illustrious company who prepared themselves to give their opinions For my part said the Princess of â—indes I think it so strange to love before I be loved that I cannot endure to hear our Sex accused of any such weakness But Madam said Esope it must be one of the two that must begin to love and if so why not the woman as well as the man-lover Because replied Eumetis decency will not permit it But Madam said Esope since the Law of Nature is more ancient then the Law of Decency that argument is but weak It is certain said Solon that to speak truly a woman may love before she be loved as well as a man yet it is as certain that it is not so so often and the best reason that can be given for it is because women are fairer and all the ornaments both of body and minde more attractive and more engaging then mens and consequently their merits does produce a more quick effect then ours so that commonly men do love them before they have leisure to be loved again Moreover women are born with more vanity and so have less disposition to be first in love and as they are brought up they are not permitted to follow the pure course of nature because from the very Cradle they are so told and taught not to love before they are loved that they keep a continual Guard upon themselves yet for all that I am perswaded it is not impossible but it may be so somtimes I assure my self replied Esope that Chilon with his austerity would think himself dishonored if he should read such a Lecture upon Love as Solon hath done Truly replied he I find him to be very knowing in matters of Gallantry to be a maker of such excellent Laws at least I know there is none in Lacedemonia who knows so much as he Since the Athenians replied Solon are nothing so wise as the Lacedemonians I can confess without shame that I do understand what love is as well as the rest of the passions But to return to the question in hand what is the opinion of the company For my part said Thales I think a woman may love the first but I think withal that few women can love long unless they be loved and not pass from love to hatred For my particular replied Periander I think it may be so but I think also that a Lady is not very amiable if in loving she does not soon make her self loved I am so fully perswaded said Cleobulus and smiled that Ladies are more fit to be loved then to love that I am so far from thinking they should love first that I can hardly think they will love when they are loved I am not of that opinion said Bias for I do think that when they are loved they will love more earnestly and firmly then men but I must confess I can hardly think they can love first because there is not one of a thousand women who does not love those testimonies which love useth to produce better then the Lover who gives them and since these testimonies cannot be met with if she love first I am perswaded they are not capable of it For my part said Pittacus I think that love not being an act of the will it grows in the heart of a woman before She be loved as well as in the heart of a man For my part said Anacharsis I know not what the power of love is in Greece but in Scithia neither men nor women do love before they be loved or at least before they finde a disposition and hopes of being loved ere long for I do not think it possible love should subsist without those conditions not but that there may be some exceptions but to speak in general it is as I say Though Egypt replied Niloxenus be far different from Scithea in all things yet they think as you say Well said Solon it must be granted that it is not impossible but Ladies may love before they be loved Truly said the Princess of â—indes it is not impossible but yet it is very difficult Yes Madam said Solon to such as have such souls as you have But that would be too great a favour unto your Sex and to set you too much above us if we should attribute such thoughts as yours unto all women As Eumetis was going to answer the civility of Solon a sweet Consort of Musique was heard in the midst of the Grove which imposed silence unto all the company unto which after they had hearkened a while they parted again into several companies but as the Sun was ready to set and Thales using to observe the heavens he stayed to look upon that glorious Planet which having spread its golden rayes upon the Sea did seem to communicate a part of its light unto it As for Solon he staying to hear the Musique with the Ladies by chance he spâ—ed at the root of a tree close by a long file of Aâ—tes which with wonderful earnestness order and affection did work for their publique utility So as admiring the order which they kept in their works he contemplated upon them very seriously but Esope who was next him knew well enough what he thought and what it was which invited his serious looks Confess the truth Sir said he unto him and smiled would you not be glad the Athenians would observe your Laws so well as these observe theirs I must needs confess it replied Solon and laughed as well as all that heard him and I confess it to the shame of my Country Since your Country hath a man who gives them such just Laws replied Cleobuline it must needs be very glorious It would be much more if they would observe them replied he then in giving birth unto a man who perhaps keeps them not himself After this Solon entring into discourse of the Government of people he was full of rare expressions and all the company assembling the third time the discourse grew all serious each of them reporting the most commendable customs of his City Thales spoke of the Milesian Piety Pittacus of the Martial inclination of the Militenian Inhabitants Bias of their politness which dwelt in Priene Cleobuline of the Lindean honesty Periander of the ambitious people in Corinth Solon of the stirring and seditious humour of the Athenians and Chilon of the austere and virtuous inclination of the Lacedemonians After which examining the virtues and vices of all these several and different people they discoursed so long upon it that it was full time to return to Corinth And indeed the discourse of these great wits did so much win upon the Spirits of all who heard them that Esope had not observed abundance of birds which came to take up their lodgings in the woods and had not shewed by them unto all the company what time of the night it was it had been too late for them to have returned And he came to all the Sages telling them
that Artamenes is exposed unto this danger since he hath endeavoured all he could to exempt him and fight in his room It is very true Madam seconded Philidaspes that I assumed the boldness to Petition the King for it but he did not think me worthy of that honour That 's not the reason answered Ciaxares I did not deny you because I thought you were unworthy but because I thought it unjust Then added my Master This is another reason Sir because Artamenes would not have suffered him for he never uses to yield his place unto another The King who was afraid least these two Gallant strangers should fall out upon it broke off discourse and left the Princesses carrying with him all them which followed him unto Mandana For all these passages Love was predominate in Artamenes so that he never was with the Princess but he observed her with a most circumspect eye When he was in his chamber with only Feraulas and me he asked us what we thought of that blush which appeared in the face of Mandana when she talked of him and of her dislike that he should fight any more Was it said he to us only an effect of her natural sweet and calm disposition which is antipathious unto Warre or was it think you the service which I have done her Father that has something ingaged her soul in some disposition not to hate me But alas said he presently not giving us leave to answer Was it not that she was ashamed and repented of those obliging words which she spoke in my behalf Is it not an infallible sign that her tongue did contradict her heart I cannot absolutely tell what to think of that lovely blush which lookt so like Divinity and charm'd my soul anew Flatter me not dear Feraulas said he but tell me truly What do you think of it and how should I interpret it Sir said he to him I cannot conceive any thing by it but what makes for your advantage for admit it to be but an effect of pity yet it will be a good ground for you to build your hopes upon and you may more easily work upon her soul when she shall be acquainted with those Passions which you endure for her sake Ah Feraulas cried he out When will that be How long before I must make it known unto her Cyrus dares not peep out of his Tomb to tell her and Artamenes who appears to be no more then a bare simple Knight dare he entertain so rash a thought without extravagant folly To tell you truth Sir Artamenes his minde ran more upon the Princess then upon Artanus not but that he thought upon the Combate with as much care and memory as was fitting but that when he thought upon any thing whatsoever still there was a mixture of Mandana in it And Love which works such wonders bestowed this priviledge upon him that he was able to discourse of Warre of business of news of complements and every thing without ever omitting the dear thoughts of his Princess Mean while the day of Combate comes on and he must go to take his leave of her with such jolly looks as gave assurance of Triumph Madam said he I come to beg some Arms of you wherewith to fight Artanus I had rather answered she most sweetly but more sad then usual finde out a way to make you invincible You may do it easily Madam said he if you do me but the honour to accept favourably of those services which I shall do for the King and you and doing me only the favour of wishing me Victory For if I be so happy though Artanus were the Valour of the world as heaven knows he is not I should most undoubtedly vanquish him If there want nothing but acknowledgement of your services replied the Princess and my prayers to make you triumph go Artamenes go and fear not being vanquished After this the Princess as if she were weary of this kinde of discourse bad him farewell in a most sweet and obliging manner and Artamenes went towards the King who was ready to go unto this Combate Ciaxares was followed only with two thousand men as before The Kings of Pont and Phrygia met also with the like number in the same Plain and Place where the Judges pronounced Sentence that was close by the Trophy of Artamenes There they rail'd out a piece of ground which was longer then wide and of sufficient bigness for a Combate Artanus who thought his Sword too much would fight with no other offensive Arms alwaies imagining that the fewer Arms his enemy had the less should he be exposed unto them Either of them one Sword and one Buckler was all their Arms. At the two ends of the Lists there was two Scaffolds erected for the enemy Kings and at either side another for the Judges The four thousand Souldiers were ranked some behinde the Scaffolds some on the sides of the Lists all remaining under their own Colours not mixing but so placed that all might see At both ends of the Lists there was two entrances for the two Combatants into which Artamenes and Artanus entered at one time and presaged the event of the Combate at the first by their different Aspects Artanus would fight on horse back having more confidence in his strength and nimbleness then in the courage and valour of him which rid him But he knew not that the more vigorous and fierce his Horse was the less was he serviceable unto that Rider who was afraid to ride him or could not guide him Artanus then appeared in most magnificent Arms and upon a milk white Horse so fine so well made and so sprightly that at first he invited all to look upon him he had a lively and a proud look pawing with his foot shaking his main foming at his mouth and violently neighing he began his carrear he seemed impatient to carry his Master unto his enemy But Sir although the Horse of Artanus did winne the admiration of all men yet the ill-favoured posture of him who rid him desired the pity of all spectators the least motion of the Horse shook him almost out of the saddle and one might plainly perceive all his endeavours were to keep him from his enemy as if he were afraid to be too soon assaulted As for Artamenes he appeared otherwise for though he rid upon a very hansome black Horse yet this day he took but very common Armes as being ashamed to fight with so base an enemy He carried his body boldly and his countenance confidently he sate his Horse gracefully and was so dexterous a Master of him that it was easie to perceive he knew how to command him All such Ceremonies as are commonly used upon the like occasions being ended and the signal by Trumpets no sooner given but putting on his Horse to gallop he made towards Artanus with mighty fury he did so little fear his feeble enemy that he almost neglected the use of his Buckler As for
are to Court one whose heart is stone and therefore difficult to be pierced Difficulty answered Megabises is the life of love Yes replied Artabes but impossibilities will make it die It is true answered Megabises but why is it impossible that one of my quality should marry the daughter of Artambaces I do not hold it absolutely impossible replied Artabes that Megabises should marry Amestris But I do not hold it an easie matter to be beloved for I know by Aglatidas who is very well informed of it that Amestris for all her modesty is so passionately in love with her own beauty that she is absolutely incapable of loving any thing else Then brother do you imagine it such a happiness to marry a woman who loves her looking glass better then her husband and whose soul is sensible of nothing but her own attracts Moreover continued he assuming a more serious countenance Amestris is daughter to Artambaces a banished man eighteen years since and who has made his peace no otherwise but because Ciaxares who hates him in behalf of the Queen of Persia his sister is not now here Do you not think since Astiages is so very old that Artambaces must pack out of Ecbatan the very same day that Ciaxares leaves Cappadocia and assumes the Crown of Medea Imagine then Megabises what pleasure you will have in leaving this Kingdom to live in the Province of the Trisantines with a proud insensible woman who will wast your fortunes in lieu of advancing them and who then perhaps will not be so fair for a hundred things besides age may decay a beauty nor contribute anything to your satisfaction Ah brother said Megabises you are deceived Amestris will be for ever fair Do but assist me so farre as to marry her and never trouble your self with my good fortunes afterwards What though I be banished I care not though she be insensible it is no matter so we be banished together for then I shall enjoy my good fortune with more freedom and if she be incapable of loving any thing then I shall be free from all causes of jealousie Therefore if you love me assist but no more oppose my passion You desire that of me which I cannot do answered Artabes we must not give poison unto frantique friends when they ask it principally to you Hard-hearted insensible brother replied Megabises I do almost wish you my Rival to punish you for condemning my passion so severely and to teach you experimentally that love is not a voluntary business You would perhaps repent you of your wish replied Artabes if it could possibly be but however confess unto me thus farre that you would be more happy if you were at liberty then you are at present then promise me only that you will endeavour a while to break out of your prison Never think it possible for me to do it replied Megabises but because I will not deny you in every thing I will promise you to try though to tell you truth it is as good as if I promised you nothing Artabes perceiving that he could work no more upon the minde of his brother left him for that time resolving to dispense with the interest of a brother and a friend and promote his own love before theirs I was perswaded as he said himself that he was forced unto this by the extremity and violence of his passion and that he did take up the humour without much resistance unto himself But I am perswaded that let love be never so potent it neither can nor ought to force us unto things which are contrary unto Honour or Honesty and that though this passion be the most noble yet it must not excuse any base or wicked act However Artabes was involved into a most perplexed condition He was deeply in love with one whom he durst not visit least changing his retired life he should grow to palpable and become suspected by his brother and my self He was violently in love but durst not discover it He had two Rivals whom he loved and whom he was engaged to love His brother commanded him not to be his hinderance and he had passed his promise to assist me He assured me that he would do all in his power to reclaim Megabises and he told Megabises that he would set Aglatidas free What should he do then to see Amestris to betray his brother to deceive his friend and to promote himself unto their prejudice He knew they were inseparable from Amestris what course could he then take to visit her every day without being suspected by us both and what cunning could he use to bring about his design Prepare your self Sir to hear the most notable piece of Treason that ever love did prompt any man unto and be perswaded that you must needs be amazed at what I am to tell you Artabes then a while after came and told me that he had imployed the best of his endeavours to reclaim his brother and cure his passion and indeed as the thing was true so he related it so punctually as I made no question of the truth I thought my self so obliged unto him for it that I think if he had discovered his own love unto me I should have returned so much friendship unto him as to have died and yielded up my interest of Amestris to him also so sensible was I of so great a benefit and addicted unto the Laws of Generosity Whilest Artabes had sufficiently amused me for some time by the relation of all he had said unto Megabises and all Megabises answers unto him He personated himself of another humour with his Brother and feigning himself by little and little to be very compassionate unto his Brother heacted his part so well that Megabises made him his dearest confident He was his only Oracle and was guided only by his Orders as well as I. As Artabes feared nothing more then that Megabises and I should finde him alone with Amestris and moreover finding that according to his plot there was a necessity of our being often with her so I was sure to give notice unto Megabises of the time when I ought to be with her and also to give me notice in my course when my brother should be there Insomuch as since he transacted in our business we never saw Amestris one without the other Love and jealousie moved him to fear one Rivall single with Amestris more then many together Yet he had this piece of prudence to desire me both for my interest and his own not to quarrell with my brother and to assure me alwaies upon his word that he would transact with all his power to ruine the designs of Megabises which also as he told me did not please him He also advised my Brother not to quarrell with me lest when we were gone far off to fight others might in the interim step in and supplant him And thus we lived Megabises he complained that I was a perpetuall obstacle unto him and
much this woman should be so opposite unto the judgement of all others concerning the Princesse of Salamis I pray tell me said Parthenia what shee did say in particular of her For I take the greatest pleasure in the world to see envy and jealousie work in the spirits of those who are inspired with those humours Since it is your pleasure Madam said he unto her I will confesse that after I had the honour to meet you the first time in the Labyrinth and could not finde you in any place after nor none could tell me who you were I had an imagination that you were this Princesse whereof we speak Yet I durst never reveale my thoughts unto any but this Lady who was my indifferent good friend but she kept me not long in that errour for she told me the Princesse of Salamis had a shrill voice not at all sweet that she was grosse and ill made that she had white but not handsome and fair hands The truth is said Parthenia There is no certain conclusions to be made by the reports of others and since I love Parthenia very well but doe not love her who speaks against her perhaps I shall be partiall and favour the one and wrong the other then I would have you see the Princess of Salamis and be judge your self In the mean time I am beholding to you for thinking me to be her for though she were not as all report her yet my obligation is not the lesse since your imagination fancied me to be so and not as that Lady described her 'T is true replyed Timantes That I fancied your Idea like that of the Princesse of Salamis bee shee as fair as shee can be However said Parthenia exceedingly desiring to know what Timantes would think of her beauty I pray doe me so much favour as to see that Princesse How can I see her Madam replyed he for the Prince Philoxipes asked her leave to bring me into her desart and she would not honour me so far And to tell you truly Madam all my curiosity is confined unto your self and I desire to see none else Yet I should think my self obliged to you answered she if you would see her Once more Madam said he pray tell me how I can see her You may easily doe it said Parthenia for I know she goes almost every day unto a little Temple of Venus Urania not above thirty furlongs from her house towards Amathonte I doe know the Temple said hee for it was shewed unto me as I went unto the Adonian Feast Since so said she I pray you goe thither to morrow for I confesse I should be very glad if the beauty of that Princesse should please you to the end you may hereafter suspect the reports of that Lady who I love not and may put her out of the Catalogue of your friends Alass Madam said Timantes there is no necessity of my seeing the Princesse of Salamis for I know enough from you to make me discard that Lady from the number of my friends for since she does not please you she cannot me No no said she I would not have you doâ— so out of complacencie but out of reason therefore I conjure you to doe as I desire But Madam said he if this Princess be as fair as reports make her me-thinks you should have some care of my heart in exposing it unto so great a danger at least you should shew me your eyes that I may with them defend my self against hers On the contrary said she since I doe intend never to give my entire affection untill I am first most certainly assured of yours I wish the Princesse of Salamis were a thousand times fairer then she is that she might be a stronger tryall of your constancie For since I value not a perfideous inconstant heart nor would be loved for beauty if I had it but would have good security against all those evils which beauty causes I should be glad you saw all the beauties in Cyprus to the end I might not fear it In conclusion Sir Parthenia ordered the matter with so much art that Timantes promised to go next morning and see whether the Princesse of Salamis were at that Temple not having the least suspition of the truth nor thinking she had any other design in her commands but onely that she loved to be punctually obeyed So that he prepared himselfe for it And after he went from her Parthenia gave all requisite orders for his journey in the morning and so did she Amaxita writ a Letter unto me to send a Coach by break of day for Parthenia would not make use of the Ladyes with whom shee lodged because Timantes knew it So she did rise betimes in the morning and dressed her self in her richest habit and neglected nothing which might set her self out with advantage When she was all ready and had looked the last time in her glasse Amaxita asked what was her design not being yet satisfied with all the reasons she had told her I would exactly know said she what Timantes will think of me which I can never doe if I shew my self unto him and discover who I am But Madam said Amaxita unto her since you doe not feare that your beauty will attract the heart of Timantes why doe you tell him the truth No replyed Parthenia I have not changed my mind but still fear the menaces of the gods and these fears are my reasons why I goe so fantastically to work But for all that Madam said Amaxita I am confident Timantes will think you the fairest that ever he saw and I beleeve all the excellings of your spirit your soul your hands your stature and your voice will have much adoe to hold out against the glory of your eyes and therefore if you think you cannot marry him if perchance he should be in love with your beauty as well as with your soul never expose him unto that danger but seek out some other way to make tryall of his fidelity Yet Parthenia would not hearken unto Amaxita But not well knowing what she should think if Timantes should commend her either too much or too little She went into the Temple so early as she was in no danger to be known in the Town She went also by a blind way to the end that she might come as if she came from Salamis for so her Desart was called But since she feared that if Timantes did see her in the Temple he would know her by her stature as soon as she came she offered her sacrifice and afterwards seeing that Timantes was not come she went unto the Sacrificers house under pretence of resting her self whose house was close by the way as one comes from Paphos So that being in a Parlor shee leaned against the window talking with Amaxita whose hood was up as well as hers for in favour of their design the Sun did not then shine She had not stood there a quarter of an
to the Gods So as the link of society being once broken between so many persons whom reason should reunite it must of necessity follow there will be an universall confusion which is equally prejudiciall both unto Princes and Subjects Believe it Sir the more wit and ingenuity these Greeks have the sooner you ought to receive them since though they produce no other benefit unto your People but to communicate their wit and ingenuity unto them it is a great benefit since they will teach them to know their duty Also by teaching your Subjects so many admirable Arts wherein they are knowing they will banish idleness out of the Country which is the most abundant cause of Revolts And as to that objection concerning the Fishermen how they should begin already to meddle in matters of State I must answer that this beginning of rebellion is an argument one should not give a bruitish people any cause to know their own strength so therefore though only in this consideration I must conclude it requisite to receive the Phocensians least by incensing the Segoregians they should come to know what they can do before they know what they ought to do which is one of the most dangerous divisions that can be amongst a people Again as for the vices which are feared to grow out of the abundance of riches Truly me-thinks their fears go too far in fearing lest the greatest good of all goods should sow evill in an age or two and it would be much injustice to reject men who are eminent in a thousand vertues only because they feare lest the Riches they bring with them should produce some one vice which sometimes does follow them but are not alwayes Concomitants also I can answer that as Riches and abundance have their vices so poverty and want have theirs also As the one makes men voluptuous the other also makes men steal and kill those that are richer then themselves Now Sir as to the business of Religion added this sage Sarronide I must tell your Majesty that though I have as much zeale unto my owne as any hath yet I do believe that humanity is to be found in all Religions in the world and it were great cruelty to make so many miserable only because their Religion is different from ours On the contrary if we will be indeed zealous in our Religion we should strive to convert a People who know not the manner of our worship and to perswade them that our Sacrifices are more perfect then theirs Thus this argument of Religion which is used to hinder so many illustrious unfortunate People from having a Sanctuary amongst us is a strong reason why we should grant it unto them Also according to the universall opinion of all the Sarronides it is not fit for men to judg of things which exceed their understandings but it is their duty to believe that since the Gods do suffer men in some places to offer unto them innocent victimes and in other places to sacrifice men In other places they bring nothing unto their Altars but Flowers Fruits and Incense In some places they build Temples unto them and in other places they are forbidden to build them and commanded to sacrifice in woods and hills And thus it is the pleasure of the Gods to be adored in a hundred severall manners For upon a true examination of the matter and it being agreed on all sides that every People do believe that the Gods whom they adore are the makers and masters of Heaven and Earth it must of necessity be concluded that every People do adore one and the same God under different names and in different manners And as there is but one Sunne in the whole world for all People so also there is but one powerfull Divinity which is to be adored over all the earth So Sir it is to be feared that you anger the Gods if your Majesty should deny a Sanctuary unto men who gave so many testimonies of Piety since they came amongst us so as whether you consider their miseries their vertues the good of your People or the glory of your Majesty I find it most requisite to entertain these miserable men and to receive them as a happinesse which the Gods have sent unto us As soon as this wise Sarronide had ended his Oration the King did approve of it exceeding well and there was no further contest about the businesse so that the Councell being ended the King caused the Prince of Phoceus Sfurius Menedorus and eight or ten others the most considerable in their Fleet to be brought in and told them that he gave them leave to dwell in the Land and to inhabit in the same place where they landed this Prince conceiving it most safe for himselfe to let them live together and not to disperse themselves into his Dominions because they would not so easily perswade them unto the Religion of their Country To tell you Madam how joyed the Prince of Phoceus was and all the Phocensians except Menedorus is more then I am able to do Nor am I able to describe the joyes of Carimantes Cleonisbe Glacidia and all the Gallants of the Court except Bomilcar and Galathes But as their satisfaction was great so that of the Fishermen was greater And they expressed it by such shouts of joy as did let the King know that the chief of the Sarronides had prudently advised him But amongst all that rejoyced at the resolution of the King Aristonice was in the highest degree conceiving her selfe very instrumentall in the glory of that Goddess who had so happily guided us But Madam not to be over-tedious in particularizing so many useless things unto you give me leave to tell you that the next morning the King himself shewed unto the Prince of Phoceus the extent of that ground and the place where he would permit us to build And to begin the foundation of this Town with an action of piety Aristonice with her own hand did not only measure out the place where she would eerect a Temple unto Diana which was neer the Sea side but also the very place where the Image of that Goddess should stand As for the Prince of Phoceus since he ever held Minerva in great veneration having been long at Athens he set out a place for a Temple to be built to that Goddess After which the great multitude of workmen amongst us beginning to work by the directions of the Phocean Prince one might see that done in a few dayes which one could not believe feasable in many moneths The truth is Madam the Graecians did work so very hard the Segoregians did help them so willingly and all with so much alacrity and speed that in one moneth and a halfe we had built two Temples and a great Town That which did much facilitate the Country which though very fertile was yet so stony that all our work was to heap so many stones together as we stood in need of
times less fair then she was and believed her self to be fairer then ever she did at least she told me that She thought so But the thing most observeable was her joyes in being perswaded that Philidas had no excuse for his inconstancy and that he was a loser by his change And truly said she one day unto me I verily believe I should have died with spite if I had not found Timoxene much inferiour to me in every thing Methinks added she that spite hath so altered my heart that Philidas is not so handsom as he was when he loved me and I wonder that I should be then so mad as to think him amiable But now Philidas seems unto me to be another man methinks his mind not so noble his wit duller his action more forced his very accent as changed and methinks he hath gotten such a kind of clownishness at Salamine as it is a shame unto all Islands The truth is added She I thought my old Lover so little pleasing that day his Mistress so far from lovely and my self so far above them both that I went away from this visit less troubled then ever I imagined But after all this pursued she though I had no desire that Philidas should still love me yet still I was vexed strangely that he should love Timoxene In the mean time Madam out of a resentment of honour Anaxandride resolved never to twit Philidas with it but contented her self only with shunning to meet him and to treat him very coldly in what place soever she found him And indeed so she did for a long while But Madam since Timoxene had not changed her humors in changing places she was the same at Megares which she was wont to be at Salamine and made there much more disorder for being there unknown all the men and women were sooner trapped and the half of her life being very amiable they kept her company as a person whom they all esteemed and doubtless they saw her in the good vain but were ignorant of her fault that some daies She could not conceal any thing So that it being usual in those who would contract friendship with any new comer to acquaint them with all the news of the Town to the end She may not be any longer a stranger there were some men and women who did her that office but were ill requited as well as Philidas for in one of those daies when she could not conceal any thing She knew She set all the the Town so together by the ears that never the like was heard of nor so many jars in so short a time The worst was since She used often to hear all things without right application She confounded them by her repetition of them Thus she caused to be told unto Philidas what another did say of him and to that other what Philidas said of him So that quarrel upon quarrel did arise but the strangest thing was Timoxenes did no more care for any of those quarrels She had caused then if She had no hand in them at all and She knew so well how to make her own peace that She did easily reconcile her self to all but the worst was She could not so easily reconcile others Philidas being excellently accomplished and a man of a clear spirit and wit as amorous as he was he saw that Timoxene had some ill qualities amongst her good ones but being of an humour to surmount all difficulties it may well be said that the Prickles made him think the Roses sweeter since the unequality of Timoxenes did for a long time augment his passion But at last this inequality produced a very vexatious effect for now her inequality had got into the thoughts of her heart and she was not only somtimes merry and somtimes said but those whom She loved to day were not sure to be so to morrow So that She did not look upon Philidas neither as her lover nor her friend but looked upon another more favourably then upon him So that after Philidas had tryed alwayes to get again into her favour he would see whether jealousie would work upon her So that making a shew as if he would renew with Anaxandride he endeavoured for an occasion of seeing her and went unto her house with one who was a Cozen unto that fair one who was much her friend But Madam the strangeness of this adventure was that when Philidas returned to Anaxandrides house he was extreamly in love and extreamly jealous of Timoxene and had no tenderness at all to the first The reason why he would seem to love Anaxandride rather then any other was because it was most likely Moreover he alwayes found her so sweet that he thought he could quit her when he pleased and nothing would happen of it but as formerly yet he found it otherwise for since Anaxandride was noble as well as sweet She resented the inconstancy of Philidas so bitterly that had it not been more in love to her self then him She would have made it appear But when he came to her again and would have spoke in private with her he was amazed when he found her upon other terms then he expected for he believed that Anaxandride would have received him with all joy at any time he pleased yet She spoke so very sharply unto him this first visit that he plainly saw himself absolutely lost and that it was a harder matter for him to regain the heart of Anaxandride then the heart of Timoxene So that as his love was cooled by the facility of her being happy so She began from that day to rekindle it by the difficulty he found in being so again The truth is Madam though I cannot understand the reason of it yet it is most certain that the sharpness of Anaxandride began to work that in the heart of Philidas which her too much sweetness had taken away Yet he did not pass from one extream to another in an instant but in a very few daies he left loving Timoxene and began to love Anaxandride again with more hot flames then ever he did Then did he remember his happy condition formerly and thought himself the more unfortunate and he thought himself so much too blame for being insensible of his happiness that it made him much the more miserable On the other side Anaxandride though She did not now love Philidas yet in point of glory She could not chuse but be glad to see him fettered in her chains again and finding that rigor was the way to raise his passion She shewed it in so high a manner as was enough to make love die in any heart but his In the mean time the worse Anaxandride treated him the more was he in love with her and more repented of his inconstancy Pray Sir said I one day unto him seeing him melancholy Why did you leave loving Anaxandride without any cause And why did you renew it without reason For truly when you quitted her She was as
and Esteem of you I cannot see you are much to be pittied I should not indeed be very unhappy replyed he if she did know without being offended that I did love her but since I never told her I am in continuall fears least she should discover my passion and yet at the same time I am greived that she doth not divine it and yet she must divine it if she do know it added he for I never dare tell her that I do love her Meliantes spoke this with such a passionate air as made Arpasia blush and was constrained to applyit unto her self and since she could not have any such thoughts without some appearance of it in her countenance Meliantes saw that he was understood so as fearing to say too much and thinking he had said enough to make her suspect what he would have her know he turned the discourse and began again to talk of Astidamus Cleonide and Gabrias and so freed both her and himself from a non-plus And this caused her not to be offended at this half dec laration of his Love However she was no sooner retired But she did me the honour to impart all the passage unto me and to tell me her opinion which done I told her that I had observed a hundred passages from Meliantes which moved me to beleive as she did for truly said I unto her he hates Astidamus only because he loves you and he hates him in such a manner as perswades me that his condition is worthy to be his rivall As for his quality replyed Arpasia I doubt much less of it than of his love For all the thoughts of his soul are so noble and there is something so high in all his proceedings that I am most confident his quality is great but for all that Niside said she unto me I must look upon him only as a freind which fortune gave me and which she will quickly take from me and I ought to be well satisfied if fate will only keep me from marrying Astidamus After this Arpasia changing discourse we talked of nothing but what she should say the next morning unto Gabrias And indeed as soon as she awaked and had dressed her self she went unto her father unto whom she addressed her self with so much Prudence and Respect that after he had read the Letters and knowing the hand he seemed to consent that shee should not marry him who writ them yet he told her that to break off with a specious pretence it was expedient to stay untill the messenger which Protogenes and he had sent unto Babylon was returned because in all probability the King of Assyria would not approve of this marriage and would give a pretence both unto Protogenes and him not to proceed unto a conclusion of marriage though they were once resolved upon it whether the King did consent unto it or no. Daughter said he unto her I am confident that as soon as Protogenes shall see these two Letters he will confesse you have reason to be against your marriage with Astidamus and if our other interests will not unite us without this allyance I shall break off with him when it is convenient time In the mean time it is pollicy to dissemble as he doth untill the time be ripe and fit to testifie our resentments For the truth is Protogenes is master of Alfenes and if I should go imprudently to work he might make his peace with the King of Assiria when he pleased by delivering me up unto him This speech of Gabrias unto Arpasia seeming reasonable she thanked him for it and expressed her self in the most tender and obliging Language she could devise to confirm him in his opinion So that not daring to presse him unto a restitution of the Letters because he said that he would shew them unto Protogenes when it was fit time she left them in his hands and went unto her Chamber with much satisfaction and yet she had no great cause for be pleased to know Madam that Gabrias spoke so unto her only to amuze her and keep her from divulging her resentment of ill treating Astidamus For Gabrias having a full design to be revenged upon theâ— King of Assiria his mind and considerations ran only upon that and not the satisfaction of Arpasia so that intending to accomplish this marriage he sent to Meliantes and desired him to come and speak with him who coming in all haste he found him in his closet holding the two Letters in his hand To testify unto you said Gabrias unto him how I esteem your Wisdome and friendship I will trust you with the greatest secret of my family and try if it be possible to make you side with that party which I am raising against the King of Assiria After this Gabrias aggravated all his causes of complaint which he had against that Prince then told him of the Treaty which he had with Protogenes acquainted him that the marriage of Arpasia was concluded upon only for that reason and told him all that Arpasia had told him before and all her answers But you Meliantes said he unto him being a man of understanding I know will easily conceive that I answered my daughter as I did only to gain time for it were a grosse absurdity to break off with Protogenes because Astidamus loves Cleonide and is not in love with my daughter For the marriages of persons of her quality are to be made upon sollid grounds never insisting upon such trifles as conduce nothing to the establishment of families And though Astidamus do love Cleonide and not Arpasia no matter for his mind may change and though it do not it is but according to that order which Nature and Custome hath established for very few husbands are Lovers of their wives And therefore since Astidamus hath courage and spirit enough and can serve to execute my revenge Arpasia must resolve to marry him yet since I desire that Astidamus would apply himself unto her rather by fair means thâ—n by my absolute authority I have made choise of you to perswade Astidamus unto a little more compliance with her and that he may see how he is obliged unto me for my discretion in the knowledge that I have of his Love unto Cleonide shew him these two Letters which I put into your hands In saying so Gabrias gave Meliantes the Letters who seeming to read them as if he had never seen them before afterwards told Gabrias that since Astidamus had promised Cleonide never to marry Arpasia he could not beleive it was in his power to perswade him to live better with her Nay nay never think so said Gabrias though Astidamus promised Cleonide never to marry Arpasia yet he promised Protogenes to marry her when ere he pleased And indeed to discover the secret of the business unto you I must tell you that the man who was sent unto the King of Assiria is already returned although it be not published because a