Mountaine and desirous to observe that which my deare Master had prescribed him tooke his leave of him assoone as he could and departed towards his owne home to fast there those delights which the possession of the faire Coriza could give him Zelmatida who was honored as a god amongst those rusticall people was looked after with so good successe that in fifteen daies by virtue of those herbes they applied to them his woundes were all closed up and cured I cannot relate to you the love those Mexicans shewed him nor their well treating him Amongst all their kindnesses he still mused on his journy and thinking on the predictions of Tisnatidez imagined the event of things cleane contrary to that which hapned If said he to himselfe a combate whereof the Hie-priest told me not but as of an accident scarce considerable hath brought me to the extreamity wherein I am I must presently resolve to perish in that which I am to undertake at Mexico I remember well his very words There said he speaking of the burning Mountaine you shall finde against whom to exercise your courage And when you have overcome your enemies goe on neere to a Towne that gives name to the Kingdome of Mexico It wil be ther that you wil have need of all your forces What extraordinary forces should the gods send me continued Zelmatida to be a victor yet on the second occasion since in this first I have met with none which have not been almost overcome This consideration lasted no longer then his sicknesse Assoone as he could walke he forgot what was passed and feared not what was to come after Yet staied he sometime with those people to get his perfect health and strength and to exterminate that mischievous brood of Robbers He therefore got abroad followed by all the inhabitants of the mountaine and marched into the thickest of the woods and the depth of the caves to finde out those publike pestilences In eight daies he executed of them two hundred and discovering the last place of their retreit he besieged them and after two or three affaults seeing they were too well entrench'd to be taken he permitted the poore people whom these monsters had so long time persecuted to burne them and for ever to destroy the seede of them When he sawe that there was no more to doe for the safety of the villagers he thank'd them for the respect he had there found and by a speech that drew teares from all that were about him promised his assistance whensoever they should stand in neede of it He thought by this that he had bid them farewell but he was much deceiv'd when he would have beene gone They told him that for the good he had done to all the country they were bound to conduct him where his valour should receive the reward it had deserved This new promise of honour displeased him extreamly but well hee might strive to put it off and feigne important designes to alter the resolutions of those people 't was all to no purpose and when he thought to have stolne from them hee found it as much impossible There was nothing then but patience goe he must and be content to conforme himselfe to the will of his rusticaâ—…ll and indiscrete admirers The day of their departing agreed on there assembled at least five or six hundred accoutred after their manner that was from the gyrdle to their knees cover'd with feathers of divers colours Hats of flowres on their heads and bowes and arrowes in their hands They were ready to dislodge at day breake and as soone as Zelmatida was ready they put themselves in order and marched by sixe and sixe before him They sung in such a tone as was never heard and leaping and dancing in such postures enough to make a man die with laughing seem'd to leave nothing undone which could be wish'd for by their deliverer One amongst them that had the stature of a Gyant carried a Lance made of an entyre tree at whose end hee had fixed the head Popocampecho and underneath were hung his armes in manner of a trophy Zelmatida followed accompanied with two men that Tumanama had left him Fifteene or twenty of Popocampechoes companions whom they had kept alive for this tryumph were bound in chaines of gold and came after my deare Lord compell'd by the bastonadoes of their guard which were often redoubled in remembrance of the miseries they had formerly endured by them During all the journey the King passed not by any place that was inhabited where he was not received with all the honour that they could have given to Montezuma himselfe Those that liv'd on the high way prepar'd Sacrifices for him and presented themselves with the same respects and ceremonies as they observ'd before their gods Those which abode further off came to attend him as hee passed with presents and all gave him the title of their Deliverer as if in the death of Popocampecho he had exterminated all the Monsters of Mexico After many of such pleasant dayes travell the King espied a towne farre greater then all the rest he had seene in his journey He asked the name of it of the most eminent of his troupe who told him that it was the capitall City of the kingdome called Mexico and that they conducted him thither to be presented to the Queene Hismelita who in the absence of Montezuma did performe all the royall offices The king hath commanded me to tell you that this newes amaz'd him with such an apprehension that he never met with before He knew before the end of this day that this feare had beene the certaine presage of his imprisonment and a secret advertisement which he received from the gods to observe all those things which they had anounced to him by the mouth of their hye-Priest But in lieu of giving this explication to his feare he condemn'd himselfe as a weake man and taking rash resolutions scorn'd all the perills which he was to run through This done he began to take notice of the marvelous seituation of Mexico and before hee came on that long causeway which crosseth the marshes where it is built stay'd in a Playne so covered with flowres and trees compassed with so many channells and watred with so many sources of living fountaines that he confest there was nothing more delightfull to be seen He had walk'd a little while amongst those trees when they which marched in the van stopped and caused the rest to doe so too The reason of this stay was soone knowne as well by the shoutes of some as the talke of others The most forward came to the King and told him that Hismalita was set downe in that meadowe with all her Court and should seeme was expresly come thither to receive him Presently Zelmatida commanded that all those that were before him should open their ranks and range themselves in file on both sides the way It was as soone done as commanded and then the
upon us O Sorceror which empoysonest by thy fateries O Basiliske which murdrest whomsoever thou beholdest Accursed love which whilst I live shalt be the object of my hatred and imprecations By thee the most valiant and generous of all Kings hath lost the use of reason the fairest time of his life the desire of honour and the hope of a thousand conquests Through thee he goes like a mad man to assaile all alone a whole Nation and expose himselfe to the fury and derision of a hundred thousand Barbarians Through thee he hath altred the order of nature the necessity of his condition and of a great Prince as he was borne he is become a new Monster of the Ocean the playing toy of the windes and waves the outcast of the rocks and the prey of Pirates It may be at this houre I speake he is tossed by some surious tempest sees all the elements animated aginst his temerity and findes himselfe at the point of paying by a sad shipwrack the contempt he hath had of that absolute power which with an equall justice disposeth both of the calmes and tempest The Vice-roy's feare was not only provident but propheticall for at the very time he spoke Polexander expected but constantly the shipwrack which threatned him Yet he escaped it and after the surmounting many perrills landed in a little Bourg which is but two dayes journey from Copenhagen He came on shoare in that place to thinke advisedly on what he was to doe for his cloathing himselfe after the Danish fashion to avoide the exposing his person in strange habits to the fight of the vulgar people of Copenhagen He had not much Danish but he had enough for not being a stranger among that rude Nation When he had put all things in order he got on horseback with Alcippus and Diceus and tooke the next way to the chiefe City He lodged first night in a great Towne a little dayes journey from it and rising about breake of day which was then about ten of the cloack he rid a great way before he baited and having not past five houres of way more to ride he entred into a great wood of firre trees and had scarce gone two hundred paces but he was ingaged to stay and read in a copper table fixed to a tree the way he was to take Whilst he made that inquisition he heard a great noice and making a stand lent his eare and judged there were some theeves robbing of passengers his innate goodnesse soliciting for their succour he rid towards them and leaving his way tooke another far narrower which seemed to lead to an old Castle which he saw on the knap of a mountaine When he was come to some ruines which he saw in a little open bottome he perceived a man with his sword drawne defending himselfe against five who would either have taken or murdred him Wounded he was in many places yet did not his woundes deprive him of strength or courage The King made in to second him and instantly mingled amongst the murtherers made them feele the weight of his blowes and gave them not time to perpetrate that crime they had begun The Dane perceiving the assistance which was as 't were miraculously betided him tooke breath joyning with his defender fell'd on the earth the last of his enemies He thought the combate done when Alcippus and Diceus cried out and he looking about saw ten new cut throats came to charge him who questionlesse had surprised him without their advertisement With that Polexander alighted so did Alcippus Diceus who was a Souldier followed them and the Dane shewing himselfe more resolute and untoyled then before went foremost to meet those traitours and no lesse terrified them by his threats then his blowes Alcippus valiant even to rashnesse flew on one of the theeves but whilst he laid him in the dust was charged behind and so pressed that he could not turne head He received so unfortunate a blow that he lost the motion of his right arme and by consequence the meanes of using his sword He was even compelled to sit downe and leave to others the taking of revenge which he was desperate of being able to performe himselfe Polexander no sooner saw him unfit for further combate but he ran to him and so manfully sustained the stroake of the enemy that he deprived them of their obstinacy of fighting The Dane had a great part in this defeate and Diceus was not without acquâ—…ing a greate deale of honour there The combate being ended Polexander went againe to see in what case Alcippus was and thought him dead when he saw him bleed so exceedingly But Diceus assured him he had no other hurt then a veine cut and that 't was nothing They quickly saw he spoake truth for he stopped the blood by the first swathband Presently the Dane came to Polexander and seeming almost nothing weakened by his woundes I cannot said he render you service that may any way equalize the obligations I owe you Did I owe you but my life I could be in hope of acquitting my selfe by offring you that little of it which I have remaining But being engaged to you for my honour and my life I can neither finde words sufficient to expresse my gratitude nor what to doe to returne a satisfaction Neverthelesse let me know who you are and what fortune so favourable for me conducted you to this wood That little of life which my wounds have left me beseecheth you not to retard that favour for which I petition Polexander would have answered him so as he might have beene contented but some twenty paces from him he saw a woman of a very good countenance though she seemed not young who was mightily affrighted As soone as the Dane saw her he thought no more of what he had asked Polexander nor may be on his woundes He opened his lips to speake but his strength failing he fell downe as dead O! Heaven cried the Lady seeing him fall must I needes be so miserable And therewithall comming neere to one of the slaine and a while considering him perfidious Adolphus said she hast thou thus betraied me Or rather see how thou hast betrayed thy selfe Heaven is just and its wisdome permits not rancor and malice to have alwaies the upper hand of innocency Which done she ran to succour the Dane whom Polexander had so well assisted and after she had oftentimes called him her Sonne and her hope commanded a Maiden that followed her to run quickly to fetch her Essence and call some of her servants The Maiden hastned and quickly returned with all she was sent for The Lady then powred some drops of a very cleare water into the Danes mouth and presently he came from his swound Wherewith the Ladies servants lifted him into a coppered chaire and would have carried him away but he commanded to stay and intreating Polexander to come neere yeelded him thousands of thankes then giving him a picture boxe covered with
concealing from him part of what I knew intreated him that for his owne quiet and the content of his Subjects he would cause the Princesse to be nursed in some safe place and to put so many guards about her that it might not be in the power of any of his Subjects much lesse of any stranger to see her The King would know particulerly what I gave him this coucell but beseeching him to cause Xaira to be brought before I passed further he commanded five or six of his principall Officers to goe fetch her from the Queen As they who were thus commanded were about to obey him they heard a great noise and at the same time saw the Queen enter into Quasmez chamber all undressed and so transported from her selfe that had she not hapned on the Kings bed she had fallen in a swound on the planching Quasmez astonied as well by the Queens swounding as by the councell I late gave him knew not whether I would conceale from him the death of his wife in shewing the feare I was in for that of his Daughter And in this doubt he bewayled his wife as if she had been dead and looking on me now and then with his eyes full of teares I feare said he my Father lest the gods be incensed against me to see that I have neglected them to bestow all my cares and affection upon a creature I had noâ—… leasure to answer him for five or six women all bloudy with dishevelled haires rushed at the same time into his chamber and casting themselves about his bed even terrified us to see them teare their faces and beate their heads against the floore This tragicall beginning was ended by yet more bloudy actions Foure men with stating eyes and foaming mouthes presented themselves to Quasmez and speaking all at once Since said they to him we have not been vigilant enough to preserve our happinesse we will not be cowardly enough to out live it And in so saying they turned the pointes of the arrowes they bore in their hands upon themselves and sticking them with violence into their throates so amazed us with their desperation that they tooke from us the meanes to succour them They fell all foure dead at my feet and confirmed me in the opinion I had of the losse of the Princesse The King transported with griefe and choler threw himselfe out of his bed and went into another Chamber to give time to his guards to take away the bodies of those desperate men and to stay the madnesse of the women that would follow their example For my part I staied by the Queen and seeing her recovered gave her by my discourse some kind of consolation I told her that she must force her selfe from this sorrow and not be the cause of the losse of the Father after that of the Daughter The love which she had still borne to Quasmâ—…z was sufficient to overcome all her other affections and to suspend for a while the thought of the rape of Xaira After I saw her so well recollected I intreated her to walke to her husband and to endeavour by her perswasions to make him constantly to endure and suffer the losse of the little Princesse She punctually observed all that I desiâ—…ed her and so winningly gave Quasmez this bitter potion that he tooke it with a great deale of patience I saw then that it was time to apply the plaister I had provided for that wound and I therefore told them that the will of the gods was that their Daughter should be nursed up by their greatest enemy That the designe the Miscreant had to wrong them should result cleane contrary to his intention That they should not engage nor trouble themselves to make any pursuite after those that had stolen her thence since nothing but ill would come of it But said I if in this disaster as well as in the rest of your life you will conforme your selfe to the will of the gods without a murmure patiently undergoe what they have thought fit to be done I promise you from them that one day you shall see your Daughter in that great fortune you reserve for her There is by a prodigious accident a childe to be borne from whose valour you must expect not alone the deliverance of Xaira but withall the enlarging and establishing of your Throne If the presence of a thing that should be so deare to you can sweeten the bitternesse of your losse I know by what meanes you may obtaine it Till then I speake so loude that all might understand me but at that word comming more neere to them I told them in their eare that they should presently cause to march to the City of Quito three or foure thousand of his most hardy and affectionate Subjects and after that I acquainted them with that which I had been taught from the mouth of the gods They were pleased to be advised by me and to follow my counsell and execute this enterprise made so good an election that those whom they sent to Quito found you as I foretold and tooke you thence so fortunately that without any perill they delivered you into the hands of Quasmez This Prince would willingly have kept his losse from the knowledge of his Subjects but being instantly spread abroad and knowne even to the furthest parâ—…s of his Kingdome he thought it was not fit to leave his people in this dispaire He published therefore through all his Provinces that which I had foretold of Xaira and to assure them discovered to them somewhat of his designe on you This newes was the cause that all those who saw you in the hands of the Souldiers that brought you doubted no more of the truth of my predictions and consequently though you were but an infant gave you all the honours they conceived they ought to their deliverer That which remaines for you now to know is not what you should doe for you understand that already by what I have told you but the place where your valour must be seen and the meanes whereby you may come off with renowne Know then that you must goe as far as to the foote of a great Mountaine called Popocampecho You may easily know it by the flames it sends forth day and night There shall you find against whom to exercise your courage Tread under foot all difficulties and when you shall have overcome your enemies march on till you come before a City that gives name to the great Kingdome of Mexico T will be in that place that you shall need to use all your strength but if you doe not betray your selfe I assure you that you shall come off victor from the combate which you must there undergoe Yet among so many good fortunes I see a disastrous accident may betide you but I dare not make it knowne to you so openly as is fitting for feaâ—… lest in striving to make you avoyde it I my selfe throw you headlong into it If you
Syziphus had tried the hazard and orecome the difficulties to the end that arriving after the battle wonne he might be at no more paine then in gathering the best part of the spoiles But when he saw his brother dead he changed his resolution and desperately casting away his vizard of dissimulution concluded he would be talked of To this end he thought no better pretext was to be chosen then the avenging his brothers death Very privately he sent a Gentleman of his to Polexander and giving him to understand to what sensibility the death of his brother obliged him laid before him his own generousnesse that should not refuse any content to those whom had offended Polexander no sooner received the challenge but he prepared to give it a satisfaction He 〈◊〉 Alcippus and giving him order for what was necessary for the comâ—…at went forth secretly with the Gentle man Alcippus came to them at the place Polexander appointed and without distrusting one another came all three where Tantalus expected them At first sight he made shew of a great courage and much hope and spoake so loftily and altogether with so much falcity of his brothers death that Polexander forgetting his usuall patience told him in heate that he wondred how he had so long time lingered and not sooner beene sensible of this pretended murther and with that drew his sword and ingaged Tantalus to give over his revilings As soone as Alcippus saw them ready he told the Gentleman who brought the challenge that 't was not honorable for them to be idle whilst their Masters were so busied The words stirred the generousnesse of the Gentleman which by a dangerous consequence cost him his life Polexander and Tantalus were the while hard at it and because they fought on horseback they had not so soone done as their seconds Yet had Tantalus received three woundes and Polexander thinking himselfe too much satisfied intreated him to thinke on his safety and to believe there was no â—…oule play in the death of his brother But Tantalus had done too much to stop till he had ended He passed furiously on Polexander and in passing gave him a wound which he thought would have ended the combat Indeede the wound was great for it went quite through the Kings arme but 't was neither mortall nor dangerous The generous Prince finding himselfe wounded renewed his strength and courage and sheathing his sword in Tantalus side let out from his heart at once both his pride and life The unfortunate man was not falne from his horse when Alcidiana's Lievtenant Generall her great Chamberlaine and many other Lords came to their place of combat They blamed Tantalus unjust resentment and bewailed his misfortune But those two things not much troubled them they rejoyced with Polexander for his last victory As he gave them thankes for their affection they saw his arme all bloody and thinking him sore hurt made shew of all the forwardnesse and double diligence that Courtiers use when there is any service to be done to a man in the Princes favour Polexander assured them 't was nothing and though he would gladly have returned to the City without so much company yet for feare of offending any he was forced to undergoe that punishment Before he came to a great causeway which crosseth the Lake in which Arzilea is built there were assembled so many people to see him passe that he could scarce get into the Towne Every one called him the invincible the Exterminator of Rebells and mothers with their fingers shewing him to their children told them that for all their happinesse they were obliged to that Prince his valour At last he got to his lodging and all a voyding to leave him at liberty Diceus unclad him looked on his wound and having stopped the blood applied the first dressing With much a doe he got him to his bed but as soone as he was laid pondering on his action and fearing lest Alcidiana might thinke he sought occasions to be talked of would needes excuse it to her by a letter Presently he writ and giving it to Alcippus commanded him to deliver it to Amintha and be seech her in his name to do those good offices for him to the Queene which he expexted from her noblenesse Alcippus performed his Commission and earnestly pressing the Lady to tell him what his Master might hope All replied she provided he mistrust his good fortune Alcippus was wary enough of relating her speech to his Master for feare his explaining it to his owne disadvantage might give him more dangerous woundes then that which made him keepe his chamber In the meane time Amintha did her best endeavour for the Princes contentment The very next day she gave him a proofe of it which raised him to the height of happinesse and glory if the follies of Lovers deserve to unfold them the use of tearmes so noble and serious For that Lady came to him from Alcidiana In the name of the Princesse she made proffers to him a thousand times more considerable then the Principality she had given and intreating him to hasten his cure that he might himselfe be Judge of the recompence his virtue deserved delivered into his hands Alcidiana's answere to his letter You may imagine whether so speciall a remedy did not extraordinarily operate on our Patient Had every word been as powerfull as the Magicians most mysterious spells and all the Characters equalized the virtue of those which force dead bodies from their graves and call soules out of hell they could not have wrought greater prodigies nor produced more wonderfull alterations by the hidden virtue of five or six lines Polexander had lost all memory of himselfe He not only thought he was invulnerable but immortall and in that extasie promised no lesse to absent Alcidiana then the laying of all the Crownes of the earth at her feete Amintha leaving him in this amourous heate went questionlesse to tell the Queene what miracles she had done by her answere The Princesse continued them by her continuall sending to visit her Defender and Diceus noted it in the supernaturall healing his Masters wounde One day he told him that indeede his hand dressed the wounde but certainely said he 't is cured by the secret virtue of Alcidiana's Polexander was pleased with Diceus fancy and confessed to his Chyrurgion that the honour he received from the Queene did sensibly forward his health As soone as he left his chamber he went to the Pallace and being permitted the entrance to Alcidiana's Sanctuary if I may speake as foolishly as amorous people use to doe ne found her in that fashion which by his only relation to me I thought capable to touch even insensibility She had layd by her habit and dresse of Ceremony and in putting it off disrobed her selfe of that stately and awefull Majesty which made all to cast downe their lookes that gazed on her Love sweetnesse delicacy and the graces had taken her place and seemed to
protest to avenge her oppressed innocencie if my Embassadours have not perswasion sufficient to prevent thine owne destruction and give liberty to so many Princes as are fetter'd in the same irons wherein the faire Ennoramita is enthralled After I had read this Declaration of Bajazet I cast mine eyes on Hely and thinking to give him such counsell as he would not neglect It shall not cost much said I the preventing those disasters which threaten you send me to Bajazet it may be his affection will make him as cleere sighted as your selfe and winne him to beleeve he hath found what he sought when I am once in his hands Rather cri'd Hely let our great Mahomet perish from the memorie of the living let me rather see mine Empire desolate and the miserable Hely crushed under the ruines of his Palace With that he left me and his naturall quicknesse rekindling I know not what remainder of fire in his frozen veines he call'd for his armes and denying to heare Bajazet's Embassadours any further gave command they should presently depart from Morocco Those Rovers accustomed to cast forth their andacious threatnings storm'd thundred even within Morocco against her own King and one of them throwing downe his Cymetar in the market place I vow said he to those that were about him never to weare any againe till I see my selfe and my Companions Masters of this City This threate affrighted part of the Spectators and gave the bold Pirate a brave passage through the astonish'd people Assoone as Bajazet understood how his Embassadors had beene treated he call'd his Councell and desirous more and more to engage the Pirates in his designes 'T is no more said hee my sole interest that obliegeth you to besiege Morocco 'T is the honour of your former actions that calls you to its protection The insolence of this barbarous King hath of a private quarrell made a publique injury You are all wronged in the persons of your companions Your honour of which they were depositaries in the qualities of your Embassadors complaines of it by me askes you Justice for Helie's impudency and accounts you unworthy to live if instantly you run not to be avenged The Pirates animated by so powerfull a speech all at once swore the ruine of Morocco and without delay came in a wonderfull order to land on both sides the towne The Cavalry which was fallied would have opposed their landing but the Rovers artillery thundring among the Squadrons soone left the shoare free If Bajazet could indure to heare his owne praises I would tell you how valour and Judgement wholly possessing him triumph'd both on the power and wiles of Hely The very first day the City was block'd up and in lesse then fifteene more contrary to the generall opinion it was so inclos'd that even the Arabians which make their way any where were not cunning enough to get in I will not relate to you the many brave combats were had during the two first months siege I will onely speake of what concernes my selfe The City was hard laid to and the most part of the Inhabitants wanting what was necessary to maintaine life murmur'd against Hely's folly and spoake aloud that 't was fit to drive from the towne that secret plague which would quickly wholly ruine them For my part I besought Hely to bethinke himselfe to stop the torrent of the publique calamities and not to hazard his people his Crown and his life for an extravagancy To these remonstrances he was as deafe as he had beene to others and said that if he had not taken armes for my defence yet would he have done it to correct a company of theeves who for sport sake were come to offend him When I saw I could do no good on the old man I sent for Abdelmelec and told him I held my selfe guilty of his Countries ruine and the losse of his father if I conceal'd any longer from him a thing that might put an end to the warre Know therefore said I that I am not Ennoramita or rather Cydaria I am Iphidamantus her brother and Nature hath made us so like that in many places where fortune hath led us we have beene taken one for another What I say is so easie to be proved that you may instantly cleere the doubt Give me such a habit as I ought to weare bring me armour and before night I will shew you my actions shall not be those of a maiden When you shall be so farre assur'd I will go to Bajazet and obliege him by my armes or intreaty to acknowledge his error and not to doe an injustice out of a desire to resent an injury Abdelmelec shew'd a great deale of judgement and courage in his answer I beleeve said he that you are Iphidamantus rather then Ennoramita and aske no other proofes of it then those you gave at Tunis If the King my father thinke it fit I am of opinion you should be set at liberty but shall never consent to your going to the Generall of the Pirates for an end of the siege We have beene too much wrong'd to hearken to an accommodation We have beene beaten and are so daily 't is fit we should have our turne too on our enemies and repell by force the insolence of these theeves I speake not this to hinder you from prosecuting your inclination If the Generall of the Pirates be your friend I advise you to do that which friendship expects from you I will engage my self to give you clothes armes and horses and to conduct you safely into his Campe. But assoone as you shall be there I will hold you as one of my enemies and in such occasions as the warre shall offer us I thinke we have no consideration of one another Abdelmelec said I your generousnesse makes me go from my proposition I will speake to you no more of peace or Bajazet but expect for whom the chance of war will declare it self For mine owne part I sweare to you to thinke on no mans interest but yours to vanquish or die with you and betide what may not to forsake you till the death of one of us dispence with my promise Assoone as I had made this Declaration Abdelmelec imbraced me and witnessing his resentment of my profers I now said he beleeve indeed that you are a man for your resolution cannot come but from a masculine heart But keepe this businesse secret that my fathers humourousnesse crosse it not The next day Abdelmelec sent me clothes and armes and both of us making use of the occasions offered by Hely's sudden sicknesse wee made divers sallies in all which I went by the name of the unknowne Knight I should be very vaine-glorious if I told you my presence rais'd againe the affaires of Morocco but since you command mee to relate my adventures I will not conceale my fighting so happily in divers conflicts that Bajazet was constrained to recall the troupes hee had lodg'd on the side
Empire of his ancestors and by the abundance of gold and precious stones which are in their command I would tell you of the Incas originall the establishing of their authority by the great Mango Capa sonne of the Sun the manner of their conquests the sanctity of their lawes the riches of their Temples the pompe of their sacrifices and the incredible magnificence of their Court but all these things which might seem marvellous to you because they should be new are so low and contemptible in comparison of the adventures of my Lord the Inca that I should be an enemy to his fame should I give them a place in my relation Let us then put off to another time the knowledge of our manners and treasure and understand that Zelmatida is son of the great Ioca Guina Capa surnamed the Victorious who not content with an Empire of fifteen hundred leagues long fights daily to give it no other limits then the bounds of the world This Monarch having made a way through the mountains which we believed inaccessible made war with a barbarous people who by the losse of an unhappy and bruâ—…sh liberty found the use of reason the knowledge of the gods and the felicity of civill society Beyond these people raignes a nation as remarkable for their beauty as redoubted for their valour They are warlike women which now enduring the servitude of men and the infamy of the businesse of their sex are alwayes armed and have made slaves of those that would have been their masters Guina Capa to try whether they were invincible or no entred their territories and after two great battels finding them worthy his friendship concluded a peace with them on condition that the Queen should give him one of her daughters This fair and valiant Princesse came to visit her conqueror but he had scarce seen the least part of her charmes when he fell passionately in love with her they were married in the presence of the two armies and he willed that there should be nothing but of the warriour at the feast of this alliance Some few dayes after the marriage the famous Guina Capa repassed the mountains and retired to refresh himself in the stately city of Cusco Whilest he tasted these incomparable sweets by the possession of the fair Amazon he forgot not to think of his warlike affaires Six hundred leagues from Cusco towards the North there is a great countrey watered with a river called Ancasmayu that is the blew River the Inhabitants of that countrey were rather cruell then valiant they eat one another and though from all time they had lived under the authority of a King yet were they so wilde and so much enemies to humane society that they lived in the woods and among the rocks in cavernes with Tygers Lions and Serpents of which they made them gods The Inca Tupac Yupanquy father of Guina Capa was the first that undertook their conquest of purpose to draw them from their bruitishnesse but after a war of many yeers he found that he did but little advance his intention and unprofitably wasted him time and forces He therefore returned to Cusco and sent thence Guina Capa to try if the valour of that young Prince would not change the fate of his arms and those of a nation as warlike as savage Guina Capa began the war with so much courage and fortune that after many battels and an infinite number of skirmishes and sieges he compelled the King of Quito to forsake the field That Prince seeing himself out of all hope of succour and his countrey almost conquered shut himselfe up in that city which gives name to the whole Kingdome and after he had killed with his own hands one of his wives whom he loved most dearly he expired on her dead body in bewailing the murther he was constrained to perpetrate The victorious Inca came into Quito with a triumphant traine and finding this city worthy to be one of the seats of his Empire beautified it with Temples Palaces Aqueducts fountains and chanels he had been above a yeer in this new Kingdome when he was called back by the Inca Yupanquy he left some troopes in Quito commanded a flying camp to the side of the mountains and forgot nothing which he thought requisite and capable to keep those Barbarians in their obedience but he was scarce gone out of their territories when they revolted and cut the throats of all his officers and souldiers The Prince stirred by so wicked an action returnes to Quito with new forces and cut in pieces the most part of the rebels The end of this sedition was the beginning of another every yeer produced one for this people impatient of the yoke never failed to take up arms as soon as Guina Capa was out of the countrey The Prince at last grew weary of so many insurrections and resolved to war in such sort that the Savages should be forced to petition for peace To this end he commanded his armies to march as soon as he was returned from the Amazons country and after he had sometime tasted the sweets of his marriage departed from Cusco with those invincible forces which were particularly appointed for the guard of the Incas The fair Amazon followed the King her husband and would needs with him partake the incommodities and dangers of the war as she had done the delights of peace After a journey of some moneths the Inca came to the frontiers of Quito and suspending his ordinary goodnesse strooke the Barbarians with terror by the severity of his punishment whosoever was taken with his armes in his hand was either hung on the trees or cast into the rivers But to kill one part and to defeat the other was not to vanquish all those people more savage and voyd of reason then their gods got together again as soon as they were routed and as if they had been strengthened by their overthrows they returned to the charge with more fury when they saw themselves brought to a few then when they were a good army At last both parts growne weary of fighting they made a kinde of truce the Queen at that time found her self great with childe and during that time so contented the King that during that time he forgot all the ill successe of his war The Incas Amautas which are the Princes appointed for the service of the gods assured him that he should have a son and that the birth of that sonne though accompanied with many tragicall accidents should be the entire conquest of Quito and of many advantages illustrious and behoofefull for the empire of the Incas Guina Capa nothing doubting of these predictions left the Queen in the stately Palace of Quito with four thousand men for her guard and returned against the rebels with a hundred thousand fighting men He pursued them even to their cavernes and the precipices of their rocks and after a slaughter of two thirds of
assistance Confirme there the honour which the Queene your Mother hath done me and be good enough to perswade your selfe that I will acquit my selfe worthily of the charge that is imposed upon me If you beleeve thus much you will oblige me to lose that ill opinion I have of my selfe and by that happy deceipt you will make me like those who transported by the force of their imagination have alone gotten battells and made their way through ruine it selfe Whilst Zelmatida spoke thus affectionately Isatida looked on him her eyes halfe shut and unable to answer she being so neere touched stood as one that was neither halfe awake nor well asleepe At last she came to her selfe and seeing my deare Master at her feet conjured him to have more reason then her selfe After these few words she held her peace and was yet sometime silent But when she could speake indeed she made it well appeare by her discourse that the truest love is accompanied with feare She imagined difficulties which could not betide her otherwise then by the apprehension of those dangers to which she saw her lover exposed After that love had expressed all that hath of tendernesse feare and disquiet Reason became Mistris and shewed Isatida how far her councells and feares were unjust She condescended to these remonstrances and was constrained by her good disposition not only to consent to what the King desired of her but oftentimes to entreate him to forget what was passed and to be yet once more the Defender of the empire of Montezuma Zelmatida that knew very well how to husband with a great deale of discretion the wit and favour of Isatida and who for her sake feared so much that most commonly he avaided the occasions of entertaining her and beleeved that he ought no more to wrong her facility He therefore retired and t was well he did so for he was no sooner in his lodging but Hismalita sent for him He went to the Pallace and understood that the Quene was retired into her Cabinet with the chiefe of her Councell There was order left for his entrance and that was the cause he attended not at the doore As soone as Hismalita saw him she arose to receive him and seating him in a chaire next below her owne T is fit said she that we make you a partner of the ill newes which are newly brought me and that by the Picture which the King my Lord hath sent me you should know the deplorable estate into which his great heart and unfaithfull fortune have precipitated him Praysed be the gods he is not dead as I feared but the perfidious Tyrant of Thevic detaines him prisoner and so unworthily useth him that as I understand by his posts he wisheth himselfe a thousand times in a day in the stately Tombe that he hath caused to be built for the glory of those Monarques from whom he is descended His cruell enemy threatens him continually with death and to make it more full of griefe and infamous he thinks to bring him to the spacious towne place of Mexico and to execute him in the sight of his wife and children But wretched and unfortunate Hismalita thine eyes shall never behold this horrible spectacle or thine armes shall not be strong enough to pluck thee from so sad a destiny After a showre of teares shed by the Queene in ending this complaint abode a while in silence and her eyes shut at last she opened them and extending her hands to Zelmatida deare stranger said she or rather some visible god that art descended from heaven for the safety of Mexico be favorable to my just prayers hearken to those of all my Subjects looke on the fetters and bondage of Montezuma and suffer not the impious Coatelicamat confidering his powerfull offences to have cause to confirme himselfe in his abhominable intentions Goe on with your weapons drawne to meete this Monster make him to feele the weight of that arme under which the mighty Gyant Popocampecho fell and by the like stroake avenge a wife unjustly persecuted avenge those children whose innocence would make the most barbarous to relent avenge millions of Soules which are guiltlefly tormented and avenge the gods in avenging your selfe Zelmatida blushing at the flattery and impiety of the Queene was twice or thrice about to answere but judging it a crime to contest with them he tooke another Subject to talke to her and comforted her for the imprisonment of Montezuma in promising to expose his life for his delivery I accept of all your offers replyed Hismalita and feele from them I know not what hope that seemes to assure me of the returne of my prosperities But bethinke you as well of your owne conservation as of ours beleeve lesse to your courage then judgement execute not that by your selfe which your Souldiers may performe and lose not us by your too much hazarding your selfe There is no danger to be run answered Zelmatida when a good cause is defended and that Justice goes along with our armes The disloyall Coatelicamat shall feele that remorse and those terrors wherewith traytors are tortured and his unfortunate end shall be an eternall and most fearfull warning to all Rebells to keepe those Lawes inviolable which the gods have ordayned them This discourse ended Zelmatida and some of the Mexican Princes went forth from the Queene and resolved that instantly they should advance to meete the rebells The two or three next dayes were imployed in the viewing and mustering of the Troopes and the king found that he had above a hundred thousand men Of those he left part for the guard of the City and as soone as he had taken leave of Isatida marched out of Mexico with all the presages that might assure him of the victory After he had put his Army in batalia beyond the lake he tooke the way of Culhuacan which is foure miles from Mexico and sent forerunners to learne newes of the enemy and knew at their returne that the Rebells marched as men that knew how to make warre and that on the hearing that they were come out of Mexico their vantguards had entrenched themselves in a village whence it was very hard to force them Zelmatida very glad of this news kept on his way and made his men march day and night Some Thevician Couriers came to meete him and began light skirmishes The Inca caused them to be undertaken to the end to advance his troopes the most he could when he came to certaine Hillocks which covered the bourg he encamped and advised to lodge there all night At day breake he resolved to force the enemy and therfoe chose out of his Army ten thousand of his best men and of them composed five batalions which he led himselfe where he intended they should fight and after he had given such order every where that it was hard if the onset thrived not he made all to fall on at the same time Those which were led by
a little while that he might at â—…is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some 〈◊〉 enjoy the â—…ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ—… walke to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aâ—…ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ—… daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ—… the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enâ—…t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and â—…an â—…o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
vengeance shall advise me to Kill me then said I and to glut thy fury fully exercise thy fire and sword doe thy worst of cruelty on this miserable body No answered the hangman I will have thee live that thou maiest dye often and that thou maiest doe a long pennance for thine offences An excesse of choler transporting me at these last threatnings O Muley Hassen where art thou now Cride I. Why seest thou not that which she endures whom thou lovest so much You must thinke that on the suddaine the cruell Nephizus conceived not that I spoake of my Lover for he answered me coldly that Muley Hassen was too farre off to heare me and that if I hoped for none other helpe but from him I might well prepare my selfe for a long time of patience This horrible converse being thus ended he left me and was three dayes before I saw him againe But he returned on the fourth after infallibly he had mused on the name of Muley Hasten and entring my chamber with his wonted brutality Well tost one said he you cannot suppresse your ancient laciviousnesse 'T was your Gallant you called on the other day and not thy Father I know it and know more he lied falsly in saying so that thou subornest my slaves to carry newes of thee to that infamous Exile and that thy servants secretly intertaine the intelligences which thou had'st in thy Fathers Court I will quickly breake this execrable commerce and make an exemplary punishment on thy impudent Confidents As soone as he had ended these reproaches he left me and five or six dayes after sent me word by an old blackmoore woman which he had appointed for my Governesse that I should prepare me to leave the City of Fez. I doubt not but you as I heare have travelled through Africa know very well how pleasant the Territory of Fez is as well for the Rivers of Buragrag Juraven and of Suba which water it on three sides as for a great number of Cities Burgs and Villages Towards the South the ChampioÌ„ stretcheth even to the foot of Mount Atlas the ancient Kigns of Fez have built for the pleasure of solitude and hunting many Pallaces at the entry of those high mountaines 'T was in one of those prisons that my Tyrant resolved to make me end my dayes He brought me thither himselfe and colouring this dismall Journey with a very serious pretext that he went to drive back some Araâ—…ians that were descended from the Mountaines and forraged the plaine countrey he departed with two thousand horse I lived in that house as I did at Fâ—…z that is reduced to see none but my slaves and to be often persecuted by mine enemy He made me encure so much that he himselfe grew weary of my suffrings and I know noâ—… upon what consideration staying his usuall cruelties â—…e asked me one day if I were not weary of torturing him You would say my Lord I answered to see my selfe tormented No said he I doe not 〈◊〉 I aske thee if thou canst at last resolve to live as thou oughtest I replyde that I would never be guilty of any thing that should cast a blemish or shame on so mâ—…ny grâ—…at Princes as those from whom I was descended I will live as a vertuous wiâ—… should 〈◊〉 and though I am unwoâ—…ly used by him that should protect me I will noâ—… 〈◊〉 violatâ—… that faith whiâ—… 〈◊〉 Hassen by foâ—…ce made me give you By force cryde Nephizus Aâ—… proud one I see well thou will never alter 〈◊〉 whether by force or voluntarily t is no matter Thou art yet myne and being so canst not without a crime give thy â—…lfe to another I had not â—…een long in my new Prison when Abdelmelec sent his brother word thaâ—… hâ—… waâ—… aâ—…â—…ez Without doubt Hely had heard somewhat of the disorders of our marriaâ—…e and to apply some remedy had commanded his eldest Son to make that Journey Nephizus leaving me under safe custody went to meete Abdelmelec and would never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see me That Prince hâ—…ving no inteâ—… to anger Nephizus because he feared him and knowing by experience that â—…ealousie hath no respect of persons made shew to approove of the manner of his brothers liuing But getting by little and little into him he did so well represent to him the wrong he did himselfe in treating me so ill that I was left at liberty on my faith and delivered from a troope of villaines who insteede of giving testimony of my life increased by their râ—…ports the hatred and jealousie of Nephizus 〈◊〉 would not make use of all the priviledges I had I first began to walke thâ—…gh our 〈◊〉 retreates and sometimes visited the Dervises and Marabous which had retired 〈◊〉 into the Cavernes of the Mountaine Aâ—…as buâ—… it was never bâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 company of my women and of seaven or eight Eunuques which Nephizus had 〈◊〉 Some dayes after thaâ—… Abdelmelec had left his 〈◊〉 I went to visit the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Desâ—…t and being perswaded by my deare Aâ—…lida I went farre into the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a Dervis which had the reputation of a great Prophet His 〈◊〉 was digged in and hollowed in a great Râ—…ck that looked downe a fearefull 〈◊〉 and to come to it you must passe by an ascending way so straite that a man could not goe up 〈◊〉 â—…ideling In spight of this incommâ—… I came to the Caverne and â—…nding the Entry very darke I thought on Nephizus phrensies and for feare of wakeâ—…ing them againe bid my women call ouâ—… the Dervis for I would not enter into a place wâ—…ere I could not see a jot The boldest of my Eunuqâ—… went in and brought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy man was taken with an exceeding griefe that he had in one of his 〈◊〉 aâ—…d that hâ—… humbly 〈◊〉 mâ—… to pardon him 〈◊〉 he could not come forth to 〈◊〉 â—…me 〈◊〉 Madam said he â—…is not so darke witâ—…in thâ—… Cave as your Majesty imagines It 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tâ—… severall places and in the little Cave where the 〈◊〉 â—…es there is a 〈◊〉 â—…ich gives light enough to see one another Le ts go in thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…o my women 〈◊〉 doâ—… not any oâ—… you goe fâ—…m me I went therefore so far as into a second chamber 〈◊〉 the Dervis lay on Maâ—… oâ—… Date-tree and by the â—…ullen light of his lampe I perceived him but in such a manner that I could not possiâ—… 〈◊〉 marke the 〈◊〉 nor colour of his face When I was neere his bed he told me I was welcome and I shewing the esteeme I had of his vertue and my sorrow for his ill I should fâ—…are said I 〈◊〉 â—…e troublesome to you if I knâ—…w not by a thousand experiences that such as you are declared enemies to the world and all pleasure to give your selves solely to the contemplation of things celestiall and the practise of vertues and never mâ—…re contented then when you are 〈◊〉 some occasions to â—…xercise
they soone changed their opinion for presently after they saw come in divers foot-boyes and many horses which among the black that cover'd them made some shew of flames The Captaine of this Brigade was mounted upon a Roane horse with Caparisons of black Velvet imbroider'd with Gold and Silk of the colour of fire The Armes he bare by the industry of the Workman represented a furnace wherein the fire was nourished by a little mizling raine that fell into it His shield was black in many places and the rest bloodied with the long tresse of a Comet This Devise had for motto to it these three Latin words Vt perdat lucet Polemander so was the Knight call'd so deadly inflamed came to the place prescrib'd and easily obtaining the Audience he desired said that he was come out of the Mountaines which separate Spaine from France to give to the faire Infeliciana the last testimony of his love Truely his constancy deserves from us extraordinary prayses For though the object of his passion was during her life full of grace and merit yet we must confesse that there was a miracle in so long a perseverance Infeliciana enjoyed in the highest degree all that which the fairest Ladies either Greek or Spanish had of allurement or fire yet whoever di-sinteress'd should Judge will acknowledge the beauty of that Lady to be nothing in comparison of the wonders of her wit and the sweetnesse of her conversation This magnanimous Knight charm'd with so many divine qualities had neither soul nor life but what he receiv'd from the Eyes or discourse of Infeliciana When he was absent from her he did nothing but languish His melancholy and heavinesse made both the Court and the light odious to him and made the King of Navarre of whom he was passionatly belov'd to take notice of it That Prince by all manner of offers and favours would faine have won him to discover the cause of his disquiet but all in vaine After he had long time mused on it he doubted that the sadnesse of his favorite came from love and himselfe being then extreamely in love with a young Lady call'd Ismenia who wanted no allurements he imagin'd that Polemander kept not his love private for any other thing but because it had originall from her beauty Presently the King grew jealous and so extreamely jealous that to free him of all his suspitions he made use of all the wit and subtlety wherewith his love could furnish him But it was all in vaine that he made use of his great promises his feined compassion and his other artifices The discretion and silence of Polemander triumph'd over all those enemies and confirmd the King in that opinion he had too lightly conceiv'd He secretly look'd on Polemander as his Rivall He forgot what he was to him He threatens him and suffering himselfe to be transported by his former motions deliberated already on the execution of him which but lately he lov'd as his owne person On the other side his fury made him think strange things of Ismenia He accused her for being crafty to desire more then one Lover and but to feine as often as she promised him her affection some dayes passed during which the Prince was able to containe him but the excessive torments which his silence added to those his jealousie made him undergoe compel'd him at last to make known his sufferings and discover to all Navarre the cause of his vexation He brake out in the end even against Polemander and not content to revile him for those things whereof he never thought told him that if he gave not over his love he would make him feele all that which could be expected from the just indignation of an offended Monarch This perfect lover seeing himselfe thrust at tott'ring on all sides would not give place to violence but abiding in his first resolution intended to perish rather then to faile of that secrecy he had promised to Infeliciana Whilst all the Court was troubled at the Melancholy and Châ—…'ler of the King and that the Enemies of POLEXANDER accusd him aloud to be too indiscreet Infeliciana admir'd the generousnesse of her Lover She confesseth that he only is worthy to be beloved and laugh'd at the blindnesse of those cowardly and perfidious minds that have no other light but what they have from Envy and detraction Polemander who well saw how much his discretion made him miserable protested to Infeliciana never to forsake her and rather to lose the Kings favour then to violate his faith or those commands which she had justly impos'd on him He kept his word so truly that the most crafty and curious Courtiers of them all were as well caught as the rest and made no difficulty to beleive that Ismenia was the true cause of Polemander's passion But if their preoccupation had not made them see things far otherwise thenthey were it had been very easie for them to have been dis-beguild when Infeliciana was taken from the Court to be given to a German Prince to whom she had been promis'd by her parents Truly death is not so horrible as the departure of Infeliciana was to Polemander He fail'd but little of being lost to himselfe and had infallibly done injury to his owne person if that beautie's forbiddings and the hope of re-seeing her had not staid his Tragicall resolution In spight of himselfe he therefore gave himselfe life but unwilling to keep it but as an Enemy which he would persecute he did him those ills and went on to such extremities that none would ever beleive it but such as have lov'd so truly as he The day that Infeliciana parted he went out alone from the City and taking on him the habit of a Begger put himselfe in the way she was to pass As farre off as He saw her Chariot he tore his hair gave most fearfull shriekes and beating his head against the trees and stones lay as dead in the midst of the high-way Those that rid before Infeliciana pittied him and taking him for a man afflicted with some strange sicknesse commanded their Servants to remove him those that were chosen to doe that worke of charity were so base that they had almost kild him in Lieu of assisting that poor Lover They did him a many mischiefes in drawing of him and with the extremity of their dragging made him recover his senses Presently he rose up as a man enraged and getting out of the hands of those unpitifull men ran even to Infeliciana's Chariot In her presence he renewed his cries and fury and spake such things that the most barbarous mindes could not hear without releâ—…ting On an instant he cast himself under the Chariot which the Charioteer had stop'd and as he lay there besought them to crush his head in peices under the Wheeles to terminate by so glorious a death a life that was odious unto him in this speech he intermingled the Name of Infeliciana and repeated it so often
the Sister of King Edward She was call'd Phelismonda and t is to be confess'd her charmes were so powerfull her wit so admirable and her vertues so extraordinary that when the King my Master disclos'd to me his love to her I was compell'd to tell him he could not have a more just affection In that passion he made me his Confident and Phelismonda chose for her's an English Lady calâ—…'d Thamiris Our negotiation proâ—…perd to the contentment of those that imployd us But alas the joyes which men gather from the satiating their passions are pleasures very short and deceitfull Phelismonda was no sooner married but she saw her selfe persecuted by the King of England and forc'd to expose her selfe with us to the mercy of an enraged Sea Oâ—…r vessell after it had been long time beaten by the Tempest was driven to the furthest end of Scotland where the King my Master caus'd the Queen his Wife to land for she was extreamly sick and underâ—…anding some dayes after that she was with Child made an Oath that he would not re-imbarke till Phelismonda were deliver'd We were neere six months among the Savages of that Country expecting when the Princesse should be brought to bed But as I have told you the Eternall wisdome who fore-sees even the least of our actions had resolv'd the infortunate Phelismonda should give no Kings to this Island for after the Princesse had undergone many terrible throwes she dy'd undelivered in the armes of the King her Husband As soone as Alcidus saw her expire he did what he could to follow her and seeing himselfe hindred by all us that were neer him he made shew of being comforted the more freely to put in execution his tragicall designe But seeing at last he was at liberty he came out of his Cottage where we had got him to retyre and whilst he saw us busied in preparing his Ship he threw himselfe into the Sea I by chance was come to the very place whence he cast him head-long down and flung me after either to save or not to survive him I was so fortunate that being destin'd by providence to preserve so worthy a Prince to this Island I met him at his rising out of the water and catching him by the haire drew him to shoare depriv'd of all sence or understanding All his Officers running thither did all they thought fitting to recover him The wisest of the company judging it convenient to make use of an occasion so answerable to their intentions carryed him into his Ship and commanding all his followers to come aboord presently left Scotland and the body of Phelismonde We had lost sight of that Countries high cliâ—…fs before the unhappy Alcidus came to himselfe At last he recover'd and perceiving he was in a place so differing from that where he thought to have been ask'd as by what miracle this alteration was betyded We told him what we had done and he presently accusing us of Treason and ingratitude would needs make us guilty of Phelismonde's death T is your malice cryd he or may be your poyson that hath thrown her into the Grave And barbarous as you are not contented to have pluckâ—…d her so cruelly from my embraces you have forc'd me to leave her deare and precious reliques to the mercy of wild beasts Many other words speake he to move us to compassion and to oblige us to bring him back again to Scotland But we oppos'd our reasons to his and told him that if he return'd thither he would finde in lieu of the faire Phelismonde but a diffigur'd and frightfull Corps that would rather terrifie him then renew the memory of his former love At last he consented to returne hither We had a Pilot who yet lives his name is Lynceus and I will say thus much in his praise that never man knew better the Sea and the windes noâ—… was like him capable of a long voyage As soone as we had made knowne the Kings pleasure to him he took his course farre from Land and after two and twenty dayes sayling cast Anchor in the Isle of Madera From thence he would have steer'd hither but having vainely imploy'd his Art and the flight of certaine birds whose brood hath from all times been curiously preserv'd by our Priests for the conducting those Vessells which return from the Island of the Sunne he thought he might doe best to goe and land there and attend the arrivall of those which should be sent for the solemnity of the yearely sacrifice whereof I have told you Alcidus was of his opinion and thereupon our Ship bore right to that holy Island and the fourth day entred the Port which carryes the name of the Sunne The High-Priest receiv'd the King our Master with tears of joy and gaz'd on him as on a Prince who after he had been long dead was miraculously rays'd again Alcidus related his adventures to him and thinking he had not sufficiently acquitted himselfe of the Commission the King his Father had given him in charge began the sacrifices anew and after he had satisfied the Obligations of his estate he would likewise perfect his owne particular He presented many rich offrings to the invisible Sunne and for an eternall of his voyage caus'd great tables of Gold to be cast whereon his principall adventures were represented We had been now almost five months in that Iland when the Vessells of Cleonidas arriv'd there Never was there seen so sad and dolefull a preparation All his Vessels were painted blacke the sayles were blacke and all those within them witnessed by their mourning the extraordinary desolation that was in their Country But this Funerall solemnity and sâ—…ate had scarce time to shew it selfe for Alcidus presenting himselfe to the first that came on shoare and being known of them turâ—…'d their sadnesse into joy their habits of sorrow into robes of triumph and their lamentations into songs oâ—… mirth and jollity The Sacrifices were perform'd with an incomparable Zeale and the Altars besides the ordinary presents and offrings were loaden with other gifts and obâ—…ations for Alcidus returne We betook our selves presently after to 〈◊〉 Sayles and the sacred birds the second day being let out of their Cages guided us so well that on the fourth we entred into a River on whose bancks is built the Capitall City of this Kingdome I should be to tedious to relate the contentment Alcidus return gave to the whole Iland and the ravishing joy the King his Father received The Feast for it lasted many monethes and to make it more accomplish'd Cleonidas married the Prince to a Princesse of his blood called Diana with more Iustice then she among the Greeks The second year after this happy marriage but of small continuance Alcidus mounted the Throne by the death of his Father and the next yeare he had by his Queen a Daughter who without flattery ought to be placed among things celestiall T is not to say what She is to say that
and taking from his finger the great Diamond he would have given his Hoste with a great many excuses put it on one of the slaves The man never thought Polexander had beene of a condition able to give Presents of importance He therefore tooke his Diamond as a thing of small value and returned with a resolution to make Alcidiana merry at sight of the shepheards liberality But when he was returned to the Pallace and had at leasure considered his Diamond he could not believe what he saw but imagined there was either some illusion or 〈◊〉 in Polexanders liberality He came and gave an accompt to Amintha of his Commission and to make her laughe told her in shewing the Ring that he had beene payd for his paines in shepheards coyne The Lady tooke the Ring and the luster of it streight striking her sight what said she all amaz'd hath the stranger given you this Diamond Yes Madam said the slave smiling Doe not laughe replide Amintha for assure your selfe you have the fairest Diamond in the Kingdome This Stranger must needes be more then he seemes T is the present of a King and no ordinary person and I tell you plainely betwixâ—… us two the Queenes boxe is not worth much more then this Ring She went presently to the Princesse and related to her at large all the civilities and submissions whereby Polexander received her Present Besides said she I am to acquaint your Majesty with one thing which may no lesse astonish you then the Strangers valour What is it said Alcidiana See replide Amintha and withall shewed her the slaves Diamond and told her 't was Polexanders gift The Queene stood amazed and after some silence I see said she wee have not to doe with a man that contents himselfe with a little Iâ—… wee consider what he hath bestowed on Pallantus 't will be a shame for us to offer him lesse then a Crowne Whilst the Princesse talked thus of Polexander he by his extraordinary joy made knowne he was not so hard to be contented as she imagined As he had beene tide by the eyes he stood gazing on the present and deceived by an amarous illusion found shut up in a little boxe all the greatnesse and treasure of the Universe He invited his Hoste to take part in his glory He called Alcippus sent for Diceus and thinking himselfe unable to expresse alone what he felt commanded them never to give over publishing his most happy fortune Their fullnesse of joy was not silent in so faire an occasion of speech They extold the Princes happinesse beyond it selfe and spoake wonders of Alcidiana's beauty and magnificence But when they would have gone from her prayses to Polexanders and make it appeare that if his fortune were good his merit was no lesse he called them flatterers imposed them silence and said that the most extraordinary desert could not without impudence have any value or to be thought on neere Alcidiana He so much forgot himselfe in this discourse that his Host who had beene one of the finest Courtiers of his time imagined the Prince was not mooved to speake as he did by the sole motive of Alcidiana's liberality And Polexander as soone caught himselfe in his fault but 't was too late For when he would faine have shifted it from his Hoste and made him believe Alcidiana's presence had beene cause of all these praises I believe replied the wise old man that â—…e Queenes liberality doth not displease you but I am much deceived if her beauty doth not more neerely touch you It happened to Polexander that which usually betides all Lovers which are discovered in their subtleties He blushed and but for the darkenesse of the place where he was he had confirmed his Host in the opinion he had of him In this manner ended a day that had beene so favourable to Polexander The very next morrow he cast off his shepheards habit and as he was ready to goe to the Queenes Pallace he understood she had suddainly left the Countrey on the receipt of most important newes and was returned to the City of Arzilea which is the Capitall of her Kingdome that her presence might strangle a revolte that was ready to breake forth Polexanders first motions were such as you may fancy in a yong Prince amorous and extreamly valiant But they were moderated by the second and all that reason permitted him to wish was that there might chance some great occasion wherein he might make shew how much he affected the Queene This prayer or wish was just and it was heard For a small time after one of the greatest Lords of the Kingdome called Siziphus who had before beene convicted of an attempt against the Queenes owne person put himselfe into the field with a mighty Army and colouring his rebellion under a pretext that the State was not governed according to the ancient manner made all good men see he openly aspired to a Tyranny Alcidiana looking on his rebellion as on a Monster never before seene in her State accused her indulgency and mercy as the causes of it and by consequence judged that to cut it from any further life she was to make use of her utmost justice She called together the Officers of her Crowne and in their presence gave command to the Generall of her armes to goe meete the Rebells and hinder her people from suffring any violence These orders were executed with so much speede and trust that before Syziphus was come out of his Province he saw him stopped by an Army halfe as strong againe as his He shewed in that occasion he knew how to make warre for instead of precipitating himselfe inconsiderately to a fight he intrenched his Army in a very advantagious place and secured his back with the Towne whose name he carried and because he could draw thence all he needed for the sustenance of his Troopes those of Alcidiana's party saw themselves inforced to stay a long time encamped before the Enemy Polexander was no sooner assured of this warre but he sent for me from the place where I had so long attended him and putting himselfe into an equipage farre exceeding a private man rode towards the Army He had learnt of many the affection Siziphus â—…ore to Alcidiana and the refuse he had from her in an Assembly of the generall Estates of the Kingdome the resolution that insolent man had taken to steale and force her away to avenge himselfe of that refâ—…sall the ill successe of that enterprice and lastly the pardon Alcidiana gave him after his being condemned to dye as guilty of high treason All this made him thinke on Syziphus not only as a Traytour and ingratefull But as a Rivall He therefore thought that if he could by the way of honor make an end of that he should all at once get the good liking of Alcidiana's Subjects save the Princesse a second time and gloriously give satisfaction both to his love and jealousie As soone as he came
against other enemies Two or three dayes after this last resolution of the King Diceus assured him Alcippus might get on horseback and they all three departed from their Inne and the same day betimes arrived at Copenhagen They lodged neere the Pallace and understood the very next day Phelismond was by the Kings command brought into the City and being absolutely out of danger was seene and visited by every one This newes exceedingly pleased Polexander yet resolved to attend his certaine health before he would make knowne to Phelismond the cause of his voyage and thought it fit withall to restore him his boxe and disclose himselfe that so at his returne he might intimate to him that which lay on his heart One morning therefore taking Alcippus with him he went streight to the Favorites lodging as soone as he came in he noted there was nothing in that man but savoured of the greatnesse of his courage His house was open to all men No person hindred the entrance into his chamber no not of his withdrawing roome T is true he was so generally beloved and the respect the whole Court had alwaies borne him was so strong a guard to him that neither great nor lesse came to disturbe him but upon some very just cause The first to whom Polexander addrest himselfe to know whether that Prince was to be spoken with offred to conduct him into his chamber and Polexander accepting his courtesie followed him He went through great Halls very stately furnished through chambers and anti-chambers far more magnificent wherein he saw none but Phelismonds domesticall servants This sollitude so much ravished him that he could not hold from telling his Conductor the Courtiers of Denmarke were either very negligent or little ambitious since they gave so much ease and quiet to the man who only next the King might make them a fortune You see answered his Guide that our Poâ—…ters have no greate imployment and there is no great crouding in our chambers Yet t is not because our Couriers are not the most diligent and ambitious of all men but the Prince long since told them once for all that he pretended not to be the most unfortunate in all Denmarke because his Master did him the honour to love him more particulaly then others That he engaged himselfe to serve them as often as his credit could adde any thing to their merrit or their Princes will but he would not promise it but on condition they would suffer him to live at liberty Truely replied Polexander I understand dayly there are most eminent virtues in Phelismond though he be of their number with whom they have been thought even till this day to be incompatible The mindâ—…s of the multitude must needes be very bad since some of them have been to wicked as to finde fault with the actions of so great a personage It may be said the guide some one may have cause to complaine of the Prince yet I intreate you to believe they are much in the wrong who make him the cause of their publick miseries He dayly toiles to put a period to them and when he thinkes to be at the point of relieving the people some spirits borne for their ages affliction alter those good designes and inforce him whether he will or no to raise the charges and impositions to deter the intire desolation of the Kingdome But let it suffice I have not in command to justifie his actions nor condemne other mens and see we are at the chamber doore I intreate you then said Polexander to see what the Prince doth and if you thinke it fitting to tell him that the Gentleman to whom he gave a picture boxe is come to restore it to him At that word the Guide smiling left him and presently returning said that Paelismond intreated him to come in At his first step into the chamber divers Gentlemen came and saluted him and all with a great deale of civility led him to the Prince his bed side He raised himselfe halfe to embrace him and received him with so great expressions of joy and sensibility that Polexander had not been worthy to have lived had â—…e not been moved with his courtesie He began his compliments by the boxe he presented him and often besought his pardon for the long unacquitting himselfe of what he owed him Phelismond embracing him againe tooke him from the continuing those civilities and wringing his hand I see well said he that you have no better an opinion of me then of custome men have of such who are in the same degree of fortune with me Every one believes that no man can be a Favourite but he must instantly forget himselfe But if I might have the happinesse of seeing you often I hope you would change your opinion and finde that I left not to be rationall when I came to be a Favourite I aske your pardon for this ill discourse but I am so much afraid to be taken for another that by this declaration I begin my acquaintance and friendship To this Polexander answered with so much freedome and gentlenesse as if he had not beene Polexander or the other Phelismond he felt within him an extraordinary debaâ—…e and his virtue opperating her accustomed effect compelled him to love his Rivall and Alcidiana's enemy At last his passion and that Princesses command got the upper hand Hereupon he resolved his owne ruine or to avenge both and for that cause would be but a little with Phelismond who did all he could possibly to stay him But Polexander came off so gently that without any incivility he had the liberty he wished When he was returned to his lodging he began to muse on his fortune and passing and repassing through his memory all Pâ—…elismonds endowments I am said he to himselfe reduced to two extremities far differing from one another If I put not in execution what Alcidiana commands me I am a coward a traytour and ought to thinke no more on the meanes to finde the Inaccessible Island On the other side hath any man seene an example of brutallity equâ—…ll with mine if I yield not my selfe captivated by all those generous actions wherewithall Pâ—…elismond obligeth me to love him But what of this Alcidiana shall not then have satisfaction Instead of excuting her commands I shall become the censurer of her will and have the impudence to accuse her of injustice when it accords not with my opinion No no she must be obeyed Let those who know not how to love aright reprove my ingratitude Let them convince me of extravagancy and take me either for some inâ—…m us person that cannot indure the lustre of extraordinary virtues or for an execrable fellow who would make himselfe immortall by some signall villany Alcidiana is more to be feared then all these accusers I will act what I ought Phelismond cannot blame me for it and whosoever is truely generous shall at the same instant he deplores the misfortune of so accomplished a
strangled I besought him to spare his life for my sake and I had no sooner requested but it was granted me From the prison we went to our ordinary diversions and from that day set my wits on worke for the advancement of my Enterprise I promised so many things and gave so much to two of my Eunuchs that by their industry I secretly got Armes out of the fortresse and as closely sent them to the Christians Assoone as they were in case to make use of them and that they had as many as they needed they broke open their prison cut the throats of the small Guard they had and got aboard their ship in the roade of Guargetsem At the same instant the tumult began I got to the secret staire that went downe from the fortresse to the Sea and by which my deare Cydaria saved her selfe as I conjectured by the ordinary discourse which Hely had with me When I was got downe I found a boate ready for me and my two Eunuchs in it We got speedily to the ship and being aboard the question was what way to steere to avoid the falling againe into the hands of our enemies All the Christians having chosen me for their Commander besought me still to be their Releasor The fafest course for us said I is to make off from the coast of Africk because of the great number of Turkish ships which get thither But since our ship hath all the markes of those of Turkey and that our Armes our Turbants and the rest of our cloathes may make us passe for some of their party let us not lose sight of these coasts nor engage our selves in a Sea we know not This advise was followed but had it not beene for the ignorance of our Pilot who the very first night was run out of the way it had cost us our lives or at least our Liberties For Hely assoone as he heard of my escape sent forth foure great barkes well armed which he had for the defence of the place and commanded those that went aboard them to follow me to the worlds end rather then let me scape away Our Pilots error having preserved us from that danger cast us into another as great For we lost sight of land and were two or three dayes wandring up and downe the Ocean At last we descried the high mountaine of Teneriffe but knew it not and as we were about to land there a storme cast us on the sides of a little Isle where I learnt said he addressing himself to Zelmatida at the cost of my bloud how fatall Polexanders valour is to those that provoke it Our Hero being oblieged to answer to these words extraordinarily praised Iphidamantus and related to Zelmatida particularly with what generosity his brother had taken Alcidiana's Pilot into his protection and with what boldnesse he came alone to assaile his whole fleet After this discourse was ended Iphidamantus intreated his brother he would be pleased to let him prosecute a design for which he had left Bajazet and that taking again the ship which he brought from the Pirats Island he might make an end of his unhappy destiny Polexander imagining by his words he laboured under some great perplexity and loath to use the authority his age gave him over his brother told him he might do what he pleased though said he Zelmatida and my self would gladly enjoy you longer with us But since you are cal'd otherwhere go when you please And who knows but love may be the cause of so speedy a separation Iphidamantus fighed at his brothers last words and having taken leave of them both caused his men to make towards the mouth of the Straights Achaim Hamet and many other Captaines of the Pirats came likewise to bid adieu to Polexander and giving him extraordinary thanks for the honour and riches whose acquiring he had beene the chiefe cause swore to him many times they would eternally preserve the memory of his benefits and a desire to merit them by their services Our Hero having bid them all farewell had now no other thought if we except the commanding and perpetuall thought which â—…nseparably linked him to Alcidiana but to bring back his victorious fleet into the havens of the Canaries This resolution was attended with all the happinesse which accompanied him when he tooke paines for the contentment of others and his returne was such a plentifull sourse of delights as his Isles how fortunate soever they have beene alwayes esteemed were ignorant of knowing any the like till to that day The end of the fifth Book of the second Part of POLEXANDER THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The first Booke THE Inhabitants of Africa were not the sole nation which admir'd Polexanders victories All men who had heard of them spoke with astonishment and the Canarians rapt with so many more then mortall acts promis'd to themselves by their Prince's valour no lesse then to become one day the absolute Masters of the Ocean These transcendent hopes infinitly increased their former affections and caused them to imploy all that they had of most cost and value to make our Heroe's return as triumphant as his absence had been honorable They prepar'd for him stately entrances in all their capitall cities but Polexander neglected those popular vanities and looking on himselfe with more cleer-seeing eies then those he was survey'd with either by his subjects or his neighbours They provide triumphes for me said he who am beaten both by heaven and fortune All conspire my ruine and yet these men perswade themselves that the chance of war and the eternall order of nature are changed and conducted as it pleaseth my destiny Pluck off pluck off the band which blindes so many and let us teach these ill censurers of humane adventures that all their judgements are rash and make them see how this Polexander whom they call the most happy is a miserable man which hath not so much as the hope of that blisse which their wishes and blindnesse bestow upon him After hee had thus spoken to himselfe he dismissed the Canarians and for feare left in his absence the Spaniards might make them repent of their change he gave them governours who in the precedent passages had been known for men of courage and government As soon as he was disingag'd from those cares so incompatible with the thoughts of a lover he retired himselfe to meditate more at leisure and finde out some new way to get to the inaccessible Island or the sooner to his death Above two houres was he musing on these imaginary courses but his wits being vainly drawn dry on them he was forc'd to give himselfe for vanquished to that despaire which he had alwayes contested with Then our illustrious mis-fortunate Prince beleeving he had good cause to accuse himselfe Why then cry'd he Proud and cowardly reason hast thou so long time resisted since to our common shame thou should'st have yeelded and testifyed at last that thy
could not extinguish Assoone as he saw the Princesse What Princesse said Almanzor to Osmin interrupting him Pardon me that mistake my Lord repli'd Osmin I would have said the unfortunate Axiamira Goe on father said Almanzor and eâ—…e no more so The poore Osmin blush'd and all asham'd for disclosing a thing he would have kept secret thus continued his discourse Assoone as Zabaim saw Axiamira You would not be Queene said hee and you are now going to be a miserable slave who shall languish all the remainder of your life under the cruell yoke of an inhumane Mistris Thy threats replied Axiamira sway me as little as thy promises I have scorn'd the one and I feare not the other With the same courage that I trod under-foot thy Crownes I can undergoe all kinds of torture Yet when I have a mind to free my selfe from thy tyrannie and the slaverie wherewithall thou threatnest me thy guards and thy irons shall be too weake to hold me Zabaim mov'd with those words and feeling his flame rekindling by the generositie as well as the attraicts of Axiamira wept before her a long time and cursing the rigour of his Destinie shew'd he had no minde to have her ruin'd and yet he could not save her He presently flew thence as if he had fear'd Zelopa knew of his visit and left us in a firme resolution to die rather then to fall into the hands of that inhumane Sorceresse Axiamira would not have us linger any longer and proposing to us death as an expedient or helpe the most facile and pleasant besought us for the last course to renounce all desire of life and not put our selves againe to the hazard dangers and incommodities of a flight which could not be discovered but it must be far more dismall to us then death I need not my Lord tell you it was not for our owne sakes that we could not resolve to die Had we been alone my wife and I we had soone disburthened our selves of an irksome old age but when we came to consider that we should destroy in the birth a miracle which nature had produc'd to be the ornament of her age our constancie vanish'd and death seem'd to us a monster which we were obliged to avoid as long as we had any meanes left to escape My wife and my selfe having therefore resolv'd to try for our safetie we propos'd it to our daughter she shew'd her selfe very repugnant to it neverthelesse her obedience being farre stronger she consented to all we desir'd of her Presently we provided our selves for that escape and taking hold of the occasion which may be was offer'd us we deceived our slaves in faining Axiamira to be sicke The night then after the departure of Zabaim being come we disguis'd our selves and getting through a lower window which look'd into the Palace gardens we got into the wilde fields and from thence into a desert which is frontire betweene Guinea and Senega Though our flight was favour'd by the departure of Zabaim and a very precipitate breaking up of Court yet was it discovered and as we entred the desert we saw five or six black slaves which pursued us their Scimitars ready drawne Affrighted with the yellings and furie of those barbarous villaines wee flung our selves into the next Caverne we saw without feare of meeting any of those furious beasts which usually retire themselves into such like places Our feare was our safety for sliding into that hole with all the silence that accompanieth timiditie we hid our selves among bushes which almost stopt up the mouth of it Those who ran afterus redoubling their shouts and threatnings cast themselves into the Cave but having without doubt by their yellings awakened two lions which lay there asleep they were constrained in lieu of taking us to defend themselves This unhop'd for succour made us turne up our eyes to heaven which we saw not and beg that great Soule which animates it to restraine the furie of the lions and not suffer them that had been our Defenders to be our devourers Our prayer was heard Those lions after they had satiated their hunger on those wretches forsooke their den and lessening our feare by their departure gave us liberty to breathe and to know our selves My wife and I searching for Axiamira gropingly found her farre lesse affrighted then in Zabaim's Court and received from her that heartning and comfort we would have given She advis'd us to forsake that place whilst those we feared were gone We did so and after vve had vvandred above a moreth amongst the mountaines of Lions without any food but what we got by our prayers from the Inhabitants of those mountaines we passed the River of Saban to the towne which carries the same name Many Merchants of Mansara who were come thither to trafique received us into their companie and taking pitie of my wife's age and mine and of Axiamira's tender yeares set us all three on their Camels and conducted us happily to the Citie of Ponda Finding my selfe so neere the ordinary abode of Zabaim new feares followed my ordinary ones and they were yet augmented by the report that ranne of that Prince his returne with his wife I forsooke therefore the towne where I had beene so well receiv'd by night with my little company and having none other Guide then the same who had so happily conducted us to that time I came at last to the house of charitable Servonitez His reputation which is not much lesse great then Zabaims but more worthy to be envy'd invited me to him and there made me meet yet with more then I was made to hope for I need not my Lord recount to you the particularities that Knight said he pointing to me hath not held till this time from relating them to you Almanzor seeing Osmin give over I know said he the end of your adventures but the beginning of them which I would faine heare is yet behinde But we will deferre that recitall to another time and imploy the time we have in giving order for our particular affaires For Zabaim we will forget him till the time come wherein we may make him know without avenging his perfidy by another that he hath more wrong'd himselfe then us when to satisfie his sensuality he hath undervalued our requests and friendship Speake therefore father to me freely and tell me whether you intend to follow my fortune and love me so well as to end your dayes with me and give over into my hands the care of your family This proposition was conceiv'd in such sort as Osmin noted in it a hidden necessity of abiding with Almanzor But that necessity was so conformable to his thoughts that he receiv'd it as the highest favour could come from the Prince He told him likewise that since he had left his countrey and the advantages of fortune because he would neither violate the divine Lawes in flattering his King in his vices nor the humane in running into rebellion
Lady replied Andromeda I have already long since discover'd Almanzors affection but his discretion and your vertue being equally knowne to me I thought there was no need of advising the taking heed either to him or your selfe I humbly kisse your Majesties hands replied Iphidamanta and am too much oblig'd for your noble beliefe of me I will strive Madam to give you cause to continue it and not to deferre so good an intent I beseech you humbly by these knees I embrace with that she fell downe at her feet to free me hence to take me from the sight of men and to shut me up in some place where their humorous affection how extravagant soever dare not trouble my repose But how happy Madam should I thinke my selfe if by some invention which would carry probability I might be feign'd to be lost and by that meanes absolute get me from the knowledge of Almanzor Andromeda ravish'd at Iphidamanta's resolution promis'd to second her and getting her leave to communicate the businesse to me dismissed her with a promise to travell without intermission for the accomplishment of her just desires My wife and my selfe were eight or ten dayes deliberating what way we should take to bring it to passe without giving Almanzor cause to complaine of us and indeed we were not smally troubled when the eternall providence which never loseth an occasion of favouring them which serve it as they ought would make use even of the villany of a company of theeves to place the innocency of Iphidamanta in surety Whilst therefore Almanzor was in fight with the Pirates Andromeda dispos'd all things for the faigning Iphidamanta's carrying away and the businesse succeeded so wel that in the same instant when the theeves assaulted the Palace Iphidamanta was taken from the eyes of Osmin and his wife and secretly conveyed by Andromeda alone into the Temple of their god of Purity Almanzor in the meane time return'd after he had knock'd back our enemies into their vessels and met with Osmin and his wife who unadvisedly enough told him of Iphidamanta's losse The Prince who lov'd her beyond thought return'd to the Sea cast himselfe into a ship and inconsiderately made after the supposed ravishers of that Princesse Since that time I have not heard of him but feare lest his love and valour have cost him his life Never trouble your self quoth Polexander for Almanzor lives and now enjoyeth all the Crownes which Zelopa's ambition hath so often striven to deprive him of But Sir said he goe on if you please in what you have begun and I will relate afterwards if you thinke fit the strange revolutions have betided in Senega Abrinzias began againe and hastening to know Zabaims alteration Perseus said he being no more restrain'd by his feare of Almanzor overflow'd with so prodigious an excesse that he drew me out of the errour I had long liv'd in and made me see when I would have bridled his fury it was not then able to be suppressed Admonitions profited as little as threatnings and severity mov'd him no more then mildnesse Andromeda who never till then thought him guilty was strooke halfe dead when she heard of it and being generous suspended her motherly love to let that authority worke which heaven hath given to parents over their children I likewise became of the same just opinion though with a great deale of griefe But we must confesse to both our shames we were not able to persever but after a few slight corrections abandon'd Perseus to his former brutishnesse Nay we did farre worse for imagining by imploying his minde in the communication of businesse he might be drawne from his debauches we proclaim'd him King of Zanphara the patrimony of Andromeda Wee quickly repented us for giving him that authority He made no other use of it then to sinne more licenciously and to make his faults more great and eminent He return'd to Benin with the most desperate and abominable spirits that ever Africa produc'd and imploying his dayes and nights in dishonouring the best families grew to such a height of abomination that he broke the sacred grates and violated the sanctity of our Temples He forc'd at midday all the gards and defenders of the Virgins consecrated to Purity upon the assurance some had promis'd him of his finding Iphidamanta and he was already gotten into their Cloyster with his Complices when I came in with a greater power and hindred the violences of that detestable route I caus'd some fifty of the principall to be taken and to avenge our violated Religion and give the more terrour to such miscreants commanded them to be cast the next day into the den of Lions Perseus fled with an intent as the event shew'd to revenge his Confederates deaths by those of his father and mother He got an Army of vagabonds of theeves and in a word of the most imbrued and greatest murtherers amongst the Arabians The inundation of these Monsters was in all likelihood to have ruined my Estate but heavens Justice and my Subjects resolution in part exterminated that publique infliction Yet was it not without the effusion of much bloud All the chiefe of my Kingdome dyed in the field and had it not beene for my guard who rescued me out of the midst of mine enemies I had beene involv'd in the same ruine Perseus though much weak'ned gave not over pursuing me but knowing I was gotten into the City of Benin resolv'd to besiege me there Andromeda thinking to allay his fury went out of the towne with her principall Ladies and meeting her Son in the head of his troupes Whither goest thou said she What Perseus art thou become such an enemy to thine owne greatnesse that thou wilt exterminate by fire and sword those who glory in being borne to serve thee What wilt thou get by the destruction of Benin Certainely a misery so great and so visible as I wonder at that blindnesse which makes thee not see it In stead of reigning over free borne men thou shalt be no more then a companion of rascals which follow thee and when thou hast no more for them to prey upon thou thy selfe shalt be the quarry of their insatiable avarice Come home to thy selfe Perseus let the horrour of thy offence disswade thee from continuing in it Hearken to Nature hearken to bloud Respect thy fathers age and intend not to proceed unlesse thou wilt trample under thy horses feet this weake and languishing body to whom thou owest both thy birth and thy Crowne Perseus as furious as he was yet was detained by those words but the Arabians passing the bounds of their wonted brutality and ordinary barbarisme hurried him away farre from Andromeda and enforc'd him to keepe on his journey His Mother seeing her selfe so ill respected with much difficulty returned to the City and relating to me in what ill case our affaires stood found no kinde of comfort but in bewailing the absence of Almanzor In the meane time a
Goodnesse which is at last wearied with our sufferings if thou desirest I should die in some peace moderate thy lamentation and thinke thou hast lost notâ—…g but what thou wert sure and bound to be depriv'd of sooner or later With that he â—…fted his hands to heaven and addressing himselfe to that Power which could onely heare him he gave up the ghost When Melicerta growing more furious then before tore her face pluck'd off her haire and attempted often to seise on some sword to fall on Almanzaira and Cydaria expressed that if she continued as she was that she was to expect no other then the losse of her soule with her life that consideration resetled her and after a while musing she cast her selfe on Achomat and presently starting up again But said she this is onely the halfe of my miseries with that she ran to the other bed and drawing the curtaines stood like a statue at the pitifull sight of so late an admired and faire a countenance and now shaded with the obscuritie and horrour of death she kissed him and afterwards looking on him without any apparent disturbance O short said she and unfortunate love of humane creatures glorious and pitifull remaines of the fairest of men Iphidamantus deare Iphidamantus is it thus that we were to be link'd with bonds more strong then time or fortune Must I needs leave the tombe wherein I had buried my selfe alive to be the spectatresse of thy precipitated death and see thee againe after so long a separation onely that I might lose thee more then once Yes it must be for heaven had so resolv'd it let 's therefore fully perfect our destinie Those were the last words she spoke afterwards she did nothing but sigh and utter some inarticulate speech and then leaving her lover to returne to her father she imbrac'd him neere a quarter of an houre without giving eare to Zabaim's intreaties Almanzaira's exhortations Cydaria's laments nor the supplications of Polexander and Bajazet When she perceiv'd she could no more she went from her father to Iphidamantus and laying her selfe downe by him tooke his hand kissed it and so gave up the ghost These three so considerable dead bodies and so neere to one another made Polexander and Bajazet almost forget what they owed to themselves at last their servants drew them from that mournfull place and even forc'd them to retire to their vessells Bajazet suspended his passion to accord with that of his Mistresse and for two or three dayes did nothing but sigh and nourne with her the fourth he tooke the hardinesse to speak and told her that so faire and excellent a soule as hers should be above all the malice of fortune But Cydaria was of too noble a nature to be o'recome by so barbarous a philosophie she had lost the halfe of her selfe in losing Iphidamantus and 't was fit she should have more then ordinary resentments well might she yet strive to arme her selfe against reason but time and love which are as powerfull as death made her yeeld and quit her complaints and sorrow for the respect she bore to Polexander Zabaim Almanzaira and Bajazet's continuall sollicitations Eight or ten dayes passed o're during which time the Citie of Morocco was almost utterly ruined that famous palace which Historians have describ'd to us as a master-piece of the African Kings magnificence was subverted the Temples scap'd not the furie of sacrilegious hands and those three golden apples which shine on the point of the principall Mosquy were hardly preserv'd by the vertue of such enchantments as are their eternall defence and guardians Bajazet would have nought for his part of the booty but Cydaria's picture which was found in a private Mosquy of Hely's lodgings Presently after he sent command to the pirates and the King his father's souldiers to come from the Towne and repaire to their colours they obeyed without compulsion being so rich and tir'd with ill doing that they wished for nothing more then to put their pillage in some place of safetie Polexander for his part pressed as much as he could their depart which in his opinion might produce some great change of his fortune Zabaim and Almanzaira desired it as much as he Bajazet presently agreed and so with as faire a gale as could be wish'd they weigh'd anchors and landed happily in the Island of Fez there Zabaim visited the tomb of his second sonne and Polexander restor'd to its ancient sepulchre the body of unfortunate Melicerta Her Father was laid on her right hand and her Lover on her left with Trophies of Warre and Love and Inscriptions which had lasted to this day if the pride of Spaine had not subverted all the Monuments which might have preserv'd to after times the memorie of our Heroe's conquests From thence they passed to the new Isle of Alcidiana and among the triumphs and rejoycings answerable to the time thâ—…e â—…arriage of Bajazet and Cydaria was concluded a few dayes after that glorious Ceremonie Zabaim and Almanzaira tooke thence their sonne and daughter to enter in possession of their estates and solemnize among their owne subjects the feasts of so illustrious and long-wish'd for an alliance Whilst Senega Guinea Melly and many other great Provinces wash'd by the Niger drain'd their riches and inventions to raise every where eternall remembrances for Bajazet's returne and marriage Polexander by degrees and insensibly relaps'd into his former melancholy and held all those for Impostors who assured him he should one day reinjoy the felicities he had lost A Canarian one that had been a great observer of the stars came to him a little before he set to sea and knowing his designe Sir said he those which have not my knowledge in future things having taken notice of those misfortunes you are like to fall into advise you to give over your voyage but I who even now foresee the event intreat you to hasten on and not lose the benefit of certaine constellations which seeme to shine onely to contest with the malignity of such others as threaten you set saile therefore and hold it for infallible that your happinesse shall not be farre off when you see your selfe reduced to the most unfortunate estate ever any great Prince like your selfe ever met with Polexander neglected this counsell as others and yet for feare of disobliging the Author he â—…ain'd to be well pleased with it and to assure him he was so gave him a worthy Present The Prognosticator being gone Polexander set saile with Alcippus and Diceus the deare and inseparable companions of all his fortunes hee commanded his to steere right North and without varying either West or Easterly to hold on his course on the same point All that ever experience and the art of Navigation have taught the most judicious Pilots that man observ'd in the guiding his ship and a winde from Africa seeming to be risen expresly to favour their enterprise made Polexander beleeve he should not alwayes
combate for though Polexander were cover'd with wounds and had scarce force to uphold himselfe yet he was constrain'd to renew his forces A woman all dischevel'd entered the lists with a sword in her hand and inciting every one to fall on our Heroe Can you indure my friends cry'd she that the inhumane Tisiphone's Protector shall returne to her with your and my Lord's head But should you prove so cowardly as not to dare revenge him and so ingratefull as to forget the benefits you have receiv'd I alone fill'd with a just resentment will on and inforce from him the soule of this murderer Those words were so powerfull that all they about the barriers which had weapons flew on Polexander and not caring for death forc'd him at last to yeeld to their number Diceus gave then a great proofe of his wonted fidelitie he fought till he was so wounded that he came and fell for dead at his masters feet The multitude was not contented with that revenge but being on a further prosecution saw themselves assail'd by divers troupes which came from the sea-side which flew with fire and sword through all the streetes of the city Those that abode in the field were slaine and the rest which had retir'd themselves into some advantageous places after a little resistance ran the same fortune The ships in the haven were burnt and the towne almost wholly on a fire the flame for the whole night made a new day the better to discover the run-awayes to the cruell prosecution of the vanquisher This succour a little too late for Polexander was conducted by Tisiphone her selfe Love causing in that Furie what crueltie had done in other times She put to sea presently after Polexander and with such forces as she had ready followed him either to make use of his victorie if he overcame or not to over-live him if hee were slaine She landed from her ship by the light of the burning towne and understanding how great a massacre her men had made on those of Astramadan she call'd before her some Inhabitants of the Island which had escap'd the Souldiers furie and question'd what was become of their Prince and the Knight who fought with him They answered that Polexander after he had slaine seven Knights belonging to Astramadan and their master to boote had been assaulted by that Prince's guard and slaine after an incredible resistance No sooner did Tisiphone heare this newes but she caus'd those poor innocents to be taken and their throats cut before her that cruell execution satisfied not her fury she hasten'd to the place of combate and commanded her Souldiers to respect neither sex nor age Palace nor Temple Whilst those barbarous people with a great deale of pleasure executed so horrible a command Tisiphone sought every where for our Heroe but he was not there where she thought to have found him Some little while after Diceus was falne as dead at his masters feet he came to himselfe and though he were exceedingly wounded his affection yet gave him if not strength enough at least courage sufficient to surmount his misfortune and indeavour to serve the King his master Hee at first sight knew him by his armes and plucking him out from many bodies which in dying were falne on him did all his art had learn'd him to see if there were any life left in him for Polexander throwing forth weake fighes and now and then groaning made him conjecture he was yet in case to be assisted Presently hee tooke on the very place some of the earth mollified by the quantity of bloud which had been there shed and clapp'd it on his masters wounds After he saw hee was come to himselfe Sir said he 't is not enough that you live but if possible it may be wee must worke so that your enemies know not of it trie therefore to get hence whilst the tumult the night and distraction gives you some meanes to escape Polexander who knew no more then Diceus of Tisiphone's arrivall thought there was no other fit means for his safety then what Diceus had propounded To make use of it he quitted the remainder of his armour and covering himselfe with certaine skinnes which hee found on some of those he had slaine with a great deale of paine followed Diceus At every foote he ask'd who had set Astramadan's city on fire Diceus who thought on nothing but how to save his master answer'd he knew not and so slincking from the light as much as he could passed through divers companies of men without any the least stay At last he got out of the inflamed towne but taking a way cleane contrary to that of the haven he led Polexander two or three houres through narrow pathes that lay betweene two little hills The losse of bloud constrained the Prince through weaknesse to lay him downe and he had infallibly falne againe into another swoune if Diceus had not given him some graines of an exceeding cordiall composition That faithfull servant thinking his master could bee in no safety whilst hee was in the power of those traitors that had so unworthily wrong'd him went along the shore to see whether he were farre from the haven He had not gone above fifty paces but he met with a pretty broad River which rolling downe head-long from the top of the hill into the sea stopp'd his further passage This obstacle would have almost made him desperate but that he instantly spi'd through the darke a little boat made fast neere the banke of the torrent into it he went and finding there five or six oares thought it not best to neglect a conveniency which was as it were miraculously offered him Backe therefore went he to Polexander and intimating to him that extreame misfortunes aske the like remedies Your good hap said he should it bring you from hence to the Canaries in a simple boate will have wrought no greater miracle then it hath done in preserving your life after the receiving so many wounds and among so many enemies Never then deliberate I beseech you and betide what may give not to the most perfidious of men time to perfect their revenge Polexander arising with a great deale of paine Come said he to Diceus let 's goe since thou wilt have it so and bestow on the sea that body which thou deniest the earth Without any more words he went on and having no other armes then his sword came to the rivers side where entering the boat by the help of his trusty servant and cutting the rope that fastned it the impetuousnesse of the streame bore him farre off into the sea with an extreame swiftnesse At the same time Tisâ—…phone equally transported with griefe and choler for the losse of that Prince and intending to avenge it to the utmost came to the place of combate shee was attended by Amintha Alcippus and other of our Heroe's servants and as if the flame of so many houses had not to her wish cast light enough
she might have the more time to meditate at pleasure and may be to comprehend the meaning of what I had spoken All things hap'ned as I had fore-thought For the first time that I saw Benzaida againe she darted such looks on me as were answerable to lightning and when I came neere her Goe said she very softly goe bold and rash Man and if you value your life beware lest your extravagancy be known to any whosoever Before I could open my mouth to reply she retir'd and to expresse to you well at this instant what I then felt I must needs say that from the height of heaven she threw me into the depth of hell For a moneth together I assai'd all meanes that were to be imagined for the bringing her to understand the integrity and innocency of my affection but that perseverance was in her thought a new fault and the more I endeavoured to come neere her the more I augmented her desire of flying me After all my patience was quite exhausted and that I knew I was hated for no other cause then the not being a Prince I resolv'd on the most bold and rash designe that ever entred the thought of a Lover I intended to make my selfe King of Granado But well fare thinking that such an Enterprise could have no successe but by great revolutions I thought it was best to begin them by drawing the warre into the Kingdome Presently I sent undeâ—…hand to solicite the King of Spaines Officers and represented to them the facility of making themselves Masters of Granado if so be they would make me of their party To this advice of mine they gave care and I was promis'd no lesse then a Crown if I brought it to passe To witnesse therefore to the Spanyards that I promis'd nothing but what I would make good I went and surpris'd one of their Townes and by that breath engaged Ferdinand to besiege Malago Whil'st I thus laid the foundation of my imaginary Kingdome the Granadians accelerating their owne ruine took armes against one another and during their intestine broyles gave way for the common enemy to fortifie himselfe So well had I provided all things that I had been King of Granado and the possessour of Benzaida if the Moores had persevered in the revolt I had engaged them But Boabdilez after he had subdued his enemies and made himself strongest in Granado compell'd me to follow his fortune that I might not give over my designe Some little time before the young Prince of Fez was come to Granado and obtain'd by his quality that which I could not get by my many and important services and actions of such fame as might have obscur'd the birth of that barbarous Prince Assoone as I came to Court I understood that Benzaida was passionately in love with him but the insolent Prince as a proud Conquerour who mispriseth a victory easily gotten thought he should humble himself too much in contributing but a cold complacency to that Princesse's affection Assoone as I heard that unwelcome newes my love became a furious jealousie and I presently resolv'd with my selfe the death of my Rivall but before I could be in a fit place where I might freely be permitted to challenge him I was commanded by the King to oppose the progresse of the Spanish Army and retaine in obedience those Townes which since the taking of Baza would have yeelded to the conquering party I was in all places of importance and reducing all to their devoyr return'd to Granado to satisfie my Jealousie but the Prince of Fez was gone Hee had repass'd the sea without taking any leave of Boabdilez Benzaida seem'd to me so sad and disconsolate that I doubted no more of her passion For mine owne part I strove to suppresse my griefe and smother my first motions to let her know her fault or at least to entreat some pity for that offence which her beauty had been the first cause of She seem'd extrremly enraged when I durst come neer her and upbraiding me more then ever for my impudence and rashnesse told me boldly that my malipertnes should have been chastised long agone The griefe and vexation to see my selfe so ill treated by the Princesse made me resolve to combine with Spaine for the ruine of my Countrey that I might have the comfort to see a great many Companions in my misery Besides I thought that when Benzaida had lost her Crowne she would give over her pride and stand not so obstinatly in desiring none but Kings for her Lovers I straight sent my Agenâ—…s to Valedolid and my information putting all Spaine in armes Ferdinand and Isabella came and besieg'd the city of Granado But I was not so fortunate as to have the sad contentment to see that Towne in the flame I had lighted to avenge me of its Princesse For at the beginning of the Siege Benzaida stole out of the city in a mans habit with a Moorish Prince called Tyndarache and sail'd into Africa to follow shamefully the perfidious Prince of Fez. Her losse made me take new counsell I renounc'd all my abominable pretentions and abandoning my Countrey went to Morocco to stab if I could in his very throne the Traytor which triumph'd o're all my hopes and travells But I neither found Benzaida nor her Lover there and after I had enquir'd of all such as were likely to tell me newes of him I understood that he was put to sea to follow a faire young Canarian call'd Ennoramita with whom he was passionately fallen in love I imbarck'd me againe in the same vessell that brought me out of Europe into Africa and was about six moneths searching on all sides for that infamous Ravisher of my happinesse But all my diligent inquisition being bootlesse and a tempest shipwracking me on this Isle I was whether I would or no pluck'd out of the sea by two flaves which fish'd by the sea side To this house they brought me and then was I presented to the Chief priest At the very first I made known to him my intent of mischieving my selfe but he instructing one how pernicious my resolution would be to my soul put me clean off from committing homicide on my self Yet was I above three moneths in overcoming my despair Continually I griev'd for Benzaida as ingratefull as she was to me and when I call'd to minde her love to an Infidell I grew so enraged that to hinder off the effects of my fury they were forc'd to put me into the custody of two Priests They told me that if I had so eager and violent a desire to die there was no speedier nor more innocent meanes then to make my selfe the slave of that God whom they adored and attend the lot which should give a period to my life and miseries I was surpris'd with their proposition But a little while after seeing with what bravenesse and jollity one of this Temples slaves came to his death I made a vow to weare the chaines