his Army and his Liberty to those that practis'd the former and possess'd the latter Massanissa justly pleas'd with this purchase and being one who knew as well how to prosecute as win a Victory desir'd Lelius to follow to Cirta the Metropolis of Numidia whether he went before with all the Horse and his great Prisoner The Citizens upon the Conqueror's approach who perhaps hated the King as much as an unsuccessful Cause open'd their Gates where the first object that saluted his Eyes was the fair Sophonisba not as a Tryumphant Mistris but an imploring Prisoner Massanissa who consider'd her and not her condition alighting from his Horse and imitating her posture desir'd her to believe her Empire was as great where he commanded as where Syphax did and begg'd her if she doubted so perfect a Truth to evince it by some Commands She told him that her inconstancy made her as little merit as desire obligations from him that had she not thought it a crime to have destroyed her self by any thing but by the sentence of his offended Love she had by becoming her own Executioner punisht her inconstancy and misfortune the former being the latter and not liv'd to be so publique a spectacle of Fortune's mutability that since he was pleas'd to pardon a sin that was its own punishment she besought him till her repentance for her fault had created in him desires of affection or the greatness of it desires of Revenge that he would preserve her from the Romans power Her Youth and admirable Beauty made so deep an impression in Massanissa's heart that not only he granted her request but pardon'd her past inconstancy and to take from the Romans all hopes of such a Prisoner he seemingly or really at that instant marry'd her But Lelius upon his arrival was in so great a fury that he had like to have been the destruction of the Nuptials by being the destroyer of the Bride but Massanissa knew so well how to humble himself before that proud Roman and to represent that she had always been his Wife though married to Syphax that he was content to suspend all things till they return'd to the Consul which after the setling that great Kingdom they soon did There was no common joy in the Roman Camp at the arrival of so great a friend a Conqueror and so great an Enemy a Prisoner the first having by Scipio receiv'd in publique a just and ample commendation and acknowledgement for his transcendent obligations on this Empire the last was strictly examined what had induc'd him to embrace the Carthaginian Quarrel having so professedly engag'd himself in the Roman to which he resolutely answer'd 't was the charms of his Wife which truth he was confident e're long a resembling operation on Massanissa would abundantly confirm Whether Syphax spoke this really or in revenge I cannot tell but his assertion had so powerful an influence on the Consul that taking Massanissa aside he told him ingenuously the Romans had an undeniable Title to Sophonisba's Life whom he consider'd as the efficient cause of these Wars and therefore conjur'd him not to ruine the reward of so great services by committing as great a Crime which his detention of his new Wife did and would appear in his and the Senates judgement Massanissa blusht and wept but finally begg'd some time to work on his inclination to submit unto his duty this civil request had the desir'd return and Massanissa being retir'd into his Tent spent an hour in an Agony whose torments nothing but an unfortunate Lover is capable to imagine but at length after a serious reflection that by denying her he should deliver both himself and Sophonisba into the Roman hands and perhaps believing if she had a real passion for him that her own Fate would be the less bitter by his not being involv'd in it and if she had not the loss was the more tollerable he determin'd to preserve her in his memory that he could not in his embraces and sending for an exquisite poison he commanded one of his Domesticks to present it from him to Sophonisba as the only way he had left to keep his word and her from the Romans The fair Queen undauntedly taking the fatal Cup bid the Messenger to tell his Lord that to manifest nothing which came from him was unwelcome she would receive from him the present of her Fate which having drank she further enjoyn'd him to beg Massanissa that if the actions of her life had impair'd her in his first affection that the resoluteness of her death might restore it to its former luster and that she might live in though not with him then casting her self upon her Bed an eternal darkness soon clos'd up the fairest Lights which ever shin'd in Affrick to which barbarous Countrey I had not confin'd my similitude had the fair Sophonisba been as constant in her Love as in her Death This Tragedy and the sad influence it had on Massanissa no sooner reacht the Consuls knowledge than he sent for him and having drawn all his Army in Battalia in their sight to repair the having taken from him Syphax's Wife he gave him Syphax's Kingdom saluted him by the name of King presented him with a Crown of Gold and by large Elogies on his noble actions dry'd up his Tears This truly was the best Cordial and those clouds of grief by so admirable a Sun-shine of prosperity were soon dissipated and he with the Romans march'd to the Siege of Carthage from whence they having heard of Syphax's defeat instead of sending armed Troops to meet them they sent out old Hanno with the Princes of his Faction who prostrating themselves on the ground not only kist Scipio's feet but the feet of those that sate in Counsel with him to whom they acknowledg'd they had unjustly broken the Peace betwixt Rome and Carthage which they besought might continue as a monument of their mercy and in a resembling series of baseness begg'd Peace on terms though as low as those Spirits that implor'd it Scipio who knew Rome to be poor though victorious and Carthage rich though subdu'd willing to relieve the necessities of the former by the abundance of the latter and perhaps fearful that dispair might make them continue the War longer than his Consulship and so his victories might prove but the foundation of anothers Glory or else believing so prostrate an Enemy unworthy his Sword or esteeming it more generous to be known a Conqueror by the confession than the ruine of his Enemies granted them Peace but upon terms as long as their submission and permitted them to send unto the Roman Senate for their Ratification In the mean time Mago had rais'd so considerable an Army of Gauls and Lygurians that the Romans apprehended he would kindle as great a flame in Italy as Scipio had in Affrick They therefore sent against him Marcus Cornelius the Pro-Consul and Quintilius Vartus one of their Pretors with whom I associated
opportunity of acting my despair for the cause of it immediately withdrew himself with so much Grace and Humility that I exclaim'd against Fate which had render'd my being his Friend and Izadora's Servant inconsistent Flamminius was no sooner gone than she having shut the Chamber door told her Confident Now Callione I perceive the gods are determin'd to furnish me by Perolla's absence with what shall evince that my passion for him is as perfect as unfortunate I must dye Callione and beseech the gods to make me as unfortunate in the other World as I have been in this if I resent any trouble for my Death but what I apprehend it may create in him and that by this one argument of my Flame I am render'd for ever uncapable of giving him any other but it may be the cause of my death may extinguish or lessen the effects of it On the contrary Madam Callione reply'd 't will augment them not only by the loss of the highest perfection that ever was but by his knowledge that that loss was his and for him Let us speak no more of it said Izadora my resolution is too just and too setl'd to be remov'd for either 't will make him love my memory or follow me and in this one performance I satisfy my Duty and my Love the first being cancell'd by the hand of death the last by going to a place where the object of mine may be assured to find and possess me and I have stoln this minute to let him know so much under my hand For thy particular Callione the trust I have impos'd on thee is of a quality which manifests the greatness of it and this is all I have to enjoyn thee that thou wilt deliver my last desires to Perolla's hands and that thou wilt with as much resolution see me take the Poison as I will drink it Come Madam said Callione I cannot believe Miracles are ceas'd since I see your constancy retire yourself into this Closet where you may deliver me your Commands with more secrecy which I beseech you to believe I shall faithfully obey though I would not any of them with so much passion as that of pledging you Alas Callione said Izadora thou hast no griefs which death alone can ease I shall have Madam she reply'd when yours are cur'd by that remedy At the end of these words the fair Izadora open'd the Closet Door and perceiving a Man there for my disguise hinder'd her from knowing me she cryed out oh Callione thou hast betray'd thou hast betray'd me but death hath more doors than one and I will try them all but I will find a passage No Madam said Callione perceiving her error your suspitions wrong me more than you believe my treachery does you 'T is Perolla you see and unless my presenting him unto you be a treachery I am guilty of none Izadora at that assurance consider'd me more attentively and then continu'd oh gods 't is not Perolla but his Ghost which comes to invite me to a place where Merit and Love have no Enemies and where a virtuous and a happy Flame are the same thing No fair Izadora I reply'd prostrating my self at her Feet for till then my distempers were too violent to let me speak I am Perolla not his Ghost and am come to implore your continuance in this life not to invite you to another the gods will not so much tempt us to doubt their providence as to decline rewarding your Virtue on the same Theatre where it has so conspicuously shined for that were to make Sin Reason Callione Madam has told me such a story of Flamminius that you must be the unjustest Woman in the World if you make me not the miserablest Man and that hatred of your Fathers which I thought was the gods cruelty I now find was their care since it has reserv'd you to a blessing which nothing can transcend but my misfortune which builds it I had continu'd this discourse had not Izadora interrupted it first by going two steps back and then by saying This is sure Perolla's Ghost not he for nothing but a Spirit divested of Flesh could entertain so high a Philosophy but can you esteem Flamminius Virtues great that never but hazarded his life to please his Mistriss when at the same instant you make yours your misery to reward your Rival his performance carried its ease with it but Perolla's it 's torment had I been curst with any doubts of your transcending him this action had clear'd them and what you intend for the disclosing of his Virtues do but the better manifest your own neither can you think but that his embracing your Offer will render him unworthy of it for the receiving a resign'd up Mistriss is like losing a life for a Friend where that act which makes the obligation imposes an impossibility of gratitude Ah Madam said I interrupting her he that could dye to please Izadora merits to live for her Observe she reply'd the justice of the Gods which furnishes me with Arguments out of your own Mouth for you will acknowledge to live in Torment is a greater unhappiness than death and since you assure me by becoming Flamminius's I must make the first of those your Fate must not a higher Martyrdom have a proportionate reward will you make Izadora unfortunate because the gods have made Flamminius generous and will you give away what you have given yourself to have you not rewarded a gallant intention by a gallanter and have you nothing to pay Izadora's debts with but Izadora herself Alas Madam I reply'd they are my debts as well as yours and I beseech you judge of the value I place upon those that oblâ—ge you when I submit to such a payment Great gods said Izadora â—â—fting up her hands what have I committed that Perolla against Reason against my Tears and against my Prayers will part with me cruel Perolla she continu'd fixing her Eyes upon me after a short silence and weeping you shall but extend your power over your self you can but deny Izadora to be yours and recall those vows you have made her you cannot make her cancel hers which were to be yours or Deaths the first you willingly exempt her from and the last she therefore as willingly elects When she had done speaking she came again to the place where I kneeled and after having wet my Face with her Tears she dry'd her Eyes and with a look as cold as temperate and as far above misfortune as she was unworthy any she told me farewell Perolla farewell for ever but before I execute what your cruelty and my religion renders necessary I will satisfy you and Flamminius by my Nuptials and after in that Bole pointing to the poison or in as certain a remedy if that be deny'd me I will satisfy my duty to the gods At the finishing of these words she left me as if Life had done so but observing her Fatal resolution and that to be
his Colours The other two parts were of such as had been drawn together by Zenophon's orders before his hasty depart The Body though small was not unconsiderable having my Prince at the head of it and this they were all so sensible of that Artabbanes found they were so by their very looks After a short speech rather to let them know he knew their resolution than to raise it he embraced the Governour whose age dispenc'd him from the field and began his March towards Ecbatan Three days with wonderful celerity he follow'd the traces of Zenophon's Army without overtaking it but the fourth from the high mountain of Dormus he discover'd afar off the Walls of Ecbatan that sight refresh'd his almost wearied Troops and made them so to accelerate their pace before the Sun was five hours from his set they were come near enough to perceive both Armies were join'd and were disputing their hopes and desires by the Sword on which they were so intent that his arrival nor his little Armies saluting their Friends by a shout and their Enemies by a menacing cry could not in the least measure so much as suspend or lessen the fury of either side My Prince was much more pleas'd with the resolution of his friends than with their number which with the addition of his Forces did not equal the one half of the Enemies whose multitudes he observ'd were so long hinder'd from prevailing by a Gentleman in blew Arms whose Helmet was shadowed with a Plume of Feathers of the same colour This generous Warrior carried victory to his side where ever he was but his friends lost it where ever he was not so that not being ubiquitary the Armenian Royal Army was giving ground before my Prince could join it I design'dly pass over the paâ—ticulars of this great day to tell you the conclusion of it which was that though Artabbanes did like Artabbanes both in courage and conduct yet by the fall of the Gentleman in blew Armor and by being necessitated twice to save the King of Media's life and remount him it was almost dark before the gods had put a period to the Battle and he to the Execution in which the Traytor Merinzor fell and above Twenty thousand of his side so that my Prince's Revenge and his Victory were both concluded in one action such signal events could not but produce resembling joys in him who return'd from the pursuit with his victorious Troops to present them and himself to Tygranes whose Tent he found inviron'd with tears instead of acclamations which was occasion'd by a fatal wound the King at the conclusion of the day had receiv'd by an Arrow shot at random Artabbanes by an excess of generosity at the news assum'd a grief as real as great and learning the faithful Zenophon was by Tygranes he went without any interruption where he lay The King though extream ill no sooner saw my Prince's Arms then he cri'd out 'T is to that generous person that I owe twice a Life which the gods are resolv'd no longer to lend me but I desire that the last action of it may be to embrace and acknowledg my Deliverer Artabbanes at these obliging words pull'd off his Helmet and Zenophon no sooner saw his face then he cri'd out 'T is Artabbanes 't is Artabbanes Who prostrating himself before his King told him The gods Sir are my witnesses that I had long since the ambition to pay you those services which you are now pleased so much to overvalue had not the Traytor Merinzor by false suggestions brought you into so great a diffidence of that truth that the danger of coming to manifest it was almost as great as were my desires to do it but those Powers which vindicate Innocence have at length brought Merinzor to that Fate he would have impos'd on Moneses and have made one a Contributor to that Justice which has hitherto suffer'd by his having occasion'd the suspending of yours This free and generous declaration made Tygranes believe 't was my Prince as much as Zenophon's naming him for he had never known him but by that Character the faithful Zenophon had given of his Person and Mind Tygranes who found the hand of death upon him believ'd he could not more excuse the Crimes of his Life than to silence that hatred which had been the highest offence in it was beginning to manifest a Conversion which had nothing of imperfection in it but that it had not earlier shined when some Gentlemen brought in one into the Kings Tent for there was never a one set up but his neither had that been but for the danger of carrying him to Ecbatan who though almost cover'd with blood yet some internals disclos'd that his Arms before they had been so fatally stain'd were of Azure which made Artabbanes not only know 't was that gallant man the want of whose assistance had so long suspended his Victory but deplore his loss at a rate which even countervail'd his success These were the dictates his inclinations to generosity inspir'd him with but as soon as the wounded Gentleman's Helmet was taken off he saw in his dying-looks the charming features of the Prince Sillaces Oh gods what did not my afflicted Master utter at so sad a sight without so much as considering Tygranes whose tears were so obliging as a while to interpose between his sight and the object which created them he fell on his generous friend and exprest by groans when his words fail'd him such signal and pressing sorrows that it even divided those of the spectators and made them think him as just an object for their grief as he had esteem'd his friend for his I will not determine whether the air which Sillaces receiv'd by the opening of his Helmet or Artabbanes's tormenting him or the mercy of the gods who thought it unjust to separate two so exactly united that restor'd the generous Prince to life but this is most certain that before the Chyrurgeons had given him a Cordial he was almost in a condition not to need one and had been intirely so if after having a while faintly opened his Eyes and discover'd Artabbanes he had not embraced him so passionately fearing perhaps never to do it again that all his wounds opened and by a second flood of Blood cast him into a second fainting Tygranes whether out of sympathy or a precedent weakness fell into the same condition which so divided the care and tears of all that were present that never any Victory was esteem'd so dearly purchas'd or so ill celebrated It was about half an hour before the Chyrurgeons brought either the King or Sillaces to that life which had seemingly abandon'd them but the last of them return'd to it much sooner than the first for his wounds were of a far less dangerous nature and being bound up as also forbidden any more such unfortunate demonstrations of his friendship as his late embraces had prov'd he began to ask of Artabbanes his