since for his ransome he might obtain his Daughter he therefore kept a reserve of ten thousand men the best of all his Troops who had Orders not to fight until a certain sign was given which should be when they were informed where Ciaxares did keep his Quarter then they to fall upon him and take him Prisoner These Orders were punctually obeyed The King of Pont and the King of Phrygia seeing that the victory did poise in an equall balance and having discovered the place where Ciaxares was in person they give the signall The ten thousand men fell furiously upon us and put our Army into great confusion Artamenes had the good hap to be near the King when he was compassed about and ruffly assaulted by his enemies Indeed if he had not been there at that time beleeve it Ciaxares had not been now in a condition to keep him his Prisoner for all the world did see he had there else perished Artamenes seeing this fresh storm fall upon the King took the boldness to come to him and said Sir though I am but an unfortunate stranger to you yet if your own Subjects will but do like me you should overcome I warrant you then not staying for any answer from the King Come Come Follow me my brave men said he to them which were about him trembling for fear If you will but take heart and follow me I 'le warrant you we will preserve the King and yet honour enough besides These words and the confidence which they saw in the eyes of Artamenes did so rouse up their dull spirits that they began to courage up then he led them on and charged the enemy with an unimaginable fury Now since the Enemy had commands to spare Ciaxares his life and to take him prisoner only therefore they durst not fight so tumultuously lest then they should perhaps kill him unawares yet Artamenes slew such a Number of them though they defended themselves as well as they could that it was a wonder he was not tired with killing But whilest he was in this gallant Fury he heard many cry confusedly The King is taken and immediatly after The King is kil'd At the sound of these sad words he turn'd about and saw a body of Horse who guarded the King whom they had taken whether alive or dead he made straight towards them Then animating those Cappadocians which followed him and spying Feraulas and me cal'd us by our Names Come away said he to us Let us go and relieve the King and let us not be less valiant in delivering him then onr enemies have been in taking him Then we charged that body of Chivalry in the midst of which we perceived some confusion and as it were a fight The Gallant Artamenes brake the ranks of the Enemy and gave a death to all he met Being come to the middle of the Squadron he saw Ciaxares with some fifteen or twenty who having got Arms in their hands would not render themselves unto those who compassed them about And when the Enemy saw that Artamenes was like to relieve Ciaxares there was one desperate fellow amongst them who thonght it was more advantagious for the King of Pont that Ciaxaees were kil'd rather then escape therefore he lifted up his arm which held a great Sword to strike the King upon his head which was then bare for he had lost his Helmet in the Combat the buckles being broken This blow had inevitably kil'd him if Artamenes had not stept in with his Sword and run this rash man through the heart and made him fall at his feet just as the blow was falling upon the Kings head The King seeing this called him his Preserver and Deliverer And my Master thinking the like chance might hap again took his own helmet from his head and put it upon the Kings Then without speaking a word or losing a minute of time he went immediatly out again to fight resolving his buckler should defend the blows from his head This act which was observed both by friends and enemies wrought different effects The King was amazed at it and would needs give him his head-peece again But his enemies when they saw better then before the admirable beauty of Artamenes and that martial disposition which did so easily become him in Combat they thought some Divinity had descended to preserve Ciaxares from his enemies and against whom it was no boot to resist therefore their fears did encrease and many thought their heels to be the best arms Artamenes followed them and drave them upon the left wing of their own Army which put them into disorder so that he had absolutely defeated them if night had not been so near which hindred his pursuit and caused both parties to retire unto their colours Philidaspes though he was not present at all these passages yet did he much contribute unto the happy success of this great Action for it was he who kept our right wing from giving ground and who sought with the left wing of the enemy whilest we had our hands full in delivering the King so that if he had not beeen we should have had the main bodies of both the Kings upon us and then could never have been able to do as we did And so that it may truly be said it was only Artamenes and Philidaspes which preserved Cappadocia at this time yet since the art of Artamenes had the fortune to have the King for a witness who thought it Artamenes only which saved his Crown and his life therefore he had the greater honour and better fortune Mean while night invites all unto their Tents the Victory not being absolutely declared Artamenes bethought himself of two slight hurts in his left Arm which though it did not cause him to bed The King also received a little hurt in the hand but we understood by one of our Souldiers who had been taken Prisoner and escaped that the King of Pont had a considerable wound with an Arrow and which was a cause neither side had any minde to fight again Ciaxares was no sooner come into his Tent but he sent to seek out his deliverer and to bring him thither yet since none knew the Name of Artamenes it was next day in the morning before Ciaxares could satisfie his extream desire to salute and thank him for saving his life at last my Master being found out and being so commanded from the King he comes unto him but he addressed himself with such modesty and reverence as if he had done him no service at all After his first appearance before the King every one accosted him and desired acquaintance Philidaspes also gave him a respective Complement for his good fortune the day before all admired his hansome presence and were inquisitive to know the place where he was born The King no sooner saw him but he went to meet him and embrace him After these first welcomes the King did commend him so much as the modesty of
Master should have this Commission addressed himself unto the King with a very comely grace and said smiling unto him If it be your Majesties pleasure the Princess should be informed of all the brave acts of this gallant Stranger I conceive that since he is so modest it is not convenient to send him because that Modesty will rob him of that honour which is his due therefore if your Majesty would be pleased to give me leave I shall present his Panegyrick unto the Princess I I say who was an eye-witness of his valour and a great admirer of it Artamenes hearing and seeing Philidaspes so forward was afraid the King should consent unto his desire therefore without giving the King time to answer he said Sir since the acts of this Gallant Stranger who speaks are so illustrious and much more then mine it would be but just in me to present them unto the Princess my self therefore without any further opposition unto your Majesties Commands I will accept of the honour since there is more reason I should speak his Elogie then he mine Sir Replied blushing Philidaspes his going will lessen the honour of Artamenes but Replied my Master it shall not lessen the honour of Philidaspes The King being much pleased with this pleasant Controversie of which you shall hereafter know the cause would be Empire in the matter and gave this judgement betwixt them I will said he to Artamenes thus far hearken unto the advice of Philidaspes as to use it as an Antidote against your too much modesty I will therefore have Arbaces the Lieutenant of my Guard go along with you to help out your modesty and speak aloud those things which perhaps you will not so the King took the Letter from him and when he had altered it gave it unto him again Artamenes took it with as much joy as Philidaspes saw it with anger As I remember it was thus indited Ciaxares King of Cappadocia and Galatia unto the Princess Mandana his Daughter HE who shall give you this Letter having saved my life I thought none more fit to acquaint you with the danger wherein I was then he who delivered me from it And I could not devise a more prevalent way to cause his stay amongst us then those praiers and desires which I know you will make unto him And because I am acquainted with his modesty therefore I have sent Arbaces with him that he may tell you what perhaps the modesty of the other will not permit him for I see he hath a better faculty in extolling the valour of another then his own In short he hath saved my life and hath vanquished all my Enemies if night had not hindred his pursuit Pray unto the Gods that all my Captains may be like unto him and though you cannot make him my Subject endeavour at the least to make him my Friend Ciaxares Judge you Sir what Joy was this unto Artamenes Feraulas waited upon this little journey and was a witness of all passages and my Masters Entertainment Alas said he to himself in reading the latter end of the Letter how unnecessary is this Praier how impossible a thing it is to be a Lover of Mandana and not a friend unto Ciaxares yes yes think no more of it I am and will be a friend unto the King of Cappadocia and to the King of Medes also and so great a friend too that I will be an enemy unto Cyrus Let him keep in his Tomb still unhappy Cyrus who is the object of all the fears and hates of these Princes as long as Artamenes is thus happy keep still in the obscurity of thy Sepulchre and never come out Oh Artamenes happy Artamenes added he thou art going to see thy Princess and to speak unto her to be commended by her to be known unto her and happily may prove so fortunate as not to be hated But alas alas that is not enough for to be perfectly happy is to be beloved Thus Sir were the spirits of Artamenes inspired with all the delicate and tender passions which Love could contrive Sometimes his soul was all joy sometimes again quite quasht with fear for who knows said he but that for all the Kings Letter to her I shall incurre her dislike there ere secret suggestions of soul which moves us to love or hate for which no reason can be given and against which there is no resistance so that perhaps though I be not the most odious of men and though I have done some considerable service to the King and her yet if I should be so unfortunate as to finde such an antipathy in her soul then all my actions my services and observances though I owned all the vertues in the world and though I had all the Crowns of the earth upon my head yet I should never win her affection I may perhaps by these obtain her liking and esteem but that will not satisfie me Love is such a capritious Passion as it will never be content with any thing but Love again And I should conclude my self the most unhappy of men if I should finde in my Princess only a bare esteem without affection The violent Raptures of his spirit made him busie himself about a hundred petty things which heretofore he never thought upon As soon as he came to Anigres he would himself chuse what clothes to wear and asked Feraulas a hundred times which he should take and which did best become him To â—â—e short when he was drest and wearing a very magnificent rich Scarf of golden Tissue to bear his Arm in he was conducted by Arbaces unto the place where the Princess was Artamenes Sir did afterwards confess unto us that he had more timorous motions of spirit at that time then when he fought with that valiant Pirate or when he fought in the last battle This great heart which never trembled in most horrid hangers was now possest with such fear that had not his joy a little tempered it he had quite shamed himself and incurred the Princess dis-favour but at last being come into her Presence-Chamber magnificently furnished Arbaces having acquainted her before whilest he was dressing himself in what manner she should receive him where she was waited upon by a great number of Ladies which waited upon her in this voyage and also many others of the Town and Province She was that day drest but negligently yes so fair and charming did she appear in his eye that as he told me afterwards he saw none of the other beauties and rich attired Ladies about her so much was his eyes and minde possest with this powerful object The Princess no sooner saw my Master but she rose up and having been already told of all the services which he had done her father she prepared her self to receive him with joy and thanks Artamenes made two congies and approaching with all reverence due to one of her quality he kissed the Kings Letter and presented it unto her When
glory of Philidaspes nor leave the King of Pont so long in the advantage of his high generosity Therefore he so wrought with all the Captains of his Army by that winning eloquence which nature and education had given him in the Greek Language at they were all resolved to force the Enemy unto battle as he himself intended Judge Sir whether it were a hard matter to make two Enemies meet which sought one another therefore it was not long before Artamenes had his desired satisfaction But here you may wonder Sir at what the desire of glory can do in a soul that is truly generous Artamenes who upon the King of Ponts notice concerning the Conspiracy against his life had chosen the most glorious Arms that the world could make to the end he might better be known to them who â—ought for him in the last battle and who now thought that all who knew him by those Arms would not fight against him neither with Bow Arrow Javelin or dart nor fall upon him single he therefore left off those gallant Arms to the end he might not be known Thus did he endeavour to shew unto the world that none should conquer him in point of generosity Sir said I unto him in the morning when he was putting on his Arms will you hide all your gallant Acts in such obscure Arms as these It is fit I should Chrisantes said he unto me at this time if I will shew my self worthy of that Honor that is done me But Sir said I is it not to be feared that it will take away the hearts of your Souldiers when they cannot distinguish you from that great number who are Armed as you are If they follow me answered he they cannot chuse but know me and I intend to behave my self so as it may be they shall easily finde me At last Sir they fought and Artamenes did such things as are not imaginable Untill now he fought but like a valiant man but at this time it might very well be said he fought like an incensed God one would have thought he knew himself incapable of Wounds seeing how he adventured himself He drove their Squadrons on heaps he broke their Ranks and charged through and through their best composed bodies nothing could resist him In conclusion he carried the matter so prodigiously as he made both his friends and his enemies know him notwithstanding his simple Arms which were all sanguin'd with the blood which he had lost and which running upon his Curace made him most terrible to look upon His Buckler was all mangled with Arrows which fell upon it The King of Pont meeting him in this condition and easily knowing him It is not my fault Generous Artamenes cried he aloud unto him since I have done what was fit to preserve your Life Nor is it my fault answered Artamenes that your valour does not receive an advantage in my defeat since I do all I can to make you Glorious and do not spare a Life which perhaps is more ways then one an obstacle unto your victory and happiness But valiant Prince said he we have contended long enough upon points of Generosity Let us now try if we can fight as well as we can acknowledge a benefit for I am much deceived if we can otherwise overcome one another without dishonour Upon these words the King of Pont would have replied something but Artamenes making signs that he had rather fight then talk did advance towards him and then these two Gallant Men began a Combate which perhaps had been very fatall to them both if night and darkness had not against both their wills parted them and by consequence had not left both their generall and particular victories in doubt yet notwithstanding the advantage did fall upon Artamenes side for he lost few men killed many and took many Prisoners But since the Combate was not ended when night came on and since both of them remained upon the field in their Arms it was difficult to say absolutely which side was loser or which a gainer yet it was partly a cause of taking the Town which Philidaspes besieged because that after this the King of Ponts Army was not strong enough to be divided nor venture to succour that Town and come between both our Armies The next morning Artamenes having intelligence that two thousand men were upon the way on the Mountains which bordered upon that Plain betwixt Anisa and Cerasia conducting Money unto the King of Ponts Army for payment of his Souldiers he went to give a stop unto this Convey so that meeting with them he forced them into a valley environed with inaccessible Rocks to shelter themselves who seeing themselves brought into that strait condition consulted what they should do since if they fought they were lost and if they staid there it would be a losse unto their Master so that to save themselves and be rid of that ill condition they beat a Parley and sent twelve of their Company unto Artamenes with their Bucklers full of gold and silver entreating him to accept of that for their ransome and let them depart Artamenes who was alwaies more heroique in all his actions then they could imagine told them that he would freely give them their lives and liberty and also suffer them to passe with their Gold and Silver so they would leave their Bucklers which held it behinde them as marks of his Victory But these stout and couragious Souldiers throwing down all that was in their Bucklers upon the earth and putting them upon their left Arms taking their Swords in their right You shall see said they-turning away towards their Companions that our Nation never use to leave their Bucklers but with their lives and may be what inequality soever there is between us you shall never get them without danger of your own Artamenes seeing the Souldiers carry it out so very bravely was so charmed with a generous envy as he could not resist them And when he considered that he had got this advantage without honour because he got it without danger and that as the state of things were an addition of two thousand men could not much alter the case And seeing these twelve Souldiers go away in such a gallant resolution Valiant men cried he to them come again and take both your money your Lives and your Liberties which you so well deserve you have overcome me my Companions said he to them and if you had been in the last Battle the King your Master had defeated us These Souldiers were as much surpris'd with his Generosity as he was with theirs and knew not whether they should give any credit to his words But at last they beleeved and having acquainted their Captains with it all shouted for joy and wonder and made all the Rocks round about ring with the Name of Artamenes and his glory Thus were these Gallant men released out of the valley which enclosed them who when they came unto their
to have the Princesse his daughter so rarely accomplished as Mandana was then he exactly related all that the Magi had said concerning the birth of the son to the King of Persia the menaces unto all Asia particularly to the King of Medes How Astiages was perplexed how great was his joy when he was credibly informed Cyrus was drowned But Artamenes said he then unto him you ought also to rejoyce at his loss and go into the Temple to offer sacrifice of thanks unto the gods for his death as well as wee for indeed since he had the stars on his side if he had lived he would have disputed with you for a share in your victories since he could not make himself master of all Asia without being your conqueror Artamenes blusht at this discourse but Ciaxares believed it was out of modesty because of the praises which he had given him therefore went on with his discourse and repeated all the obligations in which he was bound unto him I leave you to Judg Sir whether my Master had not enough wherewith to entertain his thoughts withall when he returned from him He saw the King of Pontus was extreamly in love but although one cannot love a Rival yet this Rivall moved him to compassion though it was with much vexation That which did most trouble him was the maner wherewith Ciaxares expressed himself and from thence he concluded that Cyrus was not in a condition to rise out of his Tomb though the Princesse her self should consent unto it so that he was extreamly perplexed at it The next morning Ciaxares sent to seek him and carried him to the Temple where he saw the second time thanks given unto the Gods for his death But in lieu of giving thanks like the rest so unecessary and ill grounded he rendred thanks because that same sacrifice for his death was the originall of his love Imagin Sir if any thing could be more strangely odd then to see true Cirus under the fals name of Artamenes present at this ceremony He told me afterwards that he was often moved to cast himself at the feet of Ciaxares in the middle of the Temple and to make himself known who he was but fearing the displeasure of the Princesse he forbore and stood dumb all the time of the ceremony it was some Joy unto him that Mandana saigning her self not well would not be present and assist she not having power to hear them speak of a dead Prince whom she knew was living This faigned excuse of Mandana's did furnish my Master with a pretence to visit her he went thither as soon as he returned from the Temple and finding her upon her bed having none with her but her women who could not hear what he said they keeping at a respective distance I come Madam said he to her in a low voice to give you thanks because you came not to thank the Gods for the death of Cyrus and I come also to ask you how long I must be ignorant whether I must Live or whether I must Die without all question replied the Princess I would have you live and I would have you live happily but to tell you truth I do not see any appearance of it Why Madam replied Artamenes am I worse in your favour then I was No replied she but I do not see that you are more in favour with fortune for indeed the sacrifice from whence you came does hint unto you that the Kings resentments continue as they were so that you may very well doubt whether maugre all your services you can without danger discover what you are not that I ever observed those violent motions in the mind of the King which they say the mind of Astiages was posessed with But my fears are lest if you should discover your self the King of Medes should demand you of his son and that Ciaxares should not have power to refuse you unto a Prince who gave him life Let then unhappy Cyrus remain in his grave then answered my Master and let happy Artamenes live with you The Princesse hearing him speak so leaned upon her right arm and looking upon him with a most obliging eye though most modestly The Gods are my witnesse said she unto him if I have not a greater esteem of your vertue then I have for any other and if I do not retain in my heart such an acknowledgement and tendernesse of you as cannot be but it must be accompanied with much good will But indeed Artamenes Reason must be predominate and we must not consider so much those things which do please us as those which ought to please us and therefore although your conversation be most delighting unto me and the manner of your loving me does give full satisfaction to my vertue yet notwithstanding I am forced to tell you that if within the compasse of three moneths and I doubt this terme is too long you cannot contrive a course which will be apparent unto me you may revive Cyrus out of his grave without danger unto him then you must return into Persia and live there happily if you can and strive to forget Mandana lest she should disturb your tranquillity But Artamenes said she unto him without giving him leave to interrupt her to remove all causes of complaint know that during this three moneths time which I allot you I will contribute unto your good fortune as much as I can and as much as ever handsomenesse will permit me I will asist you with my best advice I will endeavour to discover the Kings minde I will informe you by what expedients you may perhaps gain Aribeus who hath a great prevalence with him and I will not neglect any thing which I can possibly and reasonably do for your satisfaction if notwithstanding all this the Law of Cappadocia be not an invincible obstacle unto your designe and that the quality of a stranger be not incompatible with the Kings resentment But when all is done if both your endeavours and mine become frustrate then you must said she and changed colour resolve your self for an eternal separation and reason must absolutely triumph over all which would resist it What Madam replied Artamenes will you banish me and banish me for ever Forbear your complaints said she to him until the time come that there be cause and think not your self unhappy till you be so To see replied my Master that you can resolve to make me so is to be so already for indeed Madam if I were as much in your minde as I might be you would have more indulgence towards my love and you could not resolve to destroy for ever a Prince who adores you with an unequalled reverence and who will infallibly die as soon as he is separated from you I desire you once more said the Princesse to him not to vex your self unprofitably and do not mollifie my heart untill there be some need of it be contented that I am constrained to
imagine that my quarrel with Artamenes is not the way to procure her favour if she love him but it will put you into lesse danger of her hatred then my self But so it was Sir that they could not agree upon the matter they were rather ready to fall upon one another for it is imaginable that union which was grounded upon jealousie was not indissolvable and so they parted very ill satisfied with one another and Indathirses seeing my master go out of the Tent to walk followed only by two or three of his men he went after with an equal number to seek him by the River side where he often walked As soon as Artamenes saw him he went towards him and accosting him with much civility I am happier then I thought said he to him since I expected nothing in my walk but solitude and find such good company Indathirses answered my Master civilly enough before the company and beginning to go on Indathirses propounded it to walk on foot and my Master consenting unto it they gave their horses to their men and walked alone along the River side As soon as they were at a reasonable distance and ought of sight of their men Indathirses looking upon Artamenes I know not said he to him whether the businesse I have to tell you will surprize you but I do know very well it can never trouble you so much as it has me I know not replied Artamenes whether or no it will surprize me until I do know it yet I can assure you that I use not to be so at any perverse events but alwayes prepare my self to receive the worst malice of fortune with a quiet mind my businesse with you now replied Indathirses is not of that quality but before I explain my self any further tell me I beseech you whether since you came amongst the Massagettes you ever heard of the cause which brought me into this Court of Thomiris Since I do use to be sincere replied Master I must confesse they tell me it is because you are in love with Thomiris and that both you and the Prince of Sauromates are possessed with the same passion Knew you as much before you saw Thomiris I did so answered my Master why then did you not defend your heart added Indathirses against her charms and since you make such publike profession of generosity why would you disingage two Princes who have received you with all possible civility for I am certain that the Queen loves you and I conceive that you love her for this Princesse would for a whole year together obstinately deny her affection unto me to place it upon a man who never asked it or does not love her I do confesse answered Artamenes coldly that what you tell me does more surprise me then I thought it would But since I do not use to give any explanations of this nature unto any who complaine of me and speak unto me in such an Aire as you do I can say nothing to you but that I reverence the Queen more then to suspect her of any such imbecility as you accuse her of And for my particular if I have been any obstacle unto your affection I have done nothing but what I ought but yet replied Indathirses you do not directly tell me whether or no you love the Queen and whether the Queen loues you and whether your businesse at Court will quickly be dispatched I will give you no other answer replied my Master but as I did before that I have done nothing but what I ought to do and if you be not contented with it then you must look out a way to get better satisfaction for I will not refuse you any that I can I do know very well replied Indathirses that to assault an Embassador is in some degree a violation of the law of nations which all the people in the world thinks sacred but since I am a stranger as well as you I do not think my self obliged by the lawes of this Countrey nor that I am any thing injurious unto honour if I demand reparation for the affront which you have offered in causing Thomiris to hate me Most Just answered my Master without any dorr at it and if you please to walk some two hundred paces further out of their sight which follow us you having a Sword as well as I we may there end all differences and see whether the love you bear unto the Queen will make you Conqueror without any danger Artamenes told us afterwards that his anger to see himself persecuted by a man unto whom he was not any Rivall did so transport him that he was not less incensed then if he had been in love with the Queen Indathirses then accepting the offer they began to walk untill they were out of any sight of their men who never minded them Indathirses and Artamenes drawing their Swords began the combat the particulars whereof I cannot well relate since all we know was from the mouth of the Combatants whose modestie would not permit them to set out their own valours Artamenes told us that Indathirses shewed himself a man of great Courage and much valour in this dangerous attempt They made severall passes at on another without a touch but at last since it was my Masters destinie ever to vanquish his Sword was sanguin'd with the blood of Indathirses The hurt was but slight yet since it was in his right Arme it much troubled him so that fearing he should not be long able to manage his Sword he resolved to come up very close unto my Master who received him as gallantly Indathirses was as tall as my Master but there was ever such a strange vigour in the heart of Artamenes as it allwayes doubled his strength in any dangers and which ever made him victorious so that after a little time of dispute Artamenes catcht hold of Indathirses Sword and presenting his own sword unto his brest caused him to confess himself vanquished my Master having both swords in his hands you will now acknowledg said he that Artamenes is not altogether unworthy of the affection of Thomiris I will confess replied Indathirses that you have valour enough to vanquish me and that my fortune is not good enough to dispute with you for her and I do confesse replied my Master restoring him his sword and imbâ—acing him that I am not in love with Thomiris That I never was nor ever will be How replied Indathirses are not you a lover of Thomiris No replied Artamenes and by my good will shall never be any hinderance unto your felicity with her since it is so replied Indathirses why would you fight because I would better perswade you of the truth answered my Master and not suffer you to suspect my valour Indathirses was so much surprised and charmed with the generosity of Artamenes that he could not chuse but desire him to explain this Riddle and used such pressing termes and so full of submission that my Master
if I cannot disswade him from any such designs I do protest unto you that from a vassal I shall become an enemy unto him and that as long as Mazares lives the Princesse Mandana shall find no other violence from the King of Assyria then his prayers and tears and sighs You may imagine Chrisantes how many thanks and commendations the Princess gave him Truth is Mazares got so much into her esteem that she loved him like a brother and this Prince for a while was so happy that he neither thought of Artamenes nor any thing which might vex him But presently after when the King of Assyria was informed of the return of Artamenes unto Themiscira and of his arival at Ecbatan with Ciaxares also of all Military preparations against him he then hasted the execution of those orders which he had formerly given for since that morning we came unto Babylon he had sent into Lydia into Phrygia Hircania Arabia Paphlagonia and also unto one of the Indian Princes The Prince of Saces also sent to entreat his father that he would hasten all those Levies which he was to send out of his country yet we had but a confused notion of all these war-like preparations For Mazares who would not speak a word of Artamenes unto Mandana told her alwayes that he knew no more but that he was returned from the Massagettes and that there was war-like preparations in hand The King of Assyria in the mean while did often visit the Princesse and was sometimes all violence sometimes all submission sometimes looking upon her with a deep silent melancholly and sometimes speaking with extream anger not daring to fix his eyes upon hers But truly I wondered a hundred times at the goodnesse of the Gods that a Prince so imperious as this and of so proud a disposition should ever observe and keep within limits of respect At first when we came to Babylon all Ladies were permitted to see the Princesse and she was so infinitely loved amongst them that they were willing to do any thing to deliver her were it not for their desires they had that she should be their Queen and therefore every Lady of quality in relation to her own satisfaction was ready to do a good office for the King of Assyria yet since this Prince was informed by his spies that they came very often unto her they were debarred of that Liberty and the Princesse was so strictly guarded that none unlesse Mazares must see her and the principal reason of it was because the common people began to grumble that all Assyria should be engaged in an unjust war Thus did we live in most melancholly and without any comfort but the company of Mazares The women which waited upon the Princesse told us that there came every day a great number of strangers unto Babylon and none knew what they were for these women had more liberty then we but not much 'T is very true that we were in a very fine prison if any can be so for certainly the King of Assyria's palace is the most stately thing in the world The Princesse chamber was on that side which looks towards the great plain along the River Euphrates and has a prospect of above fifty furlongs from Babylon and you know very well how this prospect is full of variety and delightful either in respect of the River which there winds and turns it self very pleasantly or in respect of many stately houses which are obvious to the eye and which are inviron'd round with palm trees In that quarter was the Princesse lodging out of which a Balcone jetted out in which she used to sit when the weather was fair I remember that one night she was sitting there very late and as the King her father and Artamenes took up much of her thoughts Imagine Martesia said she to me how glad and sorry both I should be if in the morning when I open this window I should spie a Medean and a Cappadocian Army really said she I think that I should not be able to contain my self delight to see relief and fear lest it should prove in vain for me and fatal to them who bring it would so disturb my soul that I should never have strength or constancy enough to live out the event But alas Martesia I am not likely to be either glad or sad upon such an occasion solitude and silence that raigns in all this vast plain which we dimly discover through the obscurity of the night does tell me that my defenders are not there and we see nothing by the gloomy light of Stars and Moon but only trees and this great River It was then two dayes since we saw the Prince Mazares and he being the greatest part of our conversation the Princesse was very sorry that she did not see her protector for so she often called him But after the Princesse had sufficiently entertained her contemplations she retired into a chamber which joyned unto that where we were and where commonly she passed away the day The next morning as soon as she was drest one came to tell her that the King of Assyria desired admittance and as soon as he was entered Madam said he to her after he had saluted her with all due reverence will you be pleased to do me the favour as to go in that chamber where commonly you use to be Sir said she to him making signs unto Arianta and me to follow her Captives must not chuse the places of their prison and in saying so she followed him who presented her his hand and we also followed them When we were come into that chamber the King of Assyria went unto the Balcone and drawing a great Curtain which ran upon hoops of gold to open and shut as one pleased we discovered all that great plain which the night before we saw so solitary full of Souldiers in arms and as they were drawn up into multitudes of Squadrons Battalia's and Ensigns they seemed to be four hundredthousand men You may imagine wise Chrisantes what effect such a terrible object did work in the heart of Mandana and at the first she did imagine it to be the Army of Ciaxares but she continued not in that delighting errour for the King of Assyria turning towards her you see Madam said he to her that my design to Conquer and deserve you is not judged by the Gods so criminal as you think since they thus prosper it and since so many Kings and Princes as there is in this Army do take my part and since two hundred thousand men are ready to expose their lives for the love of me The Princesse seeing her hopes deceived did cast her eyes upon the Army and though by reason of the remotenesse she could not discern the Ensigns yet it seemed they were not Medeans Then hastily turning aside as not enduring so terrible an object oh Sir cried she out what do you let me see what kind of punishment have you
Rivall for I understand by one of them who escaped the shipwrack that the Princess was ever very averse unto the King of Assyria and that though he had her in the prime town in the world yet could he not move her at all what can I then hope to do who cannot present her with any crowns or scepters and has nothing left in my power to give her but that same heart which she has so often refused Ah Pharnabases Ambition is a great incitement unto love Crowns and Scepters moves hearts which are most insensible I cannot think a Prince who is driven out of his dominions and can present nothing but a share in his misfortunes is in a condition to strike deep into the mind of Mandana For my part said Pharnabases I think you complaine of this accident which you rather ought to rejoyce at because if you restore the Princess Mandana unto her father I am certain that the same army wherewith he intended to take Babylon and since is master of it and which as these men who have escaped from the shipwrack do say will be presently returned into Cappadocia shall be imployed to reconquer your estate againe and I am certain that Artamenes who you so much speak of will not deny you his assistance I do confess Pharnabases and am fully perswaded that it would be more prudent and Judicious to take the course you speak of rather then to humour my extream passion But yet in doing so I should be more ambitious then amorous and love a crown better then I do Mandana and not prefer her as I do above all the Crowns and Scepters upon earth for although he do give me his army yet will he not give me his daughter so that if I part with her I shall be almost certain to regain my Crown but then I shall be certain also to lose Mandana Ha Pharnabases there is no comparison in the choise of these two and I had much rather never get my Crown then never see Mandana againe But Sir answered Pharnabases all your thoughts of ambition and Crowns will be but thorns in your heart and you would be still unhappy unless you were loved and I do make it a grand question whether you ever will be so as long as you are without a Crown without a Scepter without a habitation but as thus a wanderer a fugitive and an unfortunat man consider Sir I beseech you that by restoring this Princess you will gaine a potent protector and find a safe sanctuary and that if you do not restore her then you know not where to find a place of retreat in all the earth and you will ruine your self under the arms of an enemy who in the turning of an eye can command two hundred thousand men I do confess Pharnabases answered the King that all you say is true But I know also that I have a more formidable enemy in my own heart which I know not how to overcome and who I should be sorrie if he did so yes Pharnabases the sight of Mandana has so much inflamed my passion that I can harken unto nothing but what will satisfie it I know that in lieu of a gallant act I shall commit a crime but what should I do It is the violence of love enforceth me to it and I conceive it a thing absolutly impossible to have one who is beloved as I love Mandana in ones power and voluntarily to part with her moreover there are not the same reasons why she should hate me as there are why she should hate the King of Assyria for I did not take her away as he did but on the contrary I saved her life and rescued her out of the arms of death she cannot therefore without great injustice call me her Ravisher since I did only preserve that treasure which the gods did send me as a cordiall after all my losses But alas how can I keep this unvaluable treasure in a poor single ship without any refuge or retract and can I find in my heart to make her unto whom of all the earth I wish most happiness so infinitly unhappy Truth is Chrisantes this Prince after such an extream agitation of his mind could not resolve upon any thing but when he understood by the physitian that the Princess was in so good a condition that she might be seen he sent to desire permission that he might visit her At his first approach unto her he expressed much Joy to see so many signs of health in her countenance considering the accident not but that there was much melancholy in the eyes of the Princes but since she was ever so fair that she could not ever look ill he thought better of her then indeed she was moreover rhe King seeing her the day before in a worse condition did think she Looked well then The Princesse as owing her Life unto him Received him with a Civilitie and after she had caused him to sit down she said unto him with as much spirit as sweetnesse you see here Sir a wonderfull effect of fortunes inconstancie for when you Left me last at Sinope I was in a condition then to doe you a favour but now I am in a condition to Receive one from you War brought you into my fathers prison and fortune has brought me into yours and I rejoice in my captivitie since I have an opinion that he who has saved my life will suffer me to enjoy it and perhaps will remember that he went out of Cappadocia without any ransome but Sir I do not speak this with any intention to quit my own but on the contrary I am certain that the King my father will both pay it and also if you please assist you in the reconquest of the kingdomes of Pontus and Bythinia I am at this present Madam replied the King so rich since I have the honour to see you in a place where I have power that I cannot think of any conquests and if you had not remembred me of my misfortunes in speaking to me of my prison I think I should have absolutly forgot all my losses and disgraces But they are so considerable replied she that they cannot chuse but be remembred at all times and in all places yet generous Prince there wants a remedy against them doubtless Madam you may said the King sighing if you please yes answered the Princese but it must be by the valour of another therefore Sir I beseech you make towards Sinope that we may send one of your men on shore to get information where the King my father is my designe was replied the King to go and offer my self unto him that he would be pleased to accept of my assistance in recovering you out of the King of Assyrias power but now the course and end of my voyage is altered you may better proceed in your voyage said the Princess since in rescuing me from death you have done that alone which you could not have done
that all its strength did consist in the multitude of the Inhabitants and truly it was so prodigiously vast that no other heart but that of Cyrus durst ever have attempted it Since he was come so neer this huge town where the King of Armenia was staying until his Army which already consisted of ten thousand men was strong enough to come into the field he would himself needs go and discover the scituation of the Town and Castle which he destred to take and after he had circumspectly viewed and observed all places round the enemy never daring to appear but a far off say what Chrisantes and his most faithful servants could unto him he would hazard all to deliver his Princess Then he caused twelve thousand men to march in the night unto that place and he left six thousand at several places to secure his retreat if need should be and to guard the passage over Araxes besides two thousand which he left to make good the passe over the river which runs between Armenia and Cappadocia After then he had drawn up his forces neer a little wood and drawn out those who were to make an assault upon the Town and Castle although he had intelligence that all Artaxates was up in Arms and all the Townsmen ready to come out against him yet did not this great heart saint but on the contrary the greatness of the danger infusing new spirit into him he made choice of a little rising ground which was between the Town and the Castle and after he had drawn six thousand men into Battalia upon this hill and had placed six terrible Engines which shot great huge stones to oppose any relief which the King of Armenia expected he went with four thousand others to assault the town in which they had placed three thousand souldiers entrenched some few days before Cyrus came within sight of Artaxates This Assault was given in four several places at once after that four Rams had battered the Barricadoes and Walls and that with so much fury that the enemies were at the first affrighted Any who had seen Cyrus bestir himself would have said he was invulnerable considering how he exposed himself unto the clouds of his enemies arrows The first Assault was commanded by the Prince Thrasibulus The second by Hidaspes The third by Aglutydas as for Cyrus he would reserve himself to fight within the Town against any that durst relieve the Castle The first Breach was on that side where Cyrus stood and those which defended it flying with all haste unto another Barricado were there killed and helped to enfor 〈…〉 others by their own defeat Mean while both Thrasibulus and Aglatidas were happy in their attempts and he Souldiers also animated by the example of their valiant Commanders planted Ladders against the walls so that when the Inhabitants saw themselves assaulted on all sides they fled to save their lives some threw down their Arms and submitted others in a tumultuous disorder ran away some to avoid the Sword of their enemy finding the Bridg too narrow for such a throng fell into the River and were miserably drowned some would have defended the Bridg but the valour of Cyrus who never sits down after a victory did enforce them away and pursued them he killed all that resisted and pardoned all that submitted he who commanded the men at that pass was a man of great heart and was there killed because he would never ask Quarter and of those three thousand which were placed in that quarter there was very few which were not either wounded or taken prisoners The Prince Artibies who would needs fight that day as a Voluntier received two mortal wounds which did most extreamly trouble Cyrus Mean while those within the Castle seeing themselves not able to hold out against such valiant Enemies and the Princess which was in it promising them great recompences if they would render themselves unto this invincible Conquerour they began to beat a paâ—ley which did so infinitely rejoyce Cyrus in hopes to see his dear Mandana presently that he was never in his life more sensible of any passion then at that time yet did he much wonder that the King of Pont whom he knew to be so gallant and brave did not appear How comes it to pass said he to himself that I doe not see him upon such an occâ—sion as this with Arms in his hands If he do well remember himself of some good effices which I have done him why does he not restore unto me my Princess If he will not restore her why does he not come out and fight with me Certainly said he he must be either dead or else some odd policy which I cannot understand causes the King of Armenia to keep him prisoner in this Castle but all these reflections did quickly vanish out of his mind his almost certain hopes that he should immediately deliver Mandana turned all into joy He parlied then with the Captain of the Castle he promised him all his desires provided he would presently render him the Princess whom he there guarded and the Captain obeying him and trusting unto his word which Cyrus did always keep even with his most mortall enemies he set open the Gates let all enter that would and caused those few Arms which were in it to be laid down As soon as Cyrus was in the first Court Where is the Princess said he unto the Captain She is yonder Sir replied he shewing him a walk where indeed he saw two Ladies coming towards him his imagination being wholly upon Mandana he went in all haste unto these Ladies but coming near the first Lady lifting up her Cyprus and presently stopping as if she were surprized at the sight of Cyrns he saw one of the fairest objects doubtless in the world yet at this time most unsutable unto his phancy since he saw she was not his Princess he then turned towards the Captain to accuse him for so deceiving him but the Lady addressing her self with a something disordered countenance Sir said she unto him the King of Pont my Brother was so gallantly treated by you when he was your prisoner that I must needs hope for the like favour from you since you are too generous to deny protection unto one of the most unfortunate Princess upon earth Cyrus was so troubled that he had not delivered Mandana and so surprized to hear that this Lady was Sister unto the King of Pont that for a while he was not able to answer yet clearing up his mind You are not deceived Madam said he most cruelly unto her when you believe I shall treat you with all the respect due unto me of your quality for though the King your Brother be him I aim at and came to seek in Armenia yet shall I render unto you all the services that are in my power As this fair Princess was about to answer Intelligence came unto Cyrus that there was such a prodigious multitude of people coming
all these fatal Resolutions that I perswaded him to depart and let all these violent resolutions alone sometimes I employed your name Sir telling him it was more honorable to dye in your service then any other way But Sir though Aglatidas went out of Ecbatan at a quite contrary Gate to that which goes unto the place where Amestris was and intending fully to obey her yet for his heart he could not and he was no sooner got some fifty furlongs from Ecbatan but sending all his men some two days Journey from Ecbatan he went with one servant only to the place where Amestris was In the mean while his departure was very welcome news to Megabises to Tharpis and to Artemon It was very pleasant also unto Anatisa but not so much as to the rest for her design was only to break off the Marriage but not to exile Aglatidas yet her revenge upon a Rival was very sweet and she was very well pleased with the fruits of her Project Dinocrates also enjoyed the fruit of those Presents which Tharpis conferred upon him and was wondrous well contented But Sir to return to Aglatidas he went straight unto Amestris to bid his last adieu She was so amaâ—ed and infinitly angry at him that Menasta assured me he was ready to take horse again before he had spoke four words yet by the Rhetorick of some pithy perswasions he obtained the liberty of an hours Conference during all which time he could not alter one â—ot of her resolutions This last parting went nearer the heart then the other and both of them were in a most lamentable condition When Aglatidas was gone Amestris could talk of nothing but his misfortune and she repeated all the passages of his life watering his memory with abundance of tears which trickled down not only her cheeks but her very neck and brests Whilest she was thus sitting and lamenting with Menasta in her Couch and whilest Menasta was perswading her to moderate her excessive sorrow they heard a great noise below in the Court and presently after hearing the same upon the stairs and then the Chamber door open suddenly Amestris saw Ottanus enter with the same fury he used heretofore when he brought persecuting resolutions with him Ottanus sayd Cyrus in a great amazement how could Amestris see Ottanus enter when you say you saw him in the midst of a Torrent and sink afterwards unto the bottom Give me but a little patience Sir said Artaban and you shall know But yet I beseech you give me leave to go on with my discourse Ottanus being entered then as I told you said Artaban the sight of him made Menasta cry out supposing it had been an Apparition and struck Amestris into such a wonder that she was not able either to speak or rise up and it was a long time before they could certainly know whether it was really Ottanus or his shadow at last he looking upon Amestris whose eyes were swell'd with tears and yet sparkled with rage and fury and assuming a tone that was able to strike terror into the mind of the boldest and most innocent woman in the world You have reason said he unto her to be troubled at the sight of me for I should never have returned but to punish you for all your faults at once Amestris then knowing him to be really Ottanus and having a little recollected herself she rise up and bowed unto him with much reverence Sir said she unto him you have heretofore so well accustomed me to endure injust reproaches that I have not yet lost the habit of it Infamous woman said he unto her dost thou call the charge of all thy present actions unjust reproaches Canst thou beleeve me dead upon any light report and not so much as cry and must I find thy face all swell'd with tears now for the absence of thy Lover Know that I have been hid six days in Ecbatan in a place where I have heard of thy intended Marriage and all thy unworthy and wicked actions and I came hither to kill Aglatidas before thy face hearing he was come hither to thee but since I understand I came a little too late I find none but thy self to be revenged on Sir replyed Amestris since you say yet know all my actions then you know also that as soon as Dinocrates told me that Aglatidas killed you in the Wars I broke off with him and resolved never to marry him Yes replyed furious Ottanus you seem so before the world but not in private for if thou hadst thou wouldst never have come hither I can assure you Sir said Menasta that Amestris did strictly charge Aglatidas never to see her again And I can assure you answered Ottanus that I came hither with intentions that she never shall see him or you again To relate Sir all the crabbed passages which Ottanus used would be to abuse your patience Let me only tell you that he spoke as much as jealousie rage and despair could invent both against Amestris against Aglatidas and against Menasta Then causing a Coach to be made ready he forced Menasta to return to Ecbatan and shut Amestris up in a Chamber with one woman only to wait upon her threatening her with all imaginable severity That which did most wonder Amestris was that she saw out of her window Ottanus treat Dinocrates as formerly But Sir since I know you desire to hear of the Resurrection of Ottanus you I say who in the fight did hear it cryed Ottanus is dead I shall relate what I have heard from several reports Be pleased to know then that Ottanus was in the fight that night and fighting next unto an Armenian who was his intimate Crony he let fall a Bag of Jewels which he had and stooping to take them up again this Armenian thought that his reason of stooping was some wound with a Sword or Javelin and therefore cryed out Ottanus is dead though he was not It is very true that he had much ado to rise again because the fight was very hot in that place and he was several times tumbled over and over after this as you know very well Sir the Armenians were all vanquished and could not possible recover their Mountains Moreover you know Sir that Phraartes retreated into a little valley whether you followed him so that Ottanus saved himself as the rest did But since he feared nothing more then to fall into the hands of Ciaxares because he was a Traytor to his Country and principally because Aglatidas was in his Army therefore in lieu of going with Phraartes he stole away and by the favour of night did hide himself amongst some high Rocks which are close by the side of a River but because the Arms he wore were very remarkable he thought it would not be easie for him either to hide himself or to cross the field in the day time without being stopped When he saw that none remained in the Valley
would not dishearten his souldiers so on the contrary he desired they should know this Oracle that it might invigorate their spirits and give them fresh hearts to fight knowing well that hopes of Victory in a Souldier is a Battle more then halfe wonne But since his modesty would not permit him to offer any prophanation by altering any thing which the Gods had said he desired Megasides and Leontidas to leave out what the Oracle of Venus-Vrania had spoken in his commendations and to publish only what related unto an end of his miseries For though this Oracle did not positively say that Cyrus should take Sardis that he should release Mandana and vanquish all his Rivalls yet since they fortold him to be happy these things must consequently ensue since most certainly he could never be happy without Mandana and he could never get Mandana without a conquest of his Rivalls and enemies therefore by necessary inference he was to obtaine this victory before he could enjoy this Princesse This Oracle then was no sooner published by Megasides and principally by Leontidas who was acquainted with all the officers in the Army but it produced those effects which Cyrus expected fresh valour was infused into all his troops and new sorrowes seised upon the King of Assyria's heart all the mountainous hopes he had in the promises of Jupiter-Belus began to shrink into Mole-hills by reason of this Oracle but since he thought that by murmuring against the Gods would but the more incense them he was silently husht and hated Cyrus the more though he did not lesse esteem him As for Mazares since he expected nothing but misery his reason did surmount his passion and he had no other hopes but to participate with Cyrus in the danger and glory of releasing Mandana and therefore these promises of the Gods unto Cyrus the King of Assyria did little fret his heart 't is true he was alwaies so miserable that Fortune could hardly be more incensed against him then she was but since he was not lesse prudent then unfortunate nor lesse generous then prudent Cyrus began to esteem him infinitely and keep close society with him both of them did complain unto each other of the King of Assyria's violent humor and at last did so accustom themselves unto civility that they did not only esteem but think each other worthy of Mandana yet they never spake of her but sighed and as they went from quarter to quarter visiting the gards which Cyrus kept upon all the advenues of Sardis Mandana was the only object of their discourse unlesse when they were obliged to speak of something which related unto the Siege How are you Sir would Mazares say unto him in being not only loved by the most glorious Princesse of the world but also in never having done any thing which might displease her I wish unto the heavens that since it was my bitter fate to be hated that it might be unjustly and that I could not upbraid my selfe with meriting her hate by my deceiving her and carrying her away from Sinope There is both so much love and prudence and generosity in your expressions Sir replyed Cyrus that I would not have my Princesse heare you No no Sir said Mazares sadly never feare the Princesse Mandana since she has slighted the King of Assyria for you and since she had rather see all Asia in armes then you unfaithfull since she has held out against all the submissive attempts of the Pontean King and has hated me so far as to deny that liberty which I offered her you may well be confident that nothing will alter the constant heart of that Princesse Whilst Mazares was talking thus Cyrus hearkened and sighed seeing him to be more miserable then he thought him nor would he acquaint him with his condition in Mandana's thoughts lest he should revive some hopes in the heart of his generous Rivall and kindle that fire which was not quite extinguished In the meane time Cyrus neglected not the erecting of that sconce which he intended and was resolved upon by the councell of War but it was not done without much difficulty for the King of Pontus knowing the importance of it did sally out three times upon them yet Cyrus knowing well that one of the greatest secrets in War is never to quit the first design for a second because then sudden orders can never be so prudently given nor punctually executed as those which are deliberatly pondered therefore he commanded this sconce to be prosecuted with all the power he had and since his army was numerous he thought that let the Enemies make what Sallies they could he was able to beat them in again The King of Assyria the King of Phrygia and the King of Hircama had each their several Quarters to make good and the Stranger Anaxaris fought that day next Cyrus he thinking it a sufficient recompence of his Valour to have this Renowned Heroe a witnesse of it And it must be acknowledged that as the commendations of Cyrus was noble Rewards for the Acts of Anaxaris so the Acts of Anaxaris did deserve the commendations of Cyrus Amongst all the rest of his bravery during this Siege that erecting of this Sconce was one of the most remarkable for he did such things as could never be equalled by any but by the valour of Cyrus onely who questionlesse upon this occasion did such things as can hardly be related without suspition of truth Above twenty times was he beaten off by the enemy and as often did he repulse them into the town he lost and regained that quarter of the ditch where he intended the Sconce but at last he wearied his enemies and perfected his designe The Sallies which the besieged made in other places did thrive no better Cyrus sustained some loss of men but not comparable to his Enemies Araspes who since the death of Panthea did sigh out a life of sorrows was wounded at this bout where he fought more with design to die then vanquish but so it did not prove for there was no mortality in the wound he receiv'd but was rather a means to save his life then to put it in danger The King of Assyria was in thoughts of death also at this time But the advantage was clear on Cyrus his side For he had finished his sconce he had killed many Lydians and took abundance of prisoners Hee understood from some of them after the Fight was ended and he returned to his Tent that the King of Pontus to keep up the people told them of great Relief to come from Thrace that the Bactrians also would send Auxiliaries and that ere long Cyrus would be forced to raise the Siege He understood from them also more certainly then before that Croesus had no power in the Cittadell and that the King of Pontus had so tampered that he was absolute master of the Souldiery These Prisoners also told him how there came a Lady late unto the Cittadell unto
an odd adventure said she one night unto Stesilea all that I ever do to cure my self or to comfort me doth more augment my miserie The absence of Philimena from which I hoped for such sweetness causeth nothing but bitterness and I had rather see Philimena then see that sorrow for her in the face of Myrinthus Is it possible I should be capable of such phantastical thoughts I am confident that those who see me enter into any Closet so often by my self do think that I am meditating upon some grand designs and that the good of the state is all my thoughts Yet weak woman that I am busied only in thinking whether Myrinthus be sad or pleasant whether Myrinthus be handsom or negligent in his cloaths Ah Cleobuline what thoughts are these Call to memory what heretofore thou wast Read over all the Elogies that were presented to thee to the end they may put thee in mind of deserving them and be unto thy self the same thou seemest to be unto others Thou art talked on over all the world as if thou wert a Lover of virtue and glorie and yet thou lovest Myrinthus who loves not thee though thou knowest verie well that thou canst not do it without doing that which is unworthy of thy qualitie Thou lovest Myrinthus I say who loves none but Philimena and who ought not to enjoy thy affection though he did love thee as well as he loves her Be thy own Judg Cleobuline what baseness of soul it is to do as thou dost Consider seriously with thy self what abundance of folly it is to be a Slave unto thy own unruly passions Remember how the wise Periander thy Father hath told thee a thousand and a thousand times that tranquility of mind was the greatest goodness that this tranquilitie of mind was in the soul like health to the body without which one could not enjoy any manner of pleasure Recall thy memorie and think how he told thee that the love of glory was the only innocent passion quench those flames of affection which is in thy soul unto Myrinthus consider that thy whole rest and glorie consists in conquering thy self and thy crime does lie close in the secret corners of thy soul yet it will procure thee as much shame as if it were publique How canst thou without a blush receive those commendations which are given thee since thou knowest thy self unworthy of them How canst thou enjoy the esteem of others when thou dost not esteem thy self Consider Cleobuline consider seriously that if Myrinthus whom thou thus adorest and so tenderly loves did but know of thy pusilanimious affection to him he would esteem thee less and perhaps scorn thee never be so simple as to think that if he knew of thy affection to him he would then quit Philimena but be confident on the contrary that he would hate thee It seems Madam saies Stesilea and interrupted her that love is a passion which you are not acquainted with since you think to vanquish it by reason or violence Alas my dear Stesilea said she unto her with what other armes would you have me vanquish my self Would you have me submit and render my self without any resistance No Madam replied Stesilea but in wishing you to ruine your passion I would not have you ruine your self But Stesilea replied she what would you have a person do whose heart is as full of shame as love as full of jealousie as shame and as full of anger as jealousie What would you have a Princess do who has a thousand opposite thoughts in her soul Who would somtimes alwayes see Myrinthus and somtimes again never see him who somtimes wisheth she knew how he loves him and who in a minute after believe that she should die for shame if he did know it who hates Philimena with as much violence as she loves Myrinthus and who often hates her self even unto death Somtimes my dear Stesilea all the extraordinary passages in History caused by Love comes into my memory I finde some Kings of Egypt who have made Slaves Queens and I think I have read of some Queens who have made Slaves Kings From hence my reason wandered and looked upon Myrinthus as one of Noble Qualitie and extraordinary merit I thought his hand strong enough to hold up the weight of a Scepter and that he who raigns in my heart might well reign in my Kingdomes But after these fond and unworthy imaginations had roven in my mind my reason began to rouze and disperse those muddie Clouds which obscured it and made me so abhor my own thoughts that I hated both her who entertained them and him also who was the subject of them judg then Stesilea what a restless life I lâ—ve and the greatest horror of all is that in the conclusion of all my raptures I still find Myrinthus innocent and Myrinthus worthy of my esteem For truly he is a man of courage spirit and fidelity and if I could not look upon him as my subject I had all the reasons in the world to be contented with him yet I complain and know not why I accuse and justifie him I excuse and condemn my self all at once yet there is alwayes in my heart such a desire of glory as often moves me maugre the violence of my passion to render thanks unto the Gods that Myrinthus loves me not though this be the thing which most of any thing upon earth grieves me But I had no sooner rendred thanks unto them for such a cruel favour then I was readie to petition that they would inspire the heart of Myrinthus with the same passion that they did mine Thus being tossed from one turbulent thought unto another I found not rest in any After all these violent expressions the Queen was silent At last she told Stesilea that she thought it so unworthy a thing to take so much fruitless pains in breaking off the marriage of Myrinthus as she would meddle no further in it but was resolved to leave it to a hazard a while For I am perswaded said she that I do but augment the love of Myrinthus by all my obstacles This resolution being pitched upon Stesilea ceased her negotiations In the mean while Myrinthus whose passion would never let him rest endeavoured to gain Basilides who indeed was perswaded by one of his friends that for the advancement of his designs upon the Queen it extremely concerned him not to incense Myrinthus who was so gracious with her but yet he was at a stand in the business for he knew by Stesilea that the Queen did not approve of his design to marrie Philimena yet he himself knew that one could not be more in her favour then he was and therefore he thought it concerned him to link him unto his interests So endeavouring not to appear in consenting unto a marriage which the Queen disliked and not to hinder Myrinthus he resolved to trust him and to tell him upon what reasons he opposed his design
he durst not suffer the least impertinent wish proceed from the root of his heart But it was nothing so with the Prince Myrsyles which did most fervently pray unto the Gods to change the heart of the severe and insensible Doralisa and neither thought nor asked for any thing else As for Andrumelis who was no lesse in love with this faire one then he was his desires went something further for he equally prayed for the ruine of his Rivall Myrsyles and the enjoyment of his Mistriss Doralisa As for Chrisantes and Feraulas who knew of the engagement that was between Cyrus the King of Assyria they consulted with each other whether or no they should acquaint the Princesse Mandana with it and prayed unto the Gods that this invincible Hero might have as glorious successe in this dangerous occasion as in all the rest he ever undertook As for Doralisa Pherenece and Martesia all their prayers were for the Princess whom they waited upon knowing that they could never expect any happinesse unlesse she were so The truth is all these different persons did make such different prayers that the Gods whom they invoked could not accord unto them all They were like unto those upon the Sea some with designs of going East-ward and some West-ward and pray for contrary winds as each did need So Mandana the King of Assyria Cyrus Mazanes Anaxaris did all of them aske the Gods point blanck contrary unto each other and by consequence impossibilities The sacrifice being ended the Princesse returned to the Castle but she stayed not there purposely to shun the King of Assyria's company yet before she departed she would needs know of Cyrus how he met with his Rivall and chidd him a little for his over-generosity in releasing his most mortall enemy Had he been only your enemy said she I should not have had any right to accuse you but since he is my persecutor me thinks I have cause to complain against you as over-generous The King your Father Madam hath set me such a glorious example replyed Cyrus as I were most unworthy of your esteem if I did not imâ—tate him And truly Madam added he if you did but know what joy it is unto me to see you put so great a difference between the King of Assyria and Cyrus you would not wonder I should give my self so much satisfaction But for all that I beseech you Madam doe not alter your thoughts nor too much pitty the miserable condition wherein the King your Fathers Armies hath brought my Assyrian Rivall For I must confesse though Compassion be a quality becoming such an heroique heart as yours Madam and since it doth so infinitely concern me that your heart be hardned towards him yet I cannot wish you should have any pitty upon him I do assure you Sir replyed Mandana that I cannot be very inclinable to pitty a Prince who hath caused all the miseries of my Life but in relation to your selfe said she I must needs sometimes think that looking upon him as the cause of all your Conquests and that great glory which you have gotten you should hate him a little lesse For truly had he not carryed me away you had never taken Babylon you had never brought all Assyria into subjection you had not conquered Armenia you had not vanquished Croesus taken Sardis subjected all Lydia the Xanthians the Cauneans the Joneans the Ghedeans you had not taken Cumes nor ever have been the Conquerour of all Asia 'T is true Madam replyed Cyrus but however I should have still been prostrate at your feet adoring you and my endeavours my sighs and services might perhaps have engaged your heart more then it is so that I may say my Conquest had been farre more glorious unto me by them then by the Armes of Ciaxares your Father I could if I would replyed the Princess Mandana answer you obligingly enough and tell you that in taking Babylon Artaxates Sardis and Cumes you have perhaps gained my heart more then you had done by your sighes and services without them but I am too ill satisfied with you to doe so Not that I would have you now change way of dealing with the Assyrian King since he is at liberty but I must confesse I should not have been sorry if you had not released him and I had rather I could have chidden you for your too little generosity then for your too much However I doe conjure you added she not to be far from me for if you goe and visite any more Monuments I shall feare that you will bring back the King of Pontus with you and therefore I pray let no such thing come to passe Not that I think the King of Assyria to be in any Condition able to attempt any thing against me unlesse it be in attempting something against you but yet for all that his presence is so tormentive unto me that I stand in need of yours to comfort me Cyrus hearing Mandana speak thus feared that she suspected something of the truth Therefore to cleer all matters he answered her as if he had not any angry thought in his mind against the King of Assyria It seems Madam said he unto her you would have me comfort my self with the sight of an Enemy who as you say is the cause of so many glorious advantages unto me However it be replyed this Princess Let me always see you whersoever I shal see him until I come unto such a place where I may obtain of the King my Father to banish him as I do intend As for your selfe as troublesome as his presence is unto me I would not have you attempt any thing to free me from him Since he is a cause why you Madam do treat me so well replyed Cyrus and laughed I shall most willinly obey you After this the Princesse went into her Coach with Doralisa and Martesia Pherenece and Arianeta and the rest of the Princesse her women went in another Coach which followed hers In the mean while Cyrus whose thoughts were upon all that related unto the safety of Mandana and the execution of his design he altered the orders of his march and caused the Assyrian Troops to be placed on the wings and as faire off the Princess as possible Also he gave particular orders unto Anaxaris to have a special guard upon Mandana not thinking that in being so cautious against one Rivall he trusted her with another On the other side Chrisantes and Feraulas had not yet acquainted Martesia with Cyrus and the King of Assyria's engagement but resolved to acquaint her at night to the end that she making it known unto the Princesse she might by her soveraign authority oblige all the Princes in the Army to have vigilant eyes and become guards over these two terrible Rivals Yet though they had not spoken of it unto Martesia since she was a woman of an excellent spirit the King of Assyria's arrivall did make her very melancholy for shee was
came to you But whilst I was in fear that Intaphernes might meet with this Prince the Gods who do not use to comply alwayes with the wills of men but often mock at all humane Prudence did conduct Intaphernes unto the banks of that little River where the Assyrian King was taking the Aire whilst you Madam was in the Temple and staying in the pleasant place untill the hour of your setting out I understand since by the Page which followed Intaphernes and by Intaphernes himself all the passages of this meeting And since I understand by Martesia that you Madam do not know it but desires infotmation I shall acquaint you with the particulars and if I should conceal an Action so gallant and noble I should not make a perfect relation of Intaphernes his life Be pleased to know then Madam that this Prince riding safely along the banks of this little River hoping still to meet with us again least he should be forced to arrive at a place where he thought you was without any Train or Equipage Love did so take up all the faculties of his Soul that he scarcely knew what he did or saw On the other side the King of Assyria who seemed as deep in contemplation as Intaphernes though according to his naturall impetuosity he went as fast as if he had a great journy to go he was also on the banks of this River with one Page only So as Intaphernes came towards the King of Assyria as the King of Assyria came towards Intaphernes who being both of them in deep studies they passed so neer each other that there Horses starting at the same time made both of them think themselves assaulted So that rowsing out of their studies and stopping their Horses they looked sternly upon each other to know who it was that assavlted them and both knowing each other the King of Assyria he thought that Intaphernes intended to all upon him as Intaphernes thought that the King of Assyria intended to put a new affront upon him So as both being high in anger they first looked upon one another as men who had dispositions to quarrell Yet Intaphernes gave him a Salute but it was with so many signs of indignation that his respects did not deminish the King of Assyria's fury For as soon as Intaphernes had saluted him he went two paces back and began to speak in a haughty and proud tone For ought I see sayd he in a most scornfull manner you are as insolent here as you were ambitious in Babylon and it seems also that you have been most unjust in Bythinia in being so bold as to cause Arsamones to imprison me purposely to make me marry one whom I do not think worthy to be the slave of whom I adore Oh Sir sayd Intaphernes you extreamly wrong me do not urge me against my will to forget I have seen you upon a Throne least I should not brook it For Sir hitherto I never failed in my due respects unto you I was never more ambitious at Babylon then did become me and was so far from forcing you to marry my Sister that I must tell you that she did more resist Arsamones then you did not being so base as ever to think of being Wife unto a Prince who hath so much scorned her and wronged me Therfore Sir I beseech you with all the Reverence I owe unto you as Son unto the Queen Nitocris do not force me to cast of all those respects I cannot tell what thou meanest replyed the King of Assyria sharply but I am sure I cannot brook the insolency of a Subject whose duty is to reverence me as much in my Fetters as if I were upon the Throne Upon these words the King of Assyria drawing his Sword he forced Intaphernes to draw his also but it was only at first to defend himself from the King of Assyria's blows And indeed this generous Prince striving to overcom his resentments did recoil some paces in defending himself and speaking again in the name of the Gods Sir sayd he unto him do not urge me any further for my patience can hold no longer wish only that thy Valour may hold out replyed the King of Assyria in pressing harder upon him unless thou wilt feel the sharpness of mine After this Madam Intaphernes being not able to endure any longer he did not only fight in defence of his life but also to revenge himself And his Page told me of such Prodigies which he did which are not to be conceived unless one had seen them For indeed Madam though the King of Assyria had fought with the Illustrious Cyrus and your self Madam had been the Prise of the Combate yet this violent Prince could not have fought with more Courage But as Intaphernes had all the sincerity of a most brave man so he told all those unto whom he related the passage that if the King of Assyria had stood any thing upon his Guard he should have found a hard task to have vanquished him and his modesty made him say that if that valiant Prince had not precipitated himself unto his Armes in striving to finish the Combate quickly he had not been overcome Indeed Madam the King of Assyria having wounded himself in striving to gain the Crupper his Sword being broke and he run through the right arme with a touch from his Enemy his great heart was constrained to yeeld Yet Intaphernes would not abuse his Victory by insulting over his unfortunate Enemy as unjust as he was But on the contrary he used many generous expressions he asked him whether he would be pleased that he should conduct him offering to hold him up seeing he was not able to sit on horse-back but this furious Prince would have only his Page to help him he forbad Intaphernes to come neer him and commanded him to retire Since thou art still my Subject though my Conqueror sayd this violent Prince unto him I command the to get out of my Presence for I cannot any longer endure a man who hath ruined all my hopes subverted all my designs and hath retarded either my death or my happiness These ambiguous words which Intaphernes could not understand mooving him to think that his sorrows for being overcom did distract the liberty of his mind he began to pitty him and offer again to help him but he fell into such a Chafe that Intaphernes seeing some Souldiers a far off coming that way he was forced to retire In the mean time in lieu of going unto the Castle where you Madam were he returned back being resolved not to present himself unto you Madam nor unto Cyrus nor unto the Prince his Father untill you were on your march Conceiving that the King of Assyria was in such a condition as he would not be able to follow And indeed Madam this Prince having happily met with us some four Furlongs from the place where he fought we went to wait upon you Madam at the house where you stayed and
To say I am in Love I cannot yet But yet I 'me sure this doth resemble it One only object takes up all my mind In nothing else can I a pleasure find If this be it to have a wounded heart Ther 's none can be more sensible of smart My soule is set on fire by certaine Rayes The Sun lesse pleaseth in the chillest dayes No eye as yet doth see my flame but sure Fire has no heat in 't more then I endure When I see then my soule 's at ease He out of sight ther 's nothing can me please Perhaps he is my vanquisher but yet I will be ignorant of my defeat All that he sayes seemes full of charms to mee And in his silence no felicity Hast thou laid down thy Armes oh heart so brave I cannot tell but I believe I have After the Queen of Pontus had read these lines she restored them unto Democedes conjuring him to tell her what operation these verses had in the spirit of Phaon I understand since from himselfe Madam replyed Democedes and continued his relation that these verses did raise such a storm in his heart that He was halfe an hour before he could begin to read them againe though he had a great desire unto it for though he did believe that Sapho either was then in Love or had been in love yet he did not believe it so confidently but he was strangly surprized to see it under her own hand But at last beginning to read these verses over againe and finding them more amorous the second time then the first he was so transported with furie that he thought to have torne them all in peeces and thrown them into the Sea And as he was just ready to doe it a fancy came into his head which prevented him which was to consider whose Name of all those who used to frequent Saphoes company did most concurre and sute with the verse in that blank which was left for it For he conceived notwithstanding his furie that if Sapho would have given him any other name then his owne she would have writ it down in her verse So he concluded and rationally that the name which would fit the verse was the name of him for whom they were made therefore looking againe upon those foure verses where it was written When I see then my soule 's at ease He out of sight ther 's nothing can it please Perhaps he is my Conqueror but yet I will be ignorant of my defeat He began to consider what name would make up the verse but he was there at a great puzzle For that of Tysander was too long a syllable That of Nicanor the like and mine was longer then either Phaon fond that the name of Alces was the just length for the verse but his love of the faire Athys was so well known unto all the world and it was also well known that he was Tysanders confident that this made no impression upon his mind Afterwards he examined the Names of all the men of Rank which used to visit Sapho but found none which fitted the verse because they were all too long also he examined the names of all those who did not visit her neversomuch as thinking of his own For since he knew that Sapho had made those verses which caused his first jealousie before he knew her he never dreamed that those which had caused him so much sorrow would have caused much joy had he known the cause and he was farre from any such thoughts as that he had never examined whether his own name did fit the verse when I accordingly came unto him But Madam the wonder was to see Phaon who since his fantasticall jealousie looked very much a squint at me now become very kind againe because my name did not fit the verse so as he accosted me with his accustomed freedome and took me for his confident as familiarly as if I had never caused any of his jealousie And he no sooner saw me but comming to me since we are both in the wrong said he unto me and embraced me I beseech you my dear Democedes let us forget what 's past and begin our amity a new for now I plainly see I was in the wrong in thinking it was you who had taught Sapho to know all the delicacies of Love and I can make it appear unto you that you were in the wrong to believe she was not in love Is it possible said I unto him That you should have such clear testimonies of it as cannot be doubted You shall quickly see that said he by reading these verses which I stole from her you know her stile and her hand and happily may guesse at the name of him for whom they were made for my mind is so full of perplexities that I confesse I cannot guesse at him After this I begin to read Saphoes verses but in reading them I found at the very first that the name of Phaon fill'd up the verse and I remembred so many passages which had made me believe that Sapho did not hate him as I made no doubt but that they were made for him and I did the more believe it because I could not find any name except that of Alces which did run right in verse and as for Alces I knew it could not be him so as intending to comfort him for my part said I I see no such difficulty in finding out a name which will fitly fill up the blank in the verse and I am confident the fair Sapho did intend it thus When I see Phaon then my soul 's at ease He out of sight ther 's nothing can me please Perhaps he is my vanquisher but yet I will be ignorant of my defeat Ah Democedes cryed he out T is true indeed my name does fit the verse but the verse fits not me and I cannot choose but wonder how you should so suddenly think upon my name As for my part did not so much as think upon it whether or no my name was Phaon However this accident ads no comfort unto me for all these excellent tender amorous and passionate Copies of the faire Saphoes were all written before I ever knew her and therefore it is to be thought they were made for some other happy one who has the felicity to teach her all the tendernesse of Love in making himself Loved For my part replyed he I know not whether I be mistaken but me thinks those Characters do not look as if they had been long writ But I am the most mistaken man in the world if these verses were not made for you and if you in lieu of being the most miserable are not yet the most happy Lover in the world How said he do you think Sapho could love me and I not perceive it and that a man who looks upon her every minute observes all her Actions and all her words and does all he can to guesse her thoughts should not he see she
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
was in Elisa's Chamber to see the whole Navy appear Since I spied it the first I could not chuse but express my joyes by acquainting Elisa with it Come Madam said I unto her Come and triumph over the Conquerour of others and fully enjoy your Victory She blushed at my words and we no sooner went to the Balcone but we discerned the Fleet and presently after we discovered how all the Ships had their ornaments of victory We saw a thousand Flags waving in amongst the Cordage as many flames flashing the Ships were set round with colours gained from the Enemies and all the Decks shined with gold and silver But that which most surprized Elisa and me when the Fleet came neerer was to perceive all these Flags and Pennons in lieu of being of several colours as they use in combat or in Triumph were all of one dusky dark colour mixed with gold and silver such as is used in the Funeral ceremonies of Kings The sight of this made us begin to tremble but our admiration augmented when coming neerer the place where we were we could distinctly perceive that the Captain who had more ornaments then the rest of the Ships had upon his Deck a great Coffin placed upon a half part of three stairs and that this Coffin was covered with black cloth wrought with gold upon which was placed a Crown and a magnificent Sword and at the head of this Coffin a Trophe elevated to signifie that he who died and was in the Coffin died in triumphing a hundred lighted Lamps hung round about the Deck The Kings chief Officers were in mourning and waited round about the Coffin This sight caused extream sorrow in Elisa's heart and mine a doleful musique was heard from every Ship which by its lamentable tone spoke the King of Phenicia to be dead All the Ships gained from the enemy followed this Captain but without any Flags Pennons Banners or Ornaments to signifie their defeat the Souldiers in them were chained upon the Decks of the Ships to honour the Funeral Pomp of that illustrious Conquerour To be short Madam it was the King of Phenicia who was dead of his slight hurt which he had commanded me to conceal from the Queen and Elisa when he sent me to carry the news of his victory Doubtless you will ask me Madam how it was possible that a wound which permitted this Prince to write unto the Queen and Elisa and which did hardly trouble him should cause his death so suddenly But I shall answer that the Dart which had been poysoned as it was known after my departure and the venom having not dispersed its malignity when I came from him he did not seem to be so much as ill But as soon as I had left him the venom reached his heart and he died within twenty four hours after He was no sooner dead but his Lievtenant General dispatched a Ship for Tireâ— to bring this sad news Mean while he cast anchor neer a great Town not far off his Road purposely to give orders for all things necessary to honour the Funeral Pomp of the King his Master But as I told you the Ship which should have preceded the Fleet being Shipwracked none were advertised of the Kings death nor of the Navies approach After this Madam you may easily imagine how Elisa and I were amazed and grieved for though the soul of Elisa was not ingaged in any passion to this Prince yet since she was of a generous disposition and sensible of benefits it was impossible she should look upon the Coffin of this Prince whom she had seen so respective at her feet with a dry eye or tranguile soul And when the Captain of the Ship came under her Window she hastily retired as not being able to endure so sad an object yet notwithstanding her retirement her sorrows encreased when the Ship came into the Port and the people who were crowded to render honour unto their victorious and living King did cry out most dolorously when they knew that their Prince was dead The noise of such a clamour was so great that the Chamber of Elisa seemed to shake and it was long before we could make our complaints because we could not hear each other 'T is true our tears did speak our sorrows and we said many things in saying nothing But at last our tongues were sad expressors of our losses yet it was not suddenly for Elisa desiring to know all particulars of his death willed me to go out and inform my self But this is not pertinent to my discourse let me only tell you Madam That the last words of the dying King was with the name of Elisa which did not lessen the grief of this fair and virtuous Lady As she was moved only out of her generosity so Straton grieved out of interest and gratitude both for all his hopes were quashed and could not expect that from the new King which he hoped for from the other Never was a more general mourning then this never was a greater consternation then seemed to be amongst the people and never did change of Prince cause such an alteration in private fortunes During this confused unsetledness and trouble which was in the Court Straton went into the Country and carried Elisa with him who was glad of such a solitude to hide her melancholy and where she was pleased I should somtimes come and see her But during this time Dâ—â—oenus and Scillis having moved the Kings Officers for what the late King had promised unto them and these Officers perhaps without acquainting the King having repulsed them they imbarqued in the night and carried away with them the rare Statue which they had made and which they said was an absolute miracle In the mean time as it is the custom to mourn for the death of a King so it is also the custom to rejoyce with him who is to succeed and as publike sorrows never last long so a calm began suddenly to appear in the Court and things were setled as before As for Elisa though she was not of an humour to pass so quickly from sorrows into joyes yet out of reason and wisdom she rowzed up her self and since her heart was not ingaged in any particular affection her sorrows were more easily comforted Straton then returning unto Tire Elisa returned also and since she had never seen the Queen since the Kings death she went to her as soon as she had got into a habit of mourning Never was the Court so full as now there was not a man of any quality in all Phenicia who was not there at Tire So that when Elisa was with the Queen with a Princess who loved her very well she met with the applauds of all the Grandees in the Court and Realm For indeed Madam the mourning which Elisa wore for that renowned Conquerour did so very well become her that without doubt it helped her to conquer many hearts which were not yet subjected that black and
plain dress that vail hanging down to the ground over her fair hair that plated Tiffiny about her fair Neck and tyed with several black Ribbonds like a Scarf those turned up sleeves which let the whiteness of her arms appear and all her sad habit which gave a more fresh lustre to her eyes and was a foil unto the freshness of her complexion all of these were so advantageous unto her that her greatest adorers confessed they never saw her so fair and they pressed so that day to see her that one could hardly pass through the Chamber unto the Queen who did treat her according to her merits Amongst that croud of gallants there was one that day with the Queen whose name was Poligenes who was one of the most considerable men in our Court both for his quality and merit who being a great friend of Stratons and one of the prime Admirors of Elisa was ravished with joy at the acclamations which were attributed to her Beauty yet he thought that this his joy was as much an effect of that friendship which he held with the Father as the love which he bore the Daughter for having seen her in the Cradle and used in her infancy to speak unto her as if he had been her Brother also given her a hundred advisements in divers accidents he could not believe he was in Love with her yet it was not long before he did perceive it as I shall hereafter tell you Amongst this multitude of men of Quality who were then at Court there was one of Sidon called Phocilion who having never seen Elisa before was so surprized and charmed that he could not talk of any thing else He did not content himself with looking upon her whilest she was with the Queen but he followed her when she went out as far as her Coach afterwards he came in again unto the Queen and mixing with the company of three or four whereof Poligenes was one he began to extol the beauty of Elisa very highly asking where she lodged who used to visit her often and who could carry him thither Poligenes who till now was glad of the praises which were attributed unto Elisa began to think strange at those which Phocilion gave her for he was very handsom and he told this fresh Adorer of Elisa that the house of Straton was not now so open and free as it was wont to be in the time of the late King and therefore he would not advise him to court his new acquaintance adding further that since he was a Sidonian it was not convenient for him to see such a dangerous person in Tire yet for all this his perswasions would not work upon Phâ—cilion for which he was very sorry So that calling himself to an account he found that certainly the affection which he bore unto Elisa was of another nature then he imagined But before I acquaint you Madam with the progress of this Love it is requisite I acquaint you what kind of man the lover was Poligenes was doubtless descended from a very illustrious family and out of a house more noble then that of Elisa his person was very handsom he was rich and neat in his habit and never any had a more Polite and facetious wit then he Courtship and gallantry were qualities born with him civility was inseparable from him and though he was of a little too serious composition yet he was not melancholy but on the contrary his conversation was very pleasing 'T is true he was a little reserved and particular and never spoke in any of those tumultuous conversations where there was much company If he was at any time to give a treatment he would do it with so good a grace in such order and so neatly that one would believe it cost him half as much more as it did and in any thing which he undertook either Races Musiques Balls Walks or Feasts he alwayes had somthing extraordinary and rare so that all unanimously did give him the reputation of the neatest of men and it may well be said that all the spruce youths of the Court came not neer him Poligenes was about thirty five years of age when the late King of Phenicia died although he seemed not to be above twenty and eight He had a Brother much younger then himself but he was not then at Tire Poligenes being as I have described did not mix himself with the youth of the Court which made such a croud upon Elisa as if he were their Rival but on the contrary he behaved himself as the friend of Straton and his Daughter not but that he did commend her with a better grace then they and was as full of his expressions of gallantry but it was in a way more subtil and by not professing the Gallant he was more Courtly then they Since he knew the sharpness of Elisa's humour he carried it so as he perswaded her that whatsoever he said were only effects of that Gallantry which proceeded from his natural Genius so that Elisa not suspecting he had any particular design upon her lived with him in much confidence and as if he were her brother The better to palliate his own thoughts Poligenes would somtimes give her advice either in acquainting her what was said of her or in advising her to rid her self of some who visited her craftily chusing those whom he feared most prejudicial to him Elisa thinking him well intentioned towards her thought her self exceedingly obliged to him for his behaviour to her and his advice though she would be her own Governour nor was she of too easie a belief yet she lived with him in a most obliging manner So that whil'st she made all those to dispair whom she thought her Lovers Poligenes whom she thought only her friend received a thousand testimonies of esteem and friendship In the mean time Phocilion notwithstanding the advice of Poligenes found out a way by the help of a friend to be carried unto Elisa and being handsom and of a good spirit also being of good quality and a very compleat man Straton entertained him very well and the better because he looked upon him as one who might in reason think of a Marriage with his Daughter for he knew very well that all those Princes and Grand Signiors who had loved her would not marry her As for Elisa she looked upon him as a compleat man and never looked further for in the humour she was marriage was no part of her inclination Phocilion being discreet and wife having a sweet and pleasing wit and never speaking any thing unto Elisa which might give her the least cause to shun his company he courted hers and he had presently got that pleasing familiarity with her which she allowed to her friends and denied to her Lovers Poligenes upon whom Phocilion cast a shadow imployed all his Stratagems to put him out of Elisia's favour Somtimes he would tell her he was but a Rustique other whiâ—es that if she