noble compassion at the remembrance of the Ladies hard fate especially for that the cause was only for over much loving me but at my arrivall instead of imbracing the dead body to my wonderful amazement I was saluted with these words from living Artemesia My Lord said she that you may not think you converse with dead though changed Artemesia you must first know that after I had performed in your Lodgings that unparalleld action of my mad rage bathed all over with mine own bloud I was carried into my chamber whilst you unknowne to me was in danger to have suffered unjustly for my fault And being there by the carefull industry of mine own Physitian without the privity of any but such as were intrusted about my person I was not onely recovered from my trance but before my brothers arrivall put out of danger of death however I desired the businesse might be kept secret from the knowledge of all but my intimate servants since I was resolved to quit the world by a more religious way not being willing to support the shame of so detestable a fact yet considering that an absolute repentance could not be where there wants an intention of full satisfaction I was desirous with my own mouth to make this declaration before I enter into the strict rules of my pennance by which I humbly and sorrowfully beg your pardon wishing a perpetuall prosperity to the chaste loves between you and the Princesse Cloria And this my Lord being all I have to say to you I desire you will have no more remembrance of me then meerly what charity instructs your pious thoughts And with these words she drew close the Curtaines of her bed not willing to be seen or any more spoken withall These things I must confesse rather appeared to my imagination visions then actions untill with as much honour as could be devised I was set free by Philos who also courteously offered to accompany me with his best service in my journey but because I was resolved to visit the place of your aboad in a disguize not onely for that I knew you were in the custody of your enemies but also in that I had a desire to understand by the way the secrets of the Senates intention concerning Cassianus love which I must confesse gave my thoughts some trouble I refused his offer As this discourse seemed to give a singular content to the lovely Princesse demonstrated by many visible signes both in her eyes and blushes so Roxana who had all the while with a most exact attentivenesse given eare to his severall relations uttered this language with a kind of a formall gravity Truly my Lord said she you have not onely gallantly now cleared all our doubts and feares but also in my opinion have carried your selfe in your difficult adventures more like a valiant Martyr then a constant lover which I must confesse deserves both praise and requitall and yet Governesse said the Princesse we must not commend him overmuch lest he expect a greater reward then we shall be willing to afford him Deare Cloria replied Narcissus I cannot but confesse my own covetousnesse since no lesse a present can content my thoughts then your admirable selfe which is a Jewell beyond the price of the whole world But said Cloria the chiefe property of Jewels are to be looked upon at a distance wherefore if you will be satisfied onely with that liberty and moderation perhaps I shall without much difficulty grant your request Yet Madam replied Roxana it is most necessary he make choice of some other apparrell better to become his person so may you have both the conveniency now and then to meet in these walkes without suspition untill the confusion now in the Kingdome afford you a greater liberty But Narcissus most earnestly entreated to be entertained at a neerer distance however without fruit in regard both Cloria and Roxana apprehended that his passion to see Cassianus sometimes received as a suitor though but with appearing complements would provoke him to some actions which might either prejudice their liberties or discover his person for that neither of them could yet be over-confident of Cassianus intentions and fidelity concerning the old Flamin although he had not since their late discourse either shewed any manner of discontent or so much as troubled them with visits Narcissus when he saw he could not by any means prevaile in his desire as if he had been at the instant possest with some Poeticall fury began this complaint in verse which the Princesse being excellent also in that faculty as quickly answered extempore Narcissus Most dearest Love recall thy hard decree that seems both rigorous to thee and me The coldest rocks though cover'd all with Snow upon the Sunnes approach begin to thaw Cloria But vertue must not so admit a flame to be it selfe end angered by the same As appetites doe kindle false desires discretion must oppose t' allay the fires Narcissus O doe not so prophane a holy name by scruples that doe onely vertue staine Long since I have your word yours is a debt wherefore unjust the payment to neglect Cloria Yet 't is extortion not a lawfull due to take by force and never rightly sue When contracts name no time you know we may defer the payment to a longer day Narcissus But it s unjust for to defraud a law onely by sleights that faine would over-awe Prformauce No Cloria you ought to know The race being wonne the prize you must bestow Cloria I partly grant your argument howere you must not be the judge my parents beare The greatest share in government since I am theirs and borrow but my liberty Narcissus Surely that Tye's dissolv'd and free when they have neither power to give or we to pray If the exigence be such to them and we no reason that our right should hindred be Cloria You still mistake I doe no right refuse but for prevention onely physick take To temper heady sense which well I see looks chiefly at it selfe and minds not me Narcissus O heavens above when did you ever read of such a temper which you seem to plead Have not the gods approv'd the influence that your philosophy would make but sense Cloria Such false Deities as you example were but onely Poets gods whose lust and feare Render'd their Nuptials rapes vice their designe and did but cozen fooles with names divine Narcissus Where shall we seek to finde Religion then if not in love of either gods or men This paradoxe observ'd will surely turn the world into a Chaos and men to burn Cloria Rather such loves were nought but sensuall dreams that made their thoughts a Chaos of extreams Still craving more without the harmony of soules that onely us can satisfie Narcissus Alas deare soule although your rhetoricke would fain perswade my trembling heart that 's sick To what you please yet 't were hypocrisie for me to seem to like your tyranny Cloria Nere did a
lookes off those rarities untill greater wonders appeared ready to entertaine me which was the Palace it selfe seated in a convenient ascent built all of Tuscan work with such exact skill that the Architectures of the wonders of the world might have been present at the designe It was framed into a perfect square each angle supported by a goodly Pavilion elevating their guilded heads above the rest of the Fabrick whilst two Galleries of either side joyned by a portall of severall coloured Marble inclosed in a large Court that only at the further end made a brave Tarras paved artificially with Moysayck work and bounded by raile and baller of Corinthian Brasse where upon both sides the staires upon double pedestalls of Porphir were placed the two statues of Saturne and Jupiter The outward Court round about the walls seemed to be crowned with Urrnes mixt with halfe statues of the ancient Grecians whilst the entrance being open at the top the architrave freeze and cornish were cut off in the middle and finished with Cartooses instead of meeting The gate of either part was supported by Jonick pillars two behind and one before which made a returne in the building and foure guilded Lions upon low pedestals seemed to guard the passage After we had traversed these beautifull inclosures we were let into the gardens for the more conveniency of shade since the day already began to be enflamed by the Suns violence which for the more curiosity were ordered into severall discents supported by huge Arches of white Marble and in many places so covered with excellent Fruit trees that they seemed a farre off to be painted over with delightfull Landskips of woods whilst the Birds and waterworks inclosed in the vaults sent forth a pleasing murmur to the aire The first garden although it were lesse then all the rest because it might afford a better prospect upon the other was divided into foure squares each conteining a magnificent fountaine the one having the brazen statue of Hercules with his club in his hand invironed about with a Christall lake wherein were Fishes so gentle by education that they waited in the water to be fed by those that viewed the curiosities The superfice of the pond was formed into twelve angles and raised three foot high by a certaine calle of cut stone that resembled a hedge whereupon each point was put one of his labours artificially cast in mettle The second water worke represented the naked figures of Diana and her Nymphes in white Marble however so shadowed by a dainty grove planted by Art for that purpose that their whole shapes could not perfectly be discovered though there appeared enough for delight and admiration whilst poore Actaeon without the trees in a green plat of ground seemed to be torne in pieces by his own houndes according to the judgement given against him by the revengefull goddess though his friends in every place out of the bushes appeared to haste to his rescue The third fountaine was only of Perimus and Thisbe with the tragicall event of their loves And the last figured the fates of Hero and Leander where her Tower being built in a certaine other lake which received its current from the first made a kind of confused though little Sea wherein the compassionate Nymphes by exact expressions were apprehended to bewaile the lovely Youths death whilst his distracted love cast her selfe from the battlements of her own lodgings to accompany him in his buriall But that which most delighted my senses because it afforded a pleasing prospective between divers rowes of even set Trees was a certaine banquetting house built after the forme of a round Temple with large windowes of bright glasse divided by guilded pillars notwithstanding it had a portall to give it entrance of many transparent columnes or at leastwise they so appeared to my view at a distance the materials that built it were yellow minerals enterlaced with shells of mother of Pearle so that the structure resembled a Tower of gold garnished with jewels and being sheltred over head in every place but before by united cypresses it represented to my imagination a rich Tabernacle in a stately Pavillion since the Trees were so tall that they gave it rather a shady lustre then a darke coverture Scarce had I contemplated this pleasant object but that Philos invited me to a neerer taste of the beauty it being to be past over by a Bridge silver'd over since the house it selfe was seated in an Island made by the winding course of a naturall River though many artificiall streames from it seemed to contribute some assistance to the running Brooke At our arrivall having spent a quarter of an houres time in descending the severall sorts of staires that carried us into the lower Gardens we might encounter with our eyes at the first opening of the doore the Lady Artemesia newly come out of the water scarce having covered her modesty with a Lawne smock neither did our surprisall seem to hasten the accommodation of that light coverture to the best advantage as if she were so farre from being ashamed to be taken in that posture that she rather exprest a desire to have her beauties still seen her haire was at full length though curiously curled which pretended to designe and not to accident since two waiting-women in Nymphs attire held a great Looking-glasse before her whilst she carefully drest her face with certaine black patches cut into the forms of Flies and other small creatures for the better ornament of her lookes her legs were bare onely she wore upon her feet a paire of rich embroydered pantobles This as neere as I can remember was the state we found her in And very neere certainly you were said Cloria that you could discover so much At which words Narcissus began to blush protesting also with a pretty violence that he was so farre from liking her in that posture that he was as much displeased as ashamed at her immodesty Well well replied the Princesse goe on in your story without these impertinencies since none laies any fault to your charge Which command was too peremptory from his faire Mistresse to continue him in any longer disputation so he proceeded But however said he although she put on no bashfull amazement in her countenance yet with a disdainfull frown she seemed to entertaine our company which was a sufficient injunction to cause us speedily to retire and that gave occasion to Philos since we had already travelled enough over those walkes to command us to be conducted up into the house where we might be more conveniently shaded from the heat of the day and that quickly brought us into the Galleries where excellent pictures not enough to be esteemed and rich cabbinets beyond valuation gave our thoughts and eyes an abundance of imployments untill a delicious dinner called us into another room where we found Artemefia scarce seeming to be the same woman we left her in the Garden having not onely put
discovered a later sceane then what you moved in when you saved the old Flamins life so that I must tell you that unlesse punctually you observe the condition according to your former agreement which was never to presse my love to any conclusion if Narcissus were living to whose living to whose memory I must still observe that decorum I vow by the gods never to entertaine any motions from your addresses much lesse give any consent to a future marriage besides you must performe those actions that may render you capable of satisfaction as my selfe freedome in granting which can never be as long as the Generall hath opportunity to prevent and power to constraine Wherefore in briefe you are to study some opposition answerable to his greatnesse for both our advantages whereby the better to merit my love as to shew your selfe worthy the name of a Prince of so great an extraction These discourses of Cloria could not chuse but nettle the ears of Cassianus towards the resolution of sufficient ambitions since hitherto he conceived himselfe to have been over sloathfull as well in her love as his own honour so that standing some time in a deep muse as if he intended to fetch his determinations from his very soule at last he broake out into this language Most faire and wise Princesse said he as already I have promised my best endeavours with the expence of my deare bloud in which you have the dearest interest in your service against the proud Generall so I must be prescribed by your directions to such limitations and performances as I am to observe for feare that else my actions may either endanger your safety to be more valued then the worlds Empire or ruine your Fathers hopes whose sufferings cannot be exampled Therefore I beseech you let me know how farre your pleasure may travell in that journey I intend to make against the pride of ambitious Farezius Cousin said Cloria as I shall leave my Governesses experience to treat with you about the particulars so of the other side I am content to give you these assurances of my affections that after Narcissus you shall have the next place in my consideration provided you think of my Fathers sufferings and be mindfull of your own honour since without him I cannot give away my selfe and without your reputation you are but halfe a Prince Upon these conditions you shall find my Lodgings ever ready to entertaine your visits so they may be seasonable and not scandalous which I believe are favours sufficient to nourish your hopes according to those expressions you received under my hand in that Letter your seeming neglect of my condition forced from me which is all for the present I have to say upon this theame unlesse it be to adde to your consideration how is it possible you can either reape fruits from my affection if Farezius continue great or what probability have you again to recover your lost Country of Iberia if all regality be supprest since in the one his greatnesse may perhaps constraine me to an unwilling consent for my owne preservation as the other by this meanes may so fill Lydia with popular desires that your birth and bloud much lesse dignity shall finde no entertainment in their considerations Wherefore I say joyn your thoughts only to such designes as shall be contrived by the Nobility with the State of Syria wherein the Myssians seem also to have a share in regard the Lords governe all in their Country and by that meanes you will best please my desires Although Cassianus could not disprove the Princesse Rhetorick for that it taught him a duty belonging to his quality which he had not hitherto altogether followed since he more looked upon his own private concernments in complying with his Uncles enemies then those rights that belonged to the dignity and honour of Princes of which number himselfe was eminent by bloud and alliance yet in regard of those hopes that Cloria gave him by her faire language and good entertainment he was sufficiently pleased with her discourse for that it spake at leastwise liking if not love to his eares however it seemed mixt with some reserved conditions which he was content only to interpret bashfull assurances though the gods were privy to other intentions that could not be altered wherefore as if joyfully assured by the Princesses words and impatient of more delay to put in execution what he was enjoyned after he had returned humble thanks not only for her free expressions but the confidence she had in his services with some other complements belonging to his love and fit for the season kissing her faire hands he tooke his leave vowing the absolute performance of all her commands to the uttermost of his power but being gone the Princesse used these words to Roxana fearing belike her own dissimulation was too great a crime Doe you believe said she that the gods will be content with my hypocrisie in making this poor Princes affections a stale to our other purposes since you know my vertuous engagements are so farre from suffering me to become his wife that my heart dares fcarce think of such a perswasion in any kinde and as little should I be willing such a report should reach the eares of absent Narcissus who perhaps will accuse my constancy for having only deceived in that nature for his better advantage no no Roxana be confident as plaine dealing is best in all morall actions so certainly in love the contrary procures either hate jealousie or despaire which may produce effects dangerous if not destructive After the old woman with a kind of smile had heard out her Mistresses discourse she returned her this answer As I cannot deny said she but dissimulation in it selfe is a flattering vice that steales upon many dispositions with certaine possible if not probable signes of lawfulnesse because they are contented to be perswaded by their imaginations they meane no hurt in their intention which notwithstanding I must confesse destroyes all morall conversation yet in all respects of the contrary for a person to uncover his breast upon every occasion without leaving himselfe a defence against his crafty enemy were a madnesse capable to ruine his fortunes as often as the opportunity presented the meanes Wherefore Madam in the generall I can only give this rule when a body is left at liberty whether he will speak or no let him rather hold his peace then so much as intimate a falshood by his words or in friendly conversation appeare not candid and satisfactory but if in deepe examinations that may produce great consequences either of good or hurt for my part I am of opinion all art possible may be used to avoyde the determination provided a direct untruth be not admitted or the damage of a third party sustained by the concealement But Roxana said the Princesse for that you intend this discourse for my satisfaction I pray let us apply it to my case with my Cousin whom