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
followes We had as many such meetings as true or fained meanes could compasse vs â—till our miserie was such as this wild man her husband whether out of true consideration of his great vnworthines or proceeding from his froward disposition I know not grew iealous an humour following base minds as readily as thunder doth the lightning then had he rashnes to accompany the other which fram'd a determinatioÌ„ which was soone altered froÌ„ that name by performance that she should stay no longer with her father but go with him to his own house this I had notice of but all that we could doe could not hinder the accomplishing his will and saue her honour which to me more deere then mine owne life was esteemed But the night before her going I came thither where I found the accustomed entertainement he vsing me with al shew of respect which in that kind I embraced our hearts being as farre from meaning truth in giuing or accepting as truth is from bare complement but greatnesse in me made him vse it and care in me of my better selfe receiue it my heart swelling with hate and scorne euen almost to breaking when I did see him That night I saw her and but spake to her so curiously her husband watched vs yet could he not keepe our eies but by them we did deliuer our soules he onely able to keepe her daintie body in his wicked prison The next day they went and so went all worth with this odd man to haue her delicacy kept like a Diamond in a rotten box yet she considering it to be to no purpose to contend where she was miserably bound to obey obserued him as well as she could bring her spirit to consent to yet did he begin for her welcome to grow curst to her with her Seruants he first began finding or better to say framing occasions to be rid of them all placing of his owne about her which she suffered onely contenting her selfe with the memorie of our Loues yet wanting the true content which was in our conuersation shee grew sad and keeping much within grew pale her rosie cheekes and lippes changing to wannesse but this was all the change her noble heart free from such a sinne This was but part of her affliction still vexing her sweete disposition with speaking slightly of me and then telling her of her loue to me which brought her to that passe as at last I was not named but she would blush then would he reuile her and vilely vse her but she patiently and silently bare all not suffering me to haue notice of it lest it might as it should haue done moue mee to reuenge her wrong for my sake endured Thus it rested she restlesly bearing all the ills that froward Nature mixt with peeuish and spitefull iealousie could afflict vpon the purest mind vsing no other meanes but gentle and mild perswasions which wrought no more in him but that still his madnesse increased Now was his house not farre from the way which I must passe betweene the Campe and the great Citie of Siracusa being one of the chiefe of that kingdome and which at that time had yeelded it selfe againe vnto the King I hearing Philargus for so was this vnworâ—hie man called was at his house with his truly vertuous wife whom my soule longed to see I resolued to lodge there that night not alas mistrusting the misfortune but coueting to see her whom more then my heart I loued or lou'd my heart the better for being hers So I went thither where I was by him exceedingly well welcom'd in outward shew though his meaning was contrary which I should haue found had his diuelish plots bin readie Iealousie hauing now blinded him to all good nature or iudgement She poore Lady poore onely in this fortune sad and grieu'd all her smiles turn'd into sighes and thinkings which made me feare and wonder wondring at the change of her beauty which yet in pâ—lenes shew'd excellency and feare I did lest my absence had offeÌ„ded herâ— but I was deceiu'd while I lest thought of the true cause or could imagine such villanie plotted against so rare perfections Desirous to know the cause I remain'd almost impatient not venturing to speake to her before her husbaâ—d for hurting her but he going out of the roome after wee had supped either to couer the flames which were ready to breake out in huge fires of his mistrust or to haue the company fitter for him affâ—cting stil to be chiefe his absence howsoeuer gaue me opportunitie to demaund the reason of her strangenesse She sigh'd to heare mee call it so and with teares told me the reason concluding and thus doe you see my Lord said she the torments I suffer for your loue yet do you more torture me with doubting me who haue no happines left me but the knowledge of my faith to you all afflictions being welcome to me which for your sake I suffer Betweene rage and paine I remain'd amazed till shee taking mee by the hand brought mee more wofully to my selfe with these words And yet am I brought to a greater mischiefe with that fixing her weeping eyes vpon mine which affectionately answered hers with lookes and teares I must my Lord said she intreate you to refraine this place since none can tell what danger may proceed from mad and vnbridled iealousie Refraine your sight Commaund me then to die said I Haue I deseru'd to be thus punish'd Shall his brutishnes vndoe my blessings yet this place I will since you will haue it so hoping you will find some meanes to let me know Philargus house is not in all places That I will doe or die said she Miserable wretch cry'd I art thou borne to such fortune as to haue this Lady loue thee and her vnmatched goodnes to suffer for one so worthlesse as thy selfe No no my Lord said she in this you wrong me and that iudgement which heretofore you said was in me since if you were vnworthy then my choice was vnperfect but you are worthie and I worthily chose you I lou'd you and constantly lou'd you and in this doeâ— I best allow of my owne iudgement I hope that loue is not cleane gone cri'd I my speech by loue directed to say thus nor will you forget me though from our most desired meetings we must be barred My loue my Lord said she had and hath too sure a ground to know remoue I too truly lou'd and doe loue you euer to forget it or to let it haue least shadow of lessening though vailed in absence but rather if increase can be where all is already possest it shall increase Loue liuing best where desert and sufferance ioyne together and for witnes of it take this said she bestowing her picture vpon me which is all the Limenas I shall now enioy or euer did more then her lou'd and best bâ—loued sight The case was blew commanding me withall to loue that color both because it was hers
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
you gaine perpetuall glorie and repay the honor to her dead which could not bee but touched by her vntimely end Her honour toucht and toucht for mee O immortall God cride he thou wilt not I hope let a slaue liue should touch on such a thought nor me to liue after it were borne if not to sacrifice my bloud to wash away the staine But I pray you since you vndertake thus to aduise mee how can I doe this and yet obey my Limena's commaund in not reuenging her death Why that replide the discreet Vrania proceeded whollie from the loue shee bare you which rather is another motiue to stirre you if you consider it since the danger shee apprehended you would runne into to right so delicate yet vnhappilie iniured a Ladie and for you iniured forced her to vse her authoritie for your safetie But let not that preuailâ— nor hinder a deadlie reuenge for so detestable a fact Thus shall you approoue your selfe a braue and worthie Louer deseruing her who best deseru'd but let it neuer be said Perissus ended vnreuenged of Philargus and concluded his dayes like a Fly in a corner These wordes wrought so farre in the noble heart of Perissus as rising from his leauie Cabine then thus said hee Is Perissus the second time conquerd I must obey that reason which abounds in you and to you shall the glory of this attempt belong now will I againe put on those habites which of late I abandoned you hauing gaind the victorie ouer my vowe But I beseech you tell mee who my Counsellor is for too much iudgement I finde in you to be directly as you seeme a meere Shepherdesse nor is that beauty sutable to that apparell My name said shee is Vrania my bringing vp hath been vnder an old Man and his wife who till lately I tooke for my Father and Mother but they telling me the contrary and the manner of their finding me makes mee find I am lost and so in truth is much of my content not being able to know any more of my selfe I delighted before to tend a little Flocke the old paire put into my handes now am I troubled how to rule mine owne thoughts This doe I well credit said Perissus for more like a Princesse then a Shepherdesse doe you appeare and so much doe I reuerence your wisedome as next vnto Limena I will still most honor you and therefore faire Vrania for so I hope you will giue mee leaue to call you I vow before heauen and you that I will neuer leaue off my Armes vntill I haue found Philargus and on him reueng'd my Ladies death and then to her loue and memory offer vp my afflicted life but first shall you haue notice of the successe which if good shall bee attributed to you if ill but to the continuance of my ill destinie But if your fortune call you hence before you shall be found by them I will imploy since the world hath not a place can keepe the beautie of Vrania hidden if seene then will it not bee adored they shall not leaue till they haue found you nor will you scorne that name from mee who shall now leaue you the incomparable Vrania With these words they went out of the Caue hee straight going to a large Holly tree the place rich with trees of that kind on which at his comming to that melancholy abiding hee had hung his Armor meaning that should there remaine in memorie of him and as a monument after his death to the end that whosoeuer did finde his bodie might by that see hee was no meane man though subiect to fortune Them hee tooke downe and arm'd himselfe but while hee was arming Vrania entreated him to doe one thing more for her which was to tell her how he came to that place And that was ill forgot most faire Vrania said hee then know that as soone as I had receiued that letter so full of sorrow and heard all that miserable relation I was forced notwithstanding the vow I had to my selfe made of this solitary course you haue reliâ—ued mee from to goe against the Enemie who with new forces and vnder a new Leader were come within sight of our Army I thinking all mischiefes did then conspire together against mee with an inraged furie went towards them hoping and that onely hope was left mee in that encounter to ende my life and care together in the battaile yet not slightly to part with it in my soule wishing euerie one I had to deale withall had been Philargus This wish after made mee doe things beyond my selfe forcing not only our company and party to admire me but also the contrary to bee discouraged so as wee got the day and not onely that but an end of the warres for the chiefe Traytors being either kild or taken the rest that outliu'd the bloudy slaughter yeelded themselues to mercie whom in my Vncles name I pardoned on condition that instantly they disbanded and euerie one retire to his owne home This done and my Vncle quietly setled in his seate in the midst of those triumphs which were for this happy Victorie I stole away leauing a letter with my new Seruant directed to the King wherein I humbly asked pardon for my priuate departure and with all the intreates that I could frame perswaded him to entertaine that seruant of mine and to accept of him as recommended by mee and accordingly to esteeme of him Then tooke I my way first to her Fathers to know the manner and certaintie where I found vnspeakable mourning and sadnesse her Mother readie to die with her as if shee had brought her forth to bee still as her life that though two yet like those eyes that one being struck in a certaine part of it the other vnhurt doth lose likewise the sight so she hauing lost her lost likewise all comfort with her the seruants mourn'd and made pitifull lamentations I was sorry for them yet gratefully tooke their mourning for mee thought it was for mee none being able to grieue sufficiently but my selfe for her losse When her Mother saw me who euer she well lou'd she cry'd out these words O my Lord see here the miserable Woman depriu'd of all ioy hauing lost my Limena your respected friend Full well do I now remember your words when with gentle and mild perswasions you would haue had vs stay her going from this place vnto his house Would we had then fear'd or beleeu'd then had she bin safe whereas now she is murdred Murdred criâ—d I O speak againe but withall how Her husband said she led her forth where in a Wood thicke enough to shade all light of pitie from him hee killed her and then burnt her her clothes found in the Wood besmeard with blood and hard by them the remnant of a great fire they with such store of teares as had been able to wash them cleane and quench the fier were brought to the house by those who went to
spirits vse but one I best remember being his owne story the place wherein we then were producing it it was this and in truth worthy of note Whatsoeuer I now faire Knight said he appeare to be know I am in birth quite contrary poore and alone now once a Duke and one of the mightiest richest ancientest and sometimes happiest of these parts this countrie wherein you are being mine onely subiect in homage to the famous King of Morea my education had been most in the court my time some spent there some time abroad but weary at last of either as a hound wil be who neuer so wel louing hunting wil at last take rest so did I lie downe at mine owne home determining to end my daies in quiet plenteousnes taking my own delight to adde vnto which I brought with me a vertuous Lady and such a one as might for goodnes equal any of her ranke and truly not vnbeautifull yet so much was I besotted on a young man whom I had vnfortunatly chosen for my companion as at last all delights pastimes were to me tedious and lothsome if not liking or begun by him Nay my wiues company in respect of his was vnpleasing to me Long time this continued which continuance made me issue-les wherfore I made him my heire giuing him all the present honor I could in my own power or by the fauor of the king who euer grac'd me much procure him But he the son of wickednes though adopted to me esteeming possessioÌ„ far better then reuersioÌ„ gaue place so much to couetousnesse as murder crept into credit to attaine the profit wherefore he practised to make me away my friends and kindred had before left me expecting nothing but my ruine seeing me so bewitch'd with my vndoing The plot was laid and I thus betraide where most I trusted the time being come for the execution the hired man being mine more for iustnesse then his for rewards came vnto me and vpon promise of secresie discouered the truth vnto me making me besides promise to be perswaded by him which was for some time to retire my selfe till a party were made in the Countrey strong enough to pull downe his pride who had gained such power as he was grown more powerfull then my selfe then might I be my selfe and rule in safety I consented to the concealing but neuer could be wonne to thinke of harming him whose vngratitude I beleeu'd sufficiently would one day burden him But how often did I entreat and beseech him to performe his part and satisfie his Master in killing me whose falsenesse and wickednesse more grieu'd me then ten deathes could I haue suffer'd so many yet his honest carâ— ouer-ruled me and I submitted to his Counsel Then tooke he my clothes apparelling me fit for the change of my fortune He poore man returning to my Castle for so till then it was credibly reporting that I going to swimme as often I did in this sweet Riuer which runnes along this Valley I was drown'd wee being then in that place and indeed the sweetest in the world This in some kind was true said he for drown'd I was in sorrow and teares which could they haue made a streame for bignesse answerable to their swift falling had questionlesse made his fram'd report true This being told the Duke as then by my imagined death imaginarily he was did make shew of insupportable griefe being so possest as he seemed dispossed of senses furiously and suddenly stabbing the good man who for my life lost his owne This was counted a passionate act Loue transporting him so much beyond himselfe as he was not able to resist his owne furie while his deuillish cunning did both set a Glosse vpon his brutishnesse and keepe his Treason vnreueal'd the poore soule falling dead at his feet while he said take this for thy detested newes bringing Then did he make a solemne funeral for my dead mind though liuing bodie He apparrell'd himselfe and his Court in mourning which gaue much content to the people who loued me while indeed their black was but the true picture of his inward foulenes My wife did presently retire to a house her selfe had built but when he had as he thought sufficiently plaid with the people he began to exercise his authority beginning with my wife picking a quarrell to bereaue her of her estate which he in short time did turning her to seek her fortune Patiently she tooke it hauing yet some Iewels left her she bought a little house in a thick and desart wood where she was not long before I came vnto her discouering my selfe to both our equall passions of ioy and sorrow Priuatly we there continued many yeares God in our pouerty giuing vs an vnexpected blessing which was a daughter who grew vp and serued vs for a seruant our meanes would not allow vs though our estates requir'd it Seuenteene yeares we thus concealed liu'd but then as ioies so tortures will haue end The Duke in all pleasure and plenty I in miserie and pouery One day the young Prince accompanied with his most noble companion Amphilanthus who for the honour of Greece was bred with him and many other braue young Nobles who attended them went forth to see a flight at the brooke when after a flight or two the Princes Hawke went out at checke which made them all follow her and so long as at the last for rescue of my afflictions they were brought to my poore abiding which by reason of the farrnesse from the Court and foulnes of the weather a sudden storm then falling they accepted for their lodging which although so meane as could be yet they pleased to like it rather looking into my heart for welcome where they found it then into the meannesse of the place After they had refreshed themselues and discoursed freely with me it pleased my Prince to say that my estate and life agreed not with my conuersation wherefore he would not be denied but needes must know the truth which out of obedience more then desire with heart-tearing griefe I discoursed to him He gaue few words for answer but commanded me the next day with my Wife and Daughter to attend him to the Court which faine I would haue refused foreseeing that which soone after â—ollow'd the destruction of my once most loued friend who though hee had chang'd gratefulnesse to the contrary and loue to hate yet my affection could not so much alter it selfe as to hate where once so earnestly I affected or seeke reuenge on him whose good I euer wished But we obeyed then the sweet young Prince presented me to his Father who instantly called me to minde remembring many aduentures which in our youths We had passed together pittying my fortune as much as he had in younger daies affected me yet glad in some kind to recompence my faithfull seruice to him instantly sent for the Vsurper who by reason of a iourney the King made to see his Realme and shew
diligent prying that bringing him to discouer her going into her Cabinet with his stranger pretending there to shew him â—ome iewels They were no sooner within the roome shee hauing but put the doore a little to not close but her inraged enemy came and finding meanes of discerning what was to be seene lost it not but stood still looking inâ— She whose thoughts caried her to higher points then care took no heed of that which most concern'd her for there hee saw her with all passionate ardency seeke and sue for the strangers loue yet he vnmoueable was no further wrought then if he had seene a delicate play-boy acte a louing womans part and knowing him a Boy lik'd onely his action then with much adoe he brought forth these words Alas Madam why seeke you at my hands your dishonour and my shame How dare you venter your honour in the power of a stranger who likely would vse it to his glory and your reproch Besides you know I loue one whose worth and truth must not be hurt or blotted in my fault my life not worthy to satisfie the crime should her vnspotted loyaltie suffer for my sinne Yet satisfie my desire said she and then loue whom you will Loue whom you will cry'd out the furious forsaken rushing into the roome as much vnexpected and vnwelcome as thunder in winter which is counted prodigious The Queene stood amazed while hee vsed these speeches Fie faithlesse Woman verifier of that fault whereof I hoped women had been slandred and not subiect vnto haue I obeyed you in your wicked and abominable treasons thus to be rewarded She finding hee had not onely found her but also had discouered her false-hood withal considering his rage she fell at his feet asking pardon Pardon your selfe said he if you can and me who want it as drought doth water Be your protestations vowes and daily giuen oathes come to this With that most furiously hee ran towards he but the Morean in humanitie sau'd her from hurt by him but to hinder that he was forc'd to struggle with him who was a strong man and then had double power This noyse cal'd in some that waited without others ran to tell the king either to shew forwardnesse in seruice or indeed busines not caring what they carry so it be newes wanting the chiefest part which is iudgement to know where when and what to tell But in briefe the king came and finding this vnfortunat disorder not being able to win from them by faire meanes the truth to auoyde all ill committed them to prison from whence for the speedier and so more secure proceeding the next morning they were brought to publike arraignement but the King was not present fearing those things which after brake forth would then be blowne forth And indeed it was so for the accused being demaunded what he could say in his owne defence said Nothing but wherein he must accuse himselfe Being vrged to that hee confest all finishing his speech thus For her sake by her consent knowledge and command I slew the King shee hauing giuen mee her faith which as a faith I esteemd but alas it was a shadow put in a false light that she would marry me this added to a naturall ambition I had to greatnesse not iudicially weighing how heauy in iustice this weight of honor should bee so diuellishly sought for or attained For this hee was condemned to die the manner by foure wild horses but before his execution she was examined with whom few words were vsed before she confest her selfe guilty She was likewise condemned for being a subiect shee was vnder the law and so had her head struck off the stranger was deliuered free againe Many pitied her to whom she had done good for none can be found so ill that some will not commiserate yet the most like the base world left her hauing held with her while her power shin'd but now set with her light running to the rising strength not to the declin'd few said shee was wrongfully put to death either for loue to her or to make busines for no sooner was she dead but one of her antienter fauorites rose in rebellion the people apt to take any occasion to stirre new afflictions but a great party he hath goâ—ten and so much gaind as the King is now shut vp in the great City of Constantinople the Rebell as the vnlawfull king doth call him besieging him and vowing neuer to lay downe Armes till he hath gotten him in his power and now do they all cry out for Antissius honouring the very name as a god wishing for you Sir and vowing if they can recouer you to make you their King Thus haue I left them the Generall for so he is called hauing inioyned me to find you out they are infinite strong and want but you and some braue men to gouerne them Goe now I beseech you neuer had Romania more need nor shall you euer finde a fitter time The Princes sat a while in consultation at last they resolu'd presently to take the iourney in hand not holding it good to loose so fit an opportunitie The Squire of Amphilanthus was sent to find Parselius in Italy and to acquaint him with their affaires withall to entreat his company This concluded on all went to rest Steriamus desiring that because his name was not yet knowne by desert it might be still kept secret and most he desired it by reason of his vow They agreed to it and he was only call'd The true despis'd which was all the deuice in his shield Amphilanthus did desire to be held vnknowne too but his reason was that it was not so safe for so famous a man to be commonly knowne in so great imminent dangers besides the renowne of him might make many refuse the combate with him who else hee might for sport or profit encounter hee had Loue painted in his shield and was call'd The Knight of Loue. Towards Romania with prosperous winds they sailed chusing the way by sea as the shortest and lesse troublesome In a fit and short time they arriu'd in Romania landing a little from the Towne for feare of vnknowne dangers and so they past to the Armie where Antissius and his Vncle being knowne vnspeakable ioy was made the Generall yeelding all into his hands and taking his authority from him Vpon this the Vsurper sent for a Truce but that was denied then hee desired rather then to continue immur'd in that kind besides ready to bee famisht that they would bring three Knights into the field the which number hee would also bring himselfe being one and those sixe to end the businesse which side ouercomming the other should depart with peace and neuer make more warreâ— one against another This was accepted Amphilanthus and Steriamus being two the third they had not yet appointed nor would till the day of combate still expecting some famous Knight or Parselius himselfe might come to fill the number if none then
ranne to death But one day as I past among the rocks which were both steepe yet easie to ascend the countrie hilly the earth blacke the mourning onely couerd with Heath and stones to expresse the ill nature of that soile I went still in it till at last descending one of the steepest and most ragged of those hills the top of which was crownd with milke white rocks in bignesse strange and fashion farre more rare I sat downe in a stone of mighty height which like a chaire in iust proportion did giue mee roome and ease Yet some thing vnsafe it was to looke downe for those whose eyes will dazell if on any high place for the height was great and that stood as if onely framd to sit and see the bottome directly vnder Looking a while I saw some folkes below and as it were a Spring where they did drinke I left the rocke then and did straight descend vnto the Plaine the descent was not tedious but slippery When I thither came of all the company one man was able to declare any thing of the nature of it for the rest were strangers and not the same Countrimen I ciuilly demanded if that spring were medicinable or what made them with so much affectionate ceremony to drinke and as it were adore it That man made answere it was that diuine and sacred water which did cure all harmes I blamd him knowing he had said too much since only one was fit to bee termed so but he more seruant to adoration then diuinity told me many strange works that water had performd I did for nouelties take of the streame drinking of it I found it did me no harme Then I demanded what it would procure he said Quiet of spirit comfort in this life How long I demanded ought we to drinke thereof Seuen times he replied and thrice seuen dayes I liuing not farre off resolu'd the task and dranke and found such good as soone I was alterd in al things but my truth which now alone to me remaines vnharmd my whole condition alterd I grew free and free from loue to which I late was slaue Then finding this true vertue in my selfe and my poore selfe returnd to me againe I did embrace it in the same true sort that loue held me and so we did agree I loue my selfe my selfe now loueth me But after to auoid all new delights or to bee sued too or intised againe â— put on these habits hoping by purenesse and vowed chastity to win Diana's fauour which now is all my ambition and my hope Thus here I liue in expectation not assurance of her acceptance into this Brooke I oftentimes doe goe and now was going iust as you did come remembrance of my faith I keepe and ioy alone in that without desire or thought of loues varietie My daies remaining I haue giuen to truth and as a Nimph I still will here remaine my name I also changed with my life from Allarina to Siluiana these habits keepe me from discourse with men my vow from yeelding so I now liue free and vncontrold of Fortunes selfe My Mistrisse I adore â— keepe her Feasts deuoutly and thus I doe remaine your humblest Vassall mighty Princesse else sole Mistrisse of my thoughts and freedomes rule Happy you are said the excellent Queene so to bee able to master your selfe but did you neuer see him since you wore these habits Oft-times great Princesse said she I haue seene him and so perceiued desire new in him to win me back but now it is too late I must confesse who once had told me I could haue beheld his face without my soules affection to it I should hardly haue belieued it much more to find my heart so free from loue as now it is and as he made himselfe to me euen a meere stranger so are now mine eyâ—s and thoughts as farre from touch of loue as if I had been borne neuer to know loue or such passions when as once my eyes hung after him as steru'd without his sight my soule lou'd him as a blessing and I was indeed only his now am I free my selfe void of those troubles loue prouoked in me I can with quietnes heare all his acts see him this day intolerably fond of one I hated then change to a new all that mooues not me saue only that I out of pity pity their ill haps Once I was iealous vext if hee did throw by chance a looke on any but my selfe that fault he punisht with his sterne neglect plagueing me in the sharpest kind striuing to make me see his change and scornefully expressing to my sight disdaine of me and fondnesse in such loues These are requited now he growne to pitie when I scorne to take it he to loue me when I am vowed else-where thus loue rewarded is with scorne and scorne with pitilesse regard returning home I cannot yet belieue said Pamphilia but you loue him still for all this liberall and excellent discourse I neuer will liue houre said Siluiana to hate him though I am made free from bond of vaine affection thus much truly I doe still remaine his friend and seruant to defend him from all harmes I may by my respect make void and were it in my way to doe him though a iust ill turne and many leagues off I might doâ— him good that iourney I would take yet loue I not ought but faire chastitie This sweet discourse concluded the braue Queene tooke leaue of the fine Nymph and so returnd with promise when she hunted in those parts she would find her then going to the Court she went into her chamber to take rest little of that sufficed her for though great as any yet in loue was as much subiect as the meanest borne Pamphilia said she can thy great spirit permit thee to bee bound when such as Allarina can haue strength to master and command euen loue it selfe Scorne such seruilitie where subiects soueraignize neuer let so meane a thing ore-rule thy greatest power either command like thy self or fall downe vassall in despaire Why should fond loue insult or venture in thy sight let his babish tricks be priz'd by creatures vnder thee but disdaine thou such a gouernment Shall blindnes master thee and guide thee looke then sure to fall Shall way ward folly rule thee looke to be despis'd Shall foolish wantonnes intice thee hate such vice Shall children make thee follow their vaine tricks scorne then thy selfâ— and all such vanities Yet when all this is said and that the truest knowledge tells me these are true my wounded heart with bleeding doth professe vassalladge to the great and powerfull might of loue I am prisoner guard me then deere loue keepe me but safely free from yeelding and keepe me as thou hast already made me thine Much of the time she had to be at rest she thus imploy'd then rysing the day telling her all brightnesse waited on her she rose and went to the sweete Limena
and shining This Philistella had conquered the hearts of many but Selarinus was the man that sought her with most hope the others either not daring or knowing they were not fit for her contented themselues with beholding her and knowing they fruitlesly did languish in that loue Now had Selarinus broken this secret to Pamphilia who at this time tooke occasion to speake againe of it which was such content to him as nothing could be more and moou'd that passion in him as his face and eyes spake for his heart that it was vpon the rack of hope and feare Leandrus seeing this belieued it had been for Pamphilia which mooued him to greater hatred against him verily thinking it to be this Prince whom she affected seeing how willingly shee did embrace his company Amphilanthus then came in whom Leandrus straight went vnto desiring him that he would giue him one thing that he would demand of him Aske said hee any thing of mee whereto I am not engaged and I will grant it you I know not how I may secure my selfe in that said hee for if you haue a mind to refuse vnder this you may deny me all Nay said he mistrust not me causelesly nor touch me with such basenesse for neuer yet dealt I but truly with all men Pardon me my Lord said hee and I will take your word if you will first except some number of things whereto you are ingaged Only two said he and on my world I wil grant any other Then said Leandrus My suite to you is that since I haue been a long earnest and passionate suiter to your faire but cruell Cosin now hauing got the consent of her father her mother her brothers and most of her friends that you will likewise ioyne with them and speake vnto Pamphilia for mee I know she respects you much and will be as soone directed by you as by any friend she hath wherefore I beseech you grant me this fauour and by it tie me perpetually to your seruice The King replied that it was true they had all seene his affection to her they confessed his worth and deserts to bee equall with any Prince and to merit any wife whose answering loue might meete his but for his Cosin she was of her selfe and as farre as he could vnderstand by her she purposed not to marry if he had gaind the consent of her parents and brothers hee had purchased the surest to preuaile with her but for himselfe although he confessed in that his happinesse that shee did so much esteeme of him and fouud that she would heare him as soone as any other yet it was his misfortune in this that he could not doe him that seruice he desired to doe to make manifest his loue vnto him for he had now lighted on one of the excepted things since but this last night said he speaking of marriage shee said shee was already bestowed vpon her people and had married her selfe to them I vrging her youth and the pitie it would bee she should die without leauing some pictures of her self so excellent a piece She said her friends she hop'd would keepe her memory and that should be enough for her But I striuing further to perswade her to the altering of that determination My Lord said she it is settled and as you will euer make mee see you loue mee and would haue me confident of your well-wishings to me let mee begge this of you that you will neuer speake to me of any husband I swore it and seal'd my vowes on her faire hand Wherefore my Lord Leandrus you see how I am bound otherwise belieue it I would not deny your noble request but speake for you I protest truly as soone or sooner then for any other liuing The Prince Leandrus was contented with this answere belieuing him as iustly he might doe for he had said but onely truth to him Then parted they Leandrus giuing him many thankes for his noble freedome going to Philistella who with Selarina was passing the time Pamphilia bringing Selarinus to them and so pretily did discourse while Steriamus earnestly did pursue his affection to Vrania which although she willingly entertain'd yet she meant to be as wary as she could hauing been once deceiued wherefore with much modesty and mildnesse she denied and yet with her sweetnesse in denying gaue him hope and heart to proceed which at that time they being together he gaue witnesse of hauing gaind the fauour of her standing alone with him in a window protesting all the true and zealous affection that a man could beare vnto a woman She told him that these protestations hee had so often before vsed to Pamphilia as hee was perfect in them for said shee my brother hath told mee and many other what a power her loue had ouer you though shee neuer receiued it or did more if so much as pitie you It is most true said hee that your brother found me a miserable piece of mankind made anew by loue to be lesse then any of my sex and yet his greatest slaue shee reiected mee I now thanke Heauens for it since I was kept for this happinesse shee for a greater then my selfe which I wish â—hee may enioy and I bee blessed with your fauour which as my onely blessing I doe wish for and aske as my onely blisse But what let can my former loue bee to your receiuing mee I am not the first that hath lost my Loue What blame then can that bee to mee my choice being so good did not I pray you Parselius your Cosin loue before he married Dalinâ—a and Vrania I thinke liked before shee was throwne from the Rock Cast away then all former faults and burie them in the Deepes where those loues were cured and take a perfect one new borne vnto you and with you Shee blushed and told him hee grew bitterer then louers vse to be He smild and told her none that had a spot should find fault with anothers vnlesse theirs were cleane washed away and the other remaining But I feare said shee you will not now bee true Nothing said hee but that water could haue cleansed my heart from that ranckling wound nor now shall any thing alâ—er my truth to you Another charme may cure you said she Neuer said hee nor helpe if not your loue It grieues mee said shee that I cannot then present you with my first affection yet truly may I in a kind for I liked you before I loued the other Giue mee this second said hee which as the first I will esteeme and cherish it for a new created one it is and so shall liue in me neuer more blessed then now neuer truer shall any loue be to one nor more iust then mine said she Thus they giuing these prety assurances of eithers affections he presented her with a Bracelet of Diamonds She the next day requiting it with a much more pretious one to his thoughts being a brede of her haire No day passed
that some sweet delightfull passages passed not betweene them The Court now fild with loue Parselius perceiued their loues and was as well contented with it as Vrania had been with his and as freely did they before him shew it Amphilanthus infinitely glad of it and seeking all meanes for the continuance of it so as each day Pamphilia's chamber swarmd with louers Steriamus and Vrania Selarinus and Philistella Parselius and his wife Philarchos and his Orilena the Queene her selfe beholding them while her heart was as true a patient as any of theirs but must not shew it Leandrus with the rest had leaue to visit her but to see his passions to one that were sure neuer to be in such a snare it were sport else a terrible feare to fall into such a Laborinth The Queen gratiously respected him but when he spake of loue she then was deafe euer found occasion to discourse of somthing els or to some others Amphilanthus graced Selarina most with his discourse which made the whole Court iudge his affection was placed there in truth she did deserue it for she was an excellent fine Princesse but froÌ„ al these amorous delights the braue Prince must go betake himself to the field and aduenture with Ollorandus the next day was the time for their depart and also for Pamphilia's going who ouer night took her leaue of the court not willing as she said to be seene so much a woman as to weepe for parting Yet Vrania was witnes of it both getting vp earely and Amphilanthus with Ollorandus comming to them before they were ready stayed with them till they went downe Vrania bringing her to her Coach with the other two Princes when with teares they parted on some sides Vrania wept to part with her deare brother and cousen Pamphilia's heart was pierced with like sorrow or greater but stop'd her teares as hauing a stronger spirit till beholding the water in Amphilanthus eyes ready to fall and waite vpon the least summons her eyes would giue she then let some few slide and drop and so saluted him loue smiling in their teares to see so kind and affectionate parting glorying in his owne worke as proud in such a conquest Part they did taking their leaue without saying farewell which their hearts and eyes did for them making them then and as long as they could attend and behold each other which was not long for the waies being contrary the sight was soone lost Pamphilia went alone saue for her owne Traine of Knights which were come out of Pamphilia to attend her thither and quickly with the haste she made arriu'd at the Sea where shee shipped and so passed to her Kingdome where with infinite ioy and troopes of people shee was receiued and conducted to her chiefe City of Perga where shee remain'd in plenty of all things but the delicate conuersation she vsed to haue in Morea which want made her for a while melancholly but afterwards shee comforting her selfe with hope and resolution shee came abroad and followed those delights shee was wont to affect which was Hunting and Hawking and such like The two braue Companions holding on their way hating the land chose the Sea and tooke Shpp at Sornesse and so passing by Zants and Setalonia went vp the Gulfe of Venice and landed in Triale from whence without any one aduenture worthy the rehearsing they came into the confines of Bohemia when they met two knights of whom they demanded the newes of that place they resolu'd them that the King was dead and that they as many more were going in search of their Prince and Lord Ollorandus Then did he discouer himselfe vnto them which they infinitly reioyced at so passing on they came vnto a Castle where they would as they said lodge that night but the two Knights tolde them that by no meanes they should doe so for their dwelt the cruelest man that was in all those parts his name Seuerus and was next of the bloud to Ollorandus wherefore by no meanes they would aduise him none being left but himselfe of the Stocke to aduenture into his doores The new King imagining this a disgrace vnto him to let any such thing passe for feare would not be perswaded saying Hee was assured that hee durst not attempt any thing vpon his person but Amphilanthus disswaded what he could yet all in vaine for hee was resolu'd When nothing could preuaile against staying him yet they obtain'd of him that he would hold himselfe vnknowne hee repli'd they neede not call him Ollorandus but he would neuer leaue that happy name of the Knight of the Forrest with which he had pass'd through so many aduentures thus rashly would he runn into danger and which was worst hazad the brauest Prince To the Gate they came and presently were bid welcome with many seruants who attended on them and tooke their Horses some of them conducting them into the Hall where the old Duke Seuerus sat in a Chaire with a little staffe in his hand his thumbe on his staffe and his mouth on his thumbe which euer was his fashion when his minde was set vpon any plots Their comming in call'd his minde a little to him and looking on them seeing such rarenesse in their persons and louelinesse in their countenances imagined them to be of great quality especially Amphilanthus to whom he went and welcom'd him with the rest desiring to know who they were that thus courteously had honour'd his house Amphilanthus told him that he was an Italian and hearing of his bounty by some of the Country made him take the boldnes to visit him hoping by him also to vnderstand the manners of that place to which as yet he was a meere stranger The olde Duke told him â—hat he had done him an especiall fauour in it and that wherein he could doe him courtesies he should finde him most ready in requitall of this honour Then he demanded who the others were and their names Amphilanthus reply'd that his friend and himselfe vpon a certaine vow to their Mistresses till they saw them againe were not to disclose their names but were only known by the titles of the Knight of Loue which was himsâ—lfe and the other the Knight of the Forrest and thus they had passed most parts of the world Whence came you last I beseech you said he From Morea said the Knight of Loue. And what newes there I pray you said the olde Duke haue you not heard of Ollorandus our Prince and now our King by his fathers and brothers death I heard of him said Amphilanthus for no eares can vnlesse deafe but haue notice of his valour and excellent goodnesse and much haue I desired to be honoured with his sight accounting it one of my misfortunes that I am not knowne to so famous a Prince Hath his Acts replied the Duke made his name so well knowne I am heartily glad of it for now shall this Kingdome againe flourish when it shall be gouerned
ill refines Alas yet as you burne My pitie smarts and groanes to turne Your paines away and yet you must consume Content in me must beare no plume Dust-like Dispaire may with me liue Yet shall your memory out-driue These paines wherein I mourne You reliques of pure loue To sacred keepe with me remooue Purg'd by this fire from harme and iealous feare To liue with me both chast and cleare The true preserueresse of pure truths Who to your graue giues a youth In faith to liue and mooue Famous body's still in flames Did anciently preserue their names Vnto this funerall nobly you are come Honour giuing you this tombe Teares and my loue performe your rights To which constancie beares lights To burne and keepe from blame This did not satisfie her grieuing for the losse of those kind lines but each day did shee say the Letter to her selfe which so much shee loued as shee had learned by heart then looking on the Ashes wept and kissing them put them vp againe and thus continued shee till Ollorandus himselfe came to whom these daylie offerings were made for hee after hee had settled his Kingdome longing as much to see her as shee desired his presence put the Gouernment to the charge of a president and his Counsell assuring them that nothing should haue so soone parted him from them but that hee must now performe his part of friendship to Amphilanthus which was required of him who had so louingly and brauely accomplished his None were against that all honouring and louing him so much as hee had much adoe but with kind quarrels to leaue the Countrie without some of them to attend him yet by his milde perswasions and the new Kings commanding power they two tooke their iourney the Dwarfe againe returning the very day before they left Prage Towards Hungarie they then haste passing through Morauia where they met a strange encounter and a sad spectacle which was a company of men all on foote being apparrel'd in long mourning Gownes and after them a Chariot beeing drawne by sixe Horses they beeing couered with blacke and in the Chariot was a bodie beeing couer'd with a blacke Veluet couering and at the feet of this Body sate a Ladie her face beeing towards it and most pitifullie weeping many more in mourning likewise walking by the Chariot round about it and behind it This lamentable and dolefull spectacle mooued the hearts of the Knightes who beeing verie passionate quickly felt pitie and riding presently to one of the followers desiring to bee resolu'd of this matter the Gentleman courteously answered that the businesse was of so long a times discourse as would demaund more leysure then hee thought their businesse would well allow them therefore hee besought to bee excused vnlesse they meant to succour that distressed Lady who most iustly might claime assistance and reuenge for a murdered Knight vniustlie and treacherouslie slaine for loue Loue their Master commanded their seruice so as they said they would willingly doe their best to redresse such an iniurie Then the Gentleman going to the Lady told her what the Knights said she casting vp her eyes which before she held on the Coarse the body and soule of her affections Alas Sirs said shee what misfortune hath brought you to ingage your selues to true misery as in ioyning with me you must do for a more wretched neuer liued to die so Our fortunes said Ollorandus speaking in her owne language is the best we could couet if they may prooue auaileable to you nor doe we desire any more then to know how we may serue you Then Sir said shee let mee bee so bold as to demaund first who you are that I may discouer my estate the more freely and willingly to you My name said hee is Ollorandus King of Bohemia and this is Amphilanthus King of the Romans Happinesse beyond all hope cry'd shee Alas my Lord this is the King that of all the World I haue desired to meete and now trauell to seeke in Italy then kneeled shee vnto him beseeching him to graunt her what hee had of himselfe so nobly promised Hee vowed to performe any thing whatsoeuer that lay in his power to doe then comming forth of the Chariot and they lighting they retired into a little tuft of Thornes by the way side shee beginning her storie thus Most braue and renowned of Kings and you great King bee pleased to giue eare to the saddest storie that euer loue and louers end hath produced I am that miserable vnfortunate woman Sydelia passionately louing and being beloued of the excellent and veâ—tuous Antonarus long wee loued but a hate betweene my brother called Terichillus and my loue growne in their youth hindred our enioyings my brother so curiouslie watching mee himselfe or others neuer or seldome from mee as I was able onely to see my afflictions and wants but not the Sunne of my content for my Brother being the Heire of Morauia and the other the Prince of Silesia that kept him from venturing into his Countrie knowing the infinite malice hee bare vnto him alas no way deseruing it But at last my brother was to marry Orguelea daughter to the Duke of Bauaria and going thither to performe it left mee guarded by his seruants whom in his absence so well I wrought with as I compassed the sight of my Deare who in the habit of a Hunts-man came vnto me we married priuatly and so enioyed the time till my brothers returne with his new Ladie as full of spite and ill nature as a Spider with poyson to her he had disclosed this matter with his hate to Antonarus and to her gaue the charge of mee my Father hauing before giuen ouer the world and was retyred into a religious house hauing left me and all his estate to my brother yet during his life my brother would not take the title vpon him but the authority of the County of Morauia Now was my Hunts man to returne small safetie being where such hatefull spies inhabited no more surety then a poore hare hath in the hands of the hounds who haue long hunted to prey vpon it so did they seeke to ruine vs the extreame hate my brother bare to Antonarus rising from this cause When they were youthes and both in the Emperous Court there liu'd at that time a young Lady of the house of Austria â—xcellently faire and as fairely condition'd whose vertues were such as most prizing worth for Vertues sake she made choice wholy of worthinâ—sse in conuersation choice of companions and the whole course of her life ranne that way which made her chooce Antonarus and so much to affect him as nothing but death could be ender of her affection and yet I know not how I can say so since dying shee express'd her affection to him she loued and no question but his goodnesse requited it in his wishes to serue her but friendship wrought so in him as he would not seeme to receiue it my brother being so
after hee had gain'd her firmest loue and so by vowes obtained what he sought most vildly he beganne to change and fell inamour'd of a Princes maide who being neere allied vnto my Lady often came to visite her at Court this Gentlewoman truly was most faire and I thinke good till then if not then too we sawe it and were vex'd with it yet knowing that no curster cor'siue can bee to a louer then to be dispised especially by him that once did loue at last she found it miserable knowledge how then was she grieued if I should offer to discouer I must say I am a louer and forsaken to otherwise can none or ought any to presume to tell a farlorne creatur's woe First in silence she did beare her paine and with attendance and continuall kindnes striue to win him back or rather that he might not thinke she did mistrust she stroue to hold his loue But that vngratefull man which name is more then her gentle affection will yet permitt her to giue him discerning her respect and loue would seeme to see neither yet faild he not in all outward shewes to manifest his change She writ vnto him she wept before him she complayned she bewailed others that were forsaken he heard and not regarded he answer'd but slighted he ioyned in pittying them but neglected her that most wanted she lost her beauty with sorrow with weeping whole nights and sobbing that I haue my selfe come in vncalled but by those sorrowes to her the greatnesse of her heart though able in the day to couer them yet was forced at night to borrow assistance of breathing out what her spleene was ouer charg'd withall and what saue teares sobs and silence would shee trust for her associates Forgetfull man that so abused her who wrong'd her selfe alone in trusting him nay wrong himselfe in such a base vnworthy change I aduentured to aduise when I saw all misery ouer take her shee tooke my counsell which was to vrge the marriage He slighted her and told her she was growne old and her beawty alter'd willed her to recouer that and when he return'd from a iourney that he had in hand he would be as he was Alas what torment was this to her who was only his she tooke it to the heart though hee smilingly deliuered it as if in iest till all considered it aprooued true then faign'd he an excuse that the King his father sent for him and that at his returne he would not misse to performe what hee had promised so he found her as he expected His leaue he tooke of her which went as neere her heart as marrow to the bones yet staid he afterwards with the other wench som certaine daies We vsed al meanes to hold her ignorant of that and many more his passages but what more cleare and perfect sighted then true loue She knew all and yet knew her faith so cleare to him as she would blind her sight rather then touch his truth O faithles Amphilanthus accursed man that brought this hard insufferable wrong and harme vnto the faithfullest and the worthiest louer that euer loue did wound But to proceed he went and left my Lady quite forsaken and forlorne who since vnhappy woman liues in groanes and daily sorrowings But where now is the Prince said Amphilanthus Truly Sir said she where the falsest ficklest waueringst and vnworthiest man doth liue and there is hee and else where know I not No such vnworthinesse liues in that Prince I know him well said he and lately saw him but I will not say 't is the same you speake of for it may be some such creature hath abused his name and for these ends giuen out to be the man Know you the Prince then said she if you doe hee is a faire false man a treacherous well shap'd man not tall though high in mischieuous ill nature slender but full in wickednes curld haire and thicke yet bauld in vertue and this is Amphilanthus as he cald himselfe The Prince knew straight it was another man she meant yet grieued to heare his name so much abused and that a Princesse should beare wrong for him This besides his owne interest in the matter made him vow reuenge wherefore hee desired to see the Princesse the first Lady told him that if hee would attend her comming forth of the Wood hee should be admitted to her sight he would not further vrge and so with them sat downe while one of them sung this Song telling him it was made by her Lady who was as perfect in all noble qualities as subiect to loue and so to bee for too much faith deceiued FRom victory in loue I now am come Like a commander kild at the last blow In stead of Lawrell to obtaine a tombe With triumph that a steely faith I show Here must my graue be which I thus will frame Made of my stony heart to other name Then what I honor scorne brings me my tombe Disdaine the Priest to bury me I come Cloath'd in the reliques of a spotlesse loue Embrace me you that let true louers in Pure fires of truth doe light me when I mooue Which lamp-like last as if they did begin On you the sacred tombe of loue I lay My life neglect sends to the hellish way As offering of the chastest soule that knew Loue and his blessing till a change both slew Here doe I sacrifice worlds time of truth Which onely death can let me part with all Though in my dying haue perpetuall youth Buried alone in you whereby I fall Open the graues where louers Saints haue laine See if they will not fill themselues with paine Of my affliction or striue for my place Who with a constant honour gaine this grace Burne not my body yet vnlesse an Vrne Be fram'd of equall vertue with my loue To hold the ashes which though pale will burne In true loues embers where he still will moue And by no meanes let my dust fall to earth Lest men doe enuy this my second birth Or learne by it to find a better state Then I could doe for loue immaculate Thus here O here 's my resting place ordain'd Fate made it e're I was I not complaine Since had I kept I had but blisse obtain'd And such for loyalty I sure shall gaine Famebeares the torches for my last farewell To life but not to loue for there I dwell But to that place neglect appoints for tombe Of all my hopes thus Death I come I come Did Emilina said the Prince write this sure Amphilanthus could neuer be false to such a creature He was and is said she and truly doth hee make good his name that signifieth the louer of two That name said he was giuen him e're he knew what loue was or himselfe The latter sure he knowes not yet said shee You will I doubt not shortly haue a better opinion of this Prince Neither of him nor those that be his companions said she vnlesse I grow
Crimson her armes fingers and necke adorn'd with the richest Iewels her buskins were of white laced vp with Rubies her hayre comb'd downe and a Crowne of infinite valew on her head a Scepter in her hand which at the opening of the Tombe she cast downe raysing her selfe a little vp and throwing her armes abroad ready to welcome her heart vnto her as if before gone thence The sudden light to so much darkenesse at the first daseled her eyes but when she recouer'd and saw in stead of Polidorus two strangers she crossed her armes lay downe againe seeming so like a dead body as they were afraid they had but heard a voyce which caused their search but that she had beene dead that spirit which shee once had had guided them to her But soone were they put beyond that amazednes by her speech If said she you be of Polidorus seruants directed by him to bring me his death quickly giue me mine likewise and then most welcome or doe but fauour me so much as to shut me vp againe this is the Throne and Tombe which I must haue and only will enioy The Kings whose hearts were mollified with loue were so tempered to pitty as they were not able to know what to doe but gazed on her who appeard the most peerelesse Tombe their eyes had euer beheld and the strangest they saw shee lay still like her owne monument curiously cut Alas said Amphilanthus what comfort can a victory bring that finds such a conclusion to accompanie it selfe with all A victory cryd shee then raised she her sweete saddest selfe a little on one arme I beseech you both or either said she bee so charitable to tell me the truth they loath to tell her what must bring her death yet still besought and that implor'd with teares they look'd on one another sigh'd and with their eyes intreated each to speake at last braue Amphilanthus as kind as excellent in all other vertues gaue these words Madam said he to obay you whom we must after sue to for a fauour I will discouer that which my soule as for you doth grieue for The Army is ouerthrowne and your beloued Lord who wee haue heard you so much speake ofâ— slaine said shee I see it in your face though you will not in pitty speake it Charitable Sir how am I bound to you but I beseech you add one fauour more vnto your first and then an other as the last to that where is his body Laid said he in the cheife Church among the other Kings by Steriamus owne command It was an noble act of him said shee whom Heauens protect for it mercy in Conquerors being as excellent as their fortunes the last request I le make Sir is this that by your fauours I may bee layd by him since I will not aske to haue him brought to mee I amâ— and was his wife deerely beloued of him and heere for safety and by mine owne petition left by him I was Daughter to a King the vnfortunate Plamergus but my greatest happinesse I euer gloryed in was his true loue lay me then braue Sir with my Lord and only deere Polidorus and thus my deere my soule to thine doth flye Amphilanthus did beseech Selarinus weept to her all would not serue shee stretched her selfe straight out and by curious Art laid her selfe forth fit to be carryed to her buriall dying as if the word dead had kild her excellent griefe and most excellent strength of passion that can bring so resolute and braue an end The Kings then chang'd their discourse from loue to sorrow they stayed by her seeking all meanes to recouer her but finding she was gone and so all hope of life in her they went into the Court where they found the King new risen from Councell and all his Princes and Lords about him He went to meete them but seeing such sorrow in their faces wondred and a little feard but soone he was brought out of that they telling him the cause and sad aduenture Then he sent for the Guard who had kept the late King Polidorus of whom he vnderstood how he with teares intreated to be laid in a Tombe made by himselfe in the Orchard but they though he besought them to goe to the Conqueror as he calld Steriamus and beseech that honor from hiÌ„m to performe a vow which hee had made they vnwilling to busie themselues fearing to distast the King had neuer let his last request be knowne some said they thought his wounds and paines of them had made him raue others that being dead what matter was it where his body lay comparing him vnto himselfe who being gone said he what care I where my body is bestowed But these things Steriamus liked not being so infinitely offended with themâ— as had it beene a fault they might haue dyed for they had surely payd their liues for such neglect but not ascending to that height he banished them hating neglect to any creature dying imagining his soule that dyes vnsatisfied must part with trouble from the body and for that was grieued and this Iustice did he vnto loue for which loue must be iust to him Then made he Proclamation for their banishment and straight himselfe went with the whole assembly of Kings and Princes fetching her and went as the cheife mourner with her weeping to her graue the other Kings did carry her and were as they thought honourd with the waight of such worth and constancy she seeming on their shoulders like her Efâ—gie carryed to her owne Funerall The Tombe was graced that night with her lying on it the next morning with solemne state opened and she layd by her Lord this noble act did Steriamus as the first in Albania the beginning to his famous life This being past and a Commander left in that towne which was the chiefe seate of the Kings of those parts and from whence all the Auncesters tooke their claime the new and rightfull King marched againe towards the third king guided by his new seruants and followed with many great men of Albania who like the world ranne with the streame of Fortune and left the ouerthrowne party as soone as it was made miserable with that knowledge Antissius had had his time for leading Leaâ—drus now desired to haue the next it was granted him and so they marched Amphilanthus now in the head of his owne troups Steriamus hauing a Guard of them next his person as their Country woman guarded his heaâ—t safe from hurt or change the Albanians next to them which were in number that went forth with him after the two victories as many as were lost so the Army was of the same bignesse as when it came into Albania Perissus after hee had left Neraena in all her rages for his neglect yet saluing it as desirous to deceiue her selfe with saying that the danger hee found him selfe in of change to his first and only loue made him for feare leaue her not being able
they found some thing was in that name wherefore they would not presse but left him promising to obserue his commands The two Companions rid till they came againe to a Wood but not so â—hicke as the other but of great huge trees and such a place it was as offerd delights to most hearts to stay and receiue it there The bodies white as snow testifying innocency and their tops so large and thickly spread as expressed glory for their purenesse In this place they lighted giuing their horses to their Squires and the very content of that solitarinesse brake their silence Here said Amphilanthus is a place fit for such a creature as my selfe to dwell in here alone am I fit to inhabit and leaue all gouernment to him that can rule shunning that when I cannot rule my selfe When did I euer see you my dearest friend said Ollorandus in this tune What haue you done with your spirit where drownd your iudgement and how buried your selfe What if you liue to bee crossed in your desires belieue it it is not to other end then to make you happier with the sweet meeting of what the misse will make dearer to you when passed Pamphilia cannot bee lost Vrania drowned Philistella cast away or Selarina stolne What vexeth you if they bee carried to a farre place if the worst as those parts are full of enchantments Enchanted cryd Amphilanthus deare friend t is we that are enchanted from finding the truth of their losse they are lost and weeled by the same Deuill in ignoraâ—ce the more to torture and scorne vs. Ollorandus perswaded and spake houres to him but he was deafe or speechlesse for not a word could he get of him his sighes were his answers his groanes his speech and thus they walked till they met a Lady as she seemd to be in mourning attire her faire eyes shewing more griefe then her apparrell sadnesse yet had they red cirkles about them threatning reuenge for their sorrow her traine was only one Page who shewd as little mirth as his Mistris did contentâ— they came one a little before the other as if sorrow could haue most liberty in lonelines and therefore although but two would goe asunder Amphilanthus sad found or sadnes found for him that distresse in her demanded his helpe wherfore he went to her curteously demanding if his seruice might auaile her Sir said she your tawâ—y liuery so wel suits with my fortune as if I saw but that I might from thence ask help but alas Sir my misery is but one way to be redrest my woe no way equald nor can my afflictions see end but by the end of me Miseries face said he is so perfectly yet in delicacy vnfortunately presented in you as would make one wish rather to be thus miserable then free otherwise affected but as in you excellently are these perfections so in me are as excelling crosses I knowing these can with more feeling vnderstand yours and with a more reuengefull mind serue you hauing that abounding in me for behold here before you the man who neuer saw moâ—ning ioy that was not nipt by cold euenings malice Comparing griefes said the Lady are but to augment sorrow without helpe comming to extremity but in your discourse I find by you that you want helpe as well as I. And help only of one like your selfe said hee can make me blessed I will not touch oâ— that said she though thus I might since if she were like mee shee would bee much more pitifull How can I know that said he but thus I may gesse it that none being able to compare with her except her owne excellencies they gouernd by her selfe can suffer no comparisons This shewes you to bee a louer said she and for that I bewaile likewise your fortune for hell cannot inflictâ— more terrible torment on a heart then loues power settles in him Do youâ— spring from that ill said he I thought only my starrs had directed me to sucâ— distresse They spring and flow cryd shee increase and dwell in this subiectâ— May I know the cause said he Yes said the Lady if you will promise me pardon for my boldnes and tedious discourse which it will proue and other assistance I need not Alas cryd he that shal be most willingly lent you thougâ— I may feare as little to helpe you or my patience being a poore though nessary vertue Tell me who you are said the Lady I am reply'd he cald thâ— lost Man my name little famous here not hauing done any thing but againâ—â— two Knights at a Bridge from whom I won passage If you haue done thaâ— answerd shee the more assurance haue I of your worth and valor for they were two counted the strongest and most valliant of this Kingdome and part of my story toucheth on them but now haue I cause to be ambitious oâ— your knowledge and by the want of it reason to distrust the continuance oâ— mine own vnblessed destiny which increase in harmes pursuing and following me Alas said the lost Man what hope is there left where two such fortunes encounter Onely this said she that the extremity may change to good out of that confidence you shall know the vnkind fortune that gouernâ— me This image of griefe or rather true griefe my selfe am called Bellamiraâ— my father was called Detareus a great Lord in this Country and Steward oâ— the Kings house fauoured by him but at last sent in an Embassage whereiâ— he was lost wherewith my misery ran on to this height He had many chilâ—dren but most borne to misfortune my self being his first as sent the sooner tâ— taste of miserie for being much at the Court with my father before I kneâ— what loue was I was his prisoner I pined sigh wept but knew not what thâ— paine was till at last the Tyrant shewed from whence the danger came buâ— with it shewed the impossibilitie of obtaining hee hauing setled his affectâ—â—ons in another place nor had I pride enÌ„ough to thinke my selfe able to wiâ— him from the Princesse for she it was hee did affect a Lady deseruing the title of excellent had not her pride and other defacing imperfections throwne a blacke Scarfe ouer her outward fairenes This Lady hee loued but as afterwards I found no more constantly then your sex vseth not meaning to bee a Phaenix among men-louers for feare of enuy When I perceiued his eyes somewhat fauourably to bend themselues to me vnhappy foole that I was I held and valued it my certaine comming fortune giuing mee such hope as perswaded mee without feare to see the end which brought mee to the ambition to bee at a great marriage which was at the Court the King gracing a young Lord so farre as to haue his Nuptials performed there Then did I more plainely see his respect to me his shifts and meanes to bee neare mee certaine proofes of loue his alluring eyes telmee his heart appointed them the messengers to discouer what he sought which
what perplexeth you and had you sought my life I doe forgiue you You haue braue King cry'd hee said what I grieued to name it was your life I aimed at commanded by Antissia to kill you and then to take her for my wife loue made me vndertake this hateful practise now you haue it vse me as I merit and neuer pardon so foule an act Loue Antissius and hate me for he was likewise solicited by her to murder you but he refused and would needs hinder mee whereupon we should haue fought but then were stayd by two who told vs they were Amphilanthus and Ollorandus Antissius more in sense then I knew they had taken your names vpon them and were not your selues he vndertooke the named Ollorandus I the other whose name had that power as he ouer came me laying me as low as my sinne hath puld me Wounded I was taken vp but saw his death giuen him by a young Gentleman whose father he had killed in a quarrell concerning the Princesse of Croatia whom he had vnder your name abused With the sight of his death shame straight possessed me and selfe-accusing infolded mee for then your noblenes came into my mind your clearenesse shewing my foulenes your worth my blame my heart I cannot say brake but cloue in sunder neuer liued any man to say he was afflicted that more truly left affliction Soules that condemned are cannot be more tortured my soule feeling what can be felt of miserable torture Antissius with whom I would but a little before haue fought withall I threw my selfe at his feete I petitioned Perissus neuer to think of me nor name any name might sound like mine that you especially might not know my falshood left your condemning mee might prooue worse and a heauier punishment then all other torments for your blaming me and so iustly would bee more terrible then condemnation from any other As he spake those words he sunke againe and they againe rerouered him but then Amphilanthus chid him that he would not belieue him Why said he can Dolorindus think that any wrong can be done Amphilanthus which he cannot forgiue and by Dolorindus whom he loues and for loues sake be patient deare friend and grieue not thus for that is not to be grieued at Loue commanded you when you were his subiect t were treason to haue disobeied or refused to kill a traitor to his Crowne as I was esteemed Comfort your selfe I am free from anger or spleene I will not say I forgiue I say you erred not nor I remember ought but our first meeting and our friendship let all other like Phansies passe I am thy friend and will cherish thee and loue thee as I did yet must I◠blame Antissias forgetfulnesse and causelesfury When did I offend her so much to be so irreconciliably displeased how did I vex her to bee vnsatisfied with ought but my life or what could my death bring her Dolorindus as much ouer-waighed with ioy and kindnes as before pressed with sorrow could with as little power withstand the fury of the kind passion so as with teares and deare loue he fell at Amphilanthus his feete kissing them with such affection as hee was forced to throw himselfe by him to make him leaue and in his armes hold him as fast as his loue tied him to him O Amphilanthus cri'd he why doe you thus exceede all possibilitie for man how noble soeuer to be a shadow to you much lesse to equall you will you gather together all perfections in you to be admired and enuied by men or indeed be as you are fit and only deseruing to bee eternized for magnanimious and glorious spirit Your kindnes exceeds my act said he and such expressions of loue find I in you as I am glad rather of this accident whereby I enioy them then of the want of this cause should I haue missed the truth and knowledge of your loue Neuer was more kindnesse shewed in offering and accepting in confessing and forgiuing then betweene these two Ollorandus when they had for a while continued their discourse and all former businesses razed like Castles belonging to Traitors desired to know who they were that had taken their names vpon them Truly said Dolorindus I know not for one kild the other dying desired that he might be so much fauord as neuer to be spoken of nor his companion being something neare mee in shame but as his fault was lesse the lesse sensible Speake no more of this said Amphilanthus I haue done said Dolorindus for little ioy can it bee to mee if not by that to see your gratious fauour But so he died saying onely they were Gentlemen and had taken those names for their honour and his companions gaining the Princesse of Croatia whom after he vildly left and forsooke Then did Amphilanthus relate his finding that Princesse her discourse to him and his conference with her women which much pleased Ollorandus especially when he heard what gaine they had by those names being glad to heare such reuerence was done to them Amphilanthus was contrary for though hee loued best to doe well yet he cared not how little he was told of it hating flattery as much as hee loued worth and that was best of any man nay so nice he was as he would rather doubt flattery then let himselfe thinke he heard but truth of himselfe He left not till he had made Dolorindus leaue his habits of a long Gowne and Staffe to change them as come home againe to a sword and armour his trauaile on foote to horse-backe and contrary to his expectation or resolution to be once more a warrior But this he gaind to be licensed to trauell vnknowne with them which they also were resolued to doe and so from this rude Rockey place as from despaire to comfort they took towards Constantinople Into the Towne they went priuately and furnished themselues according to their humors Amphilanthus in Tawny embroidred with Black and Siluer Ollorandus in Grasse-greene and Gold Dolorindus in Haire colour or a kind of dead leafe colour and Gold they hapned there iust at a time which was solemnly kept euery yere which was the day of the Coronation of Antissius and the restoring of their Countries liberty Here they saw their honors blazd and remembred fame to flourish among the strange Knights they put themselues and as Macedonians whereof there were some good number they came to the Iusts hauing made their habits after their fashion The Presidents was present with al the Nobility and the other braue men that returnd from Albania the King himself hauing sent thē home when he tooke his iourney in the search what Amphilanthus and the other two did in these exercises may be imagined by the knowing they were Actors else his acts as impossible to be expressed as the starres numbred Much inquirie was made after him and his companions but vnknowne they passed and took their way from the Court after they had
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
neither mee nor these expressions of loue I haue done all this and I yet haue not done enough for O how worthy is he though vnkind to mee you might yet most cruell man haue shewed more gratefulnesse and I had been contented no colour you haue to excuse that with all for you knew my loue you seemed to cherish it all eyes saw it too for my face shewed it I stroue for nothing more then meanâ—s to declare it mine eyes did looke but for meanes to shew how they and I were won by you my lipps haue parted from themselues to let my tongue make true confession of that you then seemd with expressefull ioy and content to entertaine Where is that loue now gone where is that content you embraced departed and with that instant forgotten the Heauens will yet for me witnes my vnchanged heart and vnstained affection the aire hath been and is so fild with my complaints and protestations as I wonder it doth not like Ordinance rattle in your eares the Sunne hath blushed for you the Moone been pale and wan nay hid her face from my teares which I haue shed for your inconstancy All things heauenly and earthly pitie me except your selfe from whom onely good by pitie may arise Why did I open my heart alone to your loue shutting it to all other motions to be thus carelessely throwne off but I am well enough requited since had I fortunatly held these passions in me the fiercenes of them might by this haue rid me of these during torments haue left this poore body a loyall sacrifice to loue the loue of the most vngrateful Vngrateful why do I cal him so pardoÌ„ me dearest though despising deere I wrong you more in this title which is the worst that can be giuen to maÌ„ then you haue iniur'd me though with vnmerrited deceit it was a certaine and too great confidence ioyned with assurance of what I most desired that betrayed mee and my ioyes with it else I might sooner haue seene if not maskt with innocent belief and abusd with trust or am I punished for aspiring to the ioy soules on earth can beâ—t and chiefliest couet as blest with inioying in hauing your fixed loue Oh confidence I feare t is you that I must curse you are the honest though vnfortunat chanced-ill that haue vntied my hope Was it good nature made him so refraine my sight and presence nay vnlesse by force my words and that because you cannot loue still nor wil say so in charitie you will auoide all if so be yet more mercifull and multiply your pitie with this free increase kil me at once for all torture me not with sorrowes I will truly and religiously confesse I am not worthy of you but it is not my fault I wish I were so fit as you might euer loue and such an one as all the world might thinke fit for you then I know you would be iust nor wish I this for any benefit but for your loue for else in the comparison of other gaine vnto my selfe or any other then your loued selfe I rather would wish to be a Black-moore or any thing more dreadfull then allure affection to me if not from you thus would I be to merit your loued fauour the other to shew my selfe purer then either purest White or Black but faith will not preuaile I am forsaken and despised why dye I not it is not fit no t is not fit I still must liue and feele more cause of woe or better to say to see my cause of woe Cruell forsaker looke but once on mee or rather on my loue there you shall find if vnremoueable affection and zealous truth can seeme deserts I will and doe deserue you in them better then any and more then any if not not my selfe againe shall doe my câ—aselesse plaints may some way claime reward my nights spent wholly in salt floods of teares eyes turned to swelling Riuers may lament that they and I should thus regardlesse passe some other motiues which your selfe best knowes might tie you in a bond more kind and gratefull but these I vrge not be your owne best selfe and as once you were then will you still be free from cruelty if not accused by Iustice selfe and then too large a punishment will second the offence Offence alas I cannot call it one for I am yours and may not you dispose of yours as best doth like your selfe Yet is there meanes to helpe if you please to assist if not condemned I will remaine till I may haue my end which most I wish and speedily I trust to gaine then if your once most vallued vertuous gratefulnesse be sent t will be too late only this good I may receiue or my cold ashes for mee that when my death shall come vnto your eares your matchlesse heart may be content to let a sad thought hold you for a while and if so too too much for mee who still do wish your blessednesse In this manner vnluckie Princesse shee passed that night till day appeared Ay mee sad night said shee haue you now left mee too shall light afresh perplex mee my waylings â—itter were to bide in you afflictions sounded best in you darke blacke and terrible as you were is my state vncomfortable and affrighred howers suted better with my woes my fortune like your face my hopes blacker then your saddest Mantle whose dulnesse changeth them into despaire yet liked I you farre better then this flattering approaching day you truely shewed my selfe vnto my selfe you were mine eyes to make mee see my selfe and how farre distant I remaind from comfort in my want Then turned she in her bed and put her sad afflicted face into the pillow to hide day from her which she needed not her eyes labouring so fast to deliuer themselues of her teares as their shewers were sufficient clouds to dim all sight with them As she thus lay her Maide that waited next vnto her came in but not daring though so bold as to come into the chamber being more then without extraordinary businesse she durst doe to speake to her a little opened the curtaine and laid a letter by her shee started at it and asked from whom it came from the Prince Leonius said she With that she instantly went out againe Pamphilia opened it and finding another within her heart rise a little in deluding hope but by the little day that was her bed standing to the window she saw quickly what it was And is it come to this said she most true Leandrus I could methinks for thy sake blame my selfe for being cruell to thee yet maist thou rather thanke me who would not dissemble with thee not hauing any loue for thee that I would not deceiue thee This token of thy earnest faith and loue I le keep for thee and weare it for thee nor euer part with it vntill I die and then bequeath it to that Person I shall most affect and make
she call'd her in her sorrowes but as she pass'd along those pleasant plaines remembring that she had seen them in her flourishing time of fortune and when she was richer in blessings then they in plenty fuller of happines then they of sweetnes more ioyfull and hopefull then they delightfull or greene O Playnes cry'd shee how doth constancy protect and gard you in delicasie how doe miseries change and wither me deere Arcadia I loue you yet because my constancy suits with yours pitty me then that pines in that vertue and if euer I see you decaying I will waile with you A lasse heere haue I breath'd my blessings among you now must I reueale my losses yet continue as you were and I shall thinke misfortune only reserued for mee as best or fittest to deserue mischeife yet deere I loue thee still though faine would blame as iustly thy vnkindnes but loue forbids me I must for truths sake in loue suffer all without condemning cruell yet I may call thee and thou hast no cause to blame mee for that for thine owne soule tels thee I speake truth mend then or kindly with more violence end me The groue she then arriued at where sitting downe hard by where first she met Siluiana here said she once liued a poore true forsaken louer to her I come to finde and with her conclude my dayes then behoulding those places and her thoughts more perfectly setting them selues before her eyes which as the streme she made her glasse she with many sorrowfull sighs and deepe groanes vttered this Sonnet LOsse my molester at last patient be And satisfied with thy curst selfe or moue Thy mournefull force thus oft on periurd loue To wast a life which liues by mischeifes fee. Who will behould true misery veâ—w me And find what wit hath fain'd I fully proue A heauen-like blessing chang'd throwne from aboue Into Dispaire whose worst ill I doe see Had I not happy beene I had not knowne So great a losse a â—ing depos'd feeles most The torment of a Throne-like-want when lost And vp must looke to what late was his owne Lucifer downe cast his losse doth grieue My Paradice of ioy gone doe I liue Yes I doe liue cry'd she but to what end only to mourne lament and mâ—ane a state all pitty wants since musing in that place from whence it claymed is by due Would I could not accuse thee yet my loue is such as I would rather blame my selfe then thee deere this I must not doe for then my merrit so small could not aske reward I still am iust and purely loue thee O werr thou but vnstaind for thine owne worths sake my soule doth wish it thee though thou were cruell still Among the trees and bushes then she walkedâ— plucking of flowers which adorned their roots and then as a little higher thoughts did rise she saw inscriptions in the barke and vnder them left some of hers to witnesse her distresse where she found the letters intwined of Alatina and her loue she vnder them set hers and her deere loue thus spent she some howers till a pleasant tune and ioyfull voyces called her a little from her sadnesse going to the edge of the Groue shee perceiued a great troupe of Shepherds of all ages the young men with flowers on their heads the old with Iuy then came a dainty creature shee might thinke to be Siluiana but loathe she was to imagine she or any worthy woman would change nor indeed was willing to thinke her the same but some other delicate Lasse but at last she was forced to confesse it was Alarina and so she thought Siluianas vow was still vnviolated This woman came crowned with Roses led between two fine Shepherd youths after her followed all the Shepherdesses apparelld neatly finely after their custome She admired them and gazed like men on a miracle yet resolu'd not to stir nor discouer her selfe commanding only one of her trusty seruants to watch what the conclusion would be who brought her word that they were all entred the Temple and that it was for the solemnizing of Aâ—arinas wedding Alasse said she can there not liue two canstant women all at one time yet Pamphilia be thou still iust and though but thy selfe and so alone to suffer glory in such martyrdome Home shee then went thinking Alarina no companion for her when she was in her Chamber looking out of her window vpon the Gardens she had vsed to breath her passions of ioy as often as of paine in alasse cry'd she why doe all my old friends as it were turne the hand of my wretched Dyall to make me see my vnfortunate houres by I will said she leaue these enemy-turnd-friends and goe into my owne Country where at least I may finde new and vnknowne places though perhaps no more easefull yet before I goe I will see Alarina and so what change that change hath wrought in her Then gaue she order to the officers to prouide for her iourney to Pamphilia and commanded the same seruant of hers to find out Alarina and desire her to attend her in the Garden walks This was performed the sweet Shepheardesse attended the Queen who taxing her for her lightnesse in change thus answered her Braue Queen said she I confesse this most true that you haue said if onely truth in steadfastnes liued heere but if you will voucâ—safe me the hearing you shall see I am not faulty though the appearance to your iudging eyes may iudge me so had I broke my vow and my vow to truth in leauing Diana and louing a new loue I had vnpardonably err'd but Madam I am free from touch of fault in this and only Fortune is guilty of all I was beloued and lou'd againe deuoutly I was forsaken and for it grieued vnmeasurably I changed my state in dispaire t is true heere was I faulty to change at all but you imagine my fault is this alteration no Madam this is no changing but a happy returne to my first blessed estate for had I taken a new loue I could not haue beene pardoned any more then for refusing my old one when he offered his affection againe thus am I free and once more fortunate for now I haue my loue tyed by his owne and marriage vowes neuer such content as requitall of loue brings forth but yet returning loue exceeds it and so you will say when you shall find this happinesse of which I make no question Would your promises would proue true said Pamphilia though I then were taxed as I did you with change but I expect it not yet sweete Alarina how did hee preuaile against your resolution By strong force of loue said shee for Madam let vs flatter our selues neuer so much with thought of power to resist and set determinations to refuse while wee are alone or absent from the sight of him whose charms bewitcheth vs his sight againe giues life to our first passions and turnes the strength of
our imaginations to powerful seruants of his will as the strength of ones body in a hot disease works against it self thus experience the truth of knowledge teacheth vs. I once thought what a foole am I to seeke where I am reiected to sue where I am scornd and petition where I am disdaind shall I sink to this basenes shal I forget my own merits and beg of an vngrateful creature who triumphs in my wrongs no I wil let him see scorne can haue children as truly borne as loue those are bred in me I wil make him see my sencible disliks and his false eies by my despising them shall find his error in my truth and resolutenesse These braue conceits I liked and meant to practise but when I saw him O me I was like a thiefe caught in the act I hung downe my head asham'd of mine owne thoughts I hated my selfe and pleaded guilty ready standing to be condemn'd as I was in his opinion wee are fine creatures alone in our owne imaginations but otherwise poore miserable captiues to loue Flatter not your selfe deere Princesse for belieue it the greater your minde is and the brauer your spirit the more and stronger are your passions the violence of which though diuersly cast and determined will turne still to the gouernment of loue and the truer your subects are to you the firmer will your loyalty be to him I grant all this said Pamphilia but these things concerne not me further then the gladnesse I haue for your good since I protest truely that no scorne nor any cruell course whatsoeuer he can vse or hath vsed though to the extremity of ill could or shall alter my heart from being his or from fulnesse of content with all true and affectionate acceptance of his loue if hee would blesse me againe with it But I cannot hope my despaire out-weighs all such thoughts and makes me dryer in losse then blasts doe trees though they kill them Alarina stroue to comfort her assuring her that she could not haue more cause to sorrow lament then she had had nor be further from hope or colour of it then she once was yet said she now I haue pass'd all those sad misaduentures and am arriu'd at the happy harbour of enioying Long may you so be blessed said Pamphilia and soone may like blessings befall you said Alarina from this they grew to discourse of Poetry the Shepheardesse saying merry songs of her making since the turne of fortune the Queenes continued in the same straines they were of lamentation Some dayes were thus passed till her iourney call'd her thence when taking leaue of Alarina the Queene went towards the Shipping all the next Port and soone after arriu'd in Pamphilia where no â—ooner the newes of her arriuall was spread but the people from all parts came to see her and ioy in her presence while she ioyed in nothing nor communed with any but her owne sad selfe which she cal'd her losse and passions for it the saddest places were the most pleasing to her the solitariest Caues or Rockes her chiefe abiding places yet she lost not her selfe for her gouernment continued iust and braue like that Lady she was wherein she shewed her heart was not to be stirr'd though her priuate fortunes shooke round about her Leonius this while with his faire Veralinda trauel'd towards Phrygia where being arriu'd they sent vnto the King as strangers to beseech liberty to see him and to present some things that they knew would be most acceptable to him He was an excellent wise Prince and as any courteous wherefore he soone consented and they apparel'd her after the manner of Italy as his Country and she according to the Greeke fashion for Shepheardesses as hauing had her breeding there and from those habits would not be altered till she was receiued as a Princesse They enter'd the Hall where the King was being a braue old man holding as maiesticke a countenance as his state requir'd Leonius beheld him curiously theÌ„ made this speech vnto him holding his eyes fix'd on him the Lady of his soule by the hand Great K. of Phrigia whose renown hath spread it selfe vnto all eares giue your seruant leaue to say this vnto you I am stranger borne farre hence son vnto the King of Naples and brother to Amphilanthus Emperour of the Romanes of whom after I had receiued Knighthood I gained leaue to goe abroad to try my fortune Into Morea I went to visit the King thereof who for my honour I haue the grace to be his neere Cousin but in Arcadia it was my happines as I hope to meete this Shepheardesse whose true and loyall seruant I vowed to be for her sake I chang'd my habits and from a Knight became a Nimph with her I conceald liu'd she nor any other mistrusting me for other then my outward shew gaue them cause to thinke me to bee Still my affection increased and the daily conuersation made this beautifull creature affect my company at last she was by the Kings Shepheard whom she had till then taken for her father sent thence my selfe discouered to him only went with her into an Iland in the Gulfe of Venice wherein were inchanted the greatest brauest valiantest men and the excellentest Ladies of the whole world by this diuine creature they were released the charmes finished At the coÌ„clusion of theÌ„ a book of gold vpon a Pillar of the same appear'd which being taken down read therin was found the whole story of this rare Shepheardesse which brought her to the knowledge that shee is your daughter I am hither come as hers your humblest seruant to conduct her to your presence The King rose and with moderate ioy kiss'd them both ioyfull of the newes yet hauing had so much misfortune could not but doubt the truth of what was so much desird She then on her knees deliuer'd the Booke vnto him wherein he found what Leonius had related to be true the Prince deliuer'd likewise vnto him letters from his brother the Emperour to desire the marriage The graue old King heartily reioyced at this blessing but bore it as he had done his afflictions with equall temper then tooke he Leonius by the one hand and his daughter by the other calling his Lords round about him to whom hee deliuered these glad newes withall the Emperours desire concludiug that his consent was gained and therefore demanded their allowance to the marriage They consented and ratified it with full ioy and contentment then ioyn'd he their hands in that assembly contracting them and promising himselfe to accompany them back to Morea where they should be married as Amphilanthus had intreated for the honour of the other great Kings and Princesses Robes of state were soone brought to Veralinda in which she appear'd like Venus when she won the Apple from the other two Goddesses Triumphs were presently made and she proclaim'd heire apparant to the Crowne Thus was Leonius and Veralinda
may lawfully repent and necessarily also but Loue my ruler commanded and I obeyed I could in my selfe say why should I yeeld I must deny but when I saw him my soule flew to him he but asked and I yeelded yet this I repent not but a vanity I had about mee which because once liked by him and admired by our Sexe or those of thâ—m that I durst make my follies seene vnto a fond humour of writing I had set downe some things in an idle Booke I had written which when hee saw hee thought touched or came too neere or I imagine so because in some places he had turnd downe leaues and onely at such as he might if hee would dislike and were those I thought hee would take notice of yet he neither did by word nor writing not honouring me so much who was his slaue as to finde fault or to seeme pleasd I was me thought left to coniecture and the further I went in such coniecture I runne into feare and sorrow that I had offended yet I can cleare my selfe if I might come to answere but I cannot not could so as finding my selfe thus miserable I tooke my Pilgrymage willingly What could you say to offend In troth Madam said shee I discouer'd how neere I was to bee an ordinary louer after losse which is to grow neighbour if not inhabiter with hate and some two Poeticall and neate expressions I made of it yet I came off though hurt as it seemes in the action but let him make the case his owne and I doubt hee will rather cut the cord then vntye the knots but I haue done I forgiue all and wish hee will also doe so with mee I pray for him and truely without faigning I loue him for all this firmely and shall doe let him vse his worst in scorne which he hath prettily practis'd I thinke hee can neither shew nor assure my selfe study that cruelty which can make me hate him nay in earnest leaue louing though it may bee I haue err'd in saying so boasting rather then hauing such strength for which great loue and you dearest beloued pardon mee I aske it with a repentant and clensed heart and if it please you remember what cause you gaue if not nobly forgiue Perselina found in her selfe she should neuer come to that excellency of constancy wherfore she admired thogh scarce commended her richnes in that plenty and fulnesse being call'd by Rosindy left the constant Lady to her vertuous vowes and religious truth who liued the rest as she had begun her dayes in feruent zeale and affection The King and Queene with the delicate Princesse arriuâ—ng soone after in Macedon where they rul'd both with power and loue loued with feare because they fear'd they could not loue enough the young Princesse soone after tooke her minde and former resolution marrying her selfe with her chosen loue some busines there was before it could bee effected but the effect came happily to their owne resolutions conclusion peace the Nurse of loue was among them Philarchos with Orilena going for Mytelin met a Ship riding or rather floating for vnguided she was vnrul'd and vnman'd tumbling vp and downe like the Boates boyes make of paper and play withall vpon little brookes onely a Dogge to shew some liue creature was in her came on the hatches and walk'd with much grauity like an officer or kinde of watchfull seruant he bark't not nor fawningly sought ayde by leaping whining shaking his head or wagging his tayle or other such dog-like expressions but look'd soberly entertainingly like a steward on the strangers the Prince came and laid the Ship aboord when Philarchos saw none but this guardian he leap'd into her and some of his Knights with him the Dogge look'd on them and as one might say discreetly went before them as their guide into a Cabin where a Lady lay on the ground weeping and wringing her hands all in mourning and more sorrowfull yet in her illustrious expression then the mourning could shew mournfull and therefore shee more then their habits mourn'd Shee onely look'd vp and cast her eyes downe againe and her face against the ground crying Alas haue I not beene miserable enough must I in this assured quiet bee molested can I not haue a restfull dying time allow'd me shall not the Sea nor a cast-away Barque haue power to let mee dye in peace then yet endure more and know thou must poore woman dye as liue in perturbation Philarchos went to her tooke her by the arme and gently lifted her vp a little vsing these wordes none heâ—re purposeth to molest you wee are and will bee rather your seruants then disquieters by chance we came to succour you and now by resolution will if you please to accept of it Sir said she your noble disposition appeares in this and God I hope will reward you for it I am so lamentable a soule and so vnable to thinke of ability though gratefulnesse rules mee as I am onely able to pray for you and that I will not faile to doe but Sir you must leaue mee for I am appointed to dye and by him that hath power to doe it if he had but onely commanded me without leauing me to this assurance There is no necessity saith Philarchos in obeying you in this who though condemn'd as it seemes by a power ouer you gouernes not vs nor can though soueraiguize ouer you subiect vs to his law therefore I will not obey him nor you in this fortune brought me fortunately to the finding you shee shall likewise bring you to life for wee will saue you you are our prey we will not in complement let you destroy your selfe it seemes you are dead to those condem'd you you may yet lawfully liue to vs that redeeme you howsoeuer bee confident wee will conduct you hence and place you somewhere where you shall bee safe from a certaine ruine That will more ruine mee cryed shee when I shall bee bar'd from obeying him whom I must euer obserue What obligation binds you said hee Soueraignty of Loue said she and loyall subiection to his will Tyes said Philarchos fit to bee durable and affection indure but else a bargaine is not to bee made onely of one side you are free when hee breakes to dye said shee neuer to liue disobedient to him who is my Lord. The Prince knew such things as loue and loyalty were or had beene yet hee was willing to diuert her from those courses because running to perill and therefore hee replyed these were the expressions of purest zeale in loue but loue was neuer ordained to be such a monster as to destroy if hurt by change tryall iudicially should helpe not harme directly pursue Shee sigh'd and lamented Hee comforted and disputed at last tooke her vp partly by will partly by force from the ground and carried her to his dearest Orilena who kindly like a braue noble Lady welcom'd her her Dogge would not part from her
fairest Maide in this Kingdome the vnfortunateliest married and vnhappiest wife this Countrey had the most desolate and grieued Widdow for in all estates that euer shee was in if shee had a shew of good shee had substances of ill and mischiefe to succeed In her youth or indeed infancy shee loued a braue Knight who deseru'd all loue and respect but yet hee had a fault as most men haue I was his companion and knew as much of him for some time as any did yet that was a secret and I neuer intruth mistrusted it till I was gone into a retyr'd life and a change growne among vs all being diuided seuerall wayes and scattered like Hayle Shee callâ—d to the Court continued her begun loue hee fell in loue with her and so much as hee raged almost with passion till hee discouer'd it being for a while as hee vowed himselfe neere madnes but as passions are hot and in youth more flaming then afterwards mature iudgement will permit hee grew slacker shee grieu'd lost her content and yet thinking to please him as that being her onely end refrain'd fearing as seeing his dislike and scorne to her his presence hoping to content him with giuing liberty to his new choyce This whether offending or as hee tooke the matter making it seeme an offence shee lost his loue and not onely that but hee made it appeare that hee loath'd her Shee sweet Creature whose heart to him was but as the softest part of his to his new Mistris so grieuously tooke this curst hap as shee melted into griefe as Virgins waxe with the heate of fire will into water and yet thereby the coldnesse of that Element grow hard as frozen by coldnesse So was shee clos'd in cold despaire yet not hardened but with that not with hate or dislike suffering as patiently as a dead body permits handling by any rude standers by shee onely felt paine of loue and into that was metamorphosed All delights shee cast from her all exercises left couer'd her misfortune with the losse of her Husband when as if her loue had continued true shee had in the other losse beene happy but as it fell out a most vnhappy creature shee was and is An ancient Lord old in age and antiquity of honour made loue vnto her shee was not only perplex'd with him but with her friends and Parents hee being infinitely rich but shee finding that her heart as shee cal'd him and as that was subiect to him cal'd it selfe his would not consent shee refus'd and with great ioy that hee lou'd her so well as hee could not thinke of imparting her to any other though sure enough that hee could not hold her long Death being gaping for him After she denied men of all sorts for age and fortune who durst take the boldnesse to sue to her Lately a young Duke of this Countrey made profer of Loue to her but shee not willing to entertaine him would not beleeue hee meant it and so perswaded him out of it yet he lookes after her followes her when hee may meets her where hee can haue opportunity smiles on her seekes to please her in all he may and in some things doth for he neuer speakes to her but by lookes of Loue his company she allowes of out of noblenesse and out of true loue will not heare of his loue An ancient Lord also and a mighty rich man for estate but in yeares seekes her shee will not vnderstand it He sends to her inuites her to his dwellings Shee finds still excuses and neglects ciuilly Hee vowes to finde her out and court her She flyes and takes iourneys vnthought on to shun him and al this is for loue that so she flyes Loue willing to warme her hands at the fire of honour but dares not come neere the loue-fire for feare of scorching while shee burnes in her owne flames neuer any more belou'd woman breath'd nor euer will or can breath so true a louing woman What hath shee left vnexprest to manifest her affection in all kindes life shee hath ventur'd honour lost beauty and all happinesse dead while shee growes old in her truth of loue and hath but that for her owne satisfaction to content her selfe withall and that is riches vnspeakable when in her owne soule shee can say I am iust yet suffer for it as if a fault what is then a vertue when such perfections are errors One pretty tale shee now as you came told me her still beloued friend came into her company by Aduenture hauing with him a deare companion of his newly growne into that league of friendship and brought by him into the same with all his friends This Gentleman seeing her discreet grew into discourse with her she louing all that loued her lou'd euen his Mistris for his sake was well pleas'd with his conuersation and so neâ—re they grew as he spake freely to her and she coufidently to him so much she saw in him as she knew he knew most of her fortune she grudged not his knowledge for a nobler man breathes not as shee sayes except her owne friend and hee must before her haue no Competitor nam'd for worth or any goodnesse though shee suffer for his ill so excellent hee yet appeares to her But this braue Gentleman at last with frâ—edome began to perswade her to leaue her constancie which would but hurt her and continue no other wayâ—s true then truely to say shee had lou'd longer and iustlier then hee but seeing no returne nor hope no longer to bee a slaue when she might beâ— free nor to him who deseru'd so ill from her as if shee lou'd ill so well as to bee bound to it yet did hee neuer name his friend though by discourse said he knew him euer protesting to name none in such kindes Shee only answerd this that so much she lou'd and honour'd truth as shee desir'd shee might liue in that if a fault and grow old with such a vertue whose worthines would giue her youth and eternity in comfort and honor to the world her wrincles by truth would bee closed and shee seeme as faire as euer her palenesse and losse of complexion restor'd by the rarenesse of such a vertue and her Age as by Medeas charmes turn'd to infancy in the cleerenesse and ablenesse of such worth Hee lamented her misfortune shee smil'd to heare him so much mistake and told him 't was her perfection this is the error said he of women and yet not generally doe they erre in this kinde so as I may only say of a woman and of one of the best and therefore the more to be pittied The Florentine did naturally loue strange things and such as could hardly be compass'd wherefore hee had a great desire to see this Lady againe and to court her and so resolu'd to trye his fortune hauing as he thought as much boldnesse and winning power as any man To helpe him on the same talking Knight came againe the next day
you for blisse hope still and still enioy Let sad misfortune haplesse me destroy Leaue crosses to rule me and still rule free While all delights their contraries imploy To keepe good backe and I but torments see Ioyes are berâ—au'd me harmes doe only tarry Despaire takes place disdaine hath got the hand Yet firme loue holds my senses in such band As since despised I with sorrow marry Then if with griefe I now must coupled bee Sorrow I le wed Despaire thus gouernes mee 10. THe weary Traueller who tyred sought In places distant farre yet found no end Of paine or labour nor his state to mend At last with ioy is to his home backe brought Findes not more ease though he with ioy be fraught When past his feare content like soules ascend Then I on whom new pleasures doe descend Which now as high as first-borne blisse is wrought He tyred with his paines I with my minde He all content receiues by ease of lymbs I greatest happinesse that I doe finde Beliefe for faith while hope in pleasure swimmes Truth saith 't was wrong conceit bred my despight Which once acknowledg'd brings my hearts delight 11. YOu endlesse torments that my rest oppresse How long will you delight in my sad paine Will neuer Loue your fauour more expresse Shall I still liue and euer feele disdaine Alasse now stay and let my griefe optaine Some end feede not my heart with sharpe distresse Let me once see my cruell fortunes gaine At least release and long-felt woes redresse Let not the blame of cruelty disgrace The honour'd title of your god-head Loue Giue not iust cause for me so say a place Is found for rage alone on me to moue O quickly end and doe not long debate My needfull ayd lest helpe doe come too late 12. CLoy'd with the torments of a tedious night I wish for day which come I hope for ioy When crosse I finde new tortures to destroy My woe-kild heart first hurt by mischiefes might Then crye for night and once more day takes flight And brightnesse gone what rest should heere inioy Vsurped is Hate will her force imploy Night cannot Griefe intombe though blacke as spite My thoughts are sad her face as sad doth seeme My paines are long her howers tedious are My griefe is great and endlesse is my care Her face her force and all of woes esteeme Then welcome Night and farewell flattering day Which all hopes breed and yet our ioyes delay Song 2. ALl Night I weepe all Day I cry Ay me I still doe wish though yet deny ay me I sigh I mourne I say that still I only am the store for ill ay me In coldest hopes I freezâ— yet burne ay me From flames I striue to flye yet turne ay me From griefe I hast but sorrowes hye And on my heart all woes doe lye ay me From contraries I seeke to run ay me But contraries I cannot shun ay me For they delight their force to trye And to Despaire my thoughts doe tye ay me Whither alasse then shall I goe ay me When as Despaire all hopes outgoe ay me If to the Forrest Cupid hies And my poore soule to his law tyes ay me To the Court O no he cryes fye ay me There no true loue you shall espye ay me Leaue that place to falsest Louers Your true loue all truth discouers ay me Then quiet rest and no more proue ay me All places are alike to Loue ay me And constant be in this begun Yet say till Life with Loue be done Ay me 13. DEare famish nor what you your selfe gaue foode Destroy not what your glory is to saue Kill not that soule to which you spirit gaue In pitty not disdaine your triumph stood An easie thing it is to shed the bloud Of one who at your will yeelds to the graue But more you may true worth by mercy craue When you preserue not spoyle but nourish good Your sight is all the food I doe desire Then sacrifice me not in hidden fire Or stop the breath which did your praises moue Thinke but how easie 't is a sight to giue Nay euen desert since by it I doe liue I but Camelion-like would liue and loue 14. Am I thus conquer'd haue I lost the powers That to withstand which ioyes to ruine me Must I bee still while it my strength deuoures And captiue leads me prisoner bound vnfree Loue first shall leane mens fant'sies to them free Desire shall quench loues flames Spring hate sweet showres Loue shall loose all his Darts haue sight and see His shame and wishings hinder happy houres Why should we not Loues purblinde charmes resist Must we be seruile doing what he list No seeke some host to harbour thee I flye Thy Babish tricks and freedome doe professe But O my hurt makes my lost heart confesse I loue and must so farewell liberty 15. TRuely poore night thou welcome art to me I loue thee better in this sad attire Then that which rayseth some mens fant'sies higher Like painted outsides which foule inward be I loue thy graue and saddest lookes to see Which seemes my soule and dying heart entire Like to the ashes of some happy fire That flam'd in ioy but quench'd in misery I loue thy count'nance and thy sober pace Which euenly goes and as of louing grace To vs and mee among the rest opprest Giues quiet peace to my poore selfe alone And freely grants day leaue when thou art gone To giue cleare light to see all ill redrest 16. SLeepe fye possesse me not nor doe not fright me with thy heauy and thy deathlike might For counterfetting's vilder then death's sight And such deluding more my thoughts doe spight Thou suffer'st falsest shapes my soule t' affright Sometimes in likenesse of of a hopefull spright And oft times like my Loue as in despight Ioying thou canst with malice kill delight When I a poore foole made by thee thinke ioy Doth flow when thy fond shadowes doe destroy My that while sencelesse selfe left free to thee But now doe well let me for euer sleepe And so for euer that deere Image keepe Or still wake that my senses may be free 17. SWeet shades why doe you seeke to giue delight To me who deeme delight in this vilde place But torment sorrow and mine owne disgrace To taste of ioy or your vaine pleasing sight Shew them your pleasures who saw neuer night Of griefe where ioyings fawning smiling face Appeares as day where griefe found neuer space Yet for a sigh a groane or enuies spite But O on me a world of woes doe lye Or els on me all harmes striue to relye And to attend like seruants bound to me Heate in desire while frosts of care I proue Wanting my loue yet surfet doe with loue Burne and yet freeze better in Hell to be 18. WHich should I better like of day or night Since all the day I liue in bitter woe Inioying light more cleere my wrongs to know and yet
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