so obserue as their merits may purchase from him so great a grace as to be able to choose fittest loues his power must not be limited nor his gouernment mixed as if he had a counsell set about him or a protector ouer him his knowledge wanting no aduice his knowledge neuer knowing partner who is in truth all wisdome all knowledge all goodnesse all truth he must not haue it said that loue with discretion is the truest loue since in truth of loue that is but a bastard brought vp at home like a right borne child and yet is his iudgement such as hee makes discretion shine through all his acts but how as a seruant to his greater power as if your heart should command your tongue to deliuer what it thinkes but discreetly to doe it so as offence may not proceede from it here is discretion and yet the tongue is but the hearts messenger Leandrus whose end was to procure fauour not to contend wittily tooke hold of this last speech thinking it better to make this the introduction to his loue then any longer to waite or expect occasion offered which if once but let slip seldome comes againe so as letting her louelinesse and her owne words to be the beginning and meanes for his affections knowledge he answered thus Madam said he it is most true that the tongue is but the hearts messenger yet messengers from such a part are to haue and carry credence then let my tongue bee the deliuerer to you of the most feruent affection that euer heart bare to Princesse with the truest and vnfaigned loue disdaine not then my affection since I will with loyalty and seruice deserue your fauour as wel or better then any man breathing a Crowne I will adde to yours and the soueraigne command of Leandrus but what talke I of a Crowne to her who weares the crowne of all vertues My Lord said she I cannot but thanke you for your princely offer but it must bee my fathers liking with the consent of my nearest and dearest friends that can set any other Crowne on my head then that which my people haue already setled there and the consent of so great a people and so louing to me must not be neglected what vertues are in me shall appeare through the obedience I owe and will pay to his Maiesty and the rest therefore I am altogether vnable to giue you satisfaction any further then this It is you that must may say all said he Then can you haue no answer said she Why are you not cryd Leandrus soueraigne of your selfe by Iudgement yeares and authoritie vnlimited by fortunes by gouernment and the loue of your Parents which will goe with you in my choice These still are but the threads that tie my dutie replide the Queene but if they consent said he wil you eternise my happinesse with your agreeing Giue me leaue first said Pamphilia to know their minds and that can be no hinderance nor furtherance of your affaires nor shall my answere bee more displeasing to you then now it might be Your doubtfull answer will breede despaire in me cryd he It were much safer said she to doubt then vainely to nurse hope Then bent she her walke homeward which he durst not withstand though fearelesse of any man or monster yet trembled hee in her presence both they went and so continued both louing both complaining and neither receiuing comfort he beholding her and in her seeing no affection nor cause of hope shee seeing him but with eyes of thankefull respect without loue yet went he further and so still made the greater distance Yet was not this all for her loue was set not to be stirred or mooued to other course then whether the fortune of her choice did guide her She sigh'd he thought it did become her and so sigh'd too she grew pale and sad so did he wanting what he sought Shee oft-times would discourse of loue he thought it was the prittiest theame and answerd her in that Shee would complaine of men accuse their fickelnesse and change hee ioyned though contrary in sexe to speake of women and their slightings Thus they agreed though in a different kind and both did please because they both did loue He stroue by some pleasing talke in a third person to bewaile his case she would not know his meaning yet with wit would let him see she loued and not himselfe Cruell it was to vnderstand her affection was else-where placed yet sometimes would hee flatter himselfe and giue his fawning hopes leaue to dissemble and cast a glasse of comfort on him but glasse-like was it brittle although faire faire in hope broken to dispaire Loue violentest storme that can bring shipwrack to a quiet heart why doe you trauell thus to bring home gaine onely of losse Bee fauourably kinde loue should be mild while loue you are most curst and this did poore Leandrus know whose spring-time ioy was turned to winter-griefe yet still hee did pursue and so vnfortunately must proceede Pamphilia loyall louing and distressed because passionate that night after this discouery which though kind yet to her was displeasing when each retired to their rest shee went vnto her watch of endlesse thoughts into her chamber she hasted then to bed but what to doe alas not within that to sleepe but with more scope to let imagination play in vexing her there did shee call his face vnto her eyes his speech vnto her eares his iudgement to her vnderstanding his brauerie to her wit all these but like that heape of starres whose equall lusture makes the milky way One while shee studied how to gaine her loue then doubt came in and feared her in that plot his lookes shee weighed if out of them she might but gaine a hope they did assure her ioy then did her heart beate quick vnto that blisse but then againe remembrance threatned losse how he had lou'd might again chuse new False traitor cryd she can thy basenes be so vild wicked in bringing thus in mind what thou in goodnes shouldst haue cast away what if one errd must that bee registred what vertues hast thou laid aside which in him dwell and thus vncharitably bringst his worser part in sight to harme him but thou faylest now I know his worth and doe excuse that fault and here I vow to liue a constant loue and louer of his matchlesse excellence then turnd she to the window poore dull night said she keepe still thy sadnesse till thy Sun appeare and mine together shineing as light Darke art thou like my woes dull as my wits with that she laid her downe to rest but it 's not granted her it must not yet bee shee must more endure Then rose she and did write then went shee to bed and tooke a Candle and so read awhile but all these were but as lime-twiggs to hold fast her thoughts to loue and so to all vnrest which gouern'd her for till the day did
make her feele seeing him her soule had onely loued after so many cruell changes and bitter passions in their crost affection This being past the wounded Knight began thus First said hee let mee know by whose hand I haue receiued this worthie end and indeed too worthy for so worthlesse a Creature who now and but now could discerne my rash and wicked error which now I most heartilie repent Now are mine eyes open to the iniuries done to vertuous Limena her chastity appeares before my dying sight whereto before my eyes were dimme and eares deafe seeing and hearing nothing but base falshoods being gouern'd by so strong and vndeserued Iealousie Next I must aske pardon of you my Lord Perissus deny not these Petitions I humbly beseech you both vnto a dying man who in his life did offer you too foule and too vnpardonable an iniury Perissus seeing his speedy end approaching hauing the noblest and freest heart forgaue him that offence which proceeded from the same ground that his crosses came from both taking roote from Loue and yet Loue in that kinde chang'd nature with madnesse when attended on with so much iealousie then with a milde voice he spake Philargus said he I am glad your punishment is accompanied with so happy and true repentance I doe freely forgiue you and thinke no more of that past then if neuer done But this I desire you will demand the like of your excellently vertuous wife who hath beene the patient of all your fury That I doe said Philargus and let my soule enioy no happinesse if I wish not her as well as it Then deare Limena haue you pardon'd me if not O doe and forgiue vnfortunate and ill-deseruing Philargus My Lord said she I most sincerely and heartily forgiue you and so I pray doe you the like for me my dearest then said he I happily and thrise happily now shall welcome death For your other demand said the braue Prince my name is Parselius Prince of Morea Philargus kissing his hand gaue him thankes and weeping for ioy said Most fortunate end how doe I embrace thee comming so luckily and brought thee by such royall hands Then taking Perissus by the one hand and Limena by the other he said I haue yet one request more to make which granted I shall dye with all content and this is only in you two to consent to they promised that then he should not be refused These misfortunes said he which now are past and I hope shall haue buriall in mee haue neuerthelesse it is most likely left some false conceipt remaining in the hearts of some people which to remedy and vtterly take away desiring Limena's honor which without questioÌ„ remains spotted might flourish as deseruedly as the clearenesse of it selfe is without so much as the shadowe of a thought to the contrary I beseech you for your owne best fortunes and my quiet departing to promise mee that after my death you will marry each other One more worthy my Lord more loyall more chaste the world holds not and this are you bound to doe for her who for you hath been wrongd and Limena deny not this to your dying husband being the last he can euer aske you He needed not vrge them much to what they most coueted and purposed in their hearts before yet to giue him full satisfaction though on her side with bashfull and fearefull consenting they yeelded to him Then my Lord said he take her and my hearts prayers with best wishes to you and my best belou'd Limena in witnesse of my loue to you I bestow on you this most worthy Lord far better befitting you and my whole estate with that embracing them kissing her and lastly lifting vp his eyes to heauen he departed they like true friends closing his eyes Being now growne late 〈◊〉 that night they went into the Caue which but lately had been the priâ—on of sweet Limena with them they caryed the body laying it in the further part of the hollownesse Then did Parselius tell them how infinitly happy he esteemed himselfeâ— in hauing come so luckily to serue them of whom and whose vnfortunat affection hee had heard hauing had it from the rare Shepherdesse Name her he could not his breath being stopp'd with sighes and his teares falling down in all abundance sent from his heart which dropp'd like the weeping of a Vine when men without pitty wound it Perissus seeing his sorrow made hast to ask the cause fearing some great harme had befalne that Diuine Creature of whom he gaue such praises as Limena thought they were too much which hee perceiuing left with demanding of her safety and why his greeuing was which Parselius hauing passionatly and truely related he desired most earnestly to heare the rest of Limena's story which she thus began My Lords after I sent the Letter and the time expired Philargus came for my answer or to performe his vowe which with desire I attended although he contrary to my wishes prolonged it When hee had what I resolud to giue him for satisfaction which was a direct deniall being in these words I know as your wife I am in your power to dispose of then vse your authority for so foule a staine will I neuer lay vpon my bloud as to betray the Prince name you in truth I durst not least at the last that might mooue my affections Then did he command me to goe with him to my death I hoped when he brought me into a great Wood in the midâ—t whereof he made a fire the place being fit and I thinke sure had been vsed in former time to offer sacrifice in to the Siluan Gods Then hee made mee vndresse my selfe which willinglie and readily I did preparing my selfe to be the poore offring but the richest that richnesse of faith in loue could offer When I had put off all my apparell but one little Petticote he opened my breast and gaue me many wounds the markes you may here yet discerne letting the Mantle fall againe a little lower to shew the cruell remembrance of his crueltie which although they were whole yet made they newe hurts in the louing heart of Perissus suffering more paine for them then he had done for all those himselfe had receiued in his former aduentures therfore softly putting the Manâ—le vp againe and gently couering them lest yet they might chance to smart besought her to goe on longing to haue an end of that tragicall historie and to come againe â—o their meeting which was the onely balme could be applied vnto his bleeding heart She ioyfull to see this passion because it was for her and sorry it was Perissus did sorrow proceeded And after these threatning many more and death it selfe if yet I consented not But seeing nothing could preuaile hee tooke my clothes and with them wip'd the bloud off from me I expecting nothing but the laâ—t act which I thought should haue been concluded with my burning his mind chang'd from the first
thus What hath been done I do confesse was hard and most vniustly against mine owne child but she hath married vnknowne vnto me in that she hath done like offence so set them iust in sight and hers the greater will appeare yet since her choice is such where such worth is as I truly speak more cannot flourish in so tender yeares I loue her and commend her thus worth doth gouerne where rule els would shew Then kist he his new sonne and presently his daughter was brought forth whom he did kindly welcome and so did conferre that Iland straight vpon the new maried couple making him Prince of fruitfull Metelin and other Ilands which were also his but himselfe and Erinea left the ioyfull payre and went to Samos where they liued she studying how to vexe or hurt her sister thus ill natures breath but in malice and feede still on spite Then did the young Romanian King take leaue first telling how he came vnto that place which was by chance for leauing the Morean Court vpon the comming of the happy newes of Victorious Rosindy hee desired to returne for his owne Countrie and there he would raise more men but as he trauelld he would still inquire of Parselius and Philarchos whom he long'd to meete and goe himselfe to succour and redeeme Albania Loue what a Lord art thou commanding ouer all for Selarina was the cause of this Then going back hee fell vpon this Ile to take in water and by meerest chance meeting a Peasant of that Country learn'd the state at that time that the place was in this brought him to the happy succour of the louingst paire that euer lou'd and did enioy their loues All well the Duke departed and they safe Antissius tooke his leaue with Allimarlus Steward of his house and many more who did attend on him a little before whose leauing Morea Leandrus hasting to his heart desired to be the messenger of that so happy successe of braue Rosindy and so there arriu'd to the infinite content of all the Court relating the dangerous attempts but then concluding with the happy end of ioy and marriage deliuering letters from the King and Queene who gaue precedence in place and gouernment to her husband for said she he won the kingdome by his sword me by his loue both his none but himselfe can here beare rule A little after Leandrus did arriue Amphilanthus tooke his leaue and with his Sister went for Italy as he pretended but St. Maura was the shrine hee bent his pilgrimage vnto The night before great sorrow was to part betweene Pamphilia and Vrania yet time grew on the king came in and so with kind and sad farewels he left the Court promising to returne with speed and to conduct Pamphilia to her kingdome from whence he by his perswasions had yet detaind her The way he and his sister tooke was straight vnto the sea none going with him but his deare and faithfull friend Ollorandus the euening after his depart Leandrus remaining in the Court and his passions more violently increasing to the height of discouering looking out at his window saw Pamphilia alone in a faire garden walking in such a manner as he could hardly giue it that title for so stilly did she mooue as if the motion had not been in her but that the earth did goe her course and stirre or as trees grow without sence of increase But while this quiet outwardly appear'd her inward thoughts more busie were and wrought while this Song came into her mind GOne is my ioy while here I mourne In paines of absence and of care The heauens for my sad griefes doe turne Their face to stormes and shew despaire The dayes are darke the nights oprest With cloud'ly weeping for my paine Which in shew acting seeme distrest Sighing like griefe for absent gaine The Sunne giues place and hides his face That day can now be hardly knowne Nor will the starres in night yeeld grace To Sun-robd heauen by woe o'rethrowne Our light is fire in fearefull flames The ayre tempestious blasts of wind â—or warmth we haue forgot the name Such blasts and stormes are vs assind And still you blessed heauens remaine Distemperd while this cursed power Of absence rules which brings my paine Lest your care be more still to lower But when my Sunne doth back returne Call yours againe to lend his light That they in flames of ioy may burne Both equall shining in our sight Leandrus now growne resolute not to loose for want of attempting would not let this opportunitie passe nor let slip so pretious an aduantage went into the garden to her and indeed it was properly said so for such businesse had her passions as til he interrupted them with words she discerned him not his speech was this Is it possible most excelling Queene that such a spirit and so great a Princesse should be thus alone and aduenture without guard My spirit my Lord said she as well guards me alone as in company and for my person my greatnesse and these walls are sufficient warrants and guardians for my safety Yet your safety might bee more said hee if ioynd with one who might defend you vpon all occasions both with his loue and strength while these dull walls can onely incompasse you but if traitors assaile you their helpe will bee but to stand still poorely gaine-saying Loue is oft-times as slacke being treacherous answered Pamphilia from assistance thus are these walls more secure and for strength I had rather haue these then ones power I could not loue Such is your discretion said Leandrus as to know that loue with discretion is the truest loue and therefore to a braue Princesse and especially to you whose vertue and beauty cannot be demanded by any whose deserts might challenge meriting of them discretion should aduenture to peâ—swade you to make choyce of some one you might affect for a husband since you were not onely fram'd the most incomparable Lady of the world but also a woman and so to be matched with one sit for your estate in birth and greatnesse and so iudgement will continue affection betweene you Discretion in loue I must confesse said she as discretion it selfe is bestâ— but if loue come wholly to be gouernd by it that wil haue so great a power as loue will loose name and rule and the other for riches or other baser things shall pâ—euaile against the sweetest passion and only blisse which is enioying therefore my Lord Leandrus by your fauour I must say I thinke you erre in this and in the truth of loue which is a supreme power commanding the eyes and the heart what glory were it to him to haue a cold part of wisdome to rule with him No his honor is to be alone and therefore doth he oft expresse it in making proud and great ones desperately affect meaner ones in respect of them and all to yeeld to his law they then that truly vnderstand great Loue must
and because it self betokened truth By this time her husband was come who told vs 't was time to goe rest We obay'd and this was the last time that euer I saw my deere and most worthily accounted deere Limena for the next morning I was by day to be at the Citie and so from thence to returne to the Campe. Thus tooke I my leaue and my last leaue of vertuous Limena whose sad face but sadder soule foretold our following harme and succeeding ruine For within few dayes after my returne to the Camp there came a Messenger early in the morning and O too early for my fortune whom I strait knew to be Limenas faithfull Seruant At first it brought ioy to me seeing a letter in his hand but soone was that turn'd to as much mourning cursing my hands that tooke it and eyes that read so lamentable a letter the contents nay that it selfe being this and the verie same my Mistris sent and wo is me the last she ere can send Vrania read it while he with teares and groanes gaue the true period to it The Letter said thus MY onely Lord thinke not this or the manner strange I now send knowing already some part of the vndeserued course taken with me only pitie her who for your sake suffers patiently accept these my last lines and with them the sincerest loue that euer woman gaue to man I haue not time to speake what I would therefore let this satisfie you that the many threatnings I haue heard are come in some kind to endâ— for I must presently die and for you which death is most welcome since for you I must haue it and more pleasing then life without you Grant me then these last requests which euen by your loue I coniure you not to denie me that you loue my poore memory and as you will loue that or euer loued me reuenge not my death on my murtherer who how vnworthy soeuer hee was or is yet hee is my Husband This is all and this grant as I will faithfully die Yours Alas faire Shepherdesse said he is this a letter without much sorrow to be read and is not this a creature of all others to be belou'd Neuer let him breath that will not heartily and most heartily lament such a misfortune T is true said Vrania reason and worth being companions but yet I heare not the certaintie or manner of her death then will I not faile to lament with you Alas said hee heare it of mee onely fit to tell that storie After my departure from his house to the Citie and so to the Campe the iealous wretch finding my Ladie retired into a Cabinet she had where she vsed to passe away some part of her vnpleasant life comming in he shut the dore drawing his sword and looking with as much furie as iealous spite could with rage demonstrate his breath short his sword he held in his hand his eyes sparkling as thicke and fast as an vnperfectly kindled fire with much blowing giues to the Blower his tongue stammeringly with rage bringing foorth these words thou hast wrong'd mee vild creature I say thou hast wronged mee shee who was compounded of vertue and her spirit seeing his wild and distracted countenance guest the worst wherfore mildely shee gaue this answere Philargus saide shee I knowe in mine owne heart I haue not wrong'd you and God knowes I haue not wrong'd my selfe these speeches said he are but the followers of your continued ill and false liuing but thinke no longer to deceiue me nor cousen your selfe with the hope of being able for in both you shall finde as much want as I doe of your faith to me but if you will speake confesse the truth O me the truth that you haue shamed your selfe in my dishonour say you haue wrong'd me giuing your honour and mine to the loose and wanton pleasure of Perissus was I not great enough amiable delicate enough but for lasciuiousnesse you must seeke and woo him Yet Limena I did thus deserue you that once better then my selfe I lou'd you which affection liues in the extremitie â—till but hath chang'd the nature being now as full of hate as then abounding in loue which shall instantly be manifested if you consent not to my will which is that without dissembling speeches or flattring finenes you confesse your shamefull loue to the robber of my blisse you may denie it for how easie is it to be faultie in words when in the truth of truth you are so faultie but take heede vnfainedly answere or here I vow to sacrifice your blood to your wanton loue My Lord said she threatnings are but meanes to strengthen free and pure hearts against the threatners and this hath your words wrought in me in whom it were a foolish basenesse for feare of your sword or breath to confesse what you demaund if it were trueâ— farre more did I deserue eternall punishment if I would belye him and my selfe for dread of a bare threatning since sure that sword were it not for danger to it selfe would if any noblenesse were in it or his master choose rather to dye it selfe in the blood of a man then be seene in the wranglings betweene vs yet doe I not denie my loue to Perissus in all noble and worthy affection being I thinke nurst with me for so long haue I borne this respectiue loue to him as I knowe no part of my memory can tell me the beginning Thus partly you haue your will in assurance that that vnseperable loue I beare him was before I knewe you or perfectly my selfe and shall be while I am yet alwayes thus in a vertuous and religious fashion O God cry'd out Philargus what doe I heare or what can you stile vertuous and religious since it is to one besides your husband hath shame possest you and excellent modesty abandoned you you haue in part satisfied me indeed but thus to see that I haue iust occasion to seeke satisfaction for this iniury wherefore resolue instantly to die or obey me write a letter straight before mine eyes vnto him coniure him with those sweete charmes which haue vndone mine honour and content to come vnto you Let me truely knowe his answere and be secret or I vow thou shalt not many minutes outliue the refusall Shee sweetest soule brought into this danger like one being betweene a flaming fire and a swallowing gulfe must venture into one or standing still perish by one stood a while not amazed for her spirit scorned so low a passion but iudicially considering with her selfe what might be good in so much ill she with modest constancy and constant determination made this answer This wretched and vnfortunate body is I confesse in your hands to dispose of to death if you will but yet it is not vnblest with such a mind as will suffer it to end with any such staine as so wicked a plott and miserable consent might purchase nor will I blott my fathers house
with Hilles or rather Mountaines of such height as no way was possible to bee found to come at it but thorow the same vault the King came Diuers Gardens and Orchards did surround this pallace in euery one was a fountaine and euery fountaine rich in art and plentifully furnished with the vertue of liberalitie freely bestowing water in abundance These places hee past staying in a large stone Gallerie set vpon pillers of the same stone there hee sat downe complaining still of his Mistrisse whose heart was stored with paine and loue equally oppressing her O cride he my dearest loue the sweetest cruell that euer Nature fram'd how haue I miserable man offended thee that not so much as a looke or shew of pity will proceede from thee to comfort mee are all thy fauours lockt vp and onely sad countenances allotted mee Alas consider women were made to loue and not to kill yet you will destroy with cruell force while I changed to a tender creature sit weeping and mourning for thy crueltie which yet I can hardly terme so since thou knowest not my paine Further hee would haue proceeded when a doore opened into that roome and out of it came a graue Ladie apparreld in a black habit and many more young women attending her shee straight went to him saluting him thus Braue King welcome to this place being the abiding of your friend and seruant Hee looking vpon her perceiued wisdome modestie and goodnesse figured in her face wherefore with a kind acceptance hee receiued this salutation desiring to bee informed of the place but most to know how he came knowne to her Sir said shee my name is Mellissea and hauing skill in the Art of Astrologie I haue found much concerning you and as much desire to doe you seruice Can you find good Madam said hee whether I shall bee happie in my loue or not In loue my Lord said shee you shall bee most happy for all shall loue you that you wish but yet you must bee crost in this you now affect though contrarie to her heart But shall I not enioy her then miserable fortune take all loues from me so I may haue hers Shee loues you said Mellissea and it will prooue your fault if you lose her which I thinke you will and must to preuent which if possible beware of a treacherous seruant For this place it is that anciently reuerenced and honoured Iland of Delos famous for the birth of those two great lights Apollo and Diana the ruines of Apollo's and Latona's Temples remaining to this day on the other side of that mountaine called Cynthus once rich and populous now poore and peoplelesse none or very few inhabiting here besides this my family the sharpe and cruell rockes which girdle this Iland guarding it selfe and vs from dangerous robbings But must I loose my Loue said Amphilanthus Accursed fate that so should happen I yet doe hope if I may be assured shee loues mee this will neuer bee Well my Lord said shee to let you see that hope is too poore a thing in comparison of truth to trust to I wil giue you these tokens to make you truly see my words are true you haue lately had a wound by a woman but this a greater and more dangerous you must suffer which will indanger your life farre more then that last did yet shall the cause proceede from your owne rashnesse which you shall repent when 't is too late and when time is past know the meanes might haue preuented it but to doe what I may for your good I aduise you to this alter your determination for your iourney to Morea and in stead of it goe straight to Ciprus where you must finish an Inchantment and at your returne come hither and with you bring that company that you release there then shall I bee more able to aduise you for this doth yet darken some part of my knowledge of you Hee remaind much perplext with those words yet as well as such affliction would permit him hee made shew of patience Then did Mellissea send one of her Maides to bring his companions to him hoping their sights and the discourse of their fortunes would a little remoue his melancholie from him in the meane time hee with crossed armes walkt vp and downe the Gallerie musing in himselfe how hee should so farre and deadlily fall out with himselfe as to be the cause of his owne miserie not being able though hee had the best vnderstanding to reach into this misterie Sometimes the Lady discoursed to him and he for ciuilitie did answere her yet oft-times she was content to attend his owne leisure for his replie so much power had his passions ouer him Thus hee remaind molested while Steriamus following his right hand way was brought into a fine plaine and thence to the foote of a mountaine where hee found rich pillers of Marble and many more signes of some magnificent building which sight wrought pitie in him remembring how glorious they seem'd to haue been now throwne downe to ruine And so said hee was my fortune faire and braue in shew but now cast low to despaire and losse O Pamphilia Goddesse of my soule accept mee yet at last if not for thy seruant yet for thy Priest and on the Altar of thy scorne will I daily offer vp the sacrifice of true and spotlesse loue my heart shall bee the offering my teares the water my miserable body the Temple and thy hate and cruellest disdaine the enemy that layes it waste Once yet consider greatest beautie mightiest riches sumptuousest buildings all haue some end brightest glory cannot euer dure and as of goodnesse must not ill haue so grant this and then thy rage must needs conclude Yet thus did not his paine find conclusion but a little further hee went among those ruines where hee laid himselfe not downe but threw himselfe among those poore and destroyed reliques of the rarest Temples where hard by hee heard Ollorandus likewise complaining My Melasinda said hee how iustly maist thou blame thy Ollorandus who still trauels further from thee who stroue to bring thy loue still neerest to him Canst thou imagine thy immaculate affection well bestowed when so great neglect requiteth it Wilt thou or maist thou thinke the treasure of thy loue and richest gift of it well bestowed when absence is the paiment to it If against mee and these thou do'st but iustly except yet what doth hold thee from killing that slaue and setting thy deare soule at libertie No thy vertues will not like a murderer it must bee as it is Destiny must onely worke and despairing sorrow tyre it selfe in me Steriamus wanting pitie knew the misse and therefore would bee as charitable as hee could to shew which goodnesse he rose and went to Ollorandus to put him from his mourning who was then againe entring into his waylings telling him they were too long from Amphilanthus As hee start vp behold Dolorindus who came sadly towards them
gouernd at thy birth what plague was borne with thee or for thee that thou must but haue a vertue and loose all thereby Yet 't is all one deere loue maintaine thy force well in my heart and rule as still thou hast more worthy more deseruing of all loue there breaths not then the Lord of my true loue Ioy then Pamphilia if but in thy choice and though henceforth thy loue but slighted be ioy that at this time he esteemeth me Then went shee to the Ash where her sad sonnet was ingraued vnder which she writ TEares some times flow from mirth as well as sorrow Pardon me then if I againe doe borrow Of thy moist rine some smiling drops approouing Ioy for true ioy which now proceeds from louing As she past on she heard some follow her wherefore looking backe she discernd Vrania and Amphilanthus to whom she straight returnd and with them walked as while vp and downe the wood til Amphilanthus aduised them to sit downe so laying his Mantle on the grasse the two incomparable Princesses laid themselues vpon it the king casting himselfe at their feete as though the only man for truth of perfection that the world held yet that truth made him know that they were so to be honourd by him then laying his head in Vrania's lap and holding Pamphilia by the hand he began to discourse which they so well liked as they past a great part of the day there together Pamphilia still desiring him to tell of his aduentures which hee did so passing finely as his honour was as great in modestly vsing his victories in relation as in gaining them but when hee spake of Steriamus his finding him and his passions he did it so pretily as neither could procure too much fauor for him nor offend her with telling it yet still did she hasten the end of those discourses which he no whit dislikt but Vrania desird stil to heare more particularly of him as if she had then known what fortune they were to haue together at last the king proceeded to the comming to the Iland now cald Stalamine anciently Lemnos where said he the Lady is called Nerena a woman the most ignorantly proud that euer mine eyes saw this Ladies ill fortune was to fall in loue with Steriamus who poore man was in such fetters as her affection seemd rather a new torture then a pleasure to him yet left she not her suite telling him she was a Princesse descended from the kings of Romania absolute Lady of that Iland and for his honor if he knew truly what honour it was to him his loue He told her 'T were more credit he was sure for her to be more sparingly and silently modest then with so much boldnesse to proclaime affection to any stranger Why said shee did euer any man so fondly shew his â—olly till now as to refuse the profferd loue of a Princesse and such an one as if a man would by marriage bee happy should bee onely chosen as that blessing I am said hee truly ashamed to see such impudent pride in that sexe most to be reuerenced but to let you know that you too farre exceede the limits of truth and vnderstanding by vainely ouer-esteeming your selfe I will assure you that I loue a Princesse whose feete you are not worthy to kisse nor name with so fond a tongue nor see if not as the Images in old time were with adoration nor heare but as Oracles and yet this is a woman and indeed the perfectest while you serue for the contrarie How call you this creature said she Steriamus was so vext that plainly she cald you so as he in very fury flung out of the house nor for the two daies which wee staid there afterwards euer came more in shee perplexing him still leauing him in no place quiet till she got your name Then made shee a vow to see you and follow him till shee could win him letting her proud heart bow to nothing but his loue wherein the power of loue is truely manifested I would be sorry said Pampilia to see her vpon these termes since she must fild with so much spite against me with all malice behold me I wish she were here said Vrania since it is a rare thing surely to see so amorous a Lady Thus pleasantly they passed a while till they thought it time to attend the King who about that houre still came forth into the Hal where they found him and the aduenture soone following which he last spake of for the kings being set there entred a Lady of some beauty attended on by ten knights all in Tawny her selfe likewise apparreld in that colour her Pages and the rest of her seruants hauing that liuerie The knights being halfe way to the State stood still making as it were a guard for the Princesse to passe through who went directly to the king then making a modest but no very low reuerence she thus spake Although your Maiesty may well wonder first at my comming then at the cause yet I hope that excuse I bring with it will pleade for my iustification It is not I am most assured vnknowne to you although one of the greatest Christned Kings that loues power is such as can command ouer your hearts when to all other powers you scorne so much as yeelding This hath made me a subiect though borne absolute for whatsoeuer I seeme here to be yet I am a Princesse and Lady of the sweet and rich Stalamine but alas to this Iland of mine came three knights knights I call theÌ„ because they honor that title with esteeming it higher then their own titles for Princes they were the rarest some of them of Princes as when you heare them namd you wil confesse with me One of these my heart betraying me it self neuer before toucht vnto the subiectioÌ„ of his loue wherof if he had bin so fortunat as to be able to see the happines was falleÌ„ vnto him in it he might haue iustly boasted of it But hee slighting what his better iudgement would haue reuerenc'd refused my affection mine which onely was worthy of gaine being so well knowing as to dispise liberty in giuing it selfe to any of meaner qualitie then Steriamus whose proud refusall yet makes me loue him and take this iourney in his search comming hither where I hop'd to find him both because I heard he liued much in this Court and that hee had bestowed his loue vpoÌ„ your surpassing daughter Pamphilia these brought me assurance to win him hauing giuen my selfe leaue to show so much humility as to follow him next to see that beauty which he so admired and as if in scorne contemned mine in comparison of it which I thinke Sir if you well behold you will iudge rather to merit admiration then contemptâ— Faire Lady said the King that Prince you speake of hath been much in my Court and not long since but now indeed is absent not haue we heard any thing of
him since his departure for your loue it is so rare a thing to bee found in one of your sexe in such constant fury as to procure and continue such a iourney as that of it selfe without the mixâ—ure of such perfections as you see in your selfe were enough to conquer one that could be ouercome but for his loue to my daughter there she is to answer you if she please and cleare that doubt since it is more then euer I knew that the Albanian Prince did loue her more then in respect vnto her greatnesse Nereana turning to Pamphilia earnestly and one might see curiously and like a riuall therefore spitefully beholding her thus spake Well might hee braue Princesse bestow his affections where such vnusuall beauties do abide nor now can I blame him for prostrating his heart before the throne of your excellent perfections Pamphilia blushed both with modesty and danger yet she gaue her this answer Madam said she I know you are a Princesse for before your comming hither I heard the fame of you which came swifter then your self though brought by loue and in truth I am sorry that such a Lady should take so great and painefull a voyage to so fond an end being the first that euer I heard of who took so Knight-like a search in hand men being vs'd to follow scornefull Ladies but you to wander after a passionate or disdainefull Prince it is great pitie for you Yet Madam so much I praise you for it as I would incourage you to proceede since neuer feare of winning him when so many excellencies may speake for you as great beauty high birth rich possessions absolute command and what is most matchlesse loue and loyaltie besides this assurance you may haue with you that to my knowledge hee loues not me and vpon my word â— affect not him more then as a valiant Prince and the friend to my best friends Thus are you secure that after some more labour you may gaine what I will not accept if offered me so much do I esteeme of your affectionate search These words were spoken so as though proud Nereana were nettled with them yet could she not in her iudgement finde fault openly with them but rather sufferd them with double force to bite inwardly working vpon her pride-fild heart and that in her eyes she a little shewed though she suffered her knees somewhat to bow in reuerence to her Answere shee gaue none scorning to thanke her and vnwilling to giue distaste hauing an vndaunted spirit she turned againe to the King vsing these words For all this said she great King I cannot thinke but Steriamus loues this Queene for now doe I find a like excellent mind inclosed within that all-excelling body such rarenes I confesse liuing in her beauty as I cannot but loue his iudgement for making such a choice and the rather do I belieue he loues her because he affects hardest aduentures and so impossible is it I see to win her heart as it may prooue his most dangerous attempt yet brauely doth he in aspiring to the best Then braue king and you faire Lady pardon me and iudge of my fault or folly with mild eyes since neither are mine wholly but the Gods of loue to whom I am a seruant The King told her more cause he had to commend and admire her then to contemne her since for a woman it was vnusuall to loue much but more strange to be constant After this and some other passages Amphilanthus and Ollorandus came and saluted her giuing her many thankes for their royall welcome she kindly receiued them desiring them to giue her some light how to find Steriamus they answered her that from Delos he was directed to an Iland called St Maura but more they knew not nor heard of him since his going thither with another good Prince calld Dolorindus Hauing this little hope of finding him she gaue them thankes and so took her leaue nor by any meanes could they perswade her stay in her soule hating the sight of her who though against her will had won and then refused that which shee for her onely blessing did most seeke after yet would she honour her worth which openly she protested but neuer affect her person Thus the strange Princesse departed neither pleased nor discontented despising any passion but loue should dare to thinke of ruling in her but because she must not be left thus this story shall accompany her a while who tooke her way to the sea thinking it better to trust her selfe with Neptune then the aduentures which might befall her a longer iourney by land She taking ship at Castanica meant to passe among the Ilands and by power commanded the Saylers to bend their course for St. Maura which they did but in the night the wind changd and grew high turning towards day to a great storme not meaning to be curst but when the fury might be seene thus were they with the tempest carried another way then they intended and at last safely though contrary to their wils being in the Mediterran sea were cast vpon Cecily at a famous place cald Saragusa Then she who saw there was no way to contend against heauenly powers would not in discretion chafe though blame her fortune on land shee went to refresh her selfe and so passed toward the Citie of Seontina where shee determined to stay some dayes and then proceede or rather returne in her iourney the weather being hot and trauell tedious One dayes iourney being past shee wild her seruants to set vp her tents hard by a Wood side where shee had the benefit of that shade and before her a delicate greene Playne through the which ran a most pleasant Riuer shee liking this place which as shee thought humbly by delights sought to inuite her stay in it as a Woman that would take what content shee could compasse for that time laid aside State and to recreate her selfe after her owne liking went into the Wood pretending her thoughts would not bee so free as when shee was alone and therefore bid her seruants attend her returne they willing to obay her and best pleased when t was for their ease let her goe who taking the directest way into the heart of the Wood and so farre not for the length of the way but the thicknes and the likenesse of the paths and crossings as she wandred in amaze and at last quite lost her selfe straying vp and downe now exercising the part of an aduenturous louer as Pamphilia in iest had call'd her a thousand thoughts at this time possessing her and yet all those as on a wheele turnd came to the same place of her desperate estate One while she curs'd her loue then dislike of her folly for aduenturing and rashly leauing her Country she raild at the vncareful people who permitted her to haue her fond desires without limiting her power but that she check'd againe for said she rather would I be thus miserable then not
these mishaps and thy power reward thy seruants disloyalty and now it may be nay I assure my selfe here is a meanes presented to me for my deliuery with that rising she went where the Knight lay who after the song remained a little quiet I meane in show comming to him shee vsed these wordes Sir welcome to this place since I assure my selfe you are of purpose sent to doe me seruice The said Knight looking vp and seeing her strange odde attire gessing her by her speech to be as vaine as her apparell was phantasticall rising from the ground hee said If my seruice which would proue to my perpetuall griefe were alotted to madnesse I cannot finde where better to bestow it then on you otherwise I trust I shall not attend your follies My follies cryde she I tell thee greatest Princes may esteeme themselues honour'd if I command them If distraction rule them I belieue they cannot finde a fitter mistris answer'd he O God said Nereana when was vertue thus abused I tell thee base Knight I am a Princesse I am not base said heâ— nor can I thinke you are a Princesse since so vnprincely termes come from you Why what are you said shee I am not ashamed of my name said hee wherefore if you can and haue such vnderstanding as to be sensible of it know that I am cal'd Philarchos youngest sonne to the King of Morea and brother to Parselius and Rosindi and to finde Parselius whom wee haue lost I am now going I thought you were said shee descended of some insolent race for much do you resemble that highly admired Lady your proud Sister Pamphilia Hee who was naturally melancholly and sadder now because in loue grew extreamly angry yet moderating his fury hee onely replyde thus A woman and being madde had liberty to say any thing whereupon hee went to his horse and leaping on him made as great haste as if he had fear'd infection leauing her in all the disorder that might be imagined the trampling of his horse awaked the mad man who being now out of his former fit but still distempered rose and going to the spring to drinke found Nereana sitting by the side of it in such a passion as shee perceiued him not till hee was close by her then rising in a chafe she would haue left the place but hee staying her faire Nymph said hee flee mee not I meane no harme vnto you but rather wil beseech you to be mercifull to the most haplesse of men and to this pitty I coniure you by the true and earnest affection that Alfeus bare you by his loue I say I sue to you to haue compassion of mee turne this sweet water into a spring of loue that as it hath beene euer called by that blessed name of Arethusa you now hauing taken againe your owne shape and resumd your naturall body from that Metamorphosis taking name and a new beeing againe vnto you hauing by this gain'd a God-head for euer blesse and inrich this water with that gift that when my cruell but still beloued Liana shall drinke of it the vertue of it may turne her heart to sweetest pitty Nerena as much affraid as her proud spirit would permit her remembring how hee had vsed her the day before amazed with what hee said neuer hauing heard of any such thing as a Metamorphosis her wit lying another way scorning his sight disdaining his speech and yet forced to suffer it in few wordes doubting that silence might inrage him she made this answer I am not a Nimph Arethusa nor a Goddesse but a distressed woman Then said hee are you the fitter for me to keepe company with not so neither said shee for I am a Princesse Can Princes then bee distressed said hee I thought they had beene set aboue the reach of misery and that none but Shepheards and such like could haue felt that estate O yes said Nerena and I am heere a spectacle of the frowne of fortune wherefore let mee intreate you to giue mee some â—ase in my affliction which is to leaue mee since your company is one of my troubles Would my sorrowes were as soone to bee helped as your request might be granted then should I bee in hope to bee said hee happy but alas mine can neuer haue end yours may and shall for I will no longer trouble you with that hee sadly went from her leauing her whose intolerable pride was such as shee would not let him stay so much as in her presence though after shee wished for him and would gladly haue had his conuersation pardoning his meane estate and madnesse So long was shee in that place as famine cold and want wrought kindnesse in her who else despised and contemned all and all thinges from hill to hill shee went louing them for imitating the height of her minde and because shee might by their helpe see if any passengers pass'd that way besides to hide her selfe among the bushes euen as it were from her owne selfe Now berries and such poore food was her richest fare aud those esteem'd since they held her life with her thus was truth reuenged of ignorance shee continuing thus While Philarchos held on his course till hee came to the City of Syracusa where standing vpon the hauen there arriu'd a great troope of Ladies and braue Knights but one Lady seeming the onely one for delicacie and to bee the mistresse of the rest passing by him cast her eye on him viewing his rich armour and braue stature instantly staying saluted him thus Sir your outward countenance tels me that in so excellent a body as braue a mind inhabits from you therefore I beseech pitty and assistance being like to perish otherwise vnder the disfauour of my father if you will aid a distressed Lady and thereby gaine honor to your selfe grant this vnto your seruant Orilena Princesse of Metelin and some other neighbouring Ilands which lye in the Archepelago Hee whose spirit was wholly guided by worth stedily beholding her replide that his greatest happinesse and that whereto he onely did aspire was to serue Ladies to defend them from iniuries and to bring them to their best content wherefore although hee had promised himselfe another way or indeed no perfect knowne way since it was in search of a brother of his that and all other occasions should be laid aside to relieue such a creature as her selfe and in this he spake truth for this was the Lady he loued she yet ignorant of it Then she intreated the knight to goe aboard with her not desiring to delay time hee was soone intreated to such a blessing wherefore he consented and being in the ship she began her discourse thus A Gentleman in Mitalen being son to the richest and noblest man for descent in all the Country my father hath chosen to bestow on me this man might I will not deny more then merit me were his conditions answerable to his meanes but as he is rich in all worldly treasure
pleasantest best She said the shepheards Then he asked if euer she did wish in loue and gaine it to her full content She said she neuer could obtaine so iust a satisfaction for her wish was still aboue the benefit she gaind Then was it come to me to be his seruant his question was Which was the blessedst halfe houre I euer knew I said a time I followed a poore bird to shoote at it and as I thought O mee the dearest thought a thought which ioyed my soule I hit the bird Who did you thinke of said he Then I blusht he vrg'd and swore I marr'd the Play and must bee punisht for so foule offence I pardon askt and said I would confesse but when I came to say but these few words It was your selfe my speech againe did faile my spirits fainted I looked pale and red and sigh'd and smild and all in instant space loue neuer had more strange diuersitie then in me at that present I was dumb then spake a little halfe what I should say and turned the rest to comfort my poore hart then did he take me in his armes and strictly did coniure me to say out Why then said I I thought on him I loued this made him yet more curious holding me still perceiuing I was not displeased sweetely perswading me to say the rest when I with soft and feareful words afraid to heare my selfe say I did loue 'T was you said I he then 'twixt ioy and greefe wept the like did I. This pass'd continually he tended my poore flock forsooke his owne if they did stray from mine his songs were of mee and my thoughts on him Many sweete pleasant and delightfull games he did inuent to giue content to vs at last his sister grew to malice his respect to me and to discerne all was for my delight which hee did studdy or present to vs she had much pride and such as Sheephardesses seldome know yet flow'd it in her who else was like vs milde and sufficiently witty This her malice flew vnto the height of slighting me which I perceauing let her go alone vnwaighted on or yet accompanied by mee Two yeares this did indure when all plagues grew for then his wife did likewise did likewise stomacke me and out of the poore witte she had which sâ—â—ce was sense did manifest her rage I was in troth most sorry for her hate so much I loued him as I loued all was his and her though not so well as the worst beast he had since shee alone I saw my barre for blisse Hee saw my patience which was oft times mooud euen into spite yet couer'd and suppresd with the deere power of my deerer loue Then was there entertayn'd at braue Mantinia a great Embassador whether we were call'd among the strange delights to represent our innocent pastimes in which my loue and I were placed for the cheife for he at wrestling and those sports of strength did farre excell the others of these plaines my selfe for pastorall songs dances and such like had the first place among the maids and so came I great Princesse to be blessâ—d with seeing you which sight still liues ingrafted in my breast But what became then of your loue said the Queene Why that alas was al my sorrow and my change cride she grew from his change which in this sort befell hee hauing thus in pure and spotlesse sort gaind my best loue could not yet be content with such enioying but did couet more which to preuent I found conuenient meanes and slights still to avoyd which he perceau'd yet then affected me so much as nothing could withdraw him from my loue arguments hee would frame euen against his owne desires and sweare that where true loue was loose desires were distant and vnknowne nor could a man so much affect where hee had once gaind all as when he knew there did from him lye hid a richer treasure then hee had possest and more deuoutly and with greater zeale did he loue where he still was so refused then if hee had by yeelding obtained all I did beleeue and much commend his mind and what I prais'd or lik'd he likewise seem'd to be affected with but what in men can last in certaine kind there was a meeting amongst vs and thither on May day euery yeere beeing the day we celebrated feasts the rarest and the choycest beautyes came among the rest one who in truth I must confesse was faire aboue the common beautyes in our time but of the meanest parentage and ranke being a seruant to a Shepherdesse who was of greatest place for there is difference and distinction made of their degrees though all below your fight as well as in the great ones and as much curious choyce and shame to match below their owne degrees as among Princes whose great bloods are toucht if staind with basenesse in the match they make This woman yet allur'd my loue to change and what was worse to scorne me long I was before I would perceiue it yet at last too cleerely it discouered was she then attended on the May Lady of purpose there inticed where he for his wished ends might her behold The heardsman then who kept the Cattell both of his sisters his owne did grow enamour'd of this beautious Lasse at last loue gaind the hand of iudgement and so priuately they marryed then did he grow more sure and surely did inioy for who could with much cruelty refuse especially not borne to chastity then were his looks all cast on her his speeches wholy bent to her her wit admir'd her iests told wondred at into all company she must bee admitted all respect her and I quite cast off my soule was wounded with it and my heart wasted and dryed vp that truely I was growne a woman worthlesse for outward parts to be looked on and thus tormented I desired oft to speake with him but hee did more shunne mee then euer once he coueted my sight If I came in where he alone did stand instantly he went out or would turne his baâ—ke in sharpest scorne vnto my louing eyes Aye me cryd I am I come to this passe haue I lost all my liberty for this haue I aduentured death and shame to come vnto this shamefull end in loue my parents haue I left and they displeasd haue rated mee for my immoderate loue and all to be requited with gaine at last of fowle disdaine for feruent truth The world was fild with my constancy all with broad eyes saw his disloyalty some pitied me others flouted me I grieued yet at last resolu'd either to speak or write speake alas I could noâ— for I did feare to giue offence still fondly louing him when I was in my bed and thought of all my woes I could resolue to speake my mind and frame my speeches in as moderate kind as might be rather demanding pittie then to discouer that I did dislike him for his change but when I saw him
and did view his eyes if on me cast but in a cruell sort so farre I was from any power or true ability to touch of wrongs or to beg poore compassion as I stood amazed trembling and euen as one cast vnto death Then did I silently lament this harme and mournefully bewaile my misery speaking vnto my selfe as if to him and frame his answers like vnto his lookes then weepe and spend whole nights in this distresse my heart almost vnable to sustaine so curst a Dialogue as I had framd millions of times to vexe my soule withal at last I writ a letter I remember these being the contents and almost the same words IF what I write may prooue displeasing vnto you I wish my hand had lost the vse to write when I writ this my eyes sight for seeing it and my heart had then rent with sorrow for punishment in so offending you who for al your cruelty can do no other then loue you still But the affliction that I am fallen into by your change makes me send these lines vnto you to beseech you by the loue you once bare me to let me know the cause of your great strangenesse towards me if proceeding from my part be iust and tell it me who will not onely curse my selfe for doing it but with all true humilitie demand a pardon for it my soule is purely yours in loue vntoucht vnstaind of any blame or spot faith was the ground whereon I placed my loue loyalty the hope I held it with and my selfe your most vnfained louer the poore creature to bee looked vpon with reward for these but you giue scorne alas once looke on me that beautie which decayed now in me once pleas'd you best when wasted it but in those yeares I still was true and chast to you if my face be not so faire my mind is fairer cloath'd in truth and loue and thus will I euer deserue you more then any pity me alas I craue it and most iustly from your hands Did I neglect at any time what I did owe to pay vnto your will if so my confidence might make me erre but neuer did I willingly commit such fault blame then the trust I had and iust assurance of my confidence in you will you reiect me since I pine for you the teares which still for you I shed haue marr'd and dull'd mine eyes and made me worthlesse to behold looke then but on my faith and pitty me who will die as I was and am which is sincerely yours This I read this I corrected and often staind with blots which my true teares in falling as I writ had made I sent it by a youth who still had lou'd me and did serue my loue he gaue it him one morning as he waked his answere was that he would speake with me The next day he did come and found me in my bed bathing my self in my poore yet choice teares he most vnkindly onely sat him downe not once so much as looking on my woes or me speaking these words with eies another way voice displeasd You writ a hansom letter did you not said he Alas said I what should I do opprest I am half mad distracted with your scorne I could not silent be nor yet could speake You wrong'd your self said he Wherein cri'd I With that he rose not giuing me so much as kind or vnkind looks spake to another whom he cald in and so together left me and my woe After that time hee stroue by all plaine waies and craftie slights and all to make me see how I was cast away and left by him I patiently did seeme to beare my losse but oh my heart could not let me doe so though in the day I stroue to couer griefe in night time I did open all the doores and entertaine each seruant that woe had Once I remember after many moneths that this disaster had befallen mee hee merrily did speake among vs all and also to me as one among the rest and the greatest stranger to his thoughts I ioyed that so he fauoured me for though he vsed mee as but if in triall of my truth I earnestly loued him and ioyed to see him my poore cold heart did warme it selfe to thinke of what had past and leapt when I saw him but yet that leape was like or did resemble a strong conuultionat the latest gaspe for then it fell downe dead in my despaire but being thus together hee was pleased to say some verses to mee which were good and truly such as I did much affect I thought they were his owne and so was vext because to me they did not then belong as once all that he made or framed were He did commend them very much himselfe and said he liked the strength that was in them I said they were most good and like him which made them much the better so discoursing on I tooke the boldnesse to say something to him knowing that they might speake in kind for me and yet my selfe not beg againe they were these WHen I with trembling aske if you loue still My soule afflicted lest I giue offence Though sensibly discerning my worst ill Yet rather then offend with griefe dispence Faintly you say you must poore recompence When gratefull loue is force I see the hill Which marrs my prospect loue and Oh from thence I tast and take of losse the poison'd pill While one coale liues the rest dead all about That still is fire so your loue now burnd out Tells what you were though to deceiuing led The Sunne in Summer and in Winter shewes Like bright but not like hot faire false made blowes You shine on me but you loues heate is dead He made no answere but onely said they were very fine ones after this he continued in his peremptory course of hating me and I in my poore way of suffering all till so ill I did grow as though not in him yet in each one els I did obtaine what I did claime from him for they did sorrow for my miserie and he still triumph as if in a gaine to ouerthrow a soule giuen to his will At last extremitie of griefe and paine brought me vnable to doe any thing those that best did consider my mishape iustly did know the cause others smile and say 't was for I was forsaken others laugh and say I was growne dull some said my prose was gone and that I onely could expresse my selfe in verse These I did heare and this in truth had troubled me if greater matters had not shut my eares and heart from weighing such slight things as these I gaue my selfe then wholly to the fields nor kept I any company but with my flocke and my next kindred which would visit me With my poore sheepe I did discourse and of their liues make my descipherd life rockes were my obiects and my daily visits meekenesse my whole ambition losse my gaine and thus I liu'd and thus still
who accompanied her into her sad fine walkes being there alone saue with her second selfe surely said she you that so perfectly and so happily haue loued cannot in this delightfull place but remember those sweete yet for a while curst passages in loue which you haue ouergone speake then of loue and speake to me who loue that sweete discourse next to my loue aboue all other things if that you cannot say more of your selfe then your deare trust hath grac'd me withall tell of some others which as truly shall be silently inclosed in my breast as that of yours let me but vnderstand the choice varieties of Loue and the mistakings the changes the crosses if none of these you know yet tell me some such fiction it may be I shall be as lucklesse as the most vnfortunate shew me examples for I am so void of hope much lesse of true assurance as I am already at the height of all my ioy Limena beheld her both with loue and pitty at last my dearest friend said shee fall not into despaire before ioy can expresse what surely is ordain'd for you Did euer any poore drop happen to fall but still for loue Will you be poorer then the poorest drop of raine which for the loue to earth falls on it raise vp your spirit that which is worthy to Monarchise the world drowne it not nor make a graue by sad conceits to bury what should liue for royalty yet if you doe desire to heare of Loue and of loues crosses I will tell you a discourse the Sceane shall be in my Countrey and the rather will I tell it since in that you shall see your selfe truly free from such distresse as in a perfect glasse none of your true perfections can be hidden but take not this tale for truth In Cicilie not far from the place which gaue my Father birth and where I much was bred there liu'd a Lady mother to many and delicate Children but whether her fortune fell with the losse of her Husband as many wofully haue with that felt their vndoing or that misfortune so great a Prince ought not to be vnattended I know not but she affecting her friends as friendship could challenge a young Lord came with one of her neerest allies to visit her this visitation made him see her daughter elder then three more that at that same time were in her house he receiuing welcome tooke it and occasion to come againe those againe commings brought mischeuous affection that affection mischiefes selfe for thus it happ'ned The Lady lou'd him hee liked her he sued she innocent could not deny but yeares did passe before they did enioy At last three yeares almost worne out he found a time or rather her much vnprouided for refusall both extreamly louing nothing was amisse as they imagin'd nor was ought denyde some yeares this passed too in all which time shee who did onely loue for Loues sake not doubting least that might bee a touch vnto her affection or spot in so much clearenesse as her heart held to him let busie speeches pass vnregarded smil'd when friends bid her beware esteeming her constant opinion of his worth richer then truths which she thought falshoods while they were against him Thus the poore Lady was deceiu'd most miserably vndone he falling in loue with one so inferior to her in respect of her qualities compar'd with hers though of greater ranke euery way as his neerest friends condemn'd him for so ill a choice but she was crafty and by art faire which made him looke no further At last it shewed so plainely as she must if not wilfully blinde see with the rest but how did she see it alas with dying eyes all passions compar'd to hers were none the ordinary course of sorrow abounded in her rising to such a height as out flew dispaire melancholy was her quietest companion while monefully she would sit dayes without words and nights without sleepe Oft would she tell these paines before him though not to him pittifully would she lament and hee take no more notice of it then if he heard it spoken of an other Alas would she cry I am no more worthy to liue I am a shame to my house a staine to my sex and a most pittifull example of all mischeife shamefull creature why liuest thou to disgrace all thy friends poore soule poore indeed but in true goodnes leaue this vnhappy body take thy selfe away and when thou hast left me it may be thou mayst be better and win pittie hence foorth must blame infould me now must shame couer me and dispaire with losse destroy me yet hadst thou chang'd to a better and constanter it would not so much haue vext mee but when I see my deserts my loue and my selfe cast off onely by subtiltie betrayed and in so vild a place alas it rents my heart both with losse and your fault Can worth procure no more fauour must all yeeld to outward fairenes she is faire I confesse so once you thought I was and if not so perfect thanke your owne strangenes and my teares shed for your falshood which haue furrow'd worne wrinkles where smoothnesse was with their continuall falling Had you no way to shun me or my loue but by your change you might haue iustly dealt yet and but say'd I can no longer loue you I had then sate downe alone with losse but now doubly afflicted as loosing and being deceaud your want of truth is a greater plague to me then my misery in that I lou'd you better then my selfe so much is your vnworthines my extreamest torment Oft was I told that I would hurt my selfe in trusting I reply'd I had rather bee wretched in losse then vnhappy in suspition these now befall me yet suspect I not for apparent truth tells me I am forlorne Once I remember I was to speake to him and foole I tooke the time when she was by with what scorne did he put me off and slightnesse heare the businesse which concernd himselfe yet cōming from me was vnpleasing would yet I could be more lucklesse so it came not from thy worthlesnesse for 't is that not my misfortune tortures me While yet shee thus continued in her woes her beauty dying as her fortune wasted he carelesse man of any good or respect saue of his owne desires would many times come to her rather as I coniecture thinking to betray her then for any affection hee then bore to her while she poore haplesse louer neuer deny'd what he commanded Poore soule how glad would she be to receiue one looke one word gaue her new life againe but a smile made her hope which lasted to make her the stronger to suffer againe the misery he allotted her Well so it continued and she was vndone imagine then braue Queene in what misery she was and most when he that should haue comforted her harme held still his curst neglect Till being neere her end as it was thought rather and
my disgrace the staine I might bring to my house for few will belieue vs poore women in such extremity but rather will increase our infamy What paine euer was sufferd by woman I indur'd in soule and body till the time of my deliuery came when God sent me this babe hauing gaind some little strength I left my Country and hither am I come vnknowne to any humbly to craue your fauour one of your Knights hath done me this abuse and therefore from your hands I implore right Sweete Lady said the King I pitie much your fortune but tell mee who this Knight is and I vow he shall not stay in my Court or fauour if hee doe not before me satisfie you so as this can be verified against him Sir said she if one of these words I haue spoken bee false let shame and perpetuall losse requite me no Sir I haue spoken onely truth and desire but to be iustified yet wiâ—h I not so great an ill to befall him for God knowes my soule is purely his louing him as it selfe and but for him would haue so much tried the sincerenesse of it Then call I beseech you your Knights together and of them demaund what they will alot me I will be disposd of by your selfe and them for iustly may I put my selfe to you since he is no other that hath abused me but your owne sonne the winning and forsaking Parselius The King at this grew infinitely troubled not knowing what to say or doe in it at last he cald his sonne who all this while was talking with Leandrus about Pamphilia he comming to him the king demanded of him if he would vpon his Honour resolue him directly of one thing he would demand nay more he charged him on his blessing not to conceale that from him which he was to aske He vow'd nothing should make him answere false Then tell me said hee haue you a child or are you married to any without my knowledge He fell straight on his knees If euer cry'd he I gaue my word to marry any or had a child by any let Heauen blesse you said the Lady staying him from further proceeding Vow not said she for neuer knew I man bâ—t you and you are husband to me and father to this babe Her voyce he thâ—n began to know yet being impossible as hee thought for Dalinea to 〈…〉 her he desired to see her face Nay said she first promise to bee iust before your father and this royall presence confirme what priuately before onâ—â—â—â—ee you vow'd in sacred marriage What I did vow said he I neuer will denyâ— then royall Father said hee heare mee with patience and fauour and yet before I speake call Leandrus hither so he was cald when Parselius with eyes fild with teares thus began Wretch that I was wandring in search of my friend Amphilanthus as I pretended but indeede that onely was not my voyage I fell into the confines of Achaya where I met Berlandis who came to seeke me from his Lord and to intreat my company in finishing the warre for Antissius I consented but passing through that Country I chanced to come to the Castle of Dalinea your faire and vertuous Sister her I fell in loue withall forgot all former vowes and truths in loue her I sought flatter'd wept to protested what loues art could instruct me in but all in vaine vertue in her was a strong rocke against my vehement suite till at the last pitie procured reward to me shee granted on the making her my wife I did that willingly and as my only happinesse But long I had not thus enioyed her but one sad night I dream'd of my first Loue who furiously reuild me for my change then sent reuenge in scorne and worst contempt I waked distracted shee deare shee my wife was grieued with my paine asked the true cause complaind with me grieu'd with mee wept with me who wept to cousen her yet I was forc'd to it At last I made a faignd excuse and by that meanes liberty to goe From thence I parted after lost my Page flying from all but sadnesse which did liue fed by my sorrow pressed with the heauiest weight of soule-felt-mourning I got vnto the sea and so shipt and saild to St. Maura where with an Hermit graue and poore I wasted out some time till sweet diuine Vrania was by her deare brother throwne into the sea I saw her fall and heard her cry farewell I leapt vnto her and so came a shore by helpe of Steriamus and his friend good Dolorindus Straight I found the good for then all fortunes pass'd in my cross'd loue I quite forgot nay that I had e're lou'd so farre was passion from me yet the loue chaste loue of Dalinea as my wife I yet retaine and onely she doe I affect and loue This Sir is true and humbly I aske pardon for my fault which I had meant more priuately to haue confess'd and you Leandrus pray now pardon me your Sister hath lost nothing by this match nor shall haue reason to complaine of me if true affection and a loyall loue can merit loues requitall from her breast I know she lou'd me and I loue but her For you sad Lady if you be not she you wrong your selfe extreamely and I vow that but her selfe I neuer yet did touch nor euer will then seeke another husband and a father for your child I 'le seeke no other answered shee then take your loyall Dalinea to your selfe and this was Dalinea whose firme loue but violent had brought her to that place despairing of Parselius and his loue Parselius tooke her in his armes and scarce could satisfie himselfe with ioy to see his dearest Dalinea The King forgaue them and with fatherly affection wept and kiss'd her and the babe then did Leandrus embrace them both shee asking pardon and Parselius too he did forgiue and so all were content Vrania as vntouch'd with loue or anger likewise welcomd her so did all else the mourning was cast off and all the ioy express'd that clothes or Triumphs could produce but Pamphilia admiringly beheld Vrania and her Brother at last O loue said â—hâ—e what strange varieties are here assuredly none but thy seruants can let such wauerings possesse them protect mee yet from such distresse and let me be ordaind or licensed to be the true patterne of true constancy and let my loue be loyall to me These passions oft did vexe her and perplexe her soule one day especially when all alone in the Woods â—hee thus did complaine Neuer at quiet tormenting passion what more canst thou desire What couet that thou hast not gaind in absence thou dost molest me with those cruell paines in presence thou torturest me with feare and despaire then dost burne with desire to obtaine yet sealest vp my lipps from discouering it leaue these contrarieties and make me liue peaceably and so happily scorch'd I am with heate of doubt my hopes are burnd to ashes
the priuatest places and striuing to gaine the sea which soone after I obtaind getting the opportunity of a youths passing into Italy who had sought Perissus to bring him notice of his Vncles death the King of Sicily with him I passed and so came into this country where euer since I haue romingly endured neuer in any one place setled The youth Menander and I parted at the sea he I thinke going to seeke his Master or rather you then did shee close her speech with multitudes of teares which truly mooud mee to much compassion beginning then to hold her deare to me I perswaded her to leaue that life and liue with me who would accompany her sorrowes rather then afflict her with mirth and besides it might bee in my company shee might gaine remedy for her torture No remedy but death said shee can I haue and too long O me haue I sought that yet to obay you I will abide some time here and but here in these woods beseeehing you not to vrge me to the Court when the poorest place much better doth agree with my estate I to enioy her conuersation granted to any thing concluding that I should often visit her and so passe our times together in louing discourse This said Amphilanthus by your fauour sweete sister prooues you loue the water it seemes hath not so thorowly washed away your affection but reliques remaine of the old passion No truly dearâ—st brother said shee all those thoughts are cleane droun'd but yet I will goe on with my story Doe deare Sister said he and begin againe at But yet She blusht to find he had taken her and yet daintily proceeded That promise most religiously was kept betweene vs euery day I visiting my Shepherdesse But one day as we were together discoursing and walking in the wood we heard one not farre from vs sadly to sing an od kind of song which I remember getting afterwards the coppy of it and if I bee not deceiu'd sweet Cosin said she you will like it also the song was this speaking as if she had by him and the words directed to her as his thoughts were YOu powers diuine of loue-commanding eyes Within whose lids are kept the fires of loue Close not your selues to ruiue me who lies In bands of death while you in darkenesse moue One looke doth giue a sparck to kindle flames To burne my heart a martyr to your might Receiuing one kind smile I find new frames For loue to build me wholly to your light My soule doth fixe all thoughts vpon your will Gazing vnto amazement greedy how To see those blessed lights of loues-heauen bow Themselues on wretched me who else they kill You then that rule loues God in mercy flourish Gods must not murder but their creatures nourish Pamphilia much commended it which pleased Vrania infinitely touching as she thought her one estate while a proper song and well composd truly said Amphilanthus is this to be so much liked but my cosin only doth it to please you No in truth said Pamphilia it deserues in my iudgement much liking he smild on her Vrania going on you seeme Brother said she a little willing to crosse me this day but I will proceed in discourse The song you are pleasd to iest at being ended the same voyce againe did begin to lament in this manner If scorne be ordaind the reward for true loue then I am fully requited if firme affection must be rewarded with contempt and forsaking I am richly pay'd but if these deserue a sweet payment which alone consisteth in deare loue then am I iniurd and none more causelesly afflicted or cruelly reiected Loue suffer what thou wilt faith indure all neglect but euer be your selues pure and vnspotted Vnkind Liana yet pardon me for calling thee so since my heart grieues at that word vnkind yet giue me leaue to tell thee I haue not deseru'd this punishment from thee nor merited this rigor if anothers offence may make me faulty I am most guilty els as free as my loue still is to thee from blame or thought of staine in it art thou not then vniust sweete Iudge of all my harmes to punish me without a fault committed Pitie me yet and recall the censure wrongfully giuen on me condemned without a cause and still led on towards execution in daily tortures without merit Did any man die for anothers act then I must also suffer that tiranny else consider falfe iudgement is a shame vnto the Iudge and will lie heauy on his conscience call backe then e're I die this vnmerited verdict since my truth with-stands thy cruelty I would with Liana haue gone to see who this was that thus accused her but that we heard him againe say some Verses which being concluded we went to him but as wee went we heard another speake vnto him thus Alanius why doe you thus accuse Liana and torment your selfe with that which were shee certaine of shee would and must pity you nor can you blame her for flying you seeing as we both belieued your vnkindnesse and foule error Alas said Alanius farre be it from me euer to blame her nor can my soule permit me to loue her lesse though she were curst nay were she false I yet should loue her best but being by you assured of her truth giue me leaue to blame her rashnes and curse my owne ill fortune and vnluckie life which gaue and giues such dislike and smart vnto my dearer selfe and my sad daies Liana now knew not what to doe when she was certaine this complainer was Alanius and the other as she did imagine Menander but I willing to reconcile such broken fortunes made her goe towards him accompaning her sorrowes my selfe When being neere him and he looking vp perceiuing her without ceremony or regarding me ran vnto her and kneeling downe cry'd out these words Alas my deare Liana what hath your vnhappy slaue Alanius deseru'd to be thus pitilesse tortured heare but the truth and before you rashly censure me consider my great wrongs which I still suffer by mistakes in you Liana who loued as much as he and was as equally perplexed yet now a little more if possible bearing her owne and his sorrow for her affliction as being his and caused by her she lifted him vp from the ground and with teares said Think not my Alanius thy Liana can be other to thee then thou wilt haue her be yet blame me not directly for these things since here Menander can resolue thee of the cause yet let that passe and now bee confident thy loue hath such command mee as hadst thou been false she would not say as we imagined thy repentance and thy loued sight should haue destroyd all those thoughts where in offence might haue been borne to thee and so forgetfulnes in mee had gouernd with the memory of thy loue Then rising with a kisse the louers reconcil'd themselues and cast away their mourning but the story being strange where
sitting downe vpon it so as the light might serue to shew her beauty she thus spake Your name and comming into my power so nearely agreeing cannoâ— giue you other hope then to follow them who haue before runne into this danger of breaking my commands which are not without death to be satisfied especially if you like those wilfull men will not obey me yet this fauor you haue to lead you to happinesse that I neuer honourd any before with thus much kindnes which in an other if not so great a Queene might be called loue But I that scorne subiection cannot allow such a power only confesse my liking you hath made me pitty you and pitty brought mee to offer you an vnusuall honor for till this time did neuer any thought wherin ill might lurke inhabit nor euer was I mou'd to thus much shew of immodesty yet flatter not your selfe with thought of ouer much gaine since my attendants witnesse my truth and such boldnes as durst not bee matched with loosenes But indeed I must say I did like you when I saw you first and so well as I then resolu'd to be courteous to you that hath made mee willing to speake with you and to be truely resolu'd of you the night time I chose by reason my spirit hauing hitherto euer commanded and not in the least yeelded to any authority I should now be ashamed to giue occasion of the contrary conceit either by my countenance or fashon which I doubted would be so much more alter'd as my desires to faor you might purchase mee yet hope not more then your duty and respect to me may lawfully challeng least you fall into as great a hazard as a Larke doth who to shun the Hobby lyes downe till the nett be laid ouer her and so is caught by her owne folly or base yeelding But if you yeeld to me it shall bee noble if you refuse death honour will not permit mee to demand ought but noble things honour likewise ties you to obedience you a Knight I a Queene able to crowne you with the title of a King as it may bee with the honour of my loue feare not noblenesse dares aduenture any thing that 's noble I come not to you with threatning Armes or weapons to indanger you only with loue arm'd fully and so I would conquer What needs Armes replied the distressed Prince where such vnmatched power raignes weapons where beautie dwells or can refusall liue where such perfections authorise yeelding Command mee great Queene I am your seruant your prisoner what vse of words when the heart submits or speech when I am in your â—oyall hands a Vassall at command She was pleased and well liked this anâ—were her pride and power satisfied yet out of pride ordering her actions so as calling her maides she went away assuring her selfe that his loue must bee â—nswerable to her ambitious coueting it and seruile to her will but her maids â—omming to her they brought a marueilous louely banket of seuerall sorts of â—ruites both preserues and other as that time afforded and the delicatest â—ines Greece did know Then tooke she him by the hand with a countenance of maiesty and loue mix'd neither too high in state nor with shew of subâ—isse affection She was no sooner gone but Selarinus shut the doore grieued â—o the hart that he should be so tempted to iniure Philistella whose loue was â—o ingrauen by truth in his breast as he vowed to die rather then consent to â—ny greater kindnes then that night he had yeelded vnto The rest of which â—ime hee spent in thinking of his loue and weeping out compassion on his woes that were remediles yet such were his teares as they made prints in â—is soule for euery one shed seem'd like a drop throwne on fire that makes 〈◊〉 blacke but quencheth it not so did those spots of falshood as hee tearmd â—hem disgrace not disanull his vowed faith Deare Starre said he which â—nely giues me light how maiest thou darken thy selfe from fauouring me â—nd how iustly may I condemn'd demand no pardon My dearer life hadst â—hou heard my words or seene my manner mightst not thou too iustly cenâ—ure me I am vnworthy of thy smallest grace and vnable to excuse my erâ—or yet this consider I must get liberty to serue thee and how but by deceit â—f each one may vse deceit it will be surely permitted if not allowed to enioy â—heir loues then for that purpose beare with me but let me deceiue her to â—ee true to thee and to be with thee Pardon then this ill and giue leaue to vse Art to be more plaine with thee my bodies liberty lies in her to graunt my heartâ—s in thine to kil or saue sweet now be like thy like gentle and sweet â—nd be assurd I will not liue to be vntrue vnto thy loued selfe Then turnd he â—n his bed sigh'd and wept and so continued till the day appeared then rose and drest himselfe his Page and the attendants first appointed by the Queene waiting vpon him When he was ready he walk'd about the roome at last he â—ooked out at the window not to see but to be vnseene to lament breathing his priuate sighs into the aire the chiefe of his attendants thinking hee had â—tood admiring those sweet fine delights told him if it pleased him hee might goe into that Garden for such leaue he had Hee willing to haue any signe of freedome quicklie gaue consent so little a place as a Garden being like fresh-water comfortable to stenched fish so this to a priâ—oner Downe they went the walkes were extreame high and no way to bee climb'd gaue them certaine assurance of his safety wherefore they left him When he was alone he threw himselfe vpon the ground beate his breast and still cried out O me wretched of all men why am I thus punished for ambitions choice Loue thou didst choose or say I did why Loue I doe the more deserue thy fauour when choice and loue are honourd in the choice Where he had cast himselfe it was vnder a faire shade of Oranges a purling brooke whispering close by him which still he â—hought said Philistella see see I see my wrong cry'd he but better consider my true loue to thee auoid temptations poore distressed Selarinus and proud lasciuious Queen forbeare thy shame and mine Then came she in for from her cabinet she might behold that garden plainely and perceiuing him she said within her selfe my loue is there my loue commands my loue inuites the time allowes and all things with my longings now agree As she was thus resolud she left her Cabinet and hasted towards the Garden to win assure and so enioy him whom she found enioying as much griefe as absence and imprisonment could bring a loyall louer He saw her not till she threw her selfe downe by him he started vp and with humilitie demanded pardon for his boldnesse in not rising to her Maiestie which fault might be excused
was that I should vnderstand I belieued them and blame mee not braue Sir for neuer was man Lord of so many womens soules as this my Lord had rule of who without flatterie did deserue it neuer being vnthankfull for their loues Thus my beliefe gaue my faith I euer after constantly louing him hee shewed as much to me thus we loued or thought we loued which no sooner had possession but freedome followed as the second to loue and this brought mee to my onely playing part of miserie For being young and full of ioy inriched with the treasure of his affection I fell into a snare closely couered and so more dangerous being caught by the craft of one whose wit was to strong for mee being as plentifull in wickednesse as excesse could make or execution demonstrate in fulnesse I so true a louer as I thought on nothing else if ought it was how to indeare myselfe in his fauor by respecting and louing those hee loued a way much vsed and to some profitably practised this yet threw me into the Gulfe of mischiefe giuing welcome to that Wretch who vnder shew of respect spoild my only comfort stealing like rust and eating my heart with as marring and harmefull deceits The loue I saw my Lord bare him was the chiefe cause that made me like him trusting his choice aboue mine owne iudgement for I knew him once thanklesse enough to another from whom my Lord tooke him to bee his companion-like seruant His discourse was delicate and so vnusuall his wit not lying the same way that other good ordinary ones did and so excelling for what pleasinger then varietie or sweeter then flatterie which hee was filled with all and made mee giue or credit to a treacherous deceitâ— which perswaded mee hee was full of honest plainenes so prety and familiar his discourses were as shewed a pleasing innocency yet indued with admirable learning This moued me to trust considering that the greater his knowledge was the more he should know truth but contrariwise he was the breach to my misery My Lord imploidâ— him in some occasions abroad whether by his own desire to see or his wil to be certaine of some forraine knowledge he went away leauing me secure and happiest in my Lords affection Many letters I receiued froÌ„ him wherin he witnessed his truth which indeed did wel for only paper and inke said it not being worthy or honest enough to blush for his shame but in the time of his absence my loued loue did like all men alter it may bee caused by greater beautie it may â—ee prouoked to it by my imperfections but some thing it was I dare not say a naturall inconstancy bâ—t rather taxe my selfe with the blame then touch him made me vnfortunate This vnworthy man found it and as vildly pursued it smoothing me with flatteries while he glos'd with him and her to whom he had chang'd as long as euer hee discernd curtesie in him towards me which at last most cruelly was likewise taken from mee hee followed mee but then look'd on me as a rainy day doth on the earth after a flattering morning I was deceiued and indeed vndone but t was by him and for him whom I lou'd yet after some respect I found therefore I pardon forgiue him Sometime this lasted succeeding as I should haue told you the death of my husband and sonne by him for marryed I was and hauing ambition enough to hold mee from that in hope of obtayning him for my husband while the King still fauour'd mee and if I might with arrogancy say loued me But my loue to my chosen refus'd all others and he at last refused me which when the crafty vnhonest man directly saw hee not only as I told you left obseruing mee but proudly sought my loue if I scornd his basenesse a thing raised by my Father to be knowne but made by my Lord to shew in light Consider you who needs must know what can be yeelded by a spirit true to noble birth and more noble loue to a worme boldly crawling before the best and lifting vp an vnualued head as if a braue beast but a beast indeed he was and I the misfortune had to be a taster of his Villany vnder colour of visiting me after my losse he gaind still in my true heart a confidence of his renewing respect to mee which I prized him for confessing still and purely all the flames I felt for his Lord and soone after this he shewed his dishonesty and such neglect as if I were a blab or one desirous to doe ill I might yet mischeefe him But I am farre from that and will doe well let all other ills succeed that can for goodnesse and truth shall gouerne me yet because all his falshood shall not remaine hid or be vnknowne I will tell you somewhat that hee did for some-thing it concearns this story Hee came to me and found me apt or tooke occasion to thinke so for hee spake of loue and proceeded so farr as he brought it to my fortune I answered moderatly yet so home to my owne hart as he saw I was the same how euer he was changed for whose change my affliction was and so I discouer'd my paines and sorrowes as he said I complain'd fitly to be commiserated and that he pittied me Doe not so said I for I contemne pitty from thence hee grew to aspire to winne me and so boldly and â—aucely at lasâ— carryed himselfe as if my deerest knew it though he now shunns me he much more would scorne him that durst attempt to winne her whom he had once loued and yet holds as his owne though in despised sort And more to shew his villany he only serues and seekes and sues to haue her grace who hee perceiueth keeps my loue from me thinking himselfe base villaine good enough for me who now doe weare the wretched liuery of losse what is euer shun'd I haue in store forsaken and forlorne in loue Yet be it as it is and they continue as they doe I am and euer will be my selfe But what said Amphilanthus is the cause of this extreamity of griefe Haue I not told you Sir said she being forsaken and despised and why only for louing Dull I haue beene called for constancy is now termed so and his assurance of my faith made him leaue mee a thing hee thinks soone wonne or rather held at pleasure confident assurance of firmnesse growing to coÌ„tempt this course doe vnfortunate poore coÌ„stant louers run What is become said Amphilanthus of this man He liues said she I hope to shame himselfe Where is your loue said hâ— Fixed truely in my heart other where I can giue a small account of but as I haue heard liuing with a new loue bewitched sure with some charmes else could he not continue closed alone within her armes while armes and all true noblenes is buried in his losse for lost he is since hee fell to her power Why did
pleasant sweet flowers naturally growing there among the stones as Pancies and Violets and others what could be there shewed him concerning the place she willingly let him see and told him it did belong to the Lord of Corsu an Iland not farre off but within sight of it more it seem'd she was vnwilling to tell but this the truth of the story was shee was by birth a great Lady in the before-named Iland belou'd and wooed by many but shee lou'd onely one who lou'd her as much for many yeares she was married to a Knight but her affections were wedded to her owne choyce He whom shee lou'd was also married but like her to one he car'd not for Their loue for what loue can be kept secret where such barres bee for enioying was seene and spoken of by many yet few blam'd them but wish'd they were free and married together there was another Lady in the same Country with whom shee did much keepe company and at her house had the happinesse to meete her loue shee being acquainted with their affections for what could shee hold from this Lady who was her chosen friend carefull shee was to keepe their counsels desirous to aid them in their desires and as kinde a friend as a true one but heere began the harme to smother like wet hay in fire smokes but the flame was longer in breaking forth This Lady call'd Siluarina had a cousen whom shee did dearely loue deseruing from her what loue could bee express'd from one to such a kinsman who was both that and a loyall friend to her nothing so deare to him as her loue nor of what did hee take care in comparison of her but being young and young men bee wanton he fell in liking with a seruant that belonged to the Lady where they lay cald Diania shee had others fairer but this was by him chosen for louelinesse shee was of as passionate a disposition as hee apt to receiue which was to the height of loue he gaining as it seem'd what he required as it also was found he did not sparingly demaund after this he was perswaded by his friends to go see a Lady a great marriage and to wooe hâ—r he consented to it and brake with his Cousen about it she very wel liked of it incourag'd him in it the spiteful woman seeing that thought she would haue her time to act her part therfore hauing got a false key one night when the louers had appointed a meeting as many they had though still chast she opened the dore and going into the chamber being certaine by the watch she made that she was gone forth tooke the lampe which hung on the wall at the beds feete and hung it in a chayre hard by the beds side of purpose to giue her at her returne occasion to looke on the remouing of it and to take a paper which she had laid at the bottome of it wherin she had written the most vilanous letter for threatnings reuilings of her for her sin as she cal'd it as it a little troubled Siluarina though she had a great spirit but that told her she had a husband and so the knowledge would be dangerous she had honour that would she be ouerthrowne lastly her loue might suffer which most greeu'd her for if all the harme had fallen on her shee had the lesse cared to auoid this and keepe all safe she resolu'd to speak with her the next morning for the hand she knew but first her seruant comming into the room to see her before he went a iourny he was determined to make for some daies she shewed him the paper Hee was vexed withall being afflicted that she should be in hazard for him and in such a kinde as his paines and stirring in it would bee the worse for her reputation Shee was more grieu'd to see him perplexed then with the businesse wherefore shee did comfort him and assur'd him shee would finde a meanes to salue all Hee tooke his leaue of her enioyning her to send him word how things passed Shee promised that and willingly would shee doe it had it beene for no other cause then so to heare from him whom so dearely she lou'd Hee gone she rose and being ready sent for the Gentlewoman to her to whom she brake forth into these words What offence did I euer giue you or what cause of malice haue you against me to worke such a treacherous practise seeking to ruine me and my honour She replyed that her Cousen was assur'd to her and therefore she did it that you said shee hauing such power with him should not seeke to marry him to the Lady mention'd to him or to any but my selfe which if you doe assure your selfe I will not spare you either to your husband or any els but the whole world shall bee fill'd with your shame Threaten not base woman said shee I feare not nor thinke thou shalt make mee so neere thy selfe wicked as to wrong my Kinsman or bloud so much as to let him fall to such mischiefe as to bee thy husband I know you wrong him for he cannot haue that litle worth to be so fond of so vile a creature or forget himselfe so farre as to thinke of marrying you or were it so neuer thinke tricks can fright mee of any ill knowne by you that I haue committed I am as cleere as ayre onely suspition you may vrge and that was brought to light by you and the cause knowne to be malice who will beleeue you my life hath gained a settled opinion in the world not to be stirr'd by your ill tongue my husband is so iust as when he shall heare you and me he wil I know right me so farre as you shall be punished and whipp'd for slandering me What good then can you hope for if you doe talke which doe if you haue a minde to it and beleeue it you shall bee no more spar'd then you threatned me What witnesse can be brought against me an enuious railing woman your selfe onely What will that worke against me when differences will be iustly made betwixt you and me and malice ouerbalance the report Shee hearing her so fearelesse and knowing those things she spake to be true found shee was deceiu'd in her plot and Diania in her inuention encountring another manner of woman then she look'd for shee therefore turn'd her speech protesting how much shee had euer honour'd her that there should be nothing to the value of her life neglected to serue her withall desiring pardon for what she had said excusing her selfe with madnesse that possessed her for feare her Cousen would forsake her Thus they parted shee carelesse of her danger in outward show to her in whom the danger lay yet wished she for all her great spirit that shee were fairely dead and so her honour safe it continued thus her seruant returning backe againe and meeting her at the same place Siluarina hauing in the meane time
with as much admiration as shee did their Mistris thinking no difference betweene them in beauty saue that the new guests fairenesse seemed more masculine as fitted with her estate yet full of graue modest and seemely bashfulnesse Thus they beheld each other the Shepheards passionately beholding Leonia in memory of her loue and the Nimph amorously gazing on her in her owne passions till the musick a little awaked them making their eares proue traytors to their hearts for letting in any thing to them but loue Loue is a subiect so delightfull and alluring as it not onely winns but commands the very soule to the hearing or writing of it so wholly possessing as it caused this amorous accident and yet will not permit a resting here but proceedes to Amphilanthus and his company who liued in all pleasure outwardly yet fed sometimes with a bare hope as others were and this oft they felt and after learned to know they passing along a prety time without aduenture it was their chance to meete the same proud Queene of Bulgaria whom Rosindy had encountred but vpon fairer termes for she knew Lucenia and she did as she was an excellently wel fashioned woman giue her respect answerable to her heart Amphilanthus beheld her and thought her as faire as she was yet not a woman at least as hee protested to worke wonders on him yet shee doubted not nor was afraid to shew that shee thought he was her seruant if shee pleased but wrong hath been done to that famous and excellent Prince in that kind many times by a noble free fashion hee had which gaue ignorant or bold people liberty to speake of him but to our purpose After they had discoursed some dayes together much intreaty hauing preuaild they obtained her company to the Enchantment the noble Amphilanthus assuring her that the King would not be offended when he should be told with her iourney that shee had taken it vpon his request they came downe still till they were neere the Gulfe of Lepanto where they meant to ship and so to goe for the Rocke but as they were one hot afternoone sitting in a shade a louely sweet creature as those parts yeelded apparelled as that Country fashion was for the better sort to weare passed by them Musalina would not let her goe so but walked to her who with much ciuilitie staid and attended her commands Shee demanded some questions of her shee answered them with sweet and pleasing truth at last good breeding made her know that curtesie was not to be contemned by the greatest wherefore she inuited her and her company to rest them in her house which she said was hard by and though not worthy of them yet better then that place She took her inuitation and went for the rest who straight came and accompanied her to her abiding which was a faire house moated about but strong and hansome Gardens and Orchards within the moate delicate and pleasant a Bote to goe ouer it into dainty Meades Woods and Groues so pleasant this place was and so kind her entertainement as quickly they agreed to her ciuill request which she seeing the day far passed made to them for lying there that night Musick they had of diuers kinds and such mirth possessed them that place hauing euer been blessed with that fortune as few or none could be melancholy in it except the Mistris whom commanding all there appointed that passion wholly to attend her who not naturally but accidentally was the saddest noble Lady in those parts Dance they did and al other things that orderly mirth would permit yet still the Lady walked vp and downe as if her soule were absent and the body guided but by a Deputy who did not so well gouerne Musalina marked it for the braue Queene marked little but her selfe and the glory she tooke in that she asked the cause but with much fine and cunning respect not so finely insinuating her selfe into her but that she found her yet meant not to be too curious wherefore she answered her thus Madam if the cause of my sadnes were worthy to be heard or knowne by you so perfect a Lady I would not bee the delayer of the happinesse to that and my selfe in holding it from you yet some part as all is too long to tire you with all I will say I loued and was beloued I chose and am forsaken I loue and I thinke shall dying say so and do so I liued a while nourished with the bewitching foode of hope but that hath now left me to the opposite partie Despaire despaire the spring of all loue-lost teares and the Tombe of constant louers whither I haste as fast as my ill fortunes can carry me By this they were got a prety way from them and hard by the Moate side where Musalina would lie downe and heare more of her plaining then said she Madam you shall heare some more by that iudge the rest for my lippes shall not speake all though truth of him I dare not call him any thing for his name makes me still loue him and ready to forget all iniuries and that loue will not let me giue him any curst title but I went one day a iourney from his house with a Cosin of his he not being able to goe with me his eyes then fild with water mine as full hearts being equally stored with loue words we had few his being these Farewell my Deare said hee speaking this on my lippes and carry my heart with thee in thy iourney I will said I both keepe iâ— and cherish it doe the like for mine that I leaue with you his eyes â—old me hee would I thanked them with mine and so parted not fearing that which now too strictly holdeth me but since I neuer will trust man that when he will can weepe my soule did at the parting strangely misgiue me that some ill would follow but I guessed not what though I confesse a little while before I had somewhat been touched with care I wil not call it Iealousie though 't was as violent a paine but how did he seek to cleare himselfe and satisfie me I came in once when they two all alone were sitting on a bed shee looked angerly as hauing hindred her and red with fury he I thinke with shame that so I found him yet I went away nor did I challenge him for that though hee did seeke to make mee thinke no huâ—t was meant or harme vnto our loues this made mee more suspect sâ—spition bred more griefe the noblier he stroue to giue mee satisfaction the more I was engaged to belieue and did at last truly repenting as if I had erred and as clearely loued as at first and as feruently Oh what eyes could with freedome looke on him could any heart hould out against the siege of his alluring sweete beguiling loue no 't was impossible all were created to be made his prey and hee too pittifull and so by pitty to receiue and then
him to her at least leaue him at liberty to take her I found what she aym'd at and told her it was a new and an excellent manner of expressing friendship but I should thinke she seemd a very ignorant woman that would trust in that kind and should shew more indiscretion then perfect friendship in trying it thus she could not catch mee by this they came to their Chariotts and so they parted Musalina asking her if she had a husband I had Madam said shee which was none of my least afflictions or molestations then kissing her the rest likewise tooke leaue and so went on their iourney the Lady returning to her house they directing their Voyage towards the Gulfe where they shipp'd and sail'd towards the Island Rocke the Ladies in their disguises Musalina an Amazon the Queene a Persian but they were hindred a while by an other Ship the manner was this One standing vpon the Hatches sawe and knew Amphilanthus who was discoursing with the two braue Ladies and commending the Queene of Bulgaria for her choice of habit becomming her so well as it was a great pitty he said she was not sole Lady of those parts that dressing so well befitting her she tooke it like her owne conceit and so as shee loud him better for commending her then for his owne worth priâ—ing her selfe aboue any worldly treasure which he as finely made sport withall but this Gentleman causd his ship to lye aboard of the other kneeling down to the King he presented him with letters then standing vp deliuered these words The earths glory and Italys blessing famous Amphilanthus receiue these from your friends and Allies in Germany it hath pleased Tyme to giue period to the Emperours daies since whose decease many haue made themselus competitors for the Crowne but Ollorandus your worthy friend hauing the greatest stroake in the election making all the assembly remember your right hath chosen you and truely Sir not only hee but all as soone as you were named gaue an equall consent as if borne and made of one temper to serue you hauing iustly chose you to it Olorandus called me who haue the honor to bee his kins-man and in my youth his companion but more honourd mee in the Ambassage to bring this newes vnto you with all inioyns you by the loue betweene you two not to refuse this gift and Crowne he told me where I should finde you and according to his directious I haue ordered my course he feares the former made vow will carry you to the performance of that if so he assures you he will hold the Empire safe for you till you come and therefore himselfe will not aduenture the inchantment but if loue doe not ouer-rule he could wish you to leaue all vaine attempts and come to Prague where he will attend you and so waite on you to your Coronation if otherwise you shall be secure and hee your humble seruant and loyall friend my selfe Sir am fortunate to bee commanded in this seruice to you whom aboue all men I most honour your owne true vertue causd that respect in me Then did the King with much kindnesse vse the Prince of Transiluania who he vnderstood this Embassador to be by the letters he brought hee accepted the Crowne but with a little nicenesse professing himselfe not to bee capable of such a dignity but in conclusion his answers being but complements he tooke the title giuen him and gloried in nothing more then that he was so contentedly and without one opposite voice chosen onely he desired to be permitted to conclude his first vow which finished he would repaire into Germany and to that end dispatched the Prince of Transiluania againe telling him that loue it was true did force him to this attempt but what loue was it except the desire he had to constant truth in holding vowes and besides to haue those famous Princes his friends and Allies that were there inclosed to accompany him in his iourney for his greater honour and the glorie to the Empire This satisfied the Prince and so with letters of credence acceptation and promise of his presence hee returned a happy man and so had those parts reason to esteeme the like happinesse when the excellent Amphilanthus was to rule ouerthem who proceeded in his enterprise and landed on the Rocke passing directly to the Theater which opened to them and as he was the man most louing and best beloued so was part of the Charme ended al at his comming receiuing their best senses like their owne cloaths about them they ranne to welcome him and begann to be ashamd of their follies for being in disguise but shee whose minde knew onely truth rose likewise to salute him and with such loyall loue as ioy of his sight sprang like spring time in her face before pale and Winter-like in sorrow He complementally saluted her heeding none but with ciuility vsed all and her little kindlier though more respectiuely then the rest then againe they tooke their places being brought into a worse Charme then the first becaâ—se now they perfectly saw and knew misery to them that were subiects to it and such did Pamphilia feele who returning to the seate she had before sate in not only as she did alone but viewed by all to be so They infinitely wished for the finall end and she for hers directly before her sat Musalina and the halfe fulfiller of the Aduenture a sad spectacle but she must and did indure it though how with such vnquietnesse affliction and multitudes of teares as what succeeded losse of so much beauty as made many haue cause I meane slight louers to see her lesse amiable then lesse loue-worthy and so she was left and this is the truth of mans affection yet did hee not imagine or rather would not consider this was caused by his leauing her she poore Lady beholding nothing but affliction and making her selfe the true subiect to it yet did shee not nor would accuse him who was altogether so faulty as condemnd to be though more then she deserued vnkind Next to Amphilanthus sate the Queene of Bulgaria and by her her husband who arriued there iust at their landing glad without expression to see her her seruant likewise of Iamboli came thither the next day and according to the manner sat downe on her other side betweene Amphilanthus and her selfe she would not or might not it may be shew too much kindnesse to her beloued in his presence who though he were as louing a Husband as any yet his loue was mixed with discreete care ouer her actions and the more discretion she was bound to vse she was not displeased to haue her seruant sit by her and because he should haue no reason to remooue shee still itcht neerer her husband holding him by the hand which he took to be done out of pâ—rperfect or fond loue while her head was prettily toss'd first to one side then to an other as if she were choosing
her truth and loue Leaning her desolate alone to proue His Loue or â—â—ded or but giuen for neede Caus'd her with misery to gaine that meed I Ariadne am alike oppress'd Alike deseruiug and alike distress'd Vngratefull Demophon to Phillis faire A Thracian Lady causs'd by like dispaire Or greater farr for after feruent loue In which bless'd time he freely still did proue What is desir'd or lou'd he left this Queene And bliss for a lesse Kingdome which had beene Before his fathers aud by reason right For Theseus was his Sire that King of spight Thus did he both inherit state and ill While Phillis selfe her louely selfe did kill Making a Tree her Throne a Cord the end Of her affections which his shame did send I strangled am with your vnkindnes choak'd While cruelty is with occassions cloak'd Medea Witch with her enchanting skill Did purchasâ— what was craued by her will Yet was by Iason left at last which showes Loue only free from all bewitching blowes But his owne witchcraft which is worst of ills Neuer absenting till all ioy it spills Charms it may be with-held you now from me Breake through them leaue that Circes so oft free The Syrâ—ns songe Calypsoâ—s sweete delights And looke on faith which light is of true lights Turne backe the eyes of your chang'd heart and see How much you sought how foâ—dly once sought me What trauell did you take to win my loue How did you sue that I as kind would proue This is forgot as yesterdayes lik'd sport Loue winning lasting long once won proues short I like Penelope haue all this time Of your absenting let no thought to clime In me of change though courted and pursu'd By loue perswasions and euen fashons rude Almost to force extending yet still she Continued constant and as I am free Ten yeares a cause was for Vlisses stay While Troy besâ—iged was but then away Was homeward bent by all saue him who stayd And ten yeares more on forraine beautyes pray'd Against his will he oft his will enioyed And with variety at last was cloy'd Chainge wearyed him when weary he return'd And from his wandring then to staydnes turn'd Come you now backe I thus inuite you home And loue you as if you did neuer roame I haue forgot it as if neuer done And doe but thinke me a new to be wone I shall appeare it may be as I did And all passd falts shall in my breast be hid Try me againe and you shall truely find Where fairenesse wanteth clearenes of a minde Fairer and richer then the masse of all Their persons which from me haue made you fall If ioyn'd together and from thence to frame A minde of beauteous faith fit for the name Of worthy Constancy inrich'd with truth Which gaue me to you and so held my youth In young desires still growing to your loue Nourish them now and let me your loue proue Leaue the new powerfull charms of strangers tongus Which alwayes truth with their faire falshood wrongs Come backe to me who neuer knew the plot To crosse your minde or to thy will an nott Come I say come againe and with Vlisses Enioy the blessings of your best blisses Happy the comfort of a chaste loues bed Blessed the pillow that vpholds the head Of loyall louing shame 's the others due Leaue those for me who cannot be but true Come and giue life or in your stay send death To her that liues in you else drawes no breath What bands had you to tye you thus much said the Queene of Naples bands of faith in me and vowes from him of zealous truth said she priuately made to me and for greater satisfaction giuen before witnesses for marriage which made me foolish confident trust yeeld now wander lament and pine The Queenes pittied her and promised their helps to assist her She thank'd them but answerd none but loue had iniur'd her and â—onâ— els could or should helpe her so she as strangely went on and from them as wildly she had come to them they returning home she walking breathing in distembers At last resoluing to go to Pamphilia offer her seruice to the Queen who euer from her iufancy lou'd and trusted her was hindred from her company attendance by reason or rather this folly in affection which had power to make her dissist from all resolutions how fit or worthy to please that the most vaine and troublesome of any Now she could discerne her errour but how as if she lookt into a glasse and behinde her saw her miserie which to her face abusd her so her passed time had wrongâ—d her neuer to be righted or cleered if not by death forgetfulnes or charity The Queen Pamphilia receiued her with all kindnes with her she liud as in her former daies in much respect and vs'd with all courtesie the better being ioyned and more acceptable because neerest agreeing with her passions and miseries as shee calld them and indeed were for none can be compared to forsaken loue Nerena was left in miserable state imprison'd in a Towre locked vp in conceit of maddnesse and made a poore imagined distracted creature where she was absolute Princesse little Iustice was in this yet she as a woman must suffer although in time be released as shee at last was and now is the houre come for her safety Her Sister as you heard went to try the Inchantment in her absence desire of change and so hope of liberty as most times is gain'd in absence of the Prince grew among the people but most lay in the breast of a noble man whose conscience one may well say slept quietly from troubling his businesse till now hee had awaked it protesting that the wrong done to Nerena concern'd them all and lay alike to his imagination in their hearts as in his which moou'd him to vrge restitution and submission with establishing her in her former gouernment their latter Princesse being but to succeed her Sister and the iniury done to her who ought to reigne besides what follies did liue in her more and not as amply abounding as in the elder their rightful Lady besides as a woman why should she not be permitted both her vanity the nature of her Sexe their fidelity to their late Master was lost their loyalty to Succession forgot the oath to truth broken they guilty to all foule Treasons hauing deposd their Princess and established another whose merit were not far beyond their own Mistrisses nor whose staid worth ought to claime too strickt an obedience wher right challenged the contrary He was a great man welbeloued infinitly followed feared therfore cheerish'd he swayed much and so far proceeded as hee with the rest of the Counsel fetched Nerena forth solemnly againe establish'd her had pardons for all things past all was made vp with a kind gratious coÌ„clusion she by her poore liuing and neglect being now inuested in so staid an habitation
and being so you are as much out here said they and therein is our happinesse Haue you no Knights Aduenturers in this Countrie said he Knights we haue said thâ— Lady good store and aduentures but they seldome are put together our Knights leauing the aduenturing part vnlesse out of necessitie none louing a happy and worthy peace better and none abler or brauer in warre when occasion calleth on them but if you will trie aduentures here are many in this place seuerall Inchantments and diuers hard waies to attempt them Charmes are here in abundance also So it appeares saith he for you doe carry charmes enough about you to ouerthrow Armies of hearts then making so many yeeld how can you be but in peace when none dare warre against such powers Wee are armed with strong resolutions said the Shepheardesse and defended by our owne vertue so as wee feare no enemy if not lurking in our owne breasts which yet haue not appeared I am certaine haue not had the boldnesse to aduenture in my sight How free you are said the Lady while I that liue in the same State am yet enuironed with enemies I had the same subiect-like freedome which you had yet I haue yeelded to another Prince and in that am a Traytor for alas I haue another Monarchy ruling in me then the true one of this Country This is a strange confession said the Shepheardesse but for Loues sake how long hath it gouerned and what is it The same Lord in whose name you coniure me How cryed the Shepheardesse why dearest Lady can your incomparable wit matchlesse spirit vnparalleld iudgement vnspeakable discretion vnusuall knowledge pearelesse learning and most admirable vertue yeeld to the poore meane wayward foolish and weakest passion you that haue conquered hearts and millions of them while you haue gloried in your owne strength and power rightly to be made an example to all your sexe for constant worth and worthy confidence will you fall lower then my companions poore and weak Shepheardesses let your spirit awake and open your eies to vertue it is she calls vpon you It is shee shall rule me said the Lady for none but a vertuous loue will I take or yeeld vnto and in such is vertue requisite to be called to counsel You will all flatter your selues said the Shepheardesse and Loue that blind Deuill which deludes you bringing you on as men doe children by Plums to haue them doe as they desire so this false God will abuse you with his crafty delusions he will make all faults shew as faire and rich as Diamonds but the richest of them taken inwardly are poyson hee will paint ouer his worst cousenages with vertue to intice you but won hee will appeare in other colours hee will guild his bitterest pills with golden promises rich hopes and all falshoods and when You haue said your worst replied the Lady and wee considered all I must loue and so I hope shall you deare friend if but for loues honours sake since an enemies gaining is more honour then the conquest of hundreds of vs that are profest his enemies A goodly profession certainely said she and a great purchase you haue yet to enrich your selfe withall who had lately the richest stocke and treasure of true noble and vertuous freedome The Lady tooke her in her armes and smiling kissed her Chide me not dearest Celina I cannot helpe nor alter my fortunes run not on the errour that I can withstand the power commands from Kings to your companions for who are vnlesse your selfe free what man euer liued that loued not or woman breathed who had not some affection not your selfe but loue if but this life I loue where I may gaine happinesse and the truest end for which we are and to which I hope you will come then Oh doe not you afflict me with blaming me my loue to you shall be no lesse but rather more since the better I know how to loue the better I shall loue you A fine and rare conclusion truly said Celina and iust louer-like to deceiue your selfe in troth Loue hath played her part well in so short a time to instruct you thus perfectly but if you pardon your louing I can scarce doe so for your cursing me since wishing me to be a louer is a flat curse pardon me thus you may said â—ossilea since I wish you as my selfe With that the Prince who was taken with the Shepheardesses loue came in to part the louing yet for loue disputing friends little needed any peace-maker betweene them whose affections to each other were so twined in vnion as could not be vnwouen by any workeman but death yet he louing and pleading for loue they all sat downe ioyntly louers he louing her the Lady her Seruant the Shepheardesse her liberty The Prince then looking on her who so much scorned lone and speaking to the other subiect of affection entreated hee might be so bold as to beseech the fauour of her to know who she was and the manner of her loue she answered she would not deny that request but tell her story with so much truth and passion as shee could hoping by it to win the Shepheardesse to bee her fellow in seruice as her chosen friend in loue You must vse strange eloquence said she to perswade me to such a seruitude but if euer I fall into it it will be to keepe you company yet dearely should I buy such a friendship As they were thus going about to relate their stories the Shepheardesse started vp saying she saw her sheepe disturbed and frighted at something by the banke as they were going to drinke shee ran thither and looking to see what it was found a man drowned as she thought she with that cried out and the other two came hastily to her and altogether helping her lifted him vp no sooner had she faire and louing Lady seene his face but she forgot the delicatenesse of her greene Veluet Gowne the richnesse of her faire carnation imbrodred peticote her white shooes and rich laced shooties all was cast aside and he being laid on the banke she laid her selfe in the wet and on the ground by him rubd his pale face wept cryd for helpe did all that a friend a seruant but most a louer could doe for his recouering Elina saw the care her friend had of him with what affection she sought his sauing she thought it charytie she liked the vertâ—e she seemed to lament with her as her friend she counteâ—feited not but in truth sorry yet at first she immitated Rossalea first knew not alasse how to greiue but so she played till it was so perfectly counterfeited as she acted beyond that part and in earnest greiued palenes heere wonne more then beauty that to her was the greatest beauty wannes and dead lookes more then chearefull colour cold lips more then warme liuing ones heate yet in them to burne her shee who could not like a liuing Prince or any man falles
other to thinke to whom hee had committed himselfe and his last hopes With that the Venetian called Leurenius step in and not after the ordinary way taking the hurt body but the hurter he caught and vsing these words held him Villaine said he thus to murther one whose all and least drop of bloud being staind by thee should so haue beene cheerish'd What canst thou then say in thy defence or on thy part to excuse this cruelty this youth is not onely slâ—ine by thee but tyed to suffer the slaughter hauing no defence for himself not only so but as your speeches argue made ill and guilty of bloud this but annimated and imboldned him hauing no more order or bounds then the Sea hath in a storme on rotten and yeelding ground wicked soule what canst thou say to answere thy wickednes better then you replyed hee this bold and sawcy inquisition who authorized you in this examination who made you inquisitor or iudge truth and pitty said Leurenius neither euer ruled or had power in mee said Vicianus I am Lord of my selfe and much good lands hereabout I owe now nothing to any I did and was indebted to the great keeper of the Forrest whose command greater then mine I câ—uld not suffer but after many contentions and controuersies betweene vs he not the man that would submit or yeeld I layd a plot for reuenge that being my refuge and yesterday finding my aduantage tooke it and now am satisfied for his life I haue and now am free this creature being my only Counsellor who hurt dangeroâ—sly by him who intruth was valiant and had many good parts yet drowned them all in the brooke of dislike to my orders which were not to be corrected by him I so ordered him as wee two I say had his life and least that should come out I haue now made away with him so will I doe with you for in such bussinesses I loue no Counsell-keepers with that he let flye at him with a waighty club of Iron but Leureneus was nimble and well vsed to escape such perrils so as slipping aside he auoyded it but withal stept in like a younger brother to possession closing with him threw him downe then possest he himselfe with his armes and forced him to tell him he had done this ill he confest it was done by treasons compact more hee would not say but by chance watching opportunity catched the Princes dagger and would haue stabbed him but he quickly preuented it and made the actor better act his part shunning the blow and catching him vnprouided for resistance armed only with mischeife got the dagger from him and throwing him downe on his knees made him acknowledge his fault and make his confession the cheife Forrester is a great Lord and infinitely powerfull in loue of friends and people but most inricht with the affection of the Lady of the Forrest whom I affected and who had by the Lords appoyntment that honour done to her that title being giuen her which madded me as much as her refusing me which proudly she had done yet sought I not so much reuenge of her as of her seruant and our Forrest Lord her affection I hop'd to winne by loue or force he gone whom she affected and to be rid of him I resolued and yesterday I dispatched it This youth my then in shew cherisht-Lad slew him with an arrow as hee alone rid to see his walke and to bee suer of him when wounded I threw him into the Brooke where if any seeke they may find him his wound is on the left side the instrumeÌ„â— a Bow the weapon abroad arrow so as now if I dye I haue this satisfaction he goes and is gone before me You are said the Prince much deceiued in this for though hurt he liues and to recouer wee make no question but to assure you of it you shall goe with me and from him and his deerest only beloued receiue your punishment Backe hee led him by force and deliuered him vnto them he was by the Officers of that part the Lord being a party hauing no power to punish him sent vnto the Citty into a sharpe prison whence hee was conducted to such punishment as the Iudges and Officers appointed for him Leurenius againe going downe towards the Meddowes to find his heart which in Celinus breast he saw crauing loue or pitty she lying on the ground carelesse of order or modesty allmost distracted and lying in the most disordered Posture that could be for so discreet and curious a woman tumbling on the ground clapping her breast sobbing weeping crying all passionate ioyned to her masterie one while she tore her haire and thrust her face as it were into the ground another time she rated her passions by sufferance and so challenged reward then she confeâ—t the reasons and so recald her claime then she blamd her folly but quickly commended her loue thus by contrarieties she gained respit but not ease from her paines flying like downe in the ayre miserable bondage and most so because to a late free heart O seruitude insufferable and slauery not to bee endured Wretched Celina cryd shee that haue these vnmeasured thoughts and want of power to expresse them but in patience some lines she put together but so few as could make no kind of verse not hauing proportion or number these indeed said she are fit for my making vnmeasurable thoughts leaue me as hope help abandons me Then she again vexed to the soule rold on the grasse and with her teares to the earth and on it Receiue me deare Mother said she into thee and let me be as I am once againe with thee The Prince was grieued to see his soule which in her was thus perplext he cryd against his ill lamented as for her and in as much distresse as any that euer loued he gouerned vnder the weight of his affliction he heard her complaine of vnfortunate loue he said he might as iustly doe so to she said it was strangly fatall to loue so violently at first sight He shrug'd and said it was his fate no complaints she would make that he had not the same cause to dislike for no payne was in her that hee was not a patient of yet strong it was the paines one the accident one and cause one they were by two equall sufferings made diuers and seuerall She complayn'd shee could not measure her passions He that he could not please her by putting them in measur'd feete yet to passe the time hauing a fine voyce and skill fit for a Prince he sung this Songe 1 HAue I lost my liberty And my selfe and all for thee O Loue Yet wilt thou no fauour giue In my losse thy blame will liue Alas remoue 2 Pitie claimes a iust reward But proud thoughts are thy best guard Once smile Glory t is to saue a life When deceiuers are in strife Which to beguile 3 Your gaiâ—e hath my paine begot But neglect doth
euill with a show of good While in faire showes their malice so is spent Hope kill 's the heart and Tyrants shed the blood For Hode deluding brings vs to the pride Of our desires the farther downe to slide 36. HOw well poore heart thou witnesse canst I loue How oft my grief hath made thee shed forth teares Drops of thy dearest blood and how oft feares Borne testimony of the paines I proue What torments hast thou suffer'd while aboue Ioy thou tortâ—r'd wert with racks which longing bears Pinch'd with desires which yet but wishing reares Firme in my faith in constancie to moue Yet is it said that sure loue cannot be Where so small shew of passion is descri'dâ— When thy chiefe paine is that I must it hide From all saue oneâ—y one who should it see For know more passion in my heart doth moue Then in a million that make shew of loue Song 6. YOu happy blessed eyes Which in that ruling place Haue force both to delight and to disgrace Whose light allures and tyes All hearts to your command O looke on me who doe at mercy stand 'T is you that rule my life 'T is you my comforts giue Then let not scorne to me my ending driue Nor let the frownes of strife Haue might to hurt those lights Which while they shine they are true loues delights See but when Night appeares And Sunne hath lost his force How his losse doth all ioy from vs diuorce And when he shines and cleares The Heauens from clowdes of Night How happy then is made our gazing sight But more then Sun's faire light Your beames doe seeme to me Whose sweetest lookes doe tye and yet make free Why should you then so spight Poore me as to destroy The only pleasure that I taste of ioy Shine then O dearest lights With fauour and with loue And let no cause your cause of frownings moue But as the soules delights So blesse my then blest eyes Which vnto you their true affection tyes Then shall the Sunne giue place As to your greater might Yeelding that you doe show more perfect light â—â—en but grant this grace Vnto your Loue-tide slaue To shine on me who to you all faith gaue And when you please to frowne Vse your most killing eyes On them who in vntruth and falshood lies But Deare on me cast downe Sweet lookes for true desire That banish doe all thoughts of faigned fire 37. NIght welcome art thou to my minde distrest Darke heauy sad yet not more sad then I Neuer could'st thou finde fitter company For thine owne humour then I thus opprest If thou beest darke my wrongs still vnredrest Saw neuer light nor smallest blisse can spye If heauy ioy from mee to fast doth hie And care out-goes my hope of quiet rest Then now in friendship ioyne with haplesse me Who am as sad and darke as thou canst be Hating all pleasure or delight of life Silence and griefe with thee I best doe loue And from you three I know I cannot moue Then let vs liue companions without strife 38. WHat pleasure can a banish'd creature haue In all the pastimes that inuented are By wit or learning Absence making warre Against all peace that may a biding craue Can wee delight but in a welcome graue Where we may bury paines and so be farre From loathed company who alwaies iarre Vpon the string of mirth that pastime gaue The knowing part of ioy is deem'd the heart If that be gone what ioy can ioy impart When senslesse is the feeler of our mirth No I am banish'd and no good shall finde But all my fortunes must with mischiefe binde Who but for misery did gaine a birth 39. IF I were giuen to mirth t would be more crosse Thus to be robbed of my chiefest ioy But silently I beare my greatest losse Who 's vs'd to sorrow griefe will not destroy Nor can I as those pleasant wits inioy My owne â—ram'd wordes which I account the drosse Of purer thoughts or reckon them as mosse While they wit-sick themselues to breath imploy Alas thinke I your plenty shewes your want For where most feeling is wordes are more scant Yet pardon me liue and your pleasure take Grudge not if I neglected enuy show 'T is not to you that I dislike doe owe But crost my selfe wish some like me to make 40. IT is not Loue which you poore fooles doe deeme That doth appeare by fond and outward showes Of kissing toying or by swearings gloze O no these are farre off from loues esteeme Alas they are not such that can redeeme Loue lost or winning keepe those chosen blowes Though oft with face and lookes loue ouerthrowes Yet so slight conquest doth not him beseeme 'T is not a shew of sighes or teares can proue Who loues indeed which blasts of faigned loue Increase or dye as fauours from them slide But in the soule true loue in safety lies Guarded by faith which to desert still hies And yet kinde lookes do many blessings hide 41. YOu blessed Starres which doe Heauen 's glory show And at your brightnesse make our eyes admire Yet enuy not though I on earth below Inioy a sight which moues in me more fire I doe confesse such beauty breeds desire You shine and clearest light on vs bestow Yet doth a sight on Earth more warmth inspire Into my louing soule his grace to know Cleare bright and shining as you are is this Light of my ioy fix't stedfast nor will moue His light from me nor I change from his loue But still increase as th' earth of all my blisse His sight giue life vnto my loue-rould eye My loue content because in his loue lies 42. IF euer loue had force in humane brest If euer he could moue in pensiue heart Or if that he such powre could but impart To breed those flames whose heat brings ioyes vnrest Then looke on me I am to these adrest I am the soule that feeles the greatest smart I am that heartlesse Trunck of hearts depart And I that One by loue and griefe opprest None euer felt the truth of loues great misse Of eyes till I depriued was of blisse For had he seene he must haue pitty show'd I should not haue beene made this Stage of woe Where sad Disasters haue their open show O no more pitty he had sure bestow'd Song 7. SOrrow I yeeld and grieue that I did misse Will not thy rage be satisfied with this As sad a Diuell as thee Made me vnhappy be Wilt thou not yet consent to leaue but still Striue how to show thy cursed diuelish skill I mourne and dying am what would you more My soule attends to leaue this cursed shoare Where harmes doe onely flow Which teach me but to know The saddest houres of my lifes vnrest And tyred minutes with griefes hand opprest Yet all this will not pacifie thy spight No nothing can bring ease but my last night Then quickely let it be While I vnhappy see That time so
must be Curst Iealousie doth all her forces bend To my vndoing thus my harmes I see So though in Loue I feruently doe burne In this strange Labyrinth how shall I turne Song I. SWeet let me enioy thy sight More cleare more bright then morning Sun Which in Spring-time giues delight And by which Summers pride is wun Present sight doth pleasures moue Which in sad absence we must misse But when met againe in loue Then twice redoubled is our blisse Yet this comfort absence giues And only faithfull louing tries That though parted Loues force liues As iust in heart as in our eyes But such comfort banish quite Farre sweeter is it still to finde Fauour in thy loued sight Which present smiles with ioyes combind Eyes of gladnesse lipps of Loue And hearts from passion not to turne But in sweet affections mooue In flames of Faith to liue and burne Deareâ—t then this kindnesse giue And grant me life which is your sight Wherein I more blessed liue Then graced with the Sunnes faire light 2. SWeet Siluia in a shady wood With her faire Nimphs layd downe Saw not farre off where Cupid stood The Monarch of Loues Crowne All naked playing with his wings Within a Mirtle Tree Which sight a sudden laughter brings His Godhead so to see An fondly they began to iest With scoffing and delight Not knowing he did breed vnrest And that his will 's his right When he perceiuing of their scorne Grew in such desperate rage Who but for honour first was borne Could not his rage asswage Till shooting of his murth'ring dart Which not long lighting was Knowing the next way to the heart Did through a poore Nymph passe This shot the others made to bow Besides all those to blame Who scorners be or not allow Of powerfull Cupids name Take heede then nor doe idly smile Nor Loues commands despise For soone wiâ—â— he your strength beguile Although he want his eyes 3 COme merry Spring delight vs For Winter long did spight vs In pleasure still perseuer Thy beauties ending neuer Spring and grow Lasting so With ioyes increasing euer Let cold from hence be banish'd Till hopes from me be vauish'd But blesse thy daynties growing In fulnesse freely flowing Sweet Birds sing For the Spring All mirth is now bestowing Philomel in this Arbour Makes now her louing Harbour Yet of her state complaining Her Notes in mildnesse strayning Which though sweet Yet doe meet Her former luckelesse paining 4. LOuers learne to speake but truth Sweare not aud your oathes forgoe Giue your age a constant youth Vow no more then what you 'le doe Thinke it sacriledge to breake What you promise shall in loue And in teares what you doe speake Forget not when the ends you proue Doe not thinke it glory is To entice and then deceiue Your chiefe honors lye in this By worth what wonne is not to leaue 'T is not for your fame to try What we weake not oft refuse In our bounty our faults lye When you to doe a fault will chuse Fye leaue this a greater gaine t is to keepe when you haue won Then what purchas'd is with paine Soone after in all scorne to shun For if worthlesse to be priz'd Why at first will you it moue And if worthy why dispis'd You cannot sweare and lie and loue Loue alasse you cannot like T is but for a fashion mou'd None can chase and then dislike Vnlesse it be by fashâ—â—d prou'd But your choyce is and your loue How most number to deceiue As if honors claime did moue Like Popish Law none safe to leaue Flye this folly and returne Vnto truth in Loue and try None but Martir's happy burne More shamefull ends they haue that lye 1. MY heart is lost what can I now expect An euening faire after a drowsie day Alas fond Phant'sie this is not the way To cure a mourning heart or salue neglectâ— They who should helpe doe me and helpe reiect Embracing loose desires and wanton play While wanton base delights doe beare the sway Aud impudency raignes without respect O Cupid let they Mother know her shame 'T is time for her to leaue this youthfull flame Which doth dishonor her is ages blame And takes away the greatnes of thy name Thou God of Loue she only Queene of lust Yet striues by weakning thee to be vniust 2. LAte in the Forrest I did Cupid see Cold wett and crying he had lost his way And being blinde was farther like to stray Which sight a kind compassion bred in me I kindly tooke and dry'd him while that he Poore Child complain'd he sterued was with stay And pin'd for want of his accustom'd prey For none in that wilde place his Host would be I glad was of his finding thinking sure This seruice should my freedome still procure And in my armes I tooke him then vnharm'd Carrying him safe vnto a Myrtle bowre But in the way he made me feele his powre Burning my heart who had him kindly warm'd 3. IVno still iealous of her husband Ioue Descended from aboue on earth to try Whether she there could find his chosen Loue Which made him from the Heau'ns so often flye Close by the place where I for shade did lye She chafing came but when shee saw me moue Haue you not seene this way said she to hye One in whom vertue neuer grownde did proue Hee in whom Loue doth breed to stirre more hate Courting a wanton Nimph for his delight His name is Iupiter my Lord by Fate Who for her leaues Me Heauen his Throne and light I saw him not said I although heere are Many in whose hearts Loue hath made like warre 4. WHen I beheld the Image of my deare With greedy lookes mine eies would that way bend Feare and Desire did inwardly contend Feare to be mark'd Desire to draw still neere And in my soule a Spirit would appeare Which boldnes warranted and did pretend To be my Genius yet I durst not lend My eyes in trust where others seem'd so cleare Then did I search from whence this danger rose If such vnworthynesse in me did rest As my staru'd eyes must not with sight be blest When Iealousie her poyson did disclose Yet in my heart vnseene of Iealous eye The truer Image shall in tryumph lye 5. LIke to huge Clowdes of smoake which well may hide The face of fairest day though for a while So wrong may shaddow me till truth doe smile And Iustice Sunne-like hath those vapours tyde O doating Time canst thou for shame let slid So many minutes while ills doe beguile Thy age and worth and falshoods thus defile Thy auncient good where now but crosses bide Looke but once vp and leaue thy toyling pace And on my miseries thy dimme eye place Goe not so fast but giue my care some ende Turne not thy glasse alas vnto my ill Since thou with sand it canst not so farre fill But to each one my sorrowes will extend 6. O That no day would euer more appeare But clowdy night to gouerne this sad place Nor light from Heauen these haples roomes to grace Since that light 's shadow'd which my Loue holds deare Let thickest mists in enuy master here And Sunne-borne day for malice show no face Disdaining light where Cupid and the race Of Loueâ—s are despisd and shame shines cleere Let me be darke since barr'd of my chiefe light And wounding Iealousie commands by might But Stage-play-like disguised pleasures giue To me it seemes as ancient fictions make The Starrs all fashiousâ— and all shapes partake While in my thoughts true forme of Loue shall liue 7. NO time no roome no thought or writing can Giue rest or quiet to my louing heart Or can my mâ—mory or Phant'sie scan The measure of my still renewing smart Yet whould I not deare Loue thou should'st depart But let my passions as they first began Rule wound and please it is thy choysest Art To giue disquiet which seemes ease to man When all alone I thinke vpon thy paine How thou dost trauell our best selues to gaine Then houerly thy lessons I doe learne Thinke on thy glory which shall still ascend Vntill the world come to a finall end And then shall we thy lasting powre dicerne 8. HOw Glowworme-like the Sun doth â—ow appeare Cold beames doe from his gloriouâ— face descend Which shewes his daies and force duw to an ende Or that to leaue taking his time growâ—s neere The day his face did seeme but pale tâ—ough cleare The reason is he to the North must end His light and warmth must to that Climat bend Whose frozen parts could not loues â—eat hold deare Alas if thou bright Sunne to part frâ—m hence Grieue so what must I haplesse wâ— from thence Where thou dost goe my blessing sall attend Thou shalt â—nioy that sight for whicâ— I dye And in my heart thy fortuues doe nuy Yet grieue I 'le loue thee for thistate may ' mend 9. MY Muse now happy lay thy sâ—fe to rest Sleepe in the quiet of a faitfull loue Write you no more but let theâ— Phant'sies mooue Some other hearts wake not to ew vnrest But if you Study be those thoughts adrest To truth which shall eternall goodnes prooue Enioying of true ioy the most and best The endles gaine which neuer will remoue Leaue the discourse of Venus and her sonne To young beginners and their braines inspire With storyes of great Loue and from that fire Get heat to write the fortunes they haue wonne And thus leaue off what 's past shewes you can loue Now let your Constancy your Honor proue FINIS
a looking-glasse betweene two which to haue wherein she might see her faire follies best yet if euer prid were to be commended it was there to be esteemed for certainely that held her vertuous and so by that meanes one of the greatest sinnes grew like a vertue but no neerer being one then the shadow of the purest Lilley in the water is one neither hauing colour or sweetenesse of the Lilley only shape but blacke and nothing of it selfe no more good is in pride but as it is sometimes and here especially vsed for a shadowed vertue Ollorandus when Amphilanthus resolud to aduenture this place did likewise thinke to doe so too for such a friend he was as he imployd himselfe wholly to be his imitator then did he best in his own opinion when he did any thing or said any thing like Amphilanthus but yet he kept an vnuiolable affection to his Melysinda whō he went to fetch to the aduenture but as he went he met the newes of the Emperours death which hastned him home faster if it could be or if wings can be giuen of more speed then those of loue with which hee flew yet hee had the fortune that trauelling Princes haue for this chanced to him A Gentleman he met all in mourning his face more expressing it then his cloathes though in the exactest fashion for shape and blacknes armes he had none but his owne armes foulded within each other his hat downe in his eyes his pace slow his sighs many his teares had spent themselues so liberally before as now he had none left to shed the spring dry and stop'd with heauy sorrow his speech when vrg'd by Ollorandus to speak was as if frozen and only melted or thawed by good manners to giue answere though but no deeper the thawe peirced then to make a little moistnes to freeze the harder on it for so few was his words and so long before gain'd as it was almost like a hope of great content a louer promiseth himselfe when he thinkes after a long absence he shall enioy his loues sight a whole day when that day comes his fed imagination in conceit is so soone made to sterue againe with the speedy passing of that time as it is worse then if not had and indeed scarce is it had because the expectation so much excells the enioying so did the King in this for when he had got him to answere once he prouoked him with such discourse as he thought should procure a large scope of replye but he only looked on him sigh'd cry'd I am the perfect scorne of fortune what neede I or can I say more The Bohemian would not thus be satisfied but stil vrged the Gentleman stood still bare-headed in respect to him but more words hee got not of him for a great space at last fearing that too great inciuility would bee layed to his charge hee thus spake Sir said hee what offence haue I giuen you that you should seeke this reuenge on mee to make mee wound my selfe with my owne miseries relation Alasse consider when misfortune is befalne on how doth euery one that loues him striue to keepe his discourse from his friends eares if hearing bee painefull what is the telling it when the soule euery word that is spoken feeles torment insencible tasting the harme knowing euery corner of it as an Architecture doth in the framed building his imagination casteth yet seeing their satisfaction can be obtained but by this I will speake what I am loath any but my owne heart should know out of two reasons being so deare to me one because my dearest deare was the Actor the other that the fulnesse of the griefe stor'd vp might choake and kill my heart and so send me to her but your importunity hath preuaild and I haue now set open the two gates of my silence to the ruine the enemy speech will bring to my soule I was borne to honour and dignity wealth and what men most esteeme I had plenty of I was fauoured by the King imploy'd by his Maiesty in office and command but what did I gouerne when I was ouerrul'd by loue A Lady I affected she loued me and spar'd not to giue me all testimonies of it another sought me I grew proud of it and accepted her affection likewise the former saw it wept to me and tax'd me for it I protested against it and yet was guilty shee at last by my vnpardonable offence being certaine of it for I neglected her this second I doted on bewitch'd by her charmes she onely had power ouer me shee could onely make mee doe any thing I left the Court almost for her neuer thinking my selfe at rest but when I was with her businesses were tedious to me sought before by mee for I did loue imployment till I imployed my selfe so ill as to bee her seruant◠shee as I thought as fond of mee I ioyed in that and to satisfie her left all the world vnsatisfied of me and as many to scorne my weaknesse as in former time admir'd and loued my readinesse my poore true loue liu'd this while disdaind forsaken and almost contemn'd more wretched creature I who was ordain'd to doe that ill to spoyle my selfe with all In this time of my blindnesse another got my place in my masters brest growing so powerfull and dangerous as I was forced to oppose him for hee spared none to worke his owne ends on I was vnfortunate in that likewise for then was hee so mighty and besides so ill as hee forgetting all but himselfe brought many into the Kings displeasure I repin'd at that and seeing at last no remedy tooke armes with many other my friends but too weake wee were and I taken by composition in mine owne Castle yeelding on condition all the rest should bee spard that was granted and I alone carried to the Prison the greatest Traytors are carried vnto being called the Kings Prison there I lay ten dayes till euery thing was ready for my arraignment then was I brought forth and after by the great men condemn'd I could not say they did vniustly for a subiect ought not vpon any termes to weare armes against his rightfull King I was contented with the censure setled my selfe to dye and was grieued for nothing but that I should not kisse my loue before my death The night before my appointed execution when I was meditating on my end my Keeper came vnto me and with teares told me the compassion he had of my estate I desired him to forbeare putting me into thoughts that might withdraw me frō those more necessary befitting me at that time He would not as hauing a furder purpose giue ouer but proceeded till at last I found by him he had some plot for my deliuery then I was more troubled between two doubts one of the truth of this thing whether it were for my good or only a trap to take me in so to make my death more terrible
ignoble when ioyed with feare basestealing a life or if he meant really how it might be effected These coÌ„trarieties put me into a great perplexity yet I stil held conuenient discourse with him who finding me vncertaine in my answers and suspitious of my selfe brake out in these termesâ— I see my Lord my fortune to be so ill as you whom I most desire to serue mistrust me alas if loue moou'd mee not what plot should I haue to put my selfe into so eminent a danger it is onely that hath wrought mee to this and yet I am mistrusted by you I sought to appease his passion he then went on I haue my Lord said he layd the way and a youth of my acquaintance stayes below with the cords shall if you please deliuer you from death and this place it is more then time wee were about it therefore resolue what you will doe and that speedily I hearing this and looking on a clocke was in my chamber found it past midnight straight led by a bold beliefe gaue consent to goe vp and downe at all houres went forth telling the watch hee was sent for a Gowne for mee to weare the next day at my death vnder colour of this within a long robe hee brought the ropes which hee fastened to the barres of the windowes which were not so thicke placed but one might easily get out the reason was the heighth made the feare of getting thence nothing At the bottome stood the youth hee spake of and made the lower ends fast out hee went first to shew mee the way and try if the cordes were fast then came vp againe and helpd mee forth staying till I was safely on the ground then vntyed the cordes and the youth loosed them below so hee drew them vp and in a fire in my chamber burn'd them shutting the window and himselfe comming downe the ordinary way againe without suspition to any Gate hee duâ—st not bring mee for they were all so strongly guarded as no safety would be there but knowing all the passages brought mee to a little Garden then vpon the wall and there was a Posterne doore low and little but bigge enough but then another danger was how to goe downe on the outside the Castle standing on a maine Rocke but the danger wee soone passed for with some scrambling wee got downe holding by one another the youth though weake yet hauing a strong heart to saue mee help'd beyond expectation this man my keeper had a brother dwelt hard by this place thither he led vs and telling his brother hee was sent of earnest busines concerning the State got horses of him and so wee posted the youth riding behinde me holding me with so much affection as I imagin'd it had beene his care for feare of slipping but I iniur'd him in that for his worthy selfe could neuer slip Wee rid thus till wee arriu'd at a Castle of mine but that not being of strength sufficient wee left it and our wearied horses furnishing our selues better the youth rid well and I was carefull though hee still besought mee to heede my safety hee weary as weake his horse being little lesse they fell wherein hee was hurt but at last hee sure wounded and tyred I pittied him and more when I saw his teares which were not for his approching end as after I saw letting some from mee to accompany his hee seeing them my Lord said hee weepe not for mee nor shed those deare teares for one who once might haue had a life giuen by one of them but those dayes are passed and now my ending as fast as may bee the bruise and death this fall brings mee not being yet so cruell to mee as the fall of your fauour was nor vnwelcome since chanced to mee in your succour I am to tell now the cause of my seruice Loue my Lord hath brought me to this and all other miseries your scorne neuer hauing had power sufficient to make mee leaue louing you which procur'd this action censure me then a louer and not immodest no disguise could euer disguise me but still I lou'd you nor put I any on but for your good and so forced to alter my habits what haue I taken but habits of the much worthier Sexe the noblier to serue you not out of any wantonnesse which heauen can witnesseâ— for had I ecaped this harme and you once safe you should not haue knowne mee but as a poore youth affectionate to your safety I would againe haue returned after the time of your imprisonment I tooke this resolution putting my selfe to waite on one of the guard and neuer left prying vp and downe to finde how I might assist you till happy fortune brought me to this man whose affection I saw such towards you as I ventur'd and hee likewise to attempt what now I ioy to see perform'd and more that my end is brought by so louing an occasion farewell my Lord and I beseech you mourne not for mee whom you thought so little worthy of your loue couer any fault in this I haue committed with the vaile of feruent affection then shall I bee secure and you noble Weepe not deare Lord for mee I must bee gone and in going shall bee molested to see you sorrow for mee bury mee I beseech you not heere but in some of your owne commands that as I am yours my dust may bee also held in your ground and then lest you shall grieue for mee I can now giue you leaue to forget mee then did shee faint for this was my first and truest Loue. I got her with much paine againe to life shee blam'd mee for it yet told mee such kindnesse had preserued vs both if timely giuen then with many prayers for my safety wishing all the blessing that heauen granted to any to bee powred on me shee dyed in mine armes breathing her last into my breast for I kiss'd her when her breath left her I buried her as she desir'd at a Castle of mine whither we rid that night and there remained till my peace was made with the King which hee was willing to and honour'd me so much as I had satisfaction oâ— my enemy but what was this to my losse hauing lost the wonder of her Sexe for loyalty Besides my second Lady for whom I had left the faire patterne of vertuous loue did shew me my ill by requiting me according to my merit but not from her for of her I had deserued well she neuer sent to me neuer seem'd as I heard by all sorry for me but superficially quickly chose another and like the worst of her Sexe thought sorrow would hurt her complexion and so she might liue vnlou'd grew merry and thought no more of me though at the first she wept but why onely to shew how sweetly shee could looke in teares not shedding more then became her were safe from hurting her though euery one because they were hers had if seene wounded mee When I