give him entertainment And that I may prevent your demand which I make no doubt will seem necessary to your judgement be pleased to know that I am by birth of the Island of Cyprus and intending a pilgrimage to the Temple of Delphos am by chance fallen into your company The Priest seeing himselfe saluted by a young man though in his own habit of such an excellent beauty and so perfect a shape presently not only rose up from his seat to give him the more respectfull welcome but told him for his lodging the night to come since the time of the day perhaps might prevent him of a better conveniency he should hold it an extraordinary honour that his own poor habitation might performe the service and the rather as he said for that their professions seemed to agree by the outward resemblance of the Robes Narcissus was not much displeased with the offer as well because he found himselfe something weary by reason of those extravagant and uncertaine journeyes he had made as also that he might hope by this opportunity to get further information concerning his own resolutions that yet he had not fully determined Wherefore after he had returned the Father a civill thankes for his favour with an intimation he was willing to accept of his charitable kindnesse they both sate downe together upon the bankside to behold the finishing of those rurall delights that passionately seemed to imploy the Countrey people which gave occasion to Narcissus to demand the reason of that extraordinary mirth that possessed the thoughts of the whole company The Priest after he had a little similed to thinke of the strangers apprehension told him since he perceived his curiosity went so farre as to be satisfied in those petty affaires he would take the paines to let him know the originall that produced the effects which as he said was the more proper for his entertainment since the occasion at the present detained almost all Asia both in expectation and wonder however he feared his story might be too tedious for his patience But Narcissus seeming rather passionate at the satissaction then distasted at the offer the Priest retired something further into the woods to be more out of the noyse of the people where after he had setled the strangers expectation to a silent attentivenesse he began this discourse Sir said he you must be pleased to know that our King Euarchus grandmother called Minerva by whose right he came to weare all those Crownes he was once possessor of and might still have enjoyed in a prosperous measure if his fortunes had been equall to his goodnesse or his Subjects loyaltie answerable to his own eminent worth was a Princesse of such excellent vertues that it had been a controversie between art and nature whether had more bountifully contributed to the adorning of her royall person however she only raigned in Mysia a Country not only barren in production of the fruits of the earth but luxurious in the unfaithfulnesse of the people though her birth justly claimed the inheritance of this rich Kingdome of Lydia after our Queen then raigning here I say this admirable Princesse had a base brother also named Leonatus who wanted not ambition enough to desire the Crowne of Mysia though he were not furnished with sufficient vertues to merit such a dignity and to this purpose left nothing unattempted that might either advance his own esteem or deprave his sisters actions and to that end insinnated himself by all meanes possible not only into the good opinion of the Lords but much more into the favour of the common people in which interim the young Princesse being furnished with youth and beauty was perswaded by the chiefe nobility to thinke of a noble husband that might accompany her in her conversation and give the Kingdome a hope of posterity two essentiall parts as they pretended of her own happinesse in prosecution of this desire there was presented unto her view a handsome Lord of this our Countrey of Lydia in conclusion the nuptials were quickly solemnized to the appearing content of both parties and the rather for that the then Queene of Lydia was well satisfied with the choyce not doubting to maintaine by this meanes a continual and strong interest in the Kingdome of Mysia since she had married to the Princesse one of her own Subjects But now Leonatus began to play his part for finding this conjunction proved a bar to his pretention for succession he thought it his bestway to establish himselfe notwithstanding a certain power in the government and to that purpose strived by all meanes his malicious will could instruct to gaine the good opinion of the young King whereby to set him at difference with the Queen who began to be a little distasted to see his wife take upon her so absolute authority he only bearing the name of a Prince which at last grew to such a height by the underhand provocation of wicked Leonatus that one day when the Queene being great with child was retired into her private chamber to conferre with a certain Secretary of State most imployed in the Kingdomes affaires her husband of a sudden rusht into her presence with his sword drawne and there before her amazed eyes slaughtered her poore servant However this was an act of some horrour to the great bellied Queen and so consequently might be thought sufficient motives of her lasting indignation to see her selfe and authority so affronted by one she had lately raised from being a Subject to be her husband yet religion and good nature proved so powerfull in her noble disposition that upon the Kings sorrow and submission she was content both to forgive the injury and forget the dishonour by a perfect reconciliation But Leonatus not weary yet of his own wickednesse though despairing of his further ability to retain his interest with the young King since the Queen as he thought had so absolutely circumvented him in that project of a sudden stroake into friendship with certaine factious Priests that had newly brought in a religion into Mysia that taught this dangerous Doctrine That Princes deserved no longer to governe then whilst they contented the People Which opinion you may very well imagine took feelingly with the multitude in so much as in a short time the Queen had imployment enough to defend her person from reproaches as her Kingdome from civill warre This exceedingly tormented her thoughts untill the birth of her young sonne againe revived her spirits however Leonatus still prosecuting his horrid designes to supplant the Queen in her just right whereby to bring the government of the Kingdome under his own jurisdiction one night secretly caused not only the young King to be cruelly murthered in his bed in execution of his revenge because he had quitted his party but also laid the bloudy slaughter by way of private aspersions upon the innocent and religious Queen the more to bring her in hatred with the common people who seemed
the manner and matter of his discourse untill his endeavours produced this following relation You must know said he that this Priest Herenzius some yeares since when all the world seemed to yeild obedience to the great Flamine of Delphos as the only Oracle upon earth to prescribe the manner of the worship of the gods suddenly started up in the Kingdome of Syria who by reason of an ignominions punishment he had undergone as t was reported for a hainous offence committed against humane and divine Lawes began violently to fall out with heaven and earth in so much as in the first place he quarrelled with the forme of the service to the Gods then used and in the latter he denyed Kings and Princes obedience or rather loyalty from their naturall subjects To this purpose to execute his malice against all authority because he had suffered by it and withall thinking againe in some sort to recover his lost reputation in doing notable actions how wicked soever of a sudden flew to a certaine Towne upon the confines of Arabia whose people had newly not only disobeyed their Flamine but cast off their government to his authority which quickly gave him admittance with his Doctrine since they knew his opinions suited with their designes yet being rather friendly entertained then perfectly established by their welcome his insolency and pride in a short time banished him againe from the City seeing he could not shew temper in his first entrance and so remained untill the feare of the inhabitants of comming once more under their old government for that they understood their Prince prepared for a siege constrained them not onely a new to desire his company whereby to be assisted by his Councell but were forced to binde themselves by a solemne oath to submit absolutely their wills to his institutions with these conditions he became fully possessed of that power that gave him opportunity both to governe as he pleased and instruct as he listed untill he had fitted all their thoughts for the impressions of his designes by the eloquent language and cunning practices he used which in a short time so prospered that many disciples were found of such towardly dispositions instructed by his principles that he sent many of them also into other Countries to poyson the peoples loyalties since obedience is the most assured tye that probably warrants the safety and prosperity of Kingdomes But these men having as I said taken their journeyes with these intentions the first prevailing progresse they made was in the Countrey of Myssia where finding some discontents already ingendring between the young Queen then raigning grandmother to Euarchus and some factious and ambitious Nobility soon introduced their new and dangerous opinions into the hearts of the common people by which meanes the Lords became also so powerfull by their assistance that the poore Princesse in a short space was forced to quit both her Kingdome and Life a Tragedy too pittifull now to be related whilst the Rebells took possession of her authority from which usurpation proceedes Lydia's miseries since by a continuance of the same desires in those people towards her posterity they have now filled this Kingdome with tumults troubles and bloud the better to make good their own jurisdictions so unlawfully purchased in former times but however these opinions of deposing of Kings and altering the worship of the gods prevailed entirely in Myssia by reason of those crafty and factious actors that Herezius had sent yet his Doctrine found not so ready acceptance in the Kingdome of Lydia for that the Queen then raigning endeavoured against the violence of all their endeavours both to conserve Monarchy and maintaine their Flamines though the State altered many Tenents in Doctrine untill the late agreements of each Nation to oppose Euarchus in the same designe contrived an accord to extirpate in effect both King and Flamines This may passe my discourse to the Kingdome of Syria that hath not only formerly borne part in the suffering by reason of these opinions sowed in the world but hath been a principall occasion to give the Myssians protection by whose power Euarchus hath been chiefely destroyed To which purpose you must understand that although Herezius other messengers could not so easily beate downe the strong Walles of Monarchy established by so many ages in Syria against the power of great Armies alwayes kept in pay by that Nation yet oftentimes they filled the whole Kingdome with most lamentable slaughters to gaine enterance for their opinions and freedome for their Doctrine in so much as the Prince himselfe then governing finding the Temples overthrowne his Countrey spoyled and his Subjects destroyed by the fury of the contention was forced at last so farre to give way to the Herezians religion in Syria that they had not only granted them a free exercise of their consciences throughout all his dominions but many fortified Townes were delivered into their hands wherein they put their owne Garrisons to secure better this agreement which both afforded him peace and seemed to give them satisfaction for the present however every yeare almost after notwithstanding these benefits produced new stirres by that faction to the disquieting of the Kingdome that gave sufficient cause of vexation to many good Princes since they could not be assured of the loyalty of their obliged Subjects nor of the continuation of their owne prosperities when neither graces could win them by reason of the spleen they bore to Monarchy or power could compell them in regard of those Forts they had in their custody But to be short before the great and wise Favourite Philostros durst take upon him the huge worke he intended which was to suppresse the gloriousnesse of the Aegyptian Empire he imagined he could not be absolutely safe at home and so consequently not fitted for so large a conquest as long as he should leave behind him in his own bosome so eminent a danger as those he esteemed lawlesse Subjects in Orsames Kingdome knowing they would upon all occasions be ready to joyne with forraigne Forces to overthrow their owne Kings government and therefore resolved first before he undertooke any new designe to subdue their power to the absolute obedience of his great Masters jurisdiction as in times past it had been to some of his predecessors to which purpose he not only suddenly besieged the strongest Towne they had in Syria but within a short space left them never a Fort in the whole Kingdome that was not constrained to deliver up the Keyes of its Gates to the will and pleasure of fortunate Orsames who began to grow great in the opinion of the world by the conquest of his own Subjects that were accustomed to give sufficient imployment to other Kings However after that Philostros had made this speedy progresse in glory as well as in security for his Masters apparant advantage both in quietting his Subjects at home and terrifying his enemies abroad which proved mighty advantages for
to give it interruption by his addresses so that he walked up and down a green walke demanding such questions as were necessary for his information untill the youth also modestly desired some satisfaction concerning his adventures which was the easier granted since the relation not onely suited well enough with the Princes intention of courtesie and affability but with the conveniency of the time when they were both seated upon the same root that had been Cassianus uneasie pillow he gave him this instruction of his fortunes with few or no circumstances but what many deepe sighes contrived My Father said he Prince of Iberia was in his youthfull yeeres inflamed with the report of the excellent beauty of Elizana your Kings sister whose fame could not be circumscribed within the limits of Lydia which made him after a long solicitation by Letters take a journey in person to the Court to tender the affection and respects due to a Lady of so eminent birth and vertues notwithstanding he seemed not to bring with him dignity titles riches sufficient to deserve so glorious a match This I must tell you rendred the Queen her mother then living an absolute enemy to his courtships supposing her daughter to be undervalued by the choice nevertheless the State of Lydis finding not onely a certaine concurrencie in their loves but an agreement of their Religions for that both Countries had left the obedience of Deâ—phoâ—â— perswaded the King her Father to the alliance supposing all other defects would be buried by those unities so that in a short time the Marriage was solemnized with most magnificent Ceremonies though in the interim the triumphes were something obscured by the sudden death of the Prince her elder Brother whose disposition in his life gave such opinions of his future greatness that the world began already to tremble with the very apprehension of his fate yet the accident advanced my Mother a step neerer to the Crowne since there was none left of the Race to inherite but my Uncle Euarebus and her selfe and this by consequence made my Father in the apprehension of Asia a far greater Prince then his own Fortunes could pretend unto insomuch as returning into his native Countrie with his illustrous Bride what honour could be imagined was cast upon him by the admiring people which honours raised excessively his aspiring thoughts notwithstanding many of his own ranke began to envy his prosperity especially one Tygranes Duke of Colchis who ever esteemed himself in possession the more powerfull Prince In fine the Kingdom of Mesopotamia revolting at the same time from the jurisdiction of Artaxis King of Armenia my Father was earnestly solicited to take upon him the Crown since he was onely able by his power and alliance as the people pretended to defend their proceedings against their tyrannicall Lord who had usurped too great a Prerogative both over their Lawes and Consciences The offer in a manner was no sooner proposed to the ambition of his youth being tickled with the desire of bearing the name of a King though many had refused the same tender but he accepted of the Government promising his protection as the Subjects did their fidelity and in this hopefull agreement he was with all Ceremony and State dignified with the Diadem in the regall City of the Kingdome But the possession however it brought with it honour and dignity it lessened not his care or trouble since the glory was to be maintained now it was purchased This enterprise gave as earnest warning to Artaxis to be dilligent in providing Forces to suppresse the example and punish the esteemed Rebellion that else might prove a leading Card as he thought to the quiet state of the rest of his Dominions that began already to waver in their obedience as it did desire in my Father to maintain what he had got though it were with never so great a violence and hazard In the first place Artaxis dispatches Ambassadors not onely to all his friends in other Countries laying before them the dangerous consequences of such a Revolt but also sent Messengers to his owne Subjects possessing them with the feare of the Rebells insolencie however his endeavours so little prospered for the present to his advantage the first sort being too far off to give him speedy assistance as the other too disobedient to lend him much aide that his Generall was constrained to take the Field with a very small number onely the Armie within some few weeks became increased by an addition of Tygranes Forces whose envie to my Father notwithstanding the neere kindred betweene them had rendred him a most mortall enemie But Artaxis Generall finding it was full time to dispute the right by the Sword though upon any disadvantage since all protraction did but increase the peoples suspition of the Kings disability that was not able to chastise one Subject who seemed to rebell against his Majesty and Power with as much courage as could proceed from desperate hopes marched against the City where my Father continued his Court guarded with Souldiers sufficient to have besieged Artaxis whole Armie if their hearts and affections had been answerable to their number and accommodation And in this posture the Generall not onely sets upon the wall the Garrison not expecting the boldnesse of the attempt but in a short time became master both of the Gates and Streets to the confused amazement of all the Inhabitants who seemed neither to have will nor power to resist so that the strange news scarce giving conveniencie and time to my Father with his whole Family to flye from the danger he had not opportunity to draw his Sword in the defence of himselfe and Crowne but through private and obscure Woods was constrained to convey his Wife and Children untill he arrived under the protection of a Common-weale that at the beginning of the designe had lent a willing and considerable aide to the action Artaxis hearing of this extraordinary successe not onely beyond his expectation but in a manner above all belief caused publick Sacrifices to be made to the Gods through the chiefe Temples that he might not seeme in the peoples apprehensions to be ungratefull for such large benefits and to increase the more his Subjects opinions that the very heavens intended to fight for his Right since he made Religion the chiefe cause of the Warre he gave it out the Victory was no lesse then miraculous since his Generall as 't was said had bin instructed in the assault by a divine Revelation which had made him venture upon so desperate an enterprise but however the King was thought by many over superstitious yet the Generall and Tygranes omitted no industry to render our House miserable the first continuing in those parts after the battle with halfe the Army to suppresse the last sparkles of common Rebellion as the other led the rest into Iberia my Fathers Countrey to make himselfe Master of that Territory bestowed upon him by Artaxis
the most advantage for the designe intended but also to have time sufficient whereby he himselfe might be truly informed from Sardis by some of his owne particular friends in what nature the Senate was disposed in the prosecuting of their purposes either against their King or any other Nation When Philos had condescended to all the desires of the Ambassador having first as may be supposed rendred him sully satisfied in very many particulars in State policy which the messenger before had neither learned or understood they tooke their leaves of one another with such an entire embracement as if their bodies were perpetually to be joyned in nature as their soules were combined in the destructive designes to the poore lovers felicities but now Philos being left alone with a strong confidence of the wished successe of his unhandsome project he pleased himselfe sufficiently with the consideration how much he found the Ambassador inferiour to his skill in politicall rules for that by a contrary stratagem it seemed to him easie to destroy all the Lydian Fleet if he did not conceive that the effecting of this enterprize would be much more advantageable to his other affaires and at the worst he knew it was in his power by discovering the designe before it was acted to create such a jealousie between the two common governments as would alwaies make them at oddes one against another to the commodity and benefit of Orsames Kingdome which could not any way be overpowered but by the conjunction of those two Nations at sea who onely abounded in multitude of shipping which how ever shee intended to put in practice when hee had compassed his own ends upon them both in the mean time he was content to let the Lydian Ambassador not onely to play with his owne thoughts but to become instrumentall for some season to his purposes that were upon the surprizall of the Princesse Cloria and the separation of her love to demand Evarchus daughter of the Senate for his wife not doubting but the suite would be easily granted in regard of that friendship they desired to maintaine with his Uncle Philostros And then also to make the like motion to the Duke of Cyprus concerning a marriage to be made between his Son Narcissus and his owne sister Artemesia which he conceived might be done without the least suspition he had any former hand in the designe for he knew the Ambassadour durst not reveale the secret publikely lest it might be suspected himselfe to have combined or plotted the discurtesie offered to the Island of Cyprus in the violence used at sea to Cloria and Narcissus And at the worst he supposed he could deny at his pleasure any such thing by him contrived though the Ambassador should affirme it Philos now having eased as I may say the heavy weight of that burthen which he found lay continually upon his confused thoughts and working fancy not onely by reason of his love to Cloria but his hate to Narcissus began also to think that dissimulation from that time forward would be a most necessary companion to all the rest of his actions since as already he had betrayed the lovers felicities in his owne determinations so were they with others of Orsames Court to be kept as much as might be free from all suspition and jealousie untill the grand project contrived between him and the Ambassador who undertooke to be the messenger himselfe might have a fitting conveniency to be put in execution which he could not yet be certaine of untill the returne of his desire should come from the Senate of Lydia in the interim he had warned the Ambassador not to use his name to his Masters in the particularity of the designe but rather to seeme as if the consideration had onely moved from his owne intelligence being at Meâ—phis of the departure of Cloria and Narcissus neverthelesse to ingratiate himselfe the more in their beliefe he wished the Ambassador in the generall to intimate to his Masters at Sardis how great a friend Philostros his Uncle intended to be not onely to their Nation but also to their proceedings in prosecution of this intention of dissimulation Philos put on a better countenance in all manner of societies then he was accustomed intermixing himselfe with the most delightfull company both of the Towne and Court and to this purpose he would not onely often goe a hunting of Estriges according to the frequent use of the Country in the wild deserts bordering upon the confines of Aegypt attended by many of the ordinary sorts of people but perswaded the King himselfe to celebrate in an ancient Theatre neere the Pyramides the magnificent sports of fighting with Lyons and other ravenous beasts of Aphrica but chiefly with an intention to entertaine the youthfull thoughts of Cloria and Narcissus that they might not so violently thinke upon their intended journey into Gyprus Amongst all these projects contrived in his braine one day when Orsames was a hunting he addrest himselfe to Narcissus particularly intending a little to feele his inclinations or rather I may say to perswade his judgement contrary to the very maxims of his heart where in a most familiar way he used this kind of discourse unto him My Lord said he it seemeth strange unto me how the glory of your youth and valour can be confined to any other region in the world then Syria where not onely worth is best understood but vertue from thence seemes to take her birth and originall for in truth other Nations appeare but to practice by her imitation and example Sciences there I must tell you are taught new rules to walke by whilst admination stands at a maze to behold more then could be thought were possible for both art and nature to produce to mans capacity to understand if you looke at the Court you may see how riches and honour goe hand in hand to worke visible miracles in the eyes of all strangers imagining during their aboade there they remaine rather in some inchanted palaces then in earthly dwellings since beauties are so numerous and excellent of both sexes that the variety in a manner confounds the apprehension If the streets of Damascus be considered in each particular what can be more magnificent to the view then to see guilded and triumphant Chariots filled with Nymphes and Ganimedes ride through multitudes of popular acclamations for great Orsames continued prosperity youth there in academies are taught such civility and knowledge that they are rendred men in all perfections whilst they seem scarce to be yet borne for their yeares there I must say sacrifices flye with so much zeale up to the heavens from the Altars of those Temples where reverend Priests are ever attending to discharge religiously those offices appointed them by the immortall gods as cannot but procure prosperity to our Nation The victories of our Armies dispersed over all Asia make not onely wonder at a stand but even same it selfe weary with scunding The
the passages cannot be but something delightfull to your fancy I shall make bold to presume upon your patience since truly they are both admirable and almost past all beliefe Know then that Cassianus at his being at the Court of Lydia though his businesse in outward view seemed to pretend to nothing but the procuring assistance from the King to regaine his lost Countrey of Iberia yet secretly I must tell you he fell in love with the Princesse Cloria which however he durst not discover In this posture he continued between hope and despaire untill the arrivall of the old Queen Anaxia as he believed drowned all his encouragements in a vast Sea of impossibility for that she brought with her in her journey certaine propositions full of honour and benefit to Evarchus Court from the King of Aegypt concerning a marriage betweene the faire Princesse and his Son and Heire Osiris which caused Cassianus that night when all the world was imployed about the triumphant sports that were designed for the entertainment of the Queen of Syria to leave Lydia belike being put on to those resolutions by his melancholly apprehensions which however as you very well know so enflamed the whole Kingdome by the spightfull practises of factious Dimogoras joyned with the crafty insinuations of others of the same interest that it proved a maine occasion that since hath disquieted the King in his government But Cassianus himselfe who had left Lydia ingendring certaine blacke clouds of malignant vapours that afterwards became furious stormes of bloud and slaughter though I cannot say he was any way guilty in their effects for Princes Titles and interests are oftentimes abused to sinister ends and purposes retired in person under the jurisdiction of an ancient Forrest not many dayes journey from the Court where sometimes he privately lived delighting his solitary intentions with the exercise of hunting and other rurall delights which those pleasant woods and that fruitfull Countrey plentifully afforded his nature and fortune but not long it was before Hyacinthia our Queen also by reason of the inflamations of Lydia was forced to quit her Husbands Kingdome by which accident as you know she met in that place with the company of her banished brother Candalus outed in like manner of all his happinesse by the powerfull authority of Philostros great favourite to Orsames As most of these passages were within the compasse of your owne intelligence which I have related onely for my stories better method so now I shall presume to informe you of such particulars as you have not yet heard of for Cassianus remaining as I said in the delightfull Forrest and going under the borrowed and abbreviated name of Cassa being disguised in the habit of a young huntsman upon the Queenes arrivall presented himselfe to your view though not to your knowledge by which encounter he was encouraged againe to prosecute his old love almost laid asleep by time and separation to the Princesse Cloria since the conveniency as he thought could not be bettered and in that manner resolved to wait upon the Queen undiscovered into Syria Neverthelesse in that intended voyage as you know both himselfe and Eumenes suffered shipwrack however Cassianus though the other perished by the prospitiousnesse of the heavens escaped in a manner miraculously the desperate danger of the Sea and entered into such adventures as scarce can be paralleld for his body being supported upon a flat chest full of Jewells belonging to himselfe by the onely flowing of the water was carried into certaine Nets belonging to poor fishermen who finding a young man full of beauty though almost dead by the violent agitation of the waves after they had recovered some life in him presented him to a Lords daughter of the Country called Brisania as a subject worth her best compassion but the Lady whether taken with the youth and beauty of her patient or having an inclination to affect that she had once preserved of a sudden fell in love with his lovely person since she had no motives to be inticed by the knowledge of his Titles he having concealed himselfe the better to performe his intended journey into Syria and this love at last from small sparcles began to encrease to a great flame though for a long time Cassianus was not informed of the Ladies passions for her virgin modesty ever supprest the declaration of that which shee had much adoe to hide untill the secret fire was discovered by the sharp sight of another Suitor that had already procured the good will of her Father for their future marriage notwithstanding another Rivall by a more noble love contended with the former for preheminâ—nce In the interim that these intricate affections seemed to act severall parts the old Lord by his unexpected death left his faire daughter to inherite rather misfortune then jurisdiction For Fridius her hated Lover being so called presently seized both upon her Person and Country pretending that her Father in his last will had instituted him the sole governour of her Minority least she might endanger both her honour and safety by some inconsiderable match resolving withall to make Cassianus a Sacrifice or a Petitioner to compasse his ends to which purpose he caused him publickly to be accused that he intended to have betrayed the Towne and Conutrey to a forraigne power under pretence of freeing Brisania from prison who seemed also to have consented to the practice whereby to have procured her own releasement And this being falsely laid to his charge he was unjustly condemned however Fridius suspended the execution untill he had not onely againe attempted the Ladies consent to his offered Love but procured Cassianus who went by the borrowed name of Cassa to be himselfe a Sollicitor in his suit which opportunely gave Brisania occasion instead of granting Fridius his request to discover her own love but Cassianus became rather confused then pleased at this discovery since the hazard of his own life could but purchase the acceptance in so much as onely with a sorrowfull courtship he entertained her discourse however she gave him leave to depart and carry her peremptory denyall to the proud Tyrant Neverthelesse poore Cassa was to be made the object of his spleen since Brisania would not be the subject of his love for some few dayes after he was brought to a publicke scaffold erected before the Castle window where Brisania remained that she might be the better witnesse of the bloudy Tragedy intended Cassa appeared in a mourning habit becomming the sadnesse of his present condition but much more clouded in his sorrowfull countenance that shewed his dejected minde though his beauty had yet so large a possession in his person by the opinion of the people that he seemed a Sun shaded in a dark skie that notwithstanding shot forth bright beames under the blacke coverture And in this manner was lead to the Theater of death in the view of the people who accompanied him all the way with their
owne interest one against the other if you can dissemblingly but entertaine the love of either by which jealousie certainly there must needes rise discontents and factions towards your safety and fathers advantage for if you entertain the addresses of Cassianus the Souldiers will think their Generall undervalued who appeares now to the publike view to carry upon the point of his Sword the absolute power and strength of the whole Kingdome And if you accept of Farezius Courtships no doubt but the Senate will esteeme their own authorities dishonoured since they have proposed Prince Cassianus to be the subject of their chiefe care Besides if Farezius should faile in any thing he attempts many of the common people would conceive with some violence that the Senate hath an intention to couzen them oâ—t of those priviledges they have been promised when their greatest patron shall be debarred of his own desires and if Cassianus should misse of what he hath hitherto expected by the Senates liberall offers the Nobility might very well imagine that the people and Army endeavoured to become their Masters which would not be lessened by other jealousies already growing between the two factions since the Nobility doth not onely with all the secret policy they can seek to curbe the insolency of the common sort who strive for nothing more then to bring down all dignity to an universall equallity but the multitude have already so farre declared their dislike of the Lords proceedings that publikely they have required to have the authority of their jurisdiction taken away and made lyable to the peoples allowance who now enjoy their priviledges by inheritance from their Ancestors purchased either by their own merits or the Princes grace And last of all though the factions of the two Rivalls should not enflame at the particular disgrace of either Cassianus or Farezins yet certainly their owne Swords in a private combate would be very likely to decide the quarrell which would give you a faire pretence to refuse the Survivor that should covet to imbrace you with hands imbrued in bloud Governesse answered the Princesse although I should be very glad to be an occasion to raise any faction for my own present advantage and my fathers future prosperity yet I cannot deny but I am most extream sorry to heare of new troubles whereby the Kingdome should be engaged in more slaughters You are very pittifull replyed Roxana but I pray consider whether it be not better to procure the discomposure of those that have sought all this time by their authority to establish another government destructive to Monarchy whereby of necessity a generall confusion must follow for that it is not probable so many interests can be satisfied or give occasion to prepare Lydia for the conquest of forraigne Forces since it is impossible your fathers many children would be content to sit downe quietly with the perpetuall losse of their owne Birth-rights extorted from the King by his unruly Subjects during their minorities and able enough certainly they will be to contend for their dues seeing all the Princes of Asia are interessed as well in the example as in their bloud No no Madam said she rather dispence with your unprofitable commiseration then be carelesse of future safety for it will be much better now to destroy these unlawfull designes by a little civill Warres amongst themselves that would but parge the Kingdome of its corrupt humours ingendred by excesse in pride and prosperity then in the times to come to expose all conditions to a perpetuall slavery under a Tyrannicall government gained by the power of lawlesse Souldiers brought in by other Princes not acquainted with the natures of our people much lesse sensible of their sufferings since they will only consider their faults past and not looke upon their miseries present for they would rather judge them by the manner of subjection of their own Countrey then by the sweetnesse of the Lydian Lawes Wherefore I say you must thinke whether of the two Saitors you will make the object of your choyce to render the other jealous of his actions and your favours whereby some sudden difference may arise between the factions to bring the sooner confusion into the Kingdome which certainly is the readiest way againe to establish your father in his right since the noyse of forraigne power at present will not only be an occasion the better to unite them together to the Kings disadvantage but at the best hazard the destruction of all property and government since the Sword will be the principall Arbitrator of every mans right and the victory a change of his condition Truly Roxana said the Princesse as I cannot in my own reason esteeme your discourse apocryphall so of the other side you cannot deny but that I have been ever willing in all my necessities to follow your Counsell and therefore since you have prescribed the Law certainly the election will be easie for considering that Farezius hath not yet publikely pretended to my love at leastwise by any expressions to my selfe me thinks it would appeare some injustice for me to refuse Cassianus Courtships who hath already as you know a kinde of an ingagement from my own mouth concerning the old Flamine though he be since destroyed besides his bloud Titles and condition more suite with my honour and professions in which the Nobility of the Kingdome will have the greater share whose dignities certainly if it were not for particular ends would preserve Monarchy whereas the people and common Souldiers endeavour nothing more then to destroy it from the face of the earth Why then Princesse said Roxana if you be so resolved I must give you your lesson but first I will tell you of a third Suitor who also as best deserving must have some imployment and that is Creses one whose affection might merit a requitall with your love if your other engagements and his own disproportion were not obstacles beyond removall however it is your part to trust his fidelity and reward his trust especially since his endeavours may bring you advantage as well as himselfe preferment Wherefore I will designe him to this office though he be not yet privy to my intentions which is presently to make a Journey into Syria where the Queene your Mother and the Prince your brother both remaine to expect the pleasure of that State concerning your fathers affaires by which meanes he shall more particularly be able to informe them concerning the Mystery of your resolutions that may render the assistance they shall be willing to lend more advantageable and the rather for that I understand the Countrey of Syria still entertaines an Ambassadour with the Myssians whose force certainly will conduce much to our projects if they can be made faithfull to Euarchus good since the least power will infinitely strengthen the faction that shall shew it selfe for the King or his sonne and in the Journey I intend Creses shall visit the Cretans see whether they may
the multitude of my obligations to your endeavours since they are not only generally knowne to all the world but divers times have been acknowledged by my expressions in particular so my businesse at present is to make you acquainted anew both with my thoughts and intentions concerning some late passages I came into Lydia as you know by your procurement to prosecute my affections to the faire Princesse the Kings daughter when she was taken prisoner by the Senates Fleet in Pergame T is true my courtships in that nature were something retarded if not absulutely laid aside untill the present by reason of a certaine correspondency between her and Narcissus the Duke of Cyprus sonne This gives me occasion to tell you that however I found her then backward to my wishes either proceeding from her flattering fancy that Narcissus was living or conceiving her own condition was much more secure in the Senates custody then at present under the jurisdiction of the Army and Souldiers or rather I may say being violently prest to some inconveniences by reason of the extraordinary greatnesse both in command and authority of Farezius who as it should seem pretends something violently to her love and affection Now she is become more tractable and willing to entertaine those protestations of mine whose effect I have ever consecrated to her service since I had the honour to be entertained by the good will of the Lydian people I need not trouble you much with the reperitions of your own received injuries by reason of the generalls greatnesse notwithstanding all those gallant services which you have performed in the defence and safety of the Commonwealth neither shall I mention the consequences thereby that threaten a kind of destruction to all the Nobility of the Kingdome for that I know your judgement and their apprehensions cannot possibly be wanting in this particular only I must needs tell you that the Princesse Cloria her selfe extreamly wonders how it is possible you should dispence so much with your honour and reputation as to beare those indignities that have cast you from your authority and command with such an extreame quiet pacification Are the Nobility said he of Lydia so much degenerated in their soules and spirits as easily in this manner to quit their honour to the lowest conditions the people shall direct what is become of the magnanimity of mind once so frequently raigning in the breasts of the better fort of men in this Kingdome that is now lost in a chaos of confusion with the rabble or common multitude doth a little sensuall feare bury all considerations of valour and gallantry in this Nation people being only given to eate and drinke without affectation of greatnesse or apprehension of disgrace If it be so my Lord in the generall my words will be as much in vaine to be uttered as your life in effect will be miserable in the future but I have more confidence in the courage of Dimogoras both for his own sake and my good This being said Cassianus rested silent to heare what reply Dimogoras would make Dimogoras I may say continued altogether mute for something a long space his eyes sparkling out in the interim neverthelesse a certaine kinde of seeming desire of revenge though his body overgrowne with flesh and humour appeared not to be much inclinable to action but being wakened to some determinate answer by the importunities of Cassianus who belike himselfe had been strongly urged by Roxana to be speedy in the execution of her designe at last he blutterd out this reply My Lord said he I must confesse that both my selfe and the rest of the Nobility of Lydia according to the Princesses apprehension whose Father however I love â—â—ot nor ever shall have wound their dignities and honours into such a labyrinth of inconvenience by complying so much with the violent and confused humours of the common people that we have in a manner suffered Farezius with the rest of his faction to overthrow already the most essentiall part of our hereditary honours and priviledges and by that meanes are become lesse powerfull to act any thing with advantage either to our selves or others neverthelesse perhaps I may yet set on foot something of faction amongst the Souldiers if they have not wholly lost the remembrance that I once commanded amongst them that may perchance produce effects tending to those purposes you have designed with these words he entered into some rage and passlon as it were out of the very apprehension of his own losse of reputation in being so disgracefully turned out of his command presently after this he tooke his leave of Cassianus as pretending he would goe to the Senate to try his friends constitutions conceming those designes he intended Cassianus was glad he had got thus much from his resolutions for notwithstanding he did not at all doubt his affection yet he might have some cause to suspect his activity so that he determined himselfe also to use the best interest he had both with the Lords and the rest of the Senators whom he knew to be of a contrary faction to Farezius withall he had upon all occasions free admittance into the Princesses lodgings according to her own allowance and Roxana's directions which as it may be thought sufficiently contented his apprehension It was not long before Dimogoras and the rest of the Nobility raised considerable factions and mutinies in the Army amongst the Souldiers they also being enflamed by their want of pay and not performance of other conditions promised them upon their first taking up Armes against the King being since renewed againe to their hopes when he was delivered out of prison by some Troopes sent to that purpose which suddenly called away both Farezius and Hercrombrotus to the appeasing of the stirs Though Farezius did with faire language and promising words in a short speech seemingly pacifie most of their discontents yet Hercombrotus who was of a more violent and active nature finding many of the Troopes continue still their mutinies and insolencies against their command suddenly flew in amongst those Souldiers with fury in his looks and terrour in his countenance where presently seizing upon two or three of those that appeared most refractory and disobedient he delivered them instantly over to officers to be executed and punished After this he not only offered a free pardon to the rest but also promised them a reall performance of all their just expectations provided that from thence forward they would continue obedient and constant in their affections After this when both Farezius and Hercrombrotus were on their way againe towards the City of Sardis an officer of the Army began this discourse to his Generall Sir said he by this late mutiny you may see the danger not only of Dimogoras interest amongst the Souldiers but the power he hath with those of the better sort of Senators from which originall I suppose hath proceeded in part these now appeased troubles in the Campe of the