seduce Pyrrhe enters into a new fury which made him speak wonders But Timoleon was so glad to have gotten into his hands the Paper which so angred him that he thought as they say to have the Wolf by the ears so that giving way to the passion of Pyrrhe to gather scum at his pleasure he was content only to answer him thus coldly That he was content to have him for his Vassal but not for his Companion and that he knew the means how to humble him at his pleasure as time should serve that for the present he was content to return him the Promise of his daughter counselling him if he esteemed the honour of his house to deal with her in that sort as that she should not be so liberal of her promises and writings otherwise he would hardly find her a husband These words spoken with somwhat a satyrical tone bit outragiously cruel our Pyrrhe never answering but with taunts and bravado's making himself laught at by those which heard him for although a Gentleman he was nevertheless so inferior to Timoleon as they were not to measure their swords together The Promises rendred there was no more cause of pleading Pyrrhe gave a disavow of what his daughter had done and Timoleon the same for his son friends of both sides seek to make peace with the vassal and his Lord. Timoleon for his part seems not unwilling Pyrrhe who knows of what importance it is to him to be reconciled lets himself be easily drawn words of precipitation are given in choler they part friends Here are all the strings of Philippin's bow broken what shall he do he is like the bird tyed by the leg the more it flutters the more it is pinched and more it strives the more strangled Pyrrhe arrives and keeps such a life against his son and daughter such as one may judge of a proud man having lost his pretensions and being returned with having engaged a piece of his honour Whereas Timoleon triumphs on his side and tells of his intention to match his son with Elise she was both vertuous and rich which are two qualities which both the world and reason esteem more then beauty He knew not how to withstand his father by contradiction his youth told him this was another Lea that they would put upon him instead of his fair Rachel for truly this Maid had not so much of beauty as to be esteemed fair and yet enough to warrant her from the title of being ilfavoured although she was so in the opinion of Philippin not being fair his thoughts are continually occupied in the idea of Isabel whose only name spake beauty it self and was able to make the brightest star appear to him deformed What shall he do for this grief is incident to all He feigns to be touched in conscience with many scruples not contented with the restitutions of their Promises he will have an act of Justice for his justification Timoleon demands it of Scevole who obtains it incontinently by his credit and by reason and justice This is not enough he says it was their parents which have made restitution of the Contracts but he held not himself disengaged if first he saw not a writing of Isabel by which she acquitted him of his promise by words esteeming that a man or worth is as much bound to preserve his word as his writ the writing being nothing but a visible testimony of faith given Said this young Lord to himself Isabel will never sign to such a disavow and if she should he might have just occasion to complain of her and to accuse her of inconstancie and aptness to change Timoleon who saw that this was the last rampire of his sons obstination having promised his father to think of Elise if this Disavow were but obtained anew sollicites Pyrrhe desiring him to oblige him so much as to procure him a declaration from his daughter importing the return of his sons word given her although it were no way necessary but to satisfie the scruples of the conscience of Philippin promising to acknowledg this courtesie by those good offices which should bind him to believe their reconciliation was not fained Pyrrhe which saw himself sought to by his Lord and in a thing wherein he believed to return that which he thought he had engaged his reputation in at their last meeting promised to Scipion incontinently who was imployed in this business to give him that which Timoleon demanded But he counted without his Host forasmuch as he found more resistance in Isabella in this then he had ever done before For judging well by this as she was wise that Philippin sought all possible means to defer the marriage with Elise of which she had already had news being now common in City and Country she plainly shewed her unwillingness saying that was unnecessary and that she would not give a writing which might prove prejudicial to her honour But in the end Pyrrhe and Valentine her mother threatned her so much that having drawn from her many Letters which gave testimony enough of her constrained writing to that effect at last contented themselves with this where she seemed to open herself with more freedom and liberty addressing herself to Timoleon thus My Lord MY duty ties me to the obedience of my parents I write to you by their commands to free my Lord your son of those scruples of conscience whereby he might any way be touched for those Promises with which it pleased his affection to overtake my credulity My Lord both he and I are so much theirs who have brought us into the world that it seems not only our lives but also our fortunes our wills and words depend absolutely on their authority Methought it had been enough to have rendred the promises in writing without pressing me any further to renounce by letter his protestations to me the which I do for your satisfaction and his and to content my father who commanded me This is not to complain but rather to give a testimony of joy that I receive in the news of the marriage which I understand you intend to imbark him in I wish to God it may prove as happy to him as I desire it If I were free and that my presence might not bring any hindrance to your joy I would be one in that assembly to raise by the shadow of my defects the brightness of this chain of gold you 'll put about his neck I believe the feast will be great and will not pass without those exercises of which I promise my self I should give a testimony of my skill and courage which would raise me far beyond those of my condition But because this cannot be without troubling your content and his conscience I will give you a testimony of it by the freedom of this disavow That although I am not rich enough to be your daughter-in-law I have yet courage to disdain the quality in leaving the possession to another and suffer
Strange quality of confession that makes the innocent guilty The resistance that our Patients made in not avowing that which truly they had not committed made them odious in the eyes of the malicious world that esteemed them so much the more guilty Neither their youth quality blood freedom and courage nor the other testimonies of piety that they shewed in this action was capable to draw any sorrow from the spectators but all gave blessings on the Justice that purged the world of such plagues The Confessors imploy their utmost endeavours to draw this thorn from their hearts by their mouths and used the most pressing and earnest reasons they could from divine inspiration But how could that come from their mouths that was not entred into their thoughts They died praising God that was pleased to draw them to him by so rough and hard a way The whilst the world enemy to heaven and father of rash judgments curses them God blesses them in giving them an invincible courage and fearless in this inevitable danger Elise pardons all the world and asking a thousand pardons of Andronico as cause of his suffering her head flew off in uttering these words Jesus be with me Lord Jesus And Andronico incontinently after with these words that his Confessor put in his mouth My God I remit my spirit into thy hand The opinions upon this Execution were very different The Judges themselves whilst the world praised their equity were not well satisfied in their souls although their hearts felt nothing So much force hath truth that those that see it not are nevertheless constrained by a secret vertue to have a feeling of it But as the Seed-corn thrown into the earth that one would think should rot is nourished taking root raises his head loaden and crowned with fruit out of the earth even so this innocence for some time hidden and lost by death having gotten the victory by suffering shall appear like a Palm so much the more strait and high by how much it had been overcharged it will come from the midst of hot burning coals as pure as gold from a fornace But Sophie in stead or being comforted by the Letter of her daughter finds herself so full of grief that not being able to support the greatness of her sorrow she was constrained to yield to her tomb that which all flesh owes it which she did three days after the death of her daughter for to outlive such a disgrace was a thing impossible to her Scevole being in the Country assailed with this new grief for the death of his wife experimented the proverb that says One misfortune goes always accompanied with another The Town begins to be odious to him as a prison or rather the sepulchre of his honour and glory This solitude appears a paradise to him of sweet repose How late said he have I known thee The sweetness of this tranquile life begins to flatter his thoughts and to resolve him to quit the inseparable unquietness of affairs and businesses which are so annexed to great dignities that it is not without reason they are called Charges under which lies many times the rack and makes the strongest judgments suffer He will deliver himself from the torment of Ambition and make himself invisible to the eyes of Envy that doth nothing but murmur at his great wealth And what shall he do in a place where all present him with the infamie of his house by the death of his daughter and its desolation by the loss of his wife He goes meditating of the Country-solitude of the antient Courtier called Similis who of an hundred years of life having passed foâ—â— in the Country made it to be written on his â—omb That he had lived but time happily that he had been delivered from the troubles of Court The Muses came to receive Scevole and to sweeten this solitary residence Sâ—udy is all his enteâ—tainment Those Verses that Socrates loved even to his death recreate him and much please him to recite thus Scevole thou must shortly 〈◊〉 the Stage Of humane frailty since incroaching Age Insensibly appears t'eccliâ—se thy light And masque thy â—ay up in â—ieâ—nal 〈◊〉 Hast thou not see on this vast Seâ—â—'â—h ' world How Life 's poor Barque to 〈◊〉 est-â—ost and hurl'd O guâ—de her stedâ—y then if thou 〈◊〉 steere By Jâ—ys true Compass and cast anchor there Frail is the bliss of Fortâ—â—â— which still sâ—ands On slippery â—ills like hâ—uses builâ— on 〈◊〉 Their hâ—ighth procures their greater ruineâ— tall And â—owring Cedars have the sadder fall Great Fortunes are unsafe proud Palacâ—s find A dangerous fate and the lâ—nd blustring wind Confronts high hills whiâ—st vallies safely stand Free from the fury both of sea and land Most blest is he that can blot out the story And short-hand character of all humane glory That can retire from the tumultuous crowd Of business and in a calm air uncloud His earth-ecclipsed mind and thence dispose His soul to th' solace of a sweet Repose He like to some Recluse will strive to bless His soul with silence of an home-recess Having 〈◊〉 long a follower been of those Vain empty Gâ—gas which so discompose And mock our sense to which they appear like Apes Drâ—st and disguised in their â—â—tick so apes What Ptots are Envy proof which undermines The low'st foundation of the high'st designes And as the smoke so flits Earths proudest Power The hottest Sun shine's subject to a shower And those fair Springs the Gardners hopes confute Which pay him blossoms where they promis'd fruit Sweet Innocence which from the least degree Of popular greatness is secure and free Vales Rivers Rocks with the blest shades appear And whisper solitude in my slumbring ear You that have seen my Affliction come and raise Your selves as witness of my better dayes Whilst Scevole goes tempering his afflictions by these sweet entertainments and conforming himself to the examples of so many great and grave Personages that crowned a fair course of life by a sweet and happy retreat seeing the Emperors Dioclesian among the Pagans and Charls the Fifth among the Christians retired and did prefer a Rustick life to their Crowns Kingdoms and so many more of all sorts of eminent qualities had so followed this happy trace as much for that they were out of all necessity as not to commit any thing willingly in an age so advanced as his He pretends to leave his Office although he was sollicited from divers places Happy in leaving this trouble if he had with full sails arrived at the Port of peace now met withall in saying with an Antient Fortune adieu All worldly hopes surcease I 'm anchor'd now i' th' harbour of true Peace But it will take him as the Mariners that are accustomed with the tossing of the sea and breaking of the waves and to long navigations yet in horrible tempests they commend the firmness of the earth and tranquillity of the port but no sooner arrived but
somwhat of bitterness or as hunger and thirst makes one find those meats delicious of least savour so peace is never in its true lustre but after a long and hard war even such was before the return of this bright Star war had even rent this Monarchy in peeces with dissentions uncivilly civil that it appeared our Nation was become a manicle and took pleasure in opening her own entrails and to unrip herself more hungry then Saturn after the flesh of his own children Nought was but slaughter seen whole fields being spread With mangled trunks and bodies of the dead Then appeared this Henry which returning from one end of the world leaving a Country and Kingdom where he was adored to give himself to this where his birth and inclination called him was welcomed like another Saint Elme or if you will as a Neptune ferming the winds of seditions in their gale and calming with the Trident of his valour prudence and goodness the mutinous â—lotes which beat the flanks of this great Bark who quickly knew him for her Pilot and received him for her legitimate Prince the sword was now no more shaken over the heads of the Citizens experience now had taught that fire and sword were needless threatnings to strike off the heads of the Hydra which was cause of all these mischiefs the earth had drank the blood and wiped away all remembrance from men all tears dryed all displeasures forgot peace and quietness published this great Prince Raising from war the Olive which imparts Trophies to Sciences and the liberal Arts. And then as the bitterness of gall makes us prove the sweetness of honey so contentment and peace unexpected ravished so the enjoyers as it took away the means to express their happiness You would have said it was a Solomon peaceably succeeding a bloody David that greatness whereof France is the Mine hiding in her own breast all her treasures which now she set forth to shew to the face of the earth The Court shined like the heavens strewed with as many stars as there were Princes and Lords the King appeared like a Sun not only by his soveraignty which spread the beams of all his other greatness but also the merits of his person for in his counsels he was wisest at his exercises the readiest in arms the most valiant amongst the gallants of the best grace in company the quickest-witted amongst the braves the most agreeable amongst the well-spoken the most eloquent with the devout the most religious among the rich and pompous the most magnificent and wheresoever he was he could never be mistaken nor take Alexander for Ephestion for he held his Majesty with so grave a sweetness a face worthy of the Empire as if appeared shewed as if it had been written on his forehead and carriage Behold the King Yet all these truths are so far from flattery that one ought to have had but eyes to see and swear that all came short that could be said of his heroick parts True it is I may with more boldness proceed to set forth his praises by the permission of the wisest of Kings but in a time in the which one cannot imagine any pretension of acknowledgment being there remains none of his race for what recompence should one expect of a Prince that after the having possessed two great Scepters hath lain many years upon the earth deprived of his last honour his Sepulchre remaining as the Poet sung of his time his and his creature Whose thunder-shatter'd carkass lookt like just Confused attoms or an heap of dust And as to the sole image of his vertues it is that I give this due memory there was nevertheless this gracious difference between the Sun and this Prince that in the midst of his Court that is that in place of swallowing the brightness of the smaller Planets this great King on the contrary gave such a lustre to those that invironed him that without so sing any of his preheminence he gave them of his brightness that made him respected of many and envied of others for all birds beaâ— not equally the brightness of his favour Verily one may say of the magnificence of this Prince the same as the Queen of Midâ— said of Solomon That happy were his servants for besides his liberality to them he was very courteous in the begiâ—ning of his reign he practised many great things and there passed so many wonders at Court that as there is no face without some blemish so they were in greater pain to hinder the profuse expences of this great Monarch then to praise his liberality Living thus happy adored of his subjects beloved of his neighbours feared of strangers esteemed of all the world when the heavens jealous to see so much prosperity on earth sowed emulation and jealousies among the great ones that have risen to those rayes which we can no way express but with silence being it makes nothing to the History that I have now to write the which tragical misfortune happened during these great prosperities which I intend to paint forth Methinks it should be a presage without ills this publike happiness but as it happens at sea ordinarily that certain white birds coming to sup at the water or sit on the ship is a certain sign of the storm so Innocencie made guilty and punished as a delinquent as it shall appear in this following story was an augure being born and fed as a canker in the fairest roses ought by miserable arts to cover this great Prince from 〈◊〉 many black calumnies that his religion should be taken for impiety and his piety for irreligion by those which ought to have been the trumpets of his glory and to be persecuted by those that should have been arches and tables of his authority and of his Empire But not to draw any harder this knot too delicate for my rude hand I will only content my self with this saying to come to my end That the heart of this good King was very open to all worthiness many favourites he had Let us repeat again this little word of liberty as I said Favourites and in great numbers and as it is impossible in a multitude there will not multiply diversity of humours and passions according to the diversity of judgments and as they are interessed It happened that a Lord of great birth and quality that had place in the Kings house fell not altogether in disgrace but in disesteem with the Prince by the artificious industries of a Favourite that loved him not and because it doth concern me to conceal the names and qualities of the persons in this history by reason of the tragical events that shews in the line of this deduction we will hide them with so much art imitating the thunder that bruises the bones without hurting the skin melts swords and silver without hurting the seabâ—ard or the purses being very needfull to gain profit by an example to know the particular circumstances of the
this great alliance and promises to set all his rest and to make Elise his absolute heir universal so it may be accomplished To ask obtain is all one thing She is something elder then the Youth but that is no matter that 's the least Timoleon cares not for that he shall have crowns in abundance and which is more an Officer which will maintain and govern all the businesses of his house He concludes it absolutely with Scevole who doubts nothing of the obedience of his daughter though Timoleon cannot assure himself of his sons Yet resolved to imploy his force where love could get no place one day having called him makes a speech to him with all the sweetness he could borrow of his pride and greatness of his spirit He shewed him the debts and necessities of his house of which the fall and ruine was at hand if it were not restored by some rich Match and therefore counselled him to think seriously on it forgetting his unworthy thoughts of that Isabel which had almost lost him his life and wits too and to bestow his love upon some Lady of the City without thinking longer of this Country-wench Doth not he play the father of Sampson seeking to turn his son from the marriage of Dalilah His son finding himself used with all sort of sweetness having heretofore found nothing but rough carriage found himself touched in the tendrest of his affections But as it is impossible that a new Vessel should lose the smell and colour of the liquor with which it hath been first fill'd he was in great pain how to answer his father according to his desire And yet not willing to set him abroad to no purpose he esteemed it better to direct his speech with that government as might not seem altogether to oppose him He began to consider the necessities of his house yet not esteeming them other but that his father might repair them with good husbandry But when he was urged by his father to seek a Match in the Town after having excused himself of his tenderness of years unapt for that Timoleon having taken him at that word told him he ought not then to do it with Isabel Sir I believe it replied he that marriages are made in heaven and practised on earth and it is hard to resist the influence of this cause being concluded above to that point And therefore he besought him to pardon him having received of God free-will and not of him Although the respect he ought him might hinder him from marrying yet his authority should not be so tyrannous as to make him take a wife against his will For hot being possible to have both he could never be others then hers whom the heavens and his consent had first given him Scarce had Timoleon patience to hear his last word with a dying liberty when putting himself into his accustomed threats and revilings yet withholding himself in the midst of this torrent as impetuous as impious for fear to put this young Lord into those extremities which his violent cruelty had heretofore reduced him to So constraining his nature he cast himself on rebellion and disobedience and ingratitude of children saying they were accompanied with the pride of liberty that without any wisdom or experience they will make laws to their fathers and by their sottish love and particular fancies bring desolation to their house With this his choler made him utter many frivolous threats as That if he did not marry he would disinherit him and give him his curse if he should ever marry with his Vassal reproaching him of baseness and poorness of spirit withall speaking many invective words against this Gentlewoman by reason of her skill in so many exercises the rock and wheel being fitter for her To all which Philippin answered with silence excusing himself that having given his word and promise in writing given and received he could not before God nor men take other wife but Isabel without deceiving her Hereupon Timoleon consulted with Scevole yet hiding most part of his displeasure and these denials of Philippin This foolish Boy says he being abroad one day falls in love with a Tenants daughter of mine a Gentleman here by and so far as he hath promised marriage Can this promise bind him To which Scevole answered no but that all these private contracts secret practises and flying oaths promises by word or by writing were as air or running water Timoleon joyed as if Scevole had given him life goes and consults with the Theologians which teach him the same doctrine the last Councel of Oecumenie declaring null all marriages clandestine He returns to his son of whom he promised himself an assured victory For having demanded of him if he would submit himself to his obedience if he did shew him that all his oaths and signings were worth nothing now this youth esteeming them in full strength yielded to give him all honour and respect He brings a company of Lawyers and Divines to decide this difficulty before him but he esteeming it a trick would not believe them He gives him liberty to go to any of the Town to enquire himself where having found conformity in all he was much astonished finding himself taken by the nose to the prejudice of his affection He must doubt no more Whilst he strives to hinder these baits and to kick against the pricks the more he fills his way and puts himself into blame and ill opinion of all and encourages his father to use his authority who hath no watch but on his goods He is reprehended of rebellion and disobedience here is heaven and earth against him stoned with the reasons of all those which have no feeling or sense of his love One day seeing himself vanquished by his fathers propositions which like a cunning Fencer pressed him still further after having put the shame in his face and turned all the fault on him Sir answered he they which will ask a reason for Love may as well seek fresh water in the sea or birds in the floods and fishes in the air For the reason of Love is Love it felf whose empire is so strong as it maintains it self good against our selves forcing us to do that we would not and making us do that we ought not 'T is true these promises by words or writing are nothing in right but yet in deed for the one and the other are in being That which I received of Isabel is in your power but that which I writ and sealed is in her hands I know not how to resolve my self of this shamefull denial as long as these are in being firm for they will serve for an eternal reproach of my infidelity which will be to my perpetual shame Is this the cause quoth Timoleon that withholds you from shewing your duty in obeying my commands Why whether Pyrrhe will or no it shall be very easie for me to break and make it of no effect He suddenly
dispatches Scipion to Vaupre with the Promise of Isabel to deliver into into the hands of her father and to demand that of his son who was much astonished to hear this news by the mouth of Scipion with letters of credit from Timoleon For as all this business was practised without his knowledge he was much displeased that his daughter durst proceed so far without his consent fearing some further business but understanding of Scipion that had been an eye-witness of that nights meeting that all their discourse was performed according to laws of honour and in presence of Harman who had received the promises in writing on the one part and the other he had reason to say the same which the despiteful Juno said against the Goddess of Cypres in the greatest of Poets Thou hast acquir'd victory whose fame Shall adde eternal trophies to thy name Fair Venus and thy Son whose powers all do Invoke with honour and with reverence too If powerfull Gods with subtilties do subdue A woman in those arts she never knew For how was it possible that poor Isabella should not yield at the perswasions of a brother proposing the greatness of a Marriage on which said he depends the happiness of our house besides being pressed by his ardent affection to Philippin which in his person wanted not perfections to deserve the love and service of all Now Pyrrhe although poor in the goods of fortune was nevertheless so rich in honour that he would not by any unlawfull means have come to a better Having then promised Scipion to give Timoleon all contentment and to employ his uttermost power for to return the Promise of Philippin he called aside his son and daughter in the presence of their mother and chid them sharply for their proceedings telling them how he had discovered from point to point as he had heard from Scipion though not naming him their nights-meeting their discourse and promises given in writing You never saw any so astonished as Harman and Isabel were who threw herself at her fathers feet asking pardon excusing herself by the permission she had to entertain this seeking of Philippin But Harman more couragious taking all the fault on him besought his father to excuse the innocencie of his sister for whom he thought to procure a fortune very advantagious nothing having past in all their affections which might any way alter the reputation of their family But where is this Promise of Philippin's quoth Pyrrhe The which Isabel who carried it ordinarily in her bosom gave freely into her fathers hands to dispose of as he thought fit They consuited with themselves if they should deliver it to the hands of Scipion taking that which he brought or if Pyrrhe should go himself and deliver it to Timoleon but found inconveniences in both these propositions yet the most assured was that they resolved For in the first there was bounty and generosity and in the second more certainty of reconciliation between the Lord and his Vassal betwixt whom there was no small hatred and yet to trust Scipion in a business of that importance under a simple writing was not fit That Pyrrhe should go speak himself with Timoleon there was some danger to be feared being both of a stout courage and of a Nation whose heads are very hot falling to words might produce some dangerous effect Harman is appointed to go with Scipion to return this promise to Philippin and to bring back that of Isabel But the brother and sister retired into secret counsel intending other proceedings for Harman resolved to carry the promise to Philippin to summon him to the effecting of it which was not according to the intention of his father See but into what a labyrinth disobedient youth thrusts it self He returns with Scipion to the City leaving his sister to the mercy of a mother which torments and uses her cruelly For Valentine finding this action odious and dishonorable had almost with her extreme chiding brought her to despair But let us leave her between the anvil and the hammer between these assaults fatherly and motherly refining the temper of her patience to understand the good operations of Harman who being arrived instead of exchanging Promises cites Philippin before the Justice to acknowledge his Deed and Seal Philippin received this assault strangely for he would have been very glad not to have denied his hand yet this form of proceeding a little altered him As for Timoleon he was so enraged that if he had met with Harman he had torn him in as many peeces as a furious Lion would a Goat Scipion said this was not the command of Pyrrhe but that he should render the Promise of the son and receive that of his daughter Harman stood obstinately not to give it up desiring the advancement of his sister against the will of his father The displeasure betwixt Philippin and Harman came by reason of the strict watch Timoleon kept of his son so neer as he took away all means of communication or writing This signification was made by Harman so suddenly as it was done without any consultation of Lawyer or other councel for having laid the business on the Table before the grave and wise Judges they told him it was a simple part of him to undertake a business of that contestation Scevole is advertised of it who assures Timoleon to break all this like a glass Yet Harman having spoken with Philippin pursues his cause by the advice he had of him having received assurance if it came to judgment he would not detract either from his word or writing In the mean time Timoleon dispatches another Letter to Pyrrhe in which he tells him That the Gentleman he had sent the other times had brought other testimonies of his worth then his son made now shew of and that if he were a man of his word he should make Harman forbear these proceedings the success whereof would but turn to his confusion desiring him to come himself or to send a testimony of his express will and pleasure that by that he might judge of his intentions and that he would still have him for his friend if he would deal in that sort that his daughter might not pretend any alliance with his son At this news Pyrrhe fell into extreme choler against Harman and getting on hors-back comes presently to Town where no sooner arrived but Harman retires for fear of his displeasure Pyrrhe desires to see the writings of the Process and takes forth Philippin's Promise and with the same speed carries it to Timoleon and in the delivery gives braving words and â—odomontado's usuall with those of that Country The subtile old man puts him off with fair words without any other answer but only that Pyrrhe had just reason to be angry with his son Harman which had passed the command he gave him and had reason like an honourable Gentleman to disprove the proceeding of his daughter who would have seduced Philippin At which word
without grief what my self hath lost Do not misunderstand me that I accuse you of rigor or cruelty or my father of constraint being you both do me a great favour in breaking my bands and setting me in my first liberty it is a grace for which I ought rather to thank you then to complain as of injustice All that angers me you will be pleased I may use the prtviledge of my sex my Lord to speak freely to you is a true report which hath been delivered me of some certain disgracefull words have slipt from your judgment prejudicial to my reputation My Lord you know my exercises and that I carry somthing else by my side then a Spindle to be revenged and to prove lyars all those who would offend that which is dearer to me then life I desire no other testimony then your sons against you of whom I did not entertain the love but by permission of my friends as I now renounce to shew my obedience It may be some detractor hath deceived you making you believe otherwise of me then you ought wherein when you please you may confess your error I must give thanks to her whom you have made choice of for your daughter to enter into your alliance having made me retire for I would not have a father-in-law that should esteem me other then what I am If she be more noble in riches I may highly say I am richer in nobility and if she be above me in rank I am before her in blood Jealousie I have none for looks being I esteem not the greatness of persons but by their vertues and worth it is not in a hin of gold that true merit is measured I care as little to yield to her in that as I esteem to be above her that if you love her better for your son then I I love her as well for you as for your son I wish you more happiness and content in this alliance then you have hoped for of mine returning you by the commandment of my parents all those Promises that I might have pretended of my Lord your son from whom I expect the same return and in the same form as hath fallen from my pen. And for satisfaction of all these wrongs I will but make a solemn protestation to remain for ever your Servant expecting a more happy condition takes me from the quality of Your Vassal This long Letter conformable to the humour of Pyrrhe and the generosity of the Amazon was delivered to Scipion which he having given to Timoleon brought more subject of laughter then of choler For boasting is so ordinary with this Nation as being their common discourse joyned with the quality of the person took away all occasion of having any feeling of this It is shewed to Philippin who knowing the hand yet noting many places procured by constraint is nevertheless pressed by Timoleon to take this return for sufficient with command to pay her in her own mony which was in this manner to Pyrrhe Sir I Have seen that which by your commandment your Amazon hath written to my father worthy truly of her humour and courage and all tissued with a high stile and feathered bravely as if she spake a hors-back to an old man who is resolved not to vanquish her but by courtesie Of me she ought to expect nothing but all service and no oppositions against her pleasures And would to God she were as free as she is in speaking and that the duty which I owe to those whom I owe all did not force me to send back the gages of her Promises solemnly sworn But since the unhappy influence of our stars hath separated us I am very glad she hath first cut the knot which I esteemed the only knife of death to have served Alexander I will not answer to her high words but with humilities since not having changed heart I cannot change my discourse If I send back her Promises which she made me it is not for disdain of having received mine but because she asking that which is hers I cannot detain them without injustice I would not complain for the respect I owe her and for that which I owe to my own modesty Of all these changes I neither accuse her courage noâ— yours as I must intreat you neither to tax nor touch mine I can complain of nothing but my ill fortune which permits me not to enjoy that I desire but carries me to that I flie with a destiny inevitable 'T is in vain to withstand a torrent 't is prudence to yield to a misfortune which we cannot withstand 't is wisdom to render our arms when we cannot vanquish She which returns my word in calling her own teaches me by wise obedience what emperie Reason should have of Passion and what an ascendant power Duty hath of a supple spirit Having never seen but perfections in all her carriages I will from henceforth believe that Change is a vertue since she puts it in practice Her action being then my rule her example shall serve for my reason Heaven witness with me it is to please her that I return that she will have and which I cannot keep against her will Knowing well how much I ever honoured her I could not better make shew how I esteem her vertues but in imitating them that if I be accused of inconstancie shall I not have reason to call this accusation unjust that disproves in others that which they authorise in themselves I confess to you Sir that I have used all possible means to preserve inviolable my bonds but since they have broken my chains I cannot hinder them to tie me in another place since my fortune and birth have made me fit for servitude It is not that I should not have honoured your alliance and that I shall not try by all sort of services to give your house proofs of my love But since I must follow the course that first enchained me I let my self be carried by a stream of water which promiseth me nothing but a sea of bitterness I go then to put my will under those commands of my father God grant that my obedience make this sacrifice more happy then my augure tells me and bless you with as many prosperities as you desire He which shall be your servant as long as he hath life Timoleon found many things in this Letter contrary to his humour nevertheless was glad to draw what he could from this ill pair and did not desire altogether to displease this young man in constraining him to write another more conformable to his own fancie being that in effect he had what he desired with the return of the word of Isabel who had no sooner had communication of this writing that Pyrrhe let her see but left almost to live with having ended the Letter To tell you the raving and assault that this wrought in her spirit cannot be expressed but by silence Yet nevertheless being wise and discreet at