THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND ORAZIA WHEREIN Are mingled the Adventures of ALCIDARIS of Cambaya and the Loves of PIROXENUS Written in French by Monsieur de Boys-Robert and Translated into English By W. G. Esq CONCERNING The excellency of this History read the Letter of Monsieur du Balzac next after the Preface LONDON Printed by S. G. for J. Kirton and are to be sold as his Shop at the Kings Armâ— in S. Paul's Church yard 1657. AN ADVICE OF THE AUTHOR OF THE ORIGINAL Which may serve as a Preface to the Reader ALthough I list to passe here but as a bare Translator of Anaxanders Loves Alcidaris Adventures and to make my self more recommendable to thee seek my authority from the Arabians and Indians I assure my self Reader thou wilt be hardly perswaded that this History is true However it be seeing my aim is but to please thee and with pleasure to divert thee I care not much whether thou read my Book as a History or Fable so it do content thee If I did love to say much I would easily prove that there are in those brave Romances which are after the nature of Epique Poems instructions fit for all States that vice may be abhorred and vertue cherish'd as well as in Histories and in Romances so much the more as he that writes them proposes ever perfection to himself and sets those vertues in a more eminent degree whereof examples are presented us by Histories Besides there are but few Histories which do not either lie or flatter as they forget troublesome truths they publish lies that do oblige and commonly discover other mens imperfections to comply with some malicious minds and sacrifize to envy But the composers of Epique Poems and Romances are exempt from that black malice and most base complacency They describe things not as they are but as they ought to be T is without interest that they condemn foul deeds and Treasons and that they honor Justice Wisdome and Valor They make the guilty blush in their Consciences as well as true Historians and can tell better how than they to animate mens hearts in the defence of right and reason even to the last breath of life Besides that their design is but to be acceptable and stir up divers passions in the Readers they instruct them nevertheless and edifie them so as after reading them they grow much greater friends to vertue than before As for my self who cannot brag of those perswasive moving gifts I boast at lest to come thus neer a true History that I observe the justness of times that I describe exactly the Situation of Countries and Regions and that I relate the customs and ceremonies of the people at least of such as may give any pleasure to the Readers estranging my self from such things as may be harsh to their minds or trouble them As many as have been in the eastern voyage seen the Mogul's Court who is call'd great Achebar of his Subjects know that of all Asia they are the best men on horseback that they are great makers of Carrouzels but that at their publick feasts they mostly use the sports of Fencing Those who have seen as well as those that have described the Kingdom of Narsinga agree all of them that duels are more used there than in any part of the world that in times past they have been condemn'd and the duellists grievously punished but that of late years they were fain to suffer them hoping by that means to abolish them What I have said of the nuptials and interments of their Princes is confirmed likewise by divers as well antient as modern Historians So as Reader it rests only that I satisfie thee of the time amnd true race of Tamberlain from whom I make Anaxander to be descended Thou shalt know then if thou pleasest to believe what Albacen an Arabian Historian says who liv'd in Tamberlains time and who in two different Volumes hath writ his two childrens lives that after the death of that great Captain who was the Prince of Zaguetays son all his Countries which were of a great extent were divided between the two children Santochio and Letrochio and his chief Captains Axallo Odmar Synopes Colonel of his Infantry and the Prince of â—â—â—aiâ— his kinsman that Santochio had for his share being the â—â—dest son Zaguetay which was his fathers inheritance and Letrochio the younger took possession of a good part of the Indes on this side Ganges A hundred years after Alhacen another Arabian called Ologbet who hath written the History of the Kings of Gouzarate says that Letrochio Tamberlains son left his Countries and possessions to his only son Hâ—mar who was able to preserve Cambaya only by reason his other Subjects revolted from his obedience This Hamar had divers children of whom the eldest was called Alagmet who died very young and from the second called Abduli came the great Alcidaris the father of Alcidaris and Anaxander which he had by two wives He was surnamed the great because he had done many memorable actions from his youth up chastis'd many of his rebel Subjects having overcome them in sundry Battels and recovered much Land and many Provinces which had been taken from his father Hamar among others the Kingdom of Candahar otherwise called Sablestan situate on the North of the Kingdom of Cabul and that of Mandoa situate between the Kingdoms of Cambaya and Cytor Neverthelesse he left the enjoyment of them to King Babor he paying the accustomed Tribute imposed on him by his ancestors This Babor had one only daughter called Berenica whom Alcidaris married from her came the young Alcidaris and our Anaxander came from Anaxarette Queen of Dulcinda These two brothers being well united regained by their valour in time whatsoever Hamar had lost and conquered a part of those countries possessed this day by the great Mogul who boasheth to be the sole remainder of their race But I describe their Loves only and their first adventures purposing to do some better thing hereafter if I understand Reader that this little work hath pleased thee And now I intreat thee not to blame me for sundry faults escaped by misfortune in the impression I have corrected such as have come to my knowledge and if I have been so happy as to have stolen some importunate hours from thee I crave no other reward but that thou wilt amend what I have not observed Farewell A letter written by Monsieur du Balzac To a Lady of quality accompanied with the Indian History of Anaxander and Orazia Madam BEing not able to wait on you according to my promise when you went from hence I believe I shall not do you injury if I commend you better company T is that book I send you which you heard so much prais'd and which you thought to carry with you into those parts for a comfort in your absence from the Court It is certainly worth your estimation and as great impatience as I knew
that the poor for knew it was in earnest they mockt him and that they restrained not themselves as when he was taken for the Prince and Heir of Goâ—zarate Admire the weaknesse inconstancy of men it was not two bours before that this young man was adored of all the People and followed of the whole Court and however extravagant he were on the belief men had that he was born a Prince they honoured him as a god although they knew he was a shame and reproach to the Kingdom and behold in one hour Fortune overturning in him what soever was thought she had establih'd everlastingly every body leaves him and that supposed rank which they feared and disguis'd their faces with a feigned approbation of his follies being known for counterfeit they freely scoff'd at the poor wretch who soon became the sport of the whole Court The King however had some kinde of pitty on him and truly were it only but for that this poor unhappy creature had had the honor to carry the title of Prince and to passe some years for the Kings only son it was just this that somewhat should be assur'd him during his life which might take him out of that abject condition where it to his rudenesse had east him again The King then finding that he was half in dispence concerning his greatnesse resolv'd to put him wholly out of his errour and to tell him how that supposal grew But said he Eurimedes for you must retain that name henceforth which is you fathers because I will be known to be kinde and charitable and that I will nor forsake what I have once set in honor and credit Ask me any title or other thing which may be fit for you in my Kingdom and you shall gladly have it Every man expected he should have craved some high condition where profit might be joyn'd with honor but he deceiv'd the company when above all things with a smiling countenance and see ling nothing at all of his past sorrow he desired he might have that poor wench of the Town whom he had in times past so well liked The great Aleidarts could not abstain from laughing and turning him towards the Queen and Lisimantus Truly said he Nature doth what she doth very well giving ordinarily mean thoughts to low souls as noble hearts she maketh capable of glory and of high desires Yes said he Eurimedes take her but when thou are married to her upon what wilt thou live for I believe my son will not let thee enjoy his revenue nor those other things which thou usurpedst from him Hereat the poor blockhead lost his joy again and not knowing what to answer the King assur'd him of a good Pension and his father for his faithfulness a better and the better to please the whole Court which could not enough honor his dear Lisimantus he sent one of his guard to fetch the Maid and all her friends and presently gave her to Eurimedes who as easily forgot all his greatnesses as if he never had possessed them and bounded all his glory and ambition with the possession of that woman his equal Lisimantus was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds he had received from his brothers hand as for the little rest he had had in that dark prison where the Cambaiansâ— fury had some daies detained him yet was he a subject of all the Ladies admiration of the Court who sinding him as exquisite in spirit as shape could no less praise his courtesie than countenance and blessed heaven that truth was manifest to their advantage and that they were to live under so fine and gallant a Prince But although he was as kinde to them all as civility and good manners permitted him his mind forbare not to wander other where and the sight of so many beauties served but to awake more fervently the remembrance of his dear Lisimena As soon as he knew himself a Prince that adorable beauty was the first object which came into his thoughts and presently apprehended that inequality would be no longer an obstacle to his Love If he were joyed at that quality and if his heart were touched to the quick it was only because it promis'd him a freer accesse to Lisimena for otherwise he was too generous to prize that present of Fortune and be proud of it he knew his courage was above the highest Thrones and that he had enough wherewithall to obtain those Crowns and greatnesses which his birth might have denyed him He found he had a Princes soul and illustrious blood was the least matter he accounted of in such as governed with equity and who by sweetness rather than Tyranny made themselves more absolute in their Dominionâ— The King his father could not enough admire his actions whenever he remembred his past Victories and thought upon the glory which his young son Anaxander had gotten and the courage they both had to meet so many encounters and dangerous occasions he could not chuse but thank the gods and flatter himself with that sweet vanity that he was the happiest father and most redoubted King of all Asia in such children His Physicians very provident for their new Princes health fearing lest after so ill usage and so little rest as he had had in eight or ten daies misery before his felicity he might fall sick desired his Majesty to perswade him to keep his bed a while that they might purge him of the evill humours which might have grown in him But it being by the King proposed to Lisimantus Sir said be if you will set my mind at rest and purge it of all melancholy that troubles it I conjure you in the name of the gods whom you worship to send instantly an Embassadour to the King of Zeylan When you shall have assured him that I have the honor to be acknowledged your son I know he will nor deny me his daughter which is the only content of my soul and thing in the world which can make me happy Son said the King unto him I have no other meaning than yours and I am only sorry that you have prevented me by your request foâ—â— intended to propose it to you for your good But do not you desire to have your first name of Alcidaris restored to you which you lost by so strange a fortune me thinks my Subjects will have greater cause of joy when they shall see you inherit my name as well as a good part of my Crown and will thereby the better know you for their lawful Lord. Let them Sir replyed Lisimantus know me only by the honor I have to be issued from you and the actions I intend to perform for their advantage and suffer use to wear the brave name of Lisimantus so solemnly given me by the fairest mouth of the world and being the first mark of credit which I got abroad It may suffice if you think fit that I write my self Alcidaris like you and name my self
you did expect it with And if in times past the belly of a Queen from whence a Prince was to be born us'd to be crown'd I wonder not that you before the birth thereof approv'd it 'T will without doubt rellish again your palate which those ill lines of mine you have sometimes made me send you have much distasted It will afford you wherewithall to shorten the longest daies even of this season and means to entertain your self lone and reason too to thank me for my abence For to speak truth all visits will be uneasie to you during so sweet diversion as so fine a lecture hath prepared for you and whoever shall disturb you in it must undoubtedly receive your secret cuâ—se whatever complements good manners may oblige you to make shew of For me Madam who will have me believe my judgment not extremely ill and that my opinions are sound enough I must confesse that laying aside the love I bear the Author of this work I have observed many things therein which I would praise even in my enemy He will pardon me if I tell you he is one of the most acceptable liars I yet ever saw and it is very certain that I never complained of his cheats till he had done deceiving me because they lasted no longer I will not conceal my weaknesse I knew I saw the picture of a feigned thing and yet I felt as violent motions as the thing real would have stirred in me if it had been true and that I had beheld it with mine own eyes sometimes I was sorry and sometimes glad as Monsieur de Boys-Robert was pleas'd to tell me of good or ill fortune me though I was in earnest interested in the affairs of his imaginary Kings I had many fears for poor Anaxander which are beyond expression and Lisimantus misfortunes very littleless troubled my mind and in the very extremities I saw them both I offered vows for their safety at the instant when they were delivered miraculously In fine Madam although my heart be reasonably hard and my eyes not very inclinable to water some tears fell from me in spite of my teeth and I was asham'd that they were another mans dreams and visions which mov'd me to so feeling and so real sorrows and not my own evils It is a most tyranniâ—al power which a mans sense usurps over his reason and which manifestly shews us that the neighbourhood of the imagination is extrâ—mely contagious to the parts intellectual and that that proud creature which thinks 〈◊〉 made to command all others consists of a great deal more body than soul The Author of the Ethiopian History gave me many times such frights and I cannot at this day read him but with being deceiv'd As for other Romances you know I am not greedy of them and indeed the greatest part are 〈◊〉 Heliodorus's disguis'd or as the late â—ishop of Ayre said of the children that came to Theagenes and Cariâ—leas Marriage who so exactly resentbled their father and mother as not a hair difference I promise you Madam you shall here see what is new and the Courts true tongue speak of which you have so perfect a knowledge I confesse somewhat there is in some places a little like roesie and not entirely according to the strictnesse of our rules But I am told that those kinde of beauties become Romances and that all that manner of writing is without the reach of our jurisdiction Before I shut up my letter I have something pleasant to tell you of c. These Books are lately printed and are sold at the Kings Arms in Pauls Churchyard The Administration of Cardinal Richelieu containing the History of the most important Affâ—irs of Christendom more particularly of England from Anno 1624. to 1634 A Collection out of the best approved Authors containing neer six hundred several Histories of Visions Apparitions Prophecies Spirits Divinations and other wonderful Illusions of the Devil also of divers Astrological Predictions The Man in the Moon or a Discourse of a Voyage into the Moon by Domingo Gonzales Also Nuncius Inanimatus Englished A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence in Antiquities concerning the English Nation by the Study and Travel of Richard Verstegan The History and Character of the Bishopâ— in the Reigns of Q. Elizabeth and K. James written by Sir John Harrington The Magistrates Authority in matters of Religion Or the right of the state in the Church a Discourse written by the learned Hugo Groâ—ius Of Government and Obedience as they stand directed and determined by Scripture and Reason Four books by John Hall of Richmond Two Play 's of M. James Shirley The Constant Maid a Comedy and S. Patrick for Jreland That Excellent Tragedy of Bussie D' Ambois written by M. George Chapman The Philosophy commonly called the Morals written by the learned Philosopher Plutarch THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The first BOOK As soon as the sad knowledge of Arontus death arrived at Baticalus where the King but late retired to enjoy the fruits of Lisimantus Victorie who had regained from his Enemies the Countrey of Canara As soon I say as that sad noise had run throughout the City all Sports and Passe-times ceast and their triumphant Tunes were chang'd to woefull Moanes and the unlook'd-for mourning which the Court put on spred suddainly thorowout the Kingdome of Narsinga which in that youthfull Prince had loft the flower of all their hopes This sorrow was so universall and this loss so generally felt that any man seem'd guilty without tears and none did dare although in publick to keep in his sorrow for fear of being judg'd persidious or a Traytor But the fair Orazia more than all with grief unspeakable receiv'd the knowledge of that loss and though her self obtain'd thereby three Kingdoms she could not yet endure the everlasting seperation from that only brother whom she so tenderly had loved and of whose dear regards of her she had so great assurances Her beauteous mouth which through excess of love had caused all the world to sigh sigh'd now its self through her excess of sorrow her lovely eyes which commonly were call'd the living Fountains of the Graces and of Loves were now but lasting springs of ever-flowing tears And though she strove her utmost to destroy that beauty by the clouds she daily cast upon them yet did they not forbear to send their beams abroad and shine with equall force as does the Sun sometimes betwixt two showers The Princess Lisimena whose society but lately was so sweet and acceptable to her and in whose bosome she was wont to lock in safety her displeasures and delights grew now uncapable of serving her with any consolation nay to speak truth her self much needed it This Goodly Princess whom late incensed war within the King her Fathers Country of â—eylan had drawn into those parts shar'd greatly in the common sorrow of the Kingdome which was then her sanctuary and seem'd as much
that can reserve your self and keep so strict a silence before â—ose from whom you have not kept your most concealed thoughts But if my ears have not deceiv'd me you should be rather glad than sorry that have your Love in your possession are sure that dainty Picture will refuse not one of your embraces Verily Madam I was never so surpriz'd in all my life by any accident as at his words and t was great hap but in the exigent I was I had from point to point discovered all our purposes and conjur'd him to assist us but when I saw he continued on his jesting spake not of our voyage I guest he had discover'd nothing so as we were content to keep on sporting with him without so much as striving to deny the love whereof he had accused us However since that time we more reserv'd our selves and that at length we might be free from those disturbances our fears and our continual jealousies had kept us in we took a firm and valiant resolution to go on with our design which we conceal'd from all the world except two Gentlemen that had from youths been bred with us and whose entire affections and fidelity to do us service we had known He whom I took and who is with me still is called Almerin and he alone wen tout of Campanel with us because we thought it sit to leave Neander for so was piroxenus Squire called as a spie some daies at Court to learn what would be said of our departure and gave him Pala for a randezvous which is some either or nine daies journy off from Campanel and for that Town is in the desert and neer joyning to the ountains of Gate a little from the apssage to Narsinga which we went we thought that few would have imagined we had gone a way so steep and difficult We were a thousand times about to ship our selves at the Port of Cambaye but thought the voyage would be over-long by sea and happily the King your fathers Court might be an Bisnagar which would much shorten our journey and save us labour to crosse over the high Mountains of Gate which as we understand do separate your two Kingdoms and have such property as to divide the Winter and the Summer so betwixt them as when t is could at Bisnagar t is warm at Narsinga We were the more invited to go by land for the defire we had to passe through the Kingdom of Decan which lay in our way whereof we had heard great praises and that among all the Royal Courts of Asia there was not any which exceeded that whereof the gallantry was a the highest degree that could be wisht and Ladies courteous as in any part of the World we therefore resolv'd to go that way in some sort to refresh our selves as to observe whether it were a truth was said of it that of all parts of India men were best on horsoback there and where all the Rules of fencing which my Couzin and my self knew very well were best observed We therefore Piroxenus and my self when as the Moon was one night very favourable to our flight stole out of Campanel without more company then Almerin for we had left Meander in the City and when we had advanc'd some ten Leagues forward I found my Cousin had had more foresight than I for doubting that we might be followed when 't was day being found wanting he had commanded a servant of his call'd Madaron whose honesty he long time knew to go two dayes before with a couple of excellent horses upon one of which himself was mounted and led the other in his hand and gave him charge to stay for us at a little Town call'd Oby which is some twenty Leagus from Campanell upon the road of Pala and was Neanders Rendezvous After the whole nights travell and that day began to break Piroxenus seeing me troubled for the fear I had left they might send through all parts after us he told me of his providence and taking provender out of a Sck which Almerin carryed for our horses gave them an hours space to breath and â—id as fast as we could possible till we had teached Oby and commanded Almerin to come but slowly after us a far off as well because we had no fresh horse for him as that if we were follow'd on that way where neer he had a house he might diverâ— their course and when he should be come where Madaron was at Oby they should find us in the City Bialis which is from thence two little journeys where we would expect them and with earnestnesse injoyn'd them from thence forward to forget our names of Anaxander and Piroxenus and to call us Taxilus and Cleantus Some two houres after the sun was up we ariv'd at Oby where we left our horses with Madaron who had sufficient time to walk and refresh them before Almerin could come and after we had eaten somewhat making great hast three or four times resting our horses and our selves and feeding them with what we had we got to Bialis withall the speed we could Next day our people without any accident came to us and we altogether undiscover'd took our way to Pala. We had not long been there before Neander came unto us from whom we learnt in how great trouble all the court was at our absence and that indeed the first two or three dayes they were not so much troubled because they thought we had been gone about some secret wantonnesse but when the King perceiv'd no newes was to be had of us his anger mastred him and if the Queen had not restrained him he would have gone beyond the bounds of Fatherly affection These are said she but tricks of youth which are to be excus'd and me thinks no strange matter that young Princes living in continual restraint run out a little and a while seek the freedom which our Court affords them not 'T is altogether contrary said the King for Princes ought not to commit such follies Their Governours and good instructions given them together with their births should make them old before their time and being enlightned as they are from every where their meanest actions should be squared so as to be good examples for the world and me thinks they that cannot rule their passions are unworthy to have power of men But neither King nor Queens displeasure might compare with sage Evanders discontent That Grave old man who loved us only and who amongst his other excellent Sciences had also cunning in the art of divination which among the Persians is a common thing had found among his other Speculations that Piroxenus and my self should at two severall times run hazard of an extraordinary and a violent death and fearing lest effects might follow his predictions remembring us so often to retire in private and to have heard us speak of Orazia's Picture he suspected we might secretly have undertaken a voyage to Narsinga
sole consideration which you stuck on was that by the Queen Berenisa my first wife I had a Son and that my heir already born you would not suffer that your Children should be second in affection or degree to any This being return'd me by my faithfull Pirobus I seem'd to take no notice of it but after some time was past wee both agree'd together that if I meant to compass my desire in that sute where-on depended all my happiness I must needs send away my Son and spread a noyse that he was dead And judge you Madam to what extremity I loved you being compell'd to take so contrary a resolution to the lawes of nature For this cause I commanded a Coffin to be laid with Royall pomp into the earth and suffered none in forty dayes to see me that I might better act the part of a lost Father Mean while I gave my Son in charge to Pirobus whose name was like mine own Alcidaris not to be sent so far away but that I might when I desir'd hear often of him He had acquaintance with an Arabian Merchant and an honest man named Eurimedes who was most frequent in the City of Deu one of the best havens of my Kingdom and teaded to Cambaye where at that time he was To him he went and gave that pledge into his custody which for your love I had abandoned He told the Merchant how he had receiv'd that child from a woman of great quality commended him to his best cate and that he might be bred among his own and told him one day it m ight happen that a worthy recompence might grow unto him In the inferior because he might be known again and for he had no mark about him Pirobus made one upon his arm where he imprinted the Arms of Cambaye with a needles point and the joyce of a certain herb wch never wears away which done he does again commend him to the Merchant whom that he might the better love the child and be more carefull of him he enjoyned to beslow his own name of Eurimedes upon him In so much as very often I have heard of him also known the Merchants care as well for the great pâ—yâ— cause him every year to receive as for the love he bears to Pirobus to whom he thinks he is obliged for that favour But Madam said the King moreover the Gods can bear me witness I had tane your deer Anaxander into so great affection as I forgot the love I ought his Brother and if he had well behav'd himself I think his humor which beyond all others that I know delighted me together with my wonderfull affection to your self had so much won upon me as I had made him heir to all my three Crowns but seeing he hath shewn himself so giddy-headed and so ill advised as to leave me to pursue his foolish fantasies as well as his Cousin whom so deerly I had loved having no other prop to rest on left me Think not a miss Madam that I send Pirobus to Diu to seek me out Alcidaris 't is now no longer fit he should be hid nor that on my part I should more conceal the love I bear my proper Son These my deer children said Evander are the very words the King himself delivered who without alteration at the Queens complaints and tears dispatched Pirobus immediately Being ariv'd at Diu he wonderfully amazed the Merchant when he told him that ye child whom he so long had bred was heir unto the King The noise hereof was spread incontinently through the City and all the inhabitants came in throngs to kisse their Princes hands Pirobus who had not seen him since his first delivery into the Merchants hands could know him only by the mark he graved on his arm The young man more than any other grew in admiration at the honors which were done him For he believ'd he was that Merchants son and look'd for nothing lesse than to be honor'd as a Prince He was by Pirobus conducted to the City of Campanel and carried both the Merchant and his children with him on whom he afterward caus'd goodly Offices to be conferred As soon as his arrival was but known the greatest of the Court went forth to meet him and the King with testimonies of exceeding joy received him but this did not long endure For that young Prince was so ill bred and had among those people of inferiour quality who had kept him gotten such evill habits as that his presence served but to make you more lamented but above all the Queen could not endure that in your stead a beast should have such worship who by his filthy carriage had made himself contemptible to all the world The King commanded me to take him to my Government But finding in him no appearance of common sense and seeing him too old to form his mind to any good I did despair ever to make of him a civill man and you may think my dear children whether I finding in that poor Prince spirit nothing but thornes and briers instead of goodly seeds of vertue which I found in you I had great cause to be delighted with my charge The King who in that ill made Picture could not know himself made Pirobus a thousand times to swear he was the same which he had from him As for my self seeing I lost my labour and my time in teaching him besides the finall d fire or none at all I had thereto being afflicted as I was for losse of you and dreaming nothing â—â—sse than ere again to see you I aâ—th last resolv'd to go and seek ye out in what part of the World soever ye might be And that which more old god me thereto was that knowing all the secâ—eâ—s of Astrology and having by that Art foreseen that at two severall times ye should run hazard of a violent death I would make tryall if by my diligent and carefull seeking after you I might divert the mischiefs which the Sâ—â—rs had threatened yeâ— withall Besides my own affection thereunto I was incited by the general complaints of all the better sort of people in the Kingdom who could not without sorrow yield obedience to a Prince of so ill making and so evill doings and who already did begin to apprehend his future domination Therefore as soon I had known no news was to be hâ—d of you at sea and that as many as had gone after you were come again no wiser than they went remembring I had in secret heard your meditations on the Princess Orizâ—a's Picture and that I had often heard ye though in and out to name the word Narsinga I imagined you might be gone disguised thither and have passed over land that you might crosse through that unhappy Kingdom of Decan whereof I remembred to have heard you mention so many wonders of their gallantry But unfortunate as ye are by what I see ye have met nofavored me by my arrivall here at Visaporus just
Father for at voiding such inconveniencies as might happen she was thereto more pressed by the perswasions of Lisimena who seeing the Kings rage each hour increase for want of news was of opinion that by telling him the true extraction of those two Princes it was best to hold him no longer in errour who were not Subject to his jurisdiction nor the observation of his Laws But whatever great appearances obliged her to this discovery Orazia feared to be worse than that word she had given the two Princes not to make them known untill they were returned to Gouzarat and therefore she entreated Lisimena to continue the secret and not reveal it till the time were come So our two Heroes remain'd conceal'd in Saradins Castle untill Anaxander were recovered and being both assured of their mistresse savours burnt with one equal impatience of returning to their own Provinces where they expected earnestly that the good Evander who should have been long since returned should have regained for them Alcidaris good will but this sage old man was taken and held sick some six or seven daies journey from Visaporus which hindred the performance of his commission so soon as he ought and that he could not come time enough to divert an Embassage which tended to the ruin of Anezanders contentment as you shall understand by what does follow Alcidaris the great had by the common noise learnt all that had befaln his son Anaxander and his nephew Piroxenus in the Kingdom of Decan which gave him wonderful discontentments And because in that great sally they had made where the two Princes Araxus and Demonax were slain upon the place some of those who sled from the confusion as well as they themselves had spread the news of their deaths as in truth sew men knew what was become of them the King of Cambaya believing them out of the world notwithstanding all their youthful parts and follies past was hardly able to be comforted especially when he reflected on their amiable presence and the good education which they had gotten in his house and that which added to his affliction was to see that that child which remained to him by his former wife was so unhappy born as not be acceptable to one subject he had the most complacent and foulest flatteners of his Court wanted boldnesse to applaud his ridiculous actions or commend him be never did any thing but out of season if he had a mind to oblige he did the contrary and dulnesse was as natural as vice unto him however this unhappy father who believed that he had no other child alive finding himself obliged to marry him not for any good inclinations he had for him but for the proper interest of his greatnesse and to perperuate his name and memory having known of the death of Arontus sole son unto the King of Narsinga who had remaining but one only daughter heir to all his Estates thought good together with his Counsell to seek her in Marriage for his son for this purpose he dispatched Pirobus who had worthily served him in divers other occasions in an Embassage towards the King of Narsing a as well to condole with him the losse of his son as to desire his daughter of which the young Alcidaris had no sooner understood but he burst out a weeping as if he had lost all his friends For he had fallen in love with a mean towns-mans daughter whom by all means he would marry and for her sake despised the love of the greatest Ladies and the rarest beauties of the Court This faithful Pirobus whose age and abilities made him very venerable soon after departed from Campanel and having learned on the way shat the King to whom he was sent remained yet at Baticalus made so good journeys as he arrived there the very next day after that Duel had been fought The King received him magnificently and dissembling the displeasure he took at that so late fought Combate he resolved to give him Audience before he would depart for Bisnagar that the grave oid man might have lesse labour and journey to return He knew not the cvill conditions of the Prince of Gouzarat nor any thing but of the greatness of his race and his possessions for that indeed there was not in all India a more mighty Monarch than the King his father He stood not long deliberating whether or not he should satisfie Pirobus and prefer the alliance offered by him before all other that might be hereafter And a speciall motive which so much rather made him give him his desire was the assurance given in the King his Masters behalf that be had but that child only hopeful to inherit four Kingdoms And thus you see how the King of Narsinga sent back Pirobus with great embraces and fair presents and fully pleased every way with his so happy imployment Before he departed he was by the Kings leave to kisse the hand of his future Princess who having nothing dearer in the world than that name of Cambaye to whose lovely Prince she had already vowed her self receiv'd him with a smiling countenance and dessembling the knowledge of his evill parts for whom he sought her said to Pirobus that the gods had favored her too much that had design'd her for the most perfect and accomplished Prince of Gouzarat She was even on the point of opening her self wholly to the grave Embassadour because she knew he was the man that had treated the match for Anaxanders mother and that she happily might do him an exceeding favour to declare him his adventures and to tell him where with Piroxenus he was concealed for having been one of that Combat which he heard so much noise of in Baticalus but she thought best to say nothing for fear of disobliging Anaxander who would not be known in Narsing a but with a Royal train and worthy of the love he made to Orazia However because she had a perfect knowledge of her Lovers story and because she had learnt it from his own mouth that after the taking of Visaporus the good Evander his old Governor returned to Gouzarat where he was to declare unto Alcidaris the adventures of his son and nephew she very much wondred that Pirobus assured the King her father and her self likewise that the Prince in whose behalf he was sent was the only son of his Master among other questione which she made him of the Kingdom of Cambaya she askt him what was become of the wise Evander of whose abilities she had heard so much discourse Madam answered the Embassador we know not what fortune he hath run since he stole from our Court to pursue the two Prince whose losse we have felt so sensibly as we shall never come again to our selves and for mine own part Madam I should be the unthankfollest man alive if I did not weep for their losse as long as I lived The Princess imagined by this disoourse that some accident had befallen Evander on the way
for that his arrivall must 〈◊〉 have pleased them and rather have obliged the King of Cambaya to Aispatch Pirabus in Anaxanders behalf than on the part of young Alcidaris whose unfortunate birth a thousand times a day he cursed But continuing her discourse she asked him what assurance there was of the two Princes death which he lamented Madam answered Pirabus the common report hath instructed us in that unfortunate adventure they had in Visaporus where they so beastlike were condemn'd to death I know of each particular said Orazia but certainly they died not there T is true Madam replyed Pirobus that they died not in that conflict but when Visaporus was besirged where the fair Orixa died of her Feavor a little after the King of Decan her father was murthered in his flight by a serving-man and that that cruell end which was not yet come to her knowledge had caused that of the Queen her mother who sunk under the burden of her sorrow you have understood how the two Princes Araxus and Demonax finding themselves put hardly to it fearing the two staves who desired but their lives caused Anaxander and Piroxenus our Maslers to think fit to hazard a sally upon the enemy it being the only way they could attempt to avoid the funy of Rozinloan and Zabain who would reign without impediment Now we are told Madam of all those who escaped living from that fatal sally that our Masters were there slain together with the two Princes of Decan had it not been so we should undoubtedly have since heard of them but their deaths have been confirmed to us by so many that 't were too great mincredulicy to doubt thereof The beautiful Orazia seeing that this supposed death of Anaxander and Piroxenus wrought so real a sorrow in Pirobus did think it charity to tell him the truth however not willing to do any thing without Anaxanders consent and seeing that the King her father had yet three daies to remain in Baticalus where the Embassidour had stayed him she dispatched Saradin whom she could only trust and gave him charge to hasten to her Lover with this advertisement and to come back ere Pirobus who was to do part the day following should return for Gouzarat Meanwhile when the Embassadour taking his leave kissed her hand she could not forbear saying to him that she believed those he sorrowed son were alive Saradin immediately mounted on an excellent Courser galloped with all speed to his own home and finding the two Princes together for that Piroxenus since Anaxanders hurts had not stirred out of his sight he related to them the comming of Pirobus the subject of his Embassage and the discourse he entertain'd the Princess with which much astonish'd them and made them believe that poor Evander was dead on the way They deliberated sufficiently what to do hereupon and whether it were not best to discover themselves upon that occasion seeing that if they endured the Prince Alcidaris his sute it might be feared that the King of Cambaya resolute upon that match might in very few daies hasten the accomplishment On the other side Anaxander held it no way safe to declare himself so soon after that Combat which had so much displeased the King and did most wisely foresee that they might be blamed by an imputation that being by reason of the greatnesse of their bi ths assured from the punish neut they had most rashly broken am Edict which themselves ought to have preserved inviolable within the Dominions of a King whom they loved and to whom they sought to be allied â—t length after full consideration knowing hat Pirobus was the next day to depart from Baticalus they resolved that Piroxenus should go all that night to way-lay him at his first daies lodging and make himself privately known to him and trust with his discretion the truth of all their adventures Saradin took leave of them in this resolution and very glad that Anaxander did so well of his hurts there being hope that three weeks time would make him well returned to him Mistresse who on her side rejoyced infinitely as well for the recovery of her Love as for the purpose Piroxenus had taken As soon than as the Embassadour had received the Kings commands and the two Princesses of Narsinga Zeylan and that he was departed for Baticalus he was amazed to finde at his first journeys end the King his Masters Nephew the generous Prince of Citor expecting him he at first took it for an illusion which deceived his eyes but when by his face and action and speech he knew him to be Piroxenus he cast himself up â—n one knee and weeping for joy strove to have kissed his hand But Piroxenus raising him up venerable Pirobus said he my Cousin Anaxander and my self have understood the cause of your journey by a Gentleman whom the Princess Orazia sent unto us and because the request you have made the King of Narsinga is utterly opposite to the contentment of your young Prince who contrary to the belief you have had is still alive I am as well in my own as his behalf come hither to salute you and to acquaint you with the reasons obliging us to remain yet unknown in this Kingdom And here Piroxenus made him an ample rehearsall of all their adventures and whatever good or evill had befallen them since their sally out of Visaporus where so many men thought they had both come short The good Pirobus felt so great astonishment at this recitall and so great a joy as with much difficulty could he make him answer at length having recollected his senses and the liberty of his tongue Sir said he is it possible that two great Princes as ye are would for meer pastime endure so many troubles and crosses Ah how the gods have been favourable to us contrary to all expectation in restoring us the true props of our Crown and disengaging our spirits from the just fear we had to yield in subjection all our lives unto a vicious Prince And than he would have told him of the evill nature of Alcidaris but that Piroxenus let him know that they had understood the whole story Well than Sir said Pirohus what please you that I do will you have me go back and change my errant to Anaxanders behalf I think the King his father will never disavow it and the King of Narsinga who hath been a witnesse of his vallour will be glad to conclude the match without drawing breath and specially when I shall let him know his daughter whom he loves so dearly shall be desirous of it No father said Piroxenus seeing is hath so fallen out that sage Evander to whom we declared our intensions and whom we have desired to regain the Kings good graces for us hath met with some misfortune go you with speed and supply his room and obtain that the acts of our youth may be forgotten thanks to the gods we have committed nothing worthy to be
disavowed for rude or evill natures and I think truly we shall seem excusable it being considered that if we have been faulty t is but for having too much loved and when it shall be seen that we have not been so foolish nor so stupi'd but by our industry we have obtained each of us a Kingdom Gothen Pirobus and the gods favour you we will shortly follow as soon as Anaxander is recovered of his hurts in the interim do not for get to tell the King and Queen all that hath befallen us they will undoubtedly be much pleased at it and especially when they shall know that my Orixa lives and that her Kingdom which we have helped to recoven from the two slaves Usurpers will be hers without dispute when the King of Narsinga shall as you do know the strange History of her life Pirobus would fain have seen Anaxander before his return but seeing that Piroxenus thought is not best he went right to the port of God to pursue his way to Gouzarat and there to embark himself for saving much travel and with tears in his eyes departed from Piroxenus who returned to his Cousin with all speed at Saradins Cafile where we will leave him recovering his hurts to tell you what passed in the Kingdom of Cambaya About eight or ten daies after Pircbus departure from Cumpanel the ordinary aboad of Alcidaris in his Embassage to the King of Narsinga the good Evander who long since went from Visaporus and had been hardly used on the way by a great sicknesse from which he had much a do to recover being at length by the gods permission restored arrived happily at the Capitall City of Gouzarat had there been nothing considerable but his person which was dear to the whole Kingdom all the Court had received an exceeding contentment at his comming but when from him in was known that the two Princes were living and that from the time they were supposed to be dead they had performed a thousand goodly actions Bonefires were kindled through the City and there was not one from the greatest to the least who did not witness one equall impatience for their return upon which they already established all the hope and safety which the rudeness of young Alcidaris had even ravish'd from them But that publique joy however great was nothing in comparison of the Kings and Queen Anazarettes who weary of the impertenencies of that Prince ill affected by every body which they had still before their eyes and having forgotten all their anger and resentments caused by the idle absence of Anaxander and Piroxenus whom indeed they had believed dead sailed not from that instant to make vows and prayers for their preservation and return They caused their adventures to be told them a thousand times over wherein they could not enough admire the goodness of the gods which had preserved them their greatest wonder was that Orixa yet lived and had they heard it from others mouth then Evander who had been witnesse of her resurrection they might had cause to doubt it for Alcidaris had understood by report that her pretended death had been one of the principall causes that had obliged our two young Princes to make that great sally wherein it was believed they were slain but when they knew by Evander how contrary to all hope she was recovered out of that deadly swound and that she was alive and well in a private quality under the name of Asteria in the City of Visaporus which had been yield to the two slaves and in which capitulation he had assisted they wondered more than ever for they had known all that had past since that Siege during Evanders sickness in Decan they had learnt how Rozalcan and Zahain having in pursuit of their tyrannical victory usurped the Province of Canara from the King of Narsinga had been castised by the Prince Arontus in short they were not ignorant that that Prince aided by two valliant Persian Cavalliers whom they had heard named Ariomant and Calistenus had regained whatsoever was unjustly usurped by the slaves which were in Battel defeated the gain whereof had cost the generous Prince Arontus life Sir said Evander interrupting him he who hath done so many wonders under the name of Ariomant is no other than your son Anaxander and that Calistenus is his Cousin who hath given no lesse testimony of himself by his arms That word so much redoubled the joy of the Kings heart as it shewed plainly in his countenance and the good Evander ravish'd to see their Majesties so attentive to his discourse continued it as followeth When they purposed to disguise themselves under those two names because they had been too well known by those of Taxilus and Cleontus which besides had been so satal to them they acquainted but their Gentlemen Almerin and Neander and my self with that secret and caused Neander who was carried sorely hurt into the besieged City to entreat me that I would hasten to you obtain your favor for them which they believed lost but my misfortune stay'd me on the way in a remote place from all commerce where 't was impossible to let you know what was become of me or of the Princes Undoubtedly they are yet with the King of Narsinga unknown to any save the fair Orazia to whom your dear Anaxander before he went from hence did vow himself He afterwards told them whatsoever he knew of the History of the Loves of those two generous Princes which was likely to have made Alcidaris to send another Embassadour instantly to the King of Narsinga but Evander diverted it for seeing the War was ended he assured the King that they would return at soon as Arontus Funerals were solemnized for which they had under stood so many sad preparation were making in the City of Baticalus The King and Queen then ezpect Pirobus his return who could not be long ere he came intending to send him instantly back again in case they learnt that some new obstacle stayed those two Hero's in Narsinga And to expresse the great contentment which they had received from Evanders news and the other great services he had done them they gave him the Government of Bazain which had of late been vacant and as soon as the good old man had a little reposed himself at Campanel he departed by the King and Queens leave to take possession of it promising to be with them again by that time Pirobus should be returned to resolve with their Majesties of what were best to be done for Anaxanders contentment for they were already resolved fully to give Orazia to him in case that Pirobus had obtained the promise of her and thought the change would not be unacceptable to the King of Narsingas who had been witness of the fair deeds of their young Prince Not above three daies after the good Evanders arrival at Bazain about the evening out of the Port guard came to tell him that there was arrived a forein
Vessel weather beaten seemed to be rather forced in by contrary winder than come voluntary wherein were two Cavalliers of good countenance who craved leave to refresh themselves in the Town the most eminent of them was in ill case being hurt in divers places of his body Now by reason that place was of great importance to the King of Cambaya they accustomed to keep a good guard and to suffer none to enter whose name and quality and business thither was not known and because those two Gentlemen who arrived then newly in that Vessel being ignorant of the custom had refused to name themselves advertisement was given the Governor and his farther pleasure demanded Evander imagining that it might happily be the two young Princes his Pupels who it may be would not discover themselves till they came to Court and surpriz all people he went himself unto the Haven and borded the Bark wherein he found a young Knight lain all his length upon a Matteresse who althuogh he seemed greatly suffering by his hurts which the tempest had augmented shewed notwithstanding a certain majesty in his eyes and face which made him reverenced of all that saw him Evander knew well enough that t was some personage of note and as he was extremely full of charity and hospitable seeing the Gentleman who accompanied him would not tell his name he thought however that the laws of civility did command and oblige his succour and to offer them not only the Town but his Castle also for their better accomodation The strangers accepted his offer and so much care was had of him that was hurt as that in eight or ten daies he gave undoubted signes of an approaching health Now as he was very generous and infinitely sensible of the good entertainment and usage shewn him by Evander her thought he could not do lesse in gratitude than discover himself unto him that he might know he had obliged Lisimantus that vallorous Lisimantus who had got so great a fame and whose glorious name was renowned through all Asia Poor Lisimantus how much had it been better that thou hadst not discovered thy self than to have payed so dearly for the honor given thy excellent vertues at thy first comming at lest shouldest thou have been contented to have told thy name without particulars of thy quarrel which will set thee into the strangest confusion thou yet ever sawest Evander knowing that this stranger was the valiant Lisimantus who had so worthily served the King of Zeylar and who so lately had perform'd so brave exploits in the Kingdom of Narsinga had a double cause of being glad not only for that he had it in his power to oblige a man of that condition but that the assured himself he should learn news of Anaxander and Piroxenus under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus but before he enquired seeing that the Cavallier disposed himself to recount unto him his adventure and how after being so grievously hurt he came to the Port of Bazain being very glad to be enformed willingly gave his attension and Lisimantus innocently began his discoarse without considering what manner of man he was to speak unto or what kinde of people he was to have to do with Know said he most reverend father that alter my triumph over the King of Maldives and if I had set all the Island of Zeylan at quiet and been very helpful to the King of Narsingas peace I quitted the Wars and finding again in Baticalus the only object of my passion that adorable Lisimena who had alwaies payed my love with ingratitude and but whose name I well perceive I shall alone possess my flames renewed and I felt my self so to the quick sollicited by my amorous desires as I used all manner of subtilties and invention to be in private with her but she ungrateful who never sufficiently acknowledge the services which I have done her Crown augmenting her disdains as my pains grew instead of enduring me neer her as my fidelity alone obliged her enough rebuking and repelling whosoever spake to my advantage she at length committed the most notable Treason against me that was ever contrived against a miserable Lover There was in the King of Narsinga Court a young Knight of Persia very accomplished indeed and worthy of great praise who having by much industry the honor to be known by her was notwithstanding preferred before my long and faithfull services I understood by a little Page of the Princessers that every night he was brought secretly into her company and spent six hours together with her and how that ungratefull Princess breathed nought but love for him I will not deny but that hereat so jealous a madness in such sort transported me as not able to endure the happinesse of that Rival I waited for him on an evening where he vsed to passe towards his amorous randezvous and not able for my anger to understand his reasons I call'd him instantly to fight with me Evander who with impatience looked that he should name that young Knight and finding that he was too long about it interrupting him demanded it His name was Ariomant said Lisimantus and well said Evander full of fear what is become of him I slew him said Lisimantus and truly I have since lamented it for a more valiant Knight I never met He was about to continue on his discourse and tell them how after the death of Ariontant whom he verily believed was slain because Zenobus had assured him that he saw him stretched out in his blood without warmth or motion being in but little better case himself he was carried to a Bark which attended him and how thinking to avoid the coast of Zeylan to shun the King of Narfinga his anger whose Edict they had broken a contrary winde arising which begot a furious tempest had cast them on the Coast of Cambaya neer the Haven of Bazain He was I say about to have recounted all these particulars but that he was prevented by an accident which did surprize him and which no lesse a mazed all that were about him that himself for at the recital of Ariomants death Evander fell into a swound on Lisimantus bed They all ignorant of the reason of this suddain change threw water in his face and when he was come to himself which a deep sigh cry'd out my friends we have embraced the murtherer of your and my Master and uttering these words he gave plain evidence of a second weaknesse which grew on him but being prevented by the ready help administred Unhappy and most cruel hospitallity said he we shew kindenesse and are civil unto one who vaunts that he hath cut our Princes throat and who unjustly stirred his courage and without cause provoked it Let the wicked man be set safe added he and seaze upon his second in the quarel and as they are let them be instantly conveighed towards the King that even himself may order what he please concerning them
son and caused you so great displeasures for his ill behaviours accounting him your lawfull heir But I am hopefull of your favour having more offended through necessity than malice and for fear of angring you than willing to offend you Let your Majesty know great King that young Alcidaris whom Pirobus did long since trust me with in his Cradle did in my house receive a handsome education as he should have done in your Palace and that his inclinations were so great to goodnesse from his infancy that I do verily believe it had been hard for him to have done ill But though I seem'd his father and that he had no other privilege above my children in my house as Pirobus directed me he could not chuse but feel certain stings of glory and elevate himself to enterprizes worthy of his Grandsires generosity Scarce had he accomplished ten years of age when he stole from me and as from his own mouth I have learned he hath since done actions never to be forgotten and which I shall declare to your Majesty when I have finished this As soon as I know of yong Erimedes his flight for it was thought fit to name him after me I sent every way after him and despairing of his news fearing he was of great birth because of the strict charge was given with him that he should be one day call'd for as since hath fallen out being very sure that those who hadicommitted him to me could not know him but by the mark of your Arms which they had printed on his right arm I made use of that secret learnt of Pirobus to give the same character to one of my children who was of his age shape and hair T is he Sir who at this day holds his quality in your Court unjustly who governs himself so unhandsomly among your Subjects and whose presence hath hither to caused but greater sorrow for the losse of Anaxander No man Sir but I could reveal this important secret to you and were I without conscience and a faithlesse man I might have left things as they are and have preferred the greatnesse of my own son before your lawful interests it may be any man but my self would have done injury to truth for love of reign and have forgot the fear of God to be terrible himself but were at that I loved not justice nor reason as I do I lov'd your Majesty too well to suffer it to be prophaned longer by a man of petty birth whoâ—e innocent ambition as well as my conjeraint makes me crave humble pardon of your Majesty Alcidaris who was one of the best Princes of the world exceedingly astonished at thâ—â—â—â—â—ty of this story asked him how long since he had found his son within this hour answered Eurimedes and by so strange an accident as I know not whether your Majesty will receive more pleasure or discontentment in it Since said the King thou hast reveal'd the secret as soon as thou hast known it t is like thou hadst no malice in thy action rise I forgive thee on condition thou bring me my son and hide no part of his adventures from me Alas Sir reply'd Eurimedes that brave Lisimantus who hath been the terrour of the Indes and who is at this present contrary to your will kept in your prisons and a criminal condemn'd to death is he of whom I speak and who hath had the honour to be born from you Ah ye gods cryed the King is it possible can I be so happy as to be father of so generous a child but what say I happy should I be so unscrable as to have begotten him who hath murthered his own brother and for a cursed point of honor hath for ever ravisht my dear Anaxander from me the very hope of my old daies Unhappy father that I am shall I be alwaies so ill us'd of Fortune as to be reduc'd to complain even of her favors and shall I never receive one benefit from her hands which is not follow'd by a thousand mischiefs I thought I had but one son good man and I have twice bewail'd his death and he whom contrary to my expectation I have found again seems to appear but to torment me more and grieve me for the others losse Ah Sir said Eurimedes inter rupting his complaintt while I am speaking the poor Prince is in despair for knowing that Anaxander was his brother and I am consident he would as willingly have died himself and would be glad to buy him again with his own life Without more ado said the King let his Iront be struck off and be he no longer injur'd which way soever the gods have sent him me I am obliged to receive him considering his innocence of his brothers death and that he hath such reason to share with me in the affliction which without purpose he hath caused me Then instantly not willing to publish this news he secretly commanded the Captain of his guard to take him out of prison and bring him to him at his Palace This Prince accomplish'd whom till that time the King would not see was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds whereof he was scarce healed as for the hard usage he had shewn him in the prison yet was that want so supplyed by the gracefulnesse of his behaviour as though he came into the Kings Chamber with a sorrowful countenance it hindred not that all the Court admired him As soon as he entred the room he kneeled on the ground and witnessed so much sorrow to the King his father for the misfortune befallen him as that his Majesty was more afflicted for his grief that for his own Son said he embracing him those are the ordinary shock of fortune you are not the first that hath unwitingly destroyed his own blood the stages are daily full of like examples and not to seek so far we have at home and with our neighbours others like them Be comforted my child heaven cannot be angry for your innocent offence it self is more than you guilty which knowing your design did not divert it Believe at worst the gods will pardon you because I do and for your presence paies me for all losses and afflictions past Ah Sir reply'd Lisimantus can you behold a wretch which hath so highly outrag'd Nature a murtherer of his own blood an abominable monster which cannot with a thousand deaths expiate the crime he hath committed He had inlarged his complaints had not the King interrupted him and by his redoubled embraces and his solid reasons overcome his earnestness in condemning himself and then settling a little his spirits and by degrees changing discourse after he had made him fit down by him caus'd him insensibly to fall upon the story of his life and strange adventures which he passionately desired to be told from point to point and how he had arrived to such high honhours after having secretly stollen from Eurimedes the Marchants house whom he took for his
wherefore thinking it enough what I had said and inclining my self very low to kisse the hem of her garment she did me the honor to offer me her hand which caused me to return full of ardent desire of glory to Arbiran whom I found ready to depart and whom with open signs of joy I followed I then entred the eighteenth year of my age and was grown to such a strength and advantagious stature that I could desie the strongest at wrastling and had so well bestowed my time with Arbiran after I had left being Page as that my skill was more commended than my strength Besides Lisimena had so many charmes and all her features so well form'd that she ravisht all men with her beauty which I dare not embolden my self to describe lest I may not be able to do it sufficiently The ambition I had to do something that might come to her ears was so sharp a spur unto me as being at hand blows with our enemies whom we went to force even in their own Trenches my good fortune would that I had to do with their Chief the valiant Ibraim who till that time had so fortunately guided so great an enterprize Him then I chose among the rest finding him doubly notable as well for his aspect as horrible slaughter he made among our people and after having some space resisted the fury of his arm in the end made him sink by a blow of my sword I very happily disengaged my self from the Troops which had encompassed me who seeing him fallen lost their courage and rather sought to succour than revenge him yet I was Iustily assaulted by five or fix of his guard with whom I fought stoutly and had they been seconded I had been undoubtedly loft by being too far engaged in the throng Arbiran on his side had done his part so well being assisted by divers Gentlemen voluntiers who did indeed wonders in that occasion that he put the rest of our enemies to flight and when he saw me return cover'd with blood and sweat and dust with the restimony of what I had been seen to do and how I had with my own hand slain the chief of the Maldives he gave me great commendation and did me the honor to write more good of me to the King than he had seen I confesse to you Sir that little action gave me great estimation and from that instant I was thought fit to command a chosen Company of Souldiers who had loft their chief in that Battel and which I afterward led on many hot occasions As soon as we had routed the enemies Army we had order from the King to return to the siege of Tanadarus and to take that place whatsoever it cost But I abuse your patience by telling you particulars of those things whereof all Asia is insorm'd and which your self should know as well as those who did them Hereat the King of Cambaya expressed to him that he should be very glad from his mouth to learn the very particulars of the fortune he had run in those Wars which had so long lasted between the two enemies Kings Whom Lisimantus obeyed and made him a summary discourse thereof in these words following After we had taken that City whose Siege lasted ten whole months and that we had forc'd it at our enemies nose who were come with the unprofitable power of an hundred other sails to succour it the King gave me the government thereof Notwithstanding I rested not long there because I was thought useful elsewhere and that the brave Arbiran who was Admiral of Zeylan did me the honor to make me his Lieutenant to repel that Enemies Fleet which since the taking of Tanadarus had never ceased pillaging our ships returning from Narsinga and ransacking whatsoever call'd it self ours The King of Narsinga brother in law to our King and his especial friend believing that we were not strong enough to resist the King of Maldives power by sea sent us of his own accord a hundred sail to strengthen our Fleet wherewith we went to present Battel to our enemies who at that time had not the heart to meet us but six months after returning stronger than at that time and we having notice of them although of lesse number were so bold as to assault them and the Fight continuing untill night the advantage remained on both fides equal and had the windâ— been as favorable unto as as to them without doubt the Victory had been clearly ours The next morning when we thought to recompence the Fight there rose so furious a tempest the winde at Southwest as spoil'd our whole designs and whether we would or no were constrain'd to yield to the violence of the storme which dispers'd a part of our Fleet and drave the Admiral wherein we were into the Road of Commory at the point of Narsigna The valiant Arbiran impatient that he could not revenge as yet the injuries which those barbarous Maldives had so many times done us obtained of the King that he might land upon one of their Islands to endammage them to purpose and do them the affront with which they had but threatned us The King having approved this design we were eight months on sitting our selves that we might not fail of our purpose during which time I remained at the Court and favored by the sight and entertainment of my divine Princesse who touched with that little reputation which I had gotten in those last stirs did so much the rather force her inclination to endure me that she look'd respectfully on me and because she thought that age which had acquir'd me more knowledge had diverted me from that disordered meaning which I had in my infancy to serve her as a Lover But alas that liberty she gave me was the cause of all my ruin for as it is the custom of Lovers to flatter themselves in their passions I made my self believe that the good acceptation she began to give me was a testimony of her affection and so blinded my self in my love as I took her civility for an argument of good liking Being deceived with this foolish belief I proceeded farther than before even to embrace her with mine eyes and to give her certain proofs by all my actions that my flame was augmented This obliged her to resume her former severity and to live so recluse unto me that I am forc'd to say to my consusion that since that day she never saw me but with trouble Ny I was so unhappy that fearing lest I would take leave of her the day of my departure she said she was sick and kept herself unseen by any I lost not however my courage although the better part of my amorous hopes and followed Arbiran as resolutely as if I had departed with a favor from Lisimena so powerful in my soul was the defire of glory where ambition reign'd with Love Our design succeeded happily we forc'd the place we attempted which was the most important
to be jealous of my own blood which a beastly anger hath enforced me to spill that ever after I might remain miserable and finde no where to comfort me in my displeasures The poor Lisimantus in uttering these words could not restrain his tears which ran aboundâ—nâ—ly from his eves which so moved the King as be seconded them with his and as he was disposing himself no continue the History of his misfortunce and to tell the King what sad occasion had so lightly moved him to seek his brother Anaxanders death they heard a great noise at the door and wondering who it should be that was so bold to knock so loudly they found it was Pirobus who was returned from Narsinga The good old man at his arrival hearing in how great trouble the King and all the Court were for the imaginary death of Anaxander made all baste to them and to assure them of both the young Princes health and that they would within a few daies return to Campanel As soon as the King had heard this welcome news he embraced Lisimantus with another manner of courage than he had done and that the Queen might receive him kindly he would have him to give her the first knowledge of what she no more looked for and that he who had made the wound might bring the remedy himself And because the Queen had not yet seen Lisimantus face the King commanded him to feign that he was one of the King of Narsinga's Gentlemen who by command from his Master was come to assure their Majesties that Anaxander lived and in health and that not being perfectly healed of his hurts lest they might be in fear for him he was dispatched to deliver them from that disquiet Lisimantus observed punctually that command and when with a smiling countenance he entred the Queens chamber with that good news she was ready to die for joy thinking verily that Lisimantus was an Embassador from the King of Narsinga she undid two strings of fair and goodly orient Pearl from her neck which she usually wore to give them him the King entred as he received that Present and asking the Queen if she had not all reason of the world to cherish and embrace him who came to drive all sorsows from her heart and had made so quick a passage of her mourning into joy Sir said she to him being transported I should be very ungratefull if I loved him not as long as I live seeing without the news he brings me I had never been comforted 'T is Madam said the King all that he desires that you love him and 't is the onely request I have to make you in his behalf I may now safely tell you he is my Son and that brave and generous Lisimantus whom erewhiles you so mortally hated and who hated himself yet more in the sorrow he conceived believing he had slain a Brother he knew not and whose courage he admired Love him Madam I conjure you and forgive his quarrell with Anaxander since he is so penitent and willing to repair that fault by a thousand testimonies of friendship which he promiseth to give him hereafter as his onely Brother whom onely likewise he will love The vertuous Anaxarette seeing with what affection the King intreated her to a thing whereto the good looks and news of Lisimantus had already inclined her Yes truly said she I will love him as much for the consideration of his own merit as for that you wish it and that you may have testimony that henceforward I desire to account him my Son I will give him a Mothers kiss which said she embraced him before the King who shed tears for joy By and by Pirobus was called whom the King made repeat to the Queen all that Piroxenus had said to him of Anaxander and how they hoped shortly to come and rejoyce with their Majesties and make them laugh in good caâ—nest at the King of Narsinga's anger who know them not and who pursued them as violaters of his Edict After the confirmation of this common joy they all went to the Temple to give the gods thanks the Court was presently full again of pleasure and the Cambaians thought of no one thing but doing him honour whom but so lately they were resolved to put to a shamefull death They talked of nothing now but Gallantry Balls and Turnamenâ—s after the Arabick manner which was however nothing to what they prepared for the return of the two young Princes whom they had so much lamented Lisimantus received a double cause of consolation when he understood by Pirobus all Anaxander's History and that he pretended onely to Orazia a thousand times he condemned his rashness that had not patience to clear a truth which respected his dear Lisimena's honour as well as his own interests The valiant Zenobus who had shared in his displeasures found himself at that present partaker of his good fortune he had a world of fair Presents from the King accompanied with as many assurances that he should have at all times what part he pleased of his childrens fortunes That which redoubled the pleasure of all the Court and was subject of much sport was the wise faces which Eurimedes his Son made that false Alcidaris seeing himself left of every body at the first news of Lisimantus's being Heir of the Crown of Cambaya fell a crying like a child and roaring in the streets so unfortunate as to make them laugh whom he thought to make pity him by his tears In this fashion he came to the Hall where the Ball was to be danced and applying himself to the King Sir said he to him is it true that I am no longer your son I swear to you every body comes and tells me so and all my Servants have left me as if I were some scoundrel or poor fellow I pray cause the insolence of that rabble which you made of my Train to be punished they mock me before my nose like a Drunkard and have let me come hither alone and am fain to carry my sword my self I do not think Sir that you have bid them use nâ—e so What think you my friend answered the King shewing him Lisimantus do you not believe this man hath a better look for a Prince than you and deserveth rather to be acknowledged for my Son Ah Sir replied the Innocent some Impostor doubtless hath delivered him you to keep I feel plainly that I am your lawfull son if not you would not have sent an Embassador to the King of Narsinga to crave his onely Daughter in marriage for me it may be this may be one of your Bastards though his Mustacho be very well set up I do not think that your Subjects will acknowledge him to my prejudice being not so well bred as I. Lisimantus who knew the whole story of this false Alcidaris and all his rudenesses could not forbear laughing at his words and because he laught heartily at it all the company seconded him
Lisimantus I promise you son said the King that I will never contradict what you think fit do but desire And to let you see I am as impatient for your contentment as your self I will presently go and dispatch Albalor Pirobus his eldest son in Embassage to the King of Zeylan to crave the Princesse Lisimena in your name if you will accompany my dispatch with a word of your own make haste for I already long that you and your brother were made happy in the possession of your Mistresses And hereupon they parted and Lisimantus ravish'd with content that all things suited to his expectation shut himself in his Closet where he writ this letter to Lisimena Lisimantus his letter to Lisimena Madam AT last the gods have shewn me justice and have furnish'd me with what I may excuse the boldnesse you have heretofore blam'd in me to seek your Love if to declare my self unto you it be requisite to be a Kings son you shall by this Embassadour know that Alcidaris is my father if for brave actions it be needful to be recommended you know what I have done for your Crowns safety if to have reputation in the world you must needs have been told of the renown that there are but few Provinces wherein I have not gotten worship for the name you gave me if you desire a faith with out example I call to witnesse all the powers of heaven and earth that I have never lov'd but you and if you do me now the honour to consent unto my just desire you shall see I have wherewith to blur the reputation and remembrance of those antient loves propos'd as miracles in their examples Because diligence was very requisite in this voyage which respected the contentment of the King in that of Lisimantus Albalor a brave and accomplish'd Knight and worthy son of so vertuous a father made ready his equipage with all expedition and taking with him fifty Gentlemen of the best born in the Court shipped himself at Bazaim to reach the Island of Zeylan as soon as possibly he could As soon as he was departed the King thought now on nothing more than of his dear Anaxanders return whom he proposed already to see King of Norsinga Bisnager and Orixa besides the Crown of that fair Kingdom of Dulcinda which he was to have by his mothers side That vertuous Princesse had so recovered her former graces and attractions since the news of her sons life and health as very few Lodies of that Kingdom exceeded her in beauty such a property hath joy to dilate it self and from the heart ascend into the face All day she entertain'd her self with Evander who on his part was to lesse ravish'd And as she had a great power with the King she caused great largesses to be distributed among the people which were accompanied with a thousand sports yet was all that but little in comparison of the pomp and state prepared for Lisimantus coming wherein Anaxander and Piroxenus were to have a good share their coming only was expected to celebrate it to the great contentment of their Majesties and accomplishment of all Evanders joys whom Lisimantus heartily forgave for that cruelty he was constrain'd to shew him and whereto his just resentement drave him THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The sixth BOOK THe whole Court and City were full of joy and all the people of Cambaya forgetting their past grievances fell to invent new Dances and inviting one another to Feasts as well for the contentment they received already by the sight of the of their Princes as for the speedy return which they expected of the other when Fortune which pleaseth her self in a disorderly government of the things of this world and cannot endore them long in one condition cast the Cambayans again into a greater confusion than they were ever in and filled all the Court with fear and disorder During the time of the Ball without thinking of any thing save being merry as indeed there was no reason to suspect an evil the King was astonished to see the wise Almerin Prince Anaxanders faithful Squire comming towards him out of breath who at first throwing himself as his feet Sir if you make not haste to succour your son speedily he will run the hazard of dying the most tragical death that ever was Alas had he listed to believe me he had not been in this trouble for I did long ago conjure him to make himself known and to remember the affront done him at Visaporus but he was ever obstinate in his purpose as likewise Piroxonus to disguise themselves till now in so much as at present they cannot be believed that they are of your blood because they have been so long undiscover'd to the King of Narsinga who is about to punish them as breakers of his Edict having lately fought a Duel within his Dominions This news did no lesse trouble the Company than that which Pirobus had brought but lately had contented them and that a present remedy might be given to that inconvenience the King in great trouble commanded Almerin to tell him what new misfortune had befallen his Son and what course might be taken to save his Life Know Sir said the Past who had scarce the leisure given him to draw his breath that after the Prince my Master had fought with Lisimantus as Pirobus here come may have told you he concealed himself in a Castle belonging to Saradin the Princess Orazias Squire intending to return unto you as soon as he recovered of his wounds which were very grievous and just as be was ready to do so and depart with Piroxenus who never left him out of his sight he found an unexpected ambush layed for him I doubt not but you have heard how the Princess Orazia immediatly after that unhappy combat thought fit to spread a noyse that my Master was dead that the King her Father incensed against him as much as is possible night have the lesse reason to send after him The report of his death lasted for some dayes but being impossible to keep any thing very secret in the Court Saradin who till that time had been very wise could not chuse but reveal it at length unto a very intimate friend of his call'd Florestan from whom he hid very few things and told him for truth that our Princes but told him not that they were so were hid in his house on the way to Baticalus where the King had layn without knowing it This Florestan was in favour with a Lady of the Court called Corisba who was that Lerians Sister whom anaxander had slain in Duell at his first comming to the Court of Narsinga being provoked by him through his jealousie that the Prince Arontus favoured him too much and as it is the Custom of Lovers to conceal nothing from their Mistresses Florestan was so unworthy as to reveal his friends secret unto his This wicked woman finding a fair way to be
hands ill fortune would that his horse astonish'd at the flame which hurt his eyes in passing fell with him in a ditch very neer his enemies they instantly fell upon him and being under his horse we saw without being able to help him how they took away his Lance and sword and bound him with cords as soon as they had disarm'd him Piroxenus would have returned but when I had put into his consideration that at liberty he might be much better able to serve him than if he exposed himself to bonds with him he was for that time perswaded by me and as I advised he resolved to go in dispuise to Bisnagar and try with the Princesse to save him whom he loved a thousand times more than himself As for me he commanded that I should go advertise you of that misfortune with all speed and in case they condemn'd not the Prince suddainly without any form of processe you might dispatch an Embassador to the King of Narsinga time enough to save his life And this Sir hath drawn me so hastily unto your Majesty I protest unto you I have scarce eaten or drank since this fell out for fear the least stay night cause my Masters losâ—s They cannot have carryed him as he was bound very fast and am consident it is as much as they have been able to do to bring him yesterday to Bisnagar for I gave whatever was ask'd me for fresh horses where ever I could sinde them and I believe never man made more dispatch Here Almerin ended his discourse which did not so much trouble the King but that there remained some hope for him for knowing Orazias love he believed that fair Princesse would not fail to use all her credit and power for him whom she was to marry Besider Paroxeaus his escape was another sign of comfort persuming that he would finde friends in the Court to perswade the King not to precipitate his condemnatioÌ„ that should declare himself so great a Prince untill the truth were known In the meanwhile not to lose time he sent Falantus his Gentleman of the horse in all speed with such a direction as he instantly conceiv'd Alcidaris King of Cambaya of Dulcinda of Candahar and Mandao and absolute Lord of whatsoever that great renowned River waters which giveth name unto the Indes To thee Salamas mighty King of Narsinga of Bisnagar and of Orixus and absolute Lord of the Seas which furnish all the East with Pearl his dear and well-beloved brother health I Am informed that my young son Anaxander for whose death I have twice lamented is the man who hath so worthily served thee in thy Wars under the name Ariomant and who of late hath through his youthful heat first violated thy just Edicts whereof I give thee speedy advertisement by Falantus Gentleman of my horse and by this letter signed with my Hand and Sealed with my Seal that thou mayst turn thy anger from him and use him as thy brothers son in power and equal in authority I conjure thee moreover to favor his sute and give credit to my Embassador who will tell thee that the man whom I designed for thy son in law is worthy of thy kindred and the fortune I had procur'd him as my son The King would added threats to the end of his letter in case that some misfortune might have befallen poor Anaxander ere the comming of these but he was disswaded by his counsel who were of opinion that in case nothing had yet hapned to the Princes disadvantage threats might incense the King of Narsinga and set him upon extremities which his own inclinations might not move him to wherefore they thought it sufficient to have a great Army in readynesse which Lisimantus should command and should march great journeys and be ready to powre on Narfinga and revenge an affront which they yet but feared The Queen upon this bare fear encourag'd every man to revenge it was a pitty to see her in such trouble as that new discontent had cast hâ—r into more deep than ever Like those who have run great hazards at sea and endure nothing with so great impatience as shipwrack threatned at the Haven That poor Princesse unfortunate who had so much already lamented her sons death and been battered by so many storms and crosses past was never so sensible as of this last torment which assaulted her just when she thought her self under the shelter of all manner of afflictions and misfortunes she had already flattered her self with sweet hope of embracing her son she had invited the whole Court to honor his wellcome she imagined that the tenderness of a mothers love would not afford embraces enough to cherish so vertuous a child when that sad messenger came and spoil'd her at an instant of those sweet meditations to set her spirit on the rack scarce pacifi'd with some small intervals of false joy The King would willingly have seconded her in her just sorrow and found matter of comfore for her as he was wont but the poor Prince had other things to think on for though in some sort he expected that the King of Narsinga would not proceed so fast that point was too ticklish to leave him without great cause of doubt and he was wise enough to foresee that to ground any hope upon the uncertain judgement of men was but to build upon a moving sand He therefore caused Lisimantus at the head of a hundred thousand men to depart a few daies after Falantus had his dispatch That young Knight was full of spirit and exceedingly affectionate to his Masters service and seeing that his Princes safety and the States quiet depended upon his diligence he got upon the best and swiftest horse in the Indes and resolv'd to take him at far as his heart and legs would carry him before he would take Post But whiles he does his best to come in good time to Bisnagar let us make more haste there than he and see what is done against Anaxander After that unfortunate Prince had been very hardly used on the way by those men without pitty w hose number he had so couragiously and in vain diminished he was conducted into that sad place where once he expected to receive a more gentle entertainment Piroxonus who was arriv'd but one day before him had reaped no other fruit of his diligence than lading the Princesse Orazia's spirit with affliction and sorrow by recounting to her how Anaxander was taken and pressing her to use all the means she could or his safety but the poor Lady knew not to whom to adresse her self and however violent passion she had to save her dear husband her shame too much withheld her from declaring it to the King whom she her self dared not to speak to nor knew she whom else to trust or chuse to do it in her stead That which caus'd the misfortune and the ruin of our Princes was their having lived with too much splendor and authority during