by a new creation fall to my old place againe These and some other open disgraces truly changed my heart or wrought so much in me as I grew to loue lesse then not to loue and now am come to be more careles of him and faine almost would shun him yet I cannot directly do that though I hate the fortune I am fallen into and this is the cause I am vext with hauing this Lot Vrania and Philistella pitied her especially when she cryd Alas said she why was loue so cruell or rather to clothe loue in such cruelty as to giue hope of purpose to ruine as if one would giue a delicate banket and poyson the Guests when he had done els might hee haue left mee despaire for charities sake and not luld me with hope to martyr me againe The Queenes perswaded much with her and so at last she was pacified so farre as to giue him the Iewel and accept the name of his Mistrisse as other faire Ladies doe the like name further their friendships increased not so long as this story lasted Philistella was left heere with her deare Selarinus shee being crowned with all solemnitie as hee had been before Steriamus and his Vrania iournied on to their Kingdome where likewise shee was crowned and liued the rest of their dayes in all happinesse and ioy the like did Selarinus and Philistella Antissius and Selarina in their voyage by Sea meta fine Aduenture in a sweet and dainty Iland where they staid the Queeue not well brooking the Sâ—a in which time they walked vp into the land comming into a delicate Pallace built curiously of white stone a braue Riuer or arme of the Sea running a little on the other side of it Gardens were round about it or walkes which made it appeare the Pallace of delight and much perfecter had it bin but the Lord of it was called by lifes concluder to obedience dying and leauing two sonnes and one most faire Daughter with his noble Lady whose vertues were such as shinned in her for the honor of all other women and examples to Maydes to liue Virgins and wiues and widdowes as she had done and did She met the King and Queene at the first Gate being enformed who they were with all reuerent respect welcommed them attending them into the Gardens shewing them the pleasures of them and giuing them such fruits as that time yeelded then waited on them into the house which they admired for curiositie sitting downe to rest them in a braue Gallery which delighted them infinitely by reason of the sweete prospect which though not so far as others yet was it as pleasing beeing able to iudge of what they beheld which was one way delicate meadowes and that great Riuer beyond it fields and hills downe the Riuer an ancient and famous Citie well built and of many miles compasse vp the Riuer pasture grounds and fine inclosures thus were all sorts of delights round about and in sight of this place but the richest and finest sight was the graue Widdow the sweet youthes and the excellent young Lady whose perfections were such as no description can come neere or any thing but admiration tell whose fulnesse will not permit expression Her stature was of the brauest and best chosen height her skinne although her hayre was browne white as milke soft as downe and fine as silke her eyes black as if mourning for the murders they would commit yet so spritefull as gaue comfort and blessed content to him should bee honourd with their fauours and hope of life to the dying if they repented their ambition She was sixteene yeares of age but of such beauty as if each minute had biâ— employd to fetch excellencies to her a graue and braue fashion she had which to strangers seemd pride but to them that knew her true noblenes abounded in her which they published else she had bin vndeseruingly condemned With the King there was a braue Lord but somewhat in yeares exceeding her he yet had a young and new desire to obtaine her his worth would not seeke her but as her worth warranted him a strangers name hee feared would be distastfull yet he was so neare a home borne man in affection as that might speake for him he was an experienced man and therfore knew time the most pretious of any thing wherefore he applyd himselfe vnto her Her fashion was discreet like herself respectiue according to his owne hart which was not the meanest but such an one as might haue dwelt for noblenes in a king but being in him made him a king for bounty A Cosin-german shee had who trauelling with this Lord was so imped into the quills of his loue as he was himselfe and so wooed for him she was confident of her Cosins loue and trusted his iudgement so receiued the Romanian as on trust from him he was in great fauour with the King who spake for him and of purpose stayed in that Island belonging vnto his Crowne till his seruant had gaind his desire the weather so temperat and pleasing as his Maiesty resolued to stay there and lodge in tents for pleasure and the more commodiously to let his Fauourite court his Mistris although the Lady most earnestly besought his gracing her house with lodging in it but the delightful Island carryed him about to view it and so left him to woe and win if he could In his Progres he met many fine aduentures the Island being large and plentifull of all delicacies but the king fel to sports the Queene affected only prety delights none so violent as hunting the house where they then kept court was a large and auncient house belonging to an Noble-man built square of stone standing rather vpon a flat then a Hill for the highest of the ascents was scarce sencible There ranne behind the Garden and Orchard wall a sweete Brooke on each side whereof fine and enamiled Meadowes lay shewing their finesses to each eye in this place Selarina tooke delight and heere walked but she was with-drawne a little from the Brooke and plaine to a little hill which had some few trees to grace it selfe withall and helpe others from the scorching heate a voice to this place inuited her whither being arriued she found two men in Shepheards weeds their countenances spake for them that they were not borne to that estate yet their complexions shewed that they had not beene curious to preserue them selues from the Sun but followed their fortunes or choyce as men ought to doe any profession they take they were not so young as it might bee said they had want only taken that life the ripnes of their yeares tooke away that suspition for they were towards forty so as iudgment to content them selues or discontent one might see had brought them to it they were together when the Queene first saw them but they seeing her soone parted one as if flying company the other remayning to yeeld account of his going
daughter yonger by some yeares then her brother he being called Antisius and she Antisia promising in their youthes all comfort to succeed in their age but destinie herein commanded disposing quite other waies and thus it was The King my Master hauing in his youth been a braue and valiant Prince giuing himselfe vnto the seeking and finishing aduentures a strict league of friendship grew betweene him and the King of Achaia for whose sake he left his country with a great army assisting him against his Macedonian â—nemie after returning with honor and content the Achaian King gratefull for such a curtesie being growne in yeares sent Embassadours to demand his daughter in marriage for his sonne and withall to haue the Princesse sent vnto him to be brought vp together to the end that conuersation a ready friend to loue might nurse their affections so wel as she might as contentedly be his daughter as it was affectionately desired of him His sonne as towardly a Prince as those parts had called Leandrus with whom few Christian Princes will compare except the two Cousens Parselius and Amphilanthus but to my discourse My Master soone consented to the Achayan kings demand which although for the farnesse of the country he might haue refused yet the neerenes of their loues was such as he could not deny him or his request resoluing instantly to send the one halfe of his happinesse to his old friend and for this end he sent for me but herewithal begins my miserie caused by my treacherie which heartily I repent and am ashamed of I being arriued at his Court out of an ancient confidence which he had of my loialtie to him committed this charge vnto me to see his Antissia carefully conducted and deliuered to the king of Achaya giuing me directions and counsel how to carry my selfe besides sole authority and power in this embassage Thus we departed my wife attending on her person accompanied we were with most of the nobility their loues being such as they parted not til they saw the yong Princesse shippâ—d Couetousnes a dangerous sin in this time bred in my wife seeing the infinite riches the father had sent with his child her perswasions besides or rather ioyn'd to the diuelish sense of gaine made me consent to detestable wickednes Led by this wicked subtilty we resolu'd not to take our way to Achaya but to put in to some Island there to sell the Iewels and leaue the Princesse in a religious house not to bee knowne while her deare Parents should esteeme her lost we vsing the gaine to our owne profits More cunningly to carry this we sent a seruant of ours before into the ship with such prouision as our plot required towards night the sweete young Lady embarqued with beliefe to go into Achaya we purposing nothing lesse for in the dead time of the night wee set the ship on fire hauing before when most slept conuaide the treasure into the long boate then with as much amasement as any nothing like the bellows of that fuell I tooke the Princesse in mine armes leaping into the boate calling to my wife to follow me withall cutting the cord lest others should leape in she leaped but short her fin so heauy drowning her and my trusty seruant with al the knights in number twenty and the Ladies sent to attend Antisia were drown'd or burnd or both Then play'd I the waterman making towards the next shore we could discouer day breaking gaue vs sight of one yet only for flattring hope to play withall not to be enioy'd for instantly were we set on by rouers who kept about these coasts The Princesse they tooke from me and all the treasure leauing me in the boate and towing it by the ship in the midst of the sea left mee with bread and water for two dayes but without oare sayle or hope yet such and so fauourable was my destinie as within that time a Pirat scouring the seas tooke mee vp who not long after was set vpon by another But then did the first arme me to serue him which in gratitude I did and so well defended him as we had the victorie by the death of the other slaine with my hand for requitall hereof he bestowed the new won Barke vpon mee and men to serue me Glad was I of this hauing meanes to search for the Princesse which I vowed with true and humble repentance to performe neuer giuing ouer till I had found the lost Antisia or ended my life in the seruice And this is the reason I took you for hauing landed here and by chance seene you I straight remembred your face wherefore I determin'd by some way or other to compasse the meanes to get you before my parting hence and had not this happy occasion befalne mee some other had not failed to atchiue my purpose Then tell me where haue you been these ten yeeresâ— for so long it is since you were lost and with all I beseech you let my submission and repentance gaine my pardon Truly said Vrania you haue told so ill a tale as if I were the lost Princesse I should scarce forget so great an iniury but satisfie your selfe with this and the hope of finding her while you haue in your power one who alas is lost too The Pirat at this grew much troubled and perplext for so vnaduisedly hauing discouered his former ill thus they remaind the Pirat vext Vrania grieu'd Parselius in soule tormented the others moued as much as respect in them to the other two could moue in noble minds least or not at all thinking of themselues in comparison of them all sitting with armes cross'd and eyes cast downe vpon the earth except the Pirat whose mind was busied with higher thoughts none knowing to what end they would haue ascended had not a voice awaked them which came from a Sayler who bad them prepare This called not the rest from their sorrow nor moued Vrania so much as to heare it who sate not tearelesse though speechles while her sighes accompanied the wind in loud blowing Sandringal looking forth saw the cause of the cry proceeded from the sight of the great Pirat of Syracusa whose force was therabouts too well knowne then did he take his armes deliuering Parselius his own into his hands intreating his aide Parselius lifted vp his eies and as he raised them he placed them on Vrania as the sphere where they alone should moue vsing these words Now haue we some hope since once more I possesse my armes those in shew sauage youths helping him By this time was the other ship come to them when there began a cruell fight betweene them being grapled Parselius encountred the chiefe Pirat Sandringal a blacke Knight who was so strong and valiant as Sandringal gaind much honour so long to hold out with him Parselius kild his enemy when at that instant the black Knight strake the head of Sandringal from his shoulders which Parselius seeing Farewel Sandringal said he now
consideration that it was the roote of it selfe that the Deuill inuented it and then pitty her and mee who vniustly suffered or indeed onely her since shee alone deserues pitty being iniur'd and for one so vnworthy yet to her iust This was none of my least aflictions since it was the course whereby her fate was gouern'd leading her to her end and making me part of the mischiefe The State on this imprison'd me shut her vp in her lodgings suffering no accesse to her but such as they permitted hee might and would against her will haue liberty this so gall'd her sweet nature a staine in reputation being so terrible to her as shame to another was not neere it besides knowing my imprisonment And lastly seeing how shee was and had beene betrayed none being neere her that shee had not found farre from faith to her ouerpressed with griefe and grieued with oppression shee writ vnto the State finding meanes to haue it deliuer'd safely looking often to that end out of her window and at last seeing a Gentleman whose faith shee thought vntouch'd threw the letter to him not commanding but beseeching him to deliuer it the nxet Sunday when the Counsell sate and not to giue it to any one but to them all nor to nominate the person so vnfortunate that sent it lest the knowledge of the sender might hinder the reading of it The Gentleman promised to doe it and with honest care and carefull honesty performed it as shee could haue wished Much dispute there was about it the Counsell were diuided and seuerall opinions held the iâ—solent wooer who would hee said for all the knowledge of her ill take her to wife if shee would bee good and true to him afterwards was much against the granting her request but most voyces carried it and her desire was consented to in part which was that being accusâ—d and as shee protested falsly and shamefully wrong'd by slander none being able to accuse her but by wicked surmises shee might haue the law that no ordinary subiect was deny'd which was that shee might bee clear'd by Combat that he whosoeuer it were who would maintaine that shee was guilty might bee encountred by one whom shee should nominate which was my selfe but that was refused for they said so it might bee but a too honourable concluding of my dayes who had so iniur'd the State in her dishononr as no punishment could bee sufficient for mee but if shee could finde one who would defend her shee should haue leaue to send in search of one whom if by the Champion ouercome shee should be left to his disposing and I should bee deliuered to him to haue what seuere punishment hee should inâ—lict on mee these were hard conditions yet shee yeelded vnto them rather then still remaine in the ill opinion of the world and both of vs as prisonâ—rs Three Gentle-women were then sent forth to seeke a Knight that would venter in her defence none in the Countrey would either so frighted they were with the strength of the Prince or doubtfull of the cause he hauing made it so foule on her side so as abandoned of her seruants strangâ—rs must relieue her and from such must her good as her hope proceed The time grew on halfe being expired when one of the women fortunately met the vâ—lâ—ant but proud King of Celicia a young man haughty and ambitious of honour And who lately dyed for his ambitions said Perineus if I bee not deceiu'd seeking the Starre of women the Queene of Pamphilia for wâ—fe It may bee so said Alarinus but this was some yeares before that misfoâ—tune could befall him being in the spring of his aduentures the blossomes but appearing scarce blowne of his valour or the discouering of it this being the first great tryall of his strength But is he then dead said he Yes truly said Peryneus I saw him slaine by my Master the Emperour Amphilanthus being in Pamphilia and in the sight of the Queene whom hee much loued or seemd to doe so but I pray goe on This King comming and hearing the truth still spread by euery good tongue vndertooke the businesse partly for Iustice partly for gaine of honour Being arriued at the Court the insolent wretch the robber of my Ladies honour and my blisse made little account openly of him though I vnderstood afterwards he wished any other of those parts had vndertaken the quarrell and indeede hee had reason for hee was a braue Gentleman for strength valour and all things required in a Prince no fault in him but that he had too much for his pride might haue beene spared The day was appointed and the two Combatants came foorth my Lady and Mistris was in a strong Towre placed onely to see my selfe right ouer against her able to see but not discerne her perfectly though such were our loues as our eyes pierced further then any oâ—hers could haue done so as wee sawe each other and clearely discern'd our miseries with open eyes to misfortune the Combat beganne betweene them while imprisonments our eyes beheld each other as greedily and earnestly the continuall Combate indured in our hearts against our vniust as those did who contended for victory we striuing but to giue expression her due I saw me thought in her imprisonment Vniustice Wrong Iniurie Slaunder nay all wickednesse and so I call'd them all by their names and reuiled them but what answere had I Wickednesse is strong and hath a more powerfull command in this age then honesty or worth O me cryd I must I liue and onely hope that this man shall giue vs life or shamefull death her honour already is dead killed by that yet liuing Villaine whose death can neuer re-giue life or recouery to that murdered honour O deare Honour how nice art thou and precious yet how soone harmd Like the daintiest skinns soonest Sunne-burnd Shall these Lockes cryde I combat for such a Iewell Can shee not or may shee not liue without these rude helps Must her sacred vertue bee tryed like other questionable or shee be named as if in a Romancy that relates of Knights and distressed Damosells the sad Aduentures O Myra thou art and wert euer without compare wherefore should thy honour bee calld on but for Honours sake thy deare breast being the richest tabernacle for it but what auailed this Alas nothing I might sigh and grieue they fight and bleed but what of all all came at last to one ende the Villaine was kill'd by the braue King but my Lady dyed also for such a deuice they had as the battell being hard and questionable who should haue the victory the King fell but soone recouered at which instant it seem'd that I threwe my selfe out of the windowe which was high and the Ditch infinite deepe into which I was to fall so as no hope could be of escaping for any that fell there Myra might and did see it but as most it concernd her so did it worke in her for shee
was by them found hard by the sea-side not farre from these rocks laid in a cradle with very rich clothes about me a purse of gold in the cradle and a little writing in it which warn'd them that should take me vp to looke carefully to me to call me Vrania and when I came to sixeteene yeeres of age to tell this to me but by no meanes before this they haue truely performed and haue deliuered me the mantle and purse that by them if good fortune serue I may come to knowledge inioyning me besides not to keepe this my story secret from any since this sweet place intising many into it may chance to bring some one to reâ—ease me from this torment of Ignorance It could not be otherwise said he since such sweetnes and peerelesse louelynesse are match'd together But now said Vrania let me know I beseech you who I haue discouer'd my selfe vnto Let vs sit downe said he vnder these Rockes and you shall know both who I am and the cause of my comming hither Nay answered Vrania if it please you let vs rather goe into a Caue hard by where I haue left an olde weake man ready to tell me his Story hauing with him two of the finest youths and a Maide of the rarest beauty that eye can behold and desirous he is to speake for long he cannot endure So together they came into the Caue the graue man reuerently with bowing downe his head saluting him thus Braue Sir for Maiestie doe I perceiue in your countenance which makes me giue you this title Welcome to my poore abiding and most welcome since now I trust I shall dispose of my Sonnes according to my long wish and desire sit I beseech you downe and tell me who you are that then I may discourse to you the lamentable fortune I and these my children are fallen into The stranger sate downe betweene the old man and the excellent Shepherdesse beginning his Tale thus My name saâ—d he is Parselius Prince of Morea being eldest Sonne vnto the King thereof which Countrie I left with a deare friend of mine who besides the vntying band of friendship we liue linked in is my kinsman and heire to the Kingdome of Naples called Amphilanthus resoluing not to returne till wee had heard newes of a lost Sister of his who in the first weeke after her birth was stoâ—ne away since which time an old man whether by diuination or knowledge assured the King her Father shee is liuing Wherefore the most braue of Princes Amphilanthus resolu'd to seeke her my selfe louing him as well or better then my selfe would not be denied to accompany him for hauing bene euer bred in neerenesse of affections as well as in conuersation together it could not be but we must like the soule and body liue and moue so we betooke our selues to the Sea leauing Morea passing many aduentures in diuers Countries still seeking the least freqâ—ented and priuatest places keeping to the West for that way wee were directed by the wise man At last we arriuâ—d in Sicilie which Country we found in great trouble warres being broke out againe after the departure of Perissus Nephew to the King who had setled the State in good peace and quiet But their hearts either not fully reconcil'd or only reconciled to him after his departure which as we heard was strange and sudden being neuer since heard of they rebelled againe but we soone appeas'd the busines setling the King in his seat with all quiet and safety Then did Amphilanthus and I though against my heart part our bodies but neuer shall our minds be parted he in one ship taking I know not iustly what course but I trust the happiest my selfe guided by fortune not appointing any one place to bend to was brought hither promising at our parting to meete at his Fathers Court in Italie within twelue moneths after But shorter I hope now my iourney will bee since I verily beleeue you most faire Shepherdesse are the lost Princesse and rather doe I thinke so because you much resemble Leonius the younger brother to Amphilanthus whose beautie in man cannot be equall'd though surpassed by you When he had concluded the old man with teares thus said O Almightie God how great are thy blessings to me that before I die thou doft thus bring the most desired happinesse I could wish for in sending hither that Prince who onely can restore our good vnto vs. Most mighty and worthilie honourd Prince see here before your royall presence the vnfortunate king of Albania who in the warres betweene Achaya and Macedon taking part with Achaya was beaten out of my country and forced to wander seeking safetie far from the place where my safety ought most to haue been I came to your fathers Court it is true poore and vnlike a Prince which sight tooke away so much as pitie Courtiers rather out of their brauery contemning then compassionating extremitie besides your Mother being Sister to the Macedonian king then liuing would not permit me any fauour my kingdome in the meane while spoild and parted among such as could preuaile by strength and policy to get shares When I found my selfe in this misery with my wife and some few friends we went away leauing Morea and al hope of gaining any good in Greece following what course our stars would guide vs to we came hither where it pleased God to blesse vs with these two boies and this daughter after whose being seauen yeares old she died Yet for all it is and was a ioy to me to see of my owne for my posterity finding that likelihood of princely vertues as I hope shal be one day manifested it hath grieued mee to thinke how I should leaue them but now my hopes are reuiued since I trust that danger is past your noble and magnanimous vertues being such as to take pitie of any how much more then wil your honor be to assist distressed Princes And now may you well do it since a seruant of mine who I haue oftâ—n sent thither to see how things passe doth assure me your Vncle is dead and a mighty Lord being next heire-male which by the lawes of the country was otherwise hath got the Crowne hauing inclosed your faire young cosin right heire to the kingdom of Macedon being only daughter to the late king in a strong tower til she be of age then to marry her or if shee refuse to keep her there stil and this is the best she can expect Wherefore sir thus you are bound to rescue her then I beseech you take these two young men into your protection who till now knew no other then that they were meane boies I not daring to let them know their birth lest those great spirits which liue in them should haue led theÌ„ into some dangerous course but still I haue kept them vnder making them know hardnes and misery the better still to endure it if so crosse their fortunes be or if
sensibly doe know the blessing you inioy But what will you doe when she shall leaue you leaue this pleasure pine starue and die with so great miserie Alas I pity you for such a change will bee And what wilt thou sweet Iland doe let in the sea be drown'd and lose thy pleasant solitarines Hauing thus said he left the desolate rock and went to meete her who with equall loue and kindnesse met him such indeed was their affection as can be expressed by nothing but it selfe which was most excellent When the first passion was past which ioy gouern'd for sight loue taking the place of speech Ah Vrania said he how did the Sun show himselfe in his brigâ—teâ—t and most glorious habits to entertaine thee in these meades coueting to win thy fauour by his richnesse triumphing in his hope of gaine What mou'd thy sight then in my soule Think you not it grew to rauishing of my sences The Sunne said she shin'd mee thought most on you being as if so fond as he did giue himselfe to be your seruant circling you about as if he meant that you should be the body and himselfe serue for your beames With that he tooke her hand and with an affectionate soule kissed it then went they together to the Caue where the two yong sauage Princes and their Sister attended them then did they priuately bury the old King promising if businesses went well that they by Parselius fauour might recouer their right to fetch his worthy body and lay it with the other famous Kings of Albania This being agreed vpon they went out of the Caue Steriamus and Selarinu for so the yong Princes were called went first in their sauage habits which they resolued to weare till they came where they might fit themselues with apparell and Armes befitting their Estates Parselius then promising to knight them Next after them went the Morean Prince leading Vrania and she holding Selarina by the hand Being come into the Plaine Parselius againe speaking to Vrania vrged the likely-hood of her being the lost Princesse besides assuring her howsoeuer of no lower an Estate if she would goe with him She made him this answer A Prince said she can demand or promise but Princely things I beleeue you to be so because you say so and that face me thinkes should not dissemble out of this I credit you and so consent to goe with you then nobly and vertuously as I trust you dispose of me He casting vp his eyes to Heauen Let me nor my attempts prosper said he when I breake faith and vertuous respect to you now let vs to the Ship Nay I beseech you first said shee permit me to take my leaue of my good friends and formerly supposed Parents lest my absence bring their death if ignorant of my fortune besides wee will carry the mantle and purse with vs. He soone agreed vnto it and so together they went to the house the late abiding of the matchlesse Shepherdesse where they found the good old folkes sitting together before the doore expecting the returne of Vrania But when they saw her come so accompanied they wondred at it and though poore yet were they ciuill wherefore they went towards them and hearing by the faire Shepherdesse who the Princes were kneeled downe and would haue kissed the hand of Parselius but he who respected them for their care of Vrania would not permit them to doe so much reuerence lifting them vp and imbracing them told them the same story of his trauell and cause thereof as he had done to Vrania and then concluded that the likelihood of her being that sought for Princesse was the reason why they agreed to goe together he promising to conduct her safely into Italy and if she proued the Princesse to deliuer her to her father which verily he beleeued he should doe and seldome doe mens imaginations in that kind faile especially hauing so good grounds to lay their hopes vpon The old folkes sorry to part with Vrania yet knowing she was not ordain'd to tarry with them would not seeme to contradict their wills wherefore fetching the mantle and purse with the little writing deliuered them to Vrania whose good disposition was such as she could not refraine from teares when shee parted with them they wishing their age would haue permitted them to haue attended her but being feeble it was not for them to trauell especially to go so vncertaine a iourney but in their place they desired their daughter might serue her which she willingly consented to Thus euerything concluded they tooke their leaues and way to the Ship which they found where Parselius had left her but not as hee had parted from her for much more company was in her and a strange encounter he found his Seruants Prisoners his Armes possess'd and all his goods in the hands of a Pirat yet had he gouern'd it so as this mis-aduenture was not dicouer'd till they were aboord Parselius alone in regard of his company and some women would neuerthelesse haue ventured his life to haue kept Vrania free such was his loue by none to be surpassed his compassion likewise was great on the other Princesse in himselfe feeling the iust cause as he thought they had to mistrust him and his promises to be value-lesse this accident being the first of their hoped for ioyes But shee whose truth in beliefe would not permit her to haue the least part of suspition to enter much lesse lodge in her breast against him hindered that braue but doubtfull attempt vsing these speeches to him Be satisfied my dearest friend said she and hazard not your selfe in this kinde seeking to alter what is ordain'd by Fate and therefore not to be changed but rather giue vs example as confidently and mildly to suffer this aduersity as happily we might haue enioyed the other we expected He onely with a languishing but to her louing looke answer'd her when the Pirat contrarie to their expectation came and kneeling downe before Vrania vsed these words Let not fairest Princesse this accident trouble you since your imprisonment shall bee no other then the command of mee and mine neither most noble Sir be you or these other offendedâ— for sooner will I doe violence on my selfe then any way wrong those that come with this Lady Bee patient and you shall soone see the cause of my taking this noble prey this said he rose and placing them all on fine seats in the Cabine where lately the Prince had sate free from both the bands of loue and imprisonment himselfe sitting before them began his discourse in this manner while the ship vnder saile was guided the way which he directed the Pilar My name said he is Sandringall borne and bred in the land of Romania being seruant to the King thereof this King liued long as one may say the fauorite of fortune being blest in his gouernment with peace and loue of his people but principally happy in two children a son and a
are Antissia and Leandrus well reueng'd for thy treason With that the black Knight commanded his part to bee quiet himselfe throwing downe his sword and pulling of his helme ran and imbraced Parselius who knowing him to be Leandrus with as much affection held him in his armes thus was the busines ended all growing friends by their example Then were al the prisoners brought forth of both the ships amongst whom he knew one to be the Squire of his deare friend and Cousen Amphilanthus and two Gentlemen who had mortall hatred as it did appeare one vnto the other for no sooner came they together but they would haue buffeted each other wanting weapons to doe more the one of them Leandrus tooke into his custody while the other began his story thus My Lords said he first let me beseech pardon for this rudenes next claime iustice on this villaine who hath not only wrong'd me but in his vnmannerly discourse iniur'd the brauest Christian Princes and that you may know the truth giue me liberty to speake this to you My name is Allimarlus borne in Romania and Page I was vnto the King thereof but being come to mans estate and so much knowledge as to see and commiserate my Masters misery which had the floud from two springs the first was the losse of his daughter Antissia being sent vnder the conduct of his faithfull as he esteemed seruant Sandringal who so well hee trusted as hee would haue ventured his life in his hands which appeared in putting the faire Antissia in his power who as himselfe he loued to be deliuered to the King of Achaia desiring a match betweene her and the kings sonne called the hopefull Leandrus but in the way the ship was spoild by an vnlucky fire and she as it was coniectured lost which since proued otherwise not being swallowed by the vnmercifull sea but betraide by her Guardian and stolne againe from him by Rouers since which time little newes hath been heard of her sauing hope of her liuing The other and greater affliction was and is a wicked woman he hath made his wife after the death of his vertuous Queene who died as soone as shee had seene her worthily beloued Sonne Antissius blessed with a Sonne whom they called after his owne name who hauing indured a long and paineful search for his Sister at his returne tooke a sweet and excellent Lady called Lucenia to wife who though she were not the fairest yet truly was she beautifull and as faire as any in goodnesse which is the choisest beauty But this second marriage made them first know miserie the king old and passionately doting on her shee young politique and wicked being the widow of a Noble man in the Countrie whose beastlines and crueltie cost the Prince his life and bred the ruine of the State as I haue since my departure from thence vnderstood by a Knight of that Country But to my discourse The King one day after hee had banished his sonne Antissius the Court and by her damnable counsell put such iealousie into his head as hee now feared and hated him that once was three parts of his ioy This and the losse of his other comfort Antissia did so perplexe him as one day being at dinner he began with teares to speake of Antissius blaming his vnnaturalnesse to him in his age who had so tenderly and louingly cherished his youth but little of that she would suffer him to discourse of lest his deserued pitie might haue hindred her ends and so her plots haue faild or been discouered Then spake he of his young friend and once hoped for son Leandrus who in search of Antissia was said to be slaine by reason that his Squire return'd to the Court after long seeking his Lord who by misaduenture hee had lost bringing his armour shrewdly cut and battered which he had found in a meadow but no newes of his Master only this probabilitie of his losse a country fellow gaue him telling him that gallant men in gay armours had not farre off performed a gallant fight wherein some were killed and one Knights body carried thence by a Lady who followed the Knight hauing but one more with her whither they went or more of the matter he could not tell With this and the armour he return'd to the old King who the kindest of fathers did accordingly suffer for this too likely disaster From that he fell to the last and first of his misfortune speaking of Antissia and bewailing her losse concluding How miserable am I of all men that doe liue to lament for these many afflictions one child dead by his liuing vndutifulnes the other lost by treachery in a man I most trusted and to be besides the occasion to bereaue my dearest friend of his only comfort which as one of my equall sorrowes I esteeme I seeing his vexation and iust cause of mourning offered my best seruice in seeking the Princesse who not being dead I might hope to find and bring some content vnto his age Hee hearing mee say this fell vpon my necke kissing my forehead and yet weeping so as they resembled the watry and parting kisses the sweet Riuers giue the sweeter bankes when with ebbing they must leaue them so did his teares so did his kisses on my face both meet and part at last his ioy-mixt sorrow let him speake these words And wilt thou O Allimarlus doe this for me shall I yet find so true a friend a seruant and a faithfull one said I who will not liue if not to serue you and so my faith to liue in me Then he tooke me vp in his armes and calling for a sword of his which he had worne in most of his aduentures gaue that with the honour of Knighthood to me then kissing his hands and the Queenes I took my leaue He though glad to find my loyaltie and hoping to heare some newes of his daughter yet was sorry to part with me so few were left that he could trust his kind wife hauing taken care that her Minions and fauorites should most attend his person Long time was I not landed in Greece in that part called Morea before I met an old man who told me something of the Princesse but nothing of her certaine aboad yet I reioyced to heare of her not doubting but to bring her to delight her grieued father who neuer indeed tasted of true happinesse since her losse that being the thread to his succeeding miseries That old man likewise told me I was in my way of finding her if I held on to Laconia I earnestly desired his company which he affoorded me and so we went together resoluing still to enquire and to leaue no likely place vnsought in all Greece till we had found her A prettie space we thus continued the old man passing away the time with good discourse which made the way seeme shorter telling me many aduentures which had befalne him in his youth hauing led the life that most braue
it to his Sonne before his departure who was to goe thence with his excellent Cousen in a search by them vndertaken was come neere to the place of the Tyrants abode He refused to come but soone by force he was brought before the King who with milde fashion and royall Maiestie examined the businesse which he confessed but rather with a proud scorne then repentant heart wherefore the King with iust iudgement degraded him committing him to a strong Tower whereinto he was walled vp meate giuen him in at the windowe and there to ende his dayes which were not long pride swelling him so with scorne of his fall as he burst and dyed The Dukedome after this sentence was restored to me but truely I was not able so to recouer my former losse wherefore humbly thanking the King and his Sonne besought them to giue mee leaue to bestow it on my Daughter which was granted me my wife thinking she had seene enough when I was my selfe againe departing this life with ioy and content Besides I made one suit more which was that since the Prince had with so much fauour begun to honour mee it would please â—im to proceed so far as to bestow one of his young Lords in marriage on my Daughter The King and Prince both tooke this motion most kindely wherfore choosing a hopefull young Lord and him the Prince most loued gaue him to her the marriage was with much honour celebrated in the Court at which for their vnspeakable honour Parselius for so the Prince is called and Amphilanthus Prince of Naples were made Knights and brauely for the beginning of their succeeding glory began those sports of Field as since haue made them famous ouer the world This ended I went away kissing the Kings and Princes hands vndertaking a Pilgrimage which performed I returned to this place where like an Hermit still I liue and will continue while life is in mee this Valley those sleepie woody Hilles and the Caue I rest in shall bee all the Courts or Pallaces that these old eyes shall euer now behold As thus we trauelled on determining to conclude that daies iourney with the end of his story and resting in his Cell that night we were called from that resolution by a noise within the wood of Horse and clashing of Armour which drew me to see what the matter was Arriuing at the place we found two gentlemen cruelly fighting and by them many more slaine but that which most amazed vs was that hard by them on the ground was one of the Mirrours for beauty to see her selfe liuely in so faire indeed is she and such a fairenes hath she as mine eyes neuer saw her equall if not that rare Shepherdesse by you or the incomparable Lady Pamphilia Sister to the noble Prince Parselius who I need but name the world being sufficiently filled with his fame This Lady lay along her head vpon her hand her teares ranne in as great abundance as if they meant to preserue themselues in making some pretty brooke of truest teares her breath shee tooke rather in sighes and sobs then quiet breathing yet did not this alter the colour or feature of her heauenly beauty but resembling the excellent workmanship of some delicatly proportion'd fountaine which lets the drops fall without hurting it selfe or like a showre in Aprill while the Sunne yet continues cleare and bright and so did she seeme to our eyes As we were admiring her there came a Knight in blacke Armour his Shield sutable to it without any Deuice who not seeing the Lady step'd to the two Combatants willing them to hold their hands till hee did vnderstand the cause of their enmitie They refusing it turn'd both on him one stricking him forcibly on the shoulder he seeing their rudenesse and feeling himselfe smart forgot parting and made himselfe a party sticking one of them such a blow as made him fall dead at his feet Whereupon the other yeelded deliuering his Sword and turning to the Lady who now the Knight saw with admiration for her fairenesse and sorrow vnbinding her and sitting downe by her finding I was likewise a stranger call'd me and the good Hermit to heare the discourse which the vanquished man deliuer'd in this manner Two of these which here you see lye slaine were halfe brothers Sonnes to one mother the one of them my Master who on a day after a long chase of a Stagge happened into a Merchants house not farre hence where this Lady did then remaine They were ciuilly and courteously entertained for being Gentlemen well borne and in their fashion pleasing they were respected and belou'd of most neuer hauing attempted or to mans knowledge imbraced or let in a thought contrary to vertue till their comming thither where they resolu'd of a course worse then man could of man imagine if not proud by experience For there they saw that Ladie desir'd her and plotted to obtaine her purposing with all ill meaning to enioy her nothing being able to giue other ende to their wicked mindes but thisâ— whereto their beastlinesse and true iustice hath brought them hauing made this place their bed of death as it was meant for their lasciuious desires Great they did imagine her of birth by the honour done vnto her this was another spurre to their deuillish longing yet to be certaine with a good fashion dissembling their inward intent as well they could for they were Courtiers intreated the Merchant to tell who this Lady was that they might accordingly honour and respect her Hee told them her name was Antissia and that she was daughter to the great king of Romania betraied by her Guardian taken from him againe by Rouers and sold by them on this coast at the Towne call'd S. Anzolo where I a Merchant said he bought her they not knowing who they sold nor I what I had bought till some daies after she her selfe intreating me no more to suffer her to be made merchandize but to carry her to her father who would reward me sufficiently for my paines told me the vnexpected secret The brothers hearing this inflamed more then before beauty first inticing them then ambition wrought to compasse a kings daughter to their pleasure much commending themselues for placing their loues so worthily yet still forgetting how vnworthie and dishonourable their loue was Desire makes them now politike casting all waies how they might betray her consulting together they at last concluded to get the Princesse into the Garden to walke hauing before appointed these slaine men to attend at a doore which opened into the field which they opening perswaded her to goe out a little into so sweet an aire she fearing nothing went with them when no sooner she was forth but shee found she was betrayd crying for helpe would not auaile her yet the pitifulnesse of it brought forth most of the house who perceiuing what was intended and neere acted no fury could be compar'd to theirs and furie indeed it was for they
Lamentation braue Princes is that which I must treat of but first I must tell you as one of the parts of this story I am called Seleucius brother I am to the king of Romania Lord to this young knight and thus from me the most vnfortunate of Princes heare the wofull'st and most disastrous history that euer Princely eares gaue attention to I was brother and somtime heire to this vnhappy king being thought lost but after found in such an aduenture of enchantment as this seemes to be Return'd married and was blest with two children of whom I am sure this Gentleman hath already discoursed vnto you wherefore that part I wil leaue and come to the last My Nephew Antissius being come from the fruitles search of his sister Antissia my brother would needs marry him to a Lady in the country which he although neuer hauing bin in loue might haue questioned yet he euer loued to obay his father and so they were married O Antissius worthy Antissius with that the teares ran downe his long white beard resembling drops in snow stopping his breatâ— that scarce the last word could bee heard In this time did all the Princes ioyne concluding it with sobs and groanes euery one hauing equall feeling of sorrow though for seueral things At last he cry'd out these words Pardon great Prince this sad interruption in my story which I am forst to do heart-rending sorrow making me euer doe so when I think of much more name my deerest Nephew and his vnfortunate losse being such a wound to that country as none can imagine but our selues who daily feele the misery He being married by his fathers commaÌ„d who longed to see some fruit from so worâ—hy a stock his obedience hauing mastred his affection which rather was to follow Armes then fall into the armes of Loue he worthily lou'd his wife and louingly liu'd with her within that yeare being blest with a Son whom after his father they called Antissius with this ioy'd-at birth began the ruin of all yet not because of his birth for in him we haue yet our last hope but by reason that the Grandmother liu'd but to kisse her babe after whose death the king again maried and her whose wickednes I am sure hath come vnto your eares This malitious creature after â—he had caused Antissius to bee banisht and most honest men to lose their liues or places she yet not satisfied with such sins as neuer the earth sufferd in one body the waight of more treason adultery witchcraft and murder were plentifully in her yet while he liu'd she was not contented Wherefore to bring this to passe was now her only study In this time some one or two honest hearts were left who gaue the king warning of her ventring their heads to saue his body from harme her immoderate desires so much knowne as they cried out against her shee being a Queene salued not nor couered her sin which in her greatnes appeared the greater fault a spot being more markt in a Diamond then in an ordinary piece of glasse Long time it was ere his honest and vnspotted loue would belieue it or hearken to it while shee delighted her selfe in her owne shame and his dishonor At last â—hough extreame loath he seem'd to see it slaking his violent loue to her oft refraining her bed made her discerne it though delighting her self so much with others had somewhat blinded her from seeing what but for policy she cared little for But then did shee neuer leaue the poore man with her flatterings and disfembling falshoods till she had gaind the cause and ground of his most iust offence and deserued mistrust and vnusuall strangenes which at last vndone by her bewitching fawnings she gained Then had she enough vowing to be reuengd on al and vnder this colour to execute her malice and purge her spleene vpon the famous Prince his son which by her cruell practises she at last vnfortunately brought to passe For first by meanes as she pretended that she was slandred she got her good honest husband to banish any who had in the least spoken of her lightnes putting into that number those whom she hated hauing suffred as she alleagd as much by their slanderous reports as almost if it had been a truth shee had merited wishing she had still continued widow rather then to come to this height of honour and hauing it to fall so low as into the shame of dishonor beseeching him throughly to reuenge her or to permit her to retire to the most lonely and priuate lifeâ— rather then there openly to sinke vnder shame and infamie or if she could be found faulty then to cut off her head farre vnfit to liue wife to so vertuous and good a king To satisfie her whose dissemblings were of force to bring new heate into his aged heart which like old wood will presently kindle he strooke off the heads of those loyall seruants who had honestly though vndiscreetly told him of her sinne men not louing that discourse of any This done he came to receiue thanks but she telling him this was nothing and vnlesse hee would doe more to right her so shamefully wrongd she would go away and execute some mischiefe on her selfe her spirit and conscience not being able to sustaine themselues induring such abuse and then if euer he lou'd her he would be sorry he had wrongd so true and faithfully louing a wife while he did credit pickthanking Counsellors He seeing this passion in his deere wife vowed reuengefull iustice on all she could accuse Vpon this vow and some other assurance which was giuen by execution her holy Maiesty seem'd somewhat satisfied and then contenâ—ed as it were to liue hauing new life giuen in her iustice and faith-trying honour She came abroad but oft-times blushing modesty was the colour put vpon it when indeed it was affection to a young Lord in the Court who after shee found she could not win with all inticements and loue-showes shee accused him for seeking her and so with many more lost his head Now was Antissius and his vertuous wife confind to a Castle some twenty miles from the Court he being accused of popularity and aspiring to the Crowne This was the power of that insatiable Monster as shee could and would banish from him his best and onely true comforts My Nephewes misfortune increasing and his hate to liue growing euery day stronger in him he gaind for all this the Queenes leaue to goe and liue with me She willing to it hoping his former ill vsage would prouoke him to that hee might die for else shee would finde a meanes to compasse it But few plots needed this being the beginning and his soone following ouerthrow for the people finding her gouernment absolute and that being bent to the ruin of the land followed the vertuous Prince in great numbers and at al times which he as much as in him lay did put off auoid yet not so but
performed for I buried her with her busband and then vpon the Tombe my selfe the Captaine and the Seruants to the lost Antissius tooke a solemne oath to haue reuenge but by the brauest Princes whose worths must needs abhorre so detestable practises other meanes though they diseru'd the worst and basest honest and noble hearts did detest them This done we parted euery one a seuerall way and to a seuerall King to make our misery more manifest out of Iustice demanding their ayde to pull downe wickednesse and againe settle worth in Romania my selfe remaining one whole yeare after nere the Hellispont disguised and almost begging my lyuing with this my last hope Still they sought vs while wee were among them but then perceiuing the continuall hazard and ablenesse in this latter Antissius to trauell We left Greece my selfe alone going with him But how this was difcouer'd or that this young man must inherite his Fathers misfortunes we hardly did escape taking Vpon the missing of vs Ambassadours were sent in all haste to all the neere Princes to whom with much falsehood their false fault was couered with as foule a vaile working so farre as beliefe or feare of warre made shew of so much as preuented the succour we had hoped for Finding this we tooke this Boate coasting not daring to stay any where till we could be secure Many places we haue seene but found none to rescue misfortune not caring whither we went so we were freed from her malicious power Hither Fate hath brought vs and here we haue found and seru'd some Noblemen and good Princes who haue promis'd their helpe so as if you braue Prince Parselius and these with you will likewise assist vs I feare not but assure my selfe of our hoped-for comfort Thus if pitty dwell in you you will pitty vs and this Allimarlus is your Lord and Prince Parselius then embraced him so did Steriamus and Selarinus all promising their former vowes and businesse ended they would attend and rescue them in the meane time they would aduise them to leaue that shore for feare of danger considering the Charmes which yet to any but such as aduentured the Towres or vnfortunatly dranke of the Riuer were nothing yet that scarce knowne made cause of doubt So they resolu'd and betooke themselues to the Sea when they saw floating vpon the water a man past sense or power to helpe himselfe being now subiect to the Sea and the disposition shee might bee in to destroy him or succour him Parselius in Charitie willed them to goe towards him the Tyde bringing him a pace as in loue of him that way Being neare hee perceiued the man to be his deare Friend Leandrus who in the same fury they had before falne into but wanting such helpe as they had ran into the Sea misâ—ing a Boate to conuay him but not fury to cast away himselfe crying out he would haue Antissia in spite of the valiantest blacke Knight But quickly was he cool'd with losse of strength to saue himselfe from losse senses were come to him but alas too soone to lose them againe and life with them if this happy aduenture had not come vnto him For then cryâ—d out Parselius O take vp that worthy body saue that noble person from such losse with this they made to him taking him vp and after much care getting life againe to put it selfe into the Cage of the body when knowing his friends but forgetting all things else they embraced as soules would if not by a greater ioy hinder'd reioyce in the other world for encountring their best friends On they rowed sometimes Parselius and the other Princes ayding the old man taking their turnes till they discouer'd a Morean Ship to which they haled She comming and her rulers knowing their Prince with all ioy and dutie receiu'd him and his company into her Then securely they sayled towards Greece where being landed in Morea they determined that since instant ayde could not be giuen them they should there in a strong Castle remayne not Prisoners but Commanders of that place being an impregnable Fort and in such a place as none could land without their fauour so might they vse the opportunitie of place and time The Romanian Knight after this place was by the Prince deliuer'd to Seleucius and his Nephew Antissius in the same ship had thither brought them tooke againe to the Sea intending to goe into Romania and so hired them for Constantinople But soone were they alter'd for meeting another ship which desir'd to know something the cause of that ships iourney being for discouerie hee found in her the ancient seruant and the same faithfull Captaine who had so loyally seru'd the first Antissius Finding him and by him that the Prince was to be found he with him returned to the Castle where being receiu'd and ready to make his discourse I will leaue him and goe againe to Parselius who tooke the directest way to the Court which was then kept in Arcadia being a time the King had in pleasure made a iourney that way to delight himselfe in that most delightfull Countrey Being there arriu'd no ioy could be compar'd to the Kings and Queenes seeing their deerest Sonne return'd but little ioy felt he Vrania being lost which onely to Pamphilia he discouer'd who out of a deere and sisterly affection the like bewayled absence Sports and pleasures were euery day offer'd while he still knew of none being in them as in another World onely wherein his owne person was required there his valour failed not though his Soule which gouern'd that was otherwhere Some dayes this lasted but Parselius whose loue still vrg'd him could haue no rest colouring his paine with the losse of his friend and cousin which indeed was the cause but in the feminine gender The King was the lesse displeas'd because it was on so worthy a subiect yet he was sorry being the louingest of Fathers that his deerest sonne should be displeas'd and most troubled when hee saw hee would not stay but againe goe seeke his Friend Yet before his depart he gayn'd the promise of his Father to rayse men to assist Steriamus in his iourney to conquer his right which was granted both for that iust Cause and likewise because the faire young Princesse Meriana Queene of Macedon by right should be vnto her right restor'd Thus departed Parselius leauing Steriamus and his Brother to attend their businesse and see the men rays'd himselfe promising within fit time to take their iourney to returne Leandrus likewise accompanying Parselius to the Court gaue his word to vse his best power in gayning forces from his Father to assist in this deseru'd occasion they hauing suffer'd for their Parents loues To which end he went into Achaya giuing his hand to Parselius to be with him in Morea within six moneths which was the time appointed for their marching forwards towards Macedon or Albania as at their next meeting they would agree on Thus they parted Parselius as his
falling into that way which brought them directly to the Castle where young Antissius and his Vncle were by Parselius left There they found them and met the honest Captaine who was brought thither by the Romanian Knight who after the whole discourse was told to Amphilanthus as before it had been to Parselius by the old Prince and young Knight continued the story thus After that deuill of women the Kings wife had wrought the ruine of Romania Proclamations out for the bringing of either or both of you for which large summes of money were offered but if you could be deliuer'd in aliue those summes and great honours with braue possessions you my Lord made a Traytor and you Sir hauing your head at sale Then obtained she that her sonne was made heire apparant to the Crowne and that if the King happned to die while the new Prince was vnder yeares that then she would gouerne as Protectresse till hee came of age This sure shee grew wearie of the old man whose age and dotage she hauing imploy'd them to her vse was now cloy'd with them troubled her to bee rid of him was then her study At last finding an easie way as she thought shee cald one of her seruants to her being one who ambitiously sought to win the honour of being her fauourite leading him into a priuate Cabinet where she plotted al her wickednes there she began with false and forged flattrings to intice him to her purpose dissimulation and protestation of her affections she wanted not to draw him into the yoke of her witch-craft And what said she though the world doe taxe me for louing many doe not you accuse me my onely deere for sooner will I die then wrong your loue If my fashion which is free and familiar make you doubt me consider why it is since it were neither wisdome nor safety for vs to vse you only kindly in al sights The graces others haue is but to blind their eies which els would be cleere sighted to our ill and this euen by the loue you beare me I coniure you to belieue and this should you well find were I at liberty and free What freedome would you aske To be my selfe said shee and so to take a husband I could loue as I loue you and so would make you were the old man dead Is that the bar cride he deere Lady He is dead or euen as good for two daies is his longest terme of life That done enioy me who am onely thine and verily the thing is easie safe and doubtlesse doe it then and by it purchase me He long time bewitcht with her craft allur'd by her beautie and continued in error by her falsehoods beleeu'd she spake vnfained from her heart letting himselfe couet that which with murder and treacherous murder they must gaine froÌ„ the true owner But he lookt no further then his loue to compasse which no meanes seem'd ill so partiall was he to his vild desires Thus was his word engaged and the kings life limited which end of time being come they inticed the graue man into a Parke where they murdred him bringing home the old body besmear'd in his owne bloud couerd with their mantles as the fault was with their fained talles which were that in the Wood certaine men hired as it was likely by you set vpon him killed him and wounded them shewing some slight wounds which they had for the greater shew of truth giuen themselues The Queene being brought to this sad fight tooke on strangely rending her clothes crying and euen howling so as most did pitie her and few or none accuse her guilty of the crime so cunning was she in her deepe deceits Then was the Councel cald who came in shew sad but in harts ioyfull wicked men louing nothing more then change they brought also the young king to his mother The people being assembled and the false report of the kings death deliuerd wherwith they were satisfied pitying the wounded body yet crediting the murderers Thus was the poore doting King rewarded for his fondnes A funerall was made with all ceremonious cost and pompe the young vnlawfull king being that day crowned as soone as the body was interred This was yet but one part of the play the other soone followed She thinking her selfe no way secure so many knowing of her sin to auoide punishment on earth would run yet faster to meet more punishments cause in the other world by heaping murders vpon murders for inuiting all those except her Minion to a priuate banquet she poison'd them reseruing the fauourite for some other vertuous purpose who being in the pride of his desires expecting when he should be made her husband often vrg'd it but shee put it off with pretence of feare least that the too sudden marriage might giue occasion to the world to doubt what was most true and what their guiltinesse made them mistruâ—t Thus it past a while like a calme tide after a tempest her sonne and shee being in full possession of all the neighbour kings sent to condole the death of the king and to congratulate the other whether out of loue or desire of peace a sweete thing to spritelesse Princes Among the rest came one who accompanied the Embassadour of Morea a Gentleman of excellent parts winning the loue of all that conuersed with him hauing a modest gouernment ouer a strong and daintie wit but as hee was in this happie hee was crost with the violent loue of the chastlesse Queene who affected him after her wonted fashion but so fondly and intemperately as shee caus'd most to looke with gazing eyes on her hee was not of the highest stature though farre from being low his haire faire and that beard hee had something inclind to yellow Shee saw this Gentleman who since I learnd was Sonne to the Duke of Mantinea and Captaine of a troope of Horse which was part of the Kings Guard and the Noblest part because that Companie must euer bee choice men and all Gentlemen Shee wooed him plainely said Shee loued him Yet could not this preuaile wroth in him withstanding all her baites which being meant as refusals prou'd inticements to bring her on like a Spaniell that fawnes on the mans crueltie Her passions then growne immoderate and vngouernable yeares increasing in her and strength of iudgement failing her more then in her youth gaue such open testimonie of her loue as her latter seruant but companion in mischiefe perceiu'd it his confidence hauing been such as that blinded him long time giuing libertie and assurance in that to her and her ends which neuer were but either politike or lasciuious But he as hauing new sight giuen him to see her shame and his owne together hate taking the place of loue his desires flew to the ruine of her as before to the continuance of their dayes in their owne pleasures neuer enough enioy'd Hee plotted to vndoe her and watched the opportunity which he obtaind by his
themselues so low as to looke on her my creature and fauour her with my liking She whom I might command I haue bin contented to woe she who shuld obay ignorantly refuseth yet â— Master of worth will not force her but haue compell'd my selfe to consent to satisfie a fond request she hath made to me which is to come into this Court with her and this knight my Cosen whom she loues and is the barre from my enioying her and here if she can find a Knight who for her sake will enter into this quarrel which she calls The deâ—ence of true Loue he must obserue this to giue her to one of vs and fight with the other if it happen he chuse him as well it may be he wil defend Ladies he will dispose of her to her beloued he must combate me if he ouercome shee shall bee free else yeelded to me which I make no question of since I neuer yet knew any had the fortune how stout valiant or hardy could hold out with me These bound men are Knights and her Brothers two of them the rest her friends and kindred who vpon her vaine complaint fearing violence would haue been by me iustly vs'd vpon her made an insurrection which soone I appeased and for the loue of her would not yet put them to death but haue brought them with mee likewise on this condition that when I haue fought and vanquisht that bold and fond man whosoeuer that will aduenture to combate with me I shall strike off all their heads This Sir is the cause of my comming wherefore I desire leaue of you that shee may haue one if any Knight will vndertake it or dare maintaine her cause which shee accounts so faire and good The King was sorry for the Ladies sake his Court was so vnprouided of those braue Knights which were wont to honour it especially that his famous Nephew and braue Sonnes were all absent who he knew would defend a Ladies cause especially a louing Lady as she seem'd wherefore hee made this answere Lansaritano I am troubled so braue a man should fight in so ill a matter since if I were as you shee that would not by my worth bee wonne should not be thought worthy to be gaind by the hazard of my self into which you must run if you encounter Knights of my Court for surely no braue man will giue her from her owne affection but now indeede is your fortune good in comming when the Worthies of our parts are absent yet doubt I not but I haue still some here who honour Ladies so much as they will venter to deliuer them from force in loue therfore I giue yoâ— free liberty to pronounce your challenge I am sorry said he that all your Worthies be not here that I might for my glory ouercome them one after another but since they are absent any one here take her part that will or giue her to mee if none will aduenture combate otherwise I am ready to meete him with the Launce three courses and then end the Combat with the sword if no one dare vndertake itâ— you must sweete Lady bee mine for want of a knight for your Championâ— Shee lookt sadly and wept so loue-likely as all pittied her but none offered their seruice the valour being knowne and the strength much feared of Laâ—saritano till Selarinus disdaining such a man should haue though so little a cause to adde more fuell to the fire of his pride stept forth and said Most mighty King may it please you to honour mee so much as to permit mee the libertie of this aduenture wherein I doubt not but to doe iustly and to lay Lansaritano's pride as low as the eaâ—â—h will suffer his body to lie vpon it The king glad to see the fine young Prince so forward but loth to venture him in so dangerous a businesse told him That the true noblenesse and bounty of the kings of Albania his Predecessours did againe liue in him to maintaine which hee was very willing to grant his request but his tender yeares made him loth to aduenture him alone Then Sir said hee should I both shame my selfe and the braue Princes before by you mentioned but as I am alone left here of my bloud I will alone aduenture Then hee asked the Lady if shee would accept him and stand to his censure Shee answered Most willingly shee would Hee then gaue her to her beloued saying Prepare your selfe and know Lansaritano that you shall finde enough to doe when you encounter Iustice and resolution which are the two I take with mee in this Combate against you The furie of the vaine man was such to see so young a man answer him as hee could scarce giue one word againe but at last his breath smoked out these words Alas poore Boy I pitie thee wherefore pray thee be aduised and hereafter when thou hast a Beard come and it may be I will grace thee with fighting with thee vnlesse thou dost hope I should haue some pity on thy faire face and so forbeare to hurt thee in the fight 〈◊〉 â—ince you haue no brauer Knights Great King of Morea farewell I will returne and now faire Lady what thinke you of your seruant my selfe will you loue me or let this smug Youth be your Champion The king was infinitely offended with the proud speech of Lansaritano the like was all the company yet none aduentured to answer but braue Selarinus himselfe who againe couragiouslie yet mildlie told him That hee neede not learne to know words were not the weapons to bee vsed in fight therefore hee would answere him no further in that kinde but hee should giue him satisfaction with his Sword and Speare for the Ladies sake before his parting thence whether hee would or no and then haue occasion to speake better of him if hee left him to speake at all The King embraced the young Prince and straight sending for an Armour which was the first that euer Amphilanthus had worne hauing left it there taking another which was brought him from Italy after his first Victorie of fame which was there performed against two Knights in the defence of an iniured Ladie this hee put on which was all White saue iust against the Heart hee had the figure of a heart wounded curiously made and so artificially as one would haue thought his heart had been seene to bleed through the Armour with these Armes Selarinus was arm'd the King girting the sword to him and kissing him wisht as good fortune to him as the first Lord of those Armes had and to prooue as worthy to weare them Hee on his knee humbly gaue him thankes then turning to the Lady will'd her to take her loued Seruant if shee accepted him for her Knight Shee ioyfully beholding him and smiling on her loue who equally exprest his ioy followed him who now appeared a young Mars yet was her ioy mixt with feare of falling againe into his hands till which time shee
Father that you know where to finde me and let him reserue the honour of the charge for me and you bring mee to receiue it in which time I will post to Macedon and get leaue to returne and take the charge This they agreed vpon so being somewhat late she left her Brother there promising to come againe to him after Dinner and then to let him know the Kings answer and so take leaue of each other She return'd when as she found the King and the whole Court assembled to see and heare a strange aduenture An aged man of graue and maiestick countenance haire white as snow and beard downe to his girdle bound in strong chaines of iron a young man likewise enchaind with him foure Squires leading them the old man with teares and pitifull groanes telling his story thus Most famous King behold before you the distressed king of Negroponte brought into this misery by my owne folly so much doating on a daughter of mine as I suffered my selfe to fall into the sinne of forgetfulnesse to this my sonne too worthy I confesse for me deseruing a farre better title then my sonne vnlesse I had been a more natural father For such was my affection to that vngratefull child of mine as I disinherited my soone cald Dolorindus whose vertues appeare by the blacke sinnes of his sister who I euen now grieue to name but why should my sorrow bee increased with the sight of your noble compassions or better to say Why should so worthlesse a creature moue sorrow in such royall minds to auoide which I will as briefly as my miserable relation will giue me leaue discourse my tragick storie to you After I had vnnaturally disinherited Dolorindus here present I gaue the kingdome which came by my wife and she dead to Ramilletta my vngratious daughter who requited me as Vipers doe their Dam for no sooner had shee the possession but she fell into such ill gouernment and indeed beastly liuing as the report wounded my honour and staind my blood I ashamed grieued at it told her of it perswaded her to leaue it telling her how cruell a blow it was to my soule to see her shame Shee made mee no answer but with her eyes cast downe left the roome where I was I thought confession and repentance had caus'd this countenance but alas I was deceiued for it was rage and scorne procured it as soone I found for instantly came in a number of her seruants who tooke me and cast mee into a darke terrible prison where they kept me one whole yeare then came Dolorindus and stroue with al his wit and power to release me but finding it could not be wrought by other meanes then good nature desiring that as he had life from me hee might haue death also with me She taking some pitie of him or rather not willing to shed his bloud her selfe though shee cared not who did told him that if hee could ouercome two knights which shee would appoint to encounter him hee should haue his owne and my liberty else to be at her dispose This hee agreed vnto glad that hee had a shadow of hope for no more it proued for my release vndertaken by him The day was appointed when as I was brought into a little place made of purpose for seeing the combate shee and her seruants hoping this would be the last day of my trouble to them when I should see Dolorindus slaine and her cruelty increase both which must as they did trust end my life with breaking of my heart and so indeed it neerely had and would assuredly had my sonne been kild whose loue to me did make my fault so foule before me as affection proued curster then affliction But to the matter so brauely did my Dolorindus behaue himselfe for our deliueries as although the other were such as still if a challenge were made they were chosen if any valiant man had been named they had bin instantly commended with him nay such confidence all had of their strength as if the kingdome had bin in danger to be lost and only to be saued by combate these would haue been set for the Defendants yet were these two ouercome by Dolorindus and in our presence had their liues ended by his braue arme who yet had sufferd his bloud to accompany their deaths trickling downe as fast as the teares from a mothers eies for the losse of her dearest sonne so much indeed he lost as he was for faintnes forced to bee carried away to Chirurgions I thought and so to safetie In some kind this was true but not to libertie for she seeing the honour he had got and fearing the loue of the people would fall vpon him seeing his worth she kindly in shew brought him into a rich chamber and had his wounds drest taking infinite care of him but as soone as he recouerd hee was for safetie shut into a strong Tower where he remaind till within these few moneths my selfe carried backe againe into my prison where I was vext with the continuall discourse of her brauery of Dolorindus death and of her marriage with an vndeseruing man who in my life of gouernment I euer hated no worth being at all in him that he should deserue mention but that he had no worth in him meriting mention neuer so detestable a Villaine breathing This creature she fell in loue withall and liued withall but now I thinke is partly wearie of because shee doth expose him to fight for her honour being before so fond of him as she was afraid the wind should almost blow vpon him but him shee hath brought and three more his brothers and if these fower can bee ouercome by any Knights in this Court wee shall bee set at libertie else remaine Prisoners which wee haue consented vnto Now Sir if you please to giue vs such knights they shall enter The King answered that such vnnaturalnesse deserued a farre sharper punishment and that there was no sense a Combat should end so foule a businesse Hee replide that hee was contented and therefore desired but the knights and for the matter it was already determined Then stept Selarinus forth desiring to bee one Pamphilia likewise intreated shee might haue the fauour to bring another who shee would vndertake for meaning the Prince of Corinth the Prince of Elis would not bee denied to bee the third and Lisandrinus humbly besought in such a businesse he might be the fourth This was agreed vpon so Pamphilia went to the Wood and there discoursing the businesse to her brother hee instantly resolued to be one and whether she would or no came with her his Beauer close for feare of discouery doubting nothing else but his face to betray him for so much was hee growne in height and bignesse as hee could not be taken for Rosindy The fower Defendants being there met the rest entred Ramiletta going in the midst of the fower Challengers two before her two behind her but so farre asunder as
was as wrinkled as the rocke his complexion Sand-colour without so much red as to make a difference 'twixt his lips and face his haire had beene blacke but now was growne grisled yet still kept the naturall stubbornnesse of it being but thin and those few haires desirous to be seene stood staring neither were they of any equall length but like a horses maine new taken from grasse which by the wantonnesse of some of his companions had beene bit and natch'd in diuers places Beard he had none to distinguish his sexe his habits being forc'd to speake for him to that purpose onely a wart he had on his right cheeke which liberally bestowed some haire according to the substance for the sight of such as saw him He was not onely a Dwarfe but the least of those creatures and in some sort the ill-fauoured'st this youth seeing Amphilanthus straight cryd alas wee are betray'd for heere is an armed man that will assuredly destroy vs. The Prince promised on his word he nor any there should haue the lest harme if he would let him but come in vnto him the olde Dwarfe scarse knew how to trust hauing before beene in his trust deceiu'd wherefore he desired first to know who he was that gaue his word The King answered I am called and knowne by the name of the Knight of Loue but mine owne name said he is Amphilanthus Praysed be heauen said he that you are landed here for alas my Lord I am your Subiect miserably perplexed by a cruell and tyranicall man Lord of the Island of Strombolli and who hath vndone me and my children then leap'd he from the window and opened the dore which was made fast with many bolts of yron the doore open the King went in though with some difficulty at the entring by reason the place was low fitter for such a man as the Host then the Romanian King In the roome he found a woman in height and louelinesse answerable to the man and three younger men then himselfe but all of his proportion who seem'd to be his Sonnes Then did Amphilanthus desire to know the cause of his complayning against the Lord of Strombolli which the old Dwarfe began to relate in this manner May it please you great Prince to vnderstand I am called Nainio borne in Strombolli to pretty possessions the which I enioyed some yeares after my Fathers decease but the Lord of the Iland or better to say the Gouernor passing that way and seeing my liuing pleasant and delightfull groues of Orange and Lemmon Trees all other fruites plentifâ—lly yeelding themselues for our vses grew in loue with the place and in hate with me first hee peremptorily commanded mee to bring my wife and these tall men my sonnes to attend him his wife and children I that was borne free would not bee made a slaue wherefore I must confesse vnaduisedly I gaue too rough an answere that bred dislike and gaue iust occasion against mee Then sent hee for mee made mee a scorne in the eyes of all men and when hee had gloried enough in my miserie scoffing at my shape and stature saying I would make a fit Commander against the Infidels hee put mee and my family into a little boate and when shipping went for Greece sent mee along with them but such kindnesse I found among them as they indeede carried mee but brought mee backe againe this was discouered whereupon I was to die but my pardon was got by the Lady wife to the Lord a vertuous and sweet Lady on condition if euer I were found in Strâ—mbolli or any part of Italy I should die for it Then went I away and with the first mentioned Saylers got into this sea and so vnto this Iland where I haue remaind but in continuall feare for considering the danger I was in for my life it so with the memorie frights mee as I had rather haue steru'd here then gone hence for feare of harme euerie one that I heare or see in this place being as a Sprite vnto mee and so did you appeare till you told me who you were so much doe I yet stand in awe of the cruell Iland Lord. The King smil'd to heare his discourse but most to see his action which was so timerous and affrighted as neuer any man beheld the like and as did so did his Sons like Munkeys who imitating one another answer in gestures as aptly and redily as one Ecco to another and as like and so the sport was doubled Great delight did hee take in these little men wherefore gently and mildly hee gaind so much of them as they would with him leaue that place conditionally that hee would not carry them into Italy where they more feared their first enemie then trusted to the power of the King such a Lord is coward feare ouer base minds as vnderstanding gaines small place in their hearts as by this appeared else might they haue been assured in his company in Strombolli it selfe But consents agreeing on both sides they went out of the rocke to meete the other Princes the Dwarfes quaking at euery leafe that shook and fainted when they heard the Armour a little clash in his going but directly they lost life for a while when they met the other Knights not being able to belieue they were their Lords friends But after they grew more valiant like a coward who against his mind being brought into the middle of a battaile can neither runne nor his cries bee heard and therefore of force must abide that hell torment So were these brought to it by sight of fights when death could only haue relieued them from feare Amphilanthus following on came to a great Caue into which hee went putting the Dwarfes before him a great way they passed into it till hee came to a Riuer which either was blacke or the darkenesse of that shadowed place made appeare so the vault was of height sufficient for him without trouble to walke in and of breadth for three to goe a front paued and couered round with free stone when he came to the Riuer he desired to passe it but at first saw no meanes at last he discouerd or feare in his Dwarfes discouerd for him they being able to discerne hauing been long in the darke which though at first it blindes like Loue yet it giues at last fight to get out of it so they found a board which was fastned with chaines to the top of the Vault and two pines of yron that held the chaines being stuck into the wall those being pulled out the chaines let the Planke fall gently downe iust crosse ouer the water which was not aboue six yards ouer but being on it they might see a great way vp and downe the streame Then passed they on to a doore which they opened a pretie way along the same vault from the brook and the end of it thorow which they entred into a dainty Garden and so into a faire Pallace of Alabaster incompassed
whom they called to them and so together went from that place meaning to ascend the mountaine but then came the seruant of Mellissea to them intreating their companies from her Mistrisse to the Pallace where they should meete their companion They soone consented to that inuitation whither being come they told all their aduentures one to another then were they brought into a faire roome where after they had eaten Mellissea againe thus spake My Lords the time calls vpon you occasions being such as your presences are required in seuerall places wherefore first to you my Lord Steriamus I must say you must haste hence and as you desire your owne happie ends in loue obserue what I aduise you Goe from hence into Arcadia feare not for nothing shall encounter you of harme Dolorindus doe you the like for much is your being there requisite from thence goe to Saint Maura and in a rocke which lies iust against it towards Cephalonia priuately remaine till fortune call you thence by helpe which shall appeare death this may seeme hard and terrible but feare it not since it shall bring your happinesse then goe into Greece againe and helpe your friends and your selfe in the Conquest of Albania They tooke her hand and kist it on it swearing to obey her Counsell Amphilanthus was sorry for his vow especially that his iourney was staid to Morea but hee made the cause of his griefe for parting with his friends Then to Ollorandus shee thus spake The good that shall come to you must proceede from this braue King who shall giue vnto you both securitie of life and your onely loue life hee shall venture for you and saue yours by the hazard of himselfe keepe then together and still be your loues firme and constant assisting one another for a time will bee when you shall merit this from Amphilanthus giuing him as great a gift And credit what I say for it is as true as by my meanes you receiued the Armour in the Forrest when you were fast sleeping it being laid by you from which you haue taken the name of Knight of the Forrest For you my Lord thinke not but I am as carefull or more of you then any though I haue left you last for as yet I can say little but feare nothing except what I haue already warnd you of my Art shall attend you and I neuer faile to serue you make haste then to Cyprus and be carefull Then all promising to performe her will with teares in their eyes they tooke leaue of each other Steriamus and Dolorindus demanding what seruice Amphilanthus would command them He answered They should honor him much in remembring him to the King and Queene to whom by Steriamus hee sent the olde Dwarfes and the youngest Sonne called after his Fathers name hee desired Dolorindus to present to Pamphilia from him Thus they parted and Amphilanthus Ollorandus and the other two dwarfes who seru'd them for Squires tooke their way for Cyprus Quicke was the iourney of the other two arriuing in Laconia and so hasting to Mantinea where then the King was but being neere Steriamus began to faint fearing the sight of her he most desired to see yet incouraged by Dolorindus to performe what he had ingaged his word to doe they went on comming to the Court when the King and all the Princes were assembled to iudge the Traytors But Steriamus whos 's same was now farre spread for his noble Acts at Constantinople and diuers others was soone knowne in the Hall and as soone with great ioy brought before the King to whom he deliuered the Present and seruice of Amphilanthus The King infinitly reioyced to heare of his braue friend and taking the Dwarfe the Queene with as much loue accepting the other desired before they passed to the Iudgement to heare of their aduentures Then did Steriamus openly relate all that had happened him after his depart vntill their comming thither in so good words and Princely a maner as all admired and loued him especially for doing it with such affection and truth to the eternall renowne of incomparable Amphilanthus Then presented he Dolorindus to the King whose name and presence was welcome to at that time especially assuring himselfe now to haue an end and true knowledge of the Traytours who were lead at their comming in aside so as they neither sawe them nor heard the relation of the aduenture at Sio which was extreame strange and wondred at by all the more the cause of admiration was the more still increased their honours that atcheiued it Then went the Princes to Pamphilia who much commended Steriamus for his discourse kindly of Dolorindus accepting the Dwarfe promising to loue him for his Lords sake then were all placed againe Rosindy taking Steriamus and setting him betweene him and his friend Selarinus who was true ioy it selfe to see Steriamus againe the traytors then entrâ—d to whom the King thus spake Without any more falshood truly declare vnto me who you are and your true names for those you tooke vpon you I know are false then discouer the cause of taking my daughter deale truly if any pitie be expected by you to be shewed vnto you The old man curstly replied Hee wondred a King should haue so ill a conceit of another of his owne ranke as to thinke falshood could be in a royall breast and more did he admire that the King of Morea who before had beene counted iust would offer that iniustice to the King of Negropont who hauing beene ill vsed by an vngratefull Childe and comming thither for succour should be made a Prisoner like a Traitor and vsed like theeues Then answered the King behold my Lords before you the vildest of men and falsest of Traitors to proue which Dolorindus stand forth and witnesse against him Dolorindus indeed came foorth the Traytor seeing him straight too well knew him wherefore roring out hee cryed I am vndone for now all is betray'd Then did Dolorindus againe tell the manner of his trecherous taking and imprisoning him and withall the winning and destroying of the Castle and his seruants the burning of his wicked wife and the bestowing of the Island vpon Berlandis and the other two their Squires whom they had matched to the three Sisters These creatures being past helpe to be saued fell downe on their faces confessing the truth which was this The Sonne to this wicked man seeing the picture of Pamphilia which was sent some two yeeres before by Pamphilia to her Vncle but taken away by Pirats who after landed at Sio and among other things sold that He fell in loue with it and so longed to enioy her as nothing but death appear'd in him which the deuill his Father perceiuing plotted all waies hee could to which end he inuented that false Bridge hoping to get some of her brothers or friends if not some that might bring them meanes to finde a tricke to gaine her Tenn monethes this continued then came the poore
greater taking away the inheritance of others as from me your friend who haue as much right to misery as any liuing in as great excesse of it and hauing as large possessions in that gouernment then spare me liberty to complaine with you permit mee to say misfortune is as much mine as yours and then like fellow subiects let vs bewaile the weight of that vniust tyranny Pardon mee deare friend said heâ— if I would wholly take ill to my selfe since it is to free you and all worthy people from that which I am fittest to beare as a creature fram'd for the vassalage of Loue and his crueltie but since you aske liberty to bewaile take it and let that bring your freedome while it redoubles on my breast as being mine and yours tell mee then all your woe and know you speake to woe it selfe in speaking vnto me Then Dolorindus beginning with the set order of louers which is with sighes and teares began his discourse thus Free from the knowledge of harme it was my hap to meete a Lady hunting in a great Forrest attended on by many braue Gentlemen and Knights but being more then woman-like excellent in riding she had left her Ladies or rather they had left her not able to attend her in that surpassing quality I young and affecting sport fell into the company marking more that braue Diana then the chase shee followed which was of a Stagge who though hee tooke pride in being so pursued and that it was in him to make her follow stoutly commanded her attendance yet cowardly flying from her thinking it better to trust to his speed then her mercy yet was he rewarded at last fit for his merit for standing at bay as if to threaten her doggs and euen before her face gazing on her she stroke him with a Crossebow to the heart then weepingly hee fell downe at her feete groaning for her vnkindnesse yet was not this the cruelst blow she gaue for O me shee did likewise wound my breast Then came they all about her admiring the hurt while I admired any seeing her could liue vnwounded Some prais'd the hounds that so truly hunted I prais'd mine eyes that neuer were at fault till they brought home the honor of the day which was the losse of my poore heart hunted by mine eyes vnto that bay When all the rights were done and doggs rewarded I alone vnsatisfied for my great gift shee nobly intreated the company to goe with her vnto her house which all agreed vnto and my selfe vnknowne to any there tooke my way with them boldly aduenturing on that inuitation We sat downe at dinner all the discourse was still vpon the sport that morning the Stagge afforded them to which I gaue a poore assistance for hauing been bred abroad to learning and to armes I was an vnexperienced hunts-man which she marked and accordingly made vse of telling mee that sure the hunting was not pleasing to me or the want of that exercise had made me vnskilfull in the discourse I said the latter was the true reason for till that day I neuer saw that sport though I had knowne the field delights in many sorts Then fell she to discourse of martiall things being excellently learned in all the Arts knowledge no way scanting her Thus dinner past when horses againe were brought forth and she waited on by vs went forth to see Haukes flee spending the after-noone in that delight inuiting vs againe with her when before supper choyce of musique was bestowed vpon vs all these did well and best to serue her best beloued selfe but these alas prou'd but more hurts to mee making mee by them see my greater losse loue like a seâ—pent poysoning my ioyes and biting my best daies venomd all my blisse making my new pris'd wound death to my hopes and sorrow to my soule Pitie I wanted pitie I sought but pity durst not ask and thus did griefe take me in me make abiding commiseration was the mark I aimed at but feare held my hand I saw her faire and delicate and therfore imagined soft pity to be within so sweet a cage yet had her eies such powerful might as gaue command that none should dare to claime so rich a blisse ouerwhelmed with the cruelst spite that Nature could inflict vpon a man I remaind which was fild with a youthfull bashfulnesse which ouerswaied my humblest heart disasters glorying in my patient suffering excessiuenesse of sorrow flowing in me for now was the time to part or if I would remaine I must not hide my selfe or longer stay vnknowne for then was her husband to returne from a iourney made vnto the neighbour I le wherefore I thought it not amisse the company all gone to take my time and thus I spake vnto her If that which I must say should turne to giue offence accursed would I thinke the time and words I go about to vtter but comming from a man wholly deuoted to your seruice I hope they will produce such ends as they are now directed to and so may make me blessed if blessing can descend on one so much vnblest yet as my self this time wherin I haue enioied the full of outward ioy beholding you hath yet brought loues attendants losse feare with it losse of my libertie tyed wholly to your wil feare in my heart if you despise my loue cause of affection I can challenge none for me if not in gratitude to me who giue my self for it a strangers name may make you scorne me not knowing worth in me but boldnesse fitting all contempt these yet you may cast by for this stranger your seruant am sonne to the King and your humblest louer Dolorindus She who before did in her lookes manifest the breeding of a curst reply a little smoothed the tempest of her rage and wiâ—h sober reuerence demanded pardon for her vsing me with no more respect and yet my Lord said she the fault may sooner be pardoned since 't was you which were the cause of it Then did I againe solicit she modestly but confidently much refus'd Her husband then arriued who knowing mee gaue free and noble welcome I sought how still to induce the man to loue my company and to seeke it which hee did also hauing his ends which surely he might gaine so I might compasse mine to which for all her chast replies and curious preseruing of her honour in her words at last I did obtaine and so her loue in as equall measure as mine was to her which was without compare had hers not equald it Thus it continued for some yeeres all the mirth and sports that were in Negropont were still at her Castle Maskes Iusts Huntings nothing can bee thought on that was not in plenty at her house My selfe though sonne vnto the king yet my sister being to inherit the kingdome was not so much lookt after if not by noâ—le minds as shee who was to rule so as I gain'd by that meanes both more
what could be wished to giue true delight contrarily wrought against them The morning come they rose and as one parted not but together went to the top of the Castle whence they saw their ruine then kissing her and gently weeping on her face hee said My deere mistake not you these tears which now I shedd onely in tendernesse vnto your state and for you who was sauer of my life How can life better be disposed of then to her seruice who did once preserue it when I a stranger hurt and mangled was conducted to your house how was I there relieued and cherished by your care this was but to this end and this end is more welcome then a life which without you I otherwise had gained Farewell deere loue more kind and sweete then blessings in distresse I le fight for thee and this must be my last yet feare I not for doe but see my end and that will make me liue with ioy in death when I see thee beholding me from hence my courage will increase and make my blowes more terrible and fatall then the harme which falls in stormes from high Farewell once more my deere my life my ioy and my last comfort sweete weepe not for me nor marre those deere eyes which wound mee more to see them harme themselues then stroaks that from the enemie can come and bee assured the victory will turne to vs if you but let their cleernes shine on me but dimme them and I die The sweetest soule did weepe yet wip'd away the tears to fauour him and shew them bright farewell my life said shee if thou dost die for after thee I le neuer more see day then kiss'd they once againe and so did part hee to the gate whereout he sallied then arm'd in â—edd his sheild with the old deuice which was an Azuer Speare vpon his â—rme a scarfe of Azuer colour giuen him by his loue and thus against the enemie he came who neuer stay'd to meete him but with troops incompassing him round who fought with rage against all hope more then a hope â—o dye like to himselfe and to renowne his blood that though shedd by such â—orce yet so well shedd would write his fame eternally to times and witâ—esse worth with valour ioyn'd made loue the crowne whereat they leiâ—el'd still To say what courage he did show how many slew what wounds what â—roaks it were but tedious and most vaine but so much did hee there as â—ade a way through the thickest so pass'd in spite of what their furyes or â—heir numbers could doe to hinder him A path he made of men and paâ—ed the ground with bodyes while their bloods sought how to bath them â—leane and wash their wounds which giuen on so ill grounds did blush or shame Hee beeing pass'd and on the other side cast vp his eyes to see if â—ee beheld which when he saw and that she made a signe to him to scape â—nd euen with hands held vp and knees bent downe shee did beseech hee â—rauely answered with his sword wau'd round about his head as who â—â—ould say no heere I le dye or set my Lady free With that behind him â—â—me a gallant Knight and fifty more who neuer speaking word as he aâ—aine did charge his enemie charg'd in with him and did so brauely helpe 〈◊〉 in short time the conquest was dispos'd to braue Philarchos and his new come friends then did they seeke among the prisoners where they might finde the spring of all this ill at last they got the Duke and then with guards brought him into the Castle when kind Orilena came vnto her Knight and holding him fast in her tender armes wellcomd him to his owne and her command but as she did embrace him she perceau'd the blood to runne along his arme wherefore shee went and speedily did fetch an excellent baulme and then disarming him did dresse his wounde but when his helme was off the stranger Knight caught him with all true loue into his breast and louingly thus said My Lord how bless'd am I to see the Prince I seeke he also hauing pulld off his helme but young Philarchos knew him not wherefore my Lord said he the honor you haue done this day is to your selfe in rescuing a poore distressed Lady and restoring her vnto her birth-right which shee else had lost for me this fauour and the aide I had from your braue selfe and these your followers shall euer binde me to be still your friend and faithfull seruant when you shall dispose of me and mine which still you freely may and shall command yet let mee know I doe beseech you who you are and how that you knew me My name said he is honoured most by this braue title of your friend my selfe am calld Antissius King of Romania setled and restored by your excellent cousen and the worlds greatest worth Amphilanthus the knowledge that I haue of you is this I saw your picture in the famous Court of your father the Morean King and withall your name and many of your acts were there related while you passd vnknowne but as the bare Knight of the Speare ioyes infinitly did possesse the Court to heare the fame which all parts holds of you besides so like you are to that braue King whom heauen doth fauour for the earths best good as for his sake if for no other cause I should affectionatly loue you The honors which you lay on me said he great King are such as I but weake in worth can hardly beare the waight of yet the last affects me most that I am something like that matchlesse King whose worth ambitiously I seeke to imitate though sure to come as much below the reach of it as 't is from me vnto the cleerest starre Then did they bring the King into a roome where they disarmd him and then went backe vnto the Duke whom they had put into a gallerie well guarded and respected like himselfe him they found not ouerthrowne with griefe for neither was hee sad nor any way dismay'd but seem'd to beare his ouerthrow patiently to him Philarchos thus began My Lord for so you are to mee since I am husband to your elder child who fondly and no way humanely for loue to Erinea you forget and would disinherit but shee borne to more good was first releiud by me lastly and most by this great King heauen so much fauoring her as to haue succour sent her from farr parts before his comming we were marryed determining to die if such our fates in holy wedlock Now you may discerne what wrong you did and if you please accept me for your sonne and pardon what without your knowledge wee in loue and great extremity haue done nor thinke shee hath dishonored her selfe or you in making me her husband for I am a Prince and sonne vnto a mighty King my name Philarchos my Country Morea third sonne vnto the King thereof Then did the Duke embrace him speaking
not to prolong time or amaze you with discourse alas that I must say these words deerest Vrania I must throw thee into the Sea pardon me Heauen appoints it so My deerest brother sayd she what neede you make this scruple You wrong me much to thinke that I feare death being your sister or cheerish life if not to ioy my parents fulfill your command and be assured it is doubly welcome comming to free me from much sorrow and more since giuen mee by your hands those hands that best I loue and you to giue it me for whose deare sake I onely lou'd to liue and now as much delight and wish to die Kinde teares proceeded from them both and mournfull silence did possesse their tongus till she againe besought and hee refused but yet at last resoluing if she perish'd to ende with her he tooke her in his armes and gently let her slide shewing it rather to be her slipping from him then his letting her fall and as shee fell so fell his heart in woe drownd in as deepe an Ocean of despaire but soone was he call'd to wonder and all ioy for no sooner had she suncke into the water but the waues did beare her vp againe to shewe the glory they had in bearing such perfections but then the Deepes ambitious of such a prize sought to obtaine her opening their hearts to let her sincke into them when two men in a boate came rowing towards her and one who lay in a craggy part of the Rocke furiously threw himselfe vnto her she only saying Liue happy Amphilanthus and my onely deare Parselius farewell that calld him who leaping in cry'd Parselius will neuer out-liue Vrania and sunke straight with her then were both pulled vp and safely brought to land by the help of the other two who leaping out of their boat into the sea spared not danger or life it selfe all foure then soundly washed came a shoare where Amphilanthus embraced them and with teaâ—es of ioy welcom'd his sister and his friends who now well vnderstood the operation of that water for Parselius knew nothing of his former loue to her onely the face of Vrania and being assured of her neerenesse to him in bloud reioyced with them the others did the like Now was Steriamus released of his vnfortunate loue esteeming Pamphilia wholly for her worth not with passion thinking of her Vrania's desires were no other then to goe into Italy to see her father and Dolorindus to accompany his friends whither they would goe Thus happily were all deliuered of the most burdenous tormenting affliction that soules can know Loue and Loue was pleased because now he might haue new worke in new kinds Parselius longs to see his Dalinea Vrania wisheth it also without iealousie or anger but loues her heartily for her Cosins sake most happy Princesse to be deliuerd from such a hell as louing him who had although so neere to her been so farre from truth to her Amphilanthus was so ouercome with comfort and ioy discerning this fortunate and blessed issue of the aduentures as kindnesse now wrought like sorrow then embracing all they tooke to the boats the Hermit going with them to the Iland where with kind louing perswasions they inuited him to leaue that place and to accompany them thence but hee excused himselfe promising to be ready at any time to doe them seruice but his vow he could not breake then he intreated them that if by chance in their trauels they happened into Dalmatia they would enquire for his vnfortunate daughter Bellemira and by some meanes to let him vnderstand of her They promised this so with more kind farewels they parted from the Hermit and at Amphilanthus eaâ—nest intreaty went together for Italy where they arriued and so past vnto the Court But what ioy what content did all hearts feele in seeing the Princesse of true worth and admiration returnd Then did the old king whose haire and beard like snow make a true resemblance of it ioy like the Sun heating and melting so did ioy melt his hart into teares they like a thaw dropping on the lower snow he held them in his armes they kneeld he kist them but could not speake so was he wrapped and ouerwhelmd with ioy At last Amphilanthus spake beseeching him to salute the other Princes which he did and then turnd to them and againe kissed and embraced them This being past they were conducted to their lodgings Vrania hauing rich robes fit for her birth brought vnto her till then hauing worne her Shepherdesse attire which she resolu'd to doe as long as she liu'd vnseene of her father only to receiue them from his hands Now was Italy fild with delight being the pleasing'st and delightful'st of any sports are new inâ—â—nted to giue welcome and Iusts proclaimed wherein these Knights must also shew their skil the Ladies came from al parts to see Vrania the Knights to honor Amphilanthus the first day of the Iusts the King being ready to go forth of the Hall to the lists there entred an old man in habit like a Pilgrim with a staffe of that fashion in his hands bare-footed and with all demonstration of that life he spake lowd and besought the King to stay till he had deliuerd some things fit for his knowledge then all placing themselues he began thus Most happy King receiue these speeches from me a miserable man if you pitie not a Prince I am by birth but a Villaine by nature Prince I was of Istria and brother to the King of Dalmatia proud I was and accompanying that vice I had malice and all ill abiding in mee which causd a detestable treason in me for hearing many prophesies likelihoods of the greatnes worth of Amphilanthus I studied how I might any way crosse the successe he then being but of tender yeares scarce hauing attained to seuen yeares of age but that which most moou'd me was that a learned man said he should rule ouer the greatest part of the world and liue to be Lord of my Country alsoâ— to auoid this I vowed to loose no meanes or opportunitie wherefore I went to the Court of my brother where there then liu'd a great and a wise man this man confirm'd what before I had heard adding more vnto it for his increase of honour for he had cast his natiuitie hauing gaind it from one who was at the birth of the worlds wonder your sonne Vpon this I disguised my selfe and hither I came into your Country and Court where I found the Queene newly brought to bed of a daughter this I thought might be a meanes for my safety for no magicke could withstand the happy fortune of Amphilanthus though a danger he should fall into vncertaine to recouer it and by a woman So determining to haue my ends some way hauing some skill in Magicke I cast a sleepe vpon all the attendants where the babe lay and being in an euening tooke the child and conueyed it away
her right He laughed and said the gloue did well become his hatt hauing put it into it in that time and that there he would weare it in despite of him or the best Knight Steriamus strake his hat off with all giuing him such a blow in the face as he made him stagger then took out the gloue and kissing it told Vrania that thereby hee had the happines to begin his seruice to her being long before ingaged vnto it if she would take it from him she had the power to doe that and what else she pleasd since he desired to be but accounted her humblest seruant yet his desire was so much to be honourd as to bee permitted to weare it as her fauour till he brought him humbly to submit for so great a presumption She who had euer loued Steriamus from his youth and by this was ingaged besides his aduenturing to saue her in the sea to gratifie him yet tender of being cause of harme to him she only spake thus My Lord said she your merits so farre beyond my deserts make me amazed in what manner to carry my selfe I am doubtfull yet I will rather offend in the good then ill weare not this I beseech you too meane for you since taken from so ill a place but let me haue it and accept from me a more worthy and a fitter fauour and one vntoucht by any hands but those that present it with all true respect vnto you He gaue her the gloue and tooke from her a scarfe which with infinite content he tyed assisted by her also about his arme then went she to the fire into which she threw the gloue wishing that there the danger of Steriamus might end with the consumption of that leather Then did the disgraced Prince goe out and instantly send to Steriamus t o giue him satisfaction which he presently did yeeld vnto and kissing Vrania's hand went downe to arme himselfe in a priuate place and in an armour not known being ruâ—set and as plaine an one as could be his riches consisting in his worth and his Mistrisses fauour Straight was the Court fild with the newes that two braue combatants were entring the Lists the King Amphilanthâ—s though weake and all the Court came except Parselius who could not so well stirre abroad as Amphilanthus by reason he had lost much more bloud his staying within made Steriamus not missed so all assembled the proud Prince comes in suted to his humour his attendants many and shewed they had receiued their education from him the other had none with him but carried his speare himselfe the Iudges were made the Prince of Sauoy his Cosin-german chosen by him and Amphilanthus desired by the other the Trumpets sounded and they encountred Steriamus was struck backe on his horse and the other his horse fell with him so they fought on foote fierce and cruel was the fight lamentable was the sight of it for except those choice Princes none could equall this Piemountois and that he knew which did incourage or made him more prize his power then his worth as one might say a Horse were a brauer Creature then a man because he draweth or beareth more Steriamus fought for honor and that to be receiued from Vrania the other to repaire his honour touch'd for Vrania thus they past no fury no strength no harme shun'd or spar'd which was not calld to the highest accompt nor any skill wanting which was not if a little stirr'd renewed and payed with iudgement and discretion Most sayd no combate except the last could compare with this yet in some sort did this exceed as being one more bloudy ground hate and all curst additions being ioynd together in them to be at heigth and gouerne nay spend themselues in the furious and deadly conclusion At last much care was had to saue them when euen their eyes dasled and their legges grew false to their bodies no longer willing to support them Then fell the Piemount Prince and Steriamus vpon him not of purpose but by weakenesse his helme he puld off and would haue killed him but his spirit ended in shew with his fury for then he fell off from him in a swound appearing as dead as he The Iudges came in and finding it was the braue Prince Amphilanthus fell downe by him the King came from the window Vrania ran to him and wiping his face rubbed his temples with her hand when life againe possest him and how could it be otherwise being in her armes where life of loue did dwell When he beheld where he was and remembring what hee had began for her fearing he had lost his honour by the others victory he offerd to get vp and being on his knees scarce able to rise higher crying out Miserable Steriamus to liue to see thy shame and before her where honour striues to be and from whom all my honor must proceed he cast his eies and saw where the other lay dead then was he satisfied and well might he bee so since this was none of his smallest but one of his chiefest victories the strength valour and skill of the other being so well knowne as none could yeeld him conquered but by an vnconquerable spirit Steriamus gaind the victory and so as great honor as could be giuen to any in a single fight he was not the strongâ—st but as valiant as any and except the cosin and brothers equall with any This past they were taken vp in the raising them the Prince breathed and looked vp wherupon Steriamus would stay and heare him speake he vnwilling yet by him before he would be drest was forst to confesse his folly and in as humble maner as he demanded asked pardon for presumption to Vrania then he for gaue him and kindly reconciled themselues so embracing the proud Prince departed proud now that he had liued to goodnesse shaking off the other pride with his life Steriamus was conducted to his lodging where Vrania visited him often the body of the other to a place appointed till his buriall the Prince of Sauoy taking order for him not with excessiue sorrow for his death who in his life time neuer cared for him nor any that had so much vertue for this was a fine young Gentleman vertuous and valiant and now by his cousins death Prince likewise of Piemount Euery day were new showes and triumphes and by reason these braue Princes could not be any of the number martiall exercises were for a while layd aside and Court sports gain'd the place Amphilanthus Parselius and within few dayes Steriamus beeing spectators but one afternoone with sound of Trumpets there entered into the hall a braue Knight and with brauery vnusuall hee was attended with many seruants all in one colour liuery which was Sea greene and crimson as coats of seagreene veluet embroderd with crimson silke in the fashion of hearts stroke through with darts twenty of these he had euery one of them carrying a picture then came two richer
his Lady when he wanted it not imagining Amphilanthus had been one rudely pull'd the cloake of Selarinus downe Amphilanthus instantly drew his sword and strake him on the head the other likewise struck but they were parted quickly and making no more noise the offence giuer knowing Selarinus retird they passing on without more hinderance into their chambers Amphilanthus come to his indured the night with much impatiency the day being as he thought spiteful to him and therfore would not appeare when she did he kindly forgaue her stay instantly made himself ready to attend her Into the Garden walks hee went knowing the Ladies would not be long from thence but wandring vp and downe as his thoughts were restlesse he came to the Willow tree where Antissia found Pamphilia vnder that he lay where not being long he heard the voices of men on that other side of the riuer hearkning a little vnderstood what they said by their voices who they were He marueld infinitly at the discourse wheÌ„ he found it was Leandrus whoÌ„ he had struck was as sory for it as if he had willingly hurt his brother but remeÌ„bring the maner he knew he was not to be blamd for the man who puld his friends cloake downe had drawne his owne hat so low ouer his eyes as although hee was able vnder it to see him yet it hindred the discouery of himselfe Well Leandrus said he thanke thy selfe for this and though thou didst offer the iniury I am sorry for thee and glad I did no more harme to thee But the other pursuing their discourse he heard it resolu'd that if Pamphilia did refuse him he would vse all meanes possible to win her by her friends the last meanes hee would vse should be by Amphilanthus who hee would intreate to be a mediator for him if he denied he might take vnkindnes to him for it if Selarinus married her he might haue a iust quarrell to him for seeking her when he was a profest suiter to her These things troubled the Prince and most to see such ill nature in Leandrus for the other he knew he should haue time enough to bee reuenged of him at his pleasure Hauing heard thus much and soone is enough found when ill is discernd where goodnesse should be seene he went back into the Woods and there met Pamphilia Vrania Rosindi Steriamus and Selarinus comming together and saying they had sent Philarchos to seeke him Hereply'd those Woods and walkes could giue the onely account of him since day Pleasantly they passed a while together when Parselius and his Delinea also came vnto them and passing downe towards the riuer Amphilanthus turnd them backe they wondring at it but hee intreating them they obayd Surely said Rosindy it is because he will not see the place where hee had so great an iniury done him as to haue me taken for him Amphilaâ—thus neuer hauing heard of that before would not be denied till hee had all the story which the brother and sister deliuer'd to him And haue you sufferd said he thus much for me alas that I might liue and be worthy to deserue it They then turnd againe towards the company but the place being deuided into many seuerall walkes the troope had deuided it selfe euery couple hauing taken a different walke which Rosindy seeing and besides perceiuing Orilena comming alone I will not sure said hee be out of fashion wherefore I will leaue you two together and take yonder Lady to walke with me then were they wel placed for Steriamus had Vrania Parselius his Dalinea Rosindy his sister and Selarinus was before gone in to â—all forth Selarina Thus they passed the morning and then returnd to dinner where they found Leandrus full of discontent but this company made him dissemble it After dinner the King call'd his daughter Pamphilia to him telling her what an earnest suiter Leandrus was to him for his consent to haue her in marriage which he liked very well of considering his worth and the fitnesse of his estate alleaging all the reasons that a wise and carefull father could make vnto himselfe or perswade with to a beloued daughter To which she humbly made this answere That all those things his Maiesty had said she confessed to be true and that he was worthy of the greatest fortune the world had in a wife but his Maiestie had once married her before which was to the Kingdome of Pamphilia from which Husband shee could not bee diuorced nor euer would haue other if it might please him to giue her leaue to enioy that happinesse and besides besought his permission for my Lord said shee my people looke for me and I must needs be with them Why said the King that is but as if it were a portion giuen you to your marriage Not to Leandrus my Lord said shee I beseech you for I cannot loue him nor can I belieue he loues in me ought besides my kingdome and my honour in being your daughter Antissia better fitteth him who was appointed for him The King knew she had reason for what she said and so assuring her that he would not force her to any thing against her mind though he should be glad of the match if it could content her they fell into other discourse and then the King going in the young Princes euery one discours'd where they liked best Amphilanthus was gone forth with Ollorandus the rest altogether Selarinus comming to Pamphilia and telling her what an accident happened to him the night before when said he I was likely to haue been well knockt but for Amphilanthus for being honourd in your presence so late The Queene who bore dislike enough before to Leandrus was euen inraged now against him yet her discretion told her the lesse that were spoken of the much better it would bee wherefore she said little of it but discoursed with Selarinus as she vs'd to doe finely and plainely being the man she only trusted as a friend and who indeed euer proou'd so vnto her as in many actions she had triall of Now was Selarinus in loue desperately with Philistella the second daughter to the King of Morea a young princesse so excelling in fairenes as snow roses could but equall the white and red in her face neuer was seene so excellent a beauty for whitenesse for though Pamphilia had the fame for the onely Princesse liuing yet was she not so white in the face as Philistella her beauty being in sweetenesse and louelinesse most excelling and in the richnesse of her mind which beautified her person and yet the purenesse of her skinne for as much as was seene as necke and hands did farre surpasse her sister which yet was thought to bee but because the younger Ladies face was without all comparison so pure and faire as made her other skinne though excellent shew duller by it her haire was whiter then the Queenes but hers was brighter hauing a glasse vpon it matchlesse for rarenesse of colour
kind Sedelia grieued in her soule for this mischance yet was comforted when she was assured of their safeties then sent shee some to visit them but they could not meet them though they found the noble memories of them in the slaughter but heard by a Pastor that they were wel gon from the old Knights house perfectly whole and recouerd At their returne the Princesse reioyced and in rememberance of Amphilanthus and his friend set vp a piller in that place of excellent richnesse and bignes in which was curiously engrauen that famous victory the Abby being daintely seated hauing al delights of pleasure either solitary or otherwise she built anew much more glorious then before wherin she made the tombe for Antonarus laying his body there leauing a place for her selfe and as soone as her Son came to yeares fit for gouernment she put the whole rule into his hands retyring her selfe to this place where with loyall loue and sincere faith she ended her dayes beeing after buried with him from whom liuing shee would not be parted nor dead seuered The noble companions beeing recouered tooke leaue of their kinde host who would not be contented till Amphilanthus entertained his onely Son for his Squire which he did and so they pass'd towards Hungary ryding by a faire and pleasant riuers side which Ollorandus knew and welcomd each drop which passed by him knowing the place where his Mistris most commonly liued at was seated on this streame his thoughts were busied on her and Amphilanthus as passionately contemplated his loue thus they rid together yet their thoughts so farre asunder as might haue made them strangers As thus they passed among some Osiers which grew by the side of that Riuer some of them within it or the water in loue with their rootes chastly embraced them making pretty fine ponds betweene each other the armes and bodyes of the trees lying so kindly to each other as with much ease and fine coolenesse one might passe from one to the other A dainty Maide among the trees had taken vp her abiding hauing made a kind of bed among them vpon their boughs which twind within one anothers armes made the lodging secure She had an Angle in her hand and lay as if fishing but her mind plac'd on a higher pleasure she little regarded the byting of the fish beeing her selfe deceiued with a cunninger baite the hooke of loue hauing caught her so fast as nothing could release her and as she sate she would make pretty and neate comparisons betweene her betraying the poore silly fish and her owne being betrayed by the craft of loue which some times she commended and yet againe would condemne At this time she was in a reasonable good conceit of loue fauorable enough to him as appeard by this song she sung the voyce beeing the cause of their seeking any body in that place LOue peruse me seeke and finde How each corner of my minde is a twine wouen to shine Not a Webb ill made foule fram'd Bastard not by Father nam'd such in me cannot bee Deare behold me you shall see Faith the Hiue and loue the Bee which doe bring gaine and string Pray desist me sinewes daines Holds and loues life in those gaines lying bare to despaire When you thus annottomise All my body my heart prise being true iust to you Close the Truncke embalme the Chest Where your power still shall rest ioy entombe Ioues iust doome The Song ended they went towards her desiring to discourse with her she curteous and excellently witty gaue them entertainement her apparrell was such as said for her she was of the best sort of women her Gowne was of greene Satten with long sleeues to the ground they and her gowne buttoned to the bottom with buttons of Diamonds so were her wearing sleeues but by reason the weather was warme they were left open in spaces through which her cut worke Smock appeared and here and there her delicate skin was seene shee held her angle as neglectiuely as loue the ill causer of her paine held her when the poore little fish did plaie with the baite or offer to swallow it too big for them yet made the corke stirre so would she say doth Loue with me play with me shew mee pleasures but lets me enioy nothing but the touch of them and the smart of the hooke that hurts me without gaine and only giues as light a good to me as the hope this floting corck did giue me of the fishes prison But these imaginations were laid aside by the two Princes comming to whom she presently rose vp and with fit and excellent respect she saluted them throwing downe het rod wherewith she had thretned but executed little hurt passing ouer her transparant bridge went vnto them whom she vsed according to their merits when shee vnderstood who they were conducting thē along that riuer to a most curious garden and so into another and then into as rare a place for building as they in all their trauels had euerseene being a house of white Marble Varietie of all delights were there and shee desirous that they should enioy them giuing all the free and noble welcome that could be afforded After they had been a while in the house shee desired them to be pleased to vnarme themselues which they did being brought into a rich chamber wherein there were two maruellous faire beds they hauing before intreated to lodge together Then did she leaue them till supper time comming then againe to attend them but when she beheld them she could not but extreamely admire the louelinesse of Amphilanthus for no woman were shee neuer so passionately in loue with any but confessed him fittest to bee beloued though such were his worth as few had the honour of his affection and most of them gratefulnesse woed more for then his owne choice Thus they went together to the roome where they were to eate the King of Bohemia vsing all respect vnto the Lady who he thought did much resemble his Mistris but as a true louer thought shee came farre short of her perfections At supper there were many Knights more that came to visit this Lady she being much honoured and beloued of all her husband was likewise there but such a man to bee her mate as if hee were made for a punishment to her for being so excellently perfect aboue the common rate of her sexe her fashion such as no stranger could but commend to be full of modesty and iudgement towards him but as it was discreet and obseruing so was it to be discernd distant enough from affection yet as farre from neglect as fondnesse his likewise to her as if shee gouernd both parts of loue He entertaind these Princes with much kindnes keeping them company and shewing them al the rare delights he had about his house which were many but the greatest rarenesse they saw was the Lady who so much Amphilanthus marked as he discouerd her to be
that time to aduenture and hauing rid two dayes iourney without let or any kind of hazard the third day he vnfortunatly hapned into a house belonging to a Keeper and standing in a great Forrest this Keeper had in his youth beene an Esquire to an Epirian Knight slaine at Mantinia at a great iust there held after whose death he return'd and putting himselfe vnto the Queene hee gain'd the keeping of this Forrest this man fell into discourse being crafty and so fitt for so ill an imployment as he was vsed in by discourse hee gain'd knowledge that this was one belonging either in place or affection to the Morean Court then hauing enough to worke vpon as if he had eaten much poyson hee must breake so brake he into the open way of destroying Selarinus for sending his boy to the Court which was then but ten miles off by the next morning he had forty Knights to secure him and conduct the Prince trecherously made a prisoner to the Queene who mistrusting no Treason vnder greene clothes nor falshood where so faire language and welcome dwelt at night being weary vnarm'd himselfe and went to bed where hee slept till hee was awaked with the paine which hard cords cast about his armes brought him he did after confesse he heard some noise but thought it had only beene his Squire puting vp his Armour or making it ready and fitt against the morning but when he saw how he was deceiu'd and heard his poore seruant cry also out against them he only with Princely patience said this suffer imprisonment with mee poore boy said he as well as thou hast enioyed freedome and content witnessing that Fidelius can serue Infortunius in all estates faithfully By that the youth knew his Lord would not be knowne by other name then Infortunius wherefore hee resolu'd to dye rather then betray him Till morning hee was thus held then deliuered to to the Knights who straight carryed him to their Queene shee hating all that had but seene Morea or any of those Countryes belonging to them she cal'd enemies went into her Hall and with all magnificent state sate to behold so to scorne the vnfortunate Knight who was brought in chaind the Queene sitting with a setled resolution to manifest hate scorne and contempt but seeing his sweetnesse and louelynesse his tender youth his modest countenance tryumphing as it were ouer his misery with noble patience only shewing stoutnesse in bold suffering and giuing way to Fortune as subiect in that tyranny yet inwardly his estate molested him shame to see those braue armes fetterd and bound brought some blood into his face which though shewed vpon such occasion yet it prouoked an other conclusion for he being naturally some what pale this made his beauty appeare more delicate as if of purpose to purchase his libertie thus was hee forced to be beholding to that womanish part to restore his manly power to liberty that working for him which his worth held least worthy in him for the Queene though most ambitiously raised in conceit of her selfe now found there was a greater Prince and a higher authority which might and would command She gazed on him shee blam'd the small respect their rudnesse had shewed to a Knight to bring him like a theife chain'd shee caused his bands to be taken off and strictly corrected them who expected thanks telling them the disarming had beene an honor but their taking him naked was a shame vnto them and to all braue spirits Then called shee the Prince to her desiring to know his name and Country kindly smiling on him holding him by the hand the softnesse and fairenesse of which she grieued should handle a sword or be vsed in fights fitter to bee held by her like-louing selfe withall she assured him his imprisonment should be no other then content if he would but yeeld to her desires Hee answered his name was Infortunius nephew to the Lord of Serigo who was killed at the King of Morea's Court in his presence and many more hauing thither brought a faire Lady whose loue he was to winn by fight but he was slaine by Selarinus younger brother to Steriamus for whom the great preparations were now made to winn Albania Are you of their party said she Truely Madam said he I wish good to all iust causes otherwise I being but one am little able to asist any therfore dare I not venture to say I am of any side but I did intend to see the warrs If you did but intend that you may said she still continue that purpose nor will I hinder you yet I must enioyne you to some things for my sake Hee answered her his life was in her hands to command Not but to saue and cherish it replied she therefore goe with this Gentleman who shall direct you and conuey you to a chamber fitt for you then did one of her cheife officers conduct him to a maruellous rich roome which she had appointed him to carry him vnto where hee had all things necessary and braue saue his armes then did he leaue him there and his owne Squire to attend him with many more whose respects and officiousnesse was such as mou'd trouble and proued such liberty a true imprisonment yet at night he had freedome for by the Queen's appointment they were not to lye in his Chamber but in an other roome where for his safety no way to trouble him they might conueniently remaine Supper was serud vnto him with all seruicable duty infinite rich and sumptuous fare glorious plate and nothing wanting that so proud a woman could to satisfie that humour thinke of to gloryfie her selfe and obleige him He fed and after supper went to bed the doores were shut and hee layd downe to rest but what quiet could he enioy fearing all these faire beginnings would turne to his greater harme for no end could he see but dishonour to him as himselfe and certaine danger as Infortunius abuse and what was most as Philistella's seruant shame and iust reproach if hee falsified her trust or his affection Tormented thus he did remaine til towards midnight when a doore opened at his beds head out of which came sixe Ladyes each carrying two white wax candles which they set downe vpon a cupbord placed of purpose before the bed then they returned when the Queene as rich and glorious as Iuno came in her mantle was Carnation sattine embroder'd with gold and round pearle fastned with a faire Ruby her wastcoate of the most curious worke could bee made with needle her petty coat suitable to her mantle her head dressed with a dressing fram'd of the same worke with her wastcoate through which her haire was delicately drawne in many places daintely she was apparrel'd able to winne any but such a spirit as Selarinus for neuer did curious carelesnesse better adorne creature then it did this Queene who with care sought to bee neglectiue in her apparrell To the bed side she came and
must not haue it lent thee but loose more A ship at last came towards him to demaund newes and if they came from Greece of Amphilanthus He made answere himselfe that he was the man they sought My Lord said he your brother by me salutes you and desires your speedy returne the cause you shall by these letters vnderstand He tooke them and found that a great warre was begun betweene two famous and great houses in Italy by reason that the Duke of Milans younger sonne had stolne away the Duke of Vrbins onely daughter the businesse at first was but betweene themselues then grew further all neighbours taking part with them so as Italy was all on fiâ—e and the Regent no more respected then as their kings brother but power he had none or very little so as hee remained at Rome in the Castle and thence sent to his brother to returne and gouerne whose sight they all thought would appease the fury He was grieued to goe from seeking her and them he loued so dearely yet this was an occasion to bee looked vnto nor could it bee long that it was likely to hold him wherefore by Ollorandus his aduise and the care hee had of his poore Countrie for her sake more then his owne to preuent the ruine hee bent his course that way Alas vnfortunate Lady what will become of you this is the last time for some moneths hee shall come so neare but yeares before his affection bee so much Vnluckily did Fortune prouide for thee when blessings only kisse like strangers but haue their dwellings other where Hee arriued in Italy presently letting his comming be knowne all flocked vnto him and as when a ciuill warre in a Country hath made parties yet when a common enemy comes they all ioyne against him so did they flee now from the partakings but runne to happinesse and welcome He examined the cause found matters ill on both sides yet at last with power loue and iudgement appeased them all and setled Italy in as braue peace and quiet as euer it was flourishing now doubly as in riches and the ioy of such a King While he remained there much people frequented thither and the fame of his acts brought most eyes to behold him and as he returned so flew the report of his being there with them whereupon the King of Dalmatiâ— sent Embassadors to treat of a marriage twixt his daughter and Amphilanthus a thing long before spoken of and wished but this father would neuer heare of it during his life now reuiued againe and with much earnestnesse pursued The King made a courteous and ciuill answer to the Embassadour but said for marriage hee did desire to be excused till he knew by his owne labour certainely what was become of his Sister and Cosin then hee would come himselfe into Dalmatia and satisfie the King to his full content This answer was sufficient for the time thus resolued he to goe in the search appointed and to that end hauing called the Princes together who were all met and those from Albania returnd gaue charge of his estate to the Counsâ—ll making an old graue man of much reuerence in the Country and of the house of Florence President of the Counsell his brother he would haue setled againe but he desired to bee excused and to haue the order of Knighthood that with the rest of the braue Princes hee might seeke his sister and Cosins The King refused him not but himselfe gaue him the order and then parted he one way with Ollorandus the young Leonius another way by himselfe hauing none but an Esquire with him Amphilanthus changed his armour and colours making all tawny as if forsaken which was but the badge of the Liuerie hee gaue her soone after who best deserued from him and therefore least merited that reward he also gaue himselfe another name and was cald the Lost Man Ollorandus must likewise alter else one would make the other knowne wherefore he contrariwise cald himselfe the Happy Knight carrying in his Sheild Victory crownd with Loue. Thus they trauelled vncertainely where to stay or land letting the Marriners guide them as they pleased who were strangers to them and of Dalmatia whither they carried them they asked no more questions but landed and so went vp into the Countrie comming into a Wood which was great and euery way thicke and desart they yet traueld when they came to a way that parted in three they stood in question what to doe at last they resolued to take the middle way and by no meanes to deuide themselues The course they tooke brought them to a mighty Hill whose curled sides were so thick with trees as no possibility was to go downe being so steepe as they must hope to do a miracle and walke on the crownes of trees or els fall to their ruine like Icarus melted for presumption so they might bee bruised for proud hope and broken in their fall They lighted from their horses to trie if so they might goe on but all was in vaine so as they kept the Hill till they came to a place where trees had bin cut this was little better for their horses yet some thing more easie for them Here with much difficulty and paine which to aduenturous Knights is called pleasure their life being a meere vexation wilfully disguised to content they got downe and then came into a most louely Vally which had been the perswasiue part to their descending louelinesse being as attractiue as the Adamant hauing a property in loue to Iron so louelinesse hath to affection In this vally they rid a prety space but â—ot one word past betweene theÌ„ to a Riuer they came fierce and violent in the streame no way might bee found to passe it in many miles riding till at last they came vnto a Bridge which was defended by two Knights They would passe the Guarders refused vnlesse they would fulfill the orders there They desired but to know what they were and they as willingly would obey as they demand The orders said they are these you must iust with vs two one after another if you ouercome the first you must proceed to the next and if vanquish both the passage is free but one must venture first nor his companion helpe but stay his turne and so fight with both The vnmatchable King would take that taske on him his companion standing by he began and brauely concluded it with the Victorie Then seeing no more to be done he tooke the Swords of the vanquished and hung them on a Pillar hard by commanding them not to touch them but to goe to the King of that Country from him and to â—ell what had befallen them and sweare to carry no swords for two yeares nor euer more to defend so slight a cause They desired first to goe to the Lady who had set them there and tell her then to doe the rest desiring to â—now who had ouercome them Hee answered the Lost Man
they found some thing was in that name wherefore they would not presse but left him promising to obserue his commands The two Companions rid till they came againe to a Wood but not so â—hicke as the other but of great huge trees and such a place it was as offerd delights to most hearts to stay and receiue it there The bodies white as snow testifying innocency and their tops so large and thickly spread as expressed glory for their purenesse In this place they lighted giuing their horses to their Squires and the very content of that solitarinesse brake their silence Here said Amphilanthus is a place fit for such a creature as my selfe to dwell in here alone am I fit to inhabit and leaue all gouernment to him that can rule shunning that when I cannot rule my selfe When did I euer see you my dearest friend said Ollorandus in this tune What haue you done with your spirit where drownd your iudgement and how buried your selfe What if you liue to bee crossed in your desires belieue it it is not to other end then to make you happier with the sweet meeting of what the misse will make dearer to you when passed Pamphilia cannot bee lost Vrania drowned Philistella cast away or Selarina stolne What vexeth you if they bee carried to a farre place if the worst as those parts are full of enchantments Enchanted cryd Amphilanthus deare friend t is we that are enchanted from finding the truth of their losse they are lost and weeled by the same Deuill in ignoraâ—ce the more to torture and scorne vs. Ollorandus perswaded and spake houres to him but he was deafe or speechlesse for not a word could he get of him his sighes were his answers his groanes his speech and thus they walked till they met a Lady as she seemd to be in mourning attire her faire eyes shewing more griefe then her apparrell sadnesse yet had they red cirkles about them threatning reuenge for their sorrow her traine was only one Page who shewd as little mirth as his Mistris did contentâ— they came one a little before the other as if sorrow could haue most liberty in lonelines and therefore although but two would goe asunder Amphilanthus sad found or sadnes found for him that distresse in her demanded his helpe wherfore he went to her curteously demanding if his seruice might auaile her Sir said she your tawâ—y liuery so wel suits with my fortune as if I saw but that I might from thence ask help but alas Sir my misery is but one way to be redrest my woe no way equald nor can my afflictions see end but by the end of me Miseries face said he is so perfectly yet in delicacy vnfortunately presented in you as would make one wish rather to be thus miserable then free otherwise affected but as in you excellently are these perfections so in me are as excelling crosses I knowing these can with more feeling vnderstand yours and with a more reuengefull mind serue you hauing that abounding in me for behold here before you the man who neuer saw moâ—ning ioy that was not nipt by cold euenings malice Comparing griefes said the Lady are but to augment sorrow without helpe comming to extremity but in your discourse I find by you that you want helpe as well as I. And help only of one like your selfe said hee can make me blessed I will not touch oâ— that said she though thus I might since if she were like mee shee would bee much more pitifull How can I know that said he but thus I may gesse it that none being able to compare with her except her owne excellencies they gouernd by her selfe can suffer no comparisons This shewes you to bee a louer said she and for that I bewaile likewise your fortune for hell cannot inflictâ— more terrible torment on a heart then loues power settles in him Do youâ— spring from that ill said he I thought only my starrs had directed me to sucâ— distresse They spring and flow cryd shee increase and dwell in this subiectâ— May I know the cause said he Yes said the Lady if you will promise me pardon for my boldnes and tedious discourse which it will proue and other assistance I need not Alas cryd he that shal be most willingly lent you thougâ— I may feare as little to helpe you or my patience being a poore though nessary vertue Tell me who you are said the Lady I am reply'd he cald thâ— lost Man my name little famous here not hauing done any thing but againâ—â— two Knights at a Bridge from whom I won passage If you haue done thaâ— answerd shee the more assurance haue I of your worth and valor for they were two counted the strongest and most valliant of this Kingdome and part of my story toucheth on them but now haue I cause to be ambitious oâ— your knowledge and by the want of it reason to distrust the continuance oâ— mine own vnblessed destiny which increase in harmes pursuing and following me Alas said the lost Man what hope is there left where two such fortunes encounter Onely this said she that the extremity may change to good out of that confidence you shall know the vnkind fortune that gouernâ— me This image of griefe or rather true griefe my selfe am called Bellamiraâ— my father was called Detareus a great Lord in this Country and Steward oâ— the Kings house fauoured by him but at last sent in an Embassage whereiâ— he was lost wherewith my misery ran on to this height He had many chilâ—dren but most borne to misfortune my self being his first as sent the sooner tâ— taste of miserie for being much at the Court with my father before I kneâ— what loue was I was his prisoner I pined sigh wept but knew not what thâ— paine was till at last the Tyrant shewed from whence the danger came buâ— with it shewed the impossibilitie of obtaining hee hauing setled his affectâ—â—ons in another place nor had I pride enÌ„ough to thinke my selfe able to wiâ— him from the Princesse for she it was hee did affect a Lady deseruing the title of excellent had not her pride and other defacing imperfections throwne a blacke Scarfe ouer her outward fairenes This Lady hee loued but as afterwards I found no more constantly then your sex vseth not meaning to bee a Phaenix among men-louers for feare of enuy When I perceiued his eyes somewhat fauourably to bend themselues to me vnhappy foole that I was I held and valued it my certaine comming fortune giuing mee such hope as perswaded mee without feare to see the end which brought mee to the ambition to bee at a great marriage which was at the Court the King gracing a young Lord so farre as to haue his Nuptials performed there Then did I more plainely see his respect to me his shifts and meanes to bee neare mee certaine proofes of loue his alluring eyes telmee his heart appointed them the messengers to discouer what he sought which
him to her at least leaue him at liberty to take her I found what she aym'd at and told her it was a new and an excellent manner of expressing friendship but I should thinke she seemd a very ignorant woman that would trust in that kind and should shew more indiscretion then perfect friendship in trying it thus she could not catch mee by this they came to their Chariotts and so they parted Musalina asking her if she had a husband I had Madam said shee which was none of my least afflictions or molestations then kissing her the rest likewise tooke leaue and so went on their iourney the Lady returning to her house they directing their Voyage towards the Gulfe where they shipp'd and sail'd towards the Island Rocke the Ladies in their disguises Musalina an Amazon the Queene a Persian but they were hindred a while by an other Ship the manner was this One standing vpon the Hatches sawe and knew Amphilanthus who was discoursing with the two braue Ladies and commending the Queene of Bulgaria for her choice of habit becomming her so well as it was a great pitty he said she was not sole Lady of those parts that dressing so well befitting her she tooke it like her owne conceit and so as shee loud him better for commending her then for his owne worth priâ—ing her selfe aboue any worldly treasure which he as finely made sport withall but this Gentleman causd his ship to lye aboard of the other kneeling down to the King he presented him with letters then standing vp deliuered these words The earths glory and Italys blessing famous Amphilanthus receiue these from your friends and Allies in Germany it hath pleased Tyme to giue period to the Emperours daies since whose decease many haue made themselus competitors for the Crowne but Ollorandus your worthy friend hauing the greatest stroake in the election making all the assembly remember your right hath chosen you and truely Sir not only hee but all as soone as you were named gaue an equall consent as if borne and made of one temper to serue you hauing iustly chose you to it Olorandus called me who haue the honor to bee his kins-man and in my youth his companion but more honourd mee in the Ambassage to bring this newes vnto you with all inioyns you by the loue betweene you two not to refuse this gift and Crowne he told me where I should finde you and according to his directious I haue ordered my course he feares the former made vow will carry you to the performance of that if so he assures you he will hold the Empire safe for you till you come and therefore himselfe will not aduenture the inchantment but if loue doe not ouer-rule he could wish you to leaue all vaine attempts and come to Prague where he will attend you and so waite on you to your Coronation if otherwise you shall be secure and hee your humble seruant and loyall friend my selfe Sir am fortunate to bee commanded in this seruice to you whom aboue all men I most honour your owne true vertue causd that respect in me Then did the King with much kindnesse vse the Prince of Transiluania who he vnderstood this Embassador to be by the letters he brought hee accepted the Crowne but with a little nicenesse professing himselfe not to bee capable of such a dignity but in conclusion his answers being but complements he tooke the title giuen him and gloried in nothing more then that he was so contentedly and without one opposite voice chosen onely he desired to be permitted to conclude his first vow which finished he would repaire into Germany and to that end dispatched the Prince of Transiluania againe telling him that loue it was true did force him to this attempt but what loue was it except the desire he had to constant truth in holding vowes and besides to haue those famous Princes his friends and Allies that were there inclosed to accompany him in his iourney for his greater honour and the glorie to the Empire This satisfied the Prince and so with letters of credence acceptation and promise of his presence hee returned a happy man and so had those parts reason to esteeme the like happinesse when the excellent Amphilanthus was to rule ouerthem who proceeded in his enterprise and landed on the Rocke passing directly to the Theater which opened to them and as he was the man most louing and best beloued so was part of the Charme ended al at his comming receiuing their best senses like their owne cloaths about them they ranne to welcome him and begann to be ashamd of their follies for being in disguise but shee whose minde knew onely truth rose likewise to salute him and with such loyall loue as ioy of his sight sprang like spring time in her face before pale and Winter-like in sorrow He complementally saluted her heeding none but with ciuility vsed all and her little kindlier though more respectiuely then the rest then againe they tooke their places being brought into a worse Charme then the first becaâ—se now they perfectly saw and knew misery to them that were subiects to it and such did Pamphilia feele who returning to the seate she had before sate in not only as she did alone but viewed by all to be so They infinitely wished for the finall end and she for hers directly before her sat Musalina and the halfe fulfiller of the Aduenture a sad spectacle but she must and did indure it though how with such vnquietnesse affliction and multitudes of teares as what succeeded losse of so much beauty as made many haue cause I meane slight louers to see her lesse amiable then lesse loue-worthy and so she was left and this is the truth of mans affection yet did hee not imagine or rather would not consider this was caused by his leauing her she poore Lady beholding nothing but affliction and making her selfe the true subiect to it yet did shee not nor would accuse him who was altogether so faulty as condemnd to be though more then she deserued vnkind Next to Amphilanthus sate the Queene of Bulgaria and by her her husband who arriued there iust at their landing glad without expression to see her her seruant likewise of Iamboli came thither the next day and according to the manner sat downe on her other side betweene Amphilanthus and her selfe she would not or might not it may be shew too much kindnesse to her beloued in his presence who though he were as louing a Husband as any yet his loue was mixed with discreete care ouer her actions and the more discretion she was bound to vse she was not displeased to haue her seruant sit by her and because he should haue no reason to remooue shee still itcht neerer her husband holding him by the hand which he took to be done out of pâ—rperfect or fond loue while her head was prettily toss'd first to one side then to an other as if she were choosing
came abroad againe with my pardon and the Kings fauour I met her shee as not guilty cheerefully and smilingly saluted mee but I that could leaue the worthiest for her without a cause could iustly bee offended so as I spake not to her nor since haue looked on her truely hating her very sight and in these habits haue I continued in this place doe I liue this life if a life you will call it yonder is the Castle shee lies buried in with whom I haue buried all content and with whom I will also lye the Court I haue left and all company ioying in nothing but my misery and this I neuer related before nor haue I spoken so many words since I first suffered this vnhappines nor will any more therefore Sir now I beseech you permit mee to bee silent and to passe to my dying liuing The King who was a perfect louer could not but lament with him and sorrow that so they should part but necessity compell'd and he granted his demaund the sad man going in his wonted mauer and the King holding his iourney still thinking and musing of this aduenture till another put him out of it and brought him to a little more mirth A dainty young wench came led betweene two hansome young men one browne and louely the other faire and beautifull many Lads and Lasses attending them some carrying flowers others Garlands some fruite some wine euery one hauing something to doe and extreame busie in that businesse because it was loue When they saw Ollorandus they ran to him and desired him to alight for hee was by the agreement to giue iudgement and end to this aduenture hee wondred why they had chosen him they said it was to be finished by the next Knight they met and that was himselfe then they set a kinde of Chayre vp which they carried with them hauing ioynts and with engines to bee placed any where ouer his head they hung the flowers and garlands except one that was held for him to whom the prize was giuen the grownd they also strewed with flowers Ollorandus sate still admiring what they would do with him smiling within himselfe to thinke what Amphilanthus would iudge of him if hee should finde him thus attended and set vp so like a May-game Lord but patiently he suffer'd them When they had done the Speaker appointed which was hee that held the Garland began thus Excellent Iudge may it please you to vnderstand this businesse consists of diuers matters yet all the matter is loue a thing possessing all a vaine passion afflicting most and yet this Gentleman M. Loue hath no abiding but a meere run away when hee hath done mischiefe and if followed where is hee found but iâ— hearts and there such straying harbours hee hath as hee is fortified euen with strength against the masters of them This youth who will neuer bee old hath wounded these two youths with one arrow for they loue this Lasse her hee hath wounded but it seemes louing women better then men hath taken more paines with her and bestowed two of her for she loues them both not being able to say whether she affecteth most it is no strange thing for a woman to loue two or many but the rarenesse is that one of that nimble louing kinde cannot take both and vse them after her own phantasie to say women can loue often is no wrong to them for who would not please themselues and what greater pleasure then variety Is it possible for one to bee contented to liue his whole life in one roome to heare but one speake to conuerse but with one to feede but on one thought if this bee hard where is womens fault that delighteth her selfe with change of Louers being but for that whereto wee were borne to seeke our owne happinesse and surely in that are they most happy for variety is their seruant waiting on them so diligently and so cherished by them as they are the excellent Mistrisses of that excelling pleasure To proue this Sir heere is a dainty example in a dainty subiect rare in all parts because rarest in it selfe here is a woman loues so equally as shee cannot chuse betweene these if beauty want in one louelinesse chalengeth her liking if beauty abound in the one sweetnes speakes for the other she loues both and so much as shee wishes if it were not for extreame losse they were but one and then shee could satisfie her selfe and that one her 's yet a greater wonder these two Riuals are friends not to say friends as not being enemies but affectionate friends and such as it is almost hard for either of them to tell whether hee loues her or his friend better yet both are enamoured of her This hath continued two yeeres now it is agreed on that the matter shall be iudged by the fâ—rst Knight you Sir are the man and to whom you giue her she shall be contented with him and leaue the other Ollorandus made answere that the matter was nice and a busines he no way desired to meddle in lest hee might offend not being able to iudge to please all parties but hee thought that such mutuall affections were better held sâ—â—ll as they were lest diuision might diuide the perfect loue betweene those friends for said hee a wound giuâ—n in the arme or body will heale and grow together if the sides be kept close but kept open it will though heale yet be in sundry parts So if shee be giâ—en to one and from the other it will breede a diuision in loue if not still to be as at first enioyed They all then spake and desired iudgement being resolute to stand to his censure Then must I said Ollorandus require one thing more for my perfecter ability you must each of you speake for your selues and tell what you can claime to merit her and what proofes you can alleadge of her affections to you and she must likewise tell her opinion they consented and the fairer youth beganne thus As I was one day after hunting somewhat hott and weary hauing laide my selfe vpon the grasse vnder a larger Oake this beloued soule came tripping with such daintines and sweete carelesnes as I was surprised with her finenes she cast her eyes on me but so as if chance not purpose of fauour had procured mee that grace but howsoeuer as dearely was her looke prized by me and my eyes as gladly met hers as in old time the Gentiles held the Sunne did kisse the lippes of Osiris she held her course I rose and followed her shee turned and started a litle like a fearefull dainty Deere and my deere she proued I tooke occasion to offer her my seruice seeing her alone least any rudenes might be offered she accepted it and so I attended her home she thanked me I tooke those thankes so kindly as they bound mee I told her to waite on her aftâ—r to deserue the fauour not then hauing merited so much She disliked not of
made happy with that they most on earth required A braue Fleete of Ships were straight prepared for their Voyage feasts continuing till that time in all the Kingdome ioy now like the Summer flourishing brauely among them Amphilanthus hauing bin long enough in Germany so lawful an occasion offer'd him for his return into Morea established Ollorandus whoÌ„ he made his Deputy with the Princesse to gouerne in his absence which hee promised should bee but short aud his returne speedy his way he tooke of purpose through Dalmatia to see the King and the Lady had been offer'd him for wife being after many aduentures arriued there hee was entertain'd like himselfe which is expression enough for the rarest entertainments Dauncing there was among the Ladies one appearing as much excelling as she deseru'd admiration for her beauty and that quality All the Kings and Princes beheld her with one fauourable opinion but Amphilanthus did enquire who she was and how bestow'd in marriage He was informd that she was Daughter to the Master of the horse married to a great man but wedded in affection to a young noble-man in the Court who also had a brother that lik'd her they both loued her shee vs'd them both so indifferently as they could not in two yeares tell whether she loued The elder doubted the younger he feard his brother both were affraid to offend her and so remain'd vnsatisfied till at last whether more boldnes or truer and cleerer affection grew in the elder hauing beene beloued and likewise louing one another though desiring this Lady out of a couetous humour of enioying all that worthy was in loue he found it was himselfe shee affected he embraced it she then liberally declared her selfe and so they were both happy The younger from the first doubting could not be more then formerly since now he saw but what hee fear'd and by this might the better auoid a furâ—â—er danger which he did choosing an other leauing this couple most contented in themselues though discontented with many others for his other Mistris grew spitefull his wife froward and suspitious her husband iealous and troublesome yet what were all these only meanes to make them loue the better their loues to be the more pleasing like stoln fruit which is alwayes sweetest In this estate they then were but the question may be asked how these secrets were knowne it may be easily answer'd and not vniustly said that surely it came from the happy louer who with fulnesse of ioy and content could not be so neere miserablenesse as to keepe such a treasure hid to kimselfe and thus doe many times such discoueries come The Emperour commended them all and especially the Lady whose part he was apt to take the newes of his being there brought Dettareus to kisse his hands and to see his fellow-Hermite Parselius with the other two his good companions but one of them he miss'd for Dolorindus was gone to Antissia againe He had not beene long there when one day the royall assembly being in the Hall and ready to see dauncing there came in a graue old man of good fashion and birth as he after proued his beard and hayre white his face something with sorrow and age wrincled resembling a faire tree in frost he kneeled vnto the King beseeching iustice hee promised it and bound it with an oath being vrg'd vnto it by this Gentleman then rising Sir said he hee that hath done me iniury and the man I seeke reuenge of is Dettareus who I know will not nor can forget the wrong he did me which although I will not particularly name not louing to take vp the ashes of the dead or staine a long quiet graue with guilt or infamy I will onely touch thus farre as to remember him of the breach of hospitality and the noblest band of friendship in trust this is that I call reuenge for and these I must bee satisfied in The King call'd Dettareus forth who couered with shamefull sorrow appear'd like the sonne had rob'd his father of his greatest treasure holding his eyes on the ground as iustly condemn'd The King was sorry to see him so deiected but his word was ingaged wherefore hee demanded of him what he woâ—ld answer to this He replied that is life was not sufficient to satisfie so foule a fault as he confessed himselfe guilty in yet he was to answer none for that businesse since the wrong'd was dead Dead indeed cryed the other to all content and yet saw his honour dye before him otherwise Dettareus I am the man iniur'd by you not kil'd as you imagin'd but recouered againe by skilfull Chirurgions from all your blowes but one which cannot bee cured but by the balme of your heart bloud or mine I therefore desire that you will in the presence of these braue Princes then before whom none can haue a noblier end fight with mee and honour mee with death which I assure you shal be as welcome to me as your ouerthrow we are neither so young as to vndertake a rash businesse our age hath made vs perfect and free from that nor are we so old that death should claime our suddaine yeeldings let then the life and strength wee haue bee spent before this royall company and let Iustice at last haue sway Dettareus casting his eyes vp beholding him knew him and wept yet would not deny what the other demanded so they went forth and arm'd themselues the King and all the Court did greatly pitty them and especially Dettareus who appeared already dead to their eyes kil'd by his owne foretelling ill Instead of dancing they went into the lists where the strangest Combaâ— was fought that euer in Dalmatia was seene yet did they seeme but like braue old armes of trees whose fruite was yet faire and good so was their strength and the maner of their fight so exact and perfect as young men had more cause to admire and learne then scorne their skill or courage but Dettareus though in sight and fight continued a good space with the better yet a conscience he had gnawed within him and made his outward powers like an inward taken poyson shake and faint so as the other got the victory and life of Dettarreus This had been hard and much to be lamented if Iustice came not in to tell vs 't was her act and right which made the Court satisfied yet did they lament and mourne for his losse the Emperour and the other Princes his old friends going with his body to the graue The other with as much content as could be for such an accident where honour was gain'd from the death of an once loued friend return'd with liberty from the Court but soone after in Apulia from whence he strayed after the certaine tidings of Dettareus liuing was discouer'd and neuer stayed any where till hee learn'd where he remain'd hearing his religious life he would not molest him nor call him out of charity from his Beads to the sword
Steriamus when he was passionate for Pamphilia she was called Dorilina then who there was not a discreeter though a true louer As they walked discoursing of their loues and torments for it Dorolina besought the Queene to honour her with the repeating of some of her verses Shee answer'd she was growne weary of rime and all things but that which wearied her life and yet for cruelties sake would not take it Shee would not bee answer'd so but vrg'd her againe hoping to take her this way something from her conrinuall passions which not vtter'd did weare her spirits and waste them as rich imbroyderies will spoyle one another if laid without papers betweene them fretting each other as her thoughts and imaginations did her rich and incomprable minde but as yet Dorolina could not preuaile for the part of Poetry yet she gain'd so much as Pamphilia sate downe and told her this tale faigning it to be written in a French Story There was said she in France for many years many Kings that Country being diuided into seuerall Kingdomes seuerall Nations there were likewise which spake different languages some of these had Kings the others onely Princes but in successe of time all came happily vnder the rule and gouernment of one King care onely had then by marriages to make a perpetuall vnion which onely length of time could doe among these marriages there was one from which grew both good and ill a braue young Lord of the I le of France second sonne to a famous Nobleman and one who had great imployment vnder the King being counted the brauest man of the Kingdome was by the meanes of a brother in Law of his married to a great Heyre in little Brittany of rich possessions This Lady was wooed sought by many one she affected and so much loued as she was contented to thinke him worthy to be her husband and so for worth hee was Miserably hard her father kept her and close yet so much liberty she gain'd as she had almost tyed her selfe neuer but by death to be released yet her fortunes were not meant thus to be disposed of for her father dying and she thinking she was a little or much neglected by her first seruant who came not according to appointment to attend her she chang'd her minde and gaue her selfe to valiant louely Bersindor the Frenchman leauing the other as he had her at home to learne better breeding Into France she came where she was by Bersindors father and mother cherished with all affection and loue her husband kinde and as respectiue as she merited many faire and sweet children they had to their comforts and their friends and so bred they were as all companies coueted their presence being like sweet delights to sad eyes The eldest daughter was called Lindamira shee was so much fauour'd by the Queene of France as by no meanes she must be absent froÌ„ the Court which indeed was the fittest place for her being a Lady of great spirit excellent qualities and beautifull enough to make many in loue with her but shee loued onely one and that one she had loued many years before any mistrusted it or himselfe knew it Hee was likewise fauoured by the Queene Mother whose husband dead had leysure to bestow her eyes vpon the loueliest obiect and this Lord was well enough contented spending his time after his owne desire Lindamira serued thâ— Queene faithfully and so affectionately as she had no loue but them two of either Sexe yet was she carefull to giue no dislike to her mistris whom she would not iniure or indeed at that time her selfe for she was married he not thinking that it was himselfe she loued though he knew she was somewhere bound in those fetters A carefull eye he carried ouer her not that it appear'd he loued her much more then as her deserts which her noble and free carriage deserued yet he was desirous to finde her loue Once he thought it was the husband of a Lady she had made her chosen friend but after he found the contrary to his owne comfort for the Queene how well assur'd soeuer she was or rather might haue beene of her fidelity yet loue she knew had commanded her who borne a Princesse and match'd to a King yet could not resist his power might with greater ease soueraignize ouer a subiect but in Loues Court all are fellow-subiects and thus her Maiesty was deceiued in her greatnesse which could not as she thought be subiect and therefore though others must be Vassals when they are all companions aud serue alike This suspition was first put into her minde by a malicious Lady who enuyed sweet Lindamira but so was it beleeued and follow'd by the Queen as all her fauour was withdrawn as suddenly and directly as if neuer had Lindamira remaining like one in a gay Masque the night pass'd they are in their old clothes againe and no appearance of what was she yet was grieued to the heart because she truly lou'd her mistris as her disgrace went further then only discontent for the losse or the note the world might take of it which must like their reports be wiped away or washed like linnen which would bee as white againe as euer But these pierced her heart and she was inly afflicted at all times shee neuerthelesse attended neuer failing her duty yet desirous to know the cause of this her misfortune She imploy'd many to moue the Queene only to know why she was offendâ—d that if she were guilty she might aske forgiuensse and make humble submission but this would not serue she poore Lady ignorant of the cause desired the Lord for whom she suffer'd to doe the like for her hee did but return'd as the others did to her telling her the Queenes answer was that she should not know the cause therfore willed her to be satisfied with that with knowledge that she was and had iust cause to bee offâ—nded Lindamira then asked leaue to retire she had permission and withall her Maiesty when she gaue her her hand to kisse which fauour she was contented to allow her she told her she should doe well to stay till she was sent for She humbly with teares in her eyes answer'd she would obey and so shee departed going home and soon after with a husband like her last fortune went to liue with him whither soone came all her friends to visite her and by him were nobly entertain'd The Lord whom she so much loâ—ed and was accused for likewise came with that Lady her deare friend among many discourses they fell vpon this of her disgrace Lindamira saying that the thing it selfe did not now so much afflict her as the ignorance of it None said he that dares tell you the cause knowes it and some that do dare not What should feare them said she if mistrust of my secresie I will giue them cause to take away that suspition of weaknes in me other reason I cannot guessâ— if
weâ—e ordain'd to doe that office while any of them remained aliue The King and Queene lamented the Louers pittying their miserable estates and vnfortunate aduentures giuing large allowance to the place to maintaine lights for euer ouer them and the keeping of the place to them and their heyres All charmes were now finished and yet the memory of the charme of such a loue neuer could be but extant Thus Parselius and his Queene were made happy with the rarest accident of loue and the richest Tombe Loue in the world had they return'd with all content honouring aboue all other places the Tombe of Loue returning soone after to their setled Court. Rosindy Meriana and Perselina hauing left the Court and returning with their best and conuenientest speed passing through a part of Achaia which was pleasant but slightly inhabited Perselina by reason of the heat intreated them to stay a while in those places they agreed to her demand Rosindy and Meriana like two new married people for fondnesse and affectionate kindnesse walking in the woods which were but of small heighth though thicke being like Copsies all of Birch saue heere and there an Oake would shew himselfe in pride and peremptorily tell them hee commanded in this place the King took great delight so as they sate downe where fearnes grew as if of purpose to bee their cushions and then with sweet and louing discourse they let the time steale away delight increasing while that litle addition of age grew on them vnfelt or thought on The delicate young Lady went by her selfe her thoughts farre higher then that solitarinesse could haue rais'd them had shee not carried a more aspiring and braue minde continually about her then ordinary women or the most extraordinary had her fortunes were so farre short of her spirit as shee suffered that to descend to wish an increase and sufficiency of estate though shee bought it with her marriage and so grow subiect to an Hnsband which though loath shee was to doe yet rather then want meanes shee would venture her limits of absolute freedome yet such her conceit of her owne iudgement was in which shee erred not much as shee thought shee should doe well enough with such a Husband as she would choose for free liuing many had beene named but one onely shee liked who had but one barre to hinder his desires which was that hee was a stranger and no Macedonian besides of that Nation which in former times had beene enemies though neighbours and this was the chiefe obstacle her Father a man of infinite spirit and hauing had her by the widdow Queene of Macedon after whose birth shee soone dyed hee thought none worthy of her especially an Achayan but acquaintance with Rosindy and seruâ—ce to Parselius had brought him so neere as shee resolu'd in her selfe if hee remained constant what euer came of it to bee his wife In this resolution shee walked vp aud downe the Cops plotting as many seuerall waies to compasse her desires as plentifull loue could furnish her withall at last an highway being through the Cops and shee heard by that way heard some comming downe towards her and one to sing this Song FRom a long way and Pilgrimage for Loue I am return'd weary'd with Trauels paine Not finding ease or those vexations mooue First to my soule they are where to remaine They vow to setle then alas can I Thinke of a rest but trauell till I die When she had finished her song Perselina standing among the buâ—hes by the way side saluted her who was a delicate but distressed creature in habits of a Pilgrime but carying a countenance that said for her shee was noble her traine halfe a dozen seruants of all kindes two Gentlewomen and foure men all on foote with staues in their hands bare footed and carrying their owne prouision in baggs at their backs she onely had hers carryed for her When she saw the Princesse who in apparell Greene and among the bushes appeard like Diana when in greatest perfection she stayd and with a modest salutation according to her estate answered the honour shee had receiued by her saluting her The Princesse desired her to rest her selfe a while with her Madam said shee then should I hope for that which yet I haue beene denied rest neuer knew I any one stop or other crossing me in it I would not said she haue you stand vpon the word but agree to my desire and meaning which is that you should stay with me and so a little desist from trauell She humbly gaue thankes but said her habits admitted but iourneys Eate and drinke said she you must let me but haue that time and lawfully may I demand it since your song tells mee your Pilgrimage is finished Madam said she in a kind it is indeede but not perfectly for till I finde my selfe in mine own home I shall not think it done Are you far from thatâ— No indeede answered the Stranger within a league and this my ground Perselina againe vrged and ciuillity made her consent so as thus she proceeded Madam said she to whose commands can bee no refusall say what you will haue your seruant my selfe performe for satisfaction to your will I must and will obserue you come in said shee into this thicke and there let vs conferre She obeyd and willed her seruants to attend for her in that place shee attending Perselina Both in the thickest part as close as their sufferings were to themselues they sate downe the Princesse desiring to know the cause of her trauellâ— She with as much desire of keeping that sâ—â—ret which must bee knowne answered thus Alas Madam cryd shee what torture doe you put me a poore vassell to your authority and loue to rehearse that which euery word strickes to my heart like daggers hath my first sight giuen you such dislike as you purpose to molest me Oâ— my little conuersation such distaste as you resolue to afflict me Otherwise why should you lay this waighty Crosse vpon me Not to bring any of these faire Pilgrime said the Princesse but to know exactly what I already mistrust led to it by your exellent speech and manner then said she like a woman I will be pleased with your commendations and as fond of them follow your requests I will yet by your fauour reserue some things to my selfe and they are these my name and Parentage onely I beseech you let me call my selfe as I appeare Poore Pelarina your creature liued in this Countrey when it was in that happinesse and innocency as those dayes were when Satirâ— Nimphs and Shepheards liu'd free with one another fearelesse of harmâ—s Wolues Foxes Sheepe and Lambes fedde liu'd and were as one Flocke neerer in familiarity then Goates are with the tamest now Plenty grewe for men to reape and they reap'd but what grewe for them In this time I found my selfe made mee thought vnto loue and I did loue accursed bee this Groue for it for heere O heere I
may lawfully repent and necessarily also but Loue my ruler commanded and I obeyed I could in my selfe say why should I yeeld I must deny but when I saw him my soule flew to him he but asked and I yeelded yet this I repent not but a vanity I had about mee which because once liked by him and admired by our Sexe or those of thâ—m that I durst make my follies seene vnto a fond humour of writing I had set downe some things in an idle Booke I had written which when hee saw hee thought touched or came too neere or I imagine so because in some places he had turnd downe leaues and onely at such as he might if hee would dislike and were those I thought hee would take notice of yet he neither did by word nor writing not honouring me so much who was his slaue as to finde fault or to seeme pleasd I was me thought left to coniecture and the further I went in such coniecture I runne into feare and sorrow that I had offended yet I can cleare my selfe if I might come to answere but I cannot not could so as finding my selfe thus miserable I tooke my Pilgrymage willingly What could you say to offend In troth Madam said shee I discouer'd how neere I was to bee an ordinary louer after losse which is to grow neighbour if not inhabiter with hate and some two Poeticall and neate expressions I made of it yet I came off though hurt as it seemes in the action but let him make the case his owne and I doubt hee will rather cut the cord then vntye the knots but I haue done I forgiue all and wish hee will also doe so with mee I pray for him and truely without faigning I loue him for all this firmely and shall doe let him vse his worst in scorne which he hath prettily practis'd I thinke hee can neither shew nor assure my selfe study that cruelty which can make me hate him nay in earnest leaue louing though it may bee I haue err'd in saying so boasting rather then hauing such strength for which great loue and you dearest beloued pardon mee I aske it with a repentant and clensed heart and if it please you remember what cause you gaue if not nobly forgiue Perselina found in her selfe she should neuer come to that excellency of constancy wherfore she admired thogh scarce commended her richnes in that plenty and fulnesse being call'd by Rosindy left the constant Lady to her vertuous vowes and religious truth who liued the rest as she had begun her dayes in feruent zeale and affection The King and Queene with the delicate Princesse arriuâ—ng soone after in Macedon where they rul'd both with power and loue loued with feare because they fear'd they could not loue enough the young Princesse soone after tooke her minde and former resolution marrying her selfe with her chosen loue some busines there was before it could bee effected but the effect came happily to their owne resolutions conclusion peace the Nurse of loue was among them Philarchos with Orilena going for Mytelin met a Ship riding or rather floating for vnguided she was vnrul'd and vnman'd tumbling vp and downe like the Boates boyes make of paper and play withall vpon little brookes onely a Dogge to shew some liue creature was in her came on the hatches and walk'd with much grauity like an officer or kinde of watchfull seruant he bark't not nor fawningly sought ayde by leaping whining shaking his head or wagging his tayle or other such dog-like expressions but look'd soberly entertainingly like a steward on the strangers the Prince came and laid the Ship aboord when Philarchos saw none but this guardian he leap'd into her and some of his Knights with him the Dogge look'd on them and as one might say discreetly went before them as their guide into a Cabin where a Lady lay on the ground weeping and wringing her hands all in mourning and more sorrowfull yet in her illustrious expression then the mourning could shew mournfull and therefore shee more then their habits mourn'd Shee onely look'd vp and cast her eyes downe againe and her face against the ground crying Alas haue I not beene miserable enough must I in this assured quiet bee molested can I not haue a restfull dying time allow'd me shall not the Sea nor a cast-away Barque haue power to let mee dye in peace then yet endure more and know thou must poore woman dye as liue in perturbation Philarchos went to her tooke her by the arme and gently lifted her vp a little vsing these wordes none heâ—re purposeth to molest you wee are and will bee rather your seruants then disquieters by chance we came to succour you and now by resolution will if you please to accept of it Sir said she your noble disposition appeares in this and God I hope will reward you for it I am so lamentable a soule and so vnable to thinke of ability though gratefulnesse rules mee as I am onely able to pray for you and that I will not faile to doe but Sir you must leaue mee for I am appointed to dye and by him that hath power to doe it if he had but onely commanded me without leauing me to this assurance There is no necessity saith Philarchos in obeying you in this who though condemn'd as it seemes by a power ouer you gouernes not vs nor can though soueraiguize ouer you subiect vs to his law therefore I will not obey him nor you in this fortune brought me fortunately to the finding you shee shall likewise bring you to life for wee will saue you you are our prey we will not in complement let you destroy your selfe it seemes you are dead to those condem'd you you may yet lawfully liue to vs that redeeme you howsoeuer bee confident wee will conduct you hence and place you somewhere where you shall bee safe from a certaine ruine That will more ruine mee cryed shee when I shall bee bar'd from obeying him whom I must euer obserue What obligation binds you said hee Soueraignty of Loue said she and loyall subiection to his will Tyes said Philarchos fit to bee durable and affection indure but else a bargaine is not to bee made onely of one side you are free when hee breakes to dye said shee neuer to liue disobedient to him who is my Lord. The Prince knew such things as loue and loyalty were or had beene yet hee was willing to diuert her from those courses because running to perill and therefore hee replyed these were the expressions of purest zeale in loue but loue was neuer ordained to be such a monster as to destroy if hurt by change tryall iudicially should helpe not harme directly pursue Shee sigh'd and lamented Hee comforted and disputed at last tooke her vp partly by will partly by force from the ground and carried her to his dearest Orilena who kindly like a braue noble Lady welcom'd her her Dogge would not part from her
the old man to haue a Christian buriall by his howling and crying calling passengers in and buried her but could not win the Dog from the graue but there he died Philarchos and his deare held on their way for Mytelin where with ioy and feasts they were welcomed and liued euer till their ends happily but Philarchos thought his end the crueller because faire Orilena was taken from him desiring to die together The King of Bulgaria with his braue Queene as sumptuously as their owne minds required and their minds were no lower then such Princesses should be but as much higher as ambition and all the dependances of that folly could carry them and that was high enough to make them aboue iudgement proud such Coaches Liueries furnitures for horses were neuer seene before yet they but poore as her Maiestie esteemed them who surely would haue been contented to bee starued so all shee had touched had been Gold and Diamonds In this magnificence they tooke leaue of the King and Queenes in Morea and so tooke their iourny towards Bulgaria they only riding in one Coach two other went spare one for each the traine so richly prouided for as ordinary Kings and Queenes would haue been well contented with that furniture but yet these were scarce good enough for their seruants Out of Morea they went without aduenture and so passed till in Liuadia this fine accident befell them A young Gentleman attended on by six Pages apparreld in coates of Grasse-greene Veluet laid with gold Lace and twelue footemen in the same colours all with Plumes of greene and yellow in their Hatts the young Gentleman in a sute of those colours imbroidred with Gold the trappings for his Horse and all furniture answerable came towards the most glistering troope of Bulgaria then being instructed accordingly he presently allighted and on foote presented himselfe to the Queen humbly making a reuerence to her liking the like he did to the King then he deliuered these words Great and most happy King enioying such a treasure as hauing the worlds riches composed in this vnestimable Iewell the Earths admired Starre and mans wonder your Queene I am sent vnto you both but if I faile in performance of my message blame your owne glorious aspects that take from mee the true abilitie of speech and boldnesse a Messenger should be armed with all but who can without trembling speake to the Gods or touch the Sunne if he descend within reach no more can I speake to you whose Maiesties strike me dumbe or make me to say better faulter like an vnperfect Schoole-Boy saying his lesson They heartned him wiâ—h ioy flattering pride nourishing their proud hearts when he proceeded Pardon and grace said he from you so heauen-like creatures giues life with speech to me againe I am sent from the Prince of Liuadia my Master who hearing of your comming this way doth desire the blessing I his Vassaile haue already enioyed humbly beseeching you to honor him with your royal presence in his fathers Court an old Prince but good where hee is within two dayes to haue a Triumph by meanes of manie strangers and happie he is to haue such an occasion at this time to be the fitter to giue entertainement to such persons he earnestly desires not to be refused and I pray I may not be sent but with the soules-like-comfort of blisse which is your grant The King was the finest speaker in Court language of the World and so complemented as the youth had enough to doe to returne halfe his good language to his Lord for the Queene shee soone had granted to shew her beauty and scarce could hold within the bounds of expressing what she felt of ioy knowing shee must bee admired but at last said she would obey her Lord and accompany him to waite on his Prince thanks she returned none for she esteemed this honour but due to her and knew it should be offered her Forwards they passe 〈◊〉 within the â—ight of the Court where the Prince and many Noble-men attending him met them in arming suites and conducted them to the Court but yet there wanted though all this honour was done that whereto her Pilgrimage was made her Saint was not among them and yet vnproperly that is said for she respected him but for adoâ—ing her it was but earely in the day being scarce foure in the afâ—ernoone wherefore the Prince asked her if she pleased to goe first into a rich Pauillion raised from the ground at one end of the Lists and see them practise for that was their houre She was very willing yet stayd till her husband with curious words and phrases had consented so they went in from whence at the other end they discernd the old Prince and Princesse with the graue Lords with them then did the Prince arme himselfe and the Prince of Iambolly as not thinking of the good fortune to see her but as if by chance led thither came into that place to arme She would needs goe forth and leaue the roome to him but so she did it as al eyes might see good manners noâ— wil to leaue him made her offer it He as curteous would rather he said arme in the field then be so rude She blusht and smiled â—imperd all to auoid expression expressed what hee desired and she granted Her husband was gone with the Prince and so saw not this encounter Well he at last got another roome right ouer against that and armed came downe into the lists his Beauer open but to see how he stood gazing on her and she in what perplexity shee was to the window shee would come and a while stand still looke on him he stare on her then retire red with content and yet finding fault with the heaâ—e as that the cause of her distemper Many Ladies were there likewise to see the sport who lost not that better pastime in marking her yet took no notice of it lest offence might follow but shrewd wits there were that after made pretie mirth at it To the place againe she would come and looke though ouer them and see in spite of seeing and as if whether she would or no take content The Prince came also and stood there beholding as the rest did while some others ranne at last came a great man of that Country and desired one of the Ladies there to bestow a fauour on him She did so Now you are engaged said the Prince to runne well else your fauour will be shamed and you for not better maintaining it I will doe gallantly replyd he The Iambollian then cast his eyes crauingly towards her she onely lickt her lipps that when they returned to sight they might looke like cherries after raine red and plumpe and totterd her head which made a feather shake she had on it Hee with that it seemed vnderstood her and lifting vp his Bases a little of one side as if to take out his Handkercheif shewed her his points were of same
Riuall and the Lady in truth I was sorry for her because she had been friendly and kind to strangers and whose bloud I would haue reuenged but mine told me her husband had but righted himself Then came her women crying and tearing their haire them he took and sent to prison only I got liberty for my friend and when all this stir was ouer I took my leaue and left the Country and louing also for the good man telling me how he was wrongd made me see her damnable falshood so as he was but the chiefe of many abused by her we al his followers and alike vsed for in the very abusing him he seased on them kild them both This great Queene is a story scarce fit for your Excellency to heare but this is the truth which you desired and thus you haue it now if men be faulty you see women can be so likewise if wee erre your sex will not let vs passe vnrequited The Queene said little to it but on they went in their iourny much kindesse affection and respect vsed and increasing among them at last in Bulgaria they arriued where at the first entry they were entertaind with multituds of people to welcome them the King liked it well so did the Queene for the part of humilitie but shee could not indure their rudenes in pressing which she said made her hot and the smell of the folkes troubled her whose daintines could not brooke any sauour but perfumes with little patience therefore she sufferd this hearty welcome To their great citie they came there they were againe met with the chief and people but she was now vsed to it and so a little the easelier boare it Then the King feasted the Prince of Iambolly and triumphs were made which lasted sixteene daies in which time the seruant and proud Mistris had many prety fine passages A hunting they went he attending her who sometimes would bee fierce vpon it another while rid softly as if onely to make him learne to ride fast or slow as her pleasure was but still to bee her attendant it was his principall lesson to obserue At her comming backe to see her ride betweene her husband and her seruant what a sight it was but what a glory to her onely her imaginations which were aboue any height of pride could tell but he must goe now to his owne command a pitifull thing yet necessary he could not dissemble but shewed with a sad or dull countenance he was sorry she with Maiestie and greatnesse but no mirth gaue testimonie shee reioyced not if in this time hee had no strickt assurance of her loue none will pitie his parting howsoeuer she carried her selfe like a braue and commanding Queene ouer her owne and his passions The King brought him some part of his way then parting louingly and some thought most willingly on the Kings side The Prince with the Prince of Thiques going together who after neuer or seldome parted the King returned and with his wife liued as such a couple could doe Leonius and his beautifull Veralinda returning towards Frigia first going to Argos by the Kings directions wherein they met a delicate Aduenture as they were within some few leagues of the Sea a Lady on horseback attended on with many other Ladies and as many Knights but by her side rode one who seemed to be the chiefe and yet his countenance sad and melancholly said for him that he commanded not himselfe how euer hee did the rest his Hat off freely left to view a delicate curld head of haire browne but bright in delicacy a faire forehead amorous though then sad eies which yet in sadnes soueraignized his mouth not needing to speake but only seene allured vnto it what hearts it pleased to take and refuse enough he had of each sort his lips being so louely and louingly ioyned as one may belieue would not willingly part from their mutuall kissing The Lady was great and therefore faire full of spirit and intising pleasing and richly shee was attired and brauely seru'd an excellent hors-woman and hunts-woman she was though these be no properer commendations as some haue said then to say a man is a fine Semster or Needle-man yet qualities that were and are commended at this day allowed of and admired When they came nearer to them they sent to know if they might bee so bold to present themselues vnto them whom by inquiry they had obtained knowledge of The new louing couple admitted them Veralinda kissing the Lady and Leonius embracing the Knight Veralinda then soone after askt the Lady what those many Doggs and Bowes were for which she perceiued amongst them She answered they were her Hounds and that shee was going to hunt when her better fortunes brought her to her presence the Bowes were either if a Stag came fairely to her to shoot at him or to saue the Dogs from death at a bay by giuing his death to him Veralinda had neuer seene hunting and therefore was desirous to enioy that sport Leonius was as well pleased because hee was best pleased when giuing her content the old King trauelled on the young folkes promising soone after to ouertake him The Lady then brought these dainty Princes to a large Wood about the sides they placed themselues the Doggs and Hunts men were put into it to beate and bring forth the Deare which in short time the Hounds came forth with a mighty Stagge the Hunts-men following incouraging their Doggs with Voyce and Horne that Veralinda thought this Consort was the delightfulst that euer her eares had heard and such life it put into her as she spared neither horse nor way but followed with great affection the sport through Woods ouer Plaines through Thicks Brakes ouer Hills no place staid her The Lady kept with her and commending her euen vnto a fury for riding at last by a Pond side where the Stagge had taken soile he gaue a bay to the Doggs then came in the sweete sad Gentleman and with so temperate a brauery shot the Beast as euen his hurt reioiced him turning his face to him fully beholding him and as his last piece offerd himselfe a sacrifice vnto him falling by degrees as a great house will doe but yet runnes to the place it came from so to the earth fell hee Veralinda was then cald to take the say shee was ignorant of those ceremonies yet apt to learne and willing to instruction she did as she was directed Then the Hounds must bee rewarded and the Hunts-men giue him a peale of Hornes melody in stead of Bells harmony for his funerall All which ended the Lady besought the Prince and Princesse to honour her so much as to goe with her to her house which not farre off was â—it to lodge in night being growne vpon them They consented and rode thither where they found an ancient house hansome great and where it seemd good hospitalitie was kept but little curiositie obserued for all roomes appeared
as still visited with company and gaue by the fauours testimony of quantity of victuals which well ordred had been noble now a little troublesome but it pleased reasonably well this company who free and hauing rid hard had gaind good appetites it appearing to them like a Garden full of fruite when the hot weather troubleth them they sat downe the Lady most kindly freely and busily bestirring her self entertaining them the fine Gentleman ciuilly discoursing with them Leonius at last growing so farre in with him as he got him to tell this story I am great Prince said he called Curardinus borne of a good Family in this Countrie beloued and serued but as all things must see conclusions so did Fate appoint our greatnesse to conclude thus My father liued after his fathers death many yeares will esteemed of by the King oâ— these Countries emploid in office by him and held among the best in ranke of his fauour but matching himselfe after the death of his first wife with a young Lady of a great and noble family but too great as the King imagined or was perswaded by his enemies suspition grew into his heart or rather shewed it selfe for few Kings are without that seruant to attend them against my father who to auoide all cause giuing left the Court and retird himselfe to his owne home where he liued pleasantly and was for an addition of his happinesse blessed with children a blessing to a father what euer the being borne proue after to the children I was his first and after some yeares before I came to perfectablenesse to gouerne his estate at least according to the lawes of this place hee died leauing mee heire to his fortunes honors and dislikes of the King I then desired leaue to trauaile that was refused me and all things as offices commands and places soeuer my father held of the Crowne giuen away to others This was a disgrace and truly a vexation vnto me and most that hee would not permit mee the fauour granted to euery subiect but obedience taught mee patience and I was contented by necessitie In this forst pleasure I went vp down among my friends where I was desird and so liu'd a solitary and priuate trauelling life where remouing imitated trauell and each odde accident an Aduenture By my mothers side I had and haue many noble and braue friends as any man can haue the men equally or aboue any valiant and wise the woman in that height of excellency for beauty and witt among them I haue much liued who haue found the like fauour so as we are not only neere it in blood but allyed in thwart fortune kept backe by all meanes from any aduancement or honor vnlesse the imployment were such as might giue a blow if not a certaine ruine to any of vs a comfortable estate when Subiects liue in such dislike with their Prince yet did he vse vs openly well let vs come to waite vpon him wee shall be welcom'd and smil'd vpon sometimes but aske any thing and bee surely denyed after not for a good space look'd on this hath cast vs much downe and greeued vs more then hurt vs. Are you a single man said Leonius No Sir replyed the dainty melancholy I am married and haue beene long the more my misfortune in some kind because I haue with that marryage lost one loued me more then I could aspire to hope of requitall and loue 's me still I was not altogether to blame indeed for I knew not her affection so great to me she not aduenturing to speake it I not thinking my selfe so happy daring to imagine it but after some time she tould me of it How did I then curse all my fortunes and yet at last chid my selfe for it since said I I was borne to be wretched and all other crosses haue beene but as forerunners of my misery this the only Master peece of affliction wee met wept many times together and yet those teares produced pleasure because so shed and then we could be merry and neuer but in the highest griefe contented because together for therein our last happinesse consisted But her father marryed her whose iudgement told her obedience was requisite to a rich but worthlesse fellow this was an other vexation to her and doubly by that meanes it wrought in me to see her greeued and such a Clowne to posses what I most loued and held deere he no more esteeming her nor indeede vnderstanding her worth then a Beast or one of his Goats Miserable Lady but most miserable I that saw and could but grieue for it besides this he grew yet more brutish and vsed her ill growing so intirely iealous as none went away vnsuspected her worth beauty and noblenes inuited all eyes and hearts to her seruice but so chast and iust she was as but with courteous requitall any preuailed but her worthlesse Mate thought so ill of himselfe as that made him thinke well enough of any to wrong her withall Iealousie 's roote being selfe knowledge of vnworthynes Thus most sweete Creature she liued discontents brought her to many harmes bringing diseases and the worst sicknes of mind finding still additions to her first disquiet and miserable losse as her affection was pleased to call the missing of me which surely she could neuer haue know had I but guessed her thoughts A good space I held in with him but at last fell like the rest and most dangerously in that time I met her my hearts ioy and soules delight at her fathers she was sad but most louing to me I sad to see her so but most glad to see her loue holding her I remember by the hand if said I thou wert vnmarryed would'st thou not marry againe No I protest said she but liue wholy to be directed by you which I had euer don had I knowne how to liue with honour and fit to be your seruant Yet should you bee free you would not doe so much Yes I vow said I and bound it with a kisse vpon her fairest hand deerest remembrance how dost thou yet please me to bring before me these pass'd yet sweete delights to make tryall of her faith and word keeping she was by heauenly assistance vntyed from her bond and freed from her clog the rude and brutish Thing her Husband being taken from her no hand but the hand of the best and highest parting her as from aboue seeing and commiserating her estate all that were vnmarryed in the whole Country came and sought her shee refused all Widdowers Batchelers all were alike to be denyed old young middle-aged runne one race of being refused Her father much disliked it her friends and kindred and such perswaded but endlesly her resolution was like the Earth fixed and her constancy like the Sunne certaine and richly faire some also came to me seeing the grace I had with her to get mee to preferr them alasse how far they went astray yet I answer'd all of them
no way but their eies followed as part of their Armes and then the most curious part The King of Celicia first put vp his hand to his hat but that motion was enough to make the noble Amphilanthus ready as soone as hee to giue and take salutation The King said it was not vnknown vnto him he was sure why he came and in that sort but the desire and reason of this meeting was that he might see his Person before the fight who was held the brauest Prince liuing and his Riuall but with greater happines because beloued by her If this be true replide the Emperour your cause is the more vniust since you would force so excellent a Queene to take you contrary to her owne affection as you confesse and mine must needs be more irreconciliable since heere you pronounce a quarrell neuer to be taken vp seeking to take my Mistris from me therefore if this be your end of meeting let vs part to meete on surer tearmes The King gaue consent hauing now said he seene the man so much admired I am satisfied till I haue conquered him With that they turn'd and arm'd them selues the Drums and Trumpets making such harmony as were enough to lift the hearts of Cowards vp to spirit this little needing to the Emperour whose heart and body was all worth and valour the King was likewise soone arm'd and the Armies by order commanded to vnarme being left only as Court beholders no shew of warr except in the fashion of their cloathes and bands The King of Celicia was in Oring couler the Emperour in crimson Spite on the one side Reuenge on the other The encounter was faire and terrible both their horses at the breaking shrinking vnder them but the Celician after falter'd and reel'd so as hee leap'd from him Amphilanthus lighted and so they met on foote when no Art or vallour procured by iust disdaine and rage was wanting The King had with a blow clouen the Emperour's sheild so as vnvsefull he threw it from him in requitall making such a breach in his armour on the right side as there sparng out so much blood as might wash away the others losse Both fearelesly and furiously fighting for themselues not fearing only tending the cause that brought them thither At last Amphilanthus found an aduantage by the Kings lifting vp of his right arme to giue him a deadly blow which though he failed of the Emperour missed not the oportunitie but ran his Sword into him crosse-wayes through his body the King stood still with the blow the Emperour beheld him sorry he had kill'd him as his sword goar'd he perceiued hee had then suddenly and reelingly he ran with his last fury vpon him Amphilanthus could haue auoyded him but he only strake downe the thrust and caught him in his armes casting him selfe downe with him in the falling yeeld said Asdrusius thou art deceiued poore man said Amphilanthus with that Asdrusius lifted his arme vp as to haue one blow more but death then ceased on him so as embraced with an enemies curtesie he dyed Amphilanthus rysing and putting the body from him the Princes of both sides came in and the victory easily iudged the body was deliuered to the Celicians with liberty to depart Melisander being deliuered the Emperour with all honor conducted towards the Queene who with more then ioy or gladnes met him where she parted from him with delicate musique and tryumphant glory bringing him into the Castle and so to the Galleryes where he was vnarm'd and his wounds most gently tenderly and affectionately looked on by her selfe they were some in number nonâ— either dangerous or troblesome to his liberty of walking abroad When they were dressed the Councell standing all before them and his Princes with her Nobility they two sate downe vnder a cloath of estate loue expressing it selfe not only liuely but perfectly in their eyes he tooke her hand kiss'd it beheld her earnestly as amorously ready to make expression of what was expected and hoped for she as yeelding sate ready to grant while he still holding her hand in his and as passionately gazing in her affectionately requiâ—ing eyes and such were his excellent expressions and her louing entertayning those passions as command needed not to his followers who by outward sight knowledge by long acquaintance growing in the degree with experience knew their masters mind and so left him to expresse what his eyes promised leauing the place as free as their soules desired to be which would be granted only by rest and what rest on earth like the quiet enioying them selues which but with them selues they could doe her seruants by her respect to the Emperour learnt obedience and so to their owne happyest wishes left them They all gone Amphilanthus Master of the greatest part of the Westerne World and once as he assured him selfe Monarch of her heart before shee knew Asia or much more or scarce so much as her selfe much lesse her power ouer him would like a confident man and commanding louer neuer shewing as if an account were to be had from him for former faults vse the time and take the opportunity offer'd him so as his eyes fixt as they were and shee obseruing his he most louingly or rather passionately caught like a man drowning catching at the next thing to him to saue himselfe the Queene in his armes and as no offender except in boldnesse embraced her She would haue violently refused any other nay his neglect in an other person had forc'd the curstest punishment but heere shee onely blushd and receiu'd his loue as at first without expostulation discourse they also familarly did the wonted phrases of kindnesse in sweet familiarnesse were as free as if neuer laid aside Thus that day passed night being come and all retyrd to rest the Queene most happy and blest being againe enriched with his loue or the show it had before although the true fire was clearer and warmer this now suffised and was insteed of the truth filld vp to the like heate by the vnexpectednes of it Being in her bedd what Pamphilia said shee Is it possible that thou hast liued to see Amphilanthus kind againe Can he smile on these wrincles and be louing in my decay When hee told mee I was alterd for the worse and sleightly regarded me I fear'd but when he quite forsooke mee wretch what did I yet is he returning Truely I must confesse this to be as strange as his other change which I could not but like a blinde man be ledd to beleeue it was sung in my eares and blazed in mine eyes ere I could take off the Scarfe of credulity and vnblinde my hopes to see plainely my despaire and iust cause thereof when I haue sate sighing nay weeping for his disdaine wishing he might but see my teares which from strangers haue gain'd compassion He hath come in then how haue I cheerd vp my heart or rather my loue to him done it for me Wiped
withall in so noble a quarrell vnlesse hee came like a man to maintaine such a businesse of so great weight wherefore stepping from him hee thus resolutely spake to him Vnfortunate man said hee see thy error in double kinde made plaine vnto thee tell not mee of plaine shewing errors but rather plainly confesse your presumptuous fault or let vs trye it out with the sword Thou art said Peryneus vnarm'd and yet arm'd with the greatest insolencie in the world to vse these speeches and venture to cal me to account for a truth while thou must maintain a falshood in defending thy first foolishly bold words A sword I haue said hee and for other Armes I haue forsworne wearing any therefore if thou wilt keepe on thine doe and I make no doubt but to ouerthrow thee and thy armed pride together With that he took down a sword which hung on the same side of the Pyramide ouer the place where hee lay the braue Duke would not take any aduantage of him besides assured that his cause was iust vnarm'd himselfe and so they were going about to conclude the difference with the end of their liues to sacrifice their bloods to their dearest and onely Loues memories But happier for them and the honour of Louers it fell out for three delicate Nymphes came by comming from hunting with their bowes in their hands and Quiuers at their backes their apparell greene white buskins and delicate Garlands on their heads to these two angry Louers they came and with sweet perswations mix'd with threatnings to shoot him that first strake a blow pacified them desiring to know the ground of the quarrell and withall the discourse of their fortunes They consented to the one but would not promise the other which was to bee friendes till the Stories were ended lest new dislike in the relations might arise if none they would then obey them if any the first was the fittest to bee answer'd The Nymphes then to bee no cause of dislike commanded them to draw lottes who should beginne lest the preheminence might bee a new stirring They lik'd that well for therein they thought their Mistresses had honour the chance fell on the defender of the Pyramide for so hee call'd himselfe who began thus Sweet Nymphes and you Sir will you bee plas'd to know I am called Alarinus of this Countrey this accursed Countrey poore beggar'd Countrey hauing lost all that rich was worthy or good in it I was the chiefe of command heerein but Myra who commanded all and all of mee but she gone I am no more but lesse then any thing and now the most miserably ouerthrowne and ruin'd Shee I say was sole Lady of this place which is honour'd with her name and the holding those sacred reliques her bones and ashes in her bosome where shee is interr'd A Lady shee was of infinite parts wanting in nothing but good fortune which shewed much neglectiuenesse to her enuying surely her worth and iealous shee should haue had her place and ruled the wheele whereon shee turn'd her to the lowest part and thus it was O thus can I say thus and not iust then depart I can and must yet O vniustly shee was thus punished surely for my too great offence Deare nay diuinest Myra thus thy end and my succeeding end did happen then wrung hee his hands wept and tumbled on the earth as weary of all life shee being gone then sitting a little vp his hands vpon his knees and his head hanging downe deiected eyes on the ground and his teares falling from them as from two stilles shee was groned hee most faire louely and winning yet wonne to her selfe a stayed constancie which made all but my selfe lose or rather want what they sought Shee lou'd in that all-happy man my selfe to say I lou'd her it is too little all lou'd her but I seru'd her many then enuyed mee I ioyed in her fauour which was my blessing and regarded nothing else poore men said I that trouble themselues labouring for the harmefull knowledge of the disdaine allotted them or to heare of me the man that inrich'd with this hauenly treasure scornes all other wealth But the King of Lycia had a Nephew who would haue her whether she would or no dislike him she did refuse him with ciuility and faire language she often did at last flatly deny him she did vpon this hee laid baites for her betray her he sought to doe bribe her seruants hee did corrupt her counsell hee did gaine her women by guifts and promises to work his ends he sought and did in conclusion nothing that was ill false and harmefull to her he left vndone but all treachery and wickednesse hee plotted and did against her the innocent Doue of vertue what shee propounded to her counsell hee knew by them what shee trusted to her seruants they deliuer'd to him what shee confidently put into her womens hands they instantly gaue him intelligence of so as shee was betraid like Pidgeons by a flattering Glasse inticing them to beleeue all was for their good and so shee was betrayd The King of Lycia then came to visite her taking the occasion as hee pretended of being so neere her countrey which a Progresse had brought him to hee was entertained answerable to his minde and for her estate to giue hee brought also with him a delicate fine young Lady his onely daughter whom hee put vpon Myra to perswade for her Cousen but she was young and her iudgement though good and great for her yeares which were but small and came short of hers to whom shee was to speake and whom shee should worke by her wit aad sweetnesse but Myras wit was without compare her iudgement sollid and infinite her knowledge her experience hauing setled the Monarchy of her excellent parts so as the Princesse did well but Myra much better Shee perswaded prettily but Myra iudicially refused The King then return'd troubled but not expressing it his disposition being naturally gentle and milde soft and not so much as the hardnesse of contradiction in him grieue hee would sooner then quarrell and so went home his Nephew with him puft vp with malice scorne and treachery that sweld as poyson in his brest but soone did he come againe with all his ill about him wherewith hee was fillâ—d like a nut with the kernell no place void so much in him as where ayre of vertue might pierce or be Shee seeing him returne vowed to forbid him boldly but this as she thought to haue done was before the act came abroad priâ—ately deliuer'd him by his instruments but her seruants which infinitely harmed her for he to preuent his banishment and equall her disgracing him raysed a most detestable slander on her and how or by whom but alas by me saying she had Rather I beseech you imagine if you can let any ill imagination enter into your thoughts of so excellent a creature then put mee to rehearse it or boldly thinke any ill with this
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
for true noblenesse excellent goodnes perfect vertue and matchlesse valour Wherfore I beseech you as you may be or are a louer in that regard aide me as a King asist me against a murderer of a Prince and as the best of Knights against such treachery The cause is strange and the businesse it may be will to some seeme nice since a sister vrgeth reuenge of a brother but weigh with all that my loue and husband is murder'd and by my brother 's owne hands that will wipe away all doubts and cleere me to implore your aid The King and Amphilanthus much pittied and admired the Lady who had related this story with as much passion and fine expression of witty sorrow as could be Amphilanthus moued so much with it as he presently consented and gaue his promise to asist her so they pass'd to the Court in the same manner as she before had trauel'd for she had vowed neuer to leaue the body nor to bury it till she had his death reueng'd When they came where Terichillus was she sent vnto him to let him know shee had brought a Knight to defend her wrong and to call him to account for his Treason hee made his wonted slight answers but the Lift and all things were prepared then entred the Lady with the body and the two Knights accompanied with the mourners the Princesse of Morauia because her husband was one would not be present the other Ladyes were plac'd to see the fight Then was it proclaymed that if the Knight were ouercome hee should loose his head and the Lady should be at Terichillus disposing if the Knight ouercame then the Prince if vanquished and aliue should be disposed of by the Lady and the Knights with all the troope should haue safe passage without stay or disturbance in returne Thus all agreed on the Trumpets sounded Terichillus furious and ambitious of victory and peace encountred Amphilanthus with such strength as he made him bow backwards on his horse but the King strooke him flat on his backe vpon the ground hauing meanes by this to aske pardon from heauen for his offence but he least thinking of so good a matter quickly got vp and with his Sword in his hand did attend Amphilanthus whose noble curteâ—ie was such as not to take aduantage of him lighted also to fight on foote Terichillus was valiant strong and now to fight for life and honour so as hee held Amphilanthus longer play then many had done yet at last he acknowledged with all others the King to be fittest to be yeelded vnto and so perceiuing his life at an end curstly set his sword on the ground and brake it desirous as it seemd to die vnarmd rather then disarmd by Amphilanthus which was to no purpose he making him openly make confession of his fault ask pardon direct that al should obay his sister as their Lady and Princesse weep and lament his fortune without compulsion and according to his ill life hee frowardly and peeuishly concluded his daies leauing behind him this certaintie that such treasons are neuer any more left vnpunished then Countries without Princes for straight was his Sister proclaimed and he as soone forgot as she speedily receiued The King of Bohemia and the King of the Romans were carried into rich chambers but they since the last busines in the Castle would neuer lie alone so as they were lodged together and as soone as Amphilanthus was recouerd of some slight wounds he receiued in this combat they took their leaues following on their iourney for Hungary But as they were euen ready to leaue Morauia hard by a Wood which grew from the bottom of a hill to the top the hill steepy craggy and ful of rocks and places where stones had been cut for building of a stately Abby which was among meadowes not farre from the foote of this hill betweene two dainty riuers but then decaied by warre they met a Lady running her haire loose couering her face her cries loud and fearefull her cloathes halfe on and halfe off a strange disorder in her words she spake as if danger pursued and helpe requisitly demanded a little from her were some men who hastily followed her one especially from whom it seemd she sought to be deliuered Amphilanthus willing to aide and she seeming to beseech it rid to her to demand the cause she fled he pursued till they came to the bottom of a great quarry there in some thicknesse she offerd to couer her self but he lighting desired to know the cause of her flight and danger She as if her enemy had been at hand amazedly and frightfully answered Alas Sir what meane you what iniury haue I done you that you should thus follow me I neuer wrongd you why seeke you my dishonour He reply'd that she was deceiu'd and therefore intreated her to looke vp againe vpon him she would see her error Then beholding him wishly as if she had been till then in the wrong Pardon me my Lord said she for I mistooke you my misery being such as hath quite destracted me I am a poore Lady dwelling here not farre hence in yonder old Abbey Lady thereof by the death of my Husband since which time a young Lord hath been an earnest suter to me but my loue and fortune dying with my husband or but liuing to his memory I refused him as many other that haue sought me wherupon he vowed to haue me by force since no other meanes would preuaile and this day to performe his vow he came found me but slightly guarded and newly out of my bed tooke me out of my house bound my seruants and thus farre on the way hath brought me but when I saw this thicke Wood and being acquainted with the hidnest parts of it I slipt from behind his seruant that carried mee and with all speed possible ran as I thinke you must needs see me towards this wildernes here I hope I am secure and shall assure my selfe of it if it might please you to take me into your protection He curteous beyond expression promised to defend her I pray Sir said she let me yet ask some things more of you which are what your name is and how long you haue been in this Country My name said he is Amphilanthus my being here hath bin some time being brought hither by the Princesse Sydelia Let me be so bold I beseech you to demand one fauour more which is Whether you were one of those two that came with her to reuenge heâ— quarrell I am indeed said hee and the same who fought with Terichillus Then am I blessed said she for I may assure my selfe of the valiantest man aliue While they were thus discoursing an other Lady with as fearfull cries shricks passed by running from the Wood-ward with such haste as her feare had made her so light as shee left no print so much as pressing the grasse whereon she ranne the impression it seem'd being in her and
the colour Then shee smiled and he most ioyfully put downe his Beauer and prepared to run casting vp his eyes first to her from whom he hoped to haue gained strength but she was so weake in bearing passion as againe shee had retyred and so often she did it and so tumble her selfe vp and downe wallowing in pleasure and vnsufferable content as she was in such a heate as that angred her because she thought she looked not well hauing too much colour then did that heate her with chafing so as betweene those two fires of loue and pride shee burnt so much as all the Ladies warmd themselues at her fire and rubd vp the remembrance of their old passions so as it might haue been dangerous and the heate so great and spreading as might haue fired many hearts not to bee quenched againe Fairely he ran and fairely and friendly shee beheld him which made him neuer wearie nor would he haue giuen ouer but that the Prince went in and night grew on Then came hee vp to her and kissed her hand which she told him by her loue bestowing eyes she willingly yeelded him Stay shee did as long as was fit and after most in that place wishing I thinke to haue been his Armorour to vnarme him else she might haue gone with the rest at last away shee went and was by Lords appointed by the Prince conducted to her lodgings where shee was visited by him and her seruant The next day the Iusts in earnest was to bee against which how gloriously was she attired Lyuadia neuer saw such a starre for brightnesse In that place she would needs againe sit and there she was placed where shee might best see and bee seene the windowes being so framed as the Knights heads on horse-backe were as high as they so as conueniently they might behold and speake as if together a braue aduantage for Louers But how did the neate King of Bulgaria take this truly discreetly as hee was a most discreet Gentleman setting aside a little vanitie of selfe loue which it may be so well concurred with his Ladies disposition as that tempred him being as it were of one nature to suffer and agree with her Fault it was certaine hee found none with her publikely how they priuately did let them speake that know fondnesse appeared to open shew why should any inquire further But be it so such a passion well acted againe and by such delicate creatures for the excellency of it would get liking euen of her Husband sure who loued curiosities so well as he must like that though curiously he might discerne he was touched in it But what then he might ioy in it thus it was his owne as she was Many great Ladies and indeed the greatest of that Kingdome sat with her in the same place but not so much as looked vpon by her nor why should they expect it shee was a stranger a Queene more a beautifull Queene and most a most proud Queene shee therefore claimed it as their parts to obserue and marke her who had businesse enough in her selfe vpon such a day in such a place and such a presence to heed and study her selfe How if any part of her haire had been out of order her gowne rumpled with turning to them her ruffes and delicate inuentions disorderd with stirring had not the least of these been a terrible disaster Yes and to her a heart griefe who would wish so sweet a soule as she to be sad or troubled especially since trouble as such a conceit of any displacing or disordering her finenesse might moue in her would stirre her bloud and make her complection not so exact rather sure should all ciuilitie be laid aside and the contrary excused then beauty should suffer and this if the cause who will that loues their faces that regards their habits and their seruants loue blame her who neglects for these all others This I take the Queenes case to bee and thus I thinke I excuse her especially being knowne to loue nothing but her selfe her Glasse and for recreation or glory as some accounts it to haue a seruant the Prince of Iambolly whose greatnesse and finenesse made al well especially to louers eyes The old Prince inuited her and the King to a feast where roially they were feasted and she as magnificently carried and shewed her selfe her seruant ioyed in it and then looked on her as poore people doe on pranckt vp Images she sometimes casting a looke on him but not too many lest such fauours might make him surfeite and so be harmefull to him an excellent care in a carelesse Mistris The King of Bulgaria and the Prince of Iambolly were very great and familiar in so much as they would whisper and embrace one another the Iambollian assuredly more because those armes had intwined hers then for any affection to him wishing sure he might as freely haue done the like with his wife who how kind soeuer she might be to him in priuate had he offerd to touch her publikely that touch had burnt his fingers so commandingly and peremptorily did she order and rule his loue as adoration shewed to bee all his ambition and gaine her graces being but still to hold and draw him on in hope rather then to consent and satisfie him for he once satisfied shee was sure to bee left men desiring but their ends and with them conclude that loue flying to another as from one worke done to begin in another place Stayed creatures and luckie they that put confidence in them and of any this Prince was one that least troubled himselfe with constancy all women were pleasing to him after a tall woman a little one was most pleasing after faire browne white blacke all came to his staidnesse welcomly and varietie he had sufficient for many refused not nor was he nice to demand of more so as he had plenty and was plentifull in loue to them yet here hee stayed a prety while because it was thought hard to win her or impossible to gaine her loue for her so excellent beauty and greatnesse but most because as yet he had not surely compassed his desires At dancing because hee would not giue offence he seldome tooke her out but his eyes still attended on her and when he danced she more heeded that dance then any shee was good her selfe in that exercise and gained great commendations in Lyuadia The time being come for the breaking vp of the company the King and Queene tooke their leaues of the old Prince and so did all the other Princes many being there assembled as a place much honoured and hee a Prince admired ouer the World for iudgement learning and goodnesse beside at that time many came neare him from the Enchantment The Prince of Iambolly would needs attend the King of Bulgaria being his neighbour home to his Court but his daintie wife was the Attraction his company was embraced and also the Prince of Thiques who was to returne to
his owne Country a fine young Gentleman and who had in curtesie conducted the Lady of Rodes after her cruell fortune in the refusall of Polarchos and being intreated by the soueraignizing Queen to make relation of her end hauing heard part before by Pamphilia he did it in this sort Loue or rather the ill flower of Loue which you most incomperable Queene can know neither being so much in power aboue the highest reach of his passions which are rather your Subiects then molesters so ouer-ruled in that miserable Lady as after Polarchos was with all his curstnes gone she tooke her way also but whither shee much cared not nor look'd she for any company to attend her those that came with her dispearsed some one way some another leauing her as her fortune had done in all dispaires for who euer alone indures one mischeife I tooke pitty on her and although my way was contrary and I then almost at home yet rather then she should be distressed in such a kind of want I offered my selfe and she though not very willing to company accepted of my seruice most I thinke because she would haue some body to discourse withall and well had she happened on mee for shee could say nothing against men that I had not as much or more to speake against women She could not say Polarchos had beene curst or vnkind but I cold haue said my Mistris had beene false and so most cruell if Polarchos left her vpon cause mine forsooke me causlesly She could not complaine but I was neere rayling so as with all the wranglings and dislikes of both Sexes we trauel'd yet the better I euer had of her though in losse for shee was forced to confesse her's was the fault and with that so often done penitently at last agree'd with mee that Man was the constanter of the two vncertainties When wee had passâ—d the Gulfe of Lepanto and the necke of land betweene Morea and Achaia that we were got againe to Sea into the Archepelago in one of those little Islands we were forced to stay for she grew so weake what with trauell want of food for she would take no sustenance and her perpetuall sorrow which wrought incessantly in her so as she could no longer without rest sustaine nor so but to her eternall rest for there shee dyed desiring mee to bury her there and then to let Polarchos know her end for his vnkindnes to whom she gaue her Country for due she said to him beseeching him to accept of it as the gift of his repentant Loue making so louing an end as Cupid was surely forced vpon that to pardon all things past and place her in one of his highest ranckes of his Court. Iust as she dyed came thither an other Lady discontented likewise but in a maruelous strange sort my eares were now open to all complaints and complayners wherefore I gaue her the hearing who discoursed in this manner I was borne said she in Pantaleria bred in the seruice of Vrania now Queene of Albania the most excellent and famous of women I was with her enchanted in Ciprus and in her seruice being Daughter to her supposed Father I fell in loue with one Allimarlus of Romania a man fit for a greater womans loue but my fortune it was to winne it and surely if I flatter not my selfe too grosly I deserued it but indeed I did commit some faults but what were they only out of Loue and feare of losse from whence they proceeded such errors were rather to be commended then condemned but where loue failes a little matter is made great and nothing pleaseth when distast is taken I cannot truely for all this taxe him of much inconstancy yet so far he was faulty in it as I know he had a Lady in chase whether his loue to her or gratefulnes in him to her had beene the cause of it I cannot guesse I was tormented in soule withall I cryd to him about it He mildly and coldly enough told me my suspitions made my disquiets and bad me be satisfied for he lou'd me still and thus I could gaine no more of him nor durst I vrge for intruth besides loue I was in awe of him fearing his very frowne though on others no Louer euer longed more for the sight of his loue then I did stil to see him if absent but one day yet when I saw him I was in paine and knew not scarce what I did I was so desirous to please as I was amazed and distemper'd not being able resolutly to call for any thing to eate any thing to speake any sence blush and then looke pale and be in such a case as many dayes after scarce recouer'd me Lord how haue I accused my selfe for it but what remedy passion ouerruled my iudgement and when I should haue beene best and looked best the very extreamity of my loue made me worse then ordenarily I was then that troubled me and trouble made me worse so as I was oft times in a straight whither I were best be a meanes to see him often or let his visitations and meetings be by chance But when I considered he might take that amisse and so I should runne into iust dislike for our parts as women Louers are to obserue so as I continued like one ready still to goe to execution condemn'd but repriu'd more then I studied how I might gaine his loue sure to me of purpose I went and made my selfe so deere with the Lady who had sure testimony of his liberall affections as I was made of her Counsell and vsed in carrying the busines so as her honour might bee saued for shee was in that kind in danger I tooke such a course as shee was deliuered of that care this I did conueied away by diligence all suspition I know not what name this seruice merited me but all things were as they should bee and so secretly as no mistrust at all was of her The Lady in troth I could not but so much loue as I was sorry as shee likewise was at any time to part with mee in the face of parting me thought I saw my Allimarlus his leauing me whom he loued and after I accused for slighting her as much as I did before for being restrained in this manner to me for desert should euer merrit reward in what place soeuer but men care no longer then their desires be answered said shee otherwise I had bin better rewarded I haue had cause to giue trial of my faith and he hath found it yet am but more and more wretched When I felt my selfe with such neglect coupled as after I did I tould him of it he sate vpon my bed side but awhile gaue me not a word at last he spoke some few as drawne by necessity from him and bid me be carefull of my selfe and not bring more harme I told him I would be so were it but for that command's sake which must bee as his aboue all things