under his power called Utica not far distant from Carthage he always accompanied him Aronces by this means being very little in Clelia's company whom he then considered but as Clelius his Daughter to whom he was obliged both for his life and education and it is as natural for those of fifteen or sixteen years to seek those which are elder he having nigh compleated a lustre more than Clelia did not at this time much esteem her the pleasures he found with the Carthaginian and Numidian Princes diverting his eyes from that amiable Object whose Beauty as he hath since confessed to me began then to emit those rayes which have since wounded his heart but he so well behaved himself towards Clelius and Sulpitia that they loved him as if he had been their Son and expended for him as if he had been their Child but Madam that you may the better understand my Narration you must know that the Prince of Carthage hath a man of Quality depending on him named Amilcar whom he much loved and which is the most agreeable and accomplished man in the World who contracted so great a friendship with Aronces that it is reported Amilcar was no more loved by the Carthaginian Prince than Aronces was of Amilcar And this young Prince having taken a resolution to travel unknown Amilcar desired that Aronces should accompany him and Clelia having consented thereto Aronces being then sixteen years old and the young Clelia twelve departed with the Prince of Carthage and Amilcar to see Greece but that which was most remarkable was that at their return the Tempest having cast them in Sicyly instead of returning to Carthage as they intended they resolved to see Rome and the greatest part of the principal Cities of Tuscany and these two opposite Voyages requiring some time to perform them they were four years before they returned to Carthage Aronces being twenty and Clelia sixteen when they finished their peregrination but before I tell you what passed between Clelia and him at their first enterview it will be requisite to acquaint you that at their departure from Rome where the violences of Tarquin continued the Prince of Carthage who travelled unknown encountred an Illustrious Roman named Horatius whom the unjust Tarquin had banished who without knowing where to pass the time of his exile acquainted himself with Aronces who very well understood the Latine Tongue because Clelius who loved his Country even to sacrifice his life for it would not have Aronces ignorant of that Language Horatius having a desire therefore to leave it some time to go into a strange Country was very glad to find one endowed with so many rare qualities which spoke his Language and who having learn'd his design proposed to him to go to Carthage where he assured him he should find Clelius whose name and vertue Horatius very well knew for his Father and his had been alwayes friends though they had been Rivals and Aronces having an Inclination to serve Horatius not only because he appeared to have much Spirit but because he was a Roman and Son to one of Clelius's his Friends entreated Amilcar to pray the Prince of Carthage that this illustrious exile might accompany him and find an asylum with him and Amilcar following his natural generosity and willing to satisfie Aronces whom he loved easily obtained of the Prince of Carthage that which he demanded who became from this time Aronces's particular Friend he not foreseeing that which should one day divide them but Madam before I declare the Arrival of this Illustrious Troop at Carthage you must know that leaving them at Capua I shall somewhat enlarge my Discourse and tell you that during the four years of Aronces's absence Clelia was mounted to such a transcendent height of perfection that there was nothing spoke of at his Return but her Beauty at Carthage and she had had so many attractive Graces that she took all hearts captive and made them do vassalage and homage to her He who had the greatest Authority in Carthage and who was named Maharball was become so amorous of her that he was not in estate to observe the Laws of the Country acknowledging no other than those love had imposed upon him but as he is a violent man and very rich he imagined that if he did but demand Clelia of her Father he should without doubt obtain her and if Clelius had been a Carthaginian he had easily given him his Daughter but as he had a Roman heart and had not renouneed his Country he could not resolve to give Clelia to a man which was not of his Country and without disguising his thoughts he would have at first explicated himself when this Marriage was proposed to him though it appeared to be very advantagious for him for without doubt Marharball's Authority was greater there than any others for the Prince of Numidia who was captivated by this fair Person durst not openly testifie his love for as he was than an Hostage with the Carthaginians by reason of a Treaty his Father had made with this Republique he had been very imprudent if he had declared himself his Rival who held him in his power and which it may be upon sleight pretexts would have arrested him or at least made him depart from Carthage and estrange himself from his beloved Object to whom he only endeavoured to make his love appear though he knew very well that Clelius had said he would not marry his Daughter but to a Roman yet he doubted not but if he could touch Clelius heart to make him alter his resolution and to prefer him before that Puissant Rival who so highly declared himself for he believed that a Numidian Prince ought to be more considered by Clelius than a man which had but a limited Authority and which had it not for ever Thus you see Madam in what estate things were when the Prince of Carthage Aronces Amilcar and Horatius arrived there but as Fortune from very inconsiderable beginnings discloseth those Events which oftentimes prove remarkable Aronces revisited the Fair Clelia in such a gallant manner that it much contributed to that passion which since hath tormented his life for be pleased to know Madam that as Carthage hath been heretofore begun to be builded by the Illustrious Dido in a place which was bought of the Phenicians which then inhabited there and since finished by them it hath ever remained as a mark of dependance of that proud City to that of Tyre for there is built there every Year a Magnificent Vessel in which they send to the Phenicians the tenth part of the Republique Revenue with the tenth part of the Booty and Prisoners that are taken in War they likewise exchange every Year two Virgins chosen by lot and those which come to demand this tribute bring two Phenicians and receive two Carthaginians which are always most advantagiously married in both Countries as this Ceremony is famous there is in one day
of Clusium and that of the Prince of Perusia was without doubt the way to put him in a capacity to give law to all Etruria and to dispute the power with the famous Vulturnum and with proud Rome it self but knowing the resentments the King of Perusia had against the King of Clusium his Father she was strongly perswaded that he would never consent to hearken to any terms whilst he was in prison or that if he did hearken to it he would never give his Daughter to his Prisoner 't is therefore said she to him we must contrive a way to render you happy and to give the Peace to two Estates which cannot subsist in War Alas Madam what expedient may a Prince find overwhelmed with so many different chances as I highly esteem your vertue I will propose to you a proposition which according to all appearances may effect happily your design if you follow my advice But generous Porsenna pursued she before I tell it you you must solemnly swear to me and do not promise me that which you will not inviolably keep I promise you Madam said he to her that I will never violate my word I give you and that I will not make use of the priviledge that may be granted to Prisoners not to perform their promise but likewise promise me that you will not command me to disrespect you or not to affect Galerita on the contrary replied Nicetale I intend to put you in a possibility always to love her and to permit her to love you innocently till the expiration of her life but to make this design succeed happily I must steer my course so that you may depart from prison without any suspition that I was privy to it you must therefore said she not go to Clusium for fear you should not be there Master of your self but you must go to the King of Cera who remaining neuter during this War is very fit to be a Mediator between the King of Clusium and the Prince my Husband but before it 's put in execution you must promise me that in case by your solicitations and address you can neither conclude a Peace between these two Princes nor to oblige them to consent that you may espouse Galerita you will come back to reassume your chains for it is not just knowing your valour and good fortune in the War I should put such a valiant man as you in the head of an Army which must fight against Mezentius for though he is sometimes violent and unjust I am his Wife and ought to espouse his interest against all the World think therefore if you are capable to accomplish my desires as Porsenna was amorous and Nicetales proposition was equitable he promised her with joy to perform all the desired on condition she would likewise promise him to use all her power that he might espouse Galerita so the agreement being fully concluded they resolved that this Princess should return to Perusia and he that commanded the Castle absolutely depending on Nicetale should give him leave to escape and Porsenna through an interest of love was obliged to wish the absence of his beloved object as Nicetale desired passionately Peace should be concluded before the beginning of the Spring she hastened her return to accelerate the execution of her design but as she now look'd upon Porsenna as a Prince which should espouse her Daughter she permitted them to have some particular conference the day which preceded her departure whilst she entertained below a Lady of Quality which had arrived there that Morning so that Porsenna in this manner bid adieu to that young and fair Person the Grandeur of whose Spirit equalling her great Beauty made her to tell things most judicious to the Prince whom she was about to leave for after he had made to her a thousand Protestations of fidelity she told him she would not oblige him to so many things as the Princess her Mother had in case that he could not make a pacification between the King of Clusium and the Prince of Perusia she would only desire him not to bear Arms against the Prince her Father but Porsenna having answered her that if he was free honour would force him to fight for his Father and both love and honour equally engaging him to her if he could not conclude a Peace he would come back to re-assume his Irons which seemed to him much lighter than those with which love had chained him in fine Madam this separation was so tender and sensible and those which have related this Adventure say that it was scarce credible that so young a Person as Galerita should have power to draw her self from his conversation with so much judgment and address and assuredly this particular entertainment much encreased the Princes affection In the mean time Nicetale after she had reconfirmed her promises to him and he had renewed his to her returned to Perusia leaving a secret order with him which commanded the Castle who was the Son of the Princess Galerita's Governess to favour Porsenna's escape in four or five days but so privately to act it that he might not in the least appear culpable of it this man over whom his Mother had as much power by her address as by that which nature gave her disposed himself to hazard his Fortune in hopes to advance it and executed it so happily a few days after the Princess Nicetale was returned to Perusia that Porsenna saved himself as if he had suborned some of his Guards who went with him neither did Mezentius know any thing of Porsenna's love to Galerita nor the Intelligence of Nicetale with Porsenna In the mean time this Prince according to his word went to Cera from whence he sent to the King of Clusium to intreat him to endeavour to conclude a Peace with the Prince of Perusia by proposing his Marriage with the Princess his Daughter and he to whom this imployment was committed being a man of Quality very fit to perform this Commission Porsenna fully instructed him of all the reasons which might oblige the King his Father to consent to his Propositions charging him that if he would not effect it to tell him that he was not free but in appearance and that he would return to the Prison of the Prince of Perusia when his hopes were frustrated of espousing the Princess Galerita and to give Peace to two of the most considerable Estates of all Etruria at first the King of Clusium was strangely irritated against the Prince his Son because he went to Cera and not to him and vented his anger against his Proposition but Porsenna having secretly wrote to those which had some credit over this his Father's Spirit that they might induce him to make Peace they knew so well how to represent to him that his people were weary of War and the advantage that the Marriage of his Son with the blooming youth of the Perusian Princess would bring him that in the end he
seeming to him he might justly complain of Clelia for detaining such a Jewel from him But whilst the Princess of Perusia entertained Aronces Tiberinus spoke to the Princess of the Leontines who being opposite to his affection could hardly contain her self from shewing that mortal Enmity her Soul had contracted against him for Aurelia she conversed with those Ladies which accompanied the Perusian Princess and Sycanus entertained Celeres but in fine the Princess having performed her visit after she had received a magnificent Collation at the Apartment of Aurelia she returned to the Boat which had wafted her over the Lake conducted by Aurelia to her Chariots which attended her on the other side of the Lake but she was no sooner gone when Nicius and Martia came from those places where they were conceal'd and the Princess of the Leontines spoke to Aurelia to solicit her to remember her promise so that Aurelia having spoke to Sycanus of it and Sycanus to Aronces he was resolved for many important reasons that the next day after Dinner Celeres should go to the Chamber of the Princess of the Leontines to recount unto her all that she desired of the fortune of Aronces whose adventures he knew almost to the least circumstances but to the end he might make a better recital of them he went this Night to the Prince of Numidia's Lodging from whose mouth he learn'd the love he had for Clelia and all the Occurrences thereupon this Prince telling it to him to the end he should tell it to Aronces he being denyed the liberty to speak to him so that Celeres being fully instructed either by Aronces the Prince of Numidia or his own observations in all that which might content the curiosity of this Princess he went the next day to her Chamber where she with much impatience expected his coming there being only with her Sycanus and Aurelia he had scarce entred her Lodging where she importunately solicited him to begin his discourse which after a little consideration he perform'd in this manner The History of Aronces and Clelia I Cannot tell Madam whether my words may seem impertinent when I tell you that 't is not possible for you to comprehend the present fortune of this Prince if I do not intermix in my relation some particularity reflecting on the King his Fathers life What said the Princess of the Leontines interrupting him is Aronces a Kings Son Yes Madam replyed Celeres Aronces is Son of the most Illustrious King of all Etruria and the unhappiest King of the Earth for the King Porsenna is his Father I pray you replyed the Princess of the Leontines if it lyes in the sphere of your knowledge to acquaint me with the adventures of Porsenna as well as those of Aronces not concealing any thing from me if it please you for though I reside sometime in this Country I have heard them but very confusedly because I have had so many unquiet thoughts which have disturbed my Spirit that I had not any curiosity to inform my self of the misery of others when I had no power constantly to support my own Since you command it Madam and that you desire of me is necessary to instance you of the deplorable estate of the Prince Aronces I must deduce my discourse further than I at first intended and tell you that the precedent King of Clusium Porsenna's Father waging War against the Prince of Perusia now regnant gained a famous Battel but the sequel proved unfortunate for the Prince his Son under whose Command his Troops were Victorious too far pursuing those he had vanquished was taken prisoner so that Mezentius believing to have had as much advantage in this occasion as his Enemy the Victory produced no peace between these two Princes but the War continued as before In the mean time Porsenna who was one of the fairest Princes in the World and who is now one of the ancientest Illustrious Kings in the Earth was used with as much Civility as one in his condition could expect though he was kept with as much exactness as if instead of being a Prisoner of War he had been a Prisoner of State he was therefore put in a Castle about six miles from Perusia and which is so advantagiously scituated that one hundred men may defend it against one thousand but for his good or ill fortune I know not which to term it the Princess Nicetale the first Wife of the Prince of Perusia being very sick was ordered to go for the recovery of her health to an Air less subtle than that of Perusia and her Physicians finding none more commodious for her than the Castle in which the Prince Porsenna was kept advised her to go thither for as it 's very great and that it hath one Tower which is so far divided from it she might reside in the Castle without the knowledge of any of his Guard but going thither she carried along with her the Princess Galerita her only Daughter who was then about fifteen years old and who was of such a piercing and prodigious beauty that she could not be seen without admiration the Prince Porsenna whom Nicetale visited many times in the Tower where he was kept would not see her without being sensibly told that he became more captive of the Daughter through the love she gave him than the Father by the Laws of War Nicetale being a Princess of great Spirit no sooner perceived the passion that the young Galerita had produced in Porsenna she joyfully countenanced it for she being naturally inclined to Peace pitch'd upon this productive love as the only means which might establish it between the King of Clusium and the Prince of Perusia her Husband and far from opposing its continuation contributed much to the progression thereof by the frequent visits she vouchsafed this Illustrious Captain who seeing the bloing youth of the Person whom he loved and not seeing her without the Princess Nicetale judged that to acquire the love of Galerita he might first gain the friendship of Nicetale and indeed he had such an ascendant over her that she loved him as if he had been her Son In the mean time he managed his love so discreetly that the young Princess of Perusia knew that he had for her that as she had heard term'd love and she likewise felt that she had for him I know not what tenderness that she never yet had for any Person but in the end without expatiating my self to tell you with what Gallantry and address this loving Prisoner perswaded his love to her which had produced it I shall only tell you that he acquainted her with it by writing and obtained Nicitales permission to speak to her of it which in the high esteem she had for him received this confession of his love for her Daughter in a most obliging manner for she then unlock'd to him the secret of her heart telling him that she knew that the touching of the Estate of the King
manner that if you could see my heart you would never have the injustice to deface your Image from it I know amiable Clelia that I am unfortunate an unknown One but if you knew my flame and the purity of my thoughts you would not be offended to be beloved in the manner I love you take then the pains to know them and condemn me not without it I pray you But to the end I may know if you consent to my demand I declare to you that if you answer me not I shall believe that you favourably entertain my love and that I shall have nothing but to render you thanks for it but on the contrary if you take a resolution to treat me rigorously I had rather receive a cruel Letter than receive none I pray you make me not despair for in the passion I have for you I cannot lose hope without losing my life The reading of this Letter so much surprised Clelia that she could not tell what she felt in reading it for as she much esteemed Aronces and had much inclination towards him she could not entertain a disobliging anger against him Nevertheless her natural modesty checkt her to do it 'T is true as she knew her Fathers thoughts it was followed with some momentary grief to see it was not permitted her to give any reasonable hope to the person in the world she believed most worthy of her if she had known his birth and if her Father had not had an intention never to marry her but to a Roman so that this astonishment anger and grief so much possessed her Spirit that she thought not to read Horatius his Letter and if her distraction had not made her open it without thinking on it she would have slept without seeing it but having opened it without any design to do it and seeing the Song she demanded if Horatius was not there and that it was only a Letter she read it but not without less astonishment than she had done Aronces For in fine Madam I can shew you a Copy of it that I will read to you seeing you will not be ignorant of any thing in which Aronces is interested Horatius to Clelia I Send you not those Verses you demanded of me because having perused them I found they did not merit your sight and if I dare say so they were even unworthy of me but there is another reason which hinders me from obeying you for in fine amiable Clelia I foresee I go to be so cruelly used by you that you would not sing a Song which I made T' is not but that I use all means possible not to be rigorously treated but I sensibly feel that when I tell you now I love you you will soon divine it 't is therefore I had rather declare it to you my self to the end you may have some obligation to me to have concealed it so long from you Know then divine Clelia that the first minute I saw you was the first of my passion and that the last of my love will be the last of my life I know I have not great quality enough to merit you but I know I have divers things which may hinder me from being ill used For in fine I am a Roman I am beloved by Clelius my love and hate runs in the same current as his I am an Exile as he is I am unfortunate and I love you more than can be imagined dispose therefore absolutely of my destiny but if it is possible banish me not from your heart as I am from Rome if you will not be more unjust than the Tyrant which banisht me thence and render me infinitely more unhappy by this second and more rigorous Exile than I am by the first Clelia having finished the reading of this Letter was much perplexed to resolve what she should do for she found something so various in this mishap which had made her receive two declarations of love in one moment that she knew not what to imagine of it That which most troubled her was that Aronces and Horatius were friends and that they might both say they had obligations to her so that having thought a little thereupon it came into her mind that that which gave her so much inquietude was not it may be but a simple gallantry agreed on between them to perplex her for in our Caballa we make an hundred malicious intents one to another in divers occasions Clelia therefore finding some sweetness in believing it to draw her self from that perplexity where she was made as if she really believed it and hath since ingenuously confessed to me that though the Letter of Aronces much vexed and afflicted her yet she felt in her heart that she sustained it more agreeably than that of Horatius but after she had confirmed her self in this belief more by her will than reason she took a resolution to answer those two Letters as if she had certainly known that these two friends desired to deceive her but as she was not assured of it she determined to write to both of them obscurely to the end not to breed any contention between them if her thoughts deceived her and not to discover to them that they had both discovered their Loves to her if it was true they loved her For in fine said this admirable Maid to her self if Aronces and Horatius have plotted this invention they will understand what I shall tell them and know that they have not deceived me and if it is not a deceit and that they have written to me without one anothers knowledge I shall not embroyl them and I shall not find my self in the necessity to answer seriously to two Letters wherein I shall find my self perplexed to do it for I should answer it may be too roughly to Horatius and too mildly to Aronces After this Clelia taking a resolution to draw her self speedily from this perplexity answered to those two Letters by two Notes that I shall tell you for I think I never saw any of Clelia's writing that I have not retained I so much esteem her This Madam was her answer to Aronces Clelia to Aronces YOur deceit hath not succeeded and he with whom you have contrived it shall have no more joy than you to believe it would deceive me believe me Aronces it suffices not to have spirit to be a deceiver but a certain maliciousness of which I believe you incapable therefore enterprise no more to deceive me and to prove that your design both effectually ill succeeded I protest unto you your Letter hath not angred me one moment after this I think I need no more explicate to you my thoughts and that you believe that I believe you are not amorous of me You see Madam what was Clelia's Note to Aronces and so what was that she wrote to his Rival Clelia to Horatius VVHen two have joyned to contrive a Cheat it is easier to be found out pretend not then I conjure you
the Antemians the Sabines were all glorious unto Romulus though the power was divided for a while Afterwards the War with the Fidenatians began then the Vientaneans followed and in both Romulus got eternal glory But after he had punished the injustice done unto his Mother after he had established several good Laws after he had performed many glorious Feats of War killed Kings triumphed solemnly and given peace to his people he ceased to Reign in ceasing to live Some thought that the hundred Senators whom he had established procured him to be murthered that they might Reign Others said that he only vanished but the opinion of such as do not use to follow the vogue of the blind vulgar was that there was one whose name was Proculus who seeing the people ready to fall upon the Senators to appease them came and told them that Romulus did appear unto him ascending up into Heaven and assured them that their Town should be Mistress of the whole Earth So as the immortality of Romulus and this happy presage qualifying the people their whole thoughts were how they should render such honour unto him as unto the Gods This Artemidorus was the original of Rome and this was their first King who doubtless was both valiant and wise and fully accomplished for the establishing of an Empire For my part it is such a terrour to me when I consider how the same people who never were governed but by valiant wise and vertuous Kings can brook the government of a Tyrant that I tremble at it And to induce you into my opinion before I satisfie your Curiosity I would speak something of all those who preceeded him Know then that according to the first Law which Romulus had established which was that the people should chuse their Kings and that this election should be confirmed or refused by the Senators which he had instituted A man of high vertues called Numa Pompilius was chosen King of Rome by universal consent and certainly most deservedly for he was indowed with all the virtues of the ancient Sabines ftom whence he was descended He was prudent pacifique and religious and it may well be said that the Gods would by his Prudence and Piety establish that Throne which Romulus had erected by his Power and courage he spent the whole three and forty years which he reigned only in regulating matters of Religion making of Laws extinguishing those vices which the War had introduced in teaching virtue in woing men to Peace in building Temples in doing Justice unto men and in reverencing the Gods It was he who set up the Vestals in Rome the institution whereof was before at Albez This was he who instituted the Salian Priests and all their Ceremonies This was he who did regulate the Months it was he who built the famous Temple of Janus which is alwayes open in time of War and always shut in time of Peace this was he who to testifie his love of the Sciences and Arts did consecrate a Grove unto the Muses unto which he would often retire himself It was said that it was there where a Nymph named Egeria came to inspire him in all things he did But after a three and forty years peace had given him leasure to inspire his people with the love of Wisdom he died and one of the most valiant men upon Earth was chosen in his place But this Prince being a greater Souldier than Romulus he began the famour War of Albe which had such glorious success that he ruined one of the greatest Cities upon Earth or to say better he joyned it unto Rome and of two Peoples made but one The famous Combate of the three Horatij against the three Curatij was fought during his Reign after which the Fideates and the Vecentines incited by those of Albe renewed the War But Tullus maugre all opposition vanquished his Enemies destroyed the famous City of Albe and angmented the glory of Rome he had after another War against the Sabines whom he vanquished but after he had bestowed half his Reign in imitation of Romulus he bestowed the other half in imitation of Numa for he did not only become Religious as he was but even superstitious But at last a Thunder-bolt having ended his life and his Reign another man called Ancus Martius who was Son unto a Daughter of Numa Pompilius was chosen King of Rome so as emulating the glory of resembling his Grand-father he began to cause all his Ordinances to be observed But fearing lest his neighbours should draw some advantage from his Piety he began to bestir himself in matters Military wherein matters of Religion had no share that his enemies might see he thought of War in time of Peace And indeed the people of Latium falling upon him he vanquished them and also the Sabines and afterwards he lived in Peace It was he who built the first Prison in Rome and who built a Bridge over Tiber it was he who inclosed the Mount Aventine and of Janicula within the Wall of the Town and who built the City of Ostia but after a Reign of four and twenty years he died But after he had prohibited all his Subjects from setting up any new Religions of their own fancy and commanded them to be conformable unto that which was established in the State Hitherto Generous Artemidorus all I have said hath no relation to the story of Tarquin the Proud nor would I have related it but because it was your desire But now I am to treat of the fifth King of Rome I must tell you that if he had not been King Tarquin who Reigns at this day had never been her Tyrant And therefore it is requisite I speak a little larger upon the first of the Tarquins who as he was a Greek originally and Ambition made him do many brave things so it is the same passion which caused so many Crimes in his Successor and for divers reasons I must enlarge my self upon this Subject Know then that a man called Demarathius of the City of Corinth being forced to leave his Countrey because it was divided and the side which he took proved the weaker he came to dwell in a Town called Tarquinia where he married and where he had a Son called Lucumo and another who died Mean time Lucumo being heir unto his Father who was very rich he married a Woman of great quality and high spirit who was called Tanaquil And not enduring that her Husband should dwell in a Town where Ambition was an unprofitable passion she perswaded him to go and dwell at Rome where vertue was recompenced and where the happy might happily become Kings as experience had shewed And in order to this they setled their affairs and came to Rome But in coming Lucumo a happy Omen which is known over all the World also supposing you have heard what happened unto him as he was in the Coach with Tanaquil I will only tell you how an Eagle hovering in the Air came
in all his actions during his Reign After he had made Alliance with the Latines he deceived them in mixing their Troops with his own when they had no Commanders of their own Nation He caused a man whose name was Herdonius to perish upon a bare surmise he caused him to be loaded with Chains and thrown into a place where he was drowned 'T is true he took the City of Pometia with some honour and he shewed himself a great Captain in that Recounter But afterwards he took the City of the Gabians by such a terrible piece of craft as if it did not more relate unto the Prince Sextus his son then unto him I would tell you the whole passage but after he had made that City desolate and put all the Riches of it into the hands of the People except what he reserved for himself he indeavoured to taste the sweets of Peace and to blind the People And for a guise upon all his injustices in ruining so many he set himself to finish that stately Temple of Jupiter whose foundation the first of the Tarquins had laid But there being many other Temples in building near the Tarpeian Rock where the foundation of this was laid and Tarquin having a mind to make this greater than the Prince who laid the first foundation intended he made no difficulty of pulling down all those Temples and not to incense the People by it he made a shew as if he would first observe the flying of the Birds but certainly the Augures were hired and though the Gods had given such an evident sign as should have restrained him yet he would have done it There was yet one Temple standing which was dedicated unto the God Thermes and Tarquin desiring to make use of all seemed to give credit unto the predictions of the Tuscans to the end that giving this example the People alwaies follow the mind of the Prince might also beleeve with him and be perswaded of what he thought good and as they were digging up the earth to lay the foundation of this stately Temple they found the head of a man whose face continued still in form and Tarquin to make some use of this accident he sent into Tuscany and procured the Divines with whom he consulted to say That it was a most certain sign that Rome as Tarquin had ordered it should be the chief City of all Italy and Mistress of all the World and indeed they gave unto that place the name of Capitol which it bears at this present So as after this he pressed forward the building of this Temple after this he made Seats and Scaffolds about the Theatre at an extraordinary expence He established two new Colonies but in doing all these things he still was doing injuries injustices and cruelties He put the eldest son of his own Sister to death he had not married his own Daughter but with an intent to be perfidious and he omitted nothing which might merit the Title of a perfect Tyrant All this while Tullia in the midst of all her Grandure she never had any content since she was upon the Throne for she was still so jealous of authority as she did not think that Tarquin gave enough unto her and that having more inhumanity to wards Tullus then he had she thought that she might at least divide with him in the Soveraign Power So as time wearing out of her heart that lovewhich she bore unto Tarquin she grew most horribly jealous for as soon as she saw this Prince regarded her no more than another woman she began not to regard him and treated him so ill that sometimes she made him go out of Rome Also she was so horribly hated there as when any took the liberty of speech they called her the detestable Tullia As for Tarquin in spight of all his Guards and Power every one called him Tarquin the Proud At the first he did not take this well and did most severely punish such men as had no other Crimes but calling him so but afterwards he was so insensibly accustomed unto it as he thought this Title not injurious nor did he take it ill men should call him so And to merit it he grew so abominably terrible as those who were his most private confidents of all his Cruelties were sometimes so terrified themselves that they durst not come near him That famous Sibyl who came unto him did yet bring him to her ends for all his cruelty and it hath been wordred a hundred and a hundred times that a Prince so violent as he was did not treat her as sharply as he was used to do others who denied him any thing Yet this Sibyl whose name was Amalthea did bring him unto her Bow though he thought to bring her unto his for when she had presented unto him the nine Books which she had composed and which were said to contain such high matters as soon as he denied her the price she demanded she burned three of them Tarquin thinking her to be out of her wits and having a Curiosity to see those which remained he asked her what she would have for them but Amalthea answering him that she would have as much for those six as she would for the nine this Prince took her for one that was absolutely mad but Amalthea without any astonishment at all took three more of the Books and burned them as she did the first insomuch as Tarquin being more astonished he changed his mind and admiring the Constancy of this Woman he asked her the third time what she would have for the last three Books and she answering as before Tarquin did verily believe that they did contain some great matters therefore he assembled the Augurers for though he made a mocking stock of Religion yet still he observed the Ceremonies But those whom he had assembled thinking it fit he should buy those Books at any rate he gave the Sibyl her demands for them after which she went her way Yet the People say she vanished and those who knew things best did say that Tullia commanded her to get out of Rome However it were these Books were to be keept as sacred and consulted with upon every thing but that Rome might feel all sorts of miseries it was infected with a most contagious disease which was so mortall especially amongst Children as there was not a family in Rome which had not some subject for tears So as since Tarquin had always the outside of Religion he sent two of his Sons unto Delphos with grand offerings A Nephew of Tarquins called Brutus went with them though his true name was Lucius Junius but they called him Brutus because his blockishness did resemble that of Brutes Yet he was in such a condition to be envied by those of the wiser sort and his folly made him more safe under the Tyranny of Tarquin than all their wisdoms could He had a father of a great spirit whom Tarquin put to death but for this man
to Valeria's It happened also that Lucrecia Valeria and my self being very merry together we staid till it was very late besides that Valerius whom I had left with Brutus had enjoyned me to stay his return home that I might know what had been resolved on at the Club whereat for some reasons it was thought fit I should be In the mean time this Slave of Lucretius Lucrecia being gon from Valerius's acquainted his Master where she had been and assured him that none came thither besides but my self Lucretius was hereupon perswaded that I was a Servant to his Daughter and conspired against Tarquin This apprehension had some appearance of truth for he knew I had often seen Lucrecia at Racilia's while she was in the Countrey and there were not many then knew I was in love with Valeria and as Brutus had often made use of my name in divers gallantries and addresses to Lucrecia as I have already told you so had it raised a small report that I had some affection for her insomuch that sometimes Collatine himself knew not what to think Lucretius therefore having received some slight intimations of what I tell you absolutely concluded I was the Conspirator and the Lover for my Father dying in banishment he thought it was likely I might be as guilty of hatred to Tarquin as love to Lucrecia So that having thus reconciled the business he caused this Beauty to be called to him and carrying her into his Closet he began to treat her most reproachfully and that with so much transportation and fury that Lucrecia who is sweetness it self was much amazed at it but what encreased her amazement was to see in her Fathers hands the Table-book which she thought safe enough elsewhere Not knowing therefore how to excuse much less clear her self she resolved to be patient and withal summoning the greatness of her spirit and courage she bore all that Lucretius said to her and heard him with the greatest attention might be so to discover whether he knew who had written to her But she soon perceived he knew not for Lucretius having tired her with the bitterest reproaches told her there was yet one way left whereby she might excuse her weakness which was to acquaint him with all she knew For said he to her since your love hath such an influence on Herminius as to oblige to communicate to you the designs he hath against Tarquin you must give me the particulars and by giving me occasion to do the King a signal service engage me to forget your miscarriage Lucrecia hearing her Father speak in this manner was surprized afresh for she gathered from his discourse that he knew not the truth and was not acquainted with Brutus's writing since he believed me to be in love with his Daughter She at first was a little glad to see that her servant's life was out of danger but was at the same time troubled that I was unjustly suspected She there fore did all that lay in her power to perswade Lucretius that I had not writ the Letter and to convince him that my love to her was as to a Friend not a Mistress But there being a many circumstances which made Lucretius's opinion seem the more likely to be true he was the less satisfied with his Daughter For in fine said he to her if you say true in that why do you not tell me who writ what I find in this Table-book For to think continued he to deny all and confess nothing is absolute madness All I can tell you Sir replyed Lucrecia is that my misfortune is greater then my guilt and if I have entertained his affection whose Letter you have in your honds it was by the commands of the most vertuous Mother in the world I know well that yours replyed he hastily affected Tarquin's enemies but though that be true yet it justifies not you and if you discover not to me all you know of the Conspiracy I shall engage you in such a manner into the interests of those whom you wish ruined that you will be forced to change your opinion I may well change my fortune replyed she but for my judgement it is impossible therefore Sir press me no further all the favour I beg of you is to believe that Herminius is no servant of mine and that he writ not the Letter you now have in your hands as I shall make appear to you by shewing you his writing which is quite different from that But to deprive you at once of all occasions of persecuting me to no purpose I declare that I will never tell you who writ that Letter and and though I knew all the circumstances of any Conspiracy I should not discover it Nevertheless know that my heart is still innocent and that I am not engaged in any thing that is criminal Lucrecius being hereupon enraged against this admirable Virgin treated her with the roughest language he could thinking thereby to terrifie her into some confession But seeing her not to be shak'd out of her constancy he resolved to force her to marry Collatine for he had long since observed her backwardness as to that business Since you will not said he to her discover what I so much desire to know I must needs engage for some concernment of your own to hinder this secret Conspirator from acting any thing against that Family into which you shall be disposed I therefore command you to prepare your self to marry Collatine within three dayes he was importunate with me this morning about it and I will it should be absolutely effected within the time I allot you and that in the mean while you see no body and least of all Valeria for since you have made her the Confident of your criminal loves she is not fit to be acquainted with your marriage Lucrecia hearing this resolution of her Father's cast her self on her knees beseeching him with tears not to force her to marry Collatine You may choose said he to her and to avoid it you have no more to do than to name this secret servant of yours and discover this Conspiracy for if you will be so obstinate as to do neither I will immediately carry this Letter to Tarquin that he may take some course to find out whose writing it is Nor shall I so much as blot out your name and thereby manifest your weakness choosing rather to see you covered with shame than expose my house to the indignation of an incensed Prince who haply will come to know this enterprize by some other hand and thence infer that my Daughter having a Servant among the Conspirators I might be ingaged in the Conspiracy There is therefore no mean you must either discover your Servant or marry Collatine or be content that I carry this Table-book to Tarquin You may easily judge my Lord what an extremity Lucrecia was in for she was confident Tarquin knew Brutus's writing and as confident that if that Prince came to discover
know him that his heart is susceptible of love But if this Prince merits an high encomium he hath a daughter worthy of him and able to command admiration from all Philonice is the Princess of Agrigentines name she is the most surprizing Person in the world for you must know that as the Princess her mother was wrapt in the cold embraces of the grave ere she compleated a triennial age her illustrious Father having at this time many warlike Preparations which have since impal'd his brow with victorious Laurel instead of leaving her at Agrigentine caus'd her to be educated at a magnificent Castle belonging to him scituated in the Campagne and as she appear'd in the world she was adorn'd with all imaginable politeness and I assure you without flattery that she is acquainted in many things which her only imagination hath dictated to her and for her Person 't is infinitely pleasing her head is crown'd with black resplendent hair she is of a mean stature yet so agreeable and noble that it admits of no disadvantage her action is free and natural without any affectation the circumference of her visage shews the extreams of an imperfect Circle and almost form'd it to a perfect oval the new fallen snow was turn'd in comparison of the refin'd purity of her complexion her mouth for shape shamed the imitation of the most exquisite Painters and all the features of her face had so near a kindred of proportion and symmetrie as the severest master of Apelles art might have call'd it his glory to have copyed Beauties from her as the best of models her eyes darted forth such a radiant splendour as neither the firmest eye nor the strongest soul could arm themselves with resistance of proof against these pointed glories but there results from all these perfections such a modest ayr on the visage of Philonice that her only physiognomie clears what blemish can be imputed to the vertue of her soul and delicateness of her spirit 't is not but when she meets with any that she neither esteems nor pleases her she hath a certain coldness which without being uncivil seems more touching to those to whom it is address'd she 's affable but the grandeur of her soul and habitual probity retains her from making those delusive caresses which by many Ladies of the Court are practised with so much Prodigality but for a person she loves there 's no Princess in the world can testifie her tenderness in more obliging and real expressions she is of such a liberal inclination and all her resentments are so discreet and generous as she believes her action should not bely her words for spirit she hath it to admiration she speaks both naturally and gallantly she writes pleasant Letters in a stile so natural reserving her quality that I can mint no expression to equal their praise she hath a solid vertue glory is the cheifest of her delight her heart is tender spirit firm her amity both constant sincere and agreeable she 's discreet in all her actions she 's never capable of any transportment she is both young and wise she hath judgement without experience and prudence without pride and she is so accomplished that I can tax her of nothing but of too much vertue since 't is certain she is so modest that she doth not well know it at least she speaks as if she esteem'd her self not so much as she ought 't is true she accuses her self in such an ingenious manner that her own words betray her There 's likewise in this place another Virgin whose Father is Governour of the Castle of Agrigentine who is highly esteem'd by Philonice not without desert for besides as she is fair and hath an engaging spirit which both pleases and charms all those who approach her she knows how to fit the humour of all Persons her Discourse is admirable she never appears distemper'd at her company she hath a modest jovialty that gives delight to many persons This Virgin called Berelisa hath moreover such a passionate spirit that she makes her glory consist in knowing how to love her friends and as Philonice hath much inclination for her she is commonly with her The day in which Artemidorus was brought to the Castle of Agrigentine she was with this Princess in a great Hall where the Prince her Father was with many other Ladies leaning on a Balcony which jetted on the Court to see twelve stately horses that had a little before been sent to her Father and she desiring to go next morning to the Chace he would have both her and Berelisa chuse those they would have for that gallant sport as their eyes were wholly imployed in surveying these Horses Terillus who had taken Artemidorus entred into the Hall followed by his prisoner leaving his men at the entry of the gate you know Artemidorus is of a gallant deportment which will easily make you believe that he attracted the regards of the Agrigentine Prince of the Princess Philonice and the amiable Berilisa and all the rest of the company for though his habit was but simple yet had he the ayr of a person of Quality though in the design he had to disguise himself he affected unusual simplicity 'T is true seeing all perfections concenter in these Ladies he would not hinder himself from saluting them with such a grace that disposed them to conceive a good opinion of him In the mean time Terillus who presented him to the Prince of Agrigentioe seeing him prepared to give him attention thus said Sir I come to present to you this Prisoner I am obliged to praise and to excuse the weakness of those who took him and to give you occasion to treat him with civility for to speak as a person of Honour who ought to commend the courage of his enemies it hath sometimes been more easie for me to put five hundred men to flight then to vanquish this valiant man for there was so much difficulty to make him render himself after his Sword was broken that I conceiv'd it requisite to acquaint you with his valour to the end that treating him according to his merit he should repent himself from having exposed his life rather then to be your Prisoner It is so natural said Artemidorus for generous Conquerours to praise the courage of those they have vanquished that I ought to draw no vanity from the praises you have attributed to me He which praises you is so brave himself replyed the Agrigentine Prince that you may glory in his praises and if you had ever seen him in any dangerous occasions as he hath seen you you would retribute the like praises to his Valour and as your great magnanimity and the air of your Visage easily dispose me to believe you are of illustrious blood though your habit contradict that opinion Tell me what you are and what 's your condition and what motive induc'd you to take such an unjust party I know by your accent you are
and I would have your friendship be my sole consolation But generous Berelisa added he why do you not endeavour to heal the passion of Telesis for as Clidimira hath left me for him she will perhaps desert him for another do him this courtesie and by this means you will act my Revenge For what concerns my Brother replied Berelisa I have no desire to blot out his affection it being not so easie to cure a Beloved as a Deserted Lover and for what concerns you I would rather gain Clidimira twenty lovers than deprive her of one that your hatred might extend so far as never to permit any reconcilement After this Artemidorus expressed many obliging words to Berelisa but they were so interweaved with others which glanced on his former affections to Clidimira that she hearkned to them with different resentments when he was returned to his apartment he esteemed himself so unhappy that he wished his death had anticipated that day in which he lost his liberty for he was at variance with his Brother he had destroyed his Fortune he was a Princes Prisoner enemy to him from whom he derived his extraction he saw himself cashier'd by that person who had wounded his heart he had a Rival which generosity and gratitude forbid him to destroy being a Virgins Brother to whom he ow'd the favourable treatment he received in his restraint and who knew him to be the Prince of Leontine's Brother not knowing then how to direct his thoughts his sole consolation was Berelisas friendship On the other side this amiable Virgin was not exempted from inquietude for though her joy exceeded the ordinary limits of moderation she having introduced Anger and Jealousie into a Lovers heart from whence she would have banished love yet she feared his despight would not ascend to such a degree as utterly to extirpate this love and that if this first should be extinct his heart would remain incapable of a second Passion The words of Philonice tending to the conclusion of the War did in some measure heighten her grief because she imagined Peace should no sooner be composed but Artemidorus would receive his liberty and that secret love which had scal'd the Fortress of her heart even forced her to wish the declaration of the true quality of Artemidorus to the end his liberty should not be so soon licensed she conceiving his life would not thereby be exposed to any danger But generosity soon strangled these unjust thoughts which Love would have imprinted in her mind In the mean time the charming Philonice who thought of nothing but how to manage rhe reception of the Agrigentine Prince with most magnificency sent out her Orders to that purpose so that all the Ladies were wholly imployed in providing those things which might most advantage their perfections the Princess was like wise advertised by a Letter from Clisias that the day the Agrigentine Prince should come to Carisalis she should receive a Letter from the Syraousan Princess who is a Person embellished with all those Graces which compleat a perfect Beauty Her Body shaped with such exact Symmetry that Nature hath here shewn how far she transcends the Art of the most curious Pencil For the Prince of Syracusa having sent me to the Agrigentine Prince at that time as he sent Telesis to him the Princess of Syracusa entrusted me with a Letter for the Princess Philonice and having told Clisias when I arrived at the Camp he gave her notice of it and when I delivered her Letter she parted with so much goodness as to receive me with an extraordinary civility bringing a Testimony of the Friendship of such an exquisite Person But before I relate to you what passed that day the Prince of Agrigentine returned 't is expedient for me to acquaint you with three things to the end the Narration of this Festival might prove more delightful to you The first that I had been a long time one of the principal friends of Artemidorus The second that I believed he had undertaken a long Voyage not in the least suspecting he was a Prisoner at Agrigentine The third That 't is necessary to describe the Scituation of that place the amiable Philonice had selected to receive the Prince her Father for I ought to render justice to this Beautiful Princess to demonstrate to you that there appeared both Spirit and Judgement in all her actions and there hapned in this place so many things depending on this History that I believe I shall not traverse my reason by describing a place which hath given me so much delight both by its natural Beauty and by the merit of him who resides there For Cleodamas to whom Carisalis belongs is a Person of eminent desert whether one considers the grandezza of his Spirit or the solidity of his judgement his capacity politeness integrity gallantry or generosity But to execute my Design Carisalis is a place so framed for pleasure that 't is impossible to give you a perfect description of it 'T is not one of those whose Beauty appears by the opposition of the circumjacent places for you no sooner come from Agrigeutine but fair objects salute your eyes the way lies in a direct line a river with its silver streams travelling along with you this pleasant Voyage the diversity in all places where you pass and the only pleasure of the beautiful prospect seems to cheat the length of the way 't is even so singular and the ascension so inperceptible that you receive no incommodity by it though 't is scituated on a mountain this mountain is crown'd with a great Plain it having nothing ordinary but the commodity to discover all the Beauties of the adjoyning fields to limn out in lively colours this amiable Country in general 't is sufficient in particular to character Carisalis Imagine as if you were now in a Court of a proportionate grandeur to a Building your eyes at your entrance survey on the left hand the symmetry whereof framed to breed delight on the Superficies is a Balustrade beyond which is a kind of a Rustick Vestibulum the Columns whereof are Cyprus This Vestibulum is bounded by a row of great Trees placed on purpose there to hinder at first sight the pleasure which doth compose this place on the top Madam of the prementioned mountain there is a grand Parterre like a Terass along which is contrived a Walk flanked with fair Trees you ascend this Walk by two stately steps between which are two Balconies erected fixt to a marble Balustrade from whence one might discover so many different objects that I fear I shall be taxed either of equivocation or exaggeration if I only represent a part of them unto you for in fine Madam there is to be seen all those which frame a delightful prospect you may see many remote and cacuminous mountains embroydred with spreading Trees of a famous Forrest which without coustraining the sight confine it to an agreeable arrest but before your eyes
with such gravity and coldness as if they denied what they grant them For what I call the merry it is the particular humour of Amilcar and is so apparent in him that there needs no more to discover it than to see him for he seems to be so cheerful and glad to do what is desired of him that it might be said he obeys his own inclinations though he saies he only obeys those of his friends So that I dare confidently say that he is never more compliant towards others than when he hath most compliance for himself But says Plotina what must be done and what must be omitted You must do replied Herminius whatever reason advises that is you must express a certain mildness civility and compliance but it must be such a compliance as is not incompatible with Liberty that gives way without weakness commends without flattery accommodates it self with judgement and innocence to times places and persons and such as without affectation and lowness makes society pleasant and heightens the conveniences and diversions of life It should also qualifie a man to bear with the humorousness of friends so as not to be too sensible of those sharp familiarities that happen so they be not over frequent but to submit sometimes to the pleasures of others and to do a thousand other little offices that may be done without injury to reason or violence to justice and consequently such as do effectually make men better In a word compliance is sometimes able to disarm wrath and to bring a calm into an exasperated mind But all the skill is in knowing what it is good for so it may not be abused as certain remedies are which men apply indifferently to all manner of distempers For it is certain that sottish compliance is flat and wearisome and distastful even to those to whom it is directed You must therefore if possible endeavour to get that which I mean and that it may be seen I speak not of a thing that is not in being you need go no further to find it than to the Ladies that are present who are certainly furnished with all that honourable compliance that pleases that offends no body refines the judgement sweetens the disposition angments friendship multiplies love and closing with justice and generosity becomes the secret charm of society Herminius putting this period to his discourse the Ladies he had commended looked very earnestly upon one another as if they would have said one to another it was fit they should make some answer to Herminius civility But at last Clelia perceiving that none of the rest concerned themselves so much in the praises given them by Herminius as to return him any answered him with abundance of wit and no less modesty This put a period to that conference for Mutius and Spurius being come into the room brought news that the enemies horse would be suddenly in the field and that for certain Tarquin would have a very considerable Army So that discourses of this nature being not so acceptable as what had passed before the company was soon after dissolved Valeria who had a particular dis-affection for Spurius and desired nothing so much as to oblige Herminius went along with Flavia as soon as Mutius had told this news Amilcar waited on Caersonia and Plotina Mutius and Spurius made but a short visit and the Prince of Numidia perceiving it to be late took his leave with the rest But e're he went he said to Clelia whatever a conjunction of Love and Respect might furnish an unfortunate Lover with such a one as would needs love while he lives even with an assurance of being ever miserable He therefore went his way loaden with melancholly that found his spirits such employment that he saw not what he seemed to look on so strangely were his thoughts taken up with the deplorable condition he was in For in fine said he to himself What advantage is it to me to be a Kings Son if I cannot avoid being Clelia's slave What am I the better for my Reason if it must ever be subject to my Love What avails it me that I am generously born if I cannot forbear being ungrateful to Aronces And what happiness is it to me that I was born in Numidia since I am not capable of the inconstancy attributed to those of my Countrey 'T is sad I should not have those imperfections that were some way advantageous to me and that I have those virtues I am never the better for since I cannot overcome my passion Adherbal amidst these reflections was got to the place where he lodged without taking any notice of an old man a stranger that had observed him very wish'dly and had followed him But being come to the Gate this man whose name was Donilcar passing before the slaves that belonged to the Prince for Brutus had ordered him to have some about him presented himself to him with a very sad deportment and speaking to him I know not my Lord said he whether you can remember the unfortunate Donilcar who hath had the happiness to bring you up but this I know that I had much ado to call you to mind you are so sad and so much altered Adherbal at these words remembring him who had been the guide of his youth and whom he had trusted with his life embraced him with much affection and leading him into his Chamber Is it the King my Father that hath sent you to look after me said he to him Alas my Lord replied Donilcar sighing I know not whether I may presume to tell you what hath brought me hither and that I shall run the hazard of losing your friendship if I acquaint you with one of the strangest things in the world The posture my soul is in at the present considered replies the Prince very dolefully I cannot apprehend there should happen such misfortunes to me in Numidia as I might have more than an ordinary resentment for if so be the King my Father be well The King of Numidia replies Donilcar is in very good health but my Lord that abates nothing of your misery I prethee says Adherbal never fear to tell me what you know for as I have already said according to the posture I am in there can no misfortune fall to me but what happens at Rome Promise me then replies Donilcar that you will not be displeased with me when I have told you I am so highly obliged to you replies Adherbal that I think it impossible I should be angry with you even though you should disoblige me speak then boldly and deliver me out of the uncertainty I am in And yet if I may guess at what you have to tell me it is this That it is upon my account that the Carthaginians have broken with the King my Father and consequently that the Subjects I should one day have had are dissatisfied and are haply risen up against me Alas My Lord you cannot guess at your unhappiness and