seeing I might not trust my â—elfe vvith mine owne government I chose manie friends and being by nature given to hate pride to eschue a vice so loathâ—ome thinking it might not be done otherwise I began to affect popularitie But I had scarce liv'd thus a twelue-month vvhen my cousin the kings sonne a yong man who besides the hope of succession for vvhich the Courtiers did adore him had nothing more then ordinary in him grew suspicious of my practises as he term'd them to which humor besides the mistrust of his owne little desert his Sycophants the bellowes of this fire did daily add further causes to encrease his jealousie But seeing the discoverie of his suspicion vvould little please the king vvho ever since the death of my father had doubled his care upon me he vvas compel'd to dissemble a good liking towards me In meane time a truce made for some few yeares vvith the Duke of Amasia being expir'd the vvar grew hote on both sides at length after the triall of manie changes in fortune necessitie mediating a peace betweene them my selfe being given as hostage for performance of certain coÌ„ditions of my uncles part a perpetuall league vvas concluded onâ— 't was now and not before mischiefe began to unmaske her selfe and take a pride to grow terrible There vvas at Court during my abode there attending upoÌ„ the Dutchesse a Lady by name Alcida whose many excellencies won as many hearts as she had beholders nature making her beautie shape but the most faire Cabinet of a farre fayrer mind To her mine eyes at first sight gave up my heart with so fortunate an encounter in affectioÌ„ that this surrender vvas but a mutuall exchange she having in a mercifull gratefulnes fixt her love one mine But her parentage though not base was so meane in respect of my birth that thence vvhole armies of afflictions did invade my mind equally distracted betweene my desire to enjoy this my best of happines and feare of my uncles displeasure on whom this match for his care and love of me I was sure vvould draw on an untimely death But before I could determine a doubt of â—o great consequence the conditions of the league being faithfully performed I was safely at a day prefixt sent back to Natolia desirous even in my soule desirous I am sure rather by their breach of covenant to have hazzarded my life then thus cruelly to be taken away from her presence vvho far beyond my life was most deere to me Soone after my returne the king as if the Gods had stay'd him to see the quiet of his State now that vvas brought to passe worne vvith age and much broken vviâ—h travell care in his last warrs left his kingdome to his degenerate sonne successor who had no sooner seized upon the government but meaning to begin his raigne vvith an admirable act of policie now his power vvas unrestrain'd limits me to the absence from my countrey declaring my bloud for ever uncapable of succession and not content vvith this to such a height his undeserved malice to me vvas raised that he dealt vvith some bad ministers of his wickedness secretly to make me away To prevent therfore vvhat vvas plotted against me disguising my selfe I hastily fled away making use of necessity to further my affection I put my self into the service of a Nobleman here in the Court of Amasia easily remaining undiscovered among them who vvould sooner fall out vvith their eyes then beleeve that the greatnesse wherein they lately had seene me could admit so great a change By meane vvhereof I enjoyed the presence of my Alcida whose constancie neither time nor abseÌ„ce the mothes of affectioÌ„ nor vvhat is more this my change in fortune could alter Thus vvhile I liv'd in this happinesse of servitude Mermidon brother to the Duke having commanded with fortunate successe against the Dazians returned to Court vvhere seeing this Lady he became enamoured of her to no other end then to satisfie his lust and thinking at first because he vvas in good esteemâ— vvith himselfe she vvould have strain'd her modestie to sue for the acceptaÌ„ce of a present so gratefull to him a while he was silent but when he perceived the vanitie of his fruitlesse expectation found that this delay encreas'd the fury of his passion dispensing with the Matie he had taken on he began to make known his love to her for such a title did he give to so base a desire forgetting not vvithal to tell her that to excuse her modestie he had first spoken her wishes But the vertuous Alcida loathing as much the thought of such a sinne as shee loved the memorie of me together with a â—esolute deniall let him know how base his minde was that made so injurious a request Wherat Mermidon because this answer came unexpected was so much the more amazed But bringing arguments from his late practise in the warre he began to think his honor would be the greater if after long resistance he did surprise a well defended for t therefore daily both by rich gifts the base enamell of affection manie promises which to win the more upon her were sent by one of her owne sexe who if example might move her could tell of such a president in her â—elfe did he seeke to undermine her resolution Meane time my constant Alcida seeing the inteÌ„perance of Mermidons lust to bring the threats of force with it not daring to speake with me because our conference began to be suspected sent me a letter to hasten her carrying away appointing this the fatall place of our meeting I much rejoyc'd to be so neere my happinesse the rather that since our last conference I received intelligence that my young cousin of Natolia being made away by one whom he had rais'd to an undeserved height in his favour the countrey was in great distresse by the factious ambition of the Nobilitie and that the best affected to the State much desired my presence But these meanes how well soever as I thought conducing to my happinesse by the unmercifulnesse of my hard destinie were prevented as one of those whom 't was my fortune to kil at his death revealed for Mermidoâ— having intercepted the messenger mad with rage to finde his hopes crost by so meane a man as he tooke me to be having again seal'd up the letter he caus'd it to be delivered and determining to be reveng'd sent these men to apprehend me himself intending to follow presently leading with him my deerest Alcida whom in my presence to ad a glorie to the execrablenes of the offence he means to ravish And now sir you have heard said he all what my selfe knowes of my birth fortune ever till this time when I am well assur'd my end is neere at hand kept secret He scarce had clos'd up this lamentable storie with a heartie sigh the compendious abridgment of his sufferings when we might discerne Mermidon with twentie
it seem'd to dropp destruction that manie thought a madness had possest him so unarmed so wounded to present himselfe in such a tryall where a surer defence and a sounder bodie vvere more needfull Before him went six as Savages bearing the Launces for his first courses who comming within distance to be heard did sing these following Verses Too soone you fled from hence to that fayre place The happy period of a well-run Race Too late I stay in griefe 's eternall night To doe this penance for my over sight Once let me dye let not my dying life Prolong my woes and keepe my thoughts at strife Let him that did offend your heavenly eyes Now please your anger with selfe-sacrifice Then one of them reaching him a launce he began his course against Tyro Prince of Andria famous for his constant love to the faire Lydia now married and Queene of Epire and ever fortunate in the course of his adventures but here his fortune gave place to vertue or rather join'd with her to assist the naked Knight for at the third encounter hee was put beside his Saddle much bruised in bodie and no lesse afflicted in minde The next that supplyed his place was Pawsanias a Macedonian one who in his late warrs had done Evarchus faithfull service and now thinking to be as successefull in this enterprise had put on Armour to do honour to his Mistris but his first course compell'd him to acknowledge hee was deceiv'd seeing himselfe fall so farre short of his expectation To him succeeded Nicanor a CorinthiaÌ„ knight advanc'd by the new King one extreamely confideÌ„t of himselfe because never tryed now verie forward fearing to be preveÌ„ted of the honour for which already in conceit he had triumphed at Corinth with the great applause of the people and the good liking of the King But the naked Knight at second course cut off both his life and imagined trophee for couching his launce and allotting it in his course a just descent rightly levell'd by his well-judging experience it met with Nicanors sight and passing thorow that weake resistance it pearc't his right eye and with it his braine so as Nicanor fell downe forgetfull both of his forethought fame following reproach With this adventure the Tilting that day ended the Sunne with loose rayes posting to his Westerne home and the naked Knight retyr'd himselfe to his Pavillion whence he sent his Page who humbly for his Master intreated that his unwillingnesse to be knowne should excuse the omission of his dutie to the King Thus that night drew on which to them who enjoy'd deâ—ight seem'd to have put on all her sails to be the speedier in passing over But farre other was the naked knights apprehension he who made her ugly darknesse a pattern of the sorrow his afflicted soule endur'd thought she was becalm'd in the Sea of his misfortune At length Phoebus wearie of his importunitie made hast to distribute his gratefull light to his care-tyr'd senses he as soone imbracing the smallest shew of comfort put on his Armour About two houâ—es after the Iudges being set and Basilius and Evarchus with the rest of the Court present Leonatus the yong King of Pontus who had bin there to acknowledge his beholdingnes to them whom he was deservingly bound to tooke the field His Armor was of a darke colour thorow vvhich manie flames seem'd to breake out as vvhen the clowdes great in labour with exhalations at length give way to their more violent power His three first Courses promised a more happie event than Fortune meant he should enjoy for having perform'd them with a well-order'd firmenesse in his seat a moving constancie in the carriage of his launce to the great delight of the beholders the fourth time hee was dismounted whose disgrace Pyrocles was ready to revenge but hee was by a secret looke from Philoclea commanded the contrarie Then Telamon Phelauceas and Diremus felt with little advantage in Fortune the like successe Thus most part of that morning the naked Knight with little resistance had the best against all commers which most of the lookers on with publicke acclamation did testifie but he having given over the use of himselfe to sorrow sometimes by the carelesse shaking of his head did let them know they burdened his desert with the unpleasing waight of his praise and staying a while on horseback expecting the next adventurer with such a demeanor of himselfe as though it did accuse him of much griefe could not conceale the grace of his stately presence But when hee saw none readie to take the field with an huÌ„ble bend taking his leave of the king he softly trotted towards his Tent not so much to repoâ—e his bodie as to give a quiet way to the assaults of his minde At length when all the beholders expectation were almost wearied there entred the Lists a Lady attended only by one Page who having lighted presently went towards the place where Basilius sate where first kneeling then taking away a black Scarffe which griefe had hyr'd to joyne with her selfe in eclipsing the excellent feature of a most faire face she began to speake but Basilius and Genecia hastily ranne to imbrace Hellen the Queene of Corinth for this was shee Great was the joy for her reviv'd presence and great the desire to know the meanes of her saâ—etie But shee accounting these gratulations cumbersome and the relation of her adventures tedious fixing her watry eyes on Basilius Great King I am said she that unfortunate Hellen sometime Queene of Corinth now both depriv'd of crowne and kingdome by Tenarus Yet why should I mention this as fit to be inserted among my greatest misfortunes The cause why now I come is my care of Amphialus his safetie in whom I live to whose disdaine I have vowed the tribute of my constant love Hee alas why should I live to speake it not long since following the course of his adventures came to Amasia where he was made prisoner and carried to Dunalbus Prince of that countrey whose brother it was Amphialus his fortune to kill in rescue of a Lady to whom he would have offered dishonourable violence These newes came to mine eares to add more to many miseries at that time when I chanc'd to be at Delphos pouring forth my heartiest devotions for my most beloved my most unkinde Amphialus but the pittying God eyther to stay my hands from the execution they intended but to what end might that be that God knows no time can unbend my affection or as heaven grant it may be in commisseration of my case thus comforted me Hellen retâ—rne a naked Knight shall finde Rest for thy hopes and quiet to thy minde Thus farre have I wandred ledd by that divine promise in pursuite of such a one but no where can I find a happie event to confirm that Oracle yet dare I not despaire having so high a warrant nor hope having so bad successe You are fortunately come said
severitie yet it vvas fit to please Rinatus one who had deserv'd vvell and had the power if otherwise he vvere dealt vvith to revenge his injurie Others the more in number and esteem'd the vviser because the King held vvith them oppos'd this sentence alledging so inconsiderate an act might call the safetie of Laconia in question for said they shall wee thinke the Corinthians so degenerate that being justly incenc't against us they will not endevour to revenge the death of their Prince in shade of whose raigne they enjoy that peace plentie their neighbours envie them for and if they stirre in it what people is so barbarous whom the justnesse of their cause will not procure into the societie of this warre See then if a private mans satisfaction be to be compar'd to these ensuing dangers no let her live when the Gods doe otherwise disposâ— of her let her death come without the ruine of Laconia This determined a new doubt arose how I should be dispos'd of They that before thought it expedient I should dye now that opinion vvas put by concluded that it was best to send me to Corinth with an honourable convoy so to tye them by a perpetuall bond of gratitude to be their friends whom they so much fear'd to bee their enemies the rest to gratifie the king whose affection they perceiv'd to leane that way and well assur'd it was an advice too profitable to be rejected that gain'd a kingdome though his promise after the Q. death who not long before left him a widower had bin pas't to Lemnia a fair vertuous La daughter to my keeper Partinax yet they wisht if so he pleas'd my crown might vvin me to his bed little doubting but I had thought it an egregious felicitie to be so grac't The King after manie protractions at length as if he were wrought to it by a desire to satisfie the Nobility rather then selfe-will declares his mind to be directed by them which once known behold the flatterie of Court began to fawne upoÌ„ me who more observ'd who more admir'd onely Rinatus much impatieÌ„t of this my greatnes in Court uttered some words in choler which made known by further enquirie a conspiracie of his against the King so as soone after the rather to give me whom they studied to please satisfactioÌ„ he was beheaded But long it was not before Fortune neither constant to my happie adversitie nor adverse felicitie had brought thither sent by the usurper Tenarus a wise but wicked instrument whoÌ„ he call'd his Ambassador who laboured by the policie of his high reaching braine and the secret practises of his undermining gold so farre for his Masters ends that now in an instaÌ„t the stil-changing face of Court-respect began to frowne upon me my death was decreed and untill the time vvere appointed for it my selfe made a close prisoner in my accustomed gaole But the King chiefly mov'd vvith the hope of my crowne and drawn by a selfe-conceit of liking to my sorrow vvhich perhaps had a sympathie vvith his melancholy vvould needs continue the suit of his affection to me though he durst not interpose his overrul'd authoritie for my libertie Thus for a time did I live accompanied by some few vvhoÌ„ the king might trust vvith his inteÌ„ts he in shew courting his first love Lemnia and making that a pretence to come private to her â—athers house neer adjoyning to Court But indeed as at that time he could have no reason to dissemble vvith me this kindnesse came another way vvhich Lemnia suspecting and being as farre gone in affection to this double-dealing King as he was in the profession of a little-regarded love to me her vvatchfull eye soon found the advantage of a happie opportunitie to heare himselfe speake his own deceipt with such a heart-burning vehemencie that Lemnia who had plac't her selfe unknown to eyther of us behinde the hangings scarse could suppresse her entry to play a part in our Comedie of affection But to his demaÌ„ds truth answered for me plainly that death in whose expectation I liv'd vvould be farre more pleasing then the marriage he thought so reasonable adding vvithall to my speech much of Lemnia's praise which she deserv'd to instruct his eyes that indeed vvere blinde in his choyse But when he parted vowing to be severe in my punishmeÌ„t unless I resolved better at his next comming behold Lemnia with teares in her eiâ—s fell at my feet and vvhen she saw amazemeÌ„t in my lookes with a kinde bashfulnesse taking my hand rising with that helpe Vertuous Lady said she if ever you have beene acquainted with the tyrannie of all-commanding affection to that Iudge I appeale who though courtesie and good maners oppose him wil find my fault excusable This man who in your presence hath beene the trumpet of his owne inconstancie first with the vehemeÌ„t protestatioÌ„ of his sincere affection won me in gratefulnes to meet him in the recoÌ„pence of his unknown dissimulatioÌ„ if such then it vvere and now vvith the good liking of the State vvere the solemnities appointed for our marriage wheÌ„ your arrivall croft those hopes and drew his thoughts to their naturall temper of unstayednes But since I have found by this fortunate unmanerlinesse your answers so resolutely oppos'd to his demands henceforth I vow to vvorke your freedome or bring my selfe to perish vvith you Her fault found an easie pardon at the tribunall shee appeal'd too I thank't her as there vvas good cause for her desire of my good onely I wisht if my freedom could not be procur'd without danger to her she vvould not heape miseries upon me by joining her selfe a companion in my disaster She comforts me vvith the hope of a better event to bring her intention to a wished successe she vvins my unvvillingnes to shew som favour to the King which next day I did having plac't Lemnia vvhere shee had plac't her selfe the day before to be a witnesse to our conferenceâ— for otherwise perhaps her love this second time might have egg'd her suspition already prone that vvay to the distrust of a practise betwixt us And happie vvas this forc't dissimulatioÌ„ for the king not long before his comming to me had receiv'd advertisement that the usurper of Corinth had levied an armie set forth manie ships to invade Laconia making the delay of my promised execution the pretence of this vvarreâ— vvhich being also knowne to the Nobilitie they who together vvith this forreine enemie feared the rebellion of the Helots vvho alway lay in vvait for an opportunitie of such advantage now more then ever began to solicite the king to satisfie so potent an enemie in so just a demaÌ„d The king vvel vveighing the iminent dangers that vvere to be prevented by my death and seeing the little comfort he did enjoy by prolonging of my life likely everie day to encrease my obstinacy being none of those lovers that would die for his disdaining Masters vvas ready to deliver me