consider what hath been the Kings sufferances we must rightly state his misfortunes which will appeare to be the greater when it is well knowne to the world he hath alwayes shewed courage in the Warres by ventaring boldly his person upon all occasions as also eloquence and judgement both by his Pen and language when those faculties of Art and Nature were thought necessary and usefull a plaine demonstration that he wants not sense and knowledge fully to apprehend his own oppressions and the rather may it be so thought for that those who have most gained by his favours the ungratefull Myssians with some others of his owne Court have been the chiefe Instruments or rather I may say the only cause that have deprived him not only of the priviledge of his royall Crowne but of all the personall happinesses he enjoyed in his prosperity besides his want of liberty now at last to make up the full Catastrophe of his misery none almost giving eare to his complaints or pittying his captivity though they have separated him from his beloved Queene in whose beauty and vertues he took an unspeakable felicity as also the comfort of beholding his sweet children being a reall part of himselfe which the gods and nature have ordained to man as a humane right accompanied with the detention of his revenues that should maintaine him and them besides prosecuting him with as many slanders as they can invent This Madam as it may be supposed being the true condition of Euarchus misfortune it may easily be conjectured his sufferings are equall if not goe beyond example and yet his noble heart holds out still to endure as you see what malice can invent without breaking who notwithstanding offers love mercy and patience to his whole Kingdome and worst injurers things being in this postare I shall proceed to the making good of my promised argument which is that passive courage is a greater vertue then active valour if my discourses doe not seeme too tedious for your more necessary imployment As I must call the Kings constancy a noble fortitude since he hath neither Subject of hope nor object of diversion so certainly is it the highest magnanimity for a Prince to suffer patiently and without confusion from his own Subjects that owe him duty and gratitude for those men that hazzard their lives freely in desperate services either ayme at victory or conquest by which they intend to purchase gaine or glory which enflames their blouds with continuall agitation that scarce gives leasure to reflect upon the dangers much lesse time for cold and apprehensive consideration and yet we see such have for the most part need of noyse of drums and sound of Trumpets to waken their courages or lay asleep their feares to continue them better in action whereas suffering hath nothing to helpe or comfort it since the minde is still prepared to entertaine the misery it sustaineth with a pale expectation of the same or worse when as I say it is known it must be endured without hope having no diversion like a person sick in the night wanting objects of variety thinks that season longer and his torment greater by much then in the day time for where the minde is kept high by ambition to compasse something it coveteth it hath power enough in that interim to hold up the body from falling to its proper center the earth where naturally it inclines but being without comfort if a man doe not make strong use of his noble part his soul to maintaine his courage and resolution the suffering or captivating of flesh and bloud will render a man quickly totally overcome and that is the reason that long and tedious persecutions have destroyed more competent spirits then sharp and violent tortures since they were prepared for the one with expectation and only weared by the other with continuance We know that old men strive more greedily to preserve their lives that short time they are to live then young men in their most flourishing yeares because diversity of prospects operates so much in youth full bosomes by reason of continuall activity tending that way that they have not leasure to settle their imaginations upon horrid apprehension when old people have so much time to think wanting power of action that the object which is naturall appeares often before their eyes to fright them and so fares it with a person that only suffers in comparison of him that doth both suffer and act together wherefore that person hath need of a double courage because there is nothing to accompany his thoughts of variety or diversion for certainly it pleaseth a man rather to contend for his life though he know he shall be deprived of it then to lose it without any strife at all which seemes to be the case of Euarchus since they will not so much as permit him with reason to dispute his rights but force him unheard to deliver up his Crowne and more grievous a great deale is his condition in that he appeares to be left of all those friends that have been most obliged to his goodnesse What is the reason that a delinquent upon the Scaffold is accustomed to have his eyes banded before the stroake of death to take away from him the apprehension of the blow which he knowes he shall receive When a valiant Souldier in the Field without shaddow will charge against a thousand weapons with as much certainty of destruction but because the ones action frees him from the others terrour All which shew that a sad expectation of an ill augments the suffering when a diversion by imployment of the body or busying the senses by diversity of objects take away that apprehension that makes any danger or misery excessively horrid as for example men for the most part are put to torture in uncouth places where there is nothing but silence or low whispers to render the sufferer more sensible of the paine by the quieting of the imagination and so it fares with such as passe through darke places being afraid of every small rustle when in the day time the same way perhaps is pleasant so that as I say without doubt all smart griefe and discontent is encreased by want of action and too much leasure for consideration for I must conclude that it is a great deale easier for a person to dye fighting in the Field though he should be cut in sunder in a thousand pieces then to endure a long and tedious captivity which is Euarchus present condition in so much as at last if he should in some sort yield to this cruelty I must not finde fault with his courage but if he gaine the victory I shall esteeme him a miracle of nature As I must not said Roxana goe about to disprove your arguments grounded upon such reasons and more delivered by the knowne authority of your excellent judgement so of the other side I could wish the King had some Counsell to assist him in these difficulties besides
by a more lamentable object for shee might behold her poore Governesse lying bound in a miserable posture at the lower end of the boat ready as shee heard by their discourses to be suddenly flung overboard because as they pretended they were unwilling to burden themselves with an unnecessary incumbrance not daring to put to Land againe to set her on shoare for feare of being apprehended besides they were in doubt if flee should be returned to the Island shee might be a meanes of their pursuit in discovering their robbery Wherefore Cloria without any regard at all of her Dignity or care of those dainty limbes that were natures perfect workmanship flew suddenly from the place where shee was as if her abundant compassion had made her altogether insensible of her present misfortune and violently breaking through the ring of those people which stood about one that seemed by his gesture but not by his apparell to be in more authority then the rest and casting her selfe upon her knees with many tâ—ares uttered this language If ever you tasted the milke of woman towards your education if ever you honoured that Sexe for your mothers sake that bare you if you can be lesse cruell to humanity because your selves live or if you intend the Gods shall ever shew mercy unto you in this world or in the next leave off your barbarous resolution against this aged woman whom nature her selfe without more violence must needes e're long destroy but if your harsh dispositions cannot be mollified by a Virgins prayers let me first be sacrificed that mine eyes may not behold the wretched destruction of my deare fostermother who from my infancy hath brought me up with respectfull love having often preserved me from many dangers by her diligent care And this being said shee poured forth a shower of teares as a charitable testimony that her heart accompanied her words in the request The barbarous Judge of Roxana's life seeing himselfe entreated by so sweet an Advocate and with a humility answerable to his owne rude pride which rather mollified his Tygers bosome then perswaded his reason to become humane after some pawse in imperious words bid her rise then having consulted with the rest of his companions he told her that her suite was granted so farre as to have a reprieve for her Governesse untill they were both presented unto the Admirall of their Fleet who lay not at any great distance from that place expecting their speedy returne which would determine as he said his own Commission since he was onely put in command to execute the service he had already performed And with that gave direction to have the boat hasted to the shippes which was accomplished within an houres space though before their arrivall the Sun had already hid his face below the horizon as if ashamed to behold so great a misfortune The Princess Cloria was quickly brought into the Captaines Cabin where himselfe sitting upon his bed scarce rose to give her a civill salutation however she being more mindfull of Roxana's danger then of her own unhappinesse presently beg'd the life and releasement of her Governesse which gave an occasion to the proud Admirall not onely something to compassionate her earnestnesse but to be more inflamed with her beauty and these thoughts continued him some time in a silent muse untill of a sudden he brake out into this language Is it possible the earth can produce such becomming perfections in sorrow and with that presently commanded not only the old woman to be absolutely released from her bonds but to be forthwith returned to accompany her mistresse where he left them both in his own lodging whilst himselfe went to give some necessary order in the ships Cloria although she was something satisfied to have again the conversation of her Governesse whom she esteemed almost lost yet considering the miserable estate she was in to be under the power of such a barbarous captivity separated in this violent way from the protection of her deare mother who could not as she conceived but almost die with sorrow and griefe when she should either be advertised of the particulars of her mis-fortune or not know what was become of her began this complaint Alas Cloria said she what have been thy offences to the immortall Gods to plunge thee in these exquisite miseries not possible in a manner to be suffered by humane nature was it not sufficient to be separated from thy father and Countrey wherein thou enjoyedst both safety and honour being condemned as it were in the company of thy mother to a voluntary banishment rather then endure the affronts of thy fathers persecutors but of a sudden to be deprived of that joy was onely left thee and be cast into a power more cruell then Tigers and more inhumane then wild people And with this wrung her delicate hands with such expressions of passion that Roxana was forced for some time to leave her thoughts whereby to apply remedies to her Mistris griefe Madam said she if the Gods could at any time be justly taxed for their permission of injuries upon innocents certainly at this present they merit reproof beyond example since the wrong is done to so high a goodnes as the world again can scarce parallel but seeing their inscrutable decrees are not to be searched into by weak mortality without such a reverence as must onely pray for redresse it is farre more available to our present condition to consider with patience what is best to be done then to seem rebellious to their wils in not well suffering what cannot be otherwise prevented which at leastwise may bring with it forgivenesse of our sinnes if not consolation of our punishments since for the most part afflictions in this world are onely sent us to correct our stubborn natures making us more fit for the Gods mercier and not absolutely to destroy us by rendring us subjects for their severe justice for truely as I cannot believe but that they have reserved for your goodnesse a particular protection so of the other side I am confident that when the chastisement or rather I may say the triall of your singular vertues is past the instruments of your present punishment will be cast into the fire and you not at all prejudiced by the suffering unlesse you prove more obstinate or impatient then you should be Besides you ought to consider you are Euarchus daughter a Prince of such excellent parentage and blood that the least dejection of spirit notwithstanding the greatest mis-fortune would degenerate you from your birth and education and yet no way lessen the misery of your captivity though I would not have your quality come to the knowledge of these inhumane Pirates for augmenting the price of your redemption since covetousnesse is the onely deity they serve and the sole period of their paines wherefore I beseech you to put off so much of your confused griefe that may preserve your health and render you more capable
give him entertainment And that I may prevent your demand which I make no doubt will seem necessary to your judgement be pleased to know that I am by birth of the Island of Cyprus and intending a pilgrimage to the Temple of Delphos am by chance fallen into your company The Priest seeing himselfe saluted by a young man though in his own habit of such an excellent beauty and so perfect a shape presently not only rose up from his seat to give him the more respectfull welcome but told him for his lodging the night to come since the time of the day perhaps might prevent him of a better conveniency he should hold it an extraordinary honour that his own poor habitation might performe the service and the rather as he said for that their professions seemed to agree by the outward resemblance of the Robes Narcissus was not much displeased with the offer as well because he found himselfe something weary by reason of those extravagant and uncertaine journeyes he had made as also that he might hope by this opportunity to get further information concerning his own resolutions that yet he had not fully determined Wherefore after he had returned the Father a civill thankes for his favour with an intimation he was willing to accept of his charitable kindnesse they both sate downe together upon the bankside to behold the finishing of those rurall delights that passionately seemed to imploy the Countrey people which gave occasion to Narcissus to demand the reason of that extraordinary mirth that possessed the thoughts of the whole company The Priest after he had a little similed to thinke of the strangers apprehension told him since he perceived his curiosity went so farre as to be satisfied in those petty affaires he would take the paines to let him know the originall that produced the effects which as he said was the more proper for his entertainment since the occasion at the present detained almost all Asia both in expectation and wonder however he feared his story might be too tedious for his patience But Narcissus seeming rather passionate at the satissaction then distasted at the offer the Priest retired something further into the woods to be more out of the noyse of the people where after he had setled the strangers expectation to a silent attentivenesse he began this discourse Sir said he you must be pleased to know that our King Euarchus grandmother called Minerva by whose right he came to weare all those Crownes he was once possessor of and might still have enjoyed in a prosperous measure if his fortunes had been equall to his goodnesse or his Subjects loyaltie answerable to his own eminent worth was a Princesse of such excellent vertues that it had been a controversie between art and nature whether had more bountifully contributed to the adorning of her royall person however she only raigned in Mysia a Country not only barren in production of the fruits of the earth but luxurious in the unfaithfulnesse of the people though her birth justly claimed the inheritance of this rich Kingdome of Lydia after our Queen then raigning here I say this admirable Princesse had a base brother also named Leonatus who wanted not ambition enough to desire the Crowne of Mysia though he were not furnished with sufficient vertues to merit such a dignity and to this purpose left nothing unattempted that might either advance his own esteem or deprave his sisters actions and to that end insinnated himself by all meanes possible not only into the good opinion of the Lords but much more into the favour of the common people in which interim the young Princesse being furnished with youth and beauty was perswaded by the chiefe nobility to thinke of a noble husband that might accompany her in her conversation and give the Kingdome a hope of posterity two essentiall parts as they pretended of her own happinesse in prosecution of this desire there was presented unto her view a handsome Lord of this our Countrey of Lydia in conclusion the nuptials were quickly solemnized to the appearing content of both parties and the rather for that the then Queene of Lydia was well satisfied with the choyce not doubting to maintaine by this meanes a continual and strong interest in the Kingdome of Mysia since she had married to the Princesse one of her own Subjects But now Leonatus began to play his part for finding this conjunction proved a bar to his pretention for succession he thought it his bestway to establish himselfe notwithstanding a certain power in the government and to that purpose strived by all meanes his malicious will could instruct to gaine the good opinion of the young King whereby to set him at difference with the Queen who began to be a little distasted to see his wife take upon her so absolute authority he only bearing the name of a Prince which at last grew to such a height by the underhand provocation of wicked Leonatus that one day when the Queene being great with child was retired into her private chamber to conferre with a certain Secretary of State most imployed in the Kingdomes affaires her husband of a sudden rusht into her presence with his sword drawne and there before her amazed eyes slaughtered her poore servant However this was an act of some horrour to the great bellied Queen and so consequently might be thought sufficient motives of her lasting indignation to see her selfe and authority so affronted by one she had lately raised from being a Subject to be her husband yet religion and good nature proved so powerfull in her noble disposition that upon the Kings sorrow and submission she was content both to forgive the injury and forget the dishonour by a perfect reconciliation But Leonatus not weary yet of his own wickednesse though despairing of his further ability to retain his interest with the young King since the Queen as he thought had so absolutely circumvented him in that project of a sudden stroake into friendship with certaine factious Priests that had newly brought in a religion into Mysia that taught this dangerous Doctrine That Princes deserved no longer to governe then whilst they contented the People Which opinion you may very well imagine took feelingly with the multitude in so much as in a short time the Queen had imployment enough to defend her person from reproaches as her Kingdome from civill warre This exceedingly tormented her thoughts untill the birth of her young sonne againe revived her spirits however Leonatus still prosecuting his horrid designes to supplant the Queen in her just right whereby to bring the government of the Kingdome under his own jurisdiction one night secretly caused not only the young King to be cruelly murthered in his bed in execution of his revenge because he had quitted his party but also laid the bloudy slaughter by way of private aspersions upon the innocent and religious Queen the more to bring her in hatred with the common people who seemed
as his present offers assured him that as he could not but be extreamely joyfull at the opportunity he should have by that voyage againe to behold his great master in some probability of being restored to his ancient right and dignity so did he wish him unfainedly to believe that notwithstanding he could most willingly participate of his good luck in personally accompanying them to Court whereby to be an eye witnesse of their entertainments yet such were his pressing occasions especially in regard of those accidents that had lately hapned in the Island of Cyprus that he was obliged to make what hast he could possible into his own Countrey where notwithstanding he should study what requitals he should be any way able to performe in lieu of those civillities he had received by his meanes in the Kingdome of Lydia These complements with other discourses continued them in communication untill the time of the night caused them all to retire into their severall lodgings and the rather was the hast more necessary for that the Priest was to make some convenient preparation for the next dayes journey When Narcissus was come into his chamber and being there onely accompanied by his solitary thoughts instead of sleep he fell upon these melancholly considerations First it came into his minde that he had not alone loft a deare and loving father whose wisedome would have been a continuall support unto him in all his difficult affaires but by that unreparable losse he was also in danger to be deprived of the best part of his esteemed hereditary honour and command by the marriage of his sister with Eumenes since in his roome he was elected chiefe governour of the Countrey in regard of the generall opinion was amongst the people of his death yet againe notwithstanding this possession he had some hopes by the affection of the Inhabitants to be restored to his right when they should by his personall appearance be made fully acquainted with the mistake of his death without either bloud or trouble since as he doubted not of the naturall affection of his sister Eretheria so would he not suspect the noble disposition of Eumenes but when he reflected upon the lustre and sweetnesse of Crownes and Dignities being once enjoyed either by ambitious and high spirits he conceived there might be more difficulty in the attempt then ordinary and so consequently an occasion given of contention and slaughter not possible to be ended between them without destruction to one or other besides he doubted for the present which seemed most to trouble him that these sudden changes might so far alienate the thoughts and affections of the Princesse Cloria from his parsicular that she might be induced in the interim to entertaine the addresses of Cassianus that were most violently as he knew proposed to her choyce by the powerfull Senate of Lydia And as he imagined would be the sooner entertained in regard of the King her fathers present necessities who by that meanes might hope the easier to come to the possession of his rights especially when all opportunities were afforded either for courtships or solicitation and probably could not long be resisted by reason of her constrained condition that obliged her without prevention to endure all assaults and affronts to that purpose that should from time to time be attempted upon her person As these last considerations most strugled inwardly with his uncertaine thoughts not knowing well whether he should leave Lydia or not so did he begin to thinke that there being no Army in the Field that was in action and not knowing how to be admitted to Clorias presence it would be too little purpose longer to continue in the Kingdome and therefore resolved presently to goe for Cyprus where he seemed not to doubt but that the people if not Eumenes himselfe finding him alive contrary to their expectation would soon be perswaded to reason in his behalfe And to this purpose being setled in his fathers command he should be not only able to bring assistance to King Euarchus occasions but also contribute much to his dangers releasement whereas the contrary would both confirme the opinion of his being dead and in some sort accuse himselfe of too much sloath in his own nature for not appearing activer in those concernments of his own that belonged so exceedingly to his honour and welfare with these resolutions hâ—â— quickly fell asleep In the morning the old Priest came to Narcissus to take his leave with these complements that as he had hitherto been ashamed that his own disability to render him those services due to hiâ— worth had made him want he feared such entertainment as was fitting in his poore habitation and much more since he was now forced to leave him by the accidentall journey he was constrained to make to Court in the company of Creses so if he pleased to designe any longer stay in the Kingdome of Lydia he should take it for some part of satisfaction to his fortunes that he would resolve to make use of his house in his absence a place should be alwayes ready he assured him to afford him the best conveniency it was able for his aboade which he refusing with the like complements they both presently descended into the Hall where they found Creses ready prepared to take horse After they had eate a bit or two and performed some other few ceremonies belonging to their departure they quickly mounted their Steads The Priest and Creses had not travelled many Furlongs together ere they met with a most even and direct path way and that commodity as it should seem invited them both to a new discourse since the Priest seemed extreamely unsatisfied as yet why the State of Syria and much more the Queen Hyacinthia should be so unwilling to entertaine a correspondency with the Army that had delivered the person of Euarchus out of Prison though passionately desirous to retaine an interest with the Myssians that had apparantly betrayed him thither according to the common opinion almost of all Asia Father said Creses as I have already made unto you a relation of my voyage into Cyprus with some part of my proceedings in Syria so having for the present so faire an opportunity I shall endeavour to let you know my thoughts in many other particulars that I have not yet mentioned To this purpose you must understand that however the people of the Island of Crese seem to professe the same worship of the gods with the State of Syria yet cannot they obtaine the free exercise of their religion either from King Euarchus or his Queen Hyacinthia though Euarchus by the Court of Syria hath been prest not onely to signe all the chiefe articles of the Myssians but also even to subscribe to their tenents in matter of Doctrine notwithstanding they be altogether destructive to Kingly rule or the religion of Syria As this gives me not so much encouragement in my journey as I could wish in regard the Souldiers