much to heare of his descent which his faithfull friend Euphilus related in such manner as it begot teares in the Old-mans eyes repenting much that he rejected one whose nobler parts so well deserved and whose generous and ancient linage seconded those excellent endowments wherewith he stood graced And thus continued these two their discourse till such time as one came to Euphilus acquainting him how a Page below would speak with him which broke off their conference for that time resolving next day to meet againe and to conclude of some course that if too strict a tye had not engaged him he might be recalled to enjoy what he so much affected and what his own fame family fortunes and fancy so well merited Whereto sorrowfull Androgeus replyed that a Gentleman of good accompt and eminent in his Profession meaning Esâ—hites had undertaken something to that effect but whether likely to produce any good end or no he knew not Meane time Euphilus goes downe to the Page which staid below for him to whom he delivered a Letter written as this Page pretended by one Albanus an intimate acquaintance unto Euphilus the Contents whereof were these FIrme friend my resolutions are now fixt for Travell and something I desired to leave you as an argument of that constant love I beare you Receive then this Page and reteine him for his sake who could not send you a Token which he did more esteeme nor what his endeavours will more deserve Your disposition I know to be milde which will comply well with the easinesse of his condition and whose approvement may hereafter win more ground on your affection Trust not Albanus if your further tryall of him confirme â—ot what I have promised for him The Winds call me the Mariners hasten me so as I must contract my lines while they spread out their Sayles closing in this our absence one from th' other with this constant Subscription of your affectionate Brother Now what was meant by this Letter our History must not as yet discover Let it suffice that this Page was his own Secretary and had lodged Euphilus so dearely in his thoughts as he accompted it his highest earthly solace to be admitted to his service Returne we now to Androgeus whom we may suppose upon this relation of Philocles Fortunes and Family to have his glowing desires more inflamed to see him returne into his Countrey But doubtfull he remaines ever to enjoy so much happinesse for the Sea as he understands h 'as divided him and his late regular profession so confined him asif his desires stood so affected yet could he see no possibility to have it effected seeing those vowes as he conceived but herein deceived could not so easily be dispenced And highly did Androgeus admire the modesty of Philogenes who never all the time that he sojourned in his house would discover so much either touching those possibilities which now his fortunes had conferred on him or that lineall descent from whence he was derived An undoubted argument surely of a noble minde which desires rather to display his descent by actions of desert then arrogantly to boast of the House from whence he descended and by his ignoble expressions to debase that honour which was lineally derived For what is it to glory in guilded Earth or to magnifie ones selfe in the generosity of his Race when Vertues which should be the best Signals to distinguish a noble Stock have lost their impressure in him For better is it to be ignobly derived and vertuously accomplished then Nobly descended and viciously affected And as every thing reteines his degree of dignity in goodnesse so holds it the same degree of ilnesse when it is abused for honour never looks so unlike it selfe as when it is disparraged But where descent and desert meet they present such a comely structure as it becomes an imitable president of honour And in these did Androgeus seirously reflect upon Philogenes So as a double respect may seeme mutually to ingage him a constant care of his Daughters cure and a desire to have her so matcht as fame fortune and family with such loyall arguments of fancy may joyntly meet He vowes then never to oppose this solemnity so his presence may cure her infirmity This induceth him to wish all faire successe to Eschites faithfull endeavour the prosperous issue whereof though encounter'd with some rubs you shall understand hereafter CHAP. XXX Philocles returnes home and is accepted by the Parents for their Sonne in law This revives their seeming distemper'd Daughter yet fearing still a relapse of her Parents acceptance she feignes the continuance of her distemper NOw had retired Philocles by the meanes of Eschites received word of his dearest Doriclea's distemper and privately how he conceived that his returne from that fruitlesse retire would not only free her from further danger but be a direct way to accomplish his own desires So as there was nothing more expected then his speedy repaire by her Parents which if he intended not to stand in his owne light and prevent all promising hopes to do himselfe good he wished him not to foreslow least delay might increase her distemper consequently abridge his hopes of aspiring higher But such inducements little needed to hasten with winged speed the returne of Philâ—cles Nor could he at first imagine this relation of his friend Eschites to be any thing else but a dreame or some practise to surprize him so as he seemed doubtfull what to resolve protracting so much time till he had expostulated with his own thoughts by offering unto them a survey of those dangers he might probably incurre with those incredible comforts which if these relations prov'd true he might assuredly partake Happy thrice happy art thou Philocles if these newes be true which come from thy Eschites But canst thou expect so present a calme after so rough a tempest Were not all her friends lately opposed against thee and so incensed at thee as nothing could appease their fury but thy captivity nay thy blood if they could have seazed on thee And were these deepe Characters of their boundlesse passion writ in Sand that they should be so quickly razed or their vowed revenge so easily forgotten that it should be so speedily extinguished Well I know net what to think onâ—t These lines writ by my deare Eschites makes me confident but those experienc'd practises of her incensed friends and my implacable foes makes me more irresolute I am assured that Eschites would not ingage his Pen to one line that might endanger my life And I know this to be his own Character Besides to make his relation more probable he here tels thee of Doriclea's distemper and how her Fever took her upon thy departure from her and how thy returne if his judgement faile him not may recover her Be it then unto death I will encounter with the worst of danger so my presence may restore her and cure her distemper Pretended feares
and passionate voice in this sort O Euryclea how well have we deserved to suffer this affliction in neglecting Philocles and his honest affection Admit his fortunes were poore his conversation was vertuous his life blamelesse and his love to our Daughter loyall and religious Were we to contemne him because Fortune had not so freely imparted her selfe to him Was love only to be weighed by meanes without respect to those inward endowments which conferre the best beauty on man What comfort might wee have reaped in seeing them live in constancy of love and composing their mindes to their state to bestow the residue of their dayes in content Aâ— must not be neglected whom Fortune h 'as not favoured It is blinde love that is directed by such a deity And too tyrannâ—â—â— are those Parents to their Children who labour to enforce their affection It may be said Euryclea that her distemper for all this opinion of her Doctors râ—ceives ground from some other griefe For I verily think Doriclea could not so dissemble with us as to pretend love to Mardanes and reteine such a constant remembrance of Philocles Let us call forth then if you please her Maid Mellida who knowes her minde best and we shall perceive by her whether her fancy continue towards Philocles or no. Mellida who sorrowed no lesse for her Mistresse sicknesse then any for her distemper wholly declined her hopes from enjoying her Mardâ—nes acquainted them how those little short sleepes she had were full of distractions and how ever and anon she called upon Philocles Which so confirmed them as they presently gathered that his absence had begot this distemper in their languishing Daughter which highly aggravated their sorrow Gladly would they recall him so they might regaine him but they finde no hope of reliefe to their weak Daughter seeing the meanes of her cure the sole cordiall of her care was reported to have enter'd a Regular Order No hope then remain'd for her recovery being so deprived of the Object of her fancy While they were thus discoursing and descanting of their griefe one below called for Mellida which was a Messenger indeed from Mardanes with a Letter directed to Doriclea the issue of whose motion her Parents desired much to partake So aâ— presently upon Mellida's going in to her Mistresse to deliver this Letter they went in after her but with that privacy as upon the delivery and perusall of the Letter Doriclea knew not they were there The Contents of this amorous Scroule were these DOriclea you may expect that these lines should have been prevented by â—y personall attendance and trust me so they had could I have dispensed with one occasion which requires present dispatch Let not the least conceipt of disloyalty pre-possesse you I will sooner perchance then your own opinion can assure you seâ— you to consummate our joyes which by how much the longer delayed in our fruition will be more sweetned Alas good Man said Doriclea how he troubles his braines to no purpose As if his personall presence could do me any good or procure me ease No no unlesse he were transformed into Philocles and then the enjoyment of his feature would do me an infinite pleasure Surely said Mellida I could with with all my heart that we had them both in their own proper shapes I know who would be the more pretious pearle in my eye Well replyed Doriclea God send thee much good of him when thou shalt have him And if I recover my health whereof as yet I finde small hope I should make little doubt but by a device I have to possesse thee of him I pray God you may have your health restored you soon said Mellida for I am sure you cannot suffer more in your Fever then I my selfe do till I be made happy by the free enjoyment of Mardanes favour This discourse seemed strange to Doriclea's Parents for they little knew what their Daughter intended by that device howsoever they now perceived that the love she pretended to Mardanes was not reall but dissembling and that Philocles was the Man who was only interessed in her heart and that without him she despaired of health Which could not chuse but strangely perplexe her affectionate Parents who now so they might become confident of their Daughters recovery would easily incline to Philocles fancy But they were out of all hope to procure her health by this meanes seeing retired Philocles was now to his Countrey a stranger and had enter'd a strict religious Order which assured them that he had now disclaimed the title of a Lover CHAP. XXVIII Eschites undertakes upon promise of their acceptance to use his best endeavour for calling Philocles homeward and that he is resolved how Philocles time of Probation will bee quickly relinquish'd when he shall beare least hope of enjoying his Doriclea's affection WEakned daily became constant Doriclea by meanes of this her languishing distemper For now her stomack by feeding on those fancies which her loyall love to Philocles usually suggested was so sated as other nourishment she could admit none unlesse such Julips or Cordials as required no strong digestion so well became Nature sustained with the very conceipt of affection Nor is this much to be admired for if that Maide of Pâ—iâ—tiers could abstaine so many yeares from all sustenance and be surprized by no such fancy what may we imagine of Doriclea whose digestive parts were so well satisfied with the thoughts only of her dearest Philocles as no repast could comparably delight or refresh decayed Nature so much as the very conceipt or apprehension of his affectionate feature Her Parents desirous to try all meanes to allay her griefe and to banish the memory of her transplanted friend from her distemper'd minde sent for such neighbouring Maides as formerly kept her company to come to her and to invent one sport or other to passe away the lingring night or to tell Tales to solace her troubled braine which for want of sleepe was much distemper'd And many pleasant pastimes would these Countrey Girles finde out purposely to cheere her While one amongst the rest drawing â—eare the Bed-side and taking Doriclea by the hand Good Lord Mistresse said she what a stirre you make with this love I am sure for my part I am troubled with a thing as like love as can be and whether it be downeright love or no I know not but every night there appeares to my fancy a dainty proper young Man but of what Countrey I know not and to my knowledge waking I never yet saw him But trust me Mistresse I wondrously love him and if he be no Hob-Thrâ—sh nor no Robinâ— Goodfellow I could finde with all my heart to sip up a Silly-bub with him in my Fathers Broome-pasture For I shall on my conscience never love any one halfe so well And yet I know not whether I shall love him when I am waking so well as when I am sleeping nor do I know whether I should know
are meere shadowes to loyall fancy They cannot strike that heart which is truly struck with love And I appeale to thee Doriclâ—a if mine be not truly wounded Be my â—eturne then for thy safety and I shall hold my desirâ—s crowned in perishing for thee This said in a private disguise he addresseth himselfe for his returne to the end he might with lesse suspicion repaire to his firme friend Eschites and upon further conference with him be satisfied whether the Coast were cleare or no. And in short time might he make his returne seeing whatsoever he pretended his distance was not great by meanes of his retire For as yet he had not crost the Seas nor taken any other Order then the constant profeâ—â—ion of a Lover who had made Doriclea his Saint to whom he was so devoted as wheresoever he sojourned his engaged hearâ— could not be divided from that object whereâ—â—t was so inseparably united But the wayes of love when they promise most smoothnesse are ever encounter'd with sundry difficulties This our Philocles felt who in his returne walking one evening on the Sea-shore to refresh his spirits with the aire of the Sea was had in suspicion by some Seafaring-men for a Spy and restrain'd that night by command with a purpose next morning to bring him before a Justice who had given direction upon notice thereof that he should be safely guarded and early next morne he would take examination of him and upon what occasion he took such serious survey of that Coast and Vessels within the Roade Philocles as it fortuned having been formerly acquainted with this Gentleman who should examine him for they had been Cöacademicks and fearing much lest these delayes might either be interpreted in him a coldnesse of fancy or towards his approved Eschites an opinionate jealousie to hasten his departure thence he prepared his way to this Justice in these lines Sir L Awes which should be lines of life to direct to support and steere the course of an injuried Supplicant are for most part become Spiderwebs to eâ—wreathe and enwarp the smaller to give more liberty to a powerfull Offender See the misery of time But to recall my selfe this is not the errour of time but of man Where a direct eye becomes squinted by respect or bleared by receipt or quite put out by a prejâ—dicate conceipt Dangerous aymes are these to a well-governed State Where Religion shapes it selfe to Policy and candid pretences cloze with impiety As you are Man observe that Golden-meane which returnes the best Character of Man The fairest path that conducts man to immortality is ever on this Theatre of Earth to remember his mortality And the nearest resemblance that Man can have to his Maker is to mixe Justice with Mercy and to reduce them to â—n equall temper by exhibiting them to all in a proportionable â—easure â—ilies among Thornes are Beauteous Objects Be you the same in this World of Weeds So shall your name flourish and have a report behinde you better meriting praise then emiâ—ency of state or precedenâ—y of place These Paper Presents are but weak reflexions of stronger affections yet being the best Sacrifice of a friend and no Spy unlesse it be in the scrutiny of his own heart they deserve the higher place in your esteeme Meane time expresse your selâ—e what your Countrey expects from you the State requires of you and for which all good men will love you which shall be the most assidâ—ate and affectionate wish of him who remaines the constant honourer of your vertues Philocles This Letter infinitely pleased the Gentleman but when he found it subscribed to by Philocles the Character pleased him so much the better In a word so farre was he from entertaining him as a Spy as he familiarly embraced him in the armes of a friend His Guarders were soone discharged desiring nothing more then to heare the relation of his fortunes Which done after his earnest invitation to stay longer with him he accommodated him with whatsoever might necessarily befit him with a friendly dismission wished him all happy successe in his love-assay The next evening he privately came to his constant friend Eschites his house with whom he freely conversed being satisfied by him that all things were very like to second his expectation and how nothing was more desired then his speedy and happy arrivall Yet he told him withall that he held it fitting that he should not presently approach the presence of his Mistresse least she who was not as yet wholly recovered by being overjoyed by his presence might make relapse into her sicknesse which to prevent he intended to prepare her by degrees to the end his unexpected comming to her might through an immoderate passion of joy lesse occasion her distemper Meane time while this approved Artist was preparing way for his securer accesse to his Mistresse he neglects not that office which amity enjoynes him to performe to his Friend For having heard where his faithfull friend Euphilus lodged whom he so intimately loved and that for his cause he was there arrived he could not chuse but expresse those loyall devotions which his love so much deserved and what his travaile for his sake had so well confirmed It is not easie to relate what incredible joy and comfort the one conceived in the others presence wherewith Philoâ—les seemed so intranced as in the end not able to containe himselfe any longer but out of the affluence of his joy he burst forth in this manner Deare Euphilus I now perceive well that the influence of those Divine Powers whose eyes are ever fixed on us knowes best how to attemper our greatest discomforts with rayes of solace Long it is not since we were divided yet during that small distance of time never did poore mortall encounter with more extreames nor taste lesse of hope nor partake lesse in helpe Injoyned I was to live where I did most loathe and to be estranged from that place where I did most love Divided I was not only from my fancy but restrained of my liberty Those whom I honoured most for her deare sake whom I loved best publish'd themselves my profest foes desiring nothing more then to have me in pursuit yea and if the Lawes would extend so farre to bring me within the compasse of my life to recompence the constancy of my love Yet behold how by the Divine Clemency this storme is cleared these menacing Clouds dispelled these foggy vapours dispersed poore Philocles released his captivity to liberty reduced what he least expected now freely offered and that humane comforts might come linked as my former discomforts came not singled behold a double blessing invirons me The presence of a firme Friend with the fruition of a faire Mistresse Euphilus no lesse rejoyced in the enjoyment of his Philocles to whom after he had related the occasion of his repaire to those parts and mutually solaced themselves in the repetition of their former pleasures and studies A Messenger