only to rid him out of this passion nay I have observed that of late he hath been troubled as oft as I have spoken to him to speak to Aretephile that he hath shun'd such Commissions as much as he could and I am too much perswaded that he hath argued the businesse stifly with himself and I am the only cause of what he suffers Good gods said he how great is my misfortune there is not any one man in all my Kingdom whom I should not hate if he were my Rival unlesse it be he and there is not any Lady in the Court in whose Love he would not have been happy except Aretephile But Sir said I again I protest unto you he is not in love with her and I protest to you replied he expressing an extream grief that Philoxypes is my Rival for were it not so he would not conceal his passion from me The respect he bears to you said I ought to hinder him from so doing if he were in Love No no replied he you shall no longer abuse me and I am equally perswaded of Philoxypes his love of his innocency and of my misfortune For in fine that the man in the world that I love best should fall in Love with the onliest Lady that I can Love and that I should see my self cruelly necessitated either to forsake Aretephile or to see Philoxypes die it is an unsufferable adventure Sir I besech you said I expect till she hath once more seen Philoxypes and have absolutely commanded him to discover his heart unto her before you resolve on any thing and if you please I will bring him hither to morrow morning No no replied the King you shall not stir out of the Palace this day nor shall you see Philoxypes before me In effect this Prince gave one of his servants charge over me and commanded me to withdraw into a Chamber which was appointed for me in the Palace 'T would be too difficult a thing to represent unto you my vexation and the Kings disquiet since to tell you true he had as much friendship for Philoxypes as Love for Aretephile Who ever saw said he for he himself told it afterwards an adventure like to mine I have a Rival whom I must love in despight of me and who gives me more occasion to love him for the affection he bears to my Mistresse then for all the service he ever did me and then for all the good offices he hath done me to her it being certain that I need only look upon him to see what he suffers in my consideration and that I need only consider what life he leads to see how much I am beholden to him I observe in his eyes a melancholly which makes me apprehend his death and I see in all his actions visible signs of his love to Aretephile and of his respect to me What shall I do said he shall I seem not to know this passion and let Philoxypes die But 't is no longer time to conceal what I think since Leontidas knows it Leontidas who is so much his confident and shares so deeply in his friendship shall I also tell Philoxypes that I know his love and not complain of him and if I should complain how weak a succour would this be I should peradventure hasten his hour of death by making him despair But shall I quit Aretephile and and let my friendship exceed my Love Philoxypes his passion is unjust but passions are not voluntary and he hath done what ever he could or ought to have done since not being able to keep from loving he hath yet kept from making his love known and hath rather chosen to hazard his life by his respectful silence then to preserve it by making his passion known which he knows will displease me The King past the night in this manner very unquietly sometimes he was agitated with anger and hatred not knowing whom he hated or on whom he desired to be revenged sometimes he did a little blame Philoxypes for not having at the very first acquainted him with his passion sometime he betook himself to Aretephiles beauty but at last he blamed himself Then suddenly considering the pittiful condition into which Philoxypes was brought and what an unhappy life he led his heart was so touched with compassion as he did almost love his pretended Rival better then his Mistresse He then called to mind how that all the favours he had received from her had been husbanded and obtained by Philoxypes his means He past the next morning in like perplexity and strange irresolutions at last having dined somewhat early he went well accompanied to lie that night at Claria not affording me any opportunity to give any notice thereof to Philoxypes for he into whose custodie I was given thinking it had been for some businesse of another nature treated me as a prisoner of the State and would not give me the least liberty The King commanded me to follow him so as I came with him to Claria he not having spoken one word all the way long but musing still on his adventure But when we were come thither Philoxypes's people told the King that their Master was not at home and that according to his custom he was walked out all alone The King informed himself carefully of one of his servants who had a long time waited on him whether he knew not the cause of his Masters melancholly this servant who loved his Master dearly that he might make use of the honour the King did him in speaking to him said Sir I know not what my Master ailes but this I know that if your Majestie out of your goodnesse find not some means to cure him of the melanchollie which possesseth him he will certainlie not live long For he eats little hardly sleeps at all does nothing but sigh cannot endure that one should speak to him about businesse wanders whole dayes in the fields and I once heard him cry out when he little thought I did so Good gods what would the King say if he saw how great my sadnesse is and how hardly would he guesse at the cause of my death In fine Sir said this man with tears almost in his eyes I know not what to say but I am very certain your Majestie will lose the faithfullest of all your servants if you lose the Prince my Master Whilest this man spake thus I was strangely in pain for I saw all that he said tended to confirm the King in his opinion I was much the better for beckning unto him he never looked on me so intent was he to what he said The King on his part sighed and having left the other well Leontidas you will not have it that Philoxypes is in Love nor that it is Aretephile whom he loves Sir said I I confesse I am still of that belief and I would your Majesty could resolve to be so too O Unfortunate Philoxypes cried the King not answering me how sad is this
reverence which they owed unto Ciaxares because he would not allow Artamenes time to answer in his own defence The King was then much transported with passion and shewed unto them the Letter which Artamenes acknowledged to be his own hand and said unto them in great fury Look I pray you whether he whom you so violently defend be so innocent as you suppose him The King of Phrygia read the Letter and upon the first apprehension did think it a little odd yet for all that he could not alter his minde no more then all the rest which heard it after they had a while considered that appearances were fallacious but no proofs they all unanimously concluded with one voice though they could not well argue it that still Artamenes was innocent and that he was so considerable a Person as though he were culpable yet the King ought not to lose him upon a slight occasion So we do apprehend it answered Ciaxares yet notwithstanding I would have you know that in this juncture of time when the Souldier is insolent and ready to revolt it is not safe to countenance turbulent spirits too much When the Kings Princes and Commanders perceived the King so much in passion they would press him no more and the valour of Artamenes had made so perfect a purchase of all their hearts and made them all either his very subjects or allies therefore they would never quit their respect unto him nor ever become unserviceable unto him whom they so much loved as doubtless they had done if they had exasperated that spirit which was already too apt to kindle Therefore they left Ciaxures to ruminate upon the matter and gave him time to recollect what he had done and what was best hereafter to be done Mean while Chrisantes and Feraulas upon their departure from the King did vent a thousand Protestations in behalf of their Masters innocency and stuck close to their resolutions of Constancy in his service They protested to perish rather then one of so high a soul should suffer such injuries There was nothing they dor'd at but this Letter and Artamenes had this good fortune that every one beleeved there was some mysterious matter in it which he himself would cleer There was not one could beleeve him to be guilty for there was no probability that he should comply with that man whom he endeavoured to conquer and whose Empire he strove to overthrow The Officers had much to do to keep the Souldiers in order they so tampered with them that they left them in a disposition to be at Artamenes service when ever he should need them they were glad to give them good language and desire their patience telling them that Artamenes would be presently at Liberty and that if they should rashly go about to deliver him it would make his Condition worse so that mixing commendations of Artamenes with their plausible perswasions they cherished them and prevented their Revolt both together and did suppress their violences which yet did not need without losing their loves But for all this the whole Camp and all the Town did ring in his Commendations the Name of Artamenes Ecchoed every where the Medes the Persians the Cappadocians the Phrygians the Hircanians the Cadusians the Paphlagonians and all other Nations whereof the Army was composed all cried up Artamenes and made Songs and Elegies every one in his own Language and after his own Custom in commendations of Artamenes and who but Artamenes in every mouth There was not a Captain in that vast Army which vaunted not of some Honour which he particularly had received from Artamenes nor was there a common Souldier which did not brag that Artamenes knew his Name and himself too In summe Artamenes was the subject of every ones discourse every Souldier left the Camp and went into the Town to learn how Squares went with Artamenes and every Inhabitant of the Town went into the Camp to incite the Souldiers in behalf of their beloved Generall Artamenes there was not one to be found only except this friend of Aribees who transacted privately and prejudicially to Artamenes in incensing the King against him Every one except him I say was a well-wisher unto Artamenes It was this man who had not only got knowledge that the King of Assiria had writ unto Artamenes but it was he also who gave the Letter unto the King of Medes Chrisantes and Feraulas did much admire which way Ciaxares could come by it but Heaven which would have Crimes alwayes discovered made it evident at the last they much beat their brains and turned every stone to finde it out but could not But thus it fortun'd the Messenger whom the King of Assiria sent unto Artamenes and by whom Artamenes returned this Letter in Answer unto the King of Assiria did in his return back meet with one who was Brother unto Aribees who falling into discourse with this Messenger asked him whether he travelled and from whence he came and by degrees scru'd out of him what his business was this Brother so tampered and suborned this Messenger that he shewed unto him the Letter and when he had read it did by his permission copy it out he also told the Messenger that he might do a most excellent piece of service not only unto all Medea and all Cappadocia but unto Asia also and indeed unto all the World if he would return back again to Sinope and carry this Letter unto a friend of his who waited upon Ciaxares the very same man who was so close an enemy unto Artamenes he further told this Messenger that it would be a most acceptable piece of service unto the King so that he need not doubt of being largely rewarded and that the King of Assiria who sent him would also be much pleased at it he having so great an interest in the ruin of Artamenes and that the King of Assiria would be as well pleased with the Copy as the Originall and that he himself would carry the Copy to the King of Assiria whilst he did return unto Sinope and carry the Originall unto this friend of his He perswaded him not to scruple at the Ruin of an ambitious man whose aims were at universall Monarchy a man whom all men seem'd to love but their loves did proceed from fear so that if ever fortune should frown upon him he would assuredly be ruin'd without recovery and that all things would then look with new faces and that those who were now in appearance his dearest friends would then become his utter enemies and that for his part he would be sure to have the benediction of all the world if by his means this design were brought about which though it was great yet might safely be negotiated without any danger at all for all the difficulty was in delivery of this Letter unto the King and if that were done undiscovered then all the peril were past In short this Brother or Aribees whose Name was Artaxes
the undertaker of this Water-course who was of Magares was so called we came into the Town and went to walk upon a Hill some twenty fathom high and two furlongs in length and above which extends towards the Sea and railed on both sides with Balasters of Corinthian Copper which makes the goodliest object in the world when one comes to Samos 〈◊〉 much to know the beginning of Autumn and the season of the year most pleasant a great number of Ladies resorted thither to walk towards the Evening as it was the custom of thhe Countrey at this time they came in greater numbers then ordinary for since we had taken four Galleys from the enemy it was a kind of honour unto Policrates to be desirous of seeing those marks of his victory All the Ladies therefore of Samos came thither where we were all the men of quality as well those that had been the Voyage as those which stayed behind came thither also The Prince Policrates himself did take a turn or two and indeed I never saw so glorious a sight as this walk and those in it The Sea was all serenity and though the Sun was set yet was there day and light enough to discern the beauty of all the Ladies since I knew none of them as yet I looked upon them all with indifferencie I was much pleased to see some leaning over these stately Ballisters and beholding the Galleys gained from the enemy and others less curious but more solitary looking only upon the open Sea some complement which such Captains as they had not seen since their return others in more serious and private conference others again without any designe but to see and be seen walked by Troops and the general designe of all was to walk and talk and take the pleasure of the Evening Theanor was not a little troubled in telling me the names of all the beauties for as for all the rest I spared him the labour of information since this divertisement was new unto me and that it was long since I saw any Ladies I made it late before I could resolve upon departure yet the night drawing on by little and little we could hardly distinguish one another but yet many men came still in because the Moon began to rise Theanor having left me to speak unto some Lady I walked a while alone and after several turns walking behind two men whom I did not think I had known I saw something white fall from the pocket of one of them my first thought was to tell him but not knowing any reason why my second was to take up that which I saw fall and afterwards to give it him after I had seen what it was stooping then presently and finding what I sought for I looked and saw as well as the obscurity of the night would permit that it was a Case of a Picture The time while I took it up and looking what it was also considering whether I should look in it or restore it before I looked was so long that he who had lost it did mingle among other company so that in lieu of seeing two men before me I saw a Troop of Ladies and found it impossible to restore that which I had found unto the right owner after this I looked for Theanor to tell him my adventure but the darkness of the night had so separated us that we could not meet but staying no longer I went unto the house where I lodged at my first coming to Samos my Servants according to my orders staying there for me I went in all haste with a longing curiosity to see what I had found I was no sooner come into my Chamber but going unto the Table and the Candle I began to look upon this Picture which I had pulled out of my pocket as I came up the stairs that I might sooner see it and I found that it was Gold with a circle of Rubies and Diamonds round about it and I did not stand any longer looking upon it though it was very curious and rich but opening the lid hastily I was more dazled at the splendent beauty of what I found within it then I was at the lustre of those jewels which adorned this Case I found there the picture of a young and a fair woman but so fresh and lively that I did not conceive it a flattering piece and one might easily see by the excellency of the Art that the Limner took delight in drawing after so fair a Model It must be confessed that nothing upon earth could be more beautiful then this picture I looked upon it therefore with admiration and calling to mind the Ideas of all which I had seen fair in the walk I could not remember I had seen that Lady whom this Picture resembled and indeed she was not there I opened and shut this Case several times being not able to forbear looking and admiring at so fair a thing afterwards I began to pitty him who lost it and sometimes also I envied him for I imagined that it was given unto him and I esteemed him so infinitely happy in being loved by so fair a Lady that I was troubled at it yet at the last I went to bed and slept but it was not without a dream of this picture which I found I rose the next morning very early but with so hot a curiosity to know the Lady whose shadow this was and him who had this so considerable loss that my curiosity might almost be termed jealousie I dressed my self in all haste and I went unto Theanor who was ready to go out of his lodging he excused himself for losing me last night in the croud but giving him no time to continue his complement and not taking any notice of his melancholy I told him that our separation was so happy unto me as I had rather cause to thank the◠complain against him for said I shewing him the Case and Picture see what I found last night and help me I conjure you to discover who that happy Lover is who has been so unhappy as to lose so precious a jewel a 〈…〉 ards the Name of this beauty if you know it Theanor blusht at the sight of the picture and after he had taken it in his hand he was a long time looking upon it as if he had not known the party it resembled but urging him to speak As for the name of this fair Lady said he unto me if you were not a stranger in Samos you would not be ignorant of it for the fair Aloidamia has rendered it too famous to be unknown unto all that have any reasonable Souls in our Island but as for that happy lover as you call him who lost it I know him not but perhaps said he this picture was bestowed upon some of her friends But said I unto him it was a man who let it fall and not a lady That may be also replied he for she has several Cousins whom she might bestow
any did but suspect what I desired to conceal I cannot chuse but be sensible of his You are all goodness replied Cleander and more indulgent then the Princess I do confess it said she and smiled and that which does most exasperate my severity is to see you do not think me discreet enough to trust me with a common secret for to tell me that you are in love is not to tell me all your adventure and story Well Madam said Cleander even transported out of himself if there need nothing but that to satisfie you I do confess it but I most humbly and heartily beseech you ask me no further for I had rather die a thousand deaths then tell any more When you are fallen out with your Mistress replied the Princess and smiled as the Prince my brother is with Anaxilea we then shall know all your Gallantry as now we do his I do not think Madam answered Cleander coldly that I shall ever be so far in favour with my Mistress as to fall out of it Time will tell us all said she in the interim I pronounce you innocent and beseech my brother to receive you so I know not Sister replied Atis very pleasantly whether after you have reconciled Cleander and me it must not be his office to reconcile us for you have railed so bitterly against my weakness that I know not how I should take it Your reason is now at too much liberty answered the Princess to take exceptions without a cause but as for Cleander since he is in love we had need be circumspect how we speak unto him for I have heard say that melancholy Lovers are soonest angered By that mark said Atis you came to know the Prince Artesilas is in love with you You are very apt to revenge replied the Princess to retort such an angry piece of raillery unto so mild an answer Atis could not reply unto this because Artesilas would have heard it if he had but since the Genius and conversation of that Prince did not please him and since his visit had already been very long he went away and carried Cleander with him who was sufficiently vexed to leave his Rival in that manner with his Mistress he was all the rest of that day with the Prince of Lidia who treated him according to his wonted affability and freedom but at night when he was at liberty to confer and open himselfe unto me I perceived by his discourse that he was sick of such a disease which nothing could cure but death Am I not most miserable said he for I did not deny to saign affection unto Anaxilea but only out of fear that the Princess whom I adored should not think that I was really in love with her and by consequence could never imagine that I loved her self yet now I see that my denial of the Prince Atis to do so hath perswaded the incomparable Palmis that I am really in love with her or else some other in the Court as I was forced to confess were she not thus perswaded she would not have been so pleasant as she was but certainly if she had any suspition of the truth I should have seen more signs of anger in her eyes It seems said I unto him by your discourse you would have thought your self happy in her anger Cleander made a pause at this and after a while consulting with himself I think said he unto me that rather then I should die and leave her ignorant of my love I should be contented to see her angry That is a favour replied I and smiled which you may easily obtain Ah cruel friend said he unto me I still find you more ignorant in matters of love But since I must open all my secrets unto you know that at one and the same time I wish things which are quite contrary to one another and that I no sooner say I should be contented to see her angry upon condition she were acquainted with my love but I repent of it and had rather die then displease her But how were you able replied I to tell her that you were in love I know not that replied he but I know that I had no sooner acknowledged it but I wished that I had not for had she apprehended my real thoughts I should have seen her eyes full of indignation yet to my sorrow I saw she thought me in love but never suspected it was with her self so that I endured most miserable torment Ask me not Sosicles what I would have her think when I confess I am in love with her for I know not my self but I am sure of this that to be less then a King and love the incomparable Palmis is the greatest folly in the world However that I do not know so much as whether I am the son of a Free-man or no yet I love her and shall do eternally and I cannot brook the affection of the Prince Artesilas This being the state of things abundance glorious and pleasant Company came to Sardis for the Prince Abradates second son unto the King of Susiana who then raigned and son unto a sister of Cressus whom that King had married came thither And at the same time also the fair Panthea daughter unto the Prince of Clasomenes a tributary unto Cressus came to dwell in the Court of Lidia with the Prince her father so that their arrival revived all manner of diversions There came unto Sardis also at that time a Brother of the King of Phrigia named Adrastus who as it was said had killed another of his brothers against his will and desired to be purged from that crime by that Laws of that Countrey which between the Lidians and Grecians is small difference Since this Prince was admirably handsom and of much spirit and since his banishment was rather for a misfortune then a crime Cressus received him very well and according to the custom of Lidia he was purified in the Temple of Jupiter and then appeared in the Court as a strange Prince whom every one did honour Cressus allowing him a subsistance befitting his quality and promising to endeavour a reconciliation between him and his brother the King of Phrigia It may be said of Cressus that he heaped up a greater Mass of treasures together then ever any did and was more magnificent then any Prince upon earth being therein much different from the young Prince Mexaris his Brother who was not less rich then he but was more covetous then another of his brothers named Antaleon was ambitious or Cressus liberal The Court being then so glorious as I have described Esope so famous for his ingenious fables which contained solid Morals in pleasant fictions came thither also and notwithstanding the ugliness of his face and deformity of his composure yet the beauty of his wit and greatness of his Soul shined so at Sardis that he was wonderous welcome And that this renowned Town might have men of all qualities Solon so
and businesses of all the Court as well as if he had been bred in it all his life After the expiration of fifteen dayes the fair Cleodora returned and hap would have it so that Belesia Hermogenes and I being in the walkes we saw her return and saluted her and knowing of her return before hand we were there the first and since it was yet very timely we might without any incivility visit her but first we gave her time to consult with her glass and make her self fit to entertain company When we were come thither Hermogens pretented Belesis to her Aunt and her also and to compleat his civility unto his friend he kept the Aunt in discourse and left Cleodora unto Belesis and me In the mean while as flatteries are seldome forgotten when they are handsomly applied so the language of Belesis unto Cleodora in the walks the same day he came first to Susa did now move her unto more affability then she ordinarily used and she spoke unto him much more then unto any one yet she treated him as a stranger unto whom she thought it not fit to speak of any thing but in generall therefore beginning her discourse I do not aske you said she unto him whether Hermogenes hath shewed you all the beauties of Susa for I make no question but he carried you to all places where you might meet with any delights therefore I pray you do me the favour to tell me what you think of our publike places of our Temples of our walkes and of every thing in Susa all these Madam replied Belesis seem admirably beautifull unto me but to tell you sincerely said he and laughed I do not think these questions proper to divert you therefore I beseech you do not use me like a stranger unto whom nothing is to be talked on but the customes of his own country If I had had the honour to have spoke with you the day after I first arrived I should have been patient at such discourse as this But now Fair Cleodora it is fifteen dayes since I came to Susa so that if you think I know nothing yet but that your streets be large and neat your Temples beautifull your Palaces magnificent and such things you treat me too cruelly but I beseech you if you love me do not force your self unto such discourse but ask me what newes as if I were a Susanian and a courtier Cleodora hearing Belesis say so began to laugh not thinking he could tell her any private newes and imagining he would not have spoke so but because he had known something of her humour so that beginning to talke again I see you know said she unto him that I am afraid of any new acquaintance nor care for the company of men who are ignorant in the affaires of the world But Belesis I am not so unjust as they report me for that which I wonder at is at the men of Susa who are ignorant in all things but as for you who are not so nor have dwelt amongst us I should be very unreasonable if I should blame you for not knowing all the secrets of our Court and uncivill also to speak unto you of such things as you understand not For my part said I and spake unto Belesis I conceive you have reason to commend Cleodora on the contrary replied he perhaps I have more cause to complaine of her then you think I have but however said he speaking unto her will you be pleased to promise me that you will not let me pass under the notion of a stranger if I do tell you some newes I do not mean such said he and smiled as is spoke aloud in the streets or such as is whispered from eare to eare four dayes together before it bolt out Ah Belesis said she you will make me the most ashamed and do me the greatest favour in the world if you can do as you say yet I see no likelyhood of it for excepting yesterday I have every day received letters from Susa which acquainted me with all the newes that was stirring however said he unto her if I acquaint you with something since you ought not to tax me with ignorance After this he began to tell her of a hundred passages and to speak unto her as one that knew all the factions and severall interests of every person of quality whether it were his ambition or his love or any thing else in all the Court and Town so that Cleodora and he came to that pass before the conference ended that they often whispered unto each other and induced me to change my place and addresse my self unto the Aunt of Cleodora and Hermogenes And so that from this first day Belesis was very intimate with Cleodora who openly confessed that he had told her many things which were never written unto her Truly said she unto him as they were ready to go away I beleeve you have been a long time concealed in Susa for it is impossible you should come to the knowledge of all these things which you have told me in fifteen dayes I know something more replied he which doubtlesse you do not know oh I beseech you said Cleodora unto him go not away before you impart it to me I will said Belesis to her then whispering in her eare certainly you do not know sweet Cleodora said he unto her that I am extreamly in love with you I do not indeed said she aloud and blusht and more then that I do not beleeve it or think it possible Time will tell us both more certainly answered Belesis and retired after which we went out and went unto the house of Hermogenes When we were with Belesis in his chamber we asked him what he thought of Cleodora I will not tell you replied he for perhaps you are not now the cause of my staying here I do not wonder replied I that you should be well pleased with this beauty since she hath treated you otherwise then she used to do any that were not her friends yet her behaviour said he would cost me many an angry hour if I in earnest love her for notwithstanding her sweet affability I discover a kinde rigid pride in her which would grieve me to the soul and notwithstanding all this she hath such attracts in her eyes as I know not how to defend my self against them though I have a great desire unto it For my part said Hermogenes I ever defended my self against her for though she have many alluring beauties yet there are many things observable in her humour which are so many antidotes against the poison of her charmes so that I am in no danger of ever dying for love of her It is not so with me said Belesis for I am afraid I shall one day complain against you for making me acquainted with her These were the effects Sir which the beauty of Cleodora wrought in the heart of Belesis and now I will tell you what effects
and both they and he thought upon nothing but the taking of Sardis yet had they very different thoughts for Cyrus hoped that by the taking of this Towne he should justifie himselfe in the opinion of Mandana and assoone as he had vanquished the King of Assyria to enjoy her but as for this King the taking of Sardis and the vanquishing of Cyrus would not suffice to make him happy for when all this was done he had the obduracy of Mandana to vanquish which in all probabilitie he could never hope for unlesse in the promise of the Oracle as for Mazares he was in a more miserable condition then they both for which way soever squares went he could never finde any favourable hopes he did his best to banish that hope out of his heart by banishing that love which first planted it there so that at the same time when he fought against the Lydians he fought against himselfe and there passed not a day away wherein love and vertue did not contend which should have the dominion of his soule In the meane while Cyrus was extreamly vigilant he went perpetually from quarter to quarter and longed with exceeding impatiency to see things in such a state as they might make an assault upon the Towne though all the Walls were manned with such a multitude of souldiers that the very thought of placing ladders was enough to stagger the stoutest resolution 'T is true that those which in the Towne upon their ramparts seeing this great victorious Army environ it were not terryfied with the spectacle as not doubting their ruine thought upon nothing but how to sell their lives at as deere a rate as they could yet the sight of this apparent danger did not produce the same effect in the hearts of all the inhabitants for the Towne was so divided among themselves that Cressus stood in as great feare of his owne subjects as of his enemies As love is such an heroique pass on as is infinitely above the capacity of the vulgar so the people of Sardis could not believe that Mandana was the reall cause of the Warr but on the contrary they imagined it to be ambition only which exasperated Cyrus against them so that knowing how this Prince had rendred back the Kingdome unto the King of Armenia after he had conquered it and that he contented himselfe only with the honour of it and making him to pay a tribute which was due unto Ciaxares Therefore the rout of the people took up a Fancy to say that Cressus had no better way then to propose unto Cyrus to become his Vassall imagining that this Prince would accept of it so that this fancy passing from minde to minde and from mouth to mouth it raised so great a tumult in the Towne that Cressus to calme it was forced to tell the people that he would make some propositions of peace unto Cyrus but yet must stay a few daies first Whilst Cressus and the King of Pontus were in this condition Cyrus whose great soule thought nothing difficult prepared himselfe for a generall assault 'T is true one side of the Towne towards the Mountaine Tinolus was so inaccessible that there was no possibility of assaulting it on that side and every where else the Walls were so full of men that there was apparent danger in the assault however Cyrus resolved to attempt it he visited all his Engins and Ladders to see if they were long enough he mustered up all his forces he spoke his souldiers faire and after he had given order to assault it in three places at once the one of which was to be commanded by the King of Assyria the other by Mazares and the third by himselfe This Prince was the first that put a Ladder against the VVals of this Famous Towne after the ditch was filled full of Faggots maugre the resistance of his enemies considering the disorder in the Towne there was great hope of good successe unto Cyrus in the attempt Yet the report was no sooner spread about amongst the Inhabitants of Sardis that their Towne was ready to be stormed but despaire did so rouse up their spirits and made them so Valiant that there was hardly a woman that went not to defend it and had not to throw upon the heads of them that climbed the Ladders indeed the resistance of the Lydians animated by the King of Pontus was such that all the valour of Cyrus and them that sought under him could not force them that day Cyrus was repulsed above twenty times from the top of the walls and if fortune had not happly preserved him he had most certainly perished at this bout for the enemies did so stoutly defend themselves that there was no possiblity to get upon their Ramparts nothing but overturned and broken Ladders could be seen there flew from the VValls of Sardis such a prodigious number of Arrowes Darts and Javelines that the Aire was obscured by them those who escaped them missed not a shower of stones which were continually throwne at them they also had a kinde of Sythes which kept the Walls from the assaultants so that all three divisions were forced to come off but Cyrus in his coming off quartered under the counterscarph of the Mote since he would not be upbraided with getting no advantage Anaxaris who fought that day next him and did such wonders that Cyrus confessed he never saw a more valiant man did exceedingly help this Prince to take this Quarter and to keep it the night also coming on did much facilitate the worke and made it in a condition to be kept yet Cyrus was very sorry his first assault succeeded no better but knowing all daies were not alike in Warr he shrunk not no more then the King of Assyria or Mazares who were very gallant that day and he commended his souldiers as indeed he had no reason to complaine for they did as much as any couragious men could doe He was so happy as to lose not one man of any quality in this storme 't is true a great number of souldiers were killed so that assoon as day appeared a truce was made to carry off the dead during which time Cyrus was very circumspect to observe whether there was any other quarter of the Wall which might be attempted with lesse difficulty But whilst he was considering what was advantageous or disadvantageous the Lydians who in reason should have been more couragious after they had repulsed their enemies became more cowed in their spirits for many of them being wounded and killed they were more affrighted then before the women seeing their husbands and children wounded and killed were so full of cries and teares that they melted the hearts and courages of the rest so that supposing their King might now make a more advantageous treaty after he had repulsed Cyrus then before they began to speak of nothing else and that in so high a manner as this unfortunate Prince would willingly have parted with Mandana
so long This obduracy of heart is branded as a crime and liberty of this kind is such a shame that those who are not in Love will at least seeme to be so As for Ladies custome does not necessarily oblige them to love but onely to suffer themselves to be loved and all their glory consists in making illustrious conquests and not to lose their Loves which they have captivated though they be rigid unto them For the principall honour of our Beauties is to returne in their obedience those captives which they have made onely by the power of their Charmes and not by their Favours so that by this custome there is almost an absolute necessity of being a Lover and unfortunate yet it is not forbidden Ladies to acknowledge the perseverance of their loves by a pure affection Venus Vrania allowes it But sometimes it is so long before they can win the heart of the person loved that the paines of the Conqueror does almost equall the pleasure of the conquest yet it is allowable for beauties to make use of many innocent Arts wherewith to take hearts Complacency is not a crime care to seeme faire is no affectation obsequiousnesse is extreamely commendable so iâ—be without baseness Plausibility is a vertue and to conclude all in short all that may make themselves amiable and all that may make themselves to love is permitted provided it be not against the lawes of modesty and chastity which manage the Gallantry of our Isle is the predominate vertue of all Ladies Thus allowing Fate Innocency love they live most pleasant merry lives This Sir I thought requisiteto hint unto your memory that you may better comprehend what I am to relate I shall not neede to tell you Sir that Parthenia was borne with a taking beauty such a one as charmes at the first sight which seemes to augment every moment one lookes on her for it is impossible you should have been in Cyprus and not know it though she was at Paphos when you were there But give me leave to tell you Sir that her witt sparkles as well as her eyes and her discourse charmes as well as her beauty Moreover her minde was none of those narrow ones who knew one thing and was ignorant of a thousand but on the contrary it was so miraculously large that though it cannot be said Parthenia knew every thing equally well yet it is most certaine she could give an excellent accompt of all things there was also such a delicate sharpenesse in her witt that those whom she honored with her conversation stood in feare of her and though all her expressions were simple and naturall yet were they full of strong soliditie moreover she could turne her witt as she pleased shee would be serious and wise with those that were so she would be gallant and pleasant upon necessity she had a high heart and sometimes an humour of flattery None knew the newes of the World better then she she was of a naturall timerosity in some things and bold in others shee was full of heroique Generosity and Liberality and to conclude her description Her soule was naturally tender and passionate and it may justly be said that never any did so perfectly know the differences of love as the Princesse Palmis And I never in my life heard a more pleasing discourse then her to make a distinction betwixt a pure refined love and a grosse terrestriall passion between a love by inclination and a love by acquaintance between a sincere Love and a Counterfeit between a Love that hath endes in it and a Love Heroique For indeed she would penetrate into the very heart she would describe jealousie more terribly by her words then those who Paint it with Serpents gnawing the heart she knew all the innocent sweets of Love and all the Torments and every thing that had any dependency upon this passion was so perfectly knowne unto her that Venus Urania her selfe did not know them better then the Princesse of Salamiâ— This Sir is her description of whom I must speake who was no lesse loved then she was lovely And indeed whosoever would Catalogue the Prodigious number of her Lovers in his memory would questionlesse be astonished since it is most certain the fair Parthenia hath Captivated many above a thousand hearts since she began to appear a Glorious Starre in the World The greatest wonder in Paphos was that she was never taken away because the Father of Philoxipes being Governour of Amathusia caused all his children to be taken away untill they were in a fit condition to appear in Court So that the Lustre of Parthenias beauty was not like that of the Sun which we see every day and unto whose Rayes we are accustomed unto For she appeared upon a suddain at Paphos all Lustre and Glory and dazeled all beholders It may most truly be said that she dimmed all other beauties and scorched more hearts in one day then other beauties could onely warm in all their lives But that which is most observable in the Conquests of Parthenia when she came first to Paphos was that she never made use of her admirable wit because her beauty was so Prodigiously charming that those she Captivated were fettered by her lookes before ever she spoke so piercing were her eyes and so inevitable were her Charmes But Sir as I told you already that none durst be insensible at Paphos or at least seem so you may well conceive Parthenia found not many men at Liberty and that she could not gain so many hearts without robbing others and since so she must needs be loved by inconstant servants who quitted their first Chaines to assume hers For in the changing of a Mistrisse it is no good reason to alledge he found one more faire and therefore changed since I am confident that whoever quits one whom once he loved for another more faire then she doth most certainly quit her for some end or other Look then upon Parthenia as one that hath many Lovers and many haters for it is to be supposed that they who lost those hearts she found did not love her And not one of them but did set their wits on work to cavill at her beauty and find some defect in it And since they found that not any easie matter they would at least quarrell with her dresse though it was never so handsome and devised all manner of Plots to disparage her In the meane time Parthenia perceiving their envious aimes tooke much pleasure in revenge by Captivating each day their Lovers not caring for new Enemies so she could make new Captives for she was taken of a fit age for it and wherein it is a difficulty to keep within limits of Conquests and unjust suites and sacrifices unto her beauty She was infinitley pleased to see such a croud of Adorers about her whom she carried in Triumph which way soever she went But since she did Captivate them onely by the lustre of
in the Meadow and this year was a most rare year for abundance of company Indeed there was Ladies from all parts of Greece some from Athens some from Thebes others from Magares Argos Corinth Chalcis Delphos and a hundred other places and I do verily believe except from Lacedemon there was company from all the principal Towns in Greece Moreover there was Musitians from all places in the world which had any fame for excellency Indeed there was no pleasure but it was there to be found and more pure then in any other place for there was not a man who had the face of business or domestique occasions upon him all their care was only to divert But Madam be pleased to know that the hours of the womens bathing being an hour before Sunset as the mens was an hour after the rising Pisistrates and I came to Hermopiles when the Ladies were in their Tents So that Pisistrates having been there formerly he knew the custome of the place and we alighted from our horses at the side of the Meadow then went to walk as the rest did for since we had not come far we were in equipage well enough to appear before the Ladies Also Pisistrates who as good luck was was not in one of his negligent humours he had on a Country habit the most magnificent and gallant that possibly could be seen But we had no sooner walked twenty paces in the Meadow but an Athenian man of quality called Aristâ—n named us unto the company with whom he was and came to meet us with them and it being the custom of the place for those who came first to do honors unto such as come after they received us very civilly For my part being altogether a stranger I viewed these several Tents with much delight and informed my self from Ariston of all I desired to know But after the first civilities were over Pisistrates and I being parted from the rest with Ariston we asked him if there were any beauties of Fame there that year And after he had told us that there was many who were very fair others less fair others less then they and others not fair at all I spied among the Tents of the Ladies one walking alone very reservedly whose garb was extreamly noble and habit very gallant Indeed Madam I forgot to tell you that they use to dress themselves after a very particular manner in that place which truly is very pleasing and delightful for the habit of the 〈◊〉 is resemblant unto that which Painters dress the Nymphes of Diana in and the r 〈…〉 the custome is that since they must undress themselves to bathe such a dress was in 〈…〉 as was both gallant and convenient for that purpose But to return from whence I digressed I told you that I saw one walking alo 〈…〉 not seeing her face I asked Ariston who she was Though you know her no 〈…〉 r walk said he unto me yet she is one of our Atheâ—ian beauties At these wo 〈…〉 â—isistrates looking more attentively upon her and she turning her face towards us 〈…〉 w her to be Cleorante of whom I spoke in the beginning of my discourse and 〈◊〉 was Daughter unto Megacles a principal Athenian He no sooner knew her but 〈…〉 ed her though he had never spoke unto her for since there had been an opposite faction between their Fathers there was no familiarity between their Families Yet 〈◊〉 Athens was then all in tranquility Pisistrates and Megacles were upon civil terms though they used not to visit each other But Megacles not being at the bathe only his Wife called Erophile this did facilitate the acquaintance of Pisistrates and Cleorante In the mean time since this fair one returned her salute so civilly she obliged Pisistrates to talk longer of her and to ask Ariston how long she had been at the bathes So little a while replied he that if you had been seen privately at Athens with her I should have thought you had held intelligence together for Erophile and she have been here only two daies But how comes it to pass said I unto Ariston that Cleorante does not bathe For I finde her fair enough to preserve her beauty The reason is replied he because she is so fair as she think should wrong her self should she use a thing which has a reputation of imbellishing it I thought indeed said Pisistrates then that Cleorante was very fair at least I remember very well that in the time of our divisions at Athens I saw her one day in the Church at a neerer distance then now I do and I said unto one that I was very sorry Megacles had so fair a Daughter You speak of this in such a pleasant manner replied Ariston as would move one to say you had no eyes I assure you said he unto us that I have not eyes alwayes for that which I look upon for if my minde and my eyes do not hold intelligence together I know not well what I see As Pisistrates said so we saw many Ladies coming out of their Tents after they had bathed themselves who meeting with Cleorante began to walk together towards the Gallery and since we were very neer them we saluted them But as they turned back staying for other Ladies to come out from bathing Ariston at the request of Pisistrates spoke unto her I beseech you Madam said he unto Cleorante do not so soon deprive us of the happiness in seeing you but give me leave to present two Athenians to you who are sorry they have need of my mediation to make themselves known unto you and that they have not hitherto the honor to be acquainted Ariston being a particular friend unto Cleorante she stayed and kept one of her friends with her named Cephise and coming then out of the Gallerie with as much grace as civility If these noble Athenians said she would know me better then they do they must disclaim from those civilities you tell me of It appears very plainly Madam replied Pisistrates that I have not the honor to be known unto you since you think I can disclaim from what Ariston hath said unto you For my part Madam added I I think it is sufficient that the fair Cleorante does know her self not to doubt but that as soon as any sees her they must needs be sorry they saw her no sooner At least I am sure said Ariston to her that Silamis thought you so fair as he wondred why you should not bathe your self since the bathes have a reputation of preserving beauty Since I do know my self very well replied she and smiled I have good reason to think that your friend finding so little of beauty as I have in my face he thinks I should wrong my self if I should hazard the losing of it in a thought that if I should lose any there would not remain so much as would let me be endured I profess Madam said the Lady who was with her you do wrong unto