valiant King of Hircania and to the Prince of the Caducians to quit his party these two Princes came and ranked themselves on Ciaxares his side or rather on Artamenes since certainly the reputation of my Master was the most convincing reason which obliged these two great Princes to trust his word I will not stay to tell you how the King of Cyprus sent also some Troops unto him under the command of Thimocrates and Philocles But let me tell you that the two Armies being now in view of each other and the day of battle being come Artamenes was busie in ordering his Troops into such a posture as they might vanquish He commended them and commanded them with such an imperious and obliging air as there was not a Souldier in all the Army which was not eager to obey him When these two mighty Armies were come out of their Trenches and that the armed Chariots the Archers the Slingers the Launciers and Pikes and those which used swords on both sides were ranged into battalia Artamenes in lieu of a long Oration said nothing but this unto them Which is he amongst you my fellow Souldiers who will be before me who will kill the first enemy which of you is it whose valour will exceed Artamenes Come on my companions said he to them I do protest that I should not be less joyed to see you surmount me in valour then if I had overcome the Assyrians These few words pronounced by such a man as Artamenes had so excellent an operation in the hearts of the fouldiers and wrought such great effects that their voice made the Air ring such a peal as resembled a song of victory and triumph Ciaxares by the advice of Artamenes would have the word of Battle that day to be Jupiter our Protector so that the combate beginning the noise of both sides was hideous what by the confusion of cries the clashing of Armes and Arrows and the neighing of horses then which nothing is more astonishing But Sirs all you except Thrasibulas do know it therefore without particularizing this dayes great businesse I will only tell you that Artamenes seeking out the King of Assyria with much diligence at last found him being informed by one who was taken prisoner in what quarter he would fight and meeting with him in the throng Let us see said he to him let us see whether the King of Assyria be more valiant then Philidaspes and whether I can now take away his life as easily as I did preserve it in the Forest where I met him That Prince hearing these words turned fiercely towards him and knowing my Master by his voice Artamenes said he to him the King of Assyria perhaps is not more valiant then Philidaspes but he is more civil since though he be now a King he will not refuse measuring his sword with you who passe but for a common Cavalier and no more Advance then said my Master to him when he saw him studying what to do and be assured that the Ravisher of Mandana is more dishonoured in taking her away then he is in fighting with Artamenes I ought not to fight with you answered that Prince since I owe my life unto you but what shall I do there is a secret thought in me which moves me to hate you and is more prevalent then my generosity after those words they came together and fought The sword of Artamenes was died with the bloud of that Prince and if the throng and confusion of the general combate had not separated them I believe the death of the King of Assyria had put an end to the war But at the last a report being divulged among all the Troops that he was either dead or a prisoner it made so great a disorder as the like was never seen Some fought others fled The Kings Allies thinking the King of Assyria to be dead retired Craessus caused all his men to be drawn off and be gone and taking the mountainous way saved the rest of his Troops from the general Rout. The King of Phrygia who had cause of discontent given unto him because one part of his men were ranked in the same body with the King of Lydias contrary to what was promised and he being ever in love with the glory of Artamenes did retire and entrenched himself in an advantagious place and waited the successe of our victory The Prince of Paphlagonia was taken prisoner and almost all the considerable persons in the Assyrian Army either perished or changed sides The truth is Sir said Feraulas alwayes addressing his discourse unto Thrasibulas it may very well be said that the gods did fight for Artamenes for it is most certain that there never was seen so many great Princes altogether which did so weakly dispute the victory not but that there was great difficulty in obtaining it because though they did not fight it well yet their inequality of number made it no easie matter Certainly and without flattering the Persians the Homotimes did miracles that day also the Medean Cavalry a well as the Hircanian wrought wonderful effects Yet in this great disorder the King oâ— Assyria who in all other adventures would rather perhaps have been killed then givenâ— ground did now retire when he saw that there was no hopes of victory and that Maragdus King of Arabia was killed close by him Fearing without doubt that if the noise of the defeat should come unto Babylon before his return there might rise some such disorder as might let the Princesse escape This sudden retreat which he made did certainly confirm the report of his death The Cappadocian Troops fearing to be under the power of Ciaxares as a master which was justly incensed joyned unto that party of the Assyrians which were the King of Assyria's Convoy And I do very well remember that my Master seeing these Cappadocians fly pursued and cried out unto them Why do you fly with them that are vanquished Is it not better to stay and triumph with Conquerors But his words were in vain for shame and fear stifled their repentance To relate unto you the number of the dead the abundance of prisoners the vast multitude of Arms and Horses the great number of Chariots and Tents and the infinite rich Plunder would not be much to the purpose But let me tell you that Artamenes moved Ciaxares to give all the Plunder of the field to the Souldiers and for his own part he reserved no more then the liberty to divide and bestow it more or lesse according to the deserts of the Captains None of the Homotimes or Persians would load themselves with any of it but he would have the chief of them which were accustomed to fight on foot to take the best of the enemies Horses so that he made the first Persian Cavalry which ever was seen in Asia But although this defeat of so many Kings and the friendship which he had contracted with so many Princes who in respect of
necessity as that he must defend the Palace where she was both against the people and the King of Medes he concluded it to be a thing impossible At the last being out of any hopes to keep Babylon and the Princesse and love prompting him unto some other course he endeavoured to execute that designe which he and Mazares had contrived He went down from the Tower in all hast and seemed as if he would appease the people by lenity hoping thereby to gain time whilest Mazares put all things in a readinesse for the execution of their enterprize at the beginning of the night if there were any need of it The King of Assyria resolved not to depart untill the designe of his Enemies was in executing for he imagined that Artamenes would enter the Town at both ends of it and that other places would therefore be lesse guarded because those two places would take up most of their men But upon a sudden we heard a terrible noise for the River being drained in a moment and the besiegers entred they caused a most horrible disorder and confusion I shall not need to relate any further of it unto you since I do imagine you were there but for my Part I never in all my life heard such an astonishment as this caused in all the streets of Babylon In the mean time we were in great fears for although the Princesse did imagine that perhaps it was Artamenes who would come and deliver her yet the danger wherein she apprehended him caused her fears As for the King her father she imagined that he would not venture himself in this attempt As we were thus betwixt hope and fears the King of Assyria came in to us Mazares stayed in the garden of the Pallace with them who were appointed for our Guard But the King entring furiously Madam said he to the Princesse to the end she should make no resistance the people of Babylon are in great disorder and since they beleeve you to be the cause of the War they would have you in their power therefore I must put you into some place of better security then this Sir said she unto him since I have put my self into the custody of the Gods it is my duty to wait upon their pleasures and submit unto what they shall ordain me and you would do me a great favour if you would leave me unto their protection But when she saw four or five men in Arms enter knowing she was not in a condition to resist and not knowing that what the King of Assyria said was untrue she went with them and Arianta and I followed her she asked then where Mazares was and he answering her that she should see him presently she went whither they conducted her Then were we led into the Garden of the Palace where Mazares did indeed stay for us Mandana no sooner saw him but letting the King of Assyria's hand go she gave hers unto him supposing now she had no cause to fear since he was with her Then they led us unto a back door which almost joynes unto the Gates of the Town which the Troops of Mazares guarded and who were acquainted with what was designed When we were ready to go out of the Garden which was of a huge bignesse we saw by the help of a candle which was brought that the King of Assyria the Prince Mazares and ten men who were to be of the Party took every one of them a white Cassack which covered them all over and that they covered their heads also with white This caused us to think that the white Garments which they gave us were designed for the same use as those which these Princes and those mens were although we could not imagine unto what end Afterwards they brought twelve white Horses Saddles and Bridles were of the same colour The King of Assyria got upon one of them and would have the Princesse to ride behinde him but she refused and did chuse Mazares though with much reluctancy yet the noise in the Town did so encrease though we were far enough from the place where it was assaulted that her fear of falling into the hands of rude and insolent people caused her at the last to let Mazares have the care of her safty Two men of quality of those ten took up Arianta and me behind them the candle being put out and the dore open we went straight unto that gate of the town which as I already told you was near it then the King of Assyria and Mazares commanded a Captain in a low voice I mean a Captain which guarded that gate to go and advertise all the Princes and Souldiers that they should fight it out no longer since the town was already lost and that as many as would might take the advantage of the dark night to save themselves and take the benefit of this gate we were not above twelve paces from the walls but the King of Assyria who went a little before did ride very softly lest his horses feet should make to great a noise more fearing the ears then the eyes of those we should meet for Chrisantes the ingenuity of this devise was in that the Prince Mazares considering that all the fields were covered with snow and because there was a great mist when we went out it was impossible that Artamenes should make good his round and therefore he thought it would be no hard matter to pass between two Courts of guard and never be perceived since white is not easily discovered in the snow and in the night especially since the moon did not shine This invention of white horses and white habits made us invisible to those who met us and they who we did meet not being in white as we were were discovered a good distance off so that we could shun them before they could see us there was nothing therefore that the King of Assyria feared but the neighing of the horses and the horses feet as for the first of these he put it unto fortune but as for the noise of the horses feet the snow was so soft that they could not be heard the King of Assyria findding this went a little faster and presently after we discovered the guard of Ciaxares his Army To tell you Chrisantes what the Princess thought to see her self in this Equipage and out of Babylon at that time of night and on horsback amongst a company of men all in white going in such great silence I should lengthen my story at the first she was glad that she had escaped the fury of the rude multitude so insolent as to mutiny against their Prince and she thought that whithersoever they carried her it would be incomparably more easie for Artamenes to get her out of the King of Assyrias power then in Babylon which she thought impregnable therefore conceiving it to be most advantagious for Artamenes and for her own liberty she went with them without any resistance and thinking of
for the Letter from Gabrias gave some suspition of such a thing But she gave strict Commands that whatsoever he did to bring him alive and if he did resist yet none to kill him After which she commanded that Intaphernes and Atergatis should be strictly guarded as for Feraulas she would see him and examine him what he knew concerning his Master And the sooner to induce him unto a confession she spoke unto him at first with all imaginable sweetness Afterwards she threatned him and at last did speak unto him in so much fury that Feraulas was extreamly afraid least Cyrus should fall into the hands of a Princess whose passions were so violent But whilst Thomyris imployed all her unprofitable menaces upon Feraulas to make him discover where his Master was and whilst Ariantes by order of Thomyris was gon to set double Guards about the Tents Royall that none might go out or in without express permission from the Queen Cyrus and Meliantes were not without their shares of trouble for though Niside could not advertise Meliantes of all passages and though Meliantes had been so busie that he saw none that could inform him yet one of his Domestiques telling him that Thomyris and Ari had been in Mandana's Tent and that Orders were given for a strict guard upon that Princess he feared and with reason that the Letter which Cyrus wâ—it was discovered and that it was known he was living so as not conceiving it fit to conceal his fears from that Prince he told him all his thoughts to the end he might prepare himself for going out of the Tents Royall the night following or at least to change his Tent and to go into the Tent of one of those Sauromattan Captains who were of their intelligence But since it must be night before this could be done they had not time enough for it for as they were in consultation what to do the Captain of the Guard came with fifty followers so that since they could not defend themselves in a Tent as in houses all that Meliantes could do was to go towards the Captain of the Guard who asked for him from Thomyris assuring Cyrus that the would sooner dy than discover him and hoping that the Captain of the Guard would be contented with arresting him but it was otherwise For in Lieu of being contented with Meliantes they would enter into the Tent from whence he came Meliantes seeing this he got between the dore of the Tent and the Captain of the Guard and drawing his sword and stopped him purposely to give Cyrus so much time as to get out at another dore of she Tent and get into the Tent of that Sauromattan Captain of which they had spoken For as luck was Cyrus was disguised in a Massagettan habit ever since he came to Meliantes could hope for no more then to gain so much time as till Cyrus got out But as that Prince would have done so he found that the Captain of the guard had beset the Tent round about and it chanced so that the Prince Ariantes passed accidentally that way as Cyrus was going out So as seeing an impossibility any way to escape he chose that place to get out at where happily he might kill his Rivall before he was killed himself for being in the mind he was and considering what minds Thomyris and Mandana were in he had much rather dy than be a Prisoner unto that Queen or his Rivall so as this being his resolution he drew his sword and calling Meliantes unto him that they might fight both together he went out of the Tent accompanied with that generous Assyrian and four or five of his men and so sharply fell upon Ariantes that though the Captain of the guard had beset the Tent round yet those who were on that side where Cyrus went out could not hinder him from having a blow at that Prince after he had severall times called him ungratefull Anaxaris Persidious Anaxaris Ariantes being on horseback and Cyrus on foot the blow which he made at that Prince did not hit as it was intended for the Horse of that Prince being curvetting as the blow was made it was the Horse which received his blow in the flanck and who not being able to endure the fury of the stroak did violently bound and broak the sword of Cyrus Meliantes seeing this out of his heroique generosity he gave his unto this illustrious Hero and took another from one of those who followed After which Ariantes having time to know him to be his Rivall he went towards him with intention to end all the differences by his death but his horse being much wounded he fell and his Rider also fell under him who perhaps saved the life of his Master by his own death For in this Interim the Captain of the Guard with all his companions came out of the Tent and so surrounded both Cyrus and his brave Assyrian that they hindred them from falling upon Ariantes In the mean time since Cyrus would not render himself and since the Captain of the Guard would not let him be killed because Thomyris had expresly commanded to bring him alive Cyrus seconded by Meliantes killed so great a number of them that when Ariantes was dis engaged from under his horse he did not think it fit to insist upon such strict orders from Thomyris so as thrusting in among those who would have taken Cyrus he fell upon him with much vigour Cyrus warded the blâ—w which he made at him and returned another so sharply that he was forced to step back But whilst things were in this condition and whilst Cyrus and Meliantes could hardly avoid death considering the number of their assaulters and their resolution not to be taken Thomyris whose impatiency and inquietude brought her out of her Tent appeared on horse back So as seeing this combate and hearing the cause she advanced into the midst of the tumult forbidding her men from killing Cyrus and commanding Cyrus to render himself But Ariantes being strangely incensed against the obstinate resistance of this Prince valued not the command which Thomyris gave but fell again upon his Riyall who had laid the captain of the Guard dead at his feet But when Thomyris saw this and observed that Cyrus did not see Ariantes She cryed out take heed of your self Cyrus and guard the blow which one of my rebellious Subjects is making at you At these words Cyrus who knew well the voice of Thomyris turned himself about and saw that Ariantes was making a most furious blow at him so as he warded the blow But in the mean time three or four of those who came with the Queen fell upon him and layd hold of his Arm and hindering him from continuing his combate with Ariantes they presented him unto Thomyris who was more joyed to see Cyrus in her power then if she had won a hundred battells and conquered as many Kingdomes In the mean while Meliantes seeing Cyrus taken he fell
therefore I defie you Multiply your penalties upon my Person and I will not complain of your injustice Since my Princesse wants a Tomb it is no matter though I languish in a Dungeon the worst is it can but hinder me from a more high and generous death Ah fairest Princesse said he whether you inhabit amongst the dead or amongst the living in heaven or upon earrh If you could but see the unhappy Artamenes in Caixares Prison you would resent it with wonder and sorrow However I complain not of his severity or injustice since I seem culpable in his eyes and indeed I am so but it is in a far different manner then he apprehends it I am culpable Dearest Princesse but it is against you indeed I am I confesse it I am culpable in loving you not as you are the daughter of the King of Medes but as you are the fairest Angel that ever lived As you are the daughter of a great King it was lawfull for me to love you But as you are Mandana I must love you and not reveal it I must suffer and not complain I must adore you in my death and I must die dumb and not speak a word of love Yet alas Mandana cried he out I fear I am the cause of your dire misfortunes for if I had not loved you and your soul not possessed with any thoughts of grace towards me then perhaps you might have plac't your affection upon that great Monarch of the world and without all these misfortunes have been Queen unto the King of Assiria then said he further I should not have been so happy in the glory of her Love nor would you have had any thought of Artemenes the unfortunate Artamenes a lover whose observant passions never offended against the Laws of vertue by any exorbitant desires and whose obsequious soul was ever obedient unto your will whose life and death is consecrated unto your service In sum of all I will die my Princesse and never let Ciaxares know what the ground is of Artamenes correspondency with the King of Assiria Think not this my Divine Mandana a small sacrifice which I am resolved to offer unto you in the carriage of this affair The desire of glory is a Passion as well as Love a passion most violent and imperious yet for all that I must value the honour of my Princesse above it What though Ciaxares think me perfidious it is no matter since I am not so I know the King of Assiria though my enemy will vindicate me and though he be my Corrivall yet he will speak in my behalf Beleeve on Ciaxares and think me a Traitor as long as you please since you do not know the true state of the matter for though my Princesse was most innocent and her vertue had but too much strictnesse in so pure an affection yet for all that Ciaxares and the censorious Court it may be will never beleeve that I could be so long disguised without her consent If I should discover who I am it would more confirm Ciaxares in that opinion which he entertains that I aspire unto the Crown although I am not born so far from a Crown as he imagins Alas said he how rigid are my destinies I am afraid to justifie my self though it be most naturall to do it My fears to offend my Princess transcend my fears of infamy although the fear of infamy should be above all other whatsoever and though never any did more greedily thirst after glory then Artamenes But why should I fear it as long as I have the Testimony of my own conscience and the testimony of my most mortall enemy The gods who are protectors of oppressed innocency will surely vindicate me after I am dead They who now accuse me will then justifie me by waies which I cannot apprehend Truth in conclusion will be found the strongest Whilest Artamenes and Ciaxares were thus tormented in their own melancholy resentments all the Court and all the Army were angred at the accident The King of Phrygia the King of Hircania the Prince of the Cadusians the Prince of Licaonia the Prince of Paphlagonia Hidaspes Chrisantes Aglatidas Thrasibulus Madates Megabites Adusius Artabases and Feraulas all these were wonderstrook at the imprisonment of Artamenes and not only these Princes and Captaims but also all the Inhabitants of Sinope and the whole Army all these did ill resent it As soon as the news was divulged all the Kings Princes and Commanders went unto the Lodging of Artamenes but were denied entrance Ciaxares sent for them all and told them that he was compelied for the good of his affairs to arrest Artamenes and commanded them to have a care that the souldiers who he knew loved Artamenes very well did notmutiny He told them that this transaction would conduce much to the safety of the State and the good of all the Princes his Allies This far fetcht Discourse made no impressions at all upon their spirits but all of them unanimously did beseech him to act warily in this businesse of so great importance You know Sir said the King of Phrygia and I do beleeve it an absolute impossibility that Artamenes should betray you you may remember Sir that the time was when we were at variance and I fully perswade my self if any such thing had been transacted by him I should have known it The King of Hircania seconded and said it cannot sink into my belief that ever he can be guilty of any treasonable designs No I warrant you said Hidaspes I would not beleeve it though he himself should say it If my head would be accepted as a gage for his innocency said Aglatidas I would throw it at your Majesties feet If so much innocency as he carries about him had half the Army for his accusers said the Prince of the Cadusians the army of Artamenes would confound them all if they should resist I should shamefully belie my own eyes and my own knowledge said the Prince of Licaonia if I should witnesse against him I do not think said the Prince of Paphlagonia that there can any one in the world be found who can or dare accuse him I am his Complice said Chrisantes if he be criminall and yet I am most certain that I am far from any treason I have seen his soul stand firm amidst the cloud of his misfortunes and cannot think it should shrink in the Sun-shine of his prosperity It is neither credible nor possible cried Madates and Migabites both together If your Majesty would 〈◊〉 be pleased to bring his accusers face to face I should soon stop their mouths said Feraulas In short all these Princes and all the Captains one after another and sometimes altogether did strive who could pleade with strongest arguments in behalf of this unfortunate yet famous Artamenes one put him in minde of his victories another of his generosity one extold his valour another his fidelity In conclusion they all fell off from the
attention he went on The Pilot then being confident it was the valiant Pirate which came with resolutions to set upon us without any further order endeavoured to shun all encounter and fly from such an enemy as alwaies used to conquer especially since their number so exceeded us which Artamenes no sooner saw but he took hold of him with one hand and hold of the stern with the other No no said he thou shalt not be Master of this Ship if thou beginnest to run away Mark me if thou dost not immediately carry me straight unto the enemy I will throw thee into the Sea or run thee through with my sword The Pilot as well as I was so amaz'd at his violence as he threw himself at his feet and said that he did not think he would undertake such an enemy as there was no hopes or possibility of overcoming Do as I bid thee said Artamenes and leave the rest to the gods and my courage When I heard the Prince say so and having learned from the Marriners how the famous Pirate was mighty stout Sir said I to him what do you mean to do I will either conquer or die said he and will not loose this first opportunity which Fortune 〈…〉 to make use of my valour But Sir replied I how can you conquer where there is neither possibility or hopes of it Have I not told you said the Prince if I cannot conquer I can die and I had much rather do so then fly and not fight when I have occasion offered Sir replied I to retire from an enemy too numerous and strong is not a disgraceful flight but a prudent and honourable retreat and you ought not to mix rashnesse and valour together Discretion is the better part of valour I know not how to make these faint distinctions said the Prince very roughly to me I am afraid to be deceived by them in a businesse which concerns my honour the surer way is to fight and that I 'le take Therefore said he speaking to the Souldiers and Mariners I heartily desire you all to prepare your selves for fight and imitate me During this Argument the four Ships which gave us chase and were much better Saylors then we were come so near us that I saw there was no way but to prepare for defence and it was not to be imagined that the Prince would now retreat or submit without combat Then I began to assist the Prince in giving orders And after we had commanded them all not to row when we were almost within Oar-reach of the Ship and the Pilot to make towards their Admirall Feraulas and I rankt our selves next him I must needs give this Testimony of his vertue never was seen more constancy and alacrity in so great a danger as appeared in the soul of this young Prince He had got ready by him a Bow a Quiver abundance of Arrows upon his shoulder besides some in his hands also many Darts and Javelins but he thought so little of a Buckler and of any danger that he had wanted it if I had not brought him one just when we began to accost the enemy All this while the Renowned Corsaires sees our inequality and thought to take us without a blow but Artamenes is of another minde and inspires mettle into the Souldiers and Mariners and commands the Pilot to make towards the enemy who doth so punctually obey that we were presently within reach of each other so that in lieu of Vailing Bonnet as Corsaires did beleeve we would we saluted him with a Cloud of Arrows which killed many of his men whom we saw tumble down upon the Deck This bold attempt made the Pirate conclude that either some man of a most high courage was in the Ship or else some desperate enemy who would die fighting without submission He being thus incensed with our bold affront begins to order himself like a Souldier who knew how to fight He commanded all his Ships to enclose us round that so he might the more astonish us and take us without boarding yet do what they could it was two hours at the least before he could compasse us and if the Prince would have been contented with fighting thus upon such unequal terms and have retreated without an absolute victory he might easily have avoided that danger wherein afterwards we were surrounded for at last these four Ships in spight of all our Pilots art did compasse us about and fell upon us with such fury as we fought in darknesse by reason of the showrs of Arrows which covered our Ship and fell upon our her heads Artamenes seeing it thus commanded 〈…〉 to make at the Admiral and assault him we all obey we grapple we bord him and begin a fight the like was never seen Artamenes leapt into the Ship of Corsaires at the same time when the Pirate leapt into his so that in an instant of time these two Generals were amidst their enemies The fight is now most strange and that happened upon this accident as the like I beleeve will never do again for we were all very attentive unto Artamenes and when he leapt unto the Pirates Ship all of us leapt after him except some few that were repulsed or killed on the other side the Souldiers of Corsaires did the like and followed their Captain with the like fury that we fellowed ours By this confusion Artamenes became Master of Corsaires his Ship and Corsaires Master of Artamenes At their first entrances they both rejoyced and thought they had been Victors but when they perceived their errour and that they had only changed Ships Artamenes by menaces made the Mariners of Corsaires Ship obey him Corsaires did the like with Artamenes Mariners they then began to fight afresh and strive to reenter into their own Ships The fight is furious and this odd chance did a while prolong it and our destruction for the three other Ships of Corsaires did not perceive this changing chance as well because they were far off as because of the chick clouds of Arrows therefore they move not a finger against the Ship of their Admiral in which we were but they assault our Ship in which Corsaires was so that he could neither defend himself nor offend us My Master knowing him to be the Chief of the enemies did undertake him single with so much vigour and resolution as none ever saw the like And all the Mariners who were Spectators of the Combat did assure us that Artamenes more then twenty times entred the vessel and the Valiant Pirate did the like before any advantage on either side did appear All after their example pusht the Pike shot Arrows and did slash with swords As for Artamenes he used all these weapons for when he was far off he shot Arrows when nearer he us'd the Pike and when joyned his Sword was not idle The truth is he was so admirable at them all as I could not beleeve it to be him Presently after the three
be imagined is she a prisoner what would she expresse by her note what a most cruel accident is this that I cannot taste in quiet the greatest joy that ever amarous mind was capable of yet am I not too blame said he to descant thus upon the present condition of my life at a time when I see my Princesse lives and when I may hope to see her again For since it is the pleasure of the gods to bring her from the deep Abysse of the Sea they may also perhaps bring me out of prison to deliver her and set her upon her Throne But my fairest Princesse after all these misfortunes which I have endured I dare not make any prayers for my self I fear lest my own interests should be contagious and infect yours and for the love of you I will separate them and ask of the gods no more then what directly relates unto you Therefore O ye Omnipotent Divinities which govern all the Earth cause them to deliver me that I may deliver my Princesse that I may have power to punish all her Ravishers to bring her back unto her father and let her possesse all those Crowns which you have enabled me to defend fight for and Conquer for the King of the Medes Oh ye most just Gods do only as I say and afterwards let me die at the feet of Mandana and that she may never have any other sorrows but for the losse of Artamenes Thus did the most amorous Prince in the world entertain himself whilest Andramias with Ortalques was with the King and whilest all his illustrious friends were with Hidaspes where they received the advice from Artucas which made them all impatient and moved them to go presently unto the Castle as I already told you But to make you understand how Artucas came so soon to the knowledge of it you must know that when Andramias gave the Letter unto the King from Artamenes this Prince was in a rapture of joy which cannot be expressed so that some of those who were then in the Chamber without diving any further into the matter or staying for any more did in all haste divulge that Artamenes was in favour with the King and it was from them which Artucas had that which he told unto Hidaspes as knowing him most affectionate unto Artamenes The King of Phrygia who was with Ciaxares when he received this Letter being desirous to take hold of that occasion told him that such good news as that well deserved liberty unto him who sent it and Ciaxares in his first apprehensions of joy did partly forget his anger against Artamenes and was glad to receive from his hand this news as a sign of his affection unto his service He then did exactly inform himself from Ortalques of all he knew and all he had seen and bad Andramias that he should assure Artamenes it should be long of himself if he did not suddently come out of prison to relieve the Princesse his daughter and that he should no sooner acknowledge the correspendency which he held with the King of Assyria nor should no sooner ask pardon for it then he should forget what was past and restore him unto his former condition Oh Sir said the King of Phrygia then unto him let not your Majesty stand upon such a uselesse piece of formality for I do almost certainly know that Artamenes is innocent and if there were any secret intelligence between the King of Assyria and him it was not at all prejudicial unto your Majesties service As they were thus in discourse the King of Hircania the Prince of the Caducians Gobrias Gadates Thrasibulus Hidaspes Adusius Thimocrates Philocles Artucas Feraulas and Chrisantes came in and immediately after Aglatidas entered with a multitude of strangers of quality whom this strange news did draw unto the King every one being desirous to rejoyce with him in the happy news which did indeed deserve a publique thanksgiving The name of Mandana was in every ones mouth those who knew her told it unto those who knew her not and discoursed of all her admirable qualities so that as the souls of all were dejected at the news of her losse so now they were elevated at the news of her being alive After the first resentments of satisfaction Ciaxares much displeased that he could not precisely know what was the adventure of the Princesse nor who carried her away nor why they carried her unto Armenia He knew very well that the King of that Country was his Tributary that the Prince Tigranes his son was gallant and generous and one that loved Artamenes But he knew also that the old King was capritious and humorous and that he sent no Troops to his Army as he was obliged to do Ciaxares therefore did not fully relish his joys but would sometimes make his unquietnesse apparent Sir said the King of Hircania unto him let not the Captivity of the Princesse Mandana disquiet you for if you would have her prison doors flie open wheresoever they be you need do no more but set open the prison doors of Artamenes and set him before so many Kings and Princes as now hear me And you may be assured Sir that if he be our guide we will follow him unto Armenia and make victory follow us When we have rendred thanks unto the Gods replied the King of the Medes we shall then see how they will inspire us But for my part I do not think that in thanking them for their equity in saving an innocent Princesse I ought to pardon a Delinquent and such a one as will neither ask pardon nor repent no nor so much as acknowledge his fault although it be most apparent Ha Sir cried they all with one voice both the Kings the Princes the Homotimes and all the Cavaliers Artamenes indeed is unfortunate but never was culpable There is not one of us but will enter into his prison and remain a hostage for him until he has made proof of his innocency by his new services or to say better new miracles Ciaxares was much moved to find such violent affection in the minds of all these illustrious persons and could not answer them but with a congie yet such a one as left them in some hopes insomuch as they redoubled their reasons and requests Aglatidas was not lesse zealous then any And Migabises maugre their old quarrels was amongst them in the Kings chamber and begged liberty for Artamenes as well as his old enemy The King of Phrygia did extreamly presse Ciaxares unto it The King of Hircania spoke wonderful boldly Thimocrates and Philocles used as much power as there was in Graecia eloquence Thrasibulus did no lesse Hidaspes and Adusius spoke with extream violence as well as Persodes Gadates and a hundred others who seemed all to be linked unto the interests of Artamenes Ciaxares then seeing himself thus urgently pressed know said he unto the King of Phrygia and Hircania and all the rest I wish
their chief Commanders did nothing else but ask aloud for Artamenes that he might be rendred unto them again else they resolved never to stir a foot again unto any War whilest I say Ciaxares was yet very irresolute what to do though he seemed to incline towards some indulgency Chrisantes and Feraulas were very restlesse in their transactions for sometimes they went to visit their Master sometimes they courted all the Princes which had interessed themselves in his fortune sometimes they went into the Kings presence and very often unto Hidaspes and Adusius so that continually bestirring themselves and living between hopes and fears their souls were never in any tranquillity They had a designe to send into Persia and advertise Cambyses of the life of the Prince his Son and the danger wherein he was but the distance of the place prevented them Artamenes also supposing such a businesse did expressely forbid it telling them that he would never have the king his father know he was living untill he might be informed of it without sorrow Moreover he told them that course would be absolutely in vain and the readiest way to let Ciaxares know he was Cyrus Upon an evening then when Chrisantes and Feraulas were both together walking by the Port of Synope Artucas came unto them and desired them to go along with him unto a place where he would freely entertain them They knew very well the affection which Artucas bore unto Artamenes and remembred how he left Aribeus to become faithfull unto his Prince and were contented to go with him His house was far off the Port and therefore lesse consumed by fire but was still habitable As soon as they came there Artucas carried them into a chamber and thorow that into another where they did finde one who at first they knew not for it was dark and candles were not yet lighted they saw well she was a woman of a good fashion and seemed to be fair but yet they could not perceive her face so plainly as to know her This uncertainty lasted not long for this woman no sooner saw them but leaving the daughter of Artucas who was with her and coming towards them she began to speak and call them by their names to signifie her joy she had to see them so that the Tone of her voyce no sooner sounded in the ears of Feraulas but running hastily to her Ah Martesia cried he out is it you that speaks Can I beleeve that what I think is true Yes answered she I am Martesia and the very same you left me at Themiscira with the Princesse Mandana At those words Feraulas transported with excesse of joy did again salute the Lady which had so great a share in his heart and had so great a confidence in him Chrisantes for his part so much esteemed the vertue of this woman that he behaved himself towards her with all possible civility But as his soul was not so tender over her as the soul of Feraulas was so he was the first which asked Martesia whether or no the Princesse were at liberty Alas wise Chrisantes said she and sighed I would to the Gods she were or at the least that your Illustrious Master were not a prisoner as I understand he is but that he were in a condition to relieve her What joy soever Feraulas had to see Martesia this tale did lessen it But since all he thought was not to be spoken of before Artucas or his daughter who knew nothing of Artamenes Love unto the Princesse Chrisantes and Feraulas did burn with desire to ask a hundred questions which they then could not enquire of and she for her part did answer unto many things as she would not have answered if they had been by themselves however said Chrisantes you can assure us that the Princesse is alive for although Ortalques told us so yet we shall be far better satisfied to hear you confirm it Feraulas asked her how they escaped the shipwrack Chrisantes would needs tell her how they grieved for the supposed death of the Princesse and both of them together did make the discourse so interrupted and full of confusion that it did but augment their curiosity Martesia desired Chrisantes and Feraulas to salute a very compleat man who came with her and was called Orsanes telling them how he had been both her Guide and Protector This first discourse was not long because the night was late But Martesia desired them to come again to morrow morning for she should be very glad to speak with them before she saw the King who yet knew nothing of her return thinking it fit to enforme her self of somethings before she appeared at Court or shewed her self unto him and this was the reason she came late into Sinope and desired to lodge in her Kinsmans house where she might be welcome and he having a daughter which was very fair and vertuous therefore she conjured them not to speak a word of her return unto any Chrisantes and Feraulas then left her and failed not to come the next morning as Martesia had appointed them and would not acquaint Artamenes with her arrival untill they knew more certainties of Mandana whereby to satisfie his Curiosity his Impatience and his Love Martesia was a woman of most excellent Qualities and one whose Aunt Artucas had married and therefore she made choise of his house in Sinope As she had ever been about Mandana and that Princesse did alwayes very tenderly love her so she did love her again most passionately and could not at all relish her liberty unlesse her Princesse enjoyed hers also and though perhaps there were some in Sinope to whom she had no aversion yet she had rather have been captive with her Mistresse then free without her She seemed also very melancholy unto Chrisantes and Feraulas when they came to her in the morning and as she knew how to carry things handsomly she let Artucas understand that she had some business to impart unto Chrisantes which concerned the liberty of the Princesse and which she had orders not to reveal unto any but him and Feraulas So that without suspition of any thing she received them privately into her Chamber without any other witnesses but one woman which waited upon her who was so far off the place where she caused Chrisantes and Feraulas to sit down that she could not understand any thing of their discourse when then they were come unto her and the first complements were passed and they seated in their places Alas said she to them what strange alterations do we find since the day you parted from Themiscira to go unto the Massagettes and how ignorant am I of all you have done since onely I know that the famous Artamenes has gained some Battles and subverted Kingdoms But oh heavens when I came hither and was told that he was in prison how was I surprized and sorrowfull and how sad the Princesse would be if she should know of
to be faithful unto him But whilest these things were in contriving you were a witnesse of all the passages both in Court and Army between these two illustrious Rivals and I have nothing to tell you untill after the two Battles which Artamenes gained in one day by one of which you know he took the King of Pontus prisoner and afterwards all the world believed him dead But now in this place I must tell you that Feraulas before whom I speak did perhaps hasten the execution of this first plot to take away the Princesse Mandana some moneths sooner then otherwise it would I amiable Martesia said he and interrupted her Yes you answered she for when you thought that your Master was dead in the violence of your sorrows you could not forbear crying out in the presence of Philidaspes Alas poor Prince must so glorious a life last no longer he told me afterwards at Babylon that then he stopt you and asked you whether you Master was in that condition and that you fained the excesse of your sorrows made you spake one word for another but yet that did not hinder him from suspecting that the matter was as you had said It is very true replied Feraulas I remember that I committed this errour and that in my extream sorrow wherein then I was in the extream joy I was in afterwards for the resurrection of my dear Master I had absolutely lost my memory Feraulas having done speaking and Chrisantes desiring him to interrupt Martesia no more she pursued her discourse At the return of Artamenes and Philidaspes unto Sinope the jealousie of the last did encrease and he being assured from the Governour of the Town of Is that he should be received when he pleased he thought upon nothing but ripening and acting his design he saw also that he could never have a more favourable opportunity for there being now a likely-hood of peace he conceived that he should need no more Troops then he already had since he had four thousand men about the Town which were under his command and a Castle to retire unto to give a colour for his not being at Sinope whilest Aribeus was transacting his plot believe you have not forgot how a Letter which this Prince writ fell into the hands of Artamenes and both discovered and prevented this conspiracy But you do not know how he which lost this Letter coming unto Aribeus and not finding it about him was extreamly surprised confessed that he feared the man with whom he had fought had found it Neither do you know how Aribeus knowing that Artamenes had been with the Princesse and the King went afterwards and changed the Guards and sent to advertise Philidaspes who after he had in the night-time dispersed his four thousand men which he had under the Castle in lieu of flying as all the world believed he did went unto Pteria whereof Aribeus was Governour and there did lie concealed resolving to wait there for a more favourable opportunity It was for the love of him that Aribeus was so desirous to remove Artamenes from the Court since he was so great an obstacle unto his design and therefore he propounded unto Ciaxares to send him unto the Queen of the Massagettes to the end he might more easily execute his design during his absence There happened one chance which much crossed him and which made him almost despair and made him lose much time It was this as soon as Artamenes was gone his voyage Philidaspes understood that the Governour of that Town of Is unto which he was to retreat was dead so that he must seek out another sanctuary before he could attmept any thing which took up so much time that he could not act his design until Artamenes was expected back again of whom they had heard no news since his departure The Governour of the Town of Opis which stands upon the River Pygris being then suborned and Aribeus also having corrupted one of my companions named Arianta and made for him almost all the Guards of the Princesse he did execute his design at Themiscira where Philidaspes was come without any danger for he stirred not but in the night and was so much disguised for this purpose that he was not knowable Now Chrisantes I am come unto that part of my relation which is altogether unknown unto you But I beseech you imagine how the Princesse was surprised when she saw Philidaspes take her away you have heard I suppose how I followed my dear Mistresse in spight of those which took her away I will not stay you so long as to relate how we left the Boat into which they put us nor how we found horses ready on the other side of the River nor which road we took nor who was the guide I will only tell you that just at break of day we encamped within a wood under a Tent which was set up and neither the Princesse nor I had spoke one syllable nor were capable of understanding one syllable of all that Philidaspes said unto us so much was her soul and mine sunk with sorrow and I think that since the Princesse in the first rapture of her sorrow cried out unto Philidaspes that If Artamenes were at Themiscira he durst not have attempted this enterprise she spoke not one word at all But after we were in the Tent and the Princesse half dead did sit down on a cusion which was laid upon a footcloth that covered all the ground of the Tent and as I stood by her as well as Arianta who did counterfet her sorrow admirably well Philidaspes after he had placed his Guards and Centinels for most security came and cast himself at her feet and looking upon her with as much submission as he had audacity in taking her away I know very well Madam said he unto her that Philidaspes is not only rash but the Prince of Assyria also is most bold and deserves to be punished for thus offering you one of the most illustrious Crowns in the world Yes Divine Princesse I do so much prize your vertue above your quality that I do confesse the greatest King in the world cannot pretend unto the honour of your love without too great a presumption But Madam since the Gods have set you above all the Kings upon earth and that none can presume to enjoy you without an injury I thought that I might as well as any other aspire unto this happy boldnesse which the Gods have destined you unto I am perhaps lesse worthy of it then some others in consideration of my self but I am it may be as much deserving as others in respect of that Crown I am to wear and more then any other in respect of my passion to you so that Madam how unjust soever I am I may perhaps merit some compassion especially if you will but be pleased to know that I have done nothing but what I could not hinder my self from For truly if there had
he in a more sharp Tone we must go fight and you have appointed it so The Princesse seeing that he was in earnest and was going away much moved that boldnesse which she retained in speaking unto him did forsake her and tears came in her eyes she then threw her self at his feet and fast holding him Oh Sir said she unto him what are you intending to do To fight and vanquish if I can said he unto her and hastily lifting her up But though you should vanquish the King my Father yet you should never vanquish the heart of Mandana replied she but on the contrary I here declare unto you in the presence of the gods who hear me that if in this War either the King my Father or the Illustrious Artamenes do die in it you shall expect nothing from Mandana but her death Fight Sir as long as you will you shall not enjoy the fruits of your victory And since the prize for which you fight is in my dispose you shall never obtain it You may perhaps overcome the King my Father and you may perhaps cause Artamenes to be killed after he once gave you your life but you cannot hinder Mandana from dying So that Sir if you bring her into despair she shall also do the like for you Think with your self once more and consider it well for indeed if you be vanquished then you will be vanquished with abundance of shame considering the injustice of the Action and if you be Conquerour you will finde no other recompence for all your pains but the Coffin of Mandana The gods Madam answered he did not send you unto the earth to take you away so soon and I will hope that if I return Conquerour you will then change your thoughts of me If ever I see you Victorious replied the Princesse and the noise of your Victory precede your returne my death shall precede the day of your Triumph But Madam replied this Prince what would you have me do Since things are at that passe I cannot live without you and since I cannot suffer Artamenes to live and you to love him but not the King of Assyria yet Madam I see you had rather all Asia should perish and you hope I shall perish in it Yes yes Madam I read this secret joy in your heart which mingles it self with your sorrows but yet for all that I still respect you love you and adore you Judge Madam whether there be any comparison between the love of Artamenes and mine For he sees he is beloved of the fairest Princesse upon earth what wonder is it that he should be faithfull unto such a Princesse who scorns all the Grandure of the World for him To know the difference betwixt his love and mine seem Madam to scorne him as you do me and treat but him as you treat me then if after that he shall love you as do I shall confesse he has more right unto your affection then I have You know Madam that I am Master in Babylon and so can cause my self to be obeyed Yet you have commanded absolutely here and I let you have the liberty to scorne me and all this because I am possessed with such a passion as has no paralell which combats with all those violent desires which are in my heart and which will not permit me to do any thing but adore you Indeed Madam I must be gone and carry sword and fire to the Camp of my enemies I must go and seek out Artamenes you will have it so and I will obey you In the mean time I know you will pray unto the gods for his Victory and my ruine but I conjure you to change your heart I have onely thus much to say unto you Madam That if when I am gone the image of all those misfortunes which you cause shall happily move you to repent of so unjust a Resolution and would have the Wars to cease It is but sending the meanest of your servants unto me and write onely this word HOPE and at that very instant when I shall receive that happie Ticket though I were in the midst of Battle and my hand lifted up to kill Artamenes and although the Victory were almost sure unto me yet I will promise you Inexorable Princesse to sound a Retreat to flee before my enemies to come and throw my self at your feet and look in your eyes for a confirmation of that blessed syllable Whilest this Prince was speaking thus Mandana was so sunk in sorrows that she hardly understood him what he said and found her self so weak that she was glad to sit down upon the seat which was in the Balcone so that the King of Assyria seeing she was inflexible and would speak no more unto him he left her after he unperceivedly had kissed her Robe When he was in another Chamber he caused me to be called unto him but I confesse that I never in all my life saw a more desperate man He spoke unto me a hundred things which I should repeat unto the Princesse and I answered him as well as I could to reduce him unto Reason And since the Princesse menacing her own death did much trouble his minde Martesia said he to me you shall answer for the life of Mandana speak no more in my behalf if you please but be sure you look unto her preservation afterwards he said the same unto Arianta and all the rest of the women about her also he spoke much more unto Mazares whom he was to leave Governour in Babylon and who had been busied in those Troops which his father had sent up to the Rendezvouz and that was the reason we saw him not two days together But Chrisantes if I should relate all that the Princess said after the King of Assyria was departed it would ingage me unto a long discourse she rose up and would once againe view this multitudinous Army But alas what sad thoughts did it produce Alas Martesia said she after she had been a long while silent can I ever consent that all these troops should march against my father and against Artamenes must I expose the lives of two who are so infinitly dear unto me to a long and dangerous war Can I who ever had an Antipathy to war consent that so many thousands of men so many Princes so many Kings should be killed for the love of me must so many innocent soules suffer for my sake Ah no no Martesia I am infinitly wronged and there was some passages in the King of Assyrias discourse at which I doubt whether I had my reason about me or no yet I do confess that neither my heart nor my tongue had so much power as to afford him one advantagious word I know not whether it be an effect of hatred unto him as the Ravisher of Mandana or an effect of love unto Artamenes But perhaps I have not said enough to qualifie him yet what should I do said she upon a sudden doubtless
so much did she aggravate her acknowledgments unto him Mazares received her thanks with so much confusion turbulency of mind that she thought her self the more obliged supposing that the betraying of the King of Assyria was the only cause of it But Mazares said she unto him which way shall we go to go safely unto some place where the King my father is Madam answared he when we are out of the power of your enemy we shall then think better upon that It s true said she and so presently left him But night being come and well on the Prince Mazares who had not only gained the good will of those who kept the Castle gates which was towards the Port but also all the Souldiers in the Castle went to fetch the Princesse who was much troubled what to do with Arianta in whom she did not confide she thought therefore to carry her with her because if she were left behind she would make a great noise of the matter We told her therefore that the King of Assyria had sent Mazares unto the Princesse to tell her that she must take Ship and because she should not suspect any thing we seeming to be very sorry in yielding obedience to him for we began to think that she kept intelligence with the King I forgot to tell you that Mandana who would as well as she could make it known unto Mazares that she had a care of his protection had writ a Letter unto the King of Assyria but whilest we were staying in the outer chamber at that hour when Mazares told us we were to depart the Princesse bethought her self how she had forgotten to leave the Letter upon the Table and entreated him that he would take so much pains as to carry it thither telling him that if he would open it he might there find what she had written unto the King concerning him so that the Prince took it and carried it unto the Princesse chamber where as I advised him he did read the letter I will not relate the contents of it for you will presently after imagine it So Chrisantes we got out of the Castle and we took Ship and were presently out of Sinope immediately after we saw the Port all on fire and in a moment after that all the Town also which did extreamly surprise and grieve the Princesse for her soul was so tender and full of pitty that she would never have consented unto it if she had known of the project but yet her joy to be out of the King of Assyria's power did comfort her in those sorrows which proceeded only from compassion and she termed Mazares her deliverer a hundred times over Mean while the Sea began to be high and the Marriners told us there was like to be a storm as presently after it began and the wind which was so favourable for us turned quite contrary and whether we would or no did blow us above twenty times towards the Port of Sinope To tell you how the Princesse was troubled at this accident would make you sad as we were It will be sufficient to tell you how she moved Mazares to promise her that in case the Tempest was above the Pilots art or the force of Oars he would rather split the Galley against the Castle tower then to land again in the Port of Sinope at the last day beginning to dawn our fears were lesse as well because the terrors of darknesse vanished as because at the Sun rising the winds were calmer The Princesse being then upon the deck discovered that there were Souldiers in Sinope fighting in the midst of the flames at the foot of the tower She no sooner saw it but looking upon Mazares with extream joy Ah generous Prince said she unto him perhaps the tempest has been our friend since if it had not been I should not have seen what I do See said she unto him look upon the Troops which are fighting in Sinope without all doubt it is the King my father his Army and perhaps Artamenes is there also if so it is easie for him to become master of a burning Town and to take the King of Assyria also Therefore my dear deliverer give command unto the Rowers that they make no such haste away Let them send one in a little Boat to see whether it be as I say or no For if it be there is no need of going any further since we have relief so near Mazares hearing the Princesse say so began to change colour and looked a long while upon the Troops which she shewed him and he knew much better then she that they were the Troops of Ciaxares therefore without giving any answer unto the Princesse he gave command to Rowe away with all possible haste Mandana being extreamly surprised at this command and believing that she did not well understand him or that the Prince had mistook himself My dear deliverer said she unto him do you know what you say and did your hear me Oh Madam said he unto her and kneeled bestow no more that name upon me whereof I am unworthy and suspend your judgement of me I beseech you until you know what I have done against my self before I will attempt any thing against you Do not call me either your deliverer or your ravisher nor pronounce an unjust sentence against him who is the most passionate of all your adorers How said the Princesse in a mighty maze can Mazares not be generous is it possible he should deceive me Is not then Mandana at liberty Mazares replied the Prince with unequalled sorrow was born generous and has lived so until love of Mandana did force his heart to degenerate But Madam pursued he you shall be free and I do protest unto you in the presence of the gods whom I have incensed that you shall never have any cause to complain of my violence I will only carry you unto a place Madam where I may perfectly make known unto you the most respective passion that ever was you have testified some signs of friendship towards me and I beseech you do not presently passe from friendship unto hatred give me a few dayes time to acquaint you with my thoughts of Mandana No Mazares sad she unto him I cannot consent unto your desire you are now either the absolute master of my hatred or of my friendship and if you do not immediately repent of your crime I shall hate you a thousand times more then ever I hated the King of Assyria and shall esteem you incomparably more culpable but also interrupted the Prince more amorous No no said she unto him deceive not your self in that I shall never terme an unjust passion love but will phrase it phrensie fury or that which is worse Why Mazares said she all in tears will you lose my esteem and friendship you whom I respected as my protector in Babylon as my deliverer in Sinope I perceive you had rather be my ravisher and my enemy and
such order with two Captains as they were wholly devoted to serve the Princess in any thing whatsoever About midnight Spitridates stole undiscerned out of the Army after he had left one Letter for Arsamones and another for the Princess Aristea and entered into the Town Democlides conducted him unto the Princess Chamber and kneeling down Madam said he unto her are you so generous as to suffer the son of your enemy to throw himself at your feet and will you be pleased to receive your liberty from that Prince whose Father would make you a Slave Liberty said she unto him and first desired him to rise is so secret that one would take it from their most mortal enemy but Spitridates it is not just I should purchase mine with the loss of yours It is enough for me to escape out of the tyranny of your Father without engaging you to share in my misfortunes Therefore do not charge your self with my escape seem to be sorry for it return unto the Camp and live happily whilest I seek out some blind corner of the world to hide my tears and my misfortunes in Can you Madam give such counsel unto a man whom you have promised to honour with your esteem And indeed how esteem him if he should be so unworthy as to take it No no Divine Princess either you care not what you say or else you say this only to make trial of my constancy But since we have no time to spend I beseech you Madam let us depart and when we have once taken Ship then may you command what course we shall steer as for my part I am resolved to wait upon you over all the world The Princess did a while refuse it though it was but in appearance at last I interceded and said unto her I beseech you determine some way or other the time is almost past and Spitridates perhaps would be more in danger with his Father then with you and Democlides tells me that all things are ready for our departure In conclusion Sir Spitridates presented his hand unto the Princess we got happily out of the Castle and Town accompanied only with the Prince the page he brought Democlides and the two Captains which were of the plot and so took boat Never was flight more prosperous then this for we met with no obstacle The Troops which Democlides commanded guarded us to the Sea and Spitridates having caused a Bridg to be broke in the night by which other Quarters had communication with Democlides so that we were very safe all the way Democlides did not expose his souldiers unto any danger for they acted according to his orders and it is not for souldiers to examine the Commands of their superiour Officers but were bound to obey without any dispute and therefore they ran no hazard In conclusion we came to the Ship which waited for us and we imbarqued not yet knowing whither to go not thinking upon any thing but how to avoid the danger of falling into the power of Arsamones When we were once in the open Sea Spitridates came unto the Princess Cabin Madam said he unto her you are now at liberty and there is none here who are not most willing to obey you Whither is it your pleasure we should steer our course This question brought tears from the eyes of the Princess for when she could not find any place in the world wherein she had any power she could not chuse but fall into apprehensions of sorrow yet recollecting her memory she told him how she heard that the King her Brother when he went from Heraclea did designe for Cappadocia and to offer himself unto Ciaxares to deliver his daughter with intentions to demand some aid from you and she said that she could not think upon any other place of safety but that then Spitridates told her how he heard the day before from a souldier which came from that Army that the Princess Mandana had suffered shipwrack and was drowned and that certainly the King of Pont was not with Ciaxares the Princess then not knowing either what to say or do in conclusion resolved to get far enough off from Pontus and Bythinia and to make towards Cappadocia to try whether what the souldier said was true All that night and the next day we steered that way and towards evening a violent storm did arise which lasted all the night following at last we were almost gravelled in a Bank of sand but by good fortune we escaped the danger without any hurt to the Ship There we saw the Sea even almost covered with abundance of shipwrack and neer a Rock close by us some men that were dead and some in whom there was some life It was a large while before we could put out a little boat to help any of these miserable men because the Tempest was yet very high but after a little calm we took two of them up who did yet breath and one of them I knew to be a Servant unto the King of Pontus I no sooner saw him but I cried out and calling him by his name he turned his eyes towards me and would have answered but could not It was apparent enough that he knew me for he lifted up his hands towards Heaven as if he did deplore the misfortune of the King his Master and seemed astonished to see me whilest I was busie in applying such things unto him as common humanity required some or other did very inconsideratly advertise the Princess of this accident who would needs come to see this unfortunate man since it was she who preferred him unto the King her Brother he knew her voice as soon as he heard it and when she spoke unto him he began to strive with himself and pronounced these words distinctly Ah Madam is it you Yes replied she but where is the King In Armenia said he unto her and sent me to bring you In speaking these words he fell into a swound and expired before he could end what he begun to speak The other man also who we brought into the Ship dyed speechless also and we could know no more Then did we search his clothes for Letters and indeed did find one but as ill luck was the water had defaced allâ— the characters except two or three by which the Princess knew it to be the hand of the King her Brother This Encounter renewed all our sorrows and whilest they were endeavouring to get this Ship from off this Bank of Sand the Princess grieved exceedingly not because this man had been her slave but because he had something to say unto her and died before it could be known In the mean while we got unto the open Sea and the Princess desired Spitridates to go into an Arm of the Sea not far off where the Lower Armenia towards Pontus does border upon a little Province which formerly was the Kings It is a hard task Sir to relate unto you all the discourse between Spitridates
let such a vast number of people to perish for want of a little patience especially since they had no certainty that the Princess Mandana was in the place This advice being generally to be pursued no more was to be done but to keep most strict Guards round about the mountains and to find out all the blind paths and by-ways The next morning Ciaxares would take a view of the Assyrian Troops in Battalia by themselves which now they had mingled with the rest as being all of one side Mean while this Siege without a Town was not so idle a business as Cyrus did imagine it for since the Prince Phaartes was very gallant and since love was a spur unto his valour he began to bestir himself though during the first days he was sick with grief at his Fathers losses and that the Princess Araminta was in the hands of his enemies As he was well versed in all the by-ways of these mountains he would sometimes come and send us a shower of Arrows and so vanish in a moment that none could know what was become of him Sometimes he would come in the night unto the foot of the mountains by such blind ways through the Rocks where none but Armenians could come and give an Alarum unto all the Camp and since he had very good Spies in the Army of Ciaxares he always made his Sallies on that side where Cyrus was not for the valour of this Prince was most terrible unto all the Armenians But since Cyrus was not used to be surprized not surprize others he resolved every night to go into seve 〈…〉 Quarters in hopes to meet with this almost invisible enemy who would never fall upon his side and who he knew to be the Prince Phaartes by some prisoners which he had taken Upon such a design as this which Cyrus had the King of Assyria would be sure to make one as well as other particular friends of Cyrus Thrasibus Aglatidas Araspes Persodes Gadates Gobrias Megabises Hidaspes Thimocrates Leontidas Philocles Adusias Chrisantes Feraulas and many others were then with him After they had waited several nights in vain at the last it happened one night that Phaartes having no intelligence in what Quarter Cyrus was and having a designe to send out a Captain disguized in the habit of a Peasant unto Tigranes his Brother he happened to descend from the mountains on that side where Cyrus lay in ambush with six hundred men which he had culled out for that purpose yet he had placed himself so that Phaartes taking a little path upon his left hand could not come unto the foot of the mountains but that which at the first seeing did anger him was afterwards his advantage for when Phaartes with half his men was past the foot of the mountains Cyrus did immediatly step between him and his retreat and perceiving that there was abundance of men amongst the Rocks as well as in the plain he could not tell in which of those two the Prince Phaartes was so that to be sure of meeting with him he divided his men the one half to assault those who were in the Rocks and the other half to pursue those in the plain who seeing their Retreat cut off endeavoured to find out another but Cyrus pursued them very close whilest the King of Assyria did scuffle with them among the Rocks The Heavens was very serene and clear and the Stars did give a splendent luster so that this nights combate proved very sharp and bloody Thrasibulus and Aglatidas did do wonders in seconding the valour of Cyrus who sound no small resistance from those he fought with for the Prince Phaartes being there did desperately defend himself and did things worthy of eternal memory yet being wounded in the right arm and left hand so that he could not hold his sword he endeavoured to save himself Then he fell off being followed by fifteen or twenty of his men whilest the rest kept their ground and unperceived by Cyrus or any of his men he got into a little valley wherein did fall a very rapid Torrent from the height of the mountains there Phaartes hâ—d himself hoping that when the Combate was ended and the Troops of Cyrus drawn off he might then perhaps get into his rocky way again In the mean time all the rest of his men were cut all in pieces and Cyrus finding no resistance went to see what the King of Assyria had done be found him very busie with his enemies who did not flye according to their old custom because they knew that the Prince Phaartes was engaged yet at the last hoping he might gain some other Pass whereby to retreat they retired unto a Pass beyond which it was not possible to follow them for as it was so narrow that two men might make head against an hundred thousand After that they had done all that was possible and were thinking upon a retreat Cyrus enquired concerning all his friends whom in the obscurity of night he could not discern Aglatidas being next told him that he heard the name of Ottanus used in the Combate I heard more then you said Cyrus for I heard one cry Ottanus is dead as Aglatidas was about to answer intelligence came to Cyrus that some of the enemy had rallied together in a little valley so that he went immediately thither But Phaartes for it was he they meant being advertised of their coming by a souldier whom he had set sentinal at the advenue of the valley and finding himself disabled from fighting with any and also considering the little number of his men and they all wounded as well as himself commanded them to throw down their Arms and follow him chusing rather to trust unto the generosity of his enemy then to a feeble resistance which could do him no good and since he was disabled from fighting he thought it less shame to render himself unto a gallant enemy then to flie 〈◊〉 let himself be killed without resistance All his men obeying him he went unto a passage where he expected his enemy to come and since the Moon shined very bright and objects might well be discerned Cyrus was no sooner in sight but one of his men knowing him because he had been with Tigranes at Sinope did shew Phaartes which was he This Prince then cried out with a most generous boldness so loud as he thought he might be understood Whither art thou going Cyrus doest thou not know that it is not glorious to overcome at all times Suffer thy self sometimes to be vanquished and be assured that being overcome after that manner thy victory will be more noble then if thou wert a Conquerour and at this time there will be more honour in the triumph of thy clemency then of thy courage and valour Cyrus upon this stood still and turning towards Chrisantes who stood next him said smilingly unto him I see there is nothing more ingenious then ill fortune nor any thing more witty
in use among the Ladies of quality in Apamea who had any reputation of wit Mean while the King of Phrigia dyed and the prince Artamas being elder then either the prince Tydens or the prince Adrastus succeeded in the Throne and was in a condition to crown Elsimena his Queen As soon as the Funerals of the King his father were solemnized he published his Marriage and magnificent preparations were made to receive the Princess at Apamea to acknowledg her Queen before all the people and by consequence to declare you his legitimate Heir and only Successor This great Feast was so near that the stately Coach which was prepared for the Princess at her entry was gone unto her and I sent every thing requisite and neglected not so much as a Mantle made of Cloth of God in which you were to be wrapped that day of his Ceremonies but alas Sir the day was pitifully disturbed for two days before her departure since all things were in readiness for her stately entry and the King your father joyed beyond all expressions being gone towards the Princess to testifie his satisfaction unto her I met upon the way men who came to advertise the King that some had surprized the Castle the might before had carryed away the Queen your mother and you and also all which was of value in that place where there was things of great consideration for all the Jewels of the Crown were there Artamas having sent them unto his dear Elsimena since he was King I leave you to judg Sir how I was amazed Since I was not far from the Castle I went unto it and I understood by the Mother of Elsimena who dyed for grief within a few days after that men in Arms who were unknown had surprized it and had carried the Princess and you with all the rich Booty into a Ship but none knew which way these Ravishers went because it was night having plundered the Castle so clean that they left almost nothing in it However this sad news must be carried unto the King who received it so sadly that I thought he would have lost both his Life and Reason he caused a most strict search to be made every where to see if it could be discovered who were the Actors but all in vain He sent several Ships at random to seek about He much suspected the Prince Tydeus both as his Rival and as an ambitious man who had in one day taken from him his Successor and the person whom he loved as well as he did but having no proofs against this Prince who never had stirred from Court nor so much as any pregnant conjectures he could not accuse him Tydeus seemed to be much troubled at the loâ—s and the King your father was forced to endure a misery without having so much consolation as to know whom he should be revenged upon nor of whom to complain After this he still made a diligent enquiry and continually grieved for his dear Elsimena never giving ear unto any that motioned him to a second Wife and having no other comfort but in the picture of his dearest Elsimena However he could never have any confidence in the prince Tydeusâ—nce â—nce that time who often left the Court made many journeys and at the last went to dwell in the Lower Phrigia I shall not tell you Sir how the prince Adrastus going to visit him had the misfortune as he was shooting in his Park to kill him with an arrow without any design of it for I know you are not ignorant of it and thus the Justice of Heaven which sees that crime no man could see did punish him in such an extraordinary way But give me leave to tell you that some of my enemies with much injustice falling upon me in the Kings presence and procuring his displeasure I was forced to absent my self for some time and I had not come into this Court but only to endeavor the liberty of a Nephew whom you took prisoner in the last Battel and not with intentions to bear arms against the King my Master Mean while Sir I no sooner saw you with the King of Lidia but I found some features in your face which did so freshly revive the image of your Mother in my mind that me thought I knew you yet the longness of the time since and the little appearance of any truth in my thoughts caused me not make no further reflection upon it for I had heard you were one whom Fortune had raised but I never did particularly know you nor who you were But Sir as I was with the Princess I chanced to see that Picture which I caused to be made and which that dumb woman gave unto Timocreaon this did so extreamly amaze me that I knew not well what the Princess thought of my odd conversation my mind being at such distraction at it At my coming out from her as if this day were a day of Prodigies I met an old man who knew me and who at the first I knew not he desired to speak with me in private concerning some matters of consequence after a serious look upon him I remembered that I had seen him about the prince Tydeus so that wondering to see him at Sardis I gave him hearing Then Sir he told me that since he had already one foot in his grave and ready to render an account unto the Gods of all his crimes he would endeavor to merit a pardon by an ingenious confession which he would make unto me After this he discovered that the late prince Tydeus his Master was the man who caused the Princess Elâ—mena and you to be carried away out of some humors of jealousie rage ambition and revenge finding some sweetness in depriving his Rival of the only person he loved and much more in taking away from him a Successor by that means to assure himself of a Crown or at least render himself more considerable in the Kingdom since he should be looked upon as one who hereafter should be King for he believed the King his Brother could never forget Elsimena nor would ever marry again This man told me then that he was the chief in the Enterprize That the Prince Tydeus appointed him to go and dwell in one of the Isles of Cyclades which was least peopled and to keep Elsimena from speaking unto any whosoever intending to put neither her nor you to death because he thought that if his crime should be discovered he had a most certain way to save his life being Master of yours and of the Queen your Mothers This man whose name is Acrates told me then that obeying his Master he carried away the Princess Elsimena and you and that he took with him all the riches in the Castle But lest he should be discovered he took but one woman of the Queens to wait upon her and placed none about her but a dumb Slave which he had who was not able to reveal his secrets He confessed that when
extream desire But all in vain for fortune would not let them meet In the mean while he met with fresh resistance and the resolutenesse of his enemies gave him an ample subject for his prudence and valour So that not enduring that the victory should continue any longer upon doubtfull tear 〈…〉 s he caused his body of reserve to march up The King of Lydia did the like but with different successe For the Kings of Phrygia and Hircania did so sharply charge their enemies and were so exceedingly animated by the example of Cyrus whom they saw do such incredible acts of valour as they had the honour to second him in his courage and outed the left wing and body of his enemies reserve who were forced to fly yield unto the valour of a Prince whom none could surmount In the mean while since the whole Army of Cyrus was inspired with the same spirit Mazares where he was did as much as any brave Prince could do who desired death and victory for he charged the Prince Myrsiles and Pactias with extraordinary valour He did not only go unto them with a resolution of fury but seeing they would not come unto him because they were on a very advantagious ground he went up the hill unto them with incredible courage though without any disorder or indiscretion and charged them so hotly that he routed them yet one of his squadrons passing up a place of difficulty was repulsed by one of the enemies squadrons but Gobrias releeved them and forced the Lydian Squadron to do like their fellowes which was to fly away in disorder Yet The second division of the enemy ateempted to relieve their first but Chrisantes comming up to Mazares the right wing of the Lydians was entirely squandered So that Mazares now made no doubt of victory though himself was two or three times in danger to be taken by the enemy The body of the battle in the head of which were the Charriots had no mean share in the victory and Abradates did more then he promised his dear Panthea and indeed more then he should have done for he did so expose himself unto dangers as if he had either known himself invulnerable or else desired death he drove the eight horses which drew his charriot with such fury as he tumbled down his enemies and forced their charriots to fly The rest of the Charriots which followed him doing the same struck terrour into all that opposed them Some of the enemies charriots fled others were tumbled over and broken all were rendred uselesse to the Lydians Abradates having done this and seeing the Egyptian Battalia keep their ground went with his Charriots to rumble amongst them and overthrew all he met either by the impetuosity of his Charriots or by his sword or with the Sythes wherewith the Charriots were armed Never was sight more terrible to behold then this The horses trampled upon the bodyes of dead and dying men The Syths cut off others and the wheels ran over those which the horses and Sythes tumbled down But alas the victory of Abradates proved fatall unto him for the field was so strewed with horses and dead men with broken armes and overturned Charriots that he could not passe but over Mountains of these mingled together so that the wheels sometimes went high and sometimes low and his Charriot unfortunately overturned maugre the skill of him which drove it Yet Abradates disingaged himself from under it and began to fight on foot but was forced to yeeld unto a multitude who seeing him down fell upon him so that this valiant Prince and all those with him perished at this time yet his death was revenged to the full For Hidaspes and Gadates comming in they charged all those that fell upon Abradates with such fury that they forced them to retire in confusion into the body of their battle Afterwards Hidaspes with those troops under his command charged Arimaspes and his troops and all the Battalions of the first division charged those enemies which opposed them with such vigour that Arimaspes as Great a Commander as he was was forced to yeeld unto the valour of Hidaspes not being able to resist him long The King of Pontus who fought with as much courage and ill fortune perceiving the disorder in Cressus his Army did what he could to Rally and was twenty times in danger to be taken But in that deplorable condition in which he saw himself he could do no good Cressus also as well as he gave many rare testimonies of his courage but could not finde any remedy against his misfortunes He saw the two wings of his Army broken in peeces and the main body of the battle squandred He saw the field was covered with his dead and dying men That terrour was in all his Troops they fled wheresoever Cyrus assaulted them and in some places where they were not assaulted So that Cressus seeing no way but to secure his person and defend Sardis And the king of Pontus thinking upon the preservation of the Princesse Mandana both these two Princes resolved to retire and so they did notwithstanding Cyrus sought all over for them and could not hear any thing of them for they were gotten into a great body of horse which hastily flying raised such a cloud of dust as obscured their flight and hindred him from the pursuite In the mean time Cyrus and Mazares being both of them in the heads of those wings which they had so gloriously conducted fell upon the Rear of the enemies battle which consisted only of the remainder of Infantry the Horse being all fled away So that Cyrus seeing none that was able to resist him but one Egyptian Battalion which stood still upon their ground He sent Feraulus to take their Guards the Captain whereof was killed and to give this Battalion Battel But as Feraulus did execute the commands of his master he found that these Egyptians did naught else but cover themselves with their Bucklers and stood as men that were resolved to dye upon the place Cyrus wondring to see this Battalion neither advance nor retreat and seeing all his Army victorious and also the Army of Cressus quite defeated He commanded the fight to cease and to ask the Egyptians why they would not throw away their armes if they intended to render themselves and why they did not fight if they would not unto this they answered that the Prince who commanded being dead and his body in the middle of their Battalion they were resolved never to forsake it and therefore if Cyrus would have them submit themselves unto him he must give them leave to render all the honours which was due unto his bodie and go to bury him this being granted them they would take the part of Cyrus and leave Cressus who had forsaken them otherwise they would be all killed upon the body of their dead Prince Cyrus no soonner heard their desires but he admired their fidelity and affection to their Prince
Amasis would marry him unto her he was ready to run out of his wits for love does often drive one to hope for not onely things difficult but even things impossible Sesostris sometimes hoped that happily Amasis would not force him to marry her but that when it should please the gods to afford him a fit opportunity of retiring himselfe from the World hee would then marry his fair shepheardesse as well as many Kings of Aegypt had married with Graecian slaves In conclusion Sir Sesostris resolved to imploy all his possible endeavours to deferre the marriage leaving the rest to the Conduct of the gods In the meane time Heracleon was as full of restlesse thoughts as he though in a different way for certainly ambition was the torture of his mind But since he could not alter the order of things as he pleased how envious soever he was to see Sesostris so near the Crown hee complied with him as with a Prince whose friendship he would gain though himselfe could not Raign and endeavoured to divert him with a possible complacency yet Sesostris could not affect the conversation of Heracleon for besides his imperious disposition he considered him as the brother of Liserina who he thought did eagerly put on his marriage with this Princesse insomuch as he could not possibly affect him In the mean time since Civility would not permit him to fall out with him they were continually together And Heracleon conceiving he could not possibly devise any diversion more sutable to his age then hunting He invited him very often to that sport wherein Sesostris seemed to take great delight more affecting to be in the fields and woods where he might sometimes entertain his own thoughts then to be in Elephantine where hee was very often constrained to entertain Liserina But Sir be pleased to know that Heracleon and he being one day hunting together the beast which they pursued did lead them near the Castle where Traseas dwelt so that riding along the Lake they saw the fair Timareta walking by the water side and in such a profound study that the merry cry of the dogs and the shrill musique of the Horns could hardly make her look up and see who passed by her But at last the noise being so loud and near she turned aside with a languishing look as if she had been married unto a crabbed Husband who interrupted her study And she no sooner lifted up her eyes but Sesostris and Heracleon knew her and stopt letting the Chase run on Timareta no sooner saw them stop but she knew them also and blushing she seemed more fair then ever and so charmed the eyes of Heracleon that in talking to Sesostris he could not chuse but extoll her Sesostris was grieved to the very soul that hee durst not throw himselfe at the feet of his fair Shepheardesse whom he so much respected all the while he was a Shepheard But at last his love surmounting all other considerations Though I shall appeare a Shepheard in the habit of a Prince said he and laughed as Achilles did a boy in the habit of a woman when he could not chuse but wear a sword I must stay one minute and speake unto this fair Shepheardesse were it for nothing but to ask how he doth with whom I lived For my part said Heracleon I am much joyed at the motion onely out of a desire to please my self in looking upon her After this these two Princes alighted from their horses and went to Timareta who continuing on her walk went towards Nicetis who was not far off but she was prevented by these two Princes who suiting their civilities according to her beauty not her quality did accost her as if she had been of their own Their discourse with her was long though nothing of privacy or any thing of concernment yet she spoke with so much spirit and grace as when they parted Heracleon was no lesse in love then Sesostris So that coming out of Elephantine with two but love ambition he returned with three since certainly he grew jealous as soon as in love for though Sesostris in speaking to Timareta did keep a carefull distance and though Timareta on her side did examine every word and did regulate their very looks yet maugre all their precaution Heracleon saw in their eyes some sparks of that fire which burned in their hearts so that both his Love and his Jealousie begun both at once But for his better satisfaction in their way to Elephantine he asked the Prince Sesostris whether it was possible he could so long live with Timareta and not be in love Sesostris who for severall reasons would not have it thought he was in love with this Shepheardesse told him handsomly that it was with beauty as with the Sun continual looking upon it makes it never admired and he being brought up with Timareta from the cradle he ever thought her fair but never found matter of adoration in her But since Sesostris could not say this without his face betrayed his tongue as his tongue belyed his heart Heracleon was confirmed in his opinion he being a man violent in all things and possessed with the three most violent passions that the heart of man is capable of he presently began to endeavour wayes for the satisfaction of them all But since Love was the passion most predominate he did oftentimes use to come and look for Timareta not onely by that water side but in the house where they dwelt though she entreated him with as much wisdome as modesty not to put himself unto the trouble and in every visit he grew so deep in love that it almost stified his ambition and the more because he found in her as much virtue as beauty and an invincible resistance As for Sesostris since more eyes were upon him then Heracleon he could not so easily see her and it was onely once that he found an opportunity to steal so much time as to talk with her and then he was so unhappy as it was known unto Heracleon who was almost choaked with despair In the mean time Amasis thinking he had given long enough time for consideration unto Sesostris began to publish unto all the world that he would marry him with the Princesse Liserina The first Ceremonies were performed So that since all Marriages of persons of this quality are quickly divulged it was not onely known at Elephantine but the news was carryed as far as Timareta But when the wise and prudent Timareta did plainly foresee that as soon as Sesostris ceased from being a shepheard the King would infallibly oblige him to marry she grieved exceedingly yet endeavoured all she could to hide her sorrows but could not for I have heard her expresse her self concerning Sesostris so generously so wisely and yet so passionately and obligingly that I discovered more grandure of spirit and soul in her then ever before In the mean while Sesostris was not lesse sad then she Liserina onely who courted
Princess Timaretta that as soon as he had taken convenient order for the handsomness of her voyage and for the magnificency of her Train and Equipage she should when she pleased return into Aegypt under the conduct of Sesostris upon condition notwithstanding that she would honour him with her promise to make that renowned Prince as happy as he deserved to be These two great Princesses having answered Cyrus as civilly as generosity obliged them he left them to visit Croessus to the end he might ask his pardon for the King of Assyria's violencies to condole with him his misery and to present the Prince Artamas unto him knowing well that the King of Phrygia would consent unto this reconciliation But in going thither Hidaspes who had the guard of these Princes and of all the Castle caused them to pass through the stately Chamber wherein all the Treasures of Croessus did lie The sight of such a mass of riches and so many glistering things had not brought him out of that profound study into which the taking away of Mandana had put him if Tigranes Anaxaris and Chrisantes who followed him as well as the Prince Artamas had not expressed their wonder and astonishment by the cries which they could not restrain notwithstanding those respects which they were alwayes wont to observe unto that Heroique Conquerour Yet notwithstanding their admiring noyse had not invited Cyrus unto any consideration of so many glorious sights if Chrisantes who was loath to pass so soon out of so fair a place had not by his words awakened him Look Sir at least I beseech you said he and smiled upon that you have conquered and be confident that since Fortune has so far smiled upon you as to make you Master of all these Treasures it is impossible she should frovvn so much as to let you lose the Princess Mandana Therefore Sir you may very vvell look upon them as most certain pledges of your future good fortune I shall look upon him replied Cyrus vvhen Ciaxares gives me leave to recompence the valour of so many brave men vvho hath aided me as you have done to conquer them or vvhen he has permitted me to restore them unto the unfortunate Croessus in the consideration of the Prince Artamas But since that is not yet it is sufficient I appoint Hidaspes to have a care of them and indeed Cyrus had not stayed a minute longer in consideration of all that magnificence if he had not observed that Tigranes had an earnest desire to stay longer So that being unvvilling to oppose his curiosity he vvalked softly through three great Chambers and tvvo Galleries vvhich passed from one into another and vvhich vvere all filled vvith most rare and precious things All placed in such an order and by so much Art that one might every vvhere observe a regular confusion and pleasant disorder vvhich the lustre of the magnificent Cabinets did make all vvhich did fill the imagination of beholders vvith abundance of pleasing conceipts and forced their minds and spirits into admiration and certainly not without good cause and Cyrus as disinterested as he was and though full of sorrow and passion yet in the end honored with his observance this prodigious heap of riches which Croessus had so dearly doted upon and which Solon so little esteemed that they purchased his aversion Never was seen together so much silver so much gold so many precious stones nor so many rarities as there were in those three Chambers and two Galleries The Grandure of the Dishes and Vessels were prodigies the Statues of the same mettle were innumerable and in beauty incomparable but amongstâ— all these several figures of gold there was one of Marble so admirable that it invited Cyrus to stay and a long time to admire it above the rest though the material of it was not so precious as many others it was fashioned with so much art and represented so fair a person as it is no wonder if it charmed the eyes of a Prince whose judgment was most delicate and who was exquisitely able to judg of all beauties This Statue was of a natural and ordinary grandure standing upon a Pedestal of gold between Pillars on four sides of an admirable beauty to each of them were Captives chained of all sorts and conditions but they were inchained by little Cupids so rare and admirably wrought as eye never saw better The figure represented a Woman of about eighteen years of age of a most superlative surprizing and exact beauty all the features of her face were wonderfully fair her stature so noble and handsome that nothing could be more alluring her dress was so Courtly and extraordinary that it was equally after the mode of Tâ—rian Ladies after the fashion of the Nymphes and after that fashion in which the Goddesses are dressed but particularly the Goddess of Victory as the Athenians deck her that is without wings and only with a Coronet of Lawrel upon her head This Statue was placed upon its Basis with such a sprightly action as it seemed to be animated The face the neck the arms the hands were of white Marble as well as the thighes and feet whereof one part only was to be seen through the lacing of her buskins because she did with her left hand a little hold up her Mantle that she might as if it were the more easily walk holding in her right hand the skirt of her Vaile which descended from the hinder part of her head under the Coronet of Laurel as if she would prevent the Wind from whifling it too much All the garnishings of this figure were cut in Marble and Jasper of various colours The garment of this fair Phenecian which was lapped in a thousand pleasing folds was of Jasper whose colour was so lively that it resembled the Tirian purple A Scarf which was negligently thrown about her neck and reached to her shoulders was of a kind of Marble mingled blew and white which infinitely pleased the eye The Vail of this figure was of the same piece but carved with so much art that it seemed to be as soft and pliant as a piece of Tiffiny The Coronet of Laurel was of green Jasper and the Buskins were of enamel'd Marble but the rarest piece of admirable art was there was a kind of Ayr and Spirit in this figure which did inaminate it and which perswaded all beholders that it was ready to walk and speak One might perceive a sprightly Phisiognomy and a certain kind of fierceness in her action as let all beholders know that she whom it represented had a fierce soul this figure looking with scorn upon the Captives which were inchained at her feet Moreover the Carver had so exactly imitated the freshness and plumpness of young fair ones that one might know the age of her whom he represented by that Statue This figure being thus admirable it was not without reason that the illustrious Cyrus was so curious as to ask the Prince Artamas whether
Father and it was chiefly to please him that she exposed her self to so much company who came thither since certainly he affected it much more then she But to honour the Triumph of Elisa's Beauty the King of Phenicia that famous Conquerour became her Captive but her Captive in a different manner from that he was accustomed to be for heretofore his heart was able to make a retreat but his passion to Elisa was otherwise obliged and except some that envied her Beauty none ever spoke or thought any thing which could be disadvantageous to her and certainly they had no reason for I verily believe that there was never any person whose virtue was more pure nor who was put unto more difficult trial then the virtue of Elisa I then had the honour to be much in the Kings favour at that time and was the confident of his passion and by consequence was a witness of Elisa's virtue though since she hath confessed unto me that at the first she was joyed a little to see a Prince who was beloved of his people prostrate at her feet One who was a terror unto all his Neighbours and esteemed of all Asia But she did so discreetly palliate those joyes and alwayes received the King with such an indifferent civility as I heard that Prince a hundred times say he never came neer her but he trembled I know very vvell that those vvho had a mind to diminish the honour of Elisa have reported that it was not impossible to resist a Prince who was none of the handsomest who had the Garb more of a Souldier then of a King and one who indeed was no proper man But for all this he was one of the most illustrious Kings in the world and one who by reason of his familiarity and affability was extreamly pleasing and taking he would discourse with so fine a grace and behave himself with so much sweetness that he gained the hearts of all the world Moreover never was Lover so civil so obsequious nor so respectful as he and by consequence it may truly be said that Elisa did merit infinite glory in resisting so great a Prince I will not insist Madam upon any relation of his Courtships nor upon the Feasts which he made in consideration of her nor with what assiduity he did visit her for that would be too tedious and long But give me leave only to tell you that he was as diligent in his Courtships of her as he was of all the others whom he loved In the mean while Straton who was of an ambitious composition was much joyed to see the King was in Love with his Daughter yet he would alwayes tell Elisa that he pretended unto no further then to make use of the Kings favour for a certain time and not that she should sacrifice her self unto his fortune In order unto this he was very glad that the King did him the honour to come often unto his house and that it was become an absolute Court As for Elisa she was quickly weary of all these glistering gallantries for she saw that they were dangerous to her reputation and deprived her of million of pleasure and divertisements The respects of a King caused all the Lovers of Elisa to conceal their Chains and some of them seem to love others for fear of offending the King and who durst not so much as speak unto Elisa which she remembred very well when afterwards they addressed themselves Since the virtue of this Lady was well known unto the Queen the Kings Love did not put Elisa out of her good opinion or of the King On the contrary when this Prince was at any time in a melancholy mood the Queen would seek out for some occasion to make him go and see Elisa If he were at any time sick she would send for Elisa to charm his disease with singing she esteemed Elisa as much as the King loved her Since this Prince had a Genius of Rallary Elisa did a long time receive the expressions of his passion as if he did it only to divert himself but afterwards his passion encreasing she saw that she was driven to the necessity of resolving what course to take and how she should behave her self towards him If she followed her own inclination and the fierceness of her natural disposition she would have made it her glory to have treated the King worse then the meanest of his Subjects but she was not ignorant that her Father would take it ill So that since she knew this Prince had naturally a light kind of a soul and could entertain more then one passion at one time she used her best endeavours to extinguish his passion unto her by reviving in his heart the former love which he had and perhaps might have again unto a person of rare beauty and virtue whom he had quitted for her conceiving that if he did quit her only for her and should persist it would be dishonourable Having then fixed upon this resolution she would sing before the King only such songs as had been made for this illustrious Rival whom she desired should only raign in the heart of this Prince and that by singing her praises he should apply himself unto her again Elisa made use of a thousand such desires to lessen the Kings passion towards her and knowing that I had some credit with him spoke one day unto me when I was intending to move her to be a little more favourable unto the King Talamis said she unto me The King doth me the greatest honours in the world in visiting me and making a distinction between me and others of my quality yet I wish you would be pleased to do me a good office unto him which would be a very acceptable favour unto me but I am afraid you will not Methinks Madam said I unto her and smiled you should easily believe without any arguments of perswasion that I cannot deny any thing unto the Mistress of my Master And besides I am so devoted unto your service that you may command me any thing without the least fear of disobedience It is not as the Mistress of your Master replied she that I desire you should satisfie my desire but as I am your friend and as so I will be if you do not deny me as long as I live I beseech you Madam said I unto her make hast and tell me what is your pleasure I should do to merit that glorious Title which you are pleased to promise me upon those conditions My desire is said she That you will cause the King to love me less then he doth and that he will renew his affection unto that most accomplished Lady whom he so zealously adored before How Madam said I unto her would you have the King love you less Yes answered she I much desire it because I am a real Lover of honour but wish not to be ranked with three or four persons whom he hath already loved and whom a
first sight and will adore you eternally not being able to live unless he can live happily charged me to ask you what is your pleasure shall become of him You are already so civil unto him as he thinks himself much your debtor for it You have given him many marks of esteem for which he is eternally obliged Straton does him the favour to honor him with his friendship his quality is equal unto yours his fortunes though much less then you deserve yet ample enough to make you happy if riches will do it And Madam this man is possessed with such a respective passion and is so full of reverent devotion to you that he durst never acquaint you with it And though he hath some reason to believe that Straâ—on would not deny it if he asked his permission to Court you unto his desires yet he would never so much as think of it until first I asked your counsel for him But Madam before you give it be pleased to know that never man knew how to love more zealously nor respectively then he you and you must not be ignorant that if you advise him to be sadly silent and to hide the unmeasurable passion of his Soul you will force him into such an excessive dispair as he will most certainly have recourse unto death Consider also I beseech you how the reverence he bears you is so great that knowing your severitie and your scrupulous virtue he dares not make it known that he dies for the Love of you without leting you know also the innocencie of his intentions I know well Madam that there are every day Princes at your feet and that he for whom I mediate is none But let all your Princes be as amorous as they can I am most certain that his soul exceeds all theirs in veneration and Love Therefore Madam I beseech you consider seriously what I say concerning him I do so perfectly know his thoughts of you that I assure you I do not know my own thoughts better Speak then Madam I beseech you will you advise this secret Lover to discover himself unto Straton or unto your self And is it your pleasure I should tell you his name Since you have told me replied Elisa that you will not reveal his name until I advise him as he would have it I conceive it best not to name him until I have given my advice lest not finding suitable unto his humour it should displease you Oh Madam I do most heartily beseech you said he unto her to consider well before you cast this unfortunate Lover into the Hell of dispair To testifie unto you replied she that he could never have chosen a more fit mediator to solicite his business if it were a business unto which I were capable of perswasion I will open the very closet of my heart unto you as unto one of my best friends and that I know that I am of a harsh disposition naturally yet I am confident that at this time I shall not give you any cause of complaint against me that I do not give such advice unto your friend as he desires Alas Madam said Phocilion if you advise me otherwise you will doom him unto dispair and it will be a verie difficult matter for me not to complain against you if you denie what he desires Doubtless then you would complain without cause replied she But Phocilion you must not condemn me before you â—ear me Therefore give me leave to tell you that I have so great an esteem of you that I have so good an opinion of your judgment and that I am so fully perswaded that you have some esteem of me as I make no doubt but that the marriage which you would propose unto me would be verie advantageous but for the most horrible aversion which I have against Marriage But Phocilion let me tell you that this aversion is so verie strong in me as I should certainly hate the man that should make any Propositions unto my Father which should cause me to marrie him therefore if you set any value upon my advice let not him for whom you intercede speak unto Straton But to shew you that I do not speak this because I have any secret ingagement with any other I do permit him to speak unto my Father if he can discover unto him that I do refuse him upon any other reason but what I tell you But Madam answered Phocilion I beseech you take a little longer time of consideration upon a matter of such importance as this and though you forbid this unhappie Lover to speak unto Straton yet allow him the libertie somtimes to tell you how he adores you Hitherto replied Elisa you have spoke nothing which I could except against but Phocilion these last words are somwhat difficult to be understood by one of my humour Yet since I have resolved to temper my sharpness I will excuse and pardon them upon condition you will do as I bid you in all things Alas Madam replied he Is there any man in the world that is more willing to obey you then I am Then I conjure you said she Cause him for whom you speak never to speak unto me or my Father concerning his passion and be you your self for ever silent and speak unto me no more of it But Madam replied he What hopes can I then give unto this unfortunate Lover Hopes never to see me grant unto another that permission which I refuse him replied she However Madam pursued he give me leave to argue with you a little against this your aversion unto marriage and I beseech you promise me that if I convince and convert you it shall be in favour of this unfortunate Lover Since I am confident that my heart will never alter replied she I am contented but this Lover you speak of will get no advantage by it Elisa pronounced these last words in such a manner and so perswaded Phocilion of her real aversion against marriage as he was extreamly sorry for knowing her virtue and resolute constancie he perceived she was not a person that would be ingaged into any kind of Gallantrie So that standing in a deep silence and looking upon Elisa with eyes of sorrow he fully perswaded her that he loved her and that this secret Lover for whom he had solicited was himself As good luck was both for Flisa and Phocilion I came in and found them both extreamly perplexed Immediately after Lyriope came in also with one of her Cozens for though she hated Elisa yet she would visit her and presently after all Poligenes and Agenor also entred severally Since divers marriages were then talked of in Tire and everie one told what they heard but Elisa who had some secret design in it began to condemn the opinion of those who say that there is a necessity a woman should either marrie or else go into a Nunnerie maintaining that a greater injurie could not be offered unto her Sex then to think
which might encourage them to fall on Cyrus hearing this went out of the works with a Body of Cavalrie and some Voluntiers 〈…〉 rm himself and 〈…〉 e them before they assaulted him but he was 〈…〉 y amazed when he saw only signs of quitting their Quarters and when he under 〈…〉 â—ouldâ—ers 〈…〉 ed behinde that Pactias and Lycambes understanding 〈…〉 oâ— the wor 〈…〉 did think it impossible to â—orce them and that it were better to keep their Forces to defend the rest of the Country then to lose them in relieveing Cumes which they could not hinder from being taken So that Cyrus having vanquished without a blow returned into the Camp with fresh hopes of carrying the Town and speedy releasing of Mandana In the mean time the besieged did defend it with most resolute valour and so stiffly that they could not get a foot of ground without a sharp combat for it The King of Pontus seemed to be indefatigable and took all the pains which is inseparable from Sieges The Prince of Cumes his liberty being at stake did fight with invincible courage so that it may well be said that never did assailants fall on with more vigour nor ever any assailed defend themselves more valiantly 'T is true the King of Pontus had such a Sea of sorrows flowing upon him as the courage of any but himself would have been overwhelmed for indeed the more submiss he was unto Mandana the more unalterable she was yet for all his sorrows he treated Anaxaris very well in his Prison who obtained all the liberty of the Castle where Mandana was except permission to see her But since he retained the Idea of her beauty in his memory ever since the time he saw her in the Castle of Hermes when she released Cyrus he sought out for an opportunity of seeing her again and easily found it for Martesia having seen him in the Castle Court out of her Chamber Window and knowing by the Guards that he was a Prisoner she had a great desire to speak with him and to enquire concerning Cyrus she cunningly gained the hearts of her Guard and perswaded them upon some pretence which she invented to bring him into the little Garden where the Princess and she had liberty to walk and to tell him that there was a Lady of his Party who desired to speak with him Since the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes were continually busie about the defence of the Walls they were not so circumspect as to minde every thing so that they entirely trusted a single and disarmed Prisoner with the Guards which they had appointed over him Then Anaxaris coming into the Garden unperceived but he saw Martesia who no sooner saw him but she advanced towards him with a blush Though I have not the honour to know you said she unto him after the first salute yet I have some hopes to obtain a favour from you for since you have ventured your life for that Princess whom I serve and have endeavoured her liberty at the price of your own I may well believe you will not deny me the fauour to tell me how that Prince doth who must be both her Deliverer and ours and to tell me in what condition you left the illustrious Cyrus Anaxaris hearing Martesia speak thus answered her with as much civility as spirit that he would most joyfully obey such a Lady as her self adding that though he was not in a condition to imploy his courage for the Princess Mandana's releasement yet he would acquaint her what Cyrus did for her After this Martesia asking him a hundred questions he informed her of all that Cyrus ever did since the taking of Sardis unto the carrying away of the Princess Araminta and since her carrying away until the Siege of Cumes with all possible aggravations that might be advantagious unto that Prince So that Martesia who did much interest her self in the happiness of Cyrus and who was exceeding glad to find any subject which might eradicate all memory of that unjust jealousie which Mandana had out of her Spirit she resolved to contrive it so that Anaxaris might see her and indeed after she had thanked him and obliged him to tell his name she desired him to return the next day at the same hour unto the same place where the Princess Mandana might understand from his mouth all he had told her She had no sooner made this request unto Anaxaris but he expressed abundance of joy assuring her she would do him the greatest favour in the world in letting him have the honour of seeing Mandana After which going out the same way he entred Martesia went unto the Princess to acquaint her with all the story but especially with what concerned the carrying away of the Princess Araminta observing to her how Cyrus had contented himself to give fifty horses unto Spitridates and would not go himself to follow her Ravisher but returned unto Sardis in expectation of those whom he had sent unto Ephesus Gnides and many other places to enquire news of her self And Madam said Martesia it is impossible to meet with a more exact relation then I have for this honest stranger told me that he was with Cyrus when he first knew of Araminta's carrying away This circumstance created such a fresh curiosity in Mandana to see Anaxaris as she resolved to make good Martesia's promise But yet said Mandana unto her who is this which you would have me see Madam replied she though he told me not his name nor who he is yet I am most certain that he is a man of some very high quality I see it by his garb his behaviour and his action also by his manner of speaking and I see it also plainly by what Cyrus told him that he is such a man as I speak of But I pray said Mandana doth Cyrus think he can take Cumes and release us Truly Madam replied she I was so inquisitive of what concerned Araminta to the end I might fully justifie the illustrious Cyrus in your opinion as I must confess that I talked not a word of the Siege supposing and with reason that since Cyrus besiegeth Cumes he will infallibly take it Ah Martesia said Mandana and blusht in desiring to justifie Cyrus you strangely accuse me since you do thereby upbraid me with my weakness or an humour which may be termed jealousie Did you but know Martesia added she how much ashamed I am you would not speak of it any more for truly I can hardly absolve my self for letting Cyrus so rashly know the anger which I conceived against him when I thought he preferred Araminta before me and though my thoughts of displeasure against him were rather resentments of glory then any real jealousie yet I must confess he might interpret what I writ as he pleased For my part Madam replied Martesia and smiled were I in lieu of that Prince I should rather to my consolation think that you were jealous then that
who were besieged But the greatest fear was that perhaps the King of Pontus would steal away Mandana by the help of the Heliotrope yet somtimes his hope was that this Princess remembring her adventure of Sardis would not be so easily deluded But for all this his fears were above his hopes so that every minute seemed an Age unto him And since the contest between the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes was very long and since he all that while received no answer he sent a Herald to demand it thinking that this might more easily induce the people to revolt But for the better furtherance of his design he commanded the Herald to tell those those besieged Princes that if they would not that very houre give him a positive answer he would give an assault upon the Town appointing the Herald also to disperse this report amongst the people as they went through the streets and indeed the man did perform his charge so very well as he struck terror into the hearts of all the People in going to the Castle and Tifernes closing with this occasion did blow their terror into fury and made this multitude resolve to take Arms in their hands if this Herald received not a favourable answer unto his message They also resolved to seize upon the persons of the two Princes to seize upon the Gates to let Cyrus enter and to go afterwards unto the place where Mandana was In the mean time Anaxaris having a desire to eminent himself and to make Mandana in someâ—ort obliged unto him for her liberty he hearing that this Herald was with the Princes and fearing that they would not conclude such a Peace as he wished he began to make use of those Souldiers which he had gained and to make himself Master of the Castle which the People called the Prince of Cumes his Palace to the end that seizing upon the King of Pontus and Mandana he might have that glory which he pretended unto In the mean time the Herald which Cyrus sent having received no positive answer to his demands prepared for a return but he no sooner appeared at the Gate of the Castle then the People who did with much impatience expect him began to ask him whether or no a Peace was concluded Insomuch as the man perceiving how much they desired it did boldly answer them purposely to make them revolt that their Princes would not hearken to it and that Cyrus therefore as soon as ever he was returned to the Camp would give a general assault These words were no sooner heard but a tumultuous grumbling was amongst the People and Fury passing from Spirit to Spirit did in a moment disperse it self through all the Town so that all the Inhabitants took up Arms and laying aside all respects would break open the Gates of the Castle Anaxaris hearing this tumult incensed the greatest part of the Garrison so that the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes being environed on all sides with Enemies they found themselves in a pitiful condition If they should offer to go out of the Castle they should find the People all in fury with Arms in their hands if they should stay in the Castle they saw they were not Masters of it that one part of their Souldiers would fight against the other and that there was safety no where The King of Pontus would then go to Mandana's Chamber but the Guards in lieu of obeying him would themselves seize upon her person which Anaxaris coming then to that place did most couragiously oppose The King of Pontus having got some Souldiers to his Party would force his passage to her so that Mandana out of her Window did see a very fierce combat between those two Princes 'T is true she hardly saw them but Martesia saw more then she did yet she saw enough to obserue that Anaxaris fought for her with Heroique fury In another place the Prince of Cumes to appease the People desiring to shew himself unto them he was forced to retire so that he being come unto the place where the King of Pontus and Anaxaris fought the skirmish was more bloody But in conclusion the Party of Anaxaris being the stronger and the King of Pontus being wounded in the right arm he must submit yet this Prince did not render himself but remembring a back-pair of stairs from Mandana's Chamber which went into a back Court he endeavoured to get up that way leaving the Prince of Cumes hard set with those who were upon him But Anaxaris who used all imagineable prudence in this business had placed a Guard there so that this unfortunate King not being able to have so much advantage as to die at Mandana's feet and fearing to fall under the power of a Rival whose generosity he feared as much as his severity he sought out how he might steal himself from the Victory of this great Prince So that finding himself not able to fight and seeing a Souldier who was none of those whom Anaxaris had gained he got him to open a secret door which was in the Wall of the Castle that Anaxaris did not know of and out he went resolving to see if possible he could move the People to make some resistance He was no sooner out but he heard a most horrid noyse and understood from him with whom he lodged when he came first to Cumes that the People had already seized upon the Gates of the Town that they talked of letting the Troops of Cyrus to enter that the greatest part of the Souldiers were revolted and that there was but three wayes for him to chuse either to hide himself or to be taken or to be killed The King of Pontus being in this desperate condition and desiring at least to hide his shame did accept of an offer which this man did make which was to go into a Garden of his that looked towards the Sea and therefore might in the night time give him an opportunitie of some Fishers Barque when things were a little better setled and the Fleet of Cyrus left blocking up the mouth of the Port So that this unfortunate Prince leaving himself to the conduct of his angry destiny followed this man in such an extream rage and dispair as would have pitied the most cruel of his Enemies if they had seen him in that pitiful condition The abundance of blood which he lost had died all his cloaths sanguine his Sword was red with the blood of them he had killed but he carried it in his left hand his right hand having received a wound which caused him to withdraw out of Combat As he walked in this posture his mind was full of such sad and violent thoughts that if he had strength enough to kill himself doubtless he had freed himself from all his misfortunes at a blow but he had lost such abundance of blood that he was forced to live only because he could not die and he was forced to lean upon a
Souldier and enter into that Garden which was to be his Sanctuary In the interim Anaxaris having none in Head before him but only the Prince of Cumes he redoubled his valour the more furiously But though his valiant Enemy was forced to fall at his feet when the King of Pontus parted from him yet he made resistance with extraordinary valour being seconded by him who took Anaxaris Prisoner whose name was Thrasiles Thus the Conquered became Conquerour and the Captive took his taker Prisoner Valiant Prince cryed Anaxari to the Prince of Cumes do not force me to destroy you I only desire to release the Princess Mandana and not to hurt you But in conclusion seeing he would not yeeld but still resisted he fell upon him with so much fury that after many wounds received he fell dead at his feet This death yet did not end the combat for the valiant Thrasiles seeing the Prince of Cumes dead in lieu of yeelding did wheâ— his courage to revenge the death of his Prince and to prevent being a Prisoner unto his Prisoner But all he could do to vanquish or die was in vain to vanquish was impossible and the generosity of Anaxaris would not let him die for desâ—ing to acknowledg those civilities which he received during his imprisonment he would not suffer any of his Party to kill him but causing him to be surrounded by ten or twelve he was forced to yeeld as well as those few of hâ—s men which remained He had no sooner laid down his Armes but Anaxaris leaving him to be guarded by four Souldiers went unto the Tower of the Castle to see whether he was an absolute Master of it and to seek for the King of Pontus but he found that he was escaped out of that little door which stood open and that there was no other tumult then what the People made at the Castle Gate Anaxaris then presenting himself unto these furious people and having imposed silence upon them he let them understand that the King of Pontus was not in the Castle that he himself was Master of it that their Prince was dead and that the Princess Mandana was in his Power That if they would permit him to send unto Cyrus he would promise them to obtain for them more advantagious conditions then ever their Prince would assent unto He had no sooner said so but the Inhabitants without any sorrows for the death of their Prince who had he lived would have punished them did all cry out with one voice that they would all do as he would have them and that they had already a design to send unto Cyrus with offers to deliver up unto him the Gates of the Town of which they were already Masters Anaxaris desiring to dispatch one unto Cyrus espied among the croud the Herald which that Prince sent unto Cumes who since he could not get out because of the Tumult stayed there to see what this disorder would come unto So that thinking it best to make use of him he commanded him to come unto him yet it went against the grain of Anaxaris to send this message for had he followed the violent suggestions of his passionate soul he would have defended the Castle both against the Inhabitants and against Cyrus also But since this design was void of all reason and without any shadow of thriving in it he rejected the thought of it But as soon as he desired to speak with the Herald the People bandying together in several herds and after they had held a tumultuous councel began to cry and say that they would see the Princess Mandana before any was sent unto Cyrus The Inhabitants of Cumes having no mind to open their Gates unto that Prince until they were well assured that they were able to render him that Princess whom he would release and until that Princess made them a promise to preserve their Town Anaxaris then being desirous to give them satisfaction said that he would go unto her and indeed he went unto the Chamber of that Princess who was with much impatience and fear expecting the success of this great tumult But as soon as she saw Anaxaris she began to hope the success was happy especially when he came unto her and in a most humble manner told her what the desires of the Inhabitants were Madam said he unto her the state of your Fortune is changed for in lieu of being under the power of the Pontcan King the People of Cumes would shelter themselves under your protection and by me desires to be honored with the sight of you Generous stranger replied Mandana How great are my obligations to you What does not the King my Father owe you And how much acknowledgments may you expect from the illustrious Cyrus for whom doubtless you did undertake this which you have with so much courage and good Fortune executed As long as I was in the Army of Cyrus replied Anaxaris and blushed doubtless I fought for you for the love of you only And Madam I beseech you do not give unto him any part of what I have done in Cumes since most certainly I did it only for the Princess Mandana without the consideration of any but her However added he and would not give her leisure to reflect upon his words since the people Madam are impatient since they have Arms in their hands and since they may in a moment alter their resolutions I beseech you Madam take a little pains for your liberty to the end you may owe it unto none but your self Alas generous Anaxaris replied she that is impossible and though I ought rather to say that I am a debtor for it unto a hundred thousand men then unto my self yet I will confine it unto more narrow limits and assure you that it is unto two whereof you are one unto whom I am particularly obliged for it After this Mandana under the conduct of Anaxaris went unto a Balcone which was over the Gate of the Castle Martesia following her where she no sooner shewed her self but the people did make huge shouts of joy Yet they did not content themselves with the sight of her but appointing six among themselves as Deputies for the rest Anaxaris let them enter into the Castle and presented them to the Princess Mandana who received them as men who designed her delivery and they were so charmed with her sweetness and dazled with her beauty as they hardly knew what they said Some demanded that their Town might not be plundred others that Cyrus would pardon them and all speaking confusedly together it was not an easie matter to answer them But at last Mandana not only promising that their Town should be preserved but also be endowed with new priviledges they consented that she should send the same Herald which Anaxaris would have sent yet upon condition she should write unto that Prince saying in a rude manner that perhaps he would not give credit unto the Messenger beseeching the Princess further
his courage and without imparting his design because he thought him too young to be trusted he only did extreamly commend his generosity giving him afterwards many Reasons which proved this Edict to be most ignominious and disadvantageous unto the Athenians not doubting but he would afterwards repeat them unto all those he discoursed with The truth is this Prince did so well second the intentions of Solon that within three dayes Pisistrates and hee had disposed all the youth in the Towne unto a generall revolt unlesse this Edict was revoked which would but rust their valour Solon seeing things succeed to his hearts wish resolved to make use of that invention which was such a wonder unto all Greece to see that man who was so highly fam'd for wisdome should have recourse unto foolishness to compasse his project But for all that this invention which had passed for a piece of extravagancy if it had not hit was taken for a most rare invention because it did prosper Since I do not doubt Madam but you are acquainted with this action of Solon I shall not particularize it unto you but only tell you in two words that he having composed some verses fit to incite all the youth unto a demand of the Wars continuance against the Megarians he did counterfeit himself to be out of his wits and went unto a great place in Athens where he knew that Pisistrates and the Prince of Phoceus were walking with a great number of their Friends As soon as he was there he got upon a high stone Pace where the publique Cryer used to publish all Proclamations unto the People He had no sooner recited those verses which he had composed to incite desire of War but Pisistates and the Prince of Phoceus clapping their hands and approving of what he sayd and causing others to do the like they went unto every street and cryed that this Edict must be revoked which was so ignominious to the Athenians and so contrary to the Weal publique They spoke with such efficacy that in lesse then two hours all the young men of Athens brave and simple did joyne with them And as young as they were they spoke with such vehemency and authority that none was so hardy as to resist them So that Madam this Edict must of necessity be revoked to appease the Tumult and begin the Warr And well may I say that Solon Pisistrates and Peranius only did it However the design of Solon having so well taken he became wise again the next morning and so well was he known to be so that they conferred upon him the conduct of this Warr wherein the Prince of Proceus did follow him and did miracles But Solon knowing that the rich men of Athens would still murmure at the great charges which this War would put them unto he found a way how to ease them by a piece of policy in which the Prince of Phoceus did highly signall himself as well as Pisistrates He went by Sea unto a famous Temple dedicated unto Venus unto which he knew many Athenian women of quality did resort and choosing out a cunning and trusty fellow he sent him unto the Megarians which were not farr from thence with Orders to counterfeit the Traytor â—in offering them a prize of all those Athenian women and assuring them that they would all be at the Temple of Venus such a time where they might be all easily taken The plot did take the Megarians believe the fellow and come with a ship full of Souldiers to the place at the time appointed In the mean time Solon caused all the Ladies and women to forbear coming unto that place and dressing a good number of brave youths in the habit of women he brought them thither the Prince of Phoceus was of the number for being both young and as valiant as any Hero he was very fit for such an Expedition And placing himselfe in the front of all these seeming Ladies who had all swords hidden under great loose Mantles which they used to weare over their Gowns He went according to the orders of Solon along the water-side seeming as if they walked and waited untill the hour of sacrifice as it was the ordinary custome of those who came over soon As soon as the Megarians saw them they made all the Saile and Oare they could and came to the place where they thought they saw so many Ladies and landing in all hast they came to take away those Ladies thinking after this that the Athenians would be glad to treat and make a Peace with them to redeem their Wives from being slaves But they were sufficiently amazed when the Prince of Phoceus who was the first that fell upon them seeing them come towards him threw off his Mantle and Hood upon his head and put himselfe in a posture of armed defence This strange Metamorphesis did most terribly surprize them for he being at that time very faire one would have sayd that Venus was in an instant turned into Mars The change was not particularly in the Prince of Phoceus for all the rest in an instant followed his example and the Megarians were strangely terrified to find such stout enemies in lieu of Ladies They offered a retreat unto their Ship but the Prince of Phoceus seconded by Pisistrates getting betwixt the Sea and them they passed almost all upon the point of the sword after which being master of their ship they made use of a second Fallacy which did thrive as well as the first For imbarquing all their Souldiers they went towards Salamine as if they had beene Megarians and as if they had brought all the Athenian Ladies which they designed to fetch so as the Inhabitants of the Isle never opposing their landing but on the contrary preparing themselves to receive those in the ship as men who had done them good service they were extreamly surprized to find that they had suffered Enemies to land and more surprized to observe with what miraculous valour the young Prince of Phoceus did assault them The terrour was so great in the Isle that Solon arriving in a ship presently after did strike a deeper terrour amongst the people who believing that this ship would be seconded by a great Fleet were all so damped with a Panique feare that Pisistrates and the Prince of Phoceus became Masters of the Isle with much ease and returned unto Athens with more honour as well as Solon whose wisdome was crowned with happinesse by their valour and his owne contrivance This Madam was the first budd of Peranius his valour since that he hath done a thousand glorious Acts There has not been any glorious business in all Greece wherin he was not one But the wonder is he is as well experienced in matters of Sea as Land and knowes as well how to be a Pilot as a Captain of a ship The truth is Madam the valour of this Prince is superlative He hath been seen to assault whole Navies all lined with
coloured haire did produce the same effect that day as that dusky Azure doth which is about the Sun when the Heavens are most serene and cleer and when that splendent Planet is in its greatest lustre for certainly her haire gave a great lustre unto her Her Chariot was inlayd with mother of Pearl and streaks of gold and done with such art by some Grecian Artists that were employed as this Chariot by reason of the severall reflection from the mother of Pearl and some Topazes which were set in severall places was no lesse glorious then the Sun it selfe As for Cleonisbe she was adorned with so many Jewels that her lustre could hardly be looked upon And to resemble the Sun which she represented she wore a sun of Diamonds upon her head In one hand she held a vessell of mother of Pearl full of flowers as being the chiefe work of that glorious Star In the other hand she held the reyns of the Horses whose fineness made worthy to draw the Chariot of the Sun Cleonisbe being then in such state as I have told you and the day being as faire and glorious as was possible that place was an Epitome of the whole world and she carryed her selfe with such applause that the Aire ecchoed with a million of acclamations As for the Prince of Phoceus he was so charmed with the sight that if he had not already been in Love he would now But after Cleonisbe had gone round the place she left her Chariot at the foot of the Throne which was prepared for her upon which she ascended by the help of four men of quality who stood at the bottom of the stairs The dresses of these four men who represented the four seasons of the yeare were very rich The first was Bomilcar the second Britomartes the third Galathes and the fourth the Prince of Phoceus Thus Cleonisbe when she was upon her throne she saw at her feet four slaves whom Chance had brought together and whom love had wounded with one and the same Arrow But perhaps Madam you will aske me why the four seasons of the year was represented by men To which I answer that since there was not one Beauty who would represent Winter Custom brought it in that this Feast was represent by four men However Cleonisbe was no sooner upon her Throne of flowers but the great Gates of the Palace being opened there appeared thirty persons every one in a severall little Chariot which came gently one after another to render homage unto Cleonisbe But Madam that you may the better understand the nature of this homage be pleased to know that every one of these faire persons represented a severall flower which they made choise of according unto their fancies so as these Ladies to signifie the flowers which they represented had a Crown composed of them on their heads and another in their hands their Chariots being trimmed up with the same flowers And to compleat the gallantry of this invention their habits were of the same colours with the flowers which they represented and every one had a banuer on which was a device sutable Every banner had a flower printed and some inscriptions under it So that Madam since the season in which they did celebrate this feast all sorts of flowers did grow at once in that Country I am confident a more delightfull sight could not be seen For I assure you Madam these thirty Chariots painted guilded and trimmed with flowers did make a most admirable show and these thirty faire ones whose Dresses were both gallant and rich and all crowned with flowers were beyond all imagination admirable The first which came out of the Palace to render homage unto Cleonisbe was crowned with Orange flowers the second Roses the third Jessimine the fourth Olives the fifth with Violets the sixth with Pomgranets the seventh with Lillies the eighth with the ninth with Flower-de-luces and so with others so that this lovely Miscellany of flowrie Crowns worn by these Beauties did make a show beyond all imagination delightfull As soon as these Chariots came unto the Throne of the Sun those Ladies which were to represent the flower wherewith they were crowned they prepared themselves to render homage And presenting the Crown which they held in their hands unto one of those men who stood at the foot of the Throne offered unto the Sun only such flowers as the season which they represented did produce So since there are Orange flowers in Winter it was Britomartes who offered the Crown because he represented that season It was the Prince of Phoceus who offered Roses because he represented the Spring It was Galathes who offered the Crown of Olives because he represented Summer And it was Bomilcar who offered because he represented Autumn For as I have already told you Madam there is one season in that Country in which they have all manner of flowers together In the mean time as these Ladies passed before Cleonisbies Throne they saluted her and tendred unto her their Crowns and they were heaped one upon another with so much Art That when the last of these Ladies had offered her Garland there was such a Trophy of Garlands raised unto the glory of Cleonisbe all whose flags were set in such order as the mottoes might easily be read But whilst all these little Chariots passed before the Princess Cleonisbe and those within them were doing homage unto her Musique composed of severall Instruments imposed silence upon the People who made no disorder because the place was rayl'd round about and hindered them Nor did the heat of the Sun offend for this Ceremony was not begun untill it was declining and moreover the Palace and houses were so high as they cast a shadow over all the place and there chanced contrary to the custome of that Country to be some little Clouds that day which made a shadow and one would have sayd that this bright Planet to honour the Feast had resigned its lustre unto Cleonisbe In the mean while according as these Chariots passed by they ranged themselves next the Chariot of Cleonisbe unto which she went as soon as she had received the last homage of flowers The four Seasons causing to be carryed before her that Trophy of Garlands which were offered unto her After which these four Seasons did follow her every one in a stately Chariot entring with her into the Palace Court so as One sicrite going first in representing the Aurora the four Seasons followed the Sun and the thirty flowers the four Seasons After which Cleonisbe went to offer this Trophy of Garlands at a Church which was at the furthest part of the Town and then returned to the Palace where a Banquet was prepared sutable to the Feast for it was only of fruits for the custome was for it to be of no other Yet was it very admirably set out both with rare and excellent fruits in great abundance and variety and in most exquisite order The
that place where the River Phases empties it self into the Euxine Sea and this Pilot assuring him that he might provided he took the water at full tide and avoided one Rock which the water covered neer that place I made use Sir of all this and made immediately unto the place where Ariantes would land but he having much the start of me make what hast I could he was landed before I came there But 't is true I understood that he had carried the Princess Mandana unto a Castle not above six furlongs from thence and which is seated upon the River Phases But now my greatest fear was that if I shewed my self I should be known by those who followed Ariantes and Andramites So that to hear more certainly I sent those to Land whom I brought from the Port where I first imbarqued but they being a company of dull fellows I was not a jot the better informed all they could tell me was that it was a thing impossible for me to attempt the delivery of that Princess for Ariantes and Andramites did so carefully guard her and the Castle was naturally so very strong that all would be in vain So that having only twenty men I could do nothing more then as a Spie Then after many daies patience I could devise no better way then to endeavour the getting one of Ariantes men into my Ship that I might out of him get some light of Ariantes his design and to keep him there So that making choice of three resolute Souldiers I put them into the habit of Marriners after which they went and fell in conference with them of a Ship upon that Port for being all of them idle when they are off their Guard they have nothing to do but to walk and hunt some of those birds which Phases gives a name unto and of which there are a great abundance in that River So that after they were landed and had walked and hunted together and talked of several indifferent things those of Ariantes Ship desired those I sent to come into their Ship and they to render civility for civility invited them into theirs So it chanced that almost all those who were invited were called away upon some business and only one of them staid behind them Here Sir may the order of Providence be wondered at for this man who stayed behinde chanced to be one of Mandana's Guard and a man best able to satisfie me in all I desired to know So that as soon as he was in my Ship I shewed my self unto him and so amazed him that imagining you were there also and would throw him over-board as a punishment for his crime he threw himself at my feet For heavens sake Feraulas said he I beseech you save my life for if our Prince will spare me I shall inform him of such things as may perhaps deliver Mandana You may well imagine Sir that I promised his life unto him upon condition he would be as good as his word and indeed I made such use of his fears and hopes that he told me all he knew And Andramites having lost his man after the Combat he had entertained this fellow to wait upon him until he found his own or got another So that this man being very intimate with him he often heard the discourse of Ariantes and Andramites concerning their designs Pray Feraulas said Cyrus and interrupted him tell me quickly if you know them I shall tell you Sir replied Feraulas how I understand by this Guard that though the Prince Ariantes has a great minde to make himself King of Issedon yet he had rather preserve Mandana then conquer a Kingdom and hazard the losing of her not doubting but both you and Thomiris will fall upon him if he carry her unto Issedon So that caring for nothing but how to keep Mandana he was no sooner ashore but he writ unto Thomiris and to all his friends about her beseeching her to forget what was past and he would solemnly renounce all his claim unto the Crown of Issedon and pretend unto nothing but the quality of her Subject provided she would receive Mandana into her Court that she would promise never to render her unto you Sir but use her best endeavours that he might marry her Thus Sir you may well conceive that Thomiris would not refuse a Proposition which would assure her of a Crown and which would bring that person into her power whom she believed was the only cause why you Sir did not love her Also this Guard told me that Ariantes received an answer as favourable as he could wish that Thomiris would forget all that was past and offered him what security he would desire for the safety of his and Mandana's person and that she would solemnly ingage her self never to restore her unto you Sir And indeed this Guard further told me that Thomiris sent two men of Quality unto Ariantes to tell him that if he desired her Son in Hostage she would give him provided he would let Mandana be in her power But Ariantes knowing very well that Thomiris had such an interest as would make her keep promise as to Mandana he thought it his best course absolutely to trust her therefore the next morning he went by Land unto Colchides and from thence to Thomiris At the same time he sent unto one who as I think was called Octomasades to tell him that now he had no further design of making himself King He sent also unto Issedon to all them that had stirred in his behalf to tell them the same I heard all this I tell you from the mouth of Ariantes and Andramites as they talked together not thinking that I heard them for Love had so blinded them both that they hardly knew who was present After this Sir I believed this Guard could tell me no more and I thought my best course would be to gain this fellow and to send him back purposely to hear more news of Mandana And indeed I inspired him with so much horror against the perfidiousness of all them that had betrayed you that I am confident he will prove a faithful Spy yet I sent him not away until I had asked him how Ariantes behaved himself towards the Princess and he told me that he was so full of reverence and respect that she had no reason to complain of any thing but his carrying her away yet he assured me that she was extreamly troubled and that if she had not the comfort of Martesia's company he knew not what she would do for Doralisa was so full of sorrow and anger against Andramites that she was not in any capacity of a Comforter But Sir not to trust too much unto this fellow I hoisted Sail as soon as I had set him on Land lest he should betray me and cause me to be stayed and so hinder me from coming to advertise you Yet since I was very desirous to know certainly whether the Prince Ariantes departed the next
Coach being recovered both it and Mandanas began to put on and Cyrus loosing the sight of this Princess he remained in a most miserable condition Is it possible said he after he had recovered himself that Mandana can smile under the power of my Rivall and in a beleif that I am in my Grave Since I have seen such a prodigious alteration in her heart I shall not despair but I can cease loving her But alas the worst is I do still love her and she loves not me miserable wretch that I am added this afflicted Prince I did foresee it was an easier matter to be unfaithfull unto a dead Lover than to a living and yet I would not let Mandana know that I was not dead But alas continued he how could I ever imagin that a Princess who has seen the greatest Princes in the world at her feet and yet preserved her fidelity should now be perfidious How could I ever think that she who for the Love of me had rejected the King of Assyria the Prince Mazares the King of Pontus and Ariantes himself should the very next day think me in my grave exclude me out of her heart and memory and become the most ungratefull and most unjust person in the world But Sir said Meliantes I do not understand why any thing I have said unto you or any thing you have seen should so excessively trouble you No no Meliantes replied Cyrus I cannot be mistaken I know the very bottome of Mandanas heart and I am so sure that she had some pleasing thoughts in her mind when I saw her that it is impossible but I should be infinitely grieved I thought that after all I had done for her she should not so soon forget me but that she should acknowledge my services by a long continued sorrow for my death and yet I find her thoughts far different and in such a condition that if our design be not suddenly executed I shall hear of her being at some publik Diversion and that she has recovered all her joyes and pleasant humours again Oh Heavens that I should ever see this day is it possible I should outlive the sight which I have seen Yes yes added he upon second thoughts I will live to be revenged upon her that does not lament my death and to kill my happy Rivall who hath driven me out of the heart of that unjust Princess and who thinks himself my successor in her affection But perfidious Anaxaris as long as I live thou shalt never enjoy Mandana Afterwards this afflicted Prince fell into many bitter expressions and was so instant with Meliantes and Mereontes to hasten their design that he inspired them with fresh zeal to the Execution of it And indeed they did transact their business so well that all the Sauromattan Captains did not only assure him of all the Sauromates but of the Gelons also So as now having nothing to do but to make it known unto Cressus and Mazares that Cyrus was living and to agree with them upon an hour of these severall assaults which they thought fit to be made all at once they propounded it as the safest expedient that Meliantes should desire a Herauld of Ariantes to go and see a friend of his who was really a prisoner on the other side and that in the mean time he who went with this Herauld should speak in private with Cressus and Mazares or if that could not be then to Chrysantes or Feraulas and acquaint them that Cyrus was living and inform them of the state of things But all the difficulty being to find a faithfull man for this imployment whom they might trust and finding none they changed their intentions and resolved that Mereontes should disguise himself and go into the Camp of Mazares For said he I can do it without any danger since if any of Thomyris side do stop me they will know me and take me to be one of their own side and if any of Cyrus his men take me they will carry me unto Crâ—sus and Mazares After this Mereontes without more delay disguised himself and after he had received all necessary instructions from Cyrus for the Execution of the work he departed But that those Princes might give the more credit unto what he should tell them Cyrus writ a little note of three lines only unto Mazares which Mereontes might tear or swallow in case he were stopped by any of Thomyris men and before he went Cyrus maugre all his sorrows courted his fidelity with a million of obliging expressions But they were needless for Mereontes of himself was wholly devoted unto the service of this Prince and did negotiate the business with so much ingenuity and fidelity that though he was stopped severall times yet he happily went his journey for his habit being of that Nation of which there was some in both Armies he was able to tell any side that he was of theirs and he went through all the difficulties so fortunately that he got unto Cressus and Mazares the truth is he did not so much surprize them as he expected For Feraulas an hour before was returned from the Tents Royall and had told them that certainly the head which Thomyris had plunged in bloud was not the head of Cyrus but of Spitridates So has Mereontes giving Mazares that Letter which Cyrus wrote unto him they had noe reason to doubt any thing he told them afterwards also they knew him to be that valiant Sauromate whose life Cyrus saved from the flames after he had overcome him But it was very observable that though all the hopes of Mazares did dy by the reviving of Cyrus yet he was so generous as to rejoice at it The truth is that to uphold his virtue he had recourse unto his Love and his hopes of seeing Mandana soon delivered made him rejoyce that Cyrus lived And to let the height of his generosity appear he endeavoured all manner of waies to hasten the execution of a design which he thought being retarded might ruin Cyrus who being in a place where he might be discovered he was in abundance of Danger So as consulting with Cressus and finding it expedient to impart the business unto the most considerable friends of Cyrus they sent for the Prince Artamus Myrsiles Tygranes Intaphernes Gabrias Gadates Atergatis Indatherses Hydaspes and Chrysantes But in the interim Cressus and Mazares caused Mereontes and Feraulas to tell them all they knew concerning Cyrus and Mandana both of them sadly bewailing the sad resentments of that Princess when she heard of the supposed Death of Cyrus Sirs said Mereontes there is more need of bewailing that great Prince than that Princess At least he thinks her two much comforted after his supposed death for he saw her in a Coach before his Tent and saw so few signs of sorrows in her face that he saw her smile as she talked unto Martesia And to tell you truly I know not how she can excuse her self for being so
glorious not to grant that which cannot be denyed without danger I will not promise you to leave loving Mandana or consent she should marry Ariantes nor promise to see her no more Since of these three things which I ask replyed Thomyris sharply there is one of them which depends absolutely upon me and not at all upon you I cannot tell whether it be prudence in you to incense any by your arrogant generosity for I need not your consent to hinder you from ever seeing Mandana nor need it in Ariantes marriage of her for since if I will I can look upon you as the murtherer of my Son If the fancy take me I shall lock you up eternally in my chains As Fortune hath brought me hither into them against my will replyed Cyrus so she may chance to take me out against yours And therefore Madam without any regard unto your needless threatnings I will tell you with all possible sincerity that could I ever have been unfaithfull unto Mandana your charms Madam would have made me so when I was in your Court under the name of Artamenes And I must ingeniously confess that I gave her a greater testimony of my Love in not loving you than in the taking of Babylon Sardis and Cumes Since certainly it is a more easy matter to win battells and take towns than to defend ones heart against such a person as you were when I had the honour first to see you For to tell you truly Madam Though you be as fair now as then you were yet you are less terrible to me now than you were than For truly as soon as you began to persecute Mandana as soon as ever you began to be cruell and would needs make your self loved by terrour you lost all that would make you amiable I cannot tell said she and in a rage interrupted him whether I can make my self Loved but I am sure I can make my self be obeyed And I perceive if I will ever have any rest I must hate you living as I did when you were dead and seek out my satisfaction in revenge After this Thomyris went away and stayed not for the answer of Cyrus and she carried with her more thoughts of fury than Love she was vexed at the Soul because she had not said enough to tender his heart she repented of every word she pronounced and somtimes she thought that if she had gone the mild way she had better effected her desires And sometimes again she thought that if she had menanaced him with the death of Mandana it would have staggered his constancy So as being unsatisfied with her self both at what she had done and what she should have done she was most insufferably tormented On the other side Cyrus was in a miserable condition for not knowing that she had seen that Letter which he had writ unto Mandana he thought that what she had spoke concerning Mandana's Levity had a right ground and was greived to the very soul at it But whilst the souls of Cyrus and Thomyris were thus disquietted Mereontes who wasconceal'd amongst the Sauromattan Captains with Myrsiles Hydaspes Chrysantes they continued the same design on foot which once was ready for Execution The 〈…〉 ends of Ariantes also bethinking themselves how to deliver this Prince and knowing how the Sauromates were discontented did make a proposition to joyn with them and get Ariantes out of the hands of Thomyris The Sauromattan Captains without giving any positive answer unto those who made this proposition acquainted Myrsiles Hydaspes Mereontes and Chrysantes with it Who all conceived that if they could unite the friends of Ariantes unto theirs that Thomyris would be infallibly lost and that Cyrus and Mandana would be delivered The reason why they hoped this was not impossible was because they knew that the friends of Ariantes were afraid Thomyris would put that Prince to death for since he once went about to take a crown from her they thought that she would seek for a colour to palliate her revenge upon him So as imagining that if this union could be made it would make much for the advantage of Cyrus these Sauromattan Captains entertained the motion and brought things to that pass that the friends of Ariantes conferred with the friends of Cyrus But since neither side could answer for those Princes for whom they transacted they agreed that both sides should endeavour to make known the state of things unto them And in order to that Myrsiles and Mereontes found out meanes to send word unto Cressus and Mazares that they should attempt nothing untill they heard further from them In the mean time there passed not a day in which Thomyris had not some new persecution for Cyrus and Mandana For she obliged all the prisoner Princes to see Cyrus one after another and to perswade him not to pretend any more unto Mandana Also she would have all the rest of the Captives in their turns to see Mandana and move her to marry Ariantes and she spoke her self unto the Prince her brother and perswaded him not to think any more of marrying Mandana but to give her over unto her vengeance for this violent Queen was come to that pass that she thought no more of making Cyrus love her but only to take his Love off her whom he adored So that when she saw it a thing impossible to perswade Mandana ever to marry Ariantes she had a fancy to perswade Ariantes to let her be put to death That which I desire of you Brother said she unto him you should me thinks ask me and should desire to be revenged of a strong hearted person who scorns and hates you And though you had no other advantage by it but to imagin the sorrows of your Rivall yet that were enough to move your consent unto it If you will suffer me replyed Ariantes rough y to go and ponyard Cyrus I shall perhaps consent that you shall poyson Mandana I agree unto your proposition answered Thomyris suddenly Oh most cruell Princess said Ariantes then what a most abominable Love is yours No no added he deceive not your self I am the Enemy of Cyrus but I will never be his butcher And moreover I do most solemnly protest that if you attempt any thing against the life of Mandana yours shall infallibly answer for it for though I cannot get out of your chains yet I have friends who will revenge your cruelty and I doubt not but all the world will arm themselves and ruin you Thomyris seeing with what an Aire Ariantes spoke this was ashamed but it was a shame accompanied with anger which made her express her self infinitely angry at that Prince You think perhaps said she unto him to get upon that Throne which once you rebelliously mounted But let me tell you that I will keep you in my fetters as a vanquished Usurper and as a rebellious Subject After this that enraged Queen left him and left him with thoughts of hatred as great
Princes on most excellent Horses and there was not the meanest servant who had not some marks of his Masters magnificence When they were within two hundred furlongs of Ecbatane Ciaxares and Cambyses met them in the head of all the Persians and Medes of quality who followed them and stayed for them close by a tryumphant Arch which they had erected unto the glory of Asia's Conqueror and Mandana's deliverer where the Inscriptions and paintings were so ingenuous as they extolled and represented all the victories of that Prince But Cyrus being as modest as valiant he would not passe under this Arch which they had erected unto his glory but left that honour unto Mandana as the true cause of all his Conquests This interview had all the circumstances which could possibly render it delightfull for there appeared so much joy in the Countenances of Ciaxares and Cambyses when they saw Cyrus and Mandana and Cyrus and Mandana were so glad to see them as they did communicate the same unto all that saw them so as never was such acclamations upon Earth as then But being impatient to be in a place where they might talk they went towards Ecbatane and all the way there were still new marks of magnificence to be seen either in the troops which were ranked on the right left hand or in other tryumphant Arches erected to the glory of Cyrus and Mandana or in the infinite number of men of all qualities who came far and neer to meet them with Garlands and Crowns of flowers which they presented unto them and cast at their feet in homage to them At the Gates of the town stood all the Magistrates who made Orations to them Likewise at the Gates of the Temple were all the Magi of Ecbatane ready to offer sacrifices of Thanks unto the Gods But as soon as all these Kings these Princes these Princesses and men of quality had taken those places in the Temple which were assigned for them the same accident which hapned in the time of Astiages did now happen again For the Temple did shake the Lamps extinguished all except one over the head of Cyrus which burned so clear and full of Lustare as if all the rest had united their lights unto it At the same time also for a quarter of an hour together was a noise heard in the vaults of the Temple which resembled thunder and the roaring of the sea and which struck fear into the souls of all that heard it This prodigy did amaze all the assembly the Magi themselves all except one were were affrighted and so were all except Cyrus in whose countenance was not the least semblance of fear When they offered to begin the sacrifice they could not end it for all the victims escaped from those who held them and the Sacrificers assured Ciaxares and Cambises that of necessity they must defer it til another time and appeare the Gods unto whom they would sacrifice As for Cambises he did imagin according to the Religion of his Country that if the Gods were angry that men should be so bould as to adore them in Temples built with prophane hands But as for the Magi that there was somthing of importance which the Gods would make known unto them by it The chief of them who was he which was least amazed did very well remember the interpretation which was formerly given upon those Lamps which redoubled their light over the head of the Queen of Persia Sa as imagining that the Gods required this accomplishment of that prediction he told Ciaxares that he must retire unto his Palace and that he must give him time to observe the stars and turn over his books and to penetrate into the secrets of the Gods and accordinly all this great company went out of the Temple into the Pallace but this was sadly resented by the Queen of Persia and every one talked of this prodigy according to their severall fancies As for Ciaxares who was most perplexed his reason why the Gods were so angry was because he would marry his Daughter against the Laws of the Cappadocean Kingdom which would not have her marry a stranger Prince So that not being able to keep his fears within the compass of his own heart he told them unto very many and they became so publick that they were the common talk and they made such deep impression upon the mind of Ciaxares that he sent Aglatidas unto Babylon in his name to consult with the Oracle of Jupiter Belus But in the Interim of this voyage and whilst the Magi were consulting with the stars and their books Cyrus was extreamly troubled and Mandana for all her prudence could not choose but be very melanchollick Is it possible said she unto Martesia that the destiny of Cyrus should be yet doubtfull can it be that after be hath been imprisoned at Synope for the Love of me After he hath saved the life of the King my Father in the war against the late King of Pontus after he hath won two battells in one day after he had gloriously ended that War by bringing that King into captivity After he hath beaten the King of Assyria taken Babylon surprized Synope subdued Armenia won the battell of Thyburra against Cressus taken Sardis put the King of Pontus to flight after he had delivered me by taking Cumes after he has vanquished Thomyris and Ariantes and gloriously brought me home to Ecbatana Can Cyrus I say doubt of a recompence for all his Conquests and Travells he who above all this hath been thought twice to be dead who was mangled almost in peices after the combate of two hundred who has received severall most dangerous wounds besides in severall Encounters who hath been prisoner both of War and State for the Love of me and who hath given me a million of testimonies of his Love must he be now slighted whilst Mandana was thus complaining and whilst Martesia was comforting her all the town were at their prayers to appease the Gods But at last Aglatidas returned from Babylon who after he had consulted with the Oracle in the name of Ciaxares whether he might give his Daughter unto Cyrus since he was a Persian and since the Cappadocian Laws did prohibit that Princess to marry a stranger he was returned this answer The Oracle ☞ Out of your thoughts expell All fears of any danger Who can all Asia quell In no place is a stranger This favourable answer did so rejoice the hearts of Ciaxares Cambises the Queen of Persia Cyrus Mandana and all that heard it that it may be termed a publick joy especially because it concurred with the Dooms of the Magi who rendred an account unto Ciaxares and Cambises of all their observations before all the Princes in the Court For the cheif of the Magi addressing his speech unto the two Kings told them a thing which made him the more wonderfull because it concurred with the secret thoughts of their own souls although they did not
victory In the mean time these three illusterous Rivals spent all the night together in one tent but with different thoughts though Mandana was the onely object of them all As for Cyrus his certainty of Mandanas love maugre all the manaces of the gods afforded him many hours of joy amidst his sufferings whereas on the contrary the king of Assyria maugre the favourable oracle which he received at Babylon knowing he was not loved and that Cyrus was many times possessed with such fits of fury as he had much ado to master them Mazares though his thoughts were lesse violent yet was his sorrow a heavy load upon his heart for when he began to consider how he had imposed upon himself a necessity of never pretending further then to the frendship of Mandana he knew not whether he was able to keep within those limits which he had prescribed unto himself on the other side the king of Pontus thought himself as miserable as any especially when he considered that it was not a victory could make him happy since when he had conquered Cyrus he could not conquer Mandana unto whom he had not spoke one word of the battle towards lest it should trouble her too much for it may well be said never was ravisher lesse violent and more respective then himself so that Mandana and the princes Palmis not knowing they were ready to fight for their liberties did both condole and comfort each other Yet was Mandana very sorry she did not credit Mazares for she understood by Cylenisa how that Prince was really gone unto Cyrus The Prince Artamas for his part he did suffer unconceivable torments of mind not onely by reason of his own imprisonment but for the Princesse Palmis and in thinking upon the Battle which was ready to be given yet as brave as hee was he was something glad that he was not to bee in it because the Princesse Palmis could not hereafter upbraid him for fighting against the King her father But as restless as these three nay all these Illustrious persons were I think it may truly be said that Cyrus being most amorous was most tormented or at least most diligent to obtain the victory For no sooner did Aurora begin to gild the clouds from the East then hee awaked all his Camp by sound of Trumpets Drums Fifes and Howboys so that all this vast Army was in a moment in their Armes and ranked under their colours ready to obey their Generall who being as full of Piety as valour commanded a Sacrifice to be offered unto the Gods and to beg victory from them and willed the Sacrificers to use no other Ceremonies then after the Persian custome so that the Magi who made preparations for this Ceremony made choice of a Hill which was in the midst of the Camp to sacrifice unto the Sunne which they called Ocosmades and unto Venus Vrania whom they called Mitra and unto Jupiter Cyrus making choice of these three divinities to the end that Jupiter might give him power to vanquish that the Sunne might shine upon his victory and that Venus Vrania might favour his designe of Mandanaes releasement Since the Persians never use to sacrifice but under the Canopy of Heaven nor dresse up any Magnificent Altars nor light any Fire nor use any Crowns of flowers the Ceremony was not long for the Sacrificers do nothing but put a wreath of Myrtle upon their heads and carry the Victims up to the Hill they make choise of and there they invoke the Gods unto whom they sacrifice and according to the Persian custome which is never to make any prayers but for all the Persians in generall excepting for their King they ask of those divinities all that may be glorious unto their nation and by consequence victory Afterwards they pray for all their Army and for Ciaxares onely in particular Cyrus desiring to make no distinction between Persians and others In the mean time how early soever the Magi were those of Cressus were before them 'T is true it was in a different manner For since he and the King of Pontus and the Prince of Myssia and all the other great Commanders had observed that their souldiers stood in fear of their enemies and that the very name of Cyrus struck a terror into them they were them selves afraid lest this panick fear should put their Army into disorder Therefore since they were to fight a deciding battle they thought best to infuse mettle into their men by some rules of religion And in order to that they brought into use an ancient sacrifice used in wars in the time when Heraclides raigned in Lydia And about two hours after midnight they make ready their Altars in the midst of the Camp all the Souldiers being drawn about them as in Battle array After this they make about these Altars twelve fires which shews unto the Souldiers a great number of Victims which the Sacrificers kill before them About these Altars fires and bloody Victims stand two hundred men with swords drawn in their hands After which these men do swear all the Officers never to leave fighting untill they have met with deaths or victory then they call all the Souldiers one by one and make them promise and swear with most terrible Imprâ—â—ations upon themselves and their posterity to be obedient unto all that Cressus or their Officers shall command them and never to flee from battle but every one to kill his fellow that shall offer to give ground before victory be obtained and if there were any which out of fear of such a strange sacrifice would not swear these men with swords in their hands were to kill them and by this cruell example to affright the rest to promise what was desired them though perhaps they had no intention to keepit yet notwithstanding since such things as these do extremely move the hearts of the multitude the souldiers in the Army of Cressus in generall did beleeve they shall become more valiant after this Ceremony so that hopes succeeding their fears the Army of Cressus began to be confident of happy successe in Battle However the King of Lydia did not trust more to the multitude of his men then he did of some advantages which might be taken and therefore he advanced to Hyberra so that Cyrus was much amazed when after his sacrifices ended and day began to break he saw his enemies removed from the place he thought them to be coconceiving that they had possessed themselves of a place of great advantage for themselves and the very truth is if this Prince had not been full as wise as he was valiant he had exposed his Army to an inevitable ruine Thyberra was a Town of an indifferent largenesse seated upon a pleasant Hill some thirty furlongs from Sardis at the foot of this hill ran a little river which running round the walls made the accesse very difficult So that it seemed Cressus thought he stood in need of all advantages to
deal with such a Prince as Cyrus was As this Hero was ever used to seek his enemies and never to turn his back upon them he drew up into battalia upon another hill opposite to that which Cressus possessed and seemed so exceedingly desirous to be fighting that he stood in need of all his prudence to stop the heat of that courage which desired to hazard all then not fight Yet upon better consideration finding that if he lost this Battle his glory would receive a foil and Mandana would not be released he examined the matter a little better He saw that the right wing of Cressus was sheltred with the Town of Thyberra which on that side was naturally fortified by the fall of many Torrents which time had made so deep and impetuous that the passages were not fordable Cyrus also saw that the main body of his enemies was most judiciously placed so that more advantage could not be devised for indeed it was in a little wood which nature had so intrenched that all art could not mend it As for his left wing it also had possession of another Hill the accesse unto which was through many ditches so that it were fond imprudence to fight vpon such disadvantages especially since Cressus was more numerous then himself The King of Lydia hoped that Cyrus would have done as hee did at Artaxates and in Assyria so that Cyrus hazarding all and he nothing he might chance get the victory But since prudence will alter thoughts according to occasions Cyrus who did hazard all in Armenia to deliver Mandana where he might well in reason do it would not do so in Lydia where he should hazard the losse of Mandana and the victory also yet hee used all possible stratagems to make Cressus quit the ground he was in possession of and to provoke him to fight upon reasonable termes It may truely be said all military Art was used upon this occasion to draw his enemy out of his holds so that every day both Armies had continually skirmishes though Cyrus could not engage his enemy in a main Battle In the mean while the place where he was encamped was very incommodious for him for his enemies being master of the little river which ran by Thyberra he wanted drink both for horse and man and likewise all manner of forrage Cyrus then resolving to disincamp resolved to quarter neer Pactolus where his Army might have plenty of all provisions which he wanted in the quarters he quitted and where he might observe the motion of his enemies which way soever they moved and force them to fight if they stirred the question was whether they should remove in the night or in the day time for though prudence told Cyrus it should be in the night yet his great soul would not permit him his chief reason why he desired to follow the motions of his courage was because he was in hope Cressus would follow him and so he should face about and fight him But since there was some danger in that attempt and that good successe was doubtfull he resolved upon an honourable Retreat in the face of an Army much stronger then himself and commanded by Princes expert in Command so that at break of day his first Brigade began to march the second followed afterwards the Artillery and Charriots marched in the head of the Infantry The Orders of Cyrus were so well executed that the Retreat was without disorder except the first Brigade of the right wing wherein Cyrus was because the left wing of Cressus which was opposite to it and wherein the Lydians and Mariandins were was best able to fall upon this Prince because there was fewer obstacles on that side then any other and they left them to charge that Prince whom not a Lydian durst look in the face upon even termes nor now assault him but because he retreated In the mean time Cyrus commanded that body of Horse which Hydaspes commanded to keep their ground upon the plain to the end his Brigade might retreat between the Horse as indeed they did But those forces which Artabases commanded that day who retreated with the rest of the Army as well as those which Anaxaris commanded were assaulted by the Mariandines who received them with much courage especially Anaxaris who indeed did miracles at that time But do what they could the Troops which they commanded were worsted Anaxaris was wounded and taken prisoner and A 〈…〉 s more happy then he disingaged himself from amongst them and got amongst his own party The enemy encouraged by this prosperous beginning had advanced their victory if Hydaspes had not stopped them and given them such a sharp repulse as merited the acclamations and praise of both Armies for hee charged with such furious valour as made it appear he merited the favour of Cyrus and fighting both for his own glory and the glory of his Master he beat the Mariandines and Lydians as farre as half way up the Hill from whence they descended But three squadrons comming fresh upon him and all the Cavalry of Cressus being commanded to oppose the valour of Hydaspes He and his forces were forced to submit unto such a multitude and retreated in confusion especially because they retreated down the Hill Cyrus whose prudence could not be deluded did foresee this and commanded one part of his Troops to draw up into Battalia on the top of the next Hill and ordered his Brigade to keep the plain to assist the retreat of Hydaspes and to that end he went from squadron to squadron to exhort them all to shew themselves worthy of that good opinion which he had of them and their courage and indeed he had a confidence that they would do as heretofore they were accustomed and never forsake him Yet as he charged those who forced his men to retreat in disorder these same squadrons who promised never to forsake him nor never yet had done so were blasted with that same fear which heretofore they were wont to astonish others so that whether the multitude of their enemies did amaze them or whether the tumultuous retreat of their own side did shake their courage they forsook Cyrus so that there was no other course for him but to think of saving himself that he might save all his Army yet he would not resolve upon that course untill he was driven to the danger of being either killed or taken more then once so loath was he to retreat from his enemies who never met him but were beaten Those of his men whom fear frighted out of judgement ran away to the bottom of the Hill where all the Infantry stood as a Reserve but those who had so much courage as to look danger in the face and retain their reason stayed at a passe in the plain where there was a little blinde which did in some sort hide them Cyrus who at this time had his spirits as free and his soul as seeing as if he were in no