other side can you possibly conceive that after so many testimonies of disaffection from Euarchus the King he will be ever brought to be either entire for the Souldiers advantage or be weaned from that affection without reason he hath alwayes expressed to be in his nature for his false and ungratefull country men the Myssians in like manner with what confidence can we any more trust the actions of the wealthy City of Sardis when as they did not only refuse to open their purses to our occasions in our greatest necessities but denyed us enterance into their Towne by the perswasion of those Senators that we have now sent to banishment These things being granted to be true the next consideration ought to be had of the remedy for future prevention In the first place to compasse our designes and procure our security we must endeavour to joyne with a prevailing party in the Senate or at leastwise make them so by the Souldiers power who may passe an absolute decree to have no more Treaties with the King in regard that those hopes and feares doe not a little distract the whole Kingdome from relying absolutely upon our commands and jurisdiction as you know most necessary for the peoples safety in the next place we are totally to suppresse the interest of Dimogoras for the present and the Nobillities priviledges in the future which as I must tell you keep up such an opinion amongst all sorts of people concerning their greatnesse and stabillity that it will be a very difficult matter to act any thing either for the Kingdomes good or the Armies advantage Lastly we must not only drive the Myssian Commissioners out of our Country who only wait occasions to suck up all the benefit to themselves and Nation which the Lydians at any time shall either fight or toyle for but in some terrifying way or other procure money from the Citizens of Sardis whereby to give just and fitting content to those faithfull and loving Souldiers that have fought so many bloudy Battels and obtained multitudes of signall victories in their Countreyes behalfe against their numerous enemies Though Farezius by reason of his melancholly and silent nature made no great reply at the present to those reasons that had been delivered yet it was not many dayes after their arrivall at Sardis before an absolute decree passed the Senate that not only there should be no more Treaties or addresses made unto Euarchus concerning any agreement either in the generall or particular but it was also ordered that it should be esteemed a crime of a most high consequence for any person so much as to make tender of any proposition to that effect to the rest of the Senators there assembled which resolution was quickly published over the whole Kingdome of Lydia by a formall proclamation Of the other side Dimogoras finding both his interest in the Army and his credit with the Senators did not any way suit with his ambition and expectation upon the very apprehension as t was thought of these apparant disgraces in a very few dayes ended his life in this world however there were some that not only gave it out but believed that he had been poysoned to prevent a farther trouble and danger to the Kingdome This also gave occasion to Prince Cassianus within a very short time after to quit personally the Country of Lydia as perhaps supposing now his chiefe friend and Favourite Dimogoras was gone and the rest of the Lords not being in a capacity to support his honour and designes against the Souldiers in the Princesse Clorias behalfe it was to little purpose any longer to prosecute his pretended love Neverthelesse the Nobillity with many other of the Senators of the same faction prepared themselves to give the body of Dimogoras most stately and glorious Funerals To this intent when the day came all attired in black they met the corps with a world of ceremony and so conducted it through a multitude of people to the place ordained for that purpose where being placed according to the custome of other Generalls the flames quickly consumed the pyles whilst that which was immortall had a farther account to give concerning his actions and thoughts during his life When the Princesse Cloria understood of this strange and unexpected law not only pronounced in the Senate but published all over the Kingdome she began now to repent her of her too much beliefe given to the Kings enemies notwithstanding any perswasion whatsoever she had entertained in her thoughts and consequently had more cause a great deale to doubt her owne security having no other defence left her but what she could gather from the faithfull and wise Councells of her intrusted governesse Roxana which was the occasion that one day having for the most part spent her whole store of passion she used this kinde of despairing discourse unto her Truly Roxana said she as there might be noted at first a strong jealousie amongst the Souldiers by the strict gard set upon the Kings person so this last action makes me feare that there is some prevailing designe as well against our liberties as his dominion which we shall be scarce able to prevent by any industry or assistance for as I cannot rely much upon the Lords power by reason they have altogether lost their authority by severing their interests at the first from their Princes prerogative nothing but to comply with their own ambition and spleen so is there as little to be hoped for from the endeavours of this great and rich City of Sardis considering their late carriages when Farezius with his triumphant Army not only entered their Walls without resistance but were content to receive his absolute commands without the least dispute belonging to their long enjoyed priviledges never as yet questioned by any former Prince or power these representations being knowne and granted to be the effects of the late transactions what probabilities remaine for the recovery of my fathers rights though it should be opinionated that we our selves were out of all danger personally since the Kings party appears not to have either abillity or will to doe him good And Lydia being strongly united under the present jurisdiction what forraigne industry and endeavour soever can worke any considerable effects to his advantage considering the many brave Vessels and shipping that are alwayes ready for defence and resistance upon the Carian and Ionian shoares to oppose either sudden invasion or continued hostility When Roxana had for some time rested silent with teares in her eyes she returned her this answer Lady said she you must then give me leave to blame your superstitious modesty as I may call it in not suffering your Uncle Orsames to have performed those ceremonies belonging to your Nuptials at Memphis which perhaps in part if not totally would have prevented these inconveniences Indeed Governesse replyed the Princesse although perhaps you esteeme those decorâ—ms of fitting duty which I shall be ever ready to render
would hazzard their owne destructions so that instantly conceiving themselves no way able to resist so peremptory a command their persons were presently not onely seized but separated with a great deale of cruelty one from another to their no small griefe and amazement whilst in the interim also shee heard some of the company say that as this designe was put in execution by the authority of young Philos Philostros nephew so was it his pleasure to have her selfe carried prisoner into her fathers Kingdome of Lydia as he was resolved to dispose of the person of Narcissus according to his owne will and intentions in the Kingdome of Syria presently upon the apprehension of the dreame as shee said shee wakened with some kinde of seeming trouble more then ordinary as the people about her had informed her her Roxana finding her Mistresse notwithstanding her professions to be something discomposed either by reason of the distempers of her sicknesse or in regard of the distraction of her apprehension having belike before shee went to sleep filled her imagination with some unprofitable thoughts proceeding from the discourse of former actions or conceptions told her that as it was the greatest folly in the world if not a most supreame impiety to put any manner of confidence or beliefe in dreames unpleasant that were ingendred onely in the fancy by meere accidents meeting with the indisposition of the body so if the gods at any time had a will we should be instructed in things to come necessary to be known they would certainly send us for true information to Oracles that are not to be held fallible in any kind of the contrary the motions that proceed from our selves are for the most part governed by passions and so consequently not to be relyed upon although sometimes I cannot deny said shee but they happen accordingly though no otherwise then like as a person should cast a stone over a house and by meere fortune might kill a bird of the other side for though the stone had but that one place to light in to doe the thing yet by meere fortune it might as well light there as any where else but however this short discourse reasonably well quieted the Princesses thoughts for the present yet both shee and Roxana fell upon a resolution with all possible speed to haste their journey towards the Island of Cyprus as well for that they doubted not but to meet Narcissus to their extraordinary content and satisfaction there as of the other side not conceiving Creet to be a place of sufficient security any long time in regard of those many factions and disturbances in the country depending upon severall interests according to the relations of Dedalus the governour for besides the inconstant natures of the people with the small authority the King seemed to have by way of jurisdiction over the very actions and affaires of his own party as they were informed could they be very confident of the fidelity of the City of Pergame where they for the present remained in regard the Senate of Lydia by occasion of Trade seemed to have a kinde of hidden influence in the thoughts and affections of most of the inhabitants neverthelesse although Cloria and her governesse might have these passionate desires of removing with all expedition yet neither the distempers of the Princesse or the commodity of the Syrian Vessell that had conveyed them thither as yet afforded them the conveniency But whilst their expectations from day to day waited the opportunity Dedalus of a sudden had intelligence that the old Cretans having newly given the Myssians in their Countrey a kinde of a lesperate overthrow esteeming themselves thereby at more liberty to act as they pleased were â—arching in all hast against the Walles of Perâ—ame with an intention as 't was said to obtaine the absolute jurisdiction both of the Towne and Haven The Governour upon this after he had made the Princesse Cloria acquainted with the newes assembled the chiefe Magistrates of the City whereby not onely to take their advice but to demand their assistance however all the benefit this congregation produced towards the end he intended was to breake up the meeting in distracted councells instead of more setled resolutions for he found some were for the Senate of Lydia and the Myssians others againe declared their affections to be most inclinable for the proceedings and Religion of the ancient Natives though the third sort of people however fewest in number declared for the Princesse Cloria and himselfe but Dedalus finding he could not build his determinations upon these uncertainties wherein both the safety of the Towne and his own honour might probably suffer by reason of the protraction as also the person of the Princesse Cloria be endangered by his slownesse and neglect he quickly mustered up all the Souldiers of the Castle with such others of the Kings party in the City that were willing to obey his command with an intention according to Roxana's perswasion onely to guard and defend the Walls and the Bullwarkes of the Towne from any suddaine surpize of the Rebells not conceiving himselfe able to contend equally with them in the Field by reason of their numbers and provision no sooner was this resolution of his publickly made knowne in the generall to the people but the most part of them began with open mouthes to exclaime against his intentions calling him Traytor and coward with a thousand other words of most infamous language pretending he durst not issue out into the field to fight with the enemy for feare of his own person though it were thereby to secure all their lives and estates As this mad rage in the multitude was kindled by the Myssians faction in the City as doubting if it were not speedily prevented the old Cretan Natives might probably become masters of the place and so by consequence they should be hindred of their Trade and commerce with Smyrna and other Haven Townes belonging to the Senate of Lydia so was Dedalus forced to issue out into the Field and venture a Battle with the Rebels which he performed with so gallant a bravery that within few houres time he dislodged most of their Troopes from about and neere the walls of Pergame But three or foure dayes after thinking to returne againe into the Towne with both honour and authority he was suddainly contrary to his expectation violently opposed and denyed enterance at the gates of the City the inhabitants pretending that he onely seemed to have put the enemy to flight when he had resolved to deliver up the Towne into their hands Dedalus in the interim being enflamed with this ungratefull proceedings of his Country men resolved by power and force of armes to gaine a new entrance to his old command and to this purpose although his Souldiers were not many he began to make formall Trenches as if he intended a long and continued siege whereby againe to bring the people to their wonted and ancient obedience to
a certaine Favourite shee had not bearing with any patience was forcibly confined to heâ— Chamber whil'st her servant lost his life in the resistance Thus shee continued her imprisonment untill the Kings duty and the policy of one Philostros that belonged unto the Queene procured her agiane her liberty But Anaxia not yet content with this priviledge of being released began to cast about in her active minde how shee might be also interessed as formerly in State Affaires and to that purpose imployed Philostros as a crafty Instrument to compasse her desire who in a short time so well plaid his Cards although for his own advantage that he not onely became an intimate Councellor to the King but put his owne Mistresse cleane out of favour with her Son whereby he might have the better opportunity to manage all Court businesses himselfe since he knew shee could not but obscure or at least interrupt his greatnesse with the absolute power he intended The Queene whose courage could not easily be supprest as her wit was not to be limitted began publickly to cast all her affection upon her second Son Orestes in requitall as shee thought of the Kings disrespect to her person the onely heire apparent to the Crowne since Orsames his brother had no issue at all and to that purpose not onely gave him free liberty but powerfull assistance in his love and courtships he had long pretended to a young Lady though a stranger of great birth under her protection called Alciana whereby he might be rendred more powerfull to oppose Philostros proceedings as well in the ample kindred of the Lady as in the hope he should give the Kingdome of a plentifull posterity by her but the subtile favourite not alone apprehending the growing danger to his Master by the foresaid greatnesse of his brother since all mens eyes were cast upon him as the unquestionable Successor Orsames not being like to have children but willing also to exercise his spight against the Queens plots out of ambition not to be out-witted by a woman possest the King privately with a jealous opinion of the dangerous consequence of such a conjunction himselfe being without issue since the people would be more apt as he said to looke upon his brothers established house then his own present government When as long as he was unmarried the eyes of the multitude would be diverted to other confused objects of pretenders not absolutely setled upon any one And this was sufficient with the addition of Philostros counsell no lesse then an Oracle in the beliefe of Orsames to cause him to send for his brother and taking him aside into a private gallery began to expostulate with him in this manner Orestes said he I know you cannot be so ill natured as to forget the affection I have alwayes borne you as a brother nor doe I believe the world is not sufficiently perswaded of the care I have of you as your Prince which two tyes must draw from me both for your good and my safety rather a discreet admonition then a commanding injunction since my desire is it should be so interpreted and executed by you know then that I understand there is a private affection growing if not already gone too farre betweene you and Alciana a match I conceive neither convenient for your state or the welfare of Syria since you are not onely a great Kings sonne borne but likely to be inheritor of my Crowne and Dignity which also would distaste the whole Kingdome when your thoughts should be perswaded rather to make election of a stranger then one of your own Country since there are so many beyond her worth your regard but to avoid further expostulation and to make tryall of your obedience it being the lawes of Syria that the next heire should not marry without the consent of the Prince that you presently lay downe your affections and entertaine no new ones without my privity This I conjure you to performe both out of the love you ought to beare me as a brother and the reverence you owe me as a Prince without examining further my reasons if you meane to enjoy my smiles and not undergoe the heavy weight of my indignation and left him also at the same instant in a Sea of confusion to converse only with his unruly imaginations which continued Orestes for some time as it were frozen in his despaire untill having sufficiently tired himselfe with diversities of fancies sometimes complaining against his brothers cruelty and otherwhile cursing Philostros policy at last resolved to carry the newes to his almost lost Mistresse where after he had with many sighes and more teares laid open the Tyrannicall sentence of the King as he called it they both cast their pittifull lookes at one another as if they meant to blame themselves for the misfortune which for the present parted them like two that went to their graves never more to enjoy the comfort of each others conversation But Orestes not being long able to beare the torment of this rigid injunction flew to Anaxias affection for a redresse whom as he conceived wanted neither power nor will to assist him in his extremity and shee as quickly with compassion carried his complaints to Orsames fortified with all the reasons the prerogative of a mother could use however the absolute power of Philostros beat downe with violence her diligent endeavours pretending the safety of the King and the prosperity of Syria was to be preferred either before a brothers foolish passions or a mothers preposterous desires which onely left the enraged Queene to mutiny against her sons seeming disobedience finding how much her owne power was lessened by the growing greatnesse of him shee had preferred to maintaine it But notwithstanding Orsames consent could not be wonne to the continued loves of the young Couple yet Orestes by the helpe of his witty and indulgent mother not onely was encouraged still to prosecute his setled affection to Alciana but procured meanes oftentimes to meet his Mistresse secretly in a garden belonging to the Queenes Lodgings where their passions caused them for the most part to burst forth into these expressions O Alciana said Orestes how unjust are the Gods to debarre us from that conversation that lovers of meanest condition enjoy with abundant liberty how happy should we esteeme our selves to be said he if the open Fields were made privy to our vertuous intentions and the innocent birds called as witnesses to our frequent vowes to sing Epithalamions to our marriage Feasts O the unhappy state of Crowns so much covered and yet brings with it consuming fires of all content kindled by the raging flames of restlesse suspicion the destruction of friendship and charity How fortunate should we be deare Alâ—iana said he if a poore Cottage were the present habitation for our persons and a course bed the resting place for our loves rather then be thus fettered with the golden bands of vaine Titles falsely called priviledges that
of counsell whereby we may the better study your safety and both our freedomes and with that took her in her armes where she held her untill her loving endeavours had rockt her into a quiet slumber which continued for most part of the night by this Roxana had liberty in the mean time the better to converse with her own wit and judgement how to finde means for their speedy delivery sometimes she thought of presenting those Jewels they had concealed about them to the Admirall thâ—n to dispatch speedily a messenger into Cyprus to give notice of their condition But as the first seemed dangerous by reason it would stirre up greater appetites of further gaine in the covetous Captaine and never a whit the more secure their liberty so the other as she thought would never be granted by his suspition for feare of being discovered and consequently pursued by some great fleet These things continued her thoughts in a perplexed intricacy untill the next night following when Roxana began a little to close her eyes being tired with too much care and watching that she might suddenly perceive a woman by the help of a burning lampe softly stealing into the Cabin whose face spake beauty though her looks pretended horrour which accompanied with the uncouthnesse of the season at leastwise so interpreted by her fearfull apprehension gave her sufficient cause of doubt of some ill intentions either to her selfe or Cloria But the partie quickly finding by Roxana's countenance a suspition of her meaning abruptly saluted her in this manner after she had seated her selfe upon a little form opposite to her beds head Lady said she although you may put on wonder at my seeming preposterous approach yet I should be sorry to procure your disturbance by my presence since my intention is to doe you acceptable service though I am now designed to a worse end but first you must understand my unhandsome story for your more confidence Then know I am a Syrian born and being some yeeres past in my fathers house a rich Merchant of Damascus I fell in love with a Gentleman of the same Town of no great possessions however my passion continued so violent that I was resolved against the good will of all my friends to make him my husband in prosecution of which without much circumstance we watched an opportunity to crown our affections by enjoying one another before the ceremonious rights belonging to sacred marriage were performed in Plymens Temple which perhaps too much exasperated the Gods and caused my misfortunes For being carelesse to delude the watchfull and spightfull spies of the house of my father one night when we least look'd for his presence he was brought to be an eye-witnesse of our imbracements at which sight my lover being possessed with a desperate rage to be so surprized suddenly leapt out of his naked bed to prevent his own apprehension since the fact was no lesse then death in him by the rigid and unkind laws of Syria but being stopt at the doore by my fathers fury hee quickly flew to the protection of his sword that was not farre off his unhappy reach and seeing by no intreaty he could perswade passage he made forcible way through my fathers life so escaped all their endeavours by his present flight which as you may believe was a sufficient torment to my perplexed minde for that every ballad of the Town sung my shame and my Lovers cruelty and this quickly caused me to seek another habitation though the wealth that was left me as being heire might in some sort have bought my quiet With these thoughts I put to sea carrying along with me such moveables as I could handsomely dispose of to that purpose with an intention if it were possible in this posture to finde out the abode of my banished Lover or else in some unknown place to set up the station of mine own rest But my unhappy Fates rather reflecting upon my former crime then my present misery never left persecuting me with contrary windes and stormes untill they put me into the absolute possession of these mercilesse Pirates where ever since I have lived the abused strumpet of the Captaines lust though flattered alwaies not onely with the hope but promise of a speedy marriage these protestations continued me untill now reasonably wel satisfied but since your surprizall you must know he hath cast his burning affection upon the more rare beauty of the Princess Cloria though he dares not openly own the love because there is so strong a faction in the ship against the designe for that they put on a resolution to present the Lady to Osirus the Kings sonne of Aegypt whereby the better to procure their own pardons for those robberies they have committed upon his shore having been in time past his naturall subjects to this purpose the better to compasse though to colour his desire he hath imployed me as an instrument to your selfe supposing you have an absolute interest with the Princesse to perswade her by a disguise hee will provide to convey her selfe to morrow night out of this ship into another of more fidelity which shall carry her to a Castle belonging to his command from whence hee vows though untruly she shall be returned safe to her friends and countrey pretending he neither dares trust her or himselfe in the Aegyptian power But I finding he hath an intention to deale false with me after my dishonour I have also deceived him and made some of the contrary faction acquainted with his passions who will be sure to prevent his purposes since they doe not onely hate him for his injustice towards themselves in distributing unequally those booties which have been from time to time gotten by Pyracy but now in seeking to hinder by his private love so fortunate an occasion to procure all their pardons Scarce had she delivered thus much but the Captaine like some furious wilde beast having overheard her discourse by a private whispering place he had out of his own lodging into the other Cabine where Cloria rested came into the room with his sword drawn first killing the woman with his looks and after forced the weapon to perform the rest which not onely suddenly awakened the sweet Princess but with horrour of the spectacle soon forced Roxana out of the Cabine with fearfull shreekes that presently with a confused distraction call'd up all the company in the ship In the mean time whilst all of them were laying hold of such weapons as came next to their hands to defend themselves against they knew not what danger the Captaine addrest him to the amazed Princesse in this language Lady said he you see here plainly the force of love that can remove any obstacle that doth oppose it since the punishment of this treacherous woman by my just hand is a sufficient testimony of my violent affection But poore Cloria was so farre from understanding what he meant apprehending also the horrid spectacle of the dead
their watch by reason the place is not at all suspected Besides I have noted so much neglect of that part of the Fort that either it appeares Osirus wants Souldiers for the strong defence of the whole Town or he conceives the Castle is inpregnable of that side of Nilus Now all the feare is least the boy himselfe prove a traytor to the designe which however can but ruine my selfe and leave you in no worse estate then you are a sacrisice I shall be alwaies content to offer to render you the probability of so acceptable a service but if there cannot be found those courages in the Camp that will undergoe the danger of the attempt the Dwarfe may have a further Commission to passe into Cyprus to the Queen your mother to inform her of all the passages by which information she may use some means to protract her consent to the marriage or at least wise prevent Osiris messengers returne by causing him to be taken prisoner before hee can get to the sea-side No sooner had Roxana laid open this stratagem but Cloria as if it had been already finished profest her Governesse the onely instrument of her happinesse so far doth humane desire goe beyond all judgement governed by reason though the politick old woman notwithstanding she was willing to keep up her mistresses hopes at the highest pitch saw there were many difficulties and hazzards to passe before they could arrive at the period of their wishes not onely by reason of divers accidents that might happen to the childish messenger that was to be imployed in so dangerous a businesse but for that Osirus over-heated with his love might not continue constant to his promises and by that means easily destroy all that they had designed however Roxana omitted no opportunity for some daies to instruct the Dwarfe in the part he was to act untill her paines after a weeks space had in the dead of the night delivered him free from the Castle watch and in the morning came to give Cloria an account of her proceeding This enterprize so farre pleased the Princesse in the already successe that whilst she was dressing her selfe being in a manner free from all care and perturbation by reason of the confidence she had of the project that she desired her Governesse if she knew the story to make her acquainted with the first occasion of this warre between her uncle Orsame and Sorastros King of Aegypt since as she said the spleen seemed to be irreconcileable Truly Madam answered Roxana as the chiefe reason is ambition the most powerfull provoker of great Monarchs to enmity notwithstanding the force of any alliance or religion yet the pretext to satisfie the world is related after this manner There is said she a certain Dukedome not farre off the confines of Syria whose defects of quantity is abundantly supplied by the fertility of the soyle which besides the scituation of the Countrey lying commodiously to both their Dominions hath rendred it a subject of covertousnesse to each Prince however in my opinion your uncle had the better pretence for the quarrell for the Dukâ— of the Territory dying without heires males 〈◊〉 body the King of Armenia by the provocaâ—â—â— of Sorastros claimed the forfeiture of the Country â—as an escheate belonging to his kingdome and of the other side Orsames stood for the title of one of his own subjects who certainly had the just right in 〈◊〉 Principality though not condescended unto 〈◊〉 the other party which at last procured the raising of powerfull armies of both sides but before they could come conveniently to encounter one with another it was necessary they should passe Arabia a Countrey not onely mountainous but belonging to a Prince that as hee was neere of kin to Sorastros by former alliance so was he for the present married to a sister of Orsame which made him have a hard part to play desiring to keep an equall ballance between both these contentions untill the gods at one time took away both his care and life but his widdow quickly put his children under the protection of Orsames her brother by which means his pretention became much more fortified in so much as Sorastros had no other way to countervaile that interest but to cause the two uncles of the young Prince to lay claim to the Dominion as pretending the child not to be legitimate this imagined Title quickly made a division of all the Nobility of the Countrey some taking part with the brothers others with the young Duke whilst in the mean time both Orsames and Sorastros put in for their own interest the one pretending a jurisdiction in the Country in the childrens right as the other sought to strengthen the uncles titles which contention made the poore subjects become miserable since they were forced to sustaine the charge of the ambitious Armies and Arabia being made the Theater of the warre the walled Towns were the onely receptacles of provisions and protection for the inhabitants which appeared to be more lasting for that the victories seemed to goe by turns a long time till at last the Aegyptian forces prevailing the Princesse with the young Duke was constrained for want of timely assistance from her brother being basied in other affaires to seek refuge in one of the strongest and best fortified Cities of the Countrey where being not onely besieged but violently assaulied by the adverse party she had a taske hard enough to escape by an obseure flight in the night whilst in the interim the Town was yielded into the hands of her brothers in Law though the Castle still kept possession for the lawfull Prince the enemy by this successe appeared in a manner quite possessors of the whole Countrey untill Orsames Generall lying with his Army upon the confines of Syria necessarily to repaire the decay of his forces hearing of the prevailing progresse of the Nobility conceived it more then time to stop this overflowing current unlesse he would suffer not onely the Duke to be dis-inherited by the practices of his uncles but his master to be dishonoured by the power of the Aegyptians wherefore as desperate diseases are to be cured by extraordinary physick not so much as staying for the necessary recruit of his Army marched with a haste answerable to the greatnesse of the designe which was again to recover the lost Town that seemed principally to command the whole Country or bury himselfe and all his souldiers before those walls hee should not be able to enter At his arrivall he not onely set upon those Troops that were placed to stop his passage but gave them an intire defeat though their numbers farre exceeded those he conducted that also were accompanied with the disadvantage of being wearied in their journey having nothing but their own invincible courages to supply the defect But however this admirable esteemed victory both possessed the brave Generall of the Town and reduced many of the revolted Nobility to their lawfull obedience
disposition that death would sooner have beene entertained in her wishes then the least decorum belonging to her bashfull principles could have been omitted in her resolutions In so much as all her faithfull lover Narcissus was to expect for the present was comfortable hopes of a future fruition which soone conducted the whole company to the Castle the place designed during Orsames stay not onely for the glories of his Court but for the recreation of all the other Princes who spent the Time for the most part in casting what honours they could upon the youthfull lovers whilst in the interim Philostros was imployed in receiving and entertaining Ambassadours that from all places came to congratulate his Masters victories But of the contrary Philos Philostros Nephew began by little and little to engender dark clouds of discontent in his unquiet bosome from whence proceeded at last thoughts of hatred and revenge not onely in regard of those sparcles of love which had flown from the bright rayes of Clorias beauty but also for that he found how all mens opinions were transported beyond measure to magnifie the gallant deserts of brave Narcissus which as he believed did not a little overshadow his own former successes in the warres These distempers I say did not alone make him all day abstaine from cheerfull company but in the night time raised for the most part such extravagant fancies in his ambitious and working braine that he remained in a manner continually tormented in his rest however he endeavoured all he could to keep the passions from the knowledge of vulgar eyes or at leastwise the causes of them but as love and envy are two properties too violent to be supprest in a heart inflamed with pride and prosperity when as their effects can hardly be protracted Philos was induced after he had in a sort taken counsell of his haughty thoughts and digested them in the generall to comply with his resolutions to fall upon wicked and ignoble designes seeing no way else could possibly bring about his purposes according to his own unruly appetites And that was ' violently to destroy the innocent and vertuous loves between Cloria and Narcissus which conveniency and opportunity was granted him by reason there remained certain messengers in the City of Memphis sent from the Senate of Lydia among other troops of Ambassadours imployed to complement Orsames prosperity To this effect he made choyce of one of them not being willing to communicate his secrets to more untill he could finde a probable assurance his project should heartily be enterteined as soone as this man repaired to his presence after some usuall speeches of kindnesse and flattery he conducted him by the hand into a private Cabinet of his owne scarce visited by any person whatsoever but himselfe being loath either to be discovered or interrupted where when he had made him sit downe by him with more then ordinary familiarity he uttered his mind unto him after this sort Sir said he as you cannot but know by that prosperous progresse which Evarchus your King hath already made in his Warres against the forces of your Senate at Sardis that not onely the least assistance but any small discountenance from forraigne Princes will utterly destroy your endeavours towards the compassing of your ends in bringing him to a conformity with your intentions though the world be yet scarce acquainted with what you desire so may you by evident demonstrations perceive how farre hither unto my Uncle Philostros hath complyed with your purposes as well in rending Orsames indifferent to your proceedings both against perswasion and his own inclination as in seeming to countenance those actions of yours which not onely appeares destructive to his Tenents but in a manner is against the very honour of his family for that Hyacinthia the Queen of Lydia is as you very well know a branch of the royall house of Syria so that by these comportments it is plaine what obligations you owne the great favourite who carries with him almost the power of all Asia however perhaps you may be perswaded he hath some other designe in his heart then barely your good against which I will not dispute yet by the way give me leave to tell you that notwithstanding states-men doe not use to favour any cause or party without their owne interest to be considered in the first place yet of the other side when both benefits may goe together you ought not either to examine the reason or be any way backward to entertaine the occasion but rather with violent wings of passion flye at the prosecution concerning which when I shall have understood your determination you may know more of my mind It was something long before the Ambassadour returned him any answer at all being as it were surprized betweene feare and doubt what himselfe ought to thinke or what the other meant to doe yet at last breaking through his seeming amazement he delivered these words with a humility answerable to the necessity as he thought his Masters had of his Uncles assistance not onely to hinder any supplyes to be sent from the State of Syria to Evarchus but to continue still the accustomed commerce and Trade between the two Nations without which it was unpossible for the Kingdome of Lydia to subsist My Lord said he As it is well knowne what most glorious effects the wisedome and industry of your great Uncle have produced towards the welfare and prosperity of Syria that in former times continued so many yeers imbroyled in civill Warres and domestick Troubles by reason of the power and inconstancy of the ambitious Nobility who scarce gave their Kings rest and quietnesse from care and vexation in regard of those hereditary commands they challenged by a lasting discent from their proud Ancestors not to be bridled by any indeavours and perswasion which now I say by the gods goodnesse you have happily supprest so cannot our present and well minded Senate but in a very high nature not only owne all those signall favours bestowed upon them by your most Illustrious family in the prosecution of our late transactions with our Prince whom we still desire notwithstanding to love and honour though he seeme to be an utter stranger to our honest intentions but humbly begge a continuance still of those benefits as well by your countenance in the Kingdome of Syria as for that you have so much interest amongst all the Princes of the lesser Asia who appeare onely to depend upon your fortunes and successe wherefore since you have beene pleased so farre to declare your selfe in the behalfe of our Countrey the secret reason of which I shall no more examine then what your wisedome shall be willing to reveale to direct those services you would have us undertake to performe I doe faithfully promise before the immortall gods not onely to make my Masters acquainted with advantage how great a happinesse they may pretend unto in the conserving intirely your affection to themselves but
also in using what other meanes they can to become alwayes beneficiall to your principle And with these words offered to kisse his hands with other protestations of his own humble endeavours upon all ocasions Philos by this discourse with the seeming ernestnesse of the Ambassadour finding in a manner he might be confident of his fidelity when as also he had thanked him for such effectuall professions he began againe with him to this effect Then said Philos since I suppose you have judgment enough to understand your own good as well as to be gratefull for our benefits I will make the lesse difficulty to acquaint you with this story upon which my desires must be grounded within this great City of Memphis newly as I may say conquered by Orsames fortunes but in truth rather by Philosiros policy there remaines a Lady of our house named Artemesia whose beauty joyned with her other excellent endowments of nature if it be not folly thus to speake of a sister being considered without a spightfull partiality against the honour of our bloud may merit the highest preferment in Asia between this sister of mine I say and young Narcissus the Duke of Cyprus Son now present in these warrs there hath beene formerly a Treaty of a marriage however their few yeares and the neglectfull prosecution of their friends in those Times gave it neither birth or much motion It rested in this posture untill this late siege that Artemesia being compelled by a certaine kinde of a necessity by reason of the removall of Philostros family into the campe was compelled to accompany her great Uncle but since her arrivall at Court she not only became an ear-witness of Narcissus comportment but hath also been present at some of those archivements comportments of his which for the present hath afforded him a competent opinion in the Army whether his person or his same have most taken her fancy I will not say But these inflammations joyned with the former Treaty have created such an opinion in her thoughts that shee conceiveth her reputation to the world to be blemished if Narcissus be suffered to offer his affections to any other but her selfe without her privity and consent In the interim neverthelesse understanding that the Queene of Lydia arriving by chance upon the Island of Cyprus hath occasioned Narcissus to fall in love with the Princesse Cloria whereby she esteems her selfe slighted and dishonoured not onely in regard of the former Treaty mentioned but also in that any should appeare in this horizon more worthy of respect then the Neece of great Philostros is growne desperate in her resolution whether I may call her passions preposterous or no I will not dispute onely I may probably believe that Narcissus loves to Cloria are neither grounded upon right or reason since as our Treaty if not engagement was begun upon more mature consideration accompanied perhaps with some promises of either side so can it not ever be thought that the declining condition of Evarchus will at any time bring happinesse to the Island of Cyprus much lesse to the Duke thereof when as all the benefit he shall receive from such ambition must be the exhausting of his treasure and the endangering of his command but however he and his son may apprehend the consequence of such a conjunction to themselves yet no reason other Countreies should be debarred of their owne advantages when they shall be offered meanes to prosecute their particular It is sufficient we thinke it not convenient for your state or our kingdome which being for the most part allowed common people of never so inferiour a ranke much more is it to be granted Kings and Princes of the highest dignity If reasons of state shall breake and make marriages contracted by friends and kindred what prerogative shall be denyed enemies to exercise one against another when either danger or benefit appeares in the consequence the gods doe but unite hearts in Nuptiall Tyes for the commodity of men and certainly all generalls are to be preferred before particular Interests which being granted as a maxime and the proofe demonstrated of the good or evill in my opinion we ought not to stumble at the execution for as in my owne conscience I am satisfied in the right of our pretensions So if you may make Warre with your King because he doth not satisfie the publick without any question you may also possesse your selves of all that is his by the same Justice To this purpose therefore be advertized that as 't is resolved by the Princesse Cloria notwithstanding Narcissus violent prosecution not to make election of him or any other for her husband without the full approbation of her Mother so very probably may it be conceived that the youth will be able to pretend fairly to her love being in his owne Countrey when as he shall not onely have the commodity of sollicitation accompanied by the remembrance of all those services he hath performed for her honour and safety but also for that it may be thought by Hiacynthia your Queene that the marriage of her daughter with Narcissus may prove to be a benefit of extraordinary consequence to her husbands businesse when by that meanes shee may thinke to procure money in his Warres from the Dukes Coffers being engaged to the same quarrell in the right of his sonnes wife besides it is to be supposed or at least-wise will be so imagined by those about the Queenes person that the very interest of the Dukes power in the Island of Cyprus by reason of the numerous shipping in their Havens will upon all occasions be able to supply Evarchus necessities either with ammunition or souldiers according to the need he shall have in his intention against your Senate at Sardis and who knowes not but Cyprus is a scitâ—ation more proper for his affaires and assistance then any other Country in Asia whatsoever All which being considered though the interest of our family should not at all be concerned you cannot be thought competent States-men if you should not with all your endeavour labour a breach of this intended marriage before it be past your reach and power to prevent for probably the meanes will never againe be so fairly presented unto your resolutions The Ambassador when Philos began to take a little breath replyed that as it was the greatest part of his own duty to hearken to all designes that might any way advantage his Masters proceedings at Sardis so would he not faile in his owne particular but to contribute the best of his endeavours to render both him and his Illustrious family satisfied hoping with all as he said that the gods would largely assist to the protection of Lydia and the prosperity of Syria by such on indissolvable tye of friendship and commerce that might make Orsames give lawes to the rest of the world Philos after he had made himselfe more confident from the earnest protestation of the Ambassadour went on with this discourse in
Martiall glory of Orsames after his conquests is a spectacle not more terrifying then delightfull to common spectators that are not able to understand the Theory of his greatnesse In fine our Ladies there in assemblies want not confidence to make their beauties appeare to the most advantage and yet all is so varnished over with a bashfull modesty as if nature onely had learned an art to be best becomming In discoursing they seeme to be the fairest Syrenes without any intention at all of deceit onely by a Noble power they force men to be their captives because vertue and honour know not where again to be so well satisfied as in that imprisonment if our lawes and policies be observed they rather teach preventions by their thretned severity and wise cautions then have any intention in their constitutions either to destroy or circumvent people all which being considered I see no reason why your excellent vertues accompanied with an age not yet exceeding eighteene should want those justifiable ambitions as not violently to covet against all obstacles such rareties that can onely bestow upon you lustre and greatnesse when as the contrary perhaps will render you lesse famous then you are for nothing but because you have not yet tasted personally of those perfections in Syria granting in your owne particular you are already furnished with them in a large measure beyond other people but perchance you may say you have not onely seen Damascus already in passing by but the glory of Orsames in these Warres which I must tell you is no other then to behold beauties in the night or the King in his eclipsed splendor all which my Lord I onely say to give my selfe the greater happinesse by enjoying still your company not knowing but these motives might divert your present intentions from Cyprus with that excellent Lady the Princesse Cloria whom you seeme to conduct which office I cannot deny but in it selfe is a most supreame happinesse but since it may be conceived both the Dake your Father and the Queene her Mother would be glad of the occasion in their owne persons to visit Orsames Court me thinks you may have reason enough to alter your resolution when he had done Narcissus answered him in this manner O Sir said he you are mistaken a stronger influence a great deale draws both my thoughts and person into the Island of Cyprus then all those rarities you have numbred up in the Kingdome of Syria since one perfect carbuncle by whose light I must saile is more worth then a thousand other stones of lesse vallew And if you would behold beauties indeed look upon the faire Lillies and Roses in Cloria's cheekes whose dainty mixtures in the whole appeare to be a sweet and heavenly garden composed of such flowers that the earth cannot paralell either in tast or colour whilst her faire eyes are two powerfull sunnes of equall brightnesse that can illuminate all places of the world alike though never so much darkned by natures malice if shee but there vouchsafe her presence her perfections I say are bookes sufficiently instructive to teach the world knowledge and science in which are to be daily read multitudes of severall varieties of that excellency that greatest Doctors know not how to define them but in loves Academy when shee moves you may behold a certaine shining throne of sanctity whereon are placed Altars in abundance whereon are onely Sacrifices offered to her selfe of wounded hearts that need compassion when as in the interim her musick when shee pleaseth charmeth mortals with a ravishing delight to such extasies of pleasure and content that they seeme to be ambitious of no other happinesse you speake of glorious victories gained by your powerfull Armies when as every looke of hers is able to conquer whole Nations without resistance and Favourites to Kings must of necessity become slaves in those Triumphes These last words could not chuse but reflect upon Philos apprehending that either Narcissus had some inckling of his intentions or that a divine inspiration had secretly instructed him in his thoughts and desires wherefore at the instant he began to blush with a certaine kinde of inward guilt that proceeded from his apprehension rather then his judgement for the gods knew Narcissus onely spake by the meer instigation of his owne partial affection produced from the flames of his constant and vertuous love hearing Philos utter such vanicies in commendation of his owne Country to the disparagement of all other places But how this discourse or rather Dialogue would have beene concluded betweene them can not well be determined since a great Panther belonging to those deserts lying secretly in certaine shrubs by the side of a poole not onely for the present interrupted them but violently flew upon Philos as he rid along with Narcissus which quickly overturned both him and his horse to the apparent danger and hazzard of his life but that Narcissus having a small hunting speare in his hand quickly stroke the beast so fortunately in the brest that the blood soon followed the wound in great abundance however the furious or I may say rather valiant creature seemed so little to be discouraged by the stroake that with an appearing outward rage to finde himselfe so assaulted contrary to his expectation looking first upon Narcissus as if he either challenged him with unkindnesse or ingratitude for having attempted him without any provocation and then turned his eyes againe upon Philos as if yet he made some question in his thoughts whether he should release his seeming conquered Captive or be revenged upon his injurer at last flew at Narcissus with such a spight and violence as not onely put him to his best defence but undoubtedly had prevailed exceedingly to his prejudice if Philos had not hastily disingaged himselfe from the inconveniency of his fall and made hast to his assistance as fearing else his owne death might follow which soone obliged them all three to a most sharp and desperate combat And however the Panther received multitudes of wounds by their industry insomuch as it was unpossible for him to escape destruction yet with his clawes seising by chance upon the left arme of Narcissus he made in it so deep an impression that he tore part of the flesh from the bone shewing that he was even ambitious of revenge in his last end for presently in a staggering manner not having strength sufficient remaining to support any longer his owne body which one might perceive his courage was loath to confesse he fell backward upon his taile and so rested for a great space panting and blowing with open mouth but both Narcissus and Philos not being very willing to complement with his intentionall fury gave him so many other stroaks in all parts that not long it was before they left him for dead in the interim many of the hantsmen comming into the place but the beast as if he yet retained some vigoar or malice in his heart notwithstanding for a
absolutely destroy those felicities that onely nature and reason should delight in doe we eate or sleepe better because we are great and mighty or can all the passionate acquisitions of the earth in honour and dignity render us healthfull if we be diseased or make us fall backe one yeare from our age either to grant us more vigour or longer being will not the fast comming on of that allotted time by the divine powers mingled with gray haires and wrinkles soone put a period to all those vapours of delight which we rather imagine then possesse though we sho â—ld live to the uttermost date of all mortality of the contrary the gods onely know by what accident we may be cut off before that expectation can be performed to an eternall forgetfulnesse perhaps both of us and our actions O sacred truth if not religion said he let me here invoke your productions to accompany hence forward all my intentions with that power and assistance may make me at leastwise to act temperately in what I goe about with these thoughts though not setled determinations within a while he fell asleep and so continued untill the cheerefull morning brought unto his chamber window the Sun being the bright governor of the day that soone dispersed from his imagination all those melancholy vapours of the night that had set before his more recollected fancy the lively representation of his owne condition insomuch as he not onely againe flew from his pious thoughts but was content to perswade at last his understanding that as the businesse in it selfe was not of any wicked nature in regard of the interest of Crownes and Kingdomes that seemed to claime priviledges and maximes above all morality and religion so was it unpossible for him since the Ambassador of Lydia was himselfe departed from Memphis to frame any probable way for prevention without indangering his uncles honour upon which as he pretended depended the whole welfare and absolute prosperity of Syria These flatteries I may say made him resolve to let the young lovers to run their owne hazard rather then endanger such an inconveniency to fall upon his family so apt are men in worldly honours happinesse to entertain all unjust chimeras that ticklâ— up those indulgent apprehensions that only correspond with sense and appetites Thus again was he confirmed in his untoward faith made up only by his own desires without any Counsell at all of vertue so that with the same garbe and greamesse as he was accustomed not onely went out of his chamber attended by multitudes of flattering suitors but according to the dissembling custome of that policy which properly belonges to the actions of States-men he salluted every person he met with severall voluble complements that were of force sufficient to have made them believe they had absolutely his heart in all their petitions if experience had not taught them oftentimes the validity of favourits words however they were to comply in countenances as he did in language which continued all things in a seeming calme in the Court of Orsames untill the two young lovers Cloria and Narcissus could be no longer perswaded to stay by the alluring enticements magnificences and pleasure of the same wherefore as a couple of gallant ships were provided for their transportation since for the honour of Syria it was not held convenient one vessell should containe both their persons though the lovers themselves were not well pleased with the ceremony so Orsames himselfe would needs accompany them from Memphis to the sea side In the way they were met by divers petty Tryumphes from those Townes as they past downe the River of Nilus which however protracted the time longer then Cloria and Narcissus desired not onely in regard of their owne passionate desires to be in the Island of Cyprus where they might have the opportunity to prosecute the period of their wishes according to their dictates of love and engagements but for that they both knew also their affectionate parents waited for their arrivall with a most violent zeale having beene a long time before hand by themselves advertized of their comming So that after something a long tedious journy because they so esteemed it they arrived at the last Haven in Aegypt where the faire and gallant prospect upon the sea gave their eyes no bounds but what the maine Ocean was content to afford them which proved delightfull enough in regard they had been so long a time shut up between other varieties As this gave some period to their wishes of imbarking suddenly for the Island of Cyprus so the chiefe Nobility of the Court appeared discontented at the resolution for if the men honoured and took a singular contentment in Nancissus Noble vertues his gallant presence being accompanied with youth and valour so had the Ladies of Memphis no small delight and satisfaction in Clorias affable conversation who had accompanied her in her journey since she had not so much pride in her disposition as to be either humorous or neglectfull although she never wanted a sufficient Majesty in her carriage to make her selfe reverenced of all according to the dignity of her person to say the plaine truth she had a familiarity that perswaded love from the meanest however she never failed to procure respect from the highest And however many crosses had rendred her thoughts inwardly something musing neverthelesse the greamesse of her discretion alwaies so tempered the prejudiciall properties of it that those inclinations of melancholy were never visible but to her governesse Roxana in her own private Cabinet when they entred seriously into confideration of their fortunes which a certain kind of necessity sometimes seemed to exact from them both if at all she appeared a little amazed at her frequent disasters it was rather a mark of her extream innocency then any courage she wanted to sustaine her losses as it were in a manner not believing that it was possible for people to be so wicked and the gods still to continue entirely patient These are the attributes if not much more that all indifferent tongues and pens must give her And the Syrians in the generall were loath to send away out of their own possession such perfections into another Countrey which they esteemed farre lesse worthy then their own or rather that she accompanied with those excellencies should be lost from their society and expectation which I must confesse made her faire person aptly to be likened to a rich enameled case all set over with Diamonds and other precious stones that notwithstanding within contained a picture that was not to be valued by any estimation onely some sympathy remained by a divine determination between the two lovers for as she was pleased by her very election to paralel with her selfe Narcissus so he could love no other ever but excellent Cloria In this posture I say when they came to the sea side in the interim the King leading Cloria by the hand the sweet Princesse with
a few beautifull teares in her faire eyes being as it were loath to depart though she desired nothing more then to be gone fell down presently upon her knees with a certain gentle intermixture of griefe made up between sorrow and bashfulness which however it for some space hindred her expressions yet at last she took her leave of her great Uncle in these words May all the gods send you Sir said she both victory in warre and prosperity in peace untill the very world grow old with your fame but the King quickly stopt her imprecations by two or three loving kisses imprinted upon her faire lips which kept in the other part of her discourse Whilst Narcissus in another place with a smiling countenance as it were besieged by multitudes of embracements dispatched his complements as fast as he could since he imagined they gave his thoughts scarce any thing but trouble and impediment in that already all his wishes and desires were directed to another region which seemed more violently to carry his ambition then the Southerne windes that attended at present to drive them out of the haven onely he appeared yet something unsatisfied when he remembred that his love was to be transported in one ship and he in another by the rigid rules of honour belonging to the Syrian Nation When they had been conveyed after all their complements by many of the Nobility into the gallant vessels that lay some distance from the shore the Trumpets of either side sounded their departure as if they intended to summon the gods to bestow a blessing upon the voyage when presently the sailes being displaied and the pendants and colours let fly to the best advantage they lanched into the dâ—epe where Neptune againe seemed most willing to take their protection since scarce a wave moved other then gently to give them any manner of distâ—rbance Thâ—s in a kind of a certain supposed tranquillity by reason of the calm they sailed for at least twelve houres as it were playing with the winds and contemplating the waters and the more pleasant and satisfactory it was in regard of the sea-mens sometimes casting out their nets to catch fish for the delight of the Princesse and the rest of her attendants Whilst the company imployed their thoughts with these entertainments the Marriners began to feare a change of the weather as well for that many Dolphins appeared oftentimes to shew themselves above the waves an indubitable signe esteemed of a storm as also for that the wind of a sadden had altered its station a great deale more Eastward which as they perceived diverted their course from the Island of Cyprus and carried them directly towards Crete the other ship in the interim where Narcissus was seemed to be at some distance having got the start of them by reason of those sports the Marriners had presented to the Princesse Neither were their expectations long deceived for presently they might observe not onely certain black clouds to unite together suddenly in the East but the winds began already to bluster with something an open mouth As this warned the Princesse Cloria to retire into her own Cabinet so the Marriners busily imployed themselves to put their ship in a posture against all accidents being the more precipitate in their intention for that it wanted not much above an hower to night The storm increasing Cloria within a short time not being able longer to brooke the tossing and rolling of the seas cast her selfe down upon her bed to take off as she imagined the distempers and incommodities of her indisposition in which posture notwithstanding her fancy proved as well disturbed as her body since both the cracks of thunder with the uncouth whistling of the windes in the night season became a great deale more unpleasant to her apprehension However she was tied to those observances untill it should please the gods either to calme the seas or put them in more security But it should seem neither her prayers nor her companies wishes were able at all to prevaile with the divine powers so farre as to make them in opinion confident of their own safeties Untill at last it was necessary not onely to take down all the chiefe Tacklings belonging to the ship but also the main Mast it selfe desiring they might rather commit their fortunes and preservation to the mercy of the seas then any more rely upon the windes curtesie and gentlenesse since they could not cast in their Ankors to any effect by reason the water was so deep and their Cables as they knew not strong enough to sustaine the force of the tempest which seemed rather to increase in violence then to give them hopes of abatement In this danger and perplexity they continued many hoâ—res the gallant vessell all the while being tost from one billow to another as if the waves intended to shâ—w to the heavens by their lofty motion how much they disdained and scorned any controle whilst the ship notwithstanding with a brave kind of fortitude seemed still to contend against the rudenesse of their malice in so much as however being rather desperately wounded then absolutely overcome she made her way through the seas with incredible celerity in regard of the strength and highnesse of the wind though she wanted both her Sailes and Masts but the Pilots not being able to inform themselves which way she steered her course by reason a thick mist had over-clouded the superficies of the water were put again into new doubts lest they might fall upon some rocks to their ruine though there was no remedy for as all was to be left to the hazzard of the seas so their trust in supernaturall mercies was to be their chiefe comfort notwithstanding this more then desperate danger poore Cloria seemed in her inward thoughts to be more solicitous for Narcissus safety then for her own preservation as it were invocating privately the pure heavens to that purpose whilst the rest of the company sent out their prayers also to the gods in their own behalfes It was about noon the next day before the windes abated when the Marriners informed the Master they spied some land at a good distance the skie having suddenly cleared much of its darknesse And not long after they might perceive many shallops upon the seas belonging to poore fishermen casting their Nâ—ts into the water As this gave them all sufficient cause of joy and encouragement so did they presently let out the long-boat that they had drawn in to the ship during the storm with intention to enquire of those people not onely neere what coast they remained but how they might by their directions provide in the best manner they could for their conveniency of landing whereby to repaire their vessell It was not halfe an houres time before the boat again returned with this information that as the land they were neere was part of the Island of Creet so not above halfe a daies saile from that place was the faire
bodies capable of such labour and activity as might enrich the Countrey if their mindes were answerable to their composure and making but they are so extreamly lazy and proud by nature that as they had rather beg or steale then worke or take paines so doth the soyle wholly upon the matter lie unmanured rather chasing in forraigne parts any servile office whatsoever then they will make the best of their own livings and estates at home in their own Countrey whilst their wives and families also in the interim are content to seek out new and strange fortunes with whole troops of attendants not omitting neverthelesse the least part of those ceremonies that belong to persons of the greatest quality although every night they lye in barnes and in the day feed scarce upon any thing that can afford nourishment to their appetites The women may be said to be rather chaste by nature then that they can give any reason in their own thoughts why they are honest at all for that commonly they sleepe altogether without any distaste in the general or the least shew of jealousie in the particular a laudable property incident to most barbarous Nations however perhaps meerly proceeding from want of luxurious enticements that use to enflame lusts in dispositions The men are valiant enough in the warres of other countries but whether by constraint or nature I will not say since at home it is most apparent they even want courages to defend their wives and children rather trusting to their own craft and subtilty in circumventing their enemies then any way desiring with their swords in their hands to oppose perhaps thinking it a folly where they any way can get advantage to complement about honour for no people in the world hate with a more unrelenting spight or revenge by a more hidden cruelty When they goe to the wars whole Troops and families follow to accompany their friends out of kindnesse though their intentions for the most part are thereby to pillage camps of either side according to the fortune of the day Concerning their religion though they doe exactly adhere to the ancient rules of Delphos and that with a seeming zeale outwardly yet seldome or never perform they those rights with an intention to observe any morality in so much as it may be said they rather use such cermonies because they will not change customes then that they hope to receive absolute benefit by them in this manner being content to suffer themselves to be flattered onely with an opinion they doe well when they will not take any care at all to be better satisfied In conclusion they love to talke of lands and possessions withheld injuriously from their right but never attempt any means probable to come to them againe And this Lady being as neer as I can guesse the truest character of our common people I shall againe returne to the prosecution of our story As I said before after the Kings of Lydia by many defeats given to some of the principall of the Nobility that esteemed themselves Princes in Authority and command if not in Titles and right had setled an absolute Monarchy in the Island by degrees the people were brought into a kind of slavish condition since they conceived they were fitter to be made obey then to command not onely in regard of their lack of knowledge and constancy in the generall but also for that the governours perceived that however they wanted sufficient industry to mannage the Councells as well as their lawes in their own Countrey yet they had spight enough against the jurisdiction of strangers It was sufficient they did not affect other Nations and therefore could not love the Lydians insomuch as notwithstanding the apparent benefit they found by practising and using the Lydian customes in many things concerning the sowing of Corne and the like they rather chose to undergoe the penalty for their not putting them in execution then they would in any kind subject themselves to those laudable and profitable observations as if their pride appeared sufficiently satisfied in not seeming willing to follow that which certainly was the best for no reason but that it was prescribed them however I must say the Noble men in the generall were not onely for the most part very much civillized but extreamely affected to the Crowne of Lydia as knowing from thence were brought learning riches and education though some great persons amongst them notwithstanding rather endeavoured to head many barbarous factions out of I cannot tell what manner of sordid ambition then they would either come to Court themselves or seeme to hold any friendly correspondency with any of those that did though they were of the same bloud and kindred with themselves which not onely raised many jealousies amongst the Nobility in the particular but alwayes caused a great Court suspition concerning the affections of the Nation in the generall so that those that for the most part attended upon the person of the Kings in Lydia notwithstanding their continuall industry to doe their Princes service were looked upon with no eyes of favour and grace by reason of this unpolished ambition of those Lords that still addicted themselves to the old Cretan manners as it were loving it for no other cause but that it seemed to thwart and contradict the Lydian customes This pride indiscreetly executed at the first I say created jealousies in our Princes which againe returned hatred to us wherefore as the wisedome of councellours thinking to provide against rebellions would never make choise of any of the natives for governours so the natives thinking themselves dishonoured thereby were unwilling to obey such Commanders set over them upon this followed complaints on all sides And many of our Lords not dring to dispute the right of their justifications in Lydia oftentimes forbore to appeare upon summons so that advantages being made of their feare rather then knowledge of their crimes their estates became confiscated for their omission which of necessity enflamed their hearts to thoughts of more disloyalty untill at last their spleen joyning with the humours of the people who had not much to lose because they would possesse but little made them at last fall into an open Rebellion which for some yeares filled our Country with bloud and slaughters But now Madam said be as I have but hitherunto presented you with a glasse whereby you may the better understand the story I am to tell so shall I in as briefe a way as I can repeate unto you not onely the occasions as I conceive of the late Tragedies acted in this poore and unfortunate Island but also make you acquainted with the very realities themselves to this purpose I must say in the raigne of a late Queene of Syria a woman endowed with admirable gifts of nature as also had a spirit answerable thereunto whereby shee seemed to give her undertaking countenance fell out both with the Arch Flamin of Delphos and the great King of Egypt at
the same time the first shee pretended usurped an unjust Authority over her Subjects and dominion as the other shee alledged too ambitiously endeavoured an universall Monarchy over all Princes these differences likely to goe into some desperation betweene these mighty persons and the Queene gave causes sufficient of admiration to all these parts of Asia and the rather for that as they could not well comprehend how such a masculine courage could be in a woman so did they as little know in what manner shee would defend these extraordinary breaches but experience quickly made them see shee not onely intended but prosecuted her intentions with all vigour for as shee absolutely abolished within a short space all the jurisdiction of Delphos out of her Kingdoms so did she within a while after give the King of Aegypt such overthrows by sea that scarce could he in many yeers recover his losses In the interim whilst these contentionswere acting with no smal violence of all sides to the contentment if not amazement of many other Princes that esteemed the differences a king of safety to themselves The unwise Island of Creete believing they might again recover either all or some part of their lost priviledges pretending they were obstructed in their religion not long after entred into open rebellion To tell you that the maine motives of their risings proceeded from the instigations of Aegypt and Delphos is not an improbable conjecture since as the one in a ceremonious assembly of Flamins declared the Queen an accursed enemy to his rights and jurisdiction so did the other send Forces into Creet to strengthen the people in their pretentions which however these assistances seemed not to prevaile entirely against the Queens governours in the Island yet apparently they procured her officers so many disturbances from time to time that however shee neither failed them with supplies or was wanting to them in counsels yet for many yeeres together the rebels kept a considerable body in the field in despight of all the Queens forces In this manner these contentions continued many yeeres for as the Queen seemed with majestick spleene to be enflamed with her subjects disobedience so were her subjects in their rage animated by messengers sent from Delphos to put them alwaies in minde of their religious obligations whereunto being added their hate to the Lydian government and the confidence they had of Aegypts assistance they seemed oftentimes to have received a new spirit of valour contrary to their nature and custome however for the most part they rather made use of their subtilty in sending out small parties to circumvent and entrap the enemy then being willing at any time to hazard in the field a main battell to decide the controversie which was the reason the warre was so long prolonged with severall suceesses of either side for as the Creetans had the advantage of perfectly knowing the country amongst woods and bogs so had the Lydians a great deale the better in their conduct and resolution but which way soever businesses went as the rebels were conducted by a Nobleman of the Nation whose family and name was as great amongst the people as his spleen and courage was against the Queen so became the State of Lydia exceeding weary of the warre being most certaine the money disbursed in the contention would never by any conquest she could make of the Island be again repayd into her coffers wherefore after some deliberation it was resolved to send over a principall Favourite of the Queens whereby to put the sooner an end by his authority and fidelity to those chargeable and bloudy differences that not onely destroyed her people in the Island of Creete but disquieted her own government in the Kingdome of Lydia and the rather was it so determined for that she had been perswaded that the souldiers of her army in this Island lengthned the warre on purpose for their own benefit and command knowing when that should be once absolutely finished their esteeme at court would fall with their want of imployment in the field but contrary to her expectation this favourite of hers having more ambition then foresight since he was sent away onely by his enemies to separate him from the Queenes person as also being more vain-glorious in his thoughts then experienced in his yeeres and so consequently not having much knowledge either of the Countrey or the enemy after a most vast expence of money and nothing in a manner acted against the Rebels he returned again into Lydia with disgrace and dishonour which at last by reason of his subtill adversaries practices that undermined him in the Queens favour he lost his head upon a scaffold by the common Executioner in whose place notwithstanding such a brave personage was sent that in a very short space reduced the Rebels to so much necessary reason both in their persons and estates that they offered quietly to submit to mercy without either condition or contention This being entertained and the people ready in all places to lay down armes the Queen her selfe suddenly changes her own habitation here for a more lasting one in another world that made all things at a stand for a time But as Euarchus father met with no opposition in that possession that belonged unto him with so much justice so upon his first entrance into Lydia hee was presented with an absolute submission not onely of the great Noblemen of our Island that had for many yeeres contended with the Queen but also of all his party that were neither few in number or penurious in fortunes Neverthelesse although this King was mercifull enough in his disposition as well to pardon all faults as to forget former disaffections yet the hungry Missians his naturall countreymen perceiving that the forfeitures of the Island of Creete by reason of the late rebellions were not of valew to be returned back again to the owners without some profits made thereby and finding the scituation and fertility of the countrey able to make full reparation to their greedy stomacks for the defects and sterility of their own habitations not onely perswaded the King that his act of mercy would prove of dangerous consequence to rebellious dispositions hereafter but obtained at his hands so many grants of possession in this Island that gave them sufficient conveniency and authority to transport a great part of their own people hither where being established after a while with peace and security by their industry joyned together with their power they soon outed most of the inhabitants of their estates and at last took from all in generall both their liberty and religion in so much as many ancient families were either turned a begging in their own Countrey or forced to seek servile offices in other parts for subsistance This must say is the common allegation of the natives and in part true although I must confesse much of their miseries proceeded from their lazy dispositions as I have formerly said that would not
the passages cannot be but something delightfull to your fancy I shall make bold to presume upon your patience since truly they are both admirable and almost past all beliefe Know then that Cassianus at his being at the Court of Lydia though his businesse in outward view seemed to pretend to nothing but the procuring assistance from the King to regaine his lost Countrey of Iberia yet secretly I must tell you he fell in love with the Princesse Cloria which however he durst not discover In this posture he continued between hope and despaire untill the arrivall of the old Queen Anaxia as he believed drowned all his encouragements in a vast Sea of impossibility for that she brought with her in her journey certaine propositions full of honour and benefit to Evarchus Court from the King of Aegypt concerning a marriage betweene the faire Princesse and his Son and Heire Osiris which caused Cassianus that night when all the world was imployed about the triumphant sports that were designed for the entertainment of the Queen of Syria to leave Lydia belike being put on to those resolutions by his melancholly apprehensions which however as you very well know so enflamed the whole Kingdome by the spightfull practises of factious Dimogoras joyned with the crafty insinuations of others of the same interest that it proved a maine occasion that since hath disquieted the King in his government But Cassianus himselfe who had left Lydia ingendring certaine blacke clouds of malignant vapours that afterwards became furious stormes of bloud and slaughter though I cannot say he was any way guilty in their effects for Princes Titles and interests are oftentimes abused to sinister ends and purposes retired in person under the jurisdiction of an ancient Forrest not many dayes journey from the Court where sometimes he privately lived delighting his solitary intentions with the exercise of hunting and other rurall delights which those pleasant woods and that fruitfull Countrey plentifully afforded his nature and fortune but not long it was before Hyacinthia our Queen also by reason of the inflamations of Lydia was forced to quit her Husbands Kingdome by which accident as you know she met in that place with the company of her banished brother Candalus outed in like manner of all his happinesse by the powerfull authority of Philostros great favourite to Orsames As most of these passages were within the compasse of your owne intelligence which I have related onely for my stories better method so now I shall presume to informe you of such particulars as you have not yet heard of for Cassianus remaining as I said in the delightfull Forrest and going under the borrowed and abbreviated name of Cassa being disguised in the habit of a young huntsman upon the Queenes arrivall presented himselfe to your view though not to your knowledge by which encounter he was encouraged againe to prosecute his old love almost laid asleep by time and separation to the Princesse Cloria since the conveniency as he thought could not be bettered and in that manner resolved to wait upon the Queen undiscovered into Syria Neverthelesse in that intended voyage as you know both himselfe and Eumenes suffered shipwrack however Cassianus though the other perished by the prospitiousnesse of the heavens escaped in a manner miraculously the desperate danger of the Sea and entered into such adventures as scarce can be paralleld for his body being supported upon a flat chest full of Jewells belonging to himselfe by the onely flowing of the water was carried into certaine Nets belonging to poor fishermen who finding a young man full of beauty though almost dead by the violent agitation of the waves after they had recovered some life in him presented him to a Lords daughter of the Country called Brisania as a subject worth her best compassion but the Lady whether taken with the youth and beauty of her patient or having an inclination to affect that she had once preserved of a sudden fell in love with his lovely person since she had no motives to be inticed by the knowledge of his Titles he having concealed himselfe the better to performe his intended journey into Syria and this love at last from small sparcles began to encrease to a great flame though for a long time Cassianus was not informed of the Ladies passions for her virgin modesty ever supprest the declaration of that which shee had much adoe to hide untill the secret fire was discovered by the sharp sight of another Suitor that had already procured the good will of her Father for their future marriage notwithstanding another Rivall by a more noble love contended with the former for preheminâ—nce In the interim that these intricate affections seemed to act severall parts the old Lord by his unexpected death left his faire daughter to inherite rather misfortune then jurisdiction For Fridius her hated Lover being so called presently seized both upon her Person and Country pretending that her Father in his last will had instituted him the sole governour of her Minority least she might endanger both her honour and safety by some inconsiderable match resolving withall to make Cassianus a Sacrifice or a Petitioner to compasse his ends to which purpose he caused him publickly to be accused that he intended to have betrayed the Towne and Conutrey to a forraigne power under pretence of freeing Brisania from prison who seemed also to have consented to the practice whereby to have procured her own releasement And this being falsely laid to his charge he was unjustly condemned however Fridius suspended the execution untill he had not onely againe attempted the Ladies consent to his offered Love but procured Cassianus who went by the borrowed name of Cassa to be himselfe a Sollicitor in his suit which opportunely gave Brisania occasion instead of granting Fridius his request to discover her own love but Cassianus became rather confused then pleased at this discovery since the hazard of his own life could but purchase the acceptance in so much as onely with a sorrowfull courtship he entertained her discourse however she gave him leave to depart and carry her peremptory denyall to the proud Tyrant Neverthelesse poore Cassa was to be made the object of his spleen since Brisania would not be the subject of his love for some few dayes after he was brought to a publicke scaffold erected before the Castle window where Brisania remained that she might be the better witnesse of the bloudy Tragedy intended Cassa appeared in a mourning habit becomming the sadnesse of his present condition but much more clouded in his sorrowfull countenance that shewed his dejected minde though his beauty had yet so large a possession in his person by the opinion of the people that he seemed a Sun shaded in a dark skie that notwithstanding shot forth bright beames under the blacke coverture And in this manner was lead to the Theater of death in the view of the people who accompanied him all the way with their
by little and little cast downe her lovely lookes upon the ground Saxanius instead of delivering his judgement concerning Brisania's plea put in execution his intended decree by a gentle kisse upon her faire lips which gave the people sufficient intelligence of his thoughts so that the marriage became presently solemnized to the content of all the standers by but more specially to themselves whose happinesse could not fully be apprehended but in the fruition onely And this Madam I say is the delightfull though intricate story of Cassianus adventures since his departure out of Lydia which he was pleased to signifie in waiting under his own hand however to none but to his faithfull friend and chiefest counsellour Dimogoras But now that I have entertained your eares with these strange though pleasant passages as I may say seemingly rather miracles then accidents I shall come neerer a great deale to your concernments This intelligence of the safety of the Prince you must know enflamed the thoughts of Dimogoras whereupon he began to consider if a marriage could be compassed between Cloria the Kings daughter and Casstanus it would undoubtedly not onely strengthen his own greatnesse but exceedingly fortifie all manner of contentions of the Senate with Euarchus the King since by this means his daughter should not be matched to any forrain Prince that might give her father assistance but rather by degrees would be wrought to be an enemy to his pretentions and desires With these considerations he went presently to the Senate whereby to make them acquainted with the intelligence he had received To this purpose being sat in the Councell he uttered this kind of speech with as much eloquence as his naturall roughnesse and want of education could deliver My Lords said he as it is most evident the gods have hitherunto prospered our attempts in a most admirable manner to the wonder of all Asia so of the other side may we againe behold a kind of miraculous influence depending upon those accidents signified unto you by Prince Cassianus Letters These things being considered I see no reason nay I may boldly affirme there is a great deale of piety in the resolution both belonging to the service of the gods as also towards the establishing of our own affaires to endeavour all waies possible to unite the persons and affections of Cloria the Kings daughter and Cassianus the advent'rous Prince in such indissolvable ties of love and marriage that may not onely render them happy themselves but secure us from all feare of a forraigne conjunction that undoubtedly would disorder if not destroy that work we have already wisely begun and hope shall fortunately end in this Kingdome For my part I must confesse I doe almost tremble yet when I consider in how great a hazzard our affaires stood before your Admirall surprized the Princess at Pergame for that the alliance intended between herselfe and Narcissus could not have been other than ominous when as of the other side we are most assured to sinde Cassianus upon all occasions not onely aâ—furtherer of our designes but a lover of our persons Perhaps you may be a little startled with the doubts that Cloria will scarce be brought to think of such Nuptials but truly these are meely frivolous considerations in comparison of benefits of States and Kingdoms wherefore I say If she cannot be perswaded to yield her consent by the influence of his Courtship she must be compelled by your power and authority So that my opinion is that Cassianus be presently sent for not onely to put in execution with all expedition what we shall determine for our own happinesse and the Kingdomes welfare but also to be honoured and maintained by our loves and affections according to our former resolution and promises Let it suffice there seemeth already a sympathy in their yeers beauty and religion and what wauts of Titles and possessions our authorities wust make up to be supplied according to accidents and occasions for that in point of honour as I intimated before we are obliged by many promises not onely to settle this injured Prince againe in his lost dominions but to render him as happy as we can by our endeavours This oration being delivered with more violence then rhetorick he sat down in his place expecting the issue which produced not onely severall discourses but much seeming contention in regard of divers and sundry interests yet Dimogoras with others of the same faction so farre prevailed at last that it was absolutely decreed that Cassianus should with all expedition be sent for with an assurance of the intended match between him and the Princesse Cloria When Creses had made an end of thus much of his discourse he refted silent as it were expecting some kind of reply from Roxana but finding the old woman at leastwise troubled if not something confounded at the relation he began anew with her in this manner Truly said he it were a kind of disservice onely to mention dangers to torment your apprehension and not at the same time to-propund remedies that might probably cure the disease which would turn all my professed curtesies into nothing but causes of jealousie and suspition Wherefore Madam as the time that will be given for the solicitations of Cassianus cannot be long his arrivall being expected every houre many weeks being past since he was sent for to Sardis so must you speedily resolve upon the prevention unlesse you are willing to comply with the Senates intentions In short be your thoughts and resolutions what they will I make bold to assure you if you dare but give sufficient confidence to my promises or doubt not my capacity to perform them to deliver the Pincesse Cloria and your selfe free from your present imprisonment which being effected you may retire under the protection of Euarchus the King at Philadelphia yet I must leave the particulars to further discourses when I may be assured of your resolutions but if neither my designe or faith please you for that perchance I seem to be at present what notwithstanding I intend not to be many daies I must conjure you not to discover these motions to any but to your Lady which is a justice I hope your honour and goodnesse cannot deny me It was a question whether this story and offer did more amaze or content Roxana since as she did not expect the one so she could not hope for the other notwithstanding with few circumstances and a great deale of thanks she entertained his motion confirmed with her strong protestations of all their gratitudes to that service he should perform which was enough to part them at present by reason of the passion the old woman had to inform the Princesse Roxana although she acquainted her Mistresse with these pleasing propositions who apprehended them sent by the gods for their good yet she resolved in her thoughts to enquire after the party and his interest by which she intended to lay the ground of those Councels she
produced sparkles as they believed to set on fire the youthfull Tinder of my heart yet of the other side it left not an absolute despaire in their opinions that at last I might be warmed by their motions neverthelesse for that time the coldnesse of my answer changed the subject of our discourse to other talke that I confesse I approved of which with many varieties continued us untill the evening warned us to depart and brought us to our old habitation where at our arrivall we found a Messenger newly come from Damascus attending to certifie Philos that his great uncle Philostros was taken suddenly with a dangerous sicknesse insomuch as many of his Physicians very much doubted of his recovery but however he concealed the news from all the house yet the next morning very early it caused him to take his journey leaving me in the interim onely to be accompanied by his gallant sister who having the raines absolutely in her own hands let her passions runne with a full careere for finding that all these trials had not wrought at all upon my affection or got the least ground of my constancy since the burning coales brought by Cupids diligence from his mothers luxurious Altars had not yet thaw'd my icy thoughts Artemesia fell to work new stratagems so that one morning I being in a private Library belonging to my lodgings where commonly I spent some houres in the day in conferring with those books I most desired to read and viewing the Maps of severall Countries for my recreation of a sudden I might heare the dolefull voyce of a certaine person divided from my knowledge by a partitian wall at the end of the room which quickly made me curious enough to be informed of the nature of the complaint wherefore approaching neerer and leaning my head close to the division I became instantly satisfied that the noyse proceeded from no other then from Artemesia which did not a little increase my wonder since I conceived her much beyond all misfortune however I was resolved to be fully instructed and to that purpose setling my eares to an entire attentivenesse in distinct words I heard this language O unhappy Artemesia said she is it possible that thy owne beauty is of so poor a valew that it hath not the power to attract the least regard from a youthfull eye which hath been accustomed heretofore to inflame all the hearts of Syria or is thy Uncles dignity fallen in the estimation of all the world since a stranger in thy power as a prisoner contemnes both O you gods of love and honour said she permit not our family to be disgraced though you be determined I shall perish since I cannot perswade him I must hate my selfe and by consequence become a destroyer of us both for as I am resolved not to breath only to suffer so must not he live chiefely to tryumph with much other goodly stuffe of this nature which I leave to repeat because I will not prophane your most chaste eares with all the particular's of her violent and ridiculous passion however I was forced to dwell with my consideration upon two points in her mad expression the first was that she seemed to declare me a prisoner which untill then I never understood though I must confesse I found my liberty oftentimes restrained under the pretence of a loving care of my he alth And the other that appeared more terrible her seeming resolution either to enjoy or to destroy Which made me when I had heard enough to retire to my own chamber but many dayes I had not continued there before I perceived by the apparent neglect of the whole house Artemesia not sending for me according to her custome that I was held for no other then a prisoner being every night locked into my lodging by an officious Groom All which was done as I understood to bring downe my proud and Icy heart to comply with her desires her nurse in the interim giving me many items of her intention besides I might behold every day out of my chamber window the rich and glorious triumphes of my insolent Mistresse when shee mounted her Chariot to take the aire for her recreation or performed some other visits for her pleasure And that the splendor might more appeare to my thoughts as intended affronts contemning my low condition captivity she caused an ordinary way to be made by my doore where she daily past with mirth in her countenance and scorn in her language to shew she had not only forgot her old love but the very remembrance I was in the house whilst in the meane time the foresaid nurse would now and then give me a visit as it were covertly out of pitty to comfort up my thoughts against her Ladies rigour however I very well knew her intention was but the better to discover my resolutions neverthelesse with all which humours I was content to play to avoid any further incumbrance of her Mistresse offered affection not doubting but at her brothers returne I should be able to procure my releasement the only happinesse I aymed at though my endeavours were not of force to prevent this following mischiefe for Artemesia finding that no artifice could make me entertaine her love or adore her person since the heavens knew I had a brighter deity to worship which kept me from all superstitious Idolatry began to be enamoured with her own revenge and so resolved to make me become a Martyr before my time wherefore one day comming into my chamber when I least looked for her company her own pride as I thought having forbid her entrance bearing in her hand a short dagger as in her countenance a rough tempest saluted me with this desperate language Villain said she dost thou think to carry the Trophies of my dishonour into thy own Country to adorne the chariot of thy Mistresses triumphes with those spoyles thy disdaine hath purchased in this Castle to the disgrace of our whole family and with that struck at my naked breast being newly unbuttoned by reason of the heat of the weather with such a womans violence that I must confesse my quick prevention had fortune enough to avoyd the danger of the stroake though not so much power as to hinder her rage for finding I had not only defended my selfe against her intended and malicious fury but endeavoured to become an absolute conquerour over her mad passion by striving to dispossesse her also of her weapon with a spleen more infernall then humane because she could not hurt me she resolved to wound her selfe whereby I might be esteemed the greater criminall to take off that blemish which hung upon her reputation by her too violent love but the stroake proved more deadly then perhaps she imagined for it not only pierced her arme where she onely intended it but by reason of the sharpnesse of the point entred a great depth into her naked side which with the effusion of a great deale of bloud that at
the City of Sardis where for the most part I remained being by profession a Priest that observed the Mysfian rights in my ordinary sacrificing to the gods This smooth tale I had hoped would have freed me presently yet they kept us all that day and the next night with a pretention the generall was not at leasure without whose discharge and allowance as they said we could neither passe or be at liberty t is true their chiefe intention was to get money from us but I must confesse I durst not overbountifully offer them any in regard it would have given the more occasion of jealousie and suspition Neverthelesse notwithstanding they seemed to detaine me as a prisoner yet I got leave for my servant to be in some sort free in the camp whereby to have the conveniency as I pretended to provide some accommodation necessary for the horses who in that office performed his duty so diligently that I must tell you he was constrained all night to lie in the open field without any coverture whatsoever over his body though in truth it proved to be a very tempestuous season in this manner we were perplexed between feare and suffering however I must confesse I little doubted the Kings discovery not onely in respect of his habit but that he had also shaved his beard in a most antick fashion In conclusion the good humour of the Generall the next day or rather the Souldiers finding there was but little to be got from us not onely discharged me from my further attendance but gave a Passe for me and my servant to travell freely to the City of Sardis without any let or hindrance from any of their party which proved to be of no small conveniency unto us in all our journey for although the protection onely mentioned that Town where we least intended to goe yet as soon as I was out of the camp I so finely mended the writing with my own pen that I made it most aptly serve for every place and region in so much as by reason thereof in our journey we were neither letted nor troubled to any purpose having a discharge presently amongst all manner of Officers of theirs as soon as we produced the paper when as without doubt otherwise we had been infallibly taken and imprisoned since those parts where we travelled were become extream suspicious by order from the Senate in regard of the Declarations of the Myssians of purpose so commanded the better as they thought to prevent all entercourse and correspondency between the Kings party and the people of that Nation In this manner at last we arrived in the Myssian camp and with a great satisfaction I must needs say to the Kings thoughts however his resolutions were not presently to discover his person so that retiring into a little Village not very farre from the Army he sent me after I had taken some small refreshment to enquire for the Syrian Ambassadour upon whose score he rather seemed to have put his undertaking this dangerous adventure then upon any absolute confidence he could have in the Myssians fidelity in regard that they had already so often deceived him with their faire promises and false actions it was my part in complements to tell him as much after I had made him acquainted with the Kings arrivall As the Ambassadour appeared somewhat amazed at the newes so did he not stick to assure me that he knew his Majesty would be received by the Army with all honour and safety and presently went along with me to finde him out The King after some few civilities used this language to the Ambassador Sir said he as you now see me in a posture far below my birth and dignity so the gods to let us know we are but men have for the present suited my person according to my misfortunes whereby to comply the better with my necessities this I hope is sufficient to shew what a desire I have to put my selfe into the hands of my native Countreymen if either the consideration of my past benefits bestowed upon them in the generall or any compassionate reflection upon my unfortunate state at the instant are motives sufficient to work upon humanity I shall be safe here and may be prosperous hereafter wherefore as I would not have them to worke upon my miseries for poor and contemptible gaine so shall not I remember them any more of their former ingratitude and disobedience but rather let us both unite in such a constant conjunction that as by their means I may come againe to be King so will they ever by such an act of kindnesse oblige me to govern for their benefit they cannot but consider with what little probability they can hope for any establishment in Lydia but by my means when as already the Senate doth not onely disvalue their actions and proceedings by most disgracefull and contemptible speeches but now that they have brought as they believe their affaires to a prosperous issue whereby they have no more need of their assistance and so consequently would be rid of the trouble they not onely dispute with them the Titles and reasons of their own interest but even deny them the payment of their just due for all those services they have performed for their advantages in Lydia As the Ambassadour did not make any great reply to the Kings discourse but in a few complements concerning his own services so did he presently conduct him to his house for his better accommodation where he gave present order to have him furnished with apparell and other necessaries whilst in the interim as it was supposed he acquainted Lycius the Generall and the rest of the Officers of the Army with his arrival in the camp After two or three daies time the Ambassadour not onely exposed the King to the view of the people but delivered him into the protection of the souldiers where however Lycius and some of the principall of the Nobility entertained his present with an extraordinary outward humility yet neverthelesse with certain kind of sad and distrustfull looks and countenances they performed their duties and respects in kissing his hands and using other ceremonies as if they were not any way privy much lesse consenting to his journey the King notwithstanding he seemed not to take any notice of their actions in publique but of the contrary gave testimonies of joy and gladnesse at the apprehension of his happy fortune yet in private by many words and sighes he expressed his own doubts and opinion concerning his future entertainment the rather in regard they presently set a strict gard upon his person though pretending it to be done for no other end but for his greater honour and safty however his hopes became something better satisfied for that they admitted freely to his conversations not onely many of his houshold servants that were come from Philadelphia after the Town was surrendered to Farezius but some of those Priests also of his owne faction that were
his expectation yet it would not grieve him so much to be under the jurisdiction of the Nobility that are by birth and extraction above his condition as to finde himselfe much subordinate and inferiour to those of his own ranke and quallity to be esteemed of all others most irkesome to humane nature so that you see it is but meere fancy that engenders these considerations and opinions besides there are other inconveniences and omissions appertaining to a popular government as for example it seldome or never preferres or rewards worthy persons according to their deserts and merrits when as for the most part smallest crimes and defects are punished by most fearefull and horrid severity proceeding either from envy or jealousie which is the occasion that oftentimes when Generalls Commanders or States men have procured a sufficient interest and esteeme amongst all sorts of people whereby to be able to contend doubting their own safeties from the Magistracy they enter presently into such rebellions that either turne the Commonwealth into a Tyrannicall Monarchy or occasion at the best so much bloud and slaughter that every Subject thereof hath reason enough to feare his own losse if not generall destruction whereas a Prince being of so eminent a condition himselfe not to be equalled by any of what quallity soever hath no cause to be envious or suspicious againe the Prince hath a more neere interest in his Countries good then all his subjects besides by way of personall honour wherefore a greater benefit or losse attends him in every thing that is acted since he creates not only the officer that commands or executes but enjoyes the profit or disprofit of the successe whereas the people in a Commonwealth receive it but in the generall no one man being able to appropriate any publike action particularly to himselfe which is a principall motive to enduce the Prince to attend earnestly the prosperity of the government because he may be said truly to esteeme it his own which no other prison can doe in what constitution some ever if there be others in equall authority with him for to joyne interests will never take so much the fancy and opinion of the owners as those which are singly appertaining but to one onely Well said Creses although I see upon any termes you will needs have a Monarchy to be the best government yet neverthelesse I must not have a Prince altogether unlimited as it were threatning a kinde of a fearefull apprehension of Tyranny to his people by which meanes they would be hindred from endeavouring industriously either the common good or their private welfare but rather I should wish a king in some sort bound by lawes fundamentall establtshed by a lawdable constitution at the first however not to be so strictly chayned up that he were left no any power or prerogative at all without his Subjects leave or be so let loose to his owne will and pleasure that he might injure and oppresse his people as he list that is to say to have the government to enjoy such a mixture in the whole that the Subjects might not be over-bold to approach his presence without an awfull reverence or he to be puffed up with a vaine opinion by reason of his dignity that the Kingdome or commonwealth was bestowed upon his condition more for his own use then the good of his people nor I neither said the Priest whereupon being called away to supper they suddenly broake off the rest of their discourse The next day about noone they arrived at Court or rather was it to be called a campe since the Souldiers seemed to beare all the sway notwithstanding others had a civil liberty allowed them to be admitted upon every occasion needfull into the Kings presence When Euarchus was enformed not onely of their arrivall but that Creses had brought him letters out of Syria from the Queen he with a great deale of passion sent presently for them into his presence upon their enterance they found him seated in a kind of a confined Majesty Farezius being on his right hand not farre from his person and a little below him stood one Hercrombrotus his Lieutenant Generall a man that seemed to carry not only designe but policy in his countenance about them were placed many common souldiers in the nature of a gard however expressing more then ordinary freedome both in their lookes and demeanor Creses after he had performed his wonted reverencies approached the King with a humility answerable to his Titles though not his condition presenting him with the Queens letters which Euarchus hastily taking out of his hands read them with teares in his eyes and then asked him sundry questions both of his wife and son Prince Arethusius wishing withall he might once more have the happinesse to enjoy their company in Lydia whereunto Creses soon replyed that he did not doubt but that the gods ere long would to that purpose be favourable to his pious intentions Truly said the King turning at the same time to Farezius this brave commander doth give me more then probable hopes to this effect but Farezius made him no other answer then by a kinde of humble bending of his body seemed to intimate a willingnesse in any thing to comply with his desires Having for some time thus discoursed together in publick the King also taking notice of the old Priest with more then ordinary affection he led Creses into an out window in the same roome that was sheltred from the view of the common people by large Curtaines that reached to the ground where after they had continued for the space of an houre in private conference the King calling unto him Farezius used this language with such a look as might procure compassion from the cruellest Tyrant in the world Farezius said he as I have sufficient experience of your civilities since it was my good fortune to be absolutely under your jurisdiction so cannot I but presume upon the continuance of these curtesies finding your nature to be both noble and constant wherefore to this purpose I would have you know that it is not alone my own desire at this present to have some comfort and consolation by the sight and conversation of my children kept so long from my possession by the power of the Senate sitting at Sardis but laso have received conjurations by these Letters from my wise remaining in Syria if it be possible so farre to procure my own information concerning their particulars that I may give her a true account both of their comportment and education whereby the better to satisfie her motherly affection and naturall inclination when the King had ended this supplication so farre as I may say beneath his dignity though consonant in some sort to his condition Farezius after a short pause returned him this answer Although I must confesse your Majesties desires are grounded upon all the principles both of nature and morallity yet you must be pleased likewise to know that at
the manner and matter of his discourse untill his endeavours produced this following relation You must know said he that this Priest Herenzius some yeares since when all the world seemed to yeild obedience to the great Flamine of Delphos as the only Oracle upon earth to prescribe the manner of the worship of the gods suddenly started up in the Kingdome of Syria who by reason of an ignominions punishment he had undergone as t was reported for a hainous offence committed against humane and divine Lawes began violently to fall out with heaven and earth in so much as in the first place he quarrelled with the forme of the service to the Gods then used and in the latter he denyed Kings and Princes obedience or rather loyalty from their naturall subjects To this purpose to execute his malice against all authority because he had suffered by it and withall thinking againe in some sort to recover his lost reputation in doing notable actions how wicked soever of a sudden flew to a certaine Towne upon the confines of Arabia whose people had newly not only disobeyed their Flamine but cast off their government to his authority which quickly gave him admittance with his Doctrine since they knew his opinions suited with their designes yet being rather friendly entertained then perfectly established by their welcome his insolency and pride in a short time banished him againe from the City seeing he could not shew temper in his first entrance and so remained untill the feare of the inhabitants of comming once more under their old government for that they understood their Prince prepared for a siege constrained them not onely a new to desire his company whereby to be assisted by his Councell but were forced to binde themselves by a solemne oath to submit absolutely their wills to his institutions with these conditions he became fully possessed of that power that gave him opportunity both to governe as he pleased and instruct as he listed untill he had fitted all their thoughts for the impressions of his designes by the eloquent language and cunning practices he used which in a short time so prospered that many disciples were found of such towardly dispositions instructed by his principles that he sent many of them also into other Countries to poyson the peoples loyalties since obedience is the most assured tye that probably warrants the safety and prosperity of Kingdomes But these men having as I said taken their journeyes with these intentions the first prevailing progresse they made was in the Countrey of Myssia where finding some discontents already ingendring between the young Queen then raigning grandmother to Euarchus and some factious and ambitious Nobility soon introduced their new and dangerous opinions into the hearts of the common people by which meanes the Lords became also so powerfull by their assistance that the poore Princesse in a short space was forced to quit both her Kingdome and Life a Tragedy too pittifull now to be related whilst the Rebells took possession of her authority from which usurpation proceedes Lydia's miseries since by a continuance of the same desires in those people towards her posterity they have now filled this Kingdome with tumults troubles and bloud the better to make good their own jurisdictions so unlawfully purchased in former times but however these opinions of deposing of Kings and altering the worship of the gods prevailed entirely in Myssia by reason of those crafty and factious actors that Herezius had sent yet his Doctrine found not so ready acceptance in the Kingdome of Lydia for that the Queen then raigning endeavoured against the violence of all their endeavours both to conserve Monarchy and maintaine their Flamines though the State altered many Tenents in Doctrine untill the late agreements of each Nation to oppose Euarchus in the same designe contrived an accord to extirpate in effect both King and Flamines This may passe my discourse to the Kingdome of Syria that hath not only formerly borne part in the suffering by reason of these opinions sowed in the world but hath been a principall occasion to give the Myssians protection by whose power Euarchus hath been chiefely destroyed To which purpose you must understand that although Herezius other messengers could not so easily beate downe the strong Walles of Monarchy established by so many ages in Syria against the power of great Armies alwayes kept in pay by that Nation yet oftentimes they filled the whole Kingdome with most lamentable slaughters to gaine enterance for their opinions and freedome for their Doctrine in so much as the Prince himselfe then governing finding the Temples overthrowne his Countrey spoyled and his Subjects destroyed by the fury of the contention was forced at last so farre to give way to the Herezians religion in Syria that they had not only granted them a free exercise of their consciences throughout all his dominions but many fortified Townes were delivered into their hands wherein they put their owne Garrisons to secure better this agreement which both afforded him peace and seemed to give them satisfaction for the present however every yeare almost after notwithstanding these benefits produced new stirres by that faction to the disquieting of the Kingdome that gave sufficient cause of vexation to many good Princes since they could not be assured of the loyalty of their obliged Subjects nor of the continuation of their owne prosperities when neither graces could win them by reason of the spleen they bore to Monarchy or power could compell them in regard of those Forts they had in their custody But to be short before the great and wise Favourite Philostros durst take upon him the huge worke he intended which was to suppresse the gloriousnesse of the Aegyptian Empire he imagined he could not be absolutely safe at home and so consequently not fitted for so large a conquest as long as he should leave behind him in his own bosome so eminent a danger as those he esteemed lawlesse Subjects in Orsames Kingdome knowing they would upon all occasions be ready to joyne with forraigne Forces to overthrow their owne Kings government and therefore resolved first before he undertooke any new designe to subdue their power to the absolute obedience of his great Masters jurisdiction as in times past it had been to some of his predecessors to which purpose he not only suddenly besieged the strongest Towne they had in Syria but within a short space left them never a Fort in the whole Kingdome that was not constrained to deliver up the Keyes of its Gates to the will and pleasure of fortunate Orsames who began to grow great in the opinion of the world by the conquest of his own Subjects that were accustomed to give sufficient imployment to other Kings However after that Philostros had made this speedy progresse in glory as well as in security for his Masters apparant advantage both in quietting his Subjects at home and terrifying his enemies abroad which proved mighty advantages for
consider what hath been the Kings sufferances we must rightly state his misfortunes which will appeare to be the greater when it is well knowne to the world he hath alwayes shewed courage in the Warres by ventaring boldly his person upon all occasions as also eloquence and judgement both by his Pen and language when those faculties of Art and Nature were thought necessary and usefull a plaine demonstration that he wants not sense and knowledge fully to apprehend his own oppressions and the rather may it be so thought for that those who have most gained by his favours the ungratefull Myssians with some others of his owne Court have been the chiefe Instruments or rather I may say the only cause that have deprived him not only of the priviledge of his royall Crowne but of all the personall happinesses he enjoyed in his prosperity besides his want of liberty now at last to make up the full Catastrophe of his misery none almost giving eare to his complaints or pittying his captivity though they have separated him from his beloved Queene in whose beauty and vertues he took an unspeakable felicity as also the comfort of beholding his sweet children being a reall part of himselfe which the gods and nature have ordained to man as a humane right accompanied with the detention of his revenues that should maintaine him and them besides prosecuting him with as many slanders as they can invent This Madam as it may be supposed being the true condition of Euarchus misfortune it may easily be conjectured his sufferings are equall if not goe beyond example and yet his noble heart holds out still to endure as you see what malice can invent without breaking who notwithstanding offers love mercy and patience to his whole Kingdome and worst injurers things being in this postare I shall proceed to the making good of my promised argument which is that passive courage is a greater vertue then active valour if my discourses doe not seeme too tedious for your more necessary imployment As I must call the Kings constancy a noble fortitude since he hath neither Subject of hope nor object of diversion so certainly is it the highest magnanimity for a Prince to suffer patiently and without confusion from his own Subjects that owe him duty and gratitude for those men that hazzard their lives freely in desperate services either ayme at victory or conquest by which they intend to purchase gaine or glory which enflames their blouds with continuall agitation that scarce gives leasure to reflect upon the dangers much lesse time for cold and apprehensive consideration and yet we see such have for the most part need of noyse of drums and sound of Trumpets to waken their courages or lay asleep their feares to continue them better in action whereas suffering hath nothing to helpe or comfort it since the minde is still prepared to entertaine the misery it sustaineth with a pale expectation of the same or worse when as I say it is known it must be endured without hope having no diversion like a person sick in the night wanting objects of variety thinks that season longer and his torment greater by much then in the day time for where the minde is kept high by ambition to compasse something it coveteth it hath power enough in that interim to hold up the body from falling to its proper center the earth where naturally it inclines but being without comfort if a man doe not make strong use of his noble part his soul to maintaine his courage and resolution the suffering or captivating of flesh and bloud will render a man quickly totally overcome and that is the reason that long and tedious persecutions have destroyed more competent spirits then sharp and violent tortures since they were prepared for the one with expectation and only weared by the other with continuance We know that old men strive more greedily to preserve their lives that short time they are to live then young men in their most flourishing yeares because diversity of prospects operates so much in youth full bosomes by reason of continuall activity tending that way that they have not leasure to settle their imaginations upon horrid apprehension when old people have so much time to think wanting power of action that the object which is naturall appeares often before their eyes to fright them and so fares it with a person that only suffers in comparison of him that doth both suffer and act together wherefore that person hath need of a double courage because there is nothing to accompany his thoughts of variety or diversion for certainly it pleaseth a man rather to contend for his life though he know he shall be deprived of it then to lose it without any strife at all which seemes to be the case of Euarchus since they will not so much as permit him with reason to dispute his rights but force him unheard to deliver up his Crowne and more grievous a great deale is his condition in that he appeares to be left of all those friends that have been most obliged to his goodnesse What is the reason that a delinquent upon the Scaffold is accustomed to have his eyes banded before the stroake of death to take away from him the apprehension of the blow which he knowes he shall receive When a valiant Souldier in the Field without shaddow will charge against a thousand weapons with as much certainty of destruction but because the ones action frees him from the others terrour All which shew that a sad expectation of an ill augments the suffering when a diversion by imployment of the body or busying the senses by diversity of objects take away that apprehension that makes any danger or misery excessively horrid as for example men for the most part are put to torture in uncouth places where there is nothing but silence or low whispers to render the sufferer more sensible of the paine by the quieting of the imagination and so it fares with such as passe through darke places being afraid of every small rustle when in the day time the same way perhaps is pleasant so that as I say without doubt all smart griefe and discontent is encreased by want of action and too much leasure for consideration for I must conclude that it is a great deale easier for a person to dye fighting in the Field though he should be cut in sunder in a thousand pieces then to endure a long and tedious captivity which is Euarchus present condition in so much as at last if he should in some sort yield to this cruelty I must not finde fault with his courage but if he gaine the victory I shall esteeme him a miracle of nature As I must not said Roxana goe about to disprove your arguments grounded upon such reasons and more delivered by the knowne authority of your excellent judgement so of the other side I could wish the King had some Counsell to assist him in these difficulties besides
his own capacity and courage since it is impossible but humane nature at the length will be tired with over much suffering and by consequence faile for want of true information there is no contradiction of your opinion said Creses but such is the crafty spight of some that they will permit none to be about the Kings person that dares loyally afford him any profitable consolation because they may the sooner bring him to consent to their desires Yet replyed Roxana it is not well known what those desires are since they never durst for all I could ever learne publickly declare their intentions but doe as it were in a dark mist endeavour to possesse the people that the King refuseth something he is obliged to grant for the good of his Subjects by which meanes they strive still to maintaine their credits and opinions amongst the common sort It is so Madam said Creses however since you are fallen upon that point I shall let you know how farre the King hath yet condiscended to their demands whereby the better to dispossesse the People of that beliefe they are perswaded to have in the Senates integrity though I verily thinke they now more feare their power then trust their intentions for whereas not many dayes agoe they proposed to Euarchus to have the power of the force of the Kingdome for twenty yeares both by Sea and Land the King hath yielded to grant them that jurisdiction during his life though not for that terme which appears now to be the greatest difference between them since the Senate seemes not content with this offer whereupon the Myssians have lately put our a furious declaration against the Senate pressing the King to such unreasonable conditions In good earnest answered Roxana I cannot tell whether I have more cause to smile at the seeming ridiculousnesse of these proceedings or be amazed to see men growne so foolishly unreasonable since Euarchus appeares to my understanding to be willing to part with more from his own hopes then what the Senate requires for that if he grant the power of the Kingdome out of his hands during his life it gives more assurance to the Senate that he intends no more to raigne if he had quitted his power for so many yeares only since he might have some thought to over live that prescribed terme againe for the Myssians I wonder most of all at their new loyalty to their Prince when they have been as I may say the only cause that hath made him no King though now anew they seeme to desire to re-establish him in his ancient authority which certainly cannot be but upon other designes of advantage to themselves more then for Euarchus prosperity Truly Madam said Creses in the generall it is as you say but yet there are so many mysteries hid under these proceedings that they are capable to deceive the sharpest judgement if some light be not given by information Wherefore you must know that both Euarchus and the Senate know very well that the consequence of all the Affaires chiefly depend upon the assurance of the safety of the Kings person since he cannever hope to be againe re-established in his rightfull authority but either by the humours and inconstancy of the common people who when they finde the Kings absolute oppression brings no prosperity to them will probably become exasperated against the Senates proceedings and power or by an unreconcilable difference betweene the Senators themselves who may most command when they shall sinde no other jurisdiction to oppose them both which in all likelihood will conduce to the Kings benefit if he sit quiet sometime under his injuries which I conceive to be the reason that he hath in outward appearance yielded so much to their demands And for the Myssians perhaps by this opposition they would perswade the world to a beliefe of their integrities as if at the first they cousented not to the Kings hard usage whereby to obtaine a greater party not only in the Kingdome of Lydia if they have an intention to dispute their own profit but in other Countries if they meane to make Warre upon our people because they cannot be sharers in the government as they hoped the only cause certainly of the now seeming quarrell so that in my opinion Euarchus hath done like a wise and politick Prince in seeming not to contend where he was sure not to prevaile especially since by the dispute he might have endangered those hearts that will now be of his side if the occasion be offered either out of pitty to his sufferings or out of hate to the Senates government And besides it is to be considered that no act he shall passe in this condition of constraint can binde either himselfe or posterity by all humane and divine lawes if his Sword ever become more powerfull in the meane time the Senate will seek to preserve the Kings life and person with their best care since their own authority falls entirely by his death which as I say is the reason they desire more a terme of yeares in the continuation of their required government then the determinable fate of the Princes life because they may have alwayes the liberty to presse him to new conditions if they finde by experience they have notyet obtained sufficient since they shall not need to feare the vexations of his person may bring any hazard upon him I cannot deny said Roxana but these reasons are sufficient to render me wholly satisfied in my doubtfull opinions but the gods are only capable to foresee the event of things And with that looking upon the Sun she perceived the time of the day called her to the attendance of the Princesse which made her for the present take her leave Upon her arrivall she found Cloria only accompanied by her Late in a small withdrawing room belonging to her own chamber where none but her selfe had permission to be admitted not long after she had saluted the Princesse she discovered she had been weeping by the red circles about her eyes that gave the old woman occasion further to be inquisitive after her imployment untill she spyed this complaining ditty lying written before her upon the Table that quickly gave her satisfaction of the occasion though her excellent voyce and rare skill rendred the Musick heavenly If Justice could some savour finde Or were not rather truly blind Ambition sure durst never we are The spoyles of such a vertue heare When every houre Doth need her power To set both Crownes and Kingdomes free For love I see is but a flame That onely beares a constant name And is by interest as a wave Tost here and there as others crave If objects seeme Of more esteeme To summon sense unto the call But whatsoever dwells more high Shoote but your Commets from the skie Against the hate that mortalls beare To such as lawfull Scepters weare And wee 'l adore For evermore That action as a Diety Yet whilst that fate and pride contend
or resolve to end my life in this solitude and with that wept which for some time continued them both in a pensive silence untill Creses importuned the aged father to put off his sorrow or at leastwise suffer him to be a sharer with him in his griefe by letting him know more particularly the causes this gave occasion to the old man to tell him that many Souldiers were newly arrived in the Forrest to shelter themselves by the protection of the woods from the rage of their persecutors who followed them after a Battell that was lately fought between Thyasmus and the Senates Forces where both he and almost his whole Army being surprized by an Ambuscado of the enemy had lost the day to the absolute destruction of the Kings affairs and an utter undoing as 't was believed of all his friends since Euarchus expects every houre in person to be besieged in Philadelphia This unexpected newes did more then trouble Creses not onely because it did in a manner destroy his owne hopes that seemed to depend upon the successe of the journey he had in hand which was to present the Princesse Cloria an acceptable offering to her Father but in denying them all meanes to avoid a dangerous consequence since they neither could advance towards their first intention for doubt of interruption in the passage by scattering Troopes of the Senates garrisons nor durst retire back againe to the Castle for feare of being cruelly punished for the escape so that he was forced to make the old father acquainted with the personall presence of the Princesse Cloria and the rather since he could no way intrust his fidelity but of the contrary by that knowledge procure a reception of her in his house untill his owne returne from Philadelphia whither he intended secretly to go that he might the better be informed of the Kings condition and by that direction more conveniently secure the Princesse Gloria either by flight into some forraigne Country or deliver her person into the protection of her owne Father as he had promised yet he conjured the Flamine after he had layed open unto him his thoughts intentions and desires not to discover the least syllable of these disasterous accidents to the Princesse for feare of disquieting her gentle bosome with misfortunes no care of hers could remedy though he determined to perswade her to be contented to dispence with his owne absence for some time to performe pretended necessary service for her safety When they had sufficiently digested these resolutions and agreements they both rose from their seats to present themselves to Cloria the Princesse at their approach entertained the Flamine with the same affection she conceived to be due to one that had beene formerly honoured by her Fathers favours whilst he with Teares in his eyes presently conducted her and the rest of the company to his small habitation excusing notwithstanding in a courtly phrase the poorenesse of the welcome she was to expect but long she had not enjoyed the pleasing security of that retirement before she was overtaken with a most horrid and insolent treason in this sort The Souldiers that cowardly were fled from the battell as the Flamine had related to Creses and were retired within the Fortifications of those woods for their better security against their pursuers understanding by some intelligence that the Princesse Cloria was lodged privately within the old Fathers house began to consider that if they returned her back again to the Senate at Sardis from whence they understood she was escaped it would prove so acceptable that they should not onely thereby purchase all their pardons but probably many of the chiefe actors might receive considerable rewards This opinion they no sooner entertained in their wicked and disloyall breasts but the execution followed with so much violence that they not onely seized Cloria and Roxana but also carried with them the old Flamine as a full period to their supream villany notwithstanding all the perswasions could be used towards them but the gods hating the traytors though the Senate made use of the treason all they could procure for this acceptable service was to have their lives saved upon condition they should within ten daies depart the Kingdome or else to suffer present death wheresoever they could be found after the limited time which caused them to curse the very day of their births However this just sentence was a deserving reward for their offences yet poore Cloria enjoyed no comfort in her captivity but rather her crosses were augmented by the arrivall of Cassianus one day when she was retired into the innermost part of her lodgings with an intention to contribute a large proportion to her sorrows esteeming it the best conversation she could possesse in these sad times she was of a sudden saluted by the Prince who conceived his power gave him a sufficient warrant for any intrusion where after he had continued his courtship with a few complements he strived to protest his affection with all the reasons that the same religion neernesse of kindred and his vow'd service to her father could pretend unto which pluckt from the Princesse this sharp and sudden reply contrary to her nature Cozen said she although your own thoughts can best witnesse the Religion you hold yet give me leave to tell you that my knowledge receives no satisfaction by your profession since you violently seem to runne along with that current that seeks by all means possible to destroy the Lydian rights in taking away the Flamins out of the Temples the onely pretended occasion now of these warrs between my father and his Senate in which customes I have been brought up from my cradle Again for your blood I must confesse it is of so neere kindred with mine that I wonder you doe not blush to see me suffer an injurious captivity without revenge or assistance much more to be a principall cause of my imprisonment since your preposterous affections adds flames to the Senates cruelty when as my love in all justice should rather be perswaded then compelled And lastly concerning the service you professe to my father as I would be glad to see some effects thereof by reall actions instead of ayerie and perhaps of false professions so of the other side I must desire you to remember that Prince Cassianus was alwaies entertained cherished by King Euarchus with all humanity and bounty when his regall power was not diminished Wherefore in my opinion you have no reason to tide with that faction that strives to pluck the Diadem from the browes of him and his posterity in which number I have or ought to have a considerable interest Cassianus after he had received this bitâ—er reply with a certain pale if not guilty look rested for some time as it were frozen in a kind of despaire not being able to utter one syllable in defence of himselfe against such desperate language as he thought delivered by a heavenly Oracle iâ— yet
at last lest he might seem altogether conquered by the force of her reasons when it was impossible her sweet words could wound tut with the darts of Cupid he fearfully returned this answer which reached her eares but not her beliefe Madam said he for the differences in Religion between your father and his Senate I esteem them no why essentiall consisting onely in matter of ceremony which with a little labour may easily be reconciled to both their advantages And for that bloud of yours that so much honoured my birth I could wish to have an occasion to let 〈◊〉 against him with such prejudicate resolutions for his ruine that the old man had not force enough to sustaine the waight of the prosecution though he exprest a competent courage in his defence and so was condemned publikely to lose his head upon a Scaffold in the view of all the people who at leastwise appeared contented if not pleased at the novelty But Cloria when she heard of this sudden and as she conceived horrid determination was possessed with a noble compassion not onely considering the old man to have been a most faithfull servant to her Father but unfortunate by this intended Tragedy onely for entertaining her at his house as a testimony of his loyalty to the royall Family which wrought in her gentle soule divers perturbations First she considered that if he suffered it would be some staine to her honour since he appeared rather to be a Martyr for her then for himselfe which obligation she was unwilling to undergoe without some testimonies of a supreame gratitude yet then when she reflected upon that submission she must use to beg his life of the Senate she thought the sacrifice of an old Flamine who e're long could not chuse but be an offering to the earth would not prejudice his owne happinesse much lesse taxe her of ill nature And therefore became halfe perswaded to let him runne his last period with glory rather then become a supplyant to her Fathers Subjects for mercy yet after much contestation with her selfe the vertuous Princesse fell upon this apprehension that she in a manner became the author of ill by omitting that good she had power to doe and by that meanes should deserve the worlds censure so that pitty gratitude and religion seemed to contend with courage honour and disdaine till at last she flew to this resolution to send for Cassianus and conjure him by the hopes of his desired love to be so farre an intercessor in the poore Flamins behalfe as to preserve him from destruction by his power or interest though againe when she entered into consideration what a jealous scruple the request might raise in Narcissus thoughts if ever he should come to know of the action it almost destroyed the piousnesse of her intention neverthelesse she called Roxana and wisht her in her name to fetch Cassianus to speake with her since hâ—r resolutions were not long to be protracted if she had a will they should prove effectuall yet as the old woman was going out of the doore to performe her message she suddenly commanded her backe againe labouring as it were in her inconstant constancy untill Roxana her self being displeased with her fruitlesse irresolutions at length went without her leave When Cassianus came he found the Princesse seated not onely in a darke chamber but invironed with those mourning Curtaines about her bed which she had caused to be hung up since her last imprisonment as testimonies of the discontented State she conceived her selfe in when Roxana had informed her of the Princes presence to attend her pleasure after she had with a low voyce desired him to sit downe in a chaire neere her she used this discourse unto him Cousin said she is it possible you can thinke that the bloud of the poore and aged Flamine may be so acceptable an offering to the gods as to make them thereby more propitious to your desires or doe you believe that my love which you seeme to hope for will be perswaded easily by the cruelty of so horrid a sacrifice if you meane to threaten instead of intreaing perhaps you may please your owne nature but never I can assure you compell my liking since I finde in my soule so much courage yet left notwithstanding all my misfortunes as not to give away my affections to one that hath merited so much just hate from me Certainely you are mistaken to thinke Cypres branches are fit ornaments to become a marriage bed for the many examples in that kinde have beene alwayes prodigious can you flatter so farre your owne imagination as to apprehend the slaughter of my friends and slaughtered chiefly for my service can create lesse effects in me then a revenge when I shall have power to execute it according to my will upon those that have occasioned my displeasure It should be strange they should expect to be entertained in my bosome that have spightfully procured my disgracefull discontent No Cousin assure your selfe these are not the wayes to captivate a Virgins gentle heart or to trust protestations of such a Suitor that wanted not hate in the highest professions of his love Cassianus after he had heard these words from the Princesse hastily without any reply at all tooke his leave which not onely gave occasion of many conjectures both to Cloria and Roxana but also of some discourses that produced hopes and feares untill within three houres of his departure he againe returned into the Princesse Chamber with a reprieve for the old mans life signed by the hands of the Senate though with this condition that she must be pleased to follow the direction of the whole Kingdome in her marriage however Cassianus vowed by the heavens he imployed all his power to have procured it absolute Cloria notwithstanding she was not well satisfied with the restriction yet she was pleased with the pardon and presently sent it by Roxana to the officers that had the custody of the old Flamine whilst in the meane time she conceived some dissembled satisfaction was necessary that he might continue still his begun courtesies to the aged father withall to possesse him with the knowledge of the impossibilities that hindred the progresse of his love whereby he might be lesse violent in pressing the Senate to the accomplishment of his desires and the rather she fell upon this resolution for that Narcissus absence secured him from all danger by underhand practises though her selfe could not be confident of his safety since she had heard nothing from him which consideration at the present drew from her faire eyes some teares before she used these wordes to Cassianus Worthy Cousin said she for so I will now call you since I finde your words reall and your love noble if the Gods did give me the possibility of being your wife I should a great deale rather declare my selfe perswaded to the choyce by your owne vertues then by the Senates wisedome since the interest of