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
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
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
falling into that way which brought them directly to the Castle where young Antissius and his Vncle were by Parselius left There they found them and met the honest Captaine who was brought thither by the Romanian Knight who after the whole discourse was told to Amphilanthus as before it had been to Parselius by the old Prince and young Knight continued the story thus After that deuill of women the Kings wife had wrought the ruine of Romania Proclamations out for the bringing of either or both of you for which large summes of money were offered but if you could be deliuer'd in aliue those summes and great honours with braue possessions you my Lord made a Traytor and you Sir hauing your head at sale Then obtained she that her sonne was made heire apparant to the Crowne and that if the King happned to die while the new Prince was vnder yeares that then she would gouerne as Protectresse till hee came of age This sure shee grew wearie of the old man whose age and dotage she hauing imploy'd them to her vse was now cloy'd with them troubled her to bee rid of him was then her study At last finding an easie way as she thought shee cald one of her seruants to her being one who ambitiously sought to win the honour of being her fauourite leading him into a priuate Cabinet where she plotted al her wickednes there she began with false and forged flattrings to intice him to her purpose dissimulation and protestation of her affections she wanted not to draw him into the yoke of her witch-craft And what said she though the world doe taxe me for louing many doe not you accuse me my onely deere for sooner will I die then wrong your loue If my fashion which is free and familiar make you doubt me consider why it is since it were neither wisdome nor safety for vs to vse you only kindly in al sights The graces others haue is but to blind their eies which els would be cleere sighted to our ill and this euen by the loue you beare me I coniure you to belieue and this should you well find were I at liberty and free What freedome would you aske To be my selfe said shee and so to take a husband I could loue as I loue you and so would make you were the old man dead Is that the bar cride he deere Lady He is dead or euen as good for two daies is his longest terme of life That done enioy me who am onely thine and verily the thing is easie safe and doubtlesse doe it then and by it purchase me He long time bewitcht with her craft allur'd by her beautie and continued in error by her falsehoods beleeu'd she spake vnfained from her heart letting himselfe couet that which with murder and treacherous murder they must gaine froÌ„ the true owner But he lookt no further then his loue to compasse which no meanes seem'd ill so partiall was he to his vild desires Thus was his word engaged and the kings life limited which end of time being come they inticed the graue man into a Parke where they murdred him bringing home the old body besmear'd in his owne bloud couerd with their mantles as the fault was with their fained talles which were that in the Wood certaine men hired as it was likely by you set vpon him killed him and wounded them shewing some slight wounds which they had for the greater shew of truth giuen themselues The Queene being brought to this sad fight tooke on strangely rending her clothes crying and euen howling so as most did pitie her and few or none accuse her guilty of the crime so cunning was she in her deepe deceits Then was the Councel cald who came in shew sad but in harts ioyfull wicked men louing nothing more then change they brought also the young king to his mother The people being assembled and the false report of the kings death deliuerd wherwith they were satisfied pitying the wounded body yet crediting the murderers Thus was the poore doting King rewarded for his fondnes A funerall was made with all ceremonious cost and pompe the young vnlawfull king being that day crowned as soone as the body was interred This was yet but one part of the play the other soone followed She thinking her selfe no way secure so many knowing of her sin to auoide punishment on earth would run yet faster to meet more punishments cause in the other world by heaping murders vpon murders for inuiting all those except her Minion to a priuate banquet she poison'd them reseruing the fauourite for some other vertuous purpose who being in the pride of his desires expecting when he should be made her husband often vrg'd it but shee put it off with pretence of feare least that the too sudden marriage might giue occasion to the world to doubt what was most true and what their guiltinesse made them mistruâ—t Thus it past a while like a calme tide after a tempest her sonne and shee being in full possession of all the neighbour kings sent to condole the death of the king and to congratulate the other whether out of loue or desire of peace a sweete thing to spritelesse Princes Among the rest came one who accompanied the Embassadour of Morea a Gentleman of excellent parts winning the loue of all that conuersed with him hauing a modest gouernment ouer a strong and daintie wit but as hee was in this happie hee was crost with the violent loue of the chastlesse Queene who affected him after her wonted fashion but so fondly and intemperately as shee caus'd most to looke with gazing eyes on her hee was not of the highest stature though farre from being low his haire faire and that beard hee had something inclind to yellow Shee saw this Gentleman who since I learnd was Sonne to the Duke of Mantinea and Captaine of a troope of Horse which was part of the Kings Guard and the Noblest part because that Companie must euer bee choice men and all Gentlemen Shee wooed him plainely said Shee loued him Yet could not this preuaile wroth in him withstanding all her baites which being meant as refusals prou'd inticements to bring her on like a Spaniell that fawnes on the mans crueltie Her passions then growne immoderate and vngouernable yeares increasing in her and strength of iudgement failing her more then in her youth gaue such open testimonie of her loue as her latter seruant but companion in mischiefe perceiu'd it his confidence hauing been such as that blinded him long time giuing libertie and assurance in that to her and her ends which neuer were but either politike or lasciuious But he as hauing new sight giuen him to see her shame and his owne together hate taking the place of loue his desires flew to the ruine of her as before to the continuance of their dayes in their owne pleasures neuer enough enioy'd Hee plotted to vndoe her and watched the opportunity which he obtaind by his
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
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
though abus'd by her and sham'd in her Leandrus went to him and kindly offerd his seruice if he needed it Hee casting vp his weeping eyes in teares thankt him but said One man was enough to suffer in so slight a cause and so vndeseruing a creature He desired to know the matter He answerd he had lou'd a Lady she had done the like to him or made him thinke so but hauing what shee would she had changed and not only so but giuen her selfe to his enemy being first betrothed vnto him and in that time he was prouiding for the marriage married the other and this is the cause of my torment hither I am come to reuenge my selfe of him and in him of her if shee loue him still They are in a strong Castle of his where they merrily liue while I am miserably vexed with tortures and dishonour the worst of torments What was the originall cause of his malice Truly Sir this cruelty hee vseth but to mee as belonging to my destiny Neglected I haue been of my friends for bearing this disgrace from mine enemy and the hater of all my Countrie the reason of his hatred to vs proceeding from this The King of Morea in his youth was a braue man at Armes and followed and finished many aduentures by chance at a great Iust held in Achaia for ioy of the birth of the Kings son cald Leandrus as after I heard he was and proou'd a Prince worthily deseruing the ioy then shewed for receiuing of him This Lords father was likewise there and encountring the King was by him throwne to the ground which disgrace hee took so heauily as he would haue reuenged it with his sword but that being forbidden the end of those triumphes reaching no further then sport discontented and burning in rage hee went thence watching when the King returnd in his iourney in this very place he set vpon him troopes of his comming all these seuerall waies and at once charging him who onely for his pleasure had sent his greatest company before him following with two Knights and their Squires but in this conflict the King got so much of the victorie as hee slew his Enemie with his owne hands but could not keepe himselfe from being taken prisoner and carried almost to the Castle whither if hee had gone without doubt hee had thence neuer returnd But the Squires seeing his distresse and the death of the other two their Masters ran euerie one a seuerall way till they got a good number of the traine together who with all speed and fury pursued them ouertaking them hard by the Castle and taking their Lord from them most being kill'd some few got into the hold where relating their vnlucky aduenture the wife of the slaine Lord and Mother to this Lord hauing as great a spirit as any woman breathing made a vow to bee reuenged of all the Court of Morea of the King and his posterity especially And this she hath hitherto performed with great cruelty her sonne hauing beene nursed in this hatred doth likewise continue it with more violence as his spirit is so much greater as commonly a mans is in respect of a womans and this is the cause why hee hateth all the Moreans of which countrey I am borne in Corinth my heart truely scorning him for his other iniury done mee am inuited hither for these two reasons to bee reuenged on him Leandrus thank'd him for his discourse but told him hee had by it made him long to try if hee could bee made a Prisoner also for so iust a cause or deliuer those so vniustly inclosed and the rather said hee to serue one so much iniuried as your selfe whose quarrell lay on mee and doe you defend the honor of your King and Country shee not being worth fighting for Hee answered that was true yet his honor hee esteemd worth cleering and that calld vpon him While they were thus discoursing the Lord and the false Lady came louingly hand in hand together downe one of the paths shee smiling in his eyes and want only courting him seeking to giue him occasion of mirth but hee went on like a man to whom ill was succeeding hee had some seruants with him arm'd and his owne armour was likewise carried by him if hee should haue any occasion suddenly to vse it hee was of a cleere and pleasing complexion a person amiable and louâ—ly curld hayre fayre eyes and so iudiciall a countenance as might haue made the worthiest woman like him and so well hee deseru'd as it was pitty hee fell into her hands who vndid both his minde and bodie making him as wicked as her selfe which was the worst of her sex He looked vpon her with loue but his speech was sparing either that naturally he had not store of words or his inward heauinesse at that time made him silent When he came neere the fountaine Clarimatto approched to him My Lord said he I am sure you know the cause of my comming into these parts if not examine your heart and that will tell you the iniuries you haue donâ— me or if that be so impure or partiall as it will not for offending bee true to so false a master behold this creature by you your shame and mine and in her forehead the faire field of our disgrace you shall see it written in spots of infamy and wrong The Lord knew his face and with it the offence therefore answered him thus Sir said he if on these conditions I acknowledge the vnderstanding of your rage I should make my selfe guilty of what I am free from to my knowledge I neuer wronged any if vnwillingly I made amends and am ready so to doe Can you giue mee my honour againe throwne to the ground by you and your inâ—atiable Loue cride he You wrong vs both said he and this shall be the Ground of my reuenge and answer to you with that he arm'd himselfe shee crying to him not to aduenture his deare selfe against that stranger whom she knew full well shee kneeled to him held him by the leggs kissed them gazed on him in termes call'd him dearest All would not serue he encountred his enemy and truly was he iustly made so by his owne ill deseruing They fought like two one hauing got and earnest to keepe a Mistris the other hauing lost and reuengfull to gaine his honour and kill his Riuall and Vndoer in his Loue at last the true cause got the vpper hand and the Lord came to the lower side of Victory which the seruants perceiuing rushed all vpon Clarimatto Leandrus finding the wrong they offer'd and the other was like to suffer stepp'd in to his rescue A fight was among these performed fit and onely the prize of Loue fit to be the end of it Clarimatto nimble valiant and hauing Iustice on his side fought accordingly and so as the Lord hauing lost much bloud out of two wounds giuen him by his foe nor had he escaped free but was hurt in
was as wrinkled as the rocke his complexion Sand-colour without so much red as to make a difference 'twixt his lips and face his haire had beene blacke but now was growne grisled yet still kept the naturall stubbornnesse of it being but thin and those few haires desirous to be seene stood staring neither were they of any equall length but like a horses maine new taken from grasse which by the wantonnesse of some of his companions had beene bit and natch'd in diuers places Beard he had none to distinguish his sexe his habits being forc'd to speake for him to that purpose onely a wart he had on his right cheeke which liberally bestowed some haire according to the substance for the sight of such as saw him He was not onely a Dwarfe but the least of those creatures and in some sort the ill-fauoured'st this youth seeing Amphilanthus straight cryd alas wee are betray'd for heere is an armed man that will assuredly destroy vs. The Prince promised on his word he nor any there should haue the lest harme if he would let him but come in vnto him the olde Dwarfe scarse knew how to trust hauing before beene in his trust deceiu'd wherefore he desired first to know who he was that gaue his word The King answered I am called and knowne by the name of the Knight of Loue but mine owne name said he is Amphilanthus Praysed be heauen said he that you are landed here for alas my Lord I am your Subiect miserably perplexed by a cruell and tyranicall man Lord of the Island of Strombolli and who hath vndone me and my children then leap'd he from the window and opened the dore which was made fast with many bolts of yron the doore open the King went in though with some difficulty at the entring by reason the place was low fitter for such a man as the Host then the Romanian King In the roome he found a woman in height and louelinesse answerable to the man and three younger men then himselfe but all of his proportion who seem'd to be his Sonnes Then did Amphilanthus desire to know the cause of his complayning against the Lord of Strombolli which the old Dwarfe began to relate in this manner May it please you great Prince to vnderstand I am called Nainio borne in Strombolli to pretty possessions the which I enioyed some yeares after my Fathers decease but the Lord of the Iland or better to say the Gouernor passing that way and seeing my liuing pleasant and delightfull groues of Orange and Lemmon Trees all other fruites plentifâ—lly yeelding themselues for our vses grew in loue with the place and in hate with me first hee peremptorily commanded mee to bring my wife and these tall men my sonnes to attend him his wife and children I that was borne free would not bee made a slaue wherefore I must confesse vnaduisedly I gaue too rough an answere that bred dislike and gaue iust occasion against mee Then sent hee for mee made mee a scorne in the eyes of all men and when hee had gloried enough in my miserie scoffing at my shape and stature saying I would make a fit Commander against the Infidels hee put mee and my family into a little boate and when shipping went for Greece sent mee along with them but such kindnesse I found among them as they indeede carried mee but brought mee backe againe this was discouered whereupon I was to die but my pardon was got by the Lady wife to the Lord a vertuous and sweet Lady on condition if euer I were found in Strâ—mbolli or any part of Italy I should die for it Then went I away and with the first mentioned Saylers got into this sea and so vnto this Iland where I haue remaind but in continuall feare for considering the danger I was in for my life it so with the memorie frights mee as I had rather haue steru'd here then gone hence for feare of harme euerie one that I heare or see in this place being as a Sprite vnto mee and so did you appeare till you told me who you were so much doe I yet stand in awe of the cruell Iland Lord. The King smil'd to heare his discourse but most to see his action which was so timerous and affrighted as neuer any man beheld the like and as did so did his Sons like Munkeys who imitating one another answer in gestures as aptly and redily as one Ecco to another and as like and so the sport was doubled Great delight did hee take in these little men wherefore gently and mildly hee gaind so much of them as they would with him leaue that place conditionally that hee would not carry them into Italy where they more feared their first enemie then trusted to the power of the King such a Lord is coward feare ouer base minds as vnderstanding gaines small place in their hearts as by this appeared else might they haue been assured in his company in Strombolli it selfe But consents agreeing on both sides they went out of the rocke to meete the other Princes the Dwarfes quaking at euery leafe that shook and fainted when they heard the Armour a little clash in his going but directly they lost life for a while when they met the other Knights not being able to belieue they were their Lords friends But after they grew more valiant like a coward who against his mind being brought into the middle of a battaile can neither runne nor his cries bee heard and therefore of force must abide that hell torment So were these brought to it by sight of fights when death could only haue relieued them from feare Amphilanthus following on came to a great Caue into which hee went putting the Dwarfes before him a great way they passed into it till hee came to a Riuer which either was blacke or the darkenesse of that shadowed place made appeare so the vault was of height sufficient for him without trouble to walke in and of breadth for three to goe a front paued and couered round with free stone when he came to the Riuer he desired to passe it but at first saw no meanes at last he discouerd or feare in his Dwarfes discouerd for him they being able to discerne hauing been long in the darke which though at first it blindes like Loue yet it giues at last fight to get out of it so they found a board which was fastned with chaines to the top of the Vault and two pines of yron that held the chaines being stuck into the wall those being pulled out the chaines let the Planke fall gently downe iust crosse ouer the water which was not aboue six yards ouer but being on it they might see a great way vp and downe the streame Then passed they on to a doore which they opened a pretie way along the same vault from the brook and the end of it thorow which they entred into a dainty Garden and so into a faire Pallace of Alabaster incompassed
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
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
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
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—
in which time they hop'd she would forget and by example loue faire chastity but she neuer ordain'd for such a dull concluding of her dayes by the example which was shewed of stricktnes she loued freedome for Chastity affection and so wee met and still increas'd our flames till now that you were brought for our eternall good to see vs ioynd and to knit our blisse Now Sir I doe beseech you tell me who you are My name braue Sir answered the King is Amphilanthus this Knight Polarchos my Lord said hee I humbly craue pardon for my rudenesse yet may you the better pardon it since but that you could expect from wild men and Forresters but I haue not so liued that your fame hath not come and spread it selfe into each corner of these parts as the sweete west-wind doth grace each flower with a kisse so liue you honord by each hart and lou'd as hee who glories mankind with his excellence The King replid those words did shew his inside still remaind most noble and like so delicate a Prince he was then hee did salute the Lady who feasted them with all delicates staying them two dayes in which time the marriage was diuulged and all his neighbour Forresters came in to ioy with him his friends and hers now met were forced of all sides to shew great content Then Amphilanthus left them and pass'd on toward the Campe the braue Forrester bringing him through his command to the next towne from whence he had a guide O loue said Amphilanthus how pretious a Prince art thou that thus command'st ouer all mak'st Kings Forresters Forresters Kings in happinesse and leauest vs to trauell vp and downe neglected roaming like Beggars still asking of thee but thy gifts are slow and sparing one dayes sight or one poore houres discourse with much petition thou wilt grant mee and to others liues-time of comfort Why didst thou not make me a Forrester or a Shepheard or any thing so I might enioy my loue What life would I despise to vndergoe or danger shun so she might like and â— liue in her eyes for in her heart I know I doe and thus am doubly grieued â—oth for my want and her deare yet impatient suffering my absence working in her as vpon my heart with sorrow for both parts Piâ—ie vs great King of hearts we will beseech and beg of thee if not most cruell let mee iustly call thee Thus peâ—plexed hee rode not speaking all that day to any of his compaâ—ie Polarchos was content as well with silence as the King so they rid as if they had vowed not to speake or to trie how they could performe such a â—ow yet still did they dispute with loâ—e and all for loues deare sake Many â—leasant aduentures they passed finding one euening a delicate Lady followâ—ng a Hauke attended or accompanied with many braue Gentlemen and as gentle in behauiour as bloud being the chiefe and principall of that Counâ—rie the Lady affecting pleasures they louing her for that and her fashion which was full of spirit sweete and mild discourseâ— temperat and respectiue â—y her they passed and so by many more such meetings they staying no where till they came to the skirts of Albania where they encountred two Knights of whom they demanded newes they told them that they could giue them no certaine notice of any thing since the last battaile which was â—ought against Plamergus wherein he was slaine and his onely sonne Steriaâ—us hauing behaued himselfe so brauely and iudicially as he had gotten immortall praise the other kings and Princes deseruing to be eternised for their valour and iudgements Were you there I pray Sir said Amphilanthus Yes indeed Sir said the first we were both there and hardly escaped the fury of that day How was â—he battaile I beseech you said Amphilanthus Marry Sir said he the place was first troublesome and very full of disaduanâ—age to the strangers Hilles and little Bottoms betweene them wherein Plamergus the king of those parts had placed his men a great Riuer before him the bridge he had pull'd vp leauing no possibilitie for the army to come to him but they by meanes and aduice of Steriamus passed the water deuiding themselues in fiue parts as the passages were in number It was Steriamus his fortune with the Italians whose skill and valour was matchlesse and guided by such a Commander who did well and best in the absence of thâ—ir Lord not to bee resisted he met Plamergus Rosindy and the Macedonians encountred his sonne the rest the other troopes it was my happe to bee where the furious Italians met vs but they made quicke worke with vs running through vs and ouer vs as Lightning killing as they went so fast as I had but speede enough to runne away not resolution or heart to stay for it seemed to bee more then humaine force or speed they came with all Parselius with his Moreans did as brauely Antissius and Leandrus no lesse and Selarinus as well Then got wee ouer a Hill and ioyned with the kings sonne who was fighting with Rosindy but soone saw wee an end of him and his army so as away againe we went as if but to behold our party lost which when I saw and the battaile won Trumpets sunding the retreit we went away resolued in my heart neuer to draw Sword against the rightfull King Steriamus was proclaimed King and so by that name now is calld but though I will not fight against him yet I will not take his part till I see the next encounter past which will be more terrible by how much the army is greater led by brauer and stronger men and the other army something lessned by the last and many of their best men hurt How shall we gaine so much fauour of you braue Knights said he as to direct vs the nearest way to them Truly Sir said he by this I belieue they bee met but if you will goe and trie your fortune I will bring you within sight of them He gaue him many thanks and so he conducted them according to his promise Steriamus after the battaile had cald his Commanders together and tooke a certaine note of the number lost and hurt in the battaile which in comparison was nothing to their gaine and victory Then marched they on towards the second let and King of the middle Albania called Pollidorus and who was a braue man for courage and force Antissius gaining the honour to leade the Vantgard as it was at first granted him but altred by reason of the place to fight in With great courage they march on and with as much resolution the other attend them for except strengths were equall no glorie by victorie can bâ— esteem'd The strange Knight performed his promise and brought the King with his friend to a great Lakes side the armies being on the other side he desired to passe that and to bee able to assist if neede were the Knight then guided him by
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
must not haue it lent thee but loose more A ship at last came towards him to demaund newes and if they came from Greece of Amphilanthus He made answere himselfe that he was the man they sought My Lord said he your brother by me salutes you and desires your speedy returne the cause you shall by these letters vnderstand He tooke them and found that a great warre was begun betweene two famous and great houses in Italy by reason that the Duke of Milans younger sonne had stolne away the Duke of Vrbins onely daughter the businesse at first was but betweene themselues then grew further all neighbours taking part with them so as Italy was all on fiâ—e and the Regent no more respected then as their kings brother but power he had none or very little so as hee remained at Rome in the Castle and thence sent to his brother to returne and gouerne whose sight they all thought would appease the fury He was grieued to goe from seeking her and them he loued so dearely yet this was an occasion to bee looked vnto nor could it bee long that it was likely to hold him wherefore by Ollorandus his aduise and the care hee had of his poore Countrie for her sake more then his owne to preuent the ruine hee bent his course that way Alas vnfortunate Lady what will become of you this is the last time for some moneths hee shall come so neare but yeares before his affection bee so much Vnluckily did Fortune prouide for thee when blessings only kisse like strangers but haue their dwellings other where Hee arriued in Italy presently letting his comming be knowne all flocked vnto him and as when a ciuill warre in a Country hath made parties yet when a common enemy comes they all ioyne against him so did they flee now from the partakings but runne to happinesse and welcome He examined the cause found matters ill on both sides yet at last with power loue and iudgement appeased them all and setled Italy in as braue peace and quiet as euer it was flourishing now doubly as in riches and the ioy of such a King While he remained there much people frequented thither and the fame of his acts brought most eyes to behold him and as he returned so flew the report of his being there with them whereupon the King of Dalmatiâ— sent Embassadors to treat of a marriage twixt his daughter and Amphilanthus a thing long before spoken of and wished but this father would neuer heare of it during his life now reuiued againe and with much earnestnesse pursued The King made a courteous and ciuill answer to the Embassadour but said for marriage hee did desire to be excused till he knew by his owne labour certainely what was become of his Sister and Cosin then hee would come himselfe into Dalmatia and satisfie the King to his full content This answer was sufficient for the time thus resolued he to goe in the search appointed and to that end hauing called the Princes together who were all met and those from Albania returnd gaue charge of his estate to the Counsâ—ll making an old graue man of much reuerence in the Country and of the house of Florence President of the Counsell his brother he would haue setled againe but he desired to bee excused and to haue the order of Knighthood that with the rest of the braue Princes hee might seeke his sister and Cosins The King refused him not but himselfe gaue him the order and then parted he one way with Ollorandus the young Leonius another way by himselfe hauing none but an Esquire with him Amphilanthus changed his armour and colours making all tawny as if forsaken which was but the badge of the Liuerie hee gaue her soone after who best deserued from him and therefore least merited that reward he also gaue himselfe another name and was cald the Lost Man Ollorandus must likewise alter else one would make the other knowne wherefore he contrariwise cald himselfe the Happy Knight carrying in his Sheild Victory crownd with Loue. Thus they trauelled vncertainely where to stay or land letting the Marriners guide them as they pleased who were strangers to them and of Dalmatia whither they carried them they asked no more questions but landed and so went vp into the Countrie comming into a Wood which was great and euery way thicke and desart they yet traueld when they came to a way that parted in three they stood in question what to doe at last they resolued to take the middle way and by no meanes to deuide themselues The course they tooke brought them to a mighty Hill whose curled sides were so thick with trees as no possibility was to go downe being so steepe as they must hope to do a miracle and walke on the crownes of trees or els fall to their ruine like Icarus melted for presumption so they might bee bruised for proud hope and broken in their fall They lighted from their horses to trie if so they might goe on but all was in vaine so as they kept the Hill till they came to a place where trees had bin cut this was little better for their horses yet some thing more easie for them Here with much difficulty and paine which to aduenturous Knights is called pleasure their life being a meere vexation wilfully disguised to content they got downe and then came into a most louely Vally which had been the perswasiue part to their descending louelinesse being as attractiue as the Adamant hauing a property in loue to Iron so louelinesse hath to affection In this vally they rid a prety space but â—ot one word past betweene theÌ„ to a Riuer they came fierce and violent in the streame no way might bee found to passe it in many miles riding till at last they came vnto a Bridge which was defended by two Knights They would passe the Guarders refused vnlesse they would fulfill the orders there They desired but to know what they were and they as willingly would obey as they demand The orders said they are these you must iust with vs two one after another if you ouercome the first you must proceed to the next and if vanquish both the passage is free but one must venture first nor his companion helpe but stay his turne and so fight with both The vnmatchable King would take that taske on him his companion standing by he began and brauely concluded it with the Victorie Then seeing no more to be done he tooke the Swords of the vanquished and hung them on a Pillar hard by commanding them not to touch them but to goe to the King of that Country from him and to â—ell what had befallen them and sweare to carry no swords for two yeares nor euer more to defend so slight a cause They desired first to goe to the Lady who had set them there and tell her then to doe the rest desiring to â—now who had ouercome them Hee answered the Lost Man
willing to see the time when he might againe be blessed with Veralindas sight he went to bed folding his armes wishing his Mistrisse instead of her imagined selfe had been betweene them he sighed and turned as if from vaine hopes and put himselfe within the clothes to couer his folly as impossible wishes euer are Long he had not rested when from that he was cald as a little being too much for him many men came in the first carrying Candles the rest a Banket hee sat vp in his bed admiring the maner when the Lady came to him drank to him willing him to be merry and said she reioyce for now you are fallen into the hands with that making a signe his eies being fixt on her besides a little heauy so quickly discernd not the treason as otherwise he had cords were throwne ouer his armes and he made prisoner Vilanous treason cryd he of any and most destable of any other what is the cause what is the meaning of this I am indeed falne but how by treachery and falshood in a faire Counterfetter but foulest in the being falâ—e She laughed to see him tide and told him she neuer saw chaines better become a Knights armes then his especially they ought to sit best on the Emperours brother next himselfe whom she wished in his place though he were on that condition free He said no more but was tormented inwardly as much as so noble a spirit could be but he with all careful and desirous to free himself if he could catch opportunity They careles desird him to rise and go with them heedles of his watch which they repented for he rising found the chaines so loose as he slipt out of them and getting his sword which lay euer with him drawne such a busines he made among theÌ„ as many were hurt and some kild the Lady he kickt ouer with al contempt told her that he would die like a Prince hating her abominable trechery scorning more her falshood then plot Some of the seruants ran to their Lord to let him know the accident and to know what should bee done hee in his Gowne and only his shirt vnder it his sword in his hand following the seruants who when they came to the chamber let him as being their Master haue the place to enter they indeede not daring to venture againe into the roome He went in finding Leonius then vpon one of his men and him he best loued ready to strike off his head Hold your hand said he braue Prince and end your quarrell on me more meriting the blow All of you said he equally merit punishment for disloialty but you indeed most being the greatest and therfore most vnfit to be ill but ill beeing most punish-worthy still holding his sword ouer the man What may I do said the Lord to satisfie you To giue me liberty said Leonius although it be my due being brought hither to serue your faithlesse Sister I will not bee so poore to aske yet if I must make my choice I will be content with this let vs two as we are in our shirts fight for liberty or imprisonment if you ouercome I will remaine willingly your gaine if I vanquish let me haue liberty to depart and on these conditions I will saue the life of this creature I am content said the Lord. With that he threw his Gowne off Nay stay said the fauourd man my safty shal not proue harme any more to him that giues me life call your sonne and your other seruants coniure him and them to performe this condition well was this liked and so performed Then did Leonius and the Castle Lord â—ight so daintily and valiantly as neuer was any combat like it naked men brauely performing what discourses or Romancies striue with excellentest witty descriptions to expresse in Knights armed curious in their arming and carefull Here is no defence but vallour and good fortune armour but delicate shirts and more delicate skinnes sheilds but noble breasts of steele sufficient being strong in worth yet the noblest must ouercome so did Leonius who hauing kild the Lord hauing himselfe receiued some wounds but none very dangerous stood still looking on the young Lord who with teares beheld his father dead and casting his eyes like a noble Gentleman on Leonius Sir said he you haue now the conquest and shall haue the conditions kept with you which were made by my father In weeping he cald for a Chirurgion who dressed his wounds seeking first for helpe for his father but there was no hope hee nobly deliuerd the Armes againe belonging to Leonius to him when he had receiued them and saw all things iustly performed which was by the mankind promised he desired one thing more of the Gentleman whose harme brought his good which was to know the truth of the busines My Lord said he the truth is this there is nothing true which she related vnto you but faigned as diuers others haue been to worke her end She is not sister nor any thing that good is to my dead Lord but a creature kept by him this my young Lord being sonne by his vertuous and worthy wife whose heart was broken by his immoderate affection to this woman she hated all worth and now surely was cloyd with him striuing by all meanes to put him into dangerous aduentures not caring what shee did so she had her pleasure No weeke hath passed that she hath not had one or two of such like businesses faigning falshoods and discourses as she found their Persons shee met withall especially hating the Emperour for his and your fathers sake who gaue offence to her by hauing in his youth a while liked her mother and for necessity of the place surely more then affection hauing enioyed after left her This as leauing is a hatefull thing to women vpon what termes soeuer and she doubting her end would grow vnto it vowed all hurt to your illustrious family and to that end she laid this trap for you Leonius took his leaue of the young Lord who brought him out of the Castle to see him safe permitting his Chirurgion to goe with him turning the vild creature out of his gates alone and vnprouided of any thing but her wickednesse wherewith she was plentifully furnished and all that with her selfe enioyed by the wild beasts Noble was this act for a braue enemy gaines equall fame by nobly vsing his enemy as by cherishing his friend Leonius tooke his iourney and way still as he pretended to his Mistrisse he passed Bulgaria hating it for this mischiefe and without any saue neate aduenture which was this gaind right against Corinth A passionate man walked vp and downe the Sands being vpon the Strand of the Gulfe of Lepanto somtimes viewing Heauen crauing aide from thence then the earth blaming her cruelty alas cryd he pitiles Heauen that could view and permit such extremity to suffer so chastly loyall a Loue to end in so sad a sort
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
by a new creation fall to my old place againe These and some other open disgraces truly changed my heart or wrought so much in me as I grew to loue lesse then not to loue and now am come to be more careles of him and faine almost would shun him yet I cannot directly do that though I hate the fortune I am fallen into and this is the cause I am vext with hauing this Lot Vrania and Philistella pitied her especially when she cryd Alas said she why was loue so cruell or rather to clothe loue in such cruelty as to giue hope of purpose to ruine as if one would giue a delicate banket and poyson the Guests when he had done els might hee haue left mee despaire for charities sake and not luld me with hope to martyr me againe The Queenes perswaded much with her and so at last she was pacified so farre as to giue him the Iewel and accept the name of his Mistrisse as other faire Ladies doe the like name further their friendships increased not so long as this story lasted Philistella was left heere with her deare Selarinus shee being crowned with all solemnitie as hee had been before Steriamus and his Vrania iournied on to their Kingdome where likewise shee was crowned and liued the rest of their dayes in all happinesse and ioy the like did Selarinus and Philistella Antissius and Selarina in their voyage by Sea meta fine Aduenture in a sweet and dainty Iland where they staid the Queeue not well brooking the Sâ—a in which time they walked vp into the land comming into a delicate Pallace built curiously of white stone a braue Riuer or arme of the Sea running a little on the other side of it Gardens were round about it or walkes which made it appeare the Pallace of delight and much perfecter had it bin but the Lord of it was called by lifes concluder to obedience dying and leauing two sonnes and one most faire Daughter with his noble Lady whose vertues were such as shinned in her for the honor of all other women and examples to Maydes to liue Virgins and wiues and widdowes as she had done and did She met the King and Queene at the first Gate being enformed who they were with all reuerent respect welcommed them attending them into the Gardens shewing them the pleasures of them and giuing them such fruits as that time yeelded then waited on them into the house which they admired for curiositie sitting downe to rest them in a braue Gallery which delighted them infinitely by reason of the sweete prospect which though not so far as others yet was it as pleasing beeing able to iudge of what they beheld which was one way delicate meadowes and that great Riuer beyond it fields and hills downe the Riuer an ancient and famous Citie well built and of many miles compasse vp the Riuer pasture grounds and fine inclosures thus were all sorts of delights round about and in sight of this place but the richest and finest sight was the graue Widdow the sweet youthes and the excellent young Lady whose perfections were such as no description can come neere or any thing but admiration tell whose fulnesse will not permit expression Her stature was of the brauest and best chosen height her skinne although her hayre was browne white as milke soft as downe and fine as silke her eyes black as if mourning for the murders they would commit yet so spritefull as gaue comfort and blessed content to him should bee honourd with their fauours and hope of life to the dying if they repented their ambition She was sixteene yeares of age but of such beauty as if each minute had biâ— employd to fetch excellencies to her a graue and braue fashion she had which to strangers seemd pride but to them that knew her true noblenes abounded in her which they published else she had bin vndeseruingly condemned With the King there was a braue Lord but somewhat in yeares exceeding her he yet had a young and new desire to obtaine her his worth would not seeke her but as her worth warranted him a strangers name hee feared would be distastfull yet he was so neare a home borne man in affection as that might speake for him he was an experienced man and therfore knew time the most pretious of any thing wherefore he applyd himselfe vnto her Her fashion was discreet like herself respectiue according to his owne hart which was not the meanest but such an one as might haue dwelt for noblenes in a king but being in him made him a king for bounty A Cosin-german shee had who trauelling with this Lord was so imped into the quills of his loue as he was himselfe and so wooed for him she was confident of her Cosins loue and trusted his iudgement so receiued the Romanian as on trust from him he was in great fauour with the King who spake for him and of purpose stayed in that Island belonging vnto his Crowne till his seruant had gaind his desire the weather so temperat and pleasing as his Maiesty resolued to stay there and lodge in tents for pleasure and the more commodiously to let his Fauourite court his Mistris although the Lady most earnestly besought his gracing her house with lodging in it but the delightful Island carryed him about to view it and so left him to woe and win if he could In his Progres he met many fine aduentures the Island being large and plentifull of all delicacies but the king fel to sports the Queene affected only prety delights none so violent as hunting the house where they then kept court was a large and auncient house belonging to an Noble-man built square of stone standing rather vpon a flat then a Hill for the highest of the ascents was scarce sencible There ranne behind the Garden and Orchard wall a sweete Brooke on each side whereof fine and enamiled Meadowes lay shewing their finesses to each eye in this place Selarina tooke delight and heere walked but she was with-drawne a little from the Brooke and plaine to a little hill which had some few trees to grace it selfe withall and helpe others from the scorching heate a voice to this place inuited her whither being arriued she found two men in Shepheards weeds their countenances spake for them that they were not borne to that estate yet their complexions shewed that they had not beene curious to preserue them selues from the Sun but followed their fortunes or choyce as men ought to doe any profession they take they were not so young as it might bee said they had want only taken that life the ripnes of their yeares tooke away that suspition for they were towards forty so as iudgment to content them selues or discontent one might see had brought them to it they were together when the Queene first saw them but they seeing her soone parted one as if flying company the other remayning to yeeld account of his going
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
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