not sorry that J love you and add if you please that if J be not beloved t is because you neither do nor will love any thing For what 's to come said Policrite t is a thing to which J ought not to answer with such assurance and as you knew not the day before J had the honour to be known unto you that you should so oft for go your Pallaces to come to this Cottage wherein I live how do I know whether the resolution which I now take of suffering no affection to enter my heart will still continue No Sir wee must not trust so absolutely in our selves nor can I answer otherwise then for my present opinions Shew me then replied he what they really are to the end I may know what to do Sir said Policrite having much esteem and much of respect for you I must confess I should be sorry that you should love one long whose condition were not answerable to yours and that I could not receive a much greater displeasure Philoxypes who knew not the hidden sense of these words answered That supream beautie had in it somewhat of Coelestiall which did ennoble all those that were therewithall indued In my opinion said shee a certain proportion is requisite in all things to occasion love therefore do not deceive your self and if I were at any time to love any body it should certainly be one of my own condition nor should I ever resolve to marrie any one that were not so What Policrite said Philoxypes much afflicted do you speak the truth Yes Sir said shee and time will make you finde it so But Policrite replied he you remember not that you are a miracle and that there are no men of your condition amid'st these rocks who deserve so much as to look upon you I will then love nothing Sir said shee and so shee rose up for shee saw Cleanthes and Megisto coming who much troubled at this Prince his so frequent visits especially having observed what they thought they had done in Policrites behaviour desired him not to give himself the trouble to come so often thither Philoxypes who was somewhat moved at those cruel words as he understood them which Policrite had uttered which made notwithstanding so much for him could not with his accustomed moderation receive the discourse of Cleanthes and Megisto but anger might easilie be seen in his face and grief in his eyes Cleanthes said he since I come not hither to rob you of the treasure which the Gods have given you withstand not the satisfaction which I finde in admiring that virtue in Policrite which you have infused into her Sir said Cleanthes though I very well know your worth I cannot but fear least Policrite who hath not yet lived long enough to know precisely what bounds to put to the respect she ows you may be failing in something either to you or to her self No no said Philoxypes somewhat roundly you need not fear what you say you may rather fear least her severity and yours make me lose my reason In fine this conversation though full of respect to Policrite was so passionate as Cleanthes and Megisto were much troubled at it and Policrites self was sufficiently disquieted thereat and was sorry that she had spoken so despitefully to Philoxypes But at last this Prince departed much discontented and much in love and as he returned back with intention to get on horse back where he had wont to leave his followers he met the King who was lighted on foot and on whom I had the honour to wait You may imagine how much he was surprised at this sight As soon as he saw the King striving as much as he could to hide his Melancholy he mended his pace and having done his obeysance Sir said he your Majesty quits Paphos in a season wherein you are not much accustomed to seek out solitary walks You have reason for what you say said the King but it seems less strange to me that I should come to seek for Philoxypes at Claria then that I should finde him amongst the Rocks The day being fair enough though in Winter the King who could no longer stay from acquainting Philoxpesy with what he had in his heart made a sign to the few atht waited not him to stand off and commanded me to stay There remained none then with him but Phyloxipes and my self we all stood silent for a good while and certainly had all of us much differing thoughts The King seeing Philoxypes so altered so melancholy and so perplex't endevoured to make his friendship out go his Love Philoxypes would have found by the King's eyes and mind what the King had to say to him and why he had taken this journey fearing by the signes which I made least he had discovered his passion For my particular I was ready to go wilde to think I could not advertise Philoxypes nor durst not tell the King what I knew of his love whom he took to be his Rivall but at last this long silence wherein every one of us said several things unto our selves was first broke by the King who looking in a much obliging manner upon this Prince imbraced him and said be not offended that I know the secret of your soul and that I am not ignorant of the passion which torments you Philoxypes surprised to hear the King speak thus looked with a blush upon me and the King imagining as it was true that he thought I had betrayed him looked upon me too and to punish me as he told me afterwards for not having told him the truth not giving me leave to speak and not disabusing Philoxypes in what he had conceived of me once more said he my dear Phyloxypes be not afflicted that I have discovered your love and believe I esteem you never a whit the less Sir replied Philoxypes me thinks if your Majestie did know the true cause of my affliction you should be so good as to bewail me and not to speak of it No Philoxypes replied the King my goodness shall extend it self much further then so for you I am come hither expresly to accompany you in your solitariness for since I cannot make you happy I must at least make my self unhappy with you Sir said Philoxypes you altogether confound me take no such resolution I beseech you leave me to bear the punishment of my weakness alone and believe me I shall infinitely praise your goodness if you wil suffer me to die in peace amidst these woods and rocks The King touched with extream compassion once more straitly imbraced Philoxypes and looking upon him with a very sad look I crave your pardon said he Philoxypes if I cannot as yet absolutely yeild Aretaphile to you but I am come hither to endeavour to gain say for your sake the passion I have for her as you have stroven a long time for my sake to suppress the passion which shee hath occasioned in you Philoxypes surprised at the
of all this me thinks my reason is free enough and I am well enough pleased with the melancholly which possesseth me For t is true I oft times talk I know not what but I delight in doing so and though I would not love Philoxypes yet there are certain moments wherein I am well enough pleased that he should love me But as for any thing of fault so farre am I from being willing to commit any as I protest unto you that were it for no other reason then not to lose Philoxypes his esteem and good opinion I would die a thousand deaths rather then do any thing that should be unjust You may then believe that whilst I love vertue and would become worthy the affection of so great a Prince I will never do any thing contrary to reputation I believe you answered Dorida but for all this Sister mine you deceive your self if you believe you love not Philoxypes For in a word you do not love what you lov'd before you knew him you are somewhat more comely you consult oftner with the Christall fountains and you are quite another thing then you were Ah Sister replied Policrite if that were true which you say I would quickly take order for it I would never see Philoxypes but to use him harshly to the end that he hating me I might no longer love him These two young people having entertained themselves thus upon the bank of a little rivelet Cleanthes and Megisto who had altered their minds came thither and bidding Dorida withdraw a little Megisto began to say Policrite it is not many days since I told you that in respect of your condition you should never look upon Philoxypes but with a great deal of respect but fearing lest through that inequality which you may believe to be between you and him you may not appear to be so much obliged to him for his affection as indeed to put somewhat too great an estimation thereupon Cleanthes and my self have resolved to tell you that your true condition considered you are not bound to behold Philoxypes at any time but with a great deal of indifferency For in a word said Cheanthes not to disguise the truth from you any longer you are what you think not your self to be and we are likewise that which you know not and what you shall not as yet know because the Gods have not permitted us as yet to let you know it But to shew you how much you are more obliged then you think for to be vertuous know Policrite that you are of as Noble blood as any is in all Greece And how answered Policrite interupting him am I not what I alwaies thought to be No daughter said he to number Kings amongst your Ancestors is not the greatest mark of honour that you make boast of There is somewhat of more August in your race then what I speak of Therefore that I might raise up your heart I thought it good to trust you with this important secret which I charge you not to reveal to any one as also to let you know the better how much bound you are not to doe any thing unworthy of your Fathers house nor of the condition you are born in Policrite was exceedingly joy'd to hear Cleanthes speak after this manner though her joy was not over quiet for shee was in trouble to know more precisely what was told her Father said shee leave me not in such perplexity tell me a little more plainly I beseech you so pleasing a truth and let me know who I am The Gods have forbidden us it my daughter answered he by the mouth of an Oracle you must be content with what you have heard but make use thereof to defend your self against Philoxypes love and far from looking on him as on a Prince who hath don you too much honour look rather on him as on one whom you shall favour by your permittance This is not said Cleanthes to deny but that Philoxypes is indow'd with all the virtues and qualities requisite for a great Prince but t is my childe to let you know that there is a certain pride which doth not mis-become a young maide to defend her self thereby against love when we have an esteem for those that are above us t is hard to gainsay if they intreat And on the contrary when we believe them to be beneath us or at least but our equals we stand not much upon denying them unjust things Policrite assured then Cleanthes and Megisto That though shee had known nothing of what they now had told her shee should never have done any thing contrary to that decency which shee had learnt of them But how much were they mistaken if their design were to hinder Policrite from loving Philoxypes Sometimes shee was filled with joy to know that she was of Noble descent and afterwards being willing to make use thereof to drive thereby the begining of affection which Philoxypes worth had already raised in her out of her heart shee found it the more fortified by this knowledge For said shee the knowledge of what I am doth not take from the obligation which I ow him since he knows not that I am any thing more then what I seem to be But for me who now know what I am why should I not hope that the Gods permitting Philoxypes to know my true conditition may not so order it as that I may love him and be blameless and be beloved by him innocently No no Policrite added shee let us no longer defend our heart any longer with such opiniatrecie let us content our selves with concealing our recentments do nothing that shall be faulty let us not reject as a mischief the love of a Prince to whom the wisest king of the world would not refuse to giv his daughter But it may be said she that Philoxypes doth but counterfeit that he hath sinful thoughts towards thee and that thy simplicity abuseth thee Stay then said she to be resolved herein and make trial of his constancy and fidelity by an appearing indifferency which may leave him without hope Thus was Policrite minded when Philoxypes came to her as soon as she saw him she bâ—gan to go towards her Cottage but he advancing hastily stayed her yet not being above twenty paces from it and there being two of her women-servants at work in a Close hard by them she stayed What Policrite said he you shun a Prince who shuns all the world for love of you Sir said she after somewhat more an imperious manner then before though she intended not so to do I do what peradventure you ought to doe For in fine what advantage can you hope for by your visits and solicitations The contentment said he to hear from your fair mouth that you do not hate me If that be all you desire to be satisfied in replyed she you may easily compasse your desires but ask no more upon pain of refusall What lovely Policrite said he
will you never love me and shall all I can do to win your affection prove useless no 't is impossible were you as incensible as those pictures which I have of you My pictures replyed Policrite Yes added Philoxypes I am not so unfortunate as you think for in despight of you and without your consent I have the contentment of seeing you daily Ah! said Policrite I perceive Mandrocles hath betrayed me and hath falsified his word Philoxypes askt her then how she came to know Mandrocles She told him how that famous Painter walking daily when his leisure would permit him amongst those rocks to draw some lanskips had one day by chance light upon their house where having seen her he had begg'd leave of Cleanthes to draw her pictâ—re which Cleanthes would have refused him but that seeing his importunity he was afraid lest he might speak of her to him at Claria and that therefore he gave way unto his desire upon condition that he should not make use of this picture in any of his pieces but as of a head made by fancy and imagination and making him take a solemn oath never to speak with any body whosoever of any acquaintance he had with them That since that time as long as Mandrocles tarryed at Claria he came to teach her to design and had drawn her picture in twenty several postures She then enquired of Philoxypes whether Mandrocles had spoken to him of her or no And he told her the whole truth but you may perceive said Philoxypes that the Goddess whom you represent intends not that you should always be inhumane since she would her self appear in your vizage Sir said she not being of your Isle my devotion leads me rather to be a Votress to Diana then to worship Venus Urania therefore it is not this your reason that will prevail with me to boot that his Goddess approving only of such passions as are innocent will certainly never councel me to admit of yours Vertues self replyed Philoxypes would advise you to it and did you know my heart you would need no other Councellor then your self It would take up so much time replied she to make me know it as I shall advise you not to undertake the work But said he if I do undertake it and if I make it evident to you that never man loved any thing as I love you what will you then think I would think said she that you were very unfortunate in having so passionately loved one who is unworthy of so much honor But said he would you think your self any waies obliged unto me I should be sorrie for you said she and would wish your cure either by absence or by forgetfulnesse Ah! cruel maid said he wish it rather by your compassion and charity and promise me only that you will afford me leisure to perswade you that I am the most in love of all men To do as you say said she would be to be somewhat perswaded thereunto already therefore and with this she walked towards her Cottage I will listen no longer to you After this manner did Philoxypes pass away his time having but very few moments of delight amongst many howres of anguish This mean while he could not endure to tarry at Paphos and when he went thither all he could do was only to visit the Princesse Aretephile which the King compelled him to do but he appeared so melancholly and so changed as he was hardly to be known The King who loved him dearly was much afflicted to see it he together with the whole court sought what might be the occasion of this alteration but they could not finde it The King askt it of Philoxypes self but could learn nothing Philoxypes answering alwaies that it was some melancholy which proceeded certainly from his temper and from some little indisposition of health But said the King solitariness is no usual cure for such incommodities wherefore you ought not to go any more to Claria Yet affairs went still on thus yea even when Winter was come which did the more astonish the whole Court they knew he built no more at Claria that the Painters and Engravers who had been so long there were all gone that the season was foul that when he went thither 't was but with a small train and that he walked alwaies alone they saw a strange sadnesse in his face and a wonderful alteration and all this without any appearing cause The King heaped favours and honours upon him he askt him an hundred times what he vvould desire of him he had not any one enemie the whole Court loved him hee was exceeding rich he appeared not to have any sicknesse as the Physitians could perceive In fine his melancholie and retirednesse were things which could not be guest at The whole Court talkt of nothing else and the King was strangely troubled at it who not knowing how to inform himself of what Philoxypes ailed he bethought himself of me whom he knew this Prince did love particularly and in whom he did more confide then in any other Thus upon a day when Philoxypes was gone to Claria the King sent for me and after having assured his Majestie as it was true that I knew nothing of particular concerning this Prince his melancholy he did me the honour to command me to go to him and to use all my cunning to discover what it was that was in his minde For said he Leontidas I doe so love Philoxypes as I cannot live content unlesse I see he do so likewise and were it to give him half my Kingdom I would doubtlesly do it rather then not to give him satisfaction I then departed reallie intending to endeavour to satisfie the Kings curiositie who certainlie stood in need of Philoxypes presence to counsel and comfort him concerning Aretephiles behaviour for I think there was never known a stiffer combat between ambition and love I went then to Claria where I found Philoxypes in his usual melancholie the which I made the greater because I hindred him from going that daie to Cleanthes At first sight of me he endeavored notwithstanding to inforce himself to honor me so much as to seem glad to see me but it was after a fashion which made me easilie see that his heart gainsaid his words and that notwithstanding any friendship he had for me he wisht I had tarried still at Paphos Leontidas said he I am much beholding to you for coming to visit me in a season when the Countrie hath lost all its ornaments and when the Court is fullest of diversions Sir said I you commend me with less reason then the Court complains of you for to forgo Paphos for Claria when you are there 't is to forgo the Court for the Court nay for the most pleasing part of the Court but to forgo Paphos only to seek out solitarines at Claria as you do Oh Sir said I not suspecting him notwithstanding of any passion 't is all that a Prince in
Kings discourse felt two contrary agitations at the same time he was grieved to finde his odd opinion and joyed that he knew not the true cause of his love as he thought he had done And believing that he might easily disabuse him in a thing so false as the former was he resolved to continue the concealment of his true passion The King then had no sooner said what I have told you but Philoxypes stepping back a little said what Sir does your Majesty suspect me of so much boldness as to be your Rivall Confess said the King for I know your misfortune hath been such as not to be able to resist Aretaphiles charms But Phyloxipes I blame you not for it t was I that first made tryall thereof I know how inevitable they are you have done more then I my self should have done it may be had I your part to play I should have betrayed my master instead of resolving to die of grief and sorrow as you have done for my sake Thus Phyloxypes I am not displeased with you for loving Aretaphile Sir said Phyloxypes to witness unto you that I am not in love with her I promise you never to see her more nor yet ever to come within Paphos or at least never to speak to that Princess I very well know said the King your Generosity rather leads you to resolve on death rather then to be failing in your duty But Philoxypes to the end you may not object unto me That I have done nothing to vanquish my self I am come to stay at Claria as well as you that I may endeavor to cure my self of this passion and to yeild up Aretaphile to you You on your side shall do the like and he that is first cured shall surrender his part in her to the other But my dear Phyloxypes said he you are yet more unhappy then you think for for when I should cease to love Aretaphile you would not have wonn her heart you know how ambitious she is that her soul is onely sensible of greatness and when I should have yeilded up my mistress to you unless I should also yeild my Crown unto you you would not winne much upon her inclination But in fine said he not affording Philoxypes leasure to answer him if I yeild up Aretaphile to you it will not be hard for me to yeild you up my Crown And in a word I will not be upbraided with your death I will do what I can to cure my self to the end that you may cure your self and if we can neither of us cure our selves we will at least die together Sir said Philoxypes I vow by whatsoever I hold most sacred and most holy that I have not the least pretence to the Princess Aretaphile What then said the King who did not believe him is the cause of your retreat and Melancholly I confess Sir I was a hundred and a hundred times ready to break my word which I had past to Philoxypes but seeing the trouble he was in end that in fine he could not resolve to all the King the truth I with held whilst Phyloxypes answered That what his Majestie did command did not deserve his curiositie and that he could not tell it him Being by this time late we returned to Claria where the King spoke still after the same manner to Philoxypes as Philoxypes did also to him Having found a moment of time to entertain Philoxypes alone I would have perswaded him to have acquainted the King with the truth but he could never resolve to do so saying it would be sufficient to let him see he was not in love with Aretaphile if he should never see her more This mean while the more obstinacie and grief the King found in Philoxypes the more did he compassionate him and the more he laboured to overcome his own passion And to this purpose he stayed eight daies at Claria all which time Philoxypes readie to go mad as well in consideration of the Kings opinion and more for that he could not get to see Polycryte I do not think the King would so soon have left this retiredness had he not been advertised that an Ambassador from Amasis King of Egypt was come to Paphos which forc't him to return But Philoxypes do he what he could must needs go along with him No said the King I will not see Aretaphile without seeing you at the same time The Melancholy which I shall see in your eyes must be to me an antidote against the Charms which I shall see in hers We went then to Paphos but good gods how little delightfull was the Court then and how much troubled did the Ambassador finde the King who was three daies without seeing Aretaphile and Philoxypes being in unimaginable pain for the abovesaid reasons seemed to grow still more melancholy whereat the King was still more and more afflicted Ambitious Aretaphile was this mean while not without her perplexity as well by reason of the Kings journey to Claria as that he came not to visite her and for that shee heard he was returned wonderfully sad But at last the King desirous stil to confirm himself in his belief brought Philoxypes with him to Princess Aretaphile hoping to discover his passion better there then in any other place Philoxypes who thought there was no better means to undeceive the King then in leting him see that he took no pleasure in looking upon this Princess was stil careful to look another way but that which he did to dis-deceive the King did the more deceive him for said he to himself unfortunate Philoxypes cannot indure the sight of her whom he loves and whom he will not love He accused himself then of too much inhumanity in exposing him to so great a punishment and seeing how strangely perplext he was his visit was not long This mean while he having during this visit eyed his pretended Rivall as much as his mistress and having been much disquiet the Princess was not much satisfied with his conversation and knew not whereunto to attribute the cause of the change which she saw in him At his coming forth he said a thousand obliging things to Philoxypes and Philoxypes made as many protestations to him of his being unconcerned in Aretaphile But at last that I may shorten my discourse as much as I may Philoxypes being persecuted by the Kings conceit anger'd at Cleanthes discourse much afflicted at what Policryte had said and much more that he could see her no more and that he durst not return to Claria fell dangerously sick all the Physitions gave up their opinions that unless some cure were found for his Melancholy he would infaliblie die The feaver continued seven daies upon him very violently during which time the King was greatly disconsolate and during which time I had tane a little journey to Amathuse about some business that I had there for I think if I had been at Paphos I should have had much adoe to have kept
Aretaphile to Philoxypes as after having surrendered her to him But Sir since you have rather chosen to specifie an extraordinary mark of Generosity then to give the commonest proofe of love I have no more to say neither have I more to do but to preserve my heart as free as it hath allwaies been The king seeing he could not appease this haughty spirit call'd Philoxypes in into his aid come said he come make amends for the fault which you have innocently committed and if you will preserve my life as I would have done yours be a mean of replacing me in the condition wherein I was before I had compassion of you Madam said Philoxypes addressing his speech to the Princess if you judge of the Kings love to you by his Friendship to me what may you not expect from thence since to save my life he could for some few moments onely renounce the possession of so inestimable a jewel And will you not then believe That upon the least occasion which should present it self he would for your service sacrifice not onely Philoxypes but even all his subjects nay even his own life No Sir said she you are not so much bound to the King as you imagine and instead of your desiring me to judge of his love to me by the friendship he bears to you I shall advise you to judge of his friendship to you onely by his love to me and to believe that since he was able to yeild me up he never had so resolute a passion for Aretaphile as to deserve that Philoxypes should be much beholden to him for what hee hath done for him since he would have done the like for any other But cruell princess said the King what will you have me to do me thinks said she I should demand no unjust thing of you if I should humbly intreat you to think no longer on Aretaphile and quietly to enjoy the life of Philoxypes which hath cost you so little Ah said he if I should have purchased the life of Philoxipes at the losse of your affection I should have bought it more deare then if I should have given my Crown for it Confess the truth said this malicious Princess if Philoxypes had been as sick of Ambition as you did think him love sick he would not for certain be yet cured and you would not so soon have forgon your Scepter as you did Aretaphile Phyloxipes who easilie conceived the hidden sense of these words whereunto the King replyed not so was he over born with grief said Madam if the King shall confess unto you that he hath done amiss and shall ask your pardon for it will you be more inexorable then are the Gods and will you shew no mercy when the King said shee shall have done to cure me of any malady of minde if any such shall befall me so extraordinary a thing as that which he hath done for you I shall then see of what minde I shall be In fine Sir All that the King and Philoxypes could do or say did no waies avail with this imperious Princess When they were come from her and were returned to the Palace Philoxypes who was well acquainted with Aretaphiles humour told the King he knew a way how to work his reconcilement with her Alas said the King there are few things I would not do to purchase that content speak therefore my dear Phyloxypes must I be long in pain must I sigh abundantly and pour forth abundance of tears and must I be everlastingly prostrate at her feet No Sir said he you shall onely put the Crown upon her head But replied the King I would gladly not have owed Aretephiles love to her Ambition on the contrarie I would have had the Crown of Cyprus to have been a reward of her affection to me Five or six daies being thus past over and Philoxypes not being able to tarry any longer at the Court he desired leave of the King to return to CLARIA Those who the King had sent to the Port towns vvhich vvere neerest to Paphos returned at the same time but brought no news of Policrite so as the unfortunate Philoxypes returned to his solitariness in great despair He had yet engaged the King not to discover the cause of his melancholy nor vvere there any that knew it but he the Princess Aretaphile and my self nor did the Princesse know any more then that Philoxypes vvas faln in love vvi … one that he knew not It would be very hard to relate unto you what life he led when it was fair weather he went to visit Policrite's Cottage and all the places where he had seen her or spoken with her he went to ask more questions of the slave who was there and whom they had ever had an eye unto not finding any one that spoke with him nor that he spoke with any one But all the addresses this Prince could make could not prevail against the fidelity of this slave who deserved a better condition When Philoxypes could not walk abroad he walked in his Gallery gazing on the picture of his dear Policrite When he call'd to mind how contented a life he led before he fell in love he almost wished he had never seen Policrite but when he remembred her charming beauty her bewitching mind and the happy howres which he had enjoied in her company though shee had alwaies concealed the esteem she had for him he preferr'd all the sorrows he had suffered since he was in love before all his former pleasures Oh! would he sometimes say to himself when he should read Polycrite's letter how sweet how pleasing and how cruel things have I learnt in one day Policrite is of illustrious birth Policrite will alwaies remember me and Policrite will never more see me Alas if it be so said he why have I not recourse to death and what shall I do with so unfortunate a life Then suddenly remembring that Policrite was alive and that she did not hate him he conceived a beam of hope that peradventure shee might make enquirie after him and knowing how miserable a life he led she might at last resolve to let him know in what part she lived This thought afforded him only so much hope as to keep him from dying not so much as to comfort him in his misfortunes Living then in this manner all the rest of the Winter he went sometimes to see the King when the King could not come to him and despairing of all remedie he only expected death or news of Policrite the one or the other whereof were the object of all his thoughts the bounds of all his desires The Spring it self which seems to inspire joy into whole nature wrought no alteration in him He beheld the roses in his Gardens blush with the same melancholie as hee had seen his knots white with Snow in Winter Those who watched over Cleanthes his slave brought him word one morning that he was suddenly dead This anger some news
did redouble his grief in as much as for that he seemed concerned in any thing which belonged to Policrite and that this slave appeared to him worthy of such good fortune as that in losing him hee lost almost all hopes of ever discovering where Policrite was He forbare not notwithstanding to have watch kept for a while to see whether any bodie should come to that rural Cottage or no but at last wearie of wearying out his people he dispenced with their further trouble therein and abandoned his fortune absolutely to the guidance of the gods As he was one daie in this sad mood Solon came to Claria hee was at first much joied to hear a name he so dearlie loved but considering what an alteration there was in him since he had seen him and how confounded he should bee to acknowledge his weakness to him though he knew that lawful love was not a passion to which Solon had declared himself an enemy this joy suffered a little allay He went notwithstanding with much eagerness to meet him but sadness having so deeply seised upon his heart and eyes the satisfaction which he received to see the famous Solon was so inward as there hardly appeared any sign thereof in his countenance Solon no sooner saw him but he observed his melancholy and Philoxypes on his part looking on Solon in stead of the peacefull physiognomy and that chearful and pleasing aspect which he had wont to have in his eyes he seemed to see a great deal of sorrow The first complements being over and Philoxypes having brought Solon to his chamber Sir said he the sight of you would surely much rejoyce me did I not see some signs of sorrow in you of which I must needs request to know the cause Noble Prince reply'd Solon I should have prevented you and have desired to know the cause of your melancholy before having afforded you leasure to inform your self of mine But I confesse unto you the Law-giver of Athens is not at present in a condition of prescribing Laws unto himself and that the sorrow I feel is stronger then my reason Philoxypes embracing him then straitly conjured him to tell him the reason thereof and desired him to believe he would do all that laie in his power to comfort him But Sir said he I thought that Philosophie had been a salve to you against all the misfortunes of life and that sorrow was a thing unknown to Solon to whom whole Greece gives the name of wise Philosophie said this famous Athenian is a vain-glorious art which boasts of governing in places wherein she hath no great power she may doubtlesly said he teach men to bee vertuous make them know whole nature teach them how to discourse and give them Laws and Precepts for the government of Kingdoms and Common-wealths Nay she may oft times make us overcome our passions but when an equitable feeling which nature gives us is to be overcome believe me Philoxypes the same Philosophy which hath sometimes made us lose Crownes without change of countenance or which hath made us not stick to refuse them is weak in lesse eminent occasions And in my particular I may say I have beene thrice in my life time abandoned by her though peradventure I have been assisted by her upon an hundred difficult occasions But yet said Philoxypes shall I not know vvhat 't is that afflicts you It very well behoves that I tell it you said Solon since 't is from you alone that I can expect any help I will not repeat unto you said he the so many particulars of my fortune which formerly I have acquainted you withal for I believe you have not forgot them but that you may perfectly know the cause of my grief I must howsoever take the rise of my discourse afar off and tell you some circumstances of my life which you have not yet known You know I never believed that marriage was incompetible with Philosophy and true Wisdome as Thales that famous Milesian did imagine you know likewise that I married a personage of great worth and understanding by whom I had children who died soon after they were born one onely son excepted whom I have bred up carefully intending to make him worthie of that noble bloud whence he is descended He was about 14 or 15 years old when I vvas at Milet about some affairs of mine where I visited wise Thales who was one of my very good friends He civily reproacht me with my weakness and said I did sufficiently witness my indulgencie to love by a little image of Cupid which I one day consecrated to that Deitie and placed in the park belonging to the Academie there vvhere they who run vvith the sacred Torch are wont to assemble themselves Passing from one thing to another we spake of the happiness and of the misfortunes of marriage and thus our discourse varying as it oft fals out from our first subject wee spoke of news and other such like matters Presently after Thales feigning to have some order to give to one of his folk about his own affairs rose to speak to him in his ear and came and took his place again Not long after I might see a stranger come whom I knew not vvho told him he was come from Athâ—ns not above ten daies ago Prest by the natural desire of curiositie to know whether there was nothing of new befaln in my Countrey since my departure thence I askt him whether he knew any thing of considerable there or no No said he save onely that the day I came away on I saw the Funeral observed of a young youth of the best rank vvhereat all the people of note in the Town vvere present and vvere very sensible of the sorrow this childs death vvould cause in his Father vvho vvas not then at Athens I confess when I heard him speak thus my colour changed fearing my son might be concerned vvhich made mee ask him whether he knew not the name of that unfortunate Father I have forgot it said he but I know hee is a man of great integritie and who is much esteemed of in that place I confesse Sir that since Philosophy teacheth sinceritie as well as modestie I thought I might be the man spoken of was willing to know the truth without offence to good manners his name doubtlesly said I was not Solon pardon me said he his name came just to my memory as you pronounced it To what end serves it to deny it I could not heare so sad news vvithout sorrow and that so great as Thales pitied me and jesting at my weakness asked me whether it were advantageous for a wise man to marry or no Putting himself thereby in a condition to have studied Philosophie for others not being able to make use thereof himself After this he told mee there was not one word true of all that this man had said that he had not so much as been at Athens of a long time and that
much he vvas surprized to see Megisto covered vvith tears Policrite all alone in a boat vvhich the Waves bore tovvards the full sea and Philoxypes svvimming tovvards Policrite but he vvas so far from her as it vvas to be believed that the boat floating still forward his strength might fail him before he could get up to her and that Solon might see his dear daughter perish in his sight as also a Prince whom he loved no less then her To tell you also how strangely astonish'd Megisto was to see Philoxypes throw himself into the sea and presently after to see Solon come is not a thing easily done Nor yet to set forth Policrites thoughts vvhen she knevv Philoxypes and savv him in so great danger for her sake This gallant personage told us notvvithstanding aftervvards that she no sooner knevv him but the object of her vovvs altered and that ceasing to think on her ovvn danger all her prayers vvere poured forth for Philoxypes This mean vvhile Solon vvas upon the shore vvith Megisto vvhose minde vvas not then at liberty enough to tell him how this misfortune hapned telling him onely that Policrite was lost And to say truth I think that upon this encounter Solons wisdom was put to a greater tryal then ever it had been and that it was much more easie for him to refuse a Crown then to see Policrite and Philoxypes in the danger they were in without giving apparent tokens of dispair Yet this famous man kept himself within the lawful bounds of sorrow and not doing any thing unworthy of himself did notwithstanding feel what ever pains a tender and generous soul could suffer under This mean while though Philoxypes was but lightly clad for the spring was already very hot in our Island he could not swim with that facility as he might have done had he been naked so as Policrites boat driving still away he could not get up unto it One might see this young maid use some bootless endeavors to stay this little boat but t was impossible for her to do it nay she did things which she her self knew were of no avail yet could not keep from doing them One might likewise observe Philoxypes to strive to his utmost then he seemed to be ready to perish through weariness But at last being got near the boat sometimes one might see the boat driven near unto him by one Wave and sometimes born from him by another for it went too and fro with the wind It was so near him as he might hear Policrites voice not being able to answer her so much was he out of breath with swimming Sir said she Let me perish do you return to the shore and strive not bootlesly to save me You may imagine whether so obliging a command did not oblige Philoxypes to redouble his forces At last Sir after that Solon had seen the Waves rise up more then once ready to over-turn the boat and swallow up Philoxypes who was now able to do no more a great Wave having driven the boat towards him he luckily laid hold of the rope whereby it was fastened formerly to the Sea bank You may imagine Sir what Philoxypes joy was then as likewise what that of Policrite Solon Megisto Dorida and the other women that were upon the shore they all shouted for joy Yet was it not yet time to rejoice For though it be not hard to guide a floating boat yet Philoxypes was so weary as there was reason to dispair of his ever accomplishing what he had so happily begun he was seen to sink twice under water yet never quit the rope which he had in his hand Think sir how great Policrites greif was then and with how many tears she repaid the pains he took to save her One might observ this Amorus Prince do two contrary things for he would look back upon the shore that he might the sooner bring back his Dear Policrite thither and somtimes believing he should perish without saving her he would at least have the contentment of seeing her at his last gasp He looked thus sometimes towards the shore sometimes on Policrite and things were in this condition when Philoxypes and Solons servants who tarryed a good way behinde by reason of some accident which had befallen one of their horses were come up amongst which was one of Philoxypes his gentlemen who being skilful in swimming threw himself instantly into the Water and helped his dear Master to guide Policrite back unto the shore where this Prince was no sooner arrived but that his force failing him he swounded T is needless to tell you what Solon Megisto and all the rest that were on the shore did to aide him As for Policrite shee was so surprized and so afflicted to see what condition Philoxypes was in as she was not sensible of the joy of having escaped so great a danger but at last after having carried Philoxypes into one of those little Huts and having by the means they used brought him to life again and dryed his apparrel he asked where Policrite was whom Solon brought to him out of a little chamber whither she had retired her self though she had not yet perfectly shook off the fear she had been in of her self and of Philoxypes But at last all being retired that were in that little hut save Megisto Policrite Dorida Philoxypes and Solon Solon desired Megisto to tell him why she had quitted the little abode which he had caused be built for her wherefore she was come to this place and where Cleanthes was Wherefore they had left no order to acquaint him with their removal and how this last misfortune had befallen Policrite But said he sister speak freely without any wise disguising the truth For Prince Philoxypes knows I am your brother that Policrite is my daughter and I know also that he does her the honour to love her therefore conceal nothing for his respect for he hath now a deeper share in Policrite then I have since I have given her to him and that he may now lay a new claim unto her by having saved her life I leave you to imagine Sir how Policrite was surprized to know that she was Solons daughter whom she knew to be a great and excellent man but whom she knew not to be her father and to know at the same time that shee was bestowed on Phyloxypes she blush'd but with a great deal of modesty and looking upon Megisto as if she would ask her whether it were true or no that she was Solons daughter she confirmed her in that belief and afforded her leasure so to confound the joy she had to see Philoxypes again with that of her knowing her self to be daughter to so famous a man as nothing appeared in her countenance but what so great an honour might cause in her Philoxypes beginning then to speak said as obliging things to Solon in Policrites behalfe as in his own and Megisto was somewhile before she could satisfie her