Amasis would marry him unto her he was ready to run out of his wits for love does often drive one to hope for not onely things difficult but even things impossible Sesostris sometimes hoped that happily Amasis would not force him to marry her but that when it should please the gods to afford him a fit opportunity of retiring himselfe from the World hee would then marry his fair shepheardesse as well as many Kings of Aegypt had married with Graecian slaves In conclusion Sir Sesostris resolved to imploy all his possible endeavours to deferre the marriage leaving the rest to the Conduct of the gods In the meane time Heracleon was as full of restlesse thoughts as he though in a different way for certainly ambition was the torture of his mind But since he could not alter the order of things as he pleased how envious soever he was to see Sesostris so near the Crown hee complied with him as with a Prince whose friendship he would gain though himselfe could not Raign and endeavoured to divert him with a possible complacency yet Sesostris could not affect the conversation of Heracleon for besides his imperious disposition he considered him as the brother of Liserina who he thought did eagerly put on his marriage with this Princesse insomuch as he could not possibly affect him In the mean time since Civility would not permit him to fall out with him they were continually together And Heracleon conceiving he could not possibly devise any diversion more sutable to his age then hunting He invited him very often to that sport wherein Sesostris seemed to take great delight more affecting to be in the fields and woods where he might sometimes entertain his own thoughts then to be in Elephantine where hee was very often constrained to entertain Liserina But Sir be pleased to know that Heracleon and he being one day hunting together the beast which they pursued did lead them near the Castle where Traseas dwelt so that riding along the Lake they saw the fair Timareta walking by the water side and in such a profound study that the merry cry of the dogs and the shrill musique of the Horns could hardly make her look up and see who passed by her But at last the noise being so loud and near she turned aside with a languishing look as if she had been married unto a crabbed Husband who interrupted her study And she no sooner lifted up her eyes but Sesostris and Heracleon knew her and stopt letting the Chase run on Timareta no sooner saw them stop but she knew them also and blushing she seemed more fair then ever and so charmed the eyes of Heracleon that in talking to Sesostris he could not chuse but extoll her Sesostris was grieved to the very soul that hee durst not throw himselfe at the feet of his fair Shepheardesse whom he so much respected all the while he was a Shepheard But at last his love surmounting all other considerations Though I shall appeare a Shepheard in the habit of a Prince said he and laughed as Achilles did a boy in the habit of a woman when he could not chuse but wear a sword I must stay one minute and speake unto this fair Shepheardesse were it for nothing but to ask how he doth with whom I lived For my part said Heracleon I am much joyed at the motion onely out of a desire to please my self in looking upon her After this these two Princes alighted from their horses and went to Timareta who continuing on her walk went towards Nicetis who was not far off but she was prevented by these two Princes who suiting their civilities according to her beauty not her quality did accost her as if she had been of their own Their discourse with her was long though nothing of privacy or any thing of concernment yet she spoke with so much spirit and grace as when they parted Heracleon was no lesse in love then Sesostris So that coming out of Elephantine with two but love ambition he returned with three since certainly he grew jealous as soon as in love for though Sesostris in speaking to Timareta did keep a carefull distance and though Timareta on her side did examine every word and did regulate their very looks yet maugre all their precaution Heracleon saw in their eyes some sparks of that fire which burned in their hearts so that both his Love and his Jealousie begun both at once But for his better satisfaction in their way to Elephantine he asked the Prince Sesostris whether it was possible he could so long live with Timareta and not be in love Sesostris who for severall reasons would not have it thought he was in love with this Shepheardesse told him handsomly that it was with beauty as with the Sun continual looking upon it makes it never admired and he being brought up with Timareta from the cradle he ever thought her fair but never found matter of adoration in her But since Sesostris could not say this without his face betrayed his tongue as his tongue belyed his heart Heracleon was confirmed in his opinion he being a man violent in all things and possessed with the three most violent passions that the heart of man is capable of he presently began to endeavour wayes for the satisfaction of them all But since Love was the passion most predominate he did oftentimes use to come and look for Timareta not onely by that water side but in the house where they dwelt though she entreated him with as much wisdome as modesty not to put himself unto the trouble and in every visit he grew so deep in love that it almost stified his ambition and the more because he found in her as much virtue as beauty and an invincible resistance As for Sesostris since more eyes were upon him then Heracleon he could not so easily see her and it was onely once that he found an opportunity to steal so much time as to talk with her and then he was so unhappy as it was known unto Heracleon who was almost choaked with despair In the mean time Amasis thinking he had given long enough time for consideration unto Sesostris began to publish unto all the world that he would marry him with the Princesse Liserina The first Ceremonies were performed So that since all Marriages of persons of this quality are quickly divulged it was not onely known at Elephantine but the news was carryed as far as Timareta But when the wise and prudent Timareta did plainly foresee that as soon as Sesostris ceased from being a shepheard the King would infallibly oblige him to marry she grieved exceedingly yet endeavoured all she could to hide her sorrows but could not for I have heard her expresse her self concerning Sesostris so generously so wisely and yet so passionately and obligingly that I discovered more grandure of spirit and soul in her then ever before In the mean while Sesostris was not lesse sad then she Liserina onely who courted
of these two Princes and told them that the business did require some time to examin the truth more exactly but in any case not to do things over-rashly and inconsiderately The two Kings consenting unto this Proposition retired And Artamenes did earnestly desire that his Trophee might stand and that Ciaxares would be pleased to leave a guard with it which was consented unto During these contests there was a necessity of carrying away Artamenes I sent unto the Town to get a Litter the Princess hearing of it sent hers for which my Master as you may imagin Sir thought himself not a little obliged After the Princes had given orders for the Funerall of the Combatants upon the place of fight with all solemn Pomp as well one side as the other Feraulas and I did carry Artamenes into a house in the Town where we had lodged some days before yet Ciaxares would not suffer it but caused him to be carried into the Castle All the Kings Physicians and Chirurgions were brought into the Chamber After they had viewed his wounds put in their first tents and dressed them they told the King that they hoped none of them were absolutely mortall although two were very dangerous so that by their care and his own strength of nature a happy cure was hoped for The Princess also that first night sent many times to know in what state he was and he understanding of it though the messenger spoke very low the Physitians having forbidden all noise he called to the messenger and would himself receive the Princess Complement after he had received it feebly turning himself on one side and opening the curtain of the bed which was cloth of gold Tell the Princess said he that I ask her pardon for fighting her enemies so poorly and bringing home a Victory which was yet disputable If I die I hope her goodness will pardon me and if I scape I shall hope to repair the fault by some better service Give her most hearty thanks for this honour of remembring me and assure her that her goodness does not oblige an ungratefull soul Mean while a Fever so violently seizes on him as every one despaired of his life I cannot tell how to express the sorrows and cares which Ciaxares and the Princess had of him unless I shall tell you that Ciaxares was as dear over him as if Mandana had been sick and Mandana also as if Ciaxares had been so wounded But in a little time the danger was over and I could not chuse but wonder at the humorous conceit of Fate which made this Prince and Princess who the other day offered Sacrifices of thanks for his death now as forward to make Prayers for the preservation of his life At length every one is well pleased to see that all their cares were not in vain for after the twentieth day his Physitians question not his perfect recovery but promise a present cure As soon as he was in a condition to be seen both all the Court and Camp did visit him Aribees as great a Favourite as he was came oft to tender his complement Philidaspes in spite of his ambitious jealousies which the Valour of Artamenes procured him fail'd not to pay civilities and the King who saw him every day brought the Princess to congratulate his recovery This wrought a wonderfull effect in Artamenes So that in few daies after his wounds healed extraordinarily such power it seems has the soul over the temper of the body I will not trouble you Sir in telling what were the entertainments at these two visits it being easie to imagine that the deserts and valour of Artamenes was the whole subject of their converse But Sir to return unto matters of War where we left Be pleased to know that whilest Artamenes was thus in cure Embassadors passed continually between the two Kings to finde out some expedient how to determine this difference and bring it to Arbitrement The King of Pont protracted it as long as he could hoping that during this vacancy the King of Phrygia might perhaps be free from the designes of his enemies and according to that he could conclude either Peace or Warre but the matter continued so dubious that it seemed the Gods did purposely ordain it so to give Artamenes time of recovering his strength to vindicate his Honour and acquire more Glory He left his chamber some two moneths after his first wounding and went to present his thanks unto the King and Princess afterwards he returned civil complements unto all the Court and Camp especially unto Philidaspes By this time Sir the two enemy Kings having agreed upon Judges to hear and determine upon the reasons and arguments of both Parties impartially They erected a very Magnificent Tent upon the Plain where the Combate was and close by the Trophy which Artamenes had compiled Four of the Cappadocian and Galatian Grandees and as many of Pont and Bithinia were constituted Judges of this famous Controversie after they had all taken such oathes as were necessary to remove all suspitions of prejudice and partiality also three stately Thrones equally erected and under them a long seat covered with Purple for the Judges of the Field and all this hansomly prepared the King of Pont and the King of Phrygia conducted Artanus to justifie his pretended Victory But though he had more spirit then valour he went unto this Combate much against his will though it was not to be a bloudy one Artamenes was also conducted by Ciaxares Four thousand men of both sides ranged themselves half upon the right hand and half upon the left These Kings taking their Places according to their Rank and Judges sitting at their feet Artamenes and Artanus stood at the Barre silence was proclaimed But Sir I will not trouble my self to repeat verbatim the Speeches of these two Orators I shall only tell you the issue of them he which spoke first was Artanus who though he was eloquent and delivered it with a good grace yet it made no impression upon the hearers But on the contrary the Speech of Artamenes having the Rhetorick of truth in it and pronounced by a man of such an excellent Presence gained the hearts of all his Auditors His courage did so set off his Eloquence and wrought so upon the King of Pont that he could not chuse but admire the Spirit as well as Valour of Artamenes At these words the King of Hircania begun to speak and say Wise Crisantes I beseech you do not deprive us of the happiness to know the sense of what was spoke in this glorious Court in which the Cause depending was so uncommon and where the Judges were subjects unto them whom they were to Judge so by consequence must needs beget a curiosity in them who are ignorant of it Since it is your pleasure Sir replied Crisantes I shall relate as much as my memory is capable of The first which spoke as I told you already was Artanus who after
with too much violence you may judge Sir in what a condition I was when I saw Amestris going away with Menasta who all the while of our discourse stood five or six paces from us to watch lest any came and understood nothing at all what we said I will not insist Sir upon repetition of my apprehensions for it would but too much abuse your patience Let this serve for all that there was never any esteemed himself more undone and unfortunate then I for indeed I found that I loved and was beloved but for all that there is not any ingredient of hope left for me I found that it was not permitted me to force my happinesse from him which enjoyed it I had no more Rivals to punish I had no more inconstant Mistresses to complain upon What comfort could I ever hope for amidst my sorrows I had no power to forget one which loved me who had all my heart my spirits my soul my memory and all and for whom I forgot all the word besides There was not any hope for me to speak unto her She had forbid me to die Indeed I found nothing but what did extraordinarily afflict me yet notwithstanding I would try whether by the assistance of Menasta I could speak once more unto Amestris but Sir it could not possibly be obtained and from that day this cruell Lady would never walk in any place lest she meet with me also she feigned to be sick to the end she might not go out at all When I understood by Menasta the full resolution of Amestris never to alter I then determined to remove from that place where I could not see her â—est in consideration of me I might perhaps have contributed unto her death by causing her restraint As for Megabises who was as much vexed at the marriage of Amestris as I was although he was thought not to love any longer when he came to Ecbatan yet he found as well as I that it was not such an easie matter to extinguish a violent passion Astiages having heard where I was did reconcile us without seeing or embracing one another comman ding me because I had killed his brother to shun meeting him as much as I could possible The cause of our last querrell was not known unto any no not unto Megabises himself who was alwaies ignorant that I had seen him in that fatall garden near the Fountain in the green border As concerning Anatisa I left Ecbatan before she returned out of the Countrey so that I cannot tell you what she thought of me I did write a Letter at my departure unto Amestris which I sent unto Menasta but I never had any answer unto it I went wandring a while from Province to Province not well knowing what I did nor what course to take until such time as the War begun in Assiria I hoped there to put a period unto my misfortunes in finding out an honourable death During all the time I was there I never received any news neither from Menasta nor Amestris although I used all possible means to engage some or other to enquire of them And ever since that you have been a witnesse of my Melancholy although you knew not the cause And since that I never heard more of Amestris unlesse what I knew by Araspes how that Otanus was yet living and that yet she was unfortunate and in all likelihood since Melancholy did so remain in her face she yet perhaps loves the unfortunate Aglatidas Now Sir you understand what the adventure was which you desired to know and what were the misfortunes of that man who more then any man in the world wishes a happy end unto yours and who expects nothing but death to put an end unto his own After these words Aglatidas was silent and Artamenes thanked him for the pains which he had taken asking him pardon for causing him to revive his sorrows and did seem to be extreamly sensible of them I confess said he to him that you are much to be lamented and the accident which has made you so unfortunate was a very extraordinary event But for all that said he to him sighing you do know that Amestris is living and you need not doubt but that yet you are beloved So that you may hope that Time and Fortune may work a happy change in your affection But I do know some more unfortunate then you I know not that Sir replied Aglatidas but I do know very well that I did lose an inestimable Jewel in losing Amestris and that if ambition should join it self unto Love to persecute me I could not be more Melancholy then I am yet Sir it is very generous in you to interest your self more in the misfortunes of others then your own You have unjust and heavy fetters of your own to complain of and need not trouble your self to lament the unhappiness of Aglatidas who is not worthy of that honour Aglatidas answered he is worthy of all that is great in the world and therefore I hope that one day the Gods will put a period unto his misfortunes Although I had all the qualities in the world replied Aglatidas those which you do attribute unto me would not create any hope in me and as long as Artamenes continues unhappy I know not why any who have any vertue should ground their hopes upon that reason which is not alwaies infallible Thus did Artamenes and Aglatidas discourse away the time untill Andramias told them that it was time to retire Aglatidas asked Artamenes whether he could do him any service desiring to let him know that he could contribute something towards his delivery but Artamenes thanked him and told him that his prison was not so great a misfortune but if he could he would never come out unless by the same hand which put him in The End of the First Part. THE SECOND PART OF ARTAMENES OR Cyrus the Great BOOK I. THough this Illustrious Prisoner was carelesse of his Liberty yet his friends did contribute all their diligence to procure it and Hidaspes entertained not a thought of any thing else ever since he knew Artamenes to be Cyrus Not onely Hidaspes Aducius Artabases Chrisantes and Feraulas who were native subjects unto the King his Father and hereafter to be his did all of them in particular contrive all expedients for his safety But the King of Hircania the King of Phrygia Persodes Thrasibulus and many others also were not lesse solicitous So that to lose no time Chrisantes went the next morning betimes unto the King of Phrygia with intentions to relate unto him in a more concise manner all 〈…〉 t which the day before he had related concerning the unhappy life of his dear Ma 〈…〉 r but since they thought it expedient to keep alwayes some about Ciaxares to pre 〈…〉 t him from taking any violent resolutions against Artamenes the King of Phrygia said thought it fittest for him to undertake that office since he was most affectionate
said he unto him that they suffer me to come unto you to the end I may die in defending you against your rebellious Subjects Thrasibulus Hidaspes and Aglatidas who indeed feared that they would not let him enter did range themselves on his side but he looking upon them with great turbulency of spirit said unto them No my too generous friends come no nearer unless since I cannot turn the point of my sword against you you will provoke me to turn it against my self Whilest these passages happened in that place the King was in extream agitation of soul for at the same instant in which he saw Cyrus in that generous posture a Souldier presenting himself at his feet Sir said he unto the King that Illustrious Prisoner whom my companions and my self did guard is escaped But if it be permitted me to say it your Majesty need not to be troubled at it for he is too generous to do any harm but it is the wicked Metrobates who you had more need to be troubled at The King was so-much surprized and troubled both at what he saw and what he heard that his spirits were not at so much liberty as to inform himself further by what the Souldier desired to speak if Thiamis and Ariobantes had not moved him unto a further curiosity But at last the Souldier being commanded to speak on he told the King in few words how he overheard the Proposition which Metrobates had made unto Cyrus how he offered to kill Ciaxares upon condition Cyrus would give him the Government of Pteria Thiamis and Ariobantes took hold upon this favourable opportunity and aggravate the hainousness of this wicked act The King did yet make some doubt of the truth but the Souldier continuing his tale Sir said he to justifie the truth of what I tell you give me leave to acquaint you further that Metrobates no sooner knew of the escape of Cyrus but in lieu of advertising you he provided for his own safety and as the Ladders by which Cyrus was delivered did remain still at the window he made use of them that way to go out of the Castle having carried along with him a party of my fellow-souldiers for my part I should have come to advertise you of this horrid motion as soon as I heard it if I had then the power to have done it But being ingaged upon my duty in the outer Chamber of Cyrus when Metrobates came thither I could not get out until after his escape The King was extreamly troubled at this relation yet not altogether believing it he sent into all places of the Castle to seek for Metrobates and to see whether they who delivered Cyrus had not killed him But he knew that Cyrus had been delivered without any resistance he knew also that Metrobates went the second time to the Chamber of Cyrus and perhaps with an intention to kill him though he had no orders for it and when he found him escaped it seems he escaped himself in the same way as the souldier related Now Sir replied Thiamis I hope you will no longer resist both Heaven and Earth Do you not now sufficiently see the innocency of Cyrus through the crime of Metrobates I know very well answered Ciaxares that Cyrus is generous but I cannot yet so clearly discover his innocency As soon as he had said so Martesia Chrisantes Feralus Araspes Artucas and Ortalgues did all of them enter for such a fear had seized upon the souldiers since Metrobates who placed them there was escaped that they looked after their prisoners no longer Ciaxares being much surprized at the sight and not knowing whether his Person was safe amongst so many people whom he had hardly used did yet manifest his confidence and asked all about him very angerly Whether or no he was King since they were so bold as to fail in their due respects unto him Sir replyed Chrisantes when we saw that our Guards did leave us we supposed your Majesty had no further use of us and I thought added Martesia that it would conduce much unto your glory and preservation to tell you once again Sir that Cyrus is innocent See Sir said Thiamis forcing him to take notice of this last Act of Cyrus in hindering his friends from coming nearer him whether you have any reason to reprehend the Servants of such a Master whose generous Soul does oppose against his own deliverance and becomes an enemy unto his Rescuers Oh Heavens Cried out Ciaxares what shall I do what can I or what ought I to do Command me answered Thiamis to go and fetch Cyrus unto you and treat him kindly as he deserves But he holds intelligence with my Enemy replied the King You may see Sir replied Ariobantes by the manner of his acting that he holds no culpable correspondence with him but he is culpable at the least in relation to my Daughter and therefore cannot be innocent You may see that Sir replied Martesia by a Letter which I will present unto you and which by good fortune I found in that Chamber where I was prisoner which formerly was mine This Letter was never seen by any but Cyrus nor did he ever impart the Contents of it unto Chrisantes or Feraulas and the Princess although she was most innocent yet would she not suffer it to remain in his hands and therefore it remained in mine I did think I had lost it but by good fortune I found it in a little Trunk which was sent from Themissira unto Sinope and I have brought it unto your Majesty to let you see how criminal Mandana is Ciaxares then taking the Letter which he knew perfectly to be his Daughters hand he read it with much circumspection and trouble The Princess MANDANA unto CYRUS SInce it is your desire I should write my ultimate resolution unto you I shall repeat that which I have already spoken unto you which in Sum is this That all the obligations whereby I am bound unto you and all the Services which you have rendred unto the King my Father shall never move me to recede from the exact and rigorous rules of virtue I do know very well that you did never desire any thing from me to the contrary Therefore you ought not to be surprized if I again tell you That if you do not find out some expedients and wayes to make the King my Father acquainted who you are and procure his consent within the time prefixed you must return into Persia and never see me more This is the totall Sum of all I can or ought to do MANDANA The King having read the Letter and seeing Cyrus oppose his own friends and command the Souldiers to lay down their Arms Let him live said he let the happy Cyrus live whose own virtues has more induced my Soul to save him then an hundred thousand men could do It is your Office Grave Thiamis said he to pronounce the same unto the Souldiers and it is yours Ariobantes to
answer and would not give any consent but rather put into dispaire yet had I so much consolation as to find no alteration at all in Telesile but saw her scorn all those whom her Fortunes rather then her beauty had invited thither Yet as if Fortune would have it there came at that time to Delphes a man of great quality called Menecrates who had been long in Travel and at his returne fell in love with Telesile who having share in the crimes of the rest troubled me very much for he was hansome of an Illustrious Family and his fortunes very Noble yet notwithstanding Telesile did behave her self so wisely that the very sight of her did dissipate all my â—ears and gave me so much freedom of spirit as to laugh at the dissembled actions of all these unworthy lovers who were so much ashamed and whose spirits were so dejected that they durst hardly speak but yet they waited upon her and visited her whether she would or no as for Androclides he went more prudently to work for he laboured more to gain Diophantes the Father then to appease the displeasure of the daughter I know not what means he used but I was told that he had so insinuated himself into the favour of the Father that there was great likely-hoods he should shortly be the husband of the daughter I went immediately unto her in hopes to quallifie my fears and to receive some fresh testimony of affection from her which might confirm me but I found Androclides there who being more confident by reason of his hopes in Diophantes did speak unto her concerning his passion more openly then he did before the death of Crantor When I understood below that he was alone with her I went up in all haste and as soon as I came unto the Chamber door stayed there not well knowing whether I should enter or harken but the door being open and the hangings hiding me I stayed to hear their discourse and heard Telesile say in a sharp tone No Androclides deceive not your self It is not I who ought to recompence you for all your cares and services for it is not Telesile whom you loved nor who loves you and therefore she is not at all obliged unto you When I heard this well-pleasing discourse I confess I resolved not to enter so soon and indeed I could never prefer any thing above the sight of her I loved before this time Then I heard Androclides tell her that he valued not the Treasures of Crantor but only for the love of her Rather say for the love of your self replyed Telesile and know that though you should imploy all your life in perswading me that you love me I should not beleeve it No no Androclides I value not my self so low as to accept of half a heart a heart which has doted upon that which is unworthy to be put in the balance with Telesile and is the object only of base souls Indeed I should sooner pardon one that is unconstant who should reject me for one that is fairer then my self then I would a covetous wretch who rejects me because I am not rich enough for his pallat for confess the truth said she unto him if I should be so foolish as to marry you and should afterwards by any cross accidents lose all those things which are the bassis of your affection that I should have neither any Lands nor Jewels nor any houses or houshold-stuff but that Telesile should be without any of these charms which you value most confess the truth I say Androcldes would you love her still Doubtless I should answered he in much amazement I cannot beleeve it answered she but Androclides I will let you see that I am not guilty of that crime with which you tax me and that it is not the present condition of my Fortune which moves me to speak so violently know therefore When Telesile said so I confess my heart began to beat and I made such a noise behind the hangings as I might well have been heard if Telesile had not been in passionate choller and Androclides amazed But after I was quietly setled I heard her pursue her discourse Know therefore said she that it is not the alteration in my fortunes which moves me to treat you as I doe and though I were in the same condition I was within this Month yet should I not pardon you for what you have done for truly I can never marry any man but such an one as I esteem and I cannot esteem that man wheloves me only for what I have and for such things as are below my self Telesile had no sooner said this but I fearing lest Androclides should by his submissions molifie her did hastily enter into her chamber and so amazed my Rival that he could not hansomly recollect himself Since what I had heard did fill my heart with joy my company if I dare say it was more pleasant unto her then Androclides for since he never loved her but for ends his resentments of her scorn was more gross and his sorrows more apparent his base behaviour before also struck him dumb and did Captivate his spirits for my part I did imagin that I lead him all that day in Triumph presently after there came in many Ladies and in the general discourse I spoke many stinging words concerning Androclides and he answered me in such a language in which he designed the like unto me but knew not how for he could not upbraid me with any thing although I rubbed up a hundred several truths which were very unpleasant unto him Telesile took great delight to see me quip him in that manner yet as she was very prudent so she did divers times divert the discourse fearing it might come to a sharper business Not that she thought I would be so uncivil as to quarrel with Androclides in that place but because she imagined he would be easily nettled since he was so culpable and that the wittiest and sinest kind of Raillery would incense him to become furious and truly it was a difficult matter for me in spite of all generosity not to insult upon any unfortunate Rival that day In going from Telesile he went to Diophantes who was walking towards the Castalian Fountain so that when I returned home I understood by Melesander that my Rival was with the Father of my Mistris and I understood the next morning that Diophantes more valuing the great estate of Androclides then his rejecting of Telesile and perhaps excusing his inclination by his own did absolutely command his daughter to look better upon Androclides for indeed he was fully resolved she should either marry him or Menecrates I came to know thus much by one of her women which Melesander helped me unto who heard all the discourse between Diophantes and Telesile So that all the hopes and consolation which I had was only in Telesile who I knew very well did scorn Androclides and did not love Menecrates nor
serious look and Panthea acquainting her with all that the Prince her Father had said unto her then she considered that great circumspection was to be used in speaking unto Abradates for she conceived it not convenient to let him know that Mexaris was the man who thwarted his design lest some bad consequences might thereupon arise and she knew also that the Princess would not have him think she slighted him So that Doralisa undertaking the transaction of this negotiation she did mannage it with much discretion and for some daies did so suspend the Spirit of Abradates that he knew not what to think In the mean while Perinthus who heard it from the mouth of the Princess that nothing was more extravagant then Love between persons of unequal quality was so excessively sad that many daies could not dissipate the melancholly which these words spoken without any design had infused into his soul his sorrowes were so excessive that all the world took notice of the alteration in his humour The Princess her self perceived it and as he was one morning with her and Doralisa there also Panthea asked her If in the opinion which he held that Love only makes compleat men she thought that when they cease to Love they cease to have any amiable quality left in them For if so said the Princess it must be concluded that Perinthus of late hath ceased to Love since his conversation is not as it was wont to be No no Madam said Doralisa it is not so for he who was once made compleat by virtue of Love remains so all his life True it is yet that this passion which addes a hundred excellent qualities may sometimes become too too violent and cause him in whom it raigns to be less pleasant in his conversation and even transform him from what he is But Madam I am so far from thinking Perinthus less sociable because he hath ceased to love that on the contrary I am perswaded he is more in Love then ever or perhaps he is less loved then ever for commonly where one is possessed with this passion it is rather from the thoughts of another then from his own that he becomes unhappy But yet Doralisa said the Princess you have not yet made that discovery which you vaunted to do so easily It is true Madam replyed she that I am not yet satisfied whether or no some suspitions I have be well grounded I pray said the Princess acquaint me with those suspitions Ah Doralisa cried Perinthus who feared she would tell Panthea the passages which were before the siege of Ephesus there are some things which are not to be jested with and I hope you are so good as you will not so cruelly disoblige me as to impart that for certainty which you take up on bare surmize without any appearances This extraordinary care which you take to prevent my speaking of it said Doralisa may be an argument I am not deceived But however said she I will impose silence upon my self The Princess then began to press Doralisa to tell her what she suspected but notwithstanding all her importunity she could not prevail However she raised a thousand apprehensions of fear in Perinthus but yet without cause for the principal reason which kept Doralisa from telling the Princess what she thought was lest the Princess should take it ill she should ever imagine that such a man as Perinthus should dare to look upon the Princess in that way of Love Whil'st this conversation passed on in this manner Doralisa observed so much agitation in the eyes of Perinthus that whil'st one came into the Room upon some business to the Princess she addressed her self unto him and told him that he had much confirmed her in her suspitions Why Doralisa said he would you have me suffer you to tell such a thing as this unto the most severe Princess upon earth Really you made my heart tremble as much as if you were ready to put me out of the favour of her whom you say I Love Perinthus very subtilly spoke this with as much freedome of Spirit in appearance that he much amazed Doralisa and perswaded her she was mistaken Thus Madam did things stand at this present Abradates was fuller of fears then hopes Mexaris on the contrary hoped all and feared nothing Perinthus having neither hopes nor fears concluded himself the most unfortunate man alive As for the Princess she had as strong an aversion to Mexaris as she had an inclination to Abradates and was as friendly to Perinthus as she was either to Doralisa or my self But whil'st Mexaris was taking thought which way he might obtain the Kings leave to marry Panthea and whil'st Abradates thought to strengthen himself by the friendship of Cleander the conspiracy of Antaleon was discovered which made so great a noyse that I believe you are not ignorant of it for it was the whole discourse of all the Court for a long time But Madam to see the difference which was between the souls of Mexaris and Abradates The first of these did secretly endeavour to make Croessus believe that this Prince had a hand in the conspiracy but do what mischief he could the King would never entertain the least suspition of it But as for Abradates his soul was of a more Noble temper for there chanced to be two men who had been servants to Mexaris and had received no wages from him these men seeing the liberality of Abradates and knowing him to be a Rival unto their Master addressed themselves unto him and told him that if he pleased they could accuse their Master of such a crime as would set him far enough from Court These two men whose souls were as vile as Mexaris was covetous made this Proposition unto him Abradates heard them with horror and did contemptiously reject them and their offer And afterwards since I believe said he unto them that you were not induced to so vile an act but because the avarice of your Master hath made you poor I will put you into a condition wherein you may chance find out a better then he was and not be forced to commit crimes for a subsistence and then he caused greater rewards to be given unto them then they ever could have hoped for if though he had imployed them in the business which they proposed unto him They were so surprized with this generosity and so ashamed of their own perfidie that they could hardly resolve to accept of this offer yet at last they did but how magnanimious soever this action was it had never been known had not these two fellows quarrelled about dividing this Largess and the one killed the other in the going from the house of Abradates so that the murtherer being apprehended and brought into the hands of Justice where pressed by the remorse of his own conscience he confessed the true cause of his crime so that by this accident the Heroique action of Abradates came to be divulged to all
infallibly to be loved but their meaning as well as mine certainly was that to move another to love it is requisite to be loving so that in saying unto a man If thou desirest I should love thee then love me I instruct him in the means to obtain his end and to make that which is good in his heart to appear and sometimes that which is evil added the Princess Love though ought not to be blamed Madam replyed Doralisa which certainly never infuseth any evil inclinations And as one cannot complain against the Sun which I always compare with Love because it nourisheth a thousand venomous vermin at the very same time that it blancheth the Lillies and Rubies the Roses so Love ought not to be accused for the business of some leud Lovers that are in the World since it inspires only heroique actions and causeth men to practise all the virtues who without this passion were perhaps men of rude Souls If men be bad the fault is not in Love but them if the dunghill stink when the Sun shines upon it the fault is not in the Sun but in the dunghill The Princess laughed heartily at the expressions of Doralisa and so did Abradates But as for Mexaris he was much netled and the more because Doralisa bolted out a hundred things which touched him to the quick and once he observed that when Abradates and Doralisa looked upon one another they smiled and winked in derision and that Abradates by a nod of his head seemed to thank Doralisa for all her bitter jeers which she had vented So that these things exasperating his spirit he spoke not a word that day unless some short and sharp words to Abradates who answered him with as much resolution as the Respect which he owed unto the Princess and the Quality of his Rival would permit him Since she observed the perplexities of Mexaris she endeavored to sweeten the Conversation and indeed the colour of this Prince seeming to cool a little she did not suspect any ill consequence of it They went both from the Princess at the same time for when Mexaris saw that Abradates was going he took leave of the Princess also and would needs be gone though she desired to stay him When they were at the bottom of the stairs Mexaris talked with one of his men in a low voyce and afterwards asked Abradates if he would walk 〈◊〉 turn in the Gardens of the Palace which were close by and Abradates answered he would wait upon him so they went out Mexaris being waited upon by eight or ten of his men and Abradates with the like number As soon as they were in the Garden Mexaris carryed Abradates into a great Walk where none were present and after he had beckened unto his men that they should not follow he stood still and looked upon Abradates with an imperious aspect I have had intentions a long time said he unto him to speak unto you but my hopes that of your self you would do that which a thousand Reasons require you should hath moved me to defer it till now to advertise you that you do not carry your self as the Son unto the Queen of Susiana my Sister ought to do For though my age do not much differ from yours yet I must exact from you some difference both as you are my Nephew and as you are an Exile come unto this Court for Refuge where I ought to be preferred before you Sir replyed Abradates with a bold civility I do not know that I have failed in any respects which I owe you either as being son unto the Queen of Susiana or as I am come for Refuge unto a place where indeed you are very considerable and therefore I think I may safely say that your complaints against me are unjust and your manner of complaint is a little too high Your dayly actions replyed Mexaris are much more injurious to me for you cannot be ignorant of my devoted affection unto the Princess of Clasomena and yet you apply your self too obsequiously in your Courtship of her Though the manner of your language replyed Abradates might perhaps make me excusable if I should not render you an account of my actions and designs yet the respect which I owe you as Brother unto the Queen my Mother and unto the King who gives me protection in his Court obligeth me to tell you that I loved the Princess of Clasomena from the very first instant that ever I saw her and I did not know any thing of your passion to her until such time as I was not able to be Commander of my own Also understanding that Croessus would never approve of your Marriage with her I conceived it would be no great injury unto you if I used my best endeavors to obtain a happiness which you could never enjoy But can you think said Mexaris that the same Reason of State which moves the King not to consent I should marry one who would render me too potent in his Kingdom will ever permit you who are a stranger to marry her No no Abradates let not this imagination delude you but be assured that it is not the will of Croessus you should think of this Alliance And consider further if you be wise that the Prince of Clasomena will never bestow his Daughter upon an exil'd Prince Hitherto replyed Abradates I have spoke unto you as I am Son unto the Queen of Susiana as a Prince protected in Lidia and as Nephew unto the Prince Mexaris but now I will speak to you as a Lover of Panthea as one who knows not how to yeild unto any and as one who will love and serve her as long as he lives The truth is said he if the case were so as that the Princess of Clasomena should make choyce of you then I had nothing else to do but dye and I have so high a respect of her though not of you as to dye without complaint but since she makes no such choyce be pleased to know that I will not alter my course Though you were in Susa replyed Mexaris and I an Exile protected there as you are in Lidia you could not speak more haughtily and boldly then you do I should then speak more mildly replyed Abradates because I know it unworthy to insult over those that are miserable And is it not as unworthy answered Mexaris to refuse those Respects which are due unto Protectors I shall never neglect them I owe unto the King of Lidia replyed Abradates and I am sorry that Love should force me unto that which I do against a Prince so neer unto him I must have better satisfaction replyed Mexaris very fiercely for if you do not absolutely renounce Panthea I must call you to an account with a Sword in your hand I will do all I can replyed Abradates to do neither the one nor the other But you must answered Mexaris and that quickly therefore resolve with your self which of them you will
for since it begun without it it can continue without it But that which makes me I cannot endure you should use me thus is that you tell me you will let me have a sight of you when I have won your heart and perceiving that you are more and more carefull to hide it I have cause to think I am further off from making that illustrious conquest You would have it at too cheap a rate replyed Parthenia if you should so soon win it and therefore that you may the more esteem me I will hold you off a little longer In the mean time I beseech you Madam said he unto her let your words form your Image that I may adore it and which passing from your mouth into my heart it may there remaine untill the reall substance drive it out for truly Madam I wander all the day long from house to house from Temple to Temple and every where to seek you out my imagination fancies your beauty every day in a hundred severall Idea's sometimes I see you faire sometimes brown haire sometime fresh complexion sometimes pale sometimes I am perswaded that you have sweet languishing and compassionate eyes and sometimes I think you have sprightly and sparkling eyes such as kindle fire in the soules of all those that look upon them sometimes I think them gray and sometimes black and not knowing what they are I still equally adore them what ever they be But I beseech you Madam tell me only whether they be faire or black or gray or blew or what they are When you have told me replyed she craftily what colour you desire them to be then perhaps I shall tell you which they are Timantes at this was puzzled for he durst not tell which he desired lest he should hitt wrong nor did Parthenia positively promise him to tell which they were so that not daring to answer precisely he began to accuse her of inhumanity and she interrupting him accused him of weaknesse for said she unto him I perceive by your own words that you would have me fair because you say your imagination fancies me to have the fairest eyes in the world and consequently I have cause to feare that if I be not so you will change your opinion of me Oh Madam said he unto her I beseech you doe me not so much wrong as to think that though you be not fair that I shall love you lesse but however as long as your eyes doe not bely my imagination I must still think you are the fairest person in the world and I beseech you why should I not proportion your beauty unto the excellency of your soul and witt and therefore if you will be sure of my fidelity shew your selfe as you are and if after that I doe not adore you still though you should be never so ugly then hate me as much as I love you Love is a most fantasticall passion said she unto him Those who are in love with any beauty doe professe that it is the soul they love and that they onely desire the possession of the heart and not the beauty That this is the limits of their hopes and summe of all their desires Yet I see Love is of such a nature that it slights all that it enjoyes and prizeth that which it doth not enjoy Fruition gluts desires and if so you have more reason to thank me then complain against me For truly I begin where others end I have confessed unto you that I esteem you I have told you that I should be glad to have you love me and I have not forbidden the hopes of being loved You have consented not to ground your affection upon beauty I have discovered my soul unto you I have taught you which way one may obtain my heart and I never told you it was invincible But after all this you complain and presse me to shew you my face Go go Sir keep it within the limits of our conditions unlesse you would have mee break off with you There is so much charm in every word you speak replyed Timantes that you still augment both my love and my curiosity And therefore I most humbly beseech you Madam Give me leave to beg this favour upon my knees Let it content you that I attempt not violent courses to know who you are and that I have so much power over my self as not to ask all my acquaintance about the Court But Madam that I may still continue in my obedience and enquire of none else I beseech you give me leave sometimes to ask your self And be not offended I conjure you if I importune you with my prayers and impatiencies Did I not infinitely love you I should not be so desirous But since I love you beyond all expressions I must needs entreat you and presse you to let me know whom I love I know there are a rich Mine of Beauties in your mind all that I can see of your person is most admirable The thoughts of your heart doe ravish me There is some secret charm in your conversation which I never found in any other You doe so powerfully and pleasingly captivate my spirits when you speak that I think I could look upon you and not perceive whether you be fair or foul you utter not a word which pierceth not my heart as soon as my ear But for all this said he and smiled me-think I doe not know you yet sufficiently and my curiosity is so violent to see your face as well as your heart that I cannot chuse but beg the favour and to trust unto my love and discretion Whilst Timantes was talking thus Parthenia bethought her self of a very odde way to make tryall of his Constancy therefore beginning to speak unto him and seeming to yeeld unto part of his desires I am content said she since I see you so much desire it not to deny you all you ask But since I am resolved not to conferre favour upon favour and to loaden you all at once I will not let you know who I am onely I will let you see my face in open day but upon condition that you shall not speak unto me in the place where you shall see me which shall be if you please to morrow morning at a little Church close by the Gate There I will be just two hours after the Sun is up I will wear the same cloathes I did when you saw me at the Feast of Adonis I will sit by the second Pillar upon the right hand and will lift up my hood as soon as I see you to the end you may satisfie one part of your curiosity I beseech you Madam said he unto her why may you not now shew your face I know it is too dark to see you as I would but it wil not hinder me from seeing you better to morrow I see you have forgot one of our conditions which was to desire nothing but what I shall please How great soever your power
not caring to sacrifice his Sister unto his Love After the place where they might talk in secret was appointed Basilides told Myrinthus that the reason why he opposed his affection was because Stesilea assured him that the Queen did not approved of it After which linking their interests together Myrinthus promised Basilides to serve him in all things that he was able and Basilides promised Myrinthus not to oppose him any more provided he got the Queens approbation In the mean while Basilides to begin his favours caused Philimena to return unto Corinth upon some slight colour of the business But as the grief which the Queen saw in the countenance of Myrinthus during Philimena's absence did muh perplex her so the joyes which she saw in him at her return did drive her into absolute dispair Yet for all this the satisfaction of Myrinthus was not over-full of tranquilitie for now knowing that the Queen was not ignorant of his design he found it more difficult to bring it to pass then when he thought Basilides only did oppose him It was in vain to search out the cause for he saw that he was as much in her favour as ever and he did not so much as ever suspect that she thwarted his passion only because he was too deep in her heart yet he thought it his best course to seem as if he were ignorant of her disapproving of his passion and he thought also that if he had as much confident boldness as to ask her favour unto his design that perhaps she would not deny it Thus after he had well consulted upon the matter with Basilides and with Philimena it was resolved that he should take that course and a verie favourable opportunitie did offer it self since Myrinthus had done a verie considerable piece of service to the Queen in negotiating with Ambassadors from Lacedemonea who were then at Corinth which he transacted with so much wisdom and spirit that it may well be said he prevented a great and dangerous War Myrinthus spoke not a word of his design unto Stesilea for since she was not so open-brested to him as Basilides he had no mind to speak unto her of it lest she should disswade him or else by her telling Cleobuline of it she might have more cause to deny him by giving time to studie her reasons for not consenting unto his desires After he had well thought upon it he went one morning to the Queen at such an houre when he knew he might have the conveniencie of talking with her and he went with abundance of hopes to speed well for when he remembred what honours he had received from this Princess the great offices she had given him and all things she had done for him it could not sink into his belief that she would deny him the only thing which crowned all his felicities therefore he resolved that if he found any difficulty in obtaining his desires then to aggravate his affection unto Philimena in such a manner unto Cleobuline that she should see he could not live without her Myrinthus then having thus resolved upon the matter and being come unto the Queen he behaved himself as he was wont when he had business of importance to talk on So that Cleobuline gave him the opportunitie of talking with her in private without the least suspition of the truth imagining he would tell her somthing which related unto his office but she wondered when she knew by the verie first words of Myrinthus that she was mistaken Did I not know Madam said he unto her that I have the honour to be known very well unto your Majestie I should have cause to fear that in lieu of granting me a most humble Petition which I intend to present unto you that you should accuse me of rashness and of extreme ambition After all that I have done for you Myrinthus replied she I have verie little reason to accuse you of rashness and I must confess I cannot understand what you can desire of me which may move me to think you ambitious Yet Madam I am strangely afraid your Majestie should mistake one passion for another and that I having an intention to beg your Majesties leave to love Philimena and to protect me against Basilides you should think me not contented with your benefits but that I would draw others upon my self by this illustrious alliance But Madam I must protest that ambition is not the cause of my boldness and if I had only that passion in my soul I should certainly be the happiest man alive For indeed Madam you have honored me with so many offices and put me upon such glorious imployments that I know not how to wish any greater But Madam if your Majestie will be pleased to let me open my heart to the end I may excuse my boldness I shall tell you that Love is the tyrannical passion of my soul which moves me to Petition your Majestie with abundance of earnestness to grant my desire If you had been only ambitious replied Cleobuline and blusht you should sooner obtain your desires for since I am as well able to satisfie the gusts of that passion as you can desire them I should perhaps continue on my favours to you but to interest me in matters of Love and such a Love as yours this Myrinthus is a thing which I cannot meddle in Many reasons best known unto my self which I cannot impart unto you makes me dislike your desired Marriage yet not that I think you unworthy of Philimena For to testifie unto you added she being transported with raptures of Love that I do not deny my assent out of any disadvantageous thoughts of you I do confer upon you the best office in my Dominions which you became vacant of lately Alas Madam replied Myrinthus rather command me to surrender all those honours you have formerly conferred upon me then deny me Philimena Since Love is often a fading passion replied she and since ambition on the contrary is a passion which follows those who are once tainted with it even unto death when the Gusts of your Love is a little blown over you will be glad I satisfied your ambition I beseech you Madam replied Myrinthus judg not of me according unto the common Rules of others and believe that I am more amorous then ambitious and ever shall be so Since that belief will not be advantagious unto you answered the Queen I will not entertain it but will continue in the same opinion I was I know verie well Madam replied Myrinthus that you may justly denie me all things and I cannot justly complain But since the passion which raiges in me is not accustomed to acknowledg any Soveraigntie unto reason I cannot chuse but tell your Majestie that it is somthing strange you should denie me this favour which I do ask of you after conferring so many favours upon me which I never asked all which are nothing to me without this Yes Madam said Myrinthus being
Province where I was born to come and live with my aunt at Alfenes and since I never saw my brother but at that age I may very well say I know him not for certainly he is much altered since that time and though Clidaris was very like me yet I beleive I should not know him Yet by his letters I should know him very well for I have received many Letters from him yet for all that I should not know his face if I should meet him If he be such a man as my friend describes him replyed Astidamus you have reason to desire the sight of him for his Letter tells me that he is one of the most handsomest men and best wits in the world It tells me also that he is very kind with one of my sisters who dwells in that place and speaks so highly in his commendations that I am already his friend before I see him You may imagin Madam how Meliantes was non-plust when he heard himself thus talked of in his own presence yet he was afraid least he should render himself supect if he should put in nere a word and therefore he asked Astidamus very confidently when Cleonides brother would come thither I cannot tell you replyed he for the Letter beares no date For my part replyed Cleonide I wish that none had writ so much in his commendations for commonly high commendations raise high expectations and the person must be highly meritorious that can answer them It is so very likely that the fair Cleonide hath a most deserving man to her brother replyed Arpasia very obligingly that I have a great dsposition already to esteem him whensoever he comes Your expression Madam replyed she is infinitely obliging but to know whether I may in reason beleive what is writ concerning my brother I must aske whether he who gives this Character of my brother be a competent Judge of true merit or whether he be not one of those common commenders who use to make no difference between persons of inferiour parts and persons of extraordinary merits No on replyed Astidamus he who writ the Letter gives the same Character of Clidaris and therefore I dare answer for him for if my freind have any fault it is in being too niggardly in his commendations and in his esteeming over few persons and therefore I am most confident that Clidaris is a most excellent man and has a million of most admirable parts since my friend commends him For he who writ this Letter is so curions to be pleased that there are scarce four men in the Province where he lives who are sufficiently accomplished for his pallat and to define him in few words he is one of those nice and delicate men who use to anatomize the the hearts and spirits of any before he will commend them who examines all the words and actions of those he sees and who will see into their very thoughts before he will speak either good or bad of them Judge then whether I have not reason to be confident that Clidaris is worthy to be Cleonides brother After this Astidamus according to his custom turned the talk of which Meliantes was very glad and was very frolick in discourse yet what soever he said still he was nothing at all appliant unto Arpasia Presently after Cleonide going away Astidamus went also So that Meliantes remaining alone with Arpasia he looked upon him very seriously for reflecting upon what Astidamus had said concerning the brother of Cleonide she imagined considering the place where she met him and his desires to conceal his country that Meliantes might be he And the rather because the Character which was given of Cleonides Brother did fit him Yet not desiring to make her suspition appeare untill further certainty she roused her selfe out of her serious study just as Meliantes intended to interrupt her to tell her what he had understood from Alcianipe and beginning to speak Considering the state of things I am very sorry Madam said he unto her that I cannot speak as well of Astidamus as they have written unto him concerning Cleonides brother But Madam the fidelity I have vowed unto you and the zeale that I have unto your service forces me to tell you that I do know the name of her whom Astidamus hath long loved and unto whom he hath promised never to marry you I wish with all my heart replyed she that he would keep his promise But Meliantes added she who who is she that hath so captivated the heart of Astidamus It is Cleonide Madam replyed he and I know such circumstances of his affection to her that I must needs say he is infinitely too blame to be so engaged as he is How cryed out Arpasia is it Cleonide with whom Astidamus holds intelligence Yes Madam answered he it is Cleonide and Alcianipe hath so particularized things unto me that I cannot make the least doubt of the truth Alcianipe is so scandalous replyed she that there is no great heed to be taken unto what she saith But since I know how to discern truth from lies replyed he I dare assure you Madam that Astidamus doth love Cleonide After this Arpasia was a while mute and reflecting upon her former suspitions they all vanisht and she thought no more that Meliantes was Brother unto Cleonide since he told her of the intelligence which she had with Astidamus Afterwards calling to memory a hundred passages which formerly she took no notice of she found that indeed there was good cause to think that Astidamus loved Cleonide But maugre her aversion to him she could not choose but beare him a kind of spight for loving that faire one Yet her slight resentment of it quickly vanisht and in a moment after she was extreamly joyed in hopes that this love of Astidamus would break off her Marriage and she gave so many testimonies of it unto Meliantes that hee was fully satisfied Yet notwithstanding since she was resolved to stay untill Astidamus did himselfe break off because she was afraid to anger her Father Meliantes was forced to tell her that though Astidamus did dearly love Cleonide and had promised her to break off his Marriage for her sake yet because all his fortunes did depend upon Protogenes and because he was afraid to loose them by loosing his favour he was resolved to marry her and to deceive Cleonide How said Arpasia then does Astidamus intend to marry me and not to love me and to love Cleonide and not marry her Oh Meliantes I am not able to endure this double treachery And since I should be more miserable in marrying a man who neither loves me nor I him than Cleonide would be in not marrying a man who both loves her and she him it is my office to prevent such a misfortune For truly though I had no aversion to him yet his very infidelity to Cleonide is enough to hinder mee from marrying him therefore I beseech you Meliantes
so After this Thomyris being settled in her resolution gave all requisite orders for the interview of Cyrus and Ariantes for that of Intaphernes Atergatis Istrina and the Princess of Bythinia Cynus on his side prepared to see his Rivall and endeavoured to perswade him not to be her Peâ—secutor after he had been her Deliverer But to loose no time in the interim of this Truce in case that all perswasions proved fruitless that Ingeneer with whom Cyrus had agreed was so diligent in his business that he had prepared so many Trees as were requisite to burn all the wood between the two narrow passages and he did it so cunningly by the help of those Souldiers which Cyrus appointed to follow his order that not one of either-side knew of the business excepting those who were necessary for the execution of it In the mean time the day and houre for this interview being come both sides prepared themselves for it yet these two interviews were performed severall waies for Intaphernes and Atergatis were conducted by the Officers of Thomyris unto a Tent where those two Princesses whom they were to see should be brought That of Cyrus and Ariantes was to be on Horse-back between the two Frontier Guards of both Camps and in a place where the wood being divided into three severall divisions there was a great Plain between for this Interview In the mean time Intaphennes and Atergatis went unto the place which they longed to be at and they had undertaken so many severall businesses that if they had dispatched them all they would not have had any time to talk of love unto their Princesses for Cyrus desined them to talk unto them concerning Mandana Myrsiles conjured them to enquire of Doralisa Gabrias obliged them to know all circumstances concerning Arpasia Hydaspes also conjured them unto the same by the sensibility of their own Passions So as since all Lovers do more willingly serve such friends as are in love than others they were more ready to do a good Office for Arpasia in consideration of her Lover than in consideration of her Father but they thought principally of those joyes which they were going to receive which were so great that when they entred into the Tent where their Princesses were permitted to meet them they could not express their thoughts by their words As for the Princesses they were more Mistresses of themselves than the Princes for though the Princess Istrina perhaps had as great a desire to speak unto Atergatis as unto Intaphernes yet she went to her Brother before she went unto her Lover Atergatis for his part without any consideration of the Princess of Bythinias rank he saluted Istrina first and went where his love invited him The discourse of these four Persons a first was generall for since they were acquainted with all the secrets of each others hearts and since their fortunes were so twisted that they could not sever them they repeated all the misfortunes which hapned since they saw one another They spake of Spitridates and Aramenta of Gadates and Gabrias of Cyrus and Mandana Atergatis remembred the request of Myrsyles and Intaphernes that of Hydaspes and the Princesses told them all that they thought conducing to the service of Arpasia But afterwards failing insensibly into particular talk without changing of places Intaphernes talked in private with the Princess of Bythinia and Atergatis with Istrina So as in this hours private discourse they renewed their affections and tyed stronger knots of love than ever On the other-side the hour of the interview between Cyrus and Ariantes being come these two Rivals with equall numbers of men met in the Plain which I spoke of before in the Wood and according to the agreement they met on hors-back yet they might very well talk in private because all the company kept purposely at convenient distances In the mean time the spirits of these two Rivals were very different for Ariantes knowing he had betrayed Cyrus he was much ashamed to look him in the face and if he durst have disobeyed Thomyris he would not have consented unto this interview yet love being a Passion which excuseth all things he conceived that his Crime being caused by excess of love he was not so criminall as he thought himself and he no sooner saw Cyrus but looking upon him as a Rivall and a Rivall loved his anger did dissipate a great part of his shame As for Cyrus he looked upon Ariantes as that Traitor and ungratefull Anaxaris who had robbed him of all his felicity in carryâ—ng away Mandana yet considering how he had her in his power his excess of Love did cool his resentment also the last generosity of Ariantes disposed him to look lesse fiercely upon him Cyrus at this time was waited upon by Mazares Myrsiles Araspes Aglatidas Sylamis Mnesiphiles Chyrsias Chrysantes Lygdamis and many others And Ariantes was followed by Octomasades Agathirsis Andramites and all the most considerable men in the Court of Thomyris except Aripithes who could not endure the sight of Cyrus but with a sword in his hand for being perswaded that if Thomyris had not loved this Prince then he had been happy he hated him most extreamly But at last Cyrus and Ariantes being met and having saluted each other only out of complementall generosity Cyrus began to speak first Before I begin to speak unto you said he unto him I would gladly know from your own mouth whether I should look upon you as the valiant Anaxaris whom I most dearly loved or as the Ravisher of Mandana whom I am obliged to hate Were it possible replyed he that I could be the same Anaxaris I was in Lydia or when I was prisoner at Cumes I should wish your friendship but since it is impossible for me to be any other than the Lover of the Princess Mandana I beleive that I shall hardly be the freind of Cyrus not but that I am extreamly sorry fortune should force me to be ungratefull but since Sir you know the power of Mandana's charmes I have no excuse for my passion but that it is above my reason Though I were the most in love of any man living replyed Cyrus yet Love should never make me do any thing which I should repent of nor which should bring reproach upon me It is so easie a matter to be just when one is happy replyed Ariante's and so difficult a business not to be unjust when one is miserable that it is no wonder at the difference betwixt you and me in this busineâ—s since you have no mind replyed Cyrus that I should consider you as a man which will hearken unto Reason Justice or Generosity but as a man whom Love must dispence with all the duties of rationall society I must tell you that looking upon you simply as the Lover of Mandana I must look upon you as a man who does even the very worst he can do For added he without speaking a word of Thomyris his passion in
described the sweetness of Looks the trembling of Heart which a sudden surprize useth to cause the disorder of the Countenance the agitation of the Spirits and all the motions of a passionate Soul But Madam after Phaon had read these verses aloud he read them again in a low voice to himself and when he had done he looked earnestly upon them without a word speaking or ability to read others I being desirous to satisfie my curiosity rowsed him out of those musings which I thought his admiration only had caused and forced him to read those Verses which Sapho had made upon a jealous amity which had been betwixt Athys and Amithone But Madam This jealousy had the right Character of Love and all the violencies which that tyrannicall passion could possible inspire into an amorous heart were so admirably expressed as it was absolutely impossible to mend them For my part I did nothing but applaud and admire the genius of Sapho all the while Phaon was reading that peece but as for him he read it with attention so full of pensivenesse as I began to wonder yet to lose no time in asking him the cause I set my self to read some Verses which Sapho had made in the Country during a little journey of eight hours which she went alone with my Sister unto a very pleasant house of Saphoes by these Verses she represented the felicity of two Persons who love one another and thereby proves that they stand in need of none but themselves to live happily describing afterwards the tendernesse of their affections their sincerity one unto another their delights their recreations their discourses upon the sweetnesse of amity and friendship and a thousand such like And Madam all that the most delicate love could invent of sweetness was described by these lines though it aggravate only the sweets of amity and never in my life did I see any so full of Wit so gallant and so passionate But as excellent as they were I could not read them out for Phaon who harkned unto them with extraordinary attention interrupted mee with these words Ah Democedes said he unto me Sapho is the rarest Person in the world but I am the most miserable Lover upon Earth and you the most subtile of all men living As for the first of these you mention replyed I I concurre with you but I do not understand the second nor the third for why are you the most miserable Lover in the World and why am I the most subtile of all men living I am the most miserable Lover replyed hee because Sapho is most certainly in love with some one And you the most subtle because you assure mee shee is not in Love with any But I beseech you said I unto him upon what doe you ground your opinion that she loves any one I ground it replyed he upon what I have read For Democedes it is absolutely impossible she should write so passionatly and tenderly unlesse she had experimentally been passionate As Phaon said so Sapho returned expecting a thousand applauds from Phaon But Madam if I had not commended her she had gone without a debt which was due unto her merit for Phaons mind was so stung with a causelesse jealousie which sprung in his heart that he could hardly speak Yet after I had given him time to recollect himselfe by my commending of Sapho The same jealousie which caused his silence made him break it to see if he could discover in the eyes of this exellent Lady whether he had any ground for his suspitions What I see here Madam is so surprizing said he unto her that you must not think it strange I should not be able to expresse my admiration Since Sir answered she you have now been long enough acquainted with me to know that I do not love to be commended in my presence you would do me a pleasure if you would speak no more unto me of what you have seen Oh Madam said he hastily I must needs speak something and ask you bouldly what you do with all that tendernesse wherewith your heart is filled for I have read such passionate expressions that the heart of the Writer must needs be well experienced and capable of Love It is so with the merit of my friends replyed she and blushed and my affection to them is so tender that if I had as much wit as amity I should have written more passionatly than I did Phaon eying Sapho very attentively he observed her blush yet he could not divine that it was in his advantage and that Sapho had not changed colour as she answered him but because she secretly chid her self for having too tender thoughts of him But on the contrary interpreting her blush another way he thought that Saphoes soul was passionate for some of his Rivalls and this beleife did raise such a disordered damp in his spirits that he was silent upon a sudden And if company had not come in doubtless his silence had seemed very odd unto the fair Sapho but since Nicanor Phylire and some other Ladies came in Sapho made hast to hide those Verses which she had shewed unto us so as she took no notice of Phaons silence In the mean time perceiving his mind much unquiet he made a sign unto me that we should go away and indeed whilst Sapho was entertaining these Ladies we went out without taking leave and we went to walk by the Sea side We were no sooner there but Phaon began to complain against me for said he how can it be possible you should be brother unto Saphoes best friend and not know that she is in love for most certainly so she is or has been for it most absolutely impossible that any should express themselves so passionatly as she hath done unless she had experimentally been possessed with that passion There is such odd tender and passionate phrases in those lines which Sapho shewed us that friendship alone could not suggest them unto her but absolutely she either is in Love or hath been for my part said I unto him I have known Sapho from her Cradle I have known all her acquaintances I am the brother of one who knows all the secrets of her heart and I do solemnly protest unto you that I am most confidently perswaded though Sapho was loved by every one that saw her yet she never was in love with any but withall let me tell you that I think her very capable of that passion and if ever it enter into her heart she will love with more tenderness and fidelity than ever any did Alas Democedes said he unto me you do either deceive me or else are deceived your self for Sapho could never write those verses unless she were in love with some or other But friend said I to comfort his mind if you had seen any of those lines which Sapho writ upon a victory which Pittacus obtained you would say she can write as well upon war as upon Love and
because I had no better And as to the last Know said he Chrisantes that Cyrus shall never be known unto the King of Persia until Artamenes has rendred himself famous throughout all Asia yes Chrisantes Astiages shall esteem of Artamenes Ciaxares shall favour him the King of Pont shall fear him and Mandana shall Love him otherwise he shall sleep in the Tombe with Cyrus and he had rather die in earnest then not fully satisfie his desires of Glory and also his Affection which he owes unto the Princess of Cappadocia Sir said I to him for my part I cannot yeeld unto Passion or consent unto the opinion of a man whose Reason is prepossessed and partial unles I should render my own suspected Thus we parted and he went unto Feraulas who being younger then I was not so cross unto him in his design and therefore better pleasing I began to contemplate and weigh what course to take was best in a business of such intricacy and danger As for Artamenes it were a needless question to ask how he entertain'd himself with Feraulas for you may be sure Mandana was all their discourse Artamenes asked him if she were not the most perfect Beauty in the world and as he answered that all Persia had not one comparable to her that 's not enough replied the Prince but tell me that all Greece where the fairest women in the world are has not one who by a thousand degrees comes neer her and say that the famous Image of Venus which we saw at Cyprus who charmed all that came near was illfavoured in comparison of the Princess of Cappadocia so much does she transcend all the Beauties of the world Perhaps Sir I have insisted longer then was sit upon the Passions of Artamenes and their effects but I was constrained to suffer that evil which I could not prevent and to endure that which I could not help Mean while the day of Sacrifice of which we spake before approached Artamenes must be there and more hasty then any of the Sacrificers for he was there before any doors were opened But for all his earnestness we found the young Stranger which we met withall in the Temple before us who also waited for the opening of the gates My Master though he knew no reason for it yet had some secret odd thoughts of him finding him there and more forward then himself and though out of his civility he could not chuse but speak unto him yet he did it in such a manner as partly discovered his anger and made me wonder for there was never a sweeter and more complacential spirit in the world then his yet I found by his words as well as by his tone that this young Stranger did not please him Certainly said he to him in meeting with him you are either very full of Devotion or very full of Curiosity that you come thus early to see a Ceremony wherein on my conscience you have no great Interest and which cannot afford you any Novelty since you have already seen them I may say the same to you answered the young Stranger since I finde you as forward as my self but I will confess to you that I saw such delectable sights in the Temple the last time I met you here that I could not chuse but come again I would gladly know replied Artamenes very sharply which was the most delectable sight you found in the Ceremony whether the Ornaments of the Temple the abundance of Victims the costliness of the sacred Vestments or the function of Priests the confluence of People the Majesty of the Prince the Magnificence of the Court or the Beauty of the Princess It might be all these answered the sociable Stranger but if I be not deceived you your self can guesse which among them was the fairest object Since I beleeve we are of several Countreys replied my Master we may perhaps differ in our opinions and therein also be several and that which is fair to me may chance not be so to you The Persians delight most in their Temples the Serthians in their Houses the Graecians immortalize themselves by their Statues the Asstrians and Medes in their magnificent Palaces so every one has his Phansie for his reason and thinks nothing fair but what complies with his own humour and carries with it the Custom of his Nation Yet replied the Stranger there be some universal general Beatitudes which please and hit the Phansie of all Nations the Sun delights the whole world Diamonds sparkle in all eyes and also many Perfections there are which are beautifull to all men upon earth This discourse though it was very general yet it did not please Artamenes and I am perswaded that if one of the Sacrificers had not come to open the doors of the Temple this discourse had not ended so civilly as it begun for indeed Artamenes harboured a great dislike of him although he had but few his equal in point of hansome behaviour The door of the Temple was no sooner open but presently they parted and Artamenes shunned converse or meeting with him as much as he could but mingled amongst the company which came into the Temple Indeed this Sacrifice was much more magnificent then the last for as the People are always more forward to pray unto the Gods for deliverance from future misfortunes then to thank them for any benefit past so now there were many more multitudes of men then before more Ceremonies used the Victims better adorned and every thing more delightfull to the eye the Princess also was more beautifull in the eyes of Amorous Artamenes then the first time he saw her And as Love is always ingenious in conceipt so my Master thought Mandana prayd unto the Gods with more fervency and zeal then she did before This joy'd him much and made for his advantage that she should be more earnest with the Gods for his good success in War then she was in thanking them for his death But immediatly his Joy turn'd it self into a contrary Passion for Who knows said he whether or no she prays for my Rival and whether the inward devotion of heart do not contradict the outward expression of her lips Perhaps she prays more for the King of Pont then for the King of Cappadocia and that the happy success of her affection to that Prince is the happy success of the War that she prays for But what am I thinking mad man that I am said he to himself I am offending against a Princess whose Vertue is without blemish and whose Soul is so sweetly calm that it cannot be possest with any Passion I see it by her eyes and judge it by her motions and haply I may finde her heart not so stony insensible of Love In short Sir not to abuse your Patience This second view did confirm what the first begun and one Passage chanced which did much augment his Passion which was this The Sacrifice being ended the Princess did not go
out of the Temple so soon as the rest but stayed at her private Prayers after the King The People knowing her custom retired and left her at her devotion Artamenes did not so for he went not out as long as she stayed The young stranger was no forwarder to go out then he but stood alwayes before Mandana The Sacrificer with whom my Master had discoursed three days since found him out among the presse and being willing to do him any favour as a stranger who travelled out of Curiosity and as a man whose deportment and converse had much pleased him he came unto him and told him in a low voice that if he would have a little patience he might hear the Princess speak as she went out of the Temple for said he I have a Petition unto her Artamenes being much ravished with this happy accident thanked him very civilly for his kinde offer and prepared himself for this happinesse which he did not so soon expect The young stranger over-hearing this pressed after very boldly The Princess being ready to depart as she was at the gate of the Temple the Sacrificer went unto her my Master following him and the young stranger following both The Priest did most humbly beseech her that she would be pleased to mediate unto the King her Father that during these ensuing wars he would have a care for the preservation of the Temples For Madam said he the gods are the gods of all Nations Cappadocia hath Altars as well as the King of Pont and as victory inclines unto one side enemies must not be taught how to commit Sacrilege nor by example of others draw upon themselvs the anger of incensed gods The Princess conceiving his desire just did thank the Priest and assured him she would have a particular care that no disorder in the Temples should be used as heretofore had been in the war between the Scythians in Medea and Assiria And that she would move her father to it in the best manner she could But Grave Thiamis said she to him for that was his Name Be you sure to pray unto the gods for Peace which is the best way to preserve your Temples for my part I shall not be at rest as long as the war lasts and I confess that I prefer a peace before a victory Therefore pray uncessantly unto the gods that they would be pleased to change the heart of the King of Pont and that they would direct the heart of the King my Father to preferre the safety of his Subjects in generall before his particular glory After these words the Princess went away and left Artamenes in a wonder at her beauty and wisedom For though she had spoken little yet he found much purity of expression much spirit much complacence and goodnesse in the sense of her words In short Sir the state of Artamenes was incurable and though I had been able to have eased him yet he would not hear me But when we were returned to the Town and I had considered the matter more seriously I found no such great danger in it as at the first I did apprehend for who knows thought I whether it be not the pleasure of the gods by this innocent way in spight of all the prudence of Astiages and all his fears to bring Artamenes unto the Persian Crown and to make him Lord of all Asia Can it be imagined that the Divine Powers who never act against reason have foreshewed all these prodigious portents unto the Magi concerning Cyrus in vain Did they not expose him to the danger of being devoured by Lions and Tigers yet did they not miraculously save him Have they not most divinely accomplished him Have they not infused great thoughts and inclinations into him and Have they not conducted him through several Nations without a stop Did they not preserve him from the danger of that cruel combat with the Pirate Did they not bring him by Tempest amidst his enemies and landed him at Sinope Did they not bring him in the nick of time to be a Spectator when a sacrifice of thanks was offering for his death Have not the gods cast him into love of her who offered it Have they done all these wonderful things I say to destroy him no no It is impossible Had not the gods destin'd him unto some greater Fortune they would have suffered him to perish by Tygers and wilde beasts in the house of Mithridates or have let him perish at Sea or kil'd him in some civil combat or else this Port on which we were blown might have been a Rock Moreover I conceived it impossible that Artamenes should ever be taken for Cyrus because the Cappadocians do seldome or never come into Persia I remember that the last time Ciaxares sent thither his Embassadour was a Medean and I know when he returned he came not to this Court but went unto Ecbatan so that of all the places in the world which I can think of this Court seems to be least dangerous for him I cannot imagine which way Astiages can come to know that Artamenes is Cyrus or if he should it may well be thought he would not treat that Prince ill who is in Arms for the interest of Ciaxares his son neither can it be thought that Ciaxares will so much dishonour himself as to be so full of fears as his father Whereas if he were in any other Court or if he should be discovered in that other Court then Astiages would suppose him to be cajolling and inciting his enemies against him and would contrive all possible waies to destroy him As long as Astiages lives Cyrus cannot be more safe then in the Cappadocian Army since the beginning of his Travels he is more changed then can be credited so that it will be very difficult for those who saw him at Ecbatan to know him again or for those who saw him since in Persia for then he was very young and very little 'T is true Feraulas and I who lived in some considerable rank at Persipolis may chance come to be known But we can easily put it off by saying that we changed Masters after the shipwrack of Cyrus Besides all this may not Fortune be trusted with any thing Moreover who knows but that Love is the only necessary Passion whereby to attain unto glory Ambition in so young a heart as his cannot retain its violent and harsh desires so long as to adde victory unto victory yet since the Genius of this age is so much devoted unto pleasures there is not a more delectable humour in the world to make the most rugged and difficult things seem feasible and easie then Love Moreover since Artamenes is so amiable and extraordinary handsome who knows but the Princess may love him as well as he loves her And it may be certainly concluded that since he is hated unknown he will never be loved if he were known to be Cyrus These reasons Sir moved me to give some
just Mean while winter contrary to the common custome of that Country did draw fast on us and the weather was very sharp which did as much rejoyce the King of Assyria as it grieved us out of our fears that the King of Medes and Artamenes would be compelled to raise their Siege We had then no other recourse but unto our prayers and the Princesse by the mediation of the Prince Mazares obtained permission to go unto the Temple of Jupiter Belus every day which Temple is the most most stately and famous Church in all Babylon as well because that this god is the protector of the Assyrians and him whom they pray unto at the beginning of Battels as also because of the Oracles which are there given by the mouth of a woman whom Jupiter Belus made choice of to declare his will unto them who would know it And since I think if my memory deceive me not that you have heretofore told me how you never was at the place of those Oracles all the while you staied at Babylon and since there is no likelihood that you should see it since considering the tumult and confusion in which you put the Town at the taking of it It is therefore requisite that I represent it unto you in a few words after one is entered into the stately court of the Temple and passed through those most magnificent gates of Braffe which opens into it one shall find the door of that prodigious Tower which supports seven others above it unto the top of which one ascends by winding stairs supported by pillars of Copper In the midst of every pair of stairs there are seats to rest upon and when one is come unto the heighest Turret of all one shall find a little but most magnificent Temple wherein is to be seen a great Statue of Jupiter Belus made of massie Gold a Table of Gold also and a Throne of the same metal and many both great and rich vessels there is also a most stately Altar upon which the Chaldeans who first constituted Ceremonies of Religion in Babylon did every year at the grand Sacrifice burn above a hundred Talents of Incense As one goes out of that they enter into another but lesse in which was a Couch all covered over with gold and a Table of the same metal with a great Lamp of gold also upon it which was alwayes burning This place was not open on any side but the door which being shut there was no light at all It was in this place where that woman whereof I spoke did reside in the day time and on that Couch sleeps in the nights after the example of one who is reported to be in Egypt at Thebes and another at Patares a Town in Licia Here I say does the Prophetess live separated from all the rest of the world and delivers Oracles unto those who come and consult with her After this Chrisantes I shall tell you how being moved unto it either out of devotion or by a kind of curiosity when we were one day in the Temple of Jupiter Belus to wit in the great Temple below where every one does ordinarily walk the Princesse had a great mind to go into the top of the highest Tower and to visit this famous woman of Babylon and to desire her assistance unto the Gods without any design of consulting with the Oracle at all How Chrisantes may the chance of things be admired Mazares who was then in the Temple presented his hand unto the Princesse to lead her up those stairs which were very steep but both he and we were much amazed when we came to the top of this high Tower and found the King of Assyria without any with him but the Captaine of his Guard who was come thither to consult with this woman certainly if the Princesse had known of his being there she would not have come thither that day since be was but only entered into the little Temple and had not yet spoke with the Prophetesse he thought this accident fell out happily for him and intended to inform himself what he was to expect as the event of his passion but before he spoke unto the Prophetesse he addressed himself unto the Princesse and told her very civilly Madam said he doublesse you are come hither to solicite the gods against the King of Assyria But before the prayers of one so vertuous as your self have incensed the god of this place who is here adored I beseech you permit him to consult and in your presence to enquire the intention of the Deity The Princesse who though she could expect nothing from heaven which was not advantagious for her considering the innocency of her life and purity of her thoughts told him that she was glad to see such signs of piety in him and consented unto what he desired we entered then into that little place destined for Oracles where the woman who was very fair and in very magnificent habit asked him as she would have done the meanest of his subjects and with no more respect what he would know I would have you said he to her very submissively supplicated that god who reveals the secrets of men unto you that he would be pleased to tell me by your mouth whether the Princesse Mandana will be eternally inhumane and whether ever those torments which I endure will have an end At these words this woman opened a great gate of Gold which was close by her Couch and kneeling down upon a Cushion she was a long time holding up her head unto the mouth of a little obscure Vault which that golden grate did shut up and which was hewed out of the thicknesse of the wall afterwards being wrapt and possessed with a divine spirit which transported her she unfolded the tresses of her hair which spread about her shoulders then rising up and turning towards the King of Assyria with a face quite altered her eyes sparkling more then before her complexion ruddy and her voice more clear she distinctly pronounced these words The ORACLE Well mayest thou hope to make her mourn For all her cruelty and scorn Because hereafter in her arms Thou there shalt find such pleasing charms As quite shall terminate thy pain And turn thy sorrows into gain I leave you to imagine Chrisantes how much was the joy of the King of Assyria and how great was the grief of Mandana how deep was the despair of Mazares though he durst not shew it and what a wonder it was unto me the truth is I cannot expresse it for we did almost certainly know there could be no cheat in this Oracle since the King could not know that the Princesse would come thither and certainly the woman was of a very great reputation and extraordinary sanctity so that we could not suspect the least trick in it also it was by reason of this good repute that the Princesse desired to see her but oh heavens how many tears did this curiosity cost
to allow me so much patience as to hear me out Why said he unto her would you have me beleeve your words because you have lightly given credit unto the deceiving words of Cleander Do I not plainly see you are his Confederate in this gross Imposture by which he would make himself the son of a King just now when he is accused of a Crime which brings his life in danger Where are all the convincing proofs of it You tell me you have seen them but you shew not one As for this Picture which all the Court hath seen and I my self also have seen that argues as much as nothing nor any thing else except the King of Phrigia's Letter as for that I confess I have seen and know his Character and it may be of some consideration but they will shew it seems only unto you who does not know it and will not produce it to shew unto me because I should discover its forgery In a word Cleander is unknown and you ought to look upon him no otherwise neither ought you to beleeve that I would have married you unto him unless I had told you so my self and if by reason of some reason in State I should have married you to him I know not whether or no you would have willingly obeyed 〈◊〉 Moreover admit Cleander were the son of a King yet you ought not to hold any secret intelligence with him but since he said himself to be the son of my Enemy was it just in you to conceal it from me one minute Might you not well suppose that this very circumstance of Enemy was enough to prevent all alliance with him Which way soever then I consider your actions I find you so culpable and in so deep a manner that I cannot endure the sight of you Therefore retire unto your Chamber and obey my orders without medling any more in the Justification Since my own justification is inseparably linked unto his replyed she methinks Sir your command is not just Go said he unto her begone and answer no more but without insisting upon your pretended innocency go and pray unto the Gods that they will pardon you for my part I cannot The Princess Palmis would have replyed something but he would not suffer her and commanded the Lievtenant of his Guard to carry her unto her Chamber and be responsible for her person The Princess then seeing she could not prevail with the King her father obeyed with tears in her eyes and returned to her Lodging without having the comfort of her dear Cylenisa with whom she might condole her misfortunes Her Chamber becoming now a Prison none were admitted nor permitted to see her no not so much as the Prince Myrsiles because he seemed always very affectionate unto Cleander The Princess of Classomena desired it but was denyed Abradates endeavored very much to do her service yet all in vain The Prince Mexaris though glad perhaps of these disorders yet seemed very angry at it The Princess Anaxilea widow of the Prince Atis remembering what an obstacle the Princess had heretofore been unto her marriage shewed not much generosity But as for Esope he was constant and spoke boldly unto the King in behalf both of the Princess and Cleander Meneceus also was very generous and spoke high so that the King grew angry with him and employed him no more in his Councels expresly forbidding him to publish that Cleander was the son of a King As for Artesilas though he was a Lover of the Princess Palmis yet her prison was no great grief unto him because he hoped that this disasterous course would make her repent of her affection unto Cleander and was in hopes to transact in her behalf so cunningly as that she might think her self in some sort a Debtor unto him for her Liberty In the mean while Cleander hearing the next day by some of the Guards that the Princess Palmis was a prisoner all the sorrows that ever he suffered in all his life were not comparable to his sufferings then he saw his fortune was in a pitiful condition for he knew certainly that he was the son of a King and had no power to justifie himself he appeared ungrateful and guilty towards Cressus and was not able to produce any convincing proofs to the contrary he was in love with the Princess and knew she loved him again but according to all appearances he should never be in a condition to enjoy her or himself he heard she was a prisoner for the love of him and this last consideration made so deep an impression upon his spirits that he valued not all the rest until then he suffered his fetters without any desires of breaking them but when he heard she was a prisoner he thought upon nothing but his liberty to the end he might release her He desired the Guards to go unto the King and beseech him that he might immediately dye upon condition she might be set free and express so many signs of real love and in so moving a manner that one of the Guards did offer him all his endeavours for his comfort at the least if he could do nothing for his liberty Cleander did accept his offer and conjured him to go unto the Palace there enquire very exactly what Orders and Guards were upon the Princess that afterwards he might judg whether there was any possibility of sending her a Letter This officions Souldier did as Cleander desired him and went unto the Palace but being not so wise as well affected some men that are ready to do any ill offices espied him and knowing him to be one of Cleanders Guard did acquaint the King he was there who did command him to be seized upon and since he gave no good reasons for his coming to the Palace and since information was given that he enquired what guards was kept over the Princess they clapt him up in prison and the King imagined there was some design to release her so that to put her in a place which he conceived inviolable and to send her further from Cleander whom he would not yet put to death as much incensed as he was against him therefore he sent the Princess the next morning unto Ephesus unto the Temple of Diana appointing her who commanded the vowed Vestals there not to let her speak unto any whosoever causing the Companion of Cylenisa to be released and likewise the Son of Pactias because of his fathers fidelity to have his liberty This wise Princess desired to take her leave of the King but the favour was denied her then she desired to have Cylenisa with her that also was not granted so that the day following none having the liberty to see her she departed from Sardis guarded by five hundred horse unto Ephesus which was three days journeys from thence But Madam the way thither was of necessity behind the Garden of the Palace and by the Cittadel under the window where Cleander did speak with
assure me that you will be always my Friend and that you will never be a Lover Indeed I cannot Madam answered he for though I should force my tongue to tell a lye yet my eyes would contradict my words and my face would discover the secrets of my heart Fie Ligdamis said she are you resolved to lose my friendship Why Madam answered he I could easier consent to love you less then to say it But Ligdamis said she unto him you do not answer unto what I say I pray tell me whether all you have spoken against Love be out of your memory No replied he but it is out of my heart since certainly I see things after another manner then I did before For my part said she I know not why you should Yes Madam replied he I do not see you as I did when I was only your friend I find you a hundred times more fair then I did methinks you have incomparably a finer spirit then you had before you are infinitely more charming your humours are more agreeable and pleasing unto me the least of your words now has more eloquence then your finest rhetorique had before your very look makes my heart to beat and you seem to be so infinitely above what you were before in every thing that I am ashamed I should not discover those admirable perfections in you untill I was in love Yes Madam the fire does not only warm but enlighten me and lets me see a hundred things which I could not see before And can you see said she unto him that Love is not the same you said it was before I do most plainly see it replied he and in such a most evident manner that I wonder how I could possibly reason so against it I do confess Madam there is a terrestrial gross and brutal kind of Passion that usurps the name of Love yet is not which merits the aversion of all reasonable people Also I do confess there is a kind of universal Gallantry unworthy of a lofty soul But a constant and pure Love such a Love as my soul is sensible of is the most glorious and commendable thing in the world It is by this Passion that souls are elevated above themselves and prompted unto all heroique actions Be pleased Madam to command me any thing that is full of the greatest difficulties and the most dangerous to be executed and I shall immediately attempt it If you had imposed any thing of this nature upon that Ligdamis who was only your friend perhaps he would have considered the greatness of the danger and the difficulty of his obedience and in all likelihood would not undertake it but this Ligdamis who loves you now will never deliberate a minute upon any of your Commands but is ready with his obedience at a minutes warning Then I command you not to love me as you do replied she if it be so that your obedience has no limits Impossiblities Madam replied he are ever to be excepted and therefore in this I cannot obey you because it is not in my power to love more or less then I do Then I must never see you again replied she unless you will endeavour to find out ways of curing your folly Though my disease is such replied he that I had rather die then wish the cure yet I will ask you Madam what you conceive most proper and expedient for it I would have you think upon all you have formerly said unto me against it replied she I remember them very well replied he but I find them so unjust and remediless that they will not do it Consult then with your own Reason replied she and I am confident it will change your opinion Alas Madam replied he my Reason is so troubled and so far from affording me any councel that it absolutely submits unto my Passion Then see me no more said she and try whether absence will help you Since these five or six dayes in which I have not seen you replied he my love is increased much more Consider then replied she that if you love me I shall hate you and by not loving me you will still have my esteem and friendship Oh Madam cry'd he how most unjust is this to love me if I do not love you and to hate me if I do Whatever it be Ligdamis replied she since my thoughts are not changed as yours are but still look upon Love with the same eyes I did before and find you so unreasonable that I cannot endure you I must tell you what I conceive Your face is changed and your actions also I find a continual restlesness in your eyes you speak more hastily then you did before all you say is unjust you are silent when you should speak and answer always impertinently and indeed do every thing without reason For you thought yourself happy heretofore in my conversation my esteem my friendship and my confidence I do yet offer the same unto you and you are not contented For my part Ligdamis you may say or think what you please but I never found Love so fantastical in any as in you The reason is replied he because the Passion was never so violent in any as in me but alas Madam I must needs think my self most unhappy that my love is unknown to you Deceive not yourself replied she For the more disorder I see in your soul the less disposition I shall have to love you That must needs be impossible Madam replied he for as the fire burns those that touch it and the sun enlightens those that see it so a pure and constant Passion must needs move the heart of her one loves You hope then that I shall love you replied Cleonice with such a coldness as made Ligdamis almost despair I do wish it Madam at the least replied he but I dare not say 〈◊〉 hope it 'T is very well said she indeed you could not do me a more manifest injury then perswade me to love you and to do that which I have so often condemned in others Can you imagine Ligdamis that I should laugh at all those follies in you which we both together have condemned in others Do you think I can take any pleasure to see you miserable for the love of me to hear you sigh and make all the crabbed faces which Love uses to force them unto that are subject unto it Fie fie Ligdamis I cannot endure it And though I cannot regulate your affection yet let me limit your hopes for assure yourself that a hundred years languishment sighs tears raptures expressions and services shall never obtain any thing from me Though Madam replied he you cannot be sensible yet I beseech you be not unjust but consider that it is yourself who is the cause of my misery and therefore you are obliged to have some compassion upon me Then be only unto me said she unto him as I am unto Ismenea my Confident in point of friendship Love me as you were
addition of Forces He was no sooner advertised by his Spies which he had purposely set that Abradates had passed over the River Halis with his Troops but he took horse after he had sent to acquaint the Kings of Phrigia and Hircania and other Princes of his Army so that in a very short time having abundance with him he went to meet these Princes some thirty furlongs from his Camp He was no sooner come on to a little rising ground but he saw the Troops of Abradates appear and those which he had sent out meet with them so that marching forward with about five hundred Horses only he met Abradates and his Rival When these two Bodies were so neer that the first Ranks might know each other the King of Assyria Abradates and Mazares out of the respect which they owed unto Cyrus as their ancient Conqueror and as now to be their Protector did leave their main Body and advanced towards him Cyrus no sooner saw their action but he did the same both sides alighting from their Horses at the same time some twenty paces from each other Abradates as it was agreed between the King of Assyria Mazares and himself did advance the first and presented the rest unto Cyrus Sir said he unto him If I had come alone unto you I should have feared my reception but since I bring with me two such valiant Princes and so many gallant men which follow them I dare hope you will not deny us protection especially when you consider that I have brought a Prince who would have brought the Princess Mandana to you if she would have given credit to him and who would have brought the Prince Artamas also if it had been possible Upon his saying so the King of Assyria and Mazares saluted Cyrus the first of these with a kind of angry civility and the other with a most melancholy respect Cyrus returned these salutes very civilly though with more coldness then he resolved yet he spoke unto them with incomparable generosity as soon as he had overcome his natural repugnancy to embrace his Rivals and the Ravishers of Mandana and as soon as this averse Ceremony was over I make no doubt at all of Victory now said he unto them nor can Fortune as powerful as she is prevent the Releasement of Mandana You may see by this Sir said Mazares unto him and gave him Mandana's Letter that the adored Princess you speak of might have been out of Prison had she pleased and that I did my best to obtain my pardon Cyrus then taking Mandana's Letter from the hand of his Rival with as great an agitation of spirit as Mazares had in giving it he opened it and after a civil Complement unto the Princess he read these words MANDANA to the Invincible CYRUS IF the Prince Mazares be so generous as to give you this Letter and will fight for you then receive him as if he had released me since it was long only of my self that I was not released by him Render therefore unto his Virtue that which I have refused him and be assured he will merit your friendship if is be true that his repentance be real Therefore without any remembrance of his carrying me away from Sinope think how he protected me at Babylon and would have released me out of Sardis Live therefore with him as if he were always your Friend and as if he had never been your Rival And be assured that you will sensibly oblige her who is the most just and most acknowledging person in the world Adieu Extract out of the last words in this Letter all the câ—nsolation that she can give you whose Name is with a true Epithite Vnfortunate MANDANA Whilest Cyrus was reading this Letter the King of Assyria's mind was full of unimaginable torment and speaking unto Mazares in a low voyce You are a happy man said he unto him that can with such a calm and moderate Passion give Mandana's Letter unto your Rival I do not think my self to be in any condition of envy replyed Mazares sadly and I beleeve you would think so as well as I if you did but know my heart As they were thus talking together Cyrus having read this Letter which infused much calmness into his spirit he looked upon Mazares with much mildness and assured him most obligingly and generously both that he would esteem him as the Releaser of Mandana and never remember his act at Sinope So that Mazares maugre the Passion of his Soul was ravished with admiration as well as the King of Susiana But since the King of Assyria did impatiently resent this discourse Cyrus did end it very handsomly And Abradates did present Andramite unto him Also Mazares presented Belesis telling him that this his illustrious Friend could well testifie his Repentance Also Anaxaris Sosicles Tegeus and Feraulas coming up towards him Cyrus embraced them with much joy especially the last of these After which taking horse he rid towards the Camp where Cyrus was no sooner arrived but according to the Orders which he had given a Councel of War was held in his Tent to consult whether the Truce should still be observed or whether this accident ought to move them to break it off Mazares gave there his voyce as freely the first day as if he had been an ancient Friend of Cyrus The question was a while in doubt some gave their votes to break off the Treaty and take advantage of the disorder in the Army of Croessus and others affirmed that it did not suit with the glory of Cyrus to do so Those who were of this opinion said that this which happened was an advantage which could not be attributed unto Cyrus since he had yet done nothing but receive his Prisoners and give retreat unto an ill treated Prince and unto some other Malecontents of Quality that therefore patience was to be used since the Truce would not last above three days In conclusion the business being well debated how great a desire soever Cyrus had to fight especially having now got the Pass over the River Halis free by the means of Andramites his Brother yet notwithstanding he would never violate the Laws of War So that this being the Result of the Councel all the Princes retired unto their Tents which were prepared for them except Abradates whom Cyrus did wait upon unto a little Town where his dear Panthea lodged giving Orders unto Artabases to withdraw to the end there might be no sign of any Captivity Cyrus would have Andramites also to follow Abradates that he might have a sight of Doralisa thinking the Gods would one day reward him for having comiseration upon unfortunate Lovers like himself and for his care in sweetening the bitter Pills of their miseries though he saw no remedy for his own The End of the second Book in the fifth Part. ARTAMENES OR The Grand CYRUS The Fifth Part. BOOK III. AFter Cyrus had done every thing that the dignitie of his Place
man he knew not and a man of Quality He offered any thing unto him if he would tell him unto whom he was to give that Letter but all in vain insomuch as he was driven to the necessity of conjuring him not to tell hee asked the question So that my friend giving me the Letter which could have no suspition I sent unto Parthenia who found these words The unfortunate and miserable TIMANTES unto his cruell unknown one MADAM IN thinking to spare me the sorrows of bidding you adieu you have drowned me in them What can you think Madam will become of a man who adores you who knows not who you are nor whither you goe but is ignorant whether you will ever return for him or ever return at all For heavens sake Madam have some compassion upon my constancy and never fear that the Princesse of Salamis will dri 〈…〉 you out of my heart I doe admâ—â—e her I confesse but I will not love her as I told you before I will not see her In the mean 〈…〉 e I beseech yoâ— put not my patience to the utmost rack unlesse it be your 〈…〉 gn to makâ—â—e despair or unlesse you would put me to death not only for love but also f 〈…〉 riosity 〈…〉 urn Madam I beseech you if you be gone or shew your self unto me if you be not For truly I cannot imagine where you are or who you can be and I am perswaded that if your inhumanity last a little lâ—â—ger I shall not know my self Yet I am most certain that nothing can prevent me from being the most faithfull of your Lovers and the most zealous of your Adorers TIMANTES This Sir was the answer which I sent unto Parthenia who writ many times to Timant 〈…〉 and he also unto her Yet since the beauty of this Princesse who he saw in that little Temple which is in the way towards Amathonte did make a deep impression in his heart he spoke of her very much so that Amtimaques who was in love with Donida and would have been even ravished with joy to see him marryed unto Parthenia he alwaies was hinting unto him that was only this Princesse that he could marry with honor and not with an unknown woman who perhaps had no beauty or at least was of some fantasticall disposition Timantes then did remember him of his promise not to condemn his passion if the unknown Lady did refuse his present But Antimaques answered that when he said so he did not think there was in Cyprus any match for him so advantagious as this of this Princesse but now he undeâ—â—â—ood that the Prince Philoxipes did really wish that he should marry his sister he could not be any longer in his first opinion For I pray you Sir said he unto him do but compare your unknown Lady with Parthenia a little as for her quality it is most certain it cannot be more high nor so high for there is none in all the 〈…〉 e that is comparable unto her as for her beauty according to your owne description the comparison must needs be as unequall as for her vertue â—ou know what high reputation she hath and as for her spirit the world knowes no equall and would you preferre you know not who before her Doubtlesse I would replyed Timantes for I love her and she does not hate me as for the Princesse of Salamis though I could love her and though her ravishing beauty should force me to be perfideous yet it were very doubtfull whether she could love me for I have heard say she is of a nice spirit and few men can please her though many not without some merit have courted her therefore I pray you talk no more of this Princesse whose Idea is but too deeply imprinted already in my imagination In the mean time Dorida who for the interest she had in Antimaques desired that Timantes might stay in Cyprus used all her arguments to perswade Policrite that she would importune the Princesse of Salamis to quit her solitude so that unknown to Parthenia Philoxipes Policrite Dorida and Antimaques plotted her marriage with Timantes and truly it was happy they did so for otherwise I think Parthenia would never have made her selfe known unto Timantes for since her reason was not quite prejudicated she would often think her proceedings with him so fantasticall that she could not beleeve Timantes could really esteem her and as an effect of this opinion she did so firmly resolve never to discover her selfe but to break off absolutely with him that Amaxita quite despaired of ever altering her In the meane time Philoxipes knowing that Timantes thought his Sister very faire he thought that if he could make her like him aswell as he liked her the design so much desired might happily take effect But since she could never like Timantes unlesse she saw him and since Philoxipes knew not that she knew him aswell as he did he resolved to carry him unto the Princesse and to surprise her in her solitude But Timantes excused himselfe saying he respected her more then to force her to see a man whom she did not think worthy of that honour and had denyed it before adding further that it would be a meanes to make her hate him so that Timantes refusing to goe in a civill complement Philoxipes knew not what to think But Antimaques who was acquainted with the passage told it unto Dorida to the end she might tell Policrite that the reason why Timantes would not go to see the Princesse of Salamis was because he would not expose himselfe unto the danger of falling in love with one who perhaps would be insensible of him So that Dorida preparing the mind of Policrite and Policrite the mind of Philoxipes it was plotted and resolved amongst them to get out Timantes under colour of taking a journey of pleasure and in lieu of carrying him unto the pretended place to carry him unto the Princesse But since the Prince Philoxipes knew the humour of Parthenia it was thought expedient to gaine Amaxita therefore he made a visit unto the Princesse and negotiated the matter so dexterously that she found an opportunity whilst Parthenia was dressing her selfe for it was very early to talk with Amaxita in her chamber and imparted unto her their designe of marrying the Princesse his sister unto Timantes Let us tell her said he to satisfie her concerning the Oracles which she received that he is fallen in love with her reputation and with the commendation which every one gives of her spirit At first Amaxita thought that the Prince Philoxipes knew something of the passages between Timantes and Porthenia but she was greatly undeceived of that by severall passages he told her so that seeing it was the zeale and earnest desire of this Prince to promote this Marriage she resolved to impart the secret of all the story unto him conceiving that if she did not perhaps the Prince Philoxipes when he saw the amazement that Timantes
to reverence Amasis the more because he proclaimed some lawes which seemed full of justice and gave great hopes of his wisdome for he enacted that all his subjects throughout his dominions should give an account to the governour of the place where he lived how he had lived the yeare before to the end he might banish idlenesse and injustice both at once So that Amenophis no sooner heard how the people began to grumble but he heard immediatly after that he stood upon faster grounds then ever as if the Gods had neglected the conduct of the universe since they suffered an usurper to sit upon the Throne and the legitimate King to be in exile brought up in a Desart amongst a company of Shepheards But Sir I must not insist longer upon this since I have many things of great importance to tell you In the mean time therefore since Amenophis thought to draw some advantage by the young Timareta he thought fit to educate her so as she might hereafter be known unto Amasis without dislike which he did excellently well by meanes of my mothe the great recompenses which he promised so that she sent him a woman to be tutor to this young Princesse This woman was a Theban most admirably qualified for the education of such a person as this divers crosse adventures had ruined her family and forced to seek a livelyhood by such a happy servitude as this her name was Edisea Thus Sir Timareta came under her tuition assoon as she was fit to be taken from her Nurse who had escaped the contagion as well as she and be pleased to know Sir that as Sesostris was a miracle so Timareta was another for beauty and spirit all the parts of her face were so many wonders her complexion though a little brown yet most lovely her hair the purest black that ever was her aspect was so high and charming as it did invite both admiration and love So that I may truly say never were two children together so amiable as the young Sesostris and the young Timareta especially when the lustre of their spirits began to joyn and shine with their beauties which was when Timareta was eight and Sesostris twelve years of age For Sir I assure you all their actions and their words were infinitely taking and transcend their ages Since naturally I was reasonably active and had some education before I came into this Isle I practised all exercises of body with Sesostris which he performed admirably well as running leaping shooting the Lute and such things As for the Liberal Sciences Amenophis taught him as well as any Prince in the world stood in need of He could speak divers Languages especially the Greek very well For since Amenophis had the disposition of all the Queens and Ladice's Jewels we wanted neither Books nor any thing else which was requisite Yet our habits were course like Shepheards and sometimes wee went unto the Flocks when Amenophis gave us leave Again Edisea educated Timareta as if she were in the Court though she permitted her to use some such common things as Shepheards use as the making of fine Baskets of Rushes weaving strings in severall colours and such like But Edisea did not onely teach her these trivials but also the Greek language yet the wonder of all was to see what a wonderfull inclination Sesostris had unto Timareta He could not endure to be out of her sight he never contended with her for any thing but in all things submitted unto her that at that age complacency was a novelty If hee observed she wanted any Rushes to make her pretty Baskets wherein she put her fruits and flowers he went in all hast to get her them If at any time she desired any Flowers he was never at rest untill he brought her a basket full he thought so much of pleasing her that he thought upon nothing else On the other side the young Timareta though very sweet unto all yet did put such a notable difference between Sesostris and all others as it was very observable She approved of all he said and if two of us present unto her any thing at one time shee would accept that which Sesostris offered before the present of any other Thus Sir wee lived untill Sesostris was sixteen and Timareta twelve years of age But Sir as they were amiable in their Infancy so they were amiable in their riper age when their spirits did put soules into their beauty and when they were grown capable of loving For truly though Timareta had a design to please a whole Court she could not take more care of her self then she did And if Sesostris had a design to publish his spirit unto all the world he could not have been more exactly careful to please then he was when he spoke before Timareta In the mean time since Amenophis conceived that if Sesostris and Timareta were hereafter to appear in the world as known who they were it would be advantageous that Timareta should love Sesostris he did not check this growing affection no more then Edisea who alwaies followed the mind of Amenophis without seeking for other reason and so much the rather in this because she perceived all the inclinations of Timareta to bee virtuous In the meane time since we read all sorts of Books especially the History of Aegypt sometimes when Sesostris and I were together wâ— talked of many things especially of Amenophis and what designes he should have For said Sesostris to me I find by the History of Aegypt that it is divided into six severall professions That the Priests are ordained for sacred things the Noblemen for Councellors unto their King for Commanders in their Armies and Governours of Provinces that their Souldiers in generall think upon nothing but matters of War that the Merchants busie themselves in nothing but in things belonging to their Traffique that Labourers follow onely their Plough that Artificers meddle with nothing but what will make them more knowing in their art and that Shepheards keep themselves within compass of their Fould and think upon nothing but their Flocks Yet though we be onely Shepheards I see Amenophis doth instruct us in a hundred things which the Law forbids and I find my heart too big to be contained within the compasse of this little Isle and I have had some thoughts of making a proposition unto you of leaving it if At this word Sesostris stopped and though I did extreamly presse him to goe on with his sentence yet I could not move him So that I was forced to speak his thoughts and agree with him to steal out of this Isle relating many things concerning Elephantine which I remembering very well begot a strong curiosity in him But for all our plot it was not easie to be executed For Amenophis had a strict observant eye upon us and indeed Sesostris did decline it for hee was already deep in love with the young Timareta being after this very reserved unto each
they were deceived and that there is no such thing Amenophis was forced to go himselfe not daring to trust it in a letter and satisfie them of all the passage In the mean time he caused Edisea and Timareta to returne into the Isle to the end that if Sesostris returned she might stay him appointing Traseas and Edisea to tell him that he had altered his opinion since his departure and at his return would give him all possible satisfaction also conjuring Edisea to order it so that the faire Shepheardesse might stay Sesostris if he returned after which Amenophis departed in a disguise and carried the Princesse Servant with him And these were the motives Sir which attracted Amenophis out of the Isle and Sesostris in and Timareta also But to returne unto Sesostris whom I left leaping hastily out of the Boat the sooner to see his faire Shepheardesse give me leave to tell you Sir that he found her upon the top of the hill and bottome of the Sicomore where Sesostris had imprinted his mind and she every day since her return was reading it this beauty he found in a musing posture her eyes down and walking softly when he was coming hastily to her to testifie his desires of seeing her who being upon a sudden sweetly surprised with the sight of her dear Sesostris and to see his face so full of joy had good cause to think his heart was as full of love both their joyes were so high that they were not able to expresse them by their words yet at last they spoke but it was both at once but yet they understood each other for upon such occasions regular set civillities are not the most obliging but there is a certain disorder of spirit confusion of words which plea seth much better then any studyed complements of quaint language which perhaps signifie nothing at most nothing to the purpose but after they had vented what their first raptures permitted them Timareta saluted me and Sesostris saluted Edisea who followed Timareta some twenty paces from her these two lovers were both so equally disordered with a pleasing surprise that Timareta in speaking to me called me Sesostris and Sesostris called Edisea Timareta this little reciprocall error had different effects for Sesostris was very glad to heare Timareta use his name in lieu of mine nor was he sorry for calling Timareta in lieu of Edisea thinking she would thereby know that his thoughts did run on her but as for Timareta she was vexed at her selfe for being so surprised that she blusht for shame This pretty error was not only the joy of Sesostris at the first meeting but it was highly augmented to see Timareta a thousand times more faire and charming then she was at his departure she was grown taller her neck was in another but better modell she was grown plump her complexion was polished her eyes more lustrous her behaviour more gracefull and free all which made her infinitely more amiable Moreover the beauty of her mind was as much bettered as that of her body and her being at Elephantine had so taught her the air and garb of the world that she seemed to be as indeed she was a great Princesse disguised in the habit of a Shepheardesse Sesostris for his part was grown infinitely more amiable also his behaviour was more high and his spirit more bold and refined Thus these two young persons finding each other worthy of fresh admiration it is no wonder if their affections were greater then before yet for all this there was some such altera ions in the way of Timareta as made Sesostris have many an angry houre for as this young beauty did certainly love more then before so she did expresse it lesse so that at the first private conference which they had together after the return of Sesostris he complained of her cruell change in her behaviour who being now more circumspect then when she was young would not let all her heart be seen in her tongue I beseech you fair Timareta said he unto her from whence proceeds this alteration which I perceive in you and why do you treat me more seriously and more coldly then before you used You may replyed she and smiled leave out one of your last words which you used since I have done nothing which can make you think I treat you more coldly I confesse I have left off a little of my childish simplicity and merryments of my infancy Ah Timareta replyed he do not under the colour of that cruell expression deprive me of that sweetnesse which heretofore you blessed me withall but let me at the least take some consolation in things that are past though I cannot in the things present To shew you that I am not rigorous said Timareta to him I promise you never to forget how I owe my life unto you but at the same time I conjure you to forget all the innocent passages of my infancy not to regulate in measure the rest of my life by what is past for truly Sesostris I have spoke a hundred thousand things which makes me blush to think of them and which I shall never speak againe Why said Sesostris do you think it just you should treat me worse then you did because you have more spirit and witt then you had and because you are more faire and consequently I more your captive therefore you should be more rigorous to me I conceive said she 〈…〉 d and smiled that now there is more decorum to be observed and though I should love you yet I should not tell you so but it is your part only to guesse at it It must needs be confessed said Sesostris that this fashion is a little too Tyrannicall and unjust for am I not the very same I was when you lived in more freedome with me No said she unto him you are now a much more refined man But admit I be replyed he must you therefore use me worse No replyed she but I doe it to get more of your esteem Ah Timareta answered Sesostris rigour is an ill expedient whereby to get the esteem of a lover I assure you said she I think it is a better then indulgence For all your rigour 〈◊〉 said he and shewed her the medall which Simandius gave him you cannot hinder me from having your picture 't is true said he it does not fully resemble you but however it is not more unlike you then your self is to what you were unto me in that age when you suffered me to look on your eyes without turning them away Timareta taking this medall and looking upon it was extreamly surprised to find the figure of a woman on the one side of it whose aire did much resemble hers so that having a longing desire to know how he came unto it and how it came to resemble her she began to be importunate with him to tell her Then would he according to his intentions have given her all that Simandius gave
unto him for believing he should see the Princess Araminta the next morning every minute seemed an Age unto him As for Sesostris and Artamas after they had conducted Cyrus unto the Cittadel they returned to the Pallace to see at once those two Princesses who raigned in their souls The first of these since he had not of a long time seen his dearest Timaretta he thought he should never see her enough And the second besides the joy which he should have to be with his Princess he was joyed that he was able to render an accompt unto her of the conference between Cyrus and the King her Father and that he was able to tell her that he was well received Since these two Princesses had two Chambers which joyned together and since they were both in their own Chambers which Sesostris and Artamas came to see them they parted at the doors of the Chambers But vvhil'st Sesostris vvas entertaining his dearest Timaretta and vvhil'st he vvas protesting that his Love vvas as violent as vvhen she vvas the fairest Shepheardess of all Aegypt and he the most amorous Shepheard of the World Whil'st I say Artamas vvas protesting unto the Princess Palmâ— after he had rendred her an accompt of all passages bet 〈…〉 〈◊〉 and him that the aâ—teration in her fortune had vvrought no change in his heart and that he did love her vvith more zeal and respect though the King her Father vvas a Captive and though he had lost his Crown then he did before when she was the Daughter of the most puissant and rich King of all Asia Whil'st I say these two illustrious Lovers found some sweetness in discoursing of their past misfortunes and present miseries Andramites prepared himself to wait upon Cyrus the next morning when he intended to carry Spitridates unto Araminta to the end he might the sooner see his beloved Doralisa Ligdamis also as well as he had the same design to see his dearest Cleonice Parmenâ—des also who came to Sardis as soon as he heard it was taken thought of returning to see Cydipe so that all these Amorâ—tes being no less amorous then Spitridates were no less impatient then he and expected the happy hour with as much restlesseness of mind They all departed not so early in the morning as they could have desired because Cyrus had yet so much business to dispatch that the Sun was a great height before he took horse for he had not only his last orders to give unto the messenger whom he sent unto Ciaxares but he had commands to give concerning the bringing of Menecrates and â—hrasemedes unto Sardis He had written and sent unto Persipolis but he had yet to command that they should go unto certain small Maritine Towns whose names were out of his memory when he sent unto Ephisus Milete Guides and Cuma for though in his sending thither he had given orders in general to go unto all the Ports on that Coast yet because he had not precisely named the Towns which he then remembred he vvould send thither chusing rather to do a hundred things to no purpose concerning the Quest of his Princess then to fail in the least circumstance that had any shadow of possibility in doing her service But at last all business was dispatched and he departed first asking pardon of the Prince Spitridates for keeping him so long from the sight of the Princess Araminta conjuring him to pardon the fault of an unhappy Lover who was not so neer the sight of her he loved as he was After this complement which Spitridates received with the same civility it was expressed they rid towards the Castle where Cyrus had lodged Araminta Tigranes knowing the violent disposition of his Brother Phraartes would also make one in this journey to prevent any unruly attempt which his Brother might fall upon at the sight of Spitridates As for Andramites Ligdamis and Parmenides they waited upon Cyrus at this time more for their sakes whom they loved then for any other reason Aglatidas who was interest in all these Lovers was very desirous to be a witness of all their joyes so that he accompanied Cyrus as well as Anaxaris Artabanes Chrisantes Hirmogenes Leontidas Megabises and many others This Prince took with him two hundred horse for his Guard conceiving that there was not need of any more though it was a daies journey in a Country newly conquered for Croessus had no Troops in the field the disorder was so great amongst the people and the Dominion of Cyrus was hoped to be so gentle that considering â—he state of things there was no fear of any revolt Also a great part of the way he was to go was through the Camp and their own Quarters and by consequence less dangerous But when these Princes were about fifty furlongs from Sardis Cyrus met a servant of Artabases unto whom he had committed the Guard of Panthea and Araminta when he displaced Araspes This servant came to tell him from his Master that the Prince Phraartes had carried away the Princess of Pontus This servant had no sooner openly delivered his message unto Cyrus but Spitridates gave so sad a cry that he did most sensibly move the hearts of all who heard him unto pity As for Cyrus though he had only a most pure harmless affection unto Araminta and pity of Spitridates yet was he most extreamly troubled at the accident the sence of honour mixing with the tenderness of his soul caused him to resent very bitterly this little respect which Phraartes had of him in taking away a Princess who was his prisoner Tigranes for his particular was exceedingly grieved at his Brothers fault and it had been a difficult matter for a stranger seeing these three Princes to know which of them was the Lover of the Princess who was carried away Though the sorrows of Spitridates were a thousand times deeper then those of Cyrus and Tigranes yet his eyes his words and all his actions could not make it appear how great they were After his first apprehension of sorrow and dispair he stood still more then a quarter of an hour in a Lethargy of Spirit which made him hear what others said as if he understood them not During all this time of this sad silence he had such a cloud of dismal melancholy in his face as made it most apparent that his soul was in most horrid torments The first words he uttered were Is it possible that Artabases the fidelity of whose heart I make no doubt should not prevent so great a misfortune Sir replied the servant the great wounds which he hath received upon this occasion will sufficiently testifie that he hath not failed in the duty which he owes you and that his extraordinary valour did not at this time fail him But how is it possible replied Cyrus and interrupted him that Phraartes could execute his design Sir replied the servant to acquaint you exactly how it was be pleased to know that when the news
only is not enough but a high spirit and a great heart are essentially requisite and I am perswaded that the haughtiness of a fair fool hath such a neer resemblance of Pride and comes so neer a kind of foolish idle vanity as it doth much misbecome them and renders them insufferable I know that if this person who hath this loftiness of behaviour have not also a great and generous heart she will be bitter and tart and surely in lieu of being stately this I do not wish to be in any accomplished person Sullenness and Stateliness are two different things the first is Ugly the other is Majestical the one a sign of a melancholy Spirit the other of a great and noble soul Yes the stateliness which I speak of is a spark of Divinity which distinguisheth those who are so from the common herd of people which makes them feared and respected of those who love them and which without the least incivility forbids too much familiarity with those who are so stately and which quality I do every day admire in Elisa and therefore wonder not that I should desire her to part with any other quality then with this noble Pride which I so much love in her and which also hath rendred you so good offices To me replied Phocilion For heavens sake do not offer to perswade me that I am any Debtor unto the haughtiness of Elisa Indeed you are replied Poligenes For can you think that she being so fair so amiable and so much adored as she is her heart would have been at this time to dispose of if she had not been as stately and majestical as she is or if she had been so affable and sweet as you seem to desire her she could never have seen so many denied Suitors at her feet without having pity upon some one of them insomuch as when you came unto Tire and courted her acquaintance you would have found her heart ingaged whereas now you find it free and so disingaged from any affection as the most passionate of all her Lovers cannot find in her behaviour the least cause of any jealousie 'T is true replied Phocilion But on the other side they cannot find any foundation of hope Yes replied Poligenes very much since there is no fear that any will be more happy then your self But I beseech you said Elisa and interrupted them Wherein does this stateliness you speak of consist I pray tell me that I may know how to be more or less lofty as occasions shall be offered Is it in the Aire of my visage that it appears or in all my actions in general Is it in my words Or in the accent of my voice Is it in somthing which I cannot define replied Poligenes For truly you are more civil then many others who pass for more sweet and affable then they are you are essentially good you are ready to do all good offices to your friends with an excellent grace Also upon some occasions you are pittiful and tender but with all these you are high-minded and stately as I would have you to be and to say truly I think that this brave and noble Pride hath its source from the root of your heart and from thence it passeth into your Spirit into your eyes into your face and into all your actions and words Since so said Elisa then I must be as long as I live the very same I am at this present for I must needs confess unto you that I would not change my heart for any others Though your highness of behaviour should make you have no other thought but that replied Poligenes yet I should for ever love it for as I said before I should not be sorry if others cannot enjoy that thing which I cannot my self enjoy Phocilion was not yet satisfied with the reasons of Poligenes but this discourse lasted so long that night summoned us to leave Eliâ—a who doubtless was gladder to see her stateliness commended then any other Quality for she heard every one applaud her beauty her voice and her Spirit and somtimes she met with some who found fault with her stateliness and extreamly complained against it This was the state of things Madam when the Brother of Poligenes whom I told you was travelling in Greece returned unto Tire He was then about four and twenty years of age and there being such a difference of age between Poligenes and him he respected him almost as his Father and indeed Poligenes took as great a care of Agenor as if he were his Son he was therefore extreamly glad to see him so handsom and pleasing every way and I assure you Madam a man could not be more handsom then he was he was not only handsom and of a good garb but he was also exceeding agile in all the exercises of his body especially in danceing Moreover he had an admirable wit but it was a merry and diverting wit which infinitely pleased all companies Moreover he was the aptest of all men to make secretss to discover those of others and to hide his own when he would 'T is true this humour lasted not long nor took him oft for he had a vanity which caused that he could not be loved without desiring it should be known yet the passions of his soul were very violent but vanity would not permit them to be strong in his heart and certainly if Agenor had not had this fault he had been much more amiable in the eyes of those he loved then he was For as for others except his Rivals he was the sweetest and most civil of men towards them his vanity being only confined unto his Gallantries Agenor being such a one as I have described he returned to Tire whilest Straton Barce and Elisa were gone for fifteen daies into the Country In the interim Poligenes shewed his Brother all the Court who got in it extraordinary reputation especially among the Ladies In the mean while Agenor having a soul naturally disposed unto Gallantry could not live without a business of that nature he applied himself unto one of the Queens women named Lyriope one both of beauty and merit but of an envious and revenging spirit such as would not permit her self to be at rest Indeed Lyriope looked upon any thing that was advantageous unto any of her companions with a spiteful eye and I believe she never saw a good face but she had ill rest all that day I think also that she wished her self both fair and brown both at once that she had eyes both black and grey and indeed to be all that others were yet be what she her self was also Lyriope was not only envious at the beauty of others and their Conquests but at their very cloaths also not enduring any should have more riches nor better made then her self without extream regret You may then imagine Madam that a woman of this humour was extreamly joyed that a man whom all the Court most talked of and
Cyrne without the least ruffle of the Sea Hitherto the Prince of Phoceus submitted unto the conduct of Aristonice without contradiction But after he had taken in all necessaries at that Isle she would have perswaded him that the Pilots must submit all unto the wind and waves and make choise of no Course but as the wind directed then his Faith began to stagger and he would never have obeyed if the multitude stronger then he had not compelled him Sfurius who was the most considerable man in the Fleet next the Prince of Phoceus was very hardly brought to consent unto it Menedorus murmured extreamly and I must needs confesse I did what I could to oppose it But the people being all for Aristonice submit we must unto the waves wind and fortune All this while Aristonice was calm and had such a strong confidence in the goddesse whom she adored that she doubted not the fulfilling of her promises Now Madam were we in a strange condition since we went we know not whither and without any design but as the wind did waft us Yet were we in much more deplorable condition for the gods doubtless to punish our unbelief did raise a most hideous tempest For Madam the Wind seemed to blow from all Coasts and the waves were so high that they dashed over all the ships Moreover darkness thunder lightning rayn mingling with waves and winds did all make such a horrid noise that the roaring of the Sea could not be distinguished Now did every one think to perish and repented of their trusting too much unto hazard But as for Aristonice in the worst of the Tempest when the whole Fleet was ready to be dispersed and she her selfe at the point of perishing she kept still in the same tranquility and confidence As for the Prince of Phoceus he seemed resolute and constant but it was only out of his great heart which feared not death and not out of any hopes to escape As for Menedorus though he did not apprehend the danger in respect of himself yet he was not so resolute as the Prince of Phoceus for his feares of the Princess Onesicrite did fill him so full of compassion and he was so grieved to see her in danger that if throwing himself into the Sea would have calmed the tempest he would willingly have been the victime to appease incensed Neptune But amidst all these murmures Aristonice with her ordinary tranquility did speak with the same freedom of spirit as if the Seas were all serenity and calmnesse Poor men that you are said she unto the murmuring Mariners though you do not believe my words yet believe that the same Gods which raised can calm this tempest and perhaps make it serve to bring you unto a Port Leave the Rudder to their providence and be guided by them since they are wiser then you The truth is Madam after we had been weather-beaten three whole dayes our Masts broken and our Sailes shattered upon a sudden the winds ceased the waves abated the Rain diminished the Heavens cleered and the Sun shined so as in an instant passing from an extream roughness into a calm smoothness hope began to cheer up our hearts Yet I must tell you our hopes were but weake for our ship was in a very bad condition and our whole Fleet was extreamly dispersed two ships were not together and doubtless the happier for us for had not the winds seperated them one from another they had infallibly fallen foule upon each other and enter-shaked As soon as all was calm Aristonice getting upon the Deck kneeled before the Image of Diana and in behalf of the whole Fleet thanked that Goddess for preserving them After which rising up she was the first that discovered Land Then speaking with authority as if inspired by the gods Courage sayd she unto the Prince of Phoceus who was next her for I see the place where Diana will have a new Altar and where she will find us a most safe Sanctuary As soon as she had sayd so the Prince of Phoceus spied some rocks which seemed to confine the Sea so as not knowing whether that Land was Friend or Enemy they steered thither Since all the Fleet strived to rally together and endeavoured to repayr every ship which the Tempest had shattered It was long before we came there for the Storm had so weather-beaten them that they were almost out of hopes to get unto the Shore it was so far off but the Marriners being very industrious and life being very sweet every one was both laborious and full of invention so as we came neer enough to discern a most pleasant Country Then we discovered very neer us three little Islands almost at an equal distance from each other and made a Regular Triangle where there was a Port able only to receive fifteen or twenty Ships the Prince of Phoceus made towards these Isles which were separated from the Continent about thirty Furlongs that he might there reassemble all the Fleet and from thence send to know what Country it was which they saw and seemed so pleasant at such a distance Since his Pilot had not lost his Rudder though he had neither Sayl-yard nor Mast he caused him to Row by strength and leaving all the rest of the Ships a good way behind he arrived at these Isles the Sea being as calm as any Lake When he was so neer to discern that they had no Trees he saw come out betwixt these Isles a great Painted and Gilded Bark whose Sayls were Sky-colour as well as all the Cordage which had upon the Poop a most stately Tent under which were many Ladies and some men talking to them But as the sight of the Bark rejoyced all that were in the Prince of Phoceus his Ship so this shattered bottom moved those that were in this Bark unto compassion but their compassion was mixed with som wonder for since they espyed at that time a great Fleet behind our Ship we perceived that in lieu of coming to us they sent out a little Boat to know who we were This Encounter being both full of wonder and delight unto us considering the state wherin we were and the need we had of help the Princess Onesicrite and all of any quality in the Ship got upon the Deck and began to look at the Bark with as much Curiosity as they looked at us But when this little Boat was come up to us we made such signs of Peace unto them as we use upon our Seas not knowing whether or no they understood us we perceiued that the Habit of those three men in it was altogether unknown unto us Aristonice herself who thought she had seen men of all Nations in the World at the Temple of Ephesus she confessed that she could not imagine of what Country they should be However though their Habits were somthing barbarous yet there was somthing of handsomness in them as you may judge by those who came with me But Madam
banquet being ended they went unto another place where I saw the finest show that can be imagined for indeed Madam all this glorious Troop followed by all the Court entered into a great Hall whose sight surprized me beyond my expressions Suppose Madam this Hall to have all its walls of flowers and the roof supported with pillars of flowers so composed as if they were marble and from the roof a thousand Garlands and Crowns did hang composed of Orange flowers and Jessemine Thus Madam was the place adorned where the Ball was afterwards to be kept and it was late before the Assembly broke up for since all the devices which belonged unto these Crowns did furnish out with much discourse upon them all the men did strive according to their inclinations to applaud those which best pleased them And amongst the rest that of Glacidia who represented the Amaranthes extreamly taking the Prince of Phoceus he did highly commend her unto Cleonisbe and told her that Glacidia had good reason to make choise of that flower which she represented since she had given such evident demonstration of the constancy in her affection I hope sayd Mandana and interrupted him that there was none of those thirty Ladies which represented thirty severall Flowers and had thirty severall Devices which you esteemed so little as to forget what they were Pardon me Madam I beseech you replyed Thyrmetes If I should have received the honour to have seen you presently after this Feast I should have repeated them all but now at thiâ—â— time I can only remember two of them and I think Glacidia represented the Amaranthes with this motto I never Change For since this Flower hath that priviledg never to lose its beauty nor fade Glacidia made choise of it to express the lastingness of her love to Cleonisbe and the constancy of her heart Then there was another Lady of Quality whose name was Amathilde who chose that day a Crown of Roses She was very young and faire and had such a conceipt of her own beauty as she would often say she would not desire to live but till twenty years of age upon condition she were the fairest in the world maintayning very peremptorily that she had much rather dye young then live long since she could not live long and be faire so as suiting her Device unto her humour and the flower which she represented it was this My Reign is short but beautifull Now Madam I beseech you excuse me for the rest for the Truth is I am forced to confesse unto my shame that my memory failes me though I am sure they were all as full of pleasant wit as these I have named But to return from whence I digressed give me leave to tell you Madam that the Prince of Phoceus beginning to commend Glacidia unto Cleonisbe Truly Madam sayd he unto her Glacidia is very happy in being loved by one who knows so well how to proportion her love according to the merits of every one But I must tell you also that those who are conscious of their own mirth are very unhappy for to live without hopes of your esteem is a most unexpressible torment Those who are not worthy of my esteem replyed Cleonisbe and smiled do value it so little as it 's likely the deprivation of it never troubles them and therefore you employ your compassion very ill if you pitty such as are no sufferers and such perhaps as you know not I assure you Madam replyed he I know one who has most strange apprehensions and fears of not obtaining this glorious esteem whereof I speak Then they must needs have an ill opinion either of me or of themselves replyed Cleonisbe I cannot tell Madam replyed the Prince of Phoceus whether or no they have a bad opinion of themselves but I am sure they have a very good one of you As Cleonisbe was ready to reply Bomilcar according to the liberty of the Ball did take her out to dance which did much vexe the Prince of Phoceus yet it was not long before he had his revenge in the same nature for after Clonisbe had danced and Bomilcar had talked a while with her he took out Cleonisbe to dance from Bomilcar as Bomilcar took her from him In the mean while Galathes and Britomartes who had also their Pretensions did both of them easily observe with what an Ayr Bomilcar and the Prince of Phoceus behaved themselves in the business so as equally to hinder both they both applyed themselves unto the Princess and would not leave her so as all the rest of that day none of all the four could speak unto her in private Though the Prince of Phoceus was an absolute Master of himselfe when he pleased unlesse since he was in Love yet he spake but very little fearing least he should speak too much and more then he would have either his Mistress or his Rivals to know But as for Bomilcar his tongue wasfreer and he uttered many things which gave Cleonisbe to understand that he was jealous of the Phocean Prince though he gave no such language as could anger either her or him As for Britomartes who was of a more sincere spirit and never glossed over any hidden meaning he set no watch over his words But as for Galathes the Prince of Phoceus did easily perceive that he understood Bomilcar as well as him and that his Passion was not unknown unto him On the other side Menedorus he was not without his ingenuities for the Prince Carimantes having thought Aurora that day to be fairer then the Sun it selfe he was continually with Onesicrite and talked with her with much delight whilst Menedorus durst not disturb them Onesicrite who observed the disorder of Menedorus had a desire to break of this discourse but it was not fit she should be uncivill unto the Son of a King who had given them a being in his Country so as she being disordered as well as Menedorus Carimantes perceived that her spirit was distempered in her discourse and did guess the reason Yet he had no mind that Onesicrite should perceive he knew the cause of that perplexity which appeared in her eyes and mind whether she would or no but on the contrary desiring to put it off upon some other cause I perceive Madam sayd he unto her that our Feasts and Diversions do not please you so well as those of your own Country and I see their simplicity is not witty and gallant enough for your sublime fancy And Madam the truth is you have great reason to complayn against the Lot which is used at this Feast for indeed it was fit you should have had the place of Cleonisbe Oh Sir replyvd Onesicrite you do me the greatest wrong in the world if you think I am not infinitely well pleased with every thing I see here and you are extreamly unjust to say that I should have the Princess Cleonisbes place you would be much more equitable if you would say
lasted not long for since Cyrus was not capable of killing a disarmed man and since their Combat could not end but by the death of one he took his Rivals sword by the point and presented the hilt unto him Since I will not owe my victory unto your misfortune said hee unto him but only unto my self And since I cannot fight against those who are not in a condition to resist me Take your sword Sir and make better use of it then you have done if you can Alas Sir said this violent Prince and took it this is too too much and though you do me no other hurt but over-load me with your Generosities yet I cannot endure your sight And yet I am ashamed added he and took breath to employ the sword which you have given me against the giver but yet the love of Mandana will allow it And since she can be but for one of us but one of us must live After this these two inveterat enemies began their Combat afresh more fiercely then at first but as they were both ready to vanquish one another and perhaps both ready to perish though Cyrus seemed to have the advantage because fury had distracted the King of Assyria's reason Feraulas appeared who riding as fast as his horse could gallop up to them cried out as soon as he was within distance of hearing Oh Sir what are you doing here whilst the Princesse Mandana is carrying away At these words the two valiant Princes suspended their fury and stepped some paces back to hear whether they rightly understood him So that Feraulas being come neerer he told them once again that Mandana was carried away and carried away by Anaxaris And that unlesse they made extreme hast they would not deliver her How cried out these two Rivalls hath Anaxaris carried away Mandana Yes Sir replied Feraulas addressing his speech unto Cyrus and there is such disorder amongst the Souldiers by reason of this Accident and by reason of a report that the King of Assyria is alive and hath killed you that if your presence do not calme this storme and give Orders to make them follow the Princesse you will never finde her These two Rivalls hearing what Feraulas said looked fiercely upon him and as if they had been inspired with the same spirit both said that their Combat must bee deferred untill they had delivered Mandana So renewing their conditions in two words they went hastily to their horses and went immediatly away together for since the King of Assyria's wound was very slight hee onely bound it up with a scarfe he went with Cyrus unto the place from whence Mandana was carried away for that was the way to follow her to shew himself unto the Souldiers and to take some Troops along with him But in his way thither he met abundance of men of high Quality who were looking for him Amongst the rest he wondered to see the Prince Indathirsis that Illustrious Scythian who came out of the Dominions of Thomiris with him As grieved as he was he received him very Civilly and told him his misfortune in the Language which hee understood and asked his pardon that he could not receive him with so much Joy as another time he should But said he unto him if you consider how the Princesse Mandana is carried away from me and carried away by a stranger whose Countrey I do not so much as know I hope you will excuse my incivilities and will not take it ill that having a mind filled with the infidelity of the Traytor Anaxaris I do not render those respects I owe unto the Generous Indathirsis Oh Sir replied that Illustrious Scythian you will wonder much more when you shall know that Anaxaris is not Anaxaris and much more then that when I have told you who he is How said Cyrus do you know him Yes Sir replied he and I shall tell you more in private Then Cyrus separating from the rest of the Company and still riding on to lose no time he hearkned unto what Indathirsis told him with so many signes of wonder in his Countenance as it was easie to know that he was both much surprised and much grieved The end of the eighth Part. 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Gent. 40 Choice Novels and Amorous Tales written by the most refined Wits of Italy newly translated into English by a Person of Quality 80 Nissena an Excellent new Romance written Originally in Italian and now Englished
and Esteem of you I cannot see you are much to be pittied I should not indeed be very unhappy replyed he if she did know without being offended that I did love her but since I never told her I am in continuall fears least she should discover my passion and yet at the same time I am greived that she doth not divine it and yet she must divine it if she do know it added he for I never dare tell her that I do love her Meliantes spoke this with such a passionate air as made Arpasia blush and was constrained to applyit unto her self and since she could not have any such thoughts without some appearance of it in her countenance Meliantes saw that he was understood so as fearing to say too much and thinking he had said enough to make her suspect what he would have her know he turned the discourse and began again to talk of Astidamus Cleonide and Gabrias and so freed both her and himself from a non-plus And this caused her not to be offended at this half dec laration of his Love However she was no sooner retired But she did me the honour to impart all the passage unto me and to tell me her opinion which done I told her that I had observed a hundred passages from Meliantes which moved me to beleive as she did for truly said I unto her he hates Astidamus only because he loves you and he hates him in such a manner as perswades me that his condition is worthy to be his rivall As for his quality replyed Arpasia I doubt much less of it than of his love For all the thoughts of his soul are so noble and there is something so high in all his proceedings that I am most confident his quality is great but for all that Niside said she unto me I must look upon him only as a freind which fortune gave me and which she will quickly take from me and I ought to be well satisfied if fate will only keep me from marrying Astidamus After this Arpasia changing discourse we talked of nothing but what she should say the next morning unto Gabrias And indeed as soon as she awaked and had dressed her self she went unto her father unto whom she addressed her self with so much Prudence and Respect that after he had read the Letters and knowing the hand he seemed to consent that shee should not marry him who writ them yet he told her that to break off with a specious pretence it was expedient to stay untill the messenger which Protogenes and he had sent unto Babylon was returned because in all probability the King of Assyria would not approve of this marriage and would give a pretence both unto Protogenes and him not to proceed unto a conclusion of marriage though they were once resolved upon it whether the King did consent unto it or no. Daughter said he unto her I am confident that as soon as Protogenes shall see these two Letters he will confesse you have reason to be against your marriage with Astidamus and if our other interests will not unite us without this allyance I shall break off with him when it is convenient time In the mean time it is pollicy to dissemble as he doth untill the time be ripe and fit to testifie our resentments For the truth is Protogenes is master of Alfenes and if I should go imprudently to work he might make his peace with the King of Assiria when he pleased by delivering me up unto him This speech of Gabrias unto Arpasia seeming reasonable she thanked him for it and expressed her self in the most tender and obliging Language she could devise to confirm him in his opinion So that not daring to presse him unto a restitution of the Letters because he said that he would shew them unto Protogenes when it was fit time she left them in his hands and went unto her Chamber with much satisfaction and yet she had no great cause for be pleased to know Madam that Gabrias spoke so unto her only to amuze her and keep her from divulging her resentment of ill treating Astidamus For Gabrias having a full design to be revenged upon theâ— King of Assiria his mind and considerations ran only upon that and not the satisfaction of Arpasia so that intending to accomplish this marriage he sent to Meliantes and desired him to come and speak with him who coming in all haste he found him in his closet holding the two Letters in his hand To testify unto you said Gabrias unto him how I esteem your Wisdome and friendship I will trust you with the greatest secret of my family and try if it be possible to make you side with that party which I am raising against the King of Assiria After this Gabrias aggravated all his causes of complaint which he had against that Prince then told him of the Treaty which he had with Protogenes acquainted him that the marriage of Arpasia was concluded upon only for that reason and told him all that Arpasia had told him before and all her answers But you Meliantes said he unto him being a man of understanding I know will easily conceive that I answered my daughter as I did only to gain time for it were a grosse absurdity to break off with Protogenes because Astidamus loves Cleonide and is not in love with my daughter For the marriages of persons of her quality are to be made upon sollid grounds never insisting upon such trifles as conduce nothing to the establishment of families And though Astidamus do love Cleonide and not Arpasia no matter for his mind may change and though it do not it is but according to that order which Nature and Custome hath established for very few husbands are Lovers of their wives And therefore since Astidamus hath courage and spirit enough and can serve to execute my revenge Arpasia must resolve to marry him yet since I desire that Astidamus would apply himself unto her rather by fair means thâ—n by my absolute authority I have made choise of you to perswade Astidamus unto a little more compliance with her and that he may see how he is obliged unto me for my discretion in the knowledge that I have of his Love unto Cleonide shew him these two Letters which I put into your hands In saying so Gabrias gave Meliantes the Letters who seeming to read them as if he had never seen them before afterwards told Gabrias that since Astidamus had promised Cleonide never to marry Arpasia he could not beleive it was in his power to perswade him to live better with her Nay nay never think so said Gabrias though Astidamus promised Cleonide never to marry Arpasia yet he promised Protogenes to marry her when ere he pleased And indeed to discover the secret of the business unto you I must tell you that the man who was sent unto the King of Assiria is already returned although it be not published because a
Madam Hydaspes was so over joyed to know by this Letter that Meliantes was treated ill and that he had hopes Arpasia was not in love with any as he grew more in love with her than before yet he knew not what to do with this Letter for he conceived that Arpasia would hereafter know how it fell into his hands so as he told him who had confessed from whom it came and to whom they were addressed that he should take speciall care of not bettaying the secrets of his Master After which he went to see Arpasia having these Letters in his Pocket After she had talked with him of severall things she asked him whether he heard any news from Ciaxares or from Artamenes No Madam sayd he unto her but I have this day received a Packet which is not directed unto me which I will impart unto you in saying so he took the two Letters from Meliantes out of his Pocket and telling her how the Guards at the Gate had stopped him who brought them he told her afterwards that since the man would not tell unto whom he was to carry them he would first before he restored them unto him know whether she was that fair severe One unto whom they were intended for certainly Madam sayd he and gave them unto her that it must be unto some person of Quality Arpasia was exceedingly perplexed at this because as soon as ever she saw the Letters she knew they were from Meliantes to her so as to get out of this perplexity she told Hydaspes that she was so scrupulous in point of Letters as she would not see whâ—ther they were to her or no nor did she think it honesty to see too far into the secrets of others yet Arpasia spoke this after such a manner as let Hydaspes know that she knew them to be the hand of Meliantes but he was so joyed that she should think her self so little concerned in those letters that he could not choose but let his joyes appear in his eyes yet notwithstanding since Arpasia did not think he knew she had any interest in them she would have been very glad that they were out of his hands for she perswaded him to restore them back to the mâ—n or else to tear them in peeces Since Madam you give this advise before you know what they contain replyed Hydaspes I think that as much as I do respect you yet I shall not follow it If reading them will oblige you to burn them sayd she and took them I had rather see them and indeed Arpasia having really a desire to know what was in them she took them and turned towards the light to read them as if she had not well enough seen purposely to hide her blushes Yet all would not do for Hydaspes turned as she did and looked attentively upon her as long as she was reading these two Letters which I can shew you for by chance having them about me the same day Arpasia was carried away I kept them ever since and therfore not to trust unto my memory I will read them unto you that you may the better know what thoughts Hydaspes and Arpasia had that unto me was thus directed Vnto the most cruell Confident of my PASSION Madam I Wonder not so much at the cruelty of that most admired Person whom I adore as at yours nor do I wonder so much that she should never answer me as that you should write unto me to assure me that she will never write for since I cannot leave loving her I would delude my self and live less miserable and not run into mad despair as you would make me I am resolved to come ere long and see whether your words will be better than your Letters In the Interim be so good as to shew this unto her who raigns in my heart and tell her that it is so absolutely impossible for me to be only her friend as I shall disobey her as long as I live if she continue obstinate in so unjust a command As long as this Letter was in reading Hydaspes all the while looked upon Arpasia who seeing there was nothing in it which would admit of an ill construction did so well recouer her disorder that she began to read this which I shall read unto you without any agitation of spirits though it was intended unto her in these words Vnto the most fair but most inhumane Person in the World Madam YOu are so very unjust that no Patience can indure it without complaint for you are pleased not only not to answer me and to cause another to write that you will not write any more unto me but you command me by her that my love should turn it self into friendship and if I do not that then your friendship would turn it self into hatred I cannot tell Madam whether your Soul be capable of such a Prodigious change or no But I am sure my love cannot become friendship and no more Beleive it Madam I beseech you that all your transcendent Merits are not able to work this change in me But on the contrary know that be as rigorous as you can unto me yet I cannot choose but still love you After Arpasia had read this Letter she told Hydaspes that since it appeared it was intented unto some virtuous Person it was pitty it should be made publike therfore to prevent it she would be keeper of it for sayd she and smiled since she unto whom it is intended does not answer him who writ it I have changed my opinion do not think it fit to be restored unto the man who brought it least since it hath been opened he should abuse it Also it is fitter to remain in my hands than yours Sir for since she unto whom it was meant is very virtuous reserved I will spare her the sorrows of any ever knowing that any is in love with her I do imagine Madam replyed Hydaspes that you do know who this fair and virtuous Person is and if it be as I do imagine added he and looked her in the face I am contented to leave these two Letters with you upon condition you will promise me that she shall never return any answer to them or at least not answer them favourably I profess Hydaspes sayd Arpasia and laughed I do wonder you should speak thus for you know not who writ those Letters nor unto whom they were written and yet you would interest me in this innocent business Indeed Madam replyed he I do interest my self more in this business than ever I did in any other and therfore I conjure you to honour me so far as to promise me that she unto whom this unknown lover hath written will not make any answer All I can do replyed she is to promise you that if I do come to know her she shall not answer with my consent I ask no more Madam replyed he for so she will never answer But Madam pursued he and would not give
So as unlesse you know the very bottome of Policie and have History at your fingers end there is no talking with them of any thing The truth is replyed I It is very tedious to harken unto such people but such kind of People as without any care of the generall businesse of the world will heare of nothing but privacies are very troublesome for you shall see them alwayes as busie as if they had a thousand great weighty affaires in transaction though they are of no other nature then medling in other mens matters and running from house to house with this or that tittle tattle as publique Spies who are every where and desire not the knowledge of any thing to any other end then to tell it again All these kinds of people replyed Sapho are very obnoxious unto Civill societies and the principall Rule of all Companies ought to be never to utter any thing against sound judgmenâ—t I would gladly know said Niâ—aâ—or how you would have our Conversation to be regulated To speak in generall replyed she our discourse ought to be more of things ordinary and gallant then of any high matters yet I conceive that nothing but what is discreet must intervene Our talke ought to be free pleasing and pertinent according to the times places persons we talk of To speak alwayes nobly of inferiours simply of high matters very gallantly of things gallant and all without any affectation or earnestnesse And though conversation ought alwayes to be naturall and reasonable yet I must needs say that upon some occasions sciences may be handsomly brought in and triviall follies may also have their place provided they be ingenious and gallant So as to speak rationally I conceive there is nothing but may be brought into Conversation so it have wit and judgment in it But the most necessary quality to render it sweet and pleasant is a kind of Politnesse of wit which absolutly excludes all manner of biting jeâ—stâ— and such as may offend a chast eare I would have every one to have the Art of turning things so ingeniously as that they may without offence speak of gallantry unto the most Austere Nun in the world and to tel a trifling tale unto the gravest and most serious men to talk of Sciences and ignorance if they be forced and to vary ones wit according to the things talked of and Persons to whom they talk But above all I would have a certain spirit of mirth to be predominant which without any tincture of the follies in those Eternall Laughers who make a great noise upon a little matter may inspire into the hearts of all the company a disposition to divert themselves at any thing and to be troubled at nothing and I allow them to talk of greater matters provided still they talk well and without any pumping for their words and of such things as are fit to be talked of The Laws Madam which you gave unto Conversation are such replyed Phaon as whosoever shall admire your wisdom and carry themselves as you do will merit the admiration of the whole Earth for never any had such an Art of pleasing of charming and of diverting as your selfe I would all you say were true replyed she and blushed and that I could beleeve you more then I do my selfe but to shew you that I cannot and that I know my self often faulty I ingeniously declare that I have spoken too much and that in lieu of telling you all my Conceptions concerning society I should only have said as much of all the company as you have said of mee After this every one opposing the modesty of Sapho we all commended her so highly that we more then half angred her but afterwards the discourse was so gallant so free so pleasant and merry that it continued til night when we all parted Phaon who more fettered in the netts of Love then before would needs stay the last with Sapho and his passion was so fervent that he resolved to give it a little vent and not to leave her untill he had given her some glimps of it So that after we were all gone he asked pardon for troubling her so long but Madam said he unto her when I saw you only in company me thought I did not see you enough T is true I am much bettered by your Elegant discourse and I do admire it more then any but for all that I am more joyed when I heare you in presence of none else and two or three words only which are interrupted only by my selfe do give me fuller satisfaction and would more ravish me then al your excellent Language wherewith you have charmed all the company this day were you in Love with me replyed she and smiled I should think these expressions very gallant but since I entertaine none but friends and will never look upon any Lovers I much chide you for profiting no better by my discourse concerning Conversation Since this your Language would be very sutable unto a Mistresse but not unto a friend I beseech you Madam said he do you think my Language very sutable unto a Person whom I loved you know I am alwayes sincere replyed she and therefore you may beleive I speak my thoughts Then Madam replyed he and looked upon her my Language is most suitable unto you for I do not speak it only unto afriend but unto one with whom I am most desperatly in love and that in such an humble and reverent manner that you cannot be offended at me If decency would allow me replyed Sapho and blushed not to be offended at a declaration of Love I believe I should not be offended at you But Phaon it will not and therefore I must either be angry with you or else not believe you Oh Madam cryed out Phaon never make any question between these two but be certaine that I had rather be treated ill then not believed Since you never saw me angry replyed she very gallantly you know not what you say but since I know what is good for you better then you do your selfe I will neither be angry with you nor believe you Oh I beseech you Madam said he unto her believe me and be angry too if you cannot beleeve me without being angry for as I told you before I had much rather see you angry then incredulous Since beliefe is a thing not in our own power replyed she we cannot believe what we would And therefore when I said that it was in my choise whether I should believe you or be angry with you I conceive that I spoke improperly and had better say That it being impossible for me to believe you it is also impossible for me to be angry with you But I beseech you Madam said he unto her why cannot you believe that I love you Is it because you think your selfe not fair and charming enough to captivate harts Is it because I have not wit enough to know your transcendencies It is because