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 best way 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 already sufficiently poysoned by the late pernicious doctrine brought into the Countrey by the turbulent Priests Although these crafty practises had not as yet power to shake or rather absolutely to destroy her grounded authority which had been cast upon her by so rightfull a succession yet by little and little they so wounded her reputation that they made her desire to have a faithfull companion to assist her in her government which politick Leonatus perceiving judging it a love passion in the Queen put on some of the nobility underhand to perswade her not only presently to marry but to take for her husband a valiant Gentleman his intimate friend who a long time had pretended unto her love however he was not without some suspition that he had been an actor in the Kings death with these baites I say Leonatus so farre intangled the Queenes innocency that she was wonne by perswasion to make this election being councelled thereunto by the chiefe nobility set upon her to that purpose though she first caused a decree to be past by the unanimous consent of all that this Lord had been no way guilty of the false aspersion his enemies had cast upon him concerning the Kings murther No sooner were these nuptials solemnized which was the thing Leonatus desired but secretly he admonished the new King to flye assuring him as his friend that either he would be suddenly slaine by many that had conspired his death or publickly be apprehended and brought to his Tryall by the consent of the whole Kingdome so that he whether knowing himselfe faulty indeed or fearing the power and injustice of his enemies since emulation amongst his equalls had procured him a world of envy quickly followed his advice and privately without the Queenes privity quitted his Country and Fortunes Leonatus conceiving now he had compassed the hardest part of his projects sent secretly into Lydia to possesse the Queen there with an assurance of Minerva's guilt since she had married the murtherer of her first husband too apparently as he pretended discovered by his strange flight at the same time also by the help of his factious priests he raised tumults against her in her own kingdome whereby she became imprisoned because she would not quit her government This you may believe gave the poore Queen sufficient imployment insomuch as being wearied by continuall troubles and invited to the Court of Lydia by her kinswomans promises for her better and quiet protection she was content to resigne the Crown to her sonne and accept of those offers she esteemed reall But alas no sooner was she arrived within the bounds of this kingdome of Lydia but contrary to her expectation wherefore amazed in the execution instead of being admitted into the Queens presence with love and honour she was commanded as a prisoner to a Castle not farre off whilst in the mean time her young sonne was committed to the tuition of Leonatus her worst enemy however with this pretention that as soon as she could cleare her selfe of those aspersions and accusations that her subjects brought against her she should enjoy those respects
which was againe in a very short time to reduce all Lydia under his lawfull jurisdiction but belike the State of Syria following the same maximes of government under the young son Orsames had left behind him contrary to all humane expectation sent presently after the death of Orsames another Ambassador to Euarchus not only anew to invite him to breake the League which he still continued with the King of Aegypt but to allow his contesting Senate to be a lawfull and continued Councell by his absolute approbation thinking belike that it would better conduce to the affaires of Syria to have Euarchus power limitted then to suffer him to remaine in his high prerogative but these demands the King most violently and disdainfully refusing the Ambassador not only with some seeming discontent took his leave but as it was thought invited the Myssians againe into Lydia which hath been as you know the reason of Euarchus overthrow since the Senates single power had never probably prevailed against his fortune and successe however the businesse did not yet rest for after the King had notwithstanding strugled with infinite difficulties to make good still his declining cause his son Arethusius Forces also being destroyed in many set Battells who after fled into Syria to the Queen his Mother Euarchus was forced to put himselfe under the protection of the Myssians Army yet with so little benefit to his affaires that in a short time after he was delivered in person into his enemies hands who treated him with all manner of hardnesse untill the Army took him violently from that jurisdiction As this Madam is the sad particulars I can relate unto you of the Kings misfortunes and captivity so may you very well make conjecture of the consequences Roxana after she had thanked him for his discourse wherein as she said he had made her acquainted with some passages she never understood before yet he should oblige her much more if he would be pleased to deliver his opinion what might be the intentions of the Syrian State in thus desiring to lessen or rather to outward apparence to overthrow the Monarchy of Lydia since the example seemed of a dangerous consequence for its own government for that those Subjects might also fall upon the like pretences Truly answered Creses what I can say of that Theame is that either they thinke it more convenient for the glory of Syria to reduce all Kingdomes but their owne into Commonwealths whereby theirs may appeare to Asia the onely Empire or they have an intention to make a conquest of ours by reason of those multitudes of divisions they see arising amongst our selves or perhaps they ayme to set up Prince Arethusius in his fathers Kingdome because he is of the Syrian bloud whereby they believe they shall purchase both honour and friendship But if I thought I should not prove over harsh in my unpollisht language whereby too much to injure your patience by my tedious relation I would discover yet a story though acted long time since that in my opinion hath been the originall of the sad effects of this last Warre it will prove the longer in regard it toucheth the proceedings not only of the Kingdome of Lydia but the Countries of Syria and Myssia that formerly have been all three interwoven in dangers slaughters and civill broyles by the spightfull proceedings and factious maximes of a certaine Priest called Herenzius Roxana glad to entertaine any conveniency that might instruct her farther in the Mysteries of these unlucky times although many things she had read of Herenzius violent spirit told Creses that as no language proceeding from his lips could prove tedious to any eare how ignorant soever so did she not doubt but the consequence of the present affaires required rather ample stories then short descriptions which gave him a sufficient warrant to use his own pleasure both for 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 starred up in the Kingdome of Syria who by reason of an ignominious 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
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 preheminence 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 liberall lamentation since these were the onely sacrifices they could offer in his behalfe for although he was esteemed amongst them but a private Gentleman of Iberia yet could they not chuse but grieve to see a Youth of his naturall perfections untimely brought to his destruction by the cruelty of a wicked Tyrant But in the meane time poore Brisania summoned to the spectacle by the noyse of the spectators at the first sight began to feele new passions in her gentle bosome not so much of love as pitty since the prisoner himselfe had by divers messages solicited her to yield rather then to make him the onely object of Fridius his hate wherefore first she laid before her thoughts the innocency of the prisoner that was to suffer onely because she continued wilfull Then she began to thinke there was nothing but her own miserable captivity could redeem his life religion charity and affection pleaded of one side as hatred honour and courage contended of the other which made her sometimes resolve to breake through the crowde and fling her selfe at Fridius his feet to begge his pardon But then her spirit againe disdaining such a submission rather chusing to cast her person amongst the people and by her own death incite their revenge Whilst these considerations tormented her gentle soule and that his approaching execution seemed to exact from her consent a speedy resolution at the further end of the Market place appeared a confused feare amongst the common people which was quickly seconded not onely with cryes of Treason but with the noyse of many warlike instruments tending to the surprize of the Towne so that the scaffold that was ordained to be the stage where Cassa was to act his last part became soon emptied of all those unwelcome assistances and he left onely to be his own prisoner an accident certainly that sufficiently pleased him although his amazed joy had scarce beliefe enough to apprehend he was freed which made him longer continue that posture the executioner had put him in then his good fortune required at his hands so that he moved not untill one of the Souldiers wish't him to pray for the life of Saxanius who had delivered him from death By which declaration it was quickly knowne throughout all the Market-place that Brisanias first Suitor had both saved Cassa from destruction and possest himselfe of the City who hearing of the cruell captivity of his deere Mistresse by the wicked tyranny of Fridius had assembled all his friends to her rescue and by a neat stratagem had happily brought about the designe for her delivery and her enemies punishment Fridius sufficiently apprehensive of the guilt of his own Treason staid not to dispute the right of his cause with his victorious rivall but presently retired under the safe protection of the strong Castle where he supposed was a Garrison able to contend whilst other succors came to his assistance besides he had Brisania in his power by whose authority and Title he imagined the better to retaine the obedience of the People But Saxanius intending neither to be slothfull in his love or hate after he had given some orders for the surer obedience of the Towne soon placed a formall siege before the Fort where his Mistresse was
attractive enough to intangle all the world in an intricate labyrinth of love and desire notwithstanding what difficulties soever yet it cannot but seeme most strange to my thoughts that Farezius low condition though his fortune hath been eminent should aspire to such a supreame excellency with any hope to enjoy Hold your selfe content woman said the Princesse there is no limitation of selfe-love and ambition when they have once taken possession of a proud heart though covered with never so meane an extraction And you know that Farezius is a gentleman which joyned with his former successe in the Warres and his present command now in the Army cannot want perswasions to make him attempt any enterprize for his own glory especially since the King seemes meerly to depend upon his assistance or allowance for his future prosperity and being so what counsell can you give me either to prevent his violence or instruct his passion since I dare not be too bold in hazarding my fathers fortunes by provoking the Generalls spleen by a harsh and disdainefull deniall In good sooth said Roxana I am very glad to see you have learned some temper since you were in the possession of Osiris where as you may remember I had much adoe to perswade you to entertaine reason or â—â—â—tinue you in patience wishing then you had hâ—â—arded a thousand deaths rather then have dissembled your love in any kinde but perhaps Narcissus is now farther from your remembrance though neerer your person No by all the immortall gods answered the sweet Princesse my affection is as pure and constant as it was in Osiris Court if not encreased by the effects of more tryalls to render it absolutely juditious only the consideration of my fathers present captivity and future danger makes me so farre willing to dispence with my own deare love as to maske it over with some hypocrisie for his sake which formerly I was unwilling to purchase with the assurance of my own life when I remained in the City of Memphis only the consideration of a necessarily jealousie in Narcissus breast when rumours shall bring such reports to his absent eares I must confesse something deterres my resolution from any dissimulation at all in love though no way prejudicially to his right or my own honour Indeed Madam said Roxana I doe not now only begin to love you for your wisdome but will endeavour to put a project into your head that may both keep your father safe and perhaps destroy your enemies at leastwise it will protract if not divert your violent prosecution certainly governesse answered the Princesse if you prove as good as your word I shall esteeme it the greatest piece of service that ever your wits produced since in my opinion it not only equalls all others in benefit for that the King as well as my selfe is concerned in the businesse but out goes the rest in difficulty considering how many powerfull adversaries you have to deale withall Well then said Roxana sit still and heare my propositions and afterwards prepare your selfe without resistance to put them in execution though never so much against your appetite if not returne me such arguments as may convert my judgement as well as satisfie your own fancy Cloria told Roxana that her injunction was so reasonable that it was not to be contradicted by any that had common sense or was not desperate against their own good promising withall to be punctuall in her obedience as a principall duty she esteemed her selfe bound unto in regard of that charge she had had ever since her infancy over her and then the old woman began this discourse For these two Suitors said she that seem likely to trouble your patience and the Kingdomes quiet since the one commands the Army as the other is possest of the hearts of the Senate I make no doubt but you may oppose 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 out 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
you see I have wonne into a beliefe of what I never intend T is true said Roxana however it doth not appeare you have engaged your selfe either by words or actions and therefore it is not any thing you have done hath constrained or perswaded his beliefe wherefore it ought only to rest upon the fault of his own fancy if he prove deceived in his expectation hereafter Besides it may be considered that as he hath been some part of the occasion of your suffering unjustly so is it fit he should endure a little pennance for that offence and put case it may be granted that you have after a manner deluded his thoughts by the Letter you wrote him wherein you seeme to envite his addresses to a new Courtship yet it cannot be esteemed false for that you may have a resolution to entertaine his affection if my Lord Narcissus whom the Gods defend should miscarry I but there Governesse replyed Cloria lyes hidden the deceit since my resolutions are fixed never to make any other choyce in life or death Why then answered Roxana at the worst you doe but like an honest person in danger to be robbed that takes some liberty to make thieves fall out whereby to be the better secured And seeing that Cassianus cannot be prejudiced by the practice but on the contrary reape benefit for that his fortunes seem to depend upon regallity and Nobility which the rude multitude would destroy I see no reason why you should possesse your thoughts with such scruples Well well said the Princesse as you are my Governesse in this doubt I will perswade my conscience to observe your principles however the gods may punish us both for our over-much boldnesse thus to play too freely with those injunctions that concerne religion or at leastwise may have some relation to it however I cannot deny but that there is a necessity in my dissimulation at this present and the rather am I content a little to practice the faculty for that I know Cassianus can sustaine no prejudice by my intentions Notwithstanding these and other reasons which Roxana used at divers times proved sufficient motives to retaine her mistresse firme in prosecuting their designes yet understanding by Creses amongst other discourses that the Duke of Cyprus was dead she could not in some sort but be doubtfull of the safety of Narcissus for that they had heard nothing from him since his separation however she was extreamly carefull to keep these thoughts from entering into the bosome of the already too much troubled Princesse though in the interim she omitted no opportunity whereby to instruct Cassianus in that part he was to play by their appointment against Farezius Cassianus as I said having received both commands from Cloria and instructions by Roxana consulted oftentimes with himselfe as well as with her how he might best put them in execution untill at last he fell upon this resolution that as Dimogoras his trusty friend had been most injur'd by the preferment of Farezius having outed him of his place and command in the Army so would he be the fittest person to be communicated with all concerning the likeliest way to prosecute his designes according to the directions he had received To this effect he intended to make him acquainted with the hopes he had lately received to obtaine the favour of the Princesse Cloria in his pretended love The rather for that he knew he was not only a man who had a principall interest among the Nobility and chiefe Senators but was also extreamly beloved in the Army by most of the common Souldiers that were not absolute creatures of Farezius wherefore one morning before Dimogoras was gone out of his chamber Cassianus came unto him with a smiling countenance and this language in his mouth Dimogoras said he as it were something impertinent againe for me to reiterate 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 effects 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 repetitions 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 possbly 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 sort 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