were no calmer within the Town then without for all the people were so animated that nothing could be more terrible The Kings of Phrygia and Hircanâ—a did wish that things would have looked with another face and they were extreamly vexed to be constrained to make use of such a dangerous remedy since there is nothing in the world more to be avoided then the Rebellion of the people But that which cannot be helped must be endured and they endeavoured to qualifie this Popularity as much as they could thinking that this striking some apprehensions of fear into Ciaxares would be enough to save Cyrus Mean while the Gates of the Town were broken open and those who defended the walls forsook them who not knowing whether to retreat were all killed both by them without and within the Town This great Army being entered in several places of the Town did not stay to plunder but presently inviron'd the Castle Metrobates would fain have fled if he knew how but Guards were set on all sides both by Sea and Land That Ciaxares himself had no other thoughts but to die in defending himself after he had first put Cyrus to death whatsoever Thiamis and Ariobantes could say was vain for the King was all fury and despair Mean while Metrobates the vilest wretch upon earth not knowing what to do went to the Chamber of Cyrus and counterfeiting both pity and generosity told him that if he would promise him two things he would set him at liberty this Prince having no mind to promise him any thing he was forc'd to express himself that if he would bestow the Government of Pteria upon him for his security he would then kill Ciaxares and shewed him ways how he could bring it to pass For Sir said this villanous man this is the only way to prevent your death and to make you Lord of all Asia This vicious Proposition was so horrid in the apprehension of Cyrus that he thrust Metrobates out of his Chamber and as good luck was a Souldier which guarded this gallant Prisoner heard all their discourse This Traitor then seeing no way but ruine thought how to make all in the Castle perish with him yet since he imagined that some accident might fall out wherein the Person of Cyrus might stand him in some stead therefore he was not so hasty to kill him Mean while the noise and tumult increased and all that the Kings and Princes could do to restrain the Souldiers was in vain for since the greatest part of them were not Subjects unto Ciaxares they were extreamly animated by the thirty thousand Persians who would deliver their Prince They cast off that Reverend respect unto Kings which ought to be imprinted in the souls of Subjects insomuch as they were ready to act any violence They had already brought the Ladders unto the Castle and I am verily perswaded they would have set it on fire if they had not feared the burning of Cyrus among the rest The Battering Rams were brought unto the Gates and two thousand men ready to make an Assault when the breach was made and also an hundred thousand men more to second them when presently a great noise upon the left hand was heard which ought to be understood notwithstanding the tumultuous confusion of voices to be a noise of joy Presently after the Kings of Phrygia and Hircania accompanied with Persodes Artibies Adusias Artabases the Prince of Pophlagonia Thimocrates Philocles and many others did so see Hidaspes Thrasibulas Aglatidas and the faithful Orsanes conducting Cyrus whom they had happily delivered out of a window by breaking the bars as soon as ever Metrobates had left him This sight did produce a prodigious effect and every one that had a tongue pronounced the Name of Cyrus or Artamenes for as yet they gave him both names indifferently In the mean while this generous Prince as soon as he perceived the Ladders and Rams and all ready to assault the Castle speaking not a word of his intentions unto his illustrious friends did upon a sudden with his sword in his hand for he had one given as soon as he was delivered seperate himself from them who were about him and went straight unto the Gate of the Castle so that Ciaxares who was then in a Balcone to see what the Cry of Joy should be did see Cyrus separated from his deliverers and at the Gate of the Castle in a posture to defend it against them who for his liberty did assault it This Act being seen unto an hundred thousand several persons did cause as many admirations in their souls and moved them to suspend their Action Ciaxares who a minute before thought Cyrus to be a prisoner did not well know whether what he saw was true In the mean while this generous Prince being before the Gate holding his sword in one hand and making signes unto the people with the other that he desired to speak he did in an instant cause as husht a silence as before there was tumultuous noise Do not think my Deliverers said he unto Thrasibulus Hidaspes Aglatidas and Orsanes that I will accept of any liberty which shall be imployed against the King No no I do not value Glory at so poor a rate as to prefer my life before it If I did come out of prison it was only my-Companions said he looking upon the Souldiers to come and teach you that reverend respect which you ow unto your Master Force me not to turn this sword against you which heretofore has rendered you victorious Obey obey the Kings Commands without the least contradiction and if he demand my head of you you ought to give it him without resistance Did I ever teach you said he and doubled the fervency of his speech to rebel against your King Did you ever perceive by any of my actions that I would allow of what you have done No no deceive not your selves I can never be woon unto an act so criminal which makes me culpable as well as you For after all this which you have done I am not a whit more innocent then I was before but I rather find that the King without any injustice and may â—hop off that mans head who hath raised all his Subjects against him Lay down your Arms then and if you desire to serve me cause all the souldiers to return unto the Camp and all the inhabitants to their houses whilest I after I have begged your pardon from the King will return unto my fetters Cyrus having ended his speech a great huming noise was heard all over those who understood not what he said asked of others and those who did understand him did with admiration Cry out and every one did absolutely say that they would die a thousand deaths rather then he should perish When he perceived that they would not obey him he then turned towards the Castle looking up to the Balcone where Ciaxares stood and speaking as loud as ever he could Command Sir
to believe he was unfaithful or dead as sometimes she did he sent Feraulas to acquaint her that a stranger came to the Camp who about a moneth since met with Spitridates for Anaxaris said it was about that time he relieved that Prince Feraulas according to his Masters commands went presently unto Araminta who at the first was extreamly joyed to hear Spitridates was alive But not contenting her self with what Feraulas told her and desiring to see the man who had seen him because she perceived he did not positively consent she should therefore she imagined much more concerning Spitridates then it was So that Feraulas promised to entreat Cyrus from her to let her see him who brought the news Then returning to the Camp he performed his promise and Cyrus desired Anaxaris the next morning to visit the Princess Araminta of whom the Prince Spitridates did so unjustly complain withal conjuring him to say his wounds are not so dangerous as they were But this warning was in vain for Phraartes had let her know by an Armenian woman whom he had got to wait upon her when she was at Artaxates and was all for him that Spitridates was left for dead and never like to recover so that Araminta would not believe Anaxaris when he told her the real truth Cyrus hearing of her despair went himself to comfort her and assured her that Anaxaris told him no more concerning Spitridates then he had told her But to testifie how much he valued the satisfaction of her minde after good notice taken of the place where Aanaxaris left Spitridates he sent for the Prince of Paphlagonia and desired him that he would send one of his men to know exactly what was become of that illustrious Prince Araminta rendred thanks unto Cyrus with as much civility as her sorrows would give her leave The Queen of Susiana had also an extraordinary care of her Cleonice and all her friends never left her and except Phraartes all the world did participate of her sorrows Until this accident unto Spitridates she was as civil unto him as afterwards she was unto Anaxaris when she knew he was his preserver But she began to treat him much worse then usual imagining that it was by reason of him that Spitridates had named her Perfideous Thus the malignant joy which Phraartes had at the misfortune of his Rival lasted not long but he endured all the torments that Love and Jealousie could inflict upon him In the mean while Cyrus the King of Assiria and Prince Artamas began to be exceedingly impatient that they received no intelligence from the friends of Meneceus nor from those of Timocreon at Ephesus and Sardis but afterwards their expectations were answered and those they expected being returned they understood that the setting forth of the Princesses was deferred for eight days precisely nominating the day and hour they were to set out naming also the Troops which were to guard them and describing every circumstance with such particularities that if these Princes did but justly observe their true measures their enterprize must needs take effect yet there was some dispute did arise amongst them concerning the execution of the business For the Prince Artamas who was very well acquainted with the Country was of opinion to divide their Troops and place of one part of them in a wood by which the Princesses were to pass and to hide the rest behinde a hill which was full of Trees and which was upon the left hand of the plain which the high-way between Ephesus and Sardis doth cross to the end that when the Coaches are just between the wood and the hill and almost over against the Castle of Hermes where also some men should be left they might compass about the King of Pontus by cutting off his passages on all sides and might get the Princesses over the River almost before theier enemies knew where they were Cyrus understanding the scituation of the place better then the King of Assiria did concur with the opinion of Artamas but the King of Assiria was of a contrary opinion and thought that the dividing of their Troops was the way to be vanquished one after the other and therefore more expedient to keep in one body and give a sudden and violent aslault then to have any recourse unto stratagems The Prince Artamas held constant to his opinion and Cyrus confirmed it with many reasons but this violent Prince still obstinately opposing them there was a very strong contest among them Ligdamis was called to the Counsel as one that knew the Countrey best and as one that was well known in military affairs but as the happiness or misery of three great Princes did depend upon this business he was somewhat nice in giving his opinion so that not delivering himself absolutely though he inclined to the opinion of Cyrus and Artamas the King of Assiria grew more opinionative and hot then before so that it was resolved to send Chrisantes beyond the River to take notice of the advantages and disadvantages of the places which they were to possess and when he had well observed them to give his advice upon the matter But this course was no sooner resolved upon then the King of Assiria said he would trust no eyes but his own in a business whereupon the Liberty of Mandana depended and therefore he would go himself with Chrisantes and Ligdamis to see whether they were in the right or wrong The King of Assiria had no sooner said so but the great soul of Cyrus not being able to endure that his Rival should ever lay it in his dish that he exposed himself the most for the liberty of Mandana did contest no more though he knew it was against the rules of Prudence and to no purpose yet he told the King of Assiria that he would go also the Prince Artamas also would needs be one of the party and let them see how he thought of the business Their departure was resolved upon to be that very same night in common arms and that they should carry only two hundred horse with them to leave them near the Castle of Hermes and pass over only with fifty to view the place which Artamas maintained to be the most convenient for placing of men This course being resolved upon Cyrus sent for the King of Phrygia and commited the care of all things unto him telling all the rest of his Captains that he was gone only to visit several quarters of the Army Yet the matter could not be so closely carried but some suspected some other design which they would not publish so that Tygarnes and Phraartes keeping continually about Cyrus and not leaving him he was constrained to impart the business unto them telling them that if his design had been to fight he would not have gone without them but their business being only to view a place to fight on he would spare them the pains of a journey wherein no honour was to be got Yet
his minde and to free himself from all his jealousies and fears so likewise her soul was sensible of much sorrow when she feared also that her Husband would not so part with her but for this time they parted Cambises to Persipolis and melancholy Mandana to Ecbatane where at first she was received with abundance of Joy so that Astiages was more at hearts ease then he could have imagined Before she was married many disswaded him from it but now since she was married and so far from her Husband he could not conceive any thing possible to disturb his quiet He foresaw that if he should retain her long and she desirous to depart perhaps a warre might thereupon arise 'twixt him and the Persian but he valued that lesse then to see Mandana in a condition to have a Sonne so then all was fill'd with welcomes feasts and jocundary insomuch as the Princess began to be in some hopes she should be deceived in her former fears Yet amid all these pleasant diversions her health began to impair and visible marks of indisposition appeared in her complexion she beleeved the cause might proceed from her weariness in her journey or from the change of though her native air only it might be her resentments of her Husbands absence but within a little after she certainly perceived she was with childe and this troubled her so much as she fell absolutely sick for she concluded it questionless that her Father would not suffer her to return in that condition and if she should so chance as to be delivered of a Sound in Ecbatane the best of her expectations would be an exchange of his Cradle for a Prison or so ordered that she should not have the dispose of her own Childe Sometimes she imagined her Husband angry with her for concealing from him her Fathers humour and so 〈◊〉 troubled thoughts did disturb her as she stood in need of all her Constancy to concealed Melancholy Mean while she resolves to conceal her Condition as long as she can 〈◊〉 keeps her Chamber continually and for the most part her bed A while after she complains of the Air in Ecbatan and intends a request unto the King her Father that she may return into Persia or else that he would be pleas'd to permit her to go unto a fair house in the Country about some five miles from Ecbatan conceiving that place was most fit to conceal her condition in But as ill-luck would have it one of the Physicians which came to visit her discovered the truth in spite of all her care to conceal it for she often complained of so many untrue distempers thinking thereby to delude them and divert them from knowing the true cause as made them more inquisitive The Physician hoping to be a welcome intelligencer told Astiages she was with Childe so that when the Queen presented her desires unto her Father she was hansomely denied and told this was much better Air so that if she were in Persia so ill as she is he would wish her in Medea for recovery of her health this being both her native and incomparably better Air then that of Persipolis therefore he would by no means have her think of return That he would most willingly consent unto her desires of going into the Country if he could be perswaded it were better for Ecbatan had more pleasant Gardens by much and the Court was fitter for diversion of her melancholy then any Country solitude could be therefore he desired her to remain where she was Presently after all her women about her are removed and others put in their rooms The time of her delivery drew neer and Astiages is fuller if fuller possible can be of new fears In few words Sir Mandana is delivered of a Sonne and timorous Astiages causeth his confident Harpagus to take it with express charge to carry it closely into some remote Mountain and there leave it amongst Tygers in the wilderness This Prince was so inhumane as he would have presently killed him but the Gods restrained him from a fact so foul Harpagus being somewhat less cruel then he would not at that time do it but faithfully promised it should be done and not daring to be seen in the destruction of this Infant he committed it unto the execution of a Shepherd called Methridates who dwelt at the bottom of a great Mountain in the wilderness whom he sent for and commanded him to do with this Childe as he had received charge And be pleas'd to know Sir that this Shepherd carried this Childe away which was the fairest that ever eye beheld During the time that this Shepherd was at the Town with Harpagus his Wife chanced to be delivered of a dead Childe the Shepherd brings this live one to her which presently began to Laugh upon her she took in her arms and forsaking the Corps of her own dead Childe took the care of this fair Little one and would never let her Husband rest untill he consented As for the dead Childe he threw it out amongst the wilde beasts to be there torn in pieces This poor Nurse whose Name was Spaco thought no more of the dead one but resolved to become Nurse unto the other who she knew to be of some high quality by the Mantle in which the Childe was lapt it being made of cloth of gold You may see Sir It had been an easie matter for Methridates living at the foot of a desart mountain far off but towards the north of Ecbatane and the Euxean bridge to have put this Childe to death and never fear discovery in a place so rude and desart And you know Sir as well as I that all the parts of Medea towards Aspires are mountainous wilde forrests covered with woods and fill'd with salvage beasts Be pleased Sir to know further that this Methridates putting his own dead Childe into the Cradle which was very rich and which brought Mandanaes shewed it unto those which Harpagus sent thither to see it These men taking it carried it unto their Master Harpagus who having acquainted Astiages with it received orders to entomb it amongst the Kings of Medea Thus you see Sir the Sonne of a Shepherd in a Royal Sepulcher and the Sonne of a great King in a Shepherds poor Cottage Know also how Astiages caused it to be divulged about the Court that Mandanaes Sonne died of some disease and told the same unto the Princess he sent also unto Cambises to condole the loss But poor Mandana all this while although she did more then suspect the truth yet she with much ado continued in her Constancy and took no notice And though the deep melancholy which dwelt in her eyes did witness as much yet since it could not be helped she would not discover the cause nor infuse any jealousies of it into her Husbands thoughts The better to colour her grief she desired the second time leave to go into the Country which now without any repugnance is consented
the more obliged answered she and since you think him worthy to be your friend it would be a happiness to me to become mine Madam said I and changing colour I would desire one favour from you and if it be possible obtain it that you would carry it so with my friend as he may only esteem and admire you without loving you I think said she smiling and blushing both together that you desire a very difficult matter but since you forbid only impossibilities I will do what I can to satisfie you Ah Madam said I unto her little do you think what you have said you would think this which I desire to be impossible if you did but know your self as well as I do Aglatidas answered she with a more displeased smile know that I pretend unto no more then that you who are a friend unto Artambaces my Father should not live with me as others do from whom I endure their flatteries out of complacence and custome but as for you I would not have you use it and if you continue these kinde of speeches unto me you will force me to carry my self so towards you as perhaps displease you Why Madam said I to her will you let all the world commend you and will you not permit Aglatidas to say that all the world does love you or at the least I am certain it is so if I may judge others by my self I confess said he smiling and turning her Discourse unto a jesting that since you speak your affection unto me after so unusuall a way and since not in speaking of your own fancy but the fancy of the Court in generall I have no reason to blame you in particular But said she then and changed her Discourse Go bring your Friend and as for the rest leave the care of it unto my small merits without any fear of his being captivated I wish Madam Replied I that he may be more happy then one of his dearest friends is You are so unwise replied she that one may finde of your speeches more subject to pity you then to quarrell with you therefore Aglatidas for this once I will be more indulgent to you in saying so she rise and went unto a Balcone which opened into a Garden she called two of her women unto her so that I saw she desired to break off discourse Then I went unto Artambaces and Hermanista from whom after I had held a little discourse I departed and went to finde out Arbaces unto whom I imparted the permission I had obtained from Amestris I related unto him all that I spoke unto her and all her answers and how I desired her to give Arbaces leave to enjoy his freedom It seems said he unto me smiling that you are not only jealous of Megabises and others who have seen your Amestris but you are also jealous of Arbaces who never saw her and who never desired to see her and who never would have seen her if you had not desired him Arbaces spoke this with such an angry smile that I was much puzzled certainly if I had not already asked leave of Amestris to bring him I should have been well contented to have let it alone But as the case now stood I should have seemed too giddy-headed unto my Friend and Amestris would have thought it strange if I did not bring him yet when I considered that Megabises was his Brother and a Lover of Amestris I thought my self safe enough and that which so much troubled me before did now not at all disquiet me supposing that Arbaces would never become a Rivall unto his Brother and his Friend both at once I remained silent a good while after I had propounded unto my self that Arbaces should not see Amestris but upon a sudden I said No No I will not deprive Amestris of the acquaintance with so compleat a man as Arbaces or him of the incomparable delight in hers but if she should chance to enchain me said he smiling what would become of our friendship then if you break those chains answered I for the love of me our friendship will be more strong But what if I cannot Replied he will you then blame me I know not Replied I but yet I know that I do not see how any one should love a Rival Never then answered he put me to the hazard of losing your friendship and since Amestris is so terrible and dangerous leave me to my solitude and let me enjoy my liberty for if I should have the misfortune to lose it I know not whether I should hate you more for being the cause of it or you me for being your Rival not that I finde any disposition in my self why I should fear any such thing at all but on the contrary I perceive the spirits of the most rationall men are so weakned by this Passion as I will never be without an Antidote against this so dangerous a poison Fear me not Aglatidas said he to me and beleeve that if I do lose my Liberty it shall not be without strong opposition When you were catcht Love took you unprovided and put a trick upon you You went into the Countrey to enjoy your solitude and unexpectedly you finde Amestris there you were not prepared for so sudden an assault Your eyes were blinded with over-sudden light Your reason was confused and your heart was suprised and therefore it was no wonder if she captivated a man who had no Arms wherewith to defend himself But it is not so with me for all the world tels me of it you your self tell it and that a hundred times how Amestris is the Fairest upon earth and from these Reports I have fancied so perfect an Idea of her that I am absolutely perswaded she cannot surprise me and perhaps too I have over-fancied her and shall finde her a meaner Beauty then my expectation lookt for Moreover I go with resolved intentions to dispute with her for my heart as much as possible and since my Brother loves her and you love her very reason saies that there is no danger I shall be captivated I told him that I wished as much yet I could not chuse but fear the contrary Arbates not being able to forbear laughing you are so simple said he to me that the very fear which I have to be like you may well make your minde at rest yet notwithstanding let me tell you whilest it is time if you please I will not see her since there is nothing but hazard in it I confess unto you Sir that I was in a hundred mindes whether or no I should take him at his word but I could not resolve upon it I found such folly in my procedure that I was confounded at last I told Arbates that I would not alter my minde but to morrow after dinner we would go unto Amestris Arbates as I have described him was something solitary but he was none of those angry Melancholiques whose conversation was clownish or
confess it with much engenuity said she unto him because I may do it with much innocency It is enough Madam said he unto her with a drooping sadness and I beseech you do me the favour to believe that this shall be the last time of all my life I ever shall importune you and I pray unto the Gods that the news of my death may make you know I am able to dispute with Spitridates for the glory of perfectly loving you After this he left the Princess with such a melancholy motion and his countenance did so alter as he did bid her adieu that it might well be said all the horrors of death were in his eyes and the Princess could not chuse but pity him After this Sir we remained at Heraclea soliciting the Gods against you Sir for we knew you would be in that war but it seemed Heaven was not prâ—pitiâ—us â—nto us for you saved the life of Ciaxares you conquered and triumphed and did such wonders that though they were unto our disadvantage yet could we not cause but admire when we heard them related I shall slightly pass over the beginning of this war and in a few words tell you that when the combate of two hundred against two hundred was resolved upon and when all the question was concerning the choice there was a great contest amongst the Gallantry of our Army who should be the Combatants and though Artanus was none of them yet seemed he to desire the listing himself in the Catalogue of those who were to be chosen The election was to be by lot and the names of those who aspired unto this honour should be put in writing and drawn by the Captain of the Kings Guard Pharnaces who was in the first degree of valour and who looked for nothing but death since he could not be loved had no fancie to trust the business unto lot so that knowing who was to draw these lots he went unto him and after a thousand protestations of friendship and as many prayers to grant his desire he gave unto him the Roll wherein his name was writ and beseeched him to keep it between his fingers and give it unto him as if he had drawn it The Captain smiling at his proposition could not chuse but tell him that every one who brought their names were not so urgent as he was to be in this Combate Pharnaces had a suspition that the Captain did mean Artanus told him that he could not believe there was any which did not extreamly desire to honour themselves by such an extraordinary occasion as this No not Artanus himself said he unto him hoping thereby to move him into a farther explanation when the Captain heard the name of Artanus mentioned he laughed so that Pharnaces thinking his thoughts true did press so urgently that he told him how Artanus had been with him and told him that this Combate being to be performed on foot he should not be able to be an actor in it because his Horse not long since falling upon him had caused a great weakness in his â—high yet he was not willing to make use of this excuse in publick lest his enemies should make an ill construction upon it and therefore he desired and conjured him by all possible entreaties to take out the Roll wherein his name was written from amongst the rest and to gratifie the favour he offered him any courtesie if he would be faithful and secret unto him Pharnaces finding the baseness of his Rival desired to punish him for it and beseeched the Captain to draw himself and Artanus together in the number of the Combatants which the Captain as well to punish the cowardize of the one as to satisfie the generous valour of the other promised him to do The hour of this Ceremony being come all the Rolls were brought unto this Captain and he put them all into a Bag whilest all the pretenders unto this honour stood about him Since Artanus thought his Roll not amongst the rest who was more forward and desirous to be one of that number then himself but how lamentably was he damped when he heard his own name to be the third Scrole which was drawn he seemed so qualmed at the heart as every one perceived it Pharnaces who was next him did taunt him with some ambiguous language by way of Raillery which Artanus did well enough understand but afterwards the name of Pharnaces was drawn and all the rest in their course so that nothing more was to be done but to prepare for combate As for Artanus he had never been chosen had he not been in love wiâ—h Araminta but he durst never publish as much nor complain of the Captain who had deceived him yet however he resolved to go as far as the place of combate though he did nothing else As for Pharnaces he went thither with other kind of thoughts for he went in hopes to perish there and also to see his Rival dye but before he departed he writ these words unto the Princess Araminta PHARNACES unto the Princess ARAMINTA IF Fortune second my designe I am going thither where by dying I shall vanquish and where I shall make it known by my generous dispair that though I could not merit your affections by my services and by my life yet I shall not render my self unworthy of your compassion by my death PHARNACES The truth is Sir you know he fought like a Fury and died a Hero As for Artanus I believe you are not ignorant Sir of the reason why he kept himself â—id whilest Pharnaces only was resisted by you which was his hopes that you would dispatch his only Rival for he made no account of Spitridates and so love having its several operations it moved Pharnaces to be more valiant then ever and Artanus to be more cowardly then he could imagine himself When we had intelligence of Pharnaces his death and presently after heard of Artanus his baseness we lamented the loss of the first and abhorred the villany of the other so that since the Combate you had with him to make him confess his lye he durst never shew himself neither to the Army nor to the Princess nor in Heraclea but hid himself for a time in the Countrey where he harboured an invetered hatred against you not only because you had loaded him with an intolerable burden of dishonour and shame but also because he saw you resembled Spitridates That Letter from the unfortunate Pharnaces did deâ—ply imprint it self in the heart of the Princess when she read it which as her soul was ever extreamly tender and compassionate so she could not look upon it without tears in her eyes and was for a quarter of an hour together so drowned in a floud of sorrows as I believe if that illustrious Lover could have revived and Spitridates had been a Spectatour he would have dyed of a causlesâ— jealousie In the mean while we had no intelligence from this exiled Prince and
was to manage the business and I only to have the honour of the Title neither do I know whether I should have had that if Alexidesmus had not faln sick so that he could not go this Voyage The Prince Philoxipes who was then about my age and the Prince Tisunder being both of them moved with a desire of glory came and took our parts and carried themselves most heroiquely in this War which proved not very prosperous unto us for the Fortune of Policrates was so great that nothing could refin him yet may I truly say without a boast that though we were sometimes worsted yet was it not without glory and though we were not so fortune as to conquer yet we shewed our Enemies that we deserved it At the last a Peace was concluded by the mediation of sage Bits who to that end went from Prienna unto Samos though it lasted not long since it was impossible to tye up Policrates from roving at Sea and assaulting almost all he met At my return to Milete I found the marriage of Alexidesmus and Leonea almost concluded for during my absence Melasia and Philodicea had cajolled with the chief of that faction in the Town who were opposite unto the wise Thales who though he was a great Lover of his Countries Liberty yet would he not buy it at the rate of any violent courses oftentimes saying that a Tyrant who governed his Subjects in Peace was better then that Liberty which was bought at the price of a War But there were some of another faction who transacted upon other principles and after another manner for conceiving that the Prince my Father had usurped an Authority which did not belong unto him and desiring to reduce the Government into a Popularity and to prevent his Successors from raigning after him see how they argued the matter amongst themselves without acquainting Melasia and Philodicea with it though they were all of the Conspiracy They thought that as long as the Prince my father lived there was no thoughts of recovering their Liberty but all their design was how to carry things after he was dead These men took notice how the people of Milete did extreamly affect me and seeing by my inclinations that my Raign would be milde and sweet they conceived it would be very difficult to make the people shake off their obedience but on the contrary foreseeing plainly that it Alexidesmus should Raign he would prove the most cruel violent and tyrannique Prince in they world they thought it would be a most easie business to induce the people to revolt and to shake off a weak and wicked Master so that in hopes this way to ruine soveraign Power the promised Melasia and Philodicea that when it was fit time they would set Alexidesmus in the Throne so that these two women were ignorant of their principles but however they were even ravished with joy to see their design like to prosper according to their wish and therefore the Marriage between Alexidesmus and Leonea must be solemnized without any longer delay and a Feast is prepared in Milete for it at which the Prince of Phocius seeming to forget the death of his Son was present and for a Months time nothing but publique Rejoycings and Sports were to be found amongst all those who were not of this close design Every one did think it strange the Prince my father should marry Alexidesmus before me since by usual course he who was to be his Successor should first be thought upon But since it was not the custom to murmur at whatsoever he did all the Town seemed to be very jocund I seeing which way things were like to be carried consulted with wise Thales who always told me that what the Gods had ordained must needs come to pass and therefore the best course would be to submit unto their Providence The state of things standing upon these terms and the Prince my father thinking himself the happiest man upon Earth Periander King of Corinth who at that time found no very exact obedience from his Subjects did send unto him to ask what would make a King that was but ill obeyed to live quietly in his Dominions The Prince my father who naturally was of a jealous disposuion and one of whose principal Maxims was to trust asecret unto as few as possible and to put nothing to hazard in lieu of writing unto Periander or giving any answer unto the Messenger he carried him to walk in a great Meadow and through a great field of Corn ready to reap for it was that time of the year and said unto him Tell the King your Master what you see me do in this Corn field and tell him that 's my answer The Messenger who knew not the Contents of their Letter which he brought began to observe very exactly what the Prince did who as he walked along the field of Corn as if he were in a deep study did break of those ears of Corn which grew higher then the rest and medled not with those whose weight did bend them down to the ground Whatsoever this Messenger might think upon this action yet he could not comprehend the meaning but resolved to tell his Master what he had seen yet since it seemed something odd and of small consequence after the Prince my father was entered into the Town and this Envoy gone to his lodging he could not chuse but tell the matter unto a man of Milate whom he thought to be his very good friend and one who promised him not to speak of it But as soon as he was gone this man told another and that other told his friend and that friend told another friend and he unto the chief of the Conspirators against me As this man was of a subtle wit and knew very well the state of the Corinthian Affairs and who moreover understood from Melasia that Periander had sent to ask counsel of my father concerning some important business did well enough interpret the riddle and easily understood that the breaking those highest ears of Corn was as much as to say that he must pull down the Grandees of his Dominioes who he thought did aspire above their quality So that fearing lest this lesson which was taught unto Periander should be executed upon himself if ever the Prince of Milete should come to discover his Plot he told those of the Combination that it was requisite they put their plot in execution sooner then once they intended But it was a long while before they could act their intentions so that I had leasure to go into that War wherein Leontidas served Policrates of which he told you in his Relation at Sinope But during my absence Anthemius so was the chief of the Conspirators called did so cunningly manage his business that he induced Melasia to think that the Prince my father lived too long for since the vices of Alexidesmus did every day grow higher the Prince began to make some difference
force against one to whom he owed so much respect Madam said he unto her you asked me your picture to see whether you were fairer then it and to do Justice in restoring it again the same hour I will look upon it said she when I am with my glasse But Madam said he how do you think it possible I should be all the rest of the day without it Since you see the Person whom it personates replied she with a crafty smile you need not regret the want of the picture promise me then I beseech you replied he that you will restore it before we part perhaps I shall restore it to morrow said she at least I will intreat you to come unto my chamber and see the difference betwixt my picture and my self After this Belesis used a hundred conjurations and began to be very angry in his language also he was very nigh steeping his words in his tears but at last he was forced to be silent for Cleodora brought him into the company again so that he could not talke any longer in private together and to take all occasion of it from him she went unto Leonisa and parted not from her all the rest of the day You may imagine Sr. how Belesis fretted and how impatient Cleodora was to be in such a place where she might see whether all Hermogenes told her was truth She did fit so upon thornes that she complained it was grown late to the end she might the sooner induce them homeward on the contrary Belesis thinking to finde some remedy for the discovery which he feared or at least finding some consolation in deferring it did all he could to spin out time telling Cleodora she was not very full of complacency in desiring so much good company should be deprived of so much pleasure for her fake but say what he could they went home betimes Yet his hope was that when he came to her house he might perhaps wait upon her to her chamber and there importune her to restore the picture but she very cunningly stayed in her Aunts chamber untill he was gone and as soon as ever that was she went into her closset and shut her self up and very hastily opened the case where at first she found only her own picture But since Hermogenes told her that the case was doble she begun to consider it very attentively and looked upon it a long while turning it on every side that at last she found the way to open it and presently found the picture of Leonisa As soon as ever she saw it she let it fall from her hand Then taking it up she looked upon it again after which throwing it upon the table with as much anger as sorrow Ah Hermogenes cryed she out all is but too true but I wish it were not well perfidious Belesis hast thou betrayed me and become inconstant well well Leonisa added she did you come unto Susa to make me the most miserable woman in the world And you Hermogenes did you only love me to acquaint me with the cheat of your friend But what good can Belesis Leonisa and Hermogenes get by the miseries which I endure since it is my self whom I ought to accuse for all my disasters For indeed added she and addressed her speech as unto a third person to what end is it that she is so curious in the choise of her friends since she is so ill a chuser of her lover she could never endure above four or five in all the world and out of that number she hath preferred one before the rest and it is very he that hath betrayed and forsaken her she I say who forsooke all the world for Belesis she changed her own humours for him and was neither cholerick or imperious yet he hath forsaken her when she was most favourable unto him Doubtlesse said she I must now treat him as they use to do slaves and spaniels that are better for beating and ill usage or to expresse my self a little better I must neither be milde nor severe unto him but for my own quiets sake I must not see him at all But alas it is but too true that I have seen him I have esteemed him and I have loved him Yet I am fully resolved never to see him again in private but once and that shall be to chide him for his perfidie and I am most certain I shall never esteem him again But for all my wise resolutions said she and sighed I cannot tell whether I can never love him again me thinks I am fuller of sorrow and anger then I am of hatred and me thinks I cannot chuse but wish he would repent But I am resolved though he should repent yet never to pardon him but to be revenged both upon him for his crime and upon my self for my folly After this Cleodora told me that she spoke a hundred things more which she could not well remember and that she fixed upon a hundred severall resolutions contrary to one another and that her minde was full of all that love hatred anger and jealousy could in the most violent manner inspire into her And was so long in discourse with her selfe that her women were constrained to come tell her it was very late and that if she would sleep before it was day she must go to bed quickly Cleodora desiring to conceal her perplexities took up the picture which she threw upon the table with much violence and went to bed but assured me that she never closed her eyes all that night but after she had well thought upon what course to take she resolved to imploy all her wits to make Belesis and Leonisa fall out and to make a way for Tisias to marry her Yet since she could not bring this to passe by her self but did stand in need of the help of Hermogenes who could easily help on her designe she resolved to endure him and make him the confident of her revenge Since she was one of an arrogant spirit she had an apprehension that none could observe by her eyes that she had been crying or that she wanted sleep so that before the sun appeared she wiped up all her tears and shut up all her sighs and did strive to set a glosse of that tranquility upon her face which was far from her heart she would needs be dressed better then the day before thinking her dresse would add gaynesse unto her lookes After that she had taken all possible care to hide her melancholy she went from her own chamber to Leonisas which was not far off but since this Lady did not rise so soon as Cleodora she was not yet ready and not knowing why or what her businesse was she did chide her for being so early and earnestly asked the reason for truly said she unto her I did not think to see you so early and so fine to day adding and laughing that surely she intended to make some new conquest at the Temple and
Susa and should have gone unto some place farr off from hence where I might have hid my self from the acquaintance of men where neither he nor Cleodora should have heard any more of me After this Belesis began to aggravate his misfortunes untill anger did so swell his spirits that never remembring his love or friendship to Hermogenes he said that he was not able to suffer him to marry Cleodora In the mean while the Prince of Susa hearing that Belesis stirred out of his lodging was so incensed against him that I was advertized he intended to give command that he should retire himself And I understood that Tisias thinking that whilst he could not stirr out Belesis might perhaps work upon the spirit of Leonisa against him had moved the Prince of Susa upon some Colourable pretence or other to place Leonisa about the Queen untill he was perfectly recovered of his wounds So that fearing some mischief was plotted against my friend I conjured him to quit Susa for some certain dayes but he told me that he would never quit it untill he had spoken with Cleodora and that in private He told me how that he had been severall times at her house but he was alwayes answered by them that she was not within or would not be seen Adding that if Hermogenes would enjoy her in quietnesse it were his best course to procure him a sight of her When I therefore perceived the obstinacy of Belesis I went unto his friend in hopes to do some good upon him but found him as resolute as a Rock which would not be moved So that when I saw I could make no good end between them I went privately unto Cleodora to let her know the state of things and that her prudence might prevent all mischief and order the businesse between them for they being both my friends I knew not how to be partiall and to preferr one before another I had no sooner acquainted Cleodora how things were between Belesis and Hermogenes but she said that the last of these did her wrong to tell his friend she would not see him she seemed to be much surprised and very unquiet Yet afterwards she used so many expressions of anger against Belesis as I thought he would finde no great satisfaction in seeing her But since he did so vehemently desire it and since I could not perswade him to go out of Susa untill he heard his sentence of death pronounced from her own mouth I beseched her to let him have the opportunity to see her but she would not consent unto it Yet for all this I had a conceipt that if I did deceive her and finde out a way for Belesis to see her she would pardon me So therefore thinking to advance the happinesse of Hermogenes by advancing the departure of Belesis who would not stirr from Susa till he spoke with Cleodora I ordered the businesse so that the next morning I imployed Hermogenes in some businesse another way and one of my Cosen 's carried Cleodora to see a new built palace which for its curiosity every one went to see it since it was yet uninhabited Belesis who had his instructions failed not to be there my cosen conducted Cleodora unto a Gallery where leaving the rest of her women she carried her into a chamber within that chamber a closet where Belesis was waiting for Cleodora she no sooner saw him but she started back would needs go out again he falling upon his knees and having hold of her gowne For God Heavens sake Madam said he unto her give me but one howres hearing I conjure you 'T was to that end this charitable woman brought you hither Give me leave therefore Madam to beg your pardon and to beg it in a flood of tears Provided you will give me leave to deny you all you aske said she unto him I shall consent to give you audience If I demand death Madam will you deny me that also said he unto her doubtless I would deny you that replied she not only because the punishment which you deserve would not be long enough if you dyed so soon but because it sufficeth that you have desired something which I cannot consent unto how ever it be Madam said he unto her if it be only to chide me yet I beseech you hear me hear me with patience whilst these two were thus in discourse she who brought Cleodora in the house went unto the rest of the women which were in the Gallery did amuse them with shewing them pictures other such talk so that Belesis seeing he could talk and not be understood Give me leave Madam said he unto her fore I ask you pardon to assure you that this Belesis whom you see at your feet is the very same Belesis whom heretofore you were pleased to preferr before any other And so I do still said she for I think you so much different from all other men that I think you do incomparably excell them all However it be Madam said he I am most certain of one thing which is that my heart was never so full of love unto you as now Oh I wish with all my soul replied she that you spoke truth and I wish with all my soul Madam said he that you did really desire it No no Belesis answered Cleodora I was not far from my reall thoughts when I said that I should be even ravished with joy to be certain that you were desperately in love with me But you do extreamly mistake my meaning if you think I make this wish with any intentions to accept of your affection Since I do not wish you should love me for any other reason but that I might thereby punish you for ceasing to love me before I confesse Madam replied he that I am the most to blame of any man alive for doing as I lately did But Madam I beseech you do not too severely looke upon the most extravagant act of all my life or if you do looke upon it let it be as upon a subject whereupon to exercise your goodnesse Forgivenesse Madam does most resemble divinity and by consequence your self To what purpose is clemency but to forgive and this is the operation that when it is extended in the greatest measure it converts the greatest offendors to become the greatest lovers Moreover Madam do not think I beseech you that I did absolutely cease to love you at that very time when I seemed to be most in love with Leonisa She can tell you that I would never be moved to acquaint her with the least passage which had been between us nor could I ever endure that my best friend should ever love you and therefore it must by necessary consequence be concluded that I ever loved you Not that by this I intend to justifie my self But that I would if I could something lessen my crime to the end you may the sooner pardon it Before I can ever have such a
sequell you shall finde that they are essentially necessary I beseech you also Sir give mee leave to relate many things particularly which Fame doubtlesse hath already brought unto your ears yet it is impossible you should perfectly understand the adventures which have dependency upon them since it is not credible your Infancy could be capable of them nor indeed possible in your riper years that the Conquerour of all Asia should have so much leisure from his illustrious Conquest as to enquire of all the passages in Africa Give me leave to tell you then Sir that Sesostris is the sonne of Apriez that Renowned but unfornate King who after a long and happy Reign brought home so many glorious advantages from the Wars with Tyre and Sidon was at last thrown out of his Throne This Apriez boasts of his descent from the Race of the first Sesostris so famous for his Virtues and Victories For Psammethicus his great Grandfather was so 'T is true this Prince from whom Apriez descended was himself sufficiently adorned with glory without any derivatives from his Predecessors since it was he who had the honour to defeat eleven Kings or rather so many Tyrants which during a vacancie upon the Throne divided all the Kingdom into so many illegitimate powers This is Sir the extraction of Sesostris And I know Sir you will wonder when I tell you that Amasis who this day reigns in Egypt hath a Son of Apriez and a Son who commands all the Forces of Amasis Conqueror of the late King his Father But Sir if you will be pleased to lend as much patience as to hear me your wonder will vanish and all that which did seem incredible will easily be beleeved To return then unto the source of Sesostris his misfortunes it is expedient as I said before to acquaint you with the misfortunes of the King his Father and afterwards tell you how Amasis came unto the Throne for these are the hinges of all the History I have already told you Sir how happily Apriez raigned happy in Warrs happy in peace and as happy also in his marriage not only in a Princesse of most admirable beauty and vertue but also in a sonne born the first yeare of her marriage a sonne who from his very cradle seemed to be what you see him at this day and all the interim of his infancy was full of illustrious hopes Thus was Apriez the happiest of all the Kings upon Earth Master of the most abundant of rich Kingdomes in the World never was Aegypt in sweeter tranquillity never did the Floods of Nilus make our fields more fertile and never was the Monarchy more firmly established then it seemed to be at that time Yet Sir this Serenity was quickly overclowded but that you may the better see which way the Gods did bring it about be pleased to know that Amasis who at this day raignes and whose birth was more noble then his enemies report was then in the Court harbouring so much ambition secretly in his heart as seldome did suffer him to be in rest There was in the Court at the same time a Princesse whose name was Ladice who had been married who being a Widdow obtained the Queenes favour and consequently the Kings for it is the custom of Aegypt that all Husbands doe in generall respect their Wives and especially Kings their Queenes grounding this laudable custome upon the excellent example of Osiris who was infinitely uxorious unto Isis and this way Ladice possessing the heart of the Queen was in great credit with the King and as those in favour are alwaies looked upon so Amasis whose spirit was as great as his ambition perceiving the power which Ladice had with the Queen began to apply himselfe unto her more then any other before her favour was much divulged in the world to the end he might perswade this Princesse that this was not the reason why he saw her more then he was accustomed For Amasis being of a penetrating spirit and knowing the humours both of the Queen and Ladice though the favours of this Princesse were at first but small in shew yet he foresaw that undoubtedly they would augment and therefore to set a better price upon his services he began betimes to declare himselfe to be a devoted friend unto Ladice and indeed this Princesse who was extreamly pleased with the spirit of Amasis was not long before she became his friend as much as he hers and more for he loved her because of her favour and she loved him only in respect of his merit and person In the mean time when Amasis saw he was not mistaken in his conjectures but that Ladice did grow more and more in favour the better to cloake his ambition he made the Princesse think he loved her and so handsomly mannaged the matter that she was not angry with him for it I will not tell you Sir which way he discovered his passion to her nor how Ladice accepted it because I intend not a relation of his or her history only this that Ladice being both faire and a favourit all the men of any quality in the Court did apply themselves to serve her so that she neither accepting nor rejecting any of them she was absolute Mistresse of the hearts of all the Grandees of Aegypt and since this Princesse did love the State she made use of their loves as well as her beauty and favour to keep them from any rebellions in the Kingdome and inseparably to unite them unto the Kings interest and the truth is she did negotiate with so much wisdome and generosity that she merited eternall glory for she did dissipate severall factions shattered many confederacies and plots and reduced them all unto the Kings obedience In the meane time Amasis who in the eyes of all the world seemed only the friend of Ladice did really become her lover and a lover loved because she had a beliefe that he was the only man who loved her in consideration of her person and not of her favour not knowing that his soule was filled fuller of secret ambition then it was of love yet did she find some difficulties in the matter for there was then no suitable proportion between Amasis and his rivalls nor between him and her selfe yet notwithstanding since she did most passionately love him and thought her selfe obliged and since he courted her with unequalled respects and had served the King in many occasions with much fidelity since he got much glory in the Warr with Tyre and Sydon and since her inclination prompted her to preferre him before all the World and since her soule was disengaged from all others she could with more ease overcome all other obstacles and resolve to marry him if she could have any infallible assurance that those who then courted her and whom she kept from disturbing the state would not renew all their factions especially at that time when the King was engaged in a warre with the Cyrenians But
especially since the Musician was even ravished that Arion sung so ill 'T is true he did not report that he heard Arion in my chamber but he said he heard him The two women durst not tell all the truth which they thought they knew but they told all the women of Zenocrite that Arion was in Town and that Thrasimedes was acquainted with him So that the next day the news was publique and every one asked whether they had seen Arion But the best conceit was that the same day Zenocrite came unto Lycaste where I was with Cydipe and Arpalice Thrasimedes came also and brought Philistion with him as Philistion that is as a man of Quality in Hallicarnassis and not as Arion For my part though I did beleeve he had put a trick upon us yet I knew not for whom I should take this Stranger but I was much perplexed that every one who came that day to Lycaste should all talk of Arion Some said one thing others another according to the various reports of Relators For my part said Zenocrite I despair not of knowing him for I am told he is a friend of Thrasimedes I must confesse when I heard Zenocrite say so I thought it some affront which she put upon Arpalice and me and that she had known something of the precedent dayes passage On the other side Thrasimedes and Philistion knew not what to think But at last Thrasimedes said that he had not as yet seen Arion and that if he did meet with him he promised Zenocrite to bring him unto her He had no sooner passed this promise but all the company desired the same favour and Philistion was as earnest of it as any of the rest So that Arion desired to see Arion In the mean time Arpalice and I could hardly hold from laughing yet she restrained her self as well as she could She had much adoe to bring some angry Idea into her fancy to prevent it but at last the thought of Menecrates his arrivall the next day gave a stop unto all her mirth In the mean time Thrasimedes came to me and asked me pardon for the imposture which he had used making me an exact relation of all and conjuring me to pittie him and doe him all good offices unto Arpalice I shall not relate all that he said unto us for it would be too long nor how Thrasimedes was persecuted by all those who desired him to make them acquainted with Arion nor how Zenocrite did play upon the return of Menecrates But let me tell you that Arpalice seeing Menecrates did return the next day and apprehending that perhaps within a few dayes they would enjoyn her to marry him she was so exceedingly sad at the thought of it that she fell sick and so sick that she kept her bed To tell you truly I am perswaded that as things stood her esteem of Thrasimedes did augment her aversion unto Menecrates However her dislike of him made her sad and sick So that partly sad partly sick she kept her bed all the next day and I stayed with her because she desired I should see how he would accost her and indeed the meeting was very civill on Menecrates his side though with much indifferency but with an extream coldnesse from Arpalice She being in her bed and as she said sick no great notice was taken but he seemed more disposed to look upon Cydipe who was very handsome that day then to talk with Arpalice and he did it so openly that one could not doe him a greater pleasure then to withdraw and leave him alone with her But the strangest thing is that this Lover who at his return found his Mistris sick was so little troubled at it that he stayed very late talking with Cydipe in Lycastes chamber and was in the merriest mood in the world that night I leave you to judge whether this was not enough to augment Arpalices aversion who was indeed so really troubled at this proceeding that she was really sick for fifteen dayes and Menecrates did not visit her above one quarter of an hour every day employing all the rest in pleasures and courting Cydipe who infinitely pleased him Also he did visit Thrasimedes and so did Parmenides For though they had told him of the passage concerning the Picture and had hinted as much as might perswade him that Thrasimedes was in love with Arpalice yet since himself was not he cared not and consequently did not choak his civilities unto Thrasimedes who ever since the day in which he confessed his trick did continually tell me of his love to Arpalice In the mean time since she would not do Menecrates so much favour as to seem angry against him for playing away her Picture but onely continued cold towards him without any mention of the true cause she was very desirous of some time to resolve upon what course to take and would goe into the Country with Zenocrite who asked leave of Lycaste telling her that fresh air was the best thing to recover her health So that Arpalice went with Zenocrite for fifteen dayes Menecrates not knowing whether she was improved or no since he had onely seen her in the dark So she went out of her bed into a Coach and was not very sick for she being much more sick in mind then body stirring made her better For my part I stayed at Patara with orders to write news unto Arpalice and indeed I gave her a full relation and had matter enough for it for Menecrates was so taken with the beauty of Cydipe and Parmenides so deep in love with Cleoxene Sister unto Menecrates and the counterfeit Arion seemed not to hate me so that I had matter of news enough But when I sent all this news unto her I sent two severall Letters one to her self another to shew Zenocrite for though she was a very generous person yet there were some secrets which one would hardly trust themselves with and though she was her confident in a hundred things yet they were such as related more unto others then her self Thus Zenocrite knew all but knew it by such as had no interest in it And thus I left it unto the discretion of Arpalice what she thought fit to impart unto her And she told her with joy that Menecrates applyed himself unto Cydipe but with sorrow that Parmenides loved the Sister of Menecrates I writ to her also in rallery how Thrasimedes visited me so oft that Philistion had not opportunity to expresse half the esteem he had of me In the mean time the love of Thrasimedes being violent the absence of Arpalice seemed long unto him and needs must he write unto her Since hee knew I used to send unto her and since he had made me tell him the day when I writ unto her he came unto me as I was ready to make up my Pacquet and knowing I sent her all the witty and pleasant things I could gleane he gave me some verses which he
had any thoughts of Marriage it should be one of a better Rank and that she might the sooner take his counsel he would speak sometimes very well of Phocilion whom he feared more then all the rest For since he was well acquainted with the high virtue of Elisa he did much less fear the Princes who loved her then Phocilion whose condition and quality being more equal unto hers might permit him to look upon her as a man whom she might innocently Love But notwithstanding all his advises he could not perswade Elisa to his wish and knowing her to be imperious and that perhaps he might anger her if he assumed any authority over her he durst not be further importunate However his soul enjoyed her usual serenity a few daies after for since Phocilion was not forward and since his design upon Elisa was not a simple design of Gallantry but of Marriage he did not transact as other Lovers did but carried it with much less noyse because he was not sorry to observe the carriage of Elisa amidst so many Adorers before she would declare her self So that negotiating as the friend of Straton Poligenes did a little reassure himself and also came to be very friendly with Phocilion who having observed that Poligenes was in Elisa's favour took a special care not to be upon any ill terms with him As there is no manner of mourning is so soon passed over as that of the Court especially where a young Prince succeeds an old King so pleasure now began to bud out in Tire where they began to make many magnificent Feasts of which Elisa was the fairest ornament There were also divers games of Prize to be played and I remember one which conducted much to the glory of Elisa and which procured her the hatred of many beauties For imagine Madam that those who won the Prize that day were to carry it unto Elisa out of the extream desire they had to please her and to get some honor in her presence Those three Princes Rivals whereof I spoke and who were Brothers and Rivals both were in the number of those who were to lay at her feet those marks of advantage which they had won But it was most admirable to see with what modest pride Elisa refused what they presented unto her and with what repugnancy she obeyed Straton who commanded her to accept their offerings Poligenes who was one of those who brought the Prize was yet received more favourably then the rest because she feared not in him those consequences which she apprehended in those who were her declared Lovers yet I am confident that for all her fury she was not sorry for receiving an honour that day which none but her self ever had yet she did hide her satisfaction so well that she returned home with so little sign of joy as if she never thought upon it The next morning all those who shared in her glory went to visit her to testifie that they were very glad of the honour which she had received but they found that she had a soul so infinitely above all that can be phrased vanity that they judged her more worthy of a Crown then the Prize they had offered not but that she received their applauds with a submissive modesty but on the contrary it was with such a proud and fierce humility if it may be said as made it apparent that she found more satisfaction in her self then in the praises of another not but that she did love the commendations of her friends but she would have their commendations to be real signs of that esteem which those who commend her have of her and that they be worthy who give her any such applauds As for those tumultuous Encomiums which are given out of custom or decency they did more vex then please her and I have seen her receive them so fiercely as she hath been ready to convert her love into hatred against those who gave them and truly it is not strange she should for besides her natural humour of fierceness and cholor Poligenes did much contribute unto it and I am confident that he would commend this Spirit of fierceness in her a hundred times more then her beauty voice or wit I remember one day amongst the rest when none but Poligenes Phocilion and I were with Elisa and beginning to commend her generosity in loving to do good offices unto her friends we fell insensibly to repeat one after another all the excellent qualities which she was owner of though she endeavoured to make us change our discourse Since you will needs have me endure your Panigyriques said she seeing we still went on I pray do me the favour to tell me of my faults that I may amend them For my part said Phocilion I cannot find any but one which I can desire should be mended which is that you are a little too scornful For my part replied Poligenes I think and could rather wish she were not so sweetly familiar for I do profess unto you that if there were a necessity Elisa should lose any one of those qualities which renders her so admirable I would let any of them go rather then her scornful and haughty way of demeanure How said I with admiration and looked upon Poligenes Do you prefer the pride of Elisa before any other of the good qualities which she is owner of I beseech you consider well what I say replied he and do not think I speak without reason I must confess replied Phocilion that my reason reacheth not so far nor can I understand how it should be possible you can consent that Elisa should part with the least good quality she hath rather then that pride and scorn which addeth an ingredient of fear to be mixed with the Love of those who profess any affection to her For my part said Elisa and laughed I am so glad to find any one who will commend a fault which I cannot mend in my self as I cannot sufficiently express my obligation unto Poligenes for it I assure you Madam replied he you need never thank me for a thought which I cannot chuse but think But I beseech you said Phocilion What is the motive which prompts you to affect this pride in Elisa which blemisheth all the rest of her virtues It is replied he because thereby her heart is not easily conquered and as I am fully perswaded speaking in kind of rallary that it is not my destiny to make that illustrious Conquest so I am very glad that there is somthing in the spirit of Elisa which may hinder others from it as well as my self and to speak in reason there is nothing that better becomes any high beauty then this noble Pride yet I must needs say that this humour does not suit handsomly with every one for there is requisite a thousand good qualities to produce those pleasing effects which I speak of and it must be a high Beauty that must set it off for Beauty
against any reasonable civility replyed Mandana provided it be not over long nor hinder me from departing within an hour After this Cyrus left her and went unto the place where they carryed the Assyrian King but being told that he was dressing he would not see him untill the Chirurgions came from him As they came out of his Chamber Cyrus asked them how he did and they answered him that of three wounds which he had received the most dangerous was in his right arm which was very ill and they would not answer for it telling him further how that the Prince desired them to say he was not in any danger After this Cyrus went unto the King of Assyria's chamber who was calling one of his men to send unto him So as he no sooner saw him but striving not to seem weak or dangerously wounded I am glad Sir said he unto him that you have taken so much pains as to come see me And truly Sir replyed Cyrus I am very sorry you should be in such a Condition as obligeth me to render you this visit Trouble not your selfe so much for my hurts replyed this furious Prince in a low voyce least any should hear but Cyrus for if I be not much mistaken I shall be well before you can come at Ecbatane Though I should come there before that replyed Cyrus it should not make me start from my promise I conjure you not answered the King of Assyria And to oblige you unto it know Sir that though this hurt in my right Arm were greater then it is that I had lost the use of it yet I would fight with you with my left hand rather then voluntarily yeeld the Princesse unto you for there is a fatall necessity in it you must either be my Conqueror or I yours To testifie unto you Sir replyed Cyrus that I donot wish to spare a fighting with you upon the score of your hurts nor to any advantage of that weaknesse which your wounds have caused I beseech you take as long time as you please to recover in and make choise of whom you will to keep you company but I beseech you Sir tell me what Heroe or what Assassinate hath brought you into this Condition Certainly you will have it from the mouth of my Conqueror replyed the King of Assyria sharply for I make no question but Intaphernes will come ere long and aske a recompence of you for ridding you of an Enemy though he fought only upon his own score but yet he has reason Sir to give you thanks for his victory for if my extream desire to vanquish him presently that I might fight with you also this day had not made me run head long into his Arms as brave as he is he had not so easily vanquished me Since I have such experience of your valour Sir replyed Cyrus I shall easily believe what you say In the mean time I assure you that if the Prince Intaphernes were not the sonne of Gadates unto whom I stand bound in many obligations I should hardly receive him well as accomplished as he can be since he is the cause our Combate is deferred but because I will not my selfe deferr by augmenting your paine with too long a visit You shall give me leave to retire after a second confirmation of my promise not to faile in the least tittle of my word and after I have assured you I will appoint some of my men to wait upon you with as much respect as upon my self and to have as great care of your life as if it were absolutely necessary unto my felicity Most noble Rivall said the King of Assyria lifting up his eyes to heaven do not over-load mee with your generosity but let it suffice you have promised me not to faile in your word After this the violent King of Assyria not being able any longer to master himselfe turned boisterously on the other side and began to accuse the Fates for being so opposite unto all he desired And Cyrus having no more to say unto him went out of his Chamber commanding those that were to wait upon him to have especiall care of him Thus this generous minded Prince in point of perfect magnanimity took care for the preseruation of an Enemy who wished not for life but to be his death But Cyrus was no sooner out of his Rivals Lodging then this unfortunate King called for one of his men and sent him unto the Princess Mandana to tell her he was very sorry he could not waite upon her as he designed but that he hoped to overtake her before she cawe to Ecbatane Yet conjuring her that if he was mistaken in his Conjectures and dyed of his wounds she would be pleased to favour him so farr as not to rejoyce at his death The man who was to deliver this odd messuage did very hastily perform his Commission yet he found the Princess ready to take Coach and Cyrus with her rendring her an accompt of the Assyrian Kings condition But she no sooner received this Messuage then she prepared to answer him that brought it Tell the King your Master said she unto him that I never use to rejoyce at the death of my greatest Enemies because I cannot do it without a piece of inhumanity but withall assure him that I should exceedingly rejoyce if in the recovery of his wounds he should recover the health of his mind as well as the health of his body After this Mandana with Doralisa Pherenice and Martesia took Coach and departed immediately And then Cyrus took Horse with all the rest of the Princes except Mazanes who stayed a quarter of an hour behind the rest to visite the King of Assyria but he found him in such a fretting and distempered humour as he was forced to leave him presently so as he quickly overtook the Princess Mandana In the meane time Cyrus having left order with one to send him exact word of the Assyrian Kings condition and to send it secretly for some Reasons best known to himself He also sent to seek Gadates and to tell him that it was his sonne who had wounded the King of Assyria and to aske him if he knew where he was Sir said Gadates unto him as they ridd I did write unto him by the Messenger of Arsamenes and commanded him to come and pay some of my obligations unto you by rendring you some considerable services knowing that since the King of Bythinia had now no Warrs in his Dominions he would willingly come hither but since that I heard nothing of him It is credible replyed Cyrus that we shall shortly see him For by the manner of the King of Assyria's speech I collected that Intaphernes was not wounded Though the King of Assyria replyed Gadates and sighed hath heretofore given my sonne a thousand causes of complaint in the life time of the Queen Nitocris and though its likely he hath given him some since in Bythinia yet I must needs be sorry both
a prisoner unto one of these Ladies However Sir added he and gave him no time to reply though the fetters you are to have will not be so heavie as those which they perhaps would impose upon you yet I think its fit I carry you unto a place where you may rest your self And accordingly Aritaspes preparing himself to go out did put Adonacris before him though a Prisoner and conducted him into a very noble room After which he took all requisite orders for the rest of the Prisoners who were not to pass upon their Parol as Adonacris was But Sir I forgot to tell you that Noromata did hold her countenance so resolutely when Adonacris saluted her in going out of Eliorantes chamber that he saw no more in her eyes than when he first entred onely a cold and serious civility which had struck him into despair had he not remembred her passionate tenderness which he saw a quarter of an hour before Also he thought that perhaps the presence of so many persons made her restrain her self but he was quickly deprived of that consolation for being lodged in a Chamber which opened into the Court wherein was a Balcone not very high he stayed in it in hopes to see Noromata as she went out And indeed his hope was not deceived for she having more disquiet thoughts than she imagined she could master she went out as soon as Adonacris came into the Balcone But though he saluted her with all imaginable respect and followed her with his eyes not onely till she was in the Coach but also till the Coach was out of the Court he could obtain no more from her but onely a civill congie without any looks of her eye or sign with her head or wagging of hand which he could interpret to his advantage so that he went out of the Balcone very sadly However the first looks of Noromata made such a sensible impression in him and so well perswaded him that she did not hate him that he knew not what construction to make upon this last coldness Let it be as it will said he to himself as he told me since the best I can think of it is that Noromata would not have me know she doth not hate me But alas my dear Noromata added he If I be so happy as not to be hated all your hollow cold treatments will be in vain for I shall discern whether your expressions of hatred be caused by a reall aversion or by prudence onely After this Adonacris began to cast about how to see her and to see her in private for he still found her so fair that his love still augmented yet this love as violent as it was still was all purity And Adonacris was so well acquainted with the vertue of Noromata that he set most severe limits unto his desires so that being full perswaded of the innocency in his affection he thought Noromata might and ought to answer him And imagining an unexpressable joy if he could once in his life hear from the mouth of Noromata that he was not hated he thought upon nothing else but how to speak with her when none could hear but her self But whilest he was contriving how to bring this to pass Noromata was thinking how to avoid all conversation with him as for seeing her she saw she could not And indeed she could not go out of Tipanis during the war nor could she leave off her visits unto Eliorantes and the rest of her friends without giving them cause to ask her reason All she had to do was not to see Adonacris at her own lodging and to shun him if she met him any where else yet she found so great a repugnancy to take this course that any other vertue besides hers would have submitted unto a Passion so tender and strong However Noromata did surmount her self but not her inclination though she did all she could to overcome it untill now she only indeavoured to love Adonacris but now seeing the danger greater she indeavoured to force her heart unto a love of Sitalces but alas she could not But her vertue finding an ample Subject to make it self appear she resolved to do as much for Sitalces as if she had loved him better than her self but to do nothing for Adonacris And so neglect no means which might procure an exchange for her husband though his presence was most grievous and the presence of Adonacris most agreeable to her Noromata did not resolve upon this rashly and tumultuously but upon mature examination and consideration of it a whole night together without a wink of sleep untill at last the weariness of her spirits compelled her But when she waked she received in one quatter of an houre three letters of different stiles which came from three different Persons For a Post from Agatherses which came to advertise Aritaspes that the Prince Spargapises and himself would shortly come unto Tipanis did bring her one from Sitalces at Issedon whether Agatherses had sent the man to inquire of one of his friends who could not be found either amongst the wounded or dead or amongst the living on his side the second was from Argirispes who conceived her to solicite as zealously at Tipanis for the liberty of Adonacris as she would do at Issedon for the liberty of Sitalces And the third was from Adonacris which a servant unto this prisoner had given unto one of her women by another name than that of his masters and without staying for an answer for Adonacris feared lest Noromata should send it back sealed as soon as she saw the character of the superscription So that the vertuous Noromata finding all at once a letler from her Lover one from her husband and another from Argirispe she was in a strange perplexity had she honoured her own inclination she had opened that from Adonacris and had looked upon that from Sitalces the last Yet this virtuous Lady surmounting her self resolved not to open the letter from Adonacris at all to reade that from Sitalces and then that from Argirispes So throwing upon the Table that letter which came from the hand of him that was most dear unto her she opened her husbands but opened it with a sigh and was long before she was able to read it so sad was her soul but at last having read it she found some expression of affection and some of civility but Sitalces having no polite faculty in writing though he had wit enough these civilities had neither any tenderness nor gallantry in them only as much as might come from a husband who naturall was not gallant and from one who valued his liberty more than any thing else yet indeed there was some expressions of Love in his Letter but truely very little obliging for he bluntly intimated unto her how he was troubled that Spargapises and the whole Court would winter at Tipanis and that she was like to have so much good company Adding afterwards severall directions concerning
been assured of victory they could not have marched with more cheerefulnsse then they did now in going to share in the dangers unto which the greatest Prince in the world was going to expose himself unto In the mean time Cyrus was resolved that his Army should fight in two Brigades that these two Brigades should be seconded with a body of Reserve which Hidaspes was to Command that Aglatidas should be in the Head of the Infantry that Cressus and the King of Hircania should command the Left-wing and Mazares under him the Right where the Prince Artamas Intaphernes Atergatis Gobrias Gadates Mersiles Intathyrses Persodes and all the rest of the Heroes who had no employment should fight neare his person But Cyrus who was as great a Captaine as valiant Souldier he believed because in all likelihood he should fight the Massagettes in those difficult passes therefore it was expedient to line his Cavalrie with some Infantry and to that end betweene every squadron he placed a hundred Archers appointing afterwards all the rest of the Archers to be the Guards of Cressus the King of Hircanius Guards and his own also the Assirian Cavalry to be upon both sides of the Right and Left wings But to the end nothing might clogge him he sent his Baggage to the side of Araxes and afterwards marched in the Head of his Army which seeming to be guided by one soul in every part came to the entrance of the Wood and Orders were so wisely given and exactly executed by all that not one Souldier was to be an inch out of his ranck Cyrus began now to be in hopes of happy successe and the Idea of Mandana did so wholly take up his minde that feares of any approaching dangers had no roome in his thoughts But whilest this great Prince was advancing with all possible Heroique heat and employing all his Cares for reliefe of the Fort Ariantes under the Order of Thomiris was vigorously endeavouring to take it before his Rival could arive And indeed he followed on so close and assaulted it so often that is is to be imagined that without the reliefe which Mazares had gotten unto it it could never have held out so long as to give Cyrus time enough to execute his designes For it was so ill furnished with all manner of necessaries to sustain a Siege that it was impossible for the valour of Feraulas to have defended it Also Ariantes thought it so inconsiderable that he would never trouble himselfe with making any workes about it though he had learned very well under Cyrus how to make formal Sieges Moreover since the Massagettes have no Townes but live all in portable Tents Thomiris and Ariantes could not get any information of Cyrus his March nor of his Number for all the people about Araxi fled away as soon as Cyrus passed the River so as there could not be any certaine intelligence given nor was the Army of Cyrus thought to be so numerous as they were and they were ignorant of his strength until they heard the Army was entered into the wood and seemed resolved to passe through those straits so as they were forced to be tumultuous in their resolutions and knew not well whether they should defend the those passes or expect their Enemy in the plaine and there end the difference by a decisive battel Ariantes opinion was to give a stop unto Cyrus in these passages and in order to that to line the woods with part of their Infantry and to back them with a good body of Cavalry for by this course it was impossible that Cyrus should come to execute his designes also whilest they were thus amusing his Army they might easily take the Fort with a few Forces for he had certaine intelligence it could not hold out above two dayes The sage and valiant Terez concurred with the opinion of Ariantes Agatherses Octomasades and all the old experienced blades were of the same minde But Thomiris thinking it better to fight Cyrus in her Country then to defend these passes she was not of their opinion but said the designe was dishonourable and it was as good as nothing for her Army to doe nothing but take a poore Fort since they were in the head of a puissant Army she said it was much better for them to give battel presently then to stay till the Massagettes were more informed of their Enemies valour And that it was more advantagious for them to fight farre off Araxis and in a plaine in the middest of a Wood where the Enemy was ignorant of the passes then neare the place where they had a boate-bridge over the River Ariantes yet opposed her as much as ever he could but she without any farther hearing or giving any reason she told him peremptorily it should be so and accordingly it was resolved to let the whole Army of Cyrus pass into the plaine without any stop or opposition Truth is though this resolution of Thomiris had not been followed yet they had been forced to take it for whilest the interest of Thomiris and Ariantes moved them to different opinions and whilest they were debating what to doe or not dâ—e the Forlorne hope of Cyrus his Army appeared close by the Massagettan Campe so that then Ariantes seeing no way but to assemble all their Quarters and to thinke of nothing but fighting and to lose no time Thomiris and Ariantes sent in post hast to Aripithes to make hast and joyn with them But to omit nothing which a great Captaine could doe upon such an important occasion you must know that Cyrus when he departed from the plaine of Gelons towards the entrance into the wood he marched in battalia upon two banks until he came to the entrance of the strait Passes and to 〈◊〉 into nothing rashly he sent Mazares to view them and hee made choice of him for that imployment because he had been already in the woods when he relieved the Fort But this generous Rival unto Cyrus finding these passes defended onely with a Guard of fifty Horse he easily beat them off and returned to tell this Prince that he might easily be master of these passes provided he made hast So that now it was apparent there would be a battel since the Enemy did not guard the Passes and since Cyrus would engage them beyond the wood Cressus now was of another opinion and used all his argument to alter the designe But Cyrus having told him in few words his reasons why he would fight commanded him to goe immediately unto those Forces which he was to command The zeale which Cyrus had to fight and quickly to deliver Mandana was so high that fearing something should be an obstacle unto his resolution of fighting he would not follow what the dictates of his prudence hinted unto him but on the contrary out of his excesse of Love and desire of glory would needs advance so near the enemy that it should be impossible to disengage himselfe from a generall combate
had two yeares since but since I never saw them I took them for a novelty So that after he had read them unto me I sent them unto Arpalice But as Thrasimedes gave them unto me he slily slipâ— a note into them which I perceived not So that when Arpalice opened my Pacquet she was much surprised to find a Letter from Thrasimedes whose hand she knew very well and wondering I should undertake to send it without any mentioning it unto her The Letter was thus written To the Fairest Person in the World MADAM I Do not only beg a pardon for my own presumption in writing to you but for Candiope also whom I have deluded Yet Madam how can I chuse but ask how long this cruel absence will last which deprives me of the happinesse in seeing you and I must needs ask also whether you will for ever banish that man out of your heart who infinitely loves you and cannot possibly live without you I should subscribe his name but I beseech you name him your self to the end I may have the honour of being pronounced by the fairest person that ever was As this Letter was as full of respect as Gallantry it did more please then anger Arpalice and the delusion which Thrasimedes put upon me had a happier successe then he could wish yet shee seemed to be angry but it was in such mild termes as it was evident her anger proceeded rather from decencie then any sharp resentment yet Arpalice did not answer the Letter of Thrasimedes but sent it unto me and if I could as well remember her Letter unto me as I doe this which I have related I should make you confesse she writes as well as she speaks For truly it was the most facetious peece of wit that ever I saw She observed the severity of a prudent person in anger and yet had many expressions concerning Thrasimedes infinitely obliging 'T is true she charged me not to shew her letter but to tell you the truth I saw she had been so elaborate in writing that I thought she had no desire to be obeyed for when she writ onely unto me her Character was wont to be more carelesse and worse legible she used not such exact expressions nor elegant phrases So that I shewed it unto Thrasimedes chiding him soundly for the trick hee had put upon mee but to qualifie my anger I shewed him Arpalices Letter wherewith he was extreamly charmed not onely because it was admirably penned but also because it was obliging unto himself He used all his Rethorique to get a coppy of that place which concerned himself but I would not suffer him 'T is true he read it so oft that he could not chuse but remember it In the mean time this daies conference did so perfectly perswade me of the real affection Thrasimedes bore unto Arpalice that for the good fortune of them both I wished Menecrates so far in love with Cydipe that he would marry her and think no more upon Arpalice And I assure you that during this absence I did what I could to advance it I never saw Cydipe in a negligent dresse but I chid her lest it should be any hinderance and whatsoever she say now she was then glad Menecrates preferred her before the greatest beauty in all Licia And indeed she was a ful of complacency to him as any virtuous person could be 'T is true she was universally civill unto all so that many were not so subtle as to perceive but that never deceived me for I easily perceived she was glad Menecrates loved her In the mean time Parmenides who was deep in love with Cleoxene durst not shew it unto Menecrates because he was afraid to incense her And knowing that Arpalice did not love Menecrates he thought best to keep upon good termes with Cleoxenes Brother And for the better understanding of this adventure you must know that Cleoxene had as great a spirit as beauty but it was such a subtle secret spirit that those who thought they knew her best did sometimes find they knew her not at all and indeed at that time she passed for a person indifferent who valued not the love of any but delighted in all pleasures in generall and loved nothing else who did not apply her selfe unto any pleasure in particular who kept not secret confidence with any but told all the world she could not conceive any thing was necessary to be kept secret Yet this person whom I have described unto you held an intimate correspondency for above a year with a brother of mine whose name was Lysias and none ever suspected any thing 'T is true Lysias was as discreet as Cleoxene was subtle and I should never have knowne this correspondency if by chance I had not found Cleoxenes Letter whose hand I knew and which moved my Brother to impart his secret unto me for fear I should reveale it You may imagine after this which I have told you that Cleoxenes put my Brother into much peplexity yet since he thought her rigour proceeded from her indifferency the worse she treated him the more he loved her For as those who are of a proud and lofty spirit as he was either quickly recoile or more resolutely fall on Parmenides not doing the first of these did the second and did so hastily court Cleoxene that if Lisias had been capable of Jealousie doubtlesse he would have feared such a Rivall But as Cleoxene carryed the matter he was not at all jealous and the assaults of Parmenides did rather divert them and augment their affections For Lisias was more circumspect and Cleoxene was more exact and more obliging Moreover they made me promise and swear such faithfull secresie that I never acquainted Arpalice with this affection who thought Cleoxene to be as indifferent as indeed she was amorous And I have heard her wish a hundred times that she were of her temper and had a soul so disingaged as she thought Cleoxene had As for Philistion he behaved himselfe towards me as if he were perswaded it was not handsome for a man of spirit to stay so long in a Town without some peece of Gallantry and I carryed my self towards him as one that was not sorry he should esteem me so much above others as to talk of me when hee returned into his own Country Thus Philistion having a heart not over deeply engaged was very pleasant and obliging company Menecrates thinking upon nothing but how to please Cydipe Parmenides of nothing but how to move the heart of Cleoxene Cleoxene sporting at his passion with Lisias and Philistion and I having no further designes but to esteem one another Arpalice returned with Zenocrite but so admirably fair and so perfectly recovered of her sicknesse that she was cried up as a fresh new-come beauty and I beleeve she returned with full intentions to treat Menecrates coursly Know then that Zenocrite brought her into her Aunts chamber where she found abundance of company amongst
the rest Menecrates who was talking unto Cydipe when she entered Zenocrite addressing her self to Lycaste I have brought Arpalice back unto you said she unto her because I would not lose the complement you owe me for bringing her back so fair and spritely after I had her from you so melancholly and sick for I assure you said she craftily if every one be of my mind they will confesse with me that she was never fairer no not when her Picture was taken which was sent unto Menecrates and which he lost unto Thrasimedes I beseech you Madam said Menecrates unto Zenocrite with as much impudence as shame do not so sharply twit me for losing a Picture which by your own confession did not perfectly resemble Arpalice since she is fairer now then she was at that time and to tell you truly I did it rather to publish her beauty then to wrong it when I put her Picture into the hands of one who travelled I assure you said Arpalice with as much fury as a beauty could sparkle that though Thrasimedes were not half so compleat a man as he is yet I should think my Picture better in his hand then yours For I am more obliged unto him who had a desire to win my Picture then unto him who will venture to lose it I cannot well justifie my self in that replyed Menecrates extreamly ashamed I am perswaded replyed Zenocrite that you will be more puzled to justifie your self in private then in publique and if your case were mine I would never go about it If he did said Arpalice it would be in vain I had better then take the counsell which is given me replyed he You had need of that counsell and more replyed Zenocrite and went away I thank you for yours replyed Menecrates and presented his hand unto her to conduct her unto her Coach being glad to be out of that place where hee was so non plus't And though he stood in much fear of Zenocrite yet hee had rather shee should chide him a thousand times in private then to be twitted so in publique After he had done his civilities unto Zenocrite he returned unto the company which was not now so terrible unto him since Zenocrite was out of it yet he durst not come near Arpalice for his behaviour unto Cydipe during her absence did extreamly perplex him But since he had eyes subtile enough to see that Arpalice was a thousand times fairer then ever he saw her and since she perceived he did observe it she was very glad of it thinking she could not have a more noble way of revenge then to let him see she was not worthy of so much scorn he had of her also she received all the applauds and commendations of her beauty with great joy and I much wondered when I saw her admit of all extollings of her beauty with so much delight and she set her self out more to spite the Lover whom she hated then to please the Lover whom she loved Thrasimedes was no loser by it and it may be said that she recompenced him purposely to punish Menecrates Thrasimedes was so much in favour with her that he had continuall private conference with her In the mean time it being late all the company went from Lycastes chamber but not all alike satisfied for much difference was between the satisfaction of Thrasimedes and Menecrates The last of these finding Arpalice so faire and charming that he was ashamed of his behaviour towards her yet since he looked upon her as one whom for all this he should marry his care was onely to know how he should carry himself between Cydipe and Arpalice But the next morning he changed his mind for a friend of his coming to see him and beginning to discourse upon the present condition of his soul he understood by him that Thrasimedes came into my chamber with Arpalice without any company but Philistion and my self who had appointed that day that all my servants should say I was not within and he was by severall circumstances so fully satisfied that there was a correspondency between them that he began to hate Thrasimedes and to lessen his love unto Cydipe also to love Arpalice a little more and resolved neither to lose her estate nor her self his love of Cydipe was rather a fancy then a reall passion what ere she thought and you must know that Menecrates being fully perswaded in four or five daies that Thrasimedes was in love with Arpalice that he was not hated but that himself was hâ— grew extreamly vexed and spoke not unto Cydipe as before but in the first place in lieu or winning Arpalice by his services he summoned Parmenides to perform his promises in executing the Last Will and Testament of his Father and Mother who ordained him to marry Arpalice In the mean time Parmenides who had a particular interest not to satisfie Menecrates told him that he had conference with all those who had any power over his Sister and not to let slip such a fit opportunity he asked his Sister in marriage For my part sayd Menecrates I freely give you all the power I have Parmenides answered the same for as much as concerned Arpalice Thus they did both of them dispose of that which was not in their power And I assure you they quickly found it for as soon as Parmenides spoke unto Arpalice she told him that she would not think of any marriage matters so soon yet she would not absolutely tell him she would never marry Menecrates because she knew him to be very imperious and might have occasion to accuse her if she declared she would nor fulfill the Will of her Father therefore she told him onely that she would take some time to resolve upon it chusing rather to tell Menecrates his doom then her Brother But when Parmenides saw he could not prevaile with her he told her of his affection unto Cleoxene conjuring her to take it into her consideration Unto this shee answered that since all her amity could not make her change her thoughts of Menecrates he might think also that Cleoxene would not be ruled by her Brother and so his happinesse or misery depended upon Cleoxene and not upon Menecrates After this Parmenides did still importune her a long time and Arpalice resisted and so not yeelding unto each other each of them were left unto themselves On the other side Menecrates solicited for Parmenides unto Cleoxene who continuing in her indifferency desired him to beleeve that the same humour which caused his disingagement kept her from engaging her self so that she did not refuse Parmenides in particular but all men in generall conjuring him to sollicite her no more concerning Marriage So that neither Parmenides nor Menecrates could give each other any good account of their Loves and well may I say of their Loves dear Doralisa for I assure you as soon as Menecrates imagined that he should not marry Arpalice he fell desperately in love