her Lovers death While she remaind in this deadly trouble and bloody displeasure le ts see what Piroxenus did on his side when he heard publickly that there was no more hope for his friend and that the Judge who pronounced the sentence of death upon him had been in vain perswading the King that he should do well to delay the execution untill the truth of what the offender said concerning his extraction were known Indeed he took an ill time to discourse with that Prince on the instant when he was a fresh insensed against his daughter so as he gave him no more speed than her and that advertisement but made him hasten so much sooner the execution and redouble his anger Almost the whole Gentry of the Court considered that execution with horror and not sufficiently able to bemoan his misfortune that was to be the first example in an action for which no man was ever known to be put to death though many in like case have in their absence been condemn'd but they ever upon the first stir of War made their accommodations which being over the King obliged himself likewise to forget their crimes past and threaten them again by new Edicts which were lately published to Anaxanders confusion But let us leave these needlesse digressions to acquit our selves of our promise in making all the world see the incomparable sorrow of that incomparable friend that faithful Piroxenus who till that time conceal'd himself as guilty as Anaxander to see if he could finde any means to succour him When he perceiv'd that he had no more to hope he thought he had no more to fear and seeing that they were about to carry his other self to execution his dear and faithful friend for whom in times past during Orixa's misfortune he had been forc'd to live he was not long to resolve whether he ought to die with him or no. When he knew that he was taken out of prison to be conducted to his end environed with two companies of the Kings guard he drew his sword to run himself through but recalling himself instantly from that precipirate actioÌ„ My deer Anaxander said he I may not in this manner follow thee since having lived so well and worthily thou art ready to die in favour with the gods and that I see already heaven open to receive thee I should never meet they happy soul if I should commit this outrage on my self and move the gods by this so contrary action to the laws of Nature For thy sake then I will not die by my own hands because our souls may meet again but I will force that rabble which encompasse thee to give me the stroak of death I le throw my self among them and the gods shall bear me witnesse that I advance not my daies by an unworthinesses of heart which makes me sinck under under the burden of my sorrows I know it is the part of a couragious man to resist with constancy the crosses of Fortune that to stand up against her is to scorn her and to endure her evils patiently is to deride her But my dear Cousin I am nto able I confesse to endure for thy sake what I could for my own be it how it will I mean to follow thee and should curse my life a thousand times if I should happen to out-live thee a minute Thus saying in great fury he came forth of his house and without farther care of being known in the streets went strait to the place where the poor Anaxander was bound upon the Scaffold paler through anger than through fear and resolute to die in that disability to defend himself from the outrage they committed on his innocency When Piroxenus saw him in that pittiful condition he grew doubly incensed and in that passion of rage which blinded him resolv'd to revenge his own and his friends death on those who were not guilty of it and in spite of those that guarded the place who were ranged like a hedg and environed the Scaffold to make way with his two swords unto it that he might once more say farewell to him he lov'd a thousand times more than himself The two Bracmanes who attended Anaxander had already begun the last prayers for his soul all the company answered the sad time which they prayed in and the Heaâ—s 〈◊〉 expected but the end of the Canticle to give the deadly blow had the Princes hair in hsi hand to cut it away that it might not hinder the striking off his head when the hopelesse Piroxenus took his time to fly through that innumerable multitude of people which gave way to his two swords which he handled with a great deal of cunning and fury he mowed down the very enclosure of Souldiers maiming and cleaving all he met in his way when he had got the middle of the place he presently ascended the unhappy Theater where so Tragical an action was to be represented and seeing the Hangman handling the Princes hair Art thou said he so infamously impudent as to touch that sacred head and therewithall cleft his to the neck and suddainly unbinding his dear Anaxander he gave the other sword into his hands Those Souldiers who suspected nothing and were far from fearing any attempt for Anaxander deliverance were wonderfully amazed and astonished that the boldnesse of one man proceeded to that extream temerity by and by by their Captains command who blasphem'd for anger they encompassed the Scaffold which wae raised some ten steps and could not be come to without a Ladder but as many as offred to come up were hewn in pieces and those two Lions who look'd for nothing lesse than saving themselves did wonderful effects to sell their lives and well dispute them When Anaxander saw that they recoiled and dared no longer approach them Friends said he to them the gods are my witnesses that with sorrow I spill your blood remember when I led you in War and how it may be I help'd you very well to set the Crown on his head who now would take away my life for an action of honor whereto beside I was provoked by Lisimantus fault Since my ruin is inevitable he shall shortly see what t is tomeddle with the sone of Kings his neighboure who give not place to him for power Friends said Piroxenus to the people on the other side if ye knew the mischief which threateneth you in our losse ye would all take arms to save us from the fury of a Tyrant whom we have delivered from the oppression of two slaves who were greedy after your goods and lives Know that however you see us we are two mighty Princes left to the severity of Fortune and if the outrage unjustly begun be finished upon us ye shall all suffer though ye be innocent and very shortly see all the King of Cambayas power fall upon you and your children who is my mothers brother and that unhappy Princes sather whom I but now unloosed from the
afflicted as if her Father had been spoyl'd of all his Countries whom formne and the valour of Lisimantus had made victorious over the King of Maldives and who had 〈◊〉 his Empire over all his enemies possessions Lasimena I say forgot the pleasures of these Conqueslis and only would remember that great loss so late received in that Country which she loved equall with her own although she had not had an obligation by the Laws of nature and of blood Now as she never fail'd from alwayes being with Orazia to assist in the contrivances of new Pastimes far was it from her thoughts to leave her in the woefull case whereto this new mis-fortune had reduced her But how was their entertainment now altered from thier former conversation for whereas they were wont to breath no other thing than sweetness and content they now could nothing else but mix confusedly their tears and sighs not able to speak a word Thus in embraces they were found when Saradin Arontus faithfull squire with a countenance bearing deaths picture in it entred the Princess Chamber and kneeling said Madam behold the first time ever I unwillingly observ'd my Masters commands and surely I obey him now in this last service in duty to a sorrowfull Commission and saying this he from his pocket drew a handkerchief to wipe his tears which ran about his face abundantly and in his other hand holding a Letter sealed with Arontus Signet Madam said he see the last reliques of that generous Prince which made all India tremble at him dying he ever named you and when he saw Physicians left him having but two houres time to live he spent that space to let you see his last desires under his dying hand in this short letter which he wanted strength to finish yet had he care to have it sealed in his presence whiles he lived and among all his people who lamented him about his bed within his Tent he chose out me and thus said to me Saradin as soon as mine eyes close go to my Sister and tell her she observe what I advise her by this Letter which thou shalt trust no other hand with than her own scarce had he said these words but that his soul followed them and took its flight to heaven The fair Orazia who had not need of this addition to her sorrow had notwithstanding resolution enough to open the letter which she received from the faithfull squire But yet her tears which choak'd her eyes gave her not leave so soon to see that it contain'd these words Arontus Letter to Orazia MY deer Sister the little time I have to live I spend in teaching thee to bear my death with comfort I pray thee trouble not thy self because it could not be more glorious for it has succeeded the destruction of our enemies whom I have over-thrown in battell The only grief I have in dying is that I cannot with my person clear a truth unto you which is needfull you should know Those accomplish'd Knights who under names of Ariomant and Calistenus have so long aisguis'd themselves among us are two of the most renowned Princess of Asia and I conjure thee to observe the Gods intention and thy Brothers last will which do ordain the first of them to be thy husband he is the son of great Al The poor Prince would have said Alâ—idaris King of Cambaye and Father to the generous Anaxander whose qualities and manners he intended to describe if so his hand had power to second his desire but strength upon a suddain fayling him by reason of his mortall wounds received he was constrained to leave unperfected his Letter and in his presence have it sealed as it was to keep his promise given the Prince Anaxander and his Cousin Proxenus that he would never make them known but to his Sister Orazia nor make their birth apparent till they were fit to shew themselves in Princes equipage before the King of Narsinga This letter did redouble her affliction and among the violent touches of her sorrow waked her amourous dislurbances After she had a thousand times accused the heavens and curs'd Arontus fatall victory which cost his life comming at length to cast her eyes upon the notice he had given her in his Letter admire the force and power of love a suddain alteration surprised her and mov'd her thoughts from the sad mourning of her brother to reflect upon her Lover She alwayes had opinion that Ariomant whose actions were so Kingly must be of eminent quality and notwithstanding his so humble fashion in the King her Fathers Court she knew that in his eyes and Courage there was somewhat great and famous But at that instant she receiv'd so glorious a testimony of his birth she neither could disguise apprehension nor dissemble from Lisimenaes eyes the passion she was in to be more fully satisfied For which cause drawing Saradin apart My friend said she to him since the misfortune hapned to us by thy Masters loss hat testimony hath Ariamont given who now commands the Army Madam answered Saradin since that wofull day where in the Prince forced to leave us gave him the guidance of our Troops he hath so worthily discharg'd himself that though he be a stranger and known by nothing but his actions he hath not purchased the smallest jealousie all our Captains with delight obey him and though the Prince had not himself appointed him as chief I think he had been chosen by the Armies generall consent His wisdom and his valour are so met and so full of every vertue sit to make up a commander that if there be any thing which may administer a comfort to us in this dire mischance it is to see our Prince his power hath fallen into so noble hands The Princess receiv'd a two-fold mitigation of her sorrow when she learnt that he to whom she had already given her heart not knowing his descent was not alone a Prince by birth but that his reputation was so great and universally admired by all the King her Fathers subjects as that she saw fair likely-hoods of good success unto her loves The only curiosity she had to know his parentage and over what people he commanded did yet keep her unsatisfied and gathering by Saradins discourse that in the Army he was not held for what he was she guest there was some reason why he publish'd not himself and that she could not know the truth thereof except himself did tell it her This was the reason why among so many other questions ask'd of Saradin she enquired of him whether his return would not be shortly Madam answered the faithfull squire as soon as he shâ—ll have conquered that rest of the Kingdom of Decan which had been made a prey unto those two revolted slaves whom we have punished and overthrown in battell he will bring back the victorious army which as you know have decreed sacred honours to my Master whose pretious body embalmed will be within a
and in the second life I look for make it all my souls contentment The Princess heard him with attention and although the dolors of her Feavor were of power enough to take away the liberty of talk she notwithstanding would have forc'd herself to answer him when by the comming of a Post she was prevented who after boldly knocking at the door demanded entrance and admittance to the King for reasons of a high importance the King commanded him to be brought to him and truly at first entrance he affrighted the whole company and ere he spake his countenance bewrai'd that all things went not as they should Sir said he to the King all is lost even your own subjects have betrayed you Those wicked slaves to whom you gave in charge the Government of your Countries have made a great Assembly of people in the City of Danaget for to revolt against you and break off the yoke of your Royall authority without so much as caring for their children which you have as Hostages They are all met in one desire to betray you and divide your provinces but two among the rest have shewn themselves more wicked than their fellows to wit Rozalcan and Zabain one of whom you made Governour of Bider and the other of Danaget For being Brothers and alwaies of a plentifull intelligence whâ—n they saw those other their sworne fellows in a Town whereof they had the Sovereign power because themselves would reign alone cut all their throats and having reassembled all their Forces and won the greater part of your Subjects either by presents or fair words they are comming with a mighty Army against your person and purpose to besiege you in your City of Vsaporus that they may absolutely be Masters of your Countries and without hinderance command the Empire which the gods have given to you You may imagine fair Princess whether such an humor as I have describ'd the Kings to be were surprized with such news He could not hide his apprehension from us a deadly paleness disfigured his face and not finding himself able enough to resist a misfortune which so neerly threatned him he could not speak a word when as Araxus who knew his very heart ashamed we were witnesses of so much poverty withdrew him from thence and told him t was his way to call his Councill together and suddainly provide against the present necessities In the meanwhile he left us in the Chamber with the Queen in whose presence the gods permitted after Piroxenus had recounted to the Princess all the passages of their secret Loves and that he had by his unfeigned tears given testimony of his innocent affection which ras'd out the crime he had committed she was somewhat appeased Wherefore once more they pledg'd their marriage faith to one the other in our presence they joyned hands and kist and from that day Orixa did begin to love me as a Brother not a Lover Although my known innocence had eas'd her spirits of a heavy burden which in her thoughts of my disdain she under went her body was buâ— little sensible thereof and no abatement of her Feavor was observ'd But contrary she was so troubled for the evill next of imminent danger threatned to the King her fathers Countries newly then arriv'd together with the cruell blows of former miseries so over come as more than ever all the Physicians grew into despair of ever seeing her recovery Meanwhiles this sicknesse lasted Rozalcan and Zabain came still onward and their Army made such haste as it had almost compassed the City before they had so much as time to furnish a tenth part of what was necessary to sustain a fiege or that they had enclosed works without or fortified the approaches Demonax had under hand Arms for some thirty thousand men and Coyn enough but wanted Souldiers for his Subject were his enemies and was so suddenly surpriz'd as that he had not time to crave assistance from his neighbours who were besides but ill affected to him The King of Maldives only and of Palandurus his brother in law could have succor'd him in time but that ill luck would have it he but late before had been himself defeated and his Army cut in pieces by the King of Zeylan who being assisted by the valour and wise conduct of couragious Lisimantus ahd made himself Lord of all his Islands except but three or four of Palandurus where he was retired without other hope of refuge A midst the trouble which this miserable King was in he called us into his counsel of War and crav'd our help but we represented to him the impossibility thereof and that there remaining unto him no other retreait but that only City from whence he was ready to be driven by those who sought but for his life to reign without contradiction we should not be able to bring any succours though they lay but six daies journey off and though we found them ready for the march And what then said he to us must I lose all my hope and that my children and my self be brought to so cruell a necessity as to die or live for ever under the power of base scoundrels By and by he cast out divers blasphemies against the gods and instantly caus'd all the childrens throats to be cut which he receiv'd as Hostages from those slaves Verily Madam we saw not how to give him great comfort because we found his matters in a desparate condition However we made a vertue of necessity and joyned the Princes his children and we together with as many Naires as there were in the Kings Guard all the inhabitants of Visaporus which were of age to bear Arms to try if we could raise a power able enough to do some dammage to our enemies but they consisted of so great a number as we judg'd it more rashnesse than valour to assault them we forbare not at the beginning to Skirmish sometimes with them when there came many of theirs too short but as from an Hydra's head their seemed alwaies quadruple the number to encrease so that perceiving our affairs in so ill case to attempt the freedom of the City Piroxenus and my self sent to defie Kozalcan and Zabain to fight with us but though as indeed they were hardy and valiant they were not dispos'd to venture any thing in the condition they were in and had they willed to do any thing in single Combate they would have had to do with the two heirs of that Kingdom Meanwhile they laid their Batteries against the City and it was threatned by a quick assault when the King fearing to fall underâ—he power of the besiegers resolv'd at any rate to save himself and without knowing what would become of him or where to turn and without telling any body of his flight except one of his servants which waited in his Chamber called Panaris whom he chose to accompany him he stole away by night upon a good horse out as a Postern door of the
courage and by good luck for us it chanced that in less than half an hour Piroxenus Almerin and my self set him at liberty and slew all those Rogues excepting two that had assaulted him which two hurt as they were were bound and carryed to the City 't was not without sore hurts that we perform'd that task and if the Page had not remembred to wind his horn to call the hunters to that place who were behind we had run all of us an hazard to have lost our lives by reason of the blood which streamed in abundance from our wounds As soon as the brave hunter found himself delivered from that danger which he never thought to escape Ye Knights said he what ever ye may be that have so happily come hither know 't is the Prince Arontkus whom ye have saved from the ambush of those theeves and is your debtor for his life and therefore whether ye be subjects to the King my Father or else strangers to this Countrey I promise ye this reall service shall not be unacknowledged neither shall ye ask me any thing to be deni'd I presently made answer in the Arabique tongue that we were Persian Knights and had resolved to travel through all India that we had unknowing him done him that small service but as honor and reason both obliged us But seeing now he had declar'd his name however grievous our wounds were we held our selves most highly honor'd to receive them for his sake and would not waill our lives were we at point of losing them since for his preservation they were spent He hereat us'd his best strength to embrace us for he understood the Arabique tongue as well as we did his and protesting he would never be unthankfull for so great a benefit urg'd us to make him some request which whatsoever it were within the King of Narsinga's power he would grant us But that which most won on his heart and doubled his affection to us was the answer which we made him that we already held our selves too highly recompenced in as much as our weak help was so acceptable unto him but that we might not take from him the pleasure of shewing his brave heart towards us all the favour we desired was that he would cause us to be well accepted in the King his fathers Court which from far off we came to see as most renowned in all Asia not only for the courage and the freedom of the Knights thereof but also for the courtesie and beauty of its Ladies Truly said he I do assure your wellcome as mine own and if the gods allow that among us there any pleasure be that may detain ye and that any place or charge about the King there be that may become ye ye shall know the love Aronthus bears ye Whilest we were on these Complements the Huntsmen and the Prince your brothers Gentlemen came where the horn had called them they were in great amazement to see their Master in such case and altogether confounded with shame dared not come neer him fearing leâ—t the blame of that had hapned to him he might lay upon the little care they had to follow him But on the contrary the generous Aronthus whose apprehensions evermore inclin'd to sweetness and never seen to be in angry spake to them without any trouble and presently commanded them to have a care of us and him Relieve said he my friends succour those charitable and generous Knights who have now newly sav'd my life and are in danger of their own The Chirurgian and the rest fell instantly about their business and finding that the Prince was more hurt than we drest him first though he forbad him and though they found about him seven or eight cruell wounds yet neither of them mortall no more than ours They made the best use they could in that necessity of any thing to case us and fit litters for us and whiles we were conveighing into the City we understood from those Rascalls which were scap'd alive to pay the debt they ought to Justice that those thieves which had set upon the Prince were companions to one Tamurchand the most famous robber of the Indes who with those graceless rakehels retir'd himself into the most fearfull solitude of the Mountains of Gate and because three or four daies before he had suffied and was hang'd and quartred in the great place of Bisnagar those raskcals had projected to revenge their Caprains death upon the Princes person or the King himself whom they would entrape amid their chase a hunting and sure they had not made ill bargain with Arontus if so the gods had not been pleas'd to send us early to his succour I cry you mercy Madam if in the heat of my discourse I repeat you things that you have seen and know as well as I I couldnot forget the occasion that gave me the honor of seeing you and making me acceptable in your sight and as often as you shall please to give me the freedom of discoursing to you I think I shall still enterlace it with this story Ever since that happy day wherein the Prince Arontus held us worthy to be lodged in his side of the Kings Palace you have been witnesse of whatever hath befallen us and of the honors we have received under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus among which your visits have held the best and most glorious room Surely Madam when by the Prince your brother you were intreated to come and see us as his Ramsomers and that I saw before me the living originall of that pretious Picture which inanimate and dead as it was had ravisht me at Gouzarate and whose Idea I had alwaies so dearly preserved in my heart I had much to do to hinder that I died not for joy my wounds opened at my surprizall by that pleasure unexpected and the sudden weaknesse which I felt at the losse of my blood If you remember Madam I amazed all the company but more your self than any be it you felt your self as guilty of my souls disorders or whether you already would account your self concern'd in my passions From that instant I perceived that you rejected not the offers which my eyes made you of my service and if my quality had been but known unto you I believe you would have been more bold to give me from that present proofs of your affection good will unto me I forbare not for all I was unknown as soon as I felt my self well cured of my wounds to venture so far as to let you know those of my heart which I believed would not be so quickly healed I flattered my self with this belief that you despised not my complements and love in such sort blinded me as I perswaded me you would not scorn my Letters if I took so much freedome as to write unto you I doubt me Madam whether it be true that Almerin told me that you received that which I sent by him
with I know not what kinde of obliging neglect which made him know you disapprov'd my rashness but condemn'd it not that you counterfeited much anger with me and him also who had brought you the news of my Love but that you forbare not however to read my Letter which with a feigned action of disdaign you opened and presently gave him back again without saying ought else to him than Go tell thy Master that his too great boldness does not please me and bid him call to mind I am the daughter of a King But Sir said Almerin at the recitall which he made of that adventure Assure your self the fair Orazia loves you she could not hide from me the least thought of her heart her eyes reveal'd her most secret purposes and though they had been shut up too as was her mouth I should have found that love was mixed with that blood which came so often up into her cheeks The Princess very well remembring with what innocency that action had passed when she had counterfeited anger against Almerin and that with indeed a feigned anger she had opened that letter which she had a mind to see because to say truth she even at that time burnt for love of Anaxauder she could not chuse but laugh and blush at once and the Prince Anaxander being by that natural shamefastness sufficiently assured of the truth thereof proceeded thus in his discourse You have known all Madam said he whatsoever hath since passed in that Court and that as well which does concern my love as that which toucheth Piroxenus melancholy who would be hardly seen in any company and cloathed in a long and mourning habit which yet more his heart put on did plant a grief and sorrow in the minds of all that saw him You saw how notwithstanding the most strong commands given by the King your father against single Combates whereunto those of this Kingdom more than all I know are most addicted and which but yesterday with so much earnestnesse was reinforced I slew that proud Lerian who through his jealousie of the extraordinary favors I received from the generous Aronthus chalenged me who thought I had diverted from him those affections he pretended to deserve and how after that Combate I had enough to do to save me from the rigor of the Law if the Prince your brother had not engag'd himself in my affairs and urg'd the service I had done him You have I say seen all these things Madam and divers others which I cannot but unnecessarily repeat and therefore mean to tell you only what you do not know A little before that news came to the King your father that those two revolted slaves the perfidious Rozalcan and his brother not contented to have made themselves Kings and absolute Lords of the whole Kingdom of Decan grown proud in their successes would yet more advance their Victories even to assault the King your fathers power from whom they newly had usurp'd and most unjustly taken the Country of Canara with those three goodly Cities Onor Mangalor and Baticalus which bordered on their neighbourhood and lay convenient for them a little I say before this ill news arriv'd at Court we were in a maze to see comming towards us Neander whom we were forc'd to leave by reason of his wound in the besieged City who assured us that the Princesse Orixa whom we mourned for was well alive and more than ever beautiful I will not dwell in telling you after what fashion sorrowfull Piroxenus did receive this happy news which at a suddain overcomming him thought by excesse of that unhop'd for joy to work the same effects upon his heart that sorrow did and truly Madam I apprehended it my self with such contentment for his sake that I was like to fall into a Feavor by the extraordinary motion of my spirits But because we both made shew to doubt the truth of what he told us so contentfull though related by a servant of as perfect credit as fidelity Neander for our better satisfaction made us a discourse as I remember thus of all had past at Visaporus since we left it Know Sirs said he that as soon as they had carryed me into the besieged City and that I had caused the bodies of the two Princes Araxus and Demonax to be carried with me to have them buried according to the order you gave in their fathers burying place Desiring to acquit my self of such other commands as ye had given me as soon as I was laid in my bed and that my wound was drest I sent to entreat the wise Evander and the Princesse Nurse to come unto me to declare them your intentions which I in person could not execute Although the old man were exceedingly pleas'd to understand of your safe escape out of the danger of that sally which ye undertook yet was he extremely afflicted that he was enfore'd to lead his life so far off from ye As for the Nurse I cannot chuse but wonder that she had not died a thousand times of grief since first she thought her dear and beautious Mistresse lost but when she went into her Chamber to perform towards her her last offices with grave Evandes only in her company she fell to admiration that when clasping her within her arms and with her tears bedewing all her face she found a kinde of respiration and that she mixt a sigh with hert Immediately she clap'd her hand upon her heart where she perceiv'd the warmth was all retir'd and holding of her arm she felt her pulse began again to beat Evander cry'd she out in great amazementâ— come and draw neerer I believe the Princess is not dead and if I am not deceived in my belief since your knowledge hath a great extension lend her readily your aid The good old man at first imagined the Nurse had somewhat lost her understanding and than her passion for Orixa made her â—hink that real which was only strong in her desires because it was now fourteen hours that she had lain as dead without either pulse or heat or motion But comming neer he found the same appearances of life the Nurse had noted then cast he presently cold water in her face and made her fumes and practis'd all the means which in the like extremities are held requisite because indeed the Princess whom they took for dead was only faln into the last great conflict betwixt Nature and her grief a deadly swouning which the Greeks 〈◊〉 Lâ—thargy which as Evander tells us is only a forgetfulness not barely for that in that miâ—â—â—able condition a man forgets every thing but also that nature forgets her self and quits her â—unctions The Princess senses then by Evanders remedies being well come to eâ—â—eâ—â—shâ— opened first hâ—r eies and was agreat while dâ—zled not knowing whence she came or where she was and noâ— of power to speak a word but when she came to full remembrance she enquir'd what was become of Piroxenus
Vessel weather beaten seemed to be rather forced in by contrary winder than come voluntary wherein were two Cavalliers of good countenance who craved leave to refresh themselves in the Town the most eminent of them was in ill case being hurt in divers places of his body Now by reason that place was of great importance to the King of Cambaya they accustomed to keep a good guard and to suffer none to enter whose name and quality and business thither was not known and because those two Gentlemen who arrived then newly in that Vessel being ignorant of the custom had refused to name themselves advertisement was given the Governor and his farther pleasure demanded Evander imagining that it might happily be the two young Princes his Pupels who it may be would not discover themselves till they came to Court and surpriz all people he went himself unto the Haven and borded the Bark wherein he found a young Knight lain all his length upon a Matteresse who althuogh he seemed greatly suffering by his hurts which the tempest had augmented shewed notwithstanding a certain majesty in his eyes and face which made him reverenced of all that saw him Evander knew well enough that t was some personage of note and as he was extremely full of charity and hospitable seeing the Gentleman who accompanied him would not tell his name he thought however that the laws of civility did command and oblige his succour and to offer them not only the Town but his Castle also for their better accomodation The strangers accepted his offer and so much care was had of him that was hurt as that in eight or ten daies he gave undoubted signes of an approaching health Now as he was very generous and infinitely sensible of the good entertainment and usage shewn him by Evander her thought he could not do lesse in gratitude than discover himself unto him that he might know he had obliged Lisimantus that vallorous Lisimantus who had got so great a fame and whose glorious name was renowned through all Asia Poor Lisimantus how much had it been better that thou hadst not discovered thy self than to have payed so dearly for the honor given thy excellent vertues at thy first comming at lest shouldest thou have been contented to have told thy name without particulars of thy quarrel which will set thee into the strangest confusion thou yet ever sawest Evander knowing that this stranger was the valiant Lisimantus who had so worthily served the King of Zeylar and who so lately had perform'd so brave exploits in the Kingdom of Narsinga had a double cause of being glad not only for that he had it in his power to oblige a man of that condition but that the assured himself he should learn news of Anaxander and Piroxenus under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus but before he enquired seeing that the Cavallier disposed himself to recount unto him his adventure and how after being so grievously hurt he came to the Port of Bazain being very glad to be enformed willingly gave his attension and Lisimantus innocently began his discoarse without considering what manner of man he was to speak unto or what kinde of people he was to have to do with Know said he most reverend father that alter my triumph over the King of Maldives and if I had set all the Island of Zeylan at quiet and been very helpful to the King of Narsingas peace I quitted the Wars and finding again in Baticalus the only object of my passion that adorable Lisimena who had alwaies payed my love with ingratitude and but whose name I well perceive I shall alone possess my flames renewed and I felt my self so to the quick sollicited by my amorous desires as I used all manner of subtilties and invention to be in private with her but she ungrateful who never sufficiently acknowledge the services which I have done her Crown augmenting her disdains as my pains grew instead of enduring me neer her as my fidelity alone obliged her enough rebuking and repelling whosoever spake to my advantage she at length committed the most notable Treason against me that was ever contrived against a miserable Lover There was in the King of Narsinga Court a young Knight of Persia very accomplished indeed and worthy of great praise who having by much industry the honor to be known by her was notwithstanding preferred before my long and faithfull services I understood by a little Page of the Princessers that every night he was brought secretly into her company and spent six hours together with her and how that ungratefull Princess breathed nought but love for him I will not deny but that hereat so jealous a madness in such sort transported me as not able to endure the happinesse of that Rival I waited for him on an evening where he vsed to passe towards his amorous randezvous and not able for my anger to understand his reasons I call'd him instantly to fight with me Evander who with impatience looked that he should name that young Knight and finding that he was too long about it interrupting him demanded it His name was Ariomant said Lisimantus and well said Evander full of fear what is become of him I slew him said Lisimantus and truly I have since lamented it for a more valiant Knight I never met He was about to continue on his discourse and tell them how after the death of Ariontant whom he verily believed was slain because Zenobus had assured him that he saw him stretched out in his blood without warmth or motion being in but little better case himself he was carried to a Bark which attended him and how thinking to avoid the coast of Zeylan to shun the King of Narfinga his anger whose Edict they had broken a contrary winde arising which begot a furious tempest had cast them on the Coast of Cambaya neer the Haven of Bazain He was I say about to have recounted all these particulars but that he was prevented by an accident which did surprize him and which no lesse a mazed all that were about him that himself for at the recital of Ariomants death Evander fell into a swound on Lisimantus bed They all ignorant of the reason of this suddain change threw water in his face and when he was come to himself which a deep sigh cry'd out my friends we have embraced the murtherer of your and my Master and uttering these words he gave plain evidence of a second weaknesse which grew on him but being prevented by the ready help administred Unhappy and most cruel hospitallity said he we shew kindenesse and are civil unto one who vaunts that he hath cut our Princes throat and who unjustly stirred his courage and without cause provoked it Let the wicked man be set safe added he and seaze upon his second in the quarel and as they are let them be instantly conveighed towards the King that even himself may order what he please concerning them
giving the Gods thanks for the recovery of her only son whom she had so lamented touch'd to the quick by the sense of that irreparable losse and for that time losing all patience and accustom'd modesty could not for bear accusing heaven and injuring its powers Ye unjust gods said she whom too in vain I have invoked with so great fervency and zeal for my sons safety I see plainly ye are deaf that have not heard me he that burns insense on your Altars foully deceives himself your power is but opinion or have you any it serves but to offend those that distressed make their vows to you Alas I had regain'd my dear child but for invoking you and you even since my vows and prayers have snatch'd him from me I perceive my dear Anaxander that I have lost thee for ever I shall no more see thee in this world and yet where ere thou art I am resolv'd to seek thee and die for sorrow if no other remedy But ere that be I mean to satisfie thy good Angel and since thy murtherer is fallen into our hands I promise thee to be revenged on him These sorrows served but to augment the Kings displeasure who was strucken to the heart as well may be a father who hath lost the honor of his house and hope of his Kingdom However he was infinitely just and generous seeing it was that brave Lisimantus whom Evander had brought whose known vallour was renowned every where he thought it would be too great an act of basnesse and inhumanity to revenge his sons death on him who had slain him like a gallant man in Duel and unknown but by a borrowed name which he had taken and thought it an action of a great King to send him to the King of Zeylan without punishment and seeing too that Anaxander could not live by tother death But however absolute he was in his Kingdom he could not then be Master his Subjects too much loved the memory of their Prince to suffer his murtherer to scape unpunished whom they had in their custody And seeing that the great Alcidaris inclin'd to mercy all the Judges assembled themselves suddainly and seconding the Queens angry purposes they hastned Lisimantus judgement and that very day condemned him to die As for Zenobus they judged him to a perpetual imprisonment who had not scap'd so cheap but that he averred himself overcome by Piroxenus whom he assured them he left alive and weeping by his dead friend When the sentence of Lisimantus condemnation was read unto him that great and invincible courage which had scorned death in all the shapes and forms it ever had appeared to him in was shaken by that so severe and terrible judgment He fiercely look'd upon the bringer of those cruel tidings and his rage prevailing in his sense of that cruelty shewn on him Thou wicked man said he who serv'st the fury of the most barbarous people of the world hast thou impudence enough to come and outrage me in the miscrable condition I am in and publish with a ceremony the injury prepared for my innocence My name which hath made so many Nations to tremble and is so regarded through the Indes shall it be so much scorn'd by you as you will dare condemn me for an honorable action Will ye be so unworthy as to stain the memory of your Princes death who did so valiantly defend himself and make me bear so many marks of his courage Can I believe I do converse with men where reigns so great in humanity Where is that generous Alcidaris whose praises are so ignorantly sung throughout all Asia He suffers me to be a prey unto his Subjects fury and endures that after having led a life full of honor I be put to a shameful death under his own eyes The Officer who was in truth a generous and compassionate man and touched at the misery of that famous Knight reply'd thus to him I come with sorrow brave Lisimantus to execute the sad commission given me against you but consider that my charge requires it of me and that I must whatever justice bids me Were it your safety did depend on me you should be soon made free I have admired long your vertue and however far from your profession I cannot but do reverence to men like you But what in this disability wherein I am can I tender you but vows unprofitable and pray the gods to give you resolution enough to bear your evill fortune patiently Do not accuse Alcidaris he wishes you at liberty and believe me his subjects have hastned your condemnation but since they saw his nature willing to remit you He is not this day master of his peoples wills who are doubly animated against you as well by the strong motions of the Queen as by their own resentments What manner of Country must it be replyed Lisimantus where the King is govern'd by his Subjects he that forbids not evill does command it and truly though divine and humane Lawes did not condemn Alcidaris cruelty yet she honour he professes should perswade him to defend me He to whom all power is given should shew it less than others and you will g rant me that your Prince uses too insolently his authority and makes too poor a use of my calamity Well well Death will deliver me from his tyranny but he shall not be freed from his neighbors blame I will let him see I can tell how to die and that the crosses of my fortune are not able to shake my Resolution nor deject my Courage 'T is true 't is hard to part with life at so young an age but 't would be more intollerable if I feared Death I know I live to dye and that the very day of my Birth nature sets limits to my dayes and besides an unworthinesse of heart it were a folly in me to fear what I cannot avoid I have so often beheld Death as my eyes are acquainted with him and I call the gods to witness nothing aftonishes me but the manner of my dying I pass the headsmans hands ah who soere thou art that look'st with pitty on me and are touch'd with my misfortune if thou have any credit with the King or those that seek my life obtain of them that either a Dagger or poyson satisfie their cruelty Excuse me from the shame prepared for me and permit not that I outrage nature so much as to deliver my self out of their hands which doubtlesse I should rather do than to expect their punishment This compassionate Officer was so touched that the tears came in his eyes at those last words and curseda thousand times that day wherein for his preferment he was taken from his ordinary commerce with men to be a Judge of their lives he then drew near Lisimantus to comfort him and to offer him all the aid was in his power and however dark the Prison might at first entrance seem yet by a little stay and accustoming the fight
wherefore thinking it enough what I had said and inclining my self very low to kisse the hem of her garment she did me the honor to offer me her hand which caused me to return full of ardent desire of glory to Arbiran whom I found ready to depart and whom with open signs of joy I followed I then entred the eighteenth year of my age and was grown to such a strength and advantagious stature that I could desie the strongest at wrastling and had so well bestowed my time with Arbiran after I had left being Page as that my skill was more commended than my strength Besides Lisimena had so many charmes and all her features so well form'd that she ravisht all men with her beauty which I dare not embolden my self to describe lest I may not be able to do it sufficiently The ambition I had to do something that might come to her ears was so sharp a spur unto me as being at hand blows with our enemies whom we went to force even in their own Trenches my good fortune would that I had to do with their Chief the valiant Ibraim who till that time had so fortunately guided so great an enterprize Him then I chose among the rest finding him doubly notable as well for his aspect as horrible slaughter he made among our people and after having some space resisted the fury of his arm in the end made him sink by a blow of my sword I very happily disengaged my self from the Troops which had encompassed me who seeing him fallen lost their courage and rather sought to succour than revenge him yet I was Iustily assaulted by five or fix of his guard with whom I fought stoutly and had they been seconded I had been undoubtedly loft by being too far engaged in the throng Arbiran on his side had done his part so well being assisted by divers Gentlemen voluntiers who did indeed wonders in that occasion that he put the rest of our enemies to flight and when he saw me return cover'd with blood and sweat and dust with the restimony of what I had been seen to do and how I had with my own hand slain the chief of the Maldives he gave me great commendation and did me the honor to write more good of me to the King than he had seen I confesse to you Sir that little action gave me great estimation and from that instant I was thought fit to command a chosen Company of Souldiers who had loft their chief in that Battel and which I afterward led on many hot occasions As soon as we had routed the enemies Army we had order from the King to return to the siege of Tanadarus and to take that place whatsoever it cost But I abuse your patience by telling you particulars of those things whereof all Asia is insorm'd and which your self should know as well as those who did them Hereat the King of Cambaya expressed to him that he should be very glad from his mouth to learn the very particulars of the fortune he had run in those Wars which had so long lasted between the two enemies Kings Whom Lisimantus obeyed and made him a summary discourse thereof in these words following After we had taken that City whose Siege lasted ten whole months and that we had forc'd it at our enemies nose who were come with the unprofitable power of an hundred other sails to succour it the King gave me the government thereof Notwithstanding I rested not long there because I was thought useful elsewhere and that the brave Arbiran who was Admiral of Zeylan did me the honor to make me his Lieutenant to repel that Enemies Fleet which since the taking of Tanadarus had never ceased pillaging our ships returning from Narsinga and ransacking whatsoever call'd it self ours The King of Narsinga brother in law to our King and his especial friend believing that we were not strong enough to resist the King of Maldives power by sea sent us of his own accord a hundred sail to strengthen our Fleet wherewith we went to present Battel to our enemies who at that time had not the heart to meet us but six months after returning stronger than at that time and we having notice of them although of lesse number were so bold as to assault them and the Fight continuing untill night the advantage remained on both fides equal and had the windâ— been as favorable unto as as to them without doubt the Victory had been clearly ours The next morning when we thought to recompence the Fight there rose so furious a tempest the winde at Southwest as spoil'd our whole designs and whether we would or no were constrain'd to yield to the violence of the storme which dispers'd a part of our Fleet and drave the Admiral wherein we were into the Road of Commory at the point of Narsigna The valiant Arbiran impatient that he could not revenge as yet the injuries which those barbarous Maldives had so many times done us obtained of the King that he might land upon one of their Islands to endammage them to purpose and do them the affront with which they had but threatned us The King having approved this design we were eight months on sitting our selves that we might not fail of our purpose during which time I remained at the Court and favored by the sight and entertainment of my divine Princesse who touched with that little reputation which I had gotten in those last stirs did so much the rather force her inclination to endure me that she look'd respectfully on me and because she thought that age which had acquir'd me more knowledge had diverted me from that disordered meaning which I had in my infancy to serve her as a Lover But alas that liberty she gave me was the cause of all my ruin for as it is the custom of Lovers to flatter themselves in their passions I made my self believe that the good acceptation she began to give me was a testimony of her affection and so blinded my self in my love as I took her civility for an argument of good liking Being deceived with this foolish belief I proceeded farther than before even to embrace her with mine eyes and to give her certain proofs by all my actions that my flame was augmented This obliged her to resume her former severity and to live so recluse unto me that I am forc'd to say to my consusion that since that day she never saw me but with trouble Ny I was so unhappy that fearing lest I would take leave of her the day of my departure she said she was sick and kept herself unseen by any I lost not however my courage although the better part of my amorous hopes and followed Arbiran as resolutely as if I had departed with a favor from Lisimena so powerful in my soul was the defire of glory where ambition reign'd with Love Our design succeeded happily we forc'd the place we attempted which was the most important
hands ill fortune would that his horse astonish'd at the flame which hurt his eyes in passing fell with him in a ditch very neer his enemies they instantly fell upon him and being under his horse we saw without being able to help him how they took away his Lance and sword and bound him with cords as soon as they had disarm'd him Piroxenus would have returned but when I had put into his consideration that at liberty he might be much better able to serve him than if he exposed himself to bonds with him he was for that time perswaded by me and as I advised he resolved to go in dispuise to Bisnagar and try with the Princesse to save him whom he loved a thousand times more than himself As for me he commanded that I should go advertise you of that misfortune with all speed and in case they condemn'd not the Prince suddainly without any form of processe you might dispatch an Embassador to the King of Narsinga time enough to save his life And this Sir hath drawn me so hastily unto your Majesty I protest unto you I have scarce eaten or drank since this fell out for fear the least stay night cause my Masters losâ—s They cannot have carryed him as he was bound very fast and am consident it is as much as they have been able to do to bring him yesterday to Bisnagar for I gave whatever was ask'd me for fresh horses where ever I could sinde them and I believe never man made more dispatch Here Almerin ended his discourse which did not so much trouble the King but that there remained some hope for him for knowing Orazias love he believed that fair Princesse would not fail to use all her credit and power for him whom she was to marry Besider Paroxeaus his escape was another sign of comfort persuming that he would finde friends in the Court to perswade the King not to precipitate his condemnatioÌ„ that should declare himself so great a Prince untill the truth were known In the meanwhile not to lose time he sent Falantus his Gentleman of the horse in all speed with such a direction as he instantly conceiv'd Alcidaris King of Cambaya of Dulcinda of Candahar and Mandao and absolute Lord of whatsoever that great renowned River waters which giveth name unto the Indes To thee Salamas mighty King of Narsinga of Bisnagar and of Orixus and absolute Lord of the Seas which furnish all the East with Pearl his dear and well-beloved brother health I Am informed that my young son Anaxander for whose death I have twice lamented is the man who hath so worthily served thee in thy Wars under the name Ariomant and who of late hath through his youthful heat first violated thy just Edicts whereof I give thee speedy advertisement by Falantus Gentleman of my horse and by this letter signed with my Hand and Sealed with my Seal that thou mayst turn thy anger from him and use him as thy brothers son in power and equal in authority I conjure thee moreover to favor his sute and give credit to my Embassador who will tell thee that the man whom I designed for thy son in law is worthy of thy kindred and the fortune I had procur'd him as my son The King would added threats to the end of his letter in case that some misfortune might have befallen poor Anaxander ere the comming of these but he was disswaded by his counsel who were of opinion that in case nothing had yet hapned to the Princes disadvantage threats might incense the King of Narsinga and set him upon extremities which his own inclinations might not move him to wherefore they thought it sufficient to have a great Army in readynesse which Lisimantus should command and should march great journeys and be ready to powre on Narfinga and revenge an affront which they yet but feared The Queen upon this bare fear encourag'd every man to revenge it was a pitty to see her in such trouble as that new discontent had cast hâ—r into more deep than ever Like those who have run great hazards at sea and endure nothing with so great impatience as shipwrack threatned at the Haven That poor Princesse unfortunate who had so much already lamented her sons death and been battered by so many storms and crosses past was never so sensible as of this last torment which assaulted her just when she thought her self under the shelter of all manner of afflictions and misfortunes she had already flattered her self with sweet hope of embracing her son she had invited the whole Court to honor his wellcome she imagined that the tenderness of a mothers love would not afford embraces enough to cherish so vertuous a child when that sad messenger came and spoil'd her at an instant of those sweet meditations to set her spirit on the rack scarce pacifi'd with some small intervals of false joy The King would willingly have seconded her in her just sorrow and found matter of comfore for her as he was wont but the poor Prince had other things to think on for though in some sort he expected that the King of Narsinga would not proceed so fast that point was too ticklish to leave him without great cause of doubt and he was wise enough to foresee that to ground any hope upon the uncertain judgement of men was but to build upon a moving sand He therefore caused Lisimantus at the head of a hundred thousand men to depart a few daies after Falantus had his dispatch That young Knight was full of spirit and exceedingly affectionate to his Masters service and seeing that his Princes safety and the States quiet depended upon his diligence he got upon the best and swiftest horse in the Indes and resolv'd to take him at far as his heart and legs would carry him before he would take Post But whiles he does his best to come in good time to Bisnagar let us make more haste there than he and see what is done against Anaxander After that unfortunate Prince had been very hardly used on the way by those men without pitty w hose number he had so couragiously and in vain diminished he was conducted into that sad place where once he expected to receive a more gentle entertainment Piroxonus who was arriv'd but one day before him had reaped no other fruit of his diligence than lading the Princesse Orazia's spirit with affliction and sorrow by recounting to her how Anaxander was taken and pressing her to use all the means she could or his safety but the poor Lady knew not to whom to adresse her self and however violent passion she had to save her dear husband her shame too much withheld her from declaring it to the King whom she her self dared not to speak to nor knew she whom else to trust or chuse to do it in her stead That which caus'd the misfortune and the ruin of our Princes was their having lived with too much splendor and authority during
Arontus life when they had held such rank and kept such state among the Courtiers of Narsinga as they had got more jealousie than friendship One only Saradin had been able to have helped them in that extremity and seconded the Princesse good endeavour if himself for his innocent ofsence had not partaken with them When the King came to know that he was guilty of concealing the breakers of his Edict he commanded him to be carried from his house where he was detayned to the same prison where the unhappy Anaxander was shut up All that Piroxenus with the Princesse could do was to scatter a murmur through the Court that he whom they had used with so great in humanity was the Prince Anaxander Alcidaris the King of Cambayas Son but very few were found that believed it and the King himself who heard thereof laught at it because he had long time believed the common report that he with Piroxenus was slain together with the two Princes of Decan in that sally they made during the siege of Visaporus besides the assurance they had lately received from Pirobus his mouth that the King of Cambaya had but one Son alive That had not retarded his condemnation one minute had there not hapned a contestation between the Ministers of Justice The Grand Provost pretended that he ought to give Judgement on him because he had taken and brought him by the Kings command and on totheer side because he had commanded in Armies and till that time done things becomming a Gentleman and a man of quality The Chief Justice of the Naires disputed that it belonged to him to make his processe and spent two or three dayes in this debate the one undoing and disanulling what the other commanded insomuch as the King was fain himself to regulate it He was then of opinion that seeing there had been certain of the guard slain by Ariomant there was no reason that their Chief should be both Judge and Party and that it was reasonable that the Court of Nayres knew that it was a very easie matter to proceed against a man convicted and that they should hasten his Judgement that he might quickly serve for an example The Princesse had some small hope that the King her Father would not so wholly yeeld himself up to his passions but that he would cast an eye to the many services which her Anaxander had formerly done the dead Prince Arontus as well as the Crown under the name of Ariomant besides she hoped for some good from the journey Almerin had made into Cambaya but when she saw that the King hastned so very much the Judgement of the cause and that purposely for that reason he had sent to the Chief of the Judges she thought he would run great hazard and that when it may be her Fathers nature might incline to Pitty and Compassion he ight be too much engaged to this honour and his word not to give such example to his people The greatest part of hte Judges were very sorry for that poor offenders misfortune and seeing when they came to give Judgement that there was no liklihood of saving him there was not one but did it against his will and with sorrow condemned a man of so great merit but the reverence of the Laws and the honour they bare unto the Princes authority oblig'd them rather to save his Oaths than him who had despis'd them and seeing they must do Justice they pronounced the sentencce of death against Anaxander and condemned him to have his Head struck off in the great place before the Palace When this sad sentence was read unto him in the Prison he was marvelously surpris'd for beside that he hoped for deliverance by Pirexenus and Almerin and from the Princesse favour he did not expect that the severity of the Laws would have extended to that last rigor and thought when they had only frighted him with punishment they would have let him go But when he saw it was in good earnest they condemned him to death Friend sayd he to him that came as Deputy from the Court of Nayres does the King know who I am and that he hath no power of right over my life Sir Answered the Judge there hath been a report spred here that you are the King of Cambayas Son but the King will not believe it and himself told us he had a thousand arguments to convince that falsehood heâ— ought at least said Anaxander to have known the truth before he had thus precipitated my condemnation and he should have found that report very true Remember my Friend that this sentence passeth against himself and his own blood because I am his Daughters husband and if he be so barbarous and unnatural as to proceed farther to the execution of an unjust sentence tell him that besides the revenge I expect from heaven he shall draw on his head all the powers of the King my Father who will never indure so foul an action to escape unpunished Is this the welcome that Strangers receive in this country which come to do is honour although I were not as I am born a Prince yet ought my person to be safe even by the Law of Nations your Laws cannot by right extend themselves beyond the limits of this Kingdom nor punish crimes of honour in those whom you have not forbidden and are not subject to the observation of your Lawes Must I serve as an example and be the first man chastis'd for an action never yet by any man seen punish'd in Narsinga though Ducls frequent in it and Edicts chang'd a thousand times Ah pray bid the King he look more than once to what he does and that a Kings Son ought not to be the first mark of his vengeance Go to him presently if you love his honour and ask the Princesse whether in disgrace she will abandon those whom in Prosperity she hath made shew to love The Judge was much astonished at his words and thought himself oblig'd to tell them the King wherefore he came knocking to the chamber door to acquaint him w i th what he had learnt from Ariomant but the Door keeper would not admit him because the King was private with his Daughter and had forbidden any whasoever to be let in till she were gone That amorous Princesse having known of Anaxanders condemnation and seeing that all her vain hopes of his liberty promised no good overcome by her sorrow and most earnestly importun'd by Love forgot all respect and shame and believing that that very day he whom she so tenderly loved should unhappily end his dayes and be a shamefull spectacle for all the Court jealous of his Vertues and past Victories went and cast her self at the King her Fathers feet and full of tears told him the reason she had to beg Anaxanders life of him whom she boldly avowed for her Husband and with a thousand oaths and by the testimony of her dead brother Arontus she confirm'd the noyse that
Hangmans hands These discourses assisted by the gracesful action of those two men of so excellent aspect began already to work some impression in the peoples minds there was not one civil man who with horror beheld not the injustice done those two brave courages and who would not willingly have hazarded his life for their safety but the sequel was of too much fear and the dread of the Kings anger restrained the most factious among them Meanwhile the Souldiers by the Captains command were gone to setch Ladders to assault our Princes on every side and try to take them alive that by an ignominious death the slaughter they had made on their companions might be revenged forbidding any arrows to be shot at them which had by some been done already when from the Palace gate-ward a great throng was seen to come and the King himself before them which began to cry on all sides grace but the confused noise the Souldiees made about the Scaffold hindred them from hearing that favorable cry when the King who caused room to be made by the Archers of his guard who went before him was come neer and had understood what Piroxenus had done he wondered and more again when he saw the two Princes defend themselves so couragiously against an armed multitude Hold cry'd he out to the Souldiers as soon as he could be heard all that were before him did the like in as much as at length those blood-thirsty men perceived the King neer them and heard his countermands His presence then having clamed the storm all held their peace and bent their eyes upon him to see what 't was he would command them and understand the reason of his comming personally there when turning towards the Princes who were not lesse astonish'd at his comming than the people and directing his speech to them spake in this manner I am so full of confusion Sirs for what I very lately have understood that whereas you think I am come to give you pardon I come to ask it of you and to conjure you likewise to forgive me a crime which I have ignorantly committed and whereof my passion only is guilty See said he to Prince Anaxander if you know this young Kinight Gentleman of the horse to the King your father t is he that hath unfolded me my errour and who hath freed me from a misfortune after which I never should have been comforted if the last act of the Tragedy had been performed on you When the Prince who was already well restored by the Kings mild language knew Falantus face he leapt from off the Scaffold and embraced him Piroxenus did the like then presently turning to the King In truth Sir said Anaxander you were a little too hasty and me thinks you should for me have made use of your accustomed wildom and have â—een whether the report spread in your Court concerning my extraction were true or no before you used so great severity as you have done However seeing the gods have pleas'd to stay the course of this misfortune we must forget what 's past and promise Sir that neither my Cousin nor my self will remain lesse affectionate to your service seeing it is our own fault we had not told you who we were Consider me Sirs said the King as your selves and judge if the report of your death being every where dispers'd and being lately renewed to me by the King of Cambayas Eâ—bassadour who assur'd me his Master had but one son only living call'd Alcidaris I had not cause to believe all to be lies that have been toldme of you verily after all those untruths accompanied with so many of your feignings and disguises I had very good reason to redouble my anger against you Anaxander when I understood from my daughters own mouth that without declaring your self to any body and passing but at an ordinary Knight you had taken the freedom to talk to her of love and contract a Marriage with her wihout my consent which had never been deny'd you had I known your birth You have certainly cause to be angry with your selves for the wrong which hath been done you but for what I have contributed I promise to repair the injury by so many testimonies of assection as you both shall henceforth have more reason to love than you have formerly had cause to hate me But in regard this is no proper place for complements le ts go together to the Palace and make my Daughter partake of our joy and first of all le ts thank the gods which have delivered you from the imminent danger threatned you by you own fault and have sent thi Knight of Cambaya at the very minute to secure your lives At these words the Princes redoubled their embraces of Falantus and truly they had great reason so to do as he who by his incredble diligence became their redeemer having in four daies and as many nights rid more than two hundred leagnes whereto that excellent horse very much contributed which he took with him whereon without stop he dispatched eight or nine Posts by this means he arrived at the time he should to save their lives so dear to the King his Master and had he more delai'd undoubtedly he had in vain perform'd that journey for the two generous Princeâ— had been forc'd to yield to the power of so great a number of Souldiers as were ready to assault them every where They departed then from that place to go directly to the Temple and in the meanwhile the little Ariston who had seen all these passages went before to advertise his Mistresse whom he found laid on a little bed in her Closet wholly over come with sorrow and already threatning her fair bosome with the Dagger from which she hoped all her remedy As soon as she saw the Page come in she rose up and taking the Dagger in her hand Is' t done my friend said she is Ariomant dead No Madam answer'd he the King himself came and delivered him and did him all manner of honor there is some mystery in the matter which I know not for I understood by the confused noise which I heard from the middle of the place that the offender was the King of Cambayaes son he told her after what Piroxenus had done and the memorable exploits they both perform'd upon the Scaffold The Princesse transported with that news which she well enough understood could not forbear embracing the little Ariston and was a quarter of an hour and more in a kinde of trouble truly he did well to come and prepare her mind for that joy for if at first it had come to her from the Kings mouth she could never have forborne to have shewn her ravishment whereas she had the time to compose her self to receive that pleasure without disquiet and to accompany her countenance with a modest coldnesse when her father came As soon as he had thank'd the gods he entred the Princesse chamber followed by