
to revenge his death But as for Feraulas he would stay upon the place to know what they did vvith the Corps of Cyrus and to try if he could see Martesia to lament vvith her the misfortune of this Prince and to receive some orders from Mandana for he imagined that since Cyrus vvas dead they vvould not guard her so strictly In the mean time it may well be said that the supposed death of this great Conqueror did more illustrate his glory when it was known on both sides in being lamented both by his friends and Enemies Thomyris her selfe grieved Ariantes did pitty though not grieve All the Massagertans lamented him all his friends desired no life but to revenge his death Mazares lamented his death as if he had not been his Rivall All the Souldiers grieved for him as their Father and some of those who fled from the Battle did kill themselves for very shame and sorrow that this Prince should suffer for their basenesse Moreover besides those who grieved for him out of affection generosity and compassion there were many who were engaged to it by particular interests For Intaphernes and Atergatis did see that their Princess could not be so soon released Gabrias and Hydaspes had the same concerning Arpasia Tigranes had the same thought for the admirable Onesile Again the Princesse of Bythinia Istrina Onesile Arpasia and Telagene did see that their chains would not be so soon broken But whilst all the world were lamenting the losse of Cyrus and were ignorant of Spitridates his destiny Cyrus understanding by Meliantes that he was thought to be dead he was both sad and glad of it Yet he had many more reasons to be sorry for when he heard of this Tragicall Ceremony of Thomyris he verily believed that Spitridates was dead and that they were mistaken by the great resemblance betwixt him and that unfortunate Prince so that besides his own miseries he was extreamly sensible of his losse and Araminta's sorrows Moreover he was not only sensible of Mandana's resentments in a beliefe that he was dead but he feared lest her resentments should prejudice him in another manner For said he in himselfe though she did never change her thoughts of me is it not to be feared that this supposed death will make her change those thoughts she had of me for said he out of some jealous apprehensioos one may be faithfull unto a living Lover when one is not so unto a dead one Few carry their affections further then to the Grave of the person loved so as since the belief of my death may either cause her death or cause her to be inconstant it doth more concern me that Mandana do know that I am living than that Thomyris should be ignorant of it In the mean time I know no more how to shew my self unto Mandana then I know how to hide my selfe from Thomyris for should I aske Meliantes any questions concerning that Princesse he would perhaps not only suspect who I am but would imagine it concerns Thomyris and Ariantes to know that I am in his hands So that Cyrus not knowing what to resolve upon either to procure his liberty or to let Mandana know he was not dead his soule was in a most sad condition Yet upon second thoughts he conceived it expedient to say nothing unto Meliantes for some dayes lest his too much earnestnesse should render him suspected and that afterwards he would aske so much favour from him as to send to one of his friends to acquaint him that he was a prisoner and to let this friend of his come disguised into the Camp of Thomyris and confer with him about ways for his releasement But during this little intervall things went reasonable well for Mazares after he had rallyed his Troops he entrenched them very advantageously in expectation of those Forces which Ciaxares sent And Ariantes having a most earnest desire to see Mandana and still fearing the violence of Thomyris he also entrenched his Army and went unto the Tents Royall for though it was victorious yet the victory had cost him so dear that he was not in a condition to attempt any thing against Mazares considering the ground he had chosen for his intrenchment Yet did he find no great satisfaction in his voyage for he found the mind of Thomyris so incensed and unquiet that no proposition could be made which did not vex her especially any thing which related unto Mandana On the other side having visited the Princess whom he adored he found his entertainment so bad that he was forced to retyre and stay till her forrows were a little over The truth is she gave him such sharp Language she charged him so oft with the death of Cyrus she protested so earnestly that she would not live but only to the end the King her Father and the Prince Mazares might continue the War against Thomyris to deliver her and be revenged for the death of Cyrus and she did so fully assure him that she hated him as much as if he had killed Cyrus with his owne hands that this Prince did think himselfe in a worse Condition by the death of Cyrus then by his life In the mean time the Princesse of Bythinia the Princess Istrina and Arpasia were alwayes together not having the liberty to see Mandana with whom Araminta and Onesile continually were For since they were put there in the absence of Thomyris when Andramites sent them to the Tents Royall Ariantes durst not incense the Princess so far as to take them away Also since it was believed that Cyrus was dead they did not so much care if company came to her and the Princess of Bythinia Istrina Arpasia had leave to see her in the presence of him who commanded her Guard 'T is true they had no great comfort in seeing her for they saw her so full of sorrows as they did not think she was able to endure them long Again Arpasia hearing that Licander her Ravisher was killed by an unknown hand and understanding from Niside who was with her that she saw Meliantes in a disguise she made no question but it was he unto whom she was obliged for it but she knew not whether she should be sad or glad at it for though she did still much esteem him yet she had still much tendernesse and inclination unto Hydaspes But since the matter was not hard to see Arpasia and since Meliantes his passion was always in his mind he took this opportunity and came one morning unto Niside unto whom he had addresse without much difficulty Niside being always his friend she was glad to see him and to heare from his own mouth that it was he who killed Licander He told her then how he came disguised unto this Court lest Licander should induce Thomyris to arrest him and that he was in hopes to rid himselfe of one Rivall by particular Duell and of the other by generall Combate After which he desired Niside
said that as to the second thing in question That jealousie was of so large an extent that possibly it might be so as one might be jealous without any Rivalls since one might be jealous of any thing which too much took up the heart of the person loved and said he who reported the opinion of the assembly since one is not so jealous of those thoughts which others have of the Lady whom one loves as they are of those thoughts which she hath of others it follows that one may be jealous of any thing which engageth her heart any manner of way If she affect any solitude too much a Lover may without extravagancy be a little jealous Judg therefore I beseech you then since Dorinice having a hundred Friends who may become her Lovers or who at least take up a great part of her heart and who fill up her time so that Mereontes can hardly ever speak unto her whether I say such a Lover hath not reason to entertain some thoughts which may be termed jealousie and whether he have not reason to complain of her since she is so eternally taken up with her friends and such friends as so nearly resemble Lovers that one may easily mistake the one for the other As soon as this was said a friend of Dorinices who pretended unto the first Rank stood up and said that it was great injustice to think friends could be jealous That this was the way to violate all the priviledges of friendship which of all things upon earth ought to be most inviolable And that it would put a great disorder and confusion amongst all men if love and friendship should be declared incompatible for as friendship cannot be without love so love and friendship may consist together Then she instanced many examples out of antiquity to make it appear that one may be a zealous Lover and a zealous Friend both at one time And amongst the rest that of Achilles who though extreamly in love with Briseis yet loved Patrocles with abundance of tendernesse And after this he desired it might be declared that Dorinice might admit of as many friends as she pleased without being subject unto any complaints against her But Sir after this friend of Dorinices had said all he could and after I had answered all his objections against me the Judges ordained that Dorinice should make her choise either to answer my affection with the like Or if she could not and would yet preserve me to exclude all the rest of her friends to the end I might solely remain in her heart declaring that if she would do neither of these two I might lawfully quit her without inconstancy or being accused of ingratitude So Sir Dorinice being unable either to love me or renounce that multitude of friends which diverted her she publiquely declared that she was so far from doing either of these two things as she was fully resolved upon two other things quite contrary For said she I am resolved never to love as long as I live neither will I faile to admit of more new friends You may easily imagine Sir how this cruell Declaration of Dorinices went to my heart But that which finished my despair was that she sent unto me she would never see me any more and yet the very same day she sent this rigorous message she admitted of two fresh friends so as resolving upon absence I employed the illustrious Sapho to obtain a licence from the Queen to go out oâ— her Dominions And so I did without bidding adieu unto any but Sapho Agelaste and Phaon As soon as I had passed those Desarts which environ our Country I came into the Territories of the ancient Sauromates where I found Troops ready to depart which Aripithes had levyed for Thomyris So as I conceiving War the best remedy against Love I followed them without any other design but to forget Dorinice But though I am not able to do it yet I am so fully resolved never to see her again that I will voluntarily banish my selfe for ever out of the most pleasant Countrey in the world But Sir if you will be pleased to give me leave to devote my selfe inseparably unto your service I shall hope for more tranquility and satisfaction then ever I had And my joyes in finding such an illustrious Protector will be above my sorrows for the losse of an unjust Mistresse Mereontes having ended his Relation and his Complement Cyrus returned a very obliging answer unto this illustrious Sauromate After which entring into deep Cogitations of his past misfortunes and present miseries he spake little all the rest of the day But night being come and all things ready Cyrus entred into this close Coach which Meliantes and Mereontes being their Convoy they got out by the favour of the night none observing that Cyrus was in the Coach And as they got well out of the Camp so they arrived at the Tents Royal and as good luck for Cyrus was the Tent of Meliantes being one of the very first Cyrus was presently in a place where none could see him unlesse Meliantes would and where it was unlikely any would seek for him for his death was so generally believed on all sides that it was divulged over all places in the world The Grecians which were in the Army writ into Greece the Persians sent unto Persepolis the Medes made it known in Media Intaphernes writ into Pontus and Bythinia The Assyrians sent into Babylon Thrasimedes writ it into Lycia Ligdamis unto Ephesus Myrsiles unto Sardis and so all the rest into their severall Countreys And the noise of his death was so universally divulged in all remote places and so generally believed that many excellent Histories were deceived by the mistake and Historians have left this supposed death of Cyrus in their Histories as true though the truth is it was the unfortunate Spitridates who lost his life and passed for this illustrious Conqueror In the mean time Feraulas in this generall belief of Cyrus his death endeavoured all manner of ways to find out his Corps And having many friends since the time that Cyrus was there under the name of Artamenes hee employed all their helps in the discovery But in his Quest of one thing he discovered another which made him extreamly joyed for he understood by accident that the Gelon Captain who presented the head of Spitridates unto Thomyris as the head or Cyrus did endeavour to sell those rich Arms of gold which that unfortunate Prince did wear the last day of his life and which Cyrus gave unto him after his Combate with Aripithes So as Feraulas knowing that Cyrus wore a very common suit of Arms that day he concluded that of necessity it must be the head of Spitridates which Thomyris plunged in blood and not of Cyrus so as much hope and joy began to revive in his soule and so as the death of Spitridates which before made him full of sorrow now filled him full of
answered Cleonice I should make you my Friend and Ligdamis should be no longer a Lover Yet Madam said be unto her is it not possible to accustom your self to endure I should love you a little more then I did before and to acquaint you with my sufferings You promised as much when I parted from you and told me you would receive my services as testimonies of my friendship I have every day for six moneths together suffered a thousand torments and in lieu of accepting my obedience according to your promise will you prepare new punishments for me That would not be just said I and interrupted them and if Cleonice will follow my advice she should not be so rigorous Why do you say so Ismenea said she unto me Can you be so much byassed by your affection to Lygdamis as to counsel me unto any gallantry with him That word said I unto her is a little too much but I do confess I know no reason why you should treat Ligdamis as if he were not so much as your friend for we are obliged to love our friends in miseries as well as in happiness I do confess said she that they who do not so are only the false friends of prosperity and deserve not that glorious title of friend Then if Ligdamis said I unto her hath lost his reason by any manner of misfortune and seeks all remedies to cure himself of all his miseries and follies but can finde none would you not endeavour to ease him and much pitty his misfortune Doubtlesse I should replied she Then why do you not said I unto her and laughed for do you not see that he is not master of his reason though you do not grant him so much affection as perhaps his folly desires yet receive his affection with some kinde of sweetnesse for it is not the part of true Friendship to forsake him in so great a misfortune as his is to love one that is insensible And for my part if you use him so you must give me leave to think you make no other use of your friends but to serve your own ends and to divert you since you cannot endure they should trouble you once in their lives Cleonice hearing me say so began to smile and Ligdamis to thank me And he afterwards joined his most perswasive Rethorique unto mine and we so overcame her that after two hours converse we obtained that Ligdamis should stay in Ephesus and that he should see her but still upon condition never to speak unto her of any Love matters Thus then were some days spent but since it was not possible for Ligdamis to lock up his love so close in his heart but that it would break out in some of his actions or words there was not a day but Cleonice and he had two or three quarrels But Cleonice did insensibly accustom her self to answer him and though it was always with a spirit of contradiction yet it was a great comfort unto him to talk of that which took up his whole soul And indeed it came to that pass at last that Cleonice became the Confident of his Passion and could not endure he should speak of any thing else And though she always advised him never to hope for any thing and often commanded him to quench his flames yet in the end she had no desire to be obeyed She would often be so melancholly that every one would chide her At the first this surprised me because I never saw her in such an humour before but after I had discovered the phantastical cause of her melancholly which took her often and left her often and I found the fit would always take her when contrary to her intention she had spoken a little more sweetly concerning Ligdamis then she intended and when her memorie did chide herself for being not sharp enough with him she would be sure to be dogged all that day both towards her self and all that came near her and on the contrary when she had the power to treat him ill she appeared more pleasant and nothing but joy could be seen in her eyes Also one could never see them both in a good humour at one time for when Ligdamis was ravished with joy at some favourable word which Cleonice had spoke then she was always melancholly and when he was sad at any harsh passage from her then would she be exceedingly pleasant so great was her care to hinder him from seeing she was not insensible Yet it is most certain she did not hate him and though she would not call her affection by the name of Love yet her change was so much that it deserved no other name For a hundred trivial passages which slipt from her unawares did sufficiently manifest as much I remember that whilst he passed under the notion of her friend only she cared not in what dresse he saw her and I have seen him in her chamber some daies when her dress was so careless that any other beauty but hers would have lost its lustre and I am confident she did never once in all her life consult with her glass how to please him But since his return it is otherwise for Ligdamis never could see her till she was dresâ— She made a shew as if her design in it was only to wean him by degrees from that familiarity he had with her but the true design was that Ligdamis might think her more fair I humblie ask your pardon Madam for making such an exact relation of every trivial passage for since you commanded it I hope my obedience will plead for my excuse Be pleased to know further that as love cannot lie long hid so Hermodorus Artelinda and Phocylides presently came to know that Ligdamis was in love and in love with Cleonice So that the Passion of Hermodorus augmented the Love of Phocilides revived and the Hatred of Artelinda renewed and became more violent for she was so vexed to see the heart of Ligdamis resist her charms and be captivated by Cleonice's that she uttered a hundred symptoms of envy Moreover as it is the custom of many Ladies that are a little too gallantly inclined to justifie themselves by accusing others she divulged it in two or three dayes throughout the Town that Ligdamis was in love with Cleonice adding further that Cleonice was not so hard-hearted as she was wont to be saying in her railierie that Love had wounded two hearts with one blow The noise of it was so great in so little time that it did not only come presently unto my ears but it reached Cleonice's also who heard it with more sorrow then I can express for I saw many signs of anger break out at her eyes but I could not tell whether it was against Ligdamis or against Artelinda or against herself and she would not explain herself but spoke many things which much puzled me Yet I certainly knew that Ligdamis was upon better terms in her heart then he believed