Battalia who stood in the Head of them and carried himself with so gallant a grace that he did with delight attract the eyes of all upon him It might be said that all this great body was linked unto him by an invisible chain since by the least motion of his hand or accent of his voice it moved as he commanded sometimes to the Right hand sometimes to the Left sometimes to the Rear sometimes doubling their Ranks and sometimes their Files in short there was Let 〈◊〉 very Sergeant in all the Army which understood his office better then Artamenes did As they were busied at this brave exercise the Princess discovered afar off upon the Plain one of the King of Pont's Heraulds who was easily known by his distinguished habit When he was come near the first Ranks he was conducted unto the King of whom he desired permission to speak unto Artamenes concerning something from the King of Pont Ciaxares calling him the Herauld addressing his speech unto him Sir said he the King of Pont my Master who esteems you and thinks himself obliged unto you and who would not have the Victory if it be his fortune to get it imputed unto any baseness of his men hath sent me to advertise you that there are fourty Knights in his Camp whom he does not know for if he did they should all be punished who have took a solemn Oath and conspired against your life to be at the first Battel and not to separate nor seek for any but Artamenes nor fight with any but him but either to kill him or perish themselves This is the Conspiracy Sir which the King my Master hath enquired out and which was found in a Paper scattered in the camp but he cannot discover who are the parties or who that writ it Therefore Sir the King of Pont and the King of Phrygia who sent me to you to advertise you of it not daring to desire you that both for their honour and your safety you would forbear â—ight that day knowing well that your great Spirit cannot forbear but they advise you at least to wear some simple unknown arms that day to the end these base men may not easily distinguish you nor effect their unworthy design The Herald having delivered his Message and made low reverence also Artamenes another unto the King he desired leave to answer the Herald which he did most civilly although it did much vex him he should receive such Obligations from his Rivall I am much obliged unto the King your Master said he unto the Herald for the care which he takes in preserving my life But to testifie unto you that I am not altogether unworthy of that honour which he hath done me I must desire leave of the King said he in turning towards Ciaxares that I stay you a little before I give you my Answer Then he whispered Feraulas who was close by him in the ear and commanded him something which none understood but it was presently known for Feraulas making haste and my Masters Tent not being far off we saw him return presently and followed by a Souldier which carried as a Trophee that magnificent Sute of Arms which Artamenes had caused to be made for himself This sight surprised Spectators and begot a curiosity in the Princess for Feraulas observed that she eyed the Arms and was much astonished at them Certainly Sir Artamenes could not make choice of any thing more magnifâ—cent nor more observable They were engraved with gold and enamelled with such lively 〈◊〉 as the bow of heaven had none more glittering All the nails were headed with Ru 〈…〉 intermingled with Emeraulds In the middle of his Buckler was a great Sun represented by Diamonds which dazled all those who beheld it Upon his Head-piece was an Eagle of Mâ—ssie gold most rich which her wings displayed who bending down her head and holding the beh 〈…〉 s top in Beak and Tallons did seem to gaze upon the Diamond Sun which shin'd in the midst of his Buckler as who should say that this Sun which according to Artamenes his devise did embleme the Princess did deserve more regard then that Sun which shined in the Heavens From the Train of this proud Bird did issue a Plume of Feathers admirably well mixt with twenty several colours The Hilt of his Sword the Scabberd the Belt the Gauntlet the Sute of Arms and all the appurtenances were suitable unto this magnificence which for the richness of the substance the excellency of the work and the admirable variety of colours nothing could more invite the eye to gaze then it As soon as they appeared every one began to ask and desire to know what Artamenes would do with them The King lookt upon my Master and stept nearer to hear what he would say when Artamenes after a low Congy and asking leave to answer the Herauld Tell thy Master said he to him that since my Arms are good enough to resist his which are so dreadful I shall think them therefore good enough not to fear those gallant Cavaliers who have such a high opinion of their valour as that they must needs be fourty to fight with one I Prethee publish throughout all the King of Ponts Camp that these Arms which here thou seest shall be those which I will wear upon the day of Battle And assure thy Master from me if the King will please to permit me that to acknowledge his generosity in some manner there shall none ever assault in my presence but one to one nor shall his valour sink under an oppressing multitude if I be there The Herald though astonished at the greatness of Artamenes soul would have answered something but he hindered him No No my Friend said he do not oppose thy self against my design and be confident that if the King thy Master did but throughly know me he would not disallow of what I do Ciaxares hearing what he said would have opposed him instancing that it was not wisedom or justice so slightly to hazard a life which was so considerable My Honour Sir Replied he ought to be more precious unto you therefore I most humbly beseech your Majesty force me not unto any disobedience But this Replied Ciaxares is to no purpose yet he dismissed the Herauld without any other answer When he was gone and the Arms carried back unto the Tent Artamenes was not moved at it one jot though the advice did so nearly concern his life But Ciaxares had other resentments of it and was much perplext almost resolving not to advance towards the Enemy fearing to hazard that life which was so dear unto him The Princess who saw the Herald come unto the King and who knew Feraulas which carried those magnificent Arms had a great desire to know the meaning of it so that she sent one of her servants to enquire who met us as we were conducting the Herald out of the Camp after we had according to the orders of Artamenes carried him
to wonder was that she had sent a servant of her own and this servant being not in the house she conceived that it was onely some mistake between Clorelisa's servants and hers So as making her self ready to go presently unto her she gave her hand unto Artaxander supposing he would go with her And to let him see she made no application of what he had spoken unto her self Though I do beleeve said she unto him that you are not in love with Clorelisa yet I cannot chuse but think you will visit her since you cannot deny her the advantage of being the first friend you had in Themiscyra and I will be the more earnest in maintaining her right in that because I pretend to be in the second place your friend Oh Madam said he whether I be in love with Clorelisa or no I am sure she hath not so high a rank in my heart as you have though she be a person whom I much honour and esteem Since Telamires house was very nigh unto Clorelisa's they had not leysure to say any more And since one of Telamires women might hear them Artaxander was forced to talk of something else However as soon as they were come into Clorelisa's Chamber she chid Telamire a thousand times and that with a strange agitation of heart for since she saw Artaxander with her she imagined him to be the cause of her stay but she was much worse when Telamire to justifie her self did tell her all the passages yet Artaxander did still affirm very confidently that they assured him she was asleep But since the heart of Clorelisa was too much engaged to be deludâ—d she would needs look into the matter a little neerer and calling all her women one after another they all said that they saw none either from Artaxander or Clorelisa Artaxander then told her that certainly some of the servants unto Belermis to save themselves the labour of coming to her had told this lie But say what he would or could Clorelisa was not satisfied and she was fully perswaded that this was a trick of Artaxanders and she thought also that Telamire was an accessary unto it for since she assured her very earnestly that she had sent unto her house and since all her women on the contrary assured her that none came from her she did not onely think Artaxander to be in love with Telamire but she thought as that Telamire held a great correspondency with Artaxander then ever she imagined so as jealousie having possession in her minde she was tormented beyond expression and she who was so earnest in sending for Telamire knew not now what to say unto her Since I came in a little after this confused examination of the matter I could plainly perceive the turbulency of Clorelisa's mind all I could observe was the confusion of Artaxander and the prudence of Telamire For truely this wise Lady taking no notice of Artaxanders love not of Clorelisa's jealousie did speak unto every thing with a marvellous moderation and tranquillity and certainly I came in very opportunely to help out with discourse However I made her since confesse that she could not chuse but find some sweetnesse in thinking that though Clorelisa loved Artaxander yet he did not love her and that the glory to be preferred before such an amiable Person was some delight unto her For my part I was exceedingly delighted with the passages of that day for besides the pleasure of seeing how Clorelisa and Artaxander were put to a Non-plus I was extremely taken with seeing Belermis in his fierce Garb who knowing that Telamire was in his sisters Chamber came thither to see her But he came amiable Doralisa more like a Conquerour then a Captive not but that all he said unto her was very civil and respective yet his Air and Garb did alter the very sence of his words and made him seem as if he intended to fetter her whose chains he wore Moreover since he could not chuse but be talking as much of matters of warre as love he was so full of his Martiall phrases as that day I learned as many Military Termes as might serve for the Relation of all sorts of Combats for he vsed them all in his discourse so as before 't was night I knew what Incampment and Quarters were I knew what the first second and third Divisions did mean I learned all the Postures to the right hand to the left hand as you were double your Ranks and Files And I knew from him that day at least enough to lose a Battle if I had commanded an Army And to be serious with you he was so full of words peculiar unto War that all I could do was to remember them though as yet I did not know the significations of them But to compleat my diversion The severe Isalonide entred who commonly finding fault with every thing did not like that Clorelisa should be so dressed since she was sick saying openly That those sicknesses which onely draw company about One and will let one be dressed better then when they are well were of a most dangerous consequence For indeed said she If one were really sick they should see none but such as could cure them or their very intimate friends and not do as most women now adayes who are more carefull in consulting with their Glasse before company come then with their Physitian And are more diligent in advertising all their acquaintance that they keep their Chamber then those that can cure them And to tell you truely they have a greater desire to have them come who can tell them a thousand tittle tattles then such as use to cure diseases But said I unto her to do Clorelisa a pleasure if you did but know how much melancholy doth augment all manner of diseases you would say that pleasant company may be put in the rank of the most infallible Remedies If you should ask the advice of my sister answered she in a most imperious Tone I am sure she will be of your opinion and maintain that all manner of simples used in Physick are not comparable to the company of five or sixe such tittle tattles as are glad to hear of any sick Gallant who are sick onely because they should come and see them I must confesse unto you said Clorelisa and blusht for anger that I have been such a one as you speak of but at this time I am so ill that much Company are very troublesome unto me Telamire hearing Clorelisa say so did rise up and offered to go away but Clorelisa out of jealousie as well as friendship took hold of her and said that she was neither weary of her nor me Then it is of me replied Artaxander But if so I beseech you speak unto Telamire to command me away for since I had the honour to wait upon her hither I expect that command from her You may easily judge how Clorelisa resented Artaxanders discourse yet she could make no
Mazares Myrsiles Intaphernes Atergatis and Artamas were no more sluggards then that valiant Prince whom they followed But though the night had been husht and quiet yee Aurora was tumultuous The fires of both Camps extinguished as the starres did And there was then in both Campes a noise composed of so many severall noises and such an Ecchoing Murmure as all the field was fill'd with it The Birds themselves except such as live upon what death allowes them and alwaies follow Armes did forsake the Woods all about and as the night spake the soft language of Peace the break of day spoke in the thunder of War with as grim as it looked yet had something of delight in it In the mean time as quick as the Suns Course is yet Cyrus had given his last orders before it apeared in our Horison and gave them with so much judgement and made those who received them to understand them so well as if he had inspired both spirits and hearts fit to execute them his whole Army moved together in an instant all at once and kept such evennesse as they came close to the Enemy without the least disorder though they went with such an impetuosity as the presence of Cyrus used to inspire into all his Troopes and which without any rashnesse onely made their vigour and impatience of fighting to appear In the mean time on that side towards the right wing there was a tall and thick Wood which the valiant and experienced Terez had lined with a thousand Archers who began to fight yet found he not that advantage which he expected for Cyrus foreseeing that the Massagettans would not leave that place unlined he caused a party of Horse to fall upon that thousand Archers and placed some foot also amongst his horse between every squadron So that these Archers being vigorously charged they were forced to yield yet saved not themselves by flying for they were every man of them killed upon the place where they lay in ambuscado But the prudence of Cyrus moving him to think that his Troops might be squandered in the Wood he commanded Mazares to wheel about the Wood to the right hand with his first brigade to prevent that disorder So as this Generous Rivall obeying him Cyrus in the head of the second brigade and towards the left side of the Wood he advanced to the Enemy with all the Gallants of his Army and advanced with the same valour wherewith he had vanquished others In the mean time Mazares who was as valiant as amorous and who was well knowing in the art of War wheeled about the Wood without any disorder and to lose no time he caused the body which he commanded to draw towards the right hand to the end he might assault the Massagettans on the flank whilst Cyrus assaulted them in the Front The ambitious Octomasades who commanded the left wing of the Massagettans was extreamly surprised when contrary to his expectation he saw himself assaulted on two sides for he was confident in the thousand Archers which Terez had placed in the Wood through which he knew any must passe before they could come and assault him on that side yet for all his surprise hee behaved himself like a man of courage and though he might be taxed with want of a little foresight yet could not be accused for want of valour And indeed he did very gallantly resist some squadrons which assaulted him but without successe For as there is nothing so dangerous as to alter the orders of Troops in the face of a terrible Enemy So upon the very first shock Mazares broke many squdrons of Thomiris So that the Troops of Octomasades tumbled one over another as soon as Cyrus charged them in Person and fled with so much precipitation as never was the like disorder seen But since th is valiant Prince knew that flying Enemies are already overcome he never followed them but desiring to find a more noble subject unto his valour he appoined Mazares to vanquish the Cavalry which he had already squandered lest they should rally again and went himselfe streight unto the Enemies Infantry against whom he did even miracles as afterwards you shall hear But that you may better see how victory followes Cyrus and none else It chanced that whilst he had put to flight all that stood in head against him and thought it not fit to follow them and whilst he wheeled about his squadrons against the Massagettan Infantry not one of his men being out of Ranke he conceived himself able to go behind the Army of Thomiris and advantagiously fall upon that victorious wing which had routed Cressus whose Brigade indeed was the deciding point of the Battle Thus it may wel be said that his Prudence and his Valour were almost equal gainers and forced Fortune to render Justice unto the equity of his cause he routed them However the eternally renowned Cyrus did not quietly enjoy this greet glory which he had gotten and vvell deserved for since his Rivall vvas yet living and Mandana not released heâ— thought himself not at al happy Yet he was joyed to hear that his intelligence concerning Ciaxares was not true yet those reports did not rise without some ground for doubtlesse the King of Medes was so extreamly grieved at this last carrying away of Mandana that he fell so extreamly sick as all in Ecbatan feared his death and all the Kingdome thought him dead Cyrus was not joyed at this newes only because he loved Ciaxares though he had held him Prisoner but also because the Princesse should not be grieved at her Fathers death at a time when she was deprived of all consolation and loaded with all miseries And that she might hear nothing of it he made continuall skirmishes upon all favourable occasions But after Cyrus had entirely defeated the left wing of his Enemies as I told you had assaulted the Infantry of the Massagettans and assaulted them in such order and vigour without the least disorder in his owne hee also routed the Infantry of Callipides those of the Issedons and quite defeated those of the two Scythian Kings But when he was in this glorious condition wherein hee might well hope to be quickly Conqueror he saw upon a sudden the pittifull-state unto which his left wing was brought and plainly saw that all did absolutely depend upon those Forces which were with him So that to lose no time in following those whom he had already Routed he thought onely of Conquering those who had Routed his men So that after he had by his looks put fresh hearts into his men he forsook his new got Victory and went to fall upon that part of the Army of Thomiris which had routed his and finding them all carelesse and in such a negligence as Victory useth to put them into who know not how to use it after it is gotten he entirely defeated them without much pain And so it happed that those who escaped the Victory of Cyrus
began to reassume his first despair Afterward when he viewed the Tower and observed how the Sea and the Fire did wholly inviron it and that happily his Princess might be in it then he changed his apprehensions and gave order that those Troops which came to destroy the Town should now preserve it and help to extinguish the flames Artamenes being in no disposition to go back again sent Feraulas to take Command of his Men and to march speedily after him Coming neer the Town they found the Air very fiery hot and heard such hideous noise that none but Artamenes himself would enter the roaring of the Sea the rumbling of the Winde the flashing of the flames all these added to the horrid noise of whole houses tumbling which were shaken into heaps of earth the lamentable complaint of living and the cruel cryes of dying men all these dismal dinns which were answered by an Eccho from the Mountains did make a most mournfull and horrid harmony if I may call a sound so full of sad confusion a harmony But all this could not divert the intentions of Artemenes For he being now neer the Town and all his men drawn up in a body he addressed himself and spake unto them in these winning words Imagin my fellow Souldiers that it is I which is in that Tower that it is I my self who am at the very brink of perishing between fire and water and that it is I whom you come to save Or to express my self a little better Imagin a say that your King your Princess your wives your fathers and your children were all enclosed within this Tower and with Artamenes ready to perish let all these dear relations rowse up your spirits unto a gallant deportment you must my Companions do as never yet was done you must destroy your enemies and yet you must save them you must fight against them with one hand and save them with the other In summe you must attempt all manner of wayes to preserve that Princess who may be your Queen and deserves to be so of the whole world After this Chrisantes Araspes Aglatidas and Hidaspes who had each of them the Command of a thousand Men came unto Artamenes to receive their ultimate Orders Feraulas was admitted unto Councel who was no mean agent in the business who also had transacted for Intelligence within Sinope and unto whom Artucas had promised to deliver up a Port of the Town that same night Feraulas gave his vote that it were expedient to proceed in the very same manner as if the Town were not on fire and without any further Inquisition to march straight unto the Gate by Mars his Temple because said he if perchance this accident has not put the whole Town into a generall disorder we may perhaps find resistance at any other place it being alwayes a Custom upon such accidents to double their Guards least the fire should proceed from some design of their enemies whereas on the contrary if you proceed this way we are sure to finde no opposition for if Artucas and his Complices be not all consum'd in fire we shall certainly have their assistance and although they should be all perished yet we are certain to finde none in that place to obstruct our passage This advice was good and sounded all reason Afterwards it was put to the Question What Course was most Commodious whereby to gain the foot of the Tower Aglatidas observed the fire to cease on that side of the Gate because the Ships being sooner consumed then the houses it must therefore consequently follow that the fire must soonest cease there also therefore he conceived it the most convenient course to take the way of the Port because then they should have but one side to guard and because that also this way was the easiest to go unto the foot of the Tower Artamenes who thought each minute an age till he was there would contradict nothing least he should lose time he marched himself first and gave command through the Army to divulge it about the Town how he had no other design in coming thither but to preserve the Princess inducing the People thereby to refuse resistance and not impede his plot They all begin to march Feraulas guided Artemenes who was like the rest on foot unto the Gate by Mars his Temple and there they found him whom they sought for who was in such despair of Artamenes coming for this sad sight had much retarded him that he was careless whether he threw himself into the flames or lived any longer He no sooner spied them he long'd for but he caus'd the Gates immediatly to fly open The Guards at the place were very thin for maugre his commands most of his men ran away to see in what condition the fire had left their houses their wives their fathers and their children so that they found no great difficulty in becoming masters of that Guard yet they found enough to do in defending themselves from fire Artamenes in marching through the inflamed streets exposed himself unto extraordinary danger and was many times in hazard to being overwhelmed with falling fiery houses though the object was terrible to him when he was without the Town yet it seemed much more horrid when he was within they marched with Swords in their right hands and Bucklers in their left they had hotter service in preserving themselves from burning coals which continually tumbled upon their heads then from the Darts of their enemies Upon the unexpected arrivall of Artamenes all they who surviv'd within the Town did begin to double their lamentations and amazement Many of the Grandees who before were busie in quenching the fire of their own houses did quit that charitable office and endeavoured to muster into Arms to make some resistance but alas neither Arms nor Captains nor Souldiers nor any thing fit for opposition can be found in so confus'd a disorder In some places men were pulling down their own houses to preserve their neighbors others threw their Plate their Jewels and their richest things out at windowes in hopes thereby of saving something Mothers without any care of goods or houses or any thing might be seen running about the streets with hair burned off their heads and nothing left unless in either arm a Childe In short the sight was so sad and terrible that if Artamenes had not been so transported as he was with vehemency of passion doubtless he would have stopt his course to have succoured them so worthy were they of pity and so sensible was he of their misery Nevertheless he marched on the report of his Arrivall was every where divulged Aribees the Governour of Sinope who used his endeavours to prevent the fires catching hold of the Tower and who upon this occasion had rallied most of the men and Souldiers which surviv'd was at his wits end and involved into such anxieties of minde that he knew not whether was most expedient to fight Artamenes
of these two Princes and told them that the business did require some time to examin the truth more exactly but in any case not to do things over-rashly and inconsiderately The two Kings consenting unto this Proposition retired And Artamenes did earnestly desire that his Trophee might stand and that Ciaxares would be pleased to leave a guard with it which was consented unto During these contests there was a necessity of carrying away Artamenes I sent unto the Town to get a Litter the Princess hearing of it sent hers for which my Master as you may imagin Sir thought himself not a little obliged After the Princes had given orders for the Funerall of the Combatants upon the place of fight with all solemn Pomp as well one side as the other Feraulas and I did carry Artamenes into a house in the Town where we had lodged some days before yet Ciaxares would not suffer it but caused him to be carried into the Castle All the Kings Physicians and Chirurgions were brought into the Chamber After they had viewed his wounds put in their first tents and dressed them they told the King that they hoped none of them were absolutely mortall although two were very dangerous so that by their care and his own strength of nature a happy cure was hoped for The Princess also that first night sent many times to know in what state he was and he understanding of it though the messenger spoke very low the Physitians having forbidden all noise he called to the messenger and would himself receive the Princess Complement after he had received it feebly turning himself on one side and opening the curtain of the bed which was cloth of gold Tell the Princess said he that I ask her pardon for fighting her enemies so poorly and bringing home a Victory which was yet disputable If I die I hope her goodness will pardon me and if I scape I shall hope to repair the fault by some better service Give her most hearty thanks for this honour of remembring me and assure her that her goodness does not oblige an ungratefull soul Mean while a Fever so violently seizes on him as every one despaired of his life I cannot tell how to express the sorrows and cares which Ciaxares and the Princess had of him unless I shall tell you that Ciaxares was as dear over him as if Mandana had been sick and Mandana also as if Ciaxares had been so wounded But in a little time the danger was over and I could not chuse but wonder at the humorous conceit of Fate which made this Prince and Princess who the other day offered Sacrifices of thanks for his death now as forward to make Prayers for the preservation of his life At length every one is well pleased to see that all their cares were not in vain for after the twentieth day his Physitians question not his perfect recovery but promise a present cure As soon as he was in a condition to be seen both all the Court and Camp did visit him Aribees as great a Favourite as he was came oft to tender his complement Philidaspes in spite of his ambitious jealousies which the Valour of Artamenes procured him fail'd not to pay civilities and the King who saw him every day brought the Princess to congratulate his recovery This wrought a wonderfull effect in Artamenes So that in few daies after his wounds healed extraordinarily such power it seems has the soul over the temper of the body I will not trouble you Sir in telling what were the entertainments at these two visits it being easie to imagine that the deserts and valour of Artamenes was the whole subject of their converse But Sir to return unto matters of War where we left Be pleased to know that whilest Artamenes was thus in cure Embassadors passed continually between the two Kings to finde out some expedient how to determine this difference and bring it to Arbitrement The King of Pont protracted it as long as he could hoping that during this vacancy the King of Phrygia might perhaps be free from the designes of his enemies and according to that he could conclude either Peace or Warre but the matter continued so dubious that it seemed the Gods did purposely ordain it so to give Artamenes time of recovering his strength to vindicate his Honour and acquire more Glory He left his chamber some two moneths after his first wounding and went to present his thanks unto the King and Princess afterwards he returned civil complements unto all the Court and Camp especially unto Philidaspes By this time Sir the two enemy Kings having agreed upon Judges to hear and determine upon the reasons and arguments of both Parties impartially They erected a very Magnificent Tent upon the Plain where the Combate was and close by the Trophy which Artamenes had compiled Four of the Cappadocian and Galatian Grandees and as many of Pont and Bithinia were constituted Judges of this famous Controversie after they had all taken such oathes as were necessary to remove all suspitions of prejudice and partiality also three stately Thrones equally erected and under them a long seat covered with Purple for the Judges of the Field and all this hansomly prepared the King of Pont and the King of Phrygia conducted Artanus to justifie his pretended Victory But though he had more spirit then valour he went unto this Combate much against his will though it was not to be a bloudy one Artamenes was also conducted by Ciaxares Four thousand men of both sides ranged themselves half upon the right hand and half upon the left These Kings taking their Places according to their Rank and Judges sitting at their feet Artamenes and Artanus stood at the Barre silence was proclaimed But Sir I will not trouble my self to repeat verbatim the Speeches of these two Orators I shall only tell you the issue of them he which spoke first was Artanus who though he was eloquent and delivered it with a good grace yet it made no impression upon the hearers But on the contrary the Speech of Artamenes having the Rhetorick of truth in it and pronounced by a man of such an excellent Presence gained the hearts of all his Auditors His courage did so set off his Eloquence and wrought so upon the King of Pont that he could not chuse but admire the Spirit as well as Valour of Artamenes At these words the King of Hircania begun to speak and say Wise Crisantes I beseech you do not deprive us of the happiness to know the sense of what was spoke in this glorious Court in which the Cause depending was so uncommon and where the Judges were subjects unto them whom they were to Judge so by consequence must needs beget a curiosity in them who are ignorant of it Since it is your pleasure Sir replied Crisantes I shall relate as much as my memory is capable of The first which spoke as I told you already was Artanus who after
was prepared for them they could not act their design When both parties were within the shot of Arrows which had obscured the Air with clouds of them Feraulas and I who had no eyes but upon Artamenes did see that he was more oppressed with them then any which were about him that his Buckler though it was covered with a plate of gold was very much battered and that there was some likelihood a great number had compacted together who aimed all at him But Artamenes without the least astonishment or any fear of that danger wherein he was lifting his Buckler up with his left arm to preserve himself from the Arrows which lite like hail upon him and turning unto those about him Come my Companions said he to them let us go and vanquish those which fight so well at a distance and who perhaps will not be so valiant with Swords as they are with Bows In saying so he led them on they follow and fell on with so much courage and precipitation that the Enemies left wing was disordered and thought to call for Quarter But presently after they took heart and the Combat was stifly disputed Mean while the fourty Conspirators which were to fall upon Artamenes did not forget the promise which they made unto him who emploied them and it was easie to distinguish him from other enemies who had no particular design upon his life For these did alwaies shun our men when they assaulted them and would not engage with any who fell upon them unless my Master so that it is impossible he should ever have any rest which those who fight in the bloudiest Battles sometimes have for which way soever he stirred he was ready to be compassed about If he charged one then he was presently beset with four or five if he killed one he brought two more upon him for it the more he defended himself the harder he was beset the more he made them fall the faster they came in and did treble their number to execute their plot Feraulas and I contributed all our force to fight these cruel enemies who fell fo fiercely upon him yet if his own valour had no better befriended him then ours all our assistance had been in vain But he Sir laid about him with wonderful fury and did things so much above imagination that because they are so incredible I dare hardly relate them The chief of the Conspirators was so subtle and so basely wicked that he commanded his Cavaliers to endeavour all they could to kill his Horse that so he being that way overturned some of their companions might more easily kill him This Plot took effect twice The first time I had the good fortune to be near him and give him mine whether he would or no and I verily beleeve he would not have accepted of him if I had not at that same time accidentally light upon another one of her side who was next me being killed But for the second time I saw the Horse which I gave him fall dead and my Master recover himself from under him fighting with those that fell upon him before I could get in to his assistance for the Conspirators had so compassed me about that they hindred me A thousand to one but he had been kil'd at this bout yet it was the will of heaven to preserve him and make him so fortunate to kill one of those Conspirators whose Horse was an excellent good one So that Artamenes without the loss of a minute of time and in spite of all their resistance which opposed him he got upon him cutting off the hand of one who had hold of the Bridle and putting to rout all that durst resist him In conclusion Sir Artamenes to my knowledge kil'd and wounded above thirty and took many Prisoners besides both Conspirators and others Mean while the enemies right wing stood out better then their left and for all the valour of Aribees and Philidaspes the Victory did cost them dearer then it did Artamenes although they had no particular enemies to fight against yet in the end they obtain'd it Ciaxares for his part he was in the main body of the battle fell upon the Enemy and quite disordered them so that the Victory went clearly on his side All was in a mighty confusion The Conquerors pursued the conquered very eagerly some rendred themselves and threw away their Arms Others preferred death before captivity In short the Victory is got and all by the valour of Artamenes who without all question was the principall cause for I had forgot to tell you that at the beginning of the battle Aribees and Philidaspes were forced to give ground a little by reason of the violent charge of the Enemy whereof Artamenes being advertised and supposing himself able to deal with the Enemy wich he had in hand without them sent to two thousand men to the relief of Aribees and Philidaspes which Auxiliary preserved them from being vanquished and by consequence was the very getting of the Victory In all this great confusion Artamenes who had received but two fleight hurts charged and pursued the Enemy in all places where he saw them rally or make any head As for those who were not in a condition to make resistance never was a Conqueror so full of sweet and full of clemency as he As he was thus engaged in this pursuit he discovered the King of Pont whom Philidaspes did heavily presse upon with twelve or fifteen men and had inevitably kilied him if my Master who was followed by Feraulas and me with two others had not come in to rescue As soon as he came near speaking as loud as he could and dispersing those assisted Philidaspes Generous Prince said he to the King of Pont since you are not so fortunate as I am though you are more valiant you would not perhaps so happily escape from those who set upon you as I have them who set upon me If I do not keep promise with you it is because you will obstinately fight against those men who are not absolutely under my Command the King whom I serve being personally in the Army But either render your self a Prisoner or else fight with me single I give you the choice of these two Unto these words which did infinitely ravish the King of Pont and surprise Philidaspes the King of Pont began to reply just when a hundred of his Horse rallied together and sought about for him began to charge them who had compassed him about But the King seeing that he could not fight with Philidaspes who would have taken away his life unless also he fought with Artamenes who preserved it went away with as much haste as he could This little lookt for accident did so surprise Philidaspes as you cannot imagine yet presently after when he had recovered his amazement never thinking to follow the King of Pont he turned angerly towards Artamenes and sharply said unto him What will you have none to triumph
thought as I cannot my self express yet I say never think that I can ever desire not to be his Wife The time was indeed when I did not desire it but since I am so it befits me to live with him as my Husband and not to deceive You know said she with eyes full of tears which she would have restrained that I will live out all the rest of my daies with Otanus whom I have ever hated as if I had ever loved him and with Aglatidas whom I ever loved as if I ever hated him Why Madam said I to her will you live with Aglatidas as if you ever hated him What rigid vertue can impose such a severe law upon you No no Madam said I to her do not fear that I will use any violence do not punish me so cruelly for one word pronounced against my will in passion and without any design to execute it I would have killed Megabises because I thought you loved him and I will not attempt against Otanus because you do not love him and I will hope that you will never love him Let then this happy Husband of the fair Amestris live so I may have so much happiness as sometimes to see her that I may be put in minde of those glorious hours wherein by the will of Artambaces I might have possessed the place which Otanus not enjoyes let him enjoy that glorious place in peace since the fatall Destinies would have it so but let me also possess in peace that which you have given me let me Madam enjoy some glimpse of that felicity to the last minute of my life You may if you will bring me to my death as they use to bring Victims that is with Songs of joy and Crowns of flowers Yes Madam I should die with joy and honour if you would only permit me to render you an account of my sorrows And never fear that I shall ever desire any thing from you which can displease you No divine Amestris I would only have my complaints to be favourably heard and I would only be comforted by some words of pity you have hearkned unto Megabises whom you do love and will you refuse the same favour unto a man whom you have not hated nor perhaps do yet That 's the reason replied she why I ought to deny it for indeed Aglatidas I did love you and I cannot hate you so that for that very reason I ought to mistrust my own thoughts It is not said she and the gods do know it the affection which I bear unto you can ever cause me to faâ—l in that duty which I owe unto Otanus nor in that which I owe unto my self but because I am not in a capacity ever to be yours therefore I ought not to admit of seeing you or loving you What then Madam said to her do you intend then to hate me I cannot do that if I would answered she but I can forbear speaking to you Ah if you can do that said I to her then you will not love me any more And take heed Madam you do not renew a fresh jealousie in a desperate soul and perswade me that perhaps the riches of Otanus did gain your heart Doe not Madam stir upon such a violent passion in my minde and to prevent it afford me at the least some small signs of indifference For indeed Madam If you should cause me to despair I should again lose my Reason absolutely as I did in my first jealousie and perhaps shall not be able to preserve that respect which I ever have done Tell me then adorable Amestris that you do not hate me and that you would have me love you and also permit me sometimes to tell you that I am ready to die for the love of you I will tell you more then that said she for I will confesse that I esteem Aglatidas as I ought to esteem him and that I love him as well as ever I did love him and that I will love him so untill I die But after all this he must see me no more as long as he lives All that I can do for you is to permit you to think that when you shall hear of my death which I beleeve will be ere long that melancholy was the cause and that my last thoughts would be of Aglatidas Now said she you see all I can do and perhaps more then I ought to do and therefore never hope for any more Who ever saw said I unto her the like adventure unto mine You tell me that you have loved me and that you love me still you tell me that you will die in thoughts of me and why will you not whilest you are alive hear me sometimes It is because I cannot answered she without some offence to vertue and without too much exposing my reputation Does not your innocency said I suffice to satisfie that No answered Amestris it behoves to appear as well as be vertuous Appear then said I to her to be good and pitifull if it be true that you are so Do you said she appear reasonable and generous if you will continue to be alwaies what you are Would you have Aglatidas Madam said I see you no more and perhaps love you no more I ought to wish the latter as well as the first replied she but I confesse I cannot What would you then have me do said I I would answered she have him love Amestris without any hope that he should comfort himself without seeing me that he should live with desire of death and that he never forget me In saying so she would have left me but I took her by the hand whether she would or no holding her by force and kneeling down In the Name of God Madam said I either grant me what I desire or do not forbid my death I can consent unto no more said she to me honour bids me deny what you desire and my affection bids you live at least as long as I Have Patience Aglatidas said she perhaps the time will not be long Ah Madam said I to her speak not thus of your death Rather forget Aglatidas then let the Fairest Lady in the world finde a Tomb you might do better said she to phrase her the most unfortunate and perhaps also the most unjust and the most inhumane But in the Name of those gods which I have already invoked Madam said I to her let me speak unto you but once more Adieu Aglatidas said she adieu I begin to think my heart would betray me if I should hearken to you any longer and that I ought to trust unto my own vertue no longer Live said she if you can and if it be possible love none but Amestris and never see her more she praies you and if you will admit of it she commands you I pronouncing this sad sentence she left me all in tears and all that I could do was to kisse her fair hand which she drew away from mine
all the Baggage of both Kings was all taken so also they met with many things which the King of Phrygia had formerly taken from Ciaxares in a war which was betwixt them Philidaspes made use of all the rich Plunder to make the Pomp more proudly Magnificent He caused two thousand men of war to march first in the head of which were carried abundance of Ensignes gained from the Enemy and the better to set forth the death of their General they which carried them were in mourning Fifty Trumpets followed these Ensignes in black Mantles and Pennons afterwards followed fourty Coaches covered with black all fil'd with magnificent coats of Arms Head-pieces Plumes of divers colours Bucklers of a hundred several fashions Swords Bowes Quivers Arrows and Lances And all this in so handsome a mixture and so well set out with order and with confusion both that as they who were there told us nothing could be beheld more beautifull and Pompous Six other Chariots followed these fourty first all fil'd with that which Ciaxares had formerly lost to wit magnificent Pavilions great pieces of Plate both silver and gold prised at an inestimable rate and value both for their huge Prodigousnes and rich engravings a Throne of Gold richly beset with Onyx Topaz and other rare Pretious-stones After these Charets marcht the King prisoner on horseback but without a sword invironed with a hundred for his guard in mourning Cassocks and followed with fifteen hundred Prisoners chained four to four Immediately after marched Philidaspes alone cloathed in mourning and his horse furniture sutable with the Baston of a General in his hand The rest of the Regiments followed marching in the same order as the first As this Triumph came into the great Plain within twenty furlongs of Sinope they of the first Rank saw a Litter which crossing the way about an hundred paces before them did stay as if it were to let the Souldiers passe yet they were no sooner within compasse of looking into the Litter but presently making a stop they began to run out of order and cry out It is Artamenes it is Artamenes This word passing from the first Rank to the second and from the second to the third and so thorowout all the glorious name of Artamenes did in an instant fill the mouthes of friends and enemies Captains and Souldiers Conquerors and conquered all stopt and in a moment all would advance to be better certified of the matter Philidaspes who was afraid it should be some stratageme of the King of Phrygia to put his Souldiers in disorder whilest he relieved the King of Pontus commanded every one to his place and advanced to the place where the noise began But oh Heavens how was he surprized when looking into the Litter he saw that it was really Artamenes which was within it who held his hand out to the Souldiers and cherished all them which came near him This sight did doubtlesse astonish Philidaspes and perhaps made him sad But as he was one of a great soul wit and generosity so he partly hid it without expressing much joy or much sorrow he lighted from his horse and came neer my Master Artamenes said he in coming to him and presenting him his Generals Staff could never rise in fitter time he who died in the day of Victory revives again in the day of Triumph In the case that I am in replied Artamenes smiling and most civilly saluting him I may more aptly be taken for a vanquished then a vanquisher And to tell you truly I think that I am neither fit to follow a Chariot nor to go before it Chariots of triumph answered Philidaspes are not difficult to be conducted for commonly fortune guides them Artamenes had not leasure to answer this nice complement for all the Officers whether Philidaspes who commanded them would or no did quit their places and acknowledge him no more but came to salute their General Artamenes All the Regiments not daring absolutely to quit their Ranks because of the Prisoners which they guarded yet they pressed so that all the Souldiers might at least see the Litter where he was The King of Pontus impatient to embrace his glorious Conquerour sent one of them who was appointed for his guard to ask leave for him to come neer The souldier coming neer and presenting what the King of Pontus desired my Master with an unparalelled modesty making a signe to him with his hand It is Philidaspes said he and not Artamenes which can grant him that leave and of whom he must ask it since he received the last Orders from the King and commands in Chief Philidaspes being even confounded and half angry at my Masters sweet civility said unto him That his power was nothing since he was present and therefore the command was in him I care not for commanding others answered Artamenes when I am not in a condition to do that my self which I bid others do You must at this time answered Philidaspes endure this inconveniencie for I do not think there is any will take your Office out of your hand Why you may better take it upon you then I replied Artamenes Your Souldiers will not consent replied Philidaspes and I think they have good reason for it In conclusion Sir after this modest contest Artamenes took upon him that Command which belonged unto him and turning towards the messenger from the King of Pontus My friend said he to him tell the King of Pontus that if I were able to goe I would come where he is and do him that reverence which is his due and tell him that he may do what ever he pleases This generous Royal prisoner came then with great joy to salute the man who had captived him I could not but grieve much said he in coming to him at your losse and I never had any thought of my liberty untill that minuit you were beleeved to be dead Sir answered my Master with much sweetnesse if I were not so wounded as I could not sustain my self Artamenes would not receive the King of Pontus after such an uncivil manner and doubtlesse he would let him know that he thinks his Victory very unfortunate that he is not had in more Veneration Never speak of unfortunate answered the King of Pontus my fetters are not base since you did put them on nor have I need of all my Victories to follow Artamenes as my Conqueror Such as you who deserve to Conquer answered my Master ought to be but little troubled at being conquered and it is a greater argument of your valour then mine that you find such consolation in your misfortune The King of Pontus drawing back a little to give room unto those who yet had not saluted Artamenes my Master had a desire to know whether or no the Victory was compleat he asked of the King and the Princesse he enquired particularly of most part of all the Officers and he had the goodnesse to ask where Chrisantes and where
he could not recal who it should be so that longing exceedingly to know more of this adventure he went to look amongst the dead if there were none amongst them which had been known unto him and viewing them he found one who by reason of a great wound received in his right hand and another in his throat which made him speechlesse so that he was not to be understood by any thing but signs this wounded Cavalier no sooner saw may Master but as we might conjecture by his signs he knew him although none of us could remember him or ever saw him and to say truth it was not strange at all since it is very ordinary for thousands to know the General of an Army whom he knows not again This man as soon as he saw my Master near him seemed to be very joyful and exceedingly desirious to make him understand the adventure but the more he endeavoured to explain himself the more he puzled Artamenes for he could not pronounce a word or a syllable nor was there any way to draw any conjecture from him Sometimes he would point towards that way which the unknown Cavalier had taken as if he wished us to go after him Sometimes he would point towards that place from whence they came as if he expected some relief from thence afterterwards he would look about and make us view that Pavilion which the men belonging unto that unknown Cavalier had left and carried away the Ladies which were in it In short all his signs and actions did but augment the disquiet of Artamenes who to see if he could find any thing in that Pavillion which might better inform him lighted from his horse and went in but though he could not meet with any thing which could add any thing unto his knowledge yet notwithstanding he could not leave it sometimes he was in a mind though he knew not why to go after him whom he had so opportunely relieved otherimes he resolved to tarry there in hopes that some would come and give him better intelligence of the accident and sometimes he would chide himself for losing so much time which was so pretious what shall I do here said he and interest my self in other mens businesse when I may be drawing neerer my Princesse and as if he were ashamed of that fault he went out of the Pavilion got upon horsback and commanded one of his men to take up the wounded man behind him untill he came unto the next house where he might be dressed and from whence he might send to bury the dead who by their Arms seemed to be Cappadocians that which was most advantagious unto us upon this occasion was that there was none of us wounded except Chrisantes who received a slight scratch in his left Arme. Artamenes remembring that there was one of these twelve Cavaliers which turned back as if he went to fetch relief would needs stay a while to see if any came notwithstanding the counsell of Chrisantes to the contrary for indeed he supposed if there came any men they would be numerous and that Artamenes was not in a condition to resist them yet it was not that reason which hindred him from staying longer But seeing that the wounded man was in much danger and that his throat with strivinge to speak was so swelled that the man almost lost his senses and fearing it might choak him he marched in all hast unto the next house or town as soon as he came there he sent for a Chirurgion to search the wound in his neck and to try if there were any possibility to recover his voice For three dayes together this wounded man could not speak a syllable nor was there yet any likelyhood Artamenes seeing that commanded the Chirurgion to have a great care of him he gave his Recompence before hand and continued on his Journey He did enquire of all those whom he met with in the house where we were whether there were any men seen lately in armes but wee found none neither there nor any where upon the Road who could informe us any thing Artamenes was so possessed with a profound musing that we marched all that day and the next within six hours of night without pronouncing one syllable But when we came to the banks of Thermodon and within sight of Themiscira where the King told him he would stay till his returne â—oy did then a little move his heart and turning himself towards me who was next him with a pleasant countenance At the last Feraulas said he to me I see the place where my Princess is and by consequence I hope to see her presently But O heavens shall I find her the same I left her shall I obtaine from the sincerity of her vertue so much happinesse as to hear her say she thought upon me in my absence Sir said I to him although the Princess do not tell it you yet you may well believe it for I am most certaine it is impossible she should do otherwise Indeed I had good reason for what I said for a few dayes before we parted from Themiscyra Martesia had so much goodness in her as to trust me with al the advantagious thoughts which the Princess entertained concerning my Master But she did so expresly forbid me to speak of it unto Artamenes that I never durst reveal them giving him only some hopes in generall of being beloved without particularising any thing And to tell you the truth I saw him so grieved at his absence from the Princesse that I made no question but if he had known all these small circumstances which I have told you he would not have died for grief But in conclusion Sir after much such like discourse between my Master and me in comming near Themiscyra and after much rejoycing in hopes of seeing his Mandana we came within a hundred paces of the gates where we met one that was a servant unto the Princess Artamenes no sooner saw him but rode towards him in all hast and asked him very earnestly concerning the King and the Princess Ah Sir said the servant would you had come four dayes sooner At these words my Master began to look pale and presently to convert his hopes into tears and his joy into sorrow he looked in the eyes of the servant for the cause of his discours but not being able to divine it what said he is there any disasterous accident chanced unto the King or the Princesse yes Sir replied the servant and doubtless the greatest that could chance for the King has lost the Princesse his Daughter How replied my Master desperately confounded is the Princesse dead No Sir answered he but she is carried away I do think it very happy Sir that the minde of Artamenes was taken up with the worst resentment first for indeed I am fully perswaded if the thought of her death had not instantly preceded his thought of her being taken away he would have sunk down dead upon the place
How cried he out is Mandana taken away Who is the man that durst attempt so rash and unjust designe Philidaspes answered the servant whom they say was the Prince of Assyria Philidaspes replied Artamenes Yes Sir replied he and the same misfortune would have it so that a party which was sent after her were killed by some which rescued her of which the King is assured Ha my friends cried out Artamenes in turning towards us we need not question but that it was we who have killed the protectors of Mandana who have relieved her Ravisher and who are accessary to her carrying away Sir said Chrisantes unto him is it not better to go into the Town where we may be better informed of all the circumstances in this great misfortune Artamenes notwithstanding his despair finding Chrisantes speak reason set forward But heavens knows how altered from what he was before and what a prodigious change sorrow made immediately in him he had so sad and so terrible an aspect all at once as one might easily see anger mingled with his melancholy and that now jealousie was more in his heart then love He pressed the Princesse servant to tell him how the misfortune happened He understood then that three dayes before this accident Aribeus moved the King to hunt some thirty furlongs from Themiscira and during his absence the designe was executed But said my Master to him how could they execute it It was no difficult matter replied Mandana's servant for the Guards were corrupted and it was they who carried her away also it is thought one of her women betrayed her out of a secret jealousie she had that the Princesse preferred Martesia before her You know Sir added he that the river Thormodon runs under the windows of the Princesse Mandana and that those windows are so low that there needs no stairs to descend them Then Sir one of the Guards observing the hour in which the Princesse was used to retire went and knockt at the door of the outer Chamber as she was ready to undresse her self that woman which was of the conspiracy opening the door went and told the Princesse there was one of the Guard who had some important matter to acquaint her with The Princesse wondring at it a little did for all that command him to enter Madam said he to her I come to advertise you that there is a designe in agitation to carry you away this next night The Princesse knowing that heretofore she heard of such a thing was much astonished yet notwithstanding after she had thanked the man she asked him how he came to know it and how it might be prevented To give more credit unto my words said he to her you need onely to step unto the window where I will shew you the bars half loose This wise Princesse being desirous to be satisfied of the truth went unto the window That woman who was of the Plot taking a candle to light her But Oh heavens she was no sooner there but the Guard breaking out the bars of the window carried her away for they were filed loose before hand I leave you to judge how the Princesse was amazed at it She commanded him to hold off but much more was she astonished when she saw six more of the Guards enter and taking her by violence committed her into the hands of her Ravisher who was in a Boat under the window with many armed men Mandana at the first did obstinately resist him but was forced to submit One of her women reported that when she knew him to be Philidaspes by his voice for he was disguised she cried out Ha Philidaspes if Artamenes were here thou durst not attempt this But in conclusion Sir Philidaspes carried her away and all her women cried lamentably out but all in vain for those of the Guard which were not of the Plot desiring to enter could not for they which betrayed barred the doors behind The confusion was so great that these women belonging to the Princesse Mandana cried out on every side that they had taken away their Princesse and did not open the doors unto those which could not enter but by breaking them I forgot to tell you that these Ravishers did also take away with them that woman which was of the conspiracy but as for Martesia they would not take her but yet notwithstanding this generous woman would not forsake her Mistresse but held her so hard and fast by the clothes that they were constrained to take her also although they doubtlesse heard the Princesse cry out Ah Martesia do not forsake me At the last Sir the Boat going with the current of the River went at such aâ—rate as they were quickly a furlong off on the other side of the water where there was as many horses waiting for them as there was men so that it was not possible to be remedied for before the Governour of Themisoira could be advertized of the accident or could know what course to take they were got so far as there was no hopes of recovery Yet notwithstanding the Captain of the Guard taking horse with two hundred men onely divided them into severall Parties One of them was the twelve which met Philidaspes and knew him rather by the Arms he wore then by his face for having been so long concealed in the Countrey he so changed his habit and countenance as he was not knowable Those twelve men then knowing him as I told you and seeing a great Pavilion erected wherein doubtlesse was the Princesse and it being probable he would pitch his Tent as soon as he was a good distance off one of them returned in all hast to advertise their Captain that he might speedily come and relieve his men who since some strangers had took part with Philidaspes might be in danger to be defeated but he was so unfortunate that he could not meet with him Desperate as not to finde him he returned in full hast to the place where he left his companions engaged with Philidaspes and with those men who accidentally met him in that place But oh heavens he found there ten of his companions dead and found not the eleventh at all he saw the Pavilion standing but none in it and he could not discover any signe that one of Philidaspes his men were killed So Sir this man came to acquaint the King who came hither in all hast as soon as he heard of the accident He hath sent unto all the Ports to prevent the passage of Philidaspes in case he intend to take Sea But to tell you truth there is no great likelyhood of catching him that way since they have failed in their first discovery Moreover yesterday added the servant there run a Manifesto thorowout Themiscira by which it appears that Philidaspes sayes he is Labinet Son unto Queen Nitocris and sole heir unto the Kingdom of Assyria Moreover he sayes THat Cappadocia by right belongs unto the Crown of Assyria and therefore he could
all astonished at the inequality nor at the great number of Kings against whom he was to fight But on the contrary assuming fresh courage in so important an occasion which might render him so Glorious although the captivity of the Princesse did infinitely trouble him yet notwithstanding hope to relieve her or else die for her caused him to become master of his melancholie And though he was not yet known amongst the Medes yet his Reputation his Gallant deportment his sweetnesse his Courtesie and Liberality had procured him already a great credit amongst them so that he was absolutely adored It was at this time when he took a love unto Araspes and when Aglatidas took a love to him but I had forgot to tell you that Harpagus who had all this while stayed in Persia since the departure of Cyrus from thence being desirous to return into his Countrey made use of this occasion after the death of Astyages who had banished him and came into Medea with Hidaspes who by the Comendum of the Queen of Persia made his peace with Ciaxares although he knew Cyrus no more then the Persians did In conclusion to abbreviate my relation which otherwise would be too unpleasant unto so many Illustrious persons who were eye witnesses of what I am to tell The Army of Ciaxares began to march Artamenes being his Lieutenant General and commanding the Vangard When we were ready to enter the enemies Countrey Artamenes saw upon his right hand a great Eagle which flying with impetuous hast seemed to make towards Babylon as if she would shew him the way he was to follow The flight of this Bird was looked upon as a fortunate Omen and Ciaxares making a halt offered sacrifices not onely unto the Gods of the Medes and Persians but also unto the Assyrian Deities desiring them to be propitious unto him I will not stand to tell you how this great Army marched nor how prudently Artamenes ordered this vast Body I will onely relate how impatient my Master was to be taking prisoners that he might enquire some news of Mandana And seeing that some of the enemies Scouts appeared he offered to go unto them but they took their heels and would not fight so that he bethought himself of a stratagem which was this he caused in the night time a great number of fires to be made behinde the place where our Army encamped and none in the place where we were So that these Scouts coming in the night to spie or take some of our men they were extreamly amazed when they found us neer them whom by the fires they thought further off Some prisoners then being taken we knew by them that the King of Assyria would within a few dayes leave the Princesse at Babylon under the guard of Marsares and that he would ere long be in the Head of his Army accompanied with the Kings of Hircania Lydia Phrygia and Arabia But as impatient as Artamenes was to be doing with the King of Assyria whom we will now no longer call Philidaspes he could not be at him so soon as he thought For he found that they who had diverse times fled before him went back over the River Gindes which descending from the Mantian Mountains passes thorow the Countrey of the Dardinians and dischargeth it self into the River Tygris and so empties it self into the Red-Sea Then Sir this River is so violent a Current and the Assyrian Troops having broken the Bridge that it stopped him Artamenes coming to the River side beyond which he saw men in Arms was even desperate to see it was impossible to get over he could not be perswaded of the danger untill he had found it by such experience as might have proved fatall unto him For being exasperated by the fury of his soul and the violence of his love he spurred his horse into the midst of the River where the rapid furie of the water had like to have engulfed him but being come back by good fortune unto the side again there was one of those white horses such as amongst us are used to be sacrificed unto the Sun who of himself leaping furiously into the River to passe over was presently whirled into the bottom of the River and never seen again So that Artamenes not knowing what course to take for a passage bethought himself of a strange extraordinary way which was to divide the River by channels In conclusion he propounded this devise and put it in execution He took such monstrous pains for eight dayes together that all Ages may hereafter speak of it for a wonder For amuzing the enemy alwayes by his presence on the side of the River he caused a great Rampire of earth to be east up to blinde the Assyrians from sight of the Pioners that they might not see what they did and having digged a hundred and sixty Channels which took their beginnings from the River he made so many little Rivolets out of that great one by dilating it into so many several Channels and passed over without any trouble with his whole Army This prodigie did so amaze the Assyrian Troops on the other side the water that they would abide no combate but hasted in disorder unto the Body of their Army thinking that none but Gods could turn the course of that River and concluding afterwards that nothing was impossible unto Artamenes Indeed I am fully perswaded that there are few things which can resist the Courage of such a man as he whom Love had inspired with a most Heroick heat As soon as Artamenes was got on the other side the River he was infinitely joyed Imagining that since there was no more to do but to fight and then enter into Babylon nothing could debar his entrance We marched then straight unto the Enemy who with all diligence was marching towards us We were yet two dayes march from them when we saw an old man of a handsome and comely deportment coming towards us and followed by three hundred horse desired to speak with Artamenes and having in few words told the just cause of his complaints against the King of Assyria said he was come to ask Protection from Ciaxares and offer unto him all the strength he had Indeed Gobrias who was at this present in Sinope offered unto Artamenes to put his estate into his power as indeed a few dayes after he did And the Princesse Arpasea his daughter who is one of the fairest Ladies in the World did receive Artamenes most magnificently into a place of strength which belonged unto him and which she did by his command and whom Artamenes left in possession of it But Sir I must not dwell upon this though there be many brave things dependant upon it It was at this time the wise Gobrias engaged Gadates unto Ciaxares his party yet not to stay upon any thing which does not directly relate unto Artamenes I will only tell you how the King of Assyria hath given just cause unto the
which made him very glad but none could tell him what it was and since he knew him to be a lover of Artamenes he would advise him to go into the Castle Hidaspes after he had given thanks unto Artucas for his counsel acquainted all the illustrious assembly with it who out of impatience to know what it was went presently unto the King but with so much esteem and so much affection unto Artamenes and did so interest themselves in his fortune that any would have said that they were all of them his kindred or subjects The End of the First Book ARTAMENES OR Cyrus the Great THE SECOND PART BOOK II. IT was not without good cause that Artucas told Hidaspes how the King of Medes was very glad and joyful at a Letter which he received from Artamenes And the joy of Artamenes did exceed the Kings if it be permitted me to put a difference between things that are both of them extreams but to discover the true cause of the satisfaction to these two Persons whose present conditions seemed to be so unlike You must know that the same day about noon a man which heretofore had served Andramias and who since served Artamenes in the Scythian Voyage and was sent by him to Artaxes who commanded those Troops which were lent the King of Pontus upon his return unto the Castle of Sinope he desired to speak with his ancient Master Aglatidas was then with Andramias who commanded the man to enter and whom at first he knew not yet he no sooner heard him speak but he knew him by his voice Andramias gave him his hand and asked him if he could do any thing for him Yes Sir answered he for I doubt not but if you will do me the favour to let me speak with Renowned Artamenes I doubt not I say but I shall help him unto such news to tell the King as may obtain him his liberty Andramias not imagining what this man could tell of any such importance urged the man to tell his businesse unto him and to tell him also why he was so affectionate unto Artamenes for Andramias had some kinde of fear to be surprized and thought this to be some devise of the Kings to try his fidelity Then Ortalques for that was the mans name told him that he served Artamenes in the Massagettan voyage and presented unto him a piece of a torn Letter upon which he saw these words written not knowing to whom they were directed nor from whom they came Tell it that I am living That they carry me into one of the two Armenia's but I know not unto whom I shall go and that the King of After that Andramias had read this which was writ upon a loose piece of paper he looked upon Ortalques and asked who it was which gave it him But the man without more adoe Indeed Sir said he the Princesse Mandana is living How cried out Andramias and Aglatidas both together is the Princesse Mandana living Yes Sirs answered Ortalques and this which you see writ there is as I think her own hand Andramias and Aglatidas having not fully satisfied their curiosity urged him to tell them all he knew concerning the Princesse and the man told them that when he was engaged in the Pontean and Bithynian war he being sent thither it was his hap to be much wounded and stayed there a long time sick not being able to follow Artaxes whom Aribeus had called away that afterwards being desirous to return home he came unto a place which is neer the Euxine Bridge in that place where the river Halis empties it self that being there and going out one morning to walk he saw a ship on the Sea some three or four furlongs off the land close by which there was one of these great woodden Boats of Pine-tree which can very well endure the waves when the windes are high and which are used to carry Merchandize into which he saw many persons descend and distinguished some women After this the ship sailed into the open Sea and the Boat came straight unto the mouth of the River but since the stream in that place was very impetuous it was a long time before the Rowers could get out of the Sea into the River During which time I came unto the Rivers side and I took notice that there was a woman in the Boat which did very attentively look upon me that afterwards hiding her self behinde another woman she did something and I suppose it was to write that which you see upon that piece of paper after which another of the women coming unto the Prow of the Boat which touched the Land and came within three paces of me having lapped up this piece of paper in a hood which she took from her head she threw it unto me seeming as if the winde had wafted it from her for it was something high and blew it where I was I thought that I knew the Party and within an hour after I recalled my self and knew certainly that it was one of the Princesse women called Martesia The men who were in the Boat were so busie in Rowing and striving to get up the River that I think they did not minde the action of this woman for my part I hastily took up what was thrown unto me and going a little from the side I saw that which I now give you and I was so surprized at it that I knew not what to think Mean while the Boat being passed the mouth of the River it made away much more readily and was so soon so far off me that I knew not what to resolve upon I had a better minde to follow this Boat then to come unto Sinope whither I understood the Kings Army was marched for indeed since I knew nothing of what passed here I could not well tell what they desired me to do yet after I had well examined the matter I did conclude that my best way was to come hither so that I embarked in the first ship I did meet with and so hither I came As I went down to the Port the burning of this Town making me very inquisitive I there heard of all the passages of Sinope and I made no more doubt but that it was the Princesse Mandana who sent me hither for I verily think I saw her in the Boat To tell you who carried her away is more then I can do all I know is that certainly she is living Andramias and Aglatidas after they heard this mans relation doubted no more then he but that the Princesse was living But to make it more clear Aglatidas told his Cosin that since Artamenes had been so long in the Cappadocian Court it was impossible but he should know Mandana's hand therefore the best way would be to shew him what Ortalques had brought and not to go unto the King and acquaint him with any thing which might move in him a false Joy Andramias approved of the Proposition and with
Queens commands would not force me to love the Princess Istrina against my will I should never love her And I do confess unto you that since I must not chuse I cannot love her and the Prince of Assyria shall never be captivated with any thing in the world since he ought to be free But said Mazares unto him Kings do not use to marry as other men do and it does not much import whether they love or not love those they marry The Assyrians demand a Queen from you satisfie them in their demands and bestow your heart upon none but whom you please My heart replied the Prince smiling is a thing which I esteem more pretious then to bestow it upon any but a Queen so that Mazares if I should chance to love one who is not a Queen I will reserve unto my self the liberty to give her a Crown therefore let us speak no more of it and if you love me act so in my behalf that the Queen may not be offended at my disobedience The Prince Mazares indeed did use his best endeavours to perswade Nitocris But there was no way to make her think well of her Sons disobedience She whom all the world did look upon with high esteem and who would leave unto her Son the most flourishing state in all Asia Then she thought good to take from her Son this pretence of War with the King of Phrygia When the Prince knew that and not being able to hinder it he did think that Peace would be no sooner published but they would presse marriage upon him So that not knowing what pretence to finde out did bethink himself to do what he could in causing some other young Prince to be in love with the Princess Istrina amongst the rest he pitched upon Mazares and extreamly pressed him unto it My dear Mazares said he unto him Let me intreat you to love Istrina for the love of me doubtlesse you have much disposition unto it already for you have told me she is fair of an excellent spirit and great vertue Why then do you not love her because answered Mazares that fatall minuit wherein my destinies will have me begin to love is not yet come and because the Queen will not suffer it and because the Princesse Istrina will not favourably look upon me after he had and all in vain tormented Mazares he went unto another whom they said was really in love with her and durst not tell it and who durst not so much as acknowledge it unto the Prince nor accept of those assistances which he offered him out of his respect unto the Queen Nitocris and Princesse whom he loved for indeed the Prince of Assyria offered then no lesse then to take her away from them and assist them in the most violent and unjust courses Seeing then that this invention would not take he took a perverse resolution to cause the Princesse Istrina to hate him and since he knew she loved her brother very dearly he carried himself very coldly towards him One evening then when they had nothing to do but stay for him who went to signe the Articles of Peace with the King of Phrygia the King of Assyria being gone out to walk upon the banks of the River Euphrates Intaphernes followed with many others and as they were of that age which is most pleasant for the conversation of Ladies Mazares said that those Beauties which were inclined to flaxen hair did most move his heart and Intaphernes assured him that the brown had greatest influence in his phancie For my part said the Prince of Assyria I yet neither loved flaxen nor brown but if ever I love any I do not think it will be that which Intaphernes loves Love Sir replied this Prince will not give us leave to chuse and perhaps you may finde his tyranny in conclusion Love replied this Imperious Prince may perhaps as you say become my conquerour but I am very much deceived if I be overcome by Assyrian Beauties And I can tell you there are very Glorious ones in Babylon replied Intaphernes when he was alone with him some twelve paces from the company Yes answered he with a malicious smile but since the Princesse Istrina cannot vanquish me I fear none else and I am well assured of my liberty in Babylon My sister answered Intaphernes with much respect has not so good an opinion of her Beauty as to pretend unto such an Illustrious conquest But Sir that which her charms cannot do it is not impossible but other may who have more attractive power then she and who beside their merit may perhaps have better fortune It is very true replied the Prince of Assyria very fiercely she is not very fortunate in her designes and she has reason to complain of her fate that she has not gotten a Crown which as she thinks she deserves I know not Sir answered Intaphernes a little sharply why you should speak thus unto me but I know very well that the house from whence I am descended has more times then once given Queens unto the Assyrian Kings and therefore when my sister by the Queens command hoped for the like honour she did no more then what was reasonable Fortune Intaphernes replied this violent Prince is not alwayes blinde in her gifts sometimes she gives them with choise and I am certain that she shall never by my hand humorously bestow any Crown nor shall ever by me set such upon the Throne who ought not to look upon it but with a trembling eye In other Kingdoms answered Intaphernes they say the Prince is above the Lawes but in Assyria the Lawes are used to be above the Prince whose Glory it is to be subject unto them and upon this Reason Subjects as my Sister need not to tremble in looking upon that Throne whereon they may sit When Subjects as your Sister shall live under the Reigne of such a Prince as I replied he they will better learn what they ought to do then yet she knows and they will then see that Reason is stronger then the Lawes and that without injustice they may be broken when the Law is found unjust Learn Intaphernes pursued he not to trust too much unto the Law and renounce all those priviledges which you think it gives you and content your self with that alliance which you have had heretofore with the Kings of Assyria and beleeve that if ever I Reigne you shall never have any new alliance May be replied Intaphernes that before the Queen Nitocris has left you the Crown you may change your minde I understand you very well answered the Prince of Assyria you think because I Reigne not yet that you are almost my equal But Intaphernes undeceive your self and to begin to let you know that there is some difference betwixt you and I I command you to retire and to see me no more If you will not you will expose your self to finde but course entertainment Oh Sir replied Intaphernes Persons
nothing but a ready way how to advertise Artamenes that she was out of Babylon but she no sooner discovered afar off the guard which before I told you of but she changed her mind for when she saw her self so near relief she was in a mind to cry out but thinking that if she did so she should cause Mazares to perish as well as the King of Assyria therefore she was silent but whil'st she was consulting in her mind about it the King of Assyria turned more upon his left hand and fortunatly escaped this first danger Yet notwithstanding since she imagined that we should meet some other troops she began to speak unto Mazares who presently desired her to hold her peace generous prince said she unto him notwithstanding his desire and speaking very low lest the King of Assyria should understand if you have any reall compassion upon me and my misfortunes permit me as soon as we shall meet any of the King my fathers troops to call them unto my relief and I beseech you promise me that you will not oppose their endeavours to deliver me and by that consequence you will not hazard your own life which is very dear unto me you may conceive I could have done it without speaking unto you but being so much obliged unto you as I am I should think the gods would punish me if I should cause your death Madam said he unto her lower then she spoke the gods do know how much I wish you satisfaction But Madam I only promised you to prevent the King from attempting any thing against that reverence which is your due And I promised that without any scruple because I did him service also by it in preventing him from committing a crime And I do againe promise you Madam that as long as I live you shall not suffer the least violence from him But Madam can I in honour betray him thus to let him be killed and commit you into the hands of his enemies yet notwithstanding Madam if you will do it you may but I do protest unto you before the gods who hear me that though I do escape from the fury of your souldiers yet will I run my sword through my heart to the end I may not be blamed and shamed by such an act which doubtless you have not considered before you did solicit me Moreover Madam since it is night in striking at me they may chance hit you and so your desires to recover your liberty may become your death In the name of the gods therefore Madam do not expose your self unto a danger whereof perhaps I cannot heal you the Princess was so troubled and Mazares spake so movingly that she knew not what to resolve upon somtimes she resolved to cry out somtimes pitty of Mazares restrained her Afterwards taking up the resolation to call the first she saw she found that she had not the power to do it and that she determined upon a thing which was impossible for her for my part I know that it was not in my power to pronounce a word and when I would have spoke I trembled out of astonishment and fear for we saw in the field many Tents Sentinels Courts of guard men which marched and others which stood still But the King of Assyria who was our guide did somtimes turne to the right hand and somtimes to the left and very handsomly avoyded all those whom the whitness of the snow discovered unto him But Chrisantes to leave that place which troubled us so much give me leave to tell you that after we had avoided the troops of Ciaxares above a hundred times and were not above two furlongs from a wood in which the King of Assyria feared no danger because it was very thick and dark and he was acquainted with all the turnings in it having been often hunting in it But the horse on which Mazares and the Princess did ride began violently to Neigh when we were within forty paces from a place where a company of archers who were horsed did then quarter who having received orders to come neerer Babylon did leave that place and go thither in all hast some of these Archers being already horsed and having heard this neighing from that side where they were took the Alarme and went towards the place where they heard the noise but seeing nothing they would have returned had not one of their horses Neighed in answer as it were unto the first and caused them to advance further on mean while the king of Assyria who conducted us mended his Pace and we went faster then before so that somtimes we saw these men come streight towards us and somtimes againe go from us for their parts I beleeve they much vexed to hear horses and could find none but at the last being out of hopes to find us because we changed our way somtimes on the one side and somtimes on the other they shot their arrowes at random and levelled so unluckily that one of their arrowes did give Mazares a slight would in his shoulder and another came so neer Mandanas head that the extreamity of her fears made her to recover her voice and to cry out though she did not intend it this cry being heard by those who shot they galloped directly to the place where they thought they heard it But in the mean while the King of Assyria shifted places and in lieu of going forward he went backward and bad us ride faster But since we were not above thirty paces from the wood he caused those eight which carried no women to stand still until such time as he imagined us to be in the wood and then he and his men galloped away as fast as they could and vanished out of the sight of them whom he fought with a while who doubtless did think there was some enchantment in the place At his returne we understood how they saw two of those who assaulted them to fall dead and one of his troop received a slight hurt As the wood was dark and black the very same whitness which made us invisible in the plaines did help the King of Assyria to discover us againe and to Joyne companies In conclusion Chrisantes being come into this wood as I told you the King of Assyria did lead us unto a little kind of habitation where a sort of poor menlived whose profession was to find out a kind of earth whereof the wonderfull cement wherewith the wals of Babylon were built is made and when day begun to break we lighted from horse and passed away all the day in that Cabin where our weariness afforded us more rest then the accommodations of that place could But Chrisantes not to spend more time in relating things of little consequence we went with much weariness the next night unto a little town which our army had not taken nor as yet been on that side neither was of strength to defend themselves if you had come unto it the King of
see me die in sorrow then live a happy life Do you not see said she in observing how the Seas began to be a little more boistrous how you do incense the gods and that if you do not appease them by a speedy repentance they will with shipwrack punish your crime Ah Madam cried out this unfortunate Prince so they will be pleased to save you from the shipwrack how happy should I be if I perished in it and how happy should I have been if I had died in Babylon whilest I was innocent But Madam what would you have me do how could I every day look upon Mandana and find her so sweet so civil so pleasing and so fair and yet not love her some who never saw you but angry at them yet could not chuse but love you and since I found you so infinitely obliging was it possible but I should be possessed with most violent passion No no it was absolutely impossible When the Princesse saw that Mazares continued in his resolution she began to be so desperately incensed as I never saw her in my life Alas said she into what a pittiful condition am I brought and what unhappy consequences does this little beauty which the gods have bestowed upon me produce since it infuseth into those who have any affection unto me only unjust thoughts But let me take courage said she when she saw the Sea more boistrous then ever I shall presently find an end of all my misfortunes in ending my life and shall have so much comfort as to perish with one of my enemies When Mazares saw the Princesse so very angry and in so great a danger and also that he had committed an unprofitable sin he became so extreamly desperate that he offered to throw himself into the sea and I think if his thoughts of the Princesse and her interest had not restrained him he had done it Madam said he unto her I am infinitely sorry that I have exposed your life unto so much danger No no said she unto him It is onely repentance which I desire from you and I wish you to steer your course another way that if I do suffer shipwrack the waves may waft me unto the Cappadocian coast But Chrisantes I cannot repeat all that the Princesse said unto Mazares nor all his replies but certainly although he was culpable yet he expressed such moving language as made appear he was full of pity The Princesse also expressed her self in such just and lamentable termes that she was able to move cruelty it self Mean while it was not possible to chuse our course we must now obey the winde and storme It did often blow us towards the foot of the Tower and then upon a sudden turning quite contrary it drove us far off Sinope We continued all that day and the night following in continuall tossings upon the surges of the Sea sometimes to the right hand sometimes to the left and which way soever we went we found danger Oars were of no use Sails would not abide the winde which whifled from all sides and all this while there was no hopes of any thing but present death As soon as day appeared and the Tempest still continuing as boisterous as ever the Princesse desired Mazares to repent of his Act for as long as it was night she kept in her Cabin where out of respect Mazares would not enter although he knew Mandana could not sleep but it beginning to be light the Princesse as as I told you renewed her complaints and prayers with so many Tears and in such a violent manner that Mazares without giving the Princesse any answer went unto the Pilot and whether it was by vertue of his order as Orsanes beleevs or else by the force of the windes we saw the Pilote turn the Galley towards Sinope But Oh Heavens a huge blast of winde meeting with a great Billow made the Galley lean on one side the Rudder broke and the Galley grated upon the point of a Rock so that it turned and broke in turning I catched hold of the Princesse Arianta hold of me and I heard a terrible outcry amongst which I knew the voice of Mazares who cried out O ye Just gods preserve the Princesse after this I knew not what became of us onely this I remember that in lieu of seeing water me thought I saw a great fire which overwhelmed me and made me lose all my understanding Yet Chrisantes the prayers of unfortunate Mazares were heard and we escaped this great danger But let me tell you it was most strangely and will astonish you perhaps almost as much as it did us Be pleased to understand then that the first thing I saw after our shipwrack was as I did a little open my eyes I saw men who endeavoured as well as they could to make me let go my hold of the Princess for you know Chrisantes it is the quality of those who are in water to hold whatsoever they catch at this sight and the hurt these men did me did more revive me then all the remedies they gave me afterwards so that striving with them what would you have said I to them and who are you We are such answered they unto me as would save the Princess Mandana and help you at these words I let go my hold and loosed the Princess also told them that the gods would recompence them for so charitable an office After this coming a little better unto my self I first saw Arianta and then the Princess who revived also as well as I and who after she opened her eyes did call upon me almost not knowing what she said I was yet so dizzy that I had much ado to rise from the bed whereon they had laid me but her voice did infuse such fresh strength into me that I came unto her as she was very attentively looking upon a man who was kneeling by her bed side and who holding her by the arm did try by her Pulse whether she had strength to revive when I was come unto her and she knew me Martesia said she unto me and pulling her arm out of the hands of that man who held it with as much hast as her weaknesse would permit her where are we Madam replied the man you are in a place where you have absolute power and authority the voice surprizing both her and me she raised her self to look upon him who answered and then we both together found that he who thus had saved us was the King of Pontus The King of Pontus said Chrisantes and Feraulas interrupting him is he in love with the Princesse whom Artamenes took Prisoner Oh heavens can such a most prodigious accident prove true Yes Wise Chrisantes said Martesia and see how it fell out You very well know I beleeve the ill successe which he has had in his Wars against Artamenes and how in both his Kingdoms he has but one Maritine Town left in which he was besieged But I beleeve
side of Lydia and that it spreads it self upon the right hand towards Mantiana and on the left hand towards Phrygia that afterwards on the right hand it moistens a great part of Cappadocia and on the left hand Paphlagonia so that there were some places by which we were to go that the King of Pontus feared very much and which the Princess also feared because it was on that side of Cappadocia where the people by the perswasions of Aribeus were revolted and took part with the King of Assyria But as soon as we were past Cappadocia he suffered us sometime to stay in the night time that the Princess might more quietly take rest and sleep and to that end they made her a Cabin in the Boat which separated us from the rest of the company and where none but her own servants entered excepting the King of Pontus At last Chrisantes as necessity is alwayes ingenious the Princess did not apprehend it an absolute impossibility for us to make an escape so that I consulted with Orsanes and we resolved to endeavour it The Princess would have a candle burning alwayes in the night time in our Cabin but the better to execute our designe we put it out And prosecuting our resolution one night when we were neer a great Wood Orsanes who lay on the outside of our Cabin came under the hangings on our side and went quietly into the water which was not very deep in that place intending to take us one after another and carry us ashore and then to hide our selves in the thick of the great Wood which we observed very neer us And since the night was very dark and we but two to be carried the Princesse would not be carried first because she should then be alone upon the Banks so that she would have Orsanes carry me first But Oh Heavens what ill fortune was it that I obeyed her and how much injury did the Princesse do her self in commanding it For Orsanes and I were no sooner at Land but the King of Pontus waking and seeing no light in our Cabin cried out to him that stood Centinel who had not perceived us because it was very dark and bade him look well to the Princesse so that at this Cry the Watermen who alwayes kept a dark lanthorn did bring it and there they found the Princesse all alone in a great amazement Orsanes and I seeing this would have returned what danger soever would hap unto us but the Watermen Rowing away with all their strength by order from the King of Pontus Cry and call as long and as loud as we could they would not stay to take us in The King questionlesse imagining that we had got some considerable strength upon Land to execute our designe We heard the Princesse call sometimes Martesia and sometimes Orsanes but presently after we neither heard nor saw any thing although the Moon presently after began to break out and the River in that place did so turn and winde that it was impossible for us to see the Boat You may well imagine Chrisantes how great my sorrows and my fears were First to see I was separated from the Princesse Secondly to finde my self alone with a man upon the banks of a great River neer a great Wood in the midst of the night The rest of the night we passed away and followed the River side hoping alwayes that the Moon would shine so cleer that we might once more discover the Boat At the last we being very weary and having found a little habitation of Fisher-men by the water side we stayed there and found there more helps then we could hope for from men of such Quality We told them our adventure disguising our names and the qualities of the persons because we were in Paphlagonia and desired them to informe us whether it were possible to overtake the Boat we told them of they told us that it was absolutely impossible to overtake them with another Boat considering the number of their Oars and the time we had lost to follow them nor was it more easie to follow with Horses because the River doth turn and winde very much and their Boat taking alwayes the middle of the River has by consequence lesse way to go then they who go by the sides Moreover not far from thence the River divides into two and who can tell which way they would take In conclusion Chrisantes we had no other course but to finde out some way how to come hither where I did suppose I should finde the King I had by good fortune the Picture of the Princesse about me in a very rich box which upon this occasion did us very good service for when I had taken out the Picture I sent Orsanes unto the next Town to sell it and to buy a Coach and Horses whilest he left me amongst the fisher-men At his returne we did recompence those honest men for their courtesies and came in all haste hither where we thought verily to finde Artamenes also but little did we think to finde him a Prisoner Now wise Chrisantes you know thus far of the Princesse her fortune and I did very much desire to relate it unto you before I spoke with the King to the end that when you were informed of our adventures and my self also better instructedin the state of things I might more judicially know what to say or not to say Martesia having ended her story Chrisantes and Feraulas thanked her for the pains she had taken and began to consider the wonderfull passages she had told them They could not sufficiently admire the constancy of the Princesse and her immoveable vertue wherewith she acted throughout all her adventures They considered her as carried away by the greatest King of all Asia whom she hated they then looked upon her as in the power of a Prince whom she very much esteemed and yet they think upon her as she is in the power of a King without a Kingdome They observed the greatnesse of the first did not terrifie her from treating him lesse rigorously That the esteem which she had of the second did not alter her heart and that the misfortunes of the third did not move her to treat him lesse civilly then if he were upon his Throne The truth is they saw Mandana was so worthy of Artamenes and Artamenes of Mandana that when they considered how they were separated and how both of them unfortunate their conversation could not chuse but end in sighes and teares and all other signes of compassion First for so many misfortunes as the Princesse had been exposed unto Secondly by reason of that strange Oracle which threatned a greater misfortune unto Artamenes then his imprisonment Feraulas was over-joyed to see Martesia again and Chrisantes who did very highly esteem her vertues did bid her very welcome back yet before they parted they made a short relation according to their promise of all the adventures of Artamenes As well his
themselves in a large Meadow which is cut thorow in the middle by the River which gathered together in that place seems to be a great Channel which hath on its Banks neither Canes nor Rushes nor Reeds nor little Shrubs but is onely bordered by thick Turff and all besprinckled over with Flags of differing colours with Narcissus's with Lillies and all other flowers which love moisture and freshnesse There are likewise on this River great store of Swans which swim so demurely as you would think they were afraid to trouble the water which bears them up and that there might nothing be wanting to this entertainment Philoxypes had so ordered it as this River was all covered over with Boats made like Gallies painted with lively colours and guided by young Boyes in Maratin apparel but very handsom who rowing gently with Oars painted red and green came to the banck to receive this gallant company who were played unto on rustick Musick by young Shepherds very quaintly clothed who drove herds along that Meadow on the other side of the River Their Shepheards crooks were all trimmed with brass guilt over and strewed over with cypers their Flutes and little Bagpipes were as well deckt as were their sheep all whose hornes were loaded with flowers In divers parts of this Meadow were a hundred lovely Shepherds clothed in white with hats of roses who to make the place the more pleasing mixt the melody of their voices to the rustick Musick aforesaid So sweet a place being doubtlesly proper to infuse joy and pleasure being no disposition to cruelty the King found Aretephile a little more gentle and all the worst treated lovers of this company found at least some truce to their sufferings and were maugre themselves delighted with so lovely a place which was bounded about by a very high Pallesade wherein Niches placed at equall distances were statues of white Marble the rarest that were ever seen in Greece But I may seem to be my self inchanted in a place so full of charms since I stay so long thereon I must then haste to make this fair company depart whom Philoxypes waited on back to Paphos after having offered them a famous banquet Some few days after being returned home with intention to entertain himself alone there for two dayes he spent all that time very contentedly But Philoxypes his humour lying rather to like general beauties wherein art hath nothing to do then those where art undertakes to perfect nature went out of his Park and unaccompanied by any save one servant he went to the River side intending to walk along it till he should come to the head thereof which is not far from thence and which certainly is one of the goodliest things in the world For this miraculous Spring-head which of it self makes a River is inclosed by Rocks of an unaccessible height at the foot of the greatest and highest whereof is a large cave which extends it self even to the loss of sight both on the right hand and on the left under unaccessible Rocks At the bottome of this Cave is a silent spring which sometimes riseth up to the top of the den and sometimes falls so low as it is not above five or six foot high This inequality is the cause why the River of Claria as well as all the others of Cyprus pass rather for a fair Torrent then for a River though this be not positively so for it is never altogether dried up as are all the rest As he went towards this Cave he got off horse-back leaving his horse with his servant commanding him to wait his return and not to follow him Thus did he walk all alone along these Torrents with the sight and noise whereof he he was much delighted when raising up his eyes he might see some twenty paces off a very handsome woman though in mean habit who was sate upon a Rock all covered over with moss and who seemed to take pleasure in eying attentively the fall of waters which came rushing at her feet as if to do her homage At first Philoxypes thought not to trouble the contentment of one whose humour was so conformable to his to sit musing upon the River side and to turn a little aside that he might not interrupt her But being come a little neerer and seeing that her apparrel though clean and handsome gave her not out to be a personage of quality he went directly towards her because that was the easiest way But being come very neer her and the noise his walking made having made this woman look about he was strangely taken not only to see the handsomest creature in the world but to discern perfectly that that miraculous Venus which he had in his Gallery and which he had alwayes taken onely for the effect of a handsome imagination was really the picture of this personage Philoxypes ravisht at this so strange apparation changed his colour and saluting this maid with more civility then her condition seemed to require he advanced yet neerer her but she rising up in haste and having not without a blush paid him his salute as if she had been troubled to be seen alone in that place she hasted to go unto an old man and a woman well advanced in years who were not above twenty paces off her yet fearing by like to be followed she turned her head twice towards Philoxypes who was still the more dazled with her beauty and more confirmed in his opinion This Prince surprised at this encounter had a great desire to know who this young and so wonderfull handsome maid might be and to know also how Mandrocles could come to draw her picture and why Mandrocles had always told him that the picture which he had drawn was only an effect of his fancy He followed her with his eyes as far as he could but having stood still a pretty while not knowing why he did so he lost sight of her amongst those Rocks after she was come up to those she went unto so as he could no more discover her Philoxypes did not overmuch endevour it though his minde led him very much thereunto but coming neer the River side instead of continuing to walk towards the Spring head he went down the stream and were it by hazard or out of design he happened to rest himself upon the same Rock covered with moss on which he had seen the fair maid fit Philoxypes being there could think on nothing but on this fair unknown one and upon the pleasing adventure which had befaln him He then remembred the discourse which had past in the Gallery and what he had said of that picture which every one so much commended and delighted to entertain himself upon this subject how glad said he unto himself would Princesse Aretephile be if she knew what had befaln me and how would the King mock me if he heard it They would certainly say that the Goddess had wrought a miracle to punish me by making me meet with a
there is some close designe which must not be ripe untill Artamenes be at liberty Who can tell Sir whether all that is reported in Armenia concerning the Princesse be true The friends of Artamenes do perhaps retain her by force in some place and there is something in it which deserves to be made more cleer before Artamenes be set free And if your Majesty will appoint me I shall use my best endeavours to make a more exact discovery The King whose soul was highly incensed did command to do it accordingly and because he would not seem to be moved with the counsels of Metrobates who feared lest his designe should be prevented he would see no body that day but caused it to be given out he was not well Mean while Metrobates resolved to return at night and tell the King all he knew concerning the journey of Ortalques unto Pteria and how Martesia was three dayes concealed in the house of Artucas before she would appear at Court Also how Chrisantes and Feraulas did frequently visit her all the while But Metrobates was more happy in his project then he thought to be for the young Boy who was with Artucas told his brother who served Metrobates that it was not above two hours since Feraulas was with Martesia who was in private with him in her Closet Their discourse together was long and the name of Artamenes and Mandana was much used between them that she opened a Box and gave him something which he beleeved to be a Letter That Feraulas after this went out and as he departed from her said he would immediately carry that which she had given him unto that party who expected him with much impatience This Boy said further that he went out after Feraulas and followed him to the Castle and afterwards unto the Chamber where Artamenes was kept prisoner Metrobates having met with this intelligence went unto the King with as much Melancholy in his face as he had joy in his heart As soon as he was entred into his Chamber and saw none with him Sir said he unto him I am forced to acquaint you that without all question there is some considerable matter in it which must be discovered for indeed said he I am certainly informed by a friend which I have in Pteria that since Artamenes was a prisoner Ortalques who brought the news of the Princesse being living hath been from Artamenes with the King of Assyria who since is gone from thence and none knows where he is Also I understand further by one of Artucas his Domesticks that Martesia was three dayes in his house before she saw your Majesty she I say who had no more to tell you but that the Princesse Mandana was not dead I know she sent a Letter unto Artamenes and that there passeth not a day but Feraulas doth visit her Moreover I observe that Chrisantes and he are continually going from one place to another sometimes to the King of Phrygia sometimes unto the King of Hircania sometimes to Hidaspes Thimocrates Gadates Gobrias and others Then Sir all these Princes are great admirers of Artamenes and his valour and are apt to undertake any thing in his behalf But said Ciaxares then unto him what course should I undertake to be more fully satisfied of these things which I hardly need to make any doubt of Sir said Metrobates unto him I beleeve your Majesty would discover all if Ortalques were arrested and brought to render an account of his voyage unto the King of Assyria and if the Cabinet of Artamenes were searched who since he is in hopes of liberty will doubtlesse keep the Letter which Martesia sent unto him It would not be amisse if Artucas Martesia Feraulas and Chrisantes were secured Moreover added he since certainly the quality and birth of Artamenes is very mean I would have these men compelled to declare it for the knowledge of it would produce three consequences It would aggravate his crime against the Princesse his ingratitude to you more odious and would perhaps banish him out of the minde of Mandana if it be true as in all likelihood it is that her heart is full of affection unto Artamenes The minde of Ciaxares was so sharp upon this advice as he never considered how dangerous the designe was but on the contrary he beleeved that if he should let all all these Kings and Princes understand that Artamenes was a Traytor a man of a mean and despicable birth and had absolutely failed in those respects which he ought unto the Princesse his Daughter they would all deny him any protection and would with the first give counsell to destory him not but that he was much put to it whom he should chuse for executioners of his Orders But as Metrobates was as bold as wicked he offered himself so his majesty would give him power to act what he had advised unto Ciaxares was a long while before he could resolve with himself but at last he thought the first businesse would be to search the Cabinet of Artamenes and to that effect he sent Orders unto Andramias by Metrobates to be assistant Metrobates went then to Andramias whom he did not finde with Artamenes But since great liberty was now allowed to visit this famous prisoner Arbaces Lieutenant of the Guards under Andramias suffered him to enter with twelve of the Kings Guard which followed him for the King commanded him to make use of force if a bare command would not do it As he entered into the Chamber he saw Artamenes locking his Cabinet very hastily because of the noise he heard Sir said he going unto him The King has Commanded me to bring this Cabinet unto him and I beseech you be pleased to permit me to yeeld obedience unto him Metrobates said Artamenes unto him and standing between the Table and him cannot easily perswade me that the King has given him any such Commission and therefore since I think he acts without his Orders I will endeavour to hinder him from satisfying his particular curiosity Sir said Metrobates unto him and calling in the Guards who were in the outer Chamber I am able to yeeld obedience unto the King therefore do not force me to use any violence upon you Artamenes was so desperate at this accident that he knew not what was best for him to do It was in vain to resist and to let him carry away the Cabinet in which was a businesse of that import he could not resolve therefore turning towards the Table to open it Then suffer me said he to take that out which is none of my own before I give it you But Metrobates having seized upon the Cabinet commanding the Guards to keep off Artamenes they were in a minde not to obey him Yet when Metrobates threatning them that the King would punish them they hindred Artamenes from taking the Cabinet out of his hands and Metrobates carried it away the Guards following him He came then with all
who not enduring to commit unprofitable crimes intended to commit two which would something advantage me From whom wicked wretch replyed the King didst thou expect a recompence for such an act From so many Kings and Princes replyed he as Artamenes by his good fortune has subjected unto you who by this my Act would have been no longer Tributaries The King of Phrigia and the King of Hircania did then begin to speak and say that he ought to speak more perticularly concerning this wicked action but he without further pressing and conceiving no hopes of life although he should escape of his wounds told them that they need look for no other Author of the conspiracy then himself and as for his complices they were all of them dead He confessed further that seeing himself ruined when Cyrus went out of Prison he himself went out also That since his Principles was only Ambition he conceived all his fortunes utterly undon since Cyrus was at liberty and that he thought he should receive a large recompence from the King of Assyria if he had at once took away the life of him who possessed his Dominions and the life of him who had conquered him and contended with him for the Princess Mandana Metrobates confessed this with so much insolent ingenuity that the truth of it was not at all suspected As for those who assisted him they were all of them known to be the same Souldiers which went out of the Castle with him and which he had brought from Pteria The King being not able to endure the sight of such a villain any longer who had attempted both against his own life as well as against the life of Cyrus commanded him to Prison until some severe punishment for such crimes were better resolved upon but that needed not for he dyed in the hands of the Chyrurgions and saved himself thereby from a more tormenting death Mean while the sacrifice became a sacrifice of real thanks unto the Gods and Ciaxares renewed the tenderness of his affection towards Cyrus and to augment it if it were possible so that his mind enjoyed abundance of tranquility The Grave Thiamis who from the first day that he saw Cyrus under the notion of Artamines and had ever most dearly loved him did make an excellent oration full of strong arguments to confirm Ciaxares in his good opinion of him I should absolutely have lost my reason said the King unto him if I should be ungrateful unto that man who hath hazarded his own life to save mine after my intentions of putting him to death for grave Thiamis said he unto him this most generous Prince was contented to receive that blow upon his left hand which was intended at my heart and to interpose his own body between the Assassinate and mine No no added he never fear but that I shall as long as I live look upon Cyrus as my Protector and Preserver and as a Prince whom indeed the Gods has sent unto me for my Glory and Felicity These were the apprehensions of Ciaxares when he retired himself ever desiring to have Cyrus neer him This action being divulged not only unto all the people of Sinope but the Camp also Applauds and acclamations of joy were redoubled and Artamenes was never so precious to the soul of Ciaxares as now Cyrus is so that which in the compass of three days the the Kings Soul and all the hearts both in Court Camp and Town were full of joy Ciaxares would needs send unto Persia to the King his Brother and Queen his Sister to let them know that Cyrus was alive he then remembred how at the birth of Mandana the Queen did send to rejoyce with him for it and he out of a peece of Galantry sent back this complement That he wished his Daughter might hereafter becom Worthy to be the Mistris of Cyrus and he gave Madates whom he sent thither to present the same complement this sâ—cond time unto his Sister Cyrus also desired the King to give him leave to send on of his own servants and he pitched upon Arabaces for it whom Chrisantes did send a letter by oâ— rather a History of the wonderful life of his dear Master also excusing his long silence and telling that there was an unresistable fatality in it which prevented him from doing any otherwise After this there was nothing that disturbed the mind of Ciaxares but the absence of the Princess yet since he replyed so much upon the valour of Cyrus his care of her was moderated by his hopes and his soul did rest in great security In the mean time since it would be a long time before the Army could march into Armenia and since Cyrus had so great a desi 〈…〉 know precisely where the Princess was he moved Ciaxares to send Araspes disguiseed into Armenia to discover where those women of whom Megabises spoke when he returned out of that Country were placed for since Araspes was very well versed in the Armenian language he was the fitest for that imployment Ciaxares then approving of the motion disâ—atched Araspes thither with orders to find out the King who doubtless world ere long be upon the Frontiers Cyrus the better to move him and all his inginuity to discover where Mandana was did not only give him all necessary Instructions but a hundred good Admonitions besides insomuch as though Araspes had been of the dullest capacity as indeed he was nimble yet Cyrus did prescribe such exact order unto him that he doubted not of a happy expedition and as Araspes used to be very familiar with Cyrus so he could not chuse but tell him that if Megabises had been as well instructed by Ciaxares as he was by him doubtless he would have rendered a better account of his Embassie and brought back more certainty of the place where the Princess was then he did I do understood you very well replyed Cyrus both embracing him and sighing I do confess Araspes I have spoken too much when I consider your ingenuity but me thinks I have spoke to little unto you when I apprehend how much this voyage concerns me If you ever were in love pursued he you will doubtless excuse me for being so importunate with you to use your best endeavors but I see you are an incensible man who may perhaps be one day Captivated by some beauty or other who will punish you for the raillery you are pleased to use to your friends After this Cyrus embraced him again and could not forbear repetitions of what he had already told him And as soon as this faithful spy was gone Cyrus knowing that the King was busie with the King of Phrigia went unto Martesia with whom he desired to discourse privatly concerning his dearest Princess As soon as she saw him come into her chamber she would have thanked him for the honour he did her but he would not permit her No no said he unto her my sweet Martesia you have now no reason to
for them who loves us when we do not love them and we do always mourn for them we love though they love not us Lament lament eternally and weep for the incomparable Leontina As I was thus condoling Polimnis not hearkening unto me but looking towards a great plain for Boetia is a very flat and open Countrey I stopped and looked as he did and casting my eyes the same way I saw a Coach appear guarded and conveyed by some horse After Polimnis and I had looked a while whilest the Coach drew near us we knew it to belong unto that same fair one whose loss I so lamented Ah Polimnis said I distractedly look where they bring the Corpse of Leontina in saying so this sad object did so work upon my spirits that my soul was too weak to support so great a grief I would have put my horse on towards the Coach which was coming towards us but not knowing what I did but having absolutely lost my reason I went backward in lieu of forward Polimnis coming towards me seeing my countenance change my eyes twinkle and I holding him by the hand said in an undistinguishable tone I shall see her dead Polimnis and after this he saw I let the bridle of my horse fall and if he had not held me up I had fallen my self he then took me by the Arme and one of my men helping him they took me off my horse very gently and set me upon the ground some two paces from the way where I lay in a sound Polimnis was then in a pitiful case to see his friend dying and his Cousin dead but as he was very busie about me and the Coach came nearer he was extreamly surprised to hear Ladies in it laughing and singing then did he rise up to look who they were and he saw Leontina in the Boot of the Coach who knowing him caused it to stay that she might ask him what he was doing there but casting her eyes at the same time upon me Oh Heavens said she is not that the Prince Artibies which I see Yes replied he it is the same and he is in great need of your help but said he unto her how did you rise from the dead for all in Thebes thinks you so It is not now a time to tell you replied she but rather to help your friend In saying so she came out of the Coach as all the rest of hâ—r friends did and commanding one of her men to go in all haste unto the next house for some water to fetch me out of my sound Leontina did most charitably come to me and laid her hand upon my Arme to try how my pulse did beat Mean while he who wâ—nt for water returning they threw some in my face and by little and little I revived But Oh Heavens how was I surprized to find my self in that condition and to see my admired Leontina living though my imagination during this long sound was filled with her death When Polimnis saw what I would revive he came towards Leontina who turned towards him asked what was the cause of this accident Your self inhumane Cousin said he unto her and then in few words he told her the news of her false death was the cause of his true and real sorrow but though she seemed not to believe it yet she afterwards told me that she was fully perswaded of it especially by my manner of looking upon her when I returned unto my self by the confusion I was in to find my self in that condition and by an hundred other things which I did and said upon that occasion But in conclusion after I was fully assured that Leontina was living and had thanked her for her charitable help she would not suffer me to take horse but desiring her friends to make room for me she took me into her Coach which I was constrained to accept of for I had not yet recovered out of my weakness and sorrows In our return to Thebes I understood how that which raised the reports of her death was that indeed she found the River of Ismenes very high and being likely to be put to swim she thought of no way but perishing yet by good fortune they turned the Coach back again to the side and it did not overturn until they were near the Banks so that she and all her friends were easily relieved and rid out of their fears to be drowned but they stayed a day to refresh themselves after this fright and resolved not to continue on their journey until the River was lower so it is to be imagined that some or other seeing only the Coach overturned had raised this report However this accident was very favourable unto me and the mute eloquence of my sounding had more Rhetoriâ—k in it to perswade Leontina then all my words I found her me thought nothing so rigid unto me as she used and if it were pertinent at this time to remember delightful passages I should tell you that for two months together I fully tasted of all the sweets which hopes of being loved could feast me with all but since it is not at all pertinent I shall only tell you that after so many happy days Antigenes as you heard from Philocles arrived at Thebes and there as many others did fell in love with Leontina As he was a man of a very pleasant conversation of an agreeable disposition quick-witted and gallant he moved so much jealousie in me as maugre all my endeavours I could not hide it and I think that once I made it too apparent unto Leontina in so much as she was more offended with me for my jealousie then she was for my love when I had made it known unto her so that both to correct and punish me she treated Antigenes more civilly then ordinary In conclusion the matter was so carried that though Leontina knew well enough she did not love Antigenes yet to be revenged on me she resolved to treat him more favourably then any And since her heart was not placed in her forehead every one believed that she preferred Antigenes before all the test of her Servants and all my friends at Thebes came to comfort me in so much as my sorrows and my spite made me resolve to overcome my passion I contended with it and I vanquished at least thought so for I could never look upon Leontina without anger I shunned her with care and I thought that I passed from one extremity unto another and hated her Then did I desire Polimnis that we might go and hunt for a certain time at a stately house his father had about an hundred Leagues from Thebes beyond Mount Helicon thither then we went and my soul as I thought was in much tranquility and sufficiently disâ—ngaged from Leontina Upon a day a friend of Polimnis invited us to a feast where we were all in our altitudes of meriment and joy with divers other persons of quality in that
All preparations for our marriage were in readiness as a magnificent Feast as all rich marriage clothes a mask also was prepared and a general Bill was to be kept three days together In conclusion that day which I thought the happiest that ever dawned did come and in the morning I saw Leontina in a most glorious dress who notwithstanding her modesty was pleased to make it appear in her eyes that she did participate in my joy She was conducted unto the Temple by her father and waited upon by all the Ladies in the Town I also waited upon her according unto the custom and was accompanied by all my friends But as soon as she came to the Alter she was suddenly taken as she said with an extream pain and terrible beating at her heart she was forced to sit down not being able to kneel any longer and finding her self very ill she was forced to complain unto some of her Cousins which were next her As my eye was always upon her I saw she grew high coloured and was very sick But alas why should I insist so long upon vain circumstances Leontina could not accomplish the Ceremony she was so good as to excuse it unto me and they carried her home in a chair where a feaver feized suddenly upon her and notwithstanding her youth and all the art of Physicians and notwithstanding all my prayers the seventh day her disease was at the height you may suppose that as the terms stood then betwixt us I had the liberty to see her during her sickness at all houres which handsomeness would permit I saw her then endure it with admirable patience and she seemed to be sorry for nothing but that she was to leave me she did hide a great part of her pain from me least it should too much grieve me and though she thought to dye ever since the first minute of her falling sick yet would she not speak a word of her death unto me until the last day of her life Oh most dismal and unhappy day I saw her then endure and hardly complain and I received from her own dear mouth a thousand assurances of a most innocent and pure affection she desired me to continue mine unto her memory after her death and after she had invoked the Gods she commanded me to submit as she her self did unto their will her speech failed yet she still looked upon me and after her sight was also gone yet she held her hand out and weak as she was she gave it unto me then breathing out a deep sigh she expired not loosing one jot of her beauty nor strugling into any unseemly posture Ask me not Oh my just Judg what I did or what I thought since you may well imagine that a man who grieved for her whom he was not loved and wept for her whom he thought he hated her would be absolutely desperate when he saw her dying before his eyes at such a time when he was beleved and steady to enjoy her I apprehended it so sadly that if Polimnis had not been I had killed my self at the first minute of my sorrow but his care of me was so great that I may almost call him the cause of all my sorrows I have suffered since that time and of all those I shall suffer hereafter I thought the face of the whole Universe was altered I looked not upon any thing as I was wont or to say better I saw nothing but Leontina either dead or dying when they took me away by force from that fair Corps her image did follow me in all places and drooping as I was it appeared to my phancy in a hundred different manners her Tomb was more sacred unto me then the Temple her Name as holy as Angels and my sorrows were so sweet unto me that I hated all them that would comfort me Although the places where I had been with her did augment my grief yet did I frequently visit them Those whom she did tenderly love were they only whom I could endure and although I had been alone in the world I could not have been more sadly solitary and whosoever has not tried what it is to see her whom he loves die doubtless do not know the most supream misfortune I do confess absence to be a great misery but what kind of absence can be comparable unto that eternal and terrible absence which is never to return which carries the party beloved into such obscure and dark Cells as humane spirits cannot enter and into such sad and doleful places from whence no news of her is ever to be hoped for Truly my apprehensions are so strange as oft as I imagine that the most fair and perfect Leontina should be no more then an heap of ashes that I am astonished any should offer to contend with me for the first place amongst unfortunate men I know very well that not to be loved is a grand misfortune but to lose her whom one loves and to lose her for ever is a far greater for he who is not loved does wish and desire a happiness which he never had any trial of nor does he know the sweets belonging unto love whereas to see her who honoured a man with her affection to die is to lose a Treasure which he possessed and whose riches he knew how to value Moreover the worst treated Lover in the world may yet comfort up his heart with some hopes which he whose Mistress is in her Tombe can never have his soul is abandoned of all comforts and remains in such a horrid despair as certainly is inconceiveably by any but such as had had experience of it nor am I ignorant that jealousie is a terrible torment yet whosoever shall well consider the cause of jealousie shall find that fear to lose her he loves is it which causeth his disquiet for if he were assured he should never lose his Mistress his soul would be terene not would he care a pin for having an hundred Rivals Moreover a jealous lover may find out an hundred ways to busie himself in out of which he may find out some comfort But to see her one loves in her coffin is such a miserable object as leaves the soul in so sad an unquietness as is a thousand times worse then all the pains in the world he knows not whither to go nor what to do all the Universe is indifferent unto him The more pleasant the time past was unto him the more insupportable it makes the present and all the time of his life which is to come has nothing sweet but his hopes of death Moreover jealousie being a passion which of its own nature is muâ—able various changing and uncertain it produces fear and hope an hundred times in a day and by consequence admits of some relaxation of mind But the death of the party loved is a torment continually rigorous which no time can ever remove for indeed though I should live out an hundred Ages yet
desire you then to declare unto you afterwards that he intended to make no war any longer against you nor against any else but those only that were protectors unto the ravisher of the Princess Mandana That therefore he offers unto you all those forces which he is now leavying within that little part of his Dominionâ— which your powerfull Army has yet left him He offers also his own person if you will be pleased to promise him security from danger and in conclusion assures you that he will never attempt any thing against you He commanded me also to make it known if it were possible unto the illustrious Artamenes that he thought it to be Artaxes who sent the Letter unto Metrobates because it was from the hand of Artaxes he had received a copy which he would have made pass for an original and to find it out he had brought with him the writing which the King his Master had given him as if it were the hand of Artamenes which indeed was found to be the hand of Artaxes who durst not reveale unto the King of Assyria that plot which he had laid to ruine Cyrus Ciaxares comparing the relation of passages which Chrisantes had made unto him the same day he was set at liberty unto the relation of this Envoy was much joyed at it So that treating him very civilly he told him he should receive his answer in the morning for he had no mind to give him his dispatch then because he would honour Cyrus by taking his advice in the business After then this Messenger was retired and that they might talk with freedom Cyrus did exactly relate unto Ciaxares what he had promised the King of Assyria in the top of the Tower in Sinope when the Prince Mazares was carrying away Mandana And being now in no such conditions as needed any disguizement he ingeniously told him that he had passed his word unto the King of Assyria as that whensoever fortune should be so favorable unto him as that he had delivered the Princess Mandana and removed all those obstacles which did oppose his good fortune he would never marry her until he had fought with him But why said Ciaxares did you make him that unjust promise Because Sir replied he when the King of Assyria did unjustly desire me to set him at liberty and I being faithful unto you would not consent unto it I then thought that this Prince might suspect that I retained him for my own particular interest as if I were glad to be eased of such a terrible enemy So to let him see I had no thought in me so unworthy I made that promise And to speak sincerely unto you Sir if I had not promised the same unto him then I should do it now nor can I ever live happy unless I make the King of Assyria confess that if Fortune favour me in any thing she shall not do as one that is blind who dispenceth all her favours without choice and therefore I conjure you Sir by all the prevalency of my earnest prayers to let me keep within the limits of our conditions since for my part I shall never break them Ciaxares at the first would not consent but after he had considered the business every manner of way he resolved to follow himself the conditions of Cyrus conceiving it would confirm those conquests which he had already made to have the conquered King of Assyria in his Army for he knew very well that those forces which the King of Assyria could bring with him would not be considerable not able to make any attempt against him Then in the morning he told the messenger of that Prince how since at the present the interests of Cyrus were his own he should observe and perform all his promises and that he might assure the King his Master his person and his forces should be safe in his Army whensoever he would come into it though the first taking away of Mandana might move him to treat him ill and that Cyrus should punctually keep his word with him That which principally induced Ciaxares to do thus was because he thought he should be better able to prevent the combat of Cyrus and the King of Assyria when that Prince was in his Army then when he was in his own and his declared enemy Also by this way he was put out of all fears that the Princess Mandana should fall the second time into the King of Assyria's power noâ— should he need to divide his forces one part to make head against him and the other to go into Armenia He considered further also that though ill fortune should needs contrive it so that Cyrus must fight with this Prince and be overcome yet he should not be thereby engaged to give the Princess his daughter unto him since Cyrus was engaged no further then his own interest and not to cause her to marry him In the mean while all things being in readiness for a march Cyrus desired permission to command the Van-guard and desired that half of the Persian Regiments might follow him As Ciaxares could not deny him any thing he obtained his desire and resolved to depart only with twenty thousand men that all the Voluntiers should follow that the King should also march presently after with the body of the Army and that the Rear-guard should be commanded by the King of Hircania the King of Phrygia to be with Ciaxares Never was seen so much jollity as was amongst those Regiments which were chosen for this Van-guard nor was ever more sensible sorrow then was amongst those Officers and souldiers which were not first commanded out as who should say they apprehended that Cyrus would conquer all without them and that they should have nothing to do nor any share in the victory when they came up Whilest every one was preparing for departure of this illustrious Heroe remembring his promise to the Inhabitants of Sinope he beseeched Ciaxares to make good his word and to imploy some of his good deeds in the repairing of that Town Ciaxares was pleased it should be rebuilt out of the publike stock and appointed Ariobantes who stayed in Cappadocia to keep all in order there to get Architectors out of Greece to repair the ruines of fireconsumed Sinope commanding further that as there was the Statue of that famous Milesia called Autolicus who was the first founder of the Town so there should be another made for Cyrus as the second founder which was done accordingly Mean while this renowned Prince went to bid adieu unto Martesia who grieved for his departure he desired him to restore the picture which she lent him upon condition to restore it when he first went unto the Armenian war but he looking earnestly upon her Cruel woman said he unto her how would you have me conquer if you take that from me which must render me invincible You have brought home so many victories without this help replied she that I believe you have
he conceived he could not yet get into Heraclea and therefore if they sent out many Shallops they would infallibly meet with this prisoner and all his complices to be short he carried it so handsomly that the King himself was deluded and appointed not only many Barks to be sent out at Sea but also that there should be strict Guards kept at the Gates of the Town left Spitridates should get in disguized not conceiving that he durst put to opâ—n Sea in a small Boat and upon search there was not any considerable Ship wanting in the Port. Moreover Pharâ—aces and Artanus knowing that his passion to the Princess was the cause of all this perswaded the King that certainly he would get into Heraclea in the habit of a fisher or some such disguize and therefore what pains did not they take to apprehend him they founlrf the Guards at the gates they set Centuries in the streets they searched all suspected houses and omitted nothing that might make their wisht for discovery The King had some light suspicions that the Princess had some hand in this escape and told her as much But since he had no proofs and was ignorant of any obligations between me and the Captain of that Tower for it was by the Prince Sinnesis that I had obtained pardon for his son all these surmises and suspitions did quickly vanish All this while Spitridates was in the prison where they never searched and where he must remain a while before he durst attempt a coming out When Spitridates was informed by this Captain that it was by my negotiation he was in prison but not a prisoner he supposed that the Princess did also know of it so that he desired so much favour as to see me before he departed which without acquainting the Princess I consented unto it conceiving my self obliged to do so much for the son of the right King of Bythinia but after I had given him some hopes of his desire the difficulty was how to execuâ—e it yet since the Captain of the Towers wife was of the intelligence I resolved to go thither with one woman only and to enter by a little back dore which was towards the walls of the Town It is impossible Sir for me to relate all the testimonies of grateful acknowledgments which Spitridates did give unto Araminta and me But Hesionida said he unto me have you not set me at liberty with intentions to exile me for ever Is it not only an exchange of this punishment for one more cruel Sir replied I unto him it is fortune not the Princess which banisheth you but since fortune is a very unconstant Lady there is some hopes that since she has changed so often unto your disadvantage she will at length change in your favour I wish she may replied he although I cannot hope it However Hosionida it would be the height of cruelty for me to depart and not bid adieu unto my Princess or know her last will and pleasure I can easily acquaint you with her intentions said I unto him since she has done me the honour to trust me with her most secret thoughts but as for seeing her it is not permitted so much as to think upon it Leave it unto the Gods Sir who perhaps will be more propitious unto you during your exile then you imagine But Hesionida said he unto me and sighed may a miserable and absent Prince ever hope that the Divine Araminta will ever preserve her affection entirely to him Yes Sir replied I you may and without any fear of being deceived for since your unhappiness is but an effect of your love to her she would be very unjust if she should not always resent your misfortunes Go therefore Sir and seek out some Sanctuary until some change be found in the hearts of the two Kings of Pontus and of Bythinia The princess does very well know that if you had any thoughts of remounting the Throne you might have done it and she conceives her self most sensibly obliged unto you for preferring her before a Crown so that it is impossible she should ever forget it In conclusion Sir I made him resolve upon his departure and since he had many jewels which the Princess Aristea gave him at his departure from Chrisopolis he would not receive any of those which I offered him from the Princess for I knew her intentions was to furnish him he therefore desired me to deliver a Letter unto her which he writ in my presence and which if my memory faile not was in these Terms SPITRIDATES unto the Princess ARAMINTA I Go Madam since it is your pleasure be I go the most miserable man alive I neither know whither I shall go nor when I shall return no nor whether you wish I should ever return and yet I am bid to live and hope but I can neither do the one nor the other unless you command it by two lines under your hand Therefore my divine Princess I do beg it in the name of that illustrious Prince who now is dead but who yet shall live eternally in the memory of SPITRIDATES After this Prince had given me his Letter and a hundred things in charge to tell the Princess I went unto her and related all the passages of our meeting at the first she lamented the fate but upon second thoughts was not sorry for it and I was so importunate with her that I moved her to return this answer unto that distressed Prince ARAMINTA unto SPITRIDATES MAy you live as long as it shall be the pleasure of the Gods to permit and hope that as long as Araminta lives she will pray for you and since you desire it she bids you live and hope ARAMINTA The Captain of that Tower coming to take this Letter he assured me that Spitridates would depart that night following with those two of the guard who helped him to escape and whom he took to serve him Moreover he told me that Spitridates desired he might sometimes write u to him to the end he might acquaint me with his fortune and return my answers back unto him So when night came we were certain this Prince would depart and the Princess was so troubled at it that I wonder something extraordinary was not discovered in her mind but the next morning we were informed that Spitridates was very safely gone out of Heraclea by the same way which it was conceived he escaped before the Captain providing a ship for him in the night Though the Princess had reason rather to be glad that he was gone then that he should continue mued up in a prison yet her soul was extreamly sad when she imagined that perhaps she should never see him again But this long and tedious absence must be enduâ—ed and in the interim there fell out many remarkable accidents for as it is well known unto you Sir Ciaxares refused to give Mandana unto the King of Pontus which made him the sooner forget Spitridates and
father I am â—ully resolved never to fight against yours I do conjure you to do so said she unto him by the affection which you have promised me There needs not so strong a conjuration answered he for certainly I should never have done it though I had never promised you But Madam I see very well what I ought not to do but I do not yet see what I ought to do and yet I must do something and resolve upon it presently for the King will needs have me depart within this day or two all my men are already upon their March the Troops which I must command are perhaps already in the King of Phrigia's hands and the least delay may prove fatal unto me Tell me then Madam would you have me discover my self unto the King your father or would you have me go and make my self known unto the King of Phrigia and that I endeavor to move him unto a Peace whilest you transact the same with Cressus Pronounce my doom I beseech you but whatsoever it be do not banish me from your heart nor exile me a long time from you Then said she and sighed I must know how to do miracles since under them there is no possibility of contenting you for since the condition you are in permits me with more fitness to open my heart unto you I shall tell you one thing which will make you wonder and which will grieve you both which is that if you had still continued in uncertainty of your birth at your return from this Battel it was the King my fathers pleasure that he who should marry me should help the Prince Myrsiles to govern after his death and support the Scepter after his death and was resolved if I can tell it you without a blush to make choyce of you and engage you unto it by his alliance Oh Madam said Cleander since it is so let me not be a son unto the King since I do not wish to be so but only to obtain that honour No said the Princess and though ways could be devised to prevent your fighting against the King your father none could be devised to hide your illustrious Birth Thimocreon Thimettes Sosicles and Acrates would never keep that secret which would deprive you of a Crown neither do I my self desire it But that which moves me to tell you this is to let you see it would be in vain to discover your self unto the King my father for I understand this morning from the same person who gave me the first intelligence of it that several stranger Princes have made offers of Marriage unto him and his answers to them all was that he was resolved as I told you before to marry me unto one who should hereafter assist my brother to govern How Madam cryed out Cleander is the quality of a Kings son which I so much wished because I thought it absolutely necessary to obtain that happiness which without it I could never hope for is it then an invincible obstacle unto my felicity Ah Madam if it be then I reject a Crown and had much rather be Cleander then Prince Artamas I do not directly tell you replyed she that this obstacle is invincible but I say it is a great one Moreover since it is permitted me to discover my weakness unto you I must confess I could hardly resolve to marry a man whom all Asia thought to be of a mean original Therefore let us transact as we ought and leave the rest unto the providence of the Gods This absolute resignation replyed Cleander and sighed denotes thus much unto me Madam that all my affection all my cares and all my services have obtained nothing from you but this that you permit me to love you without your hating me But Madam if you will with a little more tenderness towards me consider it you would find that it is not so easie a matter to do what one ought or to know what ones duty is Yet I think replyed she that as long as you neither fight against the King your Father nor mine you cannot be much blamed But Madam answered he I do not see how I can do that unless I discover my self unto the King and by his consent send unto the King of Phrigia It would be difficult replyed she for the King your father to know you are his son unless he see you especially not knowing you to be in his Enemies Country Moreover do you think that the King my father will be contented to lose both the Conqueror and the Conquest in one day do you not apprehend more probability that he will incline more unto Policy then Generosity in this business No no said she I will not counsel you to that What will you then advise me unto Madam replyed he Since Timocreon replyed she knows the state of your fortune discover unto him the state of your affection unto me also I know him to be wise and generous and he will not advise you unto any thing which shall be disserviceable either to the King his Master or your self At the last after much such discourse as this Cleander sent to seek my father and also let the Princess see Thimettes and Acrates secretly and he shewed unto her the Letters of the King of Phrigia and the Queen his wife After much consultation upon the best course it was resolved that Cleander should depart without discovering any thing unto Cressus that my father and I should accompany him that Thimettes and Acrates should go this voyage also That after one days journey from Sardis Cleander should send one of his servants unto Meneceus with a Letter for him and another for the King which he should present unto him by which he should discover his birth and assure him that he will never act any thing against his service nor forget his benefits That he should write also unto the Prince Myrsiles unto Mexaris and Abradates that they should address themselves to the King in his behalf That in the mean time they should stay upon the Frontiers of Phrigia and send Timocreon towards the King his father to acquaint him with the story and to beseech his favor unto Thimettes and Acrates who was as generous in his Repentance as he was weak in committing his Crime by the Commands of his Master That Cleander when he was made known should endeavor to move the King his father unto Peace and that the Princess as well as Meneceus should on their side endeavor the same with the King of Lidia After these Resolves she restored the Letters back unto Timocreon who loving Cleander no less then if he had been his son was ready to engage his utmost in his service Since all these Consults and Meetings could not be but some Spies which the Prince Artesilas always kept about the Princess would perceive it he was presently acquainted with it Moreover since Cleander had not bid his last adieu unto the Princess Palmis he endeavored to
let her know it and not incense her This way of declaring love was a hard chapter but since he could not speak silence it seems must speak for him and he esteemed it one degree of happiness in his misery that he hoped she would thereby understand his meaning Then after a long visit without a minute of private discourse because much company was there that day as he was going out with the rest of the company which went out almost altogether Shall I see you to morrow said she unto him No Madam replyed he And why will you deprive me of that honor replyed she Because I am resolved to obey you answered he and went on t not daring to look at her Cleonice calling to memory all that she had said unto him that day could not remember she had enjoyned any thing upon him to be done to morrow and therefore she thought his memory had deceived him but did not at all respect the truth The day following she asked me whether I saw Ligdamis and also asked several others who all answered No and indeed he never came out of his own Chamber but waited with as much fear and as impatience till Cleonice expressed some signs she understood him He told me since that never man suffered more melancholly misery then he did upon that occasion for said he she understands me not and I deprive my self of the happiness of seeing her to no purpose and if she do understand me perhaps it is with anger in her heart I shall my self destroy that esteem which she has of me and perhaps she will not do me so much favour as to shew her indignation unto me but let me alone in my lamentable exile but Cleonice did not at all suspect his Passion The first day was thus spent the second astonished her a little more and the third day I coming unto her What have you done with Ligdamis said she to me and what 's become of him that neither we nor any else can see him I should have said he had been sick said I unto her if I had not met with his sister in the Temple who told me he was not sick but very melancholly I cannot imagine the cause of it replyed Cleonice but must stay till he be in the humour to come and tell me The next day being a day consecrated unto Diana Cleonice and I went unto the Temple and as we came in I saw Ligdamis and shewed him unto Cleonice yet he no sooner saw us look upon him but after he had bowed unto us he went out of the Temple which did exceedingly surprise us for his custom was when he met with Cleonice to regulate his devotion according to hers and wait upon her out The next day following we did accidently meet with him but since Artelinda and three or four more were in the company Cleonice could hardly speak unto him yet as he passed on her side she leaned towards him and most obligingly said I pray Ligdamis tell me what you are doing I am obeying you Madam replyed he in a low voyce and blush'd and without any longer stay he went away and left Cleonice so astonished that she knew not what to think As soon as she was returned home she resolved to clear her doubts and writ unto Ligdamis in these terms CLEONICE unto LIGDAMIS SInce I cannot remember I ever desired any thing of you which might deprive me of the happiness in seeing you do me the favour to write your minde to the end I may chide my self and my bad memory and that I may know your willingness to obey me CLEONICE After she had writ this Letter she sent it unto Ligdamis by a Page which she loved very well who did deliver it the very same hour You may imagine how Ligdamis was perplexed he began twenty times to answer this Letter and as many times blotted out what he had writ Sometimes he thought he said too much and presently after he thought it too little But in conclusion there being a necessity of writing something he returned this answer if my memory fail me not LIGDAMIS unto CLEONICE I Would it were the will of the Gods Madam that my puting you in memory of that Command which you imposed upon me to see yon no more could make me hope my obedience would procure a pardon of that Crime which did precede it I have not so much confident boldness as to tell you what it is unless your goodness will permit or rather appoint me LIGDAMIS After he had writ this Letter and read it over and over he gave it unto the Page which brought the other commanding him to deliver it with his own hands unto his Mistress and let none see it but she As chance was I came unto Cleonice presently after she had sent unto Ligdamis and was with her when she received his answer As soon as the Page appeared she went towards him to take that Letter which he writ and turning towards me We shall see whether I have lost my memory said she or whether I ever commanded Ligdamis not to see me and have forgotten it After this she began to read the Letter aloud but I saw her blush at reading of the two first lines her voice changed and she read the last so indistinctly that I understood her not Then I took the Letter and read it Is your curiosity satisfied said I after I had read it Not at all replied she for I do not well understand whether Ligdamis jeers or whether he hath lost his wits or reason nor do I yet understand whether that command which he says I imposed upon him be grounded upon that question which he asked me the other day in your presence which was What he should do in case he fell in love with me I perceive indeed he would make me believe he is so You must needs confess said I unto her that this declaration of his love is the most respective that possibly can be and also the most private Heavens preserve me from thinking that Ligdamis is in love with me said she No no Ismenea I do not at all believe it and I do repent of that suspition which I had of him Certainly he is in an humour to make himself some sport and would be revenged of me for the perplexity I put him into by accusing him of being in love with Artelinda However said I unto her it must needs be acknowledged that if he be in love he could not carry it with more respect or with more gallantry If he were in love replied she doubtlese he could not carry it so for Lovers lose their Reason as soon as they begin to enter into that predicament Yet I have heard say replied I that there are some men which Love makes more witty I do think indeed said she that perhaps it may infuse some wit into those who had none before but I believe on the other side it takes away the wits of them that
Perinthus yet I did not think my self obliged to tell her what I had vowed unto him to conceal and indeed I told her nothing but what I knew before he had discovered himself unto me After this Perinthus spoke ofter unto me then he used though he was ever one of my good friends but what arguments and addresses soever he used to know of me upon what terms Abradates stood in Panthea's minds I did not tell him one word and as he was one day importuning me Peace Perinthus said I unto him and never ask me that which I would never tell you though I did know it and be assured of this that as I will never betray your trust so I will never betray the Princess unto whom I owe a greater fidelity then unto you and indeed from this time he durst never ask me any more questions Some few days after he received a Letter from Andramites which let him know that Mexaris had a little clashed with the Prince of Clasomena and that he was gone unto one of his houses some two days journey from Sardis so that Perinthus did not well know whether he should be sad or glad at it for when he considered Mexaris as one that was in hopes to enjoy Panthea he was very glad he was faln foul with the Prince of Clasomena but when he considered him as an obstacle unto the hopes of Abradates he was sorry that Mexaris was not in that Princes favour Yet notwithstanding all this his hopes that Croessus would never consent that Panthea should marry either Mexaris or Abradates did procure him some consolation yet it may well be said that he never enjoyed any pleasing hours not only because he had many real miseries upon him but because he sucked bitter poyson out of every thing and when the Princess was recovered he grieved in lieu of rejoycing at it foreseeing that the return of her health would be her return to Sâ—rdâ—s Pherenice said he one day unto me when the Princess had fresher Roses in her cheeks then ere she had since her sickness paled them am not I a most miserable man to see that the Princess is a more polished beauty by her sickness had it impaired her Abradates perhaps would have lessened his Love to her and that if she had perceived it she would have had less good will to him but alas I am too unfortunate to see that for she will return to Sardis more gloriously fair then when she came from it You may easily imagine by this Madam how much that man was tormented who grieved at the beauty and welfare of the person he loved Within a few days after we departed and Perinthus appeared so melancholy that if I had not known the secret of his heart I should have thought he had left the object of all his affections behind him Doralisa also began to chide him extreamly the first day of our Journey and truly that helped us to pass on with much more pleasure for as oft as Perinthus who was on horseback came near the Princess Coach from which he was never far off she told him of a thousand pleasant passages unto which he would answer with such a fretting chafe as made the best sport in the world The first days Journey being thus past we continued the next but alas it was not so pleasant For be pleased to know Madam that being come into a thick dark Forrest in a place wherâ— was a great Pond which we left upon the right hand and which being shadowed with the thick Wood was both a most pleasing and a most terrible object Be pleased to know I say that being come unto this place we saw upon our left hand come from divers places of the Forrest forty or fifty men on horseback with swords in their hands one of which I presently knew to be the Prince Mexaris who commanded the Coachman of the Princess Coach to stay which accordingly he did because he thought he could do no other for Madam you must know the Princess in this voyage had but one Coach full of women besides her own fifteen horsemen and some footmen but very few 'T is true Perinthus might well be counted for more then one man considering the prodigious acts he did that day he no sooner saw Mexaris come with a sword in his hand and in the head of all his men who in coming out of the Wood rallied about him but he put himself in a posture of defence and calling all the Princess men together he stood between the Coach and the Prince Mexaris who had no sooner commanded the Coach to stay but Perinthus advanced towards him with his Sword lifted up Mexaris retreated a pace or two and endeavoring to carry away the Princess without bloodshed or perhaps without exposing himself Perinthus said he unto him do not force me to ruine you nor make any vain resistance against a man who is in a condition to force you unto obedience No no Sir said Perâ—nthus I have but a life to manage and you shall not take away the Princess as long as Perinthus lives Whilest Mexaris was keeping Perinthus in talk four of his men went to the Coach which Perinthus seeing without any more ado he fell upon Mexaris crying out he should not find it an easie matter to carry Panthea away as long as he lived and indeed he assaulted him with such fury as Mexaris stood in need of all his men to relieve him as afterward we understood by one of the Princess men As for us Madam vve vvere in such a fright that vve knevv not vvhat vve savv For my part I only savv a great confusion and heard a hideous noise The most advantagious thing for us vvas that those men vvho Mexaris commanded to seize upon the Princess vvhilest the rest fought seeing their Master engaged in a Fight of vvhich they knevv not the event notvvithstanding the inequality of number they let us alone and resolved to stay till they savv the Victory more certain contenting themselves vvith keeping the Coaches from stirring avvay but the longer they stayed the vveaker and fevver their Party grevv for Perinthus fought vvith such magnanimous courage that I have heard certainly reported he killed six of Mexaris his men with his own hands being wounded himself in several places Those who seconded him did play their parts very well since of fifteen men which he had three were killed and four more out of fight he had no other hope left but to dye in defending the Princess so that fighting in desperation he did such things as I knovv not hovv to relate unto you As the poor Perinthus vvas thus engaged he savv some Caviliers galloping to the place vvhere he fought and since he questioned not but that they belonged unto Mexaris he gave himself for lost yet desiring to sell his life at as dear a rate as he could and to kill Mexaris before he vvas killed himself he advanced tovvards him vvith such
invented to come out of that Town clothed in white when it was a Snow and afterwards being in Sinope how the same passion was predominate over his generosity did prompt him to deceive her and carry her away both from the King of Assyria and the illustrious Cyrus and how to punish him for that rash act the Gods permitted him to suffer shipwrack Madam replyed Orsanus when you shall know what I intend to relate I know not then how you will interpret the intentions of the Gods since at the same instant when they brought him to the very brink of Ruine then they rather saved him But before I explain this Riddle unto you I must tell you that it was the greatest and most admirable effect of the Princess Mandana's Beauty so to disturb and pervert the Reason of this Prince as made him capable of doing any unjust act since certainly there was never any of his Quality whose birth inclination and education was better Moreover the dispositions of Nature drawn from his Parents could not chuse but be most excellently good since it is most certain that never Prince was more virtuous then the Prince of Saces nor any Princess more heroique then the Queen Tarina my Masters mother But since her virtue was famous throughout all Asia I will speak no more of it only say this that if the Prince Mazares her son be not as victorious as any it is strange But as an addition to all you know or possibly can know of him it is requisite I tell you that the night preceding the Princess Mandana's shipwrack and whilest the Prince Mazares out of his respect durst not come into her Cabin he was sensible of as much sorrow as a generous heart could possibly comprehend and let me tell the illustrious Cyrus that I am most confident if he understood the sorrows which he apprehended after that sad accident he would sooner pity then accuse him he repented of his crime though he could not of his passion above a hundred times and resolved as oft to expiate it afterwards when he looked her in the face and observed what alteration in her complexion so short a time had produced his heart was so strucken with remorse as he went in all haste to the Pilot for fear he should alter his mind and commanded him to take the way of Sinope with intentions to restore the Princess either into the hands of Ciaxares or the illustrious Cyrus But oh Heavens how fatal was this Order as just as it was unto him that commanded it and unto her for whose sake it was intended For as soon as the Pilot received it and in obedient order thereunto intending to carry Mandana unto Sinope he turned the Rudder but overturned the Ship and left us all in a perishing condition Never since did I think it permitable to censure the intentions of the Gods when they do either good or evil unto men But that it is much safer to admire their Providence then to dive too far into their Reasons And indeed to speak according unto meer natural Reason who would not think that a Prince in love who had her he loved in his power and who had so much virtues as to repent the taking her away and resolved to set her at liberty again that such a one I say did rather deserve a Recompence then Punishment and yet the Prince Mazares suffered shipwrack he thought himself the cause of that Princess death whom he adored and suffered more torture of Soul then ever any did and the violence of his despair was much more like to be his ruine then his shipwrack and doubtless it had been his death had not the Gods most prodigiously sent him relief Be pleased to know Madam that the owner of the Cabin where the illustrious Artamenes saw Mazares dying and where he received from his hand a rich Scarfe which was the Princess Mandana's being gone to fish a little before the storm did rise and adventuring so far into the Sea that he could not recover the shore he was constrained to let go his Boat unto the mercy of the Wind and Waves was at last driven to the foot of a Rock which rise up in the Sea and where a Ship had been split but where his Boat being light did safely arrive so that he got upon the Rock and holding his Boat with a Rope he resolved to rest there till the storm was over and so he did until the Tempest beginning to calm he discovered an old man upon a plank which kept him above water and who endeavoured to gain that Rock but he was so weak and so far off that needs must he perish unless the Fisherman relieve him Plain pity then moving the heart of this Fisherman he made unto his assistance in his Boat and took up this man whose name was Tyburtus by Nation a Greek who was alwayes with Mazares as a Tutor to read all Sciences befitting his Quality unto him He was no sooner in the Boat but so weak he was that ready he was to fall into a swoond Yet when he was recovered he told how he had been shipwracked but told him not how it was in carrying away the Princess Mandana lest it should abate his zeal to serve him So that this Fisher-man cheering him up after his homely manner he offered him his Cabin to retreat unto which Tiburtus accepted of in hopes to hear some tydings of some that were shipwracked with him or whether his Master perished among the rest The Sea being then smoother then before this Fisher-man began to row about but since he had lost one of his oars in the Storm he was a long time before he recovered his shore and so long indeed that he came not to his Cabin until Artamenes was gone away You may imagine Madam hovv Tiburtus vvas amazed to find the Prince Mazares there and in that case for he vvas not yet recovered out of his svvoond vvherein the illustrious 〈◊〉 left him as soon as he savv him he vvas extreamly joyed but vvhen he savv him in that pitiful case his extream joys vvere converted into extream sorrovvs yet since he vvas a man of an universal knovvledg in all things and reasonably vvell versed in Physick he endeavored to try vvhether any life yet remained in that Prince and whether there were any possibility of helping him and upon his careful observance he discovered his heart did beat so that using all the helps which the poverty of that place would afford him he employed them so well that Mazares revived but vvith a spirit so little of himself that spying Tiburtus at his beds side he asked him vvhere Mandana vvas Aftervvards he pronounced the name of Artamenes four or five times and being for an hour after in a confused distraction of Reason he knevv not vvhether or no Artamenes vvas his Rival or vvhether Mandana vvas alive or dead or indeed whether himself was living But at last Tiburtus endeavoring by his
could not find him I sought for amongst them I thought that happily he might follow at a distance and understanding that this Princess was to imbarque at a Cicilian Port to sail unto Ephesus I got thither before hand inquiring in every house where strangers used to lodg whether such a one was not there I went also into every Ship which was to put forth whether any Passengers were to imbarque but do what I could both before the Princess Mandana came thither and when she was there and after she was gone I could not meet with the least knowledg of him so that I stayed still by the water side after I had seen the Princess Mandana imbarque as sad a soul as ever lived and truly my fear was that he had either took some desperate course with himself or at least was dead of extream melancholy in some obscure place where none knew him for since I understood by several persons which I had seen in the Armenian Army that the Prince Mazares was not returned unto the King his Father and since I could not find him about the Princess Mandana I could conclude no other but that he was dead all hopes being then quite extinguished of ever meeting with him I resolved to return into my own Country for though I promised Tiburtus to vvander all my life long until I found him yet since no hope vvas left of finding him I thought it vvas in vain to be over-strict in keeping that promise Thus then I resolved to return and in order to that I enquired the best and safest Ways and I vvas informed that the shortest and best vvay vvas to go along the River Cydne and to leave that great Mountain in Cicilie vvhich is called the black Mountain on the left hand That aftervvards I must pass into Armenia and get into the River Araxes vvhere I should need no Guide since I knevv the Way very vvell from thence into my ovvn Country But as the Gods are sometimes pleased to make a Tempest drive a Ship unto a Port in lieu of dashing it against the Rocks so they caused me to wander out of my way most happily and in lieu of taking that way which conducted unto the River Cydne I took another Rode which led me so far into that prodigious Mountain whereof I spoke that I knew not which way to go back again Yet since it was extream hot Weather and all other parts of Cicily was an open Country I was not at the first sorry I had mistaken my way for another where the tops of the Rocks which did hang one over another was a great shadow unto me in my travel But at last when I saw no living creature but a sort of little wilde Beasts which the Inhabitants of that Country call Squillaques which naturally are apt to stealing and which follow all them that pass this way to filch something from them I confess that I repented my going so far in this Way principally out of fear lest I should wander so far in this hideous Mountain that I could not get out again when night came on so that conceiving easier for me to turn back by the paths I came then to follow an unknown Rode where I could meet with none to enquire of I faced about and returned the same way I came but coming unto a place where there was several beaten paths I mistook the right and went into one by which I did not come I went streight forward a long while thinking I had been right and yet methought I saw many things which I observed not before and other times methought I knew where I was but sometimes hoping I was right and sometimes fearing I was wrong I still went forward impatiently desiring to be from amongst those Rocks for often I had a huge high Mountain on my right hand and a horrid Precepice on my left and the best way I had rough and rocky I ask you pardon Sir for insisting so long upon a description of these things But I must needs confess they made such a deep impression in my mind that I could not chuse but describe them as they were After I had travelled in this manner a long while and came unto a place where there was no track I was forced to stay because the night coming on apace I was in some danger of falling into some Precipice if I had continued on little longer I lighted then from my horse and putting the bridle upon my arm for there was no tree in that place to tye him unto I sat down under a Rock and leaning upon another little one I resolved to take up my Inn there and to keep my self if possible from sleeping lest my Horse should break loose or some wilde beast come unto me And indeed I passed away almost all the night without a wink of sleep or having any desire unto it as well because the obscurity of that desart place which carries a kind of terror with it that moves not much unto sleep as because I heard a great multitude of those filching Cattle continually pass by me But at last being a little us'd to the noise which they made and being very weary with travelling amongst these rugged Rocks without one bit of meat about an hour before day I fell asleep against my will and waked not before Sun rise and I beleeve I had slept longer if one of these crafty beasts following their natural inclination had not awaked me by drawing out of my pocket the Table-book in which I had writ down the Ways by which I was to go so that though they say these Squitaques are commonly as cunning at theeving as are any I acedemonians yet he that which stole my Table-book did awake me I no sooner opened my eyes but seeing this Animal running away with my Table-book in his mouth I got on horseback and rid after him crying as loud as I could to affright him and make him let it fall and after I had chased him a long while he turned short behind a great Rock and I made all possible speed lest I should lose the sight of him and when I turned where he did I saw he had let fall what he had stoln from me and ran away as fast as ever he could But Sir I was strangely amazed when following this little Animal I found it had conducted me into a little Plain about 15 or 20 furlongs in length and ten or twelve broad boundered with the most pleasant Wood that is in the whole World beyond which was a huge and sterile Mountain which seemed to touch the Clouds and made the most terrible and most pleasing object both that ever was beheld for Nature had so moulded it from top to bottom that without a sight of it it is impossible to conceive how well the greenness of this pleasant Wood opposite to this ragged Mountain did please all beholders When I first espied it I stopt not knowing whether I should venture into
a Wood whose paths were unknown unto me yet since I knew no safer way then that I thought it better to wander in a pleasant shade then amongst a heap of rubbish Rocks where not a pile of grass did grow I went over then this little Plain in the midst of which I spyed an Arbour which the rays of the Sun could never penetrate though never so hot and the Trees of it vvere perpetually green being composed of Cedars Pines Mirtles Evves as such like Trees vvho keeps those leaves all Winter green vvhich the Spring time gives them and the Wonder of the Object vvas that these Trees did grovv amongst the Rocks and all the Rocks vvere covered vvith such variety of all sorts of Moss and of as many several colours as that the Rainbovv had not more nor more delighting The variety of these Trees and the perpetual freshness of the leaves made this Wood incomparably pleasant I wandered then through this great and pleasing Wood where a thousand several sorts of pretty birds did make a most harmonious eccho testifying by the little fear they had of me that the place was but seldom frequented After I had gone five or six hundred paces I espyed on my right hand a very pleasant Fountain which boyling up amongst a heap of Pibbles covered over with a pretty Moss of Emerald colour did make a little Rivolet and ran turning and winding it self along the side of the Wood opposite to that aspiring Mountain of which I spoke before As I stood by the side of this Christal Fountain I observed a little path which parted from the great Rode and did lead towards the thick of the Wood and after I had rested my self a while by this Fountain I followed that path which always ascended sometimes inclining towards the right hand and sometimes towards the left because the hill was too steep to go straight up When I was in the midst of this Woody Rock O Heavens how I was amazed when I discovered a great Cave which went into the Rock and by it the Prince Mazares sitting upon a stone who at the noise I made turned his head towards me and presently knew me and gave me demonstrations to know him I was so exceedingly startled at the sight of him that I was a while and knew not what I did nor alight from my Horse my eyes were so full of tears and my heart so full of sorrow that stood I like a stone and knew not whether what I saw was real But at last my dear Master rising up and naming me with a great cry I revived out of my astonishment so that lighting from my Horse and tying him unto a Tree I went and cast my self at his feet But he immediately took me up and embraced me with extraordinary tenderness My dear Orsanus said he unto me is it possible I should ever have a sight of you again and will you force me whether I will or no to have some minutes of consolation in my life Sir said I unto him with eyes swimming in tears to see the melancholy in his looks and to imagine how sadly he had lived since I saw him I do not intend to add minutes but an age of consolation unto you The sight of you indeed is most dear unto me replyed he but Orsanus since I have been the cause of my divine Mandana's death no consolation can comfort me But Sir replyed I hastily if I should tell you that the Princess Mandana lives would not that be a comfort unto you No Orsanus replyed he it would not since I could not beleeve you I should think it only your plot to draw me out of this sad solitude wherein I live and in which I am resolved to dye Yet let me tell you replyed I that what I say is most certainly true for this Mandana who both you and I thought dead I saw her alive with my own eyes Ah Orsanus cryed he out I would I could beleeve this and dye immediately after that I might not be deluded by so pleasing a lye and be for ever delivered from all the miseries which I endure But Sir replyed I is it possible this Desart should be so little frequented and this Cell in which you inhabit so unknown unto all men that not one of them should come and tell you how all Asia is in Arms for the Princess Mandana that the illustrious Artamenes is no more Artamenes but known to be Cyrus Son to Cambises King of Persia That Ciaxares after he had imprisoned him did release him and made him General of his Army That the King of Pontus after he had lost all his Kingdoms and flying away in a Ship did save the Princess Mandana's life immediately after the fury of the boâ—sterous Waves had separated her from you That the invincible Cyrus thinking that Prince had carryed her into Armenia drew the War thither and became Master of it That in lieu of releasing the Princess Mandana he released only the Sister of his Rival that is the Princess of Pontus That afterwards the King her Brother being reported to be at Susa with the Paincess Mandana and that she was to imbarque for Cicilie conducted by the King of Susiana and by the Queen Panthea Cyrus followed Abradates defeated him and took the Queen his Wife a Prisoner in lieu of releasing the Princess Mandana that the King of Pontus according to his design imbarqued with the Princess of Medea and steered towards Ephesus Whil'st I was speaking thus the Prince Mazares hearkened unto me with extraordinary attention and by his quick and piercing looks endeavoured to penetrate through my eyes into the bottom of my heart to know whether what I spoke were sincere and really true so that I perceiving that fain he would but could not believe me No no Sir said I unto him do not suspect me of any falshood since the truths which now I tell you are so generally known that there is not so much as a Shepheard in all Asia who knows not that Mandana is living and that there is two hundred thousand men in Arms ready to release her This Princess added I hath also passed so neer you that certainly she hath seen the Cedar tops which grow in this your Desart I am confident that I am not mistaken for she might discover them as she went to imbarque How Orsanus said he can I possibly believe Mandana not dead Can I think those eyes of yours which now look upon mine hath seen her alive and that she looked upon the tops of these Mountains Ah Orsanus if this be true I am not so miserably unfortunate as I thought my self As this Prince was thus talking I spyed coming out of the Wood a man admirably handsome of a pleasant physiognomy but seemed something melancholy who being also as much surprized to find the Prince Mazares in conference with me as I was to find my Master in such a solitude we gazed upon each other with equal
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
his civilitie and praying for his prosperity Yet Phraartes could not obtain one smile from the Princes Araminta whose sorrows for the prisonment of Spitridates and fears of the battel were so great that she hardly took any notice of him as for Ligdamis he received all imaginable expressions of tendernesse from his dear Leonisa but for Andramites he saw Doralisa onely in termes of civilitie yet he did not think himself altogether miserable since she looked so well as in termes of civility upon him in the mean time Abradates took not his last leave till the next morning but as he was ready to put on his Arms which he used to wear Panthea sent him a most magnificent sute which she had secretly caused to be made and which she trimmed up with all her jewels His helmet glittered with abundance of rich Diamonds and had a plume of purple colour the rest of the arms were sutably rich and of the same colour with his plume so that Abradates wondering to see a stately sute of arms began his thanks unto his dear Panthea by complaining against her for dressing his arms with her jewels which were for her self at a feast of rejoycing after the victory I have so great an opinion of your valour said she unto him and we are so indebted unto the illustirous Cyrus that I thought it requisit you should weare very remarkable arms to the end your glorious acts may the more easily be discerned by him in the day of battle but for all the courage of Panthea she could not pronounce these words without a shower of teares she endeavoured to hide them lest Abradates should take them as a sad omen nor would that Prince take notice of them lest it should too much melt her heart and his own but many expressions of an inviolable eternal affection passed between them and he promised so to acquit himself in the sight of Cyrus as should become him so that insensibly ingaging themselves in a discourse of Cyrus they did infinitely commend him for his civil usage of them Panthea making the time as long as she could before they bad this cruel adieu purposely the longer to enjoy the sight of her dear Abradates who was never so handsom and gallant as in this glorious sute of arms But the time did come that he must leave her and he embraced his dear Panthea and then pronouncing the word adieu he went out of her chamber to mount into a most magnificent Chariot of war which waited for him at the Castle-gate Panthea following him with all the rest of the Ladies which were prisoners And he espying her with such a sadnesse in his countenance as was not sutable to his great and heroique soul he went back unto her and taking her by her fair hand which he kissed with a sad devotion and being desirous she would go in again I pray unto the gods cryed he out I may behave my self as one that is worthy to be Pantheas husband and Cyrus his friend after which conjuring her once more to retire he left her and went hastily into his Chariot but she was not retired till he was quite out of sight he still looking upon her as long as he could But as if the constancy of Panthea had been inspired that she should never see him again she sounded and her women were forced to carry her to bed In the mean time never was such a glorious sight as this Army for not onely Cyrus the king of Assyria Mazares and all the rest of the Princes were most magnificently armed but there was not a common souldier which shined not in his arms so that the sun shining that day without a cloud made the march of this army the most glorious sight that ever eye beheld All the Cavalry had marrions of burnish Brasse with white feathers their suits of arms carnation colour and their lances all gilt or imbroidered As for Cyrus his arms were the same of gold which he wore that day he gained the victory over the King of Assyria the horse he rid on had also the honour to serve him in many of his victories and particularly in that so that the king of Assyria knowing these armes he sighed and could not chuse to say unto Cyrus I pray heavens said he unto him that those arms which now you wear prove as fortunate against Cressus and the kings of Pontus as they did against me and I beseech the gods I may make better use of mine this day then I did on that You did such glorious things that day replid Cyrus modestly that if fortune had not been your foe Ciaxares had not been conquerour and therefore I have greater hopes this day in your valour then in mine own Then Mazares Tigranes Phraartes Anaxares Gobrias Gadates and all the volunteers coming unto him he commanded that all the army should march he himself did lead up the vanguard with the king of Assyria unto whom he gave the right hand and offered him the command of it Hidaspes commanded the main body of the battle wherein were all the Homotimes the King of Phrygia the rare guard and Abradates al the Chariots of war which made a distinct body of it self Cyrus then beginning to advance having first sent out scouts to discover the enemy gave motion to this huge body who with one wink dispersed spirits into it Cressus also and the King of Pontus prepared for a general combate and neglected nothing that might get a victory T is true there was a vast difference between these two armies for hope was in that of Cyrus and fear was in the Lydian kings Not that he was any thing inferiour in numbers especially since the arival of the Egyptian Auxiliaries and of those forces which the Prince of Myssia and Arimaspes brought up but the very name of Cyrus was grown so terrible every where that it was no sooner known in the camp of Cressus this prince was come over the river Halis but fear seised upon the hearts of all his souldiers and the night following their frontier Guards gave many false alarmes to their own side for they apprehended such fears as made them beleeve they saw what they saw not so that they stood all night in their arms Cressus then fearing lest this general terrour should grow to be one of those panick fears which hath ruined whole armies without a blow resolved to expresse some courage and by his example to infuse it into others that he might meet Cyrus so that the morning after he disencamped and advanced a little beyond Thybarra at the same time Cyrus was drawing towards him so that these two huge armies encamped that night within fifty furlongs of each other Cyrus because he would not be surprised passed over all that night without any sleep and the King of Assyria and Mazares being as vigilant as he they were witnesses of the pains he took in every thing and how he neglected nothing that might obtain a
victory In the mean time these three illusterous Rivals spent all the night together in one tent but with different thoughts though Mandana was the onely object of them all As for Cyrus his certainty of Mandanas love maugre all the manaces of the gods afforded him many hours of joy amidst his sufferings whereas on the contrary the king of Assyria maugre the favourable oracle which he received at Babylon knowing he was not loved and that Cyrus was many times possessed with such fits of fury as he had much ado to master them Mazares though his thoughts were lesse violent yet was his sorrow a heavy load upon his heart for when he began to consider how he had imposed upon himself a necessity of never pretending further then to the frendship of Mandana he knew not whether he was able to keep within those limits which he had prescribed unto himself on the other side the king of Pontus thought himself as miserable as any especially when he considered that it was not a victory could make him happy since when he had conquered Cyrus he could not conquer Mandana unto whom he had not spoke one word of the battle towards lest it should trouble her too much for it may well be said never was ravisher lesse violent and more respective then himself so that Mandana and the princes Palmis not knowing they were ready to fight for their liberties did both condole and comfort each other Yet was Mandana very sorry she did not credit Mazares for she understood by Cylenisa how that Prince was really gone unto Cyrus The Prince Artamas for his part he did suffer unconceivable torments of mind not onely by reason of his own imprisonment but for the Princesse Palmis and in thinking upon the Battle which was ready to be given yet as brave as hee was he was something glad that he was not to bee in it because the Princesse Palmis could not hereafter upbraid him for fighting against the King her father But as restless as these three nay all these Illustrious persons were I think it may truly be said that Cyrus being most amorous was most tormented or at least most diligent to obtain the victory For no sooner did Aurora begin to gild the clouds from the East then hee awaked all his Camp by sound of Trumpets Drums Fifes and Howboys so that all this vast Army was in a moment in their Armes and ranked under their colours ready to obey their Generall who being as full of Piety as valour commanded a Sacrifice to be offered unto the Gods and to beg victory from them and willed the Sacrificers to use no other Ceremonies then after the Persian custome so that the Magi who made preparations for this Ceremony made choice of a Hill which was in the midst of the Camp to sacrifice unto the Sunne which they called Ocosmades and unto Venus Vrania whom they called Mitra and unto Jupiter Cyrus making choice of these three divinities to the end that Jupiter might give him power to vanquish that the Sunne might shine upon his victory and that Venus Vrania might favour his designe of Mandanaes releasement Since the Persians never use to sacrifice but under the Canopy of Heaven nor dresse up any Magnificent Altars nor light any Fire nor use any Crowns of flowers the Ceremony was not long for the Sacrificers do nothing but put a wreath of Myrtle upon their heads and carry the Victims up to the Hill they make choise of and there they invoke the Gods unto whom they sacrifice and according to the Persian custome which is never to make any prayers but for all the Persians in generall excepting for their King they ask of those divinities all that may be glorious unto their nation and by consequence victory Afterwards they pray for all their Army and for Ciaxares onely in particular Cyrus desiring to make no distinction between Persians and others In the mean time how early soever the Magi were those of Cressus were before them 'T is true it was in a different manner For since he and the King of Pontus and the Prince of Myssia and all the other great Commanders had observed that their souldiers stood in fear of their enemies and that the very name of Cyrus struck a terror into them they were them selves afraid lest this panick fear should put their Army into disorder Therefore since they were to fight a deciding battle they thought best to infuse mettle into their men by some rules of religion And in order to that they brought into use an ancient sacrifice used in wars in the time when Heraclides raigned in Lydia And about two hours after midnight they make ready their Altars in the midst of the Camp all the Souldiers being drawn about them as in Battle array After this they make about these Altars twelve fires which shews unto the Souldiers a great number of Victims which the Sacrificers kill before them About these Altars fires and bloody Victims stand two hundred men with swords drawn in their hands After which these men do swear all the Officers never to leave fighting untill they have met with deaths or victory then they call all the Souldiers one by one and make them promise and swear with most terrible Imprâ—â—ations upon themselves and their posterity to be obedient unto all that Cressus or their Officers shall command them and never to flee from battle but every one to kill his fellow that shall offer to give ground before victory be obtained and if there were any which out of fear of such a strange sacrifice would not swear these men with swords in their hands were to kill them and by this cruell example to affright the rest to promise what was desired them though perhaps they had no intention to keepit yet notwithstanding since such things as these do extremely move the hearts of the multitude the souldiers in the Army of Cressus in generall did beleeve they shall become more valiant after this Ceremony so that hopes succeeding their fears the Army of Cressus began to be confident of happy successe in Battle However the King of Lydia did not trust more to the multitude of his men then he did of some advantages which might be taken and therefore he advanced to Hyberra so that Cyrus was much amazed when after his sacrifices ended and day began to break he saw his enemies removed from the place he thought them to be coconceiving that they had possessed themselves of a place of great advantage for themselves and the very truth is if this Prince had not been full as wise as he was valiant he had exposed his Army to an inevitable ruine Thyberra was a Town of an indifferent largenesse seated upon a pleasant Hill some thirty furlongs from Sardis at the foot of this hill ran a little river which running round the walls made the accesse very difficult So that it seemed Cressus thought he stood in need of all advantages to
would be in when seeing and hearing Parthenia speak he would know her and his unknowne one to be one and the same person would not know what to think and perhaps would have some disadvantagious thought of Parthenia therefore â—â—e intreated the Prince Philoxipes to beleeve the sincerity of her words and conjured him not to discover what she had imparted aggravating the scruple which Parthenia made to marry a man who was in love with her beauty so that Philoxipes crediting all that my sister told him he was so strongly confirmed in his designe that he thought of nothing else but how to promote it He concluded then with Amaxita upon the day when he would bring Timantes unto Parthenia to the end that the Princesse migâ—â— not be that day in her negligent dresse though she should not be acquainted with the reason After which he returned into Paphos where Timantes was droning out a life of melancholy for he was profoundly in love with his unknown Mistresse and could not forget the beauty of the Princess of Salamis from whom he received divers Letters noâ— knowing them to be from her In the mean time Parthenia was almost absolutely resolved to disengage her self from the affection of Timantes for she stood upon such terms of honour that she could not resolve to make her self known unto him after all this fantasticall gallantry And indeed she writ unto him as if it were to be the last he should ever receive from her Yet I think it was not her full intention for I think she writ another after it purposely to know his sorrows after this sad news and the better to know how he loved her However Timantes received the Letter after he had engaged himself to Policrite and Philoxipes to goe the next morning unto a place where yet he never had been not thinking that it was unto the Princess of Salamis But since he grieved excessively at the Letter from Parthenia he did what he could to dis-engage himself but he could not all his pretences would not serve for an excuse nor content Philoxipes Hee went himself to Timantes to oblige him unto this journey Policrite sent severall times unto him and sent him positive word that for her part shee would not goe unlesse hee did So that as sad as hee was there was a necessity of going with them but Heavens know it was with so much unwillingnesse and sorrow that it appeared in his face in his words and in his habit for it was carelesse He did strive and force himself to seem a little pleasant but his sorrows were stronger then himself Philoxipes would have exceedingly grieved had he not known the cause but my Sister did write unto him intimating it and her desires of hastning the execution of the design I forgot to tell you Sir how Timantes answered Parthenia's Letter that night and I sent it away so that she received it two hours before Philoxipes and Timantes came unto her But never was there such a condoling Letter written it moved Parthenia to repent of her rigid dealing with him In the mean time Amaxita knowing that some company would come that day was much puzzled how to get her out of her negligent dresse and bethought her self of a way how to move her unto it The Princesse long since promised my Sister to suffer her to take her Picture and therefore my Sister told her that I had writ unto her by him who brought the Letter from Timantes intimating that the Limmer would be there that day and would infallibly be there within two hours So that Amaxita in this consideration entreated the Princesse to dresse her self as well as possibly she could The Princesse told her at first that he should stay untill to morrow but Amaxita told her the Limmer was so full of work that he could not stay so long and that there was no time to spare So that Parthenia loving my Sister very well did let her women dresse her as if she were going unto some publique Feast Amaxita telling her that the Limmer was to work upon her clothes that day and that the better dressed she was the more lovely would her face look and would inspire a handsome fancy into the Limmer and also that it was necessary that Parthenia was to dresse her self to the end he might draw her whole Picture But whilst Amaxita was making choice of such Jewels and clothes as she desired Parthenia to wear that day Timantes not knowing whither he was carryed left the conduct of himself to the Prince Philoxipes and the Princess Policrite Antimaques made one in this voyage as well as Dorida and I had the honour to be there also Philoxipes knowing by my Sister that I was a confident in the businesse But Sir the more melancholly Timantes was the more inclination had Philoxipes and Policrite to be merry being more fully perswaded that he was the man whom the gods had reserved for a happinesse unto the Princesse of Salamis since it is hardly possible without some speciall order of divine providence that Timantes should love Parthenia in so odde a way In the mean time this gallant company went on and came at last so near that Desart of the Princesse of Salamis that Timantes coming out of a deep study asked whose house that was and whither it was they went unto It is the same that we goe unto said Philoxipes but you shall not know whose it is untill you have seen her who will entertain us Timantes was so deep in his melancholy that he never minded this indirect answer or had any suspition We came unto the Base Court of the Castle and then went on foot Timantes led Policrite and Antimaques Dorida As for Philoxipes he told the Princesse his Wife and Timantes he would goe before and acquaint them they were come so that commanding me to follow him we went befor unto Parthenia's chamber who had newly done dressing her self and who being told by some of her servants that the Prince her Brother and Princesse her Sister was come she was coming in hast to entertain them So that Philoxipes giving her his hand after he had saluted her he did not oppose her civility which she intended unto Policrite but led her unto the midst of the outer room where they met Sir it is a most difficult matter to relate how Timantes was amazed when he saw the Princess of Salamis appear whom hee knew at first though he never saw her but once before and how the Princess of Salamis was surprised when she saw Timantes who knew assoon as ever she spoke that his unknown Mistresse and she were one and the same certainly this adventure was full of wonder at the very first Parthenia blusht and in lieu of advancing towards Policrite she thought to stop Timantes did the same and never were two persons of such spirits as they so planet-struck with amazement yet Timantes amidst his wonder had some glimps of joy aswell
Jewell in the world Whilst then this faire and sad Princesse was with so much injustice lamenting her losse and whilst Croesus was with as much reason trembling at his whilst the King of Pontus was in despair and whilst the Prince Artamas endured his prison patiently Cyrus was thinking of nothing but how to release Mandana He complained of her Jealousie but it was with so much reverent respect as would have been fully satisfied had she known it In the mean while it vexed him to see Sardis hold out longer then he expected and he resolved upon the losse of many men rather then not to carry it the next Assault and because he would not receive a baffle he stayed some dayes untill Scaling-ladders were in readinesse In which interim some design or other was still on foot either in preventing victuals from coming to the Town or in cutting off some Water from the enemy or in repulsing of Sallies which were every day made The reason which made the King of Pontus so frequent in his Sallies and hazard so many men in them was he would the better pry into the encampment of his Enemies and spie an opportunity if need should be of carrying away the Princesse Mandana By this meanes also hee could either send out Spyes into the Army of Cyrus or else to solicite for Reliefe Things standing on these termes the King of Pontus made a Sallie in the night time on that Quarter where Cyrus commanded in person At first hee killed many men fell into the Trenches and slew all that stood in their way and gave an Alarm unto all the Camp but Cyrus did quickly stop their fury by his presence for his voice was no sooner heard both amongst his own men and his Enemies but the one struck with fury and the other with fear the Enemy fled and his men followed so close that they were ready to enter the Town with them but so few of the Enemy entered as since that they had no great mind of making Sallies on Cyrus his side The Egyptians and Medes being upon the Guard that night had their share in the glory of that Action who yet were beholding to Cyrus for their valour who being as sweet after victory as valiant in fighting had a great care of all wounded men as well friends as enemies and so much the rather because he understood that there was an Egyptian of quality taken prisoner who before hee rendred himself did so gallantly dispute for his liberty as he was wounded in severall places and yet fought till he fell from his Horse so was forced to yeeld Cyrus enquired his name in the presence of many Egyptian Officers about him but they knew not and were extreamly impatient to know whom this valiant man of their Nation should be But when they heard his name was Heracleon they could not chuse but murmur amongst themselves seem astonished especially when they heard afterwards that Cyrus commanded that a great care should be had of him and placed him in one of his own Tents There was an Egyptian Officer whose name was Miris could not hold from grumbling at this indulgency of Cyrus to him Oh Sir said he be not so sweet as to preserve the life of the most wicked man upon earth infinitely unworthy the protection of so virtuous a Prince If he be such a one as you say replyed Cyrus the Gods will punish him without me But who is this Heracleon Sir replyed Miris he is a man most unworthy of his birth which indeed is noble He is a Rivall to the generous Sesostris he is an Enemy to his Country an Assasinate of Kings and a man whose love and ambition prompts unto all imaginable villanies Therefore I conjure you as you tender the interest of Sesostris to command he be lesse esteemed andmore carefully guarded lest he escape or kill himself when he sees he 's known For Sir it doth much import Sesostris since Heracleon is in your power that this wretch doe not dye before he let him know that which he onely can inform him Cyrus having observed that Sesostris loved Miris very well did hearken unto him and commanded that Heracleon should bee carefully guarded that his words should be carefully observed commanding also at the request of Miris that an account be given of his wounds to the end that if he be in danger he may be moved to confesse what concerned the Prince Sesostris However Sir said Miris I beseech you as you respect the interest of this great Prince Sir to let mee have two houres discourse and audience as soon as conveniently you can that I may acquaint you how it concerns Sesostris to know what onely Heracleon can tell him and that you may know also what difference to put between these two Rivals for since I most exactly know all passages between them and since the Prince Sesostris commanded me to acquaint you with it as soon as I met with a favourable opportunity I should be exceedingly glad since you have his enemy in your hands to acquaint you with his adventures The story will extreamely please replyed Cyrus for ever since the first I saw Sesostris I have had a great desire to know his fortunes therefore I promise you to manage my matters so as I will find some hours of audience before I sleep and indeed Cyrus was as good as his word for after he had spent all the rest of that day and the beginning of the night in giving orders he retired something sooner then ordinary Yet first he understood that at the first Heracleon would hardly suffer himself to be dressed and raved as if he had been mad but at last he suffered his wounds to be dressed which proved very dangerous yet not impossible to be healed and though they were not yet it would be long ere he dyed of them At last Cyrus sent for Miris to give him audience conjuring him to make an exact relation of Sesostris his life For said Cyrus your hints concerning Heracleon makes me desirous to know more so also there is a secret kind of inclination in me which makes me to desire a more exact knowledge of his interests I assure you Sir replyed Miris you cannot have a greater desire to know then I have to acquaint you with his adventures Since so said Cyrus let us lose no time in discourse of any thing else Then Miris in obedience unto the commands of Cyrus began thus The History of SESOSTRIS and TIMARETA SIR TO inform you rightly concerning Sesostris and the cause of his misfortunes I must not onely relate the History of his Life but his Fathers also and I must exactly bring in the story of all Egypt in generall as well as his in particular So far is the originall and source of his misfortunes fetched Therefore I beseech you Sir do not wonder if I begin my discourse with things which at first sight seem impertinent unto my discourse yet by the
other wee parted Sesostris saying hee would walke by himselfe and I saying I would returne unto my Cabin Since we came out with a design to Hunt Sesostris brought his Bow and Quiver full of Arrows with a staffe in his hand like those which the Shepheards about Elephantine use to carry with a steele point at either end and with which one might defend himself as well as with any Sword For since in the Province of Elephantine these Crocodiles are not held in veneration as in that of Thebes where it is not lawfull to kill them but on the contrary they think it a thing well pleasing unto the Gods to purge Nilus from these terrible devourers and all the Shepheards of this Province carry such Pikestaffâ—s to kill them and defend themselves So Sesostris without any other design then contemplation walked a long time by the water side not meeting with any interruption of his study but at last coming unto a place where a little Isthmus shot it self into the Nile he espyed Timareta who to take the fresh air and view of the River had left Edisea and came unto this neck of Land which as I said shot it self into the River and the better to enjoy a prospect she had made a gap with her fair hands through that hedg of Osiers and Roses which grew along the banks of this Isle and which was thinner in that place then any where else Sesostris no sooner spied her but ravished with joy he made towards her yet hee had no sooner stept four paces forward but he espyed upon his right hand through the thick of Osiers and Roses one of these terrible Monsters of Nilus which cutting the water with incredible swiftnesse was ready to fall upon the fair Timareta and pull her into the water with his affrighting tallons which those Crocodiles are armed withall He no sooner saw this fierce Animall but he cryed out and ran with all hast to get between the Crocodile and Timareta for though he had Bow and Arrows yet hee knew that both the thicknesse of the hedge would hinder their execution and also the scales of the Crocodile were so hard that it was impossible they should enter Thus considering this in an instant he ran with his Pike-staffe in his right hand and his Bow in his left to get between the Monster and Timareta In the mean time the cry of Sesostris coming to the ears of this young Princesse she turning her head to know the reason and also seeing the Crocodile coming towards her she was so amazed with fear that she was speechlesse yet the excesse of her fears did not produce their ordinary effects but the contrary and made her run as fast as she could towards Sesostris and the nature of a Crocodile being to be more furious upon them which fly then those which stand stoutly to them this fierce Animal fearing to lose his prey flounced out of the River made the air eccho with the rattle of his scales and shaking off the fome of water he followed the fair and fearfull Timareta who turning her head sometimes to see whether the Monster were near her yet ran with incredible swiftnesse towards Sesostris who ran also to her relief Imagine Sir I beseech you what an object was this unto Edisea who a far off saw this terrible spectacle In the mean while Sesostris turning upon his right hand to let Timareta passe by he got betwixt the Crocodile and her to stay his fury at least though he could not overcome him This Monster which never saw Sesostris because he looked onely upon his fair prey which he pursued seemed to be surprised and stopt upon a suddain But though the nature of the Crocodiles as I said before was to be lesse furious upon those who stoutly stood to them then upon those which fly yet since he saw himself so far from his Sanctuary the River despair did rouze his fury and he fell upon Sesostris yet recoiled at first some two or three paces but it was to return with greater violence but Sesostris being beyond belief stout did not at all lose his judgement so throwing away his bow and taking his Pike-staffe in both hands the combat began between this fierce Monster and him whereof the fair Timareta who was faln with fear and wearinesse some twenty paces off was a witnesse as well as Edisea whose affright would neither permit her to goe forward nor backward In the mean time since Crocodiles can see better upon land then water this did put by the point of the Pike-staffe so cunningly that Sesostris could not touch him unlesse in such places where he could not hurt him for this armed Monster had onely one place where he could receive any mortall wound Sometimes he would seem weary and make a retreat purposely to surprise Sesostris then upon a sudden stretching out his greedy tallons and opening his hellish mouth wherein all the teeth were poysoned he would cast himself upon him with such violence that Timareta often thought her dear deliverer was devoured The Scales of this horrid Monster made a shrill noise and would vary into severall colours their russet would become red and anon blew his eyes were full of a gloomy fire his teeth seemed all bloody with the last prey he had devoured a green and yellow foame spued out of his throat and a thick dusky smoak which came from his nose so blinded the eyes of Sesostris that he could hardly defend himself from his tallons yet his great heart was not at all astonished or weary but he avoyded all the assaults of this affrightiug Monster with such incredible agility as is admirable he shifted so nimbly sometimes to the right hand sometimes to the left that at every turn he gave him a thrust but to his great grief all in vain In the mean time this gaping Monster would not submit but with a reach of his paw scratched all the Arrows out of his Quiver and with another reach pulled his Quiver quite from him thinking to pull him also but by good fortune the quiver loosened and he escaped the fury of this monster yet he began to think he should perish at the last and had no hope in any thing but the glory in rescuing his dear Timareta when the Crocodile rose up right on his hinder feet intending to throw himselfe upon the head of Sesostris but this Hero took that opportunity to thrust his Pike into his belly and reached his very heart it was a happy hit to light just upon that only place where the scales were penetrable this monstrous beast perceiving himselfe wounded bellowed out a horrid noise and strove to revenge his death but Sesostris being ravished that he had wounded his fierce enemy and to see his blood run upon the grasse did hold his pike-staffe so stiffe and close in the wound that the monster could not disengage himselfe but in lieu of falling upon Sesostris tumbled on one side moving very weakly for
the guard and my self But the strangnes of this accident is Sir that just as they opened the Kings Chamber dore to goe and wake him and tell him Sesostris desired to speak with him we saw the wardrobe dore open at the same time and many men with drawne swords enter into the Chamber which had a Lamp burning in it Sesostris no sooner saw this but drawing his sword he ran with a most magnanimous generosity between the Kings bed and these Assasinates not considering him as the usurper of his Kingdome but as the father of Timareta So that the King being wakened with the noise of them that would have killed him and them that defended him for the two Guards and I followed Sesostris with our swords drawn the first object that he saw was that Sesostris killed one of the Assassinates and wounded another he also observed that he still stood betwixt him and them as much as he could I cannot easily tell you Sir what an affrighting object this was unto Amasis but it lasted not long for the incomparable valour of Sesostris repulsed all the wicked Assassinates Tanisis who led them up felt the weight of Sesostris his arm being wounded in two places So that after this fear seising upon all the Conspirators they went out of the Chamber and Wardrobe Sesostris would have pursued them further but Amasis rising up hastily would not let him So that making the doors fast on that side and guarding them untill all were awake in the Palace the King sent two of the Guard down the back stairs to know the number of the Conspirators and to report all they saw unto him Also hee sent other two to cause all his Officers to come unto him and amongst the rest Simandius In the mean time those who failed in the execution of that designe rallyed about Heracleon for hee stayed in the Court with those whom he had appointed to murder Sesostris But since he saw his designes did not hit and that hee could neither kill the King nor Sesostris hee pitched upon another plot which was to carry away the Princesse of Aegypt Hee knew shee had but few men with her and that shee lodged farre off the Kings lodging For Elephantine not being the ordinary residence of our Kings the Palace where he lodged was very irregularly built So that Heracleon finding more facility in this design then the other he did easily execute it Causing then her door to be opened in the name of the King he entered and took away Timareta maugre all her teares cryes and entreaties and this great Princesse had scarce time enough to dresse her self Yet she had this advantage in her misery that her women went with her In the mean time those men whom the King sent to discover the Conspirators hearing some women cry returned in all hast and told the King that they were in the Princesse Timareta's chamber So that Sesostris hearing this ran like a man in fury to defend his Princesse but he came too late for Heracleon and Tanisis were both already embarqued You may easily imagine Sir how this Prince was grieved especially when he saw all his pursuits of Heracleon were in vain That which favoured his flight was that none imagined that he was embarqued in the Nile but that he was still hid in Elephantine The next morning it was known that Heracleon landed at the place where he had layd his horses and that Tanisis stayed by the Rivers side and dyed in the arms of some Shepheards who found him in that place though no news could be heard of Heracleon or which way he took and though Sesostris used all possible endeavours to finde it out for he wandered two whole moneths hardly knowing whither he went Amasis for his part caused a strict search to be made all over the Kingdome and all in vaine So that at last Sesostris was constrained to stay with the King untill he had further light where Heracleon was In the mean time all those who took up Armes for the Son of Apriez layd them down againe And the King went to Thebes carrying Sesostris with him whose sorrows were beyond expression From Thebes they went to Memphis where the King met with an Ambassador from Croesus who demanded ayd according to the alliance which was between them So that Amasis sent those men who served in the war of Thebes who had been witnesses of the valour of Sesostris under the name of Psammetites Amasis willing Simandius to command them but a while after these Forces were departed a Letter which Heracleon writ unto one of his friends in Aegypt did happily fall into the hands of Sesostris which let him know that he was in Lydia So that Sesostris not communicating his design unto any but me resolved to steal away from Amasis and Amenophis to serve in the War under Croesus And this he did with abundance of reluctancy for he was infinitely charmed with the fame of your valour and virtue and loth he was to take any side but yours Yet Love being the predominate passion of his soul he resolved to serve Croesus thereby to obtain Timareta So that Sesostris stole away from the Court and I followed him At parting he writ unto the King acquainting him with the cause of his voyage also unto Amenophis desiring him to appease the King assuring him he would never return unlesse he brought back Timareta also desiring him to move Amasis to write unto Croesus that he would make a strict search for Timareta and return her to him At last Sir we arrived at Sardis where Simandius was before us with the Forces he commanded who were as full of joy as wonder to see my Master I need not tell you Sir how Croesus the King of Pontus and the Prince Myrsyles received Sesostris very well But I assure you hee was infinitely grieved that hee could hear no news either of Heracleon or Timareta after all his care and search with Croesus made upon the Letter of Amasis In the meane while as things stood honour would not permit Sesostris to goe out of Sardis to seek his Princesse from Town to Town throughout Lydia also the approach of the Army presently made it a thing impossible for him So Sesostris in lieu of looking for Timareta was engaged to fight and he did so courageously that he deserved immortall glory and Sir you know that your Battalion was the onely one that day which was not broken But Sir be pleased to know that the Prince Sesostris was not wounded by any of your men but by the base Heracleon I cannot tell you Sir how he came mingled amongst us or how he came to know my Master but when we were fighting with the valiant Abradates and when Sesostris did things worthy of your esteem had you been a witnesse this Traytor Heracleon came behind him who thought he had no enemyes to fight with but what were before him and wounded him in such sort that hee fell down
time when he could neither see nor follow us Martesia wished to meet the King of Assyria to tell him that this device was better then the white habits in a snow which he used to get out of Babylon that we might have the pleasure of seeing him desperate when hee could hear the Princesse and not see her As for Mandana she hinted to us though she did not name you that she was desirous to see you Sir and that you might onely hear her voice Thus we went on not suspecting that the King of Pontus was so near as to hear us Yet me thought that as we went over a stony way I heard more horses then we had in our company but durst not expresse my thoughts Thus wee got out of the Camp and about the height of the day the Sun began to be so hot that the Princesse complained very much And coming to a place where were two wayes the one leading unto a thick shady Wood and the other into an open Plain the King of Pontus seeing the men who guided Mandanaes horse to take the open way he forgot that he should not speak and commanded them to turn upon the right hand into the shade I leave you to imagine Sir how we were surprised when wee heard the King of Pontus his voice which wee knew full well The truth is it was so great that we cryed out all at once The Princesse stopped upon a suddain and leaping hastily from her horse she became visible and fell into such lamentable complaints as would have moved pitty from very stones I no sooner saw her lighted from her horse but I did the same and so did Martesia and went both unto the Prince the King of Pontus was extreamly perplexed for since he had only four in his company he thought it would be difficult to carry us away by force therefore he went politiquely to work for leaving his Ring with Timonides he came and threw himself at Mandanaes feet giving her all the respective language that a violent and submissive passion could devise beseeching her to pardon him protesting he would still observe the same submission unto her as formerly and assuring her that he would onely endeavour to winne her by his tears adding that if he could not obtaine this happinesse in a short time he would then carry her unto Ecbatan Yet all his submissive eloquence could not move the Princesse who told him peremptorily that she would absolutely die upon the place Insomuch as the King of Pontus perceiving her obstinate and would goe no further he began to beseech her not to force him to faile in his submissive respects and force her to follow him And to shew you Madam said he unto her that I am able to doe it know that I have fiftie Horse with me though you see them not At first the Princesse did not beleeve him but the King of Pontus causing Pactias and Timonides to speake she did no longer question the truth for she knew both their voices So that exceedingly grieving at it and chusing rather to follow her Ravisher then to force him by a vaine resistance unto any violence she yeelded since she could not chuse and got upon her horse Yet first she told the King of Pontus that he should never hope for any thing from her but hatred and contempt In the mean while since in lighting from my horse I had let goe my bridle it was a peece of difficulty to finde him againe since he carryed with him that which made him invisible and Timonides was ready to take me up behind him when this horse which was kept with that which Pactias rid upon came unto him when he neighed so that Pactias hearing him so near to him layd hold on him and I got up Then after that Timonides had given the King of Pontus his Ring againe wee went on but alass it was with thoughts different from those wee had before and certainely this Princesse did repent of her escape yet I cannot tell you her thoughts but by conjecture for since that I never heard her speak When we were come into the Wood where we saw some houses the King of Pontus let the Princesse stay under a shade and brought some meat unto her but she would take nothing onely a glasse of water and that at the request of Martesia after which we continued on our journey In the mean time Timonides feared that I should complain against him for not imparting his Masters secret unto her therefore he rid alwayes next me and I having a great desire to know how wee came to be invisible conjured him to tell me and assured him that if he would tell me the truth I would pardon him I had no sooner said so but Timonides being glad that I would accept of his justification bad me in a low voice stop my horse and stay a little behinde the King of Pontus for seeing the two Footmen which guided Mandanaes horse we knew he was not farre off her So that stopping our horses untill we were out of hearing after Timonides told me with a thousand oaths that he knew nothing of the designe untill the last night that Pactias cold him he related all unto me adding that it would be long before the King of Pontus came unto any place of retreat and that he was resolved to travell all night and not to rest the Princesse until break of day In the mean time we were so attentive unto our discourse that we never minded our way so that being in a thick Wood full of severall wayes we took a wrong one and we minded it so little that though wee met with two women with baskets of fruit upon their heads wee never so much as enquired of them Alas said Cyrus and interrupted her I met those women also and what they told me was the reason why I took not that way which would have conducted me unto the Princesse But I beseech you relate unto me quickly all that you know that I may in all hast go and repair my fault I shall quickly end Sir said Arianita for Timonides and I perceiving wee were out of the way wee doubled our pace back hoping to overtake them but wee never could Then this accident did happen unto me for be pleased to know riding along the Torrent my horse slipped and threw me into it so that being much hurt Timonides was much troubled with me and I know not what hee could have done without the help of him who brought you hither Ah Arianita cryed Cyrus out what will all you told me availe me unlesse you will let me have that stone which made you invisible that I may make use of it if ever I meet with Mandana Alas Sir replyed she one misfortune never comes alone for be pleased to know it fell into the River when my horse did throw me and as for that of Timonides hee took it from his finger when he came to helpe me out of
Princess Timaretta that as soon as he had taken convenient order for the handsomness of her voyage and for the magnificency of her Train and Equipage she should when she pleased return into Aegypt under the conduct of Sesostris upon condition notwithstanding that she would honour him with her promise to make that renowned Prince as happy as he deserved to be These two great Princesses having answered Cyrus as civilly as generosity obliged them he left them to visit Croessus to the end he might ask his pardon for the King of Assyria's violencies to condole with him his misery and to present the Prince Artamas unto him knowing well that the King of Phrygia would consent unto this reconciliation But in going thither Hidaspes who had the guard of these Princes and of all the Castle caused them to pass through the stately Chamber wherein all the Treasures of Croessus did lie The sight of such a mass of riches and so many glistering things had not brought him out of that profound study into which the taking away of Mandana had put him if Tigranes Anaxaris and Chrisantes who followed him as well as the Prince Artamas had not expressed their wonder and astonishment by the cries which they could not restrain notwithstanding those respects which they were alwayes wont to observe unto that Heroique Conquerour Yet notwithstanding their admiring noyse had not invited Cyrus unto any consideration of so many glorious sights if Chrisantes who was loath to pass so soon out of so fair a place had not by his words awakened him Look Sir at least I beseech you said he and smiled upon that you have conquered and be confident that since Fortune has so far smiled upon you as to make you Master of all these Treasures it is impossible she should frovvn so much as to let you lose the Princess Mandana Therefore Sir you may very vvell look upon them as most certain pledges of your future good fortune I shall look upon him replied Cyrus vvhen Ciaxares gives me leave to recompence the valour of so many brave men vvho hath aided me as you have done to conquer them or vvhen he has permitted me to restore them unto the unfortunate Croessus in the consideration of the Prince Artamas But since that is not yet it is sufficient I appoint Hidaspes to have a care of them and indeed Cyrus had not stayed a minute longer in consideration of all that magnificence if he had not observed that Tigranes had an earnest desire to stay longer So that being unvvilling to oppose his curiosity he vvalked softly through three great Chambers and tvvo Galleries vvhich passed from one into another and vvhich vvere all filled vvith most rare and precious things All placed in such an order and by so much Art that one might every vvhere observe a regular confusion and pleasant disorder vvhich the lustre of the magnificent Cabinets did make all vvhich did fill the imagination of beholders vvith abundance of pleasing conceipts and forced their minds and spirits into admiration and certainly not without good cause and Cyrus as disinterested as he was and though full of sorrow and passion yet in the end honored with his observance this prodigious heap of riches which Croessus had so dearly doted upon and which Solon so little esteemed that they purchased his aversion Never was seen together so much silver so much gold so many precious stones nor so many rarities as there were in those three Chambers and two Galleries The Grandure of the Dishes and Vessels were prodigies the Statues of the same mettle were innumerable and in beauty incomparable but amongstâ— all these several figures of gold there was one of Marble so admirable that it invited Cyrus to stay and a long time to admire it above the rest though the material of it was not so precious as many others it was fashioned with so much art and represented so fair a person as it is no wonder if it charmed the eyes of a Prince whose judgment was most delicate and who was exquisitely able to judg of all beauties This Statue was of a natural and ordinary grandure standing upon a Pedestal of gold between Pillars on four sides of an admirable beauty to each of them were Captives chained of all sorts and conditions but they were inchained by little Cupids so rare and admirably wrought as eye never saw better The figure represented a Woman of about eighteen years of age of a most superlative surprizing and exact beauty all the features of her face were wonderfully fair her stature so noble and handsome that nothing could be more alluring her dress was so Courtly and extraordinary that it was equally after the mode of Tâ—rian Ladies after the fashion of the Nymphes and after that fashion in which the Goddesses are dressed but particularly the Goddess of Victory as the Athenians deck her that is without wings and only with a Coronet of Lawrel upon her head This Statue was placed upon its Basis with such a sprightly action as it seemed to be animated The face the neck the arms the hands were of white Marble as well as the thighes and feet whereof one part only was to be seen through the lacing of her buskins because she did with her left hand a little hold up her Mantle that she might as if it were the more easily walk holding in her right hand the skirt of her Vaile which descended from the hinder part of her head under the Coronet of Laurel as if she would prevent the Wind from whifling it too much All the garnishings of this figure were cut in Marble and Jasper of various colours The garment of this fair Phenecian which was lapped in a thousand pleasing folds was of Jasper whose colour was so lively that it resembled the Tirian purple A Scarf which was negligently thrown about her neck and reached to her shoulders was of a kind of Marble mingled blew and white which infinitely pleased the eye The Vail of this figure was of the same piece but carved with so much art that it seemed to be as soft and pliant as a piece of Tiffiny The Coronet of Laurel was of green Jasper and the Buskins were of enamel'd Marble but the rarest piece of admirable art was there was a kind of Ayr and Spirit in this figure which did inaminate it and which perswaded all beholders that it was ready to walk and speak One might perceive a sprightly Phisiognomy and a certain kind of fierceness in her action as let all beholders know that she whom it represented had a fierce soul this figure looking with scorn upon the Captives which were inchained at her feet Moreover the Carver had so exactly imitated the freshness and plumpness of young fair ones that one might know the age of her whom he represented by that Statue This figure being thus admirable it was not without reason that the illustrious Cyrus was so curious as to ask the Prince Artamas whether
himself to the end they might be sharers also of some part of that glory which he should get Aristheus being extreamly joyed at the arrival of these two friends made it known unto Cyrus who they were though this Prince did already know them very well by the description of Telamis when he related the history of Elisa Also he received them with much joy and with the same civility which he used unto all men of extraordinary merit But in gaining Megabates and Clearques he lost Aristheus who at the same time received orders from the King of Phenicia to thank Cyru for all his favours and to return unto Tire he having no more business to imploy him in about Cyrus for some reasons which he mentioned in his Letter so that this excellent man parted from this great Prince sooner then he intended but he parted from him so extreamly satisfied with his Spirit with his generosity with his courtesie and with all his qualities as he hath since confessed that never since he knew the world had he ever seen or heard a man so fit to represent the grandure of Heroes and even of the Gods as Cyrus adding that his acquaintance with this Prince hath extreamly elevated his spirit and made him able to end his Poem better then he had began it In the mean time Aristheus after he had taken his leave of Cyrus and bad adieu unto all those Princes who infinitely esteemed him he departed from Thybarra and though it was not his neerest way to returnunto Sardis yet the esteem which he had of Doralisa perswading him that it was the neerest he took that way in his return to Tire But as the arrival of these two valiant Phenicians was a happy presage unto Cyrus so the arrival of a servant which went with him whom he sent unto Cumes gave him a most certain assurance of happy success in his enterprize for by him he received a Letter from Martesia wherein he found these words MARTESIA unto the illustrious CYRUS SIR THe carrying away of the Princess Araminta which I have made known unto the Princess Mandana having justified you in her resentments I thought it my devoire to acquaint you with it to the end you might transact with the more joy for the libertie of a person who repents her self of the injustice which she hath done you yet it is without her participation that I give you this intelligence but yet I am confident that if she did know it she would easily pardon me for taking thâ—s freedome to write unto you since certainly the reason why she her self does not write is because her great heart will not permit her to confess that she has done you wrong However Sir be at quiet concerning the King of Pontus and be most confident that if Cumes should prove so impregnable unto you as the heart of Mandana is unto him you will never release her nor by consequence MARTESIA The reading of this Letter made Cyrus so full of joys that he forgot almost all his past misfortunes and hope did inspire his Spirit that maugre all the dismal Oracles which he had received and in spite of all those bug-bear difficulties which he foresaw in the Siege of Cumes he did not question his happy success In the mean time he asked this servant who was of the intelligence how he came by this Letter and what was the state of things in the Town To the first he answered that his Master gave him the Letter without telling him how he had it and to the rest he gave him full instructions of all that he desired to know for by it he understood the order which was kept in the Town and how they guarded the Princess who is as much unknown in Cumes as if she were here and so is the King of Pontus He told him also that the Enemies Army prepared to relieve Cumes when the Siege was set down and that Pactias and one whose name was Licambes did command it adding also to the instructions which he gave unto Cyrus that by the orders which was established at the Gates of the Town the same day he came away it would be hereafter almost impossible for his Master to give him any intelligence After this Cyrus consulted with himself whether he should shew Martesia's Letter unto the Prince Mazares but he resolved to shew him only the instructions concerning the state of things for though the happiness of a Rival does commonly quench the flames of Love in the heart of an ill-treated Lover yet it does not alwayes so for somtimes jealousie does awaken that passion and in lieu of stifling doth revive it So that not to put the Prince Mazares unto so much torment as to know the mind of Mandana he would not shew him the Letter In the mean time the day of departure being come and the Army at the Rendezvouz Cyrus thought fit to divide it into three bodies ordering the March so that the Ships of Thrasibulus should be in the mouth of the Port before he appeared in sight of the Town Thus his march might be the more easie more speedy and more orderly These three bodies being able to arrive almost all at once and fall upon Cumes in an instant Cyrus would take that way towards the Sea as that wherein was most danger because the Enemy was that way incamped he had under his division the Persians the Medeans the Cappadocians and all the Homotimes The Hircanian Cavalry were also with him Cyrus having forced Clearques to command a part of them in lieu of an Officer newly dead for as for Megabates he would fight under Cyrus as a Voluntier Since all these Troops which he had made choice of had couragiously and faithfully served under him in all his Conquests he had a great confidence in them The other division which was commanded by the Prince Mazares and which took upon the left hand were composed of Assirian Armenian and Egiptian Troops The third commanded by the Prince Artamas consisted of Gilician and Susanian Troops and of all those who were levied in the new conquered Country The Artilary was commanded by Persodes and Cyrus did not think it fit that Croessus should have any command in his Army nor would he permit the King of Hircania to have any lest there should be any jealousie or envy between them so that these two Kings kept alwayes in the quarters of Cyrus and were in all the Councels which were held The march of these three Bodies was so just and even that they came at one very instant before Cumes the scituation whereof was very strange for it was seated between two great hills of Sand by the Sea side which seemed Mountains of Snow to those who saw them at a distance On the East it looked towards Thybarra or the South Mylet Xanthes on the West and the Sea upon the North Its Territory was of no large extent all their commodities came to it by Sea This Town
now a mind to contribute unto his liberty But since he had more wronged Mandana then the King of Assiria and consequently it more concerned him to repair the one then the other he stayed in the Camp to the end he might be present at the taking or rendition of Cumes though the very imagination of the enterview between Cyrus and Mandana would cut him to the heart In the mean time since the Fates were resolved to put the generosity of Cyrus to the utmost test there arrived a messenger from Arsamones who having demanded private audience obtained it from Cyrus who received a Letter from Arsamones under his own hand but it being only a Letter of credance it was from the man who brought it which Cyrus knew the Proposition which the King his Master made This Envoy being a man of parts he prepared the mind of Cyrus by a very long Prologue aggravating the unjust usurpations of the Pontean Kings upon those of Bithinea and what violent affronts the King of Assiria had put upon a Prince and a Princess who were so neer related unto Arsamones After which desiring to induce Cyrus unto a consent to what he should desire The King my Master said he unto him after he had sufficiently aggravated all causes of complaint against those two Princes doth think himself to be happy amidst his misfortunes in having such Enemies as yours and cannot think that you will protect them against him In this thought he hath commanded me to tell you that knowing the King of Pontus will ere long be in your power so the King of Assiria is already in his and that if you will be pleased to put that usurping Prince into his hands he will put the King of Assiria into yours unless you had rather have him keep him a Prisoner to rid you of an Enemy I do not use replied Cyrus to rid my self of my Rivals by any such wayes and I cannot chuse but wonder that a Prince who hath so gloriously reconquered his Kingdome should desire to rid himself of his Enemy by such an ignoble way But since Arsamones hath been so unjust as to hold Spitridates in a rigorous Prison who is one of the most illustrious Princes upon earth I need not think it strange he should desire to use his Enemy so However though the King of Pontus be mine and the King of Assiria also yet I will neither deliver the first unto the King of Bithinia nor secure the other as he adviseth me but on the contrary I have several times offered the King of Pontus to reconquer his Dominions for him if he will restore the Princess Mandana unto me and I have this day sent to offer the King your Master the King of Assiria's Ransome for his liberty I pray judg after this whether I can hearken unto any such Proposition as you make But Sir replied the Messenger these two Princes are your Rivals your Enemies and the Ravishers of Mandana It is most true replied Cyrus and therefore I am the more obliged to be revenged by honourable wayes and not to give them so much advantage as to wound my reputation which thanks be to the heavens did never yet receive the least blemish Tell therefore your Master that I neither can nor ought to do as he desires and that if he be well advised he will call home the Prince his Son and suffer him to marry the Princess Araminta whose virtues are high to the end he may have a legitimate title to the Kingdom of Pontus if the Fate of Arms should chance to make him perish in this War to whom it now belongs And as for the King of Assiria I do intend to follow my first design in sending to Arsamones about him This Envoy would have given farther reasons unto Cyrus but this Prince was so constant unto his first Principles as he imposed silence upon him However he gave orders that he should be treated well and kept him two or three daies in the Camp to the end the Troops might have the more room to rendezvouz Whilst he was there Gadates understanding that he was a Bithinean and sent by Arsamones did much wonder that he should hear nothing from Intaphernes his Son nor from the Princess Istrina his Daughter But this messenger telling him that they knew not of his journey his wonder ceaseed and he writ unto them by him when he departed with Hidaspes After which Cyrus had more restless thoughts then he was able to Master for as oft as he thought that Mandana was not in Cumes his sorrows were unexpressible The sad disaster at Sinope and that which he had at Sardis made him apprehend such fears of taking Cumes and not finding Mandana in it that he was not in less sorrow then if the misfortune had happened already In the mean time these his fears which seemed so well grounded proved shadows and the King of Pontus was as much perplexed at the loss of this Heliotrope as Cyrus was in the belief that he still had it Indeed as oft as he remembred that as he imbarqued at the Port Atarmes in such hast when he took Spitridates for Cyrus that he gave all his Heliotropes unto one of his men to carry and when he remembred that he to whom he gave them did in the Tumult let them fall into the Sea he was in a most desperate condition accusing himself of extream indiscretion for making so bad a choice of him he trusted for the neerer the Truce was at an end the further off was he of finding out any wayes of escaping with Mandana The Prince of Cumes who saw his State lost if this Princess got out had alwayes a most watchful eye over the King of Pontus so that which way soever he looked all seemed disasterous to him If he looked upon Mandana he saw her still incensed against him If he looked upon the Prince of Cumes he saw his Protector become his Spy If he turned his eyes towards the Sea he saw a puissant Navy If he looked towards the Land he saw Works Forts and Souldiers resolved to vanquish or dye If he looked upon the Walls of Cumes he saw such a breach as would let in Cyrus upon the first assault If he looked upon the Inhabitants of that Town he heard nothing but murmures against him and if he considered himself he found that he was the most unfortunate man in the world whether he looked upon himself as a Lover or only as a King without a Kingdom or as the Enemy of Cyrus for though he was obliged unto him and might be more if he would have accepted his generous offers yet now he was nothing but a lump of black melancholy since he could see no way to escape and could not resolve to part with Mandana In the mean while that faithful Agent which Cyrus had in the Town negotiated under-hand with the people and disposed them to revolt in case the Prince of Cumes and the King of
Sir replied Anaxaris with a strange confusion it appertains not unto an unknown one to command any where but doubtless the man who hath had the honour to bear the same chains Mandana did to shew you which was her Prison therefore Sir if you please you may go up those stairs upon your right hand For my part said Mandana unto Cyrus purposely to oblige Anaxaris I do not wonder this illustrious unknown one should so well know the way of a Prison whose doors he knows so well and so couragiously how to open But it 's strange methinks added she and looked upon Cyrus with a smile that my Deliverer should go about to bring me again unto it and that the Conquerour of all Asia should need a guide he who knows how to find out Victory wheresoever he will look for it though it be the most difficult thing in the world to find You do me wrong Madam replied he if you think that victorie was my only aim in all my enterprizes since I never regarded it but only as a means to conduct me unto you Since Mandana's chamber was but just one pair of stairs high she had not time to answer Cyrus for as soon as she was in the Chamber Cyrus presented the renowned Voluntiers which followed him unto her amongst the rest Megabates whom the Princess received with civility equal to his merit In the mean while since it grew late and since prudence prompted Cyrus to take care for the security of the Town and in it Mandana especially since the King of Pontus could not be found he had at that time no long discourse with the Princess yet he could not possibly leave her before one quarter of an houres talk in private and before he had given her new assurances of his fidelity and respectful Passion You see here Madam said he unto her the very same Artamenes who at the first in the Garden of Sinope did protest that he would love you as long as he lived and you see him now at Cumes ready to assure you by new Protestations that he is still and ever will be the same You have given me such magnanimious testimonies of your affection replied Mandana that it is not necessary to confirm them by words a thousand glorious actions and as many important services have sufficiently perswaded me of it But it is my part who have nothing but words to give to make choice of my best eloquence whereby to assure you Sir that I am as full of acknowledgments as any sensible and generous heart is capable of Oh Madam replied Cyrus though all you words be most precious and though you gave me the most favourable language in the world yet that 's not it which I would have and I should be much better satisfied with one thought of that heart which you say is more sensible and generous then ten thousand words of thanks civility or acknowledgments Never trouble your self Madam I beseech you to study words as it seems you design let the eloquence of your eyes only tell me you are not sorrie that you raign in my heart Let me I say to my felicity think that your libertie is not the only cause of joy in your countenance and that if Cumes had been taken by any then my self you would have been less satisfied Though you do not much value my words replied Mandana and smiled yet I will tell you that you have reason to believe that I think my libertie sweeter from your hand then from any other and I will add further yet that since I have been the cause of all your sorrowes I should be unjust if I did not allow you to think that the joy which you see in my eyes proceeds from the satisfaction which I have in seeing you again Oh Madam said Cyrus when I said that I did not value your words I knew not what I said for I find them so sweet and so glorious unto me that I am fully recompenced for all the sorrowes I have suffered so they be not spoken only out of a bare civilitie such as might perhaps be due unto a Prince whom Fortune imployed for your deliverie Therefore Madam if you will be pleased to compleat my happiness do me the honour to confess unto me that all these your infinitely obliging expressions are addressed unto me as your Captive and not as unto a Prince whom Fortune hath made a Conquerour of others If I could separate Cyrus from the Conquerour of Asia replied Mandana and laughed I would divide my civilities to content you but since they are inseparable give me leave without any distinction to speak equally to them and since I find in one and the same person a great Prince a great Conquerour and my Deliverer give me leave to render unto him what I think is due I beseech you Madam said Cyrus and interrupted her take from me the two first of these qualities which you attribute unto me and give me another which would better suit with me I have been so long amongst men to whom I denied all they asked replied Mandana in a most obliging kind of rallarie that you need not think it strange since I cannot so soon lose the habit of denying if I do not now consent unto all you ask for I assure you I am not yet so well perswaded that I am free but somtimes I fancie that I see the King of Pontus appear To prevent that Madam replied Cyrus it is requisite I leave you that I may go and give all necessarie orders for it So Cyrus after a most profound reverence unto Mandana went out of her Chamber Mazares Anaxaris and all the rest followed These two thought the conference between Cyrus and Mandana so long that the virtue of Mazares was put unto a difficult trial and the impatience of Anaxaris was ready to break out yet they followed Cyrus with faces and hearts full of melancholie unto all places where he went to give orders In the mean time though the ruine of a Rival be a thing which everie one would endeavour yet Cyrus who was once obliged to the King of Pontus when he went under the name of Artamenes and who maugre his love looked upon him as Brother to the Princess Araminta whom he exceedinglie honored he was not so angrie as he would have been without these two considerations First that he was escaped his revenge Secondly that he was not to be found not that he was resolved if he had found him to alter his generous way of usage which he ever observed to him when he was his Prisoner and when he gave him his libertie at Sinope But yet he was not sorrie that Fortune did not put him to the necessitie of treating a Rival ill if he had fallen in his power And therefore in the Evening he sent a Barque unto the Prince Thrasibulus and unto Thimochares to bring their Fleets into the Port of Cumes the next morning that by this means the King
in my behalfe if you would not have me speake unto you in his And perswade her if it be possible to let me write unto her what my heart thinks But above all deare Sister be sure that this Letter do not passe for a piece of disobedience and that neither Atergatis nor my selfe be declared Delinquents either to her or you Adieu and believe I beseech you that Intaphernes loves his dearest Sister as well as an amorous heart can INTAPHERNES I Do confess sayd the Princess Mandana that I could not possibly believe that a Brother could speak of Love unto a Sister as he hath done to her without some trespass upon handsomness But Intaphernes hath done it so delicately and hath disobeyed a Command so respectively that I long to see how the Princess Istrina did answer him Orcames then presenting her Istrinas Letter and taking Intaphernes his she read these words ISTRINA Unto The Prince INTAPHERNES Brother I Need not tell you how the Letter surprized me for I am perswaded you do not doubt it Indeed I found it full of Freindship and full of Love but to testifie to you that I would not have you speak unto me in behalfe of the Prince Atergatis I do assure you that I will speak in your behalfe unto the Princesse of Bythinia and indeed already have done yet you are not a jott the better for shee thinks you culpable as I do Atergatis for disobeying T is true I never did forbid you to speak unto me concerning your passion nor his but my reason was I had no right to forbid you any thing and I will keep within my compasse and onely make use of my Prayers But as I have spoken in your behalfe unto the Princesse of Bythinia I conjure you to speak in my behalfe unto the Prince Atergatis and tell him that if I had as much power over him as you say I have I will as absolutely forbid him to make you the speaker of his passion as the Princesse of Bythinia forbids you by me to make me the speaker of yours unto her for the truth is our Curiosity is onely to know what passages are in the Warrs and not what passages are in your hearts obey therefore that Princesse and cause Atergatis to obey me And if it be possible let neither of you manifest your passions by any vaine disobedience Adue and beleeve I beseech you that I will ever preserve as much amity for you as any heart not in Love is capable of and by that consequence Istrina is more affectionate unto the Prince Intaphernes then Intaphernes is unto ISTRINA Really Orcames sayd the Princesse Mandana and returned Istrinas Letter If people should alwayes write so wittily in matters of Love as these Persons do it were almost to be wished that they should write of nothing else but that you may give me more subjects of commendations I beseech you proceed in the relation of their Adventures Since you command me Madam I must obey replyed Oreames and tell you That the Prince Intaphernes having received Istrinas Letter he returned her answer that he should make a doubt whether this was the Princesse of Bythinias command unlesse she did attest and command it under her owne hand And as for what related to Atergatis he would not also positively beleeve what the Brother of his Saint did say unless she also did confirm it under her hand To be short Madam he carryed the business so handsomly that though these two Princesses were extream wary how they writt any such Letters yet they both resolved to write two short Tickets of two lines because they would write no more then might be seen The Princess of Bythinias Ticket contained these words if my memory faile not I forbid the Prince Intaphernes to write any thing unto the Princesse Istrina but what I permit him to write unto my selfe upon paine of her displeasure of whom hee speaks unto her and upon promise of her savovr if he impose silence upon himself and obey her This Madam is the Ticket of the Bythinian Princess unto the Prince Intaphernes pursued Orcames and see if I be not mistaken how the Princes Istrinas was indited If you would have me believe that I have any power over you cause the Prince Intaphernes to mention you no more in his Letters to me since I desire to know nothing but what I have permitted your selfe to write and unlesse you obey this second Command as you did my first you have permission to mention nothing but the victories of Arsamones You may perceive Madam that these two notes were not very obliging and you see also they were very short and contained only a bare command Yet though Intaphernes and Atergatis had many excellent and large Letters from them since these two Tickets were not sealed subscribed nor superscribed they were much joyed at them and set a dearer rate upon them then upon all the rest of their fine formal Letters Intaphernes preserved his with abundance of care he did not keep it in the same place where all the rest of his Letters from the Princess of Bythinia were kept but in a place more precious For my part having nothing so delicate a wit as he nor could descant so subtlely upon passages of Love I must confess I could not choose but wonder to observe that this ticket which contained only an angry Command was preferred before all those fine Letters from the same hand and which were filled with Civilities and Elogies of his valour I asked him the reason of such an unreasonable act Alas Orcames said he unto me it seems you are a Novice in matters of Love since you know not the difference between the best Letter that can be in â—â—e world which is to be shewed unto every one and a small ticket which one is obliged to keep secret but the difference is so great as there is no comparison between them Why Sir said I unto him can you prefer two or three lines from the Princess of Bythinia before so many elegant Letters which you have received from her And are these two or three lines which forbids you to mention any matters of love unto the Princess Istrina more deare unto you then all those sweet and obliging Letters which commands you to write often unto her and to send her the newes of the Army Yes Orcames replyed he this little Ticket which contains but few words which seems carelesly written whose Characters are hardly legible and which forbids me to speak of my passion is a thousand thousand times more deare unto me and more pleasing then all her sweet Letters wherein it appears she culled the words which she employed whose Characters are so fine and legible and which commands me to write often unto her And if you did but know how to love you would know how to distinguish between a Letter of indifferency and a Letter of secresie so that then I should not need to seek for any reasons
right hand as we came from the Isles unto the Port. But because Carimantes would have Onesicrite and the Prince of Phoceus know what they did for them he contrived it so by the means of Hipomenes that I should go with Glacidia to be a witnesse of what she sayd so that after she had received her instructions from the mouth of the Princess I went along with her in her Coach without any other company but one woman and two footmen and came to the foot of that Mountain which as I told you was full of Pine trees When we came there we must go on foot for the Mountain was so rocky and uneven that a Coach could not passe But to avoyd the inconveniency of this rugged way we found horses to carry us a foot-way out of the wood and better halfe of the mountain whose â—op was so steep the horses had much ado to climbe it so that Glacidia alighting from the Horses we went the rest of the way on foot which was not so difficult as one would imagine it by reason of a pair of stayrs in a Rock which makes the rise more easie there being at severall distances little houses sustayned by pillars wherein those who climb the Rock may rest themselves in a shade Thus going by this odd kind of way I helped Glacidia to climbe who talked to me so pleasantly that I climbed this mountain and never looked back though it be a naturall action in all that climb to look down upon a place from whence they came so as since we never rested untill we came unto the last of these little houses which was not above twenty Paces from the Tower it was only there where I enjoyed the most pleasant prospect in the world The truth is Madam I do not think that a sweeter object was ever seen then from the height of this mountain For imagine you saw a most admirable Port in which was a most prodigious number of Ships and to render the Prospect more beautifull imagine a vast number of Cabins which seem a long and large City wherein Fishers inhabite along the Sea side Beyond which is a most pleasant Country On the other hand are the three Isles whereof I spake which please the eye exceedingly A little more on the left hand one may behold barren Rocks and a County so wild and savage as if one were in a Desart a hundred thousand Furlongs distant from any habitation but turning on the other side one may behold all opposite objects A Country as fertile as the other is sterile and as pleasant as the other is wild One may behold Gardens full of Oranges Meadows Hils Valleys and all that can make a country delightfull beyond which might mountains be discovered afar off which seemed to be so piled one upon another and in such fantasticall figures that they much pleased the eye and did limit the prospect that way And look but towards the Sea and it is very delightfull because it is continually full of Fisher-boats I beseech you Madam pardon my tedious description of this pleasant Mountaine where I stayed for Glacidia and to repaire my fault I shall not trouble you with any thing I saw in the Tower which served for the habitation of him unto whom we went whom we found ready to go unto the King who had sent for him This grave Sarronide whose wise and serious looks had a mixture both of grandure and pleasingnesse in them did receive Glacidia with all possible civility and sufficiently testified by his expressions that he much esteemed her But after the first Complements were over and Glacidia had presented me unto this sage Sarronide after she had in few words declared our misfortunes and had told him the reason why Cleonisbe had sent her unto him she joyned her perswasions unto her prayers and used such Rhetoricall arguments that though his soule had been of the most flinty composition in the world she would have melted him into pitty of so many miserable people Do not think said he unto her after she had spoken her mind that all your words were needfull to perswade me unto what the Princess desires For I do professe unto you that as soon as ever you began to speak I was resolved to do what you desire but I must confesse I took so much delight in hearing you that I could not find a heart to impose silence and indeed I was glad to receive instructions from you that I might the better know what arguments to use unto the King and perswade him unto what you desire Oh Father replyed Glacidia for so out of reverence she termed him do you not feare to puffe one up into a vanity of conceit by speaking thus You Sir I say whose words are all sincerity No replyed he never feare it for I am so well acquainted with the solidity of your vertue that I feare no such weakness in you However you may assure the Princess that I am so infinitely joyed to receive such commands from her as I can obey with much delight Tell her further that I am abundantly satisfied to see her so sensible of the miseries of poor unfortunate people for humility and compassion are Qualities so hard to be found in persons of her Rank as I cannot enough admire and honour her for it And therefore Daughter added he I advise you contribute all your endeavours unto the cherishing of such a noble and laudable disposition in her omit no occasion of commending her for it or any vertuous quality and also be sure you blame her boldly and home when you discover any obdurity or inhumanity in her The truth is you cannot do her better service then to infuse pitty into her soule I know very well that Cleonisbe needs none of these precepts yet I am such a professed Enemy unto all such as are not sensible neither of publique nor private misfortunes that I do every day tell my selfe as much as I desire you tell Cleonisbe lest I should insensibly become not compassionate enough And therefore said he and turned towards me do not think I would have Glacidia exhort Cleonisbe unto any goodnesse because she wants it but know that I do it only because I am perswaded that Princes Princesses can never have too much of vertue and goodness For to be just unto Cleonisbe I beleive she has all the vertues in a high degree and that her compassion extends it selfe so far that she never knew any unfortunate person whom she did not pitty and help also if she could After this Glacidia confirming what he sayd I added what I conceived might be advantageous unto the Prince of Phoceus the Princess Onesicrite Aristonice Sfurius Menedorus and all the Fleet in generall Thus Madam our businesse being well dispatched we returned unto the Castle to give an account of your voyage unto the Princess Cleonisbe who sent immediately unto Carimantés to tell him that the chief of the Sarronides was plyant unto his
time caused Spargapises to draw his Troops first out of their Winter Quarters and draw towards Issedon which began to suffer much because the Army of Ariantes had been close under the Gates of that Town all that sharp season Ariantes also seeing his Enemies in such haste did take the Field also and went to take his leave of Elibesis with extraordinary melancholy which was no good omen unto him the greatest cause of his sadness was because he knew almost of a certainty that Elibesis did not value his love but out of ambitious ends so that his mind being filled with this thought he could not chuse but express somthing of it at his bidding her adieu Since I know not Madam said he unto her whether fortune will smile or frown upon me I must tell you that I know not how you will look upon me when I shall return nor know I Madam whether you know it your self since my good or bad fortune depends upon the Fate of Arms However since it is not your pleasure I should be happy before the War be ended yet I beseech you assure me that I may loose a Battel and yet not loose you If you will be pleased to honour me with this favour Madam I assure you I shall not be easily overcome But if you will not alas sorrow it self will vanquish me before I fight Methinks Sir answered Elibesis very wittily that I could answer you in not answering only by beseeching you to answer your self all that I would answer if I should utter all the thoughts of my soul Therefore Sir since it is sufficient for you to imagine what I would say if I would satisfie you it is better to imploy that little time which I have of seeing you in assuring you that I shall spend the time of your absence in making prayers for your return and in wishing most zealously that I may soon see you return victorious over all your Enemies More then this Sir do not ask me unless you would have me think that you seek out for a pretence of quarrelling with me No Madam I do not seek for any pretence of quarrelling with you but it is you that seeks for a pretence of not giving me a direct answer However since it is your pleasure I should be kept in ignorance until the end of the War I must obey though I can tell you it is with much ado After this Ariantas left Elibesis who to keep him upon such terms as She desired did permit her eyes to tell him more then his mouth to the end that if he were victorious he might be still her Slave and She a Queen In conclusion She did so cunningly manage the mind of Ariantes both by her looks and the manner of her bidding him adieu that he did almost repent of his suspitioâ—s and parted from her not ill satisfied though She did not say any thing that could engage her self to follow his Fortune if it was not good But in conclusion Sir that Prince Ariantes departed from Issedon and went unto his Army which was not far off and Adonacris had the comfort of being absent from Argirispe by following him and well may I call it comfort for She was perpetually twitting him though he carried himself very civilly towards her for all her jealousies of him On the other side Noromata had the pleasure of seeing Sitalces depart and go unto the Army and rid her from the most terrible persecution that is imaginable for ever since She came from Issedon until he left her at Tipanis there was every day some jars passed between them But Sir not to trouble you with the jealous thoughts of Sitalces and Argirispe nor with the tender and virtuous thoughts of Noromata nor with the amorous imaginations of Adonacris give me leave to tell you that Agathersis having still a design in his heart to ruine his Rival he neglected no occasions of it for he did not only husband every advantage which the fate of Arms did give him but also he held private correspondencies within Issedon purposely to move the Inhabitants of the Town to rebel against Ariantes during his absence Fortune also was so favourable unto him that at the first drawing into the Field he put the Vanguard of Ariantes to the rout and though this first occasion was not deep in blood yet this first advantage served to quell the hearts of that Princes side and to incourage the opposite Party not but that Spargapises lost as many men of Quality as Ariantes did but yet he being the Master of the Field Fame did Trumpet him victorious But Sir the most remarkable passage of this encounter was that Sitalces was killed in it and Noromata behaved her self so as if She had no cause of rejoycing at his death yet truly She did not mo 〈…〉 in the deepest blacks but kept such an even temper in all her actions that no one living could lay any fault to her charge She also had the happiness to know that it was not Adonacris who killed â—italces for he was not in the fight indeed it was the wiâ—e Terez who commanded the Reserve Brigade that day and it was Terez who with his own hand killed Sitalces 'T is true he revenged his death by the last blow he struck for it wounded him so deep and dangerously that this wise and experienced Captain was stonied and could not get up on horseback But Sir though the death of Sitalces did at first give some satisfaction unto Adonacris because he thought that now Noromata would be at rest and liberty yet afterwards it did double his torment for when he considered that had he not married Argirispe he had married Noromata his mind was most lamentably tormented but to ease himself he intended to let Noromata know his mind So that sending one of his servantâ— secretly unto Tipanis hoping that Noromata now having no jealous Husband to fear she would not startle at a Letter from him since now all decency did allow her to receive any Letter from an absent friend But his hope was ill bottomed for Noromata was so far from receiving or answering it that she refused it and was angry at him though still she retained much tenderness towards him On the other side Argirispe was so extreamly troubled at the death of Sitalces that she was almost starke mad resenting it as a most considerable loss since she whom Adonacris loved had lost one of the most jealous husbands in the world But the wonder of all is Argirispe being a little ill when she heard of Sitalces his death she was then in such a fear of death least then Adonacris should marry Noromata that she fell into a very violent feavor and died in earnest I shall not tell you Sir how Adonacris took her death for having described him before to be a very accomplished man you may well imagine that he would not express any joy but having also described him in love you may well think
and know whether those of Chersias have more solidity in them then those Menesiphiles But Madam as I was going to answer all the Sages were seen to come in accompanied with Niloxenus Diocles and Cleodemes who after they had argued upon high and excellent questions came out of the Halâ— where the Princesses left them and came to take the ayr where they were However since the Princesses had a desire to hear the reasons of Menesiphiles and my self Eumetis addressed her self unto Periander and told him that he came very opportunely to be judg of a question of Gallantry unto which all the company were to give their opinions For Sir added She though it be no question concerning Government of Kingdoms or ruling of Commonwealths yet I think it not unworthy the curiosity of the Sages since it is concerning all the odd effects of so powerful and general a passion Periander then being acquainted with the question Solon whom it concerned did think it so nice that he said he was ready to give his opinion and turning towards the rest one out of inclination another out of complacency and all disposed themselves to give their Votes So that Melissa being come and every one taking their places except Aesope who left his Cleobuline commanded me to give my reasons permitting Menesiphiles to interrupt me when he pleased So that after I had a little thought upon what to say I addressed my self unto Menesiphiles as against whom I was to dispute Methinks said I unto him to judg rightly upon the question in hand and to know truly whether it be not a thing extreamly rare if not impossible to love one Lady twice it must be considered what causes love to the end it may be seen whether it be found in a person whom one loved before Since it is the same person replied Menesiphiles it must of necessity follow that the same is to be found in her the second time which was in her the first to wit the same beauty the same Spirit and the same agreeableness and therefore since these did invite the first time they may also the second Not at all replied I for though all these be the same yet they may want one particular charm which highly sets them off and that is novelty for that lustre which at the first did dazle the eyes and beget admiration by being well acquainted with them they become but ordinary use and custome does glut the senses and it is with beauty as with perfumes which after the first time lose their smells and consequently cannot beget a second liking or make a new Conquest Moreover as there is a necessity of hopes growing up with love So I hold it a most difficult thing for hope to revive when one leaves off loving out of reason or dispair or when Love of it self doth extinguish and I am perswaded that when one leaves off desiring a thing because he doth think it not worthy to be desired it is not an easie matter to renew that desire again However it is impossible that hope should grow without desires and that love can subsist without hope I do very well grant there may be some quarrelling during which one may imagine that he does not love though still he do but I cannot conceive that when one doth really cease to love one should ever begin again to love the same person Yet it is most commonly seen replied Menesiphiles that a Candle extinguished will be more easily lighted again then if it had never been lighted and though there be no heat at all left in yet there doth remain a kinde of disposition which makes it more capable of taking fire and I am verily perswaded that when one hath vehemently loved a person there does still reside some light touch of heat in the heart of that Lover which makes him more disposed to be moved at the charms of her he loved before then at the charms of any other for it must be granted that she has such charms as will please him because they pleased him before and therefore is more fit and likely to ingage him the second time then any other person For my part replied I I must confess I cannot understand how a person whose charms had not power enough to keep a man from ceasing to love her should have power to make the same Lover love her the second time For I am perswaded that as it is easier to keep the fire from extinguishing then it is to light it so it is more easie to preserve Love then to recreate it So that in my opinion as soon as a Lady sees that her beauty cannot hold her Lover she never need to think of ever fettering him again if once he really broke her chains But commonly those who are said to begin to love the same person again did never really leave loving her though they thought they did and questionless some sparks of the old fire lay hid in the Embers and seeming dead did deceive their own thoughts Indeed there are some jealous Lovers who are so bold in their raptures as to say they do not love though all the world knows there can be no real jealousie without love There are others also who because they have some sparks or effects of hatred in their minde presently they think they do hate For somtimes one shall see them in an angry mood make cruel imprications against those they adored yet it often happens that they would not curse them but because they love them But besides these two sorts of Lovers who love and know it not and who think they begin to love upon a new score when as they do only continue the old there is a third kinde who think as the rest that they are not in love because their Love cools and slacks a little for a time and they are not sensible of it either in point of joyes or point of sorrows but for all that their affections are but asleep not dead And when this kinde of Love begins to quicken by any accident it must be said only to waken not revive So that I do not wonder many are perswaded one may love the same person twice since the very same persons who have these kinds of passion whereof I speak are deceived themselves first and then they deceive others and yet it holds most constantly true that without a prodigy one cannot love one beauty twice yes I must confess that when love ceases by reason of any strange or unjust cause one may cease and begin again to love For example if a man in love thinks he is betrayed and in the heat of his resentment he passes from love to hatred and a while after he finds that he was mistaken I believe it will be an easie matter to revive that passion in his heart which he banished because he finds her to be the same She was when he loved her this is rather a continuance then a recommencement of love but for
who stayed in that part of the wood where Aripithis was to come So that seeing no likelihood of victory they sent Orders to those Forces which were before the Fort to retire and they themselves also are retired Aripithis staying farre in the wood with his forces I did not think good to engage him in the narrow Passes but came to you sir to tell you that there is none who can dispute the victory to you but as for Spargapises I know nothing Mazares had no sooner done speaking but Cyrus desiring to teach his men by his example that all blessings come onely from heaven he fell downe upon his knees and looking up to the Sunne which is the adored Deity of the Persians he gave thanks for the victory Thus he was seene victorious in the midst of a field full of dead and dying men under the homage of his valour unto the God whom he adored All his Troopes after his example did the like and every one according to the Religion of his Country did the like gratitude for such a signall victory indeed never was any more compleat the whole Army of the Enemy was vanquished not a squadron unscattered and undispersed Few of the Officers but what were either kil'd or prisoners the valiant Terez dyed in the head of that couragious Infantry which fought the last All the Enemies Engines and Batteries were taken and served for a Trophie of Glory unto the Conqueror their Baggage enriched all the Souldiers of Cyrus his Army and in testimony of this great Conquerors victory he incamped in the Enemies Campe but his greatest glory was that Myrsiles Artamas Intaphernes Atergates Gobrias Gadates Indathirses and all that were at this great dayes worke did publish aloud that Cyrus alone wonne the batâ—el And it is most certaine without any flattery of him that the prudence by which he guided his valour did get him the day for had he not restrained the impetuosity of his courage and the forwardness of his Troopes when he had broken the Left-wing of his Enemies things had not succeeded so happily For Cressus having led on his Troopes with a little too much precipitation they were presently routed not but that hee did signalize himselfe upon that occasion and shewed much courage but yet after he had received a great wound in his right Arme and was carryed out of the fight he had the sorow to see that wing which he commanded quite put to flight many battalians of his Infantry torne in pieces all his Engines taken by the Massagettans and indeed to have seene all his men perish had not the body of Reserve advanced in the Areare to their reliefe Thus one would have said that the victory had been on both sides for the Right-wing of Cyrus where he himselfe was did rout the Left-wing of Thomiris and the Right-wing of Thomiris where Ariantes was did rout the Left-wing of Cyrus But whilest this double victory was on either side the Infantry was not idle for that of Cyrus advanced against that of the Massagettans After all the most pleasing of his thoughts upon this occasion was to imagine that the noise of his victory would reach Mandana and that she would thank him for what he had done to deliver her As he was thus enjoying the sweet fruits of his victory in thinking upon his Princess Chrisantes came hastily to him and told him that one of the Prisoners who had the honour to be taken by his own hand was the Prince Spargapises How said Cyrus the Son of Thomiris my Prisoner Yes Sir replyed Chrisantes But those unto whom you committed all the Prisoners in guard having observed that this Prince whom they knew not had made more endeavours to escape then any of the rest and seeing that they had a great number to guard they bound him for the more securitie but a Massagettan who had seen me heretofore with you at the Tents Royall not being able to endurethe Son of his Queen to be in that condition and considering that I could not know him because he was at Issedon when you Sir were with Thomiris he acquainted me who he was in hopes of better usage but Spargapises hearing and observing that I understood his language he called unto me Since I cannot conceal my selfe said he unto me I pray let Cyrus know how his men use me like a slave and I desire so much favour from him as to be treated as a Prisoner of Warre and not to be tyed up as I am This Prince had no sooner said so but going to him I endeavoured to let him know that you would be extreamly sorry for the usage he had received and I would presently have caused him to be unbound but he who had the chief command of the guard not being there the Souldiers who understood not what that Prince said unto me would not lose him so that I came in all hast to acquaint you Sir that you may give orders for it Cyrus no sooner heard what Chrisantes said but he imagined that Mandana would be loaded with the same chains Spargapises was and that Thomiris would revenge upon her the hard usage her Sonne had received so that being both griev'd and vexed at what his men had done though he was very glad of such a Prisoner he sent Hidaspes with Chrisantes to cause him to be delivered and to bring him to his Tent commanding them to tell Spargapises that he had rather have been bound himselfe then to see so great a Prince as he in such a condition Hidaspes and Chrisautes according to the orders of Cyrus went to Spargapises and unbound him with their own hands after they had told him what Cyrus had said As long as they spoke this young Prince who was very lovely though of a surly deportment did hearken to them without any interruption but he hearkened unto them with such a fretting look as made it seem he took his misfortune with much impatiency so that desiring to comfort him they added unto what Cyrus had also charged him with a Letter to Doralissa Feraulas another to Martessia Hidaspes and Gobrias desired him to enquire very carefully whether a Lady came unto Thomiris whose name was Arpasia conducted by a man whose name was Licander Adonacris also writ by him unto Agathirses who he knew was with Thomiris and thereby moved him to compose things as much as he could And Anabaris also writ unto all his friends which he had in that Court to do the like Thus Ortalgues was charged with so many different commissions that he stood in need of all his wit to acquit himselfe well of them all Mazares had a good mind to send one unto Mandana but he Mastered himselfe and contented himselfe with thinking upon her without moving her to think upon him In the mean time Cyrus talked a long while with Anacharsis in private after which that sage Scythian went with the Envoy of Thomiris who went next the Chariot which carryed the
Master wounded and disarmed for his Sword broke in the fall so that getting up again with much â—do he saw himself at the mercy of this Conquerour and at the mercy of the fire But Cyrus being infinitely admired for his valour and clemency when this Sauromate had yeilded himself and Cyrus saw him without Armes or Horse or power to walk he let him get up behind him purposely to shew him the way through this enflamed Wood and Laborinth of fire as I may call it in which he was engaged So this valiant Prisoner accepting the offer of his illustrious Conqueror he got up behind him and turning somtimes to the right hand and somtimes to the left to avoid the flames and fall of Trees they came at last to the place where Mazares and Myrsiles had drawn up their Troops not taking any care for him because they imagined that he was returned unto the entrance of the Wood as soon as he was assured of the passage But he was no sooner with them then they understood from the mouth of his Prisoner what Miracles he had done and how generous he was in saving his life However the better to merit the Commendations which his Prisoner had given him he caused him to be set on hors-back behind Ortalgues who had orders to carry him unto the Fort of Sauromates to see him dressed and to have a great care of him Afterwards this great Prince left Mazares and Myrsiles to bring all the Troops through the passage whilst he himself went beyond the Wood and drew them up into Battaglia as they passed least Aripithis or Ariantes should come charge them in disorder And to act with as much Prudence as Courage he did not disfurnish that Quarter which was neer the other passage but guarded that which he had already passed that he might make use of it upon all occasions In the mean time he had no reason to fear his being assaulted for the fiering of the Wood and the noise of Cyrus his passage had put the Enemy into such a terrible dismay as they were not in any condition to make any attempts so that within two hours after the Sun was up Cyrus was gotten on the other side of the Wood in the head of his Army drawn all up into regular Battaglia with the loss of a very inconsiderable number of men The end of the first Book ARTAMENES OR THE GRAND CYRUS THE TENTH AND LAST PART AND SECOND BOOK AS Fortune is pleased to entail happy Events upon some and Miseries after misery upon others after her own Capritious humour So Cyrus had not only the advantage to pass his Army but he had also the joyes to know that Ciaxares had sent him a very considerable body both of Horse and Foot and he understood also that Tigranes and Spitridates would arive within three daies at the Town where the Princess Onesile and the Princess Aramenta Quartered and by consequence to have two of the most valiant men in the world in his Army But whilst he had these Consolations Thomyris who was come unto her troops which were not far off from the Vanguard of Cyrus was in a most incredible despair when she saw the Army of an Enemy whom she could not choose but love and when she saw it had passed those straights which she hoped to have kept untill all the rest of her Forces were come up which she expected so as never thinking of defending or guarding the Passes she called back the Troops of Aripithes and was extreamly offended at him though he was in no fault yet she chid him as if he could have kept the Wood from being burnt or as if he could have marched through the flames to releive them whom Cyrus assaulted In the mean time the wood continued still burning and Thomyris beheld the flames from off a little Hill thinking all the Horizon that way had been circled with a girdle of fire The truth is the Conflagration was so great that if the wind had not ceased upon a sudden it had not been so soon exstinguished But at last the Air being serene and calm the fire did not communicate it self but as soon as those trees which were on fire were consumed the fire extinguished of it self so that after this that wood which was so pleasant and delightfull was become one of the most affrighting objects in the world for besides the great heap of cindars and extinguished coales which might be seen one might behold some trees standing but without leaves or branches only stumps blasted though not burnt down so as it was become a terrour to the pritty birds which harboured in it and could not faford them the branch of one tree for an umbrage Cyrus also could see the Fort of Sauromates from his camp and indeed the place was so altered that it seemed not the same it was In the mean time Though Cyrus had a great desire to march towards Thomyris yet he durst not advance any further untill he had ammunition for his army and though he was not far off from Thomyris yet he knew he could not force her to fight because of a little river which favored her retreat And indeed Ariantes thinking it not expedient to fight until all the â—orces which Thomyris expected were joyned he set some troops to defend the Ford over that river and retired himself neer the Tents Royall intrenching himself so advantageously that it was very dangerous to assault him After which they held a counsell of war wherein it was resolved to hazard a battel as soon as those forces which they expected were arrived On the other side Thomyris and Ariantes were like to fall out again for that Queen seeing that Mandana's guards were more affectionate unto Ariantes then unto her she intended to change them to the end that if she lost the battel yet she might have that Princess in her power and to make use of her either for her revenge or for her safety But since Ariantes was no lesse afraid that Mandana should fall under the power of Thomyris then under the power of Cyrus he did so earnestly oppose her design of changing him who commanded Mandana's guard that she durst not persist in her resolution in a time when the least division in her army might make them easily overcome However since she â—ent severall orders to hasten up the troops they made such hast that they came unto the generall Rendezvouz before Cyrus was in a condition to advance and arrived without any danger for being beyond the â—ents Royall Cyrus could not hinder them from joyning But this great Prince was so extreamly impatient of fighting that as soon as all things necessary for the suâ—â—istance of his army were ready he marched toward the Enemy who for a time disputed the passage over the river but at last they left it and Cyrus causing immediatly many bridges to be made with faggots and planks for the passage of his Infantry he got over all
day in talking of nothing but the goodness or the badness of their cloathes telling or asking what they cost some out of vanity said they cost more than they did Others to shew their skill in buying said less so I wished my part of the day out of the Callendar For my part replyed the fair Athis I was within these five daies with a company of Ladies who though they had wit enough yet were extreamly troublesome for they were Ladies who were gallants by profession who had every one their business and business which did so wholy take them up as they thought of nothing but taking one anothers gallants from them by alâ— manner of stratagems so as though one were not of their intrigues yet one should be engaged with them or else either be driven to a non plus or non-plus them Indeed as long as I was with them I heard them alwaies talking but never understood what they said for there was one on my right hand who told her who was next her that she knew such a one was broken off with such a one and that this man had renewed with that woman never naming any And there was another on my left hand who talking to a Lady next her the most foolishly that ever was heard for said she in a mighty fret she you know of need not to brag of taking my Gallant from me since she had never gotten him from me but because I had cast him off and if the toy take me I can call him again and she shall never be the better for him as long as she lives and the very truth is I never was in all my life put so much out of all patience as that day For my part said Cydnon had I been in your room I would have laughed at them who wearied me but I could not do so three days since at a man and a woman whose whole discourse was of two things either of Mytelenian Geneulogies or of the estates belonging to families for what delight can be taken in hearing tell a whole day together that Zenocrates was the son of Tryphon Clidemes son to Lenophantes Lenophantes was descended from Tyrseus so they begot one another Also what pleasure is to be taken in hearing one talk of such a house wherein you have no interest nor ever had no nor is ever like to have as long as you live how it was built by such a one bought by another and exchanged by a third and that it is now at this present in the possession of a man whom you know not this questionless is not very pleasing replyed Alcaes but it is not so tedious as to meet with a man who has some peevish business in hand and will not talk of any thing else For I once met a Sea Captain who pretended that Pittacus ought to make him recompence for a ship which he had lost who held me three long and tedious hours in relating those reasons which he had for his pretence and who will answer and reply and object and answer Pro and Con as if the case were pleading before a Judge And the better to understand his loss he would tell me by peece meale what he was forced to cast out of his ship and would name every person in it one after another when it was to no purpose in the earth T is true said Amithone that this is a very great persecution but I must tell you that grave and serious conversations where every word is delivered in Querpo and where the least smile is not permitted hath somthing so tedious in it that I am never amongst such but my head akes for one must alwaies speak in one tone never laugh but be as composed as in the Temple such company is very tedious replyed Phaon but there are a sort quite opposite unto those who are infinitly against the strain of my fancy for I was one day at Syracuse with five or six women and two or three men who had a fancy that to make the company more merry could be continually laughing so that as long as they went together they laughed at every word which one said unto another there was no jeast or pleasant conceit in it but made such a mad dinn as deafed one another and laughed only because others laughed without any other reason but what is most strange is that laughter has such a contagion sometimes in it that there is no Antidote against the disease but being one day amongst these eternall laughers they so infected me that I laughed untill tears trickled down my cheeks and knew not any reason in the world for it But to tell you truly I was so ashamed at my self that within a quarter of an hour after my joyes were turned into sorrows Though it be much folly to laugh without any cause replyed Sapho yet I should not be so much weary with being in the company of such merry people as with those whose discourse is nothing but telâ—ing such pittifull and sad long winded stories as would tyre out Patience it self for I know a woman who knows all the tragicall adventures which ever hapned who will spend a whole day in deploring the miseries of life and in relating lamentable accidents in such a sad and languishing tune as if she had been hired the sing to dolefull ditty of the worlds misery Yet I do know a house where their discourse useth he be as irksome as possible replyed Erinne for they never talk of any thing but the trifling passages of their neighbour hood of which Courtiers unless by great accident I never so much as heard of or have any thing to do with I have heard them name a hundred persons in one day whom they know not and they would talk of a hundred obscure passages the noise of which never went out of the street where they were done and which in themselves were so silly and so far from any delighting as that they were very troublesome It is a great affliction replyed Nicanor to be in a great company where every one hath a secret especially unto one who hath none nor any thing to do but to heare that humming murmure which they make who are talking in low voyces yet were there whispers upon reall secrets replyed Sapho my patience would allow it but often times they are only upon a triviall businesse no better then a Childs Rattle bought at the last faire I know some people added Alces who in my opinion are very weary some though sometimes they are a little pleasing for they have such a vaine of telling great News as they never talke of any thing under a great Battle on the seige of some considerable Town or some grand revolution in the world and they would have you to know that the gods did not alter the face of the Universe but only to furnish them with discourse for excepting these high stories they have nothing to say nor can endure any other talke
man of any extraordinary parts yet Meliantes after he saw him in his Tent did make no question but that he was a prisoner of some great quality and remembring how long he himself had been a prisoner when he was taken by the Troops of Cyrus in Assyria he would render the same civilities which he received For since Hydaspes did imprison him only out of jealous resentments he was treated very favourably so that Meliantes being charmed with the valour the Spirit the handsom Presence and the constancy of his prisoner he carried him into his Tent and caused all his men to be as respective to him as to himself Nor was he out of a generous resentment very forward in divulging what he thought of his prisoners quality untill he knew it a little better intending not to discover it unto Thomyris if it proved to be as great as he did imagine it Unless his quality was such as might oblige that Queen to put Arpasia into his power for since he had no dependance upon Thomyris he was resolved to do his prisoner no ill office if the interest of his Love did not oblige him unto it Thus Cyrus not knowing any thing Meliantes was thinking how he might best keep his prisoner from being known who he was In the mean time Cyrus being ignorant of Meliantes his thoughts and judging by his Air and Physiognomy that happily he might be in Love he thought it expedient to tell him in obscure tearms that the interest of a passion which was predominate in his soule required that he should be unknown in the Camp of Thomyris and that afterwards he should conjure him to do him that good Office And indeed Cyrus did express himself so sweetly that he obliged Meliantes to promise him any thing And though Meliantes knew very well that his Prisoner would not discover all his secret yet since he doubted not but that he was in love he added compassion unto his esteeme and expressed himself so generously unto Cyrus that this great Prince was charmed with his virtue Yet the soule of Cyrus was not so tranquill as to set his mind wholly upon any thing which did not relate unto the present state and interest of his love But when he remembred all the Victories which he had gotten and considered the pittifull condition wherein he was he could not choose but wonder at the fickleness of fortune and grieve for his owne misery For indeed it now depended wholly upon Meliantes whether he would present him unto Thomyris or put him into the hands of his Rivall nor did he know whether his whole Army was defeated whether Mazares was dead or taken Prisoner and whether so many Princes as were his friends might rally his Troops and joyn them with that puissant relief which Ciaxares sent him nor did he know how they could joyne if it was true that Andramites had considerable forces between the Fort and the Wood. But his greatest perplexity was the thought that they would presently acquaint Mandana with his defeat So as fearing least the alteration in his fortune should work upon that heart of that Princess he suffered unexpressable torments And he thought his condition so deplorable that he believed the answer of the Sibill would presently be fulfilled and that he should perish by the cruelty of Thomyris But whilst he was in all these melancholly cogitations all his men were in a strange inquietude For since he appeared no where they thought him either dead or taken Prisoner So as never was such a dolefull murmure heard Cressus Mazares Myrsiles Artamus Gdbrius Gadates Intaphernes Atergatis Indathersis Hidaspes and all those who had any command in the Army endeavoured to perswade their Souldiers that Cyrus was not dead least after they had rallied them they should run away againe Likewise they did not think it expedient to say that they thought him a Prisoner nor to send unto the Camp of Thomyris to enquire of him least if he should be there unknown unto the enemy So that all these Princes said that Cyrus seeing in what a bad condition the Army was was gone to the Auxiliaries which Ciaxares sent so that being in the head of a fresh Army he might vanquish his vanquishers Adding since Spitridates appeared not that they were both gone together For the truth was they knew not what was become of either However Chrisantes and Feraidas who were grieved beyond measure that nothing was known concerning their illustrious Master they disguised themselves in the habit of Massagettans to the end they might the better passe through the enemies Camp and heare what they said of him Thus whilst Cressus and Mazares by the consent of all the Princes did take upon them the command of the Rallied Troops untill it was known what was become of Cyrus These two faithfull servants went not only unto the Camp of Thomyris but also unto the Tents Royall which were very neare whether they understood the Queen was gone presently after the Battell Indeed a chance happened which caused this incensed and amorous Queen to take that Resolution For since those who killed Spitridates took him for Cyrus and since one of those who commanded the Gelons in that Army had a most feirce and cruell soule he had cut off the head of that unfortunate Prince and being followed by his companions who carried the Corps upon crossed Lances he did present it unto Thomyris whose mind being extreamly incensed against Cyrus by reason of the last letter which she saw she received this sad present in a most inhumane manner Yet at the first apprehension she thought to turne away her eyes from such a terrible object but recollecting all her rage and the animosity of her heart she beheld it afterwards without any symptoms of compassion though her mind was much perplexed And the more when this Captaine who presented this glorious victime told her the words which Spitridates spake when being fallen he bad his men go away because that was the place where he was to dye but not where they were to vanquish and deliver the Princesse whom he adored by forcing her out of the power of Thomyris Then did her hatred double For thinking this to be the head of Cyrus those last words did so revives and augment her choller that stifling all thoughts of love humanity and compassion she was inflamed with jealousie hatred and fury she renounced all the tendernesse of her sex and dignity of her birth and yet for an umbrage of her inhumanity she seemed to be much troubled So that without a word of her Passion she began again to speak of Cyrus as the murtherer of her sonne and as a Prince who to satisfie the gust of his ambition did quench it with Rivers of blood She gave the Captaine of the Gelons as many thanks as if he had wonn her a hundred Battles she made him huge promises of large recompences and commanded him to follow her with that illustrious head in his hand
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
he answering him as arrogantly as if he were to ponyard him presently Cyrus could not hold from speaking sharply unto him I plainly see said he unto him that you are fit to be the murthering minister of that cruell Queens Injustice and who had never been in a condition to persecute Mandana if I had killed her as I easily could in the wood of Sacromates That thou mayst not upbraid me for letting thee live cryed out the fierce Thomyris as thou dost upbraid thy self in sparing my life I will cause thee to be stabbed as soon as Mandana has given up her last breath and all the favour that thou canst expect is to dy by the same hand that she did and that the dagger which peirced her heart shall peirce thine also After this she called for the Captain of the Gelons and went to her Tent leavving Cyrus more greived at her menaces against Mandana then ever he was before as for his own life he did not value it nor could he answer unto what that unjust Queen said for he did so wonder to hear her voice and to hear that sad sentence against Mandana that before he could recover himself out of his astonishment and be sure that he understood how she was gone yet he could not choose but speak out of the abundance of his greif as if she were present and vented such moving expressions as if the Guards had understood him doubtless their hearts had been mollified but since they did not understand that language wherein he expressed himself they were not at all moved For being almost all Gelons they understood not the Persian Armenian Grecian Cappadocean nor the Medean Language so as all the complaints of Cyrus before them were but wind However the tumult still increasing Thomyris understood that the Sauromates had forced those who resisted them So as foreseeing that Cyrus and Mandana would infallibly be releived if she did not put them to death and that she her self would be taken if she did not fly she commanded that barbarous Captain of the Gelons whom she had brought into her Tent to go and ponyard Mandana and afterwards Cyrus appointing him to let the death of that Princess be first known unto him This horrid Officer began to prepare himself for obedience and he had not gone two paces but she called him back and told him in a shaking voice that she would have him kill Mandana and not Cyrus but one of the Guards coming in and acquainting her that the Tent wherein he was would be quickly forced she called for the fatall Executioner again Go said she and execute my first commands and be sure you first acquaint Cyrus with the death of Mandana for I shall not be revenged enough unless he do also know of her death as soon as you have done return back unto me and bring me word of the end of their lives who have so troubled the tranquility of mine to the end I may see whether I must dy or fly The inhumane Thomyris having given this most horrid command he who was to execute it went into Mandana's Tent as soon as he was entred all the women were heard to cry out most lamentably and presently after this bloody man came out with a dagger all bloody in his hand and entring in that Equipage into the Tent of Cyrus he went straight towards that illustrious Prince with intentions to strike him to the heart and thought that his companions would help him in the assassination if his first blow missed but since he would exactly obey the Commands of Thomyris he told him in broken Assyrian that his dagger still wreked with the blood of Mandana and as soon as he had said so he lifted up his Arm to stabb the greatest Prince upon Earth but as he thought to have struck him to the heart Cyrus having heard of Mandana's death and desiring revenge he did envigorate his valiant strength and snatched it out of his hand and without more delay struck him to the heart and made him fall at his feet This heroique action was done so suddenly and despair had made the visage of Cyrus so terrible that his guards were all affrighted and knew not what to do But at last one of them falling upon him and by his Example shewing others what to do Cyrus was in greater danger then ever but fighting now in revenge of Mandana more then in defence of his own life his valour appeared more than ever He got a sword from one of the Guards as before he got a Dagger from the Gelon Captain and did things so prodigious as to relate them in particular would seem incredible For he did not only kill three or four of the Guard wounded many made the rest to fly but he came boldly out of his Tent went 〈◊〉 that of Thomyris to seek for some more noble victory to sacrifice unto Mandana then those he had in his Tent So as all making way for such a terrible enemy he went just unto the doore of that Queens Tent who expected the return of him whom she had commanded to kill both Mandana and Cyrus Her wonder was not a little when in Lieu of him she saw Cyrus himself holding a Dagger in one hand and a Sword in the other and who by a menacing action made those who guarded the Tent to let him enter Thomyris seeing his Action did think he came with intention to kill her so as taking the Dagger which she had No no Cyrus said she and shewed it unto him thou shalt not be master of my destiny since I have not been Mistress of thine and if thou comest a foot further I will let thee see in slighting Death that I was not worthy of thy scorn Thomyris pronounced these words with such a resolute voice that the Grandure of her courage equalling that of her cruelty did a while suspend the intentions of those who heard her for Cyrus did not advance the Guards of the Queen did not fall upon that Prince and for a while all was silent as if amazed But at last the great Soule of Cyrus not permitting him to have any hand in the blood of a Queen as cruell as she was Since I cannot kill thee said he unto Thomyris without polluting that hand which ought to revenge Mandana sacrifice thy selfe unjust Queen unto her whose death thou gavest whilst I go and bestow it upon my Rivall At these words Cyrus making his way through all that would stop his passage for hee knew not that Ariantes was prisoner he heard the same Queen who before commanded him to be killed now forbid those who assaulted him and she came in person to forbid them As things were thus another great noise was heard which made Cyrus believe that now he should shortly go unto Mandana and dye before he had revenged hers by the death of his Rivall But he was strangely surprized to see that they who made that great noise were Myrsiles Meliantes