with great demonstration of sorrow seeing her selfe constrained to make this request unto them Both of them witnessing as much obedience unto her as love promised to forbeare although this banishment were more cruell unto them than any torment which her rigour could have inflicted Alcidon who made the third in this businesse remonstrating unto them what extremities they were brought unto by their jealousie having made them commit a fault a relapse whereinto could not bee but inexcusable and mortall intreated them to give this passion unto their friendship or at the least not to take it away having once given it before and if they loved Olinda they ought not to constraine her good will by violence nor make her odious unto all the world as being the cause of dividing so ancient and perfect a friendship as theirs was with many other reasons so that they promised not to forbeare loving of her for that was not in their power but at the least to abstaine from seeing her as they had promised This promise was for some dayes religiously kept by the two friends who would not by any means be justly taxed for wronging each others friendship but beleeving that they should either vanquish or by diversion wipe away their love and jealousie seeing every day all sorts of objects excepting that which was most fixt in their imagination But Clarangeus having taken a lodging neere unto Olinda's to the end he might see at his window as she went in and out at the doore her whom hee durst not goe to see in the house as lovers have strange phantasies and content themselves with what they can get when they cannot get what they would made Lidian thinke this his taking of a house was no apt meanes to make him forget her Wherefore beleeving that hee was dispensed of his promise and no more to bee bound to the oath which was first broken by his rivall hee found the meanes to meet Olinda one evening in the garden of the Tuilleryes where she was gone to walk there with some teares complaining of the torment which hee suffered in his absence by the commandement which she had given not to see her which Clarangeus had disobeyed in taking a house so neere hers expressed his love so lively unto her that Olinda who truely loved him and did not like that Clarangeus had taken a lodging so neere hers beleeving that he had done it to observe her actions suffered him to see her at certain houres which shee did assigne unto him so secretly that it was not perceived by Clarangeus although her neere neighbour These visites were by night Olinda retired her selfe earely and went late to bed and when every one else was asleepe Lidian without any followers or light was brought into her house and spent a great part of the night with her although with all the honest respect which could bee betweene honourable lovers But the Moone envious of Lidians fortune discovered him to jealous Clarangeus who watching like a Dragon at a window which looked into the street a little upon the one side from his Mistresses saw him come out from thence about two houres after midnight The unfitnesse of the time and the astonishment to see him come from a place where his word and friendship had barred him the entrance raised such humours in his braine that hee could hardly containe himselfe and to perfect the cause of his complaint Lidian being in the street and Olinda in her window they tooke new leave one of the other without thinking or remembring of their neighbour with such amorous words from Lidian and so favourable from Olinda that Clarangeus fell from an ague into a feaver and Lidian as if he had not had leisure in two houres which he was with her to speake so blinde are both love and lovers intreated her to fling him downe her handkerchiefe that he might have the contentment to lodge with it and to embrace it all night in remembrance of the deerest person unto him in the world Olinda who was otherwayes discreet and wise so farre yeelded unto his prayers that as well to satisfie his importunity as not to let him stay any longer there cast it unto him thinking that he would goe his way so soone as he had taken it up But the wind jealous of this favour blew it upon the barres of Clarangeus window who saw this action with a motion of so violent a passion that impatience and rage were likely to have carried him into the street there to decide by a last combate the difference and jealousie of their love Olinda and Lidian were in no lesse pain perceiving although too late their undiscreet improvidence yet her Gentlewoman running speedily with a pole got down the handkerchiefe which Lidian catching before it came unto the ground and in his Mistresses sight lovingly kissing it retired himselfe leaving unto her a good night and unto Clarangeus the worst that ever hee felt The next morning they failed not to meet at the Masse rather to see Olinda than for any devotion where Clarangeus comming unto Lidian said You cannot now deny that you have not seene Madam Olinda both against her command and your promise Against my promise I doe confesse answered Lidian because you have made me dispence with it in first breaking your own but not against her commandement because she hath permitted me as she did formerly forbid me Clarangeus provoked with this answer said Wherein have I broken my promise I yet never did it and doe well know the meanes to compell others to performe what they promise You need not compell answered Lidian those who are ready to pay and you did breake your word when having promised not to see Madam Olinda you tooke a lodging close unto hers Well Sir answered Clarangeus I would not so lightly have departed from your friendship as you have from mine but this is the truth herein I am your enemy Sir answered Lidian I will alwayes oppose my services unto your hatred But I entreat you to consider that our promise is reciprocall and hath no more force than my Ladies commandement gave it and if you neverthelesse beleeve that I have sooner broken my word than you pardon it unto mee and thinke that I have no more power of my selfe than you have of your selfe The holinesse of the place and their friends which did accompany them interrupting their discourse they heard Masse together with Olinda who understood part of their dispute and was no lesse offended with Lidians answer than with Clarangeus complaints who was the more provoked at that time by Lidians holding of the handkerchief against his mouth Their friends having sent to seeke for Alcidon and Cleander and they comming the best meanes they could finde to agree them was to entreat them that their differences might be determined by her will who was the cause thereof Lidian at the first word consented hereunto assuring himselfe of Olinda's favour
For besides Calista's and Lisanders interest which was common amongst them every one had a feeling of his owne particular Lucidan to see himselfe frustrate of his hope to marry Calista if her Father were vanquished by Verascus Berontus to see himselfe deprived of his marriage with Ambrisia and Alcidon to see his also with Argire to bee deferred there being no hope to marry in the calamity of two persons so deere unto him as was Lisander and Calista So that Verascus was universally cursed of all yet the combate being granted it was published that very day and assigned three dayes after in the same place and with the same Armes as had beene appointed unto Lucidan the King reserving unto himselfe the judgement of the cause after the combate was finished Lisander in the meane time having spent the night in the greatest trouble of minde that ever hee was in continually meditating what meanes hee might use to undoe the knot of his love which was so intangled that he could finde no end about breake of day rose with Leon with purpose to goe to Paris and hoping by his presence to give stop unto Lucidans further suite or else to fight with him rather upon that quarrell than about Chrisantes his death But as he was ready to get up on horsebacke Erifila came who having posted all night and comming unto Pontoise upon the opening of the gates she met him even as he was going away and having delivered the charge which her Mistresse had given her to finde him and to intreat him to come backe unto her who did but desire to see him the trouble and perplexity of his minde redoubled so upon him that hee became dumbe and immoveable as a statue Of the one side he saw it was an unexcusable ungratitude to refuse the going back seven or eight leagues to see one who had come two hundred for his sake had fought in his quarrell against Lucidan afterwards had offered to fight against those who did accuse him for killing Cleander Furthermore such a person as Hippolita was who seeking him after so many obligations hee had in recompence doubly offended both in words which he had spoke and by those blowes which hee had made and now to refuse her in so pitifull a plight whereunto he had brought her he thought it was a cruell discourtesie extremely contrary to his nature Of the other side setting before him Calista's jealousie the strange courses which this passion had enforced her unto the combate which shee had enterprised for him then when she beleeved that hee had left her with so much more danger unto her than unto Hippolita by how much she was lesse practised in armes than Hippolita and with so much the more merit by how much she thought she fought for an enemy against a servant by whom shee was adored The letter which shee had written upon the subject of this jealousie and the displeasure which shee would receive when shee understood that hee was now with her Rivall The fresh newes of Adrastusses and Dorilasses labouring to marry her with Lucidan and the meanes which hee had to breake it off and to serve her both in justifying himselfe and her by Leons owne mouth and by this last obligation to surpasse all his former which hee could not defer without great danger of losing all All these reasons together making the ballance weigh downe in favour of Calista made him intreat Erifila to pardon him and to excuse him to her Mistres if the necessity of his affairs which had so long called him unto the Court hindered him from doing this small service unto the most sensible and most violent of all his sorrow God never be helpfull unto me answered Erifila if I doe not kill my selfe rather here in your presence than suffer you to commit so great a fault what would you kill her for I am sure the despite which she will receive by this deniall can worke no lesse Is this the recompence of all the dangers wherunto she hath exposed her self of the travell which she hath taken and of the evill which she hath suffered for you Doe not doe your selfe Sir this wrong I conjure you by that which you owe unto the greatnesse of your courage and to the glory of so many brave and generous actions which you have performed not to refuse her for I assure you if you doe you will for ever wither with a reproach of an eternall infamy I promise you you shall not stay and so farre will she be from constraining you in the affection which you beare unto Calista that contrariwise she will serve you wherefore give this contentment unto one who doth perfectly love you and who for all acknowledgment of the love which she beares and satisfaction for the injury which you have done her demandeth onely but this fight While she thus spake a Poste comming from Paris was knowne by Dorilas his man who had supped over night with Lisander he asking in Lisander and Erifila's hearing of newes from the Court was told the combate which was to bee fought betweene Adrastus and Verascus about Cleanders death Will you have any more lawfull excuses said Lisander unto Erifila must I without any feeling of my honour or of Calista's which ought to be more deere unto mee suffer my father to hazzard his life in my quarrell while I foolishly trifle out time in contenting Hippolita's idle humour besides if I could serve her to her desire what profit could I bring her unlesse it bee a â—eaver Your presence will not bee unprofitable answered Erifila for it will save her life and for the combate you have time enough to bee there in three dayes and never thinke that shee who hath come so long a journey to defend your honour here in your absence will now counsell you to lose it here before your eyes or suffer you to doe so if you were willing Let us goe then replied Lisander vanquished with her importunity upon condition you presse mee not to stay but that immediately after I have seene her I may returne my way upon these conditions hee followes Erifila with his company and came unto the Village where Hippolita lay wounded To tell you the discourse which shee fashioned unto her selfe in Erifila's absence those which were made at her returne as well by her as by Lisander the shame that both of them had when they saw one the other one remembring what he had said the other what she had heard spoken it is not possible At the first they onely beheld one another without speech thinking that their lookes could better expresse their thoughts than words In the end Lisander going about to speake first was so confounded that the more hee endeavoured to expresse himselfe the lesse he was understood Hippolita judging the confusion of his minde by that of his words and seeing his astonishment in his face was more satisfied to see the apprehension and trouble which shee raised in this
one word made him sit downe in a chaire by her bed side unto whom shee began to speake in this manner Lisander if you knew the paine and danger which I hazzard to content your desire you would love me more for this alone than for the beauty which you say is in me Know that Cleander is not at Fountaine Bleau as both he and I did thinke he should for my father would not suffer him by any meanes to goe farre with him but forced him though against his will to returne againe so that now he is retired into his owne chamber to let mee rest with more quiet here alone because to keepe my word with you I made him beleeve that I was sicke chusing rather this night to breake company with him than my promise with you Calista had scarcely uttered these words when they heard knocking at the doore and Lisander judging that it was Cleander as it was indeed did beleeve that Calista had set this match to undoe him the very first newes that a man whom he thought so far off should be so neere having raised this doubt in his minde But when hee heard the knocking at the doore there was no discourse of reason strong enough to divert him from thinking that he was betrayed wherefore he said to Calista Madam you had many other meanes to destroy my life but I perceive you doe desire it should be together with Cleanders No said she in taking him by the hand I take heaven to witnesse I have now neither meanes nor leisure to make other protestation wherefore I pray let that together with the proofe which you shall see satisfie you I doe conjure you by all that may be deare unto you to stand close behind this Tapestry speaking this softly as she could she asked aloud oftentimes who was there and called Clarinda who being fitted for the purpose mad shew as if she were asleepe In the end Lisander being placed betweene two pieces of the Hangings by the bedde side where she was and holding with one hand both the pieces close together but onely for a little hole through which he might see who came and to put the nose of his Pistoll which he had ready in his other hand Clarinda seeming halfe asleepe and being but halfe ready went to open the doore unto her Master who going round about his wives bedde shut close with a curtaine but upon one side came so neere unto Lisander that he touched the end of the Pistoll Lisander hath many times since related this and I have heard him often say that this was the greatest feare that ever his heart was capable of although that seeing Cleander come alone in his night-gowne and night-cap he knew Calista had not betraied him as he did beleeve Cleander then comming unto his wife asked her how she did she answered that her fever had encreased since supper for want of sleepe and that she did beleeve her recovery did consist in rest Cleander taking her by the hand and finding her pulse beat violently as it could not choose in that her apprehension told her neverthelesse that it was nothing and that he was also much more perplexed but my trouble proceeded from another cause for I dreamed even now that I had lost you and that there was a Dragon here which would carry you away so that waking in this feare and remembring that you went sicke to bedde interpreting my owne dreame I feared that your sickenesse was the Dragon which I saw carrying you away And this is the cause of my comming at this time to see how you doe but God bee thanked you are not so ill as by my dreame I thought you were for which I am glad I will onely lye down by you a while to feele the course of your pulse and then I will let you rest When Lisander heard Cleanders dreame he did verily beleeve that he was discovered untill he heard the exposition which was made and Calista her selfe knew not what to thinke who seeing Cleander resolved to stay bid Clarinda draw the curtaine close because the light of the candle did trouble her eyes Clarinda going to obey her Lady was constrained to let goe a little dogge which came in with Cleander which she had held in her armes upon the bedde fearing that hee would winde Lisander The little dogge was no sooner out of her armes when running towards the bedde side it presently smelling that there was a stranger began to barke so eagerly and so loud that Cleander would have risen seeing that Clarinda could not catch it from off the bedde to drive him away and had done it if Calista had not lovingly withheld him In the end the dogge was taken and put out of the doores because hee was as importunate as faithfull and Cleander having stayed about an houre with his wife went his way suffering by his absence Lisander to take a little breath who during his stay had beene vexed with so many warme alarums The one was no sooner gone out of the chamber but the other came out of his hiding place and kneeling downe before Calista demanded pardon of her for his mistrust proceeding from such apparent likelihood unto whom lifting him up with her hand shee said Hereafter Lisander learne to know Calista and beleeve that her soule shall never be spotted with infidelity Lisander beginning to grow warme by the touch of her hand although it were cold as snow and forgetting the danger past by the sight of her present beauty answereth her with so amorous a kisse that he thought his mouth ought to be knit unto Calista's and his soule to be gathered-in at her lips neither would hee willingly have beene drawne from so agreeable a trance Soft Lisander said Calista I promised you nothing but sight neither did I thinke to have permitted any further than speech content your selfe with the danger wherein I have throwne my selfe and the wrong which I have done unto my duty to acquit my promise unto you and constraine mee not to withdraw the love which I now beare you through your indiscretion as I have now pulled you to mee under the assured respect which I did promise my selfe from your modesty Madam replyed Lisander I doe humbly crave pardon if I shew my selfe unwilling to lose so faire an occasion of enjoying so many wonders for I should dye out of griefe and give you just cause to laugh at my simplicity my passion is stronger than my selfe and my violence is the more excusable proceeding from your wonderfull beauty which forceth mee now to constraine you to have pity upon me And in saying this he invaded earnestly his Mistresses Dominions endevouring to ravish away the last favour for which hee had put himselfe into this hazzard when with an extreme anger and a loud and shriller voice than the danger wherein both of them were would well permit she called her Gentlewoman and said unto Lisander Is this the recompence of the danger whereinto
poorely to dye shamefully that if his divinity had not beene witnessed not alone by men living and dead but by Angels and by Devils the obeying of the windes and waters by the trembling of the earth and darkning of the Sunne it would bee impossible to receive it in our beleefe Lisander eased by the voiding of these things which hee had vomited and comforted by the remonstrance of this good religious man lifted up his â—yeâ— to his face and having earnestly beheld him a good space labouring to recover his speech and to remember where hee had seene him in a feeble and broken voice spake unto him in this manner Father I have alwaies little feared Death assuredly trusting in Gods mercy wherefore my hope of one surpassing my feare of the other I cannot be affraid of a passage which is common to all men I know nothing is more naturall that living is not more ordinary than dying And so farre am I from being astonished at it that I confesse I have desired it with lesse â—eare than impatience That which afflicteth me and feareth me is to see things come out of my body which never entred into it nor cannot bee framed there and therefore cannot come naturally from me And if any wonder can have place in my minde next unto that 〈◊〉 is to see my selfe knowne and to heare my selfe named in this agony by a man whose face I think I have seene and heard his voice in another world and in another habit This good man discovering then his head which was almost hid under his Coule and making himselfe knowne unto Lisander with teares in his eyes in kissing him said if nothing were wanting unto your health but the removing of these two causes of astonishment I durst promise my selfe to see you well no lesse astonishing the company with the Miracle of your healing than it is yet with the wonder of your evill For the things which you have vomited although they are true and seeme to be truely come out of your body ought rather to bee ascribed to the illusions of the evill Spirit who hath deceived our sense than unto the testimony of our owne eyes And it is to bee beleeved that they are reall seeing they are palpable But it is to be beleeved also that hee hath charmed our sight as the Operator who last healed you charmed your wounds and healed them in applying salves to your Doublet And it is likely that from this first charme proceeds now this second For the Devill hath done nothing for nothing and did not succour you in that extremity but onely to reduce you into a greater As for your astonishment which proceedeth from my knowing you I thinke it is now wiped away And Clarangeus having beene so perfect a friend unto Lisander cannot be unknowne by so strange a change as mine or by the violence of a sicknesse like yours For the rest you have reason in saying you have seene me in another world for this wherein I now am is much differing from that wherin I then was Lisander who knowing Clarangeus who cast from serving and banished from the presence of Olinda had confined himselfe into a Cloyster embracing him with a joy mingled with sorrow and astonishment to see him in this habit answered Is it possible that my eyes doe not deceive me Clarangeus and that it is not one of the illusions of my sickenesse how have you left the world As those replyed Clarangeus who being beaten by stormes at Sea doe search for some safe Port where they may bee covered from the tempest O how happy are you said Lisander to have that power of your selfe Yea if you knew the happinesse said Clarangeus and if after so many stormes wherewith you have beene beaten you would with mee prove the sweetnesse and quietnesse of a religious life you would despise and mocke at Honours Loves and other vanities which cast away the most part of men I would to God said Lisander I could doe it but I know my selfe so weake so chained to the world that though I should leave it to day I should take it againe to morrow and as it ordinarily happens my second entrance would bee much worse than my first You have reason replied Clarangeus For as there is nothing worse for health than to passe from one extremity to another so there is nothing more dangerous in the world than to goe from a religious life unto an irregular one From thence it comes that there is nothing more evill than a Monke who hath cast away his frocke and that the most parâ— of our errors owe their birth unto these Apostata's who as vipers doe endevour in their birth to rend the sides of their mother Ambrisia and many Gentlemen of the Countrey who were come to see her in this sicknesse of her brothers were no lesse joyfull to see him so well recovered than of Clarangeus his discourse knowledge Unto whom Lisander in continuing his speech said that not finding himselfe strong enough to observe such a perpetuall vow he promised 〈◊〉 the least if it pleased God to restore him to his former health the first voiage he would undertake after his sicknesse should be unto our Lady of Mount Serraâ— Clarangeus confirmed him in this devotion and afterwards taking his leave hee returned with the other religious man into the Covent Shortly after were it by the prayers of those good Fathers or through Lisanders vow hee began to amend but as the proverbe faith sickenesses come on horsebacke and goe away on foote of a Snailes pace It was fifteene dayes before hee could rise out of his bedde and fifteene dayes more after hee was out of his bed before hee could get strength which being past and having visited his friends but principally Clarangeuâ— and taken leave of his Sister Ambrisia hee secretly caused a â—acket of gray Serge to bee made and a Cloake of skinnes over it and having gotten a Palmers staffe in a faire Evening hee began his Pilgrimage In the meane time some of those who had left him sicke going unto Paris not onely carried newes of his sickenesse but of the habit which Clarangeus had taken which brought forth no lesse astonishment than sorrow in the minds of their Friends Olinda herselfe witnessed some feeling of pity which shee had of poore Clarangeus and it was encreased by the griefe shee had for Lidians losse But this was nothing in respect of what Calista suffered for Lisanders sickenesse she being so much the more afflicted by how much shee durst not make it appeare although her brothers and her husbands absence had been colour enough for her to have justified her griefe Alcidon being advertised of these accidents which happened after the departure of his friends determined to goe see them and taking his leave of Argire took his journy towards Burgundy But finding Lisander gone and being no lesse glad to heare that hee was well recovered than sorrowfull because
gate for the other Verasco perceiving this caused all the servants of the house to come into that alley whose feet hee measuring with the prints which were made in the sand there was none found any way agreeing but onely Clarinda's whose shooe did perfectly fit the lesser print which served as a great proofe at the least for a violent suspicion against her who otherwise accused and convinced by her owne conscience did not deny the fact But alas it had beene much better that she had disavowed this truth than to have added so execrable and notorious a lye For it is very true shee said it was I who opened the gate notwithstanding it was by my Mistresses command Verasco not willing to proceed further in examination of a cause so criminall made Clarinda fast and sent for the Justice strictly forbidding every body to speake of it unto Calista who was so plunged in sorrow and drowned in griefe that her sickenesse moved no lesse pity than Cleanders death The Judges who for the most part are like Surgeons seeking for nothing more than for wounds and swellings quickly came unto the place visited the body and examined Clarinda who persevering in what shee had formerly said added that Lisander was the man who had killed her Master as might easily bee seene by the sword which hee had left that she had let him into the house by Calista's command as formerly shee had done although to her extreme sorrow which she no longer able to beare had discovered to Berontus whom she called to witnesse these words Calista being upon this accusation heard for the fulnesse of her misfortune saw her selfe accused of her husbands death by her who was the cause thereof and for her last calamitie that shee might the more lightly passe this troublesome passage was carried unto prison in the little Castle in this proud City of Paris where in former times shee had beene often seene in so much pomp and glory The End of the sixth Booke A TRAGI-COMICALL HISTORY OF these Times THE SEVENTH BOOKE CALISTA being thus in prison the very centre of misery and a sepulchre unto those who live therein must not be forgotten nor suffered to lye long there yet her comming forth cannot bee so soone for innocency doth not easily appeare in darke dungeons neither is the getting out of prison so easie as the entrance thereinto Clarinda was also placed in another chamber and in her stead there was a strange woman appointed to waite upon Calista whom she had never before seene in appearance to serve her but in truth to observe her words and espy her actions As for Verascus hee remained at Beauplaine unto which place having sent for Berontus and there celebrated Cleanders funerall and setled his houshold he afterward went unto Paris to become Calista's adversary who being brought into this pitifull estate began first to teare her haire and to doe mischiefe against her selfe after having remained in silence a long time without speaking one word as one whose griefe tooke away her sense at the length her present mischiefe bringing unto her minde her former fortune brought teares into her eies and these words into her mouth stirring pity in that place where it never had beene O Calista where art thou what are become of all thy pleasant dayes unto what is all thy glory and vanity reduced O Cleander my onely joy and comfort was it not affliction enough to lose thee without being accused for thy losse Ah Lisander the services which you have done mee heretofore are now dearly sold unto me and I pay those honest acknowledgements of your love with a high price O Lisander why doest not thou know of my imprisonment And you my Judges why doe you not know mine innocency And thou Clarinda why dost thou accuse mee In the middest of these complaints much more grievous than I can expresse nothing comforted her but the hope of death which was preparing for her which shee would have much more desired than her liberty if she could have received it without incurring infamy for the crime whereof she was accused But not to be long upon so grievous a subject I will briefly say that Berontus being come from Burgundy and being no lesse astonished than sorry for those accidents since his departure was heard by the Provost and confronted with Clarinda unto whose former speeches his being conformable it seemed that Calista was sufficiently attainted and convicted of her husbands death so that her processe was in the worlds opinion judged both to the losse of her life and honour I must not forget the griefe which this misfortune brought unto Olinda Alcidon Argire who were then at Paris the sorrow which Ambrisia had who was in Burgundy and that which was suffered by Lidian and his Parents in Normandy when they knew of it Argire and Olinda imployed all their friends to speake with Calista but were not able to obtaine it All the world wondred that Lisander had so fouled the glory of so many brave deeds by so dishonourable an act There was none but Cloridons friends who beleeving that hee was cowardly murdered rejoiced that hee had committed this last base act as a proofe of the former Lisander was then at Brusels farre from thinking upon such an act where a faithfull Poste whom Alcidon had sent let him understand the newes of this deplorable disaster When he heard of Cleanders death he uttered great sorrow as for a person whom next unto Calista he truely loved above all creatures but when he knew that the common beliefe was that he had killed him with his wifes privity who was for that cause a prisoner and upon the point of her punishment he was strooke with silence the newes taking from him both his feeling and all his senses like a great stroake which is not felt at the instant but some time after it is received When he had gathered his spirits unto him which were wandred away with the violence of the first motion and that griefe had given place unto his words O God what did he not say his griefe cannot be represented but by that of Calista for never two soules were so equally wounded with one stroak and their wounds unlike unto all others had nothing to paralell either the others but themselves yet being a man and having his liberty he did resolve to lose it together with his life or else to assure Calista's Now if hee durst appeare he had done his Lady a great service for his flight was one maine argument against her and his presence would have much served for their justification But Cloridons murder being fresh and his blood almost warme representing it selfe every day to the Kings memory who would never grant him his pardon he thought that his presence in stead of satisfying things would exasperate them and that unprofitably he should carry his head to bee lost at Paris without saving Calista's but what cannot love doe in a gentle heart hee
had not seen since the next day after Lucidans combat when a Gentleman came to aske for him early in a morning at a little house neere Longchampe where hee lay and for proofe of what he said because I did not beleeve him hee led me into the house where I found nothing but these Armes I was in the Abbey which is hard by to enquire of the religious women who were not able to tell me any thing wherefore I returned backe to his lodging and tooke his Lackey his Horse and his Armes to present them to your Majesty The King called the Lackey unto him and asked him of his Masters name but hee could learne no more but what the Guard had already told him Desiring then to see the Horse he commanded that he should be brought into the Court of the Louure where Dorilas beholding him with a quicker spirit and more earnestnesse than when hee saw him under Calista and seeing him without any caparison or other coverture but his saddle presently knew him to be his owne and consequently that hee whose name they were in such care to know was his daughter Calista It is not possible to expresse his astonishment but by the same silence wherwith he then covered it retyring himselfe without speaking of a word for feare left his griefe should discover his thought So soone as he was gone unto his lodging he went from thence unto Clarevall where finding contrary to his expectation Lidian and Alcidon amongst the Ladies unto whom hee had a resolution to tell what he had heard of Calista he found that they had better intelligence wherefore in some proportion hee comforted himselfe to understand that shee had retired her selfe into this Nunnery Ambrisia being amongst these Ladies and knowing that Adrastus was at Paris entreated the company to be pleased that she might goe see him wherunto they all condescended and resolved to goe with her In the meane time the King curious to know who the Knight of the Buckets was commanded that the Armes should be exposed in a publike place untill some one were found who could tell newes of him who had worne them the day of the combate betweene Lucidan and Hippolita who was then in the Louâ—re with Adrastus and beleeving that they did belong unto Lisander who having lost them by some accident would endeavour to recover them by some meanes or other intreated his Majesty that they might bee raysed as a Trophee in the field which was appointed for the battaile offering her selfe to keepe and defend them the space of eight dayes against any man who without discovering of himselfe should offer to take them downe And by the same meanes Sir added Hippolita forasmuch as I know that Lisander and Calista are no lesse innocent of Cleanders murther whereof they were most grieved and are most falsly accused than Lisander appeared innocent the other day of murdering Chrisantes and Cloridon I most humbly entreat your Majesty to suffer mee to defend their innocency and to ordaine that those who shall accuse him may appeare within the time abovesaid and prosecute their cause like Knights and not with wrangling Adrastus being by at this intreaty joyned also his casting himselfe at the Kings feete humbly besought him to have compassion on his age and of the sorrow which hee might have for a sonne such as Lisander was conjuring him with teares that hee might second Hippolita in this enterprise Verascus was not then at the Court who would have beene much offended at Hippolita's words but Berontus who in shew should bee obliged to undertake the answer in Verascus his absence as well for the neernesse between them as for the interest he had being next kinsman to the dead stood neverthelesse silent retained not only out of love to Ambrisia and respect which for her sake he bare unto all those who maintained her brothers right especially unto Hippolita and Adrastus but also out of knowledge which the same Lisander had given him of the justice of his cause Yet the King asking him if hee had any thing to answer against Hippolita's request hee said That heretofore vanquished with the appearances which were in his brothers murder he had maintained that no man but Lisander could doe it but since having certainely knowne that at that time he was in Flanders and that the day of his combate with Cloridon and Chrisantes he had left his sword broken in the handle in the field hee would rather combate to defend him than to accuse him beleeving also that his sister in law had too much honour and too noble a heart ever to conceive a thought of so infamous an act All the Court wondred at these words and the King himselfe was astonished and seeing him who had the principall interest in the justice of Cleanders death contrary to the opinion of all the world to insist upon the innocency of the accused answered Hippolita That he did permit her to keepe the armes of the unknowne Knight in the place and upon the conditions required but that hee did not grant her the combate which shee demanded against Lisander and Calista's accusers there being no need since they did confesse them innocent neverthelesse at her request he would take the hearing of the cause from the Judges unto his owne knowledge and that they might both freely come unto Paris to justifie themselves hee dispensing with their returning into the estate wherein they were and giving them the Court for their prison Hippolita and Adrastus having humbly thanked the King went both of them to embrace Berontus and from thence Hippolita having brought Calista's armes into the field set up a Tent neere unto which she raised a Trophee expecting when some body should present himselfe to question them But Adrastus returning unto his lodging thinking to find Dorilas there to carry him the first newes of his happy successe in Calista's and Lisanders businesse understood by his Hoste that he was gone unto Clarvall which made him presently dispatch Lisanders two footmen which Lidian had left with him one into Normandy the other into Britaine to learne some newes of his Master and he in the meane time going on horsebacke unto Clarvall with Berontus who offering to accompany him out of a desire hee had to see Ambrisia met her upon the way with Dorilas Otranta Lidian Olinda Alcidon and Argire The joy which Dorilas and all the company received at the news which Adrastus told them the contentment which Ambrisia had in seeing her father and which Berontus had in seeing Ambrisia who thanked him for the faithfull testimony which he had given of Lisanders and Calista's innocency tempered the sorrow which all of them had for their absence and to make it more perfect they went all together unto Longchampe not only to see Calista but to bring her to Paris expecting Lisanders returne seeing that by the Kings clemency both the one and the other without feare of the Justice might appeare safely Calista being
without feeling the heat thereof have made mee dare to discover it unto trees in the depth of the Forrest the violence of my love must be accused which hath constrained me and your excellent beauty from whence it hath sprung And let the worst be Madam I cannot be accused for any thing but for loving the most lovely creature in the world And if this be the crime which you speake of I confesse not alone that I have committed it but which is more that I cannot repent me of it As for my life Madam with the losse whereof you threaten mee as I will not keepe it but for your service so I cannot better lose it than for your love I would if it pleased God that I had many and that nothing letted but their losse to witnesse my affection But seeing that you are interest and that I cannot hazzard it but with your reputation and in depriving you of the most faithfull slave that ever you captivated I had rather barre my selfe from the Soveraigne blisse of my soule than take from you the least contentment And for this cause Madam I am resolved not to depart from your service for ever but for some time from your presence to the end that adoring you without offending you I may witnesse no lesse affection than obedience and that both of them may one day invite your pity to call backe a poore Exile who hath banished himselfe from the dearest abode that ever he had to obey you These words spoken with no lesse love than grace together with the inevitable charmes of Lisanders conversation which would have inchanted even rockes touched the secret places of Calista's affection which were not marble nor of any insensible matter yet such as with a chaste resolution shee beatbacke all those shafts which Love hid in Lisanders eyes did continually shoot at her heart wherefore shee thus answered Lisander you must know Calista and beleeve that if she could give her selfe unto any one it should be unto you but shee cannot doe but what she ought and if you doe love her truely as you doe professe you ought not to hope nor desire any thing but the will with which shee doth acknowledge alwayes the affection which you beare her and were not her honour interest she would hold your presence as deare as your merit doth oblige her But for this time I counsell you to follow the resolution of departing which you have already taken because that Berontus walking with me when we heard your complaint and having learned more than I would that he knew may do you some evill offices to Cleander And although hee should say nothing yet we know not what hee may thinke he is jealous enough of the love which his brother beares you and may grow as jealous of me although I doe not thinke I shall give him cause Hereafter bee more discreet in your complaints and thinke that though woods cannot speake yet they are not without their Ecchoes which reside in their centers and doe alwayes report at the least the last word what they heare Upon the uttering of these last words Cleander and Berontus came into the chamber which not onely interrupted their discourse but also put both of them in great doubt that Berontus had conferred with his brother about that whereof they were speaking but this disquiet lasted not long because that Cleander taking Lisander apart and discoursing to him his businesse at Court let him presently know that he knew nothing of theirs and Berontus in the meane time speaking with Calista she told him what operation the scroule had which was let fall into Lisanders hands which occasioned the leave he had taken of Cleander and of her selfe although under a pretext of Letters which were come unto him from Fountaine Bleau concealing neverthelesse from Berontus that Lisander had spoken unto her of it or made any demonstration that he knew or doubted that she had written it This done they went to dinner and afterwards Lisander got to Horse having first kindly embraced Cleander and Berontus and more lovingly kissed the faire Calista who could not see him depart without sorrow although small in respect of that which hee carried with him All the companie remained sad for his departure except Berontus who was not otherwise an enemy of his vertue but envious for he being a brave Gentleman hardy as the sword thought hee lost of his lustre when he was compared to Lisanders incomparable valour who riding as fast as hee could spurre without staying all the rest of the day came upon the beginning of the evening into the entrance of the Forrest of Fountaine Bleau The knowledge which especially in France is so frequent of this royall house the proudest I thinke in the world shall keepe mee from beautifying this my Story with the description thereof although it were one of the most glorious ornaments wherewith I could enrich it It shall suffice onely to say that our Kings have heretofore built it for the pleasure of hunting in the middle of the Launds and Forrests from whence it was called the Deserts of Fountaine Bleau Lisander then entring into this Forrest onely with one man on horsebacke who waited upon him in his chamber and two Footmen which ranne by him had not ridden a hundred paces when he was told by the reporâ— of seven or eight Harquebushes and Pistoll-shot and the cryes of many persons that there was fighting neere him He presently spurred his lusty Horse that hee had under him which carried him suddenly into the middle of tenne or twelve Theeves who were murdering of a brave Gentleman having laid two of his men upon the ground and scattered three or foure others who had accompanied him He neverthelesse defended himselfe valiantly with his Sword having already discharged his Pistoll upon one of the Theeves wherewith hee lay biting the ground with the Gentlemans two men Lisander seeing how bravely this Gentleman acquitted himselfe moved with his owne naturall courage let flye his Pistoll and almost in an instant thrust himselfe amongst the rout with his sword and his Horse every one of which had his effect the Pistoll laid one along with his Horse hee overthrew a second and with his sword he killed a third and all in so short a space that one must have had a quicke discerning who had not judged it to be one action His Sword hee had not long used before the ground was strawed with blood and dismembred parts of the Robbers who were sooner killed and vanquished than they could almost thinke that any succour was comn unto the Gentleman who also saw himselfe delivered before hee could thinke of helpe Lisander after this bloody execution comming neere unto him saw that hee was a reverent old man having his head and beard all white of whom he demanded how he did after his combat Well answered he I thanke God and your good help unto whom I am redueable for my life but I am
staves with sharpe points in open field and that the King himselfe about foure of the clocke would be there in person thinking that they were English who preserve in this exercise the ancient reputation of the Knights of the round Table The novelty hereof for it was not usuall to see any tilting but with blunt staves and most commonly against Quintan made our Ladies goe to see it as also almost all the Court some to have part of the danger and honour some onely the pleasure But it continued not long for one of the brave Knights of the Court a great favourite of the King called Cloridon running first against one of the strangers was overthrowne from his horse and wounded not onely with the sharpe steele but also with a splinter of the staffe And although the blow was not mortall his Majestie neverthelesse was so sorrowfull that he caused the tilting to cease almost so soone as it was begun intreating the strangers to discover themselves who pulling off their Helmets to doe reverence unto him were knowne to bee Frenchmen and those who about three moneths since went from Beauplaine with Cleander and Lisander who was the man that had justed these men comming from Holland had agreed to make their entrance into Paris in this manner The King glad to see them more easily bearing that Cloridon should bee overthrowne by Frenchmen than by strangers as he did beleeve at the first joyfully embraced them and after hee had from them learned some particularities of Reyne Berke and witnessed by the honour hee did them how well hee was satisfied with their actions returned to the Louvre leaving them amongst the Ladies Cleander finding out his Calista who shined among the faire ones as the bright Moon doth among the Starres in a cleere night went unto her being betweene Olinda and Argire no lesse joyfull for his return than for Lisanders honourable atchievement who heaped up so many proofes of his valour one upon another that the last made the first forgotten This Argire whom wee here named was a faire Lady who among many slaves unto her beauty had captivated Alcidon who was not long before hee came unto her Lidian also and Clarangeus tooke either of them Olinda by the arme who remembring the bloody quarrell which they for her sake had had betweene them was in great care to content them both with such indifference that they might have no cause to be jealous and Cleander with Lisander saluting Calista in kissing her said in her eare Friend make much of this Knight for without him your brother and I had not beene here now Sir answered Calista this is not the first time that he hath obliged us and that his good offices have exceeded all meanes of acknowledgement But yet although hee hath taken from us the power the will at the least shall remain with us which is onely left unto us to pay those unvaluable courtesies Madam replyed Lisander the services which I have done you are smal in respect of those which I together with all the world doe owe unto your merit and I thinke you doe reproach me for their smalnesse when you speake of their greatnesse and that so highly honouring such poore actions you would make mee blush out of shame that I have done them Many other discourses past betweene them which I omit desiring rather to relate matter than words They retired all together unto Cleanders house where Calista prevailed with Olinda and Argire to stay supper besides whom they were visited with many other Ladies and Monsieurs of the Court. After supper Lisander Alcidon Lidian and Clarangeus leaving Cleander and Berontus to entertaine those which came in retired themselves to the Ladies who were apart and entertained them with extraordinary discourses because Lisander could not speake particularly to Calista before the company nor Alcidon to Argire and lesse could Lidian speake unto Olinda because of Clarangeus who gathered all their words and besides the passions of love felt also those of jealousie wherfore Olinda spake to neither of them as little as shee could that shee might not offend but addressed her speech unto the brave Lisander who speaking but little and that God knowes farre from his heart stood as if he were there onely to judge of others discourse And you brave Sir said she will you be alwayes as free as you are invincible Can it bee that so much valour can be altogether unaccompanied with love Wee are all unhappy and ought to account little of our beauties that we are not able to give one wound to your minde Lisander and Calista had much adoe to forbeare blushing at these words And Argire seeing that he answered not spake unto Olinda Thinke you Madam that seeing that greatest courages are most subject unto this passion that his can bee free For my part I doe not thinke him lesse amorous than others but I thinke him more discreet and I beleeve his flame is so much the more violent by how much he desireth to hide it Truely she had reason and failed not but who would not have thought that she had discovered the secret of Calista's affection who hearing her love thus discoursed by persons who knew nothing thereof could not well tell what to judge of it In the meane time Lisander calling himselfe from the deepe silence wherein hee stood as if hee were lost in it answered both of them in this manner Since that Mars himselfe was not able to resist love in a time when hee had not those armes which you give him there is no great appearance that I should be able to vanquish him now hee being armed with those unavoidable arrowes of your beauties But alas why should I say that I am vanquished what would it availe mee to complaine of an evill whereof I can hope for no remedy What doe you know answered Argire it may be said she you sigh secretly for one who would be very glad that your complaints made knowne might oblige her to give you that remedy which you desire All the company laughed at Argires answer And Calista to augment the pleasure fearing lest her too much reservednesse might raise a suspicion that she was interest in the discourse followed in this manner If I knew this proud one who inslaveth so much glory in captivating you and that I were perswaded my prayers would have easier accesse unto her than your merits I would never forbeare importuning of her untill she did leave her cruelty towards you in yeelding that recompence which your valour meriteth and I doe assure my selfe here is none in this company who doth not promise as much wherefore if you desire we should employ our selves for you and that you doe not lessen us so much as to beleeve our intercession is unprofitable or that you presume not so much of your selfe to thinke you have no need of our helpe tell us this faire ones name who hath the honour to possesse you to the end
withall I told you what hindered me from acknowledging them and to let you see that you lose the glory of your good turnes by the recompence which you require is there any appearance of justice or reason that for having saved my fathers my brothers and my husbands lives you should bind me to make them lose their honour Do you think that if I should forget my selfe so farre I could excuse my selfe upon the obligations wherein I am tyed unto you and justifie the injury which I should doe them by the services which you have done unto me Content your selfe that I have no lesse griefe to give you this command than you have to receive it and the same passion which you feele because you cannot obtain that which you unlawfully desire I suffer because I cannot lawfully yeeld it unto you At this word Calista went out of the doore leaving Lisander in that confusion and perplexity which may easily bee imagined Hee went three or foure times about the chamber sat down and rose cast himselfe upon his bedde and not finding in any place the rest which he every where sought for after a thousand discourses in his imagination as little resolved as he was at the first hee used these words O ungratefull woman and I more foole to thinke the earth could beare other Well Calista death shall free mee from thy cruelty if thy tyranny doth not stretch after death and so thou shalt avoide the sight of mee but not of my Ghost which together with the Furies revengers of my blood shall alwayes hang about thy necke yet I will not dye before I my selfe have enjoyed the contentment of my revenge and doe shew thee that I am as able to hurt thee as to oblige thee Was there no meanes but a pretence of courtesie like a gentle bit in a horse mouth to constraine me to endure this womans indignities But stay thy madnesse Lisander thou thy selfe art both ungratefull and disloyall whereof thou complainest base as thou art thou doest with infidelity and treachery go about to deceive thy friend thou doest also injurie Calista because she will not consent unto thy wickednesse Alas who shall punish mee for these crimes and if I be not punished who shall ever pardon me Thus Lisander sometimes injuring Calista and then crying her mercy digested his bitternesse with so much anguish that hee thought hee should end his life with the day insomuch that Cleander who in the morning left him in good disposition comming home at night with Alcidon and Berontus without hearing newes either of Lidian or Clarangeus found him sicke in his bed Yet he rose early in the morning before Sun and went unto Cleander who was a bed with Calista unto whom having given him good morrovv hee said that resting better this night than hee had done although with terrible disquiets out of the feare hee had that Clarangeus and Lidian might fight againe he found himselfe so well that he was resolved never to rest untill hee had either found the one or the other But my deare friend said Cleander the weake estate wherein you are will not permit you Lesse will my care suffer mee to take rest answered Lisander for if it should happen so unfortunately that they should fight againe I should never enjoy my life When replyed Cleander will you come againe So soone as I shall find them answered Lisander who having embraced him went from him unto the side of the bedde where Calista lay unto whom in saluting her he said aloud Madam I should leave you with more sorrow if I did not know how acceptable the service will be which I goe about to doe unto you Cleander beleeved that hee spake this in respect of Lidian but Calista better apprehending his speeches referred them to his departure yet faining to understand them in the other sense answered thus Sir you have tyed us in so many bonds that although you bring backe my brother hardly can wee bee more obliged for debts being infinite cannot bee encreased and from this infinitenesse it followes that not onely your services are agreeable but all your other actions in respect of them although they were not so in their owne nature but onely your departure which in regard it doth deprive us of the contentment wee receive in your company cannot bee pleasing unto us Lisander said nothing unto this but having kissed her went his way speaking to himselfe O treacherous Calista how artificially dost thou hide thy malice and minglest sweetnesse with cruelty From thence he went to take leave of Alcidon and Berontus who would at any hand accompany him but he remonstrated unto them that it was much better for them to separate themselves the easier to finde their friends So going alone hee tooke his way towards Burgundy and stayed not before he was come unto a sister of his called Ambrisia who had beene married in that countrey and then was a young widow rich of a great spirit and of an excellent beauty who receiving her brother as the dearest thing in the world could not so divert his melancholy but that after hee had strove the space of a moneth against his love hee yeelded to the violence thereof and fell from this melancholy into a strange sickenesse which produced the most admirable effects that ever memory hath heard In the meane time Cleander having a journey to make into Italy to dispose of some possessions which hee had in Naples into which place for the like effect hee was accustomed to goe every three yeeres left Berontus with Calista and Calista accompanied with the heaviest solitarinesse that ever she was reduced unto And unto him there happened this accident so memorable that I think the like is seldome found in any history He being gone a great way in Italy to a place called Aquapendent at which place alwaies in his journey to Naples hee was accustomed to lodge the place was inconvenient enough and Cleander came so late that the lodgings were all taken and hee forced to travell further or lye in the streets He asked to speake with his old Host who said hee before hee would have suffered mee to bee thus unprovided would have lyen out of his owne bedde for me Answer was made that his old Host was dead yet there was a chamber where a bedde if he pleased should be made for him but of late time it had beene frequented with spirits for which cause no man durst lye there Let me have a bedde there said Cleander I had rather lye there with them than in the streets with my men A bedde was then made in a chamber which he knew to be the very same wherein he was accustomably lodged in the life time of his old Host where having supped with his people and being readie for his bedde his servants retired to looke for such lodgings as the straitnesse of the house would affoord leaving him with the doore shut unto him sitting by the fire side
with griefe and pity in his minde which neverthelesse hee dissembled and giving backe the letter unto Lisander for answer said My friend tell Calista that if she were innocent as she writeth unto me she need not to aggravate her crime rather than justifie her selfe breake prison nor flie with him who is the cause of her doing this wickednes but if she be so assured of her innocency as that she can verifie it let her returne into the place from whence shee is escaped I will become her Solicitour and will employ all that I am worth to recover her honour and assure her life shewing my selfe as good a Father as I have beene in former times when shee lived according to that blood and nobleness from whence she is issued but to thinke that shee living in the opinion of having killed her husband and now conversing with his murderer I ought to account her my daughter or regard her letters of teares she is much deceived and so I pray tell her Lisander never heard words so grievous as those not daring to answer again yet he was constrained to say that he knew Calista Lisander so well that the quality of a murderer was no way fitting to the one nor of an adulteresse unto the other that hee would sweare they were both innocent of what they were accused but by that which he had heard the cause which hindred them from justifying themselves was Lisanders not daring to present himselfe And why doth he not present himselfe if hee be innocent answered Dorilas Because replied Lisander hee had some small time before killed Cloridon and Chrisantes and thereby incurred the Kings displeasure and he you know is astrong adversary Dorilas with pleasure hearing this discourse and being glad to understand Calista's justification especially Lisanders unto whom hee was so exceedingly obliged entreated him to relate all that hee had heard reported Lisander then told him how hee had left his sword after hee had killed Chrisantes which was found by Leon who was since gone out of the way he being in love with Clarinda had beene the cause of this pitifull tragedy as you have heard with this discourse Dorilas was much pleased yet was not resolved to send for his daughter Calista neither did hee know that shee was so nigh Lisander having told him that she was in Frisland but asking if Lisander were with her and the same Lisander assuring him that he was not hee said hee was the onely man of the world unto whom hee was bound and that hee should receive no lesse contentment to understand his innocency than his daughters that in truth hee did wish him all being carried away with the common beliefe of this false report But seeing it was so hee would goe speedily to the Court whither hee had seen Lillian to employ all his friends to restore 〈◊〉 to the Kings 〈◊〉 to the end that purging himselfe together with Calista from the murther of Cleander hee might receive them both into his house as his children And that in the meane time Calista in the place where shee was should expect newes from him and should endevour to preserve that which he did assure himselfe she had not lost Whilest Dorilas thus spake unto Lisander without knowing him Otranta not marking him read Calista's letter which contained these words Calista's Letter unto her Mother MAdam when Fortune had so wounded mee as to take from me together with my husband the contentment the glory and the liberty which I had in the world one of my greatest comforts next unto that which I had in God in my Conscience was to remember that yet I had left a pitifull Mother who according to those deare affections which she had ever witnessed would never abandon me in so great a desolation beleeving that I had not lost all and that if God had taken from mee the best husband in the world yet he had left me the best Mother under Heaven and a Father who had ever shewed himselfe kinde unto his daughter and yours Neverthelesse Madam I have been driven to fall from this comfort to my extreme griefe when I knew that you had not only left me but for the top of all my misfortunes that those whom nature had given me for my Parents were become mine enemies Those things which are most to bee esteemed are such as ought most to bee sorrowed for when they are lost and I have not onely lost your affection Madam which of all things in this world is most deare unto mee but it is turned into hatred towards mee and from being honourable and profitable as it hath beene it is become so ruinous unto me that I should have been buried in the miserablest reputation that ever poore woman was if my honour and my life had not miraculously beene preserved by him who is falsly accused of Cleanders death Calista's overthrow I have said and doe most humbly entreat you Madam to pardon me that your hatred doth mee injury many waies for besides that it maketh every one beleeve that I am justly accused of that which is imputed unto mee or at the least hath confirmed the beliefe which was already had of my guiltinesse seeing that my Parents would not embrace my defence it hath constrained me if I would not dye without justifying my selfe and in the opinion of an infamous Adulteresse and Murtherer of my Husband to receive succour refuge from him who is yet all bloody with my husbands death if it be true that he is guilty which is the fairest pretence and the most lively appearance wherewith mine enemies have been able to colour the falsenesse of their imposture and whereat I cannot complaine but onely at the hardnesse of my Parents Madam I doe once againe intreat you to pardon me my just and incomparable griefes cannot frame small complaints If you knew what I have suffered you would abhor that ever you had brought into the world so miserable a creature if you will not take pity of my life at the least take knowledge thereof be not more cruell than my Adversaries nor more criminall than my Judges Shall it be said that a Mother refuseth her eyes to the deportments or her eares to the justification of her daughter and if you would not that I should have recourse unto you Madam unto whom would you then that I should have recourse Tell mee from whom I should hope for more or in whom I may better rely than in you who are my Mother And let fortune shoot all the arrowes of her anger upon mee if shee hath any remaining which I have not felt yet shee shall never doe so much but that Madam I will be alwayes your most humble and most obedient daughter Calista It cannot be said that two letters so pitifull from a daughter so faire did not touch hearts so noble as those of her Parents for they were pierced even to the very soule but it may be truly said that
last order by which not presenting himselfe within three weekes hee was to be declared guilty of the crimes whereof he was accused That all France wondred at his not appearance in this needfull occasion and did thinke him convicted That his friends could not tell what to thinke nor what to doe but onely to present themselves at the last day to fight with his accusers in his absence But what a shame would that be said he in the sight of so great a King that Lisanders friends should enter combate for his cause he in the meane time being idle in the countrey Adrastus more vexed at this last newes than at the former knew not what answer to make unto Lidians speeches but that they had neither heard of Gentleman nor any man else that brought letter from Dorilas that this was the first word hee had heard of his pardon And as for Lisander see what is written unto me which I received but now and saying this hee shewed him Hippolita's letter Lidian marvelling that there was no newes of the Gentleman and sorry that he had missed of Lisander comforted himselfe with hearing that hee was gone unto the Court and giving unto Adrastus and Hypermestra Ambrisia's letter wherewith they were much rejoiced hee stayed only one night at Miramont departing the next morning early and determining to see Hippolita as he passed by as well for the estimation was made of her as to make a true discovery of Lisanders waies hee found her such as she was described unto him exceeding faire and having understood by her that Lisander was gone towards Bourdeaux and by easie journies he thought if he did goe Poste he might come thither as soone as Lisander for which cause hee tooke his leave being much satisfied with her fashion and behaviour and presently tooke his way after his friend Neverthelesse Lisander had made such haste thinking his father was still at his heeles that he was departed from Bourdeaux the very day that Lidian came thither wherefore beleeving that it was not Gods will out of some secret judgement which hee understood not that he should meet him he resolved to ride no more after him esteeming it unprofitable seeing he travelled to bring him unto a place whither it was said he was gone before And hearing of the great tilting which was to bee in England hee resolved to breake a Launce there a consideration worthy of a rash man rather than of Lidian who knew well the great griefe wherein he had left his parents neither would he ever have undertaken this journy but through the assurance which was given him in so many severall places that Lisander was gone unto the Court. Let us now returne unto Calista whom we have left wandring alone so long and see what became of her After that shee was gone from Clarevall her horse which was accustomed to Paris way brought her about breake of the day unto the gates of that great City and then remembring the times which she formerly spent there in the glory of her fortune and comparing it unto her present misery her heart was likely to melt in her breast and come forth at her eyes Ah Calista said shee what meanest thou to doe what designe hast thou taken unto what extremity hath thy misfortune reduced thee darest thou ever returne before the face of thy parents having thus injured them But coward as thou art why speakest thou either of comming in thy parents sight or of living in the world after this affront No no Calista thou must dye once for all and in dying tye about the necke of thy ungratefull Lover the revenging furies of this death In saying this she entred into the city covering with her cloake her face which was all wet with teares and went to seeke for a lodging toward the Temple the most retired part of all Paris lest she should be knowne Having rested a little if the griefe which did continually racke her may be called rest she called her Hoste and intreated him to get her a servant who was an honest fellow could dresse a horse and to cause an Armorer to come unto her An Armorer answered my Hoste you shall presently have but an honest servant is not found in a small time yet I will get you such a one for whom assurance shall be given Saying this he caused an Armorer to be sent for of whom shee bespake an armour complete all blacke with a devise of a wheele like unto one of those used in watring of gardens incompassed with water-pots some full and others empty his word was Los llenos de dolar ylos vazios de Speransa and entreated him to make it as speedily as was possible Now shee knew the combate which the King had granted unto Lucidan in case Lisander did not appeare within three weeks or some other for him which she beleeving he would not do considering the ingagement of his new love did resolve to fight with him for Lisander whom she accounted her enemy certainly determining to die in the fight and cause therby sorrow and griefe unto Lucidan for killing of her in thinking to kill Lisander and make Lisander repent that ever he had left her seeing that although he had despised her and betrayed her yet she would lose her life for him All being fantasticke passions of a woman blinded with love and jealousie Now let us make a steppe into great Britaine waiting for the tilting day We left Lisander on his way thither and Lidian following him shortly after But to relate all things in their order Lisander being come unto London keeping himselfe secret caused Armes to be made for him of an ashie colour which hidde the sparkles of a lively fire spotted with Flower-de-luces of silver his device was a Love tied to a pillar in the middle of a faggot kindled by a Lady the word was Alwayes constant his Feather was Gree de liu and white his Coate of Armes and caparison of his horse Gris de liu embroidered with silver Lidian comming the next day to the towne caused Armes to bee made of Azure colour spotted with starres of gold without number his Device was a Love holding a Dart in the mouth an Olive branch in the hand and having a goose at his feete holding a stone in the bill the word was Leale secreto a devise which he had made in the time when Clarangeus his jealousie made him love no lesse secretly than faithfully his Lady Olinda His feather was yellow and blew his coate armour and the caparison of his horse was of blew Velvet embroidered with gold The tilting was begunne before the Armes of our Knights could bee finished The Tourney was in this manner with Launces having steeled and sharpned heads and in open field hee who was overthrowne at the tilting might not demand the combate with the sword but if they both fell unto the ground or that after the breaking of three launces they remained unhorsed it was
neerest port they set saile for Callis and although by all tokens they were threatned with a violent storme yet Lisanders impatience was so great that whatsoever the Mariners said and what token soever of foule weather they marked hee would not abide untill it was past We will leave them passing the straight betweene England and France and returne unto Calista who having got armour some ten dayes before the three weekes were expired which were given unto Lisander one evening armed her selfe from head unto foot and onely with one Lackey which her Hoste had procured unto her she rid from Paris to lye at Suren from whence the next morning shee sent a letter of challenge unto Lucidan of this substance Calista her Letter to Lucidan LUcidan you have offered the King to fight with a Knight now absent whom you dare not looke in the face if hee were present and undertaken to verifie that by Armes which you cannot doe by justice Seeing then his absence hath given you this boldnesse his right bindes me to maintain him and shew you as much reason in his defence as you have passion in your prosecution for which purpose I expect you in the plaines of Suren with a good horse a good sword and good arms such as the K. hath granted you above all a good hart to abate your pride and make you repent your undertaking an evill cause Informe not your selfe of my name for you shall not understand it untill after the combat if you remain alive but be contented to know that I am a Knight Lisanders friend whom you hate and so consequently your enemy Calista having dispatched this letter and instructed her Lackey of his name and lodging unto whom he was to deliver it all armed mounted on horseback and accompanying him about a mile staied in the middle of a great field which is betweene Suren and an Abby of religious women called Longchampe whither she commanded him to come to her framing in the meane time such discourses in her minde which none but she onely could speake The Lackey no lesse diligent than faithfull and although he knew not his Master yet made such haste that hee tooke Lucidan in his bedde where hee was rather musing upon Calista's beauty and of her losse which hee had heard of than of such newes which having received he was much troubled not onely to know who this Knight should be so good a friend unto Lisander who would expose his life for his honour but also to resolve how to content him for it troubled him much to refuse him and on the other side he thought as it was true that a combat being granted at his instance and appointed by the King he should much offend his Majesty if hee should enter into a private one which was forbidden by the lawes wherefore after a long debate in his minde ballancing sometimes upon one side and then upon another he answered in this manner Lucidan his Answer KNight it is true that I have offered to combat with Lisander or any other of his friends such as you witnesse your selfe to be But not that his absence hath given mee courage or thinking him so dangerous that I dare not looke him in the face it is also true that if I could verifie by justice what I intend to prove by armes there would bee no need of any combate but it followeth not therefore that I prosecute it with passion or that hee hath reason on his side and if you have so much desire to maintaine his right as I have to shew the injury hee did unto Chrisantes and Cloridon you need not make choice of the solitary plaines of Suren but rather the field for battaile appointed by the King and at the time which he also hath set downe and there make knowne not alone unto his Majesty but unto the eyes of all France the justice of our cause by the end of our combate To effect this you neede onely to have patience but eight dayes in which time you may moderate your choler and learne that your threatnings do bring you more neglect and shame than they will either feare or hurt me I will not informe my selfe of your name seeing you dare not tell it but will content my selfe with the knowledge that you are a Knight my enemy of whose courage I doubt not having assured my selfe that the King hath not in vaine granted the liberty of combate unto your friend Lucidan Lucidan having given the Lackey this answer entred into a deepe imagination who this Knight should bee who not respecting the Kings displeasure defied him with so much daring sometimes hee thought it was Lidian who would not discover himselfe in respect of the agreement betweene them and sometimes hee thought it was Lisander himselfe who would prevent the time appointed and make a private duell of a combate which ought to be publicke But Calista finding by his answer that fortune constrained her to keepe her life which shee would so willingly lose confirmed her selfe more than ever in her despaire and not knowing where to spend the eight dayes which with so much sorrow she had left to see the light of the Sunne determined to retire her selfe unto Longchampe amongst the religious women untill the day of the combate cursing Lucidan that he had not accepted this challenge although that she greatly in her heart commended his discretion who wanted neither courage nor judgement in his young yeares As shee was going towards Longchampe having already given her helmet unto her Lackey she saw upon the way towards Paris a man travelling in great haste presently she had a conceit to go neare him which shee no sooner thought but did and instantly knew him although hee were in other fashion than when shee last saw him It was the Porter who had delivered her out of the Castle at Paris whom Lisander had sent into Normandy unto her as wee have formerly said then when hee went into England Hee came at this time from Bellaire where not finding Calista hee went to Paris where he was told he should heare of her at Olinda's When he saw Calista in Armour he knew her not but she not knowing that hee dwelt with Lisander called him by his name and using him with a great deale of courtesie offered to acknowledge with all her power the service which he had done her The Porter astonished both with wonder and joy to finde her whom hee sought for when hee least looked for it as also at her being armed made her also marvell more when he gave her Lisanders letter her lively colour blushed in her cheekes and fledde away incontinently her knees trembled and her horse bridle fell out of her hands and likely herselfe also to fall unto the ground strucken with astonishment at so unhoped for newes and with the griefe which the memory of Lisander made her feele In the end going into a wood hard by shee gave her horse unto her footman commanding
great courage than with all the excuses and submissions which hee could make and receiving this perplexity for a testimony of his sorrow resolved to pardon him whereupon cleering the beams of her face which griefe and danger had darkned and beholding him with a more pleasing eye than shee had done at the first entrance she loosened his tongue whereby he had power to utter these words Madam I take heaven to witnesse that it was force and not will which hath constrained me to offend you and that now it is will not force which bringeth mee for your satisfaction to offer you my life intreating you to do it so much honor as to think it worthy of your revenge I could wish that I had something more deare unto me if by the losse thereof you might be better satisfied But seeing I have nothing whereof I can dispose more deere unto me than my life since that hath committed the fault I doe entreate you to sacrifice it to your anger and receive this voluntary reparation of a constrained injury Ah Lisander answered Hippolita you have much more grace than reason in excusing the wrongs which you have done but tell mee I pray you what hath miserable Hippolita done unto you that you should so poorely betray her facility for I doe not bewaile the wounds which I have exacted from you nor your words which strength of passion and of truth obliged you to speake unto me thinking you had spoken unto Calista But of those which from a free motion you have of your owne accord uttered falsly perswading me that you only lived for mee It is true Madam answered Lisander that I have spoken something of love unto you pressed by the instance and authority of my parents who much desired that I should serve you but never out of any free motion as you have beleeved for not onely then but long time before I had the honour to see you I was promised unto Calista Calista unto mee But though her absence and the object of your present beauty should have wrought mee unto it yet had it not beene from a free motion but constrained by the violence of a passion which you cause in many others And am I thinke you beyond others so free from passion that I cannot be subject unto it Is it a crime to love a thing so lovely Am I the onely man in the world who at divers times in divers places hath served two Mistresses or rather was there ever Knight that hath loved but one Lady It is no justification of your crime replied Hippolita to alledge examples of others infidelity but contrariwise it is an inwrapping of their faults with yours and a charging your selfe with them for the same evill You are a better Knight than a faithfull Lover in this time when it is a bravery amongst many to sport themselves with the love of Ladies you have let mee see heretofore the quickenesse of your spirit but I did never so plainely discerne it as in this occasion wherein you want no faire words good reasons at the least in appearance to colour so evill a cause I am sorry you have no better that I might have lesse cause to complaine of you and more to pardon you But an offence of this nature is not so easily justified as committed yet I thinke you have one reason which your discretion concealeth I see I must utter it my self against my selfe that is the subject for which you leave mee is of such perfection that she meriteth not only an excuse for you but also that you should bee commended for so worthy a choice for although you had loved me before you saw her as you loved her before you saw mee and that you were the faithfullest lover that ever had name yet shee hath charmes enough to make you lose your constancy and to make you ungratefull and perfidious to all the world to bee constant and acknowledging unto her only and this comfort at the least remaines unto me that if you have left me it is for a Lady who doth merit it and whose beauty incomparably surpassing all others doth lessen the sorrow the shame which I may conceive for her being preferred before me yet one thing I would intreat of you which is that though I have lost your affection you would neverthelesse preserve unto mee your good will and assure your selfe that you may well bee possessed by some other but I shall onely be yours Lisander no lesse ravished with the beauties than with the spirit and judgement of Hippolita could not answer but with sighes and offering her his humble service with a perfect friendship sorrowing that hee could not give himselfe unto her being not his owne Erifila then seeing them in this faire way of agreemēt said unto her Madam I have promised this Knight that he should returne this day to ease his Father of a combate which he is to have with Verascus but hee may be there time enough although he come but to morrow How answered Hippolita is there a combate assigned betweene Adrastus and Verascus I Madam replied Erifila who presently told what they had learned of the Poste in passing by at Pointoise Upon my honour said Hippolita it shall not goe so It is I who have made the first overture and Adrastus can be but my second if there be two accusers and there being but one it is I who must make the battaile I Madam answered Lisander if I were not present but all being enterprised upon my occasion and in my absence it is not reasonable that I being present any other should defend my right Besides I have Leon here who will depose my innocency who being heard I doe not thinke any combate will be necessary unlesse it be between him and mee if hee will denie the truth which he hath confessed I will tell you what we will doe said Hippolita to morrow I shall bee able notwithstanding my wounds to goe in two dayes to Paris for by your onely comming I finde my selfe almost well and we will appeare all together A thousand other faire words said they amongst themselves which I cannot repeat but to be short after the day was spent and a good part of the night in this manner the next morning they rose very early to goe to Paris as they had determined Hippolita's wounds were the cause they could not come thither before the day of the combate which was already begun Adrastus of one side and Verascus of the other were both come into the field the first in his armes whose colour and device we have already spoken of and the other in tawnie armour having for his device an Austridge holding an horse shoe in the mouth with this word Sic nutriantur fortes He was followed by all Cleanders kinsmen excepting Berontus who would not be there neither for one nor other Adrastus was accompanied with Dorilas Lidian Alcidon Lucidan and many others They were both couragious