that he provided them and with nourishing them in their vices In briefe he did not neglect any of those Arts which might facilitate his tyranny The Nuptials of the Princess with the Armenian interposed the course of his pretentions whereupon he applied his mind to a wickednesse more execrable In conclusion when a perfidious mind is disposed to mischiefe all the stops in the world are not availeable sufficiently to stay it The Count had been twice in Thracia the first time with his Father about State Affaires The other time alone to congratulate the comings of the new King to the Crown of his Ancestors Amuritte for so the King was called had many times been in Cyprus when his Fathers Palace was infested by the malice of his Domesticks He appeared to the Count as an excellent instrument to perfectionate his hopes He advertized the Thracian by a Messenger dispached on purpose That the Kingdome of Cyprus at the least beck of his Majesty was ready to fall into his hands That the People were ill contented with King Vassileo's Government the Commonalty grown Cowards the Forts without defence the Souldiers under him the Arms in his Command the Seas and Ports in his Custody That he was not provoked to this by any other end but that he would not obey a King who was a stranger deformed in mind and in body That seeing the Kingdom must be altered he did rather choose to make gift of it to his Majesty a Prince of whose greatnesse he had made experiment as also of his vertues then to give obedience to a Man who came to the Throne before he had learnt the Rules to governe by That if his Majestie was pleased with the offer and this resolution of his heart he would request nothing for his service but the Princesse to wife with the Kingdome in dowry and that he and his Successours would hold it of the Thracians and pay them homage with a very great tribute He added that to raise a great Army would without any benefit to himselfe beget suspicion in his confining Princes That in the suddenness of this consisted the accomplishment of the enterprise he now needing but to steale it and not to fight for it That only two Gallies would be more than enow they being certaine to find no resistance That he might disguise the cause of his Arrivall with a pretence either of friendship or of chance He omitted not other particulars and other instructions which might render him the more easie to consent to him Ill men never want meanes to give effect to their wickednesse One Morning with two Gallies becoming the merit of his Greatnesse the King of the Thracians appeared in the Port of Arsinoe The King Vassileo with some amazement received newes of the Arrivall of this Prince although the designe never fell within his thoughts Order was given to the Admirall as one best known to the Thracian to receive him Their meetings though on a sudden was most magnificent the Horse innumerable and the Traine infinite The King came to Land with but fifty of the most Noble and the most couragious youths of Thace with a great deale of affection he welcomed those that came to him by the appointment of his Majesty to whom he returned thanks for the honours he received of them His Entertainment was at the Charges of the Republick But after three daies he would not permit it saying he had given way to that as a signe of his liberty which was prepared for his Honour The day after he was waited on to the King Vassileo who received him at the foot of the Staires There he used such words and expressed such things as would have beguiled Providence it selfe Among other things he said He was come to adore that Sun that not scorning his misfortunes by a benigne influence of it had blessed him with prosperity That he rejoyced at the Matrimony of the Princesse with the Prince of Armenia adding that he could not containe himselfe for joy in seeing the Age of so worthy a King extended by it to eternity but said he it was never subject to yeares he for his wisdome being never young That he was above Fortune who in despite of it knew to choose himselfe so deserving a Son That the principall cause of his comming was to serve his Majesty in those Feasts which Fame and not without good reason had spread through the greatest part of the world And that he came not as a King but as an Adventurer the merits of the two Princes being such as would compell any body to any disguise to do them service He omitted not other particulars expressed with so much Affection that Adulation and Dissembling won him Affection and an high welcome After some returne of thanks King Vassileo answered him That he the rather desired to be eternized in those Nuptials of his Daughter because they would report to his Posterity the Obligations which he owed to the Love of so great a King That he received the honour of this visit as an Act proper to the King of the Thracians For he knew nothing in himselfe worthy to deserve such Graces but the ardent affection he bore him These Complements being past they went both of them to the Princess And it was observed that the Thracian stood in amaze at her beauty not believed such by him before having seen her only when she was a Child There after some expressions how welcome he was he told her his coming was to wait on her at her Wedding and then jested with her at the stay of the Armenian offering himselfe to be her Knight untill his returne The Princesse replied to all with so much expression of kindnesse and gentlenesse that her words conquering his resistance betraied his heart Finally after they were parted the Thracian remained no lesse satisfied at the Kings entertainment than he was astonished at the Beauties of his Daughter From day to day they continued to oblige themselves with so high expressions that their Subjects flatterers of their Princes disposition feasted them perpetually now in the City now upon the Galleys nor neglected any thing that might be a signe of their friendship and good will The Admirall in the meane while prosecuted his plot with such circumspection that there was not any body that suspected him One day while the Thracian understanding the Armcuian Princes arrivall with foure Galleys was neare fearing some stop should fall betweene him and his hopes he gave the last assay unto his wickednesse He invited King Vassileo the Princess and some of the Court to a Fishing which he appointed to be made according to the Custome of his Countrey He had been other times on the Sea with his Majesty whereupon there was not any that doubted of his Faith And the rather because he had disposed for this businesse but one only Galley leaving his other in the Port and having with a specious Apparance divided his men into small Barkes brought
suddenly done to them before they were suffered to go thence The Dutchesse of Belprate got leave to continue a yeare by the Ashes of Dianea whilest the other Damsell that waited on her accompanied her in death The City is full of sadnesse and the bolder sort exclame about the Pallace of the King Give us Dianea give us the Princesse At this Relation Dorcone began to cry out with such a violence that there was none but thought he was strooke to death Repleat with fury and anger he called an Herauld to him whom he commanded to proclaime war against King Vassileo and without delay making them give their Sailes to the wind he tooke his voyage towards Thracia The Herauld attired in an habit of black Velvet all emboss'd with Moones of Gold expressed an importunity to be brought into the presence of his Majesty Not being able to procure Audience the People being assembled in the publike Piazza he said with an high voice Because King Vassileo hath been so bold to lay his hands unjustly upon his Daughter the destinated Spouse of the King of Tracia And because King Vassileo hath alwaies slighted the Name of the Kings of Thracia and hath been an enemy and a sheddet of their bloud Therefore I in the name of the King and People of Thracia who by Armes will repaire such injuries proclaime and denounce War So saying he threw about some Papers which contained the same he had said Afterwards from time to time he brandished in solemne manner some small Speares towards where the People were the thickest This done he went out of the City and retiring to the Sea entered into a little Barque which attended him to transport him to Thracia The End of the Third Book DIANEA The Fourth Book FAme that mixing Truth with Falshood renders the one and the other equally mendacious brought into Eno the Metropolis of Thracia the Death of Dorcone slain in Cyprus by King Vassileo who had not formerly spared the life of Amuritte Darimena who was elected by Destiny the mother to these two Kings at these Reports suppressing her Teares proper to that Sex made the forty Rectors that assisted at the Negotiations of State be convocated Discovering to them the miseries of the Kingdome and the afflictions of a Mother she provoked them by the Resentment of that Injurie which ought to be esteemed the greater depriving her of Sons and them of Kings Then said she shall Cyprus become a Tem to all the Kings of Thracia Then shall the generosity and the greatnesse of the Thracians permit that their Glories shall be buried in Cyprus To Armes to Armes your nation ought not to be so vilely despised which hath disdained to vouchsafe a pardon to Alexanders If I did not know the braverie of your hearts I should take upon me to entreat you to revenge the slaughter of your Kings and my Sonnes But it is unfit that the words of a woman should serve as spurs to awaken your Courages To exhort you were to prejudicate your hearts which need no other Motive but that which they take from themselves I know that my importunities cannot adde provocations to that vertue which eagerly aimes at the service of your Prince and the honour of your Countrey I onely commend speed to you that delay may not shew signes of dulnesse nor adde boldnesse to the Enemy Celerity is the Mother of Victories He that is backward to revenge animates Foes to double their injuries Who suddenly shewes not a Resentment at Offences seems to have deserved them These words were applauded by all the Councell whereupon the Fleet they re-inforced with such a multitude of men that they seemed now to have conquered two Worlds The superintendency was given to the Duke of Nicopolis a subject of so worthy conditions that there was not any that envied him that honour Many Princes that were then in Court enamoured on the Princesse Dercilinda accompanied the Fleet with the greatest possible strength of their Souldiery There was the Infante of Armenia a young man whose strength exceeded the tenderness of his yeares The King of Scythia foolishly cruell who was unacquainted with any other reasons but those of the sword The Prince of Missia who if he had had Valour equall to his Pride had been without equals He was acute in his discourse but alwaies Satyricall and therefore odious even to his friends The Prince of Epirus advanced into years and repleat with Wisedome yet little skilfull in matters of love And the Infante of Macedonia who vaunting himselfe to be heir of Mars omitted no occasion to make him supposed such Of the Subjects of Thracia among others the most conspicuous were foure Dukes of Pereno of Scitone of Redcsto and of Selimbria Six Counts of Finopolis of Perontieo of Tinia of Patia of Marcorico and of Marcnia Two Barons that of Cardia so repleat with Wisedome and Valour that his Pen and his Sword rendred him equally glorious And that of Achialo perhaps richer then the King but of so unworthy a behaviour that with good reason he was abhorred by all Whilst the Fleet proceeded towards Cyprus Dorcone was carried by contrary windes into the Sea of Saturn within a little distance of the Isle of Melena There staying some time to mend the dammages they had received by the late Tempest he made the Vessell to be directed towards Thracia whilst with an anxiety of Thoughte he accused Heaven Windes and Destiny that even flyingly they transported him not where his minde desired to be at the same time he took notice that the Mariners strook saile and throwing forth the Cock-boat they did an obedience to a Gally Full of indignation he commanded the Captaine of the Vessell into his presence of whom he demanded the cause of his delay who if they even flew would not have been altogether satisfied with it The Mariners Historie HE was answered by the Mariner that being on the Sea belonging to the free Princes he was obliged in duty to acknowledge their Dominion which was not doubted of by any Then applyed the Thracian the Liberty of the Sea is also put into contention by tyrannical Ambition Can Navigation which Nature hath rendred common to all be usurped by any The Mariner answered That the sailing on the Sea was common to all It remained not therefore that the superintendency belonged not to some That Nature her selfe had produced all things for all yet nevertheless the custome of Nations made every one the Patron of their owne Properties That it was necessary that some should have the predominancy of the Sea to defend it from the Rapacity of Pirats The Thracian replyed somewhat pacified in his fury and why doth this Soveraignty of the Sea belong to the free Princes and to no other Prince who hath his Kingdoms neare to the same Sea It is no difficult businesse added the Mariner to prove it There being two foundations upon which the most just command of the free Princes over the Sea
safetie into your hands your Curiositie and Entreaties which I should reverence in other matters as Commands should not prevaile with mee to speak a word Who cannot tell how to hold their peace is unfit to serve Princes The principall duty of Faith is to conceale those Actions which Kings breathing forth scarce trust themselves with I though a Woman have evermore observed this Axiome the Dutie I owe others and the regard I have to my owne safetie inciting me Great secrets are not reveal'd but with great danger and ordinarily who ever betraies is betrai'd You may please to take notice that this Island is the amorous Kingdome of Cyprus Fame gives out that this Cave was made by the command of Venus to conceale her Amours in or by the first Kings here to secure themselves from Treacheries It hath seven Mouthes that all reach to the Sea so farre distant one from another as a man can see I suppose that under a pretence of Religion Tillage is prohibited in this part of the Isle to take away occasion from the Inhabitants of discovering these retiring places or observing of any that should come into them All the Continent is sacred and to kill a wilde beast or cut downe a Tree a Capitall offence After a long Circuit the Entrance growing narrow determines in a place call'd the secret Palace The common people beleeve that it took name from a Fountaine which one drinking of it represents in a dreame to their imaginations things to come or as I perswade my selfe by these private withdrawing places under ground knowne onely to his Majestie and his Daughter who for the most part here keeps his Court by reason it is the most strong and delicious part of this Island In the remotest Chamber his Highnes Treasure is kept but in a place the least observ'd the Entrance being stopt with some boards in such wise doth close that they deceive both the eye and feeling The easinesse of removing them can be onely discover'd by those who see them taken away But I will not with tedious Circumstances rob you of the Houres of your Repose I will abbreviate my Discourse and onely declare those things which are most worthy of your curiosity I beseech you added the Princess I being newly arrived in these parts and knowing a full Relation will come the welcommest to me and my desires my sorrowes not permitting me over-much sleep doe not so The History of Dianea Diaspe c. THe Dutchesse went on The handsomest here are chosen Kings and they have power to continue the Kingdome in their Line whether Males or Females Of the which if there be a faile the chiefe of the Island meet about a new Election which alwaies lights on him whom Venus is prodigall of her favours to In King Vassileo who now reignes in whom the vertue of his mind contends with the comliness of his person all our hopes are accomplished The Acclamations and the Joyes of the people were not any whit defrauded by the proofs of his merit and the goodnesse of his Government being of a complying disposition to all but inexorable to wicked men with a Majestick Pleasantness he hath gain'd himselfe the good will of his enemies and not onely the hearts of his Subjects He was fear'd by his neighbour Princes belov'd by the Remote and in briefe ador'd by all The Devotions of the people were unanimous in supplications to the mercie of the Gods to eternize a stock so every way worthy By two wives he had no issue but one daughter the Princesse Dianea my Mistris so call'd after her mothers name who died in Child-bed of her The more she increased in yeares the handsomer she grew This Sun although but rising ravished the desires of all eyes and awaked in the most frozen mindes and in the cruellest bosomes a tender affection An eye cannot behold her without parting with an heart I should say more if so noble conditions could be exposed and if you when you had seen her should not believe her one of the most beautifull Ladies of the world A thousand have aim'd at her affection and infinite is the number of them who have falne in love with her This Paradise of perfection hath been desired and beseeched for of all worthy men What cannot a beautie more then great accompanyed with a vast Kingdome for her Dowrie doe They that knew not how to love any thing but themselves and their proper Interests expressed themselves most ambitious of her Those insensible ones that could not be conquered by her Beauty were inthral'd by the power of their owne Ambition The wisedome of his Majestie which would get him a Sonne-in-law and not an enemy neither entertain'd nor refused their offers He inclin'd not to Kings because he would not dismember Cyprus And with his Subjects he disdain'd as a diminution of the Royall greatness His neighbour Princes were not to his satisfaction because being blemished with a thousand vices he would not at the same time endanger his Kingdome his Daughter and himselfe And of Remote matches he abhorred the thought as they that would carrie the Princesse with them which would be a separating of his Soule from his Body Finally his Majesties mind fix'd on the Duke of Araone the youngest Sonne of the King of Armenia a Knight but for the deformity of his face the most worthy of his times His abode was then in the Court and with the proofes of his valour he had to won upon the Kings affections that him he chose to ally so neare to him as to make him his Sonne There was no doubt that he should dismember the Crowne or remove the Princesse into a Remote Countrey being the last of a numerous Issue and having the disposing of nothing in his hands but his Horse and Armes The King acquainted the Princesse with his Resolution who was ready to die of sorrow when she heard it The reverence sheow'd her Father and the modesty of her Sex were not sufficient to cloath her with so much wisedome as to conceale the passions of her minde To oppose her selfe to the desires of her Father was not the custome of her will or heart And how should she contradict him who commanded as a Father and would be obeyed as a King But recovering her selfe she beseeched his Majestie to give her some time that she might be able to dispose of her selfe according to his Commands She said that great Resolutions should not bee prosecuted without premeditation that seeing she was to oblige her selfe to so unequall a matrimonie it was but reason that she first should perswade her minde to it That marriages compell'd either by the Authority of those that treat of them or by their power that make them are for the most part unhappy She added other Reasons whereupon her Father allowed her six moneths time not onely for her deliberation but the consummation of the Nuptials How then the Princesse remain'd confus'd they may imagine whose Destinie
one or not suspecting it for an enemy Their Admirall was presently charged for their other would make no defence being hardly able to swim much lesse to fight The Thracians making weake resistance Diaspe entred the Galley making that slanghter which their perfidiousnesse deserved Amuritte being certified his Galley was taken ran to the succour of his despite of the Physitians who protested against his life He encouraged the Thracians and for a while heartned them to fight But they being unable to resist so great a multitude fell down all either dead or to render themselves Prisoners He only obstinate in fight after having shewne many signes of an extraordinary valour fell breathing out his soule from a mighty wound Diaspe had given him in the Breast Such was the end of Amuritte the King of the Thracians worthy truly for his many vertues of a more honourable death if his dishonesty and ambition had not transported him upon such a Precipice Diaspe came to kisse King Vassileo's hand who received him with such a welcome as they deserve who save the lives of Kings Dianea apparelling her affection in the habit of Gratitude could not satisfie her selfe in honouring him We returned to Cyprus where the Consolations and Applauses of the Court were infinite For upon such occasions also those that hate are obliged to demonstrate a joyfulness lest they shew their perfidiousness All the Kindred of the Count of Cithera absented themselves that his Majesty should take no other revenge of them and to remove any suspition of intending mischiefe The Thracian Galleys with the body of Amuritte were sent to Nicepolis with a true relation of what had passed But I know not for all that whether his mother brother gave credit to the truth who believes he is offended cares not for the cause Diaspe would not aske the Princess in marriage untill the arrivall of his whom he shortly expected He knew the ill inclination of the Court who envying and hating his valour could not but with mortification behold the King and Princess to honour him They supposed that stolne from themselves which his Majesty conferred upon others either for thankfulness or munificence The Dutchess would have proceeded in a discourse of those who either by power or riches had rendred themselves formidable even to King Vassileo himselfe who because he durst not punish them dissembled their faults but perceiving that the Princess gave signes of weariness and that she difficultly kept her eyes open that combated with sleep she broke off her Rclation both of them betaking themselves to a most sweet repose The End of the First Book DIANEA The Second Book THE Sunne was hardly to be discern'd upon the Tops of the Mountaines spreading abroad some starres of Light as Forerunners of his Arrivall when Dianea arose wearie of her bed which that night had brought more trouble then repose to her Shee apparrelled her selfe with such Vestments as beseemed her greatness not accustoming her selfe to the superfluity of those Ornaments wherewith the Ladies of these dayes following the vanity of their Genius unprofitably waste their times and lives Her face was without Art the colours not affected Her haire curling by Nature was gathered up and bound under a very thin vaile all beset with Jewels A shame to those of our age who to seem beautifull when they are not care not to appeare rather Pictures than women and to rob Sepulchers of their spoiles to deceive the eyes and judgements of those that looke on them When she was ready she commanded her Damsels to withdraw feigning her wonted Devotions Being left alone she entred into the Cave just as the Princesse had done dressing of her There after some courteous salutations she asked her how shee had passed that night in a place so below her Desert whiles she disturb'd with a thousand Passions her selfe had not for one minutes time given her eyes any repose The Princess answered she had never taken better rest having cast wholly from her memorie her former miseries finding her selfe to have so large a part in the affections of so great a Princesse That now if she was oppressed with any thought it proceeded from doubt that she had been troublesome to her and that she had nothing to express her self how gratefull she was for the Honours she had received They pass'd forward into divers Complements repleat with love and gentleness when Dianea said That having given some Truce to her owne particular Passions she had worn away a great part of the night in thinking of her That to be as it were buried in Troubles and Dangers the Discoverte of it would finde some advise to facilitate it with satisfaction And that therefore she entreated her to relate to her the Condition of her Fortune and the Accidents of her life From whence with better Counsell and more mature Deliberation they might lay hold on more proper and necessary Remedies The Princesse reply'd that she had an ambition to recount to her the Encounters of her miseries who would commiserate and assist her That in misfortunes there is found no greater Consolation then in the pittie we perceive in others Many times their Teares blesse Infelicity that compassionate it Here for a while she made a stop as if she would take breath or as if she waited for new commands But not being interrupted she thus began her discourse while Dianea attentive hung at her lips The Historie of the Princesse Florides and Prodito THE Island of Negropont for the greatness and the noblenesse of it is Queen of the Archipelagus It is separated from Paeotia by a long Channell which joynes it with the firme Land There I was borne King Dinanderto's Daughter that then to the comfort of his Subjects and admiration of his Neighbours govern'd the Scepter Among his many conditions that rendred him to Adoration his Goodness was one through which many times he did not onely forget injuries received but with an unbelieved courtesie loved those that hated him In the first yeares of his Reigne he enlarged the Confines of his Empire so prosperously that it seemed Fortune in a Dreame had subjugated Provinces to him All that confin'd to him hee had made his Tributaries and had borne so successefull Armes that his Conquests crowded one another where also many times his owne souldiers found Sepulchers of glorie He after fixed his minde upon higher Attempts designing perhaps the recovery of that which either by Fortune of warre or other alienation had been usurp'd from the Crowne of Negropont But on the suddaine he was constrained to call back his Forces to the defence of his owne State invaded by most powerfull Armies of Lodaso King of Vesati the most warlike that ever was borne of that Nation the fiercest and most formidable in the world The Reasons that moved this man to invade us were supposed many But the principall waâ— Some of my Fathers Subjects who aspired under new Princes to mend their Fortunes or who
it selfe in your Face I write to justifie my Resolutions and to confound your disloyalty The retiring Places of the Grott have not been able to bury your Amours That God whom so extreamely you worship should advertise you that he goes naked because it is impossible to conceale him and that dissimulations are not Garments that can cover him To my own happinesse I have discovered thus much That I should not be hers who will not be mine unlesse in the same time she might bestow her selfe upon others Heaven be praised that you came not to be the destruction of my Kingdom Dissolute women too much have afflicted Grecia I have satisfied the teares of my sorrow with the bloud of him that came to enjoy you This Passion which cannot bring you my full Anger will doubtlesse present you with this Advertisement If the others Soule be in the body that loves I have punished at one time your perfidiousnesse and satisfied the justice of my indignation Live then with griefe to have lost at once two Lovers the one scorned and the other slaine and perpetually feare to heare the Reproaches of a sinister Fame I go from hence to Creete where I shall find beauties more worthy because they will prove more modest Diaspe She had scarce read these last words but her hands would make amends for the Offences given her eyes tearing that Letter into a thousand peeces which designed her to a continuall lamentation Her tongue also ran for the succour of her heart uttering those things which might vent out her griefe and lessen her passion Faithlesse man said shee didst thou want other meanes lesse impious to satiate thy barbarismes Couldst thou with waies more cruell disdaine my Affections With wickeder stratagems couldst thou triumph over my simplicity Couldst thou with more disguised Fictions betray my Innocency Is this thy faith these thy promises these thy oaths O Dianea only unhappy because thou hast loved Gods why preserved you me from the hands of the Thracian who could only have deprived me of my life to leave me a prey to a wicked one who at once takes from me my Kingdomee Life and Honour Wherefore preserved you me safe from the furies of the sea to let me be swallowed up in an Occan of Infamy Cruell one are they Arguments that I can love others because I have loved thee Thou shouldst not therefore have doubted of it being I cannot love my selfe If I had I should not have disposed my honour and fortune into the hands of a man to whom inconstancy is as proper as motion to the Heavens Thou hast reason to suppose mee unfaithfull because I have betrayed my selfe But where are those testimonies that make my Innocency seeme guilty How canst thou convince my heart of disloyalty that out of an abundance of affection to thee grew jealous of it selfe Ought I then to be convicted for a simple suspition Doubts then must serve for proofes against her who to be be thine hath been willing to endanger her life displease her Subjects and deceive her Father Wicked man I know thy perfidiousnesse Because thou canst not love thou feignest things for true which cannot fall under Imagination much lesse sense Suspitions are not nourished but in unfaithfull bosomes as Thunder-bolts are not made but in the coldest Regions of the Aire Dianea no sooner had finished these Complaints but Floridea would have tried all means to have comforted her if she had not been assured by the Dutchesse that her Father who came to visite her was not far off At notice of this she stopped the Torrent of those teares which ran with her tongue to exaggerate her sorrows She forced her selfe to disguise her passions and to conceale those signs that might make the warinesse of a King jealous whom Age had not deprived of his judgement Having taken leave of Floridea she went to meet her Father who was already entred into the Pallace She presently gave signe by the palenesse of her face and by the gastlinesse of her eyes of the motions of her mind and the alteration of her heart Yet for the most part she satisfied the feares of her Father suspitious at it she told him the cause laying the blame on the night past wherein she had neither slept nor taken any repose you had need therefore replied Vassileo choose you such a Companion that should provoke you to rest and taking her by the hand retired into the Garden and said to her Daughter since the unfortunate successe of the Infante of Armenia I have had no greater thought than about your Marriage You cannot remaine as you are without danger to your selfe and me They that envy the happinesse of my State and aspire to the Possession of the Kingdome under the pretence of wedding you cover either their infidelity or ambition The example of the Count of Cithera should teach Princes not to promote with hopes the wicked affections of their Subjects and strangers There is not any who will not acknowledge himselfe enamoured on your person and your Kingdome But should other Motives be wanting that of posterity makes me desirous I wish to see my selfe renewed in my Grand-Children which I would not leave in their Nonage in a Kingdome so great and powerfull but yet not without enemies Provinces and Kingdomes the richer they are the more are they envied Many make but slight esteeme of that victory which enricheth not the Conquerour and great dangers stay not some from great pretensions your Nuptials will allay these suspitions which deprive me of all consolation To these therefore I desire your assent which I beleeve cannot be contrary to my desires and my entreaties Dianea dissembling those afflictions that oppressed her soule after a little pause to recover her spirits answered Becks from your Majesty ought by all to be received as Commands not only by your Daughter who hath learnt no other thing but obedience and can serve you in nothing but obeying you The King replied another answer he could not looke for from her discretion and affection The Duke of Filena shall be your Husband a young man to whom nothing is wanting to render him superiour to all but a Kingdome which you shall bring him in dowry In peace he hath not his Equall and in war none above him The Kingdome of Negropont which hath been the Theatre whereon he hath acted the wonders of his valour bewailes his absence He hath quieted the seditious extinguished the Rebels returned liberty to the people and not being else able to resist the entreaties of those who would have had him their King he is hither retired into our Kingdome Prepare you then for I will remove all stops that may delay this Marriage This said he parted from her because perceiving Dianea in a great perplexity of mind he would not trouble her farther retiring joyfull to the Court in that he had opened the businesse on which he conceived all his happinesse depended Dianea after her Fathers
departure finding her heart a narrow Vessell for an Excesse of an over-flowing Love exhaled her Passion in words sighes and teares Now she called Heaven to be witnesse of her Innocencie Now blamed Cupid that ingenerated in the hearts of Lovers suspitions so farre from Truth Now she accused Diaspe of injustice who had concluded her guilty without hearing her defences Now she complained of Fortune who between her perpetuall motions of inconstancy was a continuall affliction to her Now she reproved her selfe of her errours for so easily yielding to the Affections of that man which determine in the fruition of the Object But when she fixed upon the consideration of having promised her Father to entertaine the marriage with the Duke of Filena and to be deprived even of the hope of having Diaspe forgetting altogether the reservednesse becomming a Princesse it appeared by her that she would not or could not live any longer She beat the earth with her feet because she having been believed a Heaven of Beauty peradventure perswaded her selfe that the Vapours of her Passions could have no originall but from the Earth She struck her face with her hands as if she meant to punish the beauty there as Author of her Infelicity Shee knocked her Breast and it seemed she would chase thence that Image which against her will tyrannized in her heart Lastly she tore her haire making them guilty of Diaspe's far away absence because they had not the power to stay and entangle him The sense of her sorrow ceased not to torment her And these Rages which came as Natures under-Assistants for the consolation of her minde augmented the oppressions of it Finally overcome and cast downe by the Assault of of many passions she was constrained by a violent Fever to betake her selfe to her Bed whilst her griefes presaged nothing but her Death The Dutchess used all meanes to comfort her representing to her infinite expectations very well knowing that hope although remote is the true nourishment of Love and the onely Consolation of Lovers When shee perceived her tired with a Conquering sorrow and that it seemed that her eyes which were even drained with weeping desired Repose despight of griefe which wished to see her engaged to a perpetuall Lamentation she went from her to Floridea in the Cave To whom she recounted the ill-fortune of the Princess and the Resolution she had taken to disoblige her heart from Diaspe obeying her Father and marrying the Duke of Filena The Dutchess had understood from Dianea King Vassileo's Intention but knew nothing of the Love that had passed between Floridea and the Duke of Filena When Floridea heard the Duke named with a great alteration she beseeched who was that Duke of Filena who was accounted worthy of such a Princess The Dutchess answered her he was the most celebrated King at that time Fame reported and that enoblized the Glories of his bloud by the wonders of his Vertue by which hee had conquered envy it selfe That King Vassileo even when he was a great way hence had elected him for his sonne and that not many dayes since he arrived here to solemnize these Nuptialls which most sumptuously are a preparing Floridea had scarce heard the sense of these last words but being surprized with a trembling of the heart she beseeched the Dutchess to leave her untill she had passed over that fit which she conceived of little moment being accustomed formerly to have greater Being alone she gave liberty to her tongue that accompanying her eyes they might celebrate the Funerall of her hopes Unfortunate cry'd she are they that found their Desires upon the inconstancies of Fortune I grew proud in holding her by the haire and perswaded my self I might with all security resâ— me in the midd'st of her wheele having been sheltered from the Barbarismes of Traytors preserved from the Furies of the Sea and to have found so large a share in the affections of so great a Princess and now I see my selfe a new reduced to that condition that Death would be the least of my miseries How uncertaine are our Thoughts How vaine our Designes How beguiled our Hopes and how betray'd our opinions I imagined that this Grot that had hid me from the cruelty of mine enemies would have also preserved me from the cruellest blowes of Destiny I believed it had not been able to penetrate into this Cave which the Sun dares not disclose Ah me unhappy what Remedy shall I look for I have found the ill and Death hath mocked me with an appearance of Recoverie I am like those Flies which burne themselves in that fire which they believed would have cherished them But to whom profits it me to complaine since 't is in the power of this hand to release me from all the molestations of the world That woman is too much miserable that hath no other meanes to ease her of her miserie but her teares But I have a Courage to dye when I will and that envies not the constancie of those breasts that being of a less fraile Sex are judged therefore the more generous But whither doth my griefe transport my tongue and my reason make me wander For the present I ought not nor can I dye For being the Duke of Filena's I should not relinquish his Commands I ought to depend upon his will and to heare my selfe his Resolutions Others reports for the most part are either interested or careless In the affaires of Love the circumstances give and take away life When thou shalt say O Duke of Filena thou wilt not be mine When thou shalt refuse that Sacrifice thou hast of my heart then I can dispose of my selfe according to my pleasure At the present my thought could not be innocent if it should violate thy right If thou wilt have Dianea I will not oppose thee For I should love thee but a little if for my proper Interest I should deprive thee of so gratefull a thing Nevertheless I know that I offend thee making that faith dubious which I have always served with so much loyalty Thus complayning without attending the Returne of the Dutchesse as if shee hated those Roomes fearing no longer Prodirto nor the Encounters of Fortune she went forth of the Cave with the greatest anxiety that could be taking that path which to her judgement might lead her whither her heart designed her By the way she devised how she should appeare to the Duke of Filena She prepared words premeditated conceits which were by her selfe now accused as too humble and now rejected as over-rigorous Shee contriv'd if shee found her selfe despised how she should amplifie her sorrowes And meditated if accepted of by what wayes she should conceale her joy Whilst she agitated by these Passions rendred the Incommodities of her travaile more supportable Diaspe who had resolved to abandon the world and to live amidst solitudes without the disturbance of those thoughts which make us abhorre life condemning his opinion for base had hired
gave her selfe and divers other particulars Which being heard with a disdainefull laughter of the Infanta she said to him Oleandro dreames and fables find no belefe in the mind of a Lover who hardly can credit her eyes Are you not satisfied to have tormented my innocency with your workes that anew you would with words entice my soule from me See how perfidious and how cruell thou art Thou proposest things to me so far distant from being and possibility that I can never enforce my heart to beleeve them How Thou receive a Letter and not distinguish the Characters A Messenger wakened you and you observed him not A Knight accompanied you and you knew him not The wounds the thieves and thy other imaginations raise in me that effect which the fragours of the waves of Nylus make which deafen Thou art ingratefull thou art a Traitour thou art a wicked man and therefore no wonder thou shouldst be a Lyer Besides who is this that goes along with you a Partaker of your misfortunes What confidence what engagement what meanes rendred thee a Companion so interessed that she hath a boldnesse as it were to repose her selfe in thy bosome and now assured of thy protection hath given her selfe over a prey to sleepe This replied Oleandro is my Sister and I would that you should understand it from her very mouth So speaking he awakened Arnalta saying to her Come Sister and reverence this Lady whom my heart hath elected for its Queen Is perhaps this replied Arnalta the Infanta of Numidia Understanding it was the same she ran to kisse her hands The Infanta drew them back to her saying Excuse me if Love and Jealousie take from me those actions of Courtesie which are owing to your merit To day I should rejoyce to be deceived because I might beguile my feare I have businesse of some consequence with this whom you affirme to be your brother I can neither answer nor live if I see not the end of this Turning her selfe then to Oleandro she said to him I cannot deny but that thy Lies carry a face of truth But this time they shall not find credit I will yeeld to your assertion that this is your Sister But how will you prove that performed which you have fabled of me Innocency readily replied Oleandro hath not need of many proofes Behold the Letter which the Princess Arelida your Sister made use of to deceive me Take notice of your own Characters so well imitated that I believe you your selfe would remaine in doubt that your hand had fashioned them unknown to your eyes and heart Then said the Infanta Is Oleandro faithfull Then is he mine O Gods what thankes can I ever render you having restored me my Lover on better conditions then I could desire or imagine She ranne after to embrace him neither the presence of Arnalta nor that of the other Knight could containe her in those tendernesses which are practis'd onely among Lovers Their kisses were centuplicated Their Arms which as it were strove with their hearts in expressing Affection were not wearie with Embracing as much as might be they endeavoured to unite their bodies The heart not being able for joy to contain it self in the breast issued out of it in words kisses and teares In summe there was not a sense in them which rejoyced not These first violences of Affection being over-passed they excused themselves he with the Knight and she with Arnalta they resolved presently to depart thence not to be over-taken by the night The Knight told them that not farre off there was an house where they need not desire welcome They took their way towards it Olsandro entreated the Infanta to make the tediousness and troubles of their journey pleasant with some Relation he being desirous of the newes that fell out in the Court after his departure with the Princesse The Infanta with an eagerness encountring this occasion thus began her Storie The History of the Infanta Ariama IT was two houres day when the Damsels of the Princess my Sister perceived that shee was missing More by their teares then words they acquainted my father with it At the notice of it he became speechlesse He afterwards sent without delay to the Ports to learne whither she took her voiage dispatching every way souldiers on Horseback to stay her Hee imagined she was gone with you the Guards of the Golden gate reporting your Departure with one Companion who by the Description they made could not but be my sister When I knew it I was willing to die for griefe I said and did things which would have provoked sense of Pity even in things insensible My Father hearing no tidings of her could not be comforted and removed some Moneths without sufferring himselfe to be seen in publick In that time the Prince his Brother returned from warre maintained alwayes at great charges abroad because being cruell of nature and a Lover of innovation my Father very willingly saw him not in the Kingdome Hee was scarce come but he desired leave to depart for Cyprus by Fame enflamed with love to the Princess Dianea who for Beauty was esteemed a new Venus My Father whom these Amours pleased not for Reasons of State would not consent to him for many times their Of-spring engage Parents to great Matters and 't is small security to a Prince that many may pretend to the Government My Uncle shew'd himselfe not to care for this denyall especially because a few dayes before the Nuptials of Dianea with the King of Armenia's youngest Sonne were there published He fixed his minde and thought on new objects He esteemed the Dutchess of Corana worthy his affections There he applyed himselfe with such a Passion that he made all the Court admire him seeing a Prince a Rivall to Mars become suddenly a Tributary to Cupid Many times an alteration into the Extreames is Easie My Father neither allow'd of nor withstood these Amours feigning himselfe blinde in things perspicuous to all The Dutchess although Ambition and a desire to be beloved be connaturals to women seemed strange altogether and coy at it She had formerly engaged her heart to Doarte the Count of Nasace a Knight who by the gentleness of his behaviour and the valour of his sword had gained himselfe the Affections of all Shee truely had never applyed her minde thither if my interest had not induced her The seeing me so neare to render account to Nature of the pleasures I had stole from my marriage made her fall into a Resolution far from her opinion and genius We two onely could not conceale nor mature the birth with safety There was need of many shadowes to darken so many eyes The Count was made acquainted with my secrets the Dutchess veiling the Necessity under an apparance of trust He that was repleat with good Nature and kindnesse offered himselfe to serve me in all that which was knowne to be able to exercise his devotion and make triall of his
He would have added how being transported with the favours of the Princess he assumed the confidence to reveale his affection and how meeting there with a correspondency he attempted to attaine her for his wife But he broke off his Relation being interrupted with the Acclamations of the Souldierie that attended the King of the Thracians He was met in a splendid pompe by the Duke of Filena The Souldiers were placed in a decent posture Squadrons of Horse and Foot so interwoven in so delightfull an order that the Thracian could not satisfie himself in beholding them He was accompanied but only by an hundred of his Thracian youth of the noblest birth Their Apparrel was wondrous rich The Chaines and Jewels they wore exceeded Estimation Yet the strangeness of their Habit was more admirable then the costliness of it He upon a Courser all covered with Velvet made an excellent shew of his dexterity Hee took pleasure to make that Horse curvet as if he were also ambitious to make himselfe obeyed even by Beasts Hee submitted to the Bridle with so much readinesse that it well appeared his Genius instructed him that he was not to be handled by Grandees but with his Obedience Though Horses know not Adulation this seemed that with his motion and neighings hee intended no other but to flatter him The Thracian had the Duke of Eilena on his left hand with whom he discoursed of Military Armies Each other of his Court was attended on by a great Field-Officer And in this state they approached Arsinoe At the Gates he was waited for by all the Councell And come to the Pallace King Vassileo met him without the Gates of the great Hall The Welcomes and Complements were redoubled on both sides with so high an expression of affection as if nature had obliged them to love one another They both sate them downe under a cloth of State which covered two most rich Chaires Vassileo took the right hand though he feigned himselfe willing to have resigned it to Dorcone Here those keeping silence that were come to be present at this first Audience The Thracian in his own Language said That he was come in person to confirme that peace which had ever been preserved inviolate by his Predecessors That Accidents never had the power to alter that disposition which had alwaies rendred his heart obliged to love King Vassileo as a Father That the Reports that he had raised men against the Kingdome of Cyprus had extreamly afflicted him so that his Affection could not suffer him that the security of that Kingdome should grow jealous at his preparations for warre That he had built a Fleet to make shew of his power not to usurpe upon the States of others or disturbe his friends He spoke long upon this matter and with so much eagernesse that it was impossible to conceive whether those Words were the Daughters of Truth or of Dissimulation King Vassileo answered that he ascribed to his greatest Fortune in seeing himself honoured by the visit of such a King that it grieved him he was not young that he might have prevented him but yet that this was an Adjunct of Glorie to the Thracian that he would yield to one who was inferiour to him in merit and that he would oblige without a hope of correspondency That he thanked him for the trouble hee had took and the peace confirm'd he having not greater desire in his so declining yeares then to enjoy quietnesse He plied him with so many expressions of Affection that he enforced the Thracian to an humiliation Rising they were led to the Princesse Lodgings who hearing of it came to receive them The Thracian stood still fixing his eyes upon the Face of Dianea with such an Alteration that it was easily observed by all Dorcone first bowing to her said Fair Princess it is a greater felicity to be borne slaves in Cyprus to enjoy the sight of such a Beautie then a King in Thracia I that have brought peace to this Kingdome cannot vouchsafe it to my heart which will ever be assaulted by so divine Rarities I beseech you disdaine not that I should love you that I might expresse my ambition to serve a Princess who to enrich the world it was necessarie she should receive Trophies from all the Beauties of Heaven Dianea that with a discontented mind heard of the Arrivall of the Thracian not onely for being ravished from the Embracements of Diaspe but also for the hatred she bore that Nation could not but with a disdaine afford her eare to these words Neverthelesse with that dissimulation which is borne in the mouthes of great Personages She answered She besought him to moderate those commendations that he might not put himselfe into a danger to undertake the Defence of an unjust Thing that in her there was no desers that might move the Affection of a King in whom Nature and Fortune were met to render him superiour to the greatest Amidst such Complements Dorcone parted from Dianea leaving neverthelesse his soule in pawne for the usurie of the Delight of his eyes King Vassileo would wait on him downe staires although the Thracian by all meanes possible refused it They were on the last steps ready to part when they were both stai'd by a noise of Armes which made them both suspicious of Treason Dorcone saying to King Vassileo Friend are we secure of our Lives King Vassileo made no reply but with a great deale of danger to his owne person hee quieted the Tumult and passing through the croud went where it received originall Diaspe who had met the Thracian was resolved to follow accompanying him to the Court. In this while Celardo incited by report of the comming of so great a Prince was also arrived there to see those meetings which seldome happen and also to satisfie the curiosity of a Knight who some dayes before was become his Guest He was presently taken notice of by Diaspe who remembring his ancient Contempts and imagining him come into that place in a Rivalship for the love he bore Dianea unable to containe himselfe he said Rash man Hast thou yet the Confidence to approach him whom thou hast so often offended If the Majestie of King Vassileo deserved not all Reverence you should soone finde I know well how to chastise the fond folly of those that depart from their Duty Celardo not accustomed to receive Injuries answered him with advancing his hand to strike him on the face without delay unsheathing his sword Diaspe avoiding the box on the Eare drew likewise his forth They that were neare them were not slow to take Armes crying out they should cease that Tumult The Souldiers that were far off supposing themselves betray'd by the Thracians began to deale blowes with so great an insolency that though King Vassileo was a great way off it was an inconvenience of consequence for him to goe thither His Majestie all this while holding Dorcone by the hand made every one draw backe and
of State and the command of your Father Dianea suffered not these words without displeasure Yet she was unwilling that any externall signes should appeare to her Father desiring noâ— to oppose her Discontents though very reasonable For a while she deferred her Answer as if she premeditated words or rather because shee was to declare an Opinion remote from that of her Father she was willing to prolong as much as was possible her angring him Lastly the Ensignes I know not whether of Shame or Discontent unfolded in her Countenance shee thus answered him Sir in some things I supposed my selfe not obliged to obey your Majestie above once you commanded me that I should respect the Duke of Filena as my Husband and in despite of my heart I assented which perchance was very unwilling to submit to Matrimonie Now I would humble my selfe to your resolutions if I could do it or if it lay within my power to do it I find my selfe engaged to the Duke of Filena and am not in a condition to receive affections nor to love another Let the tendernesse of a Father commiserate the weaknesse of his Daughter who with the losing of my selfe have been willing to obey my Father I do not call to your memory the infelicious remembrances of the Thracians infidelitie because this ought to be a consideration of discretion which some should propose to me I have not an ambition for the multitude of Kingdomes This of Cyprus is sufficient to satiate the vastitie of these thoughts which peradventure would not be wooed into a content with the Dominion of a World The valour of the Duke of Filena allowes us not an oceasion to dread the hostilitie of enemies The Kingdome of Negrepont speakes too much otherwise of his virtue I know not who would resist a ship when he should assist at the sterne She would have added other reasons but was interrupted by King Vassileo who said to her Dianea I am not come to dispute with you but only to acquaint you with my resolvs As a daughter you should reverence them as disercet commend them The interests of the State and Kingdome appertaine not to your Age nor to your Sexe It concernes me to make you obey and acknowledge the Obligation you owe to the Gods and to a Father so affectionate and so indulgent Dianea perceiving him full of anger threw her selfe at his feet and there speaking and lamenting united her teares and supplications to perswade him and overcome him at the same time All was in vaine for with a rigorous severitie he determined the Nuptials should be solemnized without delay Whereupon Dianea despaiting altogether of her life would not any longer conceale her affections Prostrating her selfe againe at his feet with sobs and sighs and all her cunning she said to him Father Behold the unhappy Dianea compelled languishing at your feet to confesse the errours and follies of her heart I deny not to deserve the most severe rigours of your indignation not for any fault I can discerne in my Election but for having made it without the approbation of your Majestie But now torments and crosses are prepared for I cannot assent to a new Marriage having given my Faith to Astidamo Prince of Creete Let not your Majesty thinke that I will justifie the demerit of my disobedience for I will have no reason against a Father who hath been pleased to love me to such an excesse Much lesse can I beseech you for pardon because my mind cannot imagine an offence having made choice of a Prince so great and so worthy nor can I admit of repentance for having elected him King Vassileo in a moment changed colour a thousand times That countenance which through age was nothing but palenesse he apparelled with so many flames that it well preclaimed the fire which he nourished in his breast He would have thrust Dianea from him who held him embracing his Knees if a sudden feare had not brought a trembling both into his feet and hands Recovering in some measure his strength and growing into a fury he gave command for the imprisonment of Dianea There was not any that durst contradict him nor enquire of him the cause shewing himselfe so highly displeased that it was not with securitie of life to speake to him About an hour after dissembling the flames of his perturbation he sent for the Thracian to whom he related his miseries with resentments so lively that Dorcone himselfe was enforced to accompanie him in weeping After wards breaking the silence he was compelled to by griefe he began to say O what prodigies are these that reward me with inventions of impossibilitie only to render me miserable Father you have slaine me How can it be that Dianea who beares bashfulnesse and simplicity in her countenance should be disobedient to her Father Can she be immodest Your Majesty must excuse me if I beleeve it not For my affection would not receive an impression on of things which might prejudice the honour of Dianea But yet let it be how it will I beseech your Majesty to bestow her on me because my affection is not capable of any thing but the possession of her I hope by serving her I shall dispoyle her of all those loves which have rendered her engaged to another King Vassileo setting aside the interests of his Kingdome answered Friend I am unwilling she should be anothers who would not be mine She shall receive from me double punishment as from a Judge and as from a Father Having abused the effects of my love she shall prove those of my indignation The Thracian replied suggesting to him That he could not more worthily supply the Interests of her honour than by placing her in marriage That otherwise she would ever live with that blemish of shame on her Reputation King Vassileo becomming impatient by the provocations of sorrow unable to suffer that others should appoint him Rules to his Affaires returned him a sharpe answer which Dorcone taking great exception at parted from him repleat with anger The voices of the people encreased it upon him who alwaies ignorant in their Furies supposing him the author of Dianea's miseries followed him through the streets with a thousand reproaches The Thracian was become odious to all the Court his vices being discovered appearing the greater because for a time he had dissembled them Many times he held himselfe but little assured of his life perceiving the clamours multiplied in such a manner that they exprest evidences of an insurrection Dorcone resolved upon his departure unwilling to render himself lyable to the Precipices of the Vulgar alwaies blind in their Judgements and ever rash in their Resolutions He scarce arrived at the Port when he saw the burning of his two Galleys consumed with fire before the Marriners could provide any remedy A few by swimming escaped the danger the fire at one and the same time having deprived them both of preventions and an escape It was an impossibility to
to the tendernesse of the affection of an unfortunate woman I well know that pitty resides in Regall mindes for they having the instruments to make happy would not that their hearts should be inferiour to their Fortune I come then O Magnanimous to supplicate you for an Action which will augment Glories to your Triumph and Acclamations to your Fame In the first Battaile an only Brother of mine became a prey to your Victories He fought through meere necessity constrained by King Vassileo's Commands being a stranger brought into Cyprus by my infelicity He â—â—th no other enmity against the Thracians then that of obedience which he owed to him against whom he was not able to refuse it I adde not with new teares provocations to the generosity of the King of the Thracians who ought not to receive Motions for his Munificence but from himselfe I wipe them away not because I feele my griefe to waine but not to offend the divinity of that minde which is not liable to Affections I would offer any thing in recompence of such a favour if my poverty and yoer greatnesse admitted of Gifts I have not the ability to prepare you royall ones nor you a mind to receive them At the least I should give you thanks but the bitterness of my sorrow so confuseth me and the greatness of the benefit permits me not Let this also be an Adjunct to the wonders of your Glories that you can bestow favours on those who eve know not how to returne thanks To a Magnanimous man his own Conscience is a great reward Yet you may assure your selfe that all my speeches shall be nothing but Encomiums of your Liberality and all my Vowes shall not supplicate the Gods but to see you live eternally as you shall live immortally in the memorie of all Ages So she held her peace awaiting an Answer in such a posture that in silence she had voice and entreaties and peradventure also violence All were perswaded by these words which came forth accompanied with a certaine Majesty that the gave a credit to her passion The Thracian delayed his Reply feeling his heart at one and the same time combated by divers affections The Memory of Dianea to whom he had sacrificed all his Affections would not give place to the beauties of Floridea But fire cannot be eternall among ashes It may well preserve it self but finally it will goe forth He blaming the foolishness of his thoughts which obliged him to love an Object which could be not loved gave himselfe over a prey to this new beauty so much the rather for the seeing her in his power added fomentations to his love facilitating hope to him He then answered Faire Maid if I by silence have entertained your hopes with fears it was not because I found my selfe unresolved to pleasure you Lay the fault of my suspension on your face which astonisheth even those that are willing to serve you Your Brother shall be delivered and all that which may accomplish the vowes of your Desires I know not notwithstanding what cruell pitty you have about you imprisoning those that give you Prisoners You onely perhaps would do violences Peradventure you disdaine that others should have the Valour to take Captive But be it as it will what ever depends on you is gratefull to me Know that in reverencing you and loving you I yeeld not at all to the Brother whom you seek for If I shall live Fortune shall no more glory to behold you a Supplyant Do you also exercise that pitty which you have experimented in others Floridea replyed not The bashfulnesse that soon shadowed her face tied also her tongue She bowed kissing the Thracians hands who would not resist it to accreditate the beginnings of his Love to be of estimation All the Prisoners came among which not perceiving the Duke she afresh gave way to her teares Dorcone omitted no diligence to have him sought for among the dead but that not availing he commanded Floridea should be kept carefully He was in such wise enamoured on of her beauties that without enjoying her he perswaded himself he could not live He will'd that the Count of Ruffanâ— under the species of comforting her should endevour to render her perswaded to his pleasures This was an old man blemished with the most enormous dishonesties He had nothing in him but what was vice Years that use to remember men of Repentance for their dissolutenesse in this man fomented sensualities The fear of losing them made him more covetous of enjoying them By Arts the most dishonest he had got possession of his Masters Affections who seeing him of Customes conformable to himselfe could not but love him His Vices raised him to that Degree of Honour whereto others by vertue hardly arrived to by desire This man that with a presence that counterfeiting goodness would have beguiled wariness it selfe entred to speake with Floridea who sitting on a bed bewailed her infelicity The first words were of Complement the Count saying That by Commission from his Majesty he was come to comfort her promising her for his part all diligence to search out all signes that might discover her Brother Floridea answered with so much the more humility adding that she was acconsolated in her Miseries that rendred the Protection of such a King interested and the good will of so worthy a Knight The Count then taking occasion began to say to her Lady if your countenance gave me not evidences of your Wisedome I should enforce my selfe with words to make you believe what a gift Fortune through the merit of your beauties hath bestowed upon you But acknowledging in your Arguings that exceed the Discourses of those that have spent all the yeares of their life in Negotiations I will onely say that Dorcone hath made you worthy of his affections and of his Embraces See how Heaven compassionates the Resentment of your teares and how the Gods undertake the Protection of Beautie I will not presume to perswade you because I cannot doubt you will slight the love of a King whom to enjoy the Goddesses in Contention would descend from Heaven These graces fall but on a few To undervalue them is to shew your selfe unworthy of them and the rather because it would be an ungratefull act and dangerous to oppose your selfe to the Desires of a Prince who hath overcome all delayes to favour you and who may obtaine that by force which your wilfulness may deny him Peradventure your Love may perswade him to greater matters There are many Alexanders that espouse their servants The Opinion of the vulgar and of those in particular that with deceitfull names and vaine betray the simplicity of maids falls not upon Princes that give Lawes without receiving any There is not any thing that is unconvenient to a King so it be agreeable to his pleasure I adde no more not to prejudice your Election and not to steale from you that merit which your promptnesse to his
of those times were skilfull in all the Sciences and in this in particular as most necessary in the Pallaces of Princes who will not trust their healths to the infidelity of others hands but because from her childhood her Genius had inclined her to it Oleandro in this while with an impetuous beating of the heart met with the Count of Silinera to whom he had given knowledge of his Arrivall Divers Complements passed which alwaies abound in the mouths of Great men Sitting down in a Chamber of the Pallace and dismissing his Attendants who for the most part use to spy into the Actions of their Patrons the Count of Salinera spoke thus Prince Oleandro it transfixes my soule that the first day in which I have had the fortune to reverence you should be funeralized with things most molestfull to him who is to execute them and with sorrow to him that commands them But I having to talke with a Prince who counterpoiseth all actions with reason and treating of the reason of State which is the soule that quickens the body publike you will receive those Offices in good part which though they appeare unpleasant are neverthelesse necessary I will not remember you of the miseries of this Kingdome which at the present enjoyes no other quiet nor other felicity than that which an ideall and an imaginary hope can promise us It is known to all and I suppose to you in particular that being borne to command you are obliged to observe the Customes of people and the misfortunes of Princes more than any other Laws are here either neglected or abused Justice set to sale hath rendred interessed Rewards and Punishments The Nobility are become Tyrants over the Commonalty The people fomentated by the Chances of Fortune have forgot their Obedience Honours are dispenced at randome Desert and Vertue are suppressed by favour and riches The power of King Vassileo in a manner is restrained so that he is scarce the Mastor of himselfe Some that have gained the chiefe Offices keep his eares as it were so besieged that he suspects not ill though he prove it And yet he hath beene advised by many who have not feared to ruine themselves to save the Prince This Advertisement hath been if not too late at least untimely so that to apply a Remedy was to encrease not to remove the Evill The successes in the Kingdome have constrained his Majestie to suffer the wicked because they should not grow worse He that for Wisedome knowes neither a Superiour nor equall hath been unwilling to stirre those humours which before they can be dissolved will destroy the Body The Death of the Count of Cithera a young man that by his Liberalities had won the Affections of all have so alienated them from the King that the most seditious now attend but for a new occasion to disguise the Impiety of their Designes To our Domestick miseries externall are joyned The King of Thacia and Armenia unite their Armies to invade us the one to revenge the death of his Brother and the other that of a son as if King Vassileo himselfe had been the Author of them The Chance although it was of pure Fortune is without reason ascribed to his Majestie but to those that have an intention to wage warre all Appearances become Causes Kings that have innumerable men and money make that lawfull which they will and under a mantle of Justice conceale their Ambition and Cruelty In summe this Commotion hath put his Majesty into grave deliberations for he shall at once be combated with enemies he knowes not and have occasion to feare his owne as much as he doth the Armenians and Thracians To withdraw himselfe from so imminent dangers he hath procur'd to make friendship with Princes his Neighbours and those farther off Some of them he hath awakened with this universall Maxime That the greatnesse of the Armenians and Thracians cannot be but with perill to them To give way that the forces of others should exceed their owne endangers their Liberty to the discretion of an insolent for such are Conquerours Many he hath perswaded by the ties of bloud and others he hath put in minde of injuries received from these two Kingdomes Some also he hath remembred of the Services hee done them In briefe hee hath not omitted any occasion nor notice to gaine him the hearts of those who though they cannot aide him at least shall doe him no harme In Africk he hath sounded the Affections of all and hath there found such a forwardnesse that the King of Egypt with his Cousin the new King of Morocco have offered themselves to fall upon the Kingdome of Thracia to divert him or take from him the occasion to invade us knowing their State-Tenents not to maintaine two warres at one time This fell out gratefull to his Majestie because the onely forces of Armenia could not daunt ours to whom for a long continuance of yeares they have alwayes yielded obedience so much the more being under the command of a King who never had combated with other but wilde Beasts But this joy of King Vassileo's was mortified by notice given him that the King of Morocco dispatched Embasladours to have your Person delivered him imagining himselfe whilst you lived neither secure nor King His injustices are so detestable to his Subjects that they dayly pray Heaven for your Returne If the present state of things did not necessitate my master to any agreement though unjust for the Lawes of necessity are without Law and it is allowable to doe every thing rather then fall you should have no cause to feare any and hee with as much Resolution would undertake your defence as now it grieves him to desire your Departure He hath committed to my charge to informe you of the state of things and that he himselfe not being safe can much lesse secure others He knowes that daily there are Treacheries woven against you and knowes that not long since you were dangerously wounded He heard it with as much sorrow as can be imagined in a just Prince constrained to support injustices He entreats you therefore with the greatest privacy possible to goe hence that he be not compell'd to doe wrong either to you or himselfe He for feare of having it discovered conceiving it dangerous to appoint you Vessells for your Transportation as a Present hath sent you these Jewels inferiour to your merit but perhaps needfull in the Encounters of your new fortune Though you were resolved to have continued here his Majestie desires you to goe and assures you you shall doe it with safety and will maintain that faith which he promised you when first he knew his condition and birth He is confident your wisedome will apprehend this Counsell as the securest for the safety and reputation of you both Cyprus is not worthy to possess such a Prince You may with security promise to your selfe that these feares of Warre being ceas'd this Kingdome shall serve you as a
Sanctuarie and that King Vassileo above all others will interest himselfe to favour you in the regaining you your Crowne He loves Justice more then others and cannot endure that the wicked should triumph over innocency The rather by reason the cause is common to all Kings oughting not to suffer Usurpation of States in others lest they finde the experience of it in their owne Here the Count of Salinera held his peace Whereupon Oleandro replyed I ascribe it my Lord to my great fortune that the Majesty of King Vassileo so much interests himselfe in my Calamities I shall not alwayes remaine unhappy being protected by such a Prince I will be gone because he desires it and goe willingly Because Misfortunes ever attend me I would not disquiet the safetie of his Kingdom I will take along with me these Jewels which he hath pleased to honour me with not that I have need of them but to have daily before mine eyes Testimonies of his Magnanimity Greatnesse and my obligations I should thank him for what he hath done and for what hee hath promised to doe for me if these Duties were not common in all tongues So great Engagements claim a reverent Acknowledgement which is ordinarily more expressed by silence then the tongue The reasons you have alledged were uselesse to perswade me It sufficeth that I see the Interests of the King or Kingdome to move me This Discourse being finished the Count of Salinera bad him farewell with a resentment more lively and true then those that are practised in Courts Oleandro complaining on the infinitenesse of his miseries prepared himselfe with Arnalta for their Departure Their Habits were poore his face he disfigured with a thousand blemishes So Fortune knowes how to jest even with Princes They that knew how to disguise themselves so knew not how they should have knowne themselves Celardo used all meanes to have borne them Company But being over-come by reasons and prayers was enforced to move it no farther remaining in the possession of the Pallace These two Princes departed before the Appearance of the Sunne could discover their departure When they came to the Sea side they were so weary they could hardly stand Necessitie may trouble but never can discourage worthy minds Finding a Vessell they went aboard it which set saile that very night The most noble Island of Cyprus was out of sight when they were rowsed on a suddaine by the swellings of the Sea assaulted by the winds the Mariners were constrained to fall to land on a Rock where by the help of swimming and Planks they escaped from the water The Countrey being unknowne they put themselves to walk afoot at adventure whilst the other wearied themselves to recover the ship-wrackt goods which it seemed were spewed up by the Sea with a great fury upon those shores After one houre and more of travailing they came to some Shepheards Cabbins from whom they received meat and lodging the next night These People although they could not understand them nor were understood with a thousand signes of courtesie could not weary themselves with doing them honour In minds base by birth many times are found gentlenesse which great Ones either know not how to use or will not Morning being come they departed by break of day to find out some City where they might at leisure deliberate of what they should do They walked till that time of the day that the body requires the naturall tribute of meats They rested them neare a Fountaine and after their Repast gave themselves over to sleep willing with a most pleasing repose to slight that fortune which only aimed to disquiet them Whilest they lay in this fashion a Knight came upon them for so he appeared by his Armes and his Apparell He cast his eyes upon Arnalta and praising much that beauty he fixed his look upon Oleandro He presently knew him though so unlike to himselfe There is not any thing that can be concealed from the eyes of a Lover His Travels Misfortunes Calamities had not so transformed him that he could not be known for Oleandro by her that loved him Being assured that he was the very same she trembled swet grew cold became unmoveable She was doubtfull whether she ought first to assault him with injuries or kisses Before she would have been content that he had been anothers so that she might have seen him Now she rather wisheth him dead than by the effects to discover certainly his perfidiousness imagining with her selfe that he weary and satiated with the Amours of her Sister this with him was a new Mistris Finally recollecting the reasons of her displeasure unsheathing his dagger she said Oleandro now is the time thou shalt pay for injuries committed against my faith and the honour of my Family It is unreasonable that I should endure that hatefull look which so many times I have found guilty I ought not to let that man live who with his only look can reprove me of my follies and provoke blushes in that face he hath been able to slight Thou O wicked man shalt prove what disdaine in the breast of a loving woman can do Oh God! how foolish I am How I yet love this impious man that with this dagger and death know not but that I may make him happy Would not he be fortunate if he might be freed from my indignation and enter into a place where my hatred could not arrive Impious and sacrilegious persons whose hearts are replenished with all barbarismes cannot for all that abide to looke upon the Testimonies of their wickednesses Thou shalt receive more vexation with seeing me and hearing me aggravate thy perfidiousness than if I killed thee a thousand times These Armes are too worthy for the breast of a Traitour I will not honour nor immortallize thy death with these hands which would even raze thy name out of the booke of Oblivion it selfe But I know very well how to torment thee I will kill her here whom I doubt not but if thou lovest thou wilt receive that punishment I wish thee So saying she drew neare to Arnalta and furiously lifting up the Dagger held it in the aire saying to her selfe In what hath this unfortunate one offended me that I should thus miserably deprive her of life I should not be angry with her for loving him for I also have been in the same errour Minds cannot be so compelled that they should not desire the fruition of what seems good And if she deserves any chastisement what greater punishment can I give her than the company of so faithless a man that promising her all felicity will make her miserable He deserves punishment and to him I should give it whereupon turning towards Oleandro to strike him she was againe withheld with an amazement at her selfe Is not this the man she considered with her selfe that hath had the loveraignty over my heart Do not I love him perchance more than my soule 'T is true he is