Arsace was enrag'd hereat and commanded her to be struck Carry said she this Victim bound as she is to let her Lover see how gloriously she returns his Constancy command Euphrates to load her all over with Chains and leave them together till the Persian Magistracy shall be assembled to morrow for her Condemnation By this time the Maid that serv'd the Wine was brought in She was an Ionian Slave and the same that by Arsace was appointed to wait on Chariclea Whether therefore she was mov'd with kindness to her or by Divine Impulsion she sigh'd and wept most bitterly O wretched Creature said she and void of all Crime The standers-by being in wonder hereat and urging her to speak plainly she confessed that she her self gave the Poyson to Cybele having receiv'd it first from her to administer it to Chariclea That whether it was through concern at so unwonted a Practice or whether mistaking the Signs of Cybele ordering to minister first to Chariclea she changed the Cups and gave the Poyson to the Old Lady She was therefore led to Arsace as thinking she should please her in clearing Chariclea But when she had given her this account Arsace commanded her also to be taken into Custody as an Accomplice in the fact and to be kept for the next days Session She also summon'd the Persian Magistrates by Messengers to be ready When therefore they were sat early in the morning Arsace gave in her Accusation telling all that had past condoling also with Tears the loss of the person that bred her who was dearer to her than her life appealing to the Judges with how much courtesie she had treated the stranger who in return had done her such Injury Chariclea answer'd nothing to the Charge but confest the Crime affirming that she gave the Poyson adding also that she would likewise have taken off Arsace had she not been prevented For having told her resolutions over-night to Theagenes and conferr'd with him she resolv'd to undergo any manner of Death to depart from a life so full of trouble of implacable Fortune and endless Wanderings she there bid him her last farewel The Bracelet and Jewels with the rest that were expos'd with her which she always secretly preserv'd she now placed next to her Body carrying as it were with her the Rites of her Funeral She therefore own'd every Crime that was alledg'd and more than were charg'd For which reason the Judges hardly forbore from inflicting the outmost Tortures after the Persian manner yet moved with her Youth and Beauty they only sentenc'd her to die by Fire She was therefore seiz'd by the Guards and hurry'd forth beyond the Walls the Beadle continually crying out That it was for Poyson that she suffer'd a vast multitude from the City following them Some of them had seen her led to Tryal others by reason of the rumour spread all over the City came to have a view of her Arsace was also present and sat a Spectator on the Wall For it would have troubled her not to have beheld Chariclea suffer When therefore the Officers had raised a great Pile and set Fire thereunto Chariclea begg'd respite from those that led her saying That she would of her own accord ascend the Pile O Sun and Earth she cryed out O powers above and you that below take Vengeance on wicked Souls you are witnesses that I am Innocent of all that is laid to my Charge But that I my self willingly submit to Death for the intolerable troubles which I sustain Receive me therefore with favour However take vengeance of this Arsace for whose crimes I suffer she is an Adultress and does this to deprive me of my Husband When she had thus spoken the people thouted some saying That she should be reserv'd for another Tryal others endeavouring to rescue her in the mean time she ascended the Pile where for a long while she stood unhurt the Fire rather circling about than approaching her serving only to make her Beauty more conspicuous and adorning the Pile as it were a Nuptial Bed. She passed from one part to another admiring at what happen'd and tempting Death but in vain for the flame still turn'd off from her The Officers in the mean time omitted nothing on their part Arsace also beckning to them from the Wall to do their duty wherefore they heap'd on more combustible matter Neither could they thus prevail The Citizens were troubled thinking there was some Divine Assistance and cry'd out That she was innocent Several approaching to the Pile took off the Torturers Thyamis beginning and encouraging the people thereunto for the clamour had now brought him abroad Being therefore desirous to deliver Chariclea they durst not themselves approach the Fire but call'd to her to come out for that there could be no danger for her to leave the Fire who had continu'd therein without hurt She hearing this and judging herself to be preserv'd by Divine Providence would not be Ingrateful and refuse their favour She therefore leapt down from the Pile As the Multitude for Joy and Amazement shouted out Arsace not able to bear it ran down from the Walls through a little Gate and with a strong Guard of Persians laid hands on Chariclea Then looking sternly upon the People Are you not asham'd said she to rescue from punishment a Woman that is a Witch and Poysoner by her own Confession While you give her aid you do violence to the Persian Laws to the Judges Deputy and King himself You are mistaken in imputing her delivery to the Gods Will you not come to your sences and find that this is the effect of her Witchcraft in which she has such command as even to restrain the power of Fire Assemble therefore to morrow in Common Council and you shall not only hear her Confession but also those of her Accomplices whom I have in Custody Herewithal she led her away herself going next to her and commanding the Guards to keep off the Crowd But the People were enrag'd part of them had thoughts of resistance part of them having still some suspicion of her Witchcraft and the rest fearing the Power of Arsace Chariclea therefore is once more deliver'd to Euphrates and loaded with more Irons reserved for a second Sentence and Execution But still blessing her fortune in seeing Theagenes and conferring with him about what had passed For Arsace had so order'd it out of Malice that the young pair might behold each others misery and be mutually afflicted with each others sufferings For she knew that the torment of the person belov'd more affected the Lover than the party that suffer'd But it was by them esteem'd as an Advantage to see each others Constancy It was some relief to converse together and comfort one another with the consideration that what they endur'd was upon the account of Truth and Vertue After they had till midnight discours'd in such a manner as was proper for Lovers that were never more to
the meaning then replied Theagenes of your Speech in that famous Assembly when you called me your Brother methought it was a fine invention putting Thyamis out of jealousie of our Love and making way that we might freely be together I approved your Story of the Countrey of Ionia and of a Voyage to Delos for they were things like Truths and led the Hearers in a pleasing Error but to accord so freely to a Marriage to article and set down the time before such multitudes of People I neither could nor would conjecture what it meant but wished the Earth would open and devour me ere I should see my hopes and services repaid with such Ingratitude At these Words Chariclea imbracing Theagenes and weeping How well I take these Fears said she that torment you for my sake since they make me know in the extremity of our Adversities your Affection is the same it was but assure your self Theagenes if I had not carried it thus we should not at this time have had the freedom to confer together for to be wilful and to run a contrary course to the desires of one more powerful than our selves begets but a stronger opposition whilst yielding words applied to the motion of the Will presently appeaseth the first heat and by the sweetness of a Promise lays the Appetite to sleep forasmuch as they that love after a gross rustick way if at the first essay they get consent they think they have done enough and making sure they shall enjoy the content they wish their Spirit is in more repose and goes floating in their hope This Consideration made me yield to Thyamis in words only commending the Sequel to the Gods and the Genius that from the beginning hath taken our chaste Love into his Patronage oftentimes a day or two put off hath been greatly advantageous to the miserable and brought means of safety when no humane Prudence could work it therefore for the present I deferred him avoiding a Certainty for an Vncertainty but we must do this artificially and conceal it as a slight at the Weapon from our Enemies even from Knemon for though he be full of Courtesie and hath done many Favours for us and is as we are a Grecian yet he is as we are a Captive and therefore if occasion should be offered more likely to gratifie his Conqueror than us the Conquered for neither the time of his Acquaintance nor his being our Countreyman are sufficient Pledges to us of his Fidelity and therefore if at any time he touches at our Affairs you must deny the Truth for the Lye is not evil that does good to the Author and no hurt to the Hearer As Chariclea was discoursing thus Knemon entred all in a sweat and manifesting a great perturbation by his countenance Here Theagenes take this Herb he said and apply it to your Wounds we must prepare our selves for greater hurts Theagenes praying him to speak plain The consideration of the time said he will not let you hear me out for it is to be feared the effect will prevent my Words but follow me you and Chariclea and so led them both to Thyamis whom he found busied in furbishing an Armour and sharpning the point of a Javelin This is to the purpose said Knemon that you have your Arms so near you put them on presently and command every one to do the like for I have discovered such a cloud of enemies coming as I never saw before they are not far off for having descried them from the top of the Hill where I was gathering Herbs I have brought you the News with all the speed I could and in traversing the Lake I have given warning to your Men to be in a readiness for their defence Thyamis hearing this suddenly started up and demanded where Chariclea was as fearing more for her than for himself and Knemon having shewed her standing at the Door Go said Thyamis in his ear take her with thee into the Cave where we conceal our Treasure and when thou hast conveyed her down and covered the mouth of the Cave with the Stone that useth to lie upon it pr'ythee Friend return with all celerity mean time we will give order for the Fight then he commanded his Page to seek him a fat Beast that having sacrificed to the Gods Protectors of the Place they might joyn Battel This while Knemon doing his Commands led away Chariclea that sighed and lamented and at every step she went turned back her eyes towards Theagenes at length they came to the Cave where Knemon immediatly carried her down The Place was not a work of Nature as we see many both above and under the ground but it was a Vault wrought out of the Rock by the industry of the Aegyptian Thieves and imitating Nature artificially hollowed to contain their Spoyls the Entry was narrow and obscure and conveyed into a little Cell the Threshold Stone whereof was a Door that opened and shut easily and gave another passage for descent into the Cave when necessity required within it were cut many Trenches and Meanders that went turning of either side sometimes alone sometimes mixing together like the Roots of Trees till they came to the bottom and there they end in a large and spacious Plain whereinto enters a little Light by certain clefts and crannies in the Earth above Knemon that by practice knew the turnings having brought Chariclea to the bottom endeavoured to comfort her the best he could assuring her he and Theagenes would come and see her soon at Night and that he would not suffer him to fight nor come within the danger and so he left her not able to speak one Word but fainting as if she had been struck to death and deprived of her Soul in her Theagenes and closing up the Cave could not himself refrain from weeping both that he should be forced to execute so hard a Command and in compassion of her Fortune whom he had almost buried alive and sealed up in Night and Darkness the perfectest Workmanship of Nature then he made haste to Thyamis whom he found compleatly armed and with his Oration exciting those that were about him for standing in the midst of them he said My Companions in Arms I do not think it needful to trouble you with many Words you need no admonition War is your Trade and now the Enemy is so near us he cuts off Discourse he comes upon us to force our Trenches with his Sword and we must answer him in his own Language I have nothing else to say but that now you are not only to defend your Wives and Children which hath been Motive sufficient for others to fight to the last man though if we be Conquerors such small things and many of greater moment wil be in our power but your Lives are now at stake for the War among Thieves was never ended by Treaty nor secured by League but the Survivors must be Conquerors and the Conquered must die
like them only our Country-men did more admire Theagenes and the Thessalians the fair Chariclea for the sight of a new thing doth far more ravish us than what we usually behold but O sweet deception with how much joy did you transport me when I hoped you saw and would shew me my Souls beloved Children but you do nothing else but mock me for though at the beginning of my Discourse you promised me they would come immediatly and I should see them and in recompence before hand I have made you this Narration yet now it grows Night and they appear not Let not that trouble you said Knemon for take my Word they will be here though perhaps some hindrance upon the way may intervene and make then come later than the appointed hour yet if they were here you should not see them till I had received my whole Reward Therefore if you hasten to their presence perform your promise and lead the Discourse you have begun to and end I do both shun reply'd Calasiris the discourse that may bring my sorrows fresh into my memory and I also doubt it that my long talking had been tedious to you but since you are so covetous of hearing let us begin where we left Having first lighted a Lamp and made our offerings to the Divinities of the Night and performed our usual Ceremonies to them we may go on with our History without being troubled with Phantasms Presently a Servant at his command brought in a Lamp burning and he pouring out a little of the Oyl upon the Earth made his Libation invoking all the Gods beseeching a Night of Happy Dreams conjuring them with all the Power of Prayers that his beloved Theagenes and Chariclea might appear to him in his Sleep Now Knemon after the Procession thus passing had gone round about the Sepulcher of Neoptolemus and the troop of Horse had thrice wheeled about it the Women began to fill the Air with funeral Cryes and the men with a wild Howling then the Oxen Sheep and Goats at a Signal given were immediately Sacrificed as if one blow had cut all their Throats Lastly all these Beasts being laid upon a great Altar and six hundred Billets under them they Prayed the Priest of Apollo to begin the Sacrifice and give Fire to the Wood Charicles reply'd the Sacrifice did only belong to him but the Firing of the Altar to the Captain of the Sacred Legation receiving the Torch at the Hands of the Priestess of Diana for so it was established in the Ceremonial This he said and began to make the offering while Theagenes took the Torch from the hand of Chariclea sure Knemon that the Soul is a divine thing and allied to the superior nature we know by its Operations and Functions assoon as these two beheld each other their Souls as if acquainted at first sight pressed to meet their equals in worth and Beauty at first they remained amazed and without motion at length though slowly Chariclea gave and he received the Torch so fixing their Eyes on one another as if they had been calling to remembrance where they had met before then they smiled but so stealingly as could hardly be perceived but a little in their Eyes and as ashamed they hid away the Motions of Joy with Blushes and again when Affection as I imagine had ingaged their Hearts they grew pale To conclude in a little space a thousand changes wandred in their Faces both in their Colour and their Eyes deciphering Trouble in their Sorrows The Vulgar knew not this being according to their Imployment busied and intentive upon other matters Charicles observed it not being hindred with making the accustomed Prayers and Invocations but I ever after the Oracle was pronounced to Theagenes sacrificing in the Temple did nothing else but note all the Actions of this young Couple conjecturing by their Names that it was meant of them Chariclea signifying in your Language Grace and Glory and Theagenes born of a Goddess yet I did not hitherto exactly understand what the later part of the Oracle intended But after though long first and as it were by force Theagenes was parted from Chariclea he fired the Altar and so at length the Pomp brake up the Thessalians going to Feast the rest of the People every one departing to their Houses and Chariclea covering her self in her white Mantle accompained with some few Ladies her Familiars returned to her Lodging within the Verge of the Temple for she dwelt not with her supposed Father separating her self from him lest he should have too much opportunity to perswade her to a Marriage This I had seen and the rest that I imagined making me still more inquisitive I chanc'd to meet with Charicles he asked me Hast thou seen the Light of mine and all the eyes of Delphos Chariclea This is not the first time I have seen her I replyed but often before as often as the People were assembled in the Temple and that not as passing by but she hath many times Sacrificed together with me and when at any time she doubted of Divine or Humane things she hath put Questions to me and been instructed by me But how did she shew to day said Charitles Did she add any ornament to the Ceremony Would you heve me tell you how the Moon excells the Stars said I But some commended the Young Thessalian said Charicles and gave him the second place yes and the third too I replyed but the Crown and Eye of all the Pomp was really acknowledged to be your Daughter this pleased Charicles at the Heart and I by speaking the truth did prepare way to my Aim being only to make the man confident in me who smiling told me he was then going to her and that if it pleased me I should go along with him to visit her and know if the great preses and tumult of the people had not troubled her I was glad of the of fer yet I seemed to neglect some other business to attend him When we were come to the Lodgings where she had retired her self we entred her Chamber and found her languishing upon her Bed not able to rest Love bathing in the Moisture of her Eyes she imbracing her Father as she was accustomed and he asking her how she did she said her Head aked and that she would willingly take a little rest At this Charicles troubled went with me out of the Chamber commanding her Attendants to make no Noise and when we were without the Doors Oh good Calasiris said he what doth this mean What indisposition has seized on my Child You need not wonder I replyed if in so great a Multitude of People as attended the Procession she hath perhaps attracted the Poison of some envious Eye Charicles smiling at these words as in derision do you also said he believe with the Vulgar that there is any Fascination or Bewitching by the Eye I do believe it I replyed as an Opinion grounded upon truth and thus
talk together they at last talk'd of the Miracle that happen'd about the Fire Theagenes imputed it to the kindness of the Gods who shewed their Indignation against the unjust Decree of Arsace but Chariclea was doubtful That Accident said she seems to have come by Divine Providence but to be reserv'd only for greater Misfortunes cannot proceed from the Gods unless they have secretly decreed to give relief at the greatest Extremity Theagenes advis'd her to think more honourably of the Divine Powers Be propitious to us O ye Deities said he Was it a Dream or Reality which now comes into my mind it happen'd the last night but one I know not how I came to forget it but it now returns to my Memory The Dream was a Verse which Calasiris seem'd to expound The words were these Thee from the Flame Pantarbe's Pow'r shall guard Strange Force but nothing to the Gods is hard Theagenes now seem'd inspir'd and leap'd forth as far as his Chains would permit crying Be merciful to us ye Gods. For I further remember another Oracle deliver'd to me by a like Prophet whether it were Calasiris or some God is his form containing these Words You with the Nymph shall Aethiop reach and be To morrow from Arsace's Bondage free That which concerns me herein I understand for those Mansions of the Dead under-ground seem proper to the Land of Aethiopia By the Maid I suppose Proserpine is meant with whom I shall inhabit and my freedom from Chains my departure from this Body But what can the Rhime contain concerning you which consists of Contradictions for wherea Pantarbe signifies fearing all things yet it commands not to fear the Flame Then said Chariclea continuance of calamities my Theagenes makes persons hope thhe worst in all things for people usually accommodate their Minds to their Fortune But I have better hopes of this Prophecy than you What if I am the Nymph with whom you are to arrive into Aethiopia after you have escaped from the Bonds of Arsace But how that shall be is neither manifest nor credible to us but to the Gods it may be possible Let them take care of that who gave the Prophecy That part which related to me you have already seen accomplished in my wonderful preservation And though at that time I knew not that I carry'd my safeguard about me yet I now understand that I did Those precious things that were expos'd with me in my Infancy I have always accustom'd to carry conceal'd about me to supply our necessities when brought to the last difficulty but if Death should overtake me to answer the Charge of my Funeral Amongst these Theagenes there are Bracelets of great value with Indian and Aethiopian Stones with a certain Ring given by my Father to my Mother in which is the Stone call'd Pantarbe set in a Square with Sacred Letters about it It seems to have some Divine Virtue in it by which it repell'd the power of the Flames preserving those that carry it from any hurt I conjecture and know so much by what was suggested by the Divine Calasiris who told me That the same was expressed in the Writings that were found with me This seems probable said Theagenes by the Deliverance that you have had but what Pantarbe shall defend us from to morrows danger For though it should still defend from the Fire it cannot give Immortality and Arsace's Malice will contrive some more violent means to destroy us And would to Heaven that the same sort of Death and in the same hour would dispatch us both I should think this Death but a Release from all our sufferings Take heart said Chariclea we have another Pantarbe promis'd in the Oracle While they were employ'd in these Considerations each affirming That the others misery more afflicted them than their own obliging themselves by mutual Oaths to preserve their Loves and Vertue to Death It being now in the very dead of night Bagoas with his fifty Horse arriv'd at Memphis When they had waken'd the Sentinels and had given account of themselves they were immediately receiv'd into the Deputies Palace Bagoas left this Company without to guard the House to be ready for his Defence if any Resistance were made He himself in the mean time went a private way easily forcing the Doors and commanding Silence to the place where Euphrates was the Moon not being yet quite set finding him therefore in Bed he awaken'd him who in disorder cry'd out Who are you It is I said Bagoas command a light to be brought in He therefore order'd the Boy that waited on him to bring in a Taper so as to disturb none of the rest When this was done and the Boy departed What Mischief said Euphrates has occasion'd this untimely and unexpected Arrival There needs not many words said Bagoas read these Letters but before take notice of the Seal and know that Oroondates sent them and that it is as much as your Life is worth not to perform what they import When Euphrates had run over the Letters As for Arsace said he she will be sorry having yesterday fallen into a Fever which still continues so violent that there is small hope of her Life But for my part I would not deliver these Letters to her though she herself ask'd for them for I know she would destroy both her self and us before she would send away the young Pair Know however that you are come in good time to take them away and must therein use your utmost endeavour Take compassion on them they having suffer'd a hundred Tortures unwillingly inflicted by me but enjoyn'd by Arsace They seem however of Noble Birth and for the Experience that I have had of them of Vertuous Coversation Having said this he brought him to the Prison where Bagoas no sooner beheld them though wasted with Watchings and Torture yet he was astonished at their Stature and Beauty But they supposing that Bagoas was come at that silent time of the Night to lead them to a Clandestine Execution were a little troubled But soon recovering a chearful countenance they made it appear how little they were concern'd Euphrates now coming up and knocking out the Wooden Peg with which their Irons were joyned Take your Sacrifice Arsace he cry'd out She thinks in night and darkness to conceal her horrid Crime but the Eye of Justice is sharp in discovering and bringing to Light the Deeds of Darkness Do you execute what you are commanded and whether Fire Sword or Water is determin'd against us let us only have the same Death Chariclea desired the same The Eunuchs weeping led them forth in their Chains When they were come out of the Deputies house Euphrates starid there But Bagoas with his fifty Horse having taken off their Bonds and left only what might secure but not burden them mounting them on several Horses and putting them in the middle of the Guards made towards Thebes as fast as he could When they had travell'd all