and Nobility did live that the young Cyrus was educated Amongst us all private men do breed their children with as much care as if they were to be all Kings and are perswaded that to be men and to be virtuous are terms inseparable Cyrus coming out of a poor uncouth shepheards Cottage unto this most famous and learned Academy it was a wonder that nature should furnish him with as much prudence and wisedom as if he had been brought up here from his Cradle He had for his Tutors in vertue the wisest which could be cull'd out of the Old Doctors Active young men for the exercise of his body and a younger sort for his recreation which were well educated in all virtuous qualities Great care was had to prevent all sorts of vicious persons from coming about him lest they should chance to corrupt his own naturall sweet inclinations for they knew well that if the soul of a Prince who must rule over a People be once poysoned the people also will be infected though here he saw none but examples of goodnesse and vertue Moderation Liberality Justice Valour and all the vertues were so eminent in him and got him so much applause among the Persians that they extol'd him as a Childe sent from Heaven rather to instruct then be instructed by them But I fear Sir that I have already transgressed my limits and by consequence abused your Patience especially those Persians which hear me because perhaps they know these things better then I my self My Master lived in this Quality until his sixteenth year of Age And then Fortune began to offer him opportunities of discovering the greatnesse and generosity of his soul both in his words and Acts And to put in practice that greatnesse of spirit which his youth did promise you remember Sir how Harpagus was banished by the King of Medes for not exactly obeying his commands in putting to death this young Cyrus This exile had formerly been of great power in Medea being so in such favour with the King as he made him Governour in one of his greatest Provinces This man did endeavour to reconcile himself unto Astiages but all in vain he was in this discontent forced to travel from Court to Court to finde out protection and relief from those Princes which were enemies unto the King of Medes and being some certain daies disguised in Persipolis found out an opportunity to discover himself His habit was Persian he mingled himself among the multitude which waited upon the Prince to hunt and having the language of the Countrey passable enough he was not known to be a stranger Cyrus was lively and active at the sports and none are lesse tyred or more bold and forward at these sports then he either in following the Chase or assaulting the wilde Beast at a Bay He drew a bow threw a dart and used a sword admirable well he was alwaies victor in the publique games and bore away the prize but to return to Harpagus he did follow Cyrus very close at this great hunting whereof I spoke and waited upon him so near when the Prince followed a wilde bore so eagerly and fast through the thick of the Forrest lest he should lose sight of the bore as none of all the Persians was able to follow only Harpagus Cyrus overtook this wilde Beast bent his bow and shot an arrow through his heart After this Victory whereof Harpagus only was a witnesse he sat down and rested himself until some of his own servants came in upon a bank close by a little brook which ran across the Forrest in that place In all these chases it is the custome of the Countrey for Hunters to carry a Bow a Quiver a Sword and two Javelins This gallant young Hunter wore them all and his Buckler also for them also they use in hunting as well as wars Ys he was thus sitting Harpagus drew near him Cyrus who had not yet seen him took him for a Persian began to shew him the Prize and cried out I have killed him I have killed him but Harpagus kneeling upon the ground told him that he knew how he might obtain a more glorious victory then this The Prince thinking the man had discovered some greater Bore then this which he had killed rose up and asked him heartily whether he should go to get this victory Into the head of an Army of thirty thousand men answered Harpagus which I come to offer unto you so that if you please to accept of it you may make your self Lord of a Kingdom Cyrus astonished at his words lookt upon him more earnestly then before and supposing he had seen him formerly Who are you said he that make this gallant offer I cannot yet think my self worthy of it since my valour was never tried against any but Bear Bores Lions and Tigers I am Sir said he one that is sent by the gods to tender you a brave opportunity of getting immortall glory If all be true you say said Cyrus shew me the way I must take and let it be as difficult as it can be I will follow it with all alacrity I have already told you Sir said Harpagus you must repair unto the head of an Army of Thirty thousand men which wait for your commands and to conquer when you bid them It becomes not him to command replied Cyrus who hath not yet learnt how to obey it is far fitter I should be their Companion then their Generall But I pray you Noble Stranger whom I think I have seen before though not remember you tell me where this Army is and who they are also who is the Enemy and what the Kingdom you would have me conquer Sir answered Harpagus I am not at all unreasonable in my desires when I wish your assistance against a King who hath basely broken the Laws of humanity against a Prince who is both the Love and Wonder of all which know him A King I say who hath acted against Nature Reason and Justice who by an ill governed ambitious jealousie would against all humanity or conscience take away the life of such a Prince in whose behalf I now salute you It is in the Behalf of a hopefull young innocent Prince and against such an unnaturall unworthy King I desire to animate you It neerly concerns your own honour to condescend unto my desires Your desire answered Cyrus is too full of justice to be denied And not to keep me any longer from this Army which you desire I should repair unto Inform me who is this barbarous King and who is the injured Prince for I do much wonder since I have been so carefully informed of all the prime passages of the world I should not guesse at them both Sir then answered Harpagus you are the Prince which owes revenge Yes said Cyrus And by whom Noble Stranger can I be injured I who have hardly yet begun to live I who ever since I first breathed have been rockt in a Cradle
him yet by no means would she receive them but pressed him still to tell her how he got so much riches and asking him further how after this he could return to be a Shepheard Give me leave said he unto her to begin my answer where you ended and to tell you that I am a Shepheard because you are a Shepheardesse and when you leave being so I will then cast away my Crook and for all the rest said he seeing mee coming towards them you may know them from the mouth of Miris As I heard these last words I asked Timareta after I had saluted her what it was I should tell her and she telling me I made a relation of our voyage but since I was to acquaint Timareta with the valour of Sesostris he would needs impose silence upon me but seeing he could not he rose up and went to Edisea who was coming towards us so I made an exact relation of all his acts how great a reputation he had gotten under the name of Psammetites and which way he came by the medall but whilst I related all these things I perceived such joy in the eyes of Timareta as plainly appeared Sesostris was not a little in her favour In the mean time Sir what assurances soever Edisea gave this amorous Shepheard that Amenophis had changed his mind and promised at parting that at his returne he would give him full satisfaction yet he had a mistrust in all these faire words and if Timareta had not been as wise as faire Sesostris had certainly carried her away out of the Isle before the returne of Amenophis but she was so angry at the very first motion of it that he never durst think of it afterwards for she continued three whole daies and would not speak unto him though he courted her with all imaginable plausibility yet after a thousand petitions for a pardon and as many promises to submitt totally unto her will Sesostris made his peace and resolved according to the orders of this fair Shepheardesse to rest quiet untill the return of Amenophis so that after this reconcilement wherein I was a mediator they lived together without the lest jarre unlesse only such as are essentiall redintegrations of love as are every day both in and out a hundred times yet was their tranquillity much molested by the death of Edisea who being gone Timareta had no reasonable conversation but in the company of Sesostris Traseas doubtlesse was a man of much spirit and was much civilized by the long communication of Amenophis Nicetis his wife was also a little more sociable by the company of Edisea but for all that they were nothing suitable to the youth and aire of Timareta and therefore having no other agreeable company she was the more joyed in that of Sesostris yet ever with much reservednesse making it appeare that she would give her selfe no more liberty then Edisea her governesse would were she living yet this reservednesse had nothing in it but modesty without any rigour or severity so that after all teares were dried up for the death of Edisea Sesostris was without any inquietudes but to see Amenophis returned not and because he thought the longer his absence was the more was his happinesse deferred But Sir his longing expectations of Amenophis were all in vaine for he was faln into a desperate Adventure For be pleased to know Sir that as he was going to the places where all the Officers of that faction which he had raised were covered he was so unfortunate as in going through the Town of Nea which is in the Province of Thebes and where there was a sedition raised that Amenophis and his servant chanced to be in the midst of this Tumult against their wills In the mean time as ill lucke was one of the principall men of the Town was hurt and was so near Amenophis and his servant that they with many others were taken as authors of this sedition the party of the hurt man prevailing against the other Thus was Amenophis and his servant a long while prisoners for being strangers they had no support Amenophis not daring to make use of any his friends in Thebes since those who were masters of this Town were for Amasis So than he was forced to trust onely unto his innocency But those who were reall Criminals and were taken with him they had kindred and friends in the Town they were released and the innocent more closly kept in their Prison Yet could they not proceed unto judgement against them because they would first see of him who prosecuted against them being in his bed it was long before they could be certain whether he would mend or end live or die so that the punishment being to be more or lesse rigorous according to the event Amenophis and his servant were kept Prisoners not being able or daring if they could to apply themselves unto any Amenophis was extream grieved at one thing for he found that he had lost Ladices letter to Amasis in the Tumult by meanes of which he hoped hereafter to make Sesostris and Timareta known and which he would needs carry with him both because he would by it justifie himself unto his friends and because he would not trust it any where but where he was himself But whilst he was in this pittiful Condition the Nile did swell afterwards returned again within its ordinary bankes as alwaies it used towards Winter Heracleon drawing his Forces out of the winter Garrisons did suppresse those which revolted and almost quite defeated them so that they were forced all to retreat into Thebes Yet Heracleon could not besiege them but contented himself with being Master of the field and have by this action obtained greater favour with the King This happy successe perswading Amasis that his best course to keep the People in their obedience was to shew himself in all his Provinces and to Perambulate all his Kingdom he began to go from Town to Town to win their spirits and to imprint a new Respect And that his voyage might seeme onely a Progresse of Peace the King would have all his Court with him at last Sir he came to Elephantine and hee was no sooner there but the imperfection and weaknesse of his eyes did so augment that hee thought he should have quite lost his sight but that which did most affright him was a terrible apparition which he then saw I am confident it was rather one of those mysterious dreams which sometimes foretells men of future accident then a reall apparition however it it was Amasis said that when he awaked one night an hour before day he saw or at least thought he saw a gloomy light by the help of which he perceived the Ghost of Apriez and distinctly saw the wounds he received when he was most barbarously massacred The body was all bloody and disfigured but the great amazementâ— of all was to see following the dead King the Princesse Ladice in a great
Castle he sent unto Ciaxares to advertise him of the accident and spent all the night in contemplation of all the mutable and capritious humour of his fate he was much amazed when he considered all his adventures and that one so young should be the subject of such vicissitudes in Fortune Whilst he was thus deep in thoughts and walking in his Chamber for his turbulent minde would not permit him sleep he found upon the Table a very rich Table-book whose leaves were of Indian Palm But oh Heavens into what an extasie was he wrapt when upon the opening it he found the hand of his Princess he looked upon it again most earnestly and the more he lik't the Lines being now fully perswaded it was her hand and thus began to read The Princess Mandana to the King of Assiria REmember Sr you told me a hundred times that you could deny Mandana nothing if you think upon that you will not accuse the generous Mazares of any infidelity since he was moved at my desire to act as he did not that he has any other interest in my Liberty then such as virtue does infuse into souls well descended Resolve then to pardon him that Crime which to speak truly does in some sort reflect upon your own advantage since it is a means to lessen my aversion by the testimony which you gave me of your Love Know that I will protect him in my Fathers Court who hath protected me in yours Know also that it is by the Pardon of Mazares by which you may obtain yours from Mandana and may finde more room in her esteem then ever you could in her affection Mandana As soon as Artamenes had read this Letter he presently repented of his malignity against Mazares and now made as many Prayers for his safety as he had before for his ruin Appearances said he are fallacious and it is too much rashness to Censure upon the Actions of another without most certain knowledge Would not any one have concluded Mazares the most unworthy man upon earth and that his infidelity unto the King of Assiria had no other foundation but his unjust Love but it seems that Pity and Compassion were the only Motives which prompted him to his transaction I perceive it is not his fault I am not the happiest man in the world but if the Tempest do not prevent me I shall hope to enjoy my Divine Treasure and in the mean time I shall resent the actions of Mazares as having no other design in them then such as conduce unto the Liberty of my Princes though it was my cross fortune to come too late to relieve her But said he what imports it by what means Good fortune come so I enjoy it I will therefore in this hope revive and resolve to become a friend unto Mazares in protecting him against the King of Assiria After he had thus reasoned with himself and ruminated upon what his Princess writ he looked if there were any more within the book But alas he found that which he expected not it was a Letter from Mazares to the King of Assiria and thus endited Mazares Prince of Saces to the King of Assiria I Will now no longer conceal my Crime but will ingeniously discover unto you how great it is I have not only been Perfidious unto you but have also deluded her whom of all the world I most adore which is the Princess Madana She thinks I endeavour to lessen her misfortunes whilst my Aimes are only for my self In short my sinne is against her as well as you and it proves also against my self since for ought I see all my endeavours are ineffectuall But what should I do It was Love constrain'd me and I must obey If you be truly Noble you will pity me without any thoughts of revenge unless upon your Self as well as me Yet I must tell you that I shall be sufficiently Punished by Mandana as long as Artamenes keeps such strong possession of her heart and denies admittance unto you unto me and unto all the Princes in the world except him It is against the Law of perfect Generosity to punish me for that crime of which your self is guilty Mazares What 's this I see said Artamenes I expected to finde a friend and in the turning of an eye I have found a Rivall and a Rivall too who perhaps has used my Name and abus'd my Princess in conveying her away she supposing it to be my design which he transacts for himself But most Glorious Princess can I hope for so much blessedness as to be entertained into your heart as Mazares thinks If it be true then I am the most happy and the most unhappy man both together that ever breath'd happy in having that Honour which all the Princes in the world cannot deserve and unhappy in having a Title unto that Treasure which I cannot possess Capritious Fortune which orders all occurrences does never afford me any good but she makes me more resentive of it by a deprivation as if sweets would not relish unless I tasted the bitter also I should never have known that I was thus Loved unless by the extremity of my misfortunes I had been thus brought to hate my life and wish my death Whilst he was in these Contemplations one came and told him that no Intelligence could be learnt all along the Sea cost concerning that Galley in which the Princess was this gave him some hopes to mingle with his fears of her shipwrack and did so elevate his spirits that he admitted of the company of his Commanders in the Army who followed him Hidaspes Chrisantes Aglatidas Araspes Feraulas and Thrasibulus that famous Greek all came into his Chamber where Artamenes entertained the last of these more particularly and told him how sorry he was that he could not so readily as he desired furnish him with Ships but if it were so that his designs at Sea were only to secure himself from his enemies as some had formerly hinted unto him then he would promise him a safe Sanctuary in the Court of the King of Medes and did further oblige himself to remit him unto his former estate as soon as he had found out the Princess his Daughter Thrasibulus returned him most humble thanks for this obliging offer and accepted of it since this was all he was able to do for the present The valour and winning qualities of Artamenes had possessed this mans soul with so much Love ever since he first knew him that this happy meeting proved an Antidote unto him against his former misfortunes After Artamenes had thus honoured him he went out with him and all the rest of the Officers into the streets of the Town where the fire was quite quenched yet all the rude rubbish remained the sad sights which every where appeared great beams half burnt whole houses quite demolisht and such lamentable objects infused such melancholy imaginations into them all as it was impossible to think of any
in her Her amazing beauty her transcendency of spirit and her Divinity of sodl Some lamented the King her Father and his sad resentments Others sorrowed that such an illustrions Race as the King of Medes should extinguish in the Princesse by so fatall a Chance In short they all lamented and amongst them all none knew who had least cause to complain Hidaspes speaking to Chrisantes said unto him This accident makes me remember what grief the King of Persia my Master resented when he first received the sad news of young Cyrus his shipwrack who as you know better then I was a Prince of the most superlative hopes in the world and questionlesse Ciaxares will be as sensible of the Princesse his daughters misfortune as Cambises was of that Prince his sons I did extreamly lament that losse for though I was not so nearly concerned as the King his Father yet I could not chuse but as much bewail him Chrisantes diverting this Discourse said unto the sad Artamenes that happily the messenger whom he should send unto Ciaxares would finde him forward in his march he having mustered together his men when he came away with intentions to follow presently after Aglatidas whose thoughts were all compos'd of Love and Melancholy addressing his Speech unto Artamenes I assure you said he although I be the subject of Ciaxares and by consequence an enemy unto the King of Assiria yet I cannot chuse but pity the last as one who when he shall hear of this sad accident will think himself the most undone man upon earth for said he though he was not beloved yet he was a Lover and love doth so exceed all the other resentments which either nature reason or friendship can give that there is no comparison between them As for my part said he if in heu of a Lover who was hated as the King of Assiria was I should know a Lover which was beloved who had such a losse I am perswaded my very pity of him would endure unto my death But as the vertue of the Princesse was too reserved to expresse any affection unto any one therefore I must needs lament the King of Assiria who indeed really deserves it Artemenes was too much troubled to answer unto this urgent Discourse and though he had power to restrain his tears yet he had not enough to stop his sighs he only told Aglatidas that the Princesse was so full of all admirable virtues as that all who knew her did adore her and therefore all those who had that happinesse must needs lament her whether Medes Persians or Assyrians Then Artamenes because he grew weary of all company did go some thirty paces before all the rest Mandana was the subject of every ones discourse but of Artamenes grief Every one commended the affection which Artamenes bore unto the King his Master Although that sad accident had as sad an influence upon them all yet some amongst them had never seen the Princesse and some again had never been in Love so that a vast difference might be observed between their losse and his and they were ignorant of the main principal cause of his grief When they were come into the Town Artamenes went into his Chamber and dismissing all his attendants remained sadly by himself alone entertaining nothing but despair by calling to memory all his dire disasters He took Mandan's scarffe which he found in the hands of miserable Mazares and lock't it in his Cabinet but all his care in keeping it was rather an addition unto his despair then any consolation to him in his sorrows And to augment his injury he recalled into memory every sleight favour that ever he had received from his Princesse This great soul whose thoughts had never any reflexion but upon Heroik atchievements did upon this occasion permit the Idea of so many hardy combats so many victorious battles and so many glorious triumphs as he had obtained to come afresh into his imagination to the end his despair might be more excusable and that they might better colour the weakness which he should discover in this adventure he resented all his atchievements as performed in the service of that Mistresse whom now he thought not to be in this world The memory of these were great additions unto his misery if it can be conceived possible any addition can be unto a sorrow which from the first resentment was extream and unsupportable He could not resolve with himself whom he should send to carry this sad news unto the King of Medes and far lesse could he resolve to tell the dismall story with his own mouth In such confus'd and anxious thoughts did he passe away all that night as he could not determine any thing upon it In the morning Feraulas coming to him Artamenes asked him what news of Mazares and whether he recovered that weaknesse wherein last night he left him Let some run said he to know and if he be able let him be brought hither he gave this order very hastily not knowing almost what he said but a while after news was brought that the Fisher-men in whose Tent Mazares lay did report that Mazares never revived out of that sound in which Artamenes saw him but died immediately after his departure out of the Tent. The report of his death infused various imaginations unto Artamenes He admired divine justice in destroying a Prince whom he knew to be most criminall and murmured against those rigid gods for ruining a Princesse whom he knew most innocent And as his spirits were wholly taken upon with the grandure of his losse so he made no strict inquisition concerning the Funerals of Mazares The very thoughts of this Ravisher were so tormenting to him that he did quite obliterate his memory Amidst these restlesse thoughts news was brought that it was supposed Ciaxares was upon his march with all his Army near the Town for a great thick dust rising out of a Valley was discovered from the top of the Tower which could be nothing else but the march of his Troops This news did much surprise Artamenes but much more when he saw Andramias arive who informed him that within a little more then an hour Ciaxares would be in Sinope Artamenes then began to bestir himself and so discreetly that he was in some hopes to hide part of his sorrow he commanded all the Officers to draw up into Batalia he mounted himself on horseback and was followed by Thrasibulus Hidaspes Chrisantes Araspes and Aglatidas he marched to meet the King who when he was within the sight of Sinope left his Army and marched in the company of the King of Phrygia of the King of Hircania of Persodes Prince of the Caducians of the Prince of Paphlagonia of the Prince of Licaonia of Gobrias Gadates Timocrates Artabases Madates and Adusias who were Persians and Grandees amongst the Homotimens like as Hidaspes and Chrisantes who accompanied Artamenes Never was meeting more sad then this Ciaxares seeing the Town
and lawfull power over it This is not yet enough Madam said I unto her I would precisely know what you thought of Aglatidas at that very time before Artambaces did speak unto you in his behalf I thought said she doubtless as all other reasonable people would think But were you so absolutely indifferent said I to her You are too inquisitive answered she smiling and blushing both and if I should continue answering you thus it should go hard but I would say something which should be either to your disadvantage or my own After this manner Sir did this wise and nimble Lady free her self from my persecution and cured me a little of my melancholy humour for I thought she spoke these last words in such a manner that I might very well expound them in a favourable sense for my self Then thought I my self most happy and if Artabes had but been at Ecbatan there was nothing more which I could have wished yet since persons of Quality do never marry in Medea without the Kings consent Artambaces and my Father did conceal it some certain daies untill they found a fit time to acquaint Astiages with it But Sir they were happy daies for Aglatidas what delights did he not finde in the conversation of Amestris for since her Father commanded her to respect me as one that was to be her husband I found in her soul so sweet a complacence and observed such tenderness towards me that I might very well say I was fully recompensed by these blessed minutes for all the ill ones that ever I suffered Yet she would never confess that she loved me or ever did love me but permitting me to hope what might be hereafter she said enough to satisfie me that she did not hate me Artambaces and my Father having met with that fit opportunity which they waited for spoke unto the King concerning our marriage who presently consented unto it because he knew not that Megabises pretended unto Amestris The consent of Astiages was no sooner obtain'd but immediatly the matter was divulged about the Court Megabises being presently informed of it went presently unto the King and desired him to forbid the Banes but the King told him he spoke too late that his word was past and the thing was absolutely without remedy Megabises went away from the King sufficiently Malecontent and resolved of another way to compass his end he sought an occasion to meet me and having found me without any more preamble Aglatidas said he to me with a low voice in my ear you shall not enjoy Amestris but by the death of Megabises therefore without more ado let us go out at the gate which opens towards the Mountains and compleat your joyes by my destruction Megabises said I to him I need no pressing to go whither you would have me but I confess I would not if possible otherwise take Sword in hand against the brother of Artabes But you may replied he if you will yield Amestris unto me Amestris replied I Ah no no Megabises I can never yield her and if there be no other way to give you satisfaction we must follow your intention In saying so we went out as soon as we were rid of those which were about us and came unto the foot of a great Rock under a great Hill where he would have us fight I confess that the friendship of Artabes troubled me a little and I had no minde to lose the bloud of his brother But when I began to think that Megabises was my Rivall and that the possession of his Amestris depended upon his life or death all other considerations vanished and fury become master of my spirit We were no sooner at the place which he aimed at but we drew our Swords for it was so near the Tower that though we were on foot yet we need no taking our breaths Megabises came up to me with so much fury and violence as let me know I had a dangerous enemy to deal with and I dare say he received me with so much resolution as he had no ill opinion of my courage We being both of us nimble and well skild at weapon did hold out many blows without a wound which I believe did anger us both So that we resolved to put the matter unto Fortune and not to stand fencing any longer Artabes the politique Artabes having in all likelihood invented some new cheat for us and returning to Town saw us afar off at the foot of the Rock who not knowing who we were rid up unto us with drawn Sword to part us But O heavens how he was surprized when he knew us and what variety of thoughts he had upon it Megabises being his brother it may easily be beleeved he would intreat me to hold and regarding me as his friend he obliged his brother to use his Sword no more against me But when he did resent us as his Rivals I know not whether he had a minde to set upon us both and lay aside all respects of fraternity or friendship yet natural resentments alwaies appearing first upon sudden accidents Artabes no sooner saw us and knew us but he cried out as loud us he could to hold our hands his voice being known unto us both and both Megabises and my self being moved at it we turned aside and saw Artabes with drawn Sword as I said before who having got between us in parting us not lighting from his horse What strange fury possesses you said he unto us and what new quarrel is risen between you The fault 's not mine my dear Artabes said I to him the Gods do know with what unwillingness I came to it Why then 't is you Megabises said Artabes to him who without consideration that Aglatidas my friend and contrary unto your promise have begun this quarrel in my absence It was I indeed replied he who invited him to it and who will send him to his grave unless he either send me to mine first or yield Amestris to me Artabes who knew not how things stood since his departure and would not have his brother Megabises to enjoy Amestris no more then he would have his friend Aglatidas therefore looking upon us both You are too furious said he and have lost your reason I never heard say that Artambaces would give his daughter unto him that was most valiant therefore in lieu of fighting to no purpose go both unto him together and he to him he consents let him continue quiet possessor of Amestris Ah my dear Artabes you have pronounced a most favourable sentence for Artambaces has promised his daughter unto me Yes said Megabises and the King has consented therefore judge you if it be not time to fight with Aglatidas or whether I am in such a condition as to follow your counsell At these words Artabes who doubtless would never have given that counsell but that he imagined Artambaces would never bestow his daughter upon men that would quarrel about her and thereby he
wherein we were but I wonder at the capritious humour of Fate For Anatisa was wrapt up into the height of joy to see her self preferred before Amestris by Aglatidas who neither preferred her nor loved her Megabises for his part he was infinitely glad to be called back by her who had for ever banished him though she which called him back did it not out of any affection she bore unto him onely Amestris and my self who if we had rightly understood one another had been the happiest of all we were the most perplexed souls upon earth Mean time though Megabises thought himself very happy in being with Amestris yet the remembrance of his brothers death and the sight of him who killed him did so reflect upon his heart as he had no good minde to be where I was Madam said he unto Amestris I should make a doubt whether the command which I received from the King could work so prevalently upon my spirit as to hinder me from my just resentments against a man whom I see before me if the respect which I owe unto you did not restrain me Therefore Madam fear lest this respect should not be strong enough to resist the apprehensions of bloud and nature I most humbly beseech you to pardon my incivility and give me leave to leave you Upon those words he made a very low rerence unto Amestris and without staying for any answer he went out of the Garden She who only staied him to anger me was not forward to retain him As for me Sir who never understood what they said I no sooner saw him gone but I was in as great a chafe as I was to see him enter imagining that he only went out to disguise the appointment which Amestris had given him Not being to stay where I was and thinking I should better hide my perplexity in walking then staying there I proposed a departure unto Anatisa who consented unto it But she more out of vanity then complacency would needs do what I could go unto Amestris thinking it would be a Triumph unto her to carry her slave whether she pleased Then we went to meet Amestris and Menasta and as we came near one another Anatisa not telling me her design began to speak unto Amestris whereat I was so angry that I was in a minde to leave her and be gone from that place where the object of my love and the object of my hatred were together I neither durst nor would look upon Amestris I wished with all my heart that Megabises were there that I might fight with him Sometimes I thought Amestris lesse fair and Anatisa more But O Heavens that sometimes was quickly over and I thought Anatisa ugly and Amestris Angelike fair yet Anatisa who as I told you would needs triumph and better assure her self of her Conquest spoke very spitefully unto Amestris and in accosting her I am very happy said she unto her to meet such good company in a place which is used to be very solitary and I have reason to think my self so since expecting only the pleasure of the walk I have met also with the delight of company My company answered Amestris very coldly is so far from pleasant that you have rather cause to complain if you had not some other to divert you If you should put to Judges replied Anatisa maliciously I am sure Megabises who I saw with you would not be of your minde and as for Aglatidas he is no competent Judge for he would give sentence in my behalf As for my part said I in a great confusion I do not doubt but Megabises findes Amestris to be incomparable in all things and I confess said I changing colour that he has good cause to publish that the conversation of Amestris is the most complacentiall of any in the world when she pleaseth Ah Madam replied Anatisa who was ravished with joy to see such signs of anger in the face of Amestris be not now of that humour and be pleased to suffer all those commendations which I will give you I deserve so little answered she that I will not advise you to imploy your time to so little purpose There is a kinde of humility replied Anatisa which honour will not admit of Yes replied Amestris and there is also a kinde of false humour which covers oftentimes abundance of basenesse I suppose answered Anatisa that neither you nor I are guilty of either I know nothing replied Amestris for none do know themselves very well It is much more hard said I unto her to know the thoughts of another especially of those replied she who do counterfet to be generous and sincere but indeed are not so I am confident said the malicious Anatisa that Megabises cannot disguise his thoughts Those who like him answered Amestris thinking to spight me do affect true honour do never use to do so there is none but base men use to dissemble their thoughts I confess unto you Sir thas I was infinitely perplexed to hear Amestris thus express her self that I could not possibly stay any longer in that place As I came not into Garden with Anatisa I thought my self not engaged to stay with her Furthermore I was not in a condition to observe an exact correspondency in my actions I had seen Megabises pleased so well I observed Anatisa so well content I saw Amestris so fierce contrary to her custome and I found my self so sad so angry and so desperate that at last being stirred by my Love my hate and my Jealousie I left this both dear and intollerable company I went then out of the Garden with an ill intent resolving to be revenged upon Megabises for all the wrongs that Amestris had done me And to that end in lieu of entring into the Town I went to conceal my self in the house of one of my acquaintance with intention to send the next day unto Megablses to meet me with his Sword I would not advertise Artaban of my design because I knew he would contradict it but alas I did not know that I should have been the happiest man upon earth if I had seen him whereas now I am the most unfortunate In the mean while Amestris who had not treated Megabises so well but only to anger me had no sooner lost the sight of me but not being able to endure the company of her Rivall she thought out a pretence to leave her and went to complain of her misfortune in secret unto her dear Menasta As for Megabises it may be said that his good fortune was but a flash and away which ending as soon as it begun made it more dusky and intollerable then before And as for Anatisa though her joys to be preferred before Amestris did last a little longer yet it was but to torment her more sensibly afterwards For my part Sir I never thought my self so unhappy as now I found my self At the first time when I saw Amestris favourable unto Megabises I had this
execution of them was impossible for the accident did so disturb their Reason and animate their Courage that all of them did strive how to signal themselves by the dangers they would undertake in the enterprise Some would have them go by open force unto the Castle and demand Artamenes others advised to joyn the subtlety of the Fox to the fury of the Lion and others would have them go kill Metrobates immediately Some advised to go and raise the people some others would have them cause the Army to advance and all of them concluded to transact and bestir themselves to save the life of Cyrus Since they looked upon Ciaxares as a prejudicated Prince yet since they were all of them really generous they had not one thought of attempting any thing upon his Person but only so far as might get that Hero out of his hands unto whom he owed the Glory of his Raign and the Conquest of many Kingdoms In conclusion it was resolved upon to let some one down the walls of the Town by cords that he might go unto the Camp and make it known unto the Persians that the only Son of their Soveraign was in danger of death if they did not speedily relieve him hoping that afterwards all the whole Army would come unto the Gates of Sinope and move Ciaxares not to execute his Design with so much precipitation In the mean time it was resolved that Ariobantes and Megabises should return into the Castle and advertise them concerning all passages and also to try if they could any ways qualifie the King For their parts they assembled all their friends which they had within the Town to wait until the Army came up and to be in readiness for any attempt if there were a necessity of it and to stir up the people if there were no other remedy but there was no need of taking any thought for that because they perceived the people to come out of the Castle in tumults and as they walked the streets nothing could he heard but the name of Artamenes pronouncing it with troubled spirits Immediately after the people of Sinope seeing all their hopes turned into fears and their joys into sorrows grew into so great a commotion that there was not any who followed his accustomed course shops were shut the women spoke loud in the streets Merchants consulted together upon what was best to be done the Gentry flocked about the King and Princes to hear what was done in the Castle and the confusion was so tumultuously apparent that it was easie to perceive they wanted but little of a declared Revolt That which did most of all augment the Tumult was the Orders which Metrobates had given to suffer none to enter or go out of the Town for they who were come dut of the Camp into the Town being desirous to return thither again and they who were gone out of the Town into the Camp being also desirous to come back and both restrained The one endeavouring to come in the other to go out made such an hideous Garboil at the Gates that the noise of them sounded throughout all the Town and one benefit accrued by it for since all the Souldiers which Metrobates had brought from Pteria were all busied either at the Gates of the Town or at the Castle it was less difficult for Madates during the obscurity of the night to get over the wall and ditch He went then in all hast unto the Camp and acquainted all the Persians that Artamenes was Cyrus and that their Prince would presently be put to death if they did not interpose their lives to save his when he came there he found the Camp already in disorder by the return of several Captains and Souldiers who were denyed entrance into the Town who reported that certainly they would put Artamenes to death and perhaps all their Commanders and Princes also Madates then found the Army in a fit posture for his designe if he met any Captains It must be you would he say unto them which must save the invincible Artamenes you who have been sharers with him in the honour and you who he has so favourably looked upon If he spoke unto the Common souldiers It must be you would he say to them who must preserve your valiant General who would ever be in the deepest dangers but would never have any share in the Magnificent Plunder wherewith you are enriched If he saw any Phrygians he told them that it was their Kings Command to come unto Sinope and demand Artamenes If he saw any Hircanians he would tell them the same from their King and so the like unto all the several Nations which were in the Army so that the Discourse of Madates meeting with that violent passion which had taken root in the hearts of all the Captains and Souldiers towards Cyrus for we will not hereafter call him Artamenes it is not at all strange if Madates did so suddenly kindle so great a fire out of matter which was so combustible The Name of Cyrus was quickly divulged throughout all the Army for the thirty thousand Persians who had it from their Commander in chief unto whom Madates had imparted it did presently disperse it abroad And as this great Body was moved by one Soul every one ranged himself under his Colours and desired to be conducted unto Sinope The Name of Artamenes and of Cyrus ecchoed from Company to Company from Regiment to Regiment and above an hundred thousand men did in an instant talk and bestir themselves to relieve him whom they regarded as a God both in times of Peace and War Mean while the King of Phrygia and the King of Hircanias Troops grew great in the Town composed of all the Men of Quality in Sinope and of those who were not permitted to return unto the Camp The people also who at the first did only grumble do now take Arms and randezvouz into Companies in divers Quarters of the Town Ariobantes and Megabises were within the Castle where the disorder was greater then either in the Camp or Town Metrobates moved Ciaxares with all his Arguments to pronounce the last Sentence of death against Cyrus and Ciaxares himself was at the ultimate resolution both of them did foresee the dangerous consequences of so dismal a designe but choller did so prepossess the Spirit of Ciaxares that he disguised his thoughts And the wicked Metrobates that he might expel out of the Soul of Ciaxares all just fears of an universal subversion of his Empire by the death of Cyrus did blow the coals of his fury and quen ched all such apprehensions in him Sir said he unto him the reason why all these Kings and Princes are so hot and zealous in the behalf of Cyrus is only because they hope that if they can get him out of prison they shall receive a recompence for it but if he were once in his Grave you should see them in another mind The fidelity of Courtiers
a sight of my divine Princess before I dye but that were to desire to be more miserable and is too much for a despicable Lover I confess Madam when Doralisa and I heard Perinthus speak thus we were so exceedingly moved unto pity that we could not refrain from tears and so we wept with him since we could not work any more upon him and so left him with a promise to see him again yet we used all possible arguments to cheer up his spirits before we parted yet all in vain Then did we return unto the Princess extreamly melancholy and in the way considered what we should say unto her but could not resolve whether or no it were best to tell her that she was the cause of Perinthus his death But the truth is we were eased of that trouble for she her self apprehended as much by the discourse of Abradates so that when we came unto her and related the lamentable condition of Perinthus I perceived she understood the matter as well as we did for when I told her it would be very well if she her self would be pleased to go and bid him live I know very well answered she and blushed that I am obliged to take care of his life but I know also that if Perinthus have a Soul so full of sorrow he will not obey me He will obey none then replyed Doralisa but however Madam if you go unto him and use your best endeavors then there is no fault in you if he dye After this Panthea excused her self as much as possibly she could from seeing Perinthus not telling her true Reason because her modesty would not permit her to speak her thoughts But at last Doralisa using her accustomed freedom with the Princess told her all we knew and with so much art and obligingly for Perinthus that the Princess was no less sorry then angry to hear of his passion to her Panthea at first seemed to hide her resentments from us but afterwards she confessed that the death of Perinthus would trouble her and would seem so bad an omen unto all the rest of her life that she durst not hope to pass it happily Then did she chide us a hundred times because we did not cure Perinthus of his passion thinking that Reason were sufficient physick to cure that disease Afterwards since we did importune her unto a visit of this languishing Lover she was as far from consenting unto it as we were urgent Madam said I unto her he knows not that we have revealed his secret and questionless you would have done him this charitable favour if you had not suspected his Love It is sufficient that I now know it said she to keep me from seeing him not but that I should be extreamly sorry for the death of a man unto whom I am much obliged for defending me from the power of Mexaris yet I cannot do as you desire me Moreover if he do love me my sight will rather hasten then prevent his death since he cannot see me but with abundance of sorrow Since he desires it said I unto her methinks it would be too inhumane to deny him that favour You do not apprehend what Abradates might think replyed she if he should know Perinthus loved me and that I should visit him You may ask him leave if you please replyed I for I see him enter And Doralisa in pursuance of what I said no sooner saw Abradates with the Princess but she addressed her self unto him Is it not true Sir said she that the Princess is obliged to visit Perinthus There is no question of it replyed he and if to induce her unto it there want only an addition of my petition unto yours I shall most willingly make it unto her and I am verily perswaded that if he will not mend upon the sight of her he will dye within a few days Since the Princess would not tell Abradates the true Reason which restrained her she spoke so faintly that he perceived she might be persvvaded so that he became very importune vvith her But at the last his urgency and ours together prevailed though it put the Princess to the blush to think how Abradates would take it and certainly none could carry it with more generosity then he did upon this occasion For since he had a high confidence of Panthea's heart and her virtues he was extreamly urgent with her to visit Perinthus and to use her best endeavours to save his life yet he made this condition with her which if Perinthus had known certainly would have furthered his death which was that if he recovered she should never see him again After this she desired Abradates would be present with her at this charitable visit but he would not upon any tearms To relate unto you Madam all the passages of this visit is impossible let it suffice to tell you that Perinthus did strive to die twenty times whil'st the Princess was present sometimes one might see him in the depth of sorrows presently after some sparks of joy would glance in his eyes as neer death as he was then in an instant dispair would so stifle his Spirits that one could not understand what he said but for all this he still kept a most profound reverence unto the Princess he thanked her for the honour she did him telling her that since he had this honour once more to see her he had nothing else to do in the world but die And when she commanded him to take some helps he stayed a while silent then upon a suddain lifting up his eyes unto her Madam said he If you did but know what you wish me when you desire I should live you would unwish it again For indeed Madam added he in a languishing tone when Doralisa thought me to be in Love she was not mistaken I am in Love Madam and I should not die at this time but because I am in Love And since you were ignorant of my miseries you are excuseable in wishing me to live because you thought I might perhaps be happy This is all Madam that the respects I owe you will permit me to speak of my miseries and misfortunes Perinthus pronounced these last words so weakly that one would have feared he would immediately expire for his sorrows did so overwhelm all his faculties that for a quarter of an hour together he was speechless but yet since he did not lose his sight and understanding he had the consolation to see some tears drop from the eyes of the Princess yet did she hide them as well as she could and not being able to stay any longer in sight of so sad an object she went forth After she had appointed all the Physitians both of Croessus and others to come unto him they did unanimously conclude he could not escape but indeed would die within a short time and indeed it proved so It was conceived that the sight of the Princess which we procured as a remedy was his dispatch
to tell you said he before you give me my last denial which is that if you will repent of your fault and quit Leonisa and return unto Cleodora and become as faithful as you have been inconstant I promise you to cease my sure and never to discover your Crime protesting unto you that I will not onely leave Cleodora but Susa also but then I expect that if it be so you will love Leonisa still and by consequence not pretend any thing unto Cleodora I expect I say you should assist me and no longer oppose my desire All that you say is ful of reason replied Belesis so that I am infinitely ashamed to return such an extravagant answer But Hermogenes if you love me you will pitie the imperfections of your friend and excuse me if I denie you and confesse that I cannot receive a more sensible displeasure then to see you love Cleodora though I Love Leonisa I know very well that it is extream folly to speak thus But it must be you Hermogenes who are wiser then I am that must connive at my weaknesse it was you that brought me to Susa and caused all my miseries and therefore it must be you that must comfort me T is true replied Hermogenes I did bring you to Susa but it was you first who brought me in love with Cleodora and by Consequence it is our parts to comfort one another After this I took upon me to talk unto them both but all to no purpose and thus we all parted without any conclusion at all And certainly it was very happy Belesis did not lodge neer Hermogenes as he did when he came first to Susa for if they had matters might have been worse between them In the mean time the poor Hermogenes was in a sad condition because Cleodora observing the inquietudes of Belesis and thinking he suffered them for the love of her she resolved to banish Hermogenes So that the six dayes which she gave him being expired she prepared her self for that hour of audience which he asked and she promised and taking hold of the opportunity in her Aunts chamber they went both to a window far enough from the rest of the company to talk and not be understood Therefore Cleodora began to conjure him not to speak unto her any more but by degrees to withdraw himself from coming to her However Madam said he unto her you will confesse that it is for Belesis his sake that you banish me and that if he were not in love with you you would not banish me Cleodora thinking that Hermogenes would be better satisfied if she spoke sincerely unto him then if she should dissemble a truth which he was not ignorant of told him in very obliging language that it was very true she desired to take from Belesis all causes of jealousy and all complaints against her assuring him that if she had not some compassion upon Belesis she would never deprive her self of his company but should desire him to regulate that affection which he said he bore her Hermogenes hearing Cleodora speak with more mildnesse then one that had any minde to banish another or absolutly disoblige him did beleeve that if she knew of Belesis his inconstancy perhaps he might possesse that place which this inconstant man inojyed in the heart of this Lady so that being prompted unto it by the excesse of his love and perceiving that be must either quit Cleodora or undeceive her in her belief that she had of Belesis his loving her began to think of changing the sentence of his death since he did extreamly Love Belesis he was extreamly unwilling to tell her what he knew but since it concerned the chiefe felicity of his life and love surmounting all lawes of friendship his spirits began to be exasperated against Belesis Whilst Hermogenes was thinking what to do Cleodora looked upon him imagining that the many alterations in his countenance were caused only because of his sorrows that he was not to speak unto her as he was used but at last Hermogenes prevailing with himself the gods are my witnesses Madam said he unto her what an extream unwillingnesse is in me to ease my soule of those miseries which oppresse it by telling one thing which doubtlesse will much trouble you and which is far from pleasing me For the melancholy which I shall see in your faire eyes when you shall understand that Belesis is unworthy of those honours you do him will infinitly grieve me But Madam though I should not attempt to revoke that fatal sentence which you have pronounced against me yet in consideration of your own interest I think my self obliged to discover unto you what I know for I am fully perswaded that when a Mistresse and a friend are in the scales the weights are much uneven Nor is it in my choice to deliberate since as the state of my case stands I must tell you that Belesis is an unconstant man that his jealousie is counterfeit and that he is in love with Leonisa At the first Cleodora did not beleeve Hermogenes but thought that all he told her was his own invention But since there is nothing more easie then to infuse mistrust into an amorous minde she no sooner had told Hermogenes that she gave no credit unto his words but she began insensibly to be jealous and aske him upon what conjectures he grounded his beliefe So that by little and little and hardly knowing what she said she asked Hermogenes of more things then he knew of and also he told her more then she desired to know yet since there still remained some kind of doubts in her Hermogenes told her that to clear them all she should get her picture out of Belesis his hands and there she might see Leonisas also Ah Hermogenes said Cleodora could I but see that I should extreamly hate Belesis and certainly you may see it replied he if you go handsomly about it but alas Madam said he it will not be enough to hate Belesis unlesse you love Hermogenes I assure you said she unto him if this you tell me be true I shall not easily love any and I shall so hate my self that I shall not be in any disposition to love others since to speak truly none ever loves but for love of themselves but however I assure you that I shall think my self eternally obliged unto you for discovering the perfidiousnesse of Belesis to me As she spoke these last words Belesis entered who seeing Hermogenes and Cleodora separated from the company went towards them to interrupt their discourse though Leonisa was in the same chamber In going thither his mind began to change because he feared Hermogenes had already discovered his crime yet since he had already stept a pace forward he went on with a spirit so full of turbulency as plainly told Cleodora his mind was unquiet On the other side this Lady was not a little troubled in dissembling her thoughts But since there was a
the Passion which possesseth me is upbraided but yet for all that I find it to be well grounded Indeed pursued he and smiled since it is permittable in War to have Spyes in the place which one would take it is as well allowable to have some in the heart which one would Conquer and so hold intelligence Since Spyes are only implyed replyed Mandana to know what passeth amongst Enemies you stand in need of none to know what passeth in my heart for there is no War declared betwixt us However I assure you Madam replyed Cyrus that somtimes one may as much long to know the thoughts of her he adores as to know the designs of his Enemies and for my particular I had rather have a faithfull Spy in your heart then have a hundred with the King of Assyria or the King of Pontus though they were Masters of Babylon or Sardis Yet Madam I beseech you do not think that this my Curiosity hath any smack of Jealousie nor that I am one of those Lovers who are extreamly inquisitive for what they would not find But Madam the reason of it is since I must confess it because there is a notable difference between thoughts of esteem which are expressed by obliging Language and hidden thoughts which are concealed almost from the parties themselves and which others can know only but by guesses Think it not strange then Madam that though I am not so impudent as to think you have any advantageous thoughts of me which you would not honour me with the Participation yet I cannot chuse but desire that I were able to dive into the secrets of your heart I must needs desire to have a sight of all the Virtues together and wish your heart were open that I should know all your thoughts all your desires To satisfie one part of your Curiosity replyed Mandana to divert the discourse I must tell you that I have a strange desire to know all the thoughts of Menesteus since this eight years that he hath lived in the Tomb of this fair one whom he loved and lost Oh Madam sayd Cyrus by seeming to satisfie my Curiosity you rather ayme at your own and not my satisfaction But it is not my part to prescribe Laws unto you therfore since it is not yo 〈…〉 pleasure I should be more scrutinous into your Soul and since you had rather I could talk of Menesteus then of you or my self I shall tell you that I cannot easily conceive all his eight years thoughts for love and sorrow are two inexhaustible gulfs of thoughts if I may so express that bottomless Abyss in the mind of a grieved Lover and which wholy possesseth him as long as his love and grief lastes But the greater wonder is how he hath lived so long after the death of her he adored For really Madam without any aggravation of my sorrows at Synope when I had cause to fear your being drown'd I can truly protest that I had not one day more to live when I heard you were living I am much obliged to you Sir replyed Mandana for your engaging sorrows though I will not beleive it to be so violent as you express least you should upbraid me with ingratitude yet truly I must confess that the most sensible sorrow of all sorrows is the death of the Party loved and I am so fully perswaded of this truth that as oft as I imagine that there is an absolute necessity I must one day hear of the death of persons whom I love or they hear of mine I am so melancholy as I hardly know my self Oh Madam cryed out Cyrus what a dismall image do you make to pass out of your Spirit into mine I ask you pardon Sir replyed she but yet I think you are obliged to concur with me for since I cannot think without a sad remembrance that you must one day hear of my death or I of yours methinks it is a mark of amity which merits a pardon for my sad discourse your expressions Madam are so obliging replyed Cyrus that I owe you a tribute of a thousand thanks but for all that Madam I beleive I shall scarcely pardon you this day for infusing into me such apprehensions of your death As soon as Cyrus had pronounced these words Eucrates came to acquaint him that there was a man of Quality from Phoceus whose name was Thrymetus whom the Son of Menesteus had sent unto his Father who desired to speak with him and who arrived immediately after he was come out of the Tomb Adding that he was accompanied with two strangers unknown either by their Habits or Language Since Mandana conceived that this man could have no business with Cyrus which her presence might hinder she desired that Prince that Thrymetus might have audience before her which Cyrus accordingly commanded and Eucrates obeying Thrimetus with his two strange Companions was brought into Mandana's Chamber who with Cyrus saluted them Thrymetus having a Letter which was only of Credence to present he uttered these words Sir sayd he unto him in Greeek I am sent unto you from a Prince whose good or bad fortunes you have power to make but since he hath been so unhappy as to be engaged in a Party opposite unto yours and constrained to preserve his liberty by abandoning â—his Country unto your Victorious Armes and to have recourse unto flight I cannot tell Sir whether his hopes of reception be well grounded but I am most certain that the Prince Menesteus his Father unto whom I came upon a message is so charmed with your generosity that he makes no doubt but that I shall obtain my demands To testifie replyed Cyrus that I have a great disposition to grant any thing unto a Prince of his merit who sent you I will not assume the Right of Conquerors which nere allowes their vanquished Enemies the names of those Countries which are conquered from them But on the contrary though Peraneus was never yet called the Prince of Phoceus because he who left him that Title did not perish untill since his departure yet I will be the first that will call him so and intreat you to name him no otherwise for since the Prince Thrasibalus hath given once such noble Characters of his Virtue and Valour I am resolved to treat him as favourably as I have done others who merits it no more then he Oh Sir reylyed Thrymetus I ask no more for since you are pleased to acknowledge Peraneus in the presence of these strangers to be a Prince and the Prince of Phocens you have granted as much as I had in Commission to ask and you have made him the most happy Prince upon Earth if I may phrase a man so who hath not the glory to be particularly known unto the greatest Prince in the World Since the expressions of Thrymetus did surpize both Cyrus and Mandana and since they observed much joy in the face of one stranger and much sorrow in the eyes
face that is imaginable It cannot be sayd her face is ovall or that it is round but such a just proportion of parts as both those kind of faces can give unto an exact beauty Her mouth was the handsomest that ever eye beheld for it was not onely well made and her lips were not only that lovely Carnation which animates beauty but it had an unexpressible Charm which would perswade you though you looked only upon that part that she must of necessity be eloquent and that she had abundance of wit there being such a kind of little Dimples at the corners of her mouth and such a kind of sprighly smiling and melancholy together which alwayes appeared and forced every one to beleive what she sayd But Madam now I have made an imperfect description of Cleonisbe's Stature Mine Complexion Hair Face and Mouth how shall I describe her Eyes yet since I am engaged to describe them as well as I can I must tell you that they are black great sparkling and sweet indeed they are so sprightly quick so wonderous modest and so sweetly passionate that they inspire love in the very hearts of all Beholders Moreover they are not such Eyes as use to a certain tumultuous stirring in them as will not suffer one to judge of them because they are continually changing Objects But on the contrary though they be very quick and lively and though she have most penetrating looks with them yet are they all sweetness and tranquility Whatsoever she looks upon she looks upon it applicatively and without abandoning her extream modesty which is inseparable from all her Actions she never casts her Eyes off those who speak unto her and by consequence doth suffer one to look and admire those million of Charms which are in them for indeed there appeares in them a miscellany of Wit Spirit Love Languishing Modesty Passion Vivacity Virtue Goodness Mirth Melancholy Beauty and Charms So that Madam if you joyn such Eyes as I have described unto all the rest of her Superlative Excellencies which I have related unto such a buxom Plumpness as usually is in youth you may easily beleive that people who had three daies of tempest together seen the Image of death about them were pleasingly ravished to see the admired Cleonisbe on the Deck of her Bark I cannot think that those of the Isle of Cyprus who saw Venus in that Magnificent Shell which was both her Cradle and her Ship did more admire her then we Cleonisbe She was that day dressed after the African mode to wit her hair half loose part wherof was brayded with Ribbons of lively Colours behind her head her Gown which was of Carnation and white was of a very pleasing Fashion and Gallant which without hiding the Comliness of her stature was very Majesticall The Claspes of this Gown was Lockets of Diamonds all before and likewise about her shoulders Her Sleeves were half turned up and shewed the hair hands and armes of the wearer as well as her Neck about which was a rich Carcanet of Diamonds covered with a thin Tiffany To add somthing more of Gallantry unto this little Maritine Triumph Round about the Tent in which Cleonisbe was were set green boughs whose Odor reached us before we came unto the Bark there might be seen a thousand branches of Orange Trees full of Flowres mingled with branches of Myrrh Jessemine and such as making a Canopy over Cleonisbie's head did perfume the Ayre This miscellany of Leaves of Flowers of Diamonds and other rich Ornaments did make a most admirable and pleasing Object In the mean time though we were very attentive in beholding Cleonisbe yet we observed that there was many handsom Ladies with her and among the men there was one who seemed to be of high quality both by his port and by his habit and also by the Carriage of Cleonisbe towards him I beseech you Madam pardon me for being so tedious in relating how Cleonisbe appeared unto me the first time I saw her I wil now acquaint you with Passages in the Bark of Cleonisbe and tell you that the Cock-boat going before us as soon as it came neer enough for the Prince of Phoceus to see and be seen he saluted her with all possible Reverence After which Hipomenes carrying him into the Bark he carryed him unto this Princess who received him with much Civility You see here Madam sayd he unto her in Greek an unfortunate Prince who gives you hearty thanks for keeping all the people of a great City from perishing For I am most confident that it is your presence which calmed the incensed Waves and caused the storms to cease which would have ruin'd us And Madam after my thanks for saving the lives of so many miserable Souls and innocent Persons I beseech you out of your goodness preserve them by obtaining from the King your Father an entrance into his Ports for our weather-beaten Ships that he would be pleased to lend an Eare unto the cause of our Exile unto a relation of our miseries that he would afford us some comfort in our extremities and fulfill the promises of a great goddesse Sir replyed Cleonisbe I am so glad to find an occasion of helping the miserable especially such unfortunates as your selfe that I have much ado to say I am sorry for your diasters since they give me a fit occasion of doing you a good office and of letting you know that our Nation is not so barbarous as it is believed to be In the mean time since I understand by Hipomenes that there are Ladies in your Ship I bseech you let us go and take them into my Barque since a place wherein they were like to have perished cannot be pleasing unto them And when we have taken them in you may send orders unto your Fleet to shelter themselves amongst these Islands untill I have presented you unto the King my Father and obtained your desires from him for let me tell you Sir once more that I do hold it so glorious to do all the good that one is able as I am confident that I shall be more joyed in protecting you then my Protection can be profitable to you Oh Madam replyed the Prince of Phoceus and looked upon her with admiration is it possible to find such a person as your selfe in the remotest parts of the Earth Can fame be so injurious as not to make you known unto Greece and maugre the huge Sea which separates make you adored Those who taught me the Grecian Language replyed she and smiled did also teach me that Credite is not alway to be given unto the flatteries of your Nation and therefore waving your Commendations I will heare no more of them from a man who questionless is most knowing in all things since he is of that Country where the ignorance that reigns in ours is banished After this Cleonisbe seeing the Prince of Phoceus his ship was neer she commanded her Barque to meet and entreated that
Pherenice to tell her So that having passed away the rest of the night and part of the morning in reasoning upon this strange adventure she sent to seek out Chrisantes yet it was long before her servant could get out because the foure Guards which Anaxaris had placed at the Gate of the Castle would not suffer any to pass out because their orders was to the contrarie but at last obtaining their leave this servant got out and went unto Chrisantes who understood before that you Sir was not at your own lodging And hearing at the same time by Arianita that the Princess was also gone out he thought it not fit to conceal her astonishment So that acquainting the Prince Artamas Mazares Intaphernes Myrsiles and others with it there was presently raised so great a report of your death Sir and of the Princesses her departure that I am not able to represent unto you the disorder which this sad news caused both amongst all your friends and amongst the Souldiers The greatest wonder was that none knew what course to take nor from whom to receive orders Some said the best way was to go unto the King of Hircania others unto Croessus and every one voting to revenge your death and going after Mandana yet all their Spirits were in such disorder that neither of those courses was taken Some said that happily Anaxaris had not carried away the Princess considering the manner of her departure But the Prince Myrsiles understanding from some of his servants that Andramites many daies since had prepared some of his friends for some great design which he said he had in hand he made no question but his design was that knowing Anaxaris would carry away Mandana he would also carry away his adored Doralisa So that supposing them to be carried away by fallacies this Prince making no reckonings of these reports which went of the King of Assiria's being alive and that he had killed you he assembled together some of his friends and went in all haste to see if he could discover which way Anaxaris took The Prince Mazares also took up the same design but took another way As for the Prince Artamas Intaphernes Chrisantes Aglatidas and my self we divided our selves with intentions to find you out So that being guided doubtless by the Gods unto the place where you were I have good reason to believe that they will also guide you Sir very shortlie unto the place where Mandana is No no replied this grieved Prince there is no hopes but on the contrarie all is to be feared After this the Sibels answer which was brought him by Ortalques coming into his mind he assured himself that he was destined unto a sad fate and that Thomiris would destroy him Then also he believed that the Oracle of the Assyrian King would be fully compleated and prove to his Rivals advantage nor durst he so much as hope that the Oracle which the Princess of Salamis had received could be interpreted unto his advantage So that his Spirits being wholly possessed with sorrow he talked no more of what happed in the place where Arianita was from whose own mouth he intended to be precisely satisfied of all that Feraulas told him He found her with Pherenice Amalde Telamire and all the rest of the Ladies which used to accompany her but he found them all in tears yet his sight was a great comfort unto them supposing that since he was living they needed not to fear Mandana However their astonishment was not a little unto them that believed the King of Assyria dead and had heard say afterwards that he had killed Cyrus when they saw them both living and carrie themselves to each other as formerlie And after they were informed of all that Arianita knew after they had examined the four Guards whom Anaxaris had left and who knew nothing but that Anaxaris had commanded them to let none go out of the Castle until it was late and that the King of Assyria had been dressed of a slight wound which he had in his left Atm they advised together upon the best expedients in such a disasterous occasion 'T is true their counsels were often interrupted for men come from all Quarters of the Army to be satisfied concerning this great report which was so suddenlie spread abroad both concerning the King of Assyria's life and the death of Cyrus and also the carrying away of Mandana But at the last since the necessity of the business did extreamly urge it Cyrus with the advice of all his friends and of his Rival and when they understood that Anaxaris had not above a hundered men with him resolved that the King of Assiria the Prince Artamas the Prince Intaphernes and himself should each of them take two hundered horse and divide themselves to try if any of them could find out the way which Anaxaris took of which they had no light at all But since Cyrus was glad that some of his friends would be with the Assirian King in case he should find Mandana and recover her out of Anaxaris his hands And so he had no means to break his promise and carry her away for himself therefore Cyrus transacted with abundance of discretion maugre all his sorrows And caused many of his friends to follow his Rival As Araspes Aglatidas and some others Thus these four Princes taking with them such men as they stood in need of they parted after they had agreed upon the several ways which they were to take and of the place unto which they would send intelligence in case they heard any news of Mandana But when these four Troops had taken their several ways and that Cyrus marched and enquired all the way he went also when he considered how after he had taken Sinope Artaxates Babylon Sardis and Cumes and how after he had subdued so many Kingdoms and delivered Mandana when she was carried away by the King of Assiria by the Prince Mazares and by the King of Pontus now to see her carried away again by the Prince Ariantes he fell into a most extream dispair For he saw himself in as miserable a condition as he was when he went under the name of Artamenes when upon his return from Massagettes as he approached Thimiscyra he understood that the King of Assiria under the name of Philidaspes had carryed away Mandana yet sometimes he imagined that Ariantes perhaps had not carried her away but this imagination was very weak in him for having confidence in his secresy he had told him the the hour when he was to fight with the King of Assiria So as seeing he had carried away Mandana before he had so much as fought with his enemy he could not find any foundation of hope And not knowing well what to think of this cross adventure he very well saw it to be full of cruelty unto him In the mean time all his vigilancy and cares to enlighten his knowledge was in vain The Prince Artamas was no
lament him I have done it my self Madam replied Cyrus and have extreamly pittied the sad destiny of so great a Prince and I thank the Gods with all my heart that though he hath been my Rival and my Enemy yet that you Madam cannot charge me with his death And I assure you Madam that if I could revive him though with the same Love unto the Princess Mandana yet I should joyfully do it to cease your sorrows and stop your tears But Madam said he being forced by the violence of his love Why did you not bring the Princess Mandana with you That I might have been obliged unto the Prince Intaphernes and the Prince Atergatis for delivering her as I am for setting you at liberty Alas Sir replied she I need not answer this question but after I have commended your generosity in lamenting the death of your Enemy I must tell you that the Princess Mandana is now guarded with so much exactness that there is no delivering her but by the overthrow of Thomiris yet she is waited upon with much respect and she knows so well how to make her Ravishers fear her that the Prince Ariantes trembles as oft as he comes neer her and speaks unto her as humbly as if she were not in his power But Sir pursued she the news of taking the Fort of Sauromates hath extreamly amazed the Queen of Massagettes and if the Prince Ariantes had not been wounded it had been ere now besieged but that Prince being unable to act by reason of his wounds I believe the design is deferred for some certain daies After this Sir I must needs maugre my sorrow tell you of the Prince Intaphernes and the Prince Atergatis their generosity who knowing that those who conducted me were carrying me unto Arsamones a mortal Enemy unto the King my Brother did fight them and brought me unto you Sir When you know them well replied Cyrus you will finde that you are more obliged unto them then you imagine for as you are a Debtor unto them for your liberty so are you unto the Prince Atergatis for the liberty of Spitridates When one hath done no more then what was their duty to be done replied that Prince there is no obligations owing and by the same reason added Intaphernes I do declare that since I have done no more then what I ought to have done I cannot pretend unto any right of obligation However it be said Cyrus you will give us leave to think what we please But Madam added he I can stay no longer before I tell you that we expect the Prince Spitridates his being here very shortly Do you know Sir replied Araminta and both blush'd and sigh'd where that unfortunate Prince is I do not directly know in what place he is Madam replied Cyrus I know he will arrive here ere long and that he was at a Port in Cholcides when the Prince Tigranes did write unto the Princess Onesile and so I know he will ere long have the happiness of seeing you After this Sir Cyrus asked Intaphernes and Atergatis in what place they met this Princess And after they answered that they found her as she was passing over the river he asked Araminta whether the two Princesses which Arsamones gave as Hostages unto Thomiris were come or no To which she answered as she had before Intaphernes and Atergatis that they arrived the day before she came away and that she was extreamly sorry she could not obtain so much leave as to see the Princess of Bythinia whom she had long loved After this Cyrus told her that though the unfortunate King her Brother had only left her the Title of a Queen yet he would treat her as Queen in possession of those two Kingdoms which he had lost For Madam said he unto her I know that the Prince Spitridates will restore them to you and I am sure he will never enjoy the usurpation of Arsamones but as soon as he comes here will treat you as Queen of Pontus though his Father possess the Kingdom And Madam if it be the pleasure of fortune that I shall deliver Mandana Arsamones shall render Justice unto such as it is due unto Araminta charmed with the civility of Cyrus did answer him with as much generosity and spirit and with as much sorrow as generosity After which Cyrus ordered that she should be waited upon unto a stately Tent and to stay there until Boats were ready to convey her unto the Town where Onesile was where she might be more conveniently and safe At the first though Araminta did infinitely esteem that Princess yet when it was proposed to be with her she could hardly consent unto it because she was Sister in Law unto Phraartes but Cyrus satisfying her that this Princess did highly condemn the violence of Phraartes and that Tigranes was a dear friend unto Spitridates and a great Enemy unto his Brother for carrying her away she was well contented to be with her Also she seeing but two wayes to chuse either to stay in an Army or to stay with a most virtuous Princess she quickly resolved with her self and was conducted by Chrisantes unto her the day following Cyrus first sending to acquaint Onesile with the King of Pontus his death and with the death of Phraartes also with the arrival of Araminta to the end she might know how she ought to receive her The meeting of these two Princesses was very tender and they spoke so excellently unto each other as it was most evident they had both of them as much judgment as spirit and as much virtue as judgment In the mean time the Bridg being repaired and Cyrus being ready to go out of his Tent he resolved to pass over with all possible speed all such provisions as were requisite during his march and to disencamp as soon as they were over giving several orders for a continual supply of subsistance for his Army So that being to depart within two daies he resolved to imploy one of them upon a Visit unto the Queen of Pontus and to bid adieu unto the Princess of Armenia Since Cyrus loved the company of Anacharsis very well he obliged him unto this visit with him So that Cyrus setting out betimes in the morning accompanied with that renowned Scithean Indatherses Araspes Ligdamis Aglatidas Menesiphiles and Chersias it was early when he arrived Since Araminta was in mourning and moreover since he would treat her as a Queen he went first unto her and afterwards unto the Princess Onesile But he took no notice at his entrance that Anacharsis did not follow him but stayed at the bottom of the stairs with a stranger 'T is true as soon as he was in Araminta's Chamber he missed him and asked for him But Chersias telling him that he stayed with a man who seemed to have much business with him he went on with his visit and did ingage himself so deep in talk of Mandana with Araminta that he forgot Anacharsis
Queen she did not vehemently contradict her but on the contrary excused her violencies by some shallow reasons so that she might afterwards without incensing her produce more sollid Arguments to perswade her And indeed when she was alone with Thomiris she complained against the lamentable condition into which Fortune had brought her and pittied her that she should be brought unto such a cruell necessity as to be revenged upon so great a Prince as Cyrus was For though Gelonide did wish with all her heart that Thomiris did not love that Prince yet as the case stood she thought no way better to restrain her hands from the blood of Mandana then by the interest of her love Therefore fetching a compass the better to arrive at her end truly Madam sayd she unto her after much other discourse you are much to be pittied in your seeking revenge upon a Prince who is so much in Fortunes favour and so much esteemed by all the World For though they say Revenge is sweet yet I am perswaded that a Soul truly generous cannot seek revenge without abundance of Repugnancy especially when it must be steeped in blood However Madam added she very cunningly I hope your Soule hath changed its Passion and though it be troubled with the disquiet consequences of Hatred yet it is freed from the consequencies of Love Alas Gelonide replyed she I am more miserable then you imagine me and this first Passion hath not driven the other out of my heart But I beseech you Madam replyed Gelonide what likely-hood is there you should love Cyrus still for if you did you would never strive to make him hate you by persecuting Mandana for I am most confident that Cyrus would hate you much less for persecuting himself then for persecuting her whom he adores and therfore Madam if you do not hate that Prince think seriously upon what you do and if you will be advised by me in lieu of menacing the life of that Princess you shall protect it and force that Prince by your generosity to confess you merit his Esteem if not his Affection But I am most sure Madam that if you shed the blood of this Princess and do not hate Cyrus you will make your self the most miserable woman in the World and therfore consider well upon it if you do hate him then I grant you may satisfie your revenge by the most cruell and fatall wayes But if you do not hate him give a stop unto your fury and consider that if you do put Mandana to death Cyrus will do the like to you And though t is possible the love of Cyrus may dye with this Princess yet he will be sure to be your Enemy if you did put her to death Honour doth so engage him to make Warr upon you that though he should hereafter love you yet he durst not entertain any peace with you Therfore Madam sound your heart to the bottom and take heâ—d least thinking to entertain only hatred you find it to be all love I have heard say indeed that these two Passions as opposite as they are yet do somtimes so disguise themselves in such fallacious shews as they cannot be known from each other and when one hath thought he acted by dictates of Hatred it was indeed by dictates of Love Alas Gelonide sayd the Queen I have to my shame found all this to be true For I must with a blush confess that Cyrus is not out of my heart and if I did not love him still I should not seek revenge upon Mandana However I do carry it as if I would revenge the death of my Son though to speak truth my heart doth not accuse him for it Yes yes Gelonide since I must open my heart unto you I do look upon him as ungratefull towards me and not as if he were the Murtherer of Spargapises Thus at the very same time whilst I taxe him in Publick with this horrid Crime I do justifie him in the Closet of my heart as much as I can Since it is so Madam replyed Gelonide you must carry it otherwise and not put yourself into such a State as it will be impossible for you to be happy if Fortune should wheel about For Madam if you do not proceed to the very last Extremity who knows but you may hereafter have Cyrus in your Power he may chance be your Prisoner of Warr and may perchance become fettered in your Chains by Love if you use Mandana well at least this Prince will esteem you more and may happily in the end do justice both unto your Merit and your Affection Who knows also whether those Forces which are coming up to joyn with yours may not get you the advantage over Cyrus as now he hath it over you and whether Ciaxares may not be brought to demand Peace upon no other condition but to exchange Cyrus for Mandana And who knows whether this happy Peace may not satisfie the Passion of Ariantes and you both There is so little probability in all you say replyed Thomyris and sighed that I cannot flatter my self with any thoughts of it However Madam replyed Gelonide though it be not probable yet it is not impossible But if you put Mandana to death it is absolutely impossible that Cyrus should either love you or make any Peace with you Ah Gelonide replyed she you are a great stop unto my Revenge Why will you hinder me from the enjoyment of the only Pleasure that I can ever hope for yet I find your words make a deep impression in my heart and my fears to incurr the hatred of Cyrus restrain me from hating Mandana I wish with all my heart Madam replyed Gelonide that I were able to ease your Majesty of your sufferings but since I cannot yet I would perswade you if you love Cyrus not to provoke him to hate you by Sacrificing Mandana unto your Revenge For by that means I should preserve your glory and perhaps somthing satisfie the passion which raigns in your Soul As for my Glory replyed Thomyris I value it not for since I do not esteem my self I care not whether others do esteem me or no. As Thomyris was speaking this an old Officer of hers who had ever been very faithfull and affectionate to her Service came to tell her how he was very certainly given to understand that Ariantes was Master of all her Forces and that he had sent unto those who were coming up that he who guarded Mandana was wholly at his Command and that the People in generall began to fear the anger of the Gods if she should put this innocent Princess to death that they began to murmure and perhaps would Rebell if she persisted in her Design Since this advise came from a man whom she knew most faithfull it made some impression upon her Spirits and Gelonides discourse having prepared her Soul to receive it wel she thanked him for it and after she had dismissed him she began to consider
since you have supplyed my place the valour of Aripithes found greater resistance then he could have from me But valiant Enemy said he and turned towards him since you have a desire I should be yours I am well contented to bee so though I am not your Rivall And to stay untill you are in a condition to finde the difference between the valour of Spitridates and mine let me conduct you into one of my Tents that you may be dressed with as much care as if you were the best of my friends No replyed Aripithes fiercely for generous Enemies ought not to receive any thing from each other but death And because I will not lessen my hatred by receiving of benefits I will refuse your offer and desire no other favour from you but to let me return unto the Camp of Thomyris Though I might very well treat you as a Spye replyed Cyrus since you are found in a disguised habit during the Treaty Yet I will not but will let you have a Coach to carry you where you please Aripithes at first refused this last favour but at last perceiving he was not able to ride he was forced to accept of it And Cyrus sent immediately to seek a Coach and Chyrurgeons and left one to helpe his Squire to hold him up for he was not able to stand by himselfe Spitridates at parting gave him a very civill Complement unto which the other answered with a kind of surly civility After which this Prince followed Cyrus to perswade him unto his opinion concerning the ground which they had viewed In the mean time since he had received a little hurt in his left arme Cyrus would see him dressed though Spitridates would not have him and since the armes of that Prince were cut in severall places Cyrus sent him those rich Armes which he wore the first time when the forty Cavalliers conspired to kill him and since wore upon severall great occasions Since they were very rich and magnificent the Present was worthy both of the giver and Receiver In the mean time the five dayes of Treaty being expired and Anacharsis had effected nothing this sage Scythian was forced to leave Thomyris unto her bad destinies and came unto Cyrus But it is observable that before he departed he understood how that Queen hearing how Aripithes was returned wounded and that he went from the Camp with a design of killing Cyrus she was so incensed against him that she commanded him to retire for though she much complained against Cyrus yet she did not wish his death so as not being able to hide her angry resentments and Aripithes hearing of them he was so grieved that he dyed within twenty four hours after But Thomyris was not long in this mind for so it chanced that on the last day of the Treaty Cyrus writ unto Mandana and sent her Letter by a disguised servant to the end Gelonide might convey it unto that Princesse This Letter in lieu of coming to the hands of Gelonide did fall into the hands of Thomyris for the servant being stopped by the way by some accident or other he came not to the place where the Queen was untill an hour after the Treaty ended but it did so perplex the heart of this Princesse that hatred took the place of Love For Cyrus thinking this would be the last Letter which he should write unto Mandana before the end of the Warre which could never end before either his death or the liberty of his Princess he writ it with un-imaginable passionateness concerning her and with extream bitternesse concerning Thomyris The truth is all the most tender expressions which the most zealous love could invent were included within this Letter which came to the hands of this Queen whose spirits were so much incensed at it that if Cyrus had promised her some eternall affection and had by this given her some testimonies of his inconstancy she could not possibly have been more incensed against him So as thinking upon nothing but Warre and Revenge and all her Forces being in as good a posture as she could wish she prepared for a Combate Ariantes on his side seeing that a Battle must be fought to decide this great businesse upon which depended the happinesse or misery of so many illustrious persons began to think upon all manner of stratagems which might ruine Cyrus and finding that it would be a marvellous disadvantage to him if Thomyris could get the Fort of Sauromates into her power because then if the Army of Cyrus were engaged on this side the woods he had no place of retreat in case he were overcome and therefore he imagined all manner of wayes how to bring this great design about Cyrus on the other side being much perplexed that Thomyris by her frivolous Negotiations had retarded his designs he did begin to think how he might by his diligence gayn that time which had been lost Yet he had the satisfaction of being commended by the wise Anacharsis who declared him free from all the sadd consequences of this War After which he went unto the Queen of Pontus and the Princess of Armenia at the Fort of Sauromates In the mean while how desirous soever both sides were of fighting yet it was a long time before any assaults were given because each side watching for advantage and unwilling to hazard a definitive Battle rashly they would not fall on without some appearance of it But in the interim of all these great preparations Mandana lived in such a generall ignorance as that she knew nothing For neither the Princesse of Bythinia nor Istrina nor Arpasia did see her so as she had no other consolation but what she had from Doralisa and Martesia Yet she had so much satisfaction as to imagine that if things went not on the side of Cyrus they would tell her For Thomiris and Ariantes used always to let her know the worst but concealed the best news from her And since it was many dayes since they told her any thing she concluded by infallible consequence that the side of Cyrus had the advantage Thus her hopes that Cyrus would be victorious and she ere long released did afford her soule much tranquility But at last after long watching for advantages on both sides both Cyrus and Thomyris resolved to give Battle And though Cyrus could have wished a little longer delay because he knew that a very great force vvhich Ciaxares sent him vvas very nigh Yet since he never in his life refused fighting vvhen any occasion vvas offered he could not novv recoile so as every one in both Armies preparing for a Fight one might have seen the very same spirit and the same zeale in tvvo huge Armies On the one side Thomyris and Ariantes omitted nothing which might conduce to obtaine the victory On the other side Cyrus and Mandanes were as vigilant and circumspect as possible to vanquish and release Mandana Myrsiles Intaphernes Atergatis and Hidaspes exasperated by interest of
Love they did contribute their whole assistance unto Cyrus and to get the victory And the last of these had a new reason to desire it for he understood that Meliantes was in the Tents Royall and that Lycander did not know him to be his Rivall Moreover Artamus Tygranes Spitridates and all the rest of the brave Ones in this Army prepared themselves for victory or death But though Cyrus at other times when he was ready to give battell was wont to be all joy yet now his spirits were not so tranquill as he was wont and he perceived in himself such a secret melancholly the cause of which he knew not as seemed a bad Omen unto him Yet he did dissemble it as much as he could and tempered his sad thoughs with reason Indeed he was as active as if he resented no such thoughts yet that day he would weare only a a common suit of Arms but as for Spitridates he wore those which Cyrus gave him and he wore them with so good a grace and so noble a Aire as he was much more resembling that illustrious Hero Indeed many souldiers who knew not that Cyrus had given those rich arms unto Spitridates did take him for Cyrus and were deceived by that marvelous resemblance which was between them However though Cyrus had only common Arms yet he had so high an Air and such a Princely command that it was easie to see that it was his admirable presence which was his only ornament and which attracted the looks of all about him But at last after Orders were given in both Armies some certain spies which Cyrus had in the Army of Thomyris returned unto his who acquainted him that in the morning there had been a combate betwixt two strangers who were with that Queen the name of the one was Meliantes and the other Lycander that the first had killed theâ— second and that the Conquerour was still in favour with Thomyris and would be in the battell relating afterwards all they knew concerning the Enemies Army Hydaspes being then with Cyrus heard what the spies said for he commanded them to speak aloud before Hydaspes so as being exceedingly grieved that this amiable Rivall was not killed by the Ravisher of Arpasia he made a hundred vows to meet him in the battell and to have a particular combat with him in the generall battell for he alwaies had observed that Meliantes was so much in Arpasias favour that he could not choose but be jealous yet since that place was not fit for the expressing the resentments of his Soule hee said not a word unto Cyrus whose mind was so taken up with desires of vanquishing that he took no notice of Hydaspes In the mean while the fatall moment destined for the beginning of this bloody battle being come the two Armies which were drawn up almost with equal advantage advanced and as soon as ever they were within bow shot a cloud of Arrows began to dusk the Air But when their Quiers were emptied and that all their other Engins had done their Execution the sword undertook to decide this great and terrible dayes work which did nothing resemble the battells which Cyrus formerly sought For in other battells he alwaies fought his Troops in order but in this he could not possibly and there was such a confusion in both Armies that the souldiers hardly knew their own colours However the fight was sharp and bloody and there was such an animosity between the Combatants as there appeared the same cruelty in both of them As for Cyrus his actions were this day so prodigious that were they particularized they would be incredible for in the midst of this great disorder where death looked grim on all sides he helpt the feeble rallied those which fled and going continually from place to place it may be said that he run through all the dangers of the battell yet his care could not bring him to meet with Ariantes but he killed the valiant Octomasades with his own hand and he made his way through all places where his sword did glitter Indeed this great Prince being seconded by the valour of Mazares and so many valiant Commanders and brave men that he had put his Enemies so to rout as the victory had been his without dispute Thomiris and Ariantes had been ruin'd and Mandana released had it not been for one peice of ill news which he received For as he was in this glorious condition intelligence was brought him that Andramites had surprized the Fort of Sauromates that he had sent the Queen of Pontus and the Princess of Armenia unto the Tents Royall that Anacharsis and the King of Hyrcania were in the Fort very slenderly guarded that Andramites told Meriontes that he was free and that Meriontes told him again he would not be so but would return unto Cyrus as soon as he could take horse for he would not be delivered by any hand but that which had saved his life Adding that Andramites was with his Troops between the Fort and the Wood which was burnt This news doubtless did much trouble Cyrus but since the bringers of it had told it confusedly unto all they met it had such ill consequences that it intirely changed the destiny of the battell for things were told and heard in tumult they are never rightly understood so as passing in a short time from mouth to mouth in the very midst of the Combat the tale was so changed that it was told the Van-guard that the Rearguard was routed that the Army of Cyrus was set about on all sides and that Thomyris her self in person was at the Fort of Sauromates to hinder Cyrus in his retreat This false news did so blunt the valour of the souldiers that from hopes of being Conquerours they fell to fears of being conquered and indeed were like to be so for they were so full of Pannick fears that the flying Enemy perceiving it did rally again and the destiny changing â—they shrunk before those whom they put to rout Spitridates who was gon to the left wing after this ill news was known he was so compassed by those whom fears had most put into confusion that he did what he could to infuse courage into them and to bring them to fight but he could not yet he reassembled a little body with which he kept his ground but it was so inconsiderable in comparison of that vast body which was before him that as brave as he was he thought it impossible to retreat without dishonour but this Prince wearing those rich arms which Cyrus had formerly so gloriously worn he thought himself obliged to do somthing extraordinary and therefore he incouraged those whom he had rallied to second him in his design and by his example to move those who fled to return so as in this dangerous occasion he did things worthy his resemblance of Cyrus In the mean time Ariantes being in the head of those who were before Spitridates also knowing those
upon Ariantes who being vexed to the heart that he had not vanquished his Rivall he made a Passe upon the Assyrian These two then like two who would have either death or victory maintained a fight most courageously Thomyris seeing it and being extreamly angry against the Prince her Brother for disobeying her and for perpetually opposing of her when she offered to persecute Mandana she commanded them both to be seized upon and that both the Prince her Brother Cyrus and Meliantes should be carefully guarded so as since it was an easie matter to take two men who were striving one against the other they were both of them easily arrested Yet there were some who were friends unto Ariantes that would have made some stir but the presence of Thomyris hindered them In the mean time this Queen not knowing well what thoughts to have of Cyrus she would not speak unto him but commanded he should be carryed into one of her Tents and so strongly guarded as that there might be no feare of his escape As for Meliantes he and Intaphernes and Atergatis were put together that one Guard might serve them all So that when Mereontes Myrsiles Chrisantes and Hydaspes returned unto the Tents Royall disguised like Massagettans they found Cyrus a Prisoner that Meliantes was the like That Ariantes was arrested that Intaphernes Atergatis and Feraulas were taken and that Mandana was more strictly guarded than ever That Thomyris since the imprisonmet of her Brother had changed the Guards of that Princesse and indeed they knew not how all this sudden alteration came about So that to have a little time of consideration what to do they went concealed themselves in a Tent of one of those Sauromattan Captains with whom Mereontes had treated In the mean time the report of Cyrus being alive did make so great a noise that the imprisonment of Ariantes did not make a greater For nothing almost was talked of but Cyrus and it was so much the talke of every one that Mandana heard of it by her Guards The Princess of Bythinia also understood from hers that Intaphernes was arrested Istrina heard that Atergatis had the same Destinie And Arpasia was not ignorant that Meliantes was a prisoner So as then looking upon him as more miserable then Hydaspes the tendernes of her heart augmented towards him and she was sorry to think that she was the cause of such an excellent mans misfortune who had killed two which had rendered her most miserable if they had lived Martesia also for her particular heard that Feraulas was in the hands of Thomyris and Fate had so disposed of things that nothing but sorrow and despair was on all sides When this News was heard in the Army of Cyrus there was an Universal murmure And when it was known in the Army of Thomyris all those of any reason did apprehend that she would by her violencies against Cyrus against Mandana and against the Prince her Brother force her owne Subjects to arm themselves against her and joyn with her Enemies In the mean time the great Design which was just ripe was now not fit to be executed For this change had made an alteration in their measures and this great Revolution did so blast the spirits of every one as that they talked of nothing but what had happened and what was like to happen But if persons indifferent were thus perplexed what is to be thought of persons interested and amongst them the Princesse Mandana For after the sight of that cruell action of Thomyris when she thought Cyrus was dead might she not well feare the same now while he was living and in the power of this incensed Queen The most pleasing thought she had was in hopes to see Cyrus unfaithfull for said she unto Doralisa and Martesia since Cyrus is discontented at me and seems by his Letter to believe that I was not grieved at his death is it not likely that he will not think himselfe obliged to be faithfull unto one whom he thinks perfidious and so ceasing his scorn of Thomyris he may perhaps begin to hate me But alas added she this is the greatest advantage I can expect unto my selfe if he should do so for if this unfortunate Prince say true he loves me still as perfidious as hee thinks me So as if he continue obstinate still against the cruell Thomyris perhaps she will cause him to be stabbed in my presence so as I am in such a condition as I must inevitably either see Cyrus unfaithfull or dye Oh most cruell necessity cryed she out oh rigorous Fate unto what miseries have you reserved me and vvhat strange Torments have you prepared for me But oh ye most just gods never let Cyrus accuse me of any inconstancy or ingratitude Cleer up his spirits I beseech you open his eyes and let him see that he wrongs the most faithfull person in the world by suspecting her of any infidelity But alas said she and reprehended her selfe in wishing that Cyrus should know the constancy of my affection perhaps I wish his death and make prayers against his life since the more he belives me faithfull the more he will incense the cruell Thomyris Madam said Doralisa unto her there hath hapned such wonderfull alterations in your life that me thinks you should not despair of any thing For Cyrus was thought to be dead in the Bythinian War He thought you ready to perish in the Conflagration of Sinope he believed you drown'd when he found Mazares ready to expire Mazares himselfe thought so a long time Cyrus was believed so over all Asia and you your selfe thought you saw him dead with your own eyes 'T is true Doralisa replyed Mandana that all these so fell out But it is a much greater difficulty to imagine how I should come happily out of this miserable condition wherein I am For Cyrus is in the power of a most cruell person who seemed to rejoyce at his death vvho locked upon that bloody head of Spitridates vvhich she thought vvas his vvith much delight and vvhose soule is inspired with such a violent and furious passion as is ready to prompt her unto any thing For my part Madam replyed Martesia I cannot imagin that Thomyris will be so cruel unto Cyrus living as she was to Cyrus dead For when she thought he had lost his life perhaps a secret sorrow for his death caused all her rage and thinking him dead in thoughts of scorn unto her she was cruell unto him after his death but I cannot believe she will be so inhumane unto him living for hopes both flattering and sweetning her spirit it will allay her cruelty Also added Doralisa when I consider how you got out of the power of the King of Assyria of Mazares and of the King of Pontus you have reason to hope that both Cyrus and you will get out of the power of Thomyris Alas Doralisa said Mandana Cyrus cannot be his own deliverer as he might have been mine And
though the Prince Mazares should be as happy as he is brave and though he should have more generosity then love yet I have no grounds for any hope because I believe that if he attempt any thing the life of Cyrus will be the more in danger since Thomyris had rather see him dye then delivered Also it grieves me that his Rivall is a prisoner as well as he For he being obliged unto him being generous and having some power over his own spirit I might hope if he were at liberty that he would prevent all sad consequences of Thomyris her passion But alas it hath pleased the Gods to deprive me of all relief and to take all hopes from me As Mandana was talking in this sad manner Hesionide all in tears came and beseeched this Princess to go into Araminta's Tent For though Thomyris had commanded that all the captive Ladies should be severed yet Araminta was not by reason of her excessive sorrows As much grieved as Mandana was for her own interests yet she would not deny assistance unto a Princess whom she so much esteemed but went into heâ— Tent and found her in a most lamentable condition for she would never eate any thing since she knew of Spitridates his death She was grown so weak and yet had such a violent Feaver that it was easie to see that her grief would soon ease her of all her payns Yet her reason was very perfect and though her voyce was very faint yet she could expresse her selfe most sensibly unto Mandana I beg your pardon Madam said she unto her for augmenting your sorrows by a sight of mine yet since I have but a few minutes to live I hoped that you would give me leave to make one request unto you Alas Madam replyed Mandana My condition is so deplorable that there is nothing in my power but to lament your misfortunes and weep with you Yet I assure you Madam that there is nothing but things impossible which I would not do for you My request is replyed the miserable Araminta that by the power you have with Ariantes you will obtain from him that Spitridates and I may have but one Tomb That you will let the illustrious Cyrus know I leave him all the right which I have unto the Kingdome of Pontus And that I conjure him to keep in memory that unfortunate Prince who had the glory to resemble him and dye in his service But above all Madam I beseech you so contrive it that Death may unite what the cruelty of Fate hath severed and that Spitridates and Araminta may have but one Grave I hope Madam replyed Mandana that you will not stand in need of my help and that you will live to erect a Monument unto that Illustrious Prince for whom you grieve But if you do not alas Madam I shall not be able to do that Office which you desire For the Prince Ariantes is arrested by orders from Thomyris The miserable Cyrus is in Fetters and I am in as great a desire of death as you are Do thy worst Fortune do thy worst replyed Araminta weakly and after thou hast taken two Kingdoms from me deny me a Grave and deprive me of the only satisfaction which I had left which was my hope that the Prince whom Spitridates resembled might be happy As for you Madam added she holding Mandana by the hand I have nothing to say unto you since you have occasions enough for your own Tears and your afflictious deserves them After this Aransinta was silent and turned to the other side And about two hours after she fell into such a profound Lethargy that she never recovered out of it but only to pronouuce the name of the miserable Spitridates and dyed patiently Such a sad augmentation of sorrow as this filled the imagination of Mandana vvith all the horrours of death Yet that of Araminta vvas most vvorthy of life and of that passion vvhich possessed her soule For during that quarter of an hour vvhich she recovered she vvas full of high expressions She told Mandana that she did not stand in need of all her patience constancy to suffer the losse of tvvo Kingdoms to suffer Exile and imprisonment but she stood in need of more then all she had to endure the death of Spitridates She spoke most obligingly of the Bythinian Princelle She recommended Hesionide unto her She beseeched the Gods to pardon her vveaknesses and excesse of sorrovvs Also she prayed them to unite her spirit unto the spirit of Spitridates After vvhich she dyed quietly vvithout any strugling or losse of that beauty vvhich rendered her the most charming Princess upon Earth though that vvas the lovvest of those rare qualities vvhich made her admired In the mean time Mandana endeavoured to do her that office vvhich she desired and entreated the Physitian of Thomyris vvho savv her dye to be a mediator unto this Queen that Aramintas Tomb and Spitridates his might be all one And this man being much moved vvith compassion he obtained of Thomyris vvhat Araminta desired Thus Death united vvhat Fortune had separated and these tvvo illustrious persons vvho could not sit upon one Throne did lye both in one grave But all this while Ariantes was in most incredible torment in fears lest Thomyris should take any violent course against Mandana and his fears of it were such that hee almost wished her in the power of Cyrus rather than of Thomyris On the other side Myrsiles was extreamly grieved at his Arrest and that he was not able to do any service unto Mandana Cyrus or Doralisa Intaphernes and Atergatis were as much grieved as he but Feraulas was incomparably most of all dejected Meliantes also was vexed that Hidaspes was not a Prisoner as wel as some of those who came upon the same design The Princesse of Bythinia grieved for the death of her brother for Araminta for the imprisonment of her Lover Istrina also was sadly concerned in the affliction of that Princesse in the misfortune of Atergatis And Arpasia was very sad because Meliantes was a prisoner and because she knew not where Hydaspes was But put all the miseries of all these persons together they were all incomparable to that of Cyrus For when it came into his thoughts that his Rivall was a prisoner because he should not defend the life of Mandana against the fury of Thomyris his grief was beyond all expression which way soever he turned his thoughts he could find no consolation For if he considered Thomyris as his Enemy he could not endure his fetters If he thought upon her as his Lover she was more odious unto him If he remembred all his victories he remembred them with sorrow since his Fate was changed Iâ— he called to memory the cruelty of Thomyris unto the deaâ— Spitridates when she took him for himselfe he prepared himselfe to dye in the same cruell manner And if he thought upon Mandana he thought upon her with unimaginable sorrow