was by them found hard by the sea-side not farre from these rocks laid in a cradle with very rich clothes about me a purse of gold in the cradle and a little writing in it which warn'd them that should take me vp to looke carefully to me to call me Vrania and when I came to sixeteene yeeres of age to tell this to me but by no meanes before this they haue truely performed and haue deliuered me the mantle and purse that by them if good fortune serue I may come to knowledge inioyning me besides not to keepe this my story secret from any since this sweet place intising many into it may chance to bring some one to reâ—ease me from this torment of Ignorance It could not be otherwise said he since such sweetnes and peerelesse louelynesse are match'd together But now said Vrania let me know I beseech you who I haue discouer'd my selfe vnto Let vs sit downe said he vnder these Rockes and you shall know both who I am and the cause of my comming hither Nay answered Vrania if it please you let vs rather goe into a Caue hard by where I haue left an olde weake man ready to tell me his Story hauing with him two of the finest youths and a Maide of the rarest beauty that eye can behold and desirous he is to speake for long he cannot endure So together they came into the Caue the graue man reuerently with bowing downe his head saluting him thus Braue Sir for Maiestie doe I perceiue in your countenance which makes me giue you this title Welcome to my poore abiding and most welcome since now I trust I shall dispose of my Sonnes according to my long wish and desire sit I beseech you downe and tell me who you are that then I may discourse to you the lamentable fortune I and these my children are fallen into The stranger sate downe betweene the old man and the excellent Shepherdesse beginning his Tale thus My name saâ—d he is Parselius Prince of Morea being eldest Sonne vnto the King thereof which Countrie I left with a deare friend of mine who besides the vntying band of friendship we liue linked in is my kinsman and heire to the Kingdome of Naples called Amphilanthus resoluing not to returne till wee had heard newes of a lost Sister of his who in the first weeke after her birth was stoâ—ne away since which time an old man whether by diuination or knowledge assured the King her Father shee is liuing Wherefore the most braue of Princes Amphilanthus resolu'd to seeke her my selfe louing him as well or better then my selfe would not be denied to accompany him for hauing bene euer bred in neerenesse of affections as well as in conuersation together it could not be but we must like the soule and body liue and moue so we betooke our selues to the Sea leauing Morea passing many aduentures in diuers Countries still seeking the least freqâ—ented and priuatest places keeping to the West for that way wee were directed by the wise man At last we arriuâ—d in Sicilie which Country we found in great trouble warres being broke out againe after the departure of Perissus Nephew to the King who had setled the State in good peace and quiet But their hearts either not fully reconcil'd or only reconciled to him after his departure which as we heard was strange and sudden being neuer since heard of they rebelled againe but we soone appeas'd the busines setling the King in his seat with all quiet and safety Then did Amphilanthus and I though against my heart part our bodies but neuer shall our minds be parted he in one ship taking I know not iustly what course but I trust the happiest my selfe guided by fortune not appointing any one place to bend to was brought hither promising at our parting to meete at his Fathers Court in Italie within twelue moneths after But shorter I hope now my iourney will bee since I verily beleeue you most faire Shepherdesse are the lost Princesse and rather doe I thinke so because you much resemble Leonius the younger brother to Amphilanthus whose beautie in man cannot be equall'd though surpassed by you When he had concluded the old man with teares thus said O Almightie God how great are thy blessings to me that before I die thou doft thus bring the most desired happinesse I could wish for in sending hither that Prince who onely can restore our good vnto vs. Most mighty and worthilie honourd Prince see here before your royall presence the vnfortunate king of Albania who in the warres betweene Achaya and Macedon taking part with Achaya was beaten out of my country and forced to wander seeking safetie far from the place where my safety ought most to haue been I came to your fathers Court it is true poore and vnlike a Prince which sight tooke away so much as pitie Courtiers rather out of their brauery contemning then compassionating extremitie besides your Mother being Sister to the Macedonian king then liuing would not permit me any fauour my kingdome in the meane while spoild and parted among such as could preuaile by strength and policy to get shares When I found my selfe in this misery with my wife and some few friends we went away leauing Morea and al hope of gaining any good in Greece following what course our stars would guide vs to we came hither where it pleased God to blesse vs with these two boies and this daughter after whose being seauen yeares old she died Yet for all it is and was a ioy to me to see of my owne for my posterity finding that likelihood of princely vertues as I hope shal be one day manifested it hath grieued mee to thinke how I should leaue them but now my hopes are reuiued since I trust that danger is past your noble and magnanimous vertues being such as to take pitie of any how much more then wil your honor be to assist distressed Princes And now may you well do it since a seruant of mine who I haue oftâ—n sent thither to see how things passe doth assure me your Vncle is dead and a mighty Lord being next heire-male which by the lawes of the country was otherwise hath got the Crowne hauing inclosed your faire young cosin right heire to the kingdom of Macedon being only daughter to the late king in a strong tower til she be of age then to marry her or if shee refuse to keep her there stil and this is the best she can expect Wherefore sir thus you are bound to rescue her then I beseech you take these two young men into your protection who till now knew no other then that they were meane boies I not daring to let them know their birth lest those great spirits which liue in them should haue led theÌ„ into some dangerous course but still I haue kept them vnder making them know hardnes and misery the better still to endure it if so crosse their fortunes be or if
one of their fellow prisoners in the Castle of loue wherefore desirous to heare that discourse especially louing to heare loue descâ—ibed and related by a woman out of whose lipps those sweet passions more sweetely proceeded hee gaue occasion for it as they walked along a dainty pleasant brooke the bankes whereof were of such sweetnesse as the plenty of the most delicate smelling flowers could yeeld vnto them being shadowed from the Sunnes parching by Mirtle and that Mirtle preserued by high and braue trees whose breadth and large boughs spread to giue content to those who vnder them would submit to solitarinesse This place said Amphilanthus were fitter much for louers then such free Princes as liue here Is there any free from that passion my Lord said she Only such said hee as you are whose sence of loue doth rather from you command harts to your seruice then presume to bring you into the fetters being rather his commandres then subiect An vntoward gouernment answered she assuredly I haue yet had I neuer hauing enioyed quiet minut since I knew this state but that rebellious passions haue euer tormented me Can that be cry'd Amphilanthus I am sensible of them said she Alas said Amphilanthus that I might be so fortunat to merit so great a happines as to vnderstaÌ„d the way that bold loue takes to coÌ„quer such perfection That may soone be gaind said shee for requite me with your story and I will truly discourse my fortunes to you Neuer let mee bee rewarded for my paine said hee if I refuse this noble offer Begin you Sir said shee I will obay in that also said he and then did he tell her the whole story of his affection onely keeping her name secret because Ollorandus knew her and had mistrust of it but no assurance after which she began thus My Lord so ill it seemes loue hath carried himselfe as it is a kind of fault in a woman to confesse any such matter yet I knowing my selfe innocent of ill and now ingaged by your freedome to make a requitall I will venture to speak of this Lord Loue. My father had a sister married to one of the noblest and greatest Princes of this Countrie as rich in possessions as any yet possessed he not so much treasures as hee did vertues being richer in them then any other of this land true noblenesse and noble hospitalitie abounding in him He had to inherit his estate two Sonnes and one Daughter children fit for such a father truly and lawfully being heires to both his estates of riches and vertuous qualities Many yeares this good Lord liued but age claiming the due belonging to time and a sore disease taking him hee dyed leauing his honours vertues and chiefe estate to his eldest sonne called Laurimello who had been much in my fathers house his father putting that trust in his brother in Law as to leaue his dearest part of comfort with him besides my Fathers estate lay neare to the Citie of Buda which was a conueniency by reason of the Courts lying there for his seeing and frequenting that by reason whereof after his fathers death he brought his sister likewise thither betweene whom and my selfe there grew an entire friendship She being great and her brother beloued and honoured aboue any other Prince many sought her for wife but shee knowing her perfections and greatnesse was nice in accepting any nor indeed had shee much mind to marry louing her liberty more then mariages bondage Among others that offered their seruice to her there was one called Charimellus who by his friends and parents was sent to sue for her fauour thither hee came but I comming with her into the roome where her suiter was and her brother with many more hee cast his eyes on mee which brought him that misfortune as to bee so suddenly surprised as he knew not scarce how to salute her which made her scorne him laughing at his bashfulnesse which caused so much blushing and trembling in him I regarded not his traunces beginning so much as to thinke from whence it proceeded but out of good nature was sorry for the man who in troth deserued much pitie and merited great respect but my heart elsewhere placed held mine eies in their set way not marking any thing but mine own fortunes no more then one starre troubles it selfe with anothers course but my cosin who would not keepe her thoughts from imparting them to her friends liberally vsed her wit on him whose part I tooke ignorant of the cause I had till some dayes being passed in which she gaue him refusall he discouered his loue to me and withall protesting how he was surprised at my first sight I told him I could not belieue one fight on such an instant could worke such an alteration nor if it were true that I would so soone accept of a refused suiter since my fortunes I trusted would not be such as to bind me to take my cosins leauings This answer grieu'd him yet did it no way allay his affection but rather like snow which plaid with all doth make ones hands burne so did the cold despaire of my words make his hart hot glow in loue towards me my friends liked and lou'd him he being of a sweet and mild disposition valiant and accompanied with many braue and noble conditions and such a one as none I thinke could haue disliked that had been ordaind to marry with iudgement onely or had not their heart before settled as mine was Long he pursued his loue at last he gained my fathers consent my mothers and most of my friends the estate and antiquitie of his house besides his person meriting any subiect for wife When I saw this and the danger I was in to bee bestowed I then wholly employd my time in studying how I might gaine mine owne desires and finely put this off While this was in my mind a third businesse came in which was another match offerd my father for me whose estate was greater and neerer to our dwelling to which my father being more then ordinarily affectionate to me quickly harkned and willingly embraced Then was I in more danger then before my heart so perplexed as I knew not what I did Poore Charimellus came vnto me wept to me presented his affection to my memory and eies I pittied him and truly had as much compassion vpon him as I or any other whose soule was in anothers keeping could haue of him and so much fauour I did grant him as to promise to speake with my Father and directly to refuse the new proffered match This contented him hoping my refusall had been onely for his good I performed my promise and spake with my father telling him how much he was afflicted how passionately he loued me what reasons I had rather to accept of him then any other how the world had taken such notice alreadie of his two yeares suite as it would be a disgrace to him and a touch to me to take
Steriamus when he was passionate for Pamphilia she was called Dorilina then who there was not a discreeter though a true louer As they walked discoursing of their loues and torments for it Dorolina besought the Queene to honour her with the repeating of some of her verses Shee answer'd she was growne weary of rime and all things but that which wearied her life and yet for cruelties sake would not take it Shee would not bee answer'd so but vrg'd her againe hoping to take her this way something from her conrinuall passions which not vtter'd did weare her spirits and waste them as rich imbroyderies will spoyle one another if laid without papers betweene them fretting each other as her thoughts and imaginations did her rich and incomprable minde but as yet Dorolina could not preuaile for the part of Poetry yet she gain'd so much as Pamphilia sate downe and told her this tale faigning it to be written in a French Story There was said she in France for many years many Kings that Country being diuided into seuerall Kingdomes seuerall Nations there were likewise which spake different languages some of these had Kings the others onely Princes but in successe of time all came happily vnder the rule and gouernment of one King care onely had then by marriages to make a perpetuall vnion which onely length of time could doe among these marriages there was one from which grew both good and ill a braue young Lord of the I le of France second sonne to a famous Nobleman and one who had great imployment vnder the King being counted the brauest man of the Kingdome was by the meanes of a brother in Law of his married to a great Heyre in little Brittany of rich possessions This Lady was wooed sought by many one she affected and so much loued as she was contented to thinke him worthy to be her husband and so for worth hee was Miserably hard her father kept her and close yet so much liberty she gain'd as she had almost tyed her selfe neuer but by death to be released yet her fortunes were not meant thus to be disposed of for her father dying and she thinking she was a little or much neglected by her first seruant who came not according to appointment to attend her she chang'd her minde and gaue her selfe to valiant louely Bersindor the Frenchman leauing the other as he had her at home to learne better breeding Into France she came where she was by Bersindors father and mother cherished with all affection and loue her husband kinde and as respectiue as she merited many faire and sweet children they had to their comforts and their friends and so bred they were as all companies coueted their presence being like sweet delights to sad eyes The eldest daughter was called Lindamira shee was so much fauour'd by the Queene of France as by no meanes she must be absent froÌ„ the Court which indeed was the fittest place for her being a Lady of great spirit excellent qualities and beautifull enough to make many in loue with her but shee loued onely one and that one she had loued many years before any mistrusted it or himselfe knew it Hee was likewise fauoured by the Queene Mother whose husband dead had leysure to bestow her eyes vpon the loueliest obiect and this Lord was well enough contented spending his time after his owne desire Lindamira serued thâ— Queene faithfully and so affectionately as she had no loue but them two of either Sexe yet was she carefull to giue no dislike to her mistris whom she would not iniure or indeed at that time her selfe for she was married he not thinking that it was himselfe she loued though he knew she was somewhere bound in those fetters A carefull eye he carried ouer her not that it appear'd he loued her much more then as her deserts which her noble and free carriage deserued yet he was desirous to finde her loue Once he thought it was the husband of a Lady she had made her chosen friend but after he found the contrary to his owne comfort for the Queene how well assur'd soeuer she was or rather might haue beene of her fidelity yet loue she knew had commanded her who borne a Princesse and match'd to a King yet could not resist his power might with greater ease soueraignize ouer a subiect but in Loues Court all are fellow-subiects and thus her Maiesty was deceiued in her greatnesse which could not as she thought be subiect and therefore though others must be Vassals when they are all companions aud serue alike This suspition was first put into her minde by a malicious Lady who enuyed sweet Lindamira but so was it beleeued and follow'd by the Queen as all her fauour was withdrawn as suddenly and directly as if neuer had Lindamira remaining like one in a gay Masque the night pass'd they are in their old clothes againe and no appearance of what was she yet was grieued to the heart because she truly lou'd her mistris as her disgrace went further then only discontent for the losse or the note the world might take of it which must like their reports be wiped away or washed like linnen which would bee as white againe as euer But these pierced her heart and she was inly afflicted at all times shee neuerthelesse attended neuer failing her duty yet desirous to know the cause of this her misfortune She imploy'd many to moue the Queene only to know why she was offendâ—d that if she were guilty she might aske forgiuensse and make humble submission but this would not serue she poore Lady ignorant of the cause desired the Lord for whom she suffer'd to doe the like for her hee did but return'd as the others did to her telling her the Queenes answer was that she should not know the cause therfore willed her to be satisfied with that with knowledge that she was and had iust cause to bee offâ—nded Lindamira then asked leaue to retire she had permission and withall her Maiesty when she gaue her her hand to kisse which fauour she was contented to allow her she told her she should doe well to stay till she was sent for She humbly with teares in her eyes answer'd she would obey and so shee departed going home and soon after with a husband like her last fortune went to liue with him whither soone came all her friends to visite her and by him were nobly entertain'd The Lord whom she so much loâ—ed and was accused for likewise came with that Lady her deare friend among many discourses they fell vpon this of her disgrace Lindamira saying that the thing it selfe did not now so much afflict her as the ignorance of it None said he that dares tell you the cause knowes it and some that do dare not What should feare them said she if mistrust of my secresie I will giue them cause to take away that suspition of weaknes in me other reason I cannot guessâ— if
seeke her seeing her long stay not mistrusting harme but that they had forgotten themselues The rest seeing this dolefull spectacle rent their haire and gaue all testimony of true sorrow then came these newes to vs how welcom iudge you who I see feele sorrow with vs her father brothers arm'd themselues and are gone in search of him who was seene with all speed â—o passe towards the Sea Thus heare you the Daughters misfortune which must be followed by the mothers death and God send that as soone as I wish my Lord and Sonnes may meet with that vngrateful wretch to reuenge my miserable childs losse This being done she swounded in my armes my selfe being still in my transformed estate helpt her as much as I could then deliuering her to her seruants I tooke my leaue buying this armour to goe vnknowne till I could find a place sad enough to passe away my mournefull howres in Many countries I went thorow and left for all were too pleasant for my sorrow till at last I lighted on this happie one since in it I haue receiued as much comfort by your kind and wise counsell as is possible for my perplexed heart to entertaine By this time hee was fully armed which made the sweet Vrania admire him and if more pitie had lodg'd in her then before she had affoorded him his goodly personage and dolefull lookes so ill agreeing had purchased for she did pitie him so much as this had almost brought the end of some kind of pitie or pitie in some kind loue but she was ordain'd for another so as this prou'd onely a fine beginning to make her heart tender against the others comming Now was he ready to depart wherefore they came downe from the rock when being at the bottome they met a young shâ—pherd whose heart Vrania had although against her will conquered This Lad shee entreated to conduct Perissus to the next town which he most willingly consented to thinking himselfe that day most happy when she vouchsafed to command him withall she inioyned him not to leaue him till he saw him shipt which hee perform'd comming againe to her to receiue thanks more welcome to him then if a fine new flock had bin bestowed on him Perissus gone Vrania for that night draue her flock homeward giuing a kind looke vnto the rocke as she returnâ—d promising often to visit it for braue Perissus sake and to make it her retiring place there to passe some of her melancholy howres in The next morning as soone as light did appeare or she could see light which sooner she might doe then any her eyes making day before day else was seene with her flocke she betooke her selfe to the meadow where she thought to haue met some of her companions but being early her thoughts hauing kept more carefull watch ouer her eies thought it selfe growne peremptorie with such authority She found none come wherefore leauing the flocke to the charge of a young Lad of hers tooke her way towards the rocke her mind faster going then her feete busied still like one holding the Compasse when he makes a circle turnes it round in his owne center so did shee her thoughts incircled in the ignorance of her being From this she was a little mou'd by the comming of a pretie Lambe towards her who with pitifull cries and bleatings demanded her helpe or she with tender gentlenes imagined so wherefore she tooke it vp and looking round about if she could see the dam perceiuing none wandred a little amongst bushes and rude places till she grew something wearie when sitting downe she thus began to speake Poore Lambe said she what moane thou mak'st for losse of thy deare dam what torments do I then suffer which neuer knew my mother thy misse is great yet thou a beast may'st be brought vp and soone contented hauing food but what food can bee giuen me who feede on nothing but Despaire can that sustaine me No want of knowledge starues me while other things are plentifull Poore innocent thing how doth thy wailing sute with mine Alas I pitie thee my selfe in some kind wanting such a pitie Then shee did heare a noise in the bushes looking what it should be she saw a fierce she-wolfe come furiously towards her she who though a spirit matchlesse liued in her perceiuing her wished the beast further yet taking her wonted strength of heart and vertuous thoughts together she thus said O heauen defend me miserable creature if thou please if not grant me this blessing that as I shall here end not knowing any parents to sorrow for me so those parents if liuing may neuer know my losse lest they doe grieue for me As shee thus religiously gaue her thoughts and her last as shee thought to the highest the beast running towards her of the sudden stood still one might imagine seeing such a heauenly creature did amase her and threaten for medling with her but such conceits were vaine since beasts will keepe their owne natures the true reason being as soone appear'd the hasty running of two youths who with sharpe speares soone gaue conclusion to the supposed danger killing the wolfe as shee stood hearkning to the noise they made But they not seeing Vrania who on her knees was praising God said one to another Alas haue we hasted to kill this beast which now is not for our turne little helpe can this giue to our sicke father Vrania then looked vp hearing humane voices which she so little expected as onely death was that she looked for but then perceiued she two young men whose age might bee iudged to bee some seuenteene yeares faces of that sweetnesse as Venus loue could but compare with them their haire which neuer had been cut hung long yet longer much it must haue been had not the daintie naturall curling somewhat shortned it which as the wind mou'd the curles so pretily plaid as the Sunne-beames in the water their apparrell Goates skinnes cut into no fashion but made fast about them in that sort as one might see by their sight they were wild yet that wildnesse was gouern'd by modesty their skinne most bare as armes and leggs and one shoulder with part of their thighes but so white was their skinne as seem'd the Sunne in loue with it would not hurt nor the bushes so much as scratch on their feete they had a kind of shooes which came vp to the anckle Thus they were before the Prime of Shepherdesses who comming to them and saluting them they stept back in wonder to see that beautie which yet in the masculine they came neere to then laying admiration so farre a part as to keepe themselues safe from rudenesse in some kind one of them began Diuine creature pardon this our boldnesse which hath brought vs thus rudely to your presence if we haue offended let our humilitie in sorrow excuse vs or if this beast we haue kild was fauour'd by you take vs who are rude men to serue you in
it to his Sonne before his departure who was to goe thence with his excellent Cousen in a search by them vndertaken was come neere to the place of the Tyrants abode He refused to come but soone by force he was brought before the King who with milde fashion and royall Maiestie examined the businesse which he confessed but rather with a proud scorne then repentant heart wherefore the King with iust iudgement degraded him committing him to a strong Tower whereinto he was walled vp meate giuen him in at the windowe and there to ende his dayes which were not long pride swelling him so with scorne of his fall as he burst and dyed The Dukedome after this sentence was restored to me but truely I was not able so to recouer my former losse wherefore humbly thanking the King and his Sonne besought them to giue mee leaue to bestow it on my Daughter which was granted me my wife thinking she had seene enough when I was my selfe againe departing this life with ioy and content Besides I made one suit more which was that since the Prince had with so much fauour begun to honour mee it would please â—im to proceed so far as to bestow one of his young Lords in marriage on my Daughter The King and Prince both tooke this motion most kindely wherfore choosing a hopefull young Lord and him the Prince most loued gaue him to her the marriage was with much honour celebrated in the Court at which for their vnspeakable honour Parselius for so the Prince is called and Amphilanthus Prince of Naples were made Knights and brauely for the beginning of their succeeding glory began those sports of Field as since haue made them famous ouer the world This ended I went away kissing the Kings and Princes hands vndertaking a Pilgrimage which performed I returned to this place where like an Hermit still I liue and will continue while life is in mee this Valley those sleepie woody Hilles and the Caue I rest in shall bee all the Courts or Pallaces that these old eyes shall euer now behold As thus we trauelled on determining to conclude that daies iourney with the end of his story and resting in his Cell that night we were called from that resolution by a noise within the wood of Horse and clashing of Armour which drew me to see what the matter was Arriuing at the place we found two gentlemen cruelly fighting and by them many more slaine but that which most amazed vs was that hard by them on the ground was one of the Mirrours for beauty to see her selfe liuely in so faire indeed is she and such a fairenes hath she as mine eyes neuer saw her equall if not that rare Shepherdesse by you or the incomparable Lady Pamphilia Sister to the noble Prince Parselius who I need but name the world being sufficiently filled with his fame This Lady lay along her head vpon her hand her teares ranne in as great abundance as if they meant to preserue themselues in making some pretty brooke of truest teares her breath shee tooke rather in sighes and sobs then quiet breathing yet did not this alter the colour or feature of her heauenly beauty but resembling the excellent workmanship of some delicatly proportion'd fountaine which lets the drops fall without hurting it selfe or like a showre in Aprill while the Sunne yet continues cleare and bright and so did she seeme to our eyes As we were admiring her there came a Knight in blacke Armour his Shield sutable to it without any Deuice who not seeing the Lady step'd to the two Combatants willing them to hold their hands till hee did vnderstand the cause of their enmitie They refusing it turn'd both on him one stricking him forcibly on the shoulder he seeing their rudenesse and feeling himselfe smart forgot parting and made himselfe a party sticking one of them such a blow as made him fall dead at his feet Whereupon the other yeelded deliuering his Sword and turning to the Lady who now the Knight saw with admiration for her fairenesse and sorrow vnbinding her and sitting downe by her finding I was likewise a stranger call'd me and the good Hermit to heare the discourse which the vanquished man deliuer'd in this manner Two of these which here you see lye slaine were halfe brothers Sonnes to one mother the one of them my Master who on a day after a long chase of a Stagge happened into a Merchants house not farre hence where this Lady did then remaine They were ciuilly and courteously entertained for being Gentlemen well borne and in their fashion pleasing they were respected and belou'd of most neuer hauing attempted or to mans knowledge imbraced or let in a thought contrary to vertue till their comming thither where they resolu'd of a course worse then man could of man imagine if not proud by experience For there they saw that Ladie desir'd her and plotted to obtaine her purposing with all ill meaning to enioy her nothing being able to giue other ende to their wicked mindes but thisâ— whereto their beastlinesse and true iustice hath brought them hauing made this place their bed of death as it was meant for their lasciuious desires Great they did imagine her of birth by the honour done vnto her this was another spurre to their deuillish longing yet to be certaine with a good fashion dissembling their inward intent as well they could for they were Courtiers intreated the Merchant to tell who this Lady was that they might accordingly honour and respect her Hee told them her name was Antissia and that she was daughter to the great king of Romania betraied by her Guardian taken from him againe by Rouers and sold by them on this coast at the Towne call'd S. Anzolo where I a Merchant said he bought her they not knowing who they sold nor I what I had bought till some daies after she her selfe intreating me no more to suffer her to be made merchandize but to carry her to her father who would reward me sufficiently for my paines told me the vnexpected secret The brothers hearing this inflamed more then before beauty first inticing them then ambition wrought to compasse a kings daughter to their pleasure much commending themselues for placing their loues so worthily yet still forgetting how vnworthie and dishonourable their loue was Desire makes them now politike casting all waies how they might betray her consulting together they at last concluded to get the Princesse into the Garden to walke hauing before appointed these slaine men to attend at a doore which opened into the field which they opening perswaded her to goe out a little into so sweet an aire she fearing nothing went with them when no sooner she was forth but shee found she was betrayd crying for helpe would not auaile her yet the pitifulnesse of it brought forth most of the house who perceiuing what was intended and neere acted no fury could be compar'd to theirs and furie indeed it was for they
but fiue and vnarmed attempted to rescue her from vs being all these and two of them so amorous as they in that raging passion loue being at the best a mild frenzie would haue been able or thought themselues so to haue withstood them and many more especially their Mistris being in presence This noise also brought forth the good womaÌ„ wife to the honest merchant where began so pitifull a monefull complaining betweene her and this Princesse as truly mou'd compassion in all my heart I am sure weeping for them yet the mad Louers had sense of nothing but their worst desires With these words the Princesse fell into a new sorrow which the Knight perceiuing whose heart was neuer but pitifull to faire Ladies perswaded the sad Antissia so well as he proceeded Then being possest of the Ladie my Master led the way bringing his brother and vs to this banket this place being set downe for her dishonor but destin'd for their graues Then grew a strife for the first enioying of her so farre it proceeded as from words they fell to blowes and so in short time to this conclusion for they fighting wee following our Masters example followed them in death likewise all but my selfe and I now at your mercy He had but concluded his storie when I pulling of my helmet kneeling downe to the Princesse told her who I was and likewise my search for her which she with as much ioy as on a sudden could enter into so sad a mind receiu'd with gratious thankfulnes Now had the black Knight in like manner discouer'd his face which so excellent in louelines I cannot say fairenes as the whitest beauty must yeeld to such a sweetnes and yet doth his mind as farre excell his person as his person doth all others that I haue seene and so will all allow for this was Amphilanthus who with mild yet a princely manner told the Princesse That she might leaue her sorrow being falne into his hands where she should haue all honor and respect and within short time by himselfe bee deliuer'd to her father But first hee was to performe his promise to his dearest friend and Cosen Parselius in meeting him in Italy the time prefixed being almost expired and his search vtâ—erly fruitlesse But I pray sir said Parselius how came that braue Prince againe into Morea By a violent storme said he wherein he suffer'd shipwrack This done Amphilanthus Antissia the Hermit and my selfe tooke our waies to the Merchants house whom we found return'd but ready again to haue left his house fill'd with discontent and passion for the vnhappy accident his wife in that desperate griefe as hardly could shee haue endured with life had not the blessed returne of Antissia giuen comfort like life vnto her sorrowes The seruant to the slaine Knight guided vs within sight of the house but then with pardon and liberty of going his owne way he departed That night we rested there the next morning parted our selues Amphilanthus Antissia the Merchant and his wife took their iourny together towards the Court there to leaue her till he had found Parselius and so end his vow the old Hermit returnd to his priuate deuotions my self took my way to the next port to ship my selfe for Romania in the same ship was also this man who hearing me discourse of my aduentures with the Master of the ship gaue ill language of Amphilanthus then of Parselius saying they were Cosoners and not Princes but some odde fellowes taking good names vpon them since it was very vnlikely so great persons should be so long suffered abroad and trauell in such a sort alone and more like runne-awaies then Princes These much moued mee but to put mee quite out of patience hee went on giuing vilder and more curst speeches of my owne Lord this made mee strike him and so wee fell together so close as one or both had dyed for it had not the company parted vs and after wee had againe gon to it but that this ship came and tooke vs and so made vs Prisoners to saue our liues But now Sirs if you doe not iustice you wrong your selues in not reuenging so great an iniurie done to the brauest Princes Parselius replide Wee were not worthie to liue if wee did not right so worthy a Gentleman as your selfe and reuenge the wrong done to so great Princes whose greatnesse yet cannot keepe ill tongues in awe sufficientlie but that in absence they are often wronged and therefore friends must reuenge that which they ignorant of otherwise may suffer But herein wee may bee thought partiall for this Knight you see is Leandrus my selfe Parselius one of the cousoning Princes as it pleased his honestie to call mee I would aduise therefore that this rare Shepherdesse should appoint him his punishment The young Knight kneeled downe to haue kissed the handes of the two Princes they taking him vp gaue him thankes for his discourse commending him much for his loyaltie and valour Vrania who was as heartily angry as the Knight seeing her Parselius thus wronged could find no lesse punishment for him then death But then the Prince did with sweete perswasions mitigate her furie but brought it no lower then to publike whipping submission and recantation Lastlie humbly on his knees to aske pardon of the Romanian Kâ—ight All now satisfied but Vrania who could not easilie forgiue an iniure done to her other selfe sent him a shore to the next land they saw Then did the knight againe speake My Lord Parselius with your leaue I beseech you permit me to take so much boldnes as to beseech my Lord Leandrus to doe me so much honour as to tell mee the aduenture which caused the report and suspition of his death they both agreeing Leandrus thus began After I had left you most noble Parselius I went to my owne countrie to visite my father where still I heard the noise of Antissia's losse the likelihood of her beauty the griefe of Parents and the wrong done to my selfe these did not only inuite but command me to be diligent in making al these pieces ioyne again in the first body of coÌ„tent which I perswaded my self able to doe by seeking and finding of her The one I resolu'd the other I nothing doubted then with my fathers consent I left Achaya taking my way among the Greek Ilands and passing the Archipelago I left no Iland that had a league of land vnsought or vnseene then shipt I my self and past into your Morea so after I had seene all those places I went againe to â—ea resoluing afterwards to take towards Italy whither for farnesse it might bee the traytors had carried her my companion then leauing me to go to his heart which he had left in Cecillia But being in the Iland of Cephalonia there was a solemne and magnificent Feast held which was by reason of a marriage betweene the Lords daughter of that Iland and the Lord of Zante's sonne a fine and spritefull
from him but soone was that well reuenged if her life were answerable for such a mischance yet did they keepe her aliue till the Castle was setled one drop of his bloud being more worth then millions of liues of better people Then she was terribly tortured and yet kept long in paine for her more lasting punishment and lastly burn'd By this were most dead or yeelded all being safe Amphilanthus was carried into a rich chamber where his wound was searched and drest by the three Sisters who were now come into the Castle brought in by Steriamus of purpose to dresse the Prince Ollorandus being so perplext that it was his vnlucky fate to haue the weapon that hurt his friend as he was truly sorrow it selfe euen being ready with it to haue parted his owne life from him had not Amphilanthus coniured him by all loues and friendships and protestations to forbeare Quickly did the Sisters assure them of his safety which as a blessing came vnto them After he was dress'd he sent his friend to fetch the Prisoners all before him which was done where were of Knights and Ladies such store as if in health and strength there had beene a fit number for the furnishing a braue Court but as they were it was a sight of commiseration so pale and weake they were with want of foode and their bodies so abused with tortures as they appeard like people of purpose made to shew miserie in extremitie Among them was Dolorindus whose owne minde and this vsage had brought him into a fit estate to answer his name Amphilanthus knowing him first tooke care of him calling for his owne apparell which was brought and causing delicaâ—e foode to bee brought him cheerished him so as by that time that he was able to trauell for his wound Dolorindus was likewise fit to accompany him which in few daies came to passe by the diligence and care of the three Sisters who were next in true succession by the Mothers side to the ancient Lords of Siâ— their Father came vnto them with the Squires to the Princes and those of the Ship Then prepared they for their departure Amphilanthus bestowing the Castle and the Island vpon the Sisters his kinde Chyrurgions promising to send his faithfull and best esteemed seruant Berlandis to marry the eldest as soone as he could finde him and on the other two Steriamus and Ollorandus bestowed their Squires giuing them the Order of Knighthood who well deseru'd it prouing worthy of such Masters making the world see that such example as dayly their Master shewd them must needs make braue men leauing that place in quiet hauing taken the oathes of all the Inhabitants in Berlandis name and his wiues Then tooke they Ship againe for Morea but passing along the AEgaean Sea they entred many Islands seeking and finding aduentures but in one being though little yet plentifull as a greater delicately compassed with Snow white Rocks yet mixt with small fine trees whose greenenesse gaue them hope to see but pleasure gaue them heart to goe into it when they found it within such a place as a Louer would haue chosen to haue passed his time in and this did vrge the foure Knights all amorous and yet in seuerall kindes to expresse their passions seuerall waies Amphilanthus left the other three taking the direct way to the heart of the Land as euer ayming at that place hauing the best and most power continually ouer that part Steriamus tooke on the right hand Ollorandus to the left but Dolorindus who neuer knew difference of fortune still hauing liued in a constant state of her displeasure went away betweene them all his thoughts as euer in action better being able to vtter forth his passions being alone which in this kinde he did when he came into a dainty fine wood of straight high Oakes and young Beeches mingled with a fewe Ashes and Chestnut trees in the midâ—st of the Wood was a Mount cast vp by nature and more delicate then Art could haue framâ—d it though the cunningest had vndertaken it in the mid'st of it was a round Table of stone and round about it Seats made of the same Stone which was blacke Marble some Letters or rather characters he found ingrauen in the vpper part of those seates and on many of the Trees which curiously incompassed it many Ciphers althougth but one for meaning though in number many Louers had done these as he thought louers made him remember he was one and that oft he had caru'd his Mistrisses name vpon Bay trees to shew her conquest which shee had requited cutting his name in Willowes to demonstrate his fate This afflicted him and moued so much in him as hee could not but frame some verses in his imagination which after were giuen to Amphilanthus and his other companions the lines were these place and fortune procuring them SWeete solitarines ioy to those hearts That feele the pleasure of Loues sporting darts Grudge me not though a vassall to his might And a poore subiect to curst changings spite To rest in you or rather restlesse moue In your contents to sorrow for my loue A Loue which liuing liues as dead to me As holy reliques which in boxes be Plac'd in a chest that ouerthrowes my ioy Shut vp in change which more then plagues destroy These O you solitarinesse may both endure And be a Chirurgion to find me a cure For this curst corsiue eating my best rest Memorie sad memorie in you once blest But now most miserable with the weight Of that which onely shewes Loues strange deceit You are that cruell wound that inly weares My soule my body wasting into teares You keepe mine eies vnclos'd my heart vntide From letting thought of my best dayes to slide Froward Remembrance what delight haue you Ouer my miseries to take a view Why doe you tell me in this same-like place Of Earths best blessing I haue seene the face But maskd from me I onely see the shade Of that which once my brightest Sun-shine made You tell me that I then was blest in Loue When equall passions did together moue O why is this alone to bring distresse Without a salue but torments in excesse A cruell Steward you are to inrole My once-good dayes of purpose to controle With eyes of sorrow yet leaue me vndone By too much confidence my thrid so sponne â—n conscience moue not such a spleene of scorne Vnder whose swellings my despaires are borne Are you offended choicest Memorie That of your perfect gift I did glorie If I did so offend yet pardon me Since 't was to set â—orth your true exclencie Sufficiently I thus doe punish'd stand While all that curst is you bring to my hand Or is it that I no way worthy was In so rich treasure my few dayes to passe Alas if so and such a treasure giuen Must I for this to Hell-like paine bee driuen Fully torment me now and what is best Together take and mem'ry with the
Amphilanthus following his way to Ciprus with his friend Ollorandus quickly landed there taking their way as they were directed by passengers the Countrey now full of people that came to see the end of this businesse to the throne of loue the plaine before it being all set with Tents and couered with Knights and Ladyes The first Tent Amphilanthus knew to be some Italians wherfore hee went into that and finding it belonged to the Duke of Millan whose opinion of his owne worth and the beauty of his Mistresse had made him aduenture the enchantment was therein inclosed hee discouerd himselfe vnto his seruants who presently made offer of it to his seruice which hee accepted yet did hee charge the men not to let him be knowne by any but themselues there they rested for that night the next morning going among the Tents finding many braue Princes and excellent Ladyes some come to aduenture others only to behold the aduentures of others many of these the two excellent Companies knew but they keeping their beauers downâ—â— were not knowne of any One Lady among the rest or rather aboue the rest for exquisite wit and rare â—pirit so perfect in them as she excelled her sexe so much as her perfections were stiled masculine This Lady as her iudgment was greater then the rest so her obseruation was likewise more particular cast her eyes vpon these strangers but most on the Italian shee sigh'd at first sight aftergrew sad wondring why shee was so troubled not knowing the face of her trouble neuer then resting till she had got the truth of whence he was and so the meanes to see him hee hauing inquired of euery ones name and title came also to know her to bee called Luceania Daughter to a noble man who was Brother to the famously vertuous but vnfortunate Lady Luceania wife and Mother to the first and this last Antissius King of Romania Wife she was to a great Lord in the same Countrey who though vnable to flatter himselfe with conceit of worth sufficient to end so rare an aduenture yet partly for nouelties and most to please his spiritfull wife hee came thither louing the best company for these reasons The Prince was glad to here this because he was now sure of acquaintance quickly there As soone as his name was knowne shee studying to haue her ends by his knowledge watched the next fit opportunitie which was offered the next day by a generall meeting of all the Knights and Ladies Hee seldome bashfull put himselfe among them Luceania must needs know him wherfore shee asked those that accompanied her who that stranger was they all answered they knew him not nor could they learne of any who hee was Is it possible said she so braue a Prince should be vnknowne many desiring to doe her seruice she being for noble behauiour courtesie wit and greatnesse of vnderstanding loued and admired of all such as could bee honord with her conuersation to please her euery one indeuored and one forwarder then the rest as more bound in affection went to him telling him that a faire Lady much desired to know his name Can it be answered the King that any faire Lady should so much honor mee as to desire so worthlesse a thing as my name There is one Sir said hee who curiously desireth the knowledge of it which must bee more worthy â—hen you doe accound it otherwise could she no couet in and such an one is shee said he as if you can deserue beauty you will acknowledge only deserues honor and seruice Thâ—y bâ—long said the King to all such excellent creatures yet Sir 〈◊〉 it is my ill fortune at this time that I am not able to satisfie her deâ—â—â—â— although this grace shall euer make me her seruant The Knight acâ—â—â—nted with such vowes went back to Luceania truly telling her all that â—â—â—had said which although deliuered by a farre worse Orator yet gaind â—â—â—y more fauour for him shee esteeming witt beyond outward beauty bâ—t both there ioyned it is necessary for to yeeld as she did for before shee desiâ—'d his name only now finding iudgment and braue Courtshipp shee long 's for his society and these accompanied with seeing his excellently sweete and euer conquering louelinesse did ioyne as to the conquest of her for shee who before had knowne loue rather by name then subiection now shee finds her selfe loues Prisoner affection before but companion likeâ— now mastring and now she finds it expedient to know that delightfull cruell who had with so pleasing a dart wounded and ceazed her till then commanding heart The next euening was resolu'd of for her gaine of knowledge and rather then misse there shee would employ the same louesicke Knight againe who to bee graced with her commands would doe any thing The euening come and Amphilanthus his companion assuring themselues they were vnknowne freely came into the company Shee who now was by the art of loue taught to watch all opportunities and neuer to loose any was walking with her husband forth to passe away the time in the coole ayre Amphilanthus and his friend discoursing of their owne passions finding the greatest misse euer in most company their Ladyes being absent were so transported with their passions as they were close to this amorous Lady and her Lord before they discouerd it which when they found asked pardon for their rudnesse they would haue returnd but shee who was now not to put of her hopes till the next meeting resolud to make vse of this so with as inticing a countenance as Caesar vnderstood Cleopatras to be shee told them shee saw no error they had committed that place being free to all but turâ—ing her selfe towards her husband she smiling said Would you thinke my Lord this Knight were ashamed of his name I see small reason that hee should said hee why thinke you that he is because hee refuseth too tell it said shee Although excellent Lady answered Amphilanthus it may be my name is not so fortunate as to haue come to your eares with any renowne yet am I not ashamed of it a vow onely hauing made mee conceale it May not that vow bee broken said shee This may and shall said hee to satisfie your desire though some vowes are so deare as nothing nor any force may preuaile against them With that shee saw Ollorandus had vndertaken her husband which gaue her more libertie in her desires againe vrging with fine and amorous countenances the breach of his vow The commanding power said he which your perfections carrie with them must preuaile then bee pleased to know I am Amphilanthus King of the Romans Pardon mee my Lord said shee that I haue been thus bold with you which was caused by with that shee blushing held her peace desiring to bee thought bashfull but more longing to bee intreated for the rest Nay speake on excellent Lady said hee and barre not mine eares from hearing what you surely once thought mee worthy to know Well
so he is the treasure of all hellish properties the best of his qualities which are smooth fashion and eloquent speech turnd and imployd to no other vse then flattery and deceitfull glozings These worke on my father and so haue they their part in me hee beleeues and loues him I perceiue and hate him but which workes most with my father is that he so much seemes to desire me out of affection as he sayes that hee will take mee with nothing such affection and fondnesse my father beares and carries ouer a young sister of mine as to make her Princesse of his Ilands he consents to giue mee to this Prince of wickednesse I hauing no meanes to saue my selfe from the destruction this loathed match would bring me I went to this Lord mine Vncle to whom I declared my misfortune and ensuing ruine if I did marry so Hee taking pitie on me conueyed me thence with these Knights and Ladies whose affections to me are such as not to leaue me in such distresse but accompany mee rather in aduenture of ill then assured ill but alas what shall I say I am the miserablest of women if I fall into his hands againe which I hope you will keepe me from I was by the aduice of these my friends put into the search of Amphilanthus the honour of Knights of Parselius Rosindy Perissus Steriamus or Selarinus all which are famous men whose honours shine equally and either of whose assistance had been assured gaine but some of them are as I perceiued by one I met so farre off and there in such imployment as I ventur'd not to obtaine their fauours after I met a knight who told mee Amphilanthus and Perissus with the valliant Ollorandus were gone into Morea wherefore thither I purposed to goe but a storme tooke me casting me vpon this place where I haue gaind this happinesse as I hope it to my selfe by finding you wherefore I pray honour me with telling me who you are Most worthie Ladie said hee since you had desire to haue some of these named Knights you may thinke your fortune the worse in finding mee and putting confidence in mee so farre short of those Princes wherefore I would desire to conceale my name till my actions may allow the bold discouerie of it let mee then I beseech you bee so fauoured by this second honour as to giue mee leaue onely to bee called your Knight till I merit by my seruice to you your knowing more of mee Shee granted his request verily imagining him to be some of them by his speech and thereupon her comfort increased Then did she bestow a very rich and costly armour on him his owne hauing been but hardly vs'd by a curst but ouerthrowne enemy which hapned in this manner After he had left Athens and at his returne receiud the honour of knighthood it was his determination to seeke his brother Parselius and to that purpose he pass'd through his fathers Countries vnknowne not leauing any aduenture vnattempted wherein hee might make triall of his force which hee made so good testimony of as he was feared in all those parts being calld the Knight of the Speare by reason he carried the figure of one in his sheild as he did that shape on his arme but hearing no newes of his brother hee tooke to the sea and among the many Ilands it was his fortune in Metelin to win and loose where his greatest honour he obtaind his freedome hee lost happening thus Passing by a strait way into a faire meadow hee saw a maruellous rich and costly Pauillion placed about it many Tents and before them all a shining Pillar of Gold whereon were written these words The worthiest Knight and Seruant to the fairest Lady defends this and the honour of themselues against any bold man that dares gaine-say the worth or beauty of them He scorning such presumption strake vpon the Pillar whereupon one came to him telling him his Lord would soone encounter him Straight came he forth being one of the cruellest and hard-fauoredst men that could be a man and no monster his bignes extraordinary his fiercenesse such as could not be withstood with ordinary strength armed he was with plates of yron and his horse answerable to his master in all things so as an excellent choice was made as if both framd for one another and neuer were two beasts better matched none fit to ride the one but he who was fittest to be master of the other This creature came with a troope of his vassals before him for so he calld them into the field each of them carrying the Sheilds and Helmets of those knights he had conquered before that Pillar all which they placed in order as they were wonne but for his greater glory on the ground Then aduanced he to the Greeke Prince scornefully pitying him who so boldly ventured his youth against such an experienced conquerour But hee in whom vertuous modesty liu'd mixt with manly strength only desired the fight rather then discourse so they ran one against the other with such comlinesse fiercenesse and strength as in either part was seene rightly placing those properties The Prince had his Helme strooke off the other was run thorow the shoulder part of the staffe staying in him withall he fell from his horse but being recouerd and seeing the danger the other was fallen into by losse of his Helme he in regard of that forgot his hurt and with furious rage set vpon the Prince who couering himselfe with his Sheild as nobly and brauely defended himselfe they fought till the bloud ran as fast from their wounds as dropps from a louers eyes comming from as heart-bleeding a cause for at last the Monster was killed and the Prince taken out of the field for dead but who except loue could be such a Chirurgion for whether was hee brought but to the Princesse who lay but one league thence an excellent Chirurgion and as excellent a Ladie who so carefully tended him as hee in short time recouered but to a more lasting paine for fauour and cures bringing tormenting wounds shee put balme to the hurts giuen by the enemy but shee a friend foe-like did make much deeper and more harmefull ones piercing the heart which in the fight kept it selfe secure now fallen into extremitie of losse but what was gaind besides this danger and threatning ruine for the younger sister cald Erinea fell inamord with him and so passionate was she of him as she ran to her father cast her selfe at his feete besought him to get that stranger for her or to see her soone buried He whose fondnesse was and is without expression vowed to satisfie her The Prince got notice of it and so priuately stole away his affections being gratefully and passionately placed on the other kindnesse wounding and bringing loue Then passed he where he heard still of the flourishing fame of his kindred lastly his Brothers losse which hee gaind by the meeting of the Squire Clorinus
wherfore embracing her I told her she said right and that I was the same Vrania afflicted then for ignorance of mine estate now known to be daughter to the King of Naples but hers proceeding from loue I againe intreated the vnderstanding of it she then rose vp and with sober and low reuerence she began her discourse thus Most excellent Princess poore Liana your seruant being as you know Daughter to the chiefe Shepheard of that Iland who had the title of Lord ouer the rest being indeed a Noble man and a great Lord by birth in his owne Countrey which was Prouence but misery glorying to shew in greatnesse more then in meaner sorts of people It happ'ned so as the Earle of Prouence tooke dislike with him and that growing to hate he so farre prosecuted his spight as he ceased not till he had vndone him an â—asie thing for a Prince to compasse ouer a Subiect Then hauing nothing left him but life and misfortune hee left his Countrey seeking to gaine some solitary place to ende his daies in he happened into that sweet Iland and as you haue heard I am sure very often with his few friends that would not forsake him else left by fortune inhabited in it and call'd it by his name nor did I till after your departure know my Father to be other then the chiefe Shepheard But my misfortune brought that knowledge and makes me desire a speedy end for thus it was I being his onely child and so heire to all his estate which was great for a Shepherd was by many sought iâ—deed most if not all the young and best Shepherds of the Countrey those youthes all striuing for me made me striue how to vse them all alike and so I did likeing none but courteously refusing all till as euery one must haue a beginning to their misery there came a Shepherd and a stranger he was in birth to that place yet gained he a neerer and choycer acquaintance with my heart and affection then any of our home-bredâ— neighbours He call'd himselfe Alanius and so if you haue heard part of my discourse I am sure you haue already with that vnderstood his name being the head-spring to my calamitie for Alanius I affected and onely lou'd and to say truth most desperatly did loue him O Loue that so sweet a name and so honour'd a power should bring such disasters secretly I lou'd somewhile vnknowne vnto himselfe but not before his heart had made it selfe my prisoner little imagining mine had beene so much his subiect But so it continued till his paine made him discouer his loue and that pittie I held ouer his paine mixed with mine owne affection compelld me to yeeld to my misfortune yet was Alanius then worthy of my loue for hee loued me and I must euer loue him still though he be false False murdering word which with it selfe carries death and millions of tortures ioynd with it yet thou art so and I vnfortunate to call thee so else no worth wanted in thee But this is too sadd a relation I will proceed with the continuance of our Loues which was for a pretty space when another who had before Alanius his comming thither sought me for his wife being of good estate and of equall hope to rise in his fortunes giuen to husbandry and such commendable qualities as Countrymen affect and so it was my fathers minde to breed me too and therefore had giuen his consent looking to the towardlinesse of the man and the great blessing hee had receiued in more then vsuall increase of his stocke These were allurements to him while they were scarce heeded by me the riches I looked vnto being fortune in our Loues till one day my Father call'd me to him telling mee what a match he had made for me and not doubting of my liking shewed much comfort which he had conceiud of it and so went on with ioy as if the mariage had beene straight to bee consummated I was truely a little amazed withall till he finding I made no answere pulling me to him told mee â—hee hop'd my silence proceeded from no other ground then bashfulnesse since he assur'd himselfe I would not gainesay what he commanded or so much as dislike what he intended to doe with me wherefore hee would haue mee ioyne my dutifull agreement to his choice and order my loue to goe along with his pleasure for young maides eyes should like onely where their Father liked and loue where he did appoint This gaue me sight to my greater mischiefe wherefore I kneeld downe words I had few to speake onely with teares I besought him to remember his promise which was neuer to force me against my will to marry any Will said he why your Will ought to be no other then obedience and in that you should be rather wilfull in obeying then question what I appoint if not take this and bee assured of it that if you like not as I like and wed where I will you you shall neuer from me receiue least fauour but be accompted a stranger and a lost childe These words ran into my soule like poyson through my veines chilling it as the cold fit of an Ague disperseth the coldnesse ouer all ones body for not being Alanius whom he meant it was death to me to heare of marriage yet desirous to seeme ignorant and to be resolud who it was I desired to know who it was it pleased him to bestow vpon me Hee reply'd one more worthy then thou canst imagine thy selfe deseruing then naming him that name was like a Thunder-bolt to strike my life to death yet had I strength though contrary to iudgement to doe this I kneeld againe and told him that if he please to kill me I should better and more willingly embrace it else vnlesse he did desire to see me wretched and so to conâ—clude my daies in misery I besought him to alter his purpose for of any man breathing I could not loue him nor any but. That But I staid withall yet he in rage proceeded But cryd he what haue you setled you affections else where Who is this fine man hath wonne your idle fancie Who hath made your duty voide Whose faire tongue hath brought you to the foulenesse of disobedience Speake and speake truely that I may discerne what choice you can make to refuse my fatherly authoritie ouer you I truely trembled yet meaning to obey him as much as it was possible for me to doe in my heart louing the expression of dutie I told him it was Alanius Alanius a trimme choice truely said he and like your owne wit and discretion see what you haue done choose a man onely for ouâ—side a stranger and for any thing we know a run-away from his countrey none knowing him nor himselfe being able to say what he is I weeping implor'd a better opinion of him since I assured my selfe that if I could come to the blessing of enioying him all happinesse in this world
one and rather would I wish thou wert not one but with that title throw thy fault away and bee a louer iust and excellent thou maist be so for where doth lodge more abilitie of good of valor vertue and all else but constancy which I wil pardon come vnto me I forget that euer I was left that thou wert false vnkind and will remember onely our first ioyes thinke all this other time was absence or a dreame which happines likely contrary to what appeares O let this be so my deare and only deare I doe forgiue thee I inuite thee come accept my state a gift laid at thy feeâ— my selfe thy vassall these are worthy thanks and these I will performe Leaue those inticing beauties and great wits that snare-like catch hold for meere aduantage to them and their ends ticing thee by fine Brades of vowed locks and plaited haire a dainty shew nor didst vse with me my haire vnworthie of the honor to be worne by thee thou thinkst I know not this yes and do grieue for it yet will be silent to thee I am a woman free and freely offer I not begge but giue and aske but loue for principality and rule of me many I know doe seeke thee and thy gentle disposition apt to bee deceiued as I was when I loued will be abused Beware cast those deare eyes that wonne my freedome on my faith and zeale and then discouer what a difference there is betwixt feruent loue whose ends are loue such where only vse gaine attends desier But if thou wilt continue thus be yet still safe let their loues to thee bee as firme as mine let dangers flie from thee safetie bee neere and all ill shun thee blessings prosper with thee and bee thou blessed with them Then turnd she fighingly within her bed al night she thus did passe those houres with such distracted passions and so full her mind was stor'd with memorie of him as shee did call all actions into mind and as new done did liuely make presentment to her eyes and so of all past happinesse shee knew Then mixt she them with her new discontents and so comparing them make her poore selfe the stage where ioy and sorrow acted diuers parts her heart the sad sceane where the storie lay oft did shee call him false then loue inraged made her recall that and complaine of spite concluding still I cannot yet but loue though thus forsaken and forelorne I liue Amphilanthus gone he fell into discourse with the young Venetian who related vnto him what he had heard of the counterfet Prince then did hee proceed how hee vnderstood hee had taken his way by sea into Greece and thence for Asia and there no question said he the dainty Pamphilia will be the kingdome he 'le first visit and good welcome surely said Amphilanthus he 'le find there Thus they rid on the King contemplating his Mistrisse beholding her as present as if by and the Venetian plotting how to gaine the louing Emelina to his wife but that was difficulter to bee gaind then their arriuall without more aduentures into Italy so as being thither come the King was met with many who were going some to seeke and some from seeking him were return'd At last he came to Naples where he found his father sicke and past recouery yet so much comforted to see his sonne as life in the last power did expresse it both with face and smile but that as ioyfull newes crost by the next vnlucky messenger is as a greater crosse then if at first time knowne so did his death more heauily incounter the good hope his sonne did then receiue He dead the Lords and Commons all with one consent and that consent accompanied with gladnesse in their good receiued Amphilanthus for their King A maruelous braue funerall was then prepared within which time the Princes neere and farre as fast as notice came sent their Embassadors to condole and congratulate his happy beginning The funerall once passed straight followed the Coronation where the Embassadours did assist of Morea France great Brittany Bohemia Romania and the sweet and delicate Pamphilia all being done the Embassadours tooke their leaues the King presenting them with presents rich and fit for him to giue and them to take then the next businesse was to settle all his estate in good or quiet gouernment to which end he did appoint the Prince his brother to be Regent and setled such a graue and honest Counecll as he was secure though absent of his Kingdomes good Then went hee with some forces hee had raised which were in number twentie thousand Foote and fiue thousand Horse to the place appointed to ship them for Epirus directing them the time of putting forth which way he resolued the rest would passe into Albania the Princes of Florence Milan Ferrara Naples Modina Apulia and many more officers of this Field in this braue army went but he trusting the army with these commanders himselfe accompanied onely with the Prince of Venice landed in Morea from thence being able easily to meet his men and time enough for any seruice Being landed hee heard nothing but Drums and Trumpets and such warlike musique which well pleas'd his eares much hast hee made till he came to the Court where he found great sadnes for an vnhappy accident befalne Selarinus which was this going as hee thought safe enough because disguis'd into Epirus the proud Queene of that Country who had denyed passage for the Armie got notice of him and that notice gaue dainger of his life for her Mother beeing Daughter to one of the Kings or Lords of Albania treachery and falshood hauing deuided it into fiue parts he and the other Townes had made a combination neuer to suffer eyther to be harm'd but contrariwise to harme any should molest the other and to seeke all meanes to ruine the two brothers whose fame had though with honor vnluckely come to their eares vertue in them hauing brought the worlds companion malice with her This was not only agreed of among this wicked confederacy but also taught as a necessary lesson to their Children this Daughter hauing marryed her selfe to the like vow else a maide and faire but proud insolent and as those creatures are commonly ignorant enough She first to giue occasion of offence denyed passage for the Armies hauing so much foolish pride about her as she was blinded from knowledge that thâ—se forces could passe with her losse of her Realme if they pleased but she who saw but as through a prospectiue glasse brought all things neerer or farther as shee pleas'd to turne the ends to her sight so she drew danger to her and put assurance with iudgment and goodnes from her laying waite through all her Country for either of those Knights or any other who belonged to the vnited kings that by chance or hope of disguises surely might offer to passe that way It was Selarinus his mishape first and onely at
creature Nature taught her to be carefull and yet kind thus she beheld him now with loue and such respect as she must beare him whom she had made her Lord for Lord the husband is in all estates from Shepheards vnto Kings Then did the pleasing difference begin each striuing how to shew the most respect she to maintaine what she had gaind he to requite what shee had giuen Amphilanthus and Polarchos admiring them as much as either had in former times themselues when first in loue calling their passions round about them wrapping themselues in them as in their mantles but closer did they sit to them Amphilanthus being so much loue it selfe as he might be compar'd to be it selfe as neere as a round glasse made of the clearest temper and fild full of the clearest water turne it any way you see thorow it yet both seeme one colour and clearenesse in agreeing so did the clearenesse of his loue shew through him or was it selfe onely loue and purely cleare no vacant place least turning of the glasse might make a bubble to appeare a change no he was round and true Poore Polarchos hee stood like a blasted tree the blossome of his affectâ—on killed and withered yet hee called to minde how hee had loued and how shee vsed him No more expression had this daintie Lasse giuen to her forrest Lad then shee had made to him but now decayed and all her fauours dryed and wrinckled like the last yeares fruite poore Prince turnd to the lowest slauery of Loues meanest cast-awayes hee wept while the other smil'd the Forrester ioyning in present gaine Amphilanthus feeding on the knowledge of his absent loues affection heere did loue play his part in diuers kinds made himselfe this mirth sporting like wantons with the babye loues of these poore prisoners Amphilanthus pulled off his helme and went vnto them who with a fashioâ— not rude nor Courtly but fine and ciuill receiued him the like they did vnto Polarchos Amphilaâ—thus giuing them the welcome salutation of the first wished ioyes being as hee did tell them witnesse of their vowes they both seemd glad that such braue witneâ—ses they had vnâ—nowne til thâ—n obtained the Forester replying thus Sir neuer could a better or a richer gift be giuen me except her selfe then this wish which from you doth bring the ioy we hope to find keep and which two yeares affection hath ambitiously desired now by her grant enioyed but may it please you to grace vs with this a second honour wee shall haue iust reason to acknowledge our poore selues your seruants and our liues your owne to be commanded 'T is the manner heere that when a Nimph doth change from that strict life to be a happy wife if shee bee such an one as length of time or honor hath ingaged shee must by two braue Knights be brought vnto the Temple of Diana where shee must remaine that night alone in prayers and then cast off her weeds and offer them and leaue them with the Priest the Knights then come vnto the doore and call her with whom she comes forth they then do giue her to her chosen maâ—e and so conduct them to the Temple of Venus where they are receiued and there by Himen's Priest are marryed This if wee may obtaine of you so fitly come to vs brought by that Fortune which hath made me bless'd aptly to giue conclusion to our woes and faire beginnings to our happinesse you shall make vs the happiest to pray for your enioyings that euer louers had and sure you must be one Sir for loue shines in you The King made answer hee would doe that kindnessâ— and any other to so fine a payre then tooke he the sweete Nimph who now must change her name and gaine the best and blessedst estate Vnto the Temple they directly went and there without the gate aâ—tended till the time of going in till she must returne which at the ringing of a little Bell did summon them to call her her they tooke and Amphilanthus gaue her to her loue wishing euen from his soule the time were come to haue the deerest gift hee most did long for giuen so freely to him Then to the other Temple straight they went which was not farre but in a dainty wood this other standing in a plaine hard by a coole and christall Riuer there she was receiued with ioy by Venus Priests and Hymenâ— Priests came and cloathed her in wiues weeds and so euen laded with content they left the Temple and went to his Lodge which was in a Fâ—â—â—est whereof he had the charge vnder the King who loued the desarts and those sports most of any thing the first and cheife cause being hiâ— affection to a Lady liuing in a Forrest and wholy affecting that life euery man seekâ—ng to please him tooke the estates of Forresters on them and so made a delightfull kind of wildnesse please them and him who thus enioyed pleasures and his ends coueting to appeare like their liuing but the true roote of vertue and good breeding shun'd sauagenes and only made roome for a little neglectiuenes to couer them with all so as the great men were but Courâ—ly Forresters and ciuill wild-men The Lodge was a faire house built on a Hill at the foote wherof ranne a Riuer ouer which was a bridge from thence they passed through a delicate walke made by Art and at the end of that which still ascended was a garden through which they came vnto the House furnished with furniture fit for a Court the seruants all in greene and in good number shewing fellowshippe in their apparrell but obedience in their fashions There the Knights were welcom'd like themselues and then the braue young Forrester desired to bee so much graced as to know their names nor would I said hee aske this â—auour vntill now that you might see your seruant my selfe could entertaine you for the honours done and to be worthier of them I le first tell you who I am although appearing outwardly more meane I am the third sonne to an Earle who is cheife Forrester vnto the Prince of this Country this Forrest is the daintiest and the best beloued of any by his Maiestie being calld by him selfe his garden this hath hee giuen mee as my charge and heere I serue him and doe please him well by leading of this life this Lady is the Daughter of a Lord neere neighbour to this place but being thought too worthy for me as I must confesse they err'd not in that though did commit high treason vnto loue seeking to barre vs from our wished ioy they gaue her to Diana being then vnder the yeares which they might rule her in shee was constrained to doe as they commanded and was sworne a Nimph dedicated to the chast Goddesse by her friends but when she came of yeares by the lawes of this Country she might choose whether shee would continue so or no. Two yeares shee wanted of the age of freedomâ—
Crimson her armes fingers and necke adorn'd with the richest Iewels her buskins were of white laced vp with Rubies her hayre comb'd downe and a Crowne of infinite valew on her head a Scepter in her hand which at the opening of the Tombe she cast downe raysing her selfe a little vp and throwing her armes abroad ready to welcome her heart vnto her as if before gone thence The sudden light to so much darkenesse at the first daseled her eyes but when she recouer'd and saw in stead of Polidorus two strangers she crossed her armes lay downe againe seeming so like a dead body as they were afraid they had but heard a voyce which caused their search but that she had beene dead that spirit which shee once had had guided them to her But soone were they put beyond that amazednes by her speech If said she you be of Polidorus seruants directed by him to bring me his death quickly giue me mine likewise and then most welcome or doe but fauour me so much as to shut me vp againe this is the Throne and Tombe which I must haue and only will enioy The Kings whose hearts were mollified with loue were so tempered to pitty as they were not able to know what to doe but gazed on her who appeard the most peerelesse Tombe their eyes had euer beheld and the strangest they saw shee lay still like her owne monument curiously cut Alas said Amphilanthus what comfort can a victory bring that finds such a conclusion to accompanie it selfe with all A victory cryd shee then raised she her sweete saddest selfe a little on one arme I beseech you both or either said she bee so charitable to tell me the truth they loath to tell her what must bring her death yet still besought and that implor'd with teares they look'd on one another sigh'd and with their eyes intreated each to speake at last braue Amphilanthus as kind as excellent in all other vertues gaue these words Madam said he to obay you whom we must after sue to for a fauour I will discouer that which my soule as for you doth grieue for The Army is ouerthrowne and your beloued Lord who wee haue heard you so much speake ofâ— slaine said shee I see it in your face though you will not in pitty speake it Charitable Sir how am I bound to you but I beseech you add one fauour more vnto your first and then an other as the last to that where is his body Laid said he in the cheife Church among the other Kings by Steriamus owne command It was an noble act of him said shee whom Heauens protect for it mercy in Conquerors being as excellent as their fortunes the last request I le make Sir is this that by your fauours I may bee layd by him since I will not aske to haue him brought to mee I amâ— and was his wife deerely beloued of him and heere for safety and by mine owne petition left by him I was Daughter to a King the vnfortunate Plamergus but my greatest happinesse I euer gloryed in was his true loue lay me then braue Sir with my Lord and only deere Polidorus and thus my deere my soule to thine doth flye Amphilanthus did beseech Selarinus weept to her all would not serue shee stretched her selfe straight out and by curious Art laid her selfe forth fit to be carryed to her buriall dying as if the word dead had kild her excellent griefe and most excellent strength of passion that can bring so resolute and braue an end The Kings then chang'd their discourse from loue to sorrow they stayed by her seeking all meanes to recouer her but finding she was gone and so all hope of life in her they went into the Court where they found the King new risen from Councell and all his Princes and Lords about him He went to meete them but seeing such sorrow in their faces wondred and a little feard but soone he was brought out of that they telling him the cause and sad aduenture Then he sent for the Guard who had kept the late King Polidorus of whom he vnderstood how he with teares intreated to be laid in a Tombe made by himselfe in the Orchard but they though he besought them to goe to the Conqueror as he calld Steriamus and beseech that honor from hiÌ„m to performe a vow which hee had made they vnwilling to busie themselues fearing to distast the King had neuer let his last request be knowne some said they thought his wounds and paines of them had made him raue others that being dead what matter was it where his body lay comparing him vnto himselfe who being gone said he what care I where my body is bestowed But these things Steriamus liked not being so infinitely offended with themâ— as had it beene a fault they might haue dyed for they had surely payd their liues for such neglect but not ascending to that height he banished them hating neglect to any creature dying imagining his soule that dyes vnsatisfied must part with trouble from the body and for that was grieued and this Iustice did he vnto loue for which loue must be iust to him Then made he Proclamation for their banishment and straight himselfe went with the whole assembly of Kings and Princes fetching her and went as the cheife mourner with her weeping to her graue the other Kings did carry her and were as they thought honourd with the waight of such worth and constancy she seeming on their shoulders like her Efâ—gie carryed to her owne Funerall The Tombe was graced that night with her lying on it the next morning with solemne state opened and she layd by her Lord this noble act did Steriamus as the first in Albania the beginning to his famous life This being past and a Commander left in that towne which was the chiefe seate of the Kings of those parts and from whence all the Auncesters tooke their claime the new and rightfull King marched againe towards the third king guided by his new seruants and followed with many great men of Albania who like the world ranne with the streame of Fortune and left the ouerthrowne party as soone as it was made miserable with that knowledge Antissius had had his time for leading Leaâ—drus now desired to haue the next it was granted him and so they marched Amphilanthus now in the head of his owne troups Steriamus hauing a Guard of them next his person as their Country woman guarded his heaâ—t safe from hurt or change the Albanians next to them which were in number that went forth with him after the two victories as many as were lost so the Army was of the same bignesse as when it came into Albania Perissus after hee had left Neraena in all her rages for his neglect yet saluing it as desirous to deceiue her selfe with saying that the danger hee found him selfe in of change to his first and only loue made him for feare leaue her not being able
those Knights maintaine the passage said hee To defend poore mee cryd shee who since now left vngarded on that side I beseech you will conuey me to my house which when you see you will find likewise cause of pitty there Then brought she them vnto her dwelling which was in a Caue of great bignesse and large proportion a Monument in the mid'st of it of the most pretious stone of that time wherein shee liued being the Tombe of her sweete and last deere loue her sonne Deuided the Caue was into pretty roomes finely furnished but such as seemed rather to affect delicate cleanlines then sumptuous ornament yet were they rich enough Her attendants few but their seruice shewed them sufficient for that place with a modest and sad kindnesse shee bad them wellcome thither and instantly asking pardon that she must leaue them for such a tyme as she might performe her vow of mourning ouer the Tombe which hauing finished with numbers of sigh's groanes and teares she returnd to them againe Amphilanthus was not yet satisfied with the discourse wherefore againe he vrg'd her Then Sir said she you shall haue all I was borne to be betrayâ—'d for before this cunning ill man came I was vndone in former hops by one that had beene with my Lord almost from his birth who with flatterings had seald vp my heart to his vse neuer hiding any thing not my loue it selfe from his knowledge he making the greatest shew of obligâ—tion to me for my confidence that might bee expressed by so rare a witt striuing by subâ—ill meanes to make me thinke hee vsd all wayes hee might to make me happy still vrging me who needed no inticement to thinke how worthy the loue was how fit the match and then shewed me the liknesse of it our loues being so perfectly and reciprocally embraced the strong bond of friendship twixt our fathers and the continuance of that betweene him and my father as inheriting it from him lastly of our breeding together which though in our infancies yet the more naturally bred loue and increased it adding to loue as the smalest sticks doe with momber to the fiâ—rs of triumph but what aboue all indeed was the earnestest moouer as he treacherously protested was the true euen consent of our dispositions which seem'd so neere being one as though by birth made two yet created so as to be ioyned in one for the more direct and vnpartiall strength of perfectnesse and thus were you made to be one said hee in all fortunes and beings Heauen I confesse I held his louâ— Father Mother friends all were strangers to me in respect of the nearnesse of my affection to him and next to that did I thinke my best spent time was with those he most affected in his absence in that kinde seruing him Fortunate I thought my selfe and honour'd when his companions accompanyed me and so much I loued him as being forsaken I now the more am tortur'd with iust cause of coÌ„playning This Creature loath I am to name by other title and yet grieued to giue him his due and to call him spoyler of my blisse too diligently attended me neuer left me when any time might be permitted for man to see me in I embraced his conuersation but it chang'd to my affliction and contents destruction seeing oft times my passions which were too vehement for mee to hide or my weakenesse couer hee aduised yet still inticed mee on At last a match was offered me many had beene so before but all refused my conscience being such as neuer to marry any that I could not loue especially knowing it before yet was this more earnestly pursued then any other before the Gentleman himselfe too much and vnhappily affecting mee My Parents looked without loues eyes or rather saw while that child was blind the goodnes and greatnesse of his estate the hopefullnesse of the man his vertues and noble conditions much perswaded mee vnto him yet could not more mooue me then it is possible to stirr the most renowned Albion Rocks and in as much chast whitenesse remain'd my loue to my Lord while this Diuell who promis'd his helpe aymed at a farre fowler end beeing gaind I will not say by bribes to the friends of a great Heire whose estate might make one how vnworthy soeuer before a couetous minde seeme beautifull This was his fire and by this hee wrought destilling the offence of Villanie through the Limbeck of his wickednesse and this was the beginning My only loue being gon a iourney with the King loued infinitely by Deterius my father and hee staying had left his chamber and seruants to his dispose and command a stranger came in the plot ordained so by this Villaine while my Lord was dressing him hee desired to speake with the Traytor he went vnto him coÌ„ming in againe with a paper in his hand amazednes in his face which made my deerer selfe demand the cause he teÌ„derly louing the wretch because he had instructed himâ— froÌ„ in his tender youth He counterfetted loathnes to speake as if vnwelcome newes would follow his words the more he was troubled silent the more perplexed was my deere wherefore he priuately called the messenger to him of whom he demanded the newes he answered he knew none but that with much ioy and content Bellamira was betrothed to her long louing friend though not till then beloued of her he then loued and so may youâ— the better iudge of his paine When he heard I had giuen my selfe to another yet thus discreetly heâ— caryed it that hee spake not any thing vnto it though some while after heâ— demaunded of his fauour'd seruant as if but by chance if he heard any thing of Bellamira he would not answere but with a sigh and these words It is impossible I now find for any woman to be true Why said my Lord is Bellamira marryed No answered hee but as ill for shee is betrothed O women O loue how fickle and false are you both My deere hearing the death of my loue confirmed in this likely but vntrue manner saiâ— little only turned himselfe to a window where some teares he shed yet hauing the noblest spirit in the world would not suffer himselfe too long tâ— be gouernd vnder sorrow turned againe and so walked into an Orchardâ— where they conferred and at last he gained his consent to his desired end I ignorantly liued not daring to make other expressions then by looks or humble and willing seruices offered him which with as much affection were embraced yet was I grieued I heard not of him which still till then I did by euery one that saw him he as willing to send as I to receiue kindnesse The earnest suiter and falsely supposed betrothed man still did pursue and so hotly as at last I resolued to stretch the limits of modesty and to acquaint my Lord withall by letter and so ambitiously hoped to gaine one from him but considering many dangers I
me leaue me smarting affliction scourge to loyall hearts yet leaue you hold me being left by him who onely holds my loue Thus passed I part of the night the rest in an exercise mine vndoer taught mee putting my thoâ—ghts in some kind of measure which else were measurelesse this was Poetry a thing hee was most excellent in That night and many more were ended in that manner till at last taking a resolution which was made by necessity I came abroad againe meeting at my fathers chamber one day with my still deâ—re though forsaken He wished me much ioy I told him hee might best wiâ—h it hauing caused so much sorrow to me hee told mee my chosen loue hee hoped would bring content vnto mee Then had you been more kind and true said I. Treborius is the man must hold your affection said he The Forrest Heire cryd I hath made you change and mee forsaken liuing thus vnhappily made free Free said hee and betrothed Pardon mee my Lord said I I neither am nor will bee till I wed Will you begin said hee to vse that vice you euer till now contemned dissembling a thing protested against by your vertue It is that thing I most abhorre answered I but if I would vse it my faith should hinder it from you Heauen then beare witnesse of my wrong cryd hee and pitie mine said I. With this the company came about vs so as for that time wee said no more then did hee seeke meanes how to regaine my affection which he feared was lost to him while alas my labour was how to couer that which so truly was his as I doubted my selfe for being a safe keeper of it from him determining all chastitie in loue not so much as entertaining his outwaâ—d complements farther then ciuilitie commanded Treborius followed his sute my father vrged mee and I cast away by fortune threw my fortunes at his feete to bestow them truly then not worth the accepting yet loue in the man made him seeke me and with as much ioy receiue me The time was appointed all our friends and kindred inuited and as a principall guest my lost loue was intreated to come who obayed but his sad demeanor shewed it was no pleasure to him to see me giuen to another if hee were troubled how was I afflicted In the morning before I was quite dressed according to the manner of our Countries libertie the chiefe strangers came into my chamber permitted by custom to see the Bride dressed among the rest or before the rest he came in yet said nothing onely lookes spake for him I was to the soule perplexed and being ready to enter into my miserable estate I went into a great window which had a curtaine ouer it A Lady whom I most respected and so did all those whose happines was to know her worth being for all noble vertues and excellent parts to be admird would not be denied to go with me Befoâ—e her I performd a vowed sacrifice which was of a lock of haire that I had worne constantly many yeares this haire was his though not giuen to me by himselfe but by an ancient seruant of his vnknown to his Lord. The vow was that if euer I should be so vnfortunate as to marry any but himselfe that morning before my marriage to burne it to my losse and loue This next my heart I euer carried and with the losse of that finished my vow that fatall day before the perfectest of women not without teares as since that noble Lady hath told me when with her fauour shee would giue libertie to her selfe to speake with me vnworthy of her iudgement making mee often call my selfe to mind yet I thinke rather to bee resolued of what shee could but coniecture then to renew my torment with memorie of my distresse But this finished the marriage followed what torture was it to mee standing betweene my loue and Treborius when I was to giue my selfe from my loue to him How willingly would I haue turned to the other hand but contrary to my soule I gaue my selfe to him my heart to my first loue Thus more then equally did I deuide my selfe within a short time after I went with my husband to his house wishing neuer more to see any light or company which in some sort I enioyd for one whole yeare but then the King going to see his Country in Progresse my husbands house was found fit in his way so as he lay there and was by him freely and brauely entertained he being as bountifull in his house as any man but this brought further trouble for such a liking the King had to the place as often in the yeare he visited it much his Maiestie was pleased to grace mee I thinke for my friends respect but howsoeuer mine eyes ascended no higher then a subiects loue Many times by the Kings command I was after at the Court once I remember being at the entertainement of the King of Slauonia brother to his Maiestie there was tilting course of field and many such braue exercises but so farre short all the Gallants and the King himselfe being one came of my loues perfectnesse as they seemd but foyles placed to set forth the lusture of his excellence The sports brake vp and the King Queene and Court accompanied the Slauonian King to the Sea who was from thence to take a further voyage with my husband I returned my heart so filled with loue as nothing but it selfe could find biding or entrance there Treborius out of loue to me loued my friends and those he saw I most respected which made me so willing to requite his affection as I studied how to content him euer sauing my first loue perfect to the owner and truly such I found his kindnes as I haue been sorry I had no loue left for him yet could I not in the kindest humour spare him any from the other By the way as we returnd how would the good man praise his person his fashion speech horse-manship conuersation pleasing mirth concluding still he was the only exact piece of man-kind and framed alone without equall and as if hee were made to honour all vertues and they framed to serue him I tooke such ioy in these as still I bore him vp in them seeing in his words the picture of my heart and thoughts liuely drawne he maintained them to content me while I best satisfied seemed to commend his witty descriptions as if they and not the subiect pleased me Thus did I dissemble and thus onely for my loue and with him that loued me yet this may be pardoned if pardon may bee giuen for such a fault since loue did warrant mee and I obayd my Lord. Other times though for it I blamd my selfe because I wrongd his kindnes I would commend his ordinary talke when hee praised rude sports or told the plaine Iests of his Hunts-men yet the best their vocation could afford laugh and bee merry with them but why because oft-times
our imaginations to powerful seruants of his will as the strength of ones body in a hot disease works against it self thus experience the truth of knowledge teacheth vs. I once thought what a foole am I to seeke where I am reiected to sue where I am scornd and petition where I am disdaind shall I sink to this basenes shal I forget my own merits and beg of an vngrateful creature who triumphs in my wrongs no I wil let him see scorne can haue children as truly borne as loue those are bred in me I wil make him see my sencible disliks and his false eies by my despising them shall find his error in my truth and resolutenesse These braue conceits I liked and meant to practise but when I saw him O me I was like a thiefe caught in the act I hung downe my head asham'd of mine owne thoughts I hated my selfe and pleaded guilty ready standing to be condemn'd as I was in his opinion wee are fine creatures alone in our owne imaginations but otherwise poore miserable captiues to loue Flatter not your selfe deere Princesse for belieue it the greater your minde is and the brauer your spirit the more and stronger are your passions the violence of which though diuersly cast and determined will turne still to the gouernment of loue and the truer your subects are to you the firmer will your loyalty be to him I grant all this said Pamphilia but these things concerne not me further then the gladnesse I haue for your good since I protest truely that no scorne nor any cruell course whatsoeuer he can vse or hath vsed though to the extremity of ill could or shall alter my heart from being his or from fulnesse of content with all true and affectionate acceptance of his loue if hee would blesse me againe with it But I cannot hope my despaire out-weighs all such thoughts and makes me dryer in losse then blasts doe trees though they kill them Alarina stroue to comfort her assuring her that she could not haue more cause to sorrow lament then she had had nor be further from hope or colour of it then she once was yet said she now I haue pass'd all those sad misaduentures and am arriu'd at the happy harbour of enioying Long may you so be blessed said Pamphilia and soone may like blessings befall you said Alarina from this they grew to discourse of Poetry the Shepheardesse saying merry songs of her making since the turne of fortune the Queenes continued in the same straines they were of lamentation Some dayes were thus passed till her iourney call'd her thence when taking leaue of Alarina the Queene went towards the Shipping all the next Port and soone after arriu'd in Pamphilia where no â—ooner the newes of her arriuall was spread but the people from all parts came to see her and ioy in her presence while she ioyed in nothing nor communed with any but her owne sad selfe which she cal'd her losse and passions for it the saddest places were the most pleasing to her the solitariest Caues or Rockes her chiefe abiding places yet she lost not her selfe for her gouernment continued iust and braue like that Lady she was wherein she shewed her heart was not to be stirr'd though her priuate fortunes shooke round about her Leonius this while with his faire Veralinda trauel'd towards Phrygia where being arriu'd they sent vnto the King as strangers to beseech liberty to see him and to present some things that they knew would be most acceptable to him He was an excellent wise Prince and as any courteous wherefore he soone consented and they apparel'd her after the manner of Italy as his Country and she according to the Greeke fashion for Shepheardesses as hauing had her breeding there and from those habits would not be altered till she was receiued as a Princesse They enter'd the Hall where the King was being a braue old man holding as maiesticke a countenance as his state requir'd Leonius beheld him curiously theÌ„ made this speech vnto him holding his eyes fix'd on him the Lady of his soule by the hand Great K. of Phrigia whose renown hath spread it selfe vnto all eares giue your seruant leaue to say this vnto you I am stranger borne farre hence son vnto the King of Naples and brother to Amphilanthus Emperour of the Romanes of whom after I had receiued Knighthood I gained leaue to goe abroad to try my fortune Into Morea I went to visit the King thereof who for my honour I haue the grace to be his neere Cousin but in Arcadia it was my happines as I hope to meete this Shepheardesse whose true and loyall seruant I vowed to be for her sake I chang'd my habits and from a Knight became a Nimph with her I conceald liu'd she nor any other mistrusting me for other then my outward shew gaue them cause to thinke me to bee Still my affection increased and the daily conuersation made this beautifull creature affect my company at last she was by the Kings Shepheard whom she had till then taken for her father sent thence my selfe discouered to him only went with her into an Iland in the Gulfe of Venice wherein were inchanted the greatest brauest valiantest men and the excellentest Ladies of the whole world by this diuine creature they were released the charmes finished At the coÌ„clusion of theÌ„ a book of gold vpon a Pillar of the same appear'd which being taken down read therin was found the whole story of this rare Shepheardesse which brought her to the knowledge that shee is your daughter I am hither come as hers your humblest seruant to conduct her to your presence The King rose and with moderate ioy kiss'd them both ioyfull of the newes yet hauing had so much misfortune could not but doubt the truth of what was so much desird She then on her knees deliuer'd the Booke vnto him wherein he found what Leonius had related to be true the Prince deliuer'd likewise vnto him letters from his brother the Emperour to desire the marriage The graue old King heartily reioyced at this blessing but bore it as he had done his afflictions with equall temper then tooke he Leonius by the one hand and his daughter by the other calling his Lords round about him to whom hee deliuered these glad newes withall the Emperours desire concludiug that his consent was gained and therefore demanded their allowance to the marriage They consented and ratified it with full ioy and contentment then ioyn'd he their hands in that assembly contracting them and promising himselfe to accompany them back to Morea where they should be married as Amphilanthus had intreated for the honour of the other great Kings and Princesses Robes of state were soone brought to Veralinda in which she appear'd like Venus when she won the Apple from the other two Goddesses Triumphs were presently made and she proclaim'd heire apparant to the Crowne Thus was Leonius and Veralinda
Selarina drew neere to the Shepheard who with low reuerence welcomed her She demanded many things of him he gaue her true and witty satisfaction at last she desired to know the cause of the Shepheards shunning her hee answered that he did the like when he discerned any company being vrged vnto it by a violent melancholly which would not permit him time for recreation if any but himselfe came neere him She asked the reason He replyed that secret was his friends and therefore besought pardon if mine owne said he I should be happy in hauing such royall eares to giue hearing to my story she still vrged so much as he was forced to obay Then Madame said he since your Maiestie will haue it I must yeeld one's Princesse hauing power to search all Subiects hearts This man my companion and my selfe were sonns to two of the best men in this Island he was called Sirelius my selfe Procatus we were bred together at Schoole first after we went to the Court of your Lords Grandfather where we liued and in good reputation hee meriâ—ing all mens good oppinions by his owne noblenes and excellent parts my selfe I thinke for his sake was respected expecting something in me who was frieÌ„d to so much worthines At last he fell in loue with a young Lady the only daughter of her father mother a great marryage she was likely to be but the true riches he sought was her loue answerable to his affections She was very young hauing so few yeares as her Parents were loath she should heare of a husband yet at last his deserts and store of friends brought the marriage about and some honours were giuen to the father in requitall of his consent The Lady grew on and the time of marryage came which was solemnized by the Kings command at the Court where great tryumphs were Masques and banquets and such Court delights neuer man with greater ioy receiued a wife nor any woman expressed more comfort in a match but where such violence is seldome is their loue lasting for within lesse then two yeares after the marryage whether his fondnes ran to Icalousy or her youth and loue to change gaue occasion I dare not iudge but discoÌ„tents grew disliks of all sides spread them selues the father tooke part with the Son in law the Mother with the Daughter to that extremity this â—lew as no fire flamed or sparkled higher Most mens eyes were vpon them to see whither this would come and for whom all this storme was raised it was discouerd that this stir was about a young Lord who deseru'd alas not the least suspition for any goodnes that for himselfe could inuite loue from any aboue a common creature such an one he might purchase or shee because hee was a Lord take vpon trust to find more then promised his pride was such as he would loose rather then beg his ignorance such as none that had vnderstanding of worth would or could accept his vncertainty such as he was alwaies making loue and his fortune such as he was still refused and his insolency requited with scorne yet of this fine Gentleman my noble friend was mistrustfull his wife I must confesse carrying a little too much respect to the other and yet on my conscience it was more out of her spirit that disdaind to be curbd then extraordinary liking of him and that often is seene and proues the way to make truth of mistrust He forbad him his house and her his company she refused to obay if by chance shee might meete him Her Cabinets hee broke open threatned her seruants to make them confesse letters he found but only such as between friends might passe in complement yet they appeared to iealousie to be amorous He was so distemperd as he vsed her ill her father a phantastical thing vaine as Courtiers rash as mad-men ignorant as women would needs out of folly ill nature and way wardnesse which hee cald care of his honour and his friends quiet kill his daughter and so cut off the blame or spot this her offence might lay vpon his noble bloud as he termed it which by any other men must with much curiositie haue been sought for and as rarely found as Pearles in ordinary Oysters but what time chose he to execute his fury in but before her husband whose loue though crackt was not quite broken nor so much crusht but that hee held his hand which with a Dagger was giuing her a cruel vntimely end yet a little scratch he gaue her iust on her hart which otherwise had laine opeÌ„ to the disgrace of an vnmerciful vnworthy father She cryd out the husband held his wife who poore Lady was ready to fall vnder the weight of vnkindnes and danger It was a strange sight to behold a father incensed for a husbands sake against an onely child that husband to be the shield of her defence from whom if at al the wrong was to rise This at last with much ado was appeased a seeming content sprung out of these blusters among theÌ„ the Lord left to his pride wherwith he pufft himself vp was fild with it like a dropsie or a blader blowne with wind the quarrel was taken vp too between them easily might it be for my friend could not by any meanes prouoke him to fight chosing rather to giue satisfaction by oath promise neuer of seeing her more to be tide to any conditions then drawing his sword Matters thus pacified God blessed them with a son and daughter after which she died leauing them as witnesses of her loue and to speake for remembrance of her after her death A widdower he continued long his children bred with much care and affection with the Grandfather trauel he did both out of his own loue to it and imployment from the State but all this could not roote out the aptnesse of his disposition to loue so as hee fell enamoured of a beautifull young Lady daughter to a great Duke in Romania whose perfections and yeares called at eyes to admire her and his to be her Vassels With much sute and meanes he Courted her employing all his friends to his assistance of gayning her shee was not allowed the greatest liberty but affected it as much as any shee saw how braue his former wife had liued and in what liberall fashion she might also with him continue these were sweete motiues to a great minde and a low estate of meanes where honour call'd for plenty to supply what she was indued with Her father was against it vehemently and shut her vp but these courses preuaile no more with a louer then to increase loues force in fetters as any Creature for keeping close growes the more furious when libertie comes and so did her loue grow to that heate as wheras mild perswasions might at first haue beene acceptable now nothing but marryage will content her which so much gayned in my friends breast as he
but still attended her lying when shee sate or lay on the ground at her feete when shee stir'd hee followed seruant-like her motions When shee was out of her Prison which should haue beene after her death and buriall like one come forth of a fainting fit shee look'd about and star'd like a Hauke that had beene hooded when shee comes first to sight againe a decent and yet Princely salutation shee gaue to Orilena which was repayed her with the like and much courtesie Philarchos commanded to put off from the other Barque Two of his Knights that were brothers begged her and went away in her vpon an aduenture with his consent while they sailing towards Mytelin gained so much of the sad true Lady as shee brake silence so long as to deliuer this discourse My natiue Land though vnnaturall because such cruelty was in the Countrey is the sweet Iland of Nycaria my parentage of the best bloud next the chiefe Lord and his childâ—en and of his house I am though not of the same name I fell in loue with a young Noble-man much esteemed and as any honour'd for his brauery and courage no spirit in the Island excelling his if equalling no wit comparable to his nor no Nobleman endued with more vertues as learning horsemanship and what els can bee required in such an one whose noble descent answer'd or demanded these excellencies Hee loued mee like wise as passionately and fondly which at last was and is my ouerthrow I liu'd with my father most commonly but oftentimes I went to the Court more I confesse to see him and ioy in his presence then to see any vanity there yet I both saw those sports the Court affects and are necessary follies for that place as Masques and Dauncings and was an Actor likwise my selfe amongst them though neuer affecting them further then to content him I lou'd who I saw well pleased with all many banquets I was the cause of when we met and to my Fathers hee ordinarily did come a strict friendship betweene them neuer was hee if absent quiet if still one or other of my seruants were not wth him nor was I without some of his perpetually with mee not that I thought or could let so wronging a concipt come into mee that hee mistrusted mee but out of sincere affection to haue euer some of his followers with mee to giue occasion when I durst not else to speake of him none neede bee kept to make mee thinke of him for my thoughts neuer strayed from him or staid one minutes space At my Fathers which was as fine pleasant and sweet a seate as any in that Countrey there ran a delicate wanton Riuer twining it selfe into euery dainty meadowes armes not deepe but fit for Dianaes Nymphes to haue vsed in imitation of whom my selfe and Sisters often went into itâ— this Riuer came fauourably to grace the place close vnder the Orchard wall A backe way wee had through the Gardeus out of which wee went and there bath'd our selues an old Gentleman a seruant to my Lord watched vs and so neatly carried his businesse as wee neuer doubted him but not being able to continue truer to himselfe then to vs hee told mee of it describing so truely all our fashions being eight of vs maner wordes and actions as I knew hee spake truth and said hee had it not beene for one thing I could haue wish'd my master in my place I ask'd him what that was He said because one of vs kept her smocke on them he would he was sure most haue wish'd to see I knew her whom he ment for none but my selfe did so and priuately I said in my heart I did beleeue him and wish'd it too so it had beene by the like chance This old man whose thoughts were young and toung-nimble in such a kinde louing the remembrance of what he was then past at his Lords next comming told him of it Hee straight wish'd his fortune So did I said hee wish it for you and told my Lady for so hee call'd mee What said she answer'd my Lord Nothing replyed hee but smil'd and walk'd on Hee came imediatly to mee telling mee what hee had heard and vrging mee to know what I thought when I smil'd I truely confest and hee as truely louingly tooke it louing ioyfull thankfulnesse shining in his eyes Twenty of these passages wee had and as many seuerall Ladies and of as seuerall complections and dispositions almost fell in loue with him in that time hee loued mee thousands of curses I had among them but as long as I prosper'd in his loue I cared for none of them but sped mee thought the better rather wishing so still to bee prayed for so I enioyed the righter way Such pretty testimonies hee gaue mee as I must haue beene vnlesse I had beene vnreasonable forc'd to bee assur'd of his loue shewing almost contempt to all others I was so and with all faith imbrac'd and cherish'd it so modest hee was besides as I lou'd that in him and saw it there a greater vertue then it is ordinarily esteemed Proofes I had of it for being alone hee neuer was vnciuill nor did offer what I as willingly consented not vnto yet at last my father finding as easily hee might of any hauing beene a great Louer that I was intirely his hee coniecturd that I could deny nothing therefore would rather seeme to trust him or els it was to binde him to him if any such bonds can serue or preuaile where true loue is As one day when hee was to goe a iourney leauing him with me farewell daughter said he and the like to you my Lord and I pray you bee honest Hee blush'd what did I then coniecture noble Lord and Lady truely I was heartily asham'd and yet soone got courage againe when I remembred wee were not guilty but the word honest made mee thinke of the contrary that thought moou'd my blood inâ—o my cheekes and stir'd occasion in him to discourse with mee of it so as I feare that did more harme which should haue preuented if but in thought then before was thought on for beleeue it it is a dangerous matter to bee forbidden a sweet in loue as I haue heard it credibly said and know it in some kind exercised but wee did fulfill his desire and hee found vs as hee left vs chast but affectionately louing which all forbiddings could neuer haue hinder'd or lessened my father himselfe euen enuying vs for his loue though to many had neuer brought him so true an one as I was This lasted as long as it was possible for a man to bee iust and longer then except few any haue beene and yet I thinke truely hee had slip'd sometimes but I knew it not or had no cause out of want to mee to finde fault But this fault came on his side how easie was it for him then to take exceptions who before would be readier to answer for mee or my friendes then
and mourne which she vowed during her life to doe and Polarchos to liue in some remote place neuer to see man nor creature more the excellentest being gone they saw out of holes in the stones smoake and fire suddenly to flie out with it Pamphilia aduentured and pulling hard at a ring of iron which appeared opned the great stone when a doore shewed entrance but within she might see a place like a Hell of flames and fire and as if many walking and throwing pieces of men and women vp and downe the flames partly burnt and they still stirring the fire and more brought in and the longer she looked the more she discernd yet all as in the hell of deceit at last she saw Musalina sitting in a Chaire of Gold a Crowne on her head and Lucenia holding a sword which Musalina tooke in her hand and before them Amphilanthus was standing with his heart ript open and Pamphilia written in it Musalina ready with the point of the sword to conclude all by razing that name out and so his heart as the wound to perish Faine she would nay there was no remedy but she would goe in to helpe him flames fier Hell it selfe not being frightfull enough to keepe her from passing through to him so with as firme and as hot flames as those she saw and more brauely and truly burning she ran into the fire but presently she was throwne out againe in a swound and the doore shut when she came to her selfe cursing her destinie meaning to attempt againe shee saw the stone whole and where the way into it was there were these words written FAithfull louers keepe from hence None but false ones here can enter This conclusion hath from whence Falsehood flowes and such may venter Polarchos attempted likewise but could only for being vnconstant passe the flames but not come within reach of the Emperour but then was cast out also The Queene then perceiued what this was and so as sadly as before resolued shee returned to the Court where more like a religious then a Court life she liued some yeares Polarchos presently prouided long gray Roabes like a Hermit and on the outside of the Armes-crowned Crowne he made a Cell where he liued daily beholding the Armes and lamenting for his Lord kissing the stone wherein he thought he was inclosed and thus liued he guarding the Armes of his Lord till the aduenture was concluded The other eleuen Princes that came with Amphilanthus into Pamphilia and were as Polarchos hath told you scatterd and deuided in the Desart it was the fortune of the Prince of Transiluania to come within two daies after to the same Lodge where the Queene had laine with the dainty sad Nimph but hearing of Pamphilias being well and safe onely perplexed for the want of Amphilanthus staied not but followed the search of them both till hee came to the sea-side where beholding the waues and comparing mens fortune to the rising falling and breaking of them he saw a little Bote come towards the land and in it a faire Damsell weeping and pitifully complaining The Prince tooke great compassion of her demanding the cause of her sorrow Alas Sir said she shall I tell you and you prooue like other Knights I may well then accuse my forwardnesse and paine but if you will promise to succour my Lady who is so faire worthy and great as will take away the shew of my imperfections perfect in nothing but duty to her I will then tell you what you aske Speake faire and sad Lady said he and I vow to serue your Lady and your selfe with my best indeauours although I must tell you I am in search of such as vnwillingly I would be diuerted but compassion compells me to serue you She thanked him and thus proceeded Blessed may you and all your enterprises be who for a distressed Ladies sake will lay aside your own occasions and let me know I beseech you to whom she is thus much ingaged I am said he Prince of Transiluania seruant to the Emperour Amphilanthus from whom I was parted in yonder Desart and haue since sought him and was yet in the quest of him and the Queene of this Country with eleuen Princes more his seruants all seuered from one another and seeking each other God send they may happily meete said she and you braue and courteous Prince be for euer happy for your noblenâ—sse The businesse which vrgeth mee to demand your helpe is this my Lady and Mistris is the Princesse of Lycia only daughter to the King of that Country next neighbor to this place so as your stay shall not bee very long from your search with this Lady the Lord of the Mountaines called Taurus an vnworthy man rude proud ill-fauourd sauage and rough as well in person as in maners but wonderfull powerfull and mighty of body meanes and people fell in loue shee being as delicate as hee abominable which made her hate him as much as he sought her but her father a good Prince louing peace would not prouoke warre but rather yeeld her to him This brought the sweete Princesse into desperate melancholly and dispaire but a Noble man as well in truth of vertue as descent and honour to defend her from so much harme tooke her into his protection the same day she should haue beene giuen to the Mountaine Lord venturing life honors and estate to keepe her free This being discerned by the cruell proud man and her father the good old King troubled withall vtterly disclayming any knowledge of it they raised men to take her backe by force and catch him who should certainely suffer for such an attempt but the place is strong the cause good and the defence iust and honest so as none I hope will doe other then pitty her and seeke to redresse her wrongs this hath continued eight moneths and now the King hath sent directly to her to yeeld her selfe into his hands to be bestowed on the feirce Montaltanus or to bee forsaken for euer of him and disinherited This message was heauily receiued by the poore Princesse yet she resolued to dye disinherited and be the poorest in estate rather then the vnhappiest by marryage wherefore after an humble answer and dutifull refusall of yeelding to be wife to Montaltanus she demanded one request of her father which was to let it bee lawfull for her to send forth in search of some Knight who would defend her quarrell against him whom if he ouercame she should be yeeded vnto his Maiestie if her Knight got the victory then she should be free and inherit what she was borne vnto and this to be performed in two months and peace in the interim These things were agreed on and granted with much vaine-glory on the assured Champions side then did the Lady send foure Damsells abroad of which number I am one three are returned without finding any and now are but three dayes left of the perfixed time the Nobleman hath also his
loue for the most incomparable Legacy that any man can or could receiue thus thus shee died and thus yet doth shee liue in me I breathe her breath I loue her loue I liue but for her sake and I hope shall ere long die to serue her and goe to her Then hee threw himselfe flat on the ground the other looking on him rose and lay downe by him tooke him in his armes and said Neuer let strife be betweene vs whose fortunes so neare concurre none can be nearer nor none so like vnlesse it could bee that Elyna and Myra were but one woman and you and I one man we are both equally vnfortunate in losse they equal in perfections yours onely somthing more happy in a quieter death and dying in your armes mine in a speedier end thus the difference none let no difference be betwixt vs. I am as ready to embrace this as you haue been to vrge it said Peryneus none liker Patience of misfortune none fitter to agree together wayle you your worthy chaste Myra I will lament my chaste and worthy Elyna sigh you I le do so complaine I le answere you and both conclude as the Period Neuer liued worthier creatures neuer vnhappier soules out-liued worth Thus they embraced thus twined past some time and after liued together attending the Piramede where twise euery yeare funerall solemnities were done by them after the first yeare the Bauarian returned home and there liued in sorrow neuer marrying but still louing his loued Loues memory The Nimphs returned glad of the peace and agreement while the two Knights the people spake of in faire armours went on in the search being as Peryneus guessed the Dukes of Wertâ—berg Brunswicke who had this accident to bring them into that Country and enquirie They as the other Princes did seeke the Emperour and the Queene and fortunately for the one the Duke of Brunswick such a youth as Peryneus described him in a Castle in the Desart being there receiued ciuilly by the Lord and Lady of that place the Lord a very old man the Lady of middle age he hauing married her when hee was aged and shee young had one daughter then about fourteene yeares able to heare of Cupid though not it may be experienced by wound of his force This young innocent Maide neuer hauing vnderstood any thing in that kind of making loue offerd her nor knowing how to deny when so kind an offer was made as profession of being a seruant and but desiring her fauour not vnderstanding what such a fauour as a Louer asketh meant when the Duke courted her kissed her hands vowed his seruice flattred her innocent eares with faire beguiling words when his face could not but inuite liking his smiles won yeelding his body though low and thicke his speech was sweete and being little like it selfe little troublesome but more pleasing then the more kinder Youthes she had euer heard want of wit was couered with being a Duke greatnesse being much with many women his face it is certaine was blush-burnt but his words delightfull his countenance mild his fashion protestations amorous entertainement gentle daintie winning so as one may say in him the want in his braines were repayed by the goodnesse and gentlenesse of his fashion and spirit Pretty honest hee was something valiant aboue most merry and the pleasingest company that might bee true in a kind to his friend a reasonable vertue loyall to his Prince courtious to his Blood and beloued for these little parts of all that knew him so as his outward beautie and these qualities being enriched with a smooth flattering way of louing women made him gaine well These I cannot say out of iudgement in her wunne her but by fate it fell on her at first and after she vsed his vertues but for a mask for her liking him or an excuse for her choice when it should haue been a commendations to her vnderstanding to find so much in the inward part as to ouersee the ordinary way for womens loue which is outward beauty and that in some measure he had that being ioyned with delicate apparrell being the most vsuall attractiue powers to their affections as if rather they would loue Pictures then the wisest or worthiest man in old cloathes or ill made Ruffes and Bands being more to a faire Lady then valour or learning the one accounted poore and heauy the other boisterous and troublesome neate suites better then hacked though by that rich armours O the ignorance of women or rather the misfortune of such misunderstanding women for of that delicate sexe there are excellent creatures and among those many Pictures good Pieces and in truth this was a pretty one who willingly and alas gladly receiued the Dukes sute smiled on his blushing lookes yet as faire as he could make them for borne bashfull hee could not find loue powerfull enough to warrant his face with boldnesse though to crowne it with obedience Hee finding her comming how did he leape like a wanton into the Riuer of ioy swimming and so embracing comfort in his armes yet wanting the chiefe part let slip the flattering hope againe yet taking the streames in his armes and striking forward to his ends Alas what needed this shee was won he onely wanted opportunitie will and consent failed not which hee finding also found this meanes to compasse it The Duke of Wertenberg was lodged so as his chamber looked into the Garden which was betwixt his Chamber and hers the windowes opposite and so crosse as they were so farre asunder as they could not doe any more then see one another neither perfectly discerne lookes or smiles nor let speech make their eares beneficiall to them but louers will make benefit of small things so did they of this for heere hee gaining the helpe of his friend to the good hee sought hee brought this profit to his loue The Duke of Wertenberg was a braue Gentleman but sometimes sickly so as hee vsed to lie warmer in his bed and weare such things as appeared a little woman-like and withall something curious he was in his Chamber which not exceeding the limits that became himselfe he was neuer blamed for it but now it brought him praise because it serued his friend who thus procur'd his ends The weather hot euenings faire nights light by the Moones aide hee perswaded his companion to put on his Wastcoate and night-wearing and walk into the garden hauing a faire Mantle on his body he not so much higher then the Page which waited on the Duke who was a young man or great boy took his garment which was a Horsemans coate of cloth garded with Veluet that those who might by chance else see them might thinke they meant not to bee seene but walked there to passe the euening Admirably he played on the Lute and carried one of purpose with him his Cap hee wore low ouer his face and came softly and passionately as louers doe and might appeare because
the rest of the night the next day taking their way towards the Court where then liu'd the King but they not destined to see so much happines met this Aduenture Passing along a most craggy and stony Lane they came at the end of it to a tripartite diuided way a stone in the mid'st and the way so iustly parted as it made them imagine it was a place fit to bee accepted and to part themselues equally to take their offer'd fauours Vpon the stone they laid their hands sware there within three Moneths to meete againe without strange accidents befell them to declare their losse and search to all their names neuer to conceale and so at the conclusion to returne euery one to his owne Countrey to lament their Lord and friend It was the Florentines fortune to encounter the first aduenture which was after hee had rid in that stony way sometime hee came to a large Commune spreading it selfe broader still vnto his sight as comming out of a Riuer the Sea appeares boundlesse So did this Land extend it selfe hauing no bound to comprehend or limit sight sheepe there were in aboundance and some Cattle people hee saw none so as it appear'd there was little danger of losing them or that the trust was great in those parts At last a Countreyman hee met driuing a Cart which had carried wood a commodity in those parts of him hee demanded what that place was and the name of that part of the Countrey Hee replyed the place hee was on was called the Forrest Champion that part of Brittany being full of Forrests and Chaces anciently called the deserts of Brittany a little way from thence hee told him was a faire house where a noble Knight and his Lady liued within a part of the same Forrest which they had inclosed and made like an orderly ciuill place from the others wildnesse and shut themselues within a Pale woods were within this place the rest all Heath and Rocks scarce a Bush but no tree that could shelter one from a small shower The Prince desired to be directed to that place which the honest man did waiting on him till hee came within sight of it now Sir said hee you cannot loose your way except you will of purpose so hee tooke leaue of him who arriu'd within a short time there the Knight had at that time much company with him and one Lady who in her younger time had the fame for one of the fairest if not the fairest of that Countrey But Loue the Ruiner of beauty when curst had decayed her beames of outward perfâ—ction though her inside by the vertue of constancie shined the cleerer Black had her fortunes beeneâ— so were her habits sad her faceâ— and her countenance not heauy but graue the Knight was a braue Gentleman for his inward parts learned and honest but lame by blowes in his youth when hee trauel'd as hee had in most parts of Christendome his Lady a young woman cheerefull and pleasant the daughter of a great Lord and Sister to as fine a Gentleman as was in that Kingdome but the Prince most marked the sad Lady of whom hee enquired after some complements and a little acquaintance of the Knight who would needs stay the Prince there that night the Lady went away hauing not aboue some sixe or seauen miles to ride to her fathers After her going there came to the same place a Knight not a youth nor a stayed man forward in speech and so valiant and bountifull of it as he would where euer hee came haue all the talke some being angry at him for it who thought they could speake as well and it may be better but hee carried it with his boldnesse and vnlesse any would fight with him hee would doe so still Some laugh'd at him and said hee rung such peales of discourse as were sufficient to bee reckoned among those rung for triumph or ioyes for Nuptialls others pittied him as fearing it a disease or Palsie in his tongue but all admir'd hee held out so long with matter vnlesse hee had as strange a faculty in his braines of perpetuall working and so made that motion in his tongue to rid her burthen The Prince much wondred at him thinking hee was led thither to see the Prince of contrarieties the first Lady as silâ—nt as he talkatiue the others in a reasonable good meane like himselfe thinking them both strange at last as the round of this most discoursing Knights thoughts came to the height hee began to speake of the Lady Did you euer said hee see a sweet Lady so much changed as shee is I knew her â—nd so did you a faire dainty sweet woman noble and freely disposed a delicate Courtier curious in her habites danced rid did all things fit for a Court as well as any braue Lady could doe what can change her thus they say shee is in loue would that man were hang'd would suffer such sweetnesse to decay by his curstnesse but I thinke and belieue it is so for I haue made loue to her my selfe and shee refused mee who neuer before heard the word of deniall I offer'd her Horses though shee wanted good ones at that time yet shee would not take mine nor presents from any for feare of offending him who presented her with nothing but scorne I made Verses to her said them to her who commended them faintly and instead of thanks said some of his to mee as to let me see that as hee was most deare to her so was all that hee did or belonged to him I haue a Brother was in my case for her loue but more grieu'd for she vsd him scarce ciuilly mee shee euer did respectiuely and that wrought so much with mee as I hate the woman hee loues and is the cause of her trouble for her sake but for mine owne part I can beare her denying mee well by reason I can loue as often as I see cause and stay no longer on it nor staid hee there but with this last word tooke his leaue onely saying hee would follow the Lady if but to vâ—xe her as easily hee might doe or any other discreet person if hâ—e continued his talking trauell which was more wearisome then trauell it selfe to a quiet Spirit When hee was gone the Roome was like a calme after a storme or as after foule weather the Ayre is silent and sweet so all being quiet they pleas'd themselues as Birds in the Spring wiâ—h their owne tunes but then did the Florentine desire to heare more of the Lady which the Knight with much respect to him and honour for her dâ—liuerd thus Noble Prince said hee if I goe about to tell you her Story I must vndertake to tell you the most vnfortunate of the most deseruing woman that euer was and venter to relate a businesse which I shall bee vnable to deliuer to her worth or tâ—e excellency of the matter but this I may say for her shee was the vertuousest and
three thus free in discourse intreated that hee might be admitted Celina was perswaded by them and so they cald him in then began they againe to talk at last they went to prety playes as chusing of Kings and Queenes the lot fell on Celina who commanded the Venetian to stay no longer in those parts but to goe vnto his friends and in witnesse of his captiuitie to trauell vnarmd till he met them or was forced by iniurie to put them on This was more then sport yet hee obayed and hauing liberty to take his leaue of the Lady hee kissed her hand and departed The last Shepheardesse that so reuiled loue being called Lemnia sigh'd at this parting louing good coÌ„pany or him who had gaind fâ—oÌ„ her a more kind conceit then she had had formerly of mankind as if the spring to the summer of her loue which increased by a strange heat growing in absence to the height of flaming as if the fire of loue were so vniuersal as the warmth like that of the Sun would heat worlds at a time so his force seru'd in absence to scorch nay burne her heart Shee looked after him as long as shee could see him and marking his louing lookes backe cast and sad on Celina she liked pittied and lou'd his manner so him and at last stole in to be a louer before shee was aware a crafty Ladd this Cupid is poore creatures how you are beguiled by him Celina and Derina had enough now to please themselues and vexe her withall yet sometimes and often the latter part fell to them while she pleased her selfe with her passions these three now soundly captiue might daunce the trickes of Loue to the tune of Sorrow Celina loues one whose heart and soule was her friends Lemnia a Prince stranger and louing Celina Derina a braue youth but married to the Forrest Loâ—ds Sister poore soules and the poorest louing thus hopelessely All they could doe in their best humours was to lament absence in the curstest and worst to raile at Loue and their misfortune curse sight hearing beleeuing and all that were assistants instruments or sufferers to these passions but the Venetian hauing as the rest had at first done sworne to obey what euer he was commanded went with sad steps vp the Hill his heart falling faster into despaire then his feet ascended When he came into the Garden hee met the Lady who told him some were with her Lord about businesse therefore intreated him to stay hee obeyed her and being loth to haue his ill known which might be imputed to folly in him to auoyd her question intreated to heare her story which thus shee related My name said shee is Belizia daughter to the Earle Marshall of this Countrey neere allied I am to the greatest of this Land but onely tyed to this Forrest Lord for whose sake I haue forsaken all and liue heere a lonely life with him much my friends and Kindred were displeased withall his meanes being small tâ—ough his honour and worth great which I looked on loued and so to them gaue my heart and had not this misfortue hapned the celebration of my gift had beene perform'd to our onely ioyes this next weeke but now must be deferrd though I trust to be one day happy for all this misery neuer man hath beene so louing nor so constant nor if I may speake for my selfe neuer any woman hath beene so firme and passionate none yet so secret for many yeares I loued before I acknowledged it nay before any thought I could thinke on such a flame yet when discouer'd some remembred I had beene a good friend to his pretty godhead neuer suffering him to be abused when my power could helpe his honours defence One of his Sistâ—rs was the first mistrusted me and telling me of it I denied it but so blushingly and faintly as that was a perfect confession She loued me so well as she was glad of it being sure to haue a perpetuall tye on me by this meanes which though shee might haue assured her selfe of beefore yet Louers loue strictest tyes to bind their loued to them so much indeed wee loued as but the faire Celina I affected her onely and best of woman kinde The ill man you tooke yesterday my friends had rather haue bestowed me on but he was contrary to my heart to like would so I had been to his then had not my deere beene wounded nor hee come to so vntimely an end for this last night before his time for execution by the Lawe appointed hee strangled himselfe in the Prison hauing nothing but his garters to execute his wicked enterprise withall when this Story was thus telling one came vnto the Lady to let her know that many Ladies were come to visit her shee then though vnwillingly tooke leaue of the Venetian whose good and faire behauiour gaue content where euer he did come but he said hee was compell'd by necessity so hee tooke his way first taking leaue of the Lord his Squire carrying his Armes he not being to weare any while hee was in Brittany by his cruell Loues command Hee trauelled till he came to London admiring the brauery and sumptuousnesse of the Citty but most of the Court arriuing iust against a mighty tryumph was to be made in honour of the King and some strange Princes who came of purpose to honour themselues with kissing his hands Nobly and courteously was hee receiued at the Court much was hee peâ—plexed with passion much pittied by all and as much hee was troubled that hee was barred from exercising himselfe in those sports which by reason of his promise to Celina hee could not doe not being able to weare armes while he was in Brittany if not for defence yet at the Ring he ranne and did it so finely as the King and all admir'd him heere hee stayed the conclusion of the tryumphs then remembring his friends and oath he took his leaue taking towards that place where he arriued iust as the Florentine did but when he saw Leurenius in a Court Suit of Willow colour Sattin embrodered with Gold his Armour trust vp carried on a Horse after him What Metamorphosis is here cry'd he Is this Leurenius the braue Venetian Prince and my friend While I was worthy I was so but now am nothing reply'd he but sorrow and despaire What is the cause said he what makes you trauell contrary to our vow vnarm'dâ— Ouercome cryd hee by the power not equallable of a Shepherdesse and by her command to leaue this Countrey and to trauell vnarmed till I met with you hauing heard my story and my former ill fortune she added this to me the worst of ills Brittany said the Duke of Florence hath beene counted the most pleasant delightfull and happiest Countrey in the world being for all bounty of contents a world it selfe nothing missing or wanting to the full plenty of happinesse Yes said Leurenius pitty wants in the heart of Celina and in