without having any beauty and without youth she is considerable above all those which are great in Capua and that she is at all Feasts publick and private but that which is most strange is that she is continually in conversation with all the young persons of quality and with all the fairest Ladies In effect Those men which make such a tumultuous garboyl when they find that a fair woman hath her Nose a little too big too little Eyes the Chin too short or Lips too pale and can hardly suffer those which have passed four Lustres have not their eyes troubled to see always Aricidia though she never had any beauty and though she hath fifteen Lustres to count as the Romans or that she can recount near twenty Olympiads according to the calculation of the Greeks you will demand of me Madam without doubt by what charms a person to whom Nature hath refused all the Graces ordinary to her sex whom time hath deprived of youth and whom fortune hath not endowed with great favours for to render her so considerable and so much desired and I shall answer you 't is by a great goodness and by a natural grandeur of Spirit which being joyned to a long experience of the world and to an agreeable humour that without taking care of her self she divertiseth all those which frequent her for as she is without ambition as she hath a great and noble heart that she knows not how to slatter that she is not interested in any manner that she clearly sees things that she recounts them pleasantly and that she knows all that which passes in Capua there is no person which doth nor desire her and when there happens any remarkable occurrence there is no body which wishes not to see her to know that which she thinks says or knows of it so that if she could be in twenty places at one time she might be there she goes likewise every where without being troublesome because she is never in any place but where she is desired Moreover though she hath something in particular in her Physiognomy and very pleasant in her manner of speaking she hath not any pleasantness of profession In fine she hath a certain jovial sincerity which makes her say things which surprise and which please and the truth is that she hath a solid vertue though it is not savage In effect she says things that she thinks not of she sees the weakness of others without contributing thereto and without being ever the confident of any Love she knows all the Loves of the City she blameth the tatling Gossips she flatters not the Gallants she gives pleasantly her opinion of those that pretend to be fair when they are not she endeavoureth to reconcile the differences of families she is in friendship with all the husbands and wives and without doing that but which she thinks she ought to do she pleaseth men which are opposite in all things she is a good friend and is both officious and free all the greatness of the earth cannot make her change her opinion when she thinks she hath reason and to define her in few words I may say Aricidia is a living mortality but a Moralist without sadness and who believes that the pleasantness of innocent Raillery is not useless to virtue but the most incredible thing is that though she knows all the maliciousness the world is capable of she is nevertheless incapable of it and though she hath an infinite spirit she cannot find any invention to prejudice any though she finds a thousand when she would serve her friends In sine Aricidia hath found the art to please and give divertisements to all the youths without incurring any blame for though she is not young she is sometimes at Balls she sees all the great feasts she is in the most gallant walks and the merriest company and Aricidia is composed of so much delight that I may boldly say she cannot be parallel'd and I even maintain that it would not be advantageous for her to be fair for if she were she goes to an hundred places where she would not go she says things that she would not say and her physiognomy which retains more the andacity of my sex than the timidity of hers addeth a far more force to her words and gives a liking to her discourses as I have said already she is so desired in all places that the days should be longer for her than others if she would content all those that desire her Aricidia being then such as I have represented to you came into a house where Aronces and I entred just as she spoke of Clelia to five or six persons which were there and that she spoke of her with earnestness so that when we entred she changed not her discourse on the contrary she no sooner saw us but knowing we were Clelia's friends she addrest her self to us with that familiarity which is natural to her You come very sitly said she to us to maintain my argument against a man you see with me who says that Clelia would be fairer than she is if she was a little more coy Ah Aricidia cryed that man which is named Genutius tell at least to Aronces and Celeres that which I at first said of the great beauty of Clelia before you tell them what I have wished thereto I shall tell it replied she after I have delivered my advice thereupon for I find it so unreasonable that I cannot endure it The beauty of Clelia is so resplendent and perfect replyed Aronces that I cannot well comprehend of what addition it is capable I think added I that without seeking to deny it you had best demand if of Aricidia I voluntarily consent to it replyed Genutius so that she will not conceal the prailes I have given Clelia For to content you replyed she I shall then say that you are of my opinion that all the lineaments of Clelia's face are admirable that she is of a most rare complection hairs very fair of a courteous behaviour and that she is in sine one of the greatest beauties in the world but after that pursued she raising her voice I shall say I do not believe she can ever cause any love in you because she doth not imitate all fashions or to say better all the ill favoured countenances of these which think themselves fair and which do not one action where there is not an affectation which strangely displeaseth but to the end you many excuse him added she turning her self towards Aronces and me I must tell you that I have seen him heretofore amorous of one of those Ladies who frame all their looks who place their hands with art who turn negligently their heads who have an artificial languor or a borrowed joy who fit their lips to the mirrors when they dress themselves and which laugh in such a manner that they shew all their teeth when they be white Ah Aricidia cryed Genutius you
his thoughts before he had occasion to speak to him of his passion I ingeniously confess replied he but above all I believe not to be unfaithful You have reason replied Berelisa and one cannot without doubt accuse you but of a simple inconstancy which hath even nothing which resembles infidelity for as I have already said it to speak of this kind of inconstancy in general it comes from this that those which are capable of of it are sensible to all that which appears fair to them of all which is new to their eyes and to their spirits of that which they seek to please without difficulty of that which they have any irresolution in the spirit which hinders them from chusing of that that the first youth of inconstancy have some resemblance But after all those men there which see pleasures from quarter to quarter from street to street and from house to house do not assuredly betray the person because no person trusts to them and to speak truly the inconstants of this kind only vex themselves since they have pain to attaque an hundred hearts without gaining one one hearkens to their pleasures without believing them one receives their incense without vanity one leaves them without pain one destroys them without regret and they come through the world as Butterflies on Flowers without resting on any thing and without leaving any sign of their passage likewise not doing any discourtefie to a person there would be much injustice to confound those inconstants with the unfaithful I have spoken of sure their inconstancy is without perfidiousness and superchery it is not but to say the truth it should be desired this inconstancy was banished from the heart of young persons for if it is not very criminal it is not at least laudable I will likewise consess with sincerity is not yet altogether a true inconstant and he hath only a simple disposition to be so I am obliged to you replied I for enrolling me in the number of the inconstant persons and not placing me among those which are unfaithful for it is certain I cannot suffer it But said the Prince of Messina I comprehend not wherefore those which vary in their thoughts have not infidelity You will easily be satisfied therein replied Berelisa if you consider that to make a Lover truly merit the quality of unfaithful one must suffer his affection one must hearken to him one must give him hope one must love him if a man on the contrary loves a woman without being beloved and that he hath served a long time without attaining her love he leaves her one loves another one cannot in this case place him in the number of the unfaithful nor that of the inconstant for as one loves not but for to be loved as soon as one destroys the hope Love may diein a Lovers heart without being culpable of any crime and to speak truth it is not even possible that it dies not there 'T is therefore not doing that but which one might hinder themselves from doing one leaves love without inconstancy and one cannot love otherwise without infidelity but the most odious and the most degenerate crime in the world is when there 's a concatenation of affection between two persons and that it happens one breaks the Chain for in this case there it is not a simple inconstancy it is an infidelity where inconstancy perfidiousness and baseness are found And it is in fine as I have said the greatest of all crimes in this point before you engage your self you consider not what you do you examine not your thoughts and do not well know the heart you give nor the heart you receive 'T is true said Philonice I find something very strange to see men of spirit suddenly change their thoughts But said then Lysicoris when one hath this misfortune what shall one do I will replied Berelisa one should continue to love by generosity when one cannot by inclination that in fine when one is promised an eternal affection no reason can dispense with it but the infidelity of the person one loves And in this case we must not only love her any more but hate her despise her slee from her as from a Monster and revenge our selves though ne'er thereby prejudiced For if it is a man which is unfaithful no person should force him to go to say to a woman he loves her and to tell her it often to make her love him therefore when he changes he hath no excuse in effect Probity Sincerity and Fidelity ought to be in love as all other things and more than in other things because the consequences are more dangerous being certained there is no exchange more important than the hearts of two persons which love one another But if a man is criminal of being unfaithful at least confess replied the Prince of Messina that a woman hath the same injury as a man I say replied Berelisa and I 'll maintain she hath more for as cruelty befits women in love they might take him to examine themselves ere they engage to love any one but after you have considered of it a woman accepts the heart is offered to her and that she gives hers she cannot change without insamy and truly a woman at least in my opinion cannot innocently love but once in her life besides baseness and perfidiousness which is common to her with an unfaithful man neither can one yet accuse her of imprudence or little modesty For for my part I conceive not how a woman who hath vertue and good judgment to resolve her should voluntarily renounce the love of a man to whom she hath given many testimonies of affection when she feels her love decay Nevertheless replied Philonice one sees they make no difficult to do it I am of your opinion replied Berelisa but if I was a man I should have an horrible aversion for those women But I pray said the Prince of Messina in what rank do you place those men who make a seeming love when they love not and sometimes obtain love I put them in the rank of deceivers replied she But amongst the unfaithful replied I it seems to me there are many sorts for there are some which become so because they find defects in the person they love that they noted not before and there 's others which cease to love because their own good fortune destroys their love For the first said Berelisa I sustain that when one hath solidly contracted an affection with some one there is but one only defect of love which might be a legitimate cause to break it and the loss of beauty youth change of fortune and health ought to change nothing in the hearts of two persons which have promised an eternal love but for those whose love destroys it self I find them so criminal and so odious that I boldly say 't is impossible their spirits are seasoned with any good qualities or that their heart is noble and the
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
resolved to send to offer Peace to Mezentius whose courage was much abated at Porsenna's flight for he knew not the conditions on which he departed from his Irons but having a fiery heart and a vindicative spirit he would not resolve with himself to hearken to any Proposition of Peace nor Alliance with a Prince whom he hated and that which fed this humour was that the Princess Galerita was much affected by a Prince of this Court named Bianor who forgot nothing that might hinder that the Peace should deprive him of his Mistress that which rendred his credit so great was that Mezentius was amorous of his Sister who is now that Princes Wife and who was then very beautiful and ambitions so it was not without great difficulty that Nicetale made him consent to her desires but she could not have done it unless having divulged the advantageous Proposals of Peace by the King of Clusium the people were no sooner advised of it but they murmured at him and so highly began to testifie their aversion to War that Mezentius knowing very well he could not without danger excite a revolt in his Estates having given a great charge to Bianor to appease the Person whom he loved he consented in the end to treat with the King of Clusium In the interim there passed few days but Porsenna wrote to Nicetale and Galerita to pray the first to remember her promise and to give a thousand testimonies of love to the latter but in the end after a long Negotiation the Peace was concluded and the Marriage of Porsenna and Galerita resolved on on condition Porsenna should remain at Perusia as long as his Father lived Mezentius imagining that the King would renew the War in despight of the Alliance if he retained not the Prince as Hostage it is true this Article was easily accorded to for though the King of Clusium very much loved his Son he was not sorry for this advantageous absence which reunited in his Person all the obedience of his Subjects so that the Marriage was happily concluded in despight of the Clandestine Machinations of Bianor and the natural aversion of Mezentius but hardly had Porsenna and Galerita the leasure to contemplate the happy Sun-shine of their good fortune when it was eclipsed with grief for the sage and prudent Nicetale died a little after the Celebration of the Nuptials and she dyed with much regret because she knew the secret aversion Bianor's Sister entertained in her heart against Porsenna and it was principally because she saw him adored by all the Court and very much loved by the People In the mean time the death of Nicetale put such a great consternation in all her House and in the Princess her Daughters that there were few in the one and the other which were not entirely swayed by grief so that in this great disorder it unhappily fell out that one of the Women of this Queen which had been alwayes favourable to Porsenna's Rival found all the Letters the Prince had written to Nicetale during his residence at Cera by which he entreated her exactly to keep her word and to oblige the Princess her Daughter to keep the promise she made him to espouse none but him so that this Person being seised of these Letters to evidence to Bianor that if she had not had the power heretofore to serve him nigh Galerita it was not for want of address but because an invincible obstacle opposed her intentions but shewing all those Letters to Bianor she excited a great confusion in his Spirit which made him resolve to revenge himself both of Porsenna and Galerita for as he knew Mezentius was jealous of his Authority that he was violent and vindicative and that he noted he did not very much affect Porsenna he believed that when he knew the commerce which had been between him and the Princess his Daughter he would be much exasperated against him having consulted with his Sister thereupon she confirmed him in his design for not seeing now that it was impossible Mezentius should espouse her being a Widdower and that he was very amorous of her she imagined it would be most advantageous to effect her Marriage with that Prince and the only way to excite his anger both against Porsenna and the Princess Galerita So that this Maid reasoning as an Ambitious Person and 〈◊〉 as a Vindicative Lover and an Ambitious Rival they absolutely resolved to shew the Prince of Perusia all Porsenna's Letters but as they were not absolutely assured what impression they would make in Mezentius Spirit when he saw them they would not give them to him with their own hands but laid them on the Table of his Cabinet where he found them without knowing who put them there he was strangely astonish'd to see them for as he well knew the writing of Porsenna and easily comprehended their Contents he would not make appear his astonishment nor anger because he would be better satisfied of them though those Letters almost learn'd to him all that which was passed the Article only excepted which might justifie Nicetale for it was not positively written in the Letter that he should return to Prison if the Peace was not concluded because he judged Nicetale would understand it if he did but express in general terms that he would not violate his promise Mezentius then being willing to be better instructed in that which was but dubiously mentioned in the Letters sent to find out the Lady who had been the Princess his Daughters Governess before her Marriage judging that this secret might be known to her she being very much belov'd by Nicetale but the better to palliate his Design he shewed to her all Porsenna's Letters to Nicetale without expressing the least resentment of anger to have learn'd the Intelligence which had been between the Princess his Daughter and Porsenna during his Imprisonment but on the contrary he said to her the more to deceive her that he had not the curiosity to know particularly all the passages between them and who were those which had contributed to unite their affection but to the end to know to whom he owed that obligation of Peace which his People enjoyed by the Marriage of those two Persons Mezentius thus speaking with a feigned dissimulation and the Lady believing in the estate things were his designs were consonant to his words disguised nothing from him and recounted to him all that was passed but though she told him that Porsenna was set free on a limited condition to come back thither if he espoused not Galerita by concluding Peace but he believed it not but believed 't was this Ladies invention and judged 't was her Son which had facilitated the flight of that Prince though she did not acquaint him with it but told him that Nicetale had suborned some of his Guards but she principally aggravated the Grandure of Porsenna's love to Galerita and that powerful inclination of Galerita for Porsenna seeming to
the life of a child that he looked upon as the child of a Prince whom he esteemed his enemy this Lady likewise who was her only consolation told her that after Mezentius had reduc'd things to the estate where they were he would not be capable to be mollified by the consideration of a child which was but in conception and who had nothing but tears to bow his obdurateness when he should come into the world so that they thought it was expedient to conceal that indisposition which produced their fear but the thing at first appeared so difficult to them that their consolation ended in tears But after a little mature deliberation they believed that if they could gain his wife who commanded the Castle it would not be impossible to conceal so great a secret for as she was the only person which had the liberty to see this young Queen except two slaves which served her they should fear nothing if they could procure her to be of their intelligence so that all the care Galerita used was to entirely to acquire that Lady who was called Flavia and who is sister to Nicius here present but to speak truly it was not difficult for the Princess to oblige her to serve her and to be faithful to her for she being naturally tender and compassionate had a particular inclination to love Galerita who knew so admirably how to acquire their spirits of those from whom she would obtain any thing that it had been very difficult for Flavia to resist her intreaties who much deplored the misery of so fair and vertuous a Queen but Galerita deferred the discovery of it as long as she could possible to see if the Prince of Perusia could desist from his injustice but hearing by some of her Guards that he always appeared more inveterate against Porsenna and that he used all the means possible to usurp his estate and that when Clusium was submitted he would assuredly put to death this Prince she determin'd to confide on Flavia to whom she learnt her present Estate and the fear Mezentius should know it but she told it her with such melting language and tender considerations to procure her fidelity to assist her in saving the life of of an innocent Babe which did not yet enjoy the light that this vertuous woman which had no obdurate heart mingled her tears with Galeritas and would not promise her without evaporating many sighs the accomplishment of all her desires so that the true cause of her indisposition might be conceal'd But without troubling my self to recite impertinent particularities I shall tell you in few words that Galerita having feign'd to be seiz'd with a greater malady than really she was to obtain that her Guards should come no more into her Chamber and Flavia who was very much belov'd by her Husband being wholly gain'd by her and they having gain'd the Physician which should see Galerita the design was in the end conducted with so much precaution judgment and sense that the true cause of Galeritas indisposition was not in the least suspected and she had the advantage to salute the times with a Successor to Porsenna it being not then known and the generous Flavia acted her part so handsomly that the Son of the Queen of Clusium came into the world without being publickly known and was taken out of her Chamber without being discovered for having foreseen what she would act she had so order'd it that the Queen of Clusium having seen from her Chamber a little child she had which was very fair and that one of her slaves held in his arms desired to see it so that insensibly she had used the Guards of this Princess to enter daily and go out with that person which carried Flavias young Son into Galeritas Chamber and which carried it sometimes divested and sometimes wrapt up in sumptuous swath bands as if it were asleep in her arms to the end to use this artifice when it should be necessary and as Flavia was his wife who commanded the Castle none which depended on her were suspected by Galeritas Guards so that when this Queen was in estate to have need of the address of Flavia she caus'd her which had accustom'd to bring the Son of this Lady to the Chamber of the Princess to come thither with the same swadling clouts wherewith she used to envelope it when she carried it asleep thither having taken a great bundle of flowers in going through a Garden which she carried as if it had been really the child she used to carry in her arms so that being entred in this manner into Galeritas Chamber with Flavia who followed her and having stayed there till the Queen had given Porsenna a Son she departed afterwards from thence with the child of this Queen whose face was covered lest the fallacy should be discern'd and this young Prince was carried to the Apartment of Flavia from whence she caus'd it to depart the same night to commit it to the care of Martia her Sister in Law to whom without any fear she confided this secret because she had always had so great a dependance on the service of the precedent Princess of Perusia that there was nothing to be fear'd but as of necessity that this child stould be carried in a Bark to the other side of the Lake to transport it to the house of Martia which was ten miles from thence There was a few days after some noise dispers'd of that which Galerita fear'd should be known and it so suddenly receiv'd an augmentation that Bianor hearing of it made it known to Mezentius and this Prince caus'd to be arrested the Physician which had assisted the Queen of Clusium and by most cruel threatnings he obliged him to confess the truth but hardly did he know it but fury wholly possessing him he commanded an exact search should be made for Galeritas Child he caused Flavia and her husband to be arrested and chang'd all the Guards of the Queen his daughter and so rigorously treated this Princess that she now fear'd Mezentius would kill her Son if he came into his hands 't is true she long time fear'd this mishap would arrive for knowing the humour of Mezentius and having understood from Flavia that some noise was dispers'd of the birth of this young Prince she oblig'd ber to command Nicius and Martia on her part to seek speedily a pretext to perform a voyage to carry this young child from the estate of a Prince whose violence and injustice she equally fear'd she gave Flavia precious stones of a very considerable value to give to Martia that she might make use of as occasion served during the exile of her Son and Flavia having instructed Nicius and Martia of Galeritas intentions return'd not to the Isle where she was kept till she had seen Nicius and Martia depart to seek an Asylum for Porsennas successor at first they had a design to put themselves under the protection
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
there is no appearance that his tyranny should soon finish for hardly doth he know that any one is against his Interests but he exiles him or puts him to death As Aronces had thus sayd they saw enter in the vessel where he was the tenth part of the slaves that the Prince of Carthage had taken and that he had sent as an homage to the Phenicians which gave a thousand praises to him in receiving them but Clelia hearing the Prince of Carthage say that those slaves belonged to Aronces she put an obliging war to him in demanding an exact account of his conquests it is rather for me replyed he gallantly to demand of you an account of yours which are assuredly more illustrious than mine for I do not doubt but if I saw all those which have been inslaved by the attractive lustre of your eyes since my departure I should see them in a far greater number than those the Prince of Carthage attributeth to me at least I know you may vanquish the vanquisher of others If you enterprise it After that Amilcar approaching Aronces demanded of him shewing Clelia to him if he did not fear to be shipwrackt at the Port and the conversation being become generall I gave my verdict as well as Amilcar But Madam I must ingeniously confess unto you she is the fairest nature ever made for wonder and in her alone are concentred all those graces may be imagined to compleat a perfect beauty the brightness of her hair adding a lustre to her sparkling eyes and the circumference of her face framed after such exact rules of proportion that no pencill is able to delineate her mouth for shape shaming the imitation of the best artists and the liveliest colours though tempered with the hands of the most exquisite Painters are but dull shadows and imperfect Representations in comparison of that perfect mixture of red and white which tinctures her complexion but she is furthermore imbellish'd with all the Charms of a tempting beauty for she hath a gallant and modest ayr a lofty yet lovely Countenance not any imperious deportment but such an affable behaviour that she commands both Love and Respect from all those who behold her and though she hath a firm and bold spirit above those of her sex she hath such an engaging sweetness that none can resist and that grandeur of spirit which makes her despise the greatest perills if she be threatned with them hath imprinted a certain timerous modesty on her visage which heightens her unparallel'd Features Clelia being adorned with all these superexcellent embellishments of Nature gave so much admiration to Aronces Horatius and to me when wee saw her in that vessel which was going to Phenicia that she was the sole subject of our discourse the Remainder of that day for Horatius he spoke of it less then me for besides that naturally hee doth not love to declare his thoughts I have known that he felt himself so wounded with Clelias beauty at this first fight that he would not hinder his spirit from being wholly possessed with that fair person whom he alone contemplated without communicating his Resentments to any persons as for Aronces he was more happy then Horatius for as he resided in Clelius his house he passed there the rest of that day and all the night but he lodged no more there because the Prince of Carthage would absolutely that he should lodge in his Pallace and that he should be depending on him and that Aronces having nothing but what Clelius had given him was not sorry to find such an illustrious way to subsist by his own virtue receiving the benefits of so great a Prince In the mean time after Clelius had imbraced Aronces with a Paternall affection he had likewise much joy to see Horatius which was son to one of his dearest friends and prayd Aronces to love him as if he had been his Brother and commanded Sulpicia and his amiable Daughter to take a particular care of him for when Clelius entertained Horatius of the present Estate of Rome he found such a Sympathy in his thoughts and that he so much hated Tarquin and the fiery and cruell Tullia his wife that he loved him much more for it so that Aronces who very much esteem'd Horatius and which was very much beloved by him performed all that he could imagin to render his Exile less rigorous but as freindship is not alwaies dispensed by exact Justice though I had less merit then Horatius I had a greater part in the affection of Aronces being his entire Confident so soon as we arrived at Carthage we knew the next day Maharballs love for Clelia without knowing the Prince of Numidias which as I have already told you made it appear but to her which caused it but as he soon noted the credit that Aronces had with Clelius Sulpicia and their admirable Daughter he endeavoured by all meanes to gain his friendship in which without doubt he had much part and since that time as Liberty is much greater at Carthage then Rome the Prince of Numidia Aronces Horatius and I were almost alwaies with Sulpicia and we had the Advantages not to be often importuned by Marharballs presence because as he nigh sustained the weight of the Republique it was impossible for him absolutely to renounce his duty to satisfie his Love and relying on his Authority he easily dispensed with all those petty cares he thought unnecessary And since none imbarqued from Carthage without his provision he did not fear Clelius would go from thence nor that any man of quality in the City durst be his Rivall as for the Prince of Carthage he turned eyes another way Amilcar seemed to have two or three designs instead of one and the Prince of Numidia was not in estate to dare to oppose him openly he lookt upon Aronces as one unknown which durst not turn his eyes towards the Daughter of a man to whom he owed his life and he considered Horatius and I as two strangers which would not stay at Carthage and which would not make an enemy of him which should protect us Clelia being by these considerations importuned by him and we were more happy for though Maharball hath Spirit it is an incommodious spirit he having a formed eloquence with an insupportable slownesse and which would enforce attention from his auditors as if his discourse contained much ingenuity who believes himself to be above all he knowes who boasteth himself to be of a great house great spirit and great heart and who is the violentest man in the world but in despight of all his violence the Prince of Numidia was his Rivall t is true he was in so discreet a manner that no person perceived it but Clelia only and he had perswaded Maharball that the reason which so often induced him to Sulpicias house was that he was charm'd with her Language and indeed the Prince with so much assiduity studied the Roman language to
extinguish it so Love hath need of entertainment to increase it but as this spark is fire though it casteth no great heat nor light so Love at first is Love though it is but newly begun It is certain replyed Aronces that Love as friendship may be born in an instant which usually is preceded by many good Offices but I am perswaded that that Love which hath no sudden beginning and which is advanc'd by great esteem and very much admiration is more strong and solid then that which is tumultuously born without knowing whether the person beloved hath either virtue or spirit for I have heard say that there are men which become amorous of women with whom they had never changed aword and there are some sayd Sozonisba which have loved women having never seen them and which have even loved a picture for those added Barce I think they may be rather rank'd with those which have no reason then in the rank of those which have Love Indeed replyed Clelia t is not so strange to see a man very amorous of a fair picture as of a woman which hath neither Beauty spirit or virtue as there are some which are For my particular replied I I find the fair Clelia hath reason and that it is the greatest folly imaginable to love that which is not amiable I am of your opinion replyed Horatius but be likewise of mine and confess that all great passions have a violent beginning and that there is nothing which more demonstrates an ardent and durable Love then when it is born in an instant without consulting our reason I casily am of your opinion replyed Aronces that one may begin to have love at the first sight of an amiable person but I will not confess that those which have this first thought of passion more violent than others love more or longer for 't is rather an effect of their temperament than the grandeur of their passion so that ordinarily those which are of a hot nature love not so constantly as others because not having power over their own dispositions they must necessarily change Love as other things and it consequently follows that those which love the speediest are not the most constant But in fine said Clelia it matters not whether they change or not 't is not of that I intend to speak for that I maintain is that one cannot have Love at the first sight they see a woman I assure you Madam replyed Horatius I know a man which from the first day he saw one of the most admirable persons in the world had I know not what in his heart which entirely possest it which gave him joy and inquietude desires hope and fear and which in fine rendred him so different from himself that if it was not love he had in his heart it was something which very much resembled it I know another replyed Aronces without suspecting Horatius his Passion for Clelia which hath long time had esteem and admiration without loving a marvellous person 't is true I am perswaded that the reason which then hindred him from it was that he believed himself not permitted to love that which he should adore but beginning to love replyed Clelia hath he left adoration for if so I find that which he adored ought to wish he should not love it these two Resentments are not incompatible Madam replyed Aronces and though we might adore things we love not because they surpass our knowledge we do nevertheless love that which we adore for my self replyed Barce between those two thoughts I should love him better which belongs to a mistress than him which appertains not but to a Goddess and the tenderness of the heart is so to be prefer'd before the admiration of the spirit that I put no comparison between those two things indeed added Sozonisbe tenderness is a quality so necessary to all manner of affections that they cannot be agreeable or perfect if it is not there I comprehend well said Clelia that we may say a tender amity and there is a notable difference between an ordinary and a tender amity but said Sozonizbe I have never heard of a tender amity and I ever sigur'd it to my self that this affected and significative term was consecrated to perfect amity and that it was only speaking of it we might sitly imply the word tender so many men use it now replyed I that we know not a truer signification of it I would therefore hinder said Clelia that that word which signifies a thing so sweet rare and agreeable should be prophan'd though Celeres hath said every one useth it For my particular replied Sozonizbe I promise you always to make use of it if you can make me understand its true signification I promise the same thing added Barce for I ingenuously confess unto you that though there passes never a day but I tell some of my friends that I love them tenderly and some friends accost me in the same Language I confess it may be that it appertains not to me to use it As I am perswaded added Aronces that there is a species of an amorous tenderness which puts as much difference between the Loves of those which have it or have it not as ordinary tenderness puts to amity I shall be infinitely obliged to the fair Clelia if she will define tenderness and decipher how I may know it and what value it sets on friendship to the end I may prove in the sequel of it that tenderness joyned to Love much augmenteth its estimation as I have naturally a tender Spirit replyed Clelia I think it appertains to me more than any other to speak of tenderness and that Barce with all her Spirit cannot do it so well as I. I have already confessed replyed that fair person that I do not well know how to make use of this word neither do I precisely know whether I have any tenderness or not therefore I shall be infinitely obliged if you please to tell me the difference between an ordinary and a tender amity it is so considerable replyed Clelia that I may very well say there is less between the indifferent amity than between these two For in fine that which hath no tenderness is a kind of a tranquillous friendship which gives neither great contentments nor great inquietudes to those which are capable of them they have even friendship in their hearts without expressing any sensibility depart from them without being melancholy they think not of them if they see them not they render them courtesies without great joy and they receive them without much acknowledgment they neglect all petty cares the evils of those they love touch them not generosity and ostentation hath as much part in all they act as friendship they have a certain Lethargy of heart which makes them not feel the joy to be beloved of those they love they put little difference between the conversation of other persons and those to whom they have
to tell you a hundred unnecessary things I shall tell you in two words that we passed from Sicily into Campania and from thence to Capua where we had a favourable reception for the chief Magistrate of the City that we call Mediadusticks was my Uncle so that by this means I was happy enough to find occasion to render some services to the persons of the world I wished most to serve so that in a few days Clelius Aronces and Horatius were not treated as strangers in our City Sulpicia and her admirable daughter likewise found amongst our Ladies so much sweetness and Civility that the first was constrained to remit something of her Roman severity and to suffer Clelia to accommodate her self to the custom of the place where she was and to the honest liberty of our manner of life 't is true Madam that t was not very difficult for her to do it for t is certain that t is not without reason that our City is called the delicious Capua in effect one may say that as nature hath placed in our Country all that which might render a life delectable it hath likewise inspired into the Inhabitants Inclinations which carry them to pleasure and joy to the end to make them enjoy all the benefits she hath afforded them for one may say there is nothing in this place but delight and that the care which it had to entertain the publick tranquillity hath no other motive than to hinder the disturbance of the publick and particular pleasures so all the World thinking to divertise themselves one may say all the World divertiseth it self the Ladies are there fair gallant and magnificent the men are ingenious for pleasure festival days and extremely liberal and there is there led a life so sweet calm and delectable that there are no men such enemies to society which have no grief to depart from thence and not any strangers which may not facilly accustom themselves thereto but how agreeable soever our City was and though this fair Troop received all manner of civility there was none but Clelia there which found any sweetness or delectation for Clelius hearing that Tarquins authority was greater and that although he was generally hated by all that did not hinder him from reigning peaceably had a most sensible grief Sulpitia who had the same zeal for her Country had likewise the same affliction and Horatius joyning the resentments of an exiled Roman with those of a Lover who durst not say he loved found himself very unhappy but Aronces believed that he was much more and knew not sometimes if he ought to esteem himself more miserable for not knowing his birth or that Clelia was Ignorant of his passion but he found some sweetness as well as Horatius to think that Clelia was in a place where the violence of Maharbal need not be feared and those two Rival friends left not to have some pleasing hours in the conversation of Clelia they lived with more friendship at Capua than at Carthage because Horatius owing his life to Aronces and Aronces his to Horatius the acknowledgment bound with a more stricter knot their affections they told not one another of the passions they had in their souls for as I already was the confident of Aronces and that Horatius was not of the humour to have any they discovered not to one another their Love and they told it not even to her which caused it so that though they had most agreeable hours with her they had some also very troublesome for Horatius thought not that an Exile could handsomly make a declaration of Love Aronces could not imagine that one unknown might be favourably treated for Clelia though by a natural and generous inclination she interest her self in her Country nevertheless as she had never seen Rome that she was fair and young and that all pleasures courted her she found her self sufficiently happy but that which principally made her felicity was that looking upon Aronces as her Brother and believing that he had nothing but friendship for her she accustomed her self to live with him with a confidence infinitely sweet and which left not to afflict Aronces as obliging as she was because that the more he knew the sweetness of Clelia the more he believed it was dangerous to tell her that he loved her so that excepting me he took an extreme care to conceal his passion Nevertheless these two secret Lovers daily frequented Clelias company to whose house all the virtuous men and fairest Ladies every day resorted 't is not but that the beauty of Clelia gave resentments of jealousie and emulation but she was so a la mode and there was so many in Sulpitias house that those which would see and be seen could not otherwise satisfie their curiosity for there were few persons in any other houses or if there was any other company it was ordinarily neither great nor delectable Aronces one day took pleasant notice of it for knowing Madam that being in a fancy to endeavour to heal himself we went many days from quarter to quarter from street to street from door to door from visit to visit to the end to divert his spirit from the object which so entirely possessed it but in what place soever we went we heard nothing spoken of but Clelia for in one house we were demanded if we had been at her house and in another if we were going thither one of my kinsfolks told us she came from it and one of my friends told Aronces that he came from thence In another place there was a man who said she should no more he called Clelia but the Fair Roman and in the house of a Lady who was of a brown complection there was one of her Gallants who highly praised the beauty of Clelia though she was yellow haired in another place we found a Lady which needs would find some fault saying she was too fair and I can assure you that for four or five days we went into no place where we heard not Clelia spoken of and we went every where where persons of quality might go but at the last house where we went the last day that Aronces had destin'd to these visits where we knew not what we sought there was a Lady who finished to make known to that Lover that it was in vain to seek any place where he should not hear Clelia spoken of for he heard her more spoken of in this place than in any other But Madam before I recount to you this conversation you must know to understand it with pleasure who this person is which we meet with and I believe you will not be angry if I describe her to you since 't is certain that she whereof I speak who is called Aricidia is an in-imitable person In effect all that which is particular to her cannot be seen in any other For in fine I must tell you for her honour that without being of illustrious extraction
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
it shew it me I pray you for as I am perswaded she writes as well as she speaks I have a great desire to see one of her Letters at least I very well know her Character is the fairest in the world for I have seen verses of her writing at first Aronces believed that telling a second time to Horatius that this Letter was not from Clelia and telling it him very seriously he would believe it and would press him no more to shew it him but it hapned otherwise for Horatius reiterating his intr eaties with much earnestness perswaded him he suspected something of his passion so that fearing extreamly he should know it and for fear he should acquaint Clelius with it with whom he had a most inviolable amity resolved to shew him Fenice his Letter to make him a false confidence by shewing it him to the end to frustrate his conceived opinion that he was amorous of Clelia if it was true he thought so that the better to conceal his passion I know not Horatius said he to him giving him the Tablets he held from whence it comes you will not believe me but to evidence to you you have wronged me by suspecting the verity of my words see if this writing is Clelia's but after you have seen this Letter do not speak of it I pray you though I am resolved not to have any commerce with the person who writ it therefore Horatius tell none yet nevertheless I will not be indiscreet without any exception that you have seen a Letter of this nature in my hands As you tell me not her name who wrote it replyed Horatius after he had read it I can hardly be unfaithful to you if I would For what can I say to those to whom I would tell it but that you have shewed me a Letter Since I know nothing else but that it is from an incensed Lady who wrote to you with such an high indignation that I believe she will easily be appeased when you will and that she hath more disposition to love than hate you whatsoever it be speak not of it I pray you said Aronces for in the thoughts in which I now am I am assured I shall never mention love to that person Whilst Aronces thus spoke Horatius had an extream joy to believe that he was not an amorous of Clelia for though his friend told him he would never have any commerce with the person whose Letter he had seen he harkned to that as the discourse of an angred Lover who believed sometimes to hate when he loved most he doubted not but Aronces had a great engagement to this Lady whose Letter he had seen so that believing he was not exposed but to be a mans Rival to whom he owed his Life and whom he very much loved he expressed a great resentment of joy by the only imagination of it and lest that mishap he greatly feared might happen to him he resolved whilst Aronces loved another to tell him that he had the same for Clelia though he loved not to declare his secrets for as he knew him to be very generous he thought that after he had once made him his confident he would not become his Rival so that casting an obliging look on Aronces For to demonstrate to you how dear your friendship is to me said he to him I have almost stolen from you your secret but I will voluntarily declare mine to you know then continued he that time hath worn out many months since love seized my heart and I every day feel my hatred against Tarquin increases because I look on him as the cruel cause of those punishments which are prepared for me Aronces hearing Horatius speak in this manner imagined he had some Amoretta's at Rome and did not fully comprehend that he hated Tarquin more than ordinarily because it was his exile which had caused his passion for Clelia so that willing to testifie to Horatius that he would obligingly espouse his Interests he commiserated his cruel passion prying to tell him his adventure Alas my dear friend said he to him my adventure is declared in few words for as soon I shall tell you that I love without being beloved I shall tell you all which hath happened to me since I was amorous But hath not absence replyed Aronces healed you of a love which hath been so ill rewarded as he thus spoke and that Horatius was about to tell him that he was not absent from the person whom he loved and that he would have named Clelia to him Clelius entred into Aronces his Chamber and broke off the conversation of these two Rivals which knew not themselves to be so and they could not renew it this day nor a long time after for as Aronces would not render secret for secret to Horatius he rather avoided than sought him Horatius on his side had his spirit so clouded with grief that though he had a design to confide in Aronces he could not do it no occasion presenting it self In the mean time as he believed Aronces to be engaged in another love he clearly submitted his heart to Clelia But to return to the two Letters these Rivals had writ her and the answers she returned to them you must know that three days were fully completed before Aronces had the happiness to see Clelia though he sought for her in the resolution he had taken not to oppose his love and had resolved to tell her that that which he writ was positively true for Horatius though he resolved to love Clelia he feared to see her lest she should be displeased when he should tell her the contents of his Letter were true but at last by a fortunate occasion these two Rivals met together after Dinner at Clelius his Gate with one design to see Clelia Horatius said nothing particularly to Aronces because he had with him a friend which he had found at Capua called Stenius whom he had brought to entertain Sulpitia that he might discourse with her daughter so that being entred without discovering their hearts to one another they seemed as two men which had great friendship together but they were very much troubled when they approached Clelia and this fair person seeing them both at once and seeing in their countenances an equal agitation confirmed her self in her conceived opinion that they both had contrived together those Letters they had writ to her it happened that Horatius nothing Aronces his change of Countenance looked on him and Aronces doing the same thing looked on Horatius so that Clelia believing they made some intelligent sign to deceive her determin'd with her self to tell them they were not come to their end and thus smiling said you see well said she to them in the manner with which I receive you both that you have not deceived me and that your fallacy hath not succeeded therefore do not enterprise it once more if you will not have the shame to be discovered for if
general commended this new invention which displayed the way how one might acquire tenderness from honest persons except from some dull stupid malicious wicked whose approbations were indifferent to Clelia whether they praised it or no yet it commonly drew some delight from the most stupid of those men for there was a man among the rest who demanded to see this Card with a strange obstinacy and after he had heard many praise it he dully demanded for what use it served and for what profit was this Map I know not replyed he to whom he spoke after he had diligently folded it up if it will serve to every one but I know it will never conduct you to Tender The Destiny of this Map Madam was likewise so happy that those which were too stupid to understand it used to divertise us in giving us subject to deride their follies but it seemed particularly to Aronces because it prejudiced Horatius for Madam you must know that this Lover which as I have told you troubled Clelia with his continual complaints speaking to her one day of this Map and willing to make use of it to speak of his passion Alas Madam said he to her I am more unhappy than all those which approach you since 't is true that I do not see the way which may conduct me where I may go in that ingenious Map you have made for I cannot touch your Inclination I have not sufficient Merit to acquire your Esteem I can never oblige you to any Recognizance and in fine I know not what way to take and to say things as I think them I know not if I may go where some other more happy than I is already arrived and if that Countrey where you say no person hath yet been is not known to some of my Rivals for Madam from whence proceeds this durity of heart towards me if you have it not Tender towards some others you have naturally a gentle spirit a sensible heart I very well know you esteem me you are not ignorant of my passion you likewise know Clelius honours me with his friendship there is no disproportion of quality between us and if fortune changes at Rome I shall have riches enough to make a Roman happy But after all Madam added he I am perswaded that far from having the power to pass to Tender I shall never arrive there Ah would to the Gods some unknown be not already arrived near those unknown Lands to hinder me from going thither and that your heart is not already too much engaged to love him of whom You have done well Horatius said Clelia interrupting him her anger planting blushes on her cheeks to remember me that my Father loves you for if it was not by that consideration I would treat you in such a manner that it would be in effect easie to know that you will never arrive to Tender but the respect I bear him somewhat retaining me I content my self to tell you two things the first is I absolutely forbid you ever to speak to me in particular and the second is that that unknown of whom you speak is not in these unknown Lands because no person is yet there nor can never be there but to the end you do not imagine I conceal the truth from you I declare to you he is at Tender and that he shall always be there both by esteem and recognizance for he hath all the merit one can have he hath saved my life as well as yours but the difference that is between you and me is this that I am very acknowledging and you very ungrateful In the interim it seems to me not very judicious to appear ungrateful when one desires to obtain favours from any one Horatius would have answered something but Clelia would not hearken to him and Aronces being arrived he was constrained to depart from her and to leave his Rival with her but hardly was he departed but Aronces gave her account of divers small Commissions she had given him the day before for she had prayed him to oblige Aricidia to recount to him that which passed in a great Assembly where she was he was likewise charged to procure flowers to make Garlands for a great Feast which hath some resemblance with the Feast of the Terminales so solemnly celebrated at Rome and he had promised to give her some of Sappho's verses he had translated for he very well understood the Greek and she knew it not so that willing to quit himself of all those things she ordained he made at first a pleasant Narration of that Assembly where Aricidia had been for in fine Madam said he to Clelia I will declare to you the very words of Aricidia tell Clelia said she to me after I had acquainted her with your desires that the Assembly was not fair because she was not there and that there never had been one where there was so much melancholy For all those Ladies which profess Gallantry were unhappily this day there for all the jealous Husbands were there and above half of their Gallants were wanting in pursuit Aronces promised Clelia that she should have the next day four bushels of Flowers to make Garlands and began his Version of Sappho's Verses whose memory is very famous through all Greece which were very amorous as ye may judge by four Verses which I shall tell you which remains in my memory Love is a pleasing Malady For which my heart no cure can find Yet if I could get Remedy I 'le rather dye than cure my mind But after Aronces had given her account of the Commissions she gave him and that Clelia smiled at all that Aricidia told him that she had thanked Aronces for his flowers and that she had praised the Verses he had given her he said to her half smiling at least Madam permit me to hope that if I continue I shall soon pass from that agreeable Village which is called Little Cares and that if I cannot go to Tender on esteem I may one day arrive to Tender on Recognizance not daring to pretend to go to the third nor to think there is something above Tender for those happy unknown Lands I can descry but at a distance I find my self so comforted by being strongly perswaded that others cannot go thither no more than I that I shall think my self happy when I shall arrive to Tender Clelia remembring the expressions of Horatius could not conceal her blushes and Aronces fearing to have incurr'd her indignation demanded pardon of her not knowing wherefore he demanded it are my wishes too much to desire Madam said he to her if they are so divine Clelia I crave your pardon but I demand it not having power to do pennance for such a crime no no Aronces said she obligingly to him I do not condemn you for desiring my friendship but on the contrary am very well pleased you esteem me worthy of it but to descend a little nigher I assure
you you have as much part as your merit or obligations may claim for in fine I owe my self to Clelius and Sulpicia and likewise to you and I assure you whilst you do not force me to change my thoughts and conceal my friendship and my recognizance I shall be very glad to evidence to you in any occasion that I am not ungrateful But Madam replyed Aronces what may I do to preserve my self in that glorious estate where you make me believe I am you must live with me as you did formerly replied she But Madam replyed he you desire an impossibility for the means to live long without entertaining you of that I dare not tell you but by my sighs and regards I am resolved pursued he to endeavour to obey you to oblige you if I can to desist from such an unjust command for to testifie unto you Aronces said she to him that I have a tender friendship for you and that I will preserve it if I can by all means possible I will unlock my heart to you and rely on your discretion Ah Madam said Aronces to her but I fear this confidence will afflict me and not at all oblige me I know not if you are equitable replyed she but I am assured I shall not be unjust If you do me justice answered he permit my love and that I tell it you and you will be satisfied that I love without hope if the Gods had disposed your fortune and mine otherwise than they are replyed she I ingeniously confess to you you are the only person on which I could wish my Father had fixt his eyes but Aronces things are not on those terms for not to flatter you if you are not a Roman you must not pretend to Clelia and there is great likelihood you are not a Roman neither that you shall ever know your extraction content your self then to have acquir'd my friendship without pretending further for if my Father should discover that you had other thoughts than those of a Brother he would complain of you he would forbid me your sight and I should without doubt obey him though I should do it not without some difficulty But Madam replyed Aronces I will only tell you I love you and Clelius shall not know it but better to keep this secret replied she you must not tell it neither to me nor my Father but Aronces pursued she this secret is no secret as you imagine for Horatius who knows it may tell it to others if he hath not already done it and it may be for some reason he may acquaint Clelius with it Horatius without doubt hath cause to desire my unhappiness replyed Aronces but I have so good an opinion of his Vertue that I do not suspect he will perform any dishonourable Action and I believe he will only imploy his merit to eclipse my love Though it should be so said Clelia seeing he knows you love me I must give him no occasion to believe I suffer your love and I conjure you to confirm your Resentments if I could do it Madam replied he I would but it is not possible I and all that I can do is to leave you to take a free election love me then or love me not suffer my love or reject it nothing shall oblige me to murmure against you but nothing shall oblige me to alter my ardent affection if you will not permit me to entertain you with it added he I will do it but I am assured my vital faculties will fail when speech is forbidden me and you may it may be repent rather to have desired my death than to hearken to my Love Aronces propounded these words with such a passionate and respectful air that Clelia remembring that hazardous attempt he performed to save her life had not the power rigorously to treat that man she had seen so valiantly kill those which would have cast her into the Sea and she took a mean and told him without doubt all that decency and modesty dictated to her in such expressions which favoured not of any severity which evidenced to Aronces that only Clelia's Vertue retrieved her and that he had no subject to complain of her though he had not obtained the liberty to sigh but after he had left her Clelia had some discourse with her Mother which gave her more boldness to abandon her heart to the inclination she had for Aronces for as Sulpicia tenderly loved him that she had a secret aversion for Horatius and that she feared that Clelius had a design to give his Daughter to the last she confided to Clelia all the secret of her Soul and made her understand that she passionately desired she should espouse Aronces and that she strangely feared Clelius would make her marry Horatius 't is not said she but that he is an honest man but in fine I have some secret reasons which would afflict me if you should espouse him and I should be very glad if Clelius would turn his eyes to Aronces I know very well added she that we know not his birth but I know we are not strangers to his Vertue and that if he was not born at Rome he hath at least the heart of a Roman yea of a generous Roman Moreover Clelius owes his life to him and we likewise I have likewise discovered without testifying any thing more of it that he hath more affection for you than he shews and I believe I ought to tell you my true thoughts for fear if he had been ignorant of them you would have blindly conformed yours to those of Clelius I pretend not pursued Sulpicia to make you disobey him but I would have you empty your address to disengage Horatius from the design I perceive he hath for you that you make no rudeness to Aronces and that you endeavour handsomly to make known to Clelius that you have some aversion towards Horatius and that you have none for Aronces for as I know he loves you if you do as I direct you he will not constrain you but above all my Daughter added this prudent Mother had your spirit always no estate to obey him without any reluctancy if he would have you recede from my directions for I intend not to employ but address only to make him consent to my desires You may judge Madam that Clelia easily promised to her Mother to perform all her desires and to give her one secret for another she acknowledged to her that Aronces and Horatius loved her but by a sentiment of modesty she could not resolve to tell her the sequel of the discourse which passed between these two Lovers and her In the mean time being become more bold after that Sulpicia had told her she was more severe to Horatius and more affable to Aronces to whom in the end she accorded the permission to tell her sometimes the thoughts he had for her but she always forbad him the hope to be happy without the
you have nothing to do but to prepare your self to rejoyce for my death for in the thoughts in which you are it will without doubt cause you joy but because I may at least have the comfort to die justified accuse me exactly of my supposed crime tell me when Fenice was loved by me when we were familiar together and if I destroy not all these impostures esteem me as the basest of all Men take from me wholly all hopes that is to say take away my life speak then Divine Clelia continued he but speak without turning away your fair eyes that they may see in mine all the innocence of my heart and the fervour of my Love Clelia hearing Aronces speak in this manner began to doubt of what had been told her concerning him so that looking upon him with a more gracious eye then before by your favour Aronces said she to him justifie not your self for I had rather be in wrath then in sorrow wherefore because 't is upon necessity that I must lose you leave me in the belief that 't is I which have lost you No no Madam replied he I will not indure this injustice and I must be absolutely justified As Aronces ended these words and that he was in hope to appease Clelia Fenice followed by two of her Friends came down stairs at the foot of which we were insomuch that Aronces who did not think that she had been there and who knew that Clelia had newly accused him to have born her some affection was so surprised by the sight of her that it was not in his power to conceal those marks which demonstrated the agitation of his spirit Nevertheless as he intended to clear Clelia of her doubt he saluted Fenice with more reservedness then ordinarily insomuch that this person not knowing what was the reason of the diminution of his wonted civility and calling to mind the cold entertainment that Clelia gave her the last time she saw her she could not hinder her self from making some reproaches for it Ah Aronces said she to him 't is too much to be at odds both with you and Clelia 't is not added Fenice but that her beauty deserves your regards but she ought not to be possessor of all your civilities Aronces and Clelia were so surprised by what Fenice had said and she passed by so suddenly that they had not the leisure to answer her yet they both began to give her a reply but as I have said already Fenice gave them not the leisure to end it nay they were not able to say any thing to each other and I could not go after Fenice who had not seen me because Sulpicia ended her discourse which she had with that Lady which had stayed her by this means Aronces thinking to clear himself found himself in a new labyrinth for the alteration of his countenance and what Fenice had told him renewed the suspicions in Clelia's heart insomuch that although he spake to her as he went up the stairs she gave him no Answer and she hath even acknowledged that she hardly understood him you may then judge Madam that when they were in this mourning Chamber it was not easie for him to entertain her and when Sulpicia departed Clelia carried her self so dexterously that she engaged me whether I would or not to lead her it is true that Aronces was not prejudiced by it for he found in Sulpicia whom he accompanied so much kindness that it did in some measure comfort him yet she nevertheless told him but very displeasing things for she confirmed him in the belief which he had that Clelius was very angry with him and that he would not be easily reconciled it is true that she testified to him a great deal of sorrow for it which did infinitely oblige him But as she went about to joyn Clelia's thoughts with hers and to make him know that she also was very sorry for it Ah Madam said he to her the equity of Clelia is far inferiour to yours and I am far from having any subject by which I might equalize her goodness with yours Certainly you take the modesty of my Daughter replied Sulpicia as a Token of indifferency but I assure you she gives your virtue its deserved praise and that if my perswasions could be ever able to cause an alteration in Clelius his thoughts you should see what testimonies she would give of the esteem she hath of you Aronces durst not tell her what Clelia had told him for fear of angring that fair person to whom I spoke but as soon as I desired to know of her for what reason she would put Aronces to despair by treating him so cruelly Aronces replied she it may be is not so innocent as you think him to be and you may chance to be a better Friend then you think for in speaking to his advantage Clelia told me that in such obscure terms that as I knew not that she thought Aronces loved Fenice I was far from understanding what she meant and I likewise answered so ambiguously and our conversation was so mysterious that we parted without understanding one another so that when Aronces and I were alone together we knew not what to imagine for he was so astonisht that Clelia should accuse him of loving Fenice and I was so affrighted at it when he told it me that I knew not what to think of it and the grief which Aronces had for it was so great that it could not be exceeded for my part I knew well after that which he had told me that it may be I was a better Friend then I thought for believing that Aronces was amourous of Fenice whom I loved she was perswaded that I did more then I ought in speaking in his behalf In the mean time we in vain searcht from whence should proceed Clelia's jealousie the cause of which was very far off for you must remember that when I told you that when Horatius endeavoured the first time to know whether Aronces was in love with Clelia or no he found him with a Letter in his hand which Fenice had wrote me of which Horatius knew not the writing Now Madam it happened that during the time that he had kept his Chamber for the hurt which he had received Stenius fortunately shewed him a Song which was written by Fenice which he saw sometimes so that Horatius remembring it to be the same hand as that which he had seen in his Rivals hands he began to imagine that Aronces loved in two places and that I was his Confident only but by Fenice so that relating this whole Adventure to Stenius he began to exaggerate the unjustice of Clelia to prefer a Man to him which only gave her a divided heart So that Stenius effectively believing that Aronces had some intelligence with Fenice and thinking to tender Horatius a good office he went without informing him of it to Clelia's house and he so contrived his discourse that he
Aronces since the latter hath more worth then the other and that you are more obliged to him and that he is more esteemed by Clelia if you had received your birth at Rome replied Clelius you should see what 't is to be born a Roman and you should know what is that invincible band and that love to our Countrey which bindeth all its Citizens to each other as for Tarquin I look upon him as a Monster which hath usurped the Soveraign Authority which belonged not to him and I neither consider him as a lawful King nor as a Roman But since Tarquin's Vices replied Arcidia make him not to be considered by you as a Roman let the same reason induce you to esteem Aronces by reason of his Virtues as if he were one No no Aricidia replied Clelius you shall not perswade me since I am resolved Horatius shall be the possessor of my Daughter and that Aronces never shall and in effect since he is not a Roman and that he is ungrateful I must not look upon him as a man capable to wed all my interests for in fine Aricidia I will have a Son-in Law whose love for his Countrey and hatred against the Tyrant of Rome shall be in the same degree as mine it is therefore that I find in Horatius the accomplishment of all my desires In the mean time as I foresee it will be difficult for Aronces to see Horatius crowned with the title of happiness whilst this passion predominates in him I shall therefore oblige him before I resolve on this marriage to return to the Carthaginian Prince and command him not to return hither till he hath eradicated this passion from his heart Have you then positively promised Clelia to Horatius replyed Aricidia No said Clelius because I would have him desire her but have only fed him with hopes and I am resolved so soon as he hath left his Chamber to salute him with this agreeable news but do you know answered Aricidia that it will be as pleasing to Clelia as Horatius I believe it replyed he and presuppose that her will is regulated by mine In truth replyed Aricidia I did not believe you so disesteemed him and that no Chymera of a Roman could come in competition with the transcendent qualities of Aronces for in fine if Rome only were illuminated by the Sun it might plead by that priviledge to have more vertuous persons than any other City but as you know the Sun spreads his beams through the whole Universe and there are vertuous men in all parts of the world I have heard say continued she that in all Greece there were but seven men which above all the rest were called wise yet the Greeks think they are well furnished with wisdom and you pretend that all Romans are wise believe me Clelius if you would diligently peruse the ancient Records of Rome you should find it ever since its being infected with vices and if there be any difference between Romans and others it is that their Vertue is more rude and savage and I am fully perswaded that since you will not be perswaded by me that the over-ruling quality of the Romans is obstinacy for if that were not you would yield to my reasons to your prayers and to your self for I am assured that during what I have said of Aronces your heart hath consirmed that I had reason and that you were to blame Clelius hearing Aricidia speak and knowing her franchise would no longer dispute against her and being resolved to refuse her he would do it with civility wherefore he gave her thanks for the interest she took in his Family but he still spoke to her so fiercely of Aronces that she knew there was nothing to hope for and knowing it would be to no purpose to delude him she gave him no hopes on the other side Herminius found Clelius's spirit so exasperated that she would not so much as let him speak to her of Aronces and she took it so ill that she should employ others to speak to her still of one thing for though he had been well with her this very occasion had been sufficient to cause a disgrace from her for the more she esteemed Herminius she so much the more took it ill that he should justifie Aronces so that this miserable Lover was in unspeakable despair I had for my part some vexation for as Ferice hath humours and is a little unjust she taxed me of Clelia's coldness and of Aronces want of civility which they had shewed her when she saw them together and she pretended that in consideration of her I should fall out with them so that we had a great contestation which did almost cure me of my amorous disposition But to return to Aronces who was far more miserable than before because Clelius who being desirous that he should retire himself from Capua before Horatius should marry Clelia went to tell it him and in effect told him so roughly that he could not give him an answer for as he was redevable to him for all things and that he still considered him as his Father he durst not be violent against him and withal knowing very well that it would have been to no purpose he therefore endeavoured by all the tenderest words he could express to compassionate his heart and when he saw that he could not work upon him he conjured him to permit him to have the liberty to dwell with him and if he would not at least to suffer him to take his leave of Clelia but whatsoever he could say he could not obtain any thing of what he demanded so that Aronces being transported with anguish and not able to contain it in his soul Ah pitiless Clelius cryed he wherefore did you save me my life or why at present do you kill me 'T is no matter said Clelius you must depart and it must be without a second quarrel with Horatius as also in not seeing my Daughter Ah Clelius replied Aronces hastily I shall not satisfie you in any thing except I have a command from Clelia to depart without assaulting Horatius 't is not but that I know the respect which I owe you but my reason is weaker than my love and if she which causes it does not command me to let my Rival be happy I know not whether I shall not disobey you since you must be commanded by Clelia to depart replied Clelius fiercely going away she shall command it you but it shall only be but by a Letter for I declare unto you that that she shall not go out of her Chamber till you have left Capua You may judge Madam in what condition Aronces wns who a while after repented for what he had hastily said to Clelius yet notwithstanding his love he knew well that this illustrious Roman was not much to blame in giving his daughter rather to Horatius of whom he knew the birth than to one whose true quality was
sometimes entertaining one and then another he at last spoke to Clelia who was much surprised not to see Horatius and that in all likelyhood Aronces was not to leave them very quickly and there happened an occasion which gave Aronces as much leisure as he could desire to entertain Clelia for as this company came to a great rotundo of Trees which divides this great Walk of the Myrtles and the Ladies having seated themselves it happened that the places casually were before almost all taken so that there was no place left for Clelia who seeing only a little Bench which was on the other side where there could sit but two she went thither and Aronces took his place by her But when she saw him approach the fear which she had that Horatius should come that he should find her in a particular conversation with his Rival and that it should hinder her from perswading him what she desired caused her to speak softly to him by your favour Aronces said she to him if it be true that you have formerly had some friendship for me I conjure you not to desire any private discourse with me to day for since I durst not recount unto you my life it is not needful you should think of speaking with me in secret No no Madam said he to her looking attentively on her it concerns you not so much as you think for I assure you Horatius shall not come hither by your orders and if fortune guide him not hither I shall have leisure humbly to intreat you to tell me what I have done to merit your hatred and what he hath done to gain your love and from whence proceeds that when you deny me the comfort of a last farewel you writ him Notes gave him assignations in a place from whence you would have me be gone because you stay for him but Madam to deliver you from the unquietude which I cause in you I must tell you that the slave which you ordered to deliver your Note to Horatius did mistake for 't is I which have received it and I am come hither to conjure you to tell me if I am worthy to know that you had resolved to tell Horatius you may judge Madam how Clelia was surprised when she heard Aronces use these expressions nevertheless as her spirit was free from jealousie and that the love which she had for Aronces was stronger then ever and he lookt on her in such a manner which mollified her heart that she endeavoured not to disguise the truth of that which she perceived he knew and she was not very sorry to make him understand that this assignation was not to be advantagious for Horatius Also when Aronces had desired her to tell him what she intended to tell Horatius whom she had staid for Aronces said she then to him if you know what you demand you would soon gain-say yourself and you would desire me not to tell you that which you seem to desire of me Tell me at least then answered he what you would have me do if it be true answered she that you love me yet I will have you resolve your self to love me no more but as a Sister and that you will be so equitable as not to accuse me of your misfortune since I am enough my self not to accuse you of mine But Madam replied he things are not alike between us for I may justly accuse you of all my misfortunes but for my part what is it that I do which may contribute to your unhappiness You are the cause answered she blushing that I have a horrible repugnancy to obey my Father you are he which makes Horatius who is a very deserving person altogether insupportable to me as soon as I consider him as to be my Husband and in fine by all appearances you are the cause that the rest of my life will be miserable Ah Madam by your favour replied Aronces permit me to give so advantagious a sence to your words that they may if not make me happy they may at least render me less miserable I consent thereunto Aronces replied she but I also conjure you to tell me no more anything for as things stand now I can no more innocently receive any particular mark of your affection nor give you any of mine you might nevertheless Madam if you please acquaint me with that which you would have told Horatius I would have told him replied she so many things advantagious for you that I ought not to tell it you if I could effectually desire you should love me no more for in fine Aronces I would have seen Horatius by the command of my Mother to tell him freely I can never love him and to endeavour by a resentment of generosity to induce him not to obstinate himself to render me miserable since I can never render him perfectly happy but to tell you the truth I think I shall never perswade him you now see Aronces added she the subject of this Assignation for which you have reproached me If it were permitted me replied he to give you thanks and to require your pardon I should prostrate my self divine Clelia at your Feet to testifie unto you my acknowledgement and for to conjure you to tell me if you would hate me in case I should disobey Clelius who will have me depart and seek all means possible to forget you I know not replied Clelia whether I should hate you but I know I should live with you as if I lov'd you not In effect added this prudent Virgin I shall do what I can not to espouse Horatius but when neither by my prayers nor inventions I shall not prevail there must be no more of anything done but to prepare never to see each other for without any equivocation I must tell you that though my Father should not oblige you to be gone I should 't is therefore that if the design which I have does not succeed as I believe it will not you must conform your will to my Fathers because you should not necessitate me voluntarily to impose upon you a rigorous command As Clelia had ended these words Horatius who heard by chance that she was in that Garden came thither so that this fair Maid spying him afar off in an Alley which came into that where she was advertiz'd Aronces thereof and desired him to leave her alone to the end she might perform that which Sulpicia had enjoyned her to do But Madam replied he who shall assure me that this conversation shall be such as I desire it to be that which I have had with you replied she going away promise me at least replied he that whatsoever happens you will still have a little love for the miserable Aronces I promise it you not replied she with an alteration in her colour in casting a favourable aspect upon him but I know not whether I shall not do it without promising you of it After that Clelia rejoyn'd the Ladies with
whom she was and after Aronces had saluted them he went into another walk without being perceived by Horatius and came to me in that where I was walking But it was with an extreme difficulty that he left his place to his Rival but after all when he considered that she spoke to him only but to tell him that she could not love him and to pray him to think no more on her he had an unspeakable joy though it was not accompanied with tranquillity and having an extreme desire to know the success of this conversation he desired we should walk in the Garden till it was ended because if Horatius should leave Clelia he might know of her how his Rival had received what she had told him but Madam it was easie to foresee what would be the event of this business for Horatius was very amorous and he was perswaded that notwithstanding what Clelia had said to him she would obey Clelius who thought though he had not promised her would give her to him and in effect though this amiable person employed all her subtleties and eloquence to perswade Horatius to banish her his thoughts 't was altogether impossible for her to do it neither was it in Aronces his power to come any more to Clelia for Horatius left her not but went away with her In the mean time as he could not resolve himself to depart till he knew the success of this discourse he engaged me to go and speak to Clelia who then knew that all Aronces secrets were known by me so that leaving him behind I went and mingled my self with the Troop where this fair Maid was who was then going away so that there being no other Men besides Horatius with these Ladies when they were to pass a difficult place by reason of a great heap of stones which were laid to support a Terrase which was to be built there he was obliged to present his hand to one of them which passed the first hoping after he had done so to all to lead Clelia But making use of this occasion to speak to her I led her over and left her not till we were out of the Garden and not for to loose any of those precious moments I whispered to her and told her Madam the miserable Aronces sends me to you to know whether he must live or die you shall tell him replied she with a most obliging sadness that I will not have him die but that if he loves me he shall ever be miserable and that he has nothing to do but to depart from Capua as soon as he can I was going to tell her that she was too blame for not opposing her self more strongly to Clelius but she answered me with so much wisdom and in so tender a manner for my friend that all I could do was but to admire her it is true that when we came to the Garden door I was constrained to leave her and Horatius likewise so that we were alone together and as he knew me to be Aronces particular Friend his hatred did extend it self almost as much to me as it did to him and having exasperated his spirit with that which Clelia had told him we parted with small demonstrations of friendship but as I was returning I found Clelius who was entred in this Garden by another door who had newly joyned himself with Aronces whose departure he urged so strongly that he gave him but one day more to be in Capua as I knew that Clelius could not tell him any agreeable thing I made no great difficulty to interrupt them but as I came near them Aronces who had an extreme desire to know what Clelia had told me demanded it of me by my eyes So that not having any favourable answer for him I made a sign to him whereby he might perceive his hopes were utterly destroyed to the end he should suddenly resolve to be unhappy and should not feed himself with an uncertain and vain hope which brought much confusion in his spirit for it seemed to him he had fallen to a less miserable estate if Clelia told him nothing advantagious this day and I had no sooner joyned my self to them but Clelius left Aronces and went to find Stenius Horatius his Friend who expected him in another Alley I will not tell you Madam what Aronces said to me after Clelius had left him and that I had recounted to him the discourse I had with Clelia for it would give you much compassion but that which made him quite despair was that he must now resolve to depart if he had followed the tumultuous resentments of his heart he would not have left Capua till he had kill'd Horatius but as he could not do it without offending both Clelius and Clelia and without putting himself in a condition never to see his beloved Object this consideration more then justice bridled his fury and though night began to vail the sky with a sable Mantle Aronces could not resolve to depart from this Garden but ingaged me insensibly in such tedious exaggerations of his mishap that it was more then half an hour since Cynthia guilded this Garden with her resplendent Rays which gave birth as it were to a new day so that we hardly knew 't was night his displeasure so much possessed him but in fine the excess of his own grief imposing silence on him and me because I could tell him nothing which might comfort him We walkt sometime without speaking one word in a little Alley along the side of an indifferent thick Wood which is inclosed in that Garden and it happened that Aronces going faster than I was ten or twelve paces distant from me but as he went alone he heard on the other side of a Pallissade which was between him and that little wood two Men who thinking themselves to be alone in that place spoke somewhat low one of which raising his voice addressing his speech to the other I know well said he to him in the Roman Language what we have promised to Tarquin is unjust but since 't is promised we must obey for in what place can we remain if after we have assured him to bring the head of Clelius we violate our words You may judge Madam what was the surprisal of Aronces when he heard these expressions from an unknown Man and though Clelius had pronounced him the most rigorous sentence imaginable he did not look upon him in this occasion as a Man which banisht him which esloyned him from Clelia and which rendred him most unhappy but he considered him as the Father of his Mistress to whom he owed his Life and attentively listening to hear the discourses of these unknown Men he heard that he which had hearkned to him who had first spoke answered him in these terms I very well know said he to him that Tarquin is the violentest Man in the World that hating Clelius so much as to desire his head he would very
That which you demand replyed this Stranger is of so great consequence that Aronces ought first to be acquainted with it but lest we should commit an indiscreet action I intreat you to tell us all you know how he was saved And as I had often heard Clelius tell it I told him the day of this shipwrack the place where it hapned and I described to him the Cradle in which Aronces was found for Clelius had shewed it me when we found him in the Pyrates Vessel I told him likewise that a Casket full of stones then came into his power and in fine all I knew of this adventure giving many praises to Aronces which evidencing to him that I effectually was his particular friend obliged him to speak more freely before me ah Martia said he to this Lady who as you know is his Wife I do not doubt but Aronces is the child we lost for the day of his shipwrack agrees with that when we thought we should perish the place where it hapned is the same the Cradle in which Aronces was found is like it the stones we see Clelia have are those we had in our power but that which clears all suspicion is that Aronces is the very Picture of the Father of that Child we lost so that we must necessarily conclude he must be his Son I confess Madam the discourse of that man who is the same Nicius now in this Castle much perplexed me for in the beginning when he spoke to Martia and told her that Aronces was assuredly the Child they had lost I believed he was their Son but when he said he was his Fathers Image that belief soon vanisht when I perceived he did not resemble him which spoke so that dying with desire to be satisfied in that I would know I pressed Nicius and Martia to tell me who Aronces was but they answered 't was first to him they must disclose this secret and they earnestly prayed me to bring him to the sight of them and without deferring the time any longer I knew the place where they lodged and I promised them to bring Aronces thither before the day was past And I presently went to Clelius his house to rejoyn my self with that fair company I had left for 't is the custom at Rome that the day that one celebrates for their birth there is prepared a feast to entertain those friends which are invited to accompany them at this Ceremony so that finding the Tables covered and the company ready to sit down I at first believed that I ought to attend the end of this repast before I told to Aronces that I knew but this great secret seems to me so difficult to keep that I could not resolve my self thereto and drawing Aronces handsomly apart Can you believe said I to him that Clelia's Birth-day is that which is destin'd for the discovery of yours and before night you shall know who you are No Celeres said he to me I do not believe it for by what strange adventure can I know it As I saw he gave no credit to my words I spoke to him more seriously and in few words recounted to him that which had happened to me so that dispelling that doubt I saw in his face different motions at first I saw joy a little after I noted inquietude and fear and a moment after impatience to know that he feared to learn nevertheless the greatness of his Spirit reassuring him and that which I told him of those stones giving him some certainty that he must be of illustrious birth he remitted himself so well that as he would not now depart without causing some disorder he resolved to expect the end of this repast to content his curiosity and in effect it was executed as he had resolved for as soon as the Tables were uncovered we stole from the company and went to find Nicius and Martia who expected us with an impatience which could not be equalled but by that of Aronces he stayed two or three times going to find them for though he believed he should not fear any thing which might trouble him the love for Clelia made him fear that his Parentage would not be worthy of her but in the end being arrived to the Lodging where Nicius and Martia were they met us with the greatest demonstration of joy in the world for the more they looked upon Aronces the more they saw him resemble the King Porsenna but that which redoubled their satisfaction was that when he began to speak they found he had the sound of his voice so like to the Queen Galerita his Mother that they could not doubt but he was the same Child which was committed to their charge whom they had lost by a shipwrack In the mean time Aronces no sooner saw them but he thus said to them after what my dear friend hath told I know not what I ought to say to you knowing not who I am neither do I know whether I ought to wish to know it Nevertheless as the incertainty in which I have lived is the cruelst torment imaginable tell me I entreat you who I am though you tell me my heart soars higher than my birth and do not fear if it please you to reveal this secret in the presence of him to whom you have spoken of me for all my secrets are his and you cannot tell me any thing in particular which reflects on me but I shall tell it him a little after Since 't is so said Nicius I have two favours to demand of you before I tell you any thing the first that you permit me to look upon your left hand the second that I will shew those two knots of Diamonds to Martia we have seen that beautiful Virgin wear which is the cause of your discovery since if she had not been adorned with those Jewels to give us the curiosity to look more attentively on this Ceremony we had not it may be seen you for in fine if you are he I wish you are you have on your left hand a little black mole like to one we believe to be on your Mothers face and which becomes her admirable well and if those stones we saw are those we imagine there is two Portraits in the two knots of Diamonds that I pray you to shew my wife For the mole whereof you speak replied Aronces shewing him his hand you may see it 's such as you tell me it should be but for the two knots of Diamonds you would have me shew you I have sometimes handled them and I did not perceive they opened neither that they had Portraits inclosed in them If they are those we think replyed Martia you may handle them an hundred times before you can perceive they open But in fine added she that which I say is not so necessary to know and after I have precisely known the day of your shipwrack and what manner of Cradle in which you were found and after I
to me it will be easie for him to seal my pardon for having a passion in my Soul which is unknown to him and to have loved more then all the rest of the World the most amiable person of the earth I must likewise see if Clelius is in the resolution to leave Clelia the liberty to dispose of her self for if he is so I dare hope she will prefer me before Horatius and that I shall not go to Perusia till after I have rendred my Rival unhappy but Madam whilst Aronces thus reasoned Horatius who saw a great change in his fortune since Clelius owed his Life to Aronces went to find that Illustrious Roman for to demand of him if he would change the hope he had given him to give him Clelia for an effective fruition but as Horatius hath a heart sensible and fierce and that he was nigh assured he demanded a thing he should not obtain spoke to Clelius in a manner which incensed him and seeing the difference there was between the proceedings of Aronces and Horatius it was the cause that he answered less favourably to the last I know well said Clelius to him after this Lover had alledged all the reasons he could imagine that I have given you hope to obtain my Daughter but I likewise know â—â—ever promised you her and that the least I can do after the last obligation I have to your Rival is no more to force Clelia to espouse you and to leave her the liberty to choose between Aronces and you and not to be unjust towards her by being favourable to you I thought fiercely replied Horatius that though 't is long since you resided at Rome that you had not forgot that the Romans never used to give their Daughters to their slaves and that Aronces might never pretend to Clelia with your consent Ah Horatius interrupted Clelius Aronces is not a slave and you and I should have yet been the Pyrates slaves if he had not delivered us by his valour You are now more acknowledging replied he coldly you are now more ingrateful replied Clelius and I cannot comprehend what obliges you so ill to requite the obligations you have to me for so ill treating Aronces for the love of you you treat him so well now replied he that I should think my thanks ill bestowed if I should thank you in a time when you think to render him happy and me miserable but Clelius fortune it may be will revenge me on your Injustice and you will one of these days know that you have given Clelia to the Son of some Roman Enemy and it may be likewise to some miserable stranger without Birth and Virtue yet once more Horatius replied Clelius speak not of Aronces as you do if you will not have me tell you you degenerate from a Roman I should too much Madam trespass on your patience if I should relate to you all the discourse of these two Men and it suffices that you know they separated ill satisfied one with another and this conversation made Clelius resolve not to give his Daughter to Horatius though he should not give her to Aronces as in effect he did not believe Aronces ought now to espouse her though he spake to Horatius as if he believed it but he soon changed those thoughts for after that Aronces had had conference with Sulpicia and that some passionate expressions had passed between him and Clelia he went to find Clelius to conjure him to give him his Daughter and to let him espouse her before his departure but he spoke to him in the presence of his Wife at first Clelius told him that he had too far extended his generosity and though he had resolved to give him Clelia when he last saved his life he believed to be obliged now he knew him to be a King's Son not to give her to him 't is not said he but Clelia is of an Illustrious blood sufficient to enter in alliance with all the Princes in the World but since you have a Father I ought not to give you my Daughter without his consent you must then let me kill Horatius replied Aronces with precipitation for I declare to you I cannot depart without doing that if you give her not to me therefore if you will not let me dye my hands in the blood of a Man which hath been my friend before he was my Rival and let me renounce all sentences of Nature and Honour give me Clelia I earnestly intreat you for if you do it not I shall be criminal towards all the World I shall be unworthy of my birth and that goodness you have had and have yet for me Horatius shall have reason to hate me and Clelia even shall have it may be cause to despise me commiserate therefore an unhappy Lover who feels Virtue will forsake him if you do not satisfie his love and think after that as Nicius hath recounted to you of the life of the King my Father and since he believed not to have done an unworthy action by engaging himself to espouse Galerita when he was the Prince of Perusia's Prisoner who was the King of Clusium's Enemy think I say that if I am so happy as to deliver him he will not easily pardon me for having espoused a Virgin which possessed my heart before I knew I was his Son In fine without deferring any longer to tell you the good hap of Aronces Clelius who had his spirit irritated against Horatius resolved to render him happy 't is true that Sulpicia who had an extreme joy to see things in this estate was she which finished them for she handsomely told Clelius that if Aronces espoused their Daughter it would be the means to see himself one day in power to give a redoubtable injury to Tarquin so that this puissant reason for the interest of revenge having fortified all those of Aronces he consented he should espouse Clelia before his departure but to the end it should be privately done he was resolved that the Nuptials should be kept at an house of pleasure I had nigh the River Vulturnus about half a days journey from Capua and as 't was necessary for Aronces speedily to depart and that Clelius was glad that this Marriage should be made before Horatius knew of it he was resolved it should be solemnized but with a small number of persons and this Voyage should be pretexted with a simple design to injoy the pleasures of the Countrey and in effect there was at this little feast but three or four of Clelia's friends and Herminius and two others who knew of it and who were invited to the Nuptials I shall not stay my self Madam to tell you the satisfaction of Aronces nor to recount unto you in what terms he expressed it for it would be needless but I shall only tell you that this little Troop whom joy conducted went where these Nuptials were to be kept they were no sooner there but
to do it for I conjure you to keep this inclosed Letter for the most admirable Clelia but that it may not be a breach of that fidelity which you owe unto my Rival I do not desire you to deliver it unto her until she hath made my Rival most happy This being all I ask of you I dare hope that you will not deny me this office since I do not desire it may be done me until fortune hath put me into a capacity of meriting the compassion of my Rival I hint not a syllable to you of him for what can that man say of him who hath found in the person of Aronces all that can possibly move the highest friendship and the highest hatred Adien Pity me since you may safely do it without offence note my Rival and your Friend and believe that you could never pity a person who doth more merit it than my self When Celeres had received and read this Letter he was much surprised and the more because that directed unto Clelia was sealed however since he was not desired to deliver it until Aronces was first happy he did not scruple at the doing of this Office for the Rival of his Friend But as he was ruminating upon this adventure Aronces comes suddenly into the Chamber and sees Adherbals Letter unto Clelia upon the Table this sight much amazing him he asked Celeres in all hast whether he knew where she was and how it came about that the Prince of Numidia directed this Letter unto him for he knâ—w his hand Celeres perceiving the agitation of his Spirits and Adherbal not having obliged him to conceal it from Aronces he shewed him the Letter of his unfortunate Lover and acquainted him with his departure for till then he knew not of it Aronces recollecting himself by degrees as he read this Letter Alas alas Celeres said he unto him after he had read it I am afraid that you must never deliver my Rivals Letter unto Clelia since you must not deliver it until she hath made me happy No sooner had he said so but a fresh gust of apprehension rowsing his thoughts he lamented the absence of Adherbal in a thought that perhaps he might come to find out Clelia Yet notwithstanding Celeres so convinced him that he was perswaded the absence of Adherbal would be advantageous unto him For truly Sir said he unto him amongst many other reasons there is not a more intollerable torment under the Sun than to have a Rival whom virtue compels one to love and whom love compels one to hate to be perpetually in ones eye 'T is right Celeres said he unto him but this is not the first time that such a passion as mine hath hurried a man into unreasonable thoughts Whilst this Prince was thus talking he held in his hand his Rivals Letter unto his Mistress and looked upon it as if his looks would have broke open the Seal after restoring it hastily unto Celeres take it Celeres said he and keep it lest a spark of jealousie should force me to open it And that my fidelity may be the more manifest I will be faithful unto an unfortunate Lover and Rival let my desire of seeing what he hath written unto Clelia be never so great So Celeres took the Letter and told his friend that had he offered to have opened it he would have given a stop to his curiosity After which Sicanus being come and telling them that the Princess of the Leontines prepared her self to go next morning unto Perusia and transact in the service of Aronces they went both together unto her Chamber where Celeres related all passages shewing them the Prince of Numidia's Letter and applauded the power which Aronces had over himself in not opening that Letter which his Rival writ unto Clelia though he had a most strong desire unto it Were it possible to esteem Aronces more than I do replied the Princess of the Leontines doubtless I should for I do think no quality under Heaven more laudable than fidelity is especially when it is preserved in such cases wherein it is easie to be otherwise or where good excuses may be had or examples to authorize infidelity How many men are there in the World who never use to make the least scruple of opening all the Letters which come unto their hands who invent devices how to open and then shut them again unperceivedly and who have such a general curiosity to be prying into all manner of Letters that no Seal escapes them As the Princess of the Leontines was saying so Aurelia entred and no sooner entred but Sicanus addressed himself unto the Princess of the Leontines Madam said he unto her if you desire to be informed further of their curiosity who love to be opening Letters I beseech you intreat Aurelia to tell you for she is acquainted with a fair Lady whom you Madam also know that put such tricks upon her and therefore since she is better able to inform you then I am I will leave it unto her to tell you all the passages of it So Sicanus having Letters to write unto Perusia he went out and left Aurelia to supply his place who did become it excellently well for she apprehending at first the business did smilingly ask the Princess of the Leontines whether it was concerning the opening of any Letters for if it be added she none in the World can give a better account of such a matter then my self unless I have forgotten though for my part I have renounced ever making use of any such ways as heretofore have brought upon me abundance of delight and as much sorrow The Question replied the Princess of the Leontines is not concerning the opening of any Letter but whether we ought absolutely to condemn or excuse such Men as are so inquisitive as to open them such as make a mock at those who are so scrupulously faithful as not to open the Letters of their very enemies although they were perswaded they contained some concernments of themselves Madam replied Aurelia I am able to give you all those fond and false reasons which are alledged by those who are inquisitive for a friend of mine hath instructed me in the Art Aurelia had no sooner said so but the Lady of whom she spoke entred for she living within three miles of the Thrasimenian Lake towards the Isle of Saules she used often to visit Aurelia also she had seen the Princess of the Leontines two or three times Yet this Princess never before knew of her humour in opening Letters because no occasion concerning it did present it self but as soon as she was entred Aurelia knowing her humour and also knowing that she affected raillery and that she did not think she did ill in opening all the Letters which came under her hands she told her that she came in a very good time to help her out in the maintenance of a good cause For truly said she unto her as I was
ere long be as much out of my Masters favour as out of my Mistresses and considering the fresh favours of Aronces I shall be as unfortunate in my ambition as in my Love That I may remove half of your misfortunes replyed the Princess very wisely I pray follow my counsel Your language Madam had been more obliging replied Tiberinus if you had said I command you Which you will said she if your case were mine in lieu of crossing the growing favours upon Aronces I would comply with him and his interests and perswade him that he was a debtor unto me for the good fortune he enjoys and in order hereunto I will take upon me to make this union betwixt you for I cannot conceive that you can continue long in favour unless there be some who is in favour with Mezentius about his pleasures whilst you are about his great affairs You know this Prince as old as he is hath all the inclinations of a young man So as whilst you are transacting in State affairs the other may be the companion of his diversions make choice of Aronces for it he is young he is a stranger he is not in a capacity to move factions in the Court nor any way hurt you and in all likelihood will be contented with a pleasant life and enjoy the sweets of his favours in that kind But I beseech you Madam replied Tiberinus how can you tell whether Aronces will not supplant me in the place which I enjoy if once he enter into the heart of Mezentius If you be in power to supplant him replied the Princess then do it but take heed lest in going about to ruine him you ruine your self But on the other side by taking that course which I propose you run no hazard for by not crossing the favours of Aronces but complying with his interest Mezentius finding no stop to his inclinations will of himself leave off those things which now divert him but say he should not however you have thereby obliged Aronces and it is not probable that he who seems to be of a most notable generosity will ever dishonour himself by any publick ingratitude and therefore the best expedient is as I advise principally because he may not be looked upon as a new Favourite but rather his favours may be looked upon as an effect of yours The Princess of the Leontines also used many other arguments unto Tiberinus so as none being fitter to perswade than a Mistress Tiberinus thought all her reasons to be very good and he thought himself so happy that she would interest her self in his fortune as he told her that he did absolutely put himself into her hands and that she might tell Aronces what she pleased So as Aronces coming in to lose no time she resolved to unite them before they parted but to do it the more handsomly and the better to deceive Tiberinus she no sooner saw Aronces but she began discourse You come very happily Sir said she unto him to thank Tiberinus for those favours for which you are obliged unto him For truly Aronces to be plain with you you are a debtor unto him for all those favours which you receive from Mezentius Truth is that Prince intended to have packt you away with a Princely Present the next morning you came hither for those who have seen Porsenna at your age do say that you do extremely resemble him And Mezentius could hardly have endured the sight of you if Tiberinus had not stopped his aversion which he carefully hides from you by reason of his obligations to you which aversion he had never overcome without Tiberinus I thought it to be expedient that you were acquainted with the state of things to the end you might apply your self unto the fortunes of him unto whom you are obliged and so make your own the more secure Aronces knowing the meaning of the Princess did answer her as handsomly as she spoke Insomuch as Tiberinus suiting with the intentions of that Princess did contract a league so great as he discovered unto Aronces all the ways that would most work upon the spirit of Mezentins But that which was most remarkable in this business was that to testifie the confidence in Aronces and the more to engage him in his interests he told him that above all it was most expedient to hasten the ruine of Porsenna For truly said he as long as that Prince is living the life of Mezentius is not secure Aronces durst not at the first openly contradict Tiberinus lest he should render himself suspected So as this conference ended with reciprocal protestations never to prejudice each other unto Mezentius And indeed they did negotiate together as men who stood in need of each other Tiberinus confessed unto Aronces his love unto the Princess of the Leontines and he perceived that if he would be in the favour of Mezentius he must comply with Aronces so as he neglected nothing in order thereunto This being the state of things the people of Arezzes and Crotones made such an unexpected eruption and entred so far into the Country of him whom they took for their enemy that Perusia was hotly alarm'd and Mezentius as stout as he was did think of leaving the Metropolis of his Dominions and retire himself unto an Isle of the Thrasimenian Lake until he had mustred his forces But Aronces who had great favour and familiarity with him was against it and perswaded him that upon such occasions it was very dangerous to fly or shew any signs of Fear so as he resolved to stay and make head against his enemies as well as he could There being some Forces still on foot by reason that he was never a quiet possessor of Clusium he gave orders that they should be drawn into a body The People of Perusia offered of themselves to Arm and Aronces beseeched Mezentius for leave to go and view the enemy And accordingly he went in the Head of Two Hundred Horse only to see what he could discover of their true force he behaved himself so bravely in this employment that he defeated one party which he met and took many Prisoners from whom he knew the true state of things So as returning to Mezentius after this glorious attempt he exhorted him to meet the enemy And accordingly as soon as their Troops were mustred and some Discipline used amongst the fresh Soldiers who were listed to defend their Houses and their Wives he went out of Perusia followed by Tiberinus Bianor all the Grandees of the State Aronces and Celeres But what necessity soever there was of Soldiers the Guards upon Porsenna were not lessened such fears there was of his escape nor were the Guards upon Galerita diminished But to be short Mezentius marched towards those who struck a terrour all before them and who were Masters of the Field and who carried themselves as in a Country which they intended to ruine the better to subject it Aronces knowing that it concerned him to
put Porsenna to death and that Galerita will be married unto his Brother that she may be comforted after his death For Mezentius being old she fears her Fortunes would not change if he should die before he put the King of Clusium to death and before he had married the Princess his Daughter unto some of her Relations At the last there is one that pretends to know her thoughts did assure Aurelia that these were hers After this they talked of many other things and much other Company coming in Tiberinus could not speak a word of his Passion unto the Princess of the Leontines But the day following he found an opportunity whether she would or no Yet being of an infinite ingenuity and knowing it was not a time to treat him ill if she intended to serve Aronces she carried her self with such a civility towards him as did put him into some hopes though her words did not signifie so much In the mean time as soon as the Victory of Aronces had put Perusia into a Calm Mezentius began to think upon Porsenna's death and at the same time to marry the Princess his Daughter But since there was no thinking upon the last of these until he had executed the first he began to renew the execution of the business and to draw up a charge against Porsenna for complying with that Assassinate who would have murthered him On the other side all the friends unto that Prince being advertised by Sicanus and Nicius they began to negotiate secretly for the prevention of so great a misfortune and to acquaint Aronces who was then in a most miserable condition for he could not hear any news of Clelia and both honour and nature would not permit him to depart from Perusia or if he should he knew not whither to go nor where the person whom he loved was Moreover though he was much in the esteem of Mezentius yet he knew that his hatred unto Porsenna was above it And he conceived that if ever he should acquaint him that he was his son he would then change his mind and hate him as much as ever he loved him All he could do was to try if he could prolong the matter until the friends of the King his Father had some power to help him when he should speak unto Mezentius as the Son of Porsenna In order to that as he was one day talking unto that Prince concerning the weighty matter he asked him whether it were not convenient to endeavour the discovery of the truth from the mouth of the Prisoner King For indeed Sir said Aronces to him if you should upon bare conjectures put a great Prince to death you would eternally stain your glory by it I would advise you to send some faithful and unbyassed person unto him who in a discourse which may appear to be without design may endeavour to find out something which may clear him or justifie him and if you would be pleased to permit me the liberty of seeing him I am confident to make him speak more freely than otherwise he would For seeming to enter into his interests and willing to serve him he may chance trust me so far as to impart something which will either keep you from destroying him unjustly or make it appear you may do it justly At the first Mezentius did reject this proposition and told Aronces that Porsenna had long since deserved death That it was sufficient he was able to Ruine him and that he was to blame for letting him live so long Do you not see that this Prince is an eternal colour for Civil War in all the mutinies in my Dominions Sometimes reports are spread abroad that Porsenna hath a son living and wandring up and down the World and that he will ere long appear sometimes again that he was in my power and that I kept him Prisoner and there is nothing uninvented to draw upon me the hatred of my Subjects And therefore to be rid of such a perpetual persecution it were fit and expedient to destroy him though he have no hand in the business of the Assassinate and if he have a Son living I wish to the Heavens I could at one blow ruine both the Father and the Son But to tell you truly I am confident he hath no Son but that he is perished and all reports of his life are nothing but only the fictions and devices of my enemies Truth is if this Son be dead he is more happy than if he were living and if he beliving he shall live no longer than he is out of my power Aronces hearing Mezentius say so was out of his excess of generosity and boldness in a hundred minds to tell him that he was the Son of Porsenna for sometimes he had a fancy that Mezentius owing him for his life twice and for a victory would not hurt him But at last reason telling him that he ought not to hazard a business of this importance wherein more than he had concernment he recalled himself and dissembled his thoughts Also thinking that if he should hastily discover himself the least punishment would be imprisonment then the interest of Clelia more than his own restrained him from telling truth unto Mezentius But according to his first design which was to protract the matter he did negotiate so well as that Mezentius gave him leave to see Porsenna And accordingly some two days after Aronces went unto the place where he was guarded with orders unto him who commanded the Castle to let him have the liberty of discourse without any witnesses So this Prince not known to be son unto the King of Clusium went unto the place where this miserable King was who knew nothing of all the Passages against him nor what Galerita did nor whether he had a Son or no A place wherein he lived a most melancholy life that his Constancy was high and though he had a soul that could look grim death in the face without alteration of countenance yet when Aronces entred into the Chamber he was surprized for besides his being unaccustomed to the sight of any but his guards he found in the face of Aronces so great a resemblance of himself in his younger days as he could not chuse but be moved at it but much more was his wonder when Aronces telling him that he had obtained liberty from the Prince of Perusia to see him and confer with him about some matter which concerned him he knew the tone of his voice for being very like that of his dear Galerita whom he did most tenderly love in spight of so long an absence he changed colour and was so moved that Aronces perceived the turbulency of his spirit Porsenna could not with-hold some expressions of joy to see him though he knew him not So as when the Man who conducted Aronces unto the Chamber retired he began to speak and looking most fixedly upon him who ever you are honest stranger said he unto him I am obliged
the Senates Consent for him unto whom he should marry her and that this would be a shorter and more sure way to get upon the Throne Also the People loving the Elder much better than the other he preferred her out of Ambition before her whom his own inclination did prefer as most amiable And therefore without any direct answer unto what Tullia said he said that there needed no examination of any particular adventures for he maintained onely in general that it was requisite to sacrifice Love unto Ambition And I maintain the contrary said the Prince of Amcriola that one ought to sacrifice Ambition unto Love For my part said the Princess and turned aside lest she should meet the eys of the Prince of Ameriola since I have nothing to do either with Love or Ambition I know not what to say unto this dispute All I can say is that if any loved me I would not be sacrificed unto any other interest You are so fit to satisfie both Ambition and Love replied Tarquin that you are not in any danger of such an adventure Tullia hearing what this Ambitious Lover said she was in such a chafe that she rise up and broke off the discourse And imagining which way she might be revenged upon Tarquin and satisfie her own Ambition she conceived her self mistaken when she thought that it would be more advantageous to her to marry him then to marry the Prince Ameriola For said she in that angry mood Tarquin is indeed more ambitious then the Prince his Brother He is more busie and daring and able to surmout all considerations that may bring him to his proposed end but he would be his own chuser of the way by which he would come to the Throne and if he rest upon his own choice perhaps he may be mistaken and lose his way for in all probability he will not know how to manage those opportunities which Fortune shall present unto him Whereas on the contrary the Prince of Ameriola is of a more sweet temper and more agreeable to the People then Tarquin is and I may become Mistress of his spirit either by the way of Love or Fear And when I be in that state I shall make him do as I please and shall be then much more happy then If I were tied to the Fortune of this ambitious Lover For the Prince of Ameriola is questionless most accomplished to Mount a Throne Tullia arguing thus with her self began to flatter the Prince of Ameriola and to disguise some part of her thoughts Yet he stood constantly faithful unto that Princess who also entirely reserved her heart for him But the fidelity which they had unto each other conduced to render them the more miserable for they understood presently after that Servius Tullus was fully resolved that Tarquin should marry the Princess and that the Prince his Brother should marry Tullia Not but that this wise King knew well enough that there was no great correspondency of humour between the Princess and Tarquin nor between Tullia and the Prince of Ameriola but in lieu of joyning Virtuous with the Virtuous and the Ambitious with the Ambitious he thought on the contrary that since he made these two marriages only out of policy and to keep these two Princes from raising any stirs in the State he ought to separate interests the Ambitious from the Ambitious And he resolved upon it the sooner when he knew the discourse which I have related unto you for by it he came to know what the humour of Tarquin was If Tarquin and Tullia be joyned together said he one day unto a Senator there is no violence which they will not attempt and unless I should set them upon the Throne upon their marriage day it were folly to make the match for both of them are ambitious spirits both violent bold and scruple at nothing but in separating them perhaps I shall correct their tempers and in giving unto the ambitious Tarquin a person who hath no ambition who is fair sweet and virtuous one who loves and fears the Gods it is probable she will sweeten the harshness of his temper and will keep him from all attempts against justice Also it is likely that in giving unto the Ambitious Tullia a Prince who is handsome generous and incapable of any injustice he will win upon her heart and alter her mind Also he having a legitimate authority over her she cannot attempt what she would as she might if she had a husband of her own temper Servius Tullus being thus resolved the Prince of Ameriola seeing all hopes of changing his resolution taken away he was in extreme despair On the other side the Princess having employed the Queen her mother to endeavour the alteration the Kings resolution she found by her that the King of was unalterable so as she was extremely sad But the most particular of all this Passage was that though the Prince of Ameriola did most passionately love the Princess and though the Princess had exceeding tender thoughts of the Prince of Ameriola and though they knew each others thoughts yet they did never tell one another that they loved For the Princess was so full of modesty her Lover was so full of respect they both of them saw so little hope of happiness Tarquin kept such a vigilant eye upon his Brother the two Princesses were so seldom a sunder that the Prince of Ameriola never met with any favourable occasion to express his thoughts unto his Princess He had told her a thousand times that she was the person whom he most esteemed he had told her that she was the most lovely Princess upon earth but he never told her in plain terms that he loved her However when both sides had received such intelligence as put them out of all hopes then melancholy did so much damp their spirits as they were scarcely knowable Yet they set the best faces upon the matter that they could and did the same things they were used to do Not long after the Princess using to walk almost every evening in a Garden which was in the Palace of Servius Tullus by the Mount Palatine which he built because he thought his Lodging at that house near the Mount Esquiline was not convenient so it hapned that they going thither to walk according to their custom the two Princes whom they were to marry were there also and as chance would have it Tarquin which ingaged to talk with Tullia for he knowing her to be extremely ambitious though he had no mind to marry her and though he was resolved to sacrifice his love to her unto his ambition yet he desired to appease her a little Tullia as fierce as she was had a desire to see whether she could work any change in his mind by a private conference So as having engaged Tarquin to talk with her he durst not deny her and by this means the Princess and the Prince of Ameriola whose sorrows were extreme had the
rather that Tarquin should be eternally branded with my death than I should be suspected to contribute unto his And generous Prince said she and blusnt since my heart tells me that it hath a tender share of friendship for you I ought to be more circumspect then otherwise I should and it is fit I conjure you to be gone lest this long conference should it be known unto our enemies should give them a colour to hasten their wicked designs into execution However I conjure you to take a care of your self for it would grieve my Soul to hear that I should have a Sister who was the cause of your death Oh! Madam replied the Prince I beseech you never think of me but think how to prevent I may never hear the dismal news that a Brother of mine hath been your death After this abundance of tender expressions passed between these two virtuous persons never proceeded so many heroick so many passionate and so many innocent thoughts from any two upon Earth as from them they resolved at parting to communicate unto each other what they discovered After which the Prince of Ameriola went unto the King in such a profound melancholly as it was impossible for him to hide it and it was observed by all the people and the King himself As for the Princess as soon as the Prince of Ameriola was gone she went unto her prayers and prayed both for Tarquin and Tullia and in lieu of praying for their ruine to hinder her own she only prayed they might repent But whilst the Prince of Ameriola had been with the Princess it happened unluckily that Tarquin who was gone to hunt returned sooner than he intended and in lieu of going to his own house he went unto Tullia's who kept her Chamber that day The reason of his so sudden return was that resting himself under a Tree while they were mending his Bridle which was broken by riding through a thick Wood he began to read over Tullia's Letter unto him and in reading of it in the open light he plainly discovered that it had been opened and that there was some small difference between his Seal and that wherewith it was sealed So as being naturally suspicious and violent he made no question but that it was either the Prince of Ameriola or the Princess who had opened it And judging others by himself he feared being prevented if a remedy were not immediately applyed But lest the business he was about should be too much noted he seemed as if he intended to hunt out the day as soon as his Bridle was mended he got on Horseback and upon the first handsome opportunity he stole away and came with all speed to Rome In lieu of going home he went as I told you to Tullia where he heard that the Prince his Brother was with the Princess his Wife So as according to his natural impetuosity his thoughts ran upon nothing else but what poison he should chuse to give them With these thoughts he entred into Tullia's Chamber he told her that his last Letter had been opened and desired her to look whether hers had been so also and indeed this cruel Woman with Tarquin looking upon it they plainly saw that it had been sealed with a counterfeit Seal which no sooner spied but Tullia speaking first well said she had I not good reason to say that you were too slow in your courses and that you must make all hast possible to remove all these obstacles which hinder our happiness Yes my dear Tullia said he unto her you are in the right and I am in the wrong but to make amends I will make the more hast and therefore without any more delay these two persons who hinder our happiness must be poisoned this very day It hath been so long resolved upon and their ruine is so requisite unto our rest and unto the Grandeur of Rome as it it is injustice to deser the execution any longer Make sure work on your side as I will on mine be not so simply weak as to repent and be sure your eyes do not betray the secret of your Soul Look unto your self replied the wicked and violent Tullia be sure the fair eyes of your Wife do not change your heart Never think upon either gods or Men or Laws but think only upon the Crown which you aim at Remember how Romulus got the Crown by the death of his Brother and that by this death the people will rank you among the gods Consider how those who make a long War to get a Crown do sacrifice many more Victims then you shall and above all consider that Tullia will be yours as soon as the enemies of our happiness are dead For generous Artemidorus you must know that though Tullia was not capable of any scruple nor any Religion nor any virtue yet she would never let Tarquin enjoy her until he was in a condition to marry her for her fears were that if he should satisfie his Love he would not be so diligent to satisfie her Ambition And therefore desiring that the passion of this Prince might help on her Ambitious designs she was very reserved in that point though she expressed as much affection to him as he to her Mean time you must know that Tarquin and Tullia having both of them impetuous spirits and shrill voices and their souls being wholly taken up with the grand Crimes which they were to commit they were not so cautious but a Woman over-heard them one who had been brought up with the Princesses and waited upon Tullia in particular only since she was married she heard this dismal discourse and plainly understood how Tarquin told Tullia at parting that he would send her the poison as soon as he came home insomuch as this Woman who loved the Princess and had some goodness in her she had so much horrour against the crime of her Mistress as being desirous to prevent the death of these two innocent persons whose sentence of death she heard pronounced she went unto her Chamber where she writ two notes the one to give the Prince of Ameriola when she saw him and the other to send unto the Princess But since some time was taken up in writing and some in seeking out a slave trusty enough to carry a note of that consequence unto the Princess her good intentions took no good effect for you must know that Tarquin after he had been a while with the King because he heard the Prince of Ameriola was there and after he had observed that melancholly in his eyes which every one saw he went home in all hast to send poison unto Tullia and to give it unto his Wife But as ill fortune was for that virtuous Princess this Tyrant came in before she was acquainted with the conference of Tullia and him and he came in so just in the nick to hinder her as the Slave who had the note which would have saved her Life had she received it
was speaking unto one of her women in the Anti-Chamber as he came in He offered to take the note from him the Slave refused to give it saying he was to deliver it unto none but the Princess but Tarquin being naturally suspicious and thinking he was interested in all manner of whispers he took it from him and said he would take upon him to deliver it you may well imagine that the Slave and the Woman were much surprized Yet Tarquin was so terrible unto all that knew him as that they durst not murmure though they were extremely troubled for the Slave knew the note was of some great concernment because he had such a charge with it and the Woman thought so as well as he seeing the obstinacy of the slave to part with it unto any but the Princess However they must be patient the slave went away and the Woman went into the Chamber of her Mistress whilst Tarquin was reading the Note where he found what he imagined so as seeing that if the business were not quickly dispatched it would be difficult to effect he presently sent away the poison to Tullia after which he went into the Chamber of the Princess who was not a little troubled for the Woman who had told her what Tarquin had done So as since the Prince of Ameriola and she had agreed to advertise each other of all they heard she believed knowing the slave who brought the note was his that it was this Prince who had written unto her So as being extreamly jealous of her glory and valuing it above all things else she feared lest this note should induce Tarquin to think that she held some criminal correspondency with his Brother But he rested not long in those fears for this cruel Tarquin intending to delude her and judging by the sorrow he saw in her eyes that she knew more then she spoke he went unto her with more freeness of spirit than usual And to execute the violence which he had used in taking away the note from him that would have given it unto her he told her with a laugh that he would have her guess from whom it came and what it concerned adding that if she could not guess right she should not have it until the morning The Princess seeing him so pleasant suffered her self to be deceived not but that she knew Tarquin could dissemble as well as any Man living but as commonly persons that are highly virtuous can hardly believe that any can be extreamly wicked so she thought the note to be of no great importance and she thought moreover that the Prince of Ameriola and she had given too bad an Interpretation upon the Letters or else that surely Tarquin had repented So as setting the best side outward the indeavoured to guess from whom this Note should come which he would not shew unto her though she knew not whom to name for she would not mention the Prince his Brother and Tullia was not used to write unto her But after this forced mirth had lasted a while supper was ready and Tarquin that he might have the satisfaction to see her take the poison he would sup with her I have heard a Man say who saw her that night that though she was melancholly yet she never in her life looked fairer and he assured me that Tarquin himself was a little troubled and that when she called for drink and he knew it to be the poyson which he had prepared he changed colour But when he found that the sight of so great a beauty did mollifie his heart this cruel Man turned away his head that he might not see her drink the poison And indeed he talked unto one of his Servants whilst she took it After which glorying that he had surmounted the weakness and foolish qualms of his heart he was so impudently inhumane as to look upon her as before and so cruel as to jest several times with her during this fatal repast But to the end that the poison might have the more leisure to work its effect he seemed to have some private business to communicate unto her so as carrying her into his Closet he obliged her to be there near two hours though she began to find her self ill within half an hour after she entred for the Man of whom he had the poison assured him that if no Antidote was applied within one hour after the taking all remedies after would be in vain and the party would certainly die So as though this fair and virtuous Princess did complain at first of her being ill yet this Tyger Tarquin did keep her there telling her it was nothing and talking to her of divers things which he desired her to tell the King But at last after he thought the poison had wrought its effects he seeming very busie in helping her he would be always by her lest if she should suspect the cause of her death she should not discover any thing unto the by-standers Thus this admirable person did so her Murtherer seemed to interest himself in the pain which she indured And indeed when she went out of the Closet her Women seeing a mortal paleness in her face did perswade her to go to bed But she answered very mildly that ere long they should carry her to her Grave And as they were very earnest to send for the King's Physicians I pray do said she see they bring intentions with them to make me die more easily for to cure me added she and sighed they cannot nor do I desire they should Mean while amidst all the hatred which she might well have against her Husband and her Sister and notwithstanding the Love she bore unto the Prince of Ameriola yet she used not one sharp word against those who killed her nor one sweet expression of him whom she tenderly loved but she whispered one in the Ear whom she trusted with all the secrets of her Life and commanded her to tell that unfortunate Prince that she desired him not to revenge her death but to preserve her memory After which she asked twice to see the King and Queen but though Tarquin said he had sent unto them yet she never saw them because he hindred any from going saying it was too late of the night and that he hoped the Princess would pass it over and that she her self would be sorry they should obey her The Princess having a great Soul knew very well she asked in vain nor was she very earnest upon it but lifting up her eyes unto Heaven let me die then said she with a deep sigh in hopes long to stand in need of no Consolation After this her pain encreased and she grew very weak but when the Physicians came they did a little revive her but they hoped never the more for that but on the contrary said they could not save her and in saying so one might have seen by their eyes that they durst not tell the cause of her death and that
unto our Love and our Ambition But on the contrary all Crimes will be blotted out when they are followed with happy success Make hast then Tarquin and keep the promise which you made when you married me you are in so fair a way that I wonder you should go no faster You came from Corinth and are descended from Tarquinia to make your self King of a strange people as the first of the Tarquins did you are of a Royal Family you see in every publick place Statues erected unto the first of the Tarquins you dwell in the same Palace which he built you see the same Throne which he did sit upon you have the same heart spirit and ambition you fear neither any thing above your head nor about you the authority of the Laws nor servile fear of Imaginary Penalties do not affright you you have friends in the Senate and among the people and if you had not been over prudent you had been upon the Throne already and if you should continue still upon this prejudicial Prudence all that you have already done is to no purpose what good will all your extraordinary Civility which you have used unto the most base and abject of the People do you unto what end serves all your cringing complacency unto all the Patricians why have you lent out some monies given others and been unprofitably Prodigal will all your Ambition and turbulent Pangs of Soul serve to no end Truly Tarquin if you will make no more hast I will even advise you to return unto Tarquinia and Corinth and to seek out for felicity by some other way than by Ambition But as for me since Tanaquil who was a stranger was so bold and happy as to dispose of Crowns either in the person of her Husband or her Son in Law I will see what I can do and not stay till Tullus refer it to the Senate who will not render it unto you nor will I stay so long as till he die which perhaps will be a long time Speak then Tarquin will you be a Slave or will you be a King In telling you that I will be worthy of you replied he methinks I tell you as much as need but to let you see that you accuse me wrongfully I will discover unto you those reasons which move me to defer the execution of so great a design And indeed Tarquin told Tullia all his several plots which he had in the Senate and among the People but say what he could to move her unto patience and not to go precipitately to work he was forced to promise her to make more hast than well he could for every minute seemed an Age unto this Ambitious and cruel person which was employed in the advancement of her abominable design However she went unto the King and asked and obtained favours for men unto whom she would not have done them but upon conditions to serve her against that Prince who did them whensoever she should need Thus this vertuous King did by his own benefits contribute to his own ruine for not a day passed wherein Tarquin or Tullia did not obtain something from him for those whom they had engaged in their wicked designs In the mean time Tarquin lived the most wretched life in the World for he rested neither night nor day he had always a hundred several matters which tended all unto one end for labouring to engage all sorts of people in his design he held all manner of correspondencies some men under pretence of eating at his Table came to confer with him others whom he never saw but at the Temple other also unto whose houses he went and some in the Kings own Palace whom he treated with to ruine him Moreover scarce a night passed but he went out of his own house in a disguise to confer with some of the Senators who were of his Intelligence during which time it was given out that he was gone to Bed Also he employed the most sacred things to serve his abominable ends for he engaged some of the Salian Priests and he made an under hand Proposition unto the Grand Vestal to enter into his interests but she would not though he promised to secure her from all danger Mean while the common opinion was that he courted her to extinguish the sacred fire to the end it might be said that Rome was menaced with some great misfortune and that this accident did signifie the authority to be weak in the hands of so old a Prince as Servius Tullus for he knowing very well the nature of the common People he knew that matters of Religion make a deep impression in their spirits and that a silly scruple aptly applied to the multitude will work more with them than all the solid reasons in the World Moreover though Tarquin was always full of tumultuous business though he scarcely ever slept though his mind was perpetually unquiet and though he saw himself always upon the very brink of a dismal precipice since if his design was once discovered he was utterly ruined yet he was as healthy and as vigorous as if he had enjoyed the greatest tranquillity of any man alive But for the better advancement of his design he asked divers things of the King particularly concerning Rome which were of such a nature as neither ought nor could be granted so as they were denied him and he asked them purposely that he might have a pretence of murmuring against Servius Tullus and at the same time he began to complain those whom either he or Tullia had suborned began also to declaim against the government and to belch out a thousand bitter invectives against the best of Kings And it is very observable that Servius Tullus who was the first of our Kings who made money and brought in the use of it amongst us did thereby make the way of suborning those whom Tarquin had need of more easie For thereby gifts might be given in private and without a noise unperceived which before could not be Also Tarquin had ingaged abundance of all sorts there was not any Trade or Art but he had some in it ready to do what he would he had a Party also working among the very Slaves so as it was easie for him to scatter what reports he pleased against the King some said therefore that he was but a Slave born of a Slave who after the death of the first Tarquin had usurped the Crown by the Artifice of a Woman who got him made King without the suffrages of the people Others told the Senators that Servius smelling of the baseness of birth had taken the goods of all the rich Families and divided them among the poor others told the People that the King had taken from them the nomination of all their principal Officers and bestowed them upon the great ones to the end they might oppress the weak And others said that this Prince who had caused the particular Estates of every one to be
sacred fire if you would not be under Guard your self and in lieu of tteating you as a Vestal I treat you as Sister unto my most mortal and ancient enemy As I am a Vestal Sir replied Verenia boldly you ought to respect me and as I am sister unto Cielius all the people of Rome ought to arm themselves in my defence especially since you would have oppressed my Brother by your unjust violence and power Though the Laws replied Tarquin in a fury do not condemn Vestals to be buried alive but for one kind of Crime only yet I shall make you try what punishment it is for a Crime of another nature if you continue insolent a little longer Get you gone I say once more and look to the sacred fire unto which you are appointed and believe it that if Clelius or any that relates uno him do ever fall into my power and I send him or them unto execution you shall not save him though you meet him with all your fellow Vestals Go go Verenia for I find that if I see you any longer the Purple Mantle which you wear will not hinder me from seeing the Sister of my enemy in the person of a Vestal nor can I be any longer Master of my own resentments Oh Sir said she unto him your injustice goes too far and after I have spoke unto you as a Vestal I must tell you as the Sister of Clelius that I think it a greater glory in being the Sister of him who opposed you than if I wore the Crown of those Kings from whom I am descended Tarquin seeing the resoluteness of this Vestal and not daring to follow the impetuosity of his resentments because there was nothing in greater veneration amongst the people than the Vestals he only commanded that the Captive Ladies should be carried into a Chamber in the Palace until he should further dispose of them And without any more regard unto Verema he addressed his talk unto Tullia Collatine Artemidorus Amilcar and Zenocrates and scossing at the Vestals he made it appear that though the sacred fire did extinguish yet he should not be troubled at it So that Verenia was constrained to retire and leave her Neece under the power of a Tyrant who would infallibly put her to death if he knew who she was and yet there was no remedy As for Aronces he was troubled beyond measure and he admired the wonderful Constancy of Clelia for though she heard what Tarquin said yet did she not change colour but hearkned unto all he said as if she had no interest at all in it and her spirits were so free that as she went out of the Chamber with the rest of the Captives she did strive to pass handsomly by Aronces to the end she might the better tastifie by a sign with her head that she had much consolation in seeing him As for Aronces he was so sadly afflicted that he was not Master of his own Spirits and he was so taken up with sorrow as he followed Clelia when she went out and if Celeres had not restrained him he had followed her unto the Chamber where they carried her and would have made himself known to be of her acquaintance Mean while the Prince Sextus who had a general inclination to all beauties he looked upon Clelia as he was wont to look upon those whom he could not look upon with eyes of indifferency and his mind was so much upon her as he went out presently after her to bid those who had the conduct of those Ladies to treat them very well and he came to Clelia who walked last whosoever you are Madam said he unto her I do verily believe you give more heavy Fetters then those you wear Be they as light as they can replied Clelia yet they do much trouble me for I am not used to carry any and if those which you say I give do trouble those who wear them perhaps they are miserable without any merit of pity Sextus had a mind to say something else but Clelia being entred with the rest of the Ladies into the Chamber where they were to be he durst not follow them for fear of incensing Tarquin who was jealous of his Authority even in the most trivial things Mean while Aronces and Celeres did walk before the Kings Palace expecting Artemidorus Amilcar and Zenocrates imagining they would not stay long before they came out But in expecting them how full of doleful expressions was the sad Aronces Good Celeres said he confess by way of comfort to me that I am the most miserable man in the World do but consider how wilful is my wicked fortune and in what danger Clelia is were she less fair there was some hopes she would not be known but being so glorious a star as she is every one will be gazing and enquiring of her Methinks also that though she speak the Romans Language very well yet one may know that she hath the accent of an Affrican though when we were at Capua I did not think so I am afraid lest those Ladies who are with her should tell that Horace was with her at Ardes nor dare I trust unto her great spirit and prudence for I fear that she will not disguise her name but that the name of Clelia will make her known to be the daughter of Clelius for doubtless the Tyrant is still inquiring of him and would have murthered him at Capua he knows that he hath a daughter that she is fair that her name is Clelia and that Horace carried her away Those that are so over Prudent replied Celeres are doubtless more miserable than any others for in all probability Clelia will disguise her name The Ladies with her perhaps knows not what it is nor know who Horace is and therefore the best way were to wait till time tell you more As Celeres said so Amilcar came out of the Palace and came to them with Artemido us and Zenocrates but he was as blith and jocund in countenance as Aronces was melancholy in heart But coming to them Come said he unto him come and fear nothing I have already tam'd the Tyger which put you all into terror it shall be long of your self if you do not see what I say is true and if you be not ere long in a condition to protect Clelia if he would offer to hurt her which I do not at all believe he will for I am extremely mistaken if he do not think Clelia to be very fair and if Tullia do not observe it as well as I. I left her telling Tarquin that he did ill in treating the Vestals so ill and that since it was only for the delivery of Women he ought to have consented unto it So as since I know that Tullia â—s not over-scrupulous in matter of Religion and observing that â—he sees as well as I how Tarquin thinks Clelia to be the fairest of all the Captives I must needs conclude
said this was ill scituated she could not find a convenient place to set a bed in it she would alter all the doors and windows purposely to make better lights such as would make her seem fair and and to satisfie her Ambition she would turn the very course of the Sun she would have the whole house pulled down though it was a most stately Fabrick rather than expose her self unto a light which was disadvantageous unto her beauty I know a Lady in the place from whence I came replied Pasithea who would do as much if the occasion should present it self but I know others at Crete who are as ridiculous for there is a woman whom Cephisa knows as well as I who because she hath very white hands is continually doing something or other which may give her an occasion of shewing them For one while she will be mending somewhat about her own dress and another while she will be so officious too to be mending something about her friends sometimes she will purposely let fall her hood that she may take it up and so shew her hands and when she is at any gallant Collation she will always eat of that which is far off her and not that which is near because she would have a pretence to reach forth her hand and arm and so shew their fairness Fie Pasithea replied Cephisa you have said too much No truly replied she I have not said enough yet for there are some who think themselves so fair as that they do not only shew their hands unto others but are continually looking upon themselves For my part said Artaxander I know a Lady who indeed hath admirable white teeth who most certainly had never laughed if her teeth had not been so for all the composure of her face was serious and melancholy yet knowing the whiteness of her teeth she laughed in spight of natures teeth and got an artificial smile which is the most rediculous thing in the World for her mouth is alwaies opened with a laugh though there be no signs of any mirth in her eyes or face and her lips are so used to shew her teeth as I am confident that she sleeps open mouthed All the company laughing at this pleasant description which Artaxander made of that Lady it was confessed that such things were often to be found and that it was a weakness which beauties ought to correct themselves for since nothing is more ridiculous then affectation And yet nothing is more ordinary replied Cephisa especially amongst young people nothing is more fantastical than to rowl the eyes by Art and yet many women consult with their Glasses only to learn the trick of it but the truth is a woman should not use any arts to please but only such as belongs to the handsome dressing themselves and chusing such colours as best becomes them but I cannot endure any should practise to make faces nor to shew any parts of their beauty with so much affectation as if they had a design to sell them The Tirian and Sidoniaâ— Merchants do not use more care in shewing their rich Dies and Tapestries than many great Beauties in shewing theirs For my part said Pasithea I am resolved none shall ever upbraid me with any fantastical affectation I believe it replied Cephisa but yet you may be upbraided with that jocund humour which will not let you think upon any thing else they wrong me who think my mind runs not 〈◊〉 upon pleasures replied she for indeed I will always love that which pleaseth me the way then to get your love replied Artaxander is always to please you It is true said she and laughed and if you please me always as well as you have pleased me this day we shall always agree very well Oh! sweet Pasithea replied he I am much joyed to hear you say so and that you may know me better give me leave to tell you I am nothing like those men who cannot be Masters of their own minds who are sometimes merry and sometimes sad and cannot speak out of their humours As for me I have four or five several sorts of spirits and I am able to chuse which of them I please at any time therefore since that in which I am this day doth please you you shall see me in it as long as I live And indeed after this Artaxander and Pasithea grew as intimately familiar as any two in the world Pasithea told him where she dwelt Artaxander asked leave to come and see her she granted and when he went he stayed always very long with her They parted always with so many signs of friendship that never any growing affection appeared more sensible than between these two And since the first day of viâ—it they were almost always together for the hunour of Artaxander much delighting Pasithea and thâ— humour of Pasithea much pleasing Artaxander an 〈◊〉 of pleasure did unite them and caused them 〈◊〉 continually together so as in a few days Artaxander perceived that his heart was wounded with the â—he pâ—st darts of Love it is true his Passion met with no bitter rubs but he might in reason and without vanity have as much hope as love for Pasithea was so sweet towards him and he knew so well that he pleased her as he was almost sure of being loved And indeed within a few days Pasithea gave him as many signs of affection as she possibly could she permitted him to talk of his love and did not forbid him to hope a while after she let him believe he was beloved Indeed the hearts of these two were so accustomed unto pleasures as perhaps they did not so sensibly as others gust the happiness which they enjoyed and it must be granted that when any do come out of a state of sorrows into a state of joys they are the most sensible but happy they both were and if Artaxander contrary to his custom had not taken a fantastical conceit in his head his love of Pasithea had lasted longer But the better to make you understand the business you must know that when Artaxander was most pleased with Pasithea and most confident of his being pleasing unto her he fell in talk with Cephisa who was no hater of him and aggravating his good fortune he opened his whole soul unto her but conceiving this Cephisa did lend but an hollow ear unto him nor did think him so happy as he thought himself he asked her the reason wondring very much she did no more congratulate his good fortune For truly said he unto her Pasithea is wondrous fair her humours are infinitely pleasing I please my self in pleasing her she esteems me beyond my merit she loves me almost as well as I would desire and we see one another continually You do very well Sir said Cephisa to mention this last thing for without it all the rest would not make love subsist For certainly if Pasithea were but one month out of your sight as pleasing as
the cloths upon her being very thin one might see the whole shape of her body her head leaned upon one arm and the other lay loose upon the pillow also having undressed her self in a kind of tumultuous hast a part of her dresses were untied and her black locks lay curled upon her most admirable white neck As for her left arm it lay bare upon her Pillow and shewed its delicacy Artaxander found every part of her face most rarely excellent and though her eyes were shut yet he judged of them by the rest She slept with a lovely smile and though complexion does not use to shew it self much in sleeping yet Cynesias was as fresh as any rose her lips so red and her curled hair so black together with her pure complexion was the most inviting object in the world Artaxander being strangely surprised at this fair apparition he knew not what to think and his wonder was the greater because he knew not Cynesia He judged her to be a person of quality both by her dress and a Carkenet of Diamonds about her neck which she had forgotten to put off and also by a Case of Picture which was tyed about her left Arm with a black Ribband though the Case was not a very rich one yet Artaxander knew that none wore any such but people of quality Artaxander being then in this Condition he knew not what to do for he had a good mind to waken this fair one to see whether her eyes were as fair as he immagined them but fearing to procure her hatred if he should affright her when she waked and sound her with a man in that place he durst not attempt but bethought himself of a more respective and gallant a course For having in his Pocket by chance the case of a Picture much more rich and handsome then that which Cynesia had tied about her Arm he went softly towards the fair one and kneeling down he untied the black Ribband about her arm extreamly nimble and tying his own case in lieu of that which Cynesia wore he never awaked Cynesia But I forgot to tell you that this Case which Artaxander tied upon Cynesiaes Arm was made to put Pasitheaes Picture in and ever since he had sent her back the Picture he wore the empty Case So as having a Silver Pen and Ink about him and having a quick fancy he writ these four Verses within the Case before he tyed it unto Cynesiaes Arm. Night's better than the Day Such Mysteries to discover As you my Love know may And yet not know the Lover He had no sooner written these four Lines in the Case and had tyed it unto her fair Arm but he heard some coming up the stairs So as fear left he should wake this fair one he went hastily to the place where he heard the noise and went so gently as he did not awake Cynesia He was no sooner at the stairs top but he met his friend whose adventure was much different from his for in lieu of finding a great beauty in his bed he had sound the Mother of Cynesia whom time and age had withred into extream ugliness Yet he knowing her because the Moon shined as light as day in the Chamber he made a gentle retreat without any disturbance to her rest and came to his friend So as meeting upon the stairs top and relating to each other their several adventures Artaxander whose sleeping beauty had weakened his spirits he intreated his friend to go out again with him they commanded the Porter to speak not a word of their returning went to lye both together at a friends house And Philiontes finding it a pleasant conceit that Cynesia should not know how her Picture Case came to be exchanged he consented unto his friends Proposition And so all was done as Artaxander desired for they went out of the house they charmed the Port for speaking of their return out of the Country and went to lye all night at the house of a Cousin unto Philiontes But to the end they should not go to their own house until night they sent to meet their men who were to come by Land commanding them not to come to Town till the latter end of the day and charging them to keep it secret that they came by Water but on the contrary to say that they came by Land and with them But the most pleasant part of all the adventure was that Artaxander having slept sufficiently in the Boat and being very fresh and lively he fell into discourse with Philiontes concerning his sleeping beauty and to ask a hundred several Questions For Heavens sake said he unto him do not hinder me from loving her and you cannot do me a better Office any way in the World then to contribute something which will make me in love But to tell you truly I would not have this fair one of Pasithea's humour but would have Pasithea with all her jollities so vexed to see me captivated by another as she shall grieve more for it then for Philocrates I assure you friend replied Philiontes you have found out any excellent expedient for it For first all fair ones in generall cannot indure to lose their servants and Pasithea in particular will be vexed no the Soul if you should love Cynesia Moreover be assured that this fair one is of a far different temper from the other for her temper is melancholy though she be very pleasant in Company and hath a most merry Ayr with her But withal she is sometimes a little fantastical Yet having a Passionate Soul and a tender heart her capricious fancies never last long Oh my friend said Artaxander this is enough for Cynesia being fair witty pleasing melancholy and a little fantastical I shall hope even out of variety onely for a thousand delights in loving her but you do not love her yet said Philiontes and laughed Truly friend replied Artaxander though I do not yet yet I shall do ere long and did I but once see her eyes open I should not doubt but to be in love with her However added he I am ingaged to be so since I told her as much by the Verses which I writ in the Case that I exchanged with her and therefore though I should not be in love with her yet I must seem so a while But if you be not in love with Cynesia said Philiontes and she keeping your Picture Case your gallantry will cost you somewhat dear If she keep it replied Artaxander she will do me such a favour as will make me in love for I must tell you that favours and beauty have a strong influence upon me But how can she know replied Philiontes that it was you who made the exchange she may easily guess it replied he for I intend this evening to wear the Case which I took from her in such a place as she cannot chuse but see it In saying so Artaxander took the Case out of his Pocket which
it that day but was contended with his restoring that which belonged unto Clidamis who was so astonished to see such private discourse betwixt Artaxander and Cynesia that he knew not what to think upon it But it bring late the company parted and Cynesia being desirous that Clidamis should not be too much troubled at this adventure she entreated him to wait upon Cleophila home and that Lady undertook to restore the Picture and Case unto him and to tell him as it was contrived that Artaxander sound it by chance upon the Table in his Chamber and that he need not trouble himself about it because Cynesia never told Artaxander that the Picture was his As for Artaxander he found Cynesia more charming awake then asleep and returned home with his friend with a strong disposition to love her And indeed he did easily apprehend this growing passion for though it was never wont to break his rest yet now he slept not a wink all that night for when he fancied himself in the same Chamber where he had seen Cynesia and in the same bed where he saw that fair one asleep his imagination did so perfectly represent her as he could not possibly rest although he had some pleasing slumbers On the other side Cynesia hearing that Artaxander was never hated by any she thought him more amiable then Clidamis who was hated by all and she was nothing sorry that she had gotten this new acquaintance But since she was resolved not to keep his case she sent it unto him the next morning and so hansomly that he could not chuse but receive it for she caused it to be left with one of his servants for him the servant not knowing what or from whom it was And Cynesia being a person unto whom such presents were not to be presented he durst not any further importune her to keep it This his gallantry passed for a noble piece of Liberality and cost him nothing but to speak the truth it cost him something that was dearer to him then the Case for had he never seen Cynesia he had not lost his heart and his liberty yet at the first he was not sensible of his misery but on the contrary he thought himself so happy in this affection which was growing in his heart as he could not hide the joyes which she had Moreover his thoughts of revenge upon Pasithea did kindle in him much satisfaction for he had such a hatred unto the follies of that Lady as made him consider that if Cynesia did not make him quite forget her it was not impossible but he might renew again with her On the other side Pasithea who never looked for any thing in love but what would divert her and who thought that Clidamis did love her she valued not the loss of Artaxander though every hour in the day did allow her one minute of sorrow for it because she could not meet with any who could divert her as well as he As for Clidamis he was in a most miserable condition for he was not loved by her whom he did love and was loved by one whom he did not love Thus did he receive all the favours which love could confer upon a lover and yet was not happy Also he was sensible of all those sorrows which that passion could inflict upon a lover for he was loved where he would not be and not loved where he would He was jealous and knew not directly the cause The new acquaintance of Artaxander did fret his heart he was vexed that Pasithea's Picture had been in his hands he knew not whether he should cease counterfeiting love or whether he should seem to cease loving Cynesia and see whether she would recall him And indeed his perplexity could not be greater As for Cynesia she also had some secret disgust of heart yet since those disgusts were not very dis-agreeable she was not much disquieted But for Artaxander he was so glad at his being in love as not being able to hide his joyes he shewed it unto Cynesia within the space of five dayes from his first acquaintance And being alone with her he began to give most humble and hearty thanks and that with such earnest expressings as she did really believe that she had either said or done something which had obliged him though she could not remember it And she began to rub up her memory and find out the reason why he should so emphatically expresse his gratitude Upon a recollection of all her thoughts she could find nothing unless it were that she having spoken much good of him unto some she had conversed withall he might come to the knowledge of it Yet not thinking this cause enough to oblige unto so many thanks she asked him what she had done for him to deserve them At the first he would not tell her for truly Madam said he unto her I am afraid lest you should repent of your goodness unto me and lest that repentance should lessen my joyes if I should tell you It is not my custome replied she to repent of any thing done that may please such men as I esteem and I assure you the principal reason why I am so desirous to know what it is is onely to the end that I may do the same again Oh Madam said Artaxander then I must tell you what it is you have done for me not because it will oblige you to do it again for you cannot chuse but do it whether you will or no you will do it as long as you live and the thing which you will do is absolutely the most pleasing thing in the World unto me For Heavens sake Artaxander said Cynesia then tell me what it is I have done which so much pleaseth you and which I cannot chuse but do again You have made me in love Madam replied he and in so doing you have done me the greatest pleasure in the World you have delivered me from a most drowsie idleness and I thank you heartily for it for otherwise I know not what I should have done in Creet Thus Madam added he and would not give her time to answer you have infinitely obliged me for you have rouzed my spirits out of a dull sluggishness of mind which is the most unsupportable thing in the World Though I should grant I have caused you to be in love replied she yet I cannot confess that you ow me any thanks For added she and smiled unless you were sure of a favourable reception I cannot see you have any reason for your thanks which I am sure you cannot know because I know it not my self Oh Madam replied he it is a most high happiness to love you and love hath such a secret and charming influence upon me as I do prefer all its torments before all other delights whatsoever and therefore though I know not whether you will be sweet or sharp unto me yet I must thank you for making me in love as much as for the
person only at once and as seldome as possibly I can I am very glad of this resolution said Plotina and laughed for since it is very likely that we shall have some adventures together I shall be safe and need not fear that you will ever tell what passeth between us unless it be under such disguised names as will keep me safe from my dangerous interpretations I do believe said Cesonia that you would not be glad to have your adventure told in that manner but am perswaded that if it were you your self would find out a key for it as you have done unto the History of Artaxander For my part said one of those melancholly Ladies who fretted at her captivity I wonder much at the excessive curiosity which I have observed in all the company to know the true names of the persons whom Amilcar brought into his Story for since it changeth nothing neither in the adventure nor in the thoughts what matter is it whether the persons were Grecians or Affricans And why should so much ado be about that which cannot afford any real diversion for my part if Amilcar had said at the beginning of his relation that he was going to relate an adventure which he had invented I should have hearkened with as much delight as I did and should have more admired the ingenuity of him who could so handsomely invent an adventure Whatsoever you are pleased to say replied Plotina certainly there is more pleasure to be taken in hearing a thing which is known to be a truth then in hearing a known falshood There are some truths replied Clelia which are so unpleasing and so far from probability and there are some inventions so full of delight and likely as it may be said that sometimes a lye is more pleasing then a truth and resembles truth more then truth it self doth Since every one speaks after the rate of their own beauty I will not dispute by reason to uphold that which concurs with his own inclination You speak very well replied Sextus and therefore pleasures are not to be condemned in any whosoever and my humour is such as I will never condemn them in others but I cannot endure that others should condemn them in me For my part said Zenocrates that sometimes I see many things which do not please me but the natural irksomeness which I have to all things which do not delight me cannot make me condemn them but pass by and say nothing For my particular said Amilcar I always condemn those who condemn others Certainly said Aronces one ought to be very reserved in giving his opinion upon the pleasures of others And yet it is so little used replied Celeres that nothing is more subject to censures then pleasures T is true replied Artimedorus but it must be confessed withal that nothing does better discover the bottoms of mens hearts and therefore it is not without cause that some should so accustome themselves to observe them for in solid and serious affairs the mind is close and cannot be known but in matter of pleasures ones hearts and spirits lie open they are discovered to the bottom And by them best are mens manners and inclinations known T is ordinarily seen said Clelia that by little things great ones comes to be known For my part said Amilcar men may be much deceived in judging of me by my pleasures For I take them so many several wayes when fortune brings me to a place where I cannot have them I make pleasures of my business rather then want them The truth is one cannot live without pleasures and those who seem never to enjoy any but are naturally sober and grave most certainly they find delight even in their own Melancholy After this Sextus finding by the silence which Clelia and the rest of the Ladies observed that they thought it time to end discourse he did rise up and went away with Aronces Artimedorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres Who after they had waited upon Sextus to his lodging they went every one to their own But the sweetest part of that night unto Aronces was that when Sextus did rise up and Amilcar had cunningly engaged him in talk with Plotina Aronces found an opportunity of a little talk with Clelia when none could hear but her self So as this pretious opportunity made him pass away the night in much delight Mean while since the siege of Ardes drew on and since the presence of Tarquin was necessary he must prepare himself for a departure Yet he had found Clelia so fair that he could willingly have deferred it some days if his ambition had not been so prevalent with his heart For though Tarquin had never any violent inclinations to love yet he found something so extraordinary in this fair prisoner that see her he must in the Morning giving orders that she should be waited upon very diligently and conferring many favours upon others for her sake Mean while the proud and cruel Tullia knowing it she was very importunate in behalf of the Vestals with Tarquin to release them she caused Verenia to come the second time unto that Prince But he was more moved against her this second visit then the first For he told her that to recompence her endeavours of raising a Rebellion in Rome he would send to seek her brother all the World over that he might send him and all his Family into another World After which preparing for his departure he did depart the next morning Followed by the Prince Sextus the Prince of Pometia the Prince Collatin the young Sons of Brutus two other young men of quality of the Aquiline Family all the bravery of Rome Aronces Artimedorus Amilcar Zenocrates Celeres and many others This departure was so sudden that Sextus could not see the prisoners But Celeres passing for the Brother of Clelia he went to her and carried Aronces with him who had the happiness to bid her adieu But this adue was so sad as it may be said they did onely communicate sorrows and make an exchange of grief For when Clelia considered that she was under the power of Tarquin who did most horridly hate her Father when she thought that this proud Tyrant did too favourably look upon her that the Prince Sextus did the same That the cruel Tullia had shewed no civilities unto her That Aronces was going to the Wars where he might die The Celeres who passed for her Brother might perish also as well as Amilcar and that she was to be left without any help in the hands of most wicked people it was impossible but she should be extreamly grieved On the other side Aronces who more sadly resented the miseries of her he loved then his own never considering what might be said of him in the King his Fathers Court he thought upon nothing but the pitiful condition of Clelia Yet since Tarquin had promised to deliver her when the siege of Ardes was ended this hope did something moderate his
reputation of a good Woman and when she will can give over the World Oh Sir replied the Prince of Pometia Lucrecia is none of those for she is excellent society though solitary she is severe and rigid onely to her self she alwayes thinks well of others and she maintains it neither good nor modest for any Women to suspect those of their sex in general of any great weakness she never condemns pleasures in others she puts a good construction upon every thing she is not lumpish nor Melancholy and if she were not solitary she would be adored by all the World You love her Sister in law so well replied the Prince Sextus that you are not to be believed in all you speak to the advantage of Lucretia If a Husband may be allowed to commend his own Wife replied Collatine I would say that the Prince of Pometia doth not slatter Lucretia and that the affection he bears unto my Sister doth not move him to speak against truth For my part said Sextus I do not insist upon such critical formalities and therefore Collatine without any consideration of being Husband unto Lucretia I pray you tell me ingenuously and impartially whether her beauty be comparable to the beauty of that fair Prisoner which you saw when the Vestals demanded her liberty For my part I must profess unto you that I never in my life saw any so fair The truth is she is very fair replied Collatine yet I know not whether it be because I affect black beauties better then the fair But I profess unto you that I think Lucretia as fair for a black beauty as that prisoner is for a fair beauty And of the two I would leave the fair and take the black For my part said Aronces I should not do so upon this the Prince Sextus having an extream desire to see Lucretia did becken unto all the young Gallants to second his design so as every one began to affirm that Lucretia was not so fair as reported If she be so as she is represented said Zenocrates then I am sure she is not so fair as one I have seen in Sicily For my part said Artimedorus I know one that will not yield unto her For my particular said Amilcar I have met with many Lucretia's but I know onely one fair prisoner in all the World Aronces had a good mind to say so also but he durst not for fear of suspition so as he let all the rest speak who all confessed that though they had Mistresses of their own yet the fair Prisoner was the fairest that ever was seen As for the Prince of Pomctia he did not say any thing against her great beauty but only said that Lucretia and his own Mistress could not be compared together because they were so opposite as two contraries could not be more the one having fair hair and grey eyes and the other black hair and black eyes Mean time This feast which Sextus made having raised the spirits of Collatine to a jolly height he was that time full of rallary so as the Prince Sextus beginning again to chide him for his pretended jealonsie though he knew well enough that he was not jealous Collatine did rise up upon a suddain and looking upon all the company To make it appear I am not jealous said he unto them And to let you know that Lucretia does merit all the reputation of beauty which she hath I freely offer to take horse immediately and carry you all unto my house Collatine had no sooner said so but Sextus ravished with joy did take it at his word So as though it was late they all took horse and went to Rome so came to Collatine where Lucretia was who not expecting so great a company was working with her Woman an excellent piece of work she made the business of her solitude However being alwayes naturally handsome though she did not think of seeing any that day yet she was not in such a negligent dress as did any thing take from her beauty but on the contrary her dress was very advantagious So as all this Company making a great noise at their coming and hearing that her Husband brought them she prepared her self to receive them very well So Lucretia leaving her work she went to meet them and not knowing that her beauty was the cause of this journey she shewed it in its full lustre for she had four slaves who walked before her with lights which made it at first appear unto all that came she merited all the reputation of beauty which she had and that there was none but Clelia who could dispute with her for being the greatest beauty in the whole World The Prince Sextus was so blasted that he stood dumb as he was the first time he saw Clelia so as Amilcar observing him he jogged Aronces who was very glad to see it in hopes that perhaps his inclination to Clelia would lessen by his liking Lucretia So as Amilcar after he had asked Aronces pardon for the injustice I was going to do his Mistress he began to cry aloud that the fair prisoner was vanquished that Lucretia had got the victory and that Collatine was the happiest man upon Earth Zenocrates also did highly appland the beauty of Lucretia Artimedorus did the same The young Sons of Brutus as much The two young Aquilines no less The Prince of Pometia asked every one what they thought the Prince Titus said as others did and Collatine himself in saying nothing did yet imply that Lucretia was never fairer then she was that night All the while this Wife and Modest Lady was so surprized at their expressions and at their tumultuous commendations which they gave her as she knew not what to think Yet being of an admirable spirit and not having forgot the mode of the World in her solitude she did handsomely retire But the Prince Sextus being charmed with the beauty of Lucretia as much as with Clelia he was something deaf to the motion and with Amilcar began to make a long invective against solitude For truly said Amilcar unto Lucretia whilst Collatine was talking unto some others whom he had brought thither you are infinitely to blame for thus hiding as you do the greatest beauty upon earth for take in which way you will solitude is good for nothing Yes Sir replied Lucretia it is good to satisfie those who seek it and love it But Madam answered Sextus those who do love it and seek if they were as you are they ought not to love or seek it 'T is true added Amilcar for solitude will not let either beauty or virtue shew it self and is good for nothing but to give the World occasion to say that when the Wife is fair and solitary her Husband is jealous Though I do not expose my self unto the World replied Lucretia yet I do not think that any will say that Collatine is jealous If they do not say so replied Sextus it is in your presence
of all the passions and represented Love as a Satyr and all the pleasures that attend it Cruel actions he called Confident actions when they conduc'd to their advantage who did them and in sine he had gained such an influence on her as he doubted not to make use of her in opposition to the tyrant if there were need This cruel Princess knowing that he had the permission to visit Clelia was glad to hold a correspondence with him that by that means she might take away that Captive from Tarquin when she should think it fitting Tarquin for his part wanted not employment for the siege of Ardea found him work enough Love and hatred Dichotomized his heart and was a greater torment to him than his cruelty had caused to others As for Sextus his mind was full of Lucrecia whose beauty had made such an impression in his heart that he could think of nothing but the means how to satisfie his passion The Prince of Pometia and Prince Titus were not without their secret Loves Artemidorus and Zenocrates had each of them their Secrets and their Afflictions and only Celeres was at liberty though he had a soul naturally very passionate But yet in the condition he was in his tender affection and wit was spent in bemoaning his unfortunate Friends and in finding out ways how to serve them and therefore he was over joy'd that he could imagine the means But whilst these several persons had their different resentments there was no mention of the Prince of Numidia who had been expected in the Camp nor could Aronces imagine what resolution he should have taken for there was no likelyhood he should have cast himself into Ardea besides that Herminius knowing him he was confident he was not there But in fine night drawing on Amilcar return'd to Aronces's chamber where he found Herminius Brutus being not yet come so that while they expected him Amilcar related to Aronces all he had done and afterwards renued the desire he had to be informed of that mans life who had so cunningly concealed his Reason for I cannot believe said he there was ever any man so unhappy or at such a distance from all kinds of pleasures I cannot well apprehend what he could have done they say he married very young he hath children and he seems not to have an estate proportionable to his birth How then could he conceal his reason from his wife while she lived How could he subsist carrying himself so as if he had not the discretion to govern his estate And how could he live without Love without society without friends without pleasure and without any comfort How could he endure to be treated like a stock and a mad man And how could he abjure all acquaintance with Fame How could he be perswaded to renounce both to love any thing or be beloved and could brook the contempt of all the World It is indeed true replyed Aronces that this seems incomprehensible but a greater miracle than all this is that though Brutus hath constantly acted the Sot he yet hath preserved that great and admirable understanding which you shall by and by find in him When you shall understand it of your self replyed Herminius you will be much more amazed for as I have told you already Brutus hath not only a good understanding comprehension judgment and an acquaintance with great things but he hath withal a lively nimble delicate and an admirably versatile wit Besides he understands so exactly all the contrivances of Love and knows as well how to make use of all those ingenious circumventions which sometimes do sooner conquer the heart of a great Beauty than the most signal services that neither Greece nor Africk afford a Gallant that knows better than he the art of reducing of an illustrious soul But you consider not says Amilcar laughing that while you would describe Brutus you really draw your self for I can easily see your picture in it You know Brutus then so much the better by it reply'd he and here he comes in good time to confirm what I have told you And indeed Brutus was coming in while Herminius was speaking of him but it was after such a maner as Amilcar was surprised at it For knowing there was none in the chamber but Aronces Herminius and he he did not shadow his reason as he was wont to doe but entered with a certain freedome which Amilcar had never observed in him But he was no sooner come in but going straight on to that witty African since that when I deceived the distrustful Tarquin and the suspicious Tullia said he to him I could not over-reach the subtile Amilcar I were as good shew him what I truly am that being obliged to me for my confidence he may help me to keep a secret wherein haply the safety of Rome is equally embarqued with my own What the Brutus whom I now see replied Amilcar is he the same as I have formerly seen Spare your exclamations replies Herminius till you have seen him better than you now doe for you have yet but a glimpse of him Ah Herminius replied Amilcar I will see him throughly and I confidently promise there shall be nothing I dare not do might I but obtain from Brutus the History of his Thoughts for according to the manner of his life I believe he can hardly afford us any thing else If I had nothing else to tell you replied he your demand were easily granted but my life may afford things of greater consequence than you conceive If there wants onely fidelity to become worthy the knowledge of your adventures sayes Aronces I will be responsible to you for Amilcar's and my own and if you will think your self requited with twenty Histories for one added Amilcar you shall have all mine for yours for if you believe me I was never so much oppressed with curiosity Since I am obliged in point of honour to satisfie it replied Brutus I promise you an account of my whole life but if you have it not from my self you must take it from Herminius who knowes all my adventures and all my thoughts or from one of his Kinswomen who hath known much of the secret of my soul But it shall be conditionally that I be not present at the relation for I do not find my Spirit strong enough to hear the recital of my past happiness at a time when I pretend to no other pleasure then that of revenge and the deliverance of my Country from the slavery wherein it is Aronces and Amilcar thinking the request reasonable it was resolved that on the morrow Herminius should relate unto them the life of Brutus But he could not do it so soon as these his two Friends could have wished for that some occasions of his found him writing all the morning and in the afternoon he had the happiness to see the inchanting person whom he loved in Hermilia's Chamber who to further his satisfaction had feigned her self sick
inconsiderable accidents which every moment happen beside all expectation Hermilia indeed is now in the right said Valeria since that to speak in general terms it is easier not to be hurried into passion upon some important occasion than never to be moved at these sudden ones when haply Reason stands not on its guard but the mind is surprised and moved before it take time to consult For my part added Mutius I shall never believe the Gods have bestowed on us such passions as we may not innocently use and I am strongly perswaded that as there may be a Love without Crime so there may be an Anger without any just blame and that it is the use of it only that requires regulation I am of opinion replyed the gallant Prince of Pometia smiling that only Lucretia deserves to be the Halcyon of Anger if I may so express it and that it is from her that we must receive instructions how to qualifie this tumultuous passion which is so displeasing to her The Prince of Pometia hath spoken so excellently well replyed I that it is sit the fair Lucrecia grant what he demands Let her make what orders she please against Anger replyed Mutius she shall have much to do to keep it quiet in my heart and for my part said Hermilia I must needs quarrel with her severity You would do better if you advantaged your self by her example said Racilia to her but for my part says Valeria it will be no great trouble to me to submit to her And it will be less to me to enact my pretended Laws for the Ladies replyed Lucrecia for I have no more to do than to bid them imitate your moderation To be short continued she as it is not my duty to regulate another's resentments by my own so I have no more to say but to propose Herminius for a pattern for men as I do Valeria to all of my own sex for I know by experience that they are both subject to a great sensibility of spirit and that if Reason had not taught them the lawful measure of anger they would be over-mastered by it as well as so many others Ah Madam said I looking upon her you do not know me I am not fit to be a pattern of patience for if you knew how sensible I am upon some occasions and how angry I am with my self for it it would move your pity and you would seek into your own reason for that which you cannot find in my heart as having much more frailty than can be imagined For my part added Valeria I confess I am mistress enough of my own passions I have the art to conceal my anger or at least to repress it so as it never transported me to say any thing which I repented when my passion was over Ah Valeria replyed Lucrecia how much am I obliged to you for having given us in few words the most excellent rule in the world I would ask no more of all women than to keep within those bounds for if they should do so they would never be hasty or fretful they would not be always chiding their Slaves always quarrelling with their Friends they would not be violently hurried into passion before those that come to visit them they would have a respect to themselves and would not cloud the serenity of their eyes with a storm of fury But if you quite take away anger replys Hermilia pleasantly I know not how Ladies can beget an awe and respect in such as make addresses to them since in my judgment it is their only defence For instance if any one be so bold as to entertain a Lady with some discourse that is displeasing to her I am confident if she blush with anger and give some testimony of her displeasure in her eyes this forward person will presently shift discourse rather than continue it out of a fear to displease her But on the other side if she be so patient that she express no sign of anger he will at last make her angry in good earnest You press this too far replies Lucrecia for though I am an enemy to excessive anger yet I allow women to express their indignation even to fierceness but I would that the redness which anger spreads upon their cheeks should but add to their beauty not disorder their minds and that they preserve their respect rather by a modest severity than by angry expostulations which at no time become a woman especially when they are such as are worth nothing raised upon frivolous grounds and a disparagement to such as are subject to them I mean those passions which spring up anew continually those persons who are subject to them never taking any care by a strong resolution to correct so ill a habit which by rendring them less fair and pleasing brings them sometimes into the hatred and contempt not only of their superiors but even of their inferiors Lucrecia having proceeded thus far the banquet was brought in which put an end to this pleasant and profitable entertainment Brutus all this while said not a word but ceased not to admire Lucrecia with whose Wit he was more taken than with her Beauty though her beauty were admirable But that he might be at the same time acquainted with all the perfections of Lucrecia it happened they came to speak altogether of her goodness whereof Valeria related a many instances though much against the others will insomuch that the night was wholly spent in her commendations So that when all were retired Brutus was wholly taken up with thought of Lucrecia It happened that the chamber where this Beauty was disposed to lodge joyned to a closet which was in Brutus's which having been sometime a passage between those two chambers they had only nailed up the door which went out of it into that where Lucrecia and Valeria lay But there being certain chinks in the door through which it was easie to see what was done in the place where these two Beauties were Brutus who had often taken notice of it could not with-hold being returned into his chamber from going into the closet and beholding these two Beauties whilst they undressed themselves in whom he discovered a thousand new perfections For the dress of Roman Ladies hiding the neck he knew not until this instant the perfection of theirs indeed his heart being already destined to Lucrecia's service even before he knew so much he fixed all his observation upon her with such a stedfast view that he had not the power to close his eyes all the night after This pleasing Idea though full of all delightful charms troubled his rest insinuating a kind of commotion into his heart betwixt grief and joy which raised in him a thousand different imaginations It made him a long time forget the design he had taken to leave Rome within two days and to banish himself voluntarily from a place where it behoved him to hide his soul if he would preserve his life and
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
comfort replyed Aronces to know that Lucrecia cannot suffer any thing but what the affection she hath for him imposes on her but for what concerns me I see Clelia exposed to the violence of a Tyrant whether he love her or hate her nor can I yet perceive by what means I can deliver her nor who will deliver my self It being by this time very late Herminius and Amilcar retired and left this illustrious Lover at liberty to compare his misfortunes with those of the illustrious Brutus The end of the first Book of the second Part. CLELIA The Second Part. BOOK II. AS no part of the life of Brutus was reserv'd from Aronces he went the next day to his Chamber imagining he might receive some delight by discoursing with an unhappy lover whose misfortunes parallel'd his and these two illustrious Lovers did at first so Sympathize and love so united both their hearts that though they were both miserable and that their discourse contained nothing but melancholy subjects yet a delightful pleasingness did at this time dispel those dull fumes which clouded their Intellectual Faculties But whilst they did as it were thus sport away the tedious hours and that Herminius endeavoured by the assistance of his friends both to prosecute his passion prejudice Tarquin and serve Aronces the discreet Amilcar acted for Aronces against Tarquin for Clelia and Plotina and all the other Captives and endeavoured likewise to engage the fierce Tullia to deliver all those Prisoners principally those to whom he was obliged both by friendship and inclination He writ to Tarquin to the Prince Sextus to Artemidorus and Zenocrates Yet had he time to compose several things which are usually made but in a pleasing idleness for Herminius and he made each of them a short song according to the African custom They had a certain gallant Air which contained both ingenuity and love pleasure and rapellery they using both simple and natural expressions and it seems that they intended but to trifle time in making these songs and that 't was not impossible others fancies should concur with theirs In the mean time as they had sent to the Camp for Celeres and Zenocrates they came to Rome but could not inform them of any considerable thing in reference to their affairs for during the Truce all the young men went continually from the Camp to Rome and from Rome to the Camp Artemidorus not being willing to permit Zenccrates and Celeres to be more happier than he went with them to see Aronces whom he highly esteem'd and these three being arrived at Rome and having the same liberty as Herminius to visit Aronces they passed some days in a society pleasing to unhappy persons for as these new Comers were of this secret they were commonly together and after Dinner Racilia Hermilia Valeria and Sivelia accompanying them there was doubtless a society composed both of accomplished and agreeable persons For though Aronces Amilcar Herminius and Celeres were men of known integrity 't is certain that Artemidorus and Zenocrates had extraordinary merit Artemidorus was well made he had a judging spirit and a grandure in his Soul but he so equally possessed all good qualities that though he was a complete man he was just one of those which make a particular Character and which resemble not any person though many would willingly resemble him For Zenocrates he was tall of a fair proportion and good deportment white teeth a lively tincture brown hairs a most agreeable smiling and a pleasant countenance which gave delight to all but he had a certain languishing indifferency to which his temper carried him it gave him sometimes a stupidity of Spirit which made him appear as if he were in an idle dotage and obliged him to keep in certain occasions a kind of melancholy silence that he could not suffer without some slight reluctation when he knew he might if he would speak more agreeably than the most part of those to whom he gave such a peaceable audience But for all this admirable dulness the gallantness of his Spirit and ingeuuity appear'd when he writ either in Verse or Prose and I can assure you that if he had an heart more susceptible of loves impression it had been very fit to make illustrious Conquests for Zenocrates was as I have already told you fair and of a good deportment he had much Spirit he was both discreet and wise he had a charming affability all his inclinations were noble he was modest respectful and faithful to his friends but a languishing melancholy so possessed his Spirits that though he was an accomplished Gallant he could not affect any one person though adorned with all the excelling features had he been assured of a correspondency in love so much did he fear dangerous enterprises He had beginnings in love which should have had continuance but the Fire which flamed in the morning extinguished in the evening I know not how he could make an opiniative lover for the faculty would have hindred the augmentation of his passions the great difficulty would have rebated his Spirit and the only thought of a long constancy would have much perplexed him he had no desire to engage himself to love a person which was not above him neither would he resolve with himself to love one of that quality if fortune had forc'd him to do it so little he affected to enterprise difficult things Had he likewise passed the commencements of his life without having any of those Demy-Mistresses that are loved without inquietude that are willingly left on the first occasion that presents 't is not but confessed that he had been in love and he might be again But those which are intelligent in tenderness believe not that he was capable of any great attachment and though he was accused of some temerity and inconstancy in love he was known to be very sincere and agreeable in friendship and he was so amiable and merited such estimation that he would not be known without esteem in love Artemidorus and he being then joyn'd with their illustrious friends this Society had been full of delectation if those which composed it had been more happy there was during this time a small cessation in the distemper of Aronces which deferr'd the Voyage Celeres and Zenocrates had resolv'd on Amilcar having acquainted this unhappy Prince that he had confer'd with Tullia that he was the Confident of her Jealousie and that he did not despair but he should oblige her to deliver Clelia and farther told him that this cruel person had promised him to suborn him which kept her and that on his part he was engaged to carry this fair Virgin into Africa and not let her return from thence He knew moreover that those of Ardea which negotiated with Tarquin demanded above all things the rendition of the Captives and it might be if Tarquin should refuse to do it he would exasperate the people and the Soldiers which might justly murmur to see
Sextus his love for Lucretia did so discompose the serenity of his temper that he would not suffer them to make any mention of it for said he to Celeres who spoke of this Princes Passion that Species of transportment which siezes Sextus when his eyes saluted a beautiful person cannot be termed love for if a clear inspection could be made into his heart there would be found nothing but impetuous desires which respect neither a becoming grace nor vertue there would I say be found an Antipathy between his Passion and Spirit I am even perswaded he doth not much care to be beloved and that he would be as content if a woman should offer her self to him through the consideration of interest and ambition without resigning her heart as if she was forced by a violent affection to favour his love but 't is otherwise in those which are rightly capable of love they being not perfectly happy unless there is a reciprocal affection and there are none but those which are infected with brutish appetites who regard not what motive obliges any woman to use them with civility 'T is true said Aronces an interessed is a superficial favour and I should have no great obligation to a woman which would rather submit her self to my fortune not affection But it happens so often replied Amilcar that those whom fortune favours merit not to be favoured by themselves and they would much wrong their judgements to complain that a woman permits their visit rather through interest then love I am of your opinion replied Artimidorus that an interessed Lady merits not to have a lover which considers her through any other cause then his own satisfaction and Brutus hath reason to say that this species of resentment cannot rightly admit the term of love since 't is not correspondent for if we consider well what passes in the hearts of two persons formed after this nature we shall find avarice in the Ladies and brutality in the lovers That which you say replies Brutus squares with reason but I must add that a Lover composed of his humour can neither be faithful nor happy for in his heart the end of an irregular desire is the beginning of another and since he dis-regards the love of his beloved he respects nothing but pleasure in the fruition and is capable of an amorous impression at the sight of any thing which delights his fancy these brutish Lovers cannot confine themselves in their voluptuary passions sometimes affecting brown and sometimes fair persons and in fine their affections are in a manner so brutal that the love of the most savage and cruel Animals is no less then theirs therefore I should extreamly commiserate the fair and vertuous Lucretia for having surprized the heart of Sextus did not her solitary retirement shelter her from the persecutions of such a Lover and as Herminius noted the agitation of the spirit of Brutus he diverted the subject of their discourse to the adventure of the Numidian Prince which was considerable enough to deserve their attentions for it seemed very extraordinary that an African Prince should have so much intelligence in Rome as to enterprise to take Clelia from the Palace of such a Prince as Tarquin And passing from one thing to another they had a desire to pre-divine the actions of this violent Prince when he should have notice of this accident some said he would be transported to the ultimate extremity against the Numidian Prince others that for his own interest he would consider the quality of Maharbal some said he would poison him but Aronces who was wholly composed of generosity and whose heart was sensible of compassion since the last conference with this illustrious Rival and since he left a Letter at his departure from the Willow Island intreated Amilcar to reverse by his sedulous indeavours any cruel sentence should be decreed against him and Amilcar so flattered Tullia's humour and wrote such a judicious Letter to Tarquin that the storm of anger soon vanished which threatned the destruction of the Numidian Prince and what they descanted upon proved but airy imaginations 't is true his wounds were dangerous and his death almost inevitable his Fever augmented his reason was not yet remitted to its proper seat and those which drest him much feared his Recovery so that we many very well say his deplorable condition was some means to secure his life It was most remarkable in this incounter that Tarquin learning the Quality of the Numidian Prince conceived his love for Clelia incited him to steal her away he not being ignorant that Clelius a long time resided at Carthage imagining then Clelia more amiable since she had attracted such illustrious persons he felt a reduplication of love in his heart and the cognisance he had to find a new Rival renewed his affection if I may use that term he had even some joy to think that whatsoever Aronces was he would have some despight against the Numidian Prince for endeavouring to deliver Clelia and his thoughts were constant with those of a violent Prince though love had never been the prevailing passion he gave order to redouble the Guards of Clelia and confirmed an ampler Commission to him who commanded them which was very satisfactory to Aronces because that Amilcar assuring him that Tullia was perswaded she should gain him he might hope suddenly to effect Clelia's liberty he knew likewise that those of Ardea obstinately persisted in requesting Tarquin to deliver the Captives before the commencement of the Treaty and that people began to murmur at Rome as well as the Soldiers in the Camp because Tarquin denied their proposition These things put such a favourable disposition in the spirit of Aronces and all his friends that they found themselves capable to enjoy all the sweetness hope gives them who passionately desire any thing for there is a hope of revenge as well as a hope to possess a Mistress those which had no effective interest in this place were at last interested in their friends behalf as for Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres 't was friendship which confin'd them to this place but for Brutus and Herminius they had both many interests to induce them to reside here their friends their love and their Country and things being now reduced to a better estate than they had seen them long before they were partakers of the same hope 't is not that Brutus expected any thing on Lucretia's part which might advantage him but at least he imagined if he destroyed Tarquin he should likewise destroy Sextus so that a jealous resentment exciting in him a desire of revenge it seemed to him he could no less act against Tarquin in quality of a Lover then of a true Roman Hope thus finding entertainment in the hearts of so many discreet persons their conversations was very agreeable when they consorted at night to render an account what they had learned concerning their common interests it often hapned that
confess it replied he but it may be before I return my fancy will as usually soon vanish But said Herminius to him it seems requisite to me that we should be better informed of your Adventures I know Artemidorus hath recounted them to Aronces after he had acquainted him with his own but it would not be just to trouble him to relate them and 't is much better your self should satisfie our curiosity For my particular said Zenocrates should I undertake to recount my History I should no sooner mention my self but Artemidorus would interrupt me and affirm I am not well acquainted with my self and I believe my Adventures ought not to be known of so many persons and there are some considerable accidents in my fortune which are not convenient to publish till it pleases my destiny to change the state of things but for Artemidorus it much imports his repose that all friends should know his fortune to banish the most unjust grief ever seis'd a lovers heart for till this time none can perswade him he hath injury and as 't is convenient for his repose I offer my self to be his Historian for though I should not be accused of too much ardency or levity in love I condemn it not I would therefore have the permission to recount the affection of Artemidorus for if these persons here present do not perswade him that the excess of his secret grief is unjust he will never be cured all then testified a great impatience to obtain the consent of Artemidorus for Brutus was not displeased to know if he might find a lover as unhappy as himself Herminius by a tender resentment wished the power to consolate Artemidorus Amilcar by an universal curiosity desired to know the life of this Prince and both Valeria and Hermilia according to the nature of their Sex had an earnest desire to hear the narration of Zenocrates induced thereto by a natural resentment incident to Ladies of their quality and perfections for Aronces as he knew all that which had happened to Artemidorus he augmented the curiosity of the Company and in fine he was so prest by their forcible perswasions that he consented Zenocrates should relate his adventures but not desiring to be at the recounting of them and Aronces having already heard them he requested him to withdraw into his own Chamber and after their departure Zenocrates having consider'd on what he had to say began to speak in these terms addressing his speech to Hermilia only he being then in her Chamber The History of Artemidorus THough Sicily is not so far distant from Rome that I conceive you are ignorant of the Customs thereof yet I pre-suppose there 's many things which never arriv'd your knowledge for Madam to speak ingeniously the Romans so despise all other people that they believe they should injure themselves even to know their manners And our Ladies not being so reserved as here 't is requisite you should be pre-acquainted with the general usage of divers places I shall have occasion to insert in my narration for fear you condemn not in particular those who have interest in things I intend to relate unto you I shall then tell you Madam that Sicily having at this time the Commerce of Affrica and Italy as well as of Greece and Asia I may say this famous Isle is the common Country of different Nations and there is a confluency of divers people in all places where Commerce is most consign'd and except at Panormes there 's scarce in any part the true manners of the Country and 't is rare that in all the Maritime Towns except that I intend to mention they have a certain spirit which retains something of their opposite neighbours so that the Coast of Messina which was called heretofore Zangle when the Gyants as is reported inhabited it hath a resemblance with those of Rhegium the Coast which looks on the Ionian Sea with the Ascatique and Heraclea and Agrigentine with the Affricans customs but for Leontine which is the native Country of Artemidorus the Customs there have some Conformity with all these different Nations agreeing likewise with those of the Country but to speak in general there is in all places so much liberty and gallantry that without doubt there is scarce any Country in the World where one may have such a delectable residence For besides that the Country is pleasant fertile and very diversified the people are full of spirit and have generally so much as for that reason they are suspected to be artificious and a little inconstant But as I shall speak but of Leontine and Agrigentine I shall tell you nothing of the other Cities of this famous Isle neither shall I much trouble my self to speak of the first because I cannot do it without mentioning many things which have reference to the Princess of the Leontines Sister of Artemidorus whose Adventures I ought not now to recount to you be contented then to know that as the Country of the Leontines is nigh the fertilest in the Isle all pleasures are there in their great Lustre except in Syracusa and Agrigentine where I may say with the permission of Amilcar all the African Gallantry hath passed But to come to the principal History I have to relate to you without telling you all those slight things which resemble themselves in all the Commencements of love in the World You must know that this illustrious unhappy person is his Brother who is now Prince of the Leontines and of the admirable Princes who hath now found an Asylum in the King of Clusium's Court and being at his birth endowed with all noble Inclinations he was in estate to merit the esteem of all those who knew him For his person I shall say nothing of it for you see 't is framed according to the exact rules of proportion but for his Spirit though you know it hath all advantages imaginable yet I assure you you do not sufficiently know it for his grief hath so clouded his humour and left such an indifferency and melancholy that he hath no more the same agreement he usually had in his conversation and that he yet would have should joy resume its usual place in his heart As for his temperament 't is without doubt tender and passionate he loves glory and is extremely grateful maintaining the greatest of all Vices is ingratitude he is both liberal and just and few have equalled him in merit 'T is true that for those he doth not esteem he hath not a too regular civility he is very free to those which please him else reserv'd to all Artemidorus then meriting that Character in which I have represented him to you and being in a splendid Court submitted to the Love of an amiable Virgin as soon as he returned from a Voyage he had made into Greece 'T is true she was none of the greatest beauties but she hath such an agreement that she gave envy to the fairest and love to the
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
hath induced me to interest my self in this valiant Unknown Telesis is certainly worthy of your expressive tenderness replied Philonice but I know not added she if this Prisoner was deficient in those noble qualities which had raised him to the height of an accomplished man he would as much remember you There 's no doubt of that replied Berelisa but I principally interest my self in this Unknown because there 's some resemblance between him and my Brother for Telesis is nigh of his age he is as you know well proportioned he hath given some evident testimonies of his courage he hath spirit and in fine if I dare say it as gallant as the Prisoner seems to be As Berelisa thus spoke she was interrupted by the Agrigentine Prince who told her the Chase would not permit a long discourse and that they should not transpose the pleasures of it so that Berelisa gallantly answering the Agrigentine Prince the rest of the Chase passed in an agreeable manner and at night the Prince made a magnificent Feast to all the Ladies which had enjoyed the benefit of this Princely sport Artemidorus who was lodged in a Chamber which looked upon the garden of the Agrigentine Castle had seen them return from the Chase for though his Chamber was but a foot higher than the Garden it was built on such a rising ground that it discovered all the Country which environed the City the sight of a company where joy seemed to be so universal gave some addition to his melancholy for he imagined what would be Clidimiras grief if she knew he was Prisoner to an enemy of the Leontine Prince he even thought that his absence alone would cause her an incredible affliction and when he remembred all those demonstrations of affection which had past between them he doubted not but she should employ all the moments of her life to think of him and regret his absence and he felt not only his own grief but he suffered that which he presupposed Clidimira would endure for his consideration In the mean time his Guards reported divers things to Afranor which perswaded him that this Prisoner was of a greater condition than he said he was kept very exactly though treated with much civility he had the liberty in the day time to be alone is his Chamber and those which had taken had not risled him because his Valour claimed their respect he had divers Letters of Clidimira which he often perused to consolate himself for when he departed from Messina he thought that desiring to pass for a simple Cavalier 't was not convenient for him to carry that precious Casket which was depositary of all the secrets of his heart but contented himself to take the Letters of Clidimira to give him some consolation during his voyage Artemidorus living in this manner spent whole days in ruminating on Clidimira and Berelisa a resentment of inclination pity generosity and tenderness for her absent Brother was very solicirous to render this Prisoner all those things she conceived might sweeten the rigour of his imprisonment But if in the beginning she believed her self obliged by the prementioned reasons she found her self afterwards engaged by a more puissant motive You may remember as I have already told you that the Chamber of Artemidorus was a foot higher than the Garden from whence the prospect is very delicate for it had two Windows the one facing the Campagn the other the end of a Walk which looked upon a Garden-knot so enamelled with the choisest of Floras treasures and beautified by Art in such ingenious manner that Art and Nature did contend therein for mastery This Walk being very agreeable when the Sun doth not guild it with its radiant Beams Berelisa towards the Evening often repaired thither and there being two seats at the ends and in the middle of this Walk to repose on commodiously to enjoy the fair prospect there was a seat against the Window of Artemidorus so contrived that though the Window was grated it admitted the conveniency of discourse with those which were seated on this side the Walk It often hapned that Artemidorus which was obliged to Berelisa for the good opinion she had testified of him saluted her with much respect when his Window was found open and Berelisa who was civil and courteous and who had a secret unknown reason which rendred her more affable than ordinary did often entertain discourse with Artemidorus but as 't was not possible for her to harbour an ill opinion of him the more she saw the more she esteemed him and seeing melancholy enthroned in his face compassion so invaded her heart that seeing every day the charming Princess of Agrigentine more usually than before the Prince her Father being gone to the War she often spoke to her of her Prisoner for she sometimes used that term she having such a special care of him and she did it principally to give Berelisa the curiosity to converse with him to the end that acknowledging his merit she might at the Prince her Fathers return endeavour to obtain his liberty and Philonice who is compassionate and generous and who seeks occasions to render any one any curteous office told Berelisa that the first fair day she would go to the Castle of Agrigentine to see if she had reason to give such encomiums of her Prisoners spirit as 't was then the fairest season in the year the next being serene and calm correspondent to the desires of this Princess and she being willing to perform her promise made to Berelisa went to the Castle with this amiable Virgin accompanyed with many Ladies carrying likewise with her one that had relation to her whom the Prince of Agrigentine had sent to certifie her of a considerable advantage he had gained over his enemies for he was one of Berelisas Friends and was of a pleasant disposition she believed he would render their recreation more delightful and it succeeded as she imagined Berelisas humour being at this time tun'd to the highest pitch of mirth but in fine without trespassing on your patience by relating those things which have no reference to the life of Artemidorus I shall tell you that the hour being come when they might take a commodious walk in the place I have already mentioned Philonice and all the company went thither but as Berelisae told her she would not expose her Prisoner to speak before so many persons the Princess only followed by Berelisa went towards the Window of Artemidorus who seeing the Princess approach saluted her with a profound reverence after which through respect he would have withdrawn himself from the Window but Philonice recall'd him Return valiant Unknown said she to him return and do not flye those who seek you I am Madam so unworthy of this honour replied he that you ought not to think it strange if I would have deprived my self of a pleasure that I am incapable to merit All honest unhappy persons replied the generous Philonice
not permitting her so much leisure as to consult her reason in this occasion but at last generosity and tenderness being the more prevalent she told his Keeper that this Letter neither concerned the Prince of Agrigentine nor Afranor expresly commanding him not to speak of it and being induced by a jealous resentment she commanded his Keeper to endeavour the discovery of him whom Artemidorus had suborned to the end he should be dismissed his place afterwards she desired him to leave the Prisoner at liberty to speak with her in the Garden that she might render his Letter to him and this man obeying her Artemidorus came to render her thanks and to spend some time in walking with her whilst two of her attendants spoke to him who commanded Artemidorus his Guards at the end of this Walk How shall I methodise my language Madam said he to her to thank you for your last signal favour and what may I do to testifie unto you my recognition You will cancel that obligation said Berelisa the blood leaping into her face by wholly confiding your self to my discretion for though your Letter acquaints me you are of Royal extraction that you are amorous and that your Love is reciprocal it doth neither inform me of your name nor hers you Love nor of the place of your Nativity and I desire satisfaction in those things before I re-deliver your Letter Ah Madam said he to her if you knew the importance of your demand you would it may be not persist in requesting it for you are so generous that I am confident you would not prejudice me in any thing On the contrary replied Berelisa 't is principally to generous persons to whom it appertains to be in power to prejudice because they have no good will to act it therefore without repenting what I have said I redemand satisfaction in those three things For my Name and Country replied Artemidorus I can tell you not being ashamed of either though I cannot do it both without danger and prudence but for the name of the person I love since my Letter hath not declared it to you I suppose I ought not to do it and you ought less to persevere in that demand added he you are so obliged to that charming person for Madam if she had not enslaved my heart and had I been free when I came to Agrigentine I should assuredly have been amorous of you and doubtless much importun'd you with my complaints for as I love with an immeasurable ardour I should have caus'd you more displeasure than Terillus therefore Madam since you have this obligation to the person whom I love constrain me not to violate my discretion and remain satisfied that I expose my self to sufficient danger by telling you that I am Brother to the Enemy of the Agrigentine Prince What replied Berelisa Are you Artemidorus Brother to the Leontine Prince who departed from this place about six months since Yes Madam I am that Artemidorus who would not it may be have been so civilly treated as he is by the Agrigentine Prince and the charming Philonice had they known his true condition I therefore declare to you Madam said he that the only interest of my love hath obliged me to to fear a long imprisonment and hath detained me from discovering my quality Whilst Artemidorus thus spoke Berelisas spirit was much disturbed for you must know that Telesis her Brother who had related to her all the adventures of his Voyage had told her that he was amorous and beloved by a Leontine Virgin whom the Prince Artemidorus absent from thence formerly affected and that he had left in her custody at his going to the Camp a Pourtraicture and many Letters but as she had given but slight attention to his relation she not imagining to have any particular interest therein she had forgot the name of that person and not knowing if it were her to whom Artemidorus had begun to write she had both an extreme desire to acquaint him with her Brothers recital and to peruse those Letters he had left with her to see whether she could gather any satisfaction from them As her imagination fancied divers things the irresolution of her spirit was visible in her eyes which Artemidorus nothing believed her inquietude proceeded from her not being resolved whether she should discover his quality to her Father that he might declare it to the Agrigentine Prince But this opinion soon vanished for Berelisa devining his thoughts and not willing he should believe her capable to reveal a secret he had confided to her thus said looking attentively on him Think not I examine whether I ought to discover your Name I declare to you I am not resolved to reveal it on condition you will promise me two things the one not to enterprise any thing against the Agrigentine Prince the other positively to tell me all your love for it may be I know many particulars in your Fortune of which you your self are ignorant As they were on these terms and that Artemidorus demanded of Berelisa the beginning of his Letter Philonice arrived Berelisa therefore not being willing neither to answer nor to deliver him his Letter went to the Princess who made her a thousand caresses and told her she came to bring her good news for in fine said this charming Princess the Prince my Father will return in four days having finish'd the War with Honour and having forced his Enemies to make Peace and till 't is concluded Clisias hath obtained that your Prisoner should be on his Parole and that he may walk where he pleases without his Guards on condition every night he repairs to his Lodging in the Castle the conversation Clisias had with him having imprinted such a good opinion of him in his mind that he thought himself bound to perform this civil courtesie and if you believe it requisite he shall accompany us when we go to meet the Prince of Agrigentine at Carisalis which as you know is about eight miles hence for it seems just to me you should permit your Prisoner to go to the end he not appears ingrateful Berelisa whose spirit was prepossess'd with many different things did not give a regular answer to that which Philonice propounded she therefore made a sign to Artemidorus who remain'd behind to approach telling him he was obliged to the Prince of Agrigentine and explaining to him of what nature was this obligation Artemidorus receiving much joy at this news gave many thanks to the Princess But I pray said she to him do not thank me yet for it may be Peace may not be easily concluded and many Months may be expired e'er you recover your Liberty but your Guards being dismiss'd added she be more cheerful and expect the end of the War with more tranquillity Artemidorus answered to this discourse with much spirit and civility and Berelisa being in a profound melancholy study Philonice jested with her demanding the cause it for said she
her propitious fortune for she had acquired so much esteem with Artemidorus that to her his thoughts wore no cover but as she would not be too curious in prying into his Actions she intreated her dear Lisicoris to observe with a vigilant eye the Passages betwixt Clidimira and this Prince she did not relate to her the cause of her curiosity though she was one of her dearest friends colouring it over with her Brothers interest for 't is more difficult for a woman adorned both with spirit and vertue to confess a violent inclination to any person who doth not express his love to her then to avow she favours a Lovers passion as the last adventure had armed Artemidorus against the charming force of Clidimira's eyes knowing that if he went not to visit the Princess at Cleodomas his house she would prevent him by coming to him he determined to wait on her after dinner which surprized the company they not imagining the state of his health had yet licenced him to leave his Chamber When Philonice was informed of his arrival she was in the great Hall I have formerly mentioned no sooner did Clidimira and Berelisa cast their eyes on this Prince but their faces were shaded with a crimson colour which even planted his Cheeks with blushes he could not conjecture whether this agitation proceeded from his new or ancient love confusion did at this time so distract his senses In fine after he had saluted Philonice she presented Clidimira to this Prince and knowing what accidents had formerly happened between them she did not ingage them in any long discourse but spoke to Artemidorus who seeing now only the beauties of Clidimira was glad he had discovered the dissimilitude of her other parts she being so discreet that her hands never lay open to the sight of any person her breast was masqu'd with a pleated scarf which barred the eye from descrying her deformed features so that if any one had seen her dressed after this mode would have judged the whole composure of her body proportionable to the splendor of her eyes but Artemidorus contraryed this opinion her defects being now as apparent to him as if they had been visible for Berelisa he knowing the pure whitenesse of her breast and the perfect shape of her hands admired her modesty for not disclosing those things which Clidimira concealed through affectation and concluding it an effect of her vertue began to feel his heart retreating from Clidimira's love to be stormed with Berelisa's perfections as Clidimira's spirit was a little disquieted it stopt the Organs of her speech which incited Berelisa's desire to wing away the time in pleasant discourses 't is true her spirit was not yet re-stated in its former tranquillity but knowing how far her beauty surpass'd Clidimira's her joy framed her to this agreeable humour Philonice after a little stay in the Hall went into the Wood followed by Cleodamas and all this company at first they discoursed of the beauty of the place and clearness of the day but the company being strayed into these divers alleys fortune placed Artemidorus between Berelisa and Clidimira all three were surprized to hear no words break from each others lips the unfaithful Mistress durst not speak to Artemidorus before her sister to appease the distemper of his spirit caused by the levity of her former actions and Berelisa willing to see to whom Artemidorus would address his speech did not unlock the silence of her harmonious voice this Prince not knowing in what language to express himself in the presence of these two persons expected one of their tongues to supply its office in this manner they arrived to a Balcony at the end of this Ally where Philonice Cleodamas and Lysicoris stayed his coming the Princess seeing them walk in this mute posture scarce taking notice of her demanded of Artemidorus on what subject he entertained the attention of these two amiable persons I assure you replied Berelisa not giving this Prince leisure to shape an answer my sister and I are not jealous of what Artemidorus hath said for he hath been so sparing of his words that he hath spoken no more to one then to another I had more to say to one then another replyed he but I did not think it convenient to declare my thoughts for my part added Clidimira being a stranger here I did not imagine my self obliged to begin any discourse for my particular added Berelisa I am so pleased with my own idle fancies that my words would have been a pennance to me for interrupting my sweet repose it seems to me replied Cleodamas that the fancies of such an excellent person as Berelisa if she declared the subject of them would produce much delight for it only appertains to those who have tender hearts to be skilled in the pleasures of a certain pleasing deliberation which diverts the spirit and so sweetly seduces reason that one cannot desine its inticing allurements 'T is true replied Berelisa all mens humours do not comply with this delightful dotage and there 's many speak of it who believe it only consists in licencing their Spirits rather to the motions of their hearts then to the conduct of this imperious reason to enjoy our pleasant fancies we must let our spirits wander up and down confine them no where we must have something in our souls which whispers no disturbance our temper must be inclining to Melancholy we must think on something which pleases us and we must be capable of a certain Lethargie of the senses which imprints belief in all our thoughts and the use of reason must be for some time suspended I say we must but confusedly hearken to the singing of the Birds or the murmuring of the Springs neither must our eyes distingush the diversity of colours Ah Berelisa cryed Cleodamas you describe these fancies too clearly to be ignorant of them If idle Imaginations were a crime replyed she I would subscribe to your opinion but as they are the most innocent pleasures I confess I know them and that I sometimes prefer them before all company whatsoever But you do not dream replyed Philonice that you have said to draw these fancies to the life there must be something in our hearts which doth not displease us Pardon me Madam replyed Berelisa but that something I have named is not that something you imagine I assure you replyed Artemidorus that if one mention something that you have done it will admit of no other explication then that of the Princess Whatever it should be said Cleodamas I should think that man happy which should insinuate into Berelisas heart that she hath called something which in a vulgar expression is termed Love Berelisa blushed at this discourse and fortune conducting Terillus to this place they changed the subject of their conversation on the contrary Philonice finding her self on a square Base of stone on the right hand from the house as one ascends the high alley Cleodamas sent for
several embroider'd Cushions for the Ladies who seated themselves in divers ranks on the two sides of this Marble stone leaving the middle void lest any person should hinder the sight of the Princess Philonice as a mark of distinction from the rest Cleodamas placed the Cushions destined for this Princess at the foot of a fair Tree whose distended branches served as an Umbrella to shadow her from the Sun's heat All the company being seated 't was the fortune of Terillus to be next Clidimira and of Artemidorus to be next Berelisa for Lysicoris she was next Cleodomas Philonice seeing these two dear friends separated ask'd Berelisa if she was not jealous to see Lysicoris leave her for Cleodamas Ah Madam said Terillus whose Jealousie even consumed his vital spirits Do not so much injure Jealousie as to believe it can be found in friendship and do not deprive love of that thing wherein its power is effectually seen Berelisa who knew what consequence he would draw from his own words opposed him demanding in an angry voice on what reason he built his conjectures that he durst affirm Jealousie belonged more to Love then Friendship For my part said Artemidorus as I never had but the Jealousie of Love because my friends have always proved constant I cannot give any satisfactory answer to this question For my particular added Clidimira not seeming to take notice of what the Prince had said I believe that as there is not a long love without Jealousie so there is no Jealousie without Love and that it cannot be admitted in friendship For my part said Philonice I am such an enemy to Jealousie that I dare not give my Judgement of it I therefore constitute the sage Cleodamas to be the Soveraign Judge when Berelisa and Terillus have alledged all they can to assert their opinions I consent to 't said Berelisa and I likewise said Terillus whose Jealousie pressing him to speak and he beginning to attaque Berelisa she declared she would not be denyed from interrupting Terillus when her fancy prompted her to do it I consent thereto said he on condition you will grant me the same liberty but to speak ingenuously added he I think you will have sufficient difficulty to confute my reasons without desiring that permission There 's none so ignorant said he but knows Love produces Jealousie and that they are inseparable concomitants and that that which is called Jealousie in Friendship resembles not the true Jealousie Is it not certain that Jealousie is the violentest of Passions That 't is more sensible then Love which produces it 't is restless cloudy and sometimes furious That 't is capable to inspire all crimes that it transports one to revenge and that it often excites a man to dye his hands in blood It admitting then this definition can we believe it may proceed from Friendship and that such a tumultuous Passion can spring from such a pleasing and peaceful Mother To speak truth Jealousie is an effect so necessary in Love that one cannot be wounded with the Darts of Love without being poysoned with the stings of Jealousie For if one hath no Rival it receives production from several other things By a Jealous resentment one envies the glory of the beloved object one desires alwaies to be with her to entertain her alone to admire and adore her one would have sometimes so much Jealousie essentially attach'd to Love that the Beloved person should not love none of her acquaintance that she should have no manner of attachment for sensible things and I know not whether one would have her love her self unless for the love of another I know there 's some injustice in these fantastick thoughts but I likewise know that a prudent love is no love and that the disorders of this passion which are blemished by no crime compose the most sensible pleasures Judge then if Jealousie which is the greatest irregularity of love and from whence proceeds the most various subjects can be found in friendship For if you are not ignorant that this kind of affection is ordinarily produced more by reason than inclination and that if the proper effects of things were ascribed to their right causes Friendship would be termed a necessary effect of merit and virtue since Friendship sways men to love all those who deserve esteem but if it should not be so 't is true there 's friendship for many persons and if one should yield to your opinion there would be many jealousies which would be the terriblest things imaginable All the world should then be filled with crimes and as there 's none but either love many or one particular person it would follow all the world should be jealous and every one would seek to destroy or hate each other and it may be a man would be so unhappy to have resentments of Jealousie mixed with the friendship of his Father Mother Brothers Sisters Kindred Friends Wife Slaves and Mistress You exaggerated this so pleasantly replied Berelisa that I am much pleased at it for when one is constrained to insert agreeable things when solid reasons are necessary 't is an infallible sign one maintains a wrong part What replied Terillus do you believe that by explaining to you 't is possible to have many friendships and many Jealousies my reasons are more pleasant than solid If you could prove your words replied Berelisa I would not have said that which I have done but far from consenting to that opinion I pretend one cannot love nothing of which one might not be jealous For without examining if there 's reason to teâ—â— jealousie a passion or if one ought to consider it as a simple effect of the tenderness of our heart let 's look upon 't in its self Jealousie is not to speak properly but a violent desire to preserve that we either affect or possess and to hinder another from the enjoyment of that we would attain the possession From whence I conclude we may be jealous of all that we love and that we cannot love nothing without Jealousie I know this resentment is sometimes so weak that those which have it have no perception of it but when 't is so 't is doubtless that the attachment we have which gives such a feeble Jealousie is not great and that those which have it have a confiding Spirit which makes them repose so much trust on their own Fortune that they believe no power able to destroy that which they have once gained But after all whosoever loves any thing wishes the possession of it and desires to possess it when he hath acquired it he hath even an inquietude to preserve it proportionable to the inclination and reason which hath fixt it in his thoughts so that the jealousie is stronger or weaker according to the power of the attachment and 't is that which without doubt makes the difference between those effects the jealousie of love inspires and those which are produced by friendship but the difference which
is seen between these two jealousies are sometimes found in jealousies caused by the same passion For Lovers are not equally jealous the diversity of their Temperament and Fortune altering their resentments and though they all have jealousie yet perhaps in theirs is as much difference as between that of Love and Friendship There 's jealous persons who evaporate their sighs complaints and tears in amorous verses there 's some whom Jealousie makes to compose a Song and there 's others whom it deprives of reason and vertue who have recourse to Steel and Poyson to carve out their revenge on the person they love but this diversity doth not hinder that the jealous Lover who only makes a Song to testifie his Jealousie should not be effectively jealous since 't is true one cannot otherwise name a certain resentment which is produced in our heart with the desire to acquire something of what nature soever But to speak of Friendship I affirm that though 't is prudent it cannot be tender unless it be infected with a little Jealousie I know that the jealousie of Friendship doth not take from us the light of our reason and that it doth not make us act such fantastical things as the jealousie of Love but Friendship is not tender if we do not desire to be preferred before others if we do not do all things we can imagine to effect it if we have not some despite when we believe we have not attained our desires if we are not displeased at those who we see preferred before us and if we take neither care nor inquietude to preserve what we have gained you will it may be tell me we may see a thousand and a thousand which have no sensibility of what you have alledged To that I will answer there are many persons who believe they love when they have no affection and who call Friendship a kind of Society or necessary commerce of life but when I speak of Friendship I mean an effective Friendship both tender and solid of a Friendship where there is a commutation of hearts and secrets Every one is not jealous according to the proportion of his Friendship neither doth every one seat it in its right place but to speak sincerely these luke-warm friendships do not produce violent Jealousies no more than that love which tunes our Spirits to a musical harmony But that doth not shew that Friendship doth not produce jealousie at least I know I have sustained it for Lysicoris for I remember when she once went into the Country without bidding me adieu I was extremely grieved at it 't is not but that I am an enemy of all constraint and ceremony but because she gave her farewel to another of her friends that she ought not to respect so much as me I was extremely displeased and I complained a thousand times of her and even hated her whom she had visited But it may be replied Terillus looking on her you have sometimes Love not thinking you have any No replied she blushing for I assure you I know so well how to distinguish Friendship Hatred and Jealousie that if I had love it were difficult to deceive me But is it possible said Terillus you can call Jealousie all those light despites that a resentment of glory produces in friendship when that one renders you not the Justice you think to merit But is it possible replied Berelisa that you doubt Friendship hath not its Jealousies as well as Love That which makes me doubt of it replied Terillus is that I am perswaded Jealousie is not but an effect of the irregularity of Love and that Friendship cannot have the same irregularity neither can it have Jealousie But Friendship replied Berelisa hath it not all that which is found in love It hath little cares and great services it contains the desire to please complacency is always thereto annexed there is likewise of the favours of Friendship effective confidences and of trifling secrets one esteems the letters of his friends absence is not rude Presence is sweet and in fine there is found in a tender Friendship all that one can attribute to a tender Love But replied Terillus Do not you comprehend that one cannot be jealous but of that one possesses or may possess And that being so one cannot have Jealousie in Friendship sure 't is true that our friends cannot be absolutely ours for take the perfectest friend in the world if he hath a Mistress he will be oftner with his Mistress than Friend so that Friendship giving nothing which might solely depend on us it is impossible to be as jealous as if one had a Mistress But as solid Friendship is too little divertising Love is robb'd of divers things which have dependance only on it so that those little cares and all those things of which you have spoken are become its mode by Usurpation But for Jealousie believe me Berelisa it hath ever appertained to Love neither can it be admitted to any passion but this But how call you that I felt for Lysicoris replied Berelisa for I would be more loved by her than another I should be angry if I was less I would know her thoughts I would have her if she is in love with any one to declare it to me and I should never suffer her without much distemper to write to any of her friends without shewing me the Letter And I very well know the commotion of my Spirit proceeds from Jealousie I even hold added she that the Jealousie of Friendship is more Jealousie if I may so say than the Jealousie of Love for as it retains Reason still entire the least effects it produceth in a friends heart ought to be more considered than those it produceth in a Lovers But in what place may we see jealous Friends replied Terillus who have their eyes wandring their tincture pale their humour melancholy and their spirits disquieted through excess of their Jealousie But in what place replied Berelisa have you seen Friends which receive contempts without grief which patiently suffer tepedity oblivion indifferency and irregularity when they believe they are neglected by a new Friendship I consess it would be difficult for me replied Terillus to shew you a friend so patient to suffer all those things you have named without resentment but I call it despite and not jealousie And for my part replied Berelisa I will call revenge all the resentments of a jealous person after your mode but to speak rationally as Love and Friendship derive their Original from the heart and that we know not how to love nothing but by a certain universal cause which forms all Loves and Friendships in the world there is likewise in the heart of all men as well a jealous as an amorous disposition and this disposition acts doubtless more or less violently as I have told you according to the form of the affection which causes it according to the subjects one hath to entertain Jealousie and according to
the temper of men which are capable of it To speak truly Friendship being no other thing than an imperfect Love it would be strange if the inseparable concomitant of Love doth not follow it though not with all those torments and punishments it trails often after it in a Lovers heart Therefore I entreat the sage Cleodomas who ought to be our Judge to condemn you to have an eternal Jealousie in all manners imaginable and to execute his arrest I offer my self added she with a malicious smile to solicit all the persons you the most love to give you cause to be jealous Terillus would have answered Berelisa but the last thing she said having framed the company to laughter he had an extreme despite and could not have retained himself if the Princess who noted his grief had not turned towards Cleodamas to tell him he should pronounce his sentence on this question in which so many were interessed As universal as Jealousie should be replied Cleodamas it appears Madam that you are not a little jealous of your authority by commanding me to speak before you but at least added he do me the honour to give me your advice and permit me to take the opinion of all the Company No no replied Philonice I would know your pure resentments in this occasion before I declare mine Since 't is so replied he permit me to render exact justice and to begin by the Elogium of Terillus for he without doubt so ingeniously sustained Jealousie appertains not but to love that if Berelisa had less spirit and eloquence I should have been exposed to have given an injust arrest But to speak sincerely she hath so couragiously defended the part of truth that 't is to no purpose I should declare their jealousie in Friendship as well as jealousie in Love and that if there are found friends without Jealousie when they have cause to have it there are friends without tenderness which unjustly usurp a quality they do not merit since 't is absolute impossible to have a durable love without some stains of jealousie Nevertheless to clear up the spirits of Terillus for asserting a grand error I believe as he hath more love than friendship he knows not but one kind of jealousie and judging others by himself he hath believed there would be no jealous friends On the contrary Berelisa who knows by her own experience that Friendship gives Jealousie and who perhaps hath lovers to whom she hath given it hath been better instructed than Terillus and hath so admirably maintained her part that I am forced to pronounce my arrest and Crown her with the Victory In effect I declare none can better sustain the truth than Berelisa hath defended hers she having acquired the sole advantage of the dispute I therefore entreat her added Cleodamas to moderate her resentment and not to wish that Terillus who knows so ingeniously to defend a bad cause should have at one time so many different jealousies for the jealousie of friendship if there is any replied Terillus I do not fear to have it but for the jealousie of Love if I have it I shall be very much deceived if Berelisa takes it from me She is doubtless more fit to give than to take away replied Philonice rising from her Seat I assure you Madam replied Berelisa that I know not how to do neither the one nor the other but inthe choice of these two I had rather give this evil to whom I would than desire to heal it for the power to give replied Terillus one must have given it another before and for to cure one must take the first one hath given As I know not how to divine Enigma's replied Berelisa I cannot answer to what you say if you desire said Terillus I will more clearly explain it to you It is better replied Philonice beginning to walk for fear Berelisa would give him too severe an answer at this time no farther to insist on it for Berelisa is now in such an humour she will not understand what she desires not to hear After this all the company began to direct their steps towards the house for Artemidorus he was so melancholy that he scarce knew the subject of their disputation and his passion for Berelisa did so much possess his Spirit that his former love for Clidimira seemed almost extinct his soul was likewise so suspended between love and hatred that he would not speak to Clidimira for to complain of her nor to Berelisa for to tell her he feared she had too much cured his love for her Sister Berelisa and Clidimira explained his melancholy in the same manner for Berelisa thought Artemidorus was buried in this anxiety because he yet loved Clidimira and Clidimira imagined that this Prince yet loved her so that maugre her inconstancy she had some slight compassion but for Berelisa she had a strange despite to see Artemidorus should be so little sensible of the outrage he had received that he should yet affect Clidimira though her affection lay not open to the discovery of every person she could not ore-canopy her grief from Lysicoris who perceived it and demanded one night from whence it proceeded as they were leaning over a Balcony at the end of the high Alley When Cynthia with her borrowed light repaired the essence of her Brothers lamp and silence so reigned in this fair solitude not troubled by the agitation of the leaves that Lysicoris and Berelisa cast forth two or three sighs and desiring to know the reason of them I pray said she to her tell me what makes you sigh For I confess I am ignorant of the cause thereof Your fortune is happy the Princess prefers you before her other attendants you are beautiful and in the flower of your age you have naturally both spirit and vertue and you command the affection of all Ah Lysicoris replied she a sigh stealing from her heart you are a flatterer Truly replied she I do not flatter you it is certain I know men whose affections are changed to you but none who desire not your love yet you are melancholy you flee company and sigh not willing to declare the subject of them do not you repent your rigor to Terillus and dare you not through pride publickly confess it No replied Berelisa and I can assure you the more Terillus loves me the more he becomes insupportable to me I know he is magnanimous and is advantaged by a great spirit yet he hath many other things which displease me 'T is true replied Lysicoris his body is not of so perfect a composure as that of Artemidorus but it seems to me love should not solely submit to beauty and if I am not deceived there are other qualities more essential than this 'T is true added she if this Prince was the Rival of Terillus I should think you had reason to prefer him for he hath not only a more graceful deportment but more affability and vertue but as you know
of every Alley consonant to the humours of those persons from whom they derived their names he gave likewise names to the little paths which crossed this amiable wood and he called one the Alley of sighs because it seemed a fit place to cast forth a secret sigh 't was in this that Berelisa not thinking him to be there having found Artemidorus alone whilst the rest of the company were in the great Alleys heard this Prince sigh he had not yet any design to tell her he loved her neither had she any intention to speak to him in particular but a casual accident making them meet in this Alley presented them with an opportunity they little expected as they both sought this place of the wood to flie all discourse they blushed when they saw one another they explained not the change of their colour as they ought for Artemidorus believed the modesty of Berelisa made her blush and Berelisa imagined the alteration of his countenance proceeded from his being surprised in an amorous deliration for Clidimira whom he ought to blot out of his remembrance she having stained her vertue by her unfaithful levity and the curiosity she had in her soul becoming more strong confess the truth said she to him her cheeks being replanted with blushes You are not so vindicative as you imagine and you yet permitted the inconstant Clidimira a firmer seat in your heart then her mutable affection might claim Nevertheless added she I will believe you constrain your self for the love of me for I presuppose it 's because Clidimira is my Sister that you flie her that you do not speak to her and that you see not the occasion to essay to revenge your self of her infidelity I ingeniously confess replyed Artemidorus looking on her with an amorous eye you are the cause that I flie Clidimira but charming Berelisa 't is not by the reason you imagine No no replyed Berelisa invent not a deluding sincerity to punish me for my ralery for in fine since the first instant you have reviewed Clidimira you are not the same as before and the change of your humour is so great every one takes notice of it I confess to you I am surprised at it for 't is true Clidimira hath performed such unworthy actions that I conceive not how you should yet retain your love ah if I have any for Clidimira cryed he I intreat the Gods Berelisa should never have any for Artemidorus though he cannot hope to be happy unless he is once honoured with Berelisa's affection I pray replyed this Virgin with much astonishment do not answer in this manner a person who speaks to you seriously as a faithful friend I pray Madam replied he do not thus answer a person who speaks to you with sincerity and as a faithful Lover restrain me from the sentiments of Terillus and do not crucifie me more by your rigour than Clidimira hath done by her inconstancy Whilst Artemidorus thus spoke Berelisa's spirit was in a deep disquietude for she knew not with what temper to receive these expressions of the Prince She saw doubtless in his eyes and visage all the signs of an ardent love and the tone of his voice justified his sincerity but fearing Artemidorus would deceive her to have a pretext more easily to see Clidimira her spirit was enraged and not to expose her self to such an adventure she thus spoke to him Sir said she a serious gravity being seated in her face though it is not my custom to remember any persons of those courtesies they have received from me yet I entreat you to recal into your memory the intention I ever had to render your restraint more pleasing I pray Madam said he interrupting her change not your thoughts I conjure you and act as favourably for a Prince who will be always fettered in your Chains as you have acted for your unknown Prisoner But to begin to do it added he believe if you please I am sincere that I love you a thousand times more than I ever loved Clidimira Yes charming Berelisa I have learned to love by serving her and you alone have taught me to hate her for I confess unto you my imbecillity and stupidity if you had not chased her from my heart she would have maugre her inconstancy still triumphed in my misfortune Commiserate then a Lover who is so well skilled in the tenderness of love for if you do not I know not what will become of me That which you say is so surprising replied Berelisa that I know not what to think of it for in fine Sir if I could believe you loved me if I should desire it how should I be perswaded your affection is real Is it not true that the day which preceded Clidimiras arrival you yet loved her I very well know said he that I would not have loved her more and that I wished my heart was submitted to your Love but as I am sincere I confess if I am not deceived I had then some love for Clidimira and admiration and friendship only for the charming Berelisa but alas things have now assumed a new face for I love Berelisa and so contemn Clidimira that I resolve to upbraid her with her infidelity Let Telesis peaceably possess her added he I will not emulate him and if he bestows on me his amiable Sister I will voluntarily resign to him my ancient Mistress But Sir replied Berelisa how can Love so suddenly die and soon revive Do you desire Madam I should tell you said he to her that it may be I am as unfaithful as Clidimira And that I did not love you when I believe I loved her But I know I love you more then ever I did any and there 's nothing I should not be capable to do to convince you of it I know pursued he you use to give love without receiving any and that Terillus hath a cruel experience of it But Madam since he hath the unhappiness of your hatred and that it seems you sport your self with his misfortune use the occasion I offer you to torment him and love me by a cruel resentment for him if you will not love me by a resentment of tenderness for my self But yet replyed Berelisa how shall I know how this pretended Love hath entred into your heart By the trecherous window of my Body replyed he But you do not consider what you say replyed she for I am not graced with more perfections then I was three months since and Clidimira as my Brother hath said is more beautiful than ever 'T is true said Artemidorus but Clidimiras Beauty is lessened in my esteem and and yours is heightned by the opposition of her defects demand therefore Madam no more satisfaction of me and rest satisfied that I love both your spirit and person with an equal ardour and that I am perswaded whosoever takes from Clidimira the splendour of her eyes the freshness of her tincture the carnation of her lips and
Sister so that jealousie remitting in her heart her former love for Artemidorus she repented her inconstancy and designed by all enticing allurements to gain what she had lost Being returned to Agrigentine my eyes presented her to me with such an accessional luster of perfections that knowing Artemidorus had renounced her love I was caught in those snares laid to reentrap his heart I gave her assiduous visits and some amorous expressions slip'd from my tongue but as soon as she perceived I was engaged in her service she used this occasion to justifie her to Artemidorus with whom she had had no particular discourse since she came to Agrigentine for knowing the intimate familiarity between us she did not doubt but what she declared to me I would make to him a full declaration of it and I ingeniously confess she over-reached me with subtlety of her wit As I then one day spoke to her of my pretended passion being alone in her Chamber she cut off very short but in an obliging manner I pray Zenocrates said she to me silence your passion and to testifie unto you how infinitely I esteem you I will not treat you as I ordinarily treat those who are so prided with their imaginary fancies as to declare their affections to me if you will therefore disclaim your love I will embrace your friendship and confide to you the whole secret of my life You know pursued he we have been of long acquaintance and I know that when you went to Leontine you were linked to Artemidorus in such a strict bond of amity that you cannot be ignorant of what passages happened between us but Zenocrates I will discover that to you which neither you nor Artemidorus knows and which perhaps he may never know But Madam said I to her Artemidorus doth not love you and you ought to have no more affection for him which is the reason hath engaged me to serve you I knew replied she Artemidorus hath wound himself out of the labyrinth of his love but Zenocrates added this artificious person seeming to have some confusion Artemidorus is unjust for he hath believed me more inconstant than I have been and if I dare say it I have been more unfaithful to Telesis than Artemidorus I say not this to you pursued she that you should declare it to him but only to the end to unlock to you the secret Cabinet of my heart and to merit your esteem and friendship since I am not in estate to receive your love Know that when Artemidorus departed from Leontine my Parents perswaded me that this Prince estranged himself to the end that during his absence the Prince his Brother might marry me by his authority to whom he pleased so that despight possessing my spirit I resolved to obey those who proposed Telesis to me seeing I could not be free but in marrying my self and I thought I could not better revenge my self of Artemidorus than to engage my self to Telesis whom I chose rather than another because he was no Leontine and that if I could not forget the love of Artemidorus I at least hoped I should never see him for I did not foresee any likelihood I should find him at Agrigentine but for my misfortune Fortune hath dispos'd it otherwise and I see my self exposed to the most cruel adventure in the World every one knows I have lived so well with Telesis that I have not spoken to Artemidorus that I am neither justified nor excused to him and that I have acted as a person which cares not to be esteemed unfaithful but Zenocrates maugre all this I have preserved in my heart such a great esteem for Artemidorus and such an obliging tenderness that I should be sorry if he knew it I tell you this lest you should accuse me of ingratitude for as you see me young I do not refuse your affection but to accept anothers But not to tell you a lye I will not engage my self in all my life to suffer the constraint in which I have lived and since I cannot destroy the remembrance of Artemidorus I will at least in not pretending more to his love never suffer any others 't is not that he merits the tenderness I have for him for he hath received my infidelity in such a manner which makes me see it had been difficult for him to have been unfaithful he hath done me the favour to hate both Telesis and me but is resolved to destroy me with so much tranquillity that I am not astonished to see him engaged in a new affection But in fine Zenocrates I esteem you a too discreet man to receive you in a divided heart content your self to be my Friend never speak to him of what I have told you and believe I could not have given you a greater testimony of esteem than to open to you the secrets of my heart Clidimira framed this Discourse with such ingenuity that I believed it and though at first Love was the Theme on which I discoursed I at last was contented to be her Confident as I knew the engagement of Artemidorus I told her that I would not counsel her to think of reconquering his heart for said I to her if one hath at any time committed any infidelity to her I do not believe one ought to renew love with him who hath done it because I believe confidence can never be re-established all other subjects of complaints which may be between two persons which love are nothing which may be presently reconciled but for infidelity Madam replied I it is not so and 't is much better to make a new affection with me who am not scrupulous No no Zenocrates replied she I will not follow your counsel for I will love nothing I do not think to regain the love of Artemidorus who hath blotted me out of his thoughts but Zenocrates added she I conjure you never to speak to me of your pretended love if you will not aggrandize my affliction Can I hearken to that you tell me without thinking you tell it me if 't was not that you knew by an infallibly certainty that I am absolutely indifferent to Artemidorus I entreat you do not multiply my grief and be certain that if I was disposed to a new engagement I should prefer you before all my acquaintance Clidimira had doubtless stretched her Discourse to a further length had not some Ladies interrupted us In the mean time I was so astonished at her words that I knew not where I was and as I was assured that Artemidorus did no more think of Clidimira and that she was already expelled his thoughts I did not fear he would re-entertain her love I went therefore to seek him to tell him he had compleated his revenge on Clidimira since she yet loved him My expressions did so surprise him that he believed I did but jest with him but I at last spoke to him so seriously that he knew I invented not any fiction and though he
loved Berelisa with an extream passion that which I told him of Clidimira made him change colour for he then remembred divers things which made him imagine this person had a design to recal him anger was solely seated in his breast and if Berelisa had seen that which passed in his heart in this occasion she would have had no subject of jealousie He did not believe he ought to make known to her this adventure because he held that a wise man ought never to tell without an absolute necessity that a woman loves him nor whether he loves her or loves her not he did not testifie to me that he believed he was loved on the contrary he counselled me not to shake off my Love and I followed his directions but I found a strong resistance that ere the Sun had fifteen times run its diurnal course my passion was buried in its own ruines Though Artemidorus had defended me from telling Clidimira I had acquainted him with what she had told me and though he constrained himself as much as possibly he could yet she saw by his eyes he knew it hoping then that in continuance of time there might happen some slight quarrel between Berelisa and him which might tend to her advantage she acted many things to effect her design for when she was with any friends of Artemidorus she would be lavish in his praise she always frequented those places where he went she oppressed Berelisa with visits and testimonies of friendship and when she encountred the eyes of this Prince she made as if she would shun them though she carefully sought them likewise making him see in her a certain emotion accompanyed with confusion and modesty she excited some kind of trouble in the heart of Artemidorus which obliged him to fly her 't is not that he did not feel himself faithful to Berelisa that he should always be so and that the infidelity of Clidimira would yet much anger him but after all Clidimira acted in such a manner which both grieved and perplexed him This fair person therefore to attain her desires contracted a particular friendship with Terillus she told him she was touched with his merit that she would protect him nigh her Sister and she effectually become the confident of his love and his jealousie of Artemidorus she even gained one of the Maids which waited on Berelisa she entertained likewise some commerce with me and in this manner whether by Terillus by the Maid which she gained or by me she knew all which passed between Berelisa and Artemidorus 't is not that I told her any thing in particular only as I well knew Artemidorus desired she should believe he would love her no more and that he desired not her affection I would confess her he was very amorous of Berelisa but to tell you the truth she knew all things both by jealous Terillus and the aforesaid person so that a furious anger possessing her spirit she plotted all her designs to sow division between these two persons As she hath a subtle spirit she judged that 't would not be easie for her at first to put any difference between Artemidorus and Berelisa for 't is a person who hath a tender heart a regulated spirit who thinks not but of that she loves who believes there ought to be as much probity in love as any other thing and who doth not give the least subject of jealousie to Artemidorus but she thought 't would not be so difficult to put distrust in Berelisas spirit therefore after she had been acquainted by the pre-mentioned ways in several particulars reflecting on the affection of Berelisa for Artemidorus she wrote a Letter to her Sister by an unknown hand and another to Artemidorus under the name of one of his friends who was in the Army she put them both in one Pacquet and by a secret way sent it to Artemidorus he knowing not from whence it came and unripping the Seal he found a little Note directed to him which contained these words I Demand your pardon for not writing to you my self but having received a slight hurt in my right hand I have employed another to entreat you to deliver this inclosed Letter to Berelisa I assure you it comes from a Person who hath much interest in her affairs and who so far engaged me to render it safe to her hands that I believe I could not better cancel my Engagements than directing it to you I shall not excuse my self for the trouble I impose upon you since you will be fully recompenced by the sight of that beautiful person Artemidorus having read this Note did not suspect there was any deception in it for he knew the name they had subscribed to this Letter whose name I cannot at this time remember and 't was true that this man had been hurt in the right hand so that Artemidorus being impatient to perform this service to Berelisa went to carry the Letter to her and as Clidimira had a design to be an ocular witness of the effect of this deceit she went to Berelisa's Chamber where Artemidorus came and imagining this Letter was not of much consequence he gave it her before Clidimira telling her in what manner he had received it Though Berelisas curiosity incited her to peruse it principally because she could not imagine who writ it she would have by a resentment of civility put it in her pocket but Clidimira who saw Artemidorus take notice of it said to him Do not you think my Sister renders you a respect which is the most difficult in the World fot my part I know nothing so weighty to carry as a sealed Letter when one dares not open it by reason of Ceremony Artemidorus being now roused from that Lethargick slumber in which he was buryed by Clidimiras sight told her he would dismiss himself from her company if she would not read this Letter so that being constrained to open it she found it poysoned with these dangerous words I Pray Madam receive with a favourable eye the advice I intend to give you and do not think strange if the person subscribes not her name for your Friendship is so dear to her that not knowing how you will receive this advice she dares not expose her self to your hatred Know then Madam he which renders you my Letter doth not possess your affection without the knowledge of divers persons I know not whether 't is his fault or yours but many know you loved him first and may yet love him last for as he hath not been too strongly touched with Clidimiras change he is not perhaps so faithful to you as he ought to be every one knows you love him that you receive his Letters and return him affectionate answers that he wholly sways your soul and that you vouchsafe him many favours which he doth not receive with such transport of love as Terillus would did you please so far to honour him Every one knows Clidimira doth not hate
him that he hath not sealed her justification and that his extinct slames may be re-ascended if they are not already You would therefore attract much more glory to recompense the inconstancy of Terillus to leave Artemidorus to Clidimira and by this means you will free your self from that obloquy which doubtless will blemish your Reputation if you do not regulate your self by my Counsel As soon as Berelisa began to read this Letter she blushed and blushed with so many signs of anger imprinted in her face that Artemidorus who looked attentively on her knew it contained something which displeased her and had much vexation because he had delivered to her Clidimira on the contrary had an extreme joy to see the inquietude of Berelisa she testified her notice of it to the end to give more curiosity to Artemidorus for she believed Berelisa would not shew it him She had no sooner perused the Letter but she said to her I entreat you Sister to tell me if the news you have from the Army acquaints you with the death of any of your Friends for I see so many marks of grief in your countenance that I already seek to divine who we have lost For my part added Artemidorus looking on Berelisa I shall esteem my self very unhappy if I have brought unto you any doleful news but if so I can at least assure you I know not who writ it Berelisa seeing her self prest to shew this Letter told him that there was nothing considerable in it and that it contained certain Domestick Affairs You have not a soul so interessed replied Clidimira with much confidence to be sensible of things of this nature I blush sometimes so easily replied Berelisa cloystering this Letter in her Pocket that one must never judge of the resentments of my heart by the emotion of my face but though Berelisa made a great effort to constrain her self Artemidorus knew some disturbance had entred her spirit in effect so soon as Clidimira was gone she thought on nothing but this cruel Letter and she imagined it had been wrote by the contrivance of Terillus but though her spirit was incensed she did not believe she ought to shew this Letter to Artemidorus for fear he did not credit what she believed and lest he should be transported against Terillus to whom they had both obligations and her ancient jealousie beating an alarm to her heart in this instant she had intention for some time to observe Clidimira and Artemidorus In the mean time Clidimira who secretly triumphed at this deceit was in hope this Letter would prove effectual for if Berelisa did not shew it to Artemidorus 't was an evident sign this Artifice had made some impression in her heart which might in some time breed a difference between them and if she shewed it him Clidimira drew from thence at least this advantage to make known to Artemidorus she yet loved him for though she imagined I had told him she was not certain of it So soon as she was departed Artemidorus pressed Berelisa to shew him this Letter but as Clidimira when she went away saluted this Prince in a manner which augmented her suspicions she confirmed her self in her intended resolution not to shew it him Artemidorus who could not suffer she should conceal any secret from him thus complained of her injustice Do you then believe Madam said he to her that it is permitted you to hide any secret from me who have made an entire resignation of my heart to you and who tells you without any reservation all you desire Is it thus Madam you requite my Tenderness my Fidelity and my Respect You know added he that you have refused me a thousand and a thousand favours and that I have promised never to breath forth any dislike of your actions whilest I am assured to possess your heart Speak then Madam I entreat you and tell me if this is to be the master of it not to know what passes there Do you think Madam that one cannot be unfaithful but in ceasing to love any person Or that one cannot love others more than Clidimira And believe you not that it should be a kind of Infidelity to trust more to ones self than to the person one loves and conceal any thing from him I believe at least replied Berelisa blushing that when one faithfully loves a person one ought never to mention a woman one hath loved if he is not constrained to it but you do not so For I am assured you speak an hundred and an hundred times of Clidimira without necessity I have even heard you mention her name for anothers there being no resemblance betwixt them If you would speak of some quarter of Agrigentine the street where Clidimira remains if one asks you the time when you were freed from close restraint you say it was a little before Clidimira came to Agrigentine and Clidimira is yet so strong in your memory that you speak not so much to me of others as you do of Clidimira to me But Madam replied he I have mentioned her an hundred times to you to declare her unworthy actions You would have done me more pleasure never to speak to me of her replied she to dis-accustom your mouth from pronouncing her name For in fine it is a general maxim not to mention the first Mistress to the second unless as I have formerly said one is constrained and I had rather hear you call Clidimira Berelisa than Lysicoris Clidimira But Madam said Artemidorus to her Do not you think hatred presents persons one hates to the memory as well as Love those which one loves And do you think it should be possible I might ever love Clidimira if I should not love you No no Madam added he I cannot love an unfaithful Mistress 'T is true I am not so much transported as another but it is because I believe discretion ought to reside in the hearts both of happy and unhappy Lovers and that they should retain a kind of civility for the Female Sex But after all I hate and despise Clidimira and I despise her it may be more than you can imagine Time will demonstrate it to us replied she What Madam replied he do you believe time is necessary to assure the fidelity of a man to whom you have promised your affection And can you conceal a secret from me Ah Madam if it is so Terillus is less unfortunate than I am for at least he can ground his happiness on no future hope but for my part Madam who think to be happy I find my self plunged in misery In the mean time added he there is it may be several things within these few days happened to me which merit a more favourable treatment But if there is happened things I know not replied she with precipitation you ought not to think it strange if I declare not a secret to you since you have one I know not Artemidorus seeing his own words had betrayed him
and not willing by generosity to acquaint Berelisa that her Sister yet loved him would have explained it otherwise than he had said but as he is naturally very sincere he could not frame himself to tell a lye Berelisa then knowing by the manner of his speech he had something he would not tell her had such a strong curiosity that she earnestly pressed him to tell her what had happened to him which made him desist from desiring to know the contents of the Letter So that both having a strong curiosity and this curiosity augmenting by their resistance in the end Berelisa's being the stronger it obliged her to tell Artemidorus that if he promised her not to be transported with any resentment against the party whom she imagined had wrote the Letter she received she would shew it him And he likewise told her that if she engaged her self not to speak of what he said to her she should see that she had much injured him in speaking to him of Clidimira in that manner as she had done In fine Berelisa gave to Artemidorus the Letter he had given her which so surprised him that the fountain of his utterance was a long time sealed before he could perform his Word to Berelisa for they at first so sympathized in their thoughts that there was doubtless a transmigration of their souls For he likewise believing Terillus had invented this fallacy he then began to exaggerate his misfortune for having a Rival to whom he had many obligations and to seek by what way Terillus had known what he had wrote in his Letter For said he to Berelisa if there was nothing there but my Love for you and your goodness for me I should say Jealousie had dictated it to him since there is no better spy than the spirit of a jealous Lover But Madam I am surprised of what he relates concerning Clidimira since that in fine if I must tell you all things it is true that this unfaithful person would without doubt once more deceive me Berelisa hearing Artemidorus speak in this manner pressed him to retail to her that which he had said and this Prince willing to obey her recounted unto her that which I had told him But though she might remain satisfied yet she was angry he had concealed that from her so long time Nevertheless added she by a motion of Jealousie do not you imagine Clidimira would reconquer your heart by a resentment of hatred for me and if another had deprived you of your Love she would have resigned to her a peaceable possession but as I am unhappy I would not swear you will not become unfaithful Ah Madam interrupted Artemidorus you are the injustest person in the world to use those words As they were on these terms the amiable Philonice entred acccompanied by the Prince of Messina who came to Agrigentum during a suspension of Arms I came likewise to Berelisa's house a little after and as I was taxed of inconstancy Lysicoris who was come with the Princess Philonice having something to tell me called me whilst Philonice spoke to Berelisa towards the windows But as I answered not I pray said she to a Lady which was nigh me tell that unfaithful person who is by you that I would entertain him Hardly had Lysicoris said this but turning towards her I pray said he to her call me not unfaithful yet for Inconstant pursued I I endure it but for unfaithful I cannot suffer it I have not such a delicate Spirit as you replied Lysicoris and I know not too well between Inconstancy and Infidelity As Lysicoris said that the Princess Philonice who had heard her turned and seated her self and making one in this discourse she demanded who could doubt there was no distinction to be made between an unfaithful and inconstant person In truth replied Lysicoris I think in case of Love these two things very much resemble For my part replied I I am not of that opinion that one cannot sometimes be inconstant without shame and that one cannot be unfaithful without baseness Berelisa seeing then such a fair occasion to insult over Clidimira and to darken her esteem with Artemidorus engaged so discreetly this conversation that she saw her self obliged to make the distinction and she did it more easily than any part of the Company and the Prince of Messina as others without exact examination said that inconstancy and infidelity might easily be confounded For my part said then the Princess Philonice I am of the opinion of Berelisa and Zenocrates for I believe one cannot say there is a kind of inconstancy without infidelity or fidelity without inconstancy and if it was not that I am now in a melancholy humour I might very well bring my thoughts to tryal bvt since Zenocrates and Berelisa are of my opinion I give them Commission to declare my resentments for I imagine they know them But said then Lysicoris smiling is he not an unfaithful man which changeth love And an inconstant Lover is he not likewise who changes his Mistress A liberal man who makes a present without choice replied Berelisa gives something which is to him and a prodigal man which casts without choice gives likewise that which appertains to him the one practiseth a virtue and the other makes to see he hath a vice this which is well more estranged the one from the other than inconstancy and infidelity for I say not that inconstancy should be a vertue but I say that an honest man when he is young may sometimes be inconstant without dishonouring himself and that in some times in some age and in pretext that this should be no person can be unfaithful without baseness and infamy I sustain likewise that infidelity and inconstancy are yet more horrible in women than men Berelisa said this with so much emotion that I knew well that I might do her the greatest pleasure in the world to remit my cause in her hands and that she was not sorry to speak on this subject finding likewise much more fit to oblige her to defend me than to defend her self I left her at least to begin this innocent war But then said the Prince of Messina I would know precisely what is that delicate distinction you make of inconstancy and infidelity I call inconstancy replied Berelisa a certain incertitude of heart and spirit where young men are more subject than others since there is without doubt two or three years of life where those which are naturally of an inconstant inclination find nothing which pleases them which attaches them not successively For by example if Zenocrates would say the truth he will confess that a great number of women have pleased him that he hath fair brown and fair yellow he hath many times felt in his heart enough disposition to have love he will even confess I assure you that he hath began to tell it to many fair persons and that there 's likewise some others for whom he hath changed
No no generous Clelius said he unto him never bestow any such glorious titles upon me for a right Roman ought not to assume any above the rest of the Romans let us therefore only render thanks unto the Gods for our deliverance from servitude in which we were and to take away all likelihood of ever being under the power of one single person I do declare that I will not be Consul alone but will put into the hands of the Senate and People all that Authority which they gave me unless they will appoint one to be my Partner For indeed said he most generously I dare not trust my own virtue in such a business Brutus had no sooner done speaking but all that heard him were opposite to his design yet he standing firm to his principle told them plainly that he would propound it the next morning in the publick Assembly however he being ever a man most regular in all points of civility he went towards the evening unto Sivelia to see Clelia there unto whom he seemed much troubled for Aronces and told her in short how he went out of Rome with a design of delivering her Alas said she with a sad sigh and looked upon Plotina certainly it was that unfortunate Prince which was in Combate with those Troops which we saw when Horatius brought us away She had no sooner said so but Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres came to Sivelia's house who confirm'd Clelia in her thought and told all the Company that Aronces was Tarquins Prisoner also how they all made a retreat after they had seen their illustrious but unfortunate friend taken Yet they did not fear that he would be ill used because as the case stood with Tarquin it was no policy for him to shew any odium against the Son of such a great King who only was able to relieve him in his misfortune but still they conceived that he would not set him at liberty so as all the company apprehended this adventure with abundance of sorrow Brutus resented it as the friend of Aronces and foreseeing the sad consequences as a true Roman and especially out of compassion upon an unfortunate Lover who is more sensible than any other of any thing that disturbs the love of his friends As for Clelius he having almost always loved Aronces as his own son ever since he saved his life in his Cradle and keeping him from perishing after his shipwrack he was exceedingly troubled Sivelia out of tenderness and generosity did pity him Herminius was ready to run desperate Horatius out of grandeur of soul and to merit the esteem of Clelia he commended him and said That a Prince so virtuous as he was deserved a far better destiny than to be the Prisoner of the most vitious man upon earth Cesonia and Plotina could not keep their eyes from gushing out into tears as for Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres they pitied Aronces pitied Clelia pitied Brutus pitied Herminius they pitied Rome they pitied themselves As for Clelia she was sensible more than thought can reach unto yet she durst not shew all her sorrow though the example of her friends might well have authorized hers nor would she too much smother her sadness lest she should infuse some false hopes into Horatius but she kept such an even and just temper in her affliction that she could not be accused either of excessive prudence or of too much carelesness That which made her the more mistress of her spirit was because she believ'd the life of Aronces was in no danger for she knew not that he was wounded but she conceived the cruel consequences of his imprisonment the least of which was that she should be separated from Aronces for a long time and be exposed unto the passion of Horatius who having made his peace with Clelius would become more confident so as this sage Lady in restraining the violence of her sorrow did deserve much commendations Mean while as one subject of compassion doth easily renew the remembrance of another so Clelius asked Brutus concerning the Prince of Numidia and understood that in visiting the Palace of Tarquin after Tullia was gone out they found him upon his bed who never caring for the disorder and noise which he heard looked calmly upon those that run from Chamber to Chamber with naked swords not knowing whether there were any men so desperate as to defend him Clelius understood further how since that the care which was taken of that Prince had something restored him unto the freedom of his spirit Alas alas added Brutus and sighed I cannot tell whether or no it be a good office to restore a miserable man unto his wits since certainly it makes all men in the world the more miserable Brutus expressed this in such a sad manner as made all those pity him who knew the distemper of his soul and were not ignorant that the death of Lucretia did more grieve him than the liberty of Rome rejoyced him for notwithstanding all his zeal to his Country could he but revive Lucretia he would do it with abundance of joy though at the rate of erecting that Throne which he had pulled down Doubtless he would have dyed a hundred deaths rather than live in the servitude wherein he did but he would have lived a slave all the days of his life rather than never to see Lucretia but in her Tomb. This sad adventure had so much changed him that he was scarcely knowable such of his friends as were not admitted unto the secrets of his soul did believe that this alteration proceeded from the weight of his cares which hung heavy upon him but those of his Cabinet counsel who knew the grandeur of his soul they thought it to be love only which loadned him his conversation was only upon such things as were necessary for the publick good unless he spoke of his sorrows and passion unto such as knew of them He was not only always more serious but also more haughty and he could not flatter any but the people of whom he stood in need to revenge Lucretia and to maintain the liberty of Rome So as after so much good language as he thought fit to comfort Clelia he retired himself to think upon other matters but especially to give that great example of moderation of which he had made such profession unto his Friends Mean while Clelius went to see the Grand Vestal his Sister and received visits from all his Friends Clelia was visited by all the Ladies of quality in Rome amongst the rest by Racilia by Hermilia by Colatina by a Lady of quality called Flavia and another named Salonina Hermilia and the sister of Colatine being compounded of such a secret Melancholy as would not suffer them to rejoyce in the Liberty of their Country so much as others they kept always together Valeria also went to visit Clelia who gave such a reception unto all these Ladies with so much obliging Civility
but hers are full of life and love and able to conquer the hearts of such as they shine upon Her complexion is a little pale yet such a paleness as being mixt with a languishing and modest air does exceedingly well become her And this Valeria who has a million of charms more than I need mention since you know them has also a Soul so noble a heart so tender a wit so accurate a spirit so gallant and every way so rarely qualifi'd that she is worthy to be the Mistress of Herminius Moreover Madam never wonder that this story which I am to relate should be as full of Gallantry as if she had been at Capua or Carthage For those amongst whom she has passed her time are naturally so full of wit as had they been born in desarts they would have invented Gallantry Also Publius Valerius the Father of Valeria allowed such honest freedom in his house unto all men of merit as it must not be thought strange if the Roman severity be not exactly found in the things which I am to relate unto you I never need to tell you that Herminius is of a Race illustrious That his Father died an Exile That the vertuous and generous Sivelia his mother is a most admirable woman But let me tell you that at her return to Rome her principal care was that Herminius should be acquainted with men of best quality there So as the house of Valerius being the common Rendezvous of all the wits and men of Rank she entreated Valerius to admit Herminius amongst them Valerius was the friend of Herminius his Father and did highly esteem the vertue of his generous Mother and therefore he was very glad to see him oft at his house and commanded Domitia his wife and Valeria to bid him kindly welcome Herminius made such use of this liberty as he got the esteem of all these illustrious Persons he being of a sweet civil complaisant liberal and ingenious temper he made the greatest divertisement of this gallant Cabal of which was Collatina a Lady call'd Flavia who had wit and beauty in perfection and another Lady call'd Salonina who was very fair and had many amiable qualities though she harboured some unjust opinions Howsoever Herminius was officious and always ready to do any thing they would have him and was extremely civil and liberal to all the Ladies he did not find in himself any other thoughts of Valeria than such as esteem and admiration use to beget in the hearts of such men who value merit Valeria on her side she held Herminius in a rank of esteem and amity not thinking he would ever be in love with her since he was not at that time so as there was betwixt them all the familiarity that vertue could permit Things being upon these terms and the great feast of the Salians approaching which is highly celebrated at Rome and whose Ceremonies are so magnificent that all the world desires to see them either out of curiosity or custome Valeria Gollatina Flavia and Salonina would go see this feast Herminius promis'd to provide them windows in the sacred street through which the Salians were wont to pass the first day of Mars which is the day of that Ceremony which though I am no Roman I do know as well as you though I cannot relate because I never saw it Then said Plotina and smiled I am more knowing than you in matters belonging to the Salian Ceremony for I was once at Rome upon that day I beseech you Madam reply'd Amilcar let me hear the relation of it and instruct an ignorant African who had need have some leisure to think upon what he is to say But if whilst I speak you think upon what you are to say reply'd Plotina you will not mind what I say Let not that hinder you from satisfying the curiosity of Amilcar said Clelia for he can sometimes think one thing and speak another However answer'd he I require a relation of the Salian Ceremony from Plotina otherwise I will tell no more of Herminius Your denial will cost us very dear said Cesonia then unto her friend and therefore I beseech you satisfie the curiosity of Amilcar quickly that he may satisfie ours Since it must be so said Plotina I must tell you that the Salians are twelve in number that they must be of the Patrician Race and that upon the first day of Mars they Celebrate a feast unto all the Gods that govern Arms so as all that is to be seen in this Ceremony has some emblem of War in it The Salians wear that day Coats of Arms embroidered with divers colours with great Belts of gilded Leather studded Murrians of polished Gold they have also Swords hanging by their sides Javelins in their right hand and Bucklers on their left arms like unto those which fell from heaven miraculously in the time of Numa The Salians being thus habited they dance and skip through the Town to the sound of Instruments and sing songs to the honour of Mars whose feast they celebrate But that in dancing they may embleme War in some places they draw their Swords and strike upon the Bucklers according to the cadency of tune and keep time without any confused noise or clashing Those that dance and strike thus do make an Idea of a Combate in their dance sometimes they are all in order and figure other while they seem to fight with one another some assault others retreat and all in figure and time according to the tune But the rarest thing amongst these twelve Salians was There were also twelve fair Salian Women drest after the Salian mode except without Swords and Bucklers Before them marched soft Musick sutable to the sweetness of their Sex These also danced through the streets as the Salians did seeming by their actions to incite the men to dance well sing well and fight well Those who would give a reason why they bring women into this Ceremony can find no other but this That all Heroick Actions whatsoever are principally inspired into men only by a desire of pleasing women I shall not mention all the streets through which the Salians passed nor their sacrifices because I will let Herminius bring his friends into the sacred street to see them After this Amilcar thanked Plotina for her relation and returned to his own in this manner Herminius having promised to provide windows for all the Company he failed not of his word the young Hermilia joyn'd with this good Company As for the men besides Collatin and Mutius there was one called Volesus who certainly was a man of merit and one Spurius Largius who flowed in wit the Prince of Pometia and Prince Titus were there also Herminius delighting handsomely to surprise those whom he desired to please he carried all the Company to the sacred street but told them not of any other entertainment but seeing the Salians pass yet he had so ordered things that these Ladies entred into a Chamber
against my self Do not murmure if I take my own part rather than yours and so I most seriously entreat you to regulate your thoughts and your words had I not a very great esteem for you I should speak in a worse dialect to you but valuing you at a very high rate of esteem I would have you continue if it be possible within the limits of friendship and that you will not force me to lose you I promise you to do all I can for you and to attribute all your services unto your tenderness of friendship so long as your tongue does not oppose the advantageous opinion which I would have of you Oh Madam cried out Herminius I beseech you do not forbid me to use the sweetest and most pleasing word in the world to those that have that passion in their hearts that it expresseth For the word Love hath such a secret charm in it as joyeth the heart of that lover that pronounceth it and moves the heart of that person who heareth it if she have any tenderness of soul The word Affection is a word ambiguous and suits with Amity as well as Love The word Tenderness as obliging as it is may be applied to them both But the word Love needs no interpretation it alone expresseth all that can be imagined sweet most obliging and most agreeable Deprive me not therefore of a consolation which will not cost you any thing And to put my self in possession of this sweet word be pleased to know That I have towards you the most tender and most respectful love that ever any had and what treatment soever I have from you I shall retain this pure and holy Love till death To shew you my sincerity replied Valeria I will ingenuously confess that if I could handsomely entertain any affection of this Nature you are the only man I know upon earth whom I would most desire should love me For you are transcendent in vertue and of such a spirit as most I love But Herminius it is not permitted unto any woman of vertue either to love or permit being loved Upon this all the rest of the company met them so as they parted without resolving upon any thing However Herminius thought himself very happy in daring to tell Valeria positively that he was in love For though she had not permitted him to love her yet he flattered himself with some hope her mind would bend And yet he found more difficulty than he expected For Valeria who certainly was as virtuous a Lady as ever lived did more strictly forbid him than he thought she would though she did it with much sweetness But at last Herminius was so full of obliging Courtship that the heart of Valeria melted For he prevented all her desires when he could guess at them He contributed a thousand wayes to her delights he rendred good offices to all that she loved he had no pleasure in any place where she was not he was the most respective man upon Earth he writ to her a thousand pleasing letters which could not any way offend her and he behaved himself so that none spoke of him before Valeria but they spoke highly in his commendations so generally was he esteemed Thus Valeria melting by little and little she allow'd Herminius to love her but in allowing him she expresly charged him to give no publick testimonies of his passion and would not of a long time permit him to use the word Love in his Letters but Herminius found out an expedient for that For he Covenanted with Valeria that the Word Amity should betwixt them signifie Love both in speaking and writing to her And accordingly the thing being thus agreed upon Herminius writ letters unto Valeria which passed only for letters of friendship though yet they were letters of Love Herminius therefore obeyed Valeria so well that Spurius seemed to be much more in love with her than he but hoping to hide his own Gallantry under the umbrage of Spurius he went along with him in all he did thus these two Rivals appeared to be very good friends Spurius for his particular was so perswaded that Herminius was naturally Gallant as he did not think him to have the least hidden design upon Valeria So as he was well satisfied on that side and thought upon nothing but how to please that fair one Herminius went on with the more confidence because 〈…〉 who was very glad of that universal civility to 〈…〉 the particular esteem she had of him she did not treat him ill though she did not allow him to speak openly of his passion Also Spurius seeing how vexed Salonina was at his loving Valeria he loved her both out of inclination and out of revenge Mean while Salonina to execute her design of drawing Spurius from Valeria who without intention drew him from her she told Volesus that the world talked very loud of their affection and to stop their mouths she would seem as if she had a will to recal Spurius But Madam said Volesus unto her had you rather the world should say you permit Spurius to love you than me Yes answered she for in such things truths only displease and indeed she was in the Right For because Valeria and she did not love Spurius they shewed him many favours which they did not Herminius and Volesus So as this became one of the most pleasant Passages that ere was heard of For Salonina did all she could to recal Spurius Valeria who quickly found out the design of Salonina and took delight in returning one trick for another she did all she could to retain him So as Spurius though loved by neither yet was he most highly courted by two of the fairest Ladies in all Rome He being in this condition joying to be revenged of Salonina whom he loved not and hoping to be loved by Valeria whom he did love his spirit was swelled with such extraordinary jollitie as he thought of nothing but diverting all the company as well as Herminius and to vex Salonina Not but that he always spoke unto her with much civility but he affected to come out with a hundred trivial expressions which might drive her into despair It hapned one day that Herminius had made a Song which the Salians used in that ceremony which I mentioned before Spurius not thinking that this Song was made upon Valeria he told it unto all the Cabal that it was the rarest song he ever heard Salonina did ask it of him but he answered that it belonged unto him who made it to give it Herminius hearing what Spurius said told her that the verses were not worth the giving nor did deserve the glory to be sung by so sweet a mouth as Salonina's For my part said Valeria then without enquiring whose they are I ask them of Herminius as of one most ready when he is pleas'd to oblige me Should I lay that command upon one whom I know said Salonina and blusht for anger I am sure I
courtesie upon such an occasion to be a little false unto Herminius she set such a face upon the matter as she seemed as much surprised as he was Consider well with your self said she unto him whether you have not acquainted some or other with your passion to Valeria For if you have you know how nice she is upon that No no no replied he you only are the confident of my Passion Then replied she is it not some spark of jealousie For truly Herminius you flow so with an universal Gallantry as would make me desperate were I your Mistress when ere you write to a woman be she what she will you always use more charming and tender expressions than come from your heart when you Compose any verses extempore they are as amorous as if they were dedicated unto Valeria And you use a hundred Courtships unto all women whom you love not which you should use only unto such as you love believe it you ought to be more circumspect and wary in such trifles especially when you love one of a nice and delicate spirit and a heart sensible Ha no no replied Herminius if Valeria be angry it is at something else for I have told her a hundred times that I never writ any thing but of her and that she has as many names in my Verses as are attributed to Diana only to delude such as read them Upon this he was strangely perplext and desired Flavia to go unto his angry Mistress and ask her from him what her pleasure was Then checking himself but if it be only a fallacy said he she will laugh at me the more But no matter said he again I had rather she should laugh at me than to live in this incertainty Then he looked upon Valerias Letter again but finding no manner of mysterious matter in it he resolved to imploy Flavia to discover what this charming Ladie meant She feigned therefore to go and ask her what the matter was though she went only to laugh with her at the inquietude of Herminius So as Flavia thinking to delude her friend she did him a very good office for Valeria was more glad that Herminius was so much afflicted at her anger than that her fallacy had so well taken But to be short Herminius was three days in this cruel perplexity and never saw Valerid yet at last this fair one resolving to discover the truth unto him she let him come into her Chamber where none but Flavia and she was When he entred the picture of sorrow was in his eyes he approached her with more reverence than ordinary and beginning to speak Oh Madam said he what has unhappy Herminius done He has deceived me replied she and smiled and therefore he deserves all the inquietude I have caused in him and something more for having so sharp a wit as he has and a wit able to deceive the most ingenious he may be ashamed not to find that in my Letter which would undeceive him Ah cruel woman said he your Letter contains nothing but injuries and yet you mock me and would make me believe there is some hidden mystery in your words To shame you the more said she unto him give me my Letter and if I do not make you blush deceive me again if you can Upon which he gave her the Letter and she shewing him the last word of every line putting them together he found them to signifie Accuse only your deceit for this innocent Artifice Oh Madam cryed he out you know how to deceive better than I do and you can deceive the deceiver after which he commended her invention blaming her inhumanity in letting him continue so long in such tormenting inquietude but at last Flavia made peace betwixt them who were so inclined thereunto that there needed no Articles of Agreement to be drawn between them but naturally promised never to deceive each other again And to love eternally Their affections being very innocent Valeria was the more free and she who was most assured that she was never criminal did more obligingly testifie her tenderness unto Herminius as if she had not been so well assured as she was of her own virtue Mean while Salonina who was most horribly vexed both at Valeria and Spurius she knew not what resolution to take for she began to be ashamed of the way which she took with Spurius to reclaim him and she could hardly endure Valeria Her pride inspired her with a most fantastical opinion for she who told Volesus that she complied with Spurius only to hide her affection unto him began now on the contrary to comply less with Spurius and more with Volesus in publick in a thought that jealousie would draw Spurius unto her And she did it with so much Art that Volesus was pleased with it for then he believed that the affection of this Ladie to him was stronger than her reason so he left Salonina at liberty to follow her own Capricious humour without thinking any more upon it But Spurius being more subtil than Volesus he knew that whatsoever Salonina did she had a desire to re-engage him so as he enjoy'd as I told you before all the pleasures that hope and revenge could inspire him withal and all the Cabal wherein he was were all so gallant so pleasant and so full of spirit and wit as it was impossible to live more pleasant lives than all these illustrious persons lived Not but that for all this Herminius and Valeria had sometimes some petty quarrels but since they sprung only from excess of tenderness they quickly vanished and their reconcilements were so sweet as their quarrels might be called augmentations of Love and delight Yet once there was a day whereon they had such a jarring as put them both to much perplexity the cause whereof was very particular You may remember I told you that Valeria charged Herminius above all things to keep the passion which he had to her very close and secret so as being very exact and prudent and careful to content her he constrained himself very admirably well in all encounters It hapned one day that he being with her the Prince of Pometia came in who having found Herminius the day before in a walk far distant from all company he began to chide him and to ask what was the cause of his solitary humour Truly Sir said he unto him I should pump very hard if I should endeavour to tell you For first I am not in Love and as for such things as I sometimes do in my foolery I assure you that I do them without invoking Apollo or any of the Muses I do them either out of ravishment of spirit fancy or humour or out of a necessity to obey my friends and yet it 's none of all these that brought me yesterday into that melancholy walk but I walked alone only because I had no other company A man said the Prince and smiled who tells he is not in Love when he
impossible to hinder the marriage of Valeria with Herminius by acquainting some that were of Tarquins interest how that in policy he ought to prevent this Alliance Spurius then being acquainted with one that was kinsman unto Heslius that was in favour with Tarquin he went to see him and seeming to talk of the marriage of Herminius and Valeria as the news of the Town he began to speak of the good fortune of Herminius For truly said he very subtilly if he had not good fortune the King would never permit this marriage which unites two of the most potent Families that are his enemies and out of whom there are more exiles since Tarquin reigned than any others in Rome Spurius seemed to say this not as if he desired him unto whom he spoke to tell Heslius and that Heslius should tell Tarquin but only as wondring at the good fortune of Herminius For he knew very well that he to whom he spoke would tell Heslius all he heard And indeed as soon as ever Spurius was gone this man went to his Cousin and told him all he knew Heslius conceiving indeed that this alliance between two Families enemies of Tarquin was to be prevented he went unto that Prince to acquaint him with the business and the consequences of it Tarquin who except Horatius and Clelius hated Valerius and Herminius more than all the rest of his enemies he resolved to prevent this marriage by his absolute authority Thus when Herminius and Valeria thought to pass all their lives together in a most happy condition Tarquin sent for Valerius to tell him that for some reasons which related unto the good of his service he charged him not to marry his Daughter unto Herminius Valerius out of his great and noble soul told Tarquin all that his generosity guided by prudence did dictate unto him to oblige him not to constrain him in a thing which ought to be free But Tarquin answered That if Herminius married Valeria he would banish them Rome the next day and that they should never enter the City again Valerius not being able to oppose force he retir'd home where he found Herminius who impatiently expected his return for as a Lover is always fuller of fears than any other so he was more disquieted than Domitia that Tarquin had sent for Valerius But when he was returned the sorrows of Domitia of Valeria and of Herminius were extreme Valerius related unto them word for word all that the Tyrant had said unto him and all that he answered after which Valerius spake unto them with abundance of wisdom For after many other things worthy of his great heart and high spirit To testifie unto you said he unto Herminius how much I esteem your vertue and how happy I think my Daughter would be in being your wife I do declare unto you that were it not I have some secret hopes to be one day profitable unto the liberty of my Country I would exile my self and I would advise you unto the same that you might live with Valeria in some part of the world where vice does not triumph over vertue as it does at Rome But generous Herminius you having so much spirit so much heart and so much vertue as you have you are a Debtor unto your Countrey as well as I am Therefore I exhort you to stay here and to overcome that innocent passion which you have in your soul But to testifie how much I value you I do declare unto you That if your vertue cannot overcome your love and that you cannot live unless miserably I do consent to give you my Daughter to deprive my self of her and you for ever and to permit you to go and dwell in some other part of Italy where the power of Tarquin is not acknowledged provided Valeria consent unto it Oh Sir replied this wise Lady though I do esteem Herminius far above all other men yet I do declare that I am not able to abandon you to follow him and I think him so generous as he will not desire to take me from the best father in the world but I hope he is so reasonable as to be contented with that assurance which by your permission I shall give him of my affection that though we cannot live together yet I will with all the innocence and all the tenderness of a sister preserve it inviolably for him Yes my Daughter said Valerius I do permit you to love Herminius as the only man worthy to be your Husband and I would have Domitia also to love him as if he were her son Oh Sir replied Herminius you do set before me a most happy example of vertue for me to imitate for I must ingenuously confess that if you and Valeria did not give me so great an example of generosity I cannot tell what answer I should have returned But yet I see that I should be the most ungrateful and most unjust man in the world if I did not think my self happy in my misfortunes though through the grandeur of my passion and the Tyranny of Tarquin I am the most unfortunate of men As Herminius said this one came to tell Valerius that Spurius desired to speak with him And indeed that revengeful lover knowing that Tarquin had sent for Valerius and being impatient to know whether his design prospered he took a pretence of some business to speak with Valerius purposely to see in what temper his spirit was So that Valerius seeing tears in the eyes of Valeria and despair painted in the face of Herminius he went into another Chamber to receive the visit of Spurius Valerius was no sooner gone but word was brought Domitia that some Ladies desired to speak with her she seeing Valeria and Herminius in a condition unfit for visits she put them into a Chamber within her own and commanded the woman of Valeria to wait upon her Lady Valeria and Herminius were no sooner at liberty but excess of sorrow taking away their speech they looked upon each other a while and did not speak afterwards they went and sat down in the further part of the Chamber where the servant durst not approach out of respect though she had an itching desire unto it that she might report unto Spurius what she heard But after this silence had lasted a while Herminius was the first that broke it by a great and profound sigh which was a preface unto the saddest words that ever afflicted lover pronounced Alas Madam said he unto her Herminius now must never be happy in fair Valeria it may be I shall live a while after so sad a doom But Madam you that know how to love do also know that this word Never is a most fatal sound if it be applied as I do Yes Madam to think that you must never be mine does cast such a gloomy mist upon my spirit that my reason is confounded and I repent of what I said unto the generous Valerius and you when I commended both
death continue they knew not what to think upon the adventure and were much joyed to observe that Valeria when any occasion presented it self did not mention him with the same tenderness she was wont For in the time when she did love him most tenderly and believed her self loved again she took much delight in talking of him and could not chuse but so highly applaud him as made it eminently apparent what pleasure she took in the mention of him Yet Mutius was not a jot the more happy for having seen him in the time of Herminius she could not now look upon Mutius but she remembred him and was so unjust as to wish him ill and sometimes thought her self a little obliged unto Emilius for being so much mistaken in Herminius However Emilius being of very good quality and being both amiable and rich Valerius who observed the inclination he had unto his Daughter was very glad of it and wished heartily she were married unto him lest if he should dye she should be left to the disposition of the Tyrant Tarquin So knowing no man but Herminius upon whom he would more willingly bestow her he bad him very kindly welcome to his house and commanded Valeria to treat him very civilly on the other side the Parents of Emilius who being desirous to keep him in Rome and thinking to marry him they bethought themselves of another very rich young Lady but they altered that design by reason of his love to Valeria who maugre all the supposed inconstancy of Herminius did continually lament him and though when she imagined him to be unfaithful she was extremely angry against him yet she heartily wished he would revive constant or at least repent of his inconstancy For though it is usual for death to efface or diminish injuries yet it hapned otherwise with Valeria Time did diminish her grief but not her anger and sometimes she thought that since Herminius was inconstant it was better for her that he was dead than otherwise At least said she in talking of you Madam my Rival has lost him as well as I and I may well think that she is more afflicted than I am You may judge Madam by what I have said that Valeria still loved Herminius when she thought she did not But for all that the sweetness of Emilius was not displeasing unto her As for Mutius that which most hurt him was she knew he followed the Counsels of Spurius whom she loved not and that he often saw Salonina whom in her heart she could not endure But as for Emilius knowing nothing but vertue in him finding him to be sweet civil complaisant full of spirit amorous and very assiduous and officious about her if she did not love him she wished she could and did believe she either did or should love him Yet she did not live with him as she was wont with Herminius There was no secret or mystery made of this affection but she permitted him to tell her that he loved her yet not before Valerius had told her his mind Mean while Emilius was very well satisfied with her she received him kindly and hearkned unto him she did not answer him sharply nor ever forbad him to hope for her Love But the strangest thing was that Emilius never heard there was any particular affection between Herminius and Valeria The reason of it doubtless was that falling in love with her as soon as he came to Rome and never making any secret of his Passion none would so far trouble themselves as to tell him a thing that was to no purpose Also he being a meer stranger in his own Countrey he had not any particular friend to give him an account of former passages However Valerius fearing lest Tarquin should forbid him to marry his Daughter unto Emilius as he had unto Herminius he therefore told Emilius that if he would marry his Daughter he desired it might be done speedily lest Tarquin should forbid the banes So as Emilius without more consideration told him that he wished nothing more earnestly than to have all concluded and was the more earnest in it because his Parents were desirous he should marry the Rich Inheritrix whom they had proposed unto him but his Parents being neither a Father or Mother or any such near alliance whom he was obliged to obey he rejected their Counsel and would follow his own inclination So as having the consents of Valerius and his wife it was resolved that Emilius should marry Valeria within eight days and that they should be married in the Countrey at a house which Valeria had lest Tarquin should have intelligence of it Emilius was now as happy as a man could be having no rubs in his Love but the excess of his Passion Valeria on her side she was not much transported with any joy nor was she very melancholy and yet her converse with Flavia was very sad when she came unto the Country house where she was to marry Emilius the next day For beginning then to think upon the engagement unto which she was to enter and calling to memory former passages her heart was much disordered they were both together alone in Valeria's Chamber Emilius was not to come until night So as they had free liberty of speech together Alas Flavia said Valeria unto her If any had heretofore told me that I should marry any but Herminius I should never have believed them but then I thought he would never have left me for any other whomsoever I must confess that had not Herminius been dead I should never have thought upon any marriage for my hopes of his hearty repentance would have defended my heart against the passion of Emilius But he being both inconstant and dead I must confess to my shame that I have some tenderness towards Emilius and look upon him as a man is whom I may be happy or at least not very miserable if I can forget Herminius Yet added she and blusht to be exactly vertuous and also prudent I ought before I marry him to sacrifice unto my revenge all that remains of the perfidious Herminius I never could do 't till now but now both vertue and reason command it and notwithstanding all the elegantness of his letters verses and tenderness towards me I must deprive my self of them for ever Oh Valeria said Flavia do not offer to lose such excellent pieces but rather trust them unto my discretion If I should replyed Valeria it should be upon condition never to be reproached with them again for to discover the bottom of my heart unto you I shall merit your compassion for upon examination of my self I find that when I would hate the memory of Herminius I cannot and when I would love Emilius I cannot bring it to pass Yet at some times I think that I do hate Herminius and love Emilius But for all that I never can find that tranquillity in my heart which is the effect of true joy though I find not any thing
and my Reason are two such faithful sentinels about my heart that I do not fear they will ever betray it either to your Merit or your Love and it is out of that confidence that I speak to you as I do that is without indignation or severity I therefore tell you once more that I have a very great friendship for you that I shall never love you otherwise than according to that and that you cannot put a greater obligation upon me than by resolutely strugling with the passion now so predominant in your soul If it be true Madam added he that you cannot have ought beyond a friendship for the unfortunate Themistus grant him one favour I beseech you If it be a favour that may stand with friendship replies Lindamira I promise it you Alas Madam said he what I desire is so considerable that you must be very unjust to denie it For all my request at the present to remit the torment I feel is only to intreat you to make use of one word for another though the sence be even in your intention the very same For instance Madam continued this afflicted Lover it will be an extream satisfaction to me if instead of saying you have a friendship for me you would be pleased to make use of certain words which because they are sometimes employed to express sentiments that speak more tenderness have I know not what that is more satisfactory more inviting and more proper to keep up the spirits of an unfortunate man than such as are particular to friendship Your wits are at such a loss replies Lindamira that I pity you much more than I would do For in fine what pleasure do you take in making your self unhappy when all things seem to contribute to your felicity Nature hath furnished you with all she could that is a high birth and a proper person you want neither gallantry nor understanding and you have no reason at all to complain of her Fortune for her part hath done all she could for you your valour hath been fortunate the State is obliged to you your Master owes you his life you are upon the establishment of the greatness of your House and all the world loves you you only excepted Madam interrupted he Nay on the contrary replied Lindamira I have told you already that I am your friend and that I will be ever so provided you promise me and that sincerely you will do all that lies in your power not to own any thing towards me but friendship I shall do so Madam replied he if you in like manner will do me the honor to promise that for your part you will do what you can not to have an affection for me for it were a great presumption to say it but only to be perswaded to entertain my passion in case I cannot overcome it 'T were very pleasant indeed replies Lindamira who would not alwaies speak in good earnest of Themistus's love if it happened that when you should have subdued your passion I at the same time were resolved to admit it It were much better I should not resist my sentiments and that you should only endeavour to reform yours Besides this Themistus had abundance of other passionate discourse with Lindamira but at last he promised her sincerely to do all he could to subdue his passion conditionally she would also do what lay in her power to resolve to continue her friendship to him in case he could not forbear loving her For she had one day threatened to deprive him even of that if instead of being her lover he became not her friend Since that Themistus did really all he could to reform his sentiments for there were so many things to perswade him that Lindamira would never have any thing but a bare friendship for him that he in a manner despair'd of ever exalting it into love And yet as the most unfortunate do most easily derive comfort from inconsiderable things because they cannot hope for any greater consolations Themistus was so sensible of those expressions of friendship he received from Lindamira that there wanted not some intervals wherein he was ready to entertain joy though he was satisfied Lindamira had no love for him and still wished that he had no more for her Nay when Lindamira freely spoke to him of any concernment of her own he felt somewhat that it is impossible to express if he were indisposed and that she sent to see how he did he was extreamly satisfied and that so far that he never received any expression of esteem or friendship from her but he was as glad of â—t as another Lover would have been of what they call signal favours Not but that assoon as he was out of Lindamira's fight he was troubled at the same things whereat he had rejoyced before out of the very consideration that Lindamira had only a friendship for him But after all when he found her kind and obliging he suspended his grief and love ensnaring his reason made him forget that Lindamira had only a friendship for him and find unconceivable pleasures in the least kindnesses he received from her In the mean time from the first day they treated together Lindamira asked him ever and anon what progress he had made towards friendship and Themistus asked her on the other side what progress she had made towards Love and yet Lindamira had still the cruelty to tell him very often and very seriously that he should take heed he were not deceived by appearances and not look on those kindnesses she had for him as proceeding from any thing but friendship And indeed Themistus was so far satisfied that Lindamira had nothing else for him in her heart that she knew it not better her self While things stood thus the Prince of Messena addressed himself openly to this Princess who having neither inclination nor aversion for him treated him with a civility sutable to a person of his quality and merit For Demarata her soul was still persecuted with the same secret passion which added to the aversion she had for Perianthus So that she was forced eternally to stifle two sentiments the hardest in the world to be dissembled Yet did she in time overcome them for it was believed about the Court that she did not treat Themistus well but out of a meer reflection that he was the Princes favorite and the Prince who sometimes discovered some light indifference in her imagined it was to put a sharper edge on the love he had for her Themistus on the other side minding only his ambition as what should further his love neglected nothing that contributed ought to the aggrandization of his fortune so that being at the same time to obey both a Master and a Mistress he wanted no employment Things being in this posture it happened that Lindamira being a little indisposed Demarata came to give her a visit and met there the Prince of Messena Meriander and Themistus For the Ladies that came
go to this pleasant Solitude whereof two are very troublesome and difficult The place is nevertheless furnished with Springs and there is a very fair Haven at the foot of this famous Mountain which hath a priviledge that there was never seen upon it any venemous creature or wild beast and the excellency of the place is such that because men could never find out a name excellent enough for it it hath not any one in partcular and the Haven it hath distinguishes it from the other mountains This then is the place where is retired a small number of wise men who having experienc'd the vanities of the world will needs disengage themselves from it But among others Timantes a particular friend of the virtuous Amalthaea is an an incomparable person He is tall and of a good countenance and hath a noble Physiognomy such as so well discovers the freedom and sincerity of his heart that it may be almost said he is known before a man hath the leisure to know him All his actions are so many expressions of the vigor and vivacity of his spirit for he ever acts with force and agility insomuch that the caresses he honors his friends with are arguments of the earnestness of his disposition Timantes hath doubtless a very vast understanding and besides the great advantages he hath made of study as to what is requisite to make a man both wise and acceptable he is born to a great genius in Poetry and makes such Verses as Hesiod and Homer would not be ashamed to own were they alive again But I shall not make what is within him the main subject of my commendation of him though he have such an admirable wit that hath such fire and lustre that he cannot but discover it upon some occasions wherein he would not make it appear His heart of all that is within him is the most noble part as what hath such an extraordinary freedom and openness that it might be said that he had never so much as heard it said there was such a thing as dissimulation in the World He speaks truth without any fear or evasion he maintaineth it with courage and makes use of anger to defend justice when he cannot do it otherwise and he hath a goodness that favors of the innocency of the first age For his humor it is divertive enough but withal so natural that he finds himself employment out of things most inconsiderable He hath also a particular gift of inspiring his friends with a certain innocent joy and teaching them the art of diverting themselves without any prejudice to others Timantes is farther a man that of all the world is the most sensibly moved at the works of others when they are excellent and loves very much to do justice where there is desert In a word he hates nothing so much as what is opposite to this great virtue and the freedom of his disposition is so contrary to all manner of Tyrannie that he sometimes saies merrily that he deserves no great honor for shaking off the yoke of all the passions because it is much more easie to obey reason than to be led away by the fantastick humors of five or six frantick passions who would be implicitely obeyed and yet many times require things contradictory Timantes therefore having only that one Mistriss to wait on is never from her but consults her in all things Yet it might be said he thinks not on her but that though the agitation of his humor makes his body often change place his mind is ever quiet and that fire which enflames and animates it makes it more active yet not more unquiet Farther having got the mastery of his passions he hath distilled them all into one which is to him instead of all and which he will never part with He maintains that friendship in his heart is incomparably a more violent passion than love is in other men's and he is perswaded that no Lover loves his Mistriss so well as he does his friends Nay he confidently holds that Love is a defective affection such as is to be numbred among the enjoyments of infancy and consequently to be discarded as soon as reason takes place whereas on the contrary friendship is an absolutely perfect affection equally consistent with Virtue and Reason and should last as long as life does So that being fully perswaded of the perfection of friendship he is the most earnest and most accomplished friend in the world Nay though he stands dis-engaged from all things that obliged him to that yet the obligation to his friends is effectual and stands firm by indissoluble ties What makes his friendship most acceptable is that haveing a sincere heart and loving without interest he serves his friends without any fear of hazarding any thing for them and that being naturally merrily disposed his virtue hath nothing in it that is savage nothing harsh nor any thing that hinders him from having an innocent compliance for those he loves He makes them more sensible of the tenderness of his friendship by small things than divers others can do by great services For not only his countenance the accent of his speech and the things he says demonstrate the joy he conceives to see his friends when he hath been some time from them but even all his actions though he mind it not are expressions of his affection I shall never forget one day that he came to a place where he was expected by ten or twelve persons whom he affected much and they him no less for though it sems impossible a man should in an instant acquit himself of all that civility and friendship required of him upon such an occasion yet he came off admirably well and what by his actions what by his words what by his caresses what by his obliging earnestness and what by his joy he made them all understand that he was very much obliged to them that he was glad to see them that he loved them that he had a hundred things to tell them and in a word that he had for them all the sentiments they could wish he should have He spoke a word to one a word to another embraced two or three together he reached his hand to one Lady whispered to another spoke aloud to them all and it may be almost said that he went and came without changing place so much did he endeavor to give all that were about him satisfaction Thus have you a Character of Timantes who for friends in his retirement had some few virtuous men equally excellent with himself such as haveing been well acquainted with the World had forsaken it as a place where it was hard as well for those that had gotten Wisdom to preserve it as for those that had not to get it They are therefore resolved to separate themselves from the commerce of other men and have chosen this Mountain which is as it were a lesser World divided from the greater where they live
For what concerns me says Horatius I must attribute all my unhappiness to Constancy so far that if I would I should wish not to be constant but when all 's done since it is some comfort to find persons of worth of our judgment I shall be glad to know whether this Protector of Constancy be so excellent a person as I believe him Since you are all resolved replyes Aemilius I will describe Merigines to you he being a person so much concerned in the close of this History that I think it some obligation to give you an account of him Know then that Merigines is an Asian of very noble birth and virtuous inclinations He is tall of a good complexion all the linearnents of his face are very well made he is brown hair'd hath eyes full of spirit a noble air teeth admirably fair a pleasant smile and a fortunate and prudent Physiognomy He hath a clear understanding considers things as he should do and his wit and judgment hold such a correspondence that they never act one without another Sincerity discovers it self in all his actions and there is a perfect sympathy between his words and thoughts In a word he is a great professor of honor integrity and generosity he is a faithful friend and an earnest lover goodness he affects and professes he is eminent for politeness sweetness and complaisance his conversation is familiar and pleasant he argues smartly is a great lover of Books and is as well acquainted with them as a person of quality who doth not make it his profession should be For Morality he is very exact in it and if he be ask'd whence it comes that he is so excellent in it he answers that he is obliged for whatever there is of good in him to love That without him he would not be what he is and that if he be qualified as a person of worth he is the more obliged to a beauty who hath raised in his heart the desire of pleasing and the design of deserving her affection He makes all the pleasures of humane life to consist in friendship and love but when he loves his love is as great as it can be He is farther of the opinion that love smothers reason and that a Lover ought to do without any exception whatever the person he loves would have him In the mean time though he be somewhat inclined to a tumultuous life yet hath Philosophy raised in him a love of solitude and he often retires into a little wilderness that he hath made himself though there be not any thing that obliges him to that distance from the Court 'T is true he hath an illustrious friend in his neighborhood in whom he may find whatever the World thinks desirable since he is one that possesses all the virtues and whose politeness and wit are sutable to his generosity And for the place where Merigenes lives it is so pleasant and delightful that solitude was never so taking in any other place upon earth at least it might be said he hath an Arbor that is worth a Palace as I shall convince you anon So that with the assistance of a little conversation a few Books and abundance of love for virtue and liberty Merigenes is the happiest Solitary that ever was when he leaves the Court to go to his wilderness besides all this he is loved by many persons of honor insomuch that who should judge of him meerly by his friends would be soon sensible of part of his worth He is of a sweet and compliant disposition and there is in his humor such a just mixture of gladness and melanchoily that there issues from thence a very pleasant Tempertment For courage Merigenes is so well furnished as man can be and if his prudence did not check his ambition he would not be so great a lover of sollitude but he makes it so much his business to master himself that unless it be when love pleases he never obeys any thing but his reason This premised I am now to return to the fair Clarinta's where Teramus had no sooner understood the answer of Merigenes's friend but having commended his wit he set himself to oppose his Maxims but in such a pleasant manner that Caliantes Lisydas and Melicrates who pretended all to the glory of being accounted constant to Artilisa could not but be extreamly pleased with it For Clarinta she did not much discover her self but spoke in the praise of Constancy yet without blaming a gallant inconstancy For Alcimedes his inclination leading him to be extreamly earnest in any thing he desired he sided with Merigenes For my part says Teramus I am persuaded that as we have been taught that there is a Venus that is wholly serious called Venus Urania and that there is another that is absolutely amorous which is she that landed at the Island Cyprus so do I believe that there are two Loves whereof one is a froward child that is troublesome and untoward ever crying and knows not what he would have and the other an Infant newly awakened that plays laughs dances and makes sport and whose darts does but slightly touch their hearts whom he wounds as it were in jest Seriously says the Princess of Eryx smiling I think Teramus in the right for it were impossible there should be a people whose way of loving were so different if they were wounded by the same God But all considered since it is never just to condemn a person that cannot defend himself my opinion is that we should go and walk in Merigenes's Wilderness and conclude our conversation in his Arbor which hath been represented to me for so excellent a thing The Princesse of Eryx's proposal being approved by the whole company it was put in execution as soon as so many Chariots could be got ready as were necessary for the Ladies and horses for the men But not to give you a general description of the place of Merigenes's retirement I shall only entertain you with the particular rarities of the enchanted Arbor to the end that you may follow the fair Clarinta thither You are not to imagine it extraordinary magnificent for its greatest beauties are not within it self and all the commendations can be given it belong unto it only because it discovers the noblest objects in nature It is indeed reasonably large of a quadranguler figure its height sutable to its largeness the Architecture simple yet handsome the plain ground of it is Ionik the Tapistry is pleasant and what ever it is furnished with very convenient But what is most admirable in this Arbor is that it is open three ways and that at your entrance you discover three miraculous and different prospects whereof the least were enough to make a Palace most delightful For which way soever you cast your eye you see whatever the Country can afford that is most excellent The windows that are opposite to the door present you with the sight of a pleasant River which being
recounted to Belintha very exactly all that he had said to her and the adventure of Lysicrates's Letter very different from that of that ambitious Lover towards whom she found her hatred and contempt increas'd the more she began to esteem Hesiode In the mean time having read what Lysicrates had written to him and the Prince's Postscript she would oblige Hesiode to depart the next morning to go to him but he refus'd it and chose rather to hazard the Prince's displeasure than forsake Clymene and give her ground to believe that he was not capable of abandoning all for her sake Yet he return'd at length to Locri without having gain'd any thing upon the mind of this fair Virgin At the return of the Prince he excus'd himself the best he could without much earnestness but from that time getting always greater familiarity with the brothers of Clymene he was oftner in her Desart than at Court so that having such frequent occasions of speaking to her and testifying his love he began to shake the resolution she had taken of never loving any Nevertheless she conceal'd her sentiments for a long time although she knew none ever had a more tender passion than that of Hesiode for her He admir'd all that she spoke the least of her actions charm'd him he lov'd the same things that she did he observ'd even the places where she us'd most frequently to walk to the end he might go muse there alone when she was not there and he could not be with her Clymene on the other side understanding his worth virtue and love more resented a secret delight in being lov'd by Hesiode and though she believ'd not that she lov'd him yet she did not wish he would cease to love her But at length the constancy of Hesiode the counsels of Belintha and Clymene's own inclination caus'd her to consent that he might speak the most secret sentiments of his heart to her and by degrees she came to acknowledge that he had moved hers and that provided his affection were innocent and constant he might assure himself he should be tenderly belov'd Belintha also understood this strait engagement and was the only Confident of this virtuous love Hesiode desir'd then to oblige her to suffer him to speak to her relations that he might marry her but she told him that having been once deceiv'd she crav'd his pardon if she could not so soon trust his affection that she was a profest enemy to repentance and that to the end they might never repent of their mutual affection it was requisite they made yet a little longer tryal whether it were as firmly establisht as she desir'd In the mean time they did not cease to fancy to themselves a thousand contentments in a sweet and quiet life which they design'd to lead when their fortune should be inseparable In which expectation they enjoy'd a thousand innocent sweetnesses their love was tender delicate and ingenious to make them find out ways to render it secret Belintha alone knew all that past between these two persons for after Hesiode came to be favoured by his Mistriss he spoke no more of his passion to that friend of his to whom he had communicated something of it in the beginning A slave who was very faithful and ingenious called Troilus carried his Masters Letters and brought him the answers of them Hesiode and Clymene made little presents to one another of several gallant things which pass'd not in the sight of the World but for gifts of friendship though they were indeed testimonies of Love they told one another all their thoughts Hesiode writ nothing but he shew'd it to Clymene and Clymene had not a thought but she told it to her dear Hesiode She did that for him out of gallantry which Belintha told him she would never do for she gave him that beloved dog of hers for her kindness to whom she had been so much reproacht Thus by a thousand little obligations which afford the greatest pleasures of love when they are done with a certain way of dearness which redoubles the sensibility of the hearts of those to whom they are perform'd Hesiode and Clymene enjoy'd a thousand innocent pleasures In this conjuncture as all Courts are subject to sudden revolutions so great a disgust hapned between the Prince and Lysicrates upon occasion of an Office which he had dispos'd of that all the favor he could obtain of him was to have permission to abide at an antient house of his in the Countrey which was near to that where Clymene resided This disgrace of Lysicrates no doubt did not much afflict this fair Virgin nevertheless she was much troubled at his coming to be her neighbor and much more some days after when this disgraced Favorite finding her by chance in a Walk out of an odd humorousness of love felt his first flame so ardently rekindled that without sticking a moment he accosted Clymene and seeing her alone with two Women that follow'd her while her Aunt was walking at a good distance with an old Priest You see Madam said he to her that bad fortune returns me to you but I shall take it for good if you will please to forget all the crimes whereof you have accus'd me though they be not perhaps so great as you have believ'd them for you know I began to be ambitious only for your sake Is it possible Lysicrates answer'd she roughly that you can have the boldness to speak to me as you do and can you believe without having lost your reason that I am so poor of spirit as to endure your affection again No doubt you would be glad to find some consolation during your exile and that in a time wherein all your flatterers have forsaken you if I would admit of your flatteries but Lysicrates you are mistaken it can never be it will be much easier for you to make your peace with your Master than to obtain your pardon of your Mistress Bethink your self therefore of returning to Court and leave me in my desart for if you make a custom to come and trouble me I shall soon forsake it only to be at distance from a man whose discretion has been so bad as that he has chosen rather to follow capricious fortune who at length forsakes all whom she favors than to be faithful to a person who lov'd you sufficiently to esteem her self happy without the assistance of her benevolence I beseech you charming Clymene cry'd Lysicrates do not cast me into despair I consent that all my past services be lost do but you grant me the favour to begin anew to serve you without having any other right to your affection than that which a thousand diligences and respects may acquire for me in the time to come No no Lysicrates answer'd Clymene I will not do what you desire he that is once gone out of my heart never finds re-entrance If I hated you still added she with a coldness full of scorn
had given a thousand testimonies of Love for several years and receiv'd as many from that incomparable person he came by degrees to have an unequal Love if I may so speak that is to do things sometimes which denoted a violent passion and sometimes others which might make him suspected of having almost an indifference in his sentiments Yet he lov'd her all this while and sometimes even unto fury but after all there were tiâ—es in which his passion lay hid and wherein he was willing to find occasion to complain During one of those intervals of his Love and his absence the Elegy I am going to repeat to you was made ELEGY HEnce dismal melancholy from my breast Which hast too long my quiet dispossest Those pangs I feel I can no longer bear My pleasures past but cause my present fear And my afflicted Soul since hope is gone Sees and presages nought but griefs to come Griefs which distract me and continue still To murder daily what they cannot kill Love cruel Love the source of all my tears Unhappy they in whom thy power appears But happy he in whose untroubled breast No storms of Love disturb his Halcyon rest Not blest with pleasures yet secure from woe And jealousie and rage that with it go We should not then by dear experience see What fits of heat and cold in Love there be How near the brink of death and dire despair Th' imagin'd sweets of Love and pleasure are Nor those eternal torments should we know Which who least merits most shall undergo 'T is true a sad and cold indifference Makes us behold the World with negligence That without love there no desires can be Without desires too no felicitie That even with fortune we are drunk and cloy'd With plenty which by surfeit is enjoy'd But 't is a poor and despicable grief So light from tears it seeks for no relief Slight cares which the wild notes of birds allay And purling streams that o'er the pebbles play But yet that jewel liberty is kept And the lull'd Soul of too quick sense berest The headlong passions hush'd in careless dreams Fall from the force of their too fierce extremes Then 't is the pleasure of the day 's our own The glorious Sun and all he shines upon But yet is this a life depriv'd of love And can the Soul a greater torment prove Than not to love or not belov'd to be And all its passions circumscrib'd to see Within it self without the joy to know The price of sighs and tears that gently flow Of amorous regards and thousand charms That change to pleasures griefs most fierce alarms Ev'n sorrows have their pleasures tears their time Of joy Vain Fools that think sweet love a crime A constant love will still a vertue â—e Then let us Daphnis still affect though he All cool and temperate with equal fires Meets not my flames my more refin'd desires Feed on those pleasures which my love inspires Wretch that I am but is it just my love On swifter measure than his passion move Suffering such ills his careless heart can ne'er Resent that heart which ought those ills to share Whom duty binds for me alone to live And no just cause for my complaints to give He that a thousand solemn Oaths hath swore He knew no bliss but only to adore That time and age should find him still the same His heart for ever burning in my flame Nor should his passion ever know an end Or any else to love so well pretend Yet this ingrate my absence can support Whilst my weak spirit makes its last effort To bear his want would he my sorrows weigh Obdurate as he is he could not stay But judging Elismena 's heart by his He ne'er can understand her miseries Insensible he never feels my woe Though yet methinks he cannot chuse but know The griefs I bear careless of my complaint Perhaps he makes a Court to some new Saint His absence shews he must inconstant be That day kind powers let me never see Obliging fate first end my days before I hear the perjur'd Daphnis loves no more Away fond jealousie he cannot prove A faithless lover to a faithful love An amorous heart can ne'er forego its chains Since for his sake I suffer amorous pains Daphnis my causless jealousie forgive Daphnis for me and I for him do live Our faith shall late posterity approve And ours shall be the measure of their love Yet spight of hope suspicion and despair By turns my hearts divided Empire share But still those chagrins doubts despair and fears Injurious words hard thoughts and sighs and tears Are loves effects and with one voice they cry Daphnis for thee Daphnis for thee I dye As soon as Lucia had done repeating these Verses to Plotina Ha! Lucia said this amiable Virgin if you think you have hurt Martius by repeating these Verses to me you are mistaken for I find them so dear and passionate that I am perswaded he that could inspire a very excellent person with such amorous sentiments must needs be such himself and one that knows how to love for such Verses as these would never have been made for an indifferent How Plotina cry'd Lucia can you reason in this manner and esteem a man who has been capable of changing his sentiments and having only a faint and languishing affection for a rare person whom he ardently lov'd and by whom he was always dearly affected For a person I say who had absolutely given him her heart and who as you may see by the Verses I have recited to you had the most tender sentiments in the world for this inconstant Lover Be it how it will said Plotina I cannot place a Lover who ceases to have an ardent love in the rank of inconstants If you account him not in that rank answer'd Lucia then you must reckon him amongst the perfidious for as I conceive 't is perfidiousness to cease to love a person who always loves you with the same ardency For my part said I I am perswaded all change may be term'd inconstancy and though a man become not servant to another Mistress yet if he cease to love the first without cause he is inconstant I know not very well reply'd Plotina whether according to exact reason that which you say be inconstancy but I know the custome of the world calls such a man as Lycastes unconstant who has lov'd several Mistresses one after another and sometimes several together but such a one as Martius is not so term'd who has only diminish'd his diligences But would you like well said Lucia that Martius should cease to love after you had married him I should not answer'd she but I conceive the Lovers who cease to be such after they have married their Mistresses are not always in fault for indeed most women when they are married are negligent refractory and perverse towards their husbands and many times too guilty of levity and causless jealousie So
respective and amorous than he used So as after all her endeavours to recal Spurius both by sweetness and jealousie she found her self like to lose the only Lover which she had remaining though she was fair and wittie As for Spurius he still thought himself very happy although he had no reason As for Herminius and Valeria they were both well satisfied and had good cause for it But as it is impossible to love long without some rub a chance hapned that vexed them both and which might very well do so For you must know that the jealousie of Volesus being augmented and Salonina fearing to lose him she resolved to renounce her design of recalling Spurius But in seeking to justifie her self towards Volesus she was not sorry to do any mischief unto Spurius or unto Valeria also whom she loved not So as endeavouring all she could to piece Spurius and Volesus together the occasion presently offered it self She met with 't in Domitia's Chamber it chanced that Salonina was sitting between Volesus and Spurius And it chanced also that the company was very great that day And that the Ladies which sate by Spurius and Volesus being gone Salonina and they were separated a good space from the rest of the company As for Herminius though he did not often apply himself unto Valeria before company yet since the approach of hiding his Love over-much was laid to his charge he Courted her this day more than ordinary So as Spurius seeing his Rival with his Mistress and could not leave Salonina without two apparent incivility he kept his place Salonina making use of this unexpected occasion both to cure Volesus to vex Spurius and spite Valeria she turned toward Spurius and addressing her speech to him with a disdainful smile Since I am naturally very pitiful said she unto him I think it an act of charity to comfort you for the ill success you have in all your enterprises of Gallantry For truly as full of merit as Herminius is I think Valeria ought to prefer you before him though upon no other reason but because you love her more than he All Ladies in general replied Spurius faintly are so apt to be unjust that if this misfortune do befall me yet it is not the first time Salonina understanding his meaning was afraid lest Volesus should hear and understand So as beginning to speak again hastily without answering to what he had said she told him that he was more beholding to her than he was aware of For Volesus knows that I being full of acknowledgement for all the services which heretofore you have done me I was very sorry to see you engaged in the service of a Lady whose heart is not in her own power and perhaps I have endeavoured to disengage you without any other intention but to break those chains which unless you do undeceive your self will grow more heavy upon you every day For truly continued this crafty Lady Volesus knows very well that I had never endeavoured your Re-engagement to me but only to disengage you from Valeria as much my Friend as she is For I being better able to penetrate into her heart than you I was sorry to see how she made use of you only as a Cloak to hide the inclination she had unto Herminius But since I perceive you do ill interpret my meaning I leave you to your own bad destinie and declare that I will never again endeavour to Re-engage you to my service nor dis-engage you from the service of Valeria Whilst Salonina was speaking this Spurius unluckily looked at Valeria as she was talking to Herminius and had then in her eyes such a passionate and sweet obligingness that he blusht So as it might be said that the looks of Valeria did more perswade Spurius to believe what Salonina said than all the Language of that crafty Lady could So as then not rejecting what this envious friend said as he had upon other occasions and Volesus making one in this Conversation it grew at last a Conversation of real confidence on Spurius his side and false confidence of the side of Volesus and Salonina whose aims yet were not alike For Volesus talked with Spurius only to make him understand that Salonina had no design of Love upon him And Salonina had no other intention but to keep him from being in love with Valeria For as envie doth prepossess the mind as well as Love Salonina did not think that in making Spurius jealous she should augment his Love to Valeria And indeed Spurius at that instant growing jealous he did become much more in Love than before And chance also would have it that the conversation of the day did augment this growing jealousie For be pleased to know that Valeria after she had done talking with Herminius when Spurius had observed the sweetness of her looks she began to chide Salonina for separating her self from the company with two such Gallants as Spurius and Volesus So as being all joyned together and Prince Titus with Collatina being come they fell insensibly to talk of Amity and Love Some said that Amity ought to be preferred before Love because the pleasures of it are more tranquil And others that Love ought to be preferred before Amity because the sweets of it are infinitely more sensible I conceive said Herminius it is not impossible to joyn these two kinds of Pleasures together and I affirm that to make a Love durable it is requisite that a woman be both the Friend and the Mistress of her Lover I say further that if Amity do precede Love in the heart of a Lover his Passion will be stronger more durable more respectful and also more ardent Spurius hearing Herminius say so he made an application of what he said as unto himself So as out of those sparks of jealousie which began to grow in him He began to contradict him and to maintain that Love and Amity cannot be both in the heart of one and the same person For said he these two are so little resemblant as it cannot be conceived they should at one instant be together without so confounding each other as they cannot both be discerned They do confound themselves indeed replied Herminius but it is so as two Rivers which meet and mingle yet in mixing said Titus these two Rivers make but one I do confess it replied Herminius yet the Waters of both the Rivers are there though they cannot be separated and that River which is the most famous and alters the name of the other which it hath received is the better and more fit to bear great boats If Tiber which hath received forty and two Rivers into its Channel had only the original water of its source it would be but a petty brook It is almost the very same in love for to speak sincerely to cause love barely there needs no high spirit great merit great beauty great generosity nor any taking charms in conversation there needs no more
than youth and occasions of seeing The order that Nature hath established is sufficient to be get this simple bare Love as well as in Birds that sing in their seasons But then as for great and high passions it is requisite to have all the ingredients that are necessary unto great and perfect amities I do very well understand what you say replied Spurius but yet I understand it with this difference That a constant love ought to be grounded upon esteem whereas you conceive it ought to be upon Amity Esteem and Amity are so oft together replyed Herminius as it is easie to take the one for the other For one can hardly have a very great esteem of any without loving them also not but that I know one may sometimes esteem enemies but that is such an esteem as has limits and it may be said they esteem their good qualities but not them for as I conceive it is high injustice to hate any whom they highly esteem I think then I was not much amiss when I said that amongst persons who see each other every day great esteem and amitymeet often together and therefore since you agree that a constant Love ought to be grounded upon esteem you will easily confess that it may also be grounded upon Amity When one begins to have affection unto a person with his reason free and disengaged from all prejudice he shall know all his good qualities he will see them without illusion and he will be assured that he can never see them otherwise but on the contrary when Love springs by the eyes in an instant he does not see things as they are so as upon the least disgust that happens his prejudicate fancy diminishing he sees his Mistress far otherwise than he saw her before and seeing what he saw not before his thoughts also change and he thinks not what he thought before But a Love that has amity mixed with it there is almost nothing but death that can extinguish it I do conceive indeed said Spurius that when a Mistress has all the necessary qualities requisite in a true and generous friend Love is more strong but I do not conceive how Amity can become Love and though I should conceive it yet I cannot agree that Love and Amity can subsist together but think that this affection does change into another Nature I conceive said Herminius that a great esteem which begets a great and tender amity may also easily become Love But replyed Spurius why should it not become love at the first For a thousand different reasons answered Herminius and for a thousand reasons which we our selves do not know though they be hid in us for the same natural reason and instinct which teacheth all Children to hold up their hands when they fall lest they should hurt their heads though they were never taught it the same instinct I say makes a man who begins to look upon a woman of vertue modesty and wisdom not to love her at the very first because hope which often precedes this passion or at least begins with it does not stir any such motions in him as are apt to beget an ardent affection It may be also that this man who begins to be a friend unto any amiable woman has then some wandring thoughts another way which hinders his heart from being so pregnant of Love But when esteem begets Amity when familiarity augments it and when the heart of a generous man is free and capable of passion if an amiable woman become kind and tender towards such a friend he easily becomes a lover For certainly it is easier for a heart already warmed with an ardent amity to fall into ardent love than a heart that is indifferent and I affirm further that the amity which a woman bears unto a man may make him more in love with her than he would have been had she not been at all tender towards him For my part said Valeria then had I a Lover and should discover such a temper in him I should dislike it I would indeed have him in amity before he be in Love but I would have it to be the knowledge of merits that should change the nature of his affection and not the signs and symptomes of my amity Madam replied Herminius in consenting that his love should arise from the knowledge of your merits you consent also that the symptomes of your amity do contribute something unto it for Amity as I conceive is part of the merit of a generous person and for my particular I should be sooner melted by the tenderness of a generous heart than by her beauty only But for all that this does not detract any thing from the glory of a Lady who is loved upon that ground for all her tenderness would not move if she had not many excellent qualities besides which render her so precious So as when Amity becomes love in the heart of a lover or to say better this love mixeth it self with Amity without extinguishing it there is nothing so sweet as this kind of love for as violent as it is yet it is always more regulated than ordinary love it is more durable more tender more respectful and more ardent yet not subject to so many tumultuous whimsies as that love is which is without amity But still you must confess with me said Spurius that this Amity becomes Love and does absolutely change its Nature I have already told you upon this subject replyed Herminius That Love and Amity do mix together like two Rivers the Nobler whereof carries away the name of the other But for all that the water of the lesser is as well there as that of the greater so as though a friend which is become a Lover does say always that he is in love and not say that he is in Amity yet certainly both of them are in his heart though he can hardly discern them And it is most constantly true that a Love of this temper is more perfect than the other To shew that Amity and Love are all one said Spurius in the heart of a friend that is become a Lover I need only to instance that commonly when a man in love ceases to be in love there remains nothing in his heart but hatred or indifferency so as it must consequently follow that amity is quite turned into love or at least goes along with it This happens sometimes replied Herminius but it happens very often that Love cools and Amity still remains For my particular said Valeria I had rather one should be indifferent towards me nay hate me than to be no more than in amity after he once loved me For if one should hate me I might believe that perhaps he loved me though unknown and that his hatred was a disguised Love But as for Amity which remains after Love I look upon it as a dead Love that has no heat in it and good for nothing I know very well added she that almost all