satisfaction unto my Dear Master yet because I would not trust only unto my own reason in a business of this importance I caused a Sacrifice the next day to be offered unto the gods that they would be pleased to inspire me with knowledge how to transact in so nice a business After the offering I found my self so strongly confirmed in my resolutions to comply with Artamenes in his amorous design as I thought it would be to oppose the order of heavens if I should cross him in his affection any more Thus Humane Prudence which is but a blinde directer in future things moved me to consent unto a Design which hath cast my dear Master into that danger wherein now you finde him I did not yeeld unto him upon a sudden but by degrees and seem'd to resist him a little at the first But as soon as I gave my consent that he should endeavour to make himself eminent in the war in which he had engaged himself our business was only to appear in an Equipage befitting men of some quality We had yet Jewels sufficient to carry it out and many more then we stood in need of so that the businesse being fully resolved upon he writ a Civil Letter unto Periander and commanded the Ship to make for Corinth and to present that Ship and Letter unto that Famous Greek in lieu of his own which was gravelled upon the Sands in the last Sea combate Whilest the King and Princess staid at Sinope Artamenes saw them very often and though he had several opportunities of being made known unto them yet he refused them all being resolved to do it in a more glorious way then so Mean while all preparations for the war goes on and news is brought every day that the King of Pont and the King of Phrygia were forward on their march towards Galatia Ciaxares to prevent them draws speedily to the general Rendezvous endeavouring as much as he could to enter into Bithinia and carry the war nearer his enemies Countrey And since the Princess his Daughter was the cause of the war therefore fearing lest the enemy might attempt upon her person in his absence he would have her follow unto a Town called Anigres which was not far from that place where he resolved to enter the enemies Countrey Mean while Artamenes furnisheth himself with such necessaries as are fit to wit Arms Horses and Tents He often met with the young Stranger which he had seen in the Temple of Mars And the same man which sold Arms unto Artamenes sold also unto Philidaspes for that was the Name which that Stranger owned so that meeting together in this place they both of them knew that one and the same desire of glory and honour did enflame their souls to engage in this warre and were both of them but a little satisfied with one another But not to insist Sir upon any thing which is not absolutely pertinent unto the Story we come to the Rendezvous the King viewed his Troops and we marched towards the enemy Artamenes with sorrow saw the Princess go to Anigres with two thousand men for her Convoy and Guard But since it was his destiny to endure all that love could call rigorous he resolved to comfort up himself in her absence with hopes of Victory and Return My Master ranked himself in the Squadron of Voluntiers as well to encamp and fight near the Kings person as because in those Troops which had no particular Captain nor obeyed any orders but the Generals he might more easily conceal himself and also because they who desired to make themselves eminent by any notable might there finde the best opportunities The Army of Ciaxares consisted of forty thousand men that of the Enemy of fifty thousand I will not trouble you with relating how many of them were Archers How many were Darters nor how many Horse or how many Foot since it is not pertinent to my Discourse and since I have so many Combats and Battels to relate it is not requisite to insist upon that For my intention is not to compose the History of Cappadocia it is the History of Artamenes only which I rehearse Let me therefore only tell you that when these two Armies first faced one another I never in my life saw Artamenes so pleased He was armed that day after a very remarkable manner His Arms were Russet wrought with flames of gold His Plume waving and reaching to the very crupper of his Horse was of a lively Flame colour His Horse according to the fashion of the Countrey was trapt with studs of steel part Russet part gilt Artamenes carried two Lances in his left hand with a Buckler upon the same Arm Another Lance in his right hand and a broad short Sword by his side to use in the throng of his enemies I never saw him so gallant and pleasant in my life And though the Persians were never much commended for good horsemanship yet he managed his with such a quick facility and sate him in so brave a posture and with so fine a grace as he did attract the eyes of all men upon him The Armies being both ready to fall on and charge sounded on both sides Artamenes who was placed in the first rank no sooner saw a squadron vapor but he was gone in an instant like a Thunderbolt above a hundred paces before the rest and fell upon the Enemy with such a fury as he disordered them broke their Ranks and struck terror and death into their Army After the fatal Clouds of Arrows which darkened the Air and fell upon both Armies were dispelled and that they came to hand blows Artamenes then performed such Acts as surpassed all imagination His three Lances held three of the enemies bravest men and when he drew his Sword wo betide him that stood in his way and death to him that durst encounter He looked every where for the King of Pont and desired to have a bout with him but could not finde him for happ would have it so that whilest he was on one side of the Army the King of Pont was on the other and though his valour broke all their ranks squandred their squadrons and nothing could resist his valour yet he was not satisfied and thought nothing eminent enough unlesse he either held or took the King of Pont Prisoner His courage was much exasperated when he saw Philidaspes amidst the thick of the confused fight and observed him as valiant a man as the world had his valour won him the esteem emulation and admiration of Artamenes when he saw none fight like him so that observing each other with a brave emulous eye they strive to surmount one another and from this time became Corrivals in Ambition and valour Artamenes was more happy one way then Philidaspes and fortune gave him better opportunities of shewing himself For the King of Pont who thought he could not end the war better then by taking the King of Cappadocia Prlsoner
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
business did indeed sympathize with his own inclination he was pleased to bestow an afternoon in such a divertion as was very sutable unto his own fortune having no other business of consequence to do that day for he had been at the Camp in the morning and he had already been with the King and dispatched all business to Echatan After then he had placed Martesia conveniently to hear every one that spoke and sitting himself by her also all the rest seating themselves in order It was his pleasure that Thimocrates should begin and address his Speech unto Martesia as his Judg although she did oppose it after a while of silence during which time Cyrus asked Martesia in a low voice whether she did not pity that man who suffered all the miseries which these four Lovers did complain against Thimocrates began his story thus The Histories of unfortunate Lovers BEfore I begin to relate my particular misfortunes I do conceive it requisite to conjure you that you become not partially biassed by the elegant discourses of those who deny the condition which I assume in being the most unfortunate lover in the world for I very well perceive that they being less unfortunate then my self have more freedom of Spirit then I have and therefore can better relate their stories He who is not loved will doubtless dress himself in the most amiable language and will not omit any thing which may perswade you to compassion he who laments for the death of his Mistress desiring to move pity useth all his eloquence to perswade unto it The jealous Leontidas will be sure to magnifie all his imaginary sufferings with his Reetorick since he is possessed with a passion that is accustomed to make the least things that can be imagined seem great ones Martesia seeing Thimocrates expect her answer did assure him that she would not be so much convinced by words as she would be by realities and reasons therefore said she unto him Do not you rely too much upon your own eloquence in seeming to fear it in others and so she commanding him to begin his Story he obeyed and began thus The absent Lover The First History THat Absence whereof I complain and which I do maintain does comprehend all the miseries which love can cause is so great a punishment unto one who exactly knows the newness of the passion as I am not afraid to say that he who can be absent from her he loves without extream sorrow did never receive any great joy in the person he loved and does not deserve to wear the noble Title of a Lover I say again the noble Title of a Lover since it is most certain that he is not capable of that Heroick imbecility which hath moved many illustrious persons who are sometimes surprized with it to act such great attempts as it hath done Amongst all those who did ever resent this kind of misery whereof I now speak certainly I am the man who hath had most rigid experience of it since love did only shew me that amiable person whom I adore to make me more sensibly apprehend her absence with all the cruel consequences that are imaginable Therefore I do not doubt but at the end of my story I shall obtain the prize of compassion and my impartial Judg will sentence me to be the most unhappy of all these who contend for this mournful Title Since I came into Asia commanding the Regiments of the King of Cyprus and sent hither by the Prince Philoxipes perhaps you are yet ignorant how I was not born within that Kingdom Give me leave therefore to acquaint you that Delphos so famous throughout the world for the magnificent Temple of Apollo and for the sanctity of the Oracles is the place of my birth and I must needs tell you that I am descended from an illustrious Race since I am branched from him whom the Gods thought worthy so many ages since to conduct unto the soot of Mount Parnassus near the Castalian Fountain there to receive the first Oracle which was dispensed whose daughter afterwards was chosen to be the Prime Pithian who pronounced so many important verities unto so many private persons Towns Provinces Republiques and Kings Since that time those of my family have ever held the prime Rank in their Countrey and most commonly the famous Councel of Greece which we termed the Assembly of Amphictions was never held but some of my Race were elected in it I being therefore of a considerable extraction and the Son of one whose vertue was above his quality I was educated with all indulgent care And though it may be sa 〈…〉 that the Town of Delphos is an Epitome of the World by reason of that huge multitude of all Nations which resort thither and therefore it was not necessary for the Inhabitants to travel for their further instruction in forraign Customes yet my indulgent father would needs send me as a Student unto Athens and afterwards to remain at Corinth until I was twenty years of age And I did practise in both those famous places all the Arts which one of my quality could require as well in all the excercises of the body as in the ornaments of the mind and knowledge of the liberal Arts so that when I received orders to return unto Delphos it might be said that I was a stranger in my own Countrey since certainly I knew no body yet did I know the names of all the prime houses of quality in the Town and I remembred also some old men and women but as for the young men of my own rank or any of the springing beauties I had no acquaitance at all amongst them Thus came I then unto Delphos esteeming Athens and Corinth as my Countrey where notwithstanding I lived without any private engagement although I had seen many rare beauties in both places As I came into Delphos I understood that my father having some important business was gone unto Anticires and at his departure had left order that I should follow him as soon as I arrived The first night I was visited by very many but amongst others one of my Cosen 's named Melesandres suted best with my disposition and truly he was a youth full of spirit and goodness whose agreeable humour was great delight unto me in my melancholy as he did infinitely please me so I had the good fortune not to displease him and we did presently contract such an amity as death only could dissolve After our first civilities I acquainted him with the orders which I received not to stay any longer at Delphos but to go unto Articires but he told me that I must needs defermy departure for one day longer for there was a very stately Ceremony to be performed the next day and I must needs see it I enquired what it was he told me that there were Embassadors in Delphos from Craesus King of Lidia who came to consult with the Oracle and who had brought with
out of Artaxates that his Presence was requisite in the Army Pormit me then Madam said he unto her and taking her by the hand that I wait upon you unto your Chamber and there leave you Mistress of the Castle till I have finished the victory In saying so he conducted her unto her lodging where after a short complement and leaving Chrisantes within to see he wanted nothing he went down into the Court where he met some Souldiers and Captains bringing in the Prince Artibies wounded that he might be there dressed with more conveniency when Cyrus saw him in that condition and observing how those which bore him were very weary and weak and troubled in the carriage of him yet notwithstanding all the croud and all the sorrows of his soul this Prince did with his own hands help to carry him unto his Chamber and laid him upon a bed commanding all possible care to be taken of him After this Cyrus took horse and seeing he could not satisfie his love by the delivery of his Princess he would however satisfie his glory by doing the boldest act in the world every step he made he received intelligence upon intelligence concerning the Troops that were coming out of Artaxates but how great soever they made the danger appear yet he went to draw up his own forces and resolved to fight them though they were an hundred thousand men if they did begin the Assault and indeed they were no less for from the little valley under the Hill where Cyrus stood unto Artaxates all the Countrey was covered with multitudes of enemies who seemed as if they intended to fight for the King of Armenia held a Councel of War about it without the walls of the Town and advanced unto a little Village which was close by the valley that separated the two Armies there he made a halt yet the Great Cyrus kept his station still continually facing this innumerable multitude of enemies who stood and durst not fall on This great business was carried with so much good fortune and prudence together that it was six hours after the Castle was taken before it was known to them of Artaxates In conclusion after much consultation the King of Armenian concluded that it was not expedient to fall upon such a Prince as used to fight like a Lion and overcome all that came near him The Prince Phraartis who was pretty gallant would have put it to the hazard what ere came on it but his advice being not followed because an old experienced Captain maintained That it was not wisdom with fresh new Troops of Townsmen untrained in war to assault Souldiers dyed in blood and a General the Greatest in the world especially he having the advantage of ground Cyrus was well satisfied with the fight of his enemies he faced them from morning until night and would have presented them Battel if they durst have excepted it though they were above twenty to one The night came on apace and covered the shame of the Inhabitants of Artaxates in re-entring their Town after they had only seen that Castle taken which was so very considerable unto them in respect of the River Araxes which runs by it yet was the soul of Cyrus far from satisfaction and this great and bold act produced nothing but sorrow unto him for his hopes were so high to deliver the Princess Mandana that nothing else could answer them as soon as he saw all the Armenian Troops were entred into their Town and after he had placed good guards he went to take his rest that night in the Castle which he took After he had enquired concerning the state of the Prince Artibies whom they said was very ill and after he understood the Princess of Pont was retired he went into his Chamber only with Feraulas Well Feraulas said he unto him extreamly melancholy what do you now think of my fortune Do you not confess me to be the most unhappy Prince upon Earth I think Sir replied Feraulas that it is the part of the conquered to complain and of the Conquerours to rejoyce No no Feraulas said he It is not glory and honour which is the predominant aim of my heart and though I had defeated this huge multitude of enemies which I only looked upon I should have been still as melancholy as I am neither Conquests nor reputation nor honour is the mark I now aim at It is only Mandana I look after and since I find her not I think my self as unfortunate as if I had been vanquished Araspes lyed not said he when he told me he had seen a Lady of quality in the Castle that she was fair yellow-haired and of a good stature but alas this Princess as fair as she is yeilds me no satisfaction by her sight I conceive Sir said Feraulas that it is considerable to have got the Sister of the King of Pont into your hands a Lady of whom I have heard a good report when I was in the Bythinian war so that in all probability it will keep that Prince in some fears Ah Feraulas answered he and sighed how dear soever the Princess of Pont is to him Mandana is much more he will easily dispense with a Sister for a Mistress If he should have my brother if I had one or my father in his power it would make me to do any thing to release them but never upon such conditions as to quit Mandana Also knowing me so well as he does he will not fear mine ill entertainment of his Sister although he do not restore Mandana he knows too well that it is not my Genius to do a base unjust and cruel Act and so since he conceives no danger he will keep Mandana still But Sir said Feraulas are you fully assured that this Lady is the Princess of Pont Yes replied he for now I call to memory a Picture which the wife of Arsamones caused the Princess her daughter to shew me to the end she might discover whether or no I was Spitridates I do very well see that it is she for that picture resembles her extreamly But replied Feraulus if it be she I wonder she does not take you for Spitridates as the Bythinean Princess did because doubtless replied Cyrus the King her brother has formerly acquainted her with out extream resemblance But however Feraulas such things as these we must not discourse of Let Mandana only Mandana be the only object of my thoughts and the subject of our discourse did I but know where she was my Soul would be at some rest for though she were in Artaxates I would without staying for Ciaxares attempt her delivery Doubtless you might replied Feraulas for after this which we have seen if you do not enforce it it may well be said the reason is because you would not and the inhabitants owe you thanks for all those miseries which you will not do them when it is in your power After they had thus discoursed a good
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
him that his recommendations were dear unto him excepting what related unto the Prince Artamas assuring him that he should have his answer in the morning that afterwards he desired permission to present a Letter unto the King of Pontus from the Princess his Sister and another from the Queen of Susiana unto the King her Husband unto which he accorded causing him to be conducted unto those two Princes by some of his guard But I pray tell me said Cyrus Were not the King of Pontus and Abradates in the Camp No Sir replied Aglatidas for they were at a Councel of War which was held neer the Town and the King of Pontus was ready to set forward to command the Van-guard But to tell you Sir how Abradates received me is impossible but I am most certain he loves the Queen Panthea with a most extraordinary affection and he had no sooner read her Letter but he assured me that he would be a Protector not only unto all such prisoners as were taken during the War as well as those now at Sardis but he would be ready to do any thing that generosity would permit him with a hundred obliging and sweet expressions unto me After which being desirous to execute the orders of Panthea that very hour he went unto Croessus as I shall tell you after I have related unto you how the King of Pontus did treat me I am confident replied Cyrus that he hath not forgot to be generous Certainly Sir replied Aglatidas I was much surprized at this manner of behaviour for Sir you never did any favour which he does not exactly remember he calls you his Protector and Liberator he protested that he hated ingratitude and swore unto me that he would protect the Prince Artamas and all the Prisoners more for your sake then for the Princess his Sister Then he carried me unto Croessus and I was a witness of all that the King of Susiana and he did plead in behalf of Artamas and the rest Croessus did obstinately affirm that the Prince of Phrigia ought not to be treated as a Prisoner of War but to be proceeded against as a Delinquent to the State And these two Princes did most zealously maintain the contrary telling him that he had no Right at all unto that Prince but what the Fortune of War did entitle him unto However the matter could not be that day resolved no nor the next day though Cressus promised to dispatch me During which time by the Kings permission I visited all the Prisoners I understood from Feraulas that the King of Assyria was known before he came into Sardis and that since his Imprisonment he is extreamly melancholy that he should not have the glory of ayding you in the Princess Mandana's Releasment and that he was forced to be obliged unto you for his Liberty and he charged me to express his sorrows unto you that he was not to be Partaker with you in the dangers of this War and desiring me to put you in memory of your Promises As for the Prince Artamas Sir he charged me with a hundred obliging Messages unto you as well as Anaxaris Sosicles and Tegeus Whilest I was with these illustrious Captives Abradates and the King of Pontus finding Cressus very resolute told him that there was two persons who were infinitely dear unto them in your Power and that they had great Reason to fear their usage if Artamas was treated otherwise then as a Prisoner of War Unto which he answered that as long as Mandana was in his Power there was no fear of either the Queen of Susiana or the Princess Araminta As Abradates was more earnest in the business then the King of Pontus he spoke something home unto Cressus telling him that he saw he was much deceived for he beleeved that if he had desired Prince Artamas to be exchanged for the Queen his Wife he would not have denyed him that favour but it seems he was so far from granting him that favour as at his request he would not let him be in the ordinary Conditions of War Adding many other things unto which Cressus answered so roughly as I am very much mistaken if the heart of Abradates was not much exasperated against him For when I came to receive his Answer I heard him relate the business unto one of his friends in a low voyce and in such a manner as I conceive as much However at last the King of Pontus and he did bend Cressus unto their desires so that I received as good an Answer as I could wish In taking my leave of Abradates he charged me with a Letter unto the Queen his Wife and appointed me to tell you Sir that if he were absolute Disposer of Affairs he would not only protect the Prince Artamas but release him Adding unto all this a Chain of Gold with a Medal on which was the Picture of Panthea which he desired me to take to put me in remembrance as he said to tell you Sir That there was one man amongst your Enemies who infinitely desires the honour to be your Friend Sir said I then unto him I beseech you excuse me from receiving such a magnificent gift as may render me suspected unto the Prince I serve Since your Masters merit replyed he is a stronger and more precious Chain to tye you unto his service then any I am able to give he will never suspect such a man as you of any subornation At last there was no remedy but I must submit unto the liberality of Abradates and accept it Afterwards I went unto the King of Pontus who gave me his Answer unto the Princess Araminta his Sister and who charged me to tell you Sir that you may ever expect any thing in the World from him which was not prejudicial unto his Love After this Aglatidas presenting the King of Lidia's Letter unto his hands he there found these words CRESSUS unto CYRUS WHat cause soever I have to treat the Prince Artamas as a Delinquent against my State yet I assure you that at your instance and the desires of those two Princes who did second you I shall treat him only as a Prisoner of War and that with much civility and sweetness I wish I may often be in a condition to do you the like offices and that I may never be necessitated to receive the like from you CRESSUS Fortune shall then forsake me said Cyrus in answer to his own thoughts and the King of Lidia's Letter After which embracing Aglatidas he asked him whether he had heard of a stranger of high reputation in Sardis whose name was Telephanes Oh Sir said Aglatidas I had forgot to tell you that the talk in Sardis is of nothing else but his valor and gallant importment yet none knows who he is However added he if the â—â—idians are to be beleeved their Army is so vast and strong that Victory is made sure of However they will give us leave to dispute for it with them
by his indifferency and reservedness but her second perswasions were not so prevalent as her first So that giveing allowance unto his violent and respective passion he Courted the esteem of Elisa and endeavoured to merit it by a thousand acts of Justice Clemency and Liberality knowing well that the only way to win upon her was by such solid virtues yet this did not at all hinder his gallantries In the mean time Elisa though she was naturally inclined unto good deeds yet she would never ask any thing of the King which might be any subject of obligation so that she was in imaginable credit with the King and would not make any use of it for she kept her self close unto her Maxime which was to shun all obligations unto a Lover In the interim the Kings Love being truly grounded his heart was all in a flame with the thoughts upon Elisa so that he transacted nothing without imparting it unto her he consulted with her in matters of greatest importance and though the modesty of Elisa obliged her to refuse those honors which he did her yet he still continued to ask of her those counsels which she still denied This Prince was so respective as not to term his affection Love when he talked to her but only to name it esteem friendship and a most violent passion He endured her to deny him a thousand trivial things which she might well have granted unto his Quality without any injury unto her virtue and indeed she denied him leave to have her picture taken with a strange repulse and and though there were a hundred of Elisa's pictures at Tire yet since they were taken in the life of Straton and since she would never suffer any to be taken since she was Mistress of her self they did not perfectly resemble her for she was much fairer then all those Pictures However he could not by any Rhetorique perswade her unto so much complacence yet this her refusal did rather augment then diminish his passion as it may evidently appear by the adventure of this her Statue For be pleased to know that this young King having finished a great Gallary which the last King his Father began to build his phancy was to place in it two rows of the Statues of Women and to make his choice out of all the beauties in his Court For there being then at Tire many of the Disciples of Dipoenus and Scillis he conceived it an easie matter to effect his design which he principally intended unto the eternal memory of his Love to Elisa by placing her figure in the highest part of this Gallery So that all the Carvers and Ingravers of any reputation were set in work but the choice of the most excellent among them being imployed to make the Statue of Elisa yet he could not make it all his art could not represent that vivacity which was in her looks and action nor that high air of beauty which was in every part For my part I am perswaded their over-great desire of doing it to the life did hinder them for all the rest did most lively and exactly represent the persons for whom they were intended The Statue of Cleomira was admirable that of Philonida could not be better that of Anacrisa was excellent and chance would have it that all were very well but Elisa's which was very ill I cannot easily express how the King was vexed at it so that as you know upon such an occasion every one will strive how to please the King some or other told him â—hat he knew how he might get a most admireable Statue of Elisa This was no sooner said but the King was extreamly earnest to know how After which he was told that the most rare Statue of Elisa which Dipoenus and Scillis made and which they carried away after the death of the late King his Father was in the hands of Croessus and that it was probable he would restore it paying what it cost This advise was no sooner given then followed and the sooner because those who had seen this Statute assured the King that it resembled Elisa more now then when it was made for her And the truth is 〈…〉 ipoenus and Scillis aimed to represent Elisa rather as they imagined she would be then as she was at that time especially in her stature for she being then very young it was imagineable she would grow In the mean time Love being a passion which will not admit of long deliberation upon such things as may give it satisfaction this amorous Prince sent unto Croessus a little before the War to ask of him the same favour which the illustrious Cyrus hath granted but he was obstinately denied So that the King of Phenicia making no doubt but to obtain what he asked was exceedingly surprized to understand at the return of his Ambassador that the King of Lidia had denied him He did so little question the happy success of his design that he made a most stately Pedestal to place this Statue upon and he set up all the rest of the Statues where they were to stand but it so grieved him that he had not this of Elisa's as he locked up the Gallery and would not suffer any ever since to enter This Madam was the state of things during the War to wit The King was still in love with Elisa with a most unconceiveable respect Elisa continues still as insensible as fair and virtuous Asiadates still loving her even unto fury Lyriope still hating her with as much animosity as envy and jealousie could invent Phocilion still adoring her without hope and all the world esteeming her according to her merit not excepting either Poligenes or Agenor And most certainly she merited all the reputation which she had for there was never any whose virtue was put unto more difficult proofs then hers This Madam was the state of the Kings love to Flisa when the Fame of all the Victories of the illustrious Cyrus in Lidia was blazed in our Court but especially in the Palace of Cleomira For since there was no place in the world where the renown of all illustrious Heroes was celebrated as in that the valour and all the virtues of Cyrus was the ordinary discourse of Cleomira Philonâ—da Anacrisa Elisa Megabates and the High-Priest of Sidon Clearques Theodamus Pherecides Aristheus Phocilion and all the rest whose Rendezvouz was at Cleomira's Palace where I had the honour also to be admitted I remember one Evening amongst the rest when news was brought that Croessus had lost the Battel and the illustrious Cyrus had gotten it it was the most pleasing and agreeable night that ever I enjoyed War and Love was the subject of all their discourse the victory of Cyrus and his love to the Princess Mandana did furnish them with subject sufficient Megabates and Aristheus had some disputes concerning the policies of Croessus but the pleasant humour of Clearques and of Pherecides made them change their discourse for since
with Cyrus and relyed wholly upon the King of Hyrcania but this King being extreamly vexed that Cressus should be preferred before him because he thought him to be a vanquished King he had a great desire to shew some high exploit in his absence also he bore an ill will unto Mazares because he thought Cyrus by his means treated Cressus so well and bearing a huge envy unto him for that noble enterprize of relieving the Fort of the Sauromates he resolved to perform some such glorious act as should transcend all others In these thoughts he imagined that if the left wing which he was to command could crosse over the boggs he should be able to do great service by getting behind the Wood being perswaded that the Massagettan Army being in fear of Cyrus could not oppose his design so that being prepossessed by his passions which tyrannized over his heart he never considered the dangerous consequences of that march but went towards this marish ground with all his Cavalry and a great part of his Infantry not so much as sending Cyrus any word of it Thus by this rash attempt which was against all military orders he did hazard the glory of the greatest Prince upon earth and likewise endangered the losse of Mandana's liberty for ever Cyrus who knew nothing of what the King of Assyria had done had given the generall order to march toward the enemy and being alwaies accustomed to be immediatly obeyed all the severall bodies of which his army was compos'd did even begin to move when he was acquainted with what the King of Hircania had done however he no sooner heard it but without any uselesse complaints which could not remedy so great an evill he caused his army to make a halt and went himselfe with incredible hast to sett things in order again But in his going O how vexed was he against that Prince and what disturbance was in his thoughts who one minute before was full of hopes to conquer and now in danger to be conquer'd and that easily and indeed during this crosse conjuncture Cyrus had reason to fear that the Massagettaus would take advantage of this great disorder for a huge Army might be seen upon a sudden to stagger and one might here see the Massagettans found their Trumpetts and beat their Drums and move in Battallia as if they intended to fall upon the Army of Cyrus Now did he think the dismall answer of the Sihill would be fulfilled that he should infallibly fall into the Power of Thomiris That Mandana's Liberty would be lost and that his Rivall would presently enjoy her Yet since his great soul did not sink under the burthen of this injury he bestirred himself to remedie the disaster and to that end he caused some Troopes of the second Brigade to advance and supply the place of those whom the King of Hircania had carried away and left void But though Cyrus did bestirre himself with as much Prudence as quicknesse yet certainly if Ariantes had then assaulted the Army Cyrus that Prince who never before had bin Conquered had now lost the Victory and perhaps hIs life But the Heavens did more favour him then to let him lose his Glory by the fault of another And fortune who uses to favour great and Heroique attempts would not let the Massagettans see the advantage which was offered them for they did not perceive what the King of Hircania had done And the incomparable Cyrus had so quickly filled up all the void places which those Troopes who went into the boggs had quitted that not one of the Commanders of Thomiris Armie did ever observe it and the motion of their Army was caused onely because they would enlarge their Battalia and make room for their second Division to draw up more conveniently So that making a stop within four hundred Paces of Cyrus his Army it was evident they had no design to fall on On the other side this great Captain desiring at any rate to reduce things into right order did send to the King of Hircania such expresse and positive orders to return in all hast with his Troopes and caused it to be spoken so earnestly in the presence of his men what danger the whole Armie was exposed unto that whether hee would or no they would obey and so they did for the Troopes which he conducted did so quickly obey and crossed the boggs so hastily that they were presently on their first ground Thus by the wise conduct of Cyrus the whole Army was in such order as he desired before 't was night This Prince had so much Command over himself that hee received the King of Hircanias excuse extreamly sweetly lest if he had not he should not be so well served the next morning as he desired to be Yet he was vexed to the soul to see this crosse adventure had retarded fighting But since there was no remedie he took care for the safety of the Camp as Ariantes did for his So that both securing themselves by severall Courts of Guard A husht silence was in both these huge Armies which were overshaddowed with night yet the common darknesse was lessened by reason of many fires which the Souldiers made in both Campes which were so near each other that those who stood upon the hills a little distance off could not perceive any interval which parted them But the wonder was the night was not disturbed with either true or false alarum from either side but all were in as calme a silence as if it were in the most solitary desart yet the Camp of Cyrus saw through the Enemies Army some artificiall fires which those who defended the Fort of Sauromates did continually cast up which made it manifest that they were assaulted and that the silence which then reigned was not a silence of peace which would not be broken after Sun was up unlesse by the harmonie of Birds Truth is there was not a souldier in both Armies which did not certainly know that there would be a generall Combate the next day for the scituation of both Camps was such as was equally impossible to retreat without the danger of defeat by being forced to fight in disorder and confusion For being both inclosed within a Plain compassed about with wood one might well say that both Nature and Fortune did contribute unto a necessity of fighting But Cyrus being incomparable in all things did teach his men by his own example that brave men must expect great dangers in silence without unquietnesse Therefore as soon as he had visited all the Courts of Guard which he had placed for the safety of his Camp he passed the rest of the night in a Tent which stood in the head of his Infantry he commanded also that they should wake him an hour before day as if he had thought his desire of Glory not enough to do it yet his men could not obey him for as hasty as they could be he was before them And
not such a kind of friendship whereof there is not above two or three examples in a whole age nor of such men as have but one only friend in the world The first of these must be able to dye for their friends and be as full of generosity as tender friendship And as for the other who are so nice and delicate that they can find but one only in all the world that they think worthy of their friendship certainly they are neither pleasing to themselves nor others For since they cannot be merry with any but those they love and since there is but one Phoenix in the world which they can find certainly they find their diversions very seldom Nor do I require that solid friendship which is found in the grave Sages of the world for they are too cold too dry and too tyring melancholick Such men as these will content themselves with loving you in the depth of their heart with serving you upon extraordinary occasions and to speak well of you when it highly concerns you but will never tell you that they do love you They neglect all petty Complements and duties of friendship and are alwaies so serious that they cannot endure any mirth yet truly my opinion is that for the most part it is the triviall Civilities and Complements which makes the most friendship as for great and high Services they are so rare as it is impossible they should both beget and nourish friendship For ought I see Madam replyed I the friendship which you desire hath such a neer resemblance with love that I begin to think my self more miserable then I did imagine and to look upon all your friends as my Rivalls Since I have friends Sir replyed she who are in love with some Ladies whom you do know you are much mistaken if you think them my Lovers However Madam replyed I I would gladly know how you do rank all your friends To begin replyed Dorinice I must tell you that my amorous friends are alwaies of the lowest rank in my heart though I am often very much delighted to hear them tell their folly and fond adventures And if you will name unto me any I will ingeniously tell you in what degree they are in my opinion Then tell me Madam said I in what Sphere you place a friend of yours whose Soul is so ambitious that I think it enjoyes not one minute of rest As for him said she he is neither in the first nor last but in in the rank of those from whom I hear many secrets but whom I would not trust with any of my own if I had any You have another friend Madam replyed I. who indeed is a man of much merit but he is so rude and feirce that I cannot tell what sweetness his friendship should afford you nor in what rank you can place him for you have none who resembles him I assure you replyed she that this feirce friend of whom you speak as irregular in friendship as he seems unto you yet he is not one of the lowest rank in my heart and should his feirceness a little mollifie he might perhaps be in the first for he does not seem as if he were desirous one should love him though there be nothing more like to cause it then that But Mâ—dam said I unto her you have another friend whose name is Artimas and who if he be not in the first rank yet he will be ere long For indeed he has all quilities that are requisite to please and I do observe that he doth already very much please you 'T is true said she that he whom you mention is according to your description for he is handsome and he has a most excellent and pleasing wit He writes well both in verse and prose he can be both merry and serious and he began his friendship in the most ingenuous way in the world He seems so tender so sweet so civill and so affable and has such an obliging way with him as would perswade any one he loves them better than ever he did any Moreover he seems so extreamly glad to see you he is so hugely sensible of benefits and so desirous to be loved that one cannot choose but have a disposition to love him but let me tell you withall that whether he is so weary of his friendship or glutted with accustomacy of favours or not sensible of them or whether it be inconstancy in his nature he is so un-equall in his amity and so negligent that though he were ungratefull or coldly indifferent he could not be worse than sometimes he is Sometimes he will be a whole day together with you and not speak a word he will see you as if he saw you not and will be of such a sluggish faint spirit as he will both amaze and vex any that have any interest in him for nothing doth more surprize him then to see men who have held a correspondency become as cold and indifferent as if they were not acquainted Yet since I have not been long enough acquainted with him you speak of to passe any definitive judgment of him all I can say unto you is that most infallibly he will either be in the first or last rank in my opinion Nor can I directly tell you what place he will have in my heart since that depends more upon him then me for if he thus continue unequall and luke-warm perhaps he will be in the lowest rank of my friends and if he become as he was when I first knew him and not so troublesome as almost all the young Gallants of the Court are who thereby render themselves incapable of any illustrious Conquest either in Love or friendship then he shall be in the rank of my dearest friends But I beseech you Madam replyed I tell me more positively what degree is a Cousen of mine who useth to visit you oftner than any other except my selfe as for him said she I must confesse he is in the same degree that you are for indeed I see nothing in our friendship which doth now please me The beginning was gallant the sequell was obliging and I have observed him very carefull to please me He seems more tender and more sensible then he was at our first acquaintance he is more glad to see me and we divert our selves better then when we talk together then in the infancy of our friendship You have also another friend replyed I who loves to talk with you in private as if he were your Lover And I have observed that when any came to you he would always make a third He whom you speak of replyed she is none of the least in my favour for indeed it is one of the greatest signs of a good wit to hold particular discourse and the greatest proof that one can give that he is pleased with his friend is to court in private and did you know the good will I beare unto him you mean because I think