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
satisfaction unto my Dear Master yet because I would not trust only unto my own reason in a business of this importance I caused a Sacrifice the next day to be offered unto the gods that they would be pleased to inspire me with knowledge how to transact in so nice a business After the offering I found my self so strongly confirmed in my resolutions to comply with Artamenes in his amorous design as I thought it would be to oppose the order of heavens if I should cross him in his affection any more Thus Humane Prudence which is but a blinde directer in future things moved me to consent unto a Design which hath cast my dear Master into that danger wherein now you finde him I did not yeeld unto him upon a sudden but by degrees and seem'd to resist him a little at the first But as soon as I gave my consent that he should endeavour to make himself eminent in the war in which he had engaged himself our business was only to appear in an Equipage befitting men of some quality We had yet Jewels sufficient to carry it out and many more then we stood in need of so that the businesse being fully resolved upon he writ a Civil Letter unto Periander and commanded the Ship to make for Corinth and to present that Ship and Letter unto that Famous Greek in lieu of his own which was gravelled upon the Sands in the last Sea combate Whilest the King and Princess staid at Sinope Artamenes saw them very often and though he had several opportunities of being made known unto them yet he refused them all being resolved to do it in a more glorious way then so Mean while all preparations for the war goes on and news is brought every day that the King of Pont and the King of Phrygia were forward on their march towards Galatia Ciaxares to prevent them draws speedily to the general Rendezvous endeavouring as much as he could to enter into Bithinia and carry the war nearer his enemies Countrey And since the Princess his Daughter was the cause of the war therefore fearing lest the enemy might attempt upon her person in his absence he would have her follow unto a Town called Anigres which was not far from that place where he resolved to enter the enemies Countrey Mean while Artamenes furnisheth himself with such necessaries as are fit to wit Arms Horses and Tents He often met with the young Stranger which he had seen in the Temple of Mars And the same man which sold Arms unto Artamenes sold also unto Philidaspes for that was the Name which that Stranger owned so that meeting together in this place they both of them knew that one and the same desire of glory and honour did enflame their souls to engage in this warre and were both of them but a little satisfied with one another But not to insist Sir upon any thing which is not absolutely pertinent unto the Story we come to the Rendezvous the King viewed his Troops and we marched towards the enemy Artamenes with sorrow saw the Princess go to Anigres with two thousand men for her Convoy and Guard But since it was his destiny to endure all that love could call rigorous he resolved to comfort up himself in her absence with hopes of Victory and Return My Master ranked himself in the Squadron of Voluntiers as well to encamp and fight near the Kings person as because in those Troops which had no particular Captain nor obeyed any orders but the Generals he might more easily conceal himself and also because they who desired to make themselves eminent by any notable might there finde the best opportunities The Army of Ciaxares consisted of forty thousand men that of the Enemy of fifty thousand I will not trouble you with relating how many of them were Archers How many were Darters nor how many Horse or how many Foot since it is not pertinent to my Discourse and since I have so many Combats and Battels to relate it is not requisite to insist upon that For my intention is not to compose the History of Cappadocia it is the History of Artamenes only which I rehearse Let me therefore only tell you that when these two Armies first faced one another I never in my life saw Artamenes so pleased He was armed that day after a very remarkable manner His Arms were Russet wrought with flames of gold His Plume waving and reaching to the very crupper of his Horse was of a lively Flame colour His Horse according to the fashion of the Countrey was trapt with studs of steel part Russet part gilt Artamenes carried two Lances in his left hand with a Buckler upon the same Arm Another Lance in his right hand and a broad short Sword by his side to use in the throng of his enemies I never saw him so gallant and pleasant in my life And though the Persians were never much commended for good horsemanship yet he managed his with such a quick facility and sate him in so brave a posture and with so fine a grace as he did attract the eyes of all men upon him The Armies being both ready to fall on and charge sounded on both sides Artamenes who was placed in the first rank no sooner saw a squadron vapor but he was gone in an instant like a Thunderbolt above a hundred paces before the rest and fell upon the Enemy with such a fury as he disordered them broke their Ranks and struck terror and death into their Army After the fatal Clouds of Arrows which darkened the Air and fell upon both Armies were dispelled and that they came to hand blows Artamenes then performed such Acts as surpassed all imagination His three Lances held three of the enemies bravest men and when he drew his Sword wo betide him that stood in his way and death to him that durst encounter He looked every where for the King of Pont and desired to have a bout with him but could not finde him for happ would have it so that whilest he was on one side of the Army the King of Pont was on the other and though his valour broke all their ranks squandred their squadrons and nothing could resist his valour yet he was not satisfied and thought nothing eminent enough unlesse he either held or took the King of Pont Prisoner His courage was much exasperated when he saw Philidaspes amidst the thick of the confused fight and observed him as valiant a man as the world had his valour won him the esteem emulation and admiration of Artamenes when he saw none fight like him so that observing each other with a brave emulous eye they strive to surmount one another and from this time became Corrivals in Ambition and valour Artamenes was more happy one way then Philidaspes and fortune gave him better opportunities of shewing himself For the King of Pont who thought he could not end the war better then by taking the King of Cappadocia Prlsoner
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
towards the Fountain after she had looked about her to see if the coast was clear from any interruption of her solitude she sat down by that pleasant source directly in the same place where I kneeled unto her when I took my leave She leaned her head on one side upon her left hand which did lie upon the moss-colour edge of the Fountain and letting her right hand negligently upon her garment she looked upon the water like one that was in a profound study at least as I might judge by her posture for her face was not towards me But O heavens what operation had this vision upon my soul My heart trembled my spirits were disordered and I was not master of my reason I would have advanced towards her though I had not power to stirre and I know not what odd fancy which I cannot express moved me to stay unseen rejoycing a while at that good fortune which chance afforded me beyond my hopes Indeed Sir my joy was so absolutely predominate to my soul as I was never sensible of the like for I did not only see Amestris in a place where I hoped presently to speak unto her but I saw her in such a place as moved me to think she thought of me and that the end of her coming thither was but to remember our last discourse O most happy Aglatidas said I to my self what dost thou muse upon Why dost thou not present thy self unto thy faithfull Amestris upon these words violently bending the bows which hindred my passage I was going out of the wood to throw my self at her feet and to interrupt the thoughts she had of Aglatidas by rendring her Aglatidas himself But when I was almost out of the Wood and ready to enter into the green Border I saw one on the other side who by his garb and gallant aray seem'd to be a man of quality Then I retir'd with as much hast as I advanc'd before and as Love is alwaies ingenious to persecute those who acknowledge it for their Soveraign I suddenly exchanged my joy for inquietude which of my Rivals is this said I which comes to interrupt the thoughts of divine Amestris from her dear Aglatidas Ha said I if it be true that I am in any corner of her heart why should I envy him that throws himself at her feet to acquaint her with his passion But who knows said I presently whether or no Amestris does not stay her to meet this happy Rivall and whether she do not prophane that place by her infidelity which I took to be a testimony of her affection Doubtless said I being much transported and hardly my self when I saw him advance towards her this inconstant woman stayes for him for if it were not so he would not make such haste but would approach her with less straining himself But O heavens what multiplicity of sorrows seized upon me when I perfectly saw that he who came unto her was not only my Rival but the most of all dangerous Rivals Megabises I could not think on it without extraordinary turbulency Yet since from the place where I lay hid I could not see the face of Amestris neither durst I change place for fear of making such noise as might discover me therefore I could not precisely know whether she saw him coming or no Yet as jealousie blinds all objects I did imagine she saw him coming towards her and by consequence because she did not rise and go to him therefore I beleeved she staied for him and that there was a great familiarity between them because she did him not the honour to salute him nor use any manner of Ceremony I know not Sir how I should express unto you my sad resentments at that time but I am most certain that Love did never invent any so cruel to torment those she would punish then that which I endured upon this occasion In conclusion Sir to make it known unto you that what joy soever the sight of that fair and dear Person had given me in the instant before I must tell you I could not chuse but passionately desire I were destroied I wished she would rise and be gone from that place But said I if she go away I shall see her no more yet if she stay I may perhaps see her bestow her favours upon my Rivall If she should rise he would follow her and I should not see the manner of his treatment But if she do not go away said I is it not an infallible proof that Megabises and she are upon good termes Go then adored Amestris said I joyning my hands and stay not for my greatest enemy But alas this illustrious Lady never thought of going for she was so taken up with thoughts of Aglatidas and his long absence that she never saw Megabises until he was so neer her that she could not shun him She no sooner perceived him but she rose contrary to my expectation and as I knew afterwards asked him with much severity why he came to molest her solitude But oh Heavens as I did not see the face of Amestris nor her sidelity to me nor her rigour towards Megabises so I was not a jot satisfied I was in a hundred mindes to rush out of the wood and break off their discourse which I could not understand I thought to assault Megabises before the face of Amestris yet seeing he had not a Sword and I but one I changed that design and deferred my revenge and notwithstanding my despair my jealousie and all I saw I had so great a respect unto Amestris that though Megabises had had a Sword as I had mine yet in consideration of her I think that I should not have dared to have set upon him besides the consideration of a scurvy noise which this manner of doing it would have raised Therefore then I remained an immoveable spectator of this tedious discourse for as I exactly learned aftwards after she had shewed Megabises how ill she took his abrupt intrusion she would have gone away but he did conjure her so urgently to hear him as the last time protesting unto her that if after he had expressed himself she should then for bid him any hopes of her affection he would never importune her any more nor see her Amestris thinking she had found a good occasion to be delivered from the persecution of Megabises told him at the last that he might speak upon condition it should be the last time and upon condition he would absolutely resolve to follow her order whatsoever it might be Megabises being glad in the midst of his despair that he had obtained permission to speak after a low reverence thanked Amestris for the favour she had done him But alas Sir How deep a wound did this thanks make in my heart and how little did I understand the truth of the passage the Fountain was in the midst of the Green Border the Border was very large the Wood which compassed it about
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
narrowly but all in vain This Prince went in Person to the principal Port of the Town to see the Army pass so that seeing all the Regiments one after another he might more conveniently command them unto their duties And because he was beloved and feared and reverenced by all the souldiers they obeyed him without the least murmur and returned as joyful as if they had won a battel and as well content as if they had been loaded with plunder within three hours the Town was quiet and the whole Army without the walls excepting those Companies necessary for the Guard of the Ports and Castle whither he returned to render an account unto Ciaxares of what was done The King of Hircania and all they who had not seen the King since all these adventures were presented unto him by Ariobantes and the night causing every one to take leave Cyrus by orders from Ciaxares was lodged in his old Chamber where he was no sooner entred but every one came to testifie their joy for his liberty But after all complements had passed and none but Chrisantes and Feraulas with him he imbraced them with extream affection Well my dear friends said he unto them Do you think we have now made our peace with Fate or is this serene calm which we now begin to enjoy only a breathing to give us more leisure in preparing your selves for new misfortunes The Gods replied Chrisantes have made trial of your vertue by so many several ways that it is a piece of great difficulty to foresee what ought to ensue hereafter But now Sir said Feraulas you are at liberty you are also known to be Cyrus Ciaxares knows it nor is he ignorant of your love to the Princess and the Princess her self esteems you It is true replied Cyrus sighing but yet the Princess is in Armenia and in the power of the Rival Yes Sir replied Feraulas but it is such a Rival whose ambition Fortune has so crost that it cannot possibly be thought she will favour him with any part of her affection With such discourse as this Chrisantes and Feraulas entertained their dear Master until he was in bed yet he was no sooner laid but all the prodigious revolutions of his Fate came into his memory The Image of Mandana appeared in his fancy and entertained him until after midnight Sleep was no sooner closing up his eyes but his imaginations being filled with his Princess awaked him The next day in the morning Ciaxares sent him his Cabinet within which he had put the Magnificent Scarf of Mandana very carefully but he found not the Picture of the Princess in it because the King had sent it back unto Martesia who was returned to Artucas as before I told you his murmur at it was only in secret and he went unto the King who prepared himself for the Temple of Mars where the grave Thiamis attended him But that he might make it evident unto the people that he was really reconciled unto Cyrus he walked through the Town talking unto him The whole Town did ring joyful acclamations to see the most Illustrious of men at liberty All the Kings and Princes which were at that Court did wait upon this Ceremony and the press was so great between the Town and the Temple of Mars that there remained none in Sinope but only those who guarded the Ports As the King lighted from horse for they did ride thither within ten or twelve paces of the Temple Gate Cyrus who was next him observed four or five men whose faces seemed odd and were unknown unto him who endeavored to come nearer Although he had not any reason at all to suspect or fear any thing yet notwithstanding as if he were inspired by Heaven unto it he fixed his looks upon on of these men who had a very bad promising Phisiognomy presently after he perceived two of these men pull out daggers the one designing to stab Ciaxares and the other advanced towards him with the same intentions The most generous Cyrus did immediately interpose between the King and the assassinate and received that blow upon his left hand which was aimed at Ciaxares whilst with his right hand he forced the dagger out of that hand which strook with it and laid him dead at his feet there were eight or ten others who abetted these two who undertook to kill the King and Cyrus and who seeing the design faile did make escape during the amazement which every on was in at the adventure but Cyrus drawing his sword did so pursue these conspirators through the midst of this great croud of men and assaulted them so furiously that most of them perished by his own hand for after he had in a minute put the King into the Temple and commited him into the custody of the King of Phrigia and many others he pursued the assassinates close unto the Sea side whether they fled and where a fishers boat did wait upon them that thereby they might escape away Although there was a world of people about Ciaxares yet the thing was so sudden and so few saw the first passage that it was a long while before it was known what the matter was and certainly had not Cyrus interposed Ciaxares had bin killed and perhaps the assassinates escaped But Cyrus being aided Principally by Feraulas and Araspes pursued them and killed them and took one of them after they had well wounded him who rather then he would be taken would have thrown himself into the Sea when Cyrus catched him by the hair No no Traytor said he unto him I must first know who you are and upon what score you have made this attempt he had no sooner said so but for all the disguise of his habit and face and though he was all over smeered with blood yet he knew him to be Metrobates who endeavoured all he possibly could either to escape or kill himself or else throw himself into the Sea But several of the Kings guard being come in Cyrus did put him into their custody and commanding them to follow with him he went unto Ciaxares who was at the house of Thiamis which joyns unto the Temple as soon as Cyrus appeared the King did closly embrace him and this being the second time that he did owe his Life unto him he did acknowledg it a hundred times over and expressed as many testimonies of repentance for what he had done against him Sir said he unto him and causing that Traytor whom he had taken to be brought neerer I give the Gods most hearty thanks that they have shewed you the difference betwixt Metrobates and my self As soon as the King heard that Name and looked upon him but he knew him Oh thou Vilain said he unto him is it thou that makes such attempts upon my life as well as upon the life of Cyrus for the King did perceive the intentions of those two men who would have killed them Yes it was I answered the Traytor most furiously
notwithstanding they were so importunate with him that he consented Aglatidas Chrisantes Adusius Feraulas Ligdamis Cosicles Tegeus and Artabases went also the stranger Anaxaris hearing of an expedition asked leave to follow and he could not refuse him Assoon as night was come they set out and made choice of that time to the end the Spyes which Cressus had in the Army could not give any intelligence which way Cyrus went Ligdamis and Sosicles only went first to prepare his father to give a passage over the River for fifty men and all the Princes did so order their march that they arrived within four furlongs of the Castle of Hermes two hours before day-break the next morning where they made a halt according to the agreement with Ligdamis who came unto them within a quarter of an hour after and told Cyrus that all was in readiness to receive him But since there was a necessity of day light for that business they thought best to rest in the Castle till night was gone Cyrus and all the Princes which accompanied him went then into the Castle of Hermes where they were received without any ceremony lest the business should be known unto the souldiers who were made believe that they were the men of Cressus disguised who came to view one of the quarters of Cyrus and would pass over the River in that place not but that the Souldiers were very affectionate unto that Governor but because they would not run any hazard So that Cyrus staid a long while in the Castle of Hermes as one that was a Captain unto Cressus As soon as the sun was up Cyrus took horse followed by the King of Assiria Prince Artamas Tygranes Phraartes Aglatidas Anaxaris Feraulas Artabases Ligdamis Chrisantes Adusius Sosicles Tegeus and fifty Caviliers for that guard who went to seâ— the place where ere long they hoped to release Mandana The Prince Artamis to let the King of Assiria see he was in the right marched between Cyrus and him and as soon as they were over the bridge shewed them with his hand the hill that was full of trees on the side of the high-way the wood which was on the right hand and the way from Ephesus which went on their right hand shewing them so clearly that what he had proposed was most expedient that if the King of Assiria did not approve of it then it was more out of obstinacy then reason Chrisantes who was a man expert in such things said to second the opinion of Artamas That the enterprise could not be executed any other way because if the first Troops which convoyed the Princesses should spie such a considerable body of men together as theirs should be if they were all joyned then they would acquaint the King of Pontus with it in an instant by passing the word from Rank to Rank untill it reached him and then since his design is not to gain a victory but only to preserve the Princesses whom he loves he will cause them to turn back whilst he himself is facing us with all his Troops So that unless an Ambuscado be placed in such a manner as the Prince Artamas proposed there was little hopes of any good success in the enterprise Yet notwithstanding the King of Assyria would not agree but said that those which came from Ephesus might easily discover the Souldiers which were behind the hill And though it was observed unto him that the way from that side was all low ground and the hill before them making a demi-round it was impossible to discover any men behind it yet needs would he go thither and all the rest followed him After Artamas shewed him his error and had viewed the Hill they went also into the Wood and wandred far in it to know all the passes and advenues Chrisantes telling them that they must consider as well what to do in case they were vanquished as if they did vanquish and they had not stayed so long in this Wood had it not been for this reason But the Prince Artamas propounding it requisite that the Father of Ligdamis was to provide a Boat to stand in that place where the Wood reached to the River to the end that in case the Enemies should become masters of the Bridge yet they might that way convey over the Princesses This proposition seeming good they went to seek out for a Boat which was a great distance from thence because the River in that place was serpentine and turned and winded very much Then said the King of Assyria There is a necessity of having Boats To which Ligdamis replied that since Cressus resolved upon a war there was none left upon the River except one which the Governour kept But whilst they were thus reasoning upon an enterprise which would ere long be enterprised and Cyrus was entertaining himself with the pleasing thought of being ere long Mandana's Deliverer the Governour of the Castle at Hermes who for the safety of so many illustrious persons had set a Sentinel upon the top of the Tower was advertised that there appeared a great body of Cavalry coming from towards Ephesus he no sooner heard of this but he dispatched one of his men immediately into the Wood to acquaint the Princes with it giving orders unto the messenger to tell Ligdamis he might carry them into the Thick of the Wood towards the river where they might be in safety till these Forces were passed by which as he thought were going unto the banks of Pactolus where Cressus had appointed his general rendezvouz This messenger obeying his master and making all haste went into the wood to seek for Cyrus But whether it was out of some fears that he apprehended or that he was unacquainted with the wayes where in probability he might find him he so wildred himself in the wood that Cyrus had no intelligence from him So that this Prince and all his Company took into the Plain intending to march over it towards the Castle of Hermes again But he was exceedingly surprised to see a great body of Horse marching And following the motions of his couragious soul in lieu of stopping he advanced before the rest and was no sooner entred into the Plain but he espied a squadron of Horse some fifty paces from him and likewise he saw Souldiers between him and the Castle of Hermes and all the Champaign full of Cavalry and Infantry This undaunted soul still did never tremble nor was the least moved at this inevitable danger but in lieu of any hasty retreat into the wood his first action was to stay his second was to turn his head about and see whether he was followed and I know not whether his third action would not have been to have sought out a desperate death amongst them if the Prince Artamas Tigranes and Phraartes had not forced him to take into the wood by a way which Ligdamis had shewed them Yet could he not get far into it for since the Lydian Troops had spied them
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
who were besieged But the greatest fear was that perhaps the King of Pontus would steal away Mandana by the help of the Heliotrope yet somtimes his hope was that this Princess remembring her adventure of Sardis would not be so easily deluded But for all this his fears were above his hopes so that every minute seemed an Age unto him And since the contest between the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes was very long and since he all that while received no answer he sent a Herald to demand it thinking that this might more easily induce the people to revolt But for the better furtherance of his design he commanded the Herald to tell those those besieged Princes that if they would not that very houre give him a positive answer he would give an assault upon the Town appointing the Herald also to disperse this report amongst the people as they went through the streets and indeed the man did perform his charge so very well as he struck terror into the hearts of all the People in going to the Castle and Tifernes closing with this occasion did blow their terror into fury and made this multitude resolve to take Arms in their hands if this Herald received not a favourable answer unto his message They also resolved to seize upon the persons of the two Princes to seize upon the Gates to let Cyrus enter and to go afterwards unto the place where Mandana was In the mean time Anaxaris having a desire to eminent himself and to make Mandana in someâ—ort obliged unto him for her liberty he hearing that this Herald was with the Princes and fearing that they would not conclude such a Peace as he wished he began to make use of those Souldiers which he had gained and to make himself Master of the Castle which the People called the Prince of Cumes his Palace to the end that seizing upon the King of Pontus and Mandana he might have that glory which he pretended unto In the mean time the Herald which Cyrus sent having received no positive answer to his demands prepared for a return but he no sooner appeared at the Gate of the Castle then the People who did with much impatience expect him began to ask him whether or no a Peace was concluded Insomuch as the man perceiving how much they desired it did boldly answer them purposely to make them revolt that their Princes would not hearken to it and that Cyrus therefore as soon as ever he was returned to the Camp would give a general assault These words were no sooner heard but a tumultuous grumbling was amongst the People and Fury passing from Spirit to Spirit did in a moment disperse it self through all the Town so that all the Inhabitants took up Arms and laying aside all respects would break open the Gates of the Castle Anaxaris hearing this tumult incensed the greatest part of the Garrison so that the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes being environed on all sides with Enemies they found themselves in a pitiful condition If they should offer to go out of the Castle they should find the People all in fury with Arms in their hands if they should stay in the Castle they saw they were not Masters of it that one part of their Souldiers would fight against the other and that there was safety no where The King of Pontus would then go to Mandana's Chamber but the Guards in lieu of obeying him would themselves seize upon her person which Anaxaris coming then to that place did most couragiously oppose The King of Pontus having got some Souldiers to his Party would force his passage to her so that Mandana out of her Window did see a very fierce combat between those two Princes 'T is true she hardly saw them but Martesia saw more then she did yet she saw enough to obserue that Anaxaris fought for her with Heroique fury In another place the Prince of Cumes to appease the People desiring to shew himself unto them he was forced to retire so that he being come unto the place where the King of Pontus and Anaxaris fought the skirmish was more bloody But in conclusion the Party of Anaxaris being the stronger and the King of Pontus being wounded in the right arm he must submit yet this Prince did not render himself but remembring a back-pair of stairs from Mandana's Chamber which went into a back Court he endeavoured to get up that way leaving the Prince of Cumes hard set with those who were upon him But Anaxaris who used all imagineable prudence in this business had placed a Guard there so that this unfortunate King not being able to have so much advantage as to die at Mandana's feet and fearing to fall under the power of a Rival whose generosity he feared as much as his severity he sought out how he might steal himself from the Victory of this great Prince So that finding himself not able to fight and seeing a Souldier who was none of those whom Anaxaris had gained he got him to open a secret door which was in the Wall of the Castle that Anaxaris did not know of and out he went resolving to see if possible he could move the People to make some resistance He was no sooner out but he heard a most horrid noyse and understood from him with whom he lodged when he came first to Cumes that the People had already seized upon the Gates of the Town that they talked of letting the Troops of Cyrus to enter that the greatest part of the Souldiers were revolted and that there was but three wayes for him to chuse either to hide himself or to be taken or to be killed The King of Pontus being in this desperate condition and desiring at least to hide his shame did accept of an offer which this man did make which was to go into a Garden of his that looked towards the Sea and therefore might in the night time give him an opportunitie of some Fishers Barque when things were a little better setled and the Fleet of Cyrus left blocking up the mouth of the Port So that this unfortunate Prince leaving himself to the conduct of his angry destiny followed this man in such an extream rage and dispair as would have pitied the most cruel of his Enemies if they had seen him in that pitiful condition The abundance of blood which he lost had died all his cloaths sanguine his Sword was red with the blood of them he had killed but he carried it in his left hand his right hand having received a wound which caused him to withdraw out of Combat As he walked in this posture his mind was full of such sad and violent thoughts that if he had strength enough to kill himself doubtless he had freed himself from all his misfortunes at a blow but he had lost such abundance of blood that he was forced to live only because he could not die and he was forced to lean upon a
to be the man who hindered him from his happinesse So as without more delay he sought for an occasion of meeting with him and found it But Madam the strangest passage was at the very same time that Britomartes intended to fight with Bomilcar Bomilcar intended to fight with the Prince of Phoceus 'T is true he concealed his design and Glacidia as foreseeing as she was did not suspect it But Britomartes and Bomilcar meeting in a place where none were but themselves Since doubtless you are not ignorant sayd Britomartes unto him what just pretences I have unto the Princess so I must tell you I am not ignorant of yours But since I believe neither you nor I do know which of us shall be chosen I come to make such a proposition unto you as honour will not permit you to deny me If so as you say answered Bomilcar you may assure your self I shall most willingly embrace it Then promise me replyed Britomartes that if the Princess choose you you will fight with me the next morning and I will promise you that if I be chosen I will fight with you if you please I promise it replyed Bomilcar but Britomartes sayd he in promising this I promise nothing for neither you nor I shall be chosen Oh that it would please the Gods you were put unto the necessity of seeing me with a sword in my hand Bomilcar spoke this with such an aire as perswaded Britomartes that his heart and his tongue went together And the proud Gaule having got a promise of fighting with Bomilcar in case it was his fate to be happy resolved upon a revenge on him that should be so who ere it was and went to tell the same unto Galathes and the Prince of Phoceus Thus he chalenged his three Rivals all in one day But Madam the day of Solemnity being come Cleonisbe was not so unresolved as she was before and her owne inclination being authorized by the King and Carimantes she pronounced the name of the Phocean Prince aloud when the Prince of the Sarronides asked her whom she thought worthy of her choise so as this sage Sarronide causing him to draw nigh and having given this ring unto him which he received from Cleonisbe this Prince accepted of it with all reverence and returned a Complement sutable unto his spirit and affection After which the King approved of this choise and the Temple did ring with shouts of joy But at last the Musique causing the tumultuous noise to cease they thanked the gods for so good a choise In the mean while Bomilcar Galathes and Britomartes retired without any shares in these publique joyes each of them ruminating upon them severall designs As for the Prince of Phoceus his Joyes were so high that he valued not the Combate which he was to have with Britomartes and appeared as pleasant all that day as it was possible for any man to be In the mean time Glacidia according to her resolutions grieved for Bomilcar and reioyced for the Prince of Phoceus but it was not in any way of dissimulation for she was really glad and really sad And both her generosity and sincerity was such that she confessed unto Bomilcar though she was extreamly sorry that he was miserable yet she was extreamly glad that the Prince of Phoceus was happy Also she told the Prince of Phoceus that though she was well satisfied with his good fortune yet shee could not chuse but be much troubled to see Bomilcar miserable and she did so well divide her heart between these two friends that she did not any iniustice unto either of them Since honour and love are most inconsistent together in one heart the Prince of Phoceus would not stay untill Britomartes should hint him unto the performance of his promise for he sent him a Letter which intimated that he was ready to keep his word And the next morning they fought where the Prince of Phoceus disarmed Britomartes though he was one of the strongest and most valiant men in the world But as he returned from this fight he met Bomilcar in a great solitary place who knowing how squares went came unto him Since I will not constrain you to give me satisfaction sayd he unto him as you have done Britomartes untill you be recovered of your weariness which conquering so brave an Enemy hath caused I will not at this time desire you to draw your sword But since you are a gallant man I do conceive you will be ready to morrow about this time to give me this satisfaction The Prince of Phoceus seeing a fit occasion to shew his secret hatred of Bomilcar without any offence either unto Cleonisbe or Glacidia since he did assault him the first he answered him in such a manner as did let him see he did not love him To testifie unto you sayd he unto him that my victory hath not put me to a necessity of any resting to vanquish you we will without more delay end all differences betwixt us In saying so the Prince of Phoceus drew his sword and Bomilcar his For since they had with them only one Page a peece and were in a place of privacy it was easie for them to satisfie both their hatred and their love And certainly Madam they began to fight with so much fury that if the gods had not sent Hipomenes and my selfe in the very nick of time to part them their Combate had been fatall unto both For from the place where wee first discovered them untill we came up to them I perceived they fought as if they had resolutions either to vanquish or dye Do what we could they were both wounded when we came unto them 'T is true the Prince of Phoceus was lesse hurt then Bomilcar for he had only a slight hurt in his left hand but Bomilcar very considerably on his right side In the mean time Hipomenes and my selfe were extreamly surprized for we hearing that Britomartes had challenged him you may imagine we wondered to see him in hand with Bomilcar Also you may imagine Madam that these two Combates made a great noise in the Court and added much unto the glory of the Phocean Prince The truth is there fell out severall accidents that day which made all discourse sadd For Madam be pleased to know that Britomartes who had a proud soule was so grieved at the losse of his Mistress and to be vanquished by his Rivall that he would needs kill himself with the same sword which his enemy had restored unto him and if his friends had not kept vigilant eyes upon him all the while he was in his raptures of fury he had not lived two hours after his defeat Again there was in Marseilles an old man who having passed all his life for one that was wise would needs throw himself down a Precipie to deliver himself from his sorrows that he could not dye in the place where he was born Again Amathilde being much recovered did call for a
the Athenian liberty I am ready to goe out of it upon condition it may be with you Yes Madam after I have made my self master of the most famous City in all Greece after I have driven out all my Enemies and put my selfe in a condition to make all the Athenians happy in governing them better then they were before yet I will forsake all provided you will follow my fortune and let us live together in some Asian Kingdome for I confesse Madam I have such an aversion against all divided Authority that I had rather bee the slave of a great King then to be the greatest Citizen in any Common-wealth and therefore Madam it rests onely upon you what I must resolve upon The remedy which you propose replyed she being worse then the Disease I desire to cure I will not accept of it for thanks be to God I have no hand either in my Fathers misery or in any of your actions But I should have a great share in them all if I should follow your fortune without the consent of those who have a right to dispose of me In the mean time I have a great deal of reason to complaine against you for denying me every thing Aske me any thing replied he which will not hazard the losing you and if I doe deny it be it what it will hold me for the basest of all men living But Madam if it doe not conduce to the keeping of you I cannot hearken unto it Moreover I beseech you Madam let not this title of Tyrant which my Enemies have aspersed upon me hinder you from thinking me worthy the being your slave promising you to use all my endeavours to bring Megacles unto Athens And I will aske no other condition but his consent into my happinesse After this Cleorante used all her arguments to perswade Pisistrates not onely as the Daughter of Megacles but as a Citizen of Athens But the love and ambition of Pisistrates being in that businesse inseparable she could obtaine no farther of him but libertie to stay where she was until Megacles changed his minde But when Pisistrates afterwards asked leave to see her every day she denyed him and said she would not bring her selfe into suspition of knowing his designes and indeed she was in so good earnest that as much a Master of Athens as he was obey her he must but yet as it was with an ill will yet since he feared nothing so much as to displease her he contented himself with hearing from her every day And indeed Pisistrates and Cleorante did carry themselves so prudently in their affections that the General voyce of all Greece did not attribute any love unto the usurpation of Pisistrates nor unto the hatred betweene Lycurgus and him In the meane this new soveraigne of Athens behaved himselfe with so much moderation as if he had never desired any soveraigne Authoritie but onely to make the Lawes of Solon better observed and to render Justice unto all according to their demerits Solon also went often to visit this Great Man and he confessed that he wanted nothing but the being borne the Sonne of a King to have made him one of the greatest Princes in the world And Solon afterwards said that if the people of Athens could but forget that they been long without a Master they might be the happiest people upon earth Pisistrates so carryed the matter that Solon after assisted him with his Counsels and an accident fell out which made Pisistrates voluntarily submit to be punished for infringing one of his Lawes In the meane time he remembred the esteeme which he ever had of Cerinthe and Euridamea and highly favoured of all those of that Family On the other side Megacles and Lycurgus united themselves together and so carryed the matter by bribes that one night one of the Gates should be delivered up unto him After which they surprized the Castle and forced Pisistrates to goe out of Athens though he did as much as any brave and valiant man could Thus the Conquered became Conquerours and the Conqueror was the most miserable man in the world 'T is true his Rivall was not so happy as he hoped for as Megacles did intend to call for his Wife and Daughter out of the Temple of Minerva purposely to marry Cleorante the next day unto Lycurgus Cleorante with her mothers leave who hated Lycurgus and loved Pisistrates claimed the priviledge of the Temple which is a place inviolable for all those who retire thither And Cleorante sent her Father word she was resolved to stay there Many men thought that Megacles consented to it and would never have promised his Daughter unto Lycurgus but because he stood in need of him But however is was Lycurgus might complaine as long as he would and presse Megacles 〈◊〉 keep his word yet Cleorante would stay in the Temple In the meane time Theocrite went to Cerinthe and asked a recompence for having brought her designes so well to passe but since the disorders of Athens did not please her she entertained him as coldly as if he had not done what she had desired him On the other side Megacles and Lycurgus did so ill agree together and their government was so Tyrannicall that they horridly hated each other and so did all the people insomuch as all the people said aloud that if they must obey any one it should be Pisistrates and repented of the change Megacles hearing this and being advertised that Lycurgus intended to take Cleorante out of the Temple and that he intended to get Pisistrates banished for ever and to render the antient liberty to the Athenians he was almost at his witts end On the other side being retired with a great number of his friends about Athens he was in a desperate condition yet he was much comforted by the resolution which Cleorante had taken but for all that he was as much perplexed as any ambitious Lover could be when all succeeds ill For my part I being sick during the time of these disorders I was of no side but rested in quietnesse to see how Fortune would decide so great a difference In the mean time not a day passed but some quarrell or some disorder or other happened in some quarter of Athens for besides the inclination of the divided people thereunto certainly the friends of Pisistrates did much contribute to them For my part I understood that Ariston came disguised into Athens and caused many commotions in one of which Theocrites was killed but it was very observable that Cerinthe was so little grieved at it that when Euridamea came to comfort her she cruelly said that she was glad of it for she gained more by his death in losing his visits then she did lose by losing his affection But disorders encreased every day Megacles and Lycurgus jarred more and more and all things were in such a pittiful condition as every one had great fears that the Town would be Cantoned and the people fall