Amphilanthus following his way to Ciprus with his friend Ollorandus quickly landed there taking their way as they were directed by passengers the Countrey now full of people that came to see the end of this businesse to the throne of loue the plaine before it being all set with Tents and couered with Knights and Ladyes The first Tent Amphilanthus knew to be some Italians wherfore hee went into that and finding it belonged to the Duke of Millan whose opinion of his owne worth and the beauty of his Mistresse had made him aduenture the enchantment was therein inclosed hee discouerd himselfe vnto his seruants who presently made offer of it to his seruice which hee accepted yet did hee charge the men not to let him be knowne by any but themselues there they rested for that night the next morning going among the Tents finding many braue Princes and excellent Ladyes some come to aduenture others only to behold the aduentures of others many of these the two excellent Companies knew but they keeping their beauers downâ—â— were not knowne of any One Lady among the rest or rather aboue the rest for exquisite wit and rare â—pirit so perfect in them as she excelled her sexe so much as her perfections were stiled masculine This Lady as her iudgment was greater then the rest so her obseruation was likewise more particular cast her eyes vpon these strangers but most on the Italian shee sigh'd at first sight aftergrew sad wondring why shee was so troubled not knowing the face of her trouble neuer then resting till she had got the truth of whence he was and so the meanes to see him hee hauing inquired of euery ones name and title came also to know her to bee called Luceania Daughter to a noble man who was Brother to the famously vertuous but vnfortunate Lady Luceania wife and Mother to the first and this last Antissius King of Romania Wife she was to a great Lord in the same Countrey who though vnable to flatter himselfe with conceit of worth sufficient to end so rare an aduenture yet partly for nouelties and most to please his spiritfull wife hee came thither louing the best company for these reasons The Prince was glad to here this because he was now sure of acquaintance quickly there As soone as his name was knowne shee studying to haue her ends by his knowledge watched the next fit opportunitie which was offered the next day by a generall meeting of all the Knights and Ladies Hee seldome bashfull put himselfe among them Luceania must needs know him wherfore shee asked those that accompanied her who that stranger was they all answered they knew him not nor could they learne of any who hee was Is it possible said she so braue a Prince should be vnknowne many desiring to doe her seruice she being for noble behauiour courtesie wit and greatnesse of vnderstanding loued and admired of all such as could bee honord with her conuersation to please her euery one indeuored and one forwarder then the rest as more bound in affection went to him telling him that a faire Lady much desired to know his name Can it be answered the King that any faire Lady should so much honor mee as to desire so worthlesse a thing as my name There is one Sir said hee who curiously desireth the knowledge of it which must bee more worthy â—hen you doe accound it otherwise could she no couet in and such an one is shee said he as if you can deserue beauty you will acknowledge only deserues honor and seruice Thâ—y bâ—long said the King to all such excellent creatures yet Sir 〈◊〉 it is my ill fortune at this time that I am not able to satisfie her deâ—â—â—â— although this grace shall euer make me her seruant The Knight acâ—â—â—nted with such vowes went back to Luceania truly telling her all that â—â—â—had said which although deliuered by a farre worse Orator yet gaind â—â—â—y more fauour for him shee esteeming witt beyond outward beauty bâ—t both there ioyned it is necessary for to yeeld as she did for before shee desiâ—'d his name only now finding iudgment and braue Courtshipp shee long 's for his society and these accompanied with seeing his excellently sweete and euer conquering louelinesse did ioyne as to the conquest of her for shee who before had knowne loue rather by name then subiection now shee finds her selfe loues Prisoner affection before but companion likeâ— now mastring and now she finds it expedient to know that delightfull cruell who had with so pleasing a dart wounded and ceazed her till then commanding heart The next euening was resolu'd of for her gaine of knowledge and rather then misse there shee would employ the same louesicke Knight againe who to bee graced with her commands would doe any thing The euening come and Amphilanthus his companion assuring themselues they were vnknowne freely came into the company Shee who now was by the art of loue taught to watch all opportunities and neuer to loose any was walking with her husband forth to passe away the time in the coole ayre Amphilanthus and his friend discoursing of their owne passions finding the greatest misse euer in most company their Ladyes being absent were so transported with their passions as they were close to this amorous Lady and her Lord before they discouerd it which when they found asked pardon for their rudnesse they would haue returnd but shee who was now not to put of her hopes till the next meeting resolud to make vse of this so with as inticing a countenance as Caesar vnderstood Cleopatras to be shee told them shee saw no error they had committed that place being free to all but turâ—ing her selfe towards her husband she smiling said Would you thinke my Lord this Knight were ashamed of his name I see small reason that hee should said hee why thinke you that he is because hee refuseth too tell it said shee Although excellent Lady answered Amphilanthus it may be my name is not so fortunate as to haue come to your eares with any renowne yet am I not ashamed of it a vow onely hauing made mee conceale it May not that vow bee broken said shee This may and shall said hee to satisfie your desire though some vowes are so deare as nothing nor any force may preuaile against them With that shee saw Ollorandus had vndertaken her husband which gaue her more libertie in her desires againe vrging with fine and amorous countenances the breach of his vow The commanding power said he which your perfections carrie with them must preuaile then bee pleased to know I am Amphilanthus King of the Romans Pardon mee my Lord said shee that I haue been thus bold with you which was caused by with that shee blushing held her peace desiring to bee thought bashfull but more longing to bee intreated for the rest Nay speake on excellent Lady said hee and barre not mine eares from hearing what you surely once thought mee worthy to know Well
This grieuefull spectacle did much amaze the sweet and tender-hearted Shepherdesse especially when she perceiued as she might by the helpe of the candle the teares which distilled from his eyes who seeming the image of death yet had this signe of worldly sorrow the drops falling in that abundance as if there were a kind strife among them to rid their Master first of that burdenous carriage or else meaning to make a floud and so drowne their wofull Patient in his owne sorrow who yet lay still but then fetching a deepe groane from the profoundest part of his soule he said Miserable Perissus canst thou thus liue knowing she that gaue thee life is gone Gone O me and with her all my ioy departed Wilt thou vnblessed creature lie here complaining for her death and know she died for thee Let truth and shame make thee doe something worthy of such a Loue ending thy daies like thy selfe and one fit to be her Seruant But that I must not doe then thus remaine and foster stormes still to torment thy wretched soule withall since all are little and too too little for such a losse O deere Limena louing Limena worthy Limena and more rare constant Limena perfections delicately faign'd to be in women were verified in thee was such worthinesse framed onely to be wondred at by the best but giuen as a prey to base and vnworthy iealousie When were all worthy parts ioyn'd in one but in thee my best Limena yet all these growne subiect to a creature ignorant of all but ill like vnto a Foole who in a darke Caue that hath but one way to get out hauing a candle but not the vnderstanding what good it doth him puts it out this ignorant wretch not being able to comprehend thy vertues did so by thee in thy murder putting out the worlds light and mens admiration Limena Limena O my Limena With that he fell from complaining into such a passion as weeping and crying were neuer in so wofull a perfection as now in him which brought as deserued a compassion from the excellent Shepherdesse who already had her heart so tempered with griefe as that it was apt to take any impression that it would come to seale withall Yet taking a braue courage to her shee stept vnto him kneeling downe by his side and gently pulling him by the arme she thus spake Sir said she hauing heard some part of your sorrowes they haue not only made me truly pitie you but wonder at you since if you haue lost so great a treasure you should not lie thus leauing her and your loue vnreuenged suffering her murderers to liue while you lie here complaining and if such perfections be dead in her why make you not the Phoenix of your deeds liue againe as to new life rais'd out of the reuenge you should take on them then were her end satisfied and you deseruedly accounted worthie of her fauour if shee were so worthie as you say If shee were O God cri'd out Perissus what diuelish spirit art thou that thus dost come to torture me But now I see you are a woman and therefore not much to be marked and lesse resisted but if you know charitie I pray now practise it and leaue me who am afflicted sufficiently without your companie or if you will stay discourse not to me Neither of these will I doe said she If you be then said he some furie of purpose sent to vex me vse your force to the vttermost in martyring me for neuer was there a fitter subiect then the heart of poore Perissus is I am no furie repli'd the diuine Vrania nor hither come to trouble you but by accident lighted on this place my cruell hap being such as onely the like can giue me content while the solitarinesse of this like caue might giue me quiet though not ease seeking for such a one I happened hither and this is the true cause of my being here though now I would vse it to a better end if I might Wherefore fauour me with the knowledge of your griefe which heard it may be I shall giue you some counsell and comfort in your sorrow Cursed may I bee cri'd he if euer I take comfort hauing such cause of mourning but because you are or seeme to be afflicted I will not refuse to satisfie your demaund but tell you the saddest storie that euer was rehearsed by dying man to liuing woman and such a one as I feare will fasten too much sadnesse in you yet should I denie it I were too blame being so well knowne to these senselesse places as were they sensible of sorrow they would condole or else amased at such crueltie stand dumbe as they doe to find that man should be so inhumane Then faire Shepherdesse heare my selfe say my name is Perissus Nephew I am to the King of Sicilie a place fruitfull and plentifull of all things onely niggardly of good nature to a great man in that Country whom I am sure you haue heard me blame in my complaints Heire I am as yet to this King mine Vncle and truly may I say so for a more vnfortunate Prince neuer liued so as I inherit his crosses howsoeuer I shall his estate There was in this Country as the only blessing it enioyed a Lady or rather a Goddesse for incomparable beautie and maâ—chles vertues called Limena daughter to a Duke but Princesse of all hearâ—s this starre comming to the Court to honour it with such light it was in that my blessed destinie to see her and be made her seruant or better to say a slaue to her perfections thus long was I happie but now begins the tragedie for warres falling out betweene the people and the Gentlemen the King was by the people imagining he tooke the other part brought into some danger and so great an one as rudenes ioynd with ill nature could bring him into being at last besieged in a strong hold of his all of vs his seruants and gentle subiects striuing for his good and safetie in this time nothing appearing but danger and but wise force to preserue mens liues and estates vnto them euery one taking the best meanes to attaine vnto their good desires The Duke father to the best and truest beauty would yet bestow that vpon a great Lord in the Country truly for powerfull command and meanes a fit match for any but the wonder of women since none could without much flatterie to himselfe thinke he might aspire to the blessing of being accounted worthie to be her seruant much lesse her husband Shee seeing it was her fathers will esteeming obedience beyond all passions how worthily â—oeuer suffered most dutifully though vnwillingly said she would obey her tongue faintly deliuering what her heart so much detested loathing almost it selfe for consenting in shew to that which was most contrarie to it selfe yet thus it was concluded and with as much speed as any man would make to an eternall happines While of this and so my
what could be wished to giue true delight contrarily wrought against them The morning come they rose and as one parted not but together went to the top of the Castle whence they saw their ruine then kissing her and gently weeping on her face hee said My deere mistake not you these tears which now I shedd onely in tendernesse vnto your state and for you who was sauer of my life How can life better be disposed of then to her seruice who did once preserue it when I a stranger hurt and mangled was conducted to your house how was I there relieued and cherished by your care this was but to this end and this end is more welcome then a life which without you I otherwise had gained Farewell deere loue more kind and sweete then blessings in distresse I le fight for thee and this must be my last yet feare I not for doe but see my end and that will make me liue with ioy in death when I see thee beholding me from hence my courage will increase and make my blowes more terrible and fatall then the harme which falls in stormes from high Farewell once more my deere my life my ioy and my last comfort sweete weepe not for me nor marre those deere eyes which wound mee more to see them harme themselues then stroaks that from the enemie can come and bee assured the victory will turne to vs if you but let their cleernes shine on me but dimme them and I die The sweetest soule did weepe yet wip'd away the tears to fauour him and shew them bright farewell my life said shee if thou dost die for after thee I le neuer more see day then kiss'd they once againe and so did part hee to the gate whereout he sallied then arm'd in â—edd his sheild with the old deuice which was an Azuer Speare vpon his â—rme a scarfe of Azuer colour giuen him by his loue and thus against the enemie he came who neuer stay'd to meete him but with troops incompassing him round who fought with rage against all hope more then a hope â—o dye like to himselfe and to renowne his blood that though shedd by such â—orce yet so well shedd would write his fame eternally to times and witâ—esse worth with valour ioyn'd made loue the crowne whereat they leiâ—el'd still To say what courage he did show how many slew what wounds what â—roaks it were but tedious and most vaine but so much did hee there as â—ade a way through the thickest so pass'd in spite of what their furyes or â—heir numbers could doe to hinder him A path he made of men and paâ—ed the ground with bodyes while their bloods sought how to bath them â—leane and wash their wounds which giuen on so ill grounds did blush or shame Hee beeing pass'd and on the other side cast vp his eyes to see if â—ee beheld which when he saw and that she made a signe to him to scape â—nd euen with hands held vp and knees bent downe shee did beseech hee â—rauely answered with his sword wau'd round about his head as who â—â—ould say no heere I le dye or set my Lady free With that behind him â—â—me a gallant Knight and fifty more who neuer speaking word as he aâ—aine did charge his enemie charg'd in with him and did so brauely helpe 〈◊〉 in short time the conquest was dispos'd to braue Philarchos and his new come friends then did they seeke among the prisoners where they might finde the spring of all this ill at last they got the Duke and then with guards brought him into the Castle when kind Orilena came vnto her Knight and holding him fast in her tender armes wellcomd him to his owne and her command but as she did embrace him she perceau'd the blood to runne along his arme wherefore shee went and speedily did fetch an excellent baulme and then disarming him did dresse his wounde but when his helme was off the stranger Knight caught him with all true loue into his breast and louingly thus said My Lord how bless'd am I to see the Prince I seeke he also hauing pulld off his helme but young Philarchos knew him not wherefore my Lord said he the honor you haue done this day is to your selfe in rescuing a poore distressed Lady and restoring her vnto her birth-right which shee else had lost for me this fauour and the aide I had from your braue selfe and these your followers shall euer binde me to be still your friend and faithfull seruant when you shall dispose of me and mine which still you freely may and shall command yet let mee know I doe beseech you who you are and how that you knew me My name said he is honoured most by this braue title of your friend my selfe am calld Antissius King of Romania setled and restored by your excellent cousen and the worlds greatest worth Amphilanthus the knowledge that I haue of you is this I saw your picture in the famous Court of your father the Morean King and withall your name and many of your acts were there related while you passd vnknowne but as the bare Knight of the Speare ioyes infinitly did possesse the Court to heare the fame which all parts holds of you besides so like you are to that braue King whom heauen doth fauour for the earths best good as for his sake if for no other cause I should affectionatly loue you The honors which you lay on me said he great King are such as I but weake in worth can hardly beare the waight of yet the last affects me most that I am something like that matchlesse King whose worth ambitiously I seeke to imitate though sure to come as much below the reach of it as 't is from me vnto the cleerest starre Then did they bring the King into a roome where they disarmd him and then went backe vnto the Duke whom they had put into a gallerie well guarded and respected like himselfe him they found not ouerthrowne with griefe for neither was hee sad nor any way dismay'd but seem'd to beare his ouerthrow patiently to him Philarchos thus began My Lord for so you are to mee since I am husband to your elder child who fondly and no way humanely for loue to Erinea you forget and would disinherit but shee borne to more good was first releiud by me lastly and most by this great King heauen so much fauoring her as to haue succour sent her from farr parts before his comming we were marryed determining to die if such our fates in holy wedlock Now you may discerne what wrong you did and if you please accept me for your sonne and pardon what without your knowledge wee in loue and great extremity haue done nor thinke shee hath dishonored her selfe or you in making me her husband for I am a Prince and sonne vnto a mighty King my name Philarchos my Country Morea third sonne vnto the King thereof Then did the Duke embrace him speaking
with me purposing to keepe her to protect me from danger while I would practise the ruine of the Prince by any deuiliâ—h plot and to be the cause of as much hurt as might be to his worthinesse but otherwise and better for the good of all these parts it happened I being in all my charmes and spells preuented by a greater power yet was I glad I had the child with whom I tooke my way to the sea where fitting downe and looking on the sweetenesse and delicacie of the babe vnawares by Robbers I was set vpon no helpe being left me by learning or art to relieue me in that aduenture death being onely expected by me they prooued more mercifull sauing my life but took what I had from me and the child which most of al I esteemd then wofully did I returne to mine owne Country there I fell to my books and called others of that art vnto my aide but doe what I or they could we were barrd from knowledge or guesse what was become of the child or what course it should run heauenly powers hiding it from mee to keepe her safety neerer to her till this yeare it was discouered to mee that shee was safe in the conduct of a great Prince her estate vnknowne to her selfe and him nor was her inprisonment hid from me though the place and manner was her disguise was shewed mee being Shepherdesses attire since which time I haue bestowed my time and labour in seeking her and now Sir where I stole her here I find heâ— this being your daughter and I Sir the Traytor This then being done they all againe embraced her but Vrania desired to know one thing more which was how the Mantell and Purse was left vnto her That said the old man was done by him or her I know not which that protected you nor can you know that till you finish an aduenture which is onely left for you to end Then did euery one adiudge the old Prince to no lesse then death but the King nor Amphilanthus would consent to it saying Their ioyes and welcomes should noâ— bee mixed with bloud then did he professe repentance and for that and their great mercies he receiued pardon and so returned towards his country halfe way in his â—ourney he died thus the aduenture concluded they went forth to the Iusts which were ready to begin with their presence The first day was concluded by a match made of twelue to twelue with sword speare which were to their renownes performed then the Pâ—inces determined to manifest their valours yet euery one priuately taking this resolution made a shrewd mistaking among them for the King and Queene being placed there entred a Knight in black armour his deuise the Woâ—ld burning and Cupid houering in the flame this Knight was straight encountred by a Prince of Apulia a braue and valiant Gentleman but too weake for himâ— then the Princes of Vihin of Milan Sauoy Florence Mantua Modina and many others met him and so the earth as his Liuery Amphilanthus seeing this stole away hoping to reuenge his Country men against this stranger so taking a white armour like a young Knight came in and fitly for then did the black knight want worke but long he did not complaine of that for this encounter was strong and furious the black Knight taking him for some such an one as the other kind-hearted Princes were which made him â—it the more carelesly and so gaue the Prince the aduantage to shake him shrewdly which he meaning to mend the next time with great rage met him who neuer yet was ouerthrowne or neere the hazard of it but so terrible was the meeting as both their horses were strooke vpon their buttocks yet againe recouerd three courses they ran thus without aduantage wherefore by the lawes of those Iusts they were to end it with the sword which they did fighting without mercy or feare the white armour of Amphilanthus looking pale with rage to see his bloud while the other mourned for his masters hurts which were many Long they fought on horseback theÌ„ both agreeing their horses being faint they lighted and so continued the fight till the King sent downe Vrania to intreate them that they would giue ouer since they hoped the quarrell was not deadly besides the greatest pitie such Knights should bee lost at the time when pleasure not warre should be exercised They at her desire yeelded while all iudgements gaue them the honour of the most worthy to be admired Combatants Italy had euer knowne Faint they were and so sat downe taking one another by the hand as witnesse their malice was ended and so might euery one truly belieue when they beheld their faces for the black Knight was Parselius who faigned himselfe not well of purpose to bee the abler to combat all commers The two friends did then condemne each one himselfe for hurting the other but these chances often happen among Knights so they went to the King whose grief was great to see their hurts but knowing by his Chirurgions none of them were dangerous though painfull his content was infinite to see their valors Vrania was sorry for Parselius but tended Amphilanthus wholly till he came abroad which was some two daies after strange happines wrought by diuine power to work such change who once would haue left all friends for Parselius During which time the sport ceased and began again with his presence the other Princes euery one had their trials in full manner and Steriamus for his honour had this aduenture befall him The fame of this meeting and the Iusts being noised ouer all those parts there came most Knights and Princes to whose eares the tidings came among which was the Prince of Piemont as proud and insolent as those vices could corrupt man withall this man pufft vp with ambition in the worst kind aspired to loue Vrania and therefore put himselfe to the bold discouering of it and not content with that demanded a fauour of her to weare which she refusd hating vice so much as for that shee abhorred him He scorning to be denied when hee should haue hated himselfe for such an attempt gaue some speeches not befitting her to take and withall snatched a gloue from her which hee sware to weare yet mildly she tooke small notice of either of them but her spirit made her colour shew she was offended this was in the chamber of Amphilanthus in the window Steriamus standing by and seeing it grew offended and so much as it making his â—iâ—s giue testimony of the furie he had boyling within him he spake these words Presumption hath causd in you this vnmannerlinesse but truth in mee prouokes these words lay downe the gloue againe and your selfe at her feete humbly submit and yeeld your life to her disposing for hauing done so vnpardonable an act and leaue your hopes to her mercy or here receiue this from me that you shall haue my heart or I yours to satisfie
with her left arme embracing her holding Amphilanthus with the right hand Into the Hall they came where choice of musick entertaind them Antissia neuer more pleased Pamphilia seldome so well contented and Amphilanthus eâ—ioying too his wish Antissia gazed on him and happy was when she could catch one looke cast on her out of which shee found millions of sweet conceits coniecturing that by that looke he told her she had still the whole command of him as once she had Dissembling enemy to perfect rest vaine hope thou art why didst thou cousen her and after thy deludings let her fall from that height to cruellest despaire As the variety was great and pleasing of the musick so were their thoughts euery one moouing in their owne Spheare Antissia as her ioy was most excessiue as more vnruly to bee gouernd by how much her strength of iudgement was inferior to the other two she could least keepe silence but began discourse and still continued so as she contented them exceedingly who while shee talked discoursed with eyes and hearts her ouer-esteemd good fortune taking most of her iudging sences from her Amphilanthus with gratefull respect carried himselfe to her liking sufficiently whose beliefe was such of him as she tooke all to her selfe and so tooke the iniuries for courresies Some dayes this continued but now the time for the Kings departure drew neere the day before which hee spake to Pamphilia for some Verses of hers which he had heard of She granted them and going into her Cabinet to fetch them he would needs accompany her shee that was the discreetest fashiond woman would not deny so small a fauour When they were there she tooke a deske wherein her papers lay and kissing them deliuered all shee had saued from the fire being in her owne hand vnto him yet blushing told him she was ashamed so much of her folly should present her selfe vnto his eyes He told her that for any other they might speake for their excellencies yet in comparison of her excelling vertues they were but shadowes to set the others forth withall and yet the best he had seene made by woman but one thing said he I must find fault with that you counterfeit louing so well as if you were a louer and as we are yet you are free pitie it is you suffer not that can faigne so well She smild and blusht and softly said fearing that he or her selfe should heare her say so much Alas my Lord you are deceiued in this for I doe loue He caught her in his armes she chid him not nor did so much as frowne which shewed she was betrayd In the same boxe also he saw a little tablet lie which his vnlooked for discourse had so surpressed her as shee had forgot to lay aside He tooke it vpâ— and looking in it found her picture curiously drawne by the best hand of that time her haire was downe some part curld some more plaine as naturally it hung of great length it seemd to bee some of it comming vp againe shee held in her right hand which also she held vpon her heart a wastcoate shee had of needle worke wrought with those flowers she loued best He beheld it a good space at last shutting it vp told her he must haue that to carry with him to the field She said it was made for her sister Shee may haue others said he let me haue this You may command my Lord said she This done they came forth againe and so went to â—ind Antissia who was gone into the Parke they followed her and ouertooke her in the Wood where they sat downe euery one discoursing of poore Loue made poore by such perpetuall vsing his name Amphilanthus began but so sparingly he spake as one would doe who would rather cleare then condemne a friend Pamphilia followed and much in the same kind Antissia was the last and spake enough for them both bâ—ginning her story thus I was till sixteene yeares of age so troubled or busied with continuall misfortunes as I was ingrafted into them I saw no face that me thought brought not new or rather continuance of perplexity how was libertie then priz'd by me enuy almost creeping into me against such as felt freedome for none was so slauish as I deemd my selfe betraid sold stolne almost dishonored these aduerse fortunes I ranne but from the last you rescued me and saued your seruant Antissia to liue fit to be commanded by you yet gaue you not so great a blessing alone but mixt it or suffered mixture in it for no sooner was I safe but I was as with one breath pardoned and condemned againe subiect and in a farre stricter subiection you braue King deliuerd mee from the hands of Villans into the power of Loue whither imagine you is the greater bondage the latter the nobler but without question as full of vexation But to leaue these things loue possessed me loue tirannized and doth command me many of those passions I felt in Morea and whereof you most excellent Queene haue been witnesse but none so terrible as absence hath since wrought in me Romania being to me like the prison appointed to containe me and my sorrowes One day among many other I went to the sea side through a Walke which was priuate and delicate leading from the Court at Constantinople to the sea there I vsed to walke and passe much time vpon the sands beholding ships that came in and boates that came ashoare and many times fine passengers in them with whom I would discourse as an indifferent woman not acknowledging my greatnes which brought mee to the knowledge of many pretty aduentures but one especially which happened in this kind A ship comming into the Harbor but being of too great burden to come ashoare in the long boat the passengers came and landed on the sands I beheld them among whom was one whose face promised an excellent wit and spirit but that beauty she had had was diminished so much only left as to shew she had been beautifull Her fashion was braue and confident her countenance sweet and graue her speech mild and discreet the company with her were some twenty that accompanied her the number of seruants answerable to their qualities Thus they came on towards vs I sent to know who they were and of what Country for their habits said they were not Greekes The reply was they were of Great Brittany and that the chiefe Lady was a widdow and sister to the Embassador that lay Leigeir there for the King of that Countrey I had heard much fame of the Ladies of that Kingdome for all excellencies which made mee the more desire to bee acâ—quainted with her yet for that time let it passe till a fitter opportunity which was soone offered me for within few dayes she desired to bee permitted to kisse my hands I willingly granted it longing to heare some things of Brittany when she came I protest shee behaued her selfe so excellently finely as me
try it but she excused it with her vowe to liue and die in that place concluding her dayes with her former resolution He parted thence and so left the Lady Pastora on the Rocke as hard as her fortune and as white as her faith Steriamus holds on his way and at last is within sight of the Rocke whither he must goe being there arriued he came to the house and at the gate he found Leandrus fearefull to attempt least he should not gaine the honour of concluding but he hartened him and so together aduenture Steriamus absolutely thinking it belonged to him and Vrania who had beene disguis'd and therefore that might be enough to answer those things that like Oracles are neuer without antiquitie As soone as they entered Steriamus like the other his Leaders ran to the Chaire and tooke Vrania who with him went to the others a place being reserued for her now were all almost in couples as they wished Rosindy and Meriana Selarinus and Philistella Antissius and Selarina the rest as they would and came coupled Polarchos and his soone wonne Lady Parselius and Dalinea Philarchos and Orilena but still Pamphilia sits leaning her cheeke on her hand her eyes lifted vpwards as asking helpe at her feete lay Leandrus gazing on her and as much imploring pity from her as she begged it from another with whom her heart was her eies not in the absence of her heart turning to any other lower then the top of the roome and there staied by the roofe not with desire to behold any thing but her loue and now his mâ—mory all ioyed in others loues and a fine sight it was to see them in their various habits yet all to one purpose imitating the world which for all the changes and varieties she hath must haue but one conclusion and one end Perissus arriues in Sicely without any aduenture and with as constant a loue as he brought Limena met him to whom he related all his fortunes and the accidents in the late warr there he encountred the two young Princes of Corinthia to whom they came of purpose to shew their thankfulnes for the honor done vnto them both in Knighting them bringing them to the knowledge of the wrong doer and to be esteemed accounted friends to the true and excellent Amphilanthus He fâ—asted them with great kindnes intreated their stay company to the inchantment which they consented to before their going thence which was not in three months were fit for the adueÌ„ture being both surprised by that secret serpent Loue the elder falling in loue with a sister to Limena borne many yeeres after her and by a second Wife whom her father tooke after the death of her mother she was a most delicate young Lady and worthy of a braue seruant which he proued both loyall and for hiâ— valour deseruing fame The other with a Lady neare of kin to the King who was an heire and willingly bestowed vpon him with consent of all especially liked by Perissus who by this meanes held him alwaies there with him giuing him great preferments and offices about his person proâ—ing a Gallant Gentlemen and a faithfull seruant to him and his Crowne fighting a hard and cruell combat in defence of the Kings honour against a Traytor in that Country whose head he brought and presented to the King This he did in the iourney towards the Rocke passing by the Castle where the ill man liued who came forth and chalenged the King but the youth of Corinthia begg'd the liberty of the combat and brauely performed it in the end they came to the Island and there with the rest were shut vp the places being almost full for daily some or other came By this was newes of the inchantment come to Amphilanthus who with Ollorandus were newly returned from their iourney going into Hungary to visit Melysinda they had raised some pretty aduentures in their trauels and had a more pleasing time of it then in any they had made before being free and better disposed and hauing got againe some of their old passions or memories of them about them which made Amphilanthus willinger to try the aduenture and release Pamphilia of whom he had let in a more courteous opinion then he had when he first blamed her or thought she had done amisse yet no further it passed Musalina must needs see this inchantment with her went Lucenia to see this also and to be an Actor in it so like an Amason Musalina attires her selfe though vnfit habits for her who was no hater of mankind Lucenia like an AEgyptian and towards the place they trauell Lucenia vsed among them like a countrey Lady in the progresse hauing on to see but little respected meeting with the proud Queene of Bulgaria but now Leonius must be spoken of who going directly into Greece met nothing there for many dayes but the sorrow for the lost Ladies hee had no disposition to sorrow therefore meant not as yet to visit the Court but as others did he being as much as many ingaged in good nature to follow the search determined vpon that but then he came into a part of Arcadia not taking the directest but pleasantest way to the Sea at the entring into this Paradice on Earth for sweetnes delicasies springâ—ng there as plâ—ntifully as Primiroses in other poorer places he liked and wonder'd not sufficiently as he thought being able to contemplate the fulnes and richnes of the bounty of that Prouince riding sometimes sometimes walking bâ—holding the rarenes of it yet when he had seene all the varieties encrease in varying to pleasure he was yet set vppon by a more admirable sight which was the most delightfull obiect for man to like and this as well to be liked as any being a faire and daintie woman appearing a Shepheardesse but such an one as AEnona was in her time framed as if but to be remembred and set as a foile to the excellency of the perfections in this creature so much surpassing description as conceit doth commonly excell expression The young Knight beheld this shining Starre with amazednes while she past not farre off from him her aparrell a gowne of gray cut square a fine ruffe about her necke a litle before it was open the rest couered with pure white strips but a more pure whitenesse appeared when the skinne was seene as white and soft as Swannes downe on the breast her haire carelesly throwne vp neither tiyde nor vntyde but cast into a delightfull neglectiuenes some pretty flowers and knoâ— of ash-colour ribon being here and there placed between the loose fastenings of her haire gloues she wore none shewing the innocent vertue she was inriched withall her legges and feete so delicately shaped as they would rather seeme fram'd for showe then vse yet were they but fine enough to carry the body they were made to serue She went with a modest but cheerefull pace and being a litle pass'd looked backe againe with which he
iealousie then doe I yeeld And doe confesse I thus goe arm'd to field For by such Iealousie my loue is led Dorelina admired these Sonnets and the story which shee thought was some thing more exactly related then a fixion yet her discretion taught her to be no Inquisitor so home againe they went the Queene giuing order the next day to hunt a Stag but she was hindred from that by vnlookt for news which was that the young and proud King of Celicia being her neighbour her Wooer and refused by her would not as it seemd endure the scorne or goe without her wherefore he with an inuincible Army was come neare the confines of her Country by force to win what he could not by loue or faire meanes gaine But how much was he deceiued in this for force must not preuaile against such a spirit if not to bring death for hate but no affection or submission threats can worke with her no more then to command men to giue resistance Into a strong Fort by the Sea-side she put her selfe one Army attending her another sent to encounter him led by Melysander Her Counsell admired her magnamity she was no more troubled then if no such thing were nor could any thing but vnkindnesse nor from any but him much molest her She dispatched a Messenger to her father for aide another to Mitelin and all her friends that were within compasse of helping suddenly for sudden was the matter thoughts of loue for all this had their place as wishes that Amphilanthus would come but as much was that wish to see him as for helpe though she was confident to haue had victory by his presence The end of the third Booke THE COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERIES VRANIA THE FOVRTH BOOKE ONE of the Messengers lighted vpon his ship as he came from Negropont relating the newes haste was then made to the succour but still he must be vnknowne At his landing hee met some people sad and their countenances telling some misfortune he was loth to aske till one of his company desirous to know and perceiuing the Emperour wished the knowledge yet would not aske demanded the businesse answere was made that the first Army was ouercome the Duke Melisander taken prisoner and the King marched with all speed towards the other Army and Pamphilia Alas Sir said he if you saw how our poore Country is already spoiled defaced and ruined where the Army passeth it would grieue your hearts and most that the wofullest end of warre is likely to happen for the other Army are all young men who though bold and valiant yet raw and vnexperienced t is to be doubted the Queene will fall by this ill fortune into the Kings hands wanting all forraine aide for could her Brothers or Cosins know of it and but some of them here we should not feare Why is the warre said Amphilanthus Because our Queene will not marry the King What is her reason said the Emperour Want of loue in her replide he and as it is belieued by most and is the generall opinion her affections being placed on some other but who it is we are ignorant of yet would he were here for surely she cannot loue but worthily and so like her most worthy selfe Amphilanthus was glad of this and so got him to guide them to the Army where they were wel receiued as all shall be on such a necessitie in time of warre if they come to helpe and succour The King of Celicia puffed vp with pride for this Victory came on with speede and ioy till he came within sight of the Army Amphilanthus perceiuing that and hauing discouerd himselfe onely to the Counsell and Commanders sent forth a Drum to desire a parly it was granted then went forth one of purpose chosen by the Emperour to deliuer this message that since the King had already obtained the Victory ouer one Army to the great hurt of that Country he desired to haue as his own out of that respect and no other it was fit as they held it to ofâ—er him this not chalenge but humble intreaty to encounter in person one single man of the Qu. side who shuld be in birth honor al other dignities fit to wait vpon him and brauely before the wall to fight with him who if he ouercame he should haue the Queen deliuerd to him if not he and his army should depart as they came hauing had enough in the bloods of so many braue men and true subiects al which might haue bin his if this offer had bin time enough made the rest now spared if accepted The king whose own pride could not wish a more respectiue challenge answerd that he desird to know the man should meet him The messenger answerd that his name was conseald froÌ„ most and was known by no other then the Iust in Hope The king replied that he must know more or he might and would be excusd from ventring his roial person against one nameles man the messenger then â—ist a little paper deliuerd it wherin he found a plainer chalenge but as nobly curteous and therto the Emperors own most honord and feared name The king took it wel and was glad he should as he told the messenger coÌ„bat with him in the sight of his Lady both for the honor he should gaine in ouercomming Amphilanthus and that he was assured he was the only obstacle in his way for these two reasons he would fight with him with hope of conquest the houre should be left to him if he pleasd or as being his due to chuse In the morning following about nine of the clock the messenger returnd with much comfort to Amphilanthus who now had another and the best part of the busines to doe which was whether she would consent that her giuing or freeing should be left to his fortune in the combat how to compas this he doubted the accomplishing and feared infinitely how shee would take the bold offer which had bin made without her knowledge at last he did resolue that he would aduenture and so with the Counsell entred the Castle where she was but thus he orderd it that they should moue it to her haue her resolution as if yet it had not bin determined Amphilanthus this while should stand where he might heare al when he pleased to shew himselfe Thus it hapned they came to the Queen where she was in the Gallery vnder a Cloth of Estate sitting as sadly as her fortunes told her it was fit for her yet of all fortunes his losse was the greatest When she saw them she smild and askt how matters went they told her the worst because she should agree to their desire If that happen said she I shall be sorry to leaue you in danger to whose loues and respects I am so much bound nor is there need of that since peace may be made for you but none for me on such conditions as he offers for neuer wil I be vniust vnto
as still visited with company and gaue by the fauours testimony of quantity of victuals which well ordred had been noble now a little troublesome but it pleased reasonably well this company who free and hauing rid hard had gaind good appetites it appearing to them like a Garden full of fruite when the hot weather troubleth them they sat downe the Lady most kindly freely and busily bestirring her self entertaining them the fine Gentleman ciuilly discoursing with them Leonius at last growing so farre in with him as he got him to tell this story I am great Prince said he called Curardinus borne of a good Family in this Countrie beloued and serued but as all things must see conclusions so did Fate appoint our greatnesse to conclude thus My father liued after his fathers death many yeares will esteemed of by the King oâ— these Countries emploid in office by him and held among the best in ranke of his fauour but matching himselfe after the death of his first wife with a young Lady of a great and noble family but too great as the King imagined or was perswaded by his enemies suspition grew into his heart or rather shewed it selfe for few Kings are without that seruant to attend them against my father who to auoide all cause giuing left the Court and retird himselfe to his owne home where he liued pleasantly and was for an addition of his happinesse blessed with children a blessing to a father what euer the being borne proue after to the children I was his first and after some yeares before I came to perfectablenesse to gouerne his estate at least according to the lawes of this place hee died leauing mee heire to his fortunes honors and dislikes of the King I then desired leaue to trauaile that was refused me and all things as offices commands and places soeuer my father held of the Crowne giuen away to others This was a disgrace and truly a vexation vnto me and most that hee would not permit mee the fauour granted to euery subiect but obedience taught mee patience and I was contented by necessitie In this forst pleasure I went vp down among my friends where I was desird and so liu'd a solitary and priuate trauelling life where remouing imitated trauell and each odde accident an Aduenture By my mothers side I had and haue many noble and braue friends as any man can haue the men equally or aboue any valiant and wise the woman in that height of excellency for beauty and witt among them I haue much liued who haue found the like fauour so as we are not only neere it in blood but allyed in thwart fortune kept backe by all meanes from any aduancement or honor vnlesse the imployment were such as might giue a blow if not a certaine ruine to any of vs a comfortable estate when Subiects liue in such dislike with their Prince yet did he vse vs openly well let vs come to waite vpon him wee shall be welcom'd and smil'd vpon sometimes but aske any thing and bee surely denyed after not for a good space look'd on this hath cast vs much downe and greeued vs more then hurt vs. Are you a single man said Leonius No Sir replyed the dainty melancholy I am married and haue beene long the more my misfortune in some kind because I haue with that marryage lost one loued me more then I could aspire to hope of requitall and loue 's me still I was not altogether to blame indeed for I knew not her affection so great to me she not aduenturing to speake it I not thinking my selfe so happy daring to imagine it but after some time she tould me of it How did I then curse all my fortunes and yet at last chid my selfe for it since said I I was borne to be wretched and all other crosses haue beene but as forerunners of my misery this the only Master peece of affliction wee met wept many times together and yet those teares produced pleasure because so shed and then we could be merry and neuer but in the highest griefe contented because together for therein our last happinesse consisted But her father marryed her whose iudgement told her obedience was requisite to a rich but worthlesse fellow this was an other vexation to her and doubly by that meanes it wrought in me to see her greeued and such a Clowne to posses what I most loued and held deere he no more esteeming her nor indeede vnderstanding her worth then a Beast or one of his Goats Miserable Lady but most miserable I that saw and could but grieue for it besides this he grew yet more brutish and vsed her ill growing so intirely iealous as none went away vnsuspected her worth beauty and noblenes inuited all eyes and hearts to her seruice but so chast and iust she was as but with courteous requitall any preuailed but her worthlesse Mate thought so ill of himselfe as that made him thinke well enough of any to wrong her withall Iealousie 's roote being selfe knowledge of vnworthynes Thus most sweete Creature she liued discontents brought her to many harmes bringing diseases and the worst sicknes of mind finding still additions to her first disquiet and miserable losse as her affection was pleased to call the missing of me which surely she could neuer haue know had I but guessed her thoughts A good space I held in with him but at last fell like the rest and most dangerously in that time I met her my hearts ioy and soules delight at her fathers she was sad but most louing to me I sad to see her so but most glad to see her loue holding her I remember by the hand if said I thou wert vnmarryed would'st thou not marry againe No I protest said she but liue wholy to be directed by you which I had euer don had I knowne how to liue with honour and fit to be your seruant Yet should you bee free you would not doe so much Yes I vow said I and bound it with a kisse vpon her fairest hand deerest remembrance how dost thou yet please me to bring before me these pass'd yet sweete delights to make tryall of her faith and word keeping she was by heauenly assistance vntyed from her bond and freed from her clog the rude and brutish Thing her Husband being taken from her no hand but the hand of the best and highest parting her as from aboue seeing and commiserating her estate all that were vnmarryed in the whole Country came and sought her shee refused all Widdowers Batchelers all were alike to be denyed old young middle-aged runne one race of being refused Her father much disliked it her friends and kindred and such perswaded but endlesly her resolution was like the Earth fixed and her constancy like the Sunne certaine and richly faire some also came to me seeing the grace I had with her to get mee to preferr them alasse how far they went astray yet I answer'd all of them
little content in him and because you shall see I haue not too much cause to be fond of him when you come into the house seeme earnest to see him for that he loues and then shal your highnes on my word behold a man fit only to make a good husband of so far to be belou'd as not contemnd They went in the Princesse hauing her lesson desiring earnestly to see the Master of the Horse before her going He came but such a creature t was his pace so vncertaine going towards her but looking backe as if asking his men if he did well or no a wide smile he had which if a little noise had been added to it might haue been a plaine laugh When he was close by her he took her hand and put it to his mouth but his teeth instead of lippes met it shee gaue him many thankes for her entertainement he tooke her thanks it seemd well but replyd onely with his former girningâ— at last with a great businesse and champingâ— as if on the Bit he brought out as many words as he askt her how she liked Hunting She answerd very well and best of any sport hee was so ioyed with that as he laughed right out and with gladnesse driueld that none could blame the Lady if she liked not much to kisse that Ganimead As thus they were some beholding him the Princesse admiring his foolish ignorance and ill-fauordnesse some others marking the power she had ouer her selfe to hold from so little scorne as to smile at him a great noise was heard below in the Hall and an Esquire of the old Frigian King came in crying out for helpe his Lord was taken prisoner and carried towards the Sea Leonius cald to arme Veralinda for her horses the delicat disquieted would aâ—tend them till they saw freedom on al parts flourishing again the Lady of the house tooke her leaue of them there and so they past Leonius poasting after the King the Princesse accompanied with her Knights and the Noble DiscoÌ„tent held on towards the sea to gaine her ships but being to passe a thickest wood it was their fortunes first to light vpon the Aduenture for in the thick of that place they heard voyces and Veralinda led by perfect knowledge or naturall affection knew her fathers tongue when vpon the telling her fine sad companion he with some fiue or six of her Knights rushed in they found the King bound a great ring of armed men about him and some sixe or seuen women for Gentlewomen I cannot call those vsed such cruelty with great rods whipping him hauing stripped his vpper part he complaining and pitifully crying the strips being sore and painefull to his royall body This timely rescue flew in among them who were much amased at the surprise yet being many bolder on their number then any other cause they had to hope of their victory encountred our daintie distressed so rudely as he was put to his best in armes but then so brauely did he behaue himselfe as he had with his own hands disarmd and ouercome three but his fiue assistants were ouerthâ—owne he then himselfe fought against the rest not without great hazard but such were the blowes and fury among them as they cald helpe assisted with the Kings cryes who all this while the fight lasted was tormented excessiuely with those Furies as meaning to take their full reuenge or as much as they could Leonius was brought in to the place but what fury came he possest with all those women altogether could not imitate much lesse equall yet women inraged they say are Deuils Happy this arriuall was to the valiant as exquisite Solitary both being ioynd the rest fainted and so the victory came on their side Then Leonius and his to be admired companion went to the King taking away his Baiters and Chaines clothing him againe and dressing the stripes he had receiued which had wept blood for vnkindnesse both pulling off their Helmets to take aire the sad Knight shewing so delicate a hand as if his blowes had not been witnesses of his strength one would haue fear'd so Ladi-like a beautifull and dainty shapt hand could not haue sufferd such stresse but the wonder was taken away then when conclusion was made that the noblest hart commanded the fairest and fiercest hand he had such a hart and so valiant and happy a hand to execute his commands with al. Veralinda came in also and with teares manifested the sorrow she had for her fathers mishap couering his stripes with soueraign ointments she neuer went without then they examind the cause of this outrage One of them the chiefe it seemd among them telling her story thus I am said she of this Country and haue a Castle hard by whither this vngratefull King should haue gone had not your accursed succor and my too rash beginning of his iustly merited punishment hindred me he knowes my name and quarrell yet some part I wil tel you to auoid thought of vnreasonablenes in me I lou'd this king not I do protest for his being a king but mearely out of affection my loue growing to him at my being in his Court at a great triumph there whither the Princes of this country went I waited on He cast his eies vnluckly on me also and gaue me such inuitations to his loue as I could not but accept and yeeld opportunity yet serued not I being to wait so neare my Lady and she who liked the king as well but not so truly as I did watching me feaâ—ing that she desird to haue her self Thus vnfortunatly I was again to part and so without any more then amorous looks such manifestings as outward shew could giue we were deuided when I came back how did I curse my fortune for my loue was run beyond the tye of chastity and I was a meere louer I accusd my self for thus thought I I might haue enioyd him by this meanes I could if I had not bin a natural foole haue compast my desires none could haue preuented this plot had I not bin a ranke coward the night was left me why did I loose so many and gain nothing but restles times tossing and tumbling in my own fansies and so many did I then get together as made a maâ— of vanity calling infinites of conceits together In al these vnquiets a match was offerd me I was mad and knew nothing but mine owne passions in that distemper I gaue consent and was maried but stil my affection was tied and wedded to this king this king of vngratefulnes and cruelty A wife I liued and yet a maid my husband somtimes chafing somtimes telling me he thought I kept that Iuell for another many suspitions this bred in him and furnished as many crosses for me at last at the end of three yeeres this vnconstant and vnworthy king came hither he was feasted and welcomd by the Prince and Princesse who saw not me with strait looks doubting me still but
they come to enioy their right they may know the better to command hauing so well learn'd to obey and serue And most delicate Shepherdes do you I pray accept of this young maid for your friend and companion since if you bee the King of Naples daughter or any other Princes you need not scorne the companie of the Albanian Kings daughter Parselius taking the old King in his armâ—s And is it my good fortune most famous King of Albania said hee to haue it in my power to serue so excellent a Prince Doubt not then but I will with all faithfull loue and diligence as soone as I haue concluded this â—earch with meeting my dearest friend in Italie goe into Morea and from thence carry such forces as shall with my other friends I will ioyne with me restore you to your right and pull downe that Macedonian Vsurper were it but for wronging you But since I haue so faire an occasion to reuenge such iniuries offered so vertuous a Prince as your selfe in keeping a kingdome and vsurping another from his rightfull Queene I am doubly bound your sonnes I accept to bee my companions and as brothers to me will I be carefull of them the like did Vrania promise for the young Lady Then the old king before ouer-charged with sorrow was now so rauished with ioy as not being able to sustaine bursting into flouds of kind teares and his soule turn'd into a passion of ioy vnsupportable being onely able to kisse the Prince Parselius and Vrania imbracing blessing and kissing his children giuing them charge faithfully and louingly to obserueâ— and loue that braue Prince and sweet Shepherdes like a child for quiet ending gaue vp the ghost in their armes he best did loue Great sorrow was made among them for his death but then growing almost night Vrania for that time went home leauing the three to attend the Kings body till the next morning directing Parselius to the sad abiding of the perplexed Perissus promising to come to the Caue by Sunne rising to dispose of all things Vrania being come home little meate contented her making haste to her lodging that there shee might discourse with her selfe of all her afflictions priuately and freely throwing her selfe on her bed she thus beganne Alas Vrania how doth miserie loue thee that thus makes thee continuallie her companion What is this new paine thou feel'st What passion is this thy heart doth entertaine I haue heard my imagined Father and many more talke of a thing called Loue and describe it to be a delightfull paine a sought and cherish'd torment yet I hope this is not that for â—laue am I enough already to sorrow no neede haue I then to be oppressed with passion Passion O passion yet thou rulest Me. Ignorant creature to loue a stranger and a Prince what hope hast thou that because thou art not knowne thou shouldst be knowne to loue in the best place I had rather yet offend so then in a meane choice since if I be daughter of Italy I chose but in mine owne ranke if meaner ambition is more noble then basenesse Well then if I doe loue my onely fault is in too soone louing but neither in loue nor choice Loue pleade for me since if I offend It is by thy power and my faults must as made be salu'd by thee I confesse I am wonne and lost if thou braue Prince pittie not and saue me Sweet Chastity how did I loue and honor thee Nay almost vowe my selfe vnto thee but I haue fail'd Loue is the more powerfull God and I was borne his subiect with that she rose vp and went to the window to see if it were day neuer knowing before what it was to wish for any thing except the knowledge of her selfe now longs for day watches the houres deemes euery minute a yeare and euery houre an Age till she againe inioy'd Parselius sight who all that night tooke as little rest hope loue and feare so vexing him and tyrannizing ouer him as sleepe durst not close nor seaze his eyes to any the least slumber all his content being in thinking on Vrania wishing from his soule shee were the lost Princesse that then they might happily inioy which wish by loue was chid since loue was able in him to make her great enough and those wishes were but to adde to that which ought to be so perfect as it selfe should of it selfe be sufficient to make happines which is the greatest greatnes Then did he resolue whatsoeuer she was to make her his Wife his Father Country Friend and all must loue Vrania Thus all must yeeld to her or lose him already yeelded Hee whose youth and manlike conuersation scorn'd the poore name and power of loue is now become his Bondman cries out on nothing but Vrania thinks of nothing hopes for nothing but the gaine of her perfections to his loue accusing this night for spitefully being longer then any other that euer he knew affection and desire making it appeare tedious vnto him and why because it kept Vrania from him O would he say how happy wert thou Parselius to land on this shore where thou hast gaind the Goddesse of the earth to bee thy Mistris Vrania to be thy loue But then would a louers feare take him making him tremblingly sigh and say But if she should not loue again wretch of all men what would become of thee Courage then ioyning with hope would bring him from that sad despaire giuing him this comfort Yet sure said he her heart was not fram'd of so excellent temper her face of such beauty and her selfe wholly made in perfectnesse to haue cruelty lodged in her No shee was made for loue then she must loue and if so pity will claime some part and if any or to any who more deserues it then my selfe who most affecteth herâ— With that he went to the mouth of the rocke from whence he might discouerall the plaines carefully and louingly beholding them You blessed Plaines said he which daily haue that treasure which the rest of the world wanting confesseth sence of pouerty dull earth ignorant of your riches neither knowing nor caring how to glory sufficiently for bearing and continually touching such perfections why dost not thou with all excellencies striue to delight her sending forth soft and tender grasse mixt with sweetest flowers when she will grace thee suffering thee to kisse her feete as shee doth tread on thee but when she lies on thee dost thou not then make thy selfe delicate and change thy hardnes to daintines and softnes Happy most happy in her sweet weight and yet when she doth leaue thee do not the flowers vade and grasse die for her departure Then hee perceiu'd her comming a farre off downe the plaines her flocke some feeding but most leaping and want only playing before her And well may you doe this most lucky flocke said hee hauing such a Commandresse and so faire a Guardian well doth ioy become you shewing you
Lamentation braue Princes is that which I must treat of but first I must tell you as one of the parts of this story I am called Seleucius brother I am to the king of Romania Lord to this young knight and thus from me the most vnfortunate of Princes heare the wofull'st and most disastrous history that euer Princely eares gaue attention to I was brother and somtime heire to this vnhappy king being thought lost but after found in such an aduenture of enchantment as this seemes to be Return'd married and was blest with two children of whom I am sure this Gentleman hath already discoursed vnto you wherefore that part I wil leaue and come to the last My Nephew Antissius being come from the fruitles search of his sister Antissia my brother would needs marry him to a Lady in the country which he although neuer hauing bin in loue might haue questioned yet he euer loued to obay his father and so they were married O Antissius worthy Antissius with that the teares ran downe his long white beard resembling drops in snow stopping his breatâ— that scarce the last word could bee heard In this time did all the Princes ioyne concluding it with sobs and groanes euery one hauing equall feeling of sorrow though for seueral things At last he cry'd out these words Pardon great Prince this sad interruption in my story which I am forst to do heart-rending sorrow making me euer doe so when I think of much more name my deerest Nephew and his vnfortunate losse being such a wound to that country as none can imagine but our selues who daily feele the misery He being married by his fathers commaÌ„d who longed to see some fruit from so worâ—hy a stock his obedience hauing mastred his affection which rather was to follow Armes then fall into the armes of Loue he worthily lou'd his wife and louingly liu'd with her within that yeare being blest with a Son whom after his father they called Antissius with this ioy'd-at birth began the ruin of all yet not because of his birth for in him we haue yet our last hope but by reason that the Grandmother liu'd but to kisse her babe after whose death the king again maried and her whose wickednes I am sure hath come vnto your eares This malitious creature after â—he had caused Antissius to bee banisht and most honest men to lose their liues or places she yet not satisfied with such sins as neuer the earth sufferd in one body the waight of more treason adultery witchcraft and murder were plentifully in her yet while he liu'd she was not contented Wherefore to bring this to passe was now her only study In this time some one or two honest hearts were left who gaue the king warning of her ventring their heads to saue his body from harme her immoderate desires so much knowne as they cried out against her shee being a Queene salued not nor couered her sin which in her greatnes appeared the greater fault a spot being more markt in a Diamond then in an ordinary piece of glasse Long time it was ere his honest and vnspotted loue would belieue it or hearken to it while shee delighted her selfe in her owne shame and his dishonor At last â—hough extreame loath he seem'd to see it slaking his violent loue to her oft refraining her bed made her discerne it though delighting her self so much with others had somewhat blinded her from seeing what but for policy she cared little for But then did shee neuer leaue the poore man with her flatterings and disfembling falshoods till she had gaind the cause and ground of his most iust offence and deserued mistrust and vnusuall strangenes which at last vndone by her bewitching fawnings she gained Then had she enough vowing to be reuengd on al and vnder this colour to execute her malice and purge her spleene vpon the famous Prince his son which by her cruell practises she at last vnfortunately brought to passe For first by meanes as she pretended that she was slandred she got her good honest husband to banish any who had in the least spoken of her lightnes putting into that number those whom she hated hauing suffred as she alleagd as much by their slanderous reports as almost if it had been a truth shee had merited wishing she had still continued widow rather then to come to this height of honour and hauing it to fall so low as into the shame of dishonor beseeching him throughly to reuenge her or to permit her to retire to the most lonely and priuate lifeâ— rather then there openly to sinke vnder shame and infamie or if she could be found faulty then to cut off her head farre vnfit to liue wife to so vertuous and good a king To satisfie her whose dissemblings were of force to bring new heate into his aged heart which like old wood will presently kindle he strooke off the heads of those loyall seruants who had honestly though vndiscreetly told him of her sinne men not louing that discourse of any This done he came to receiue thanks but she telling him this was nothing and vnlesse hee would doe more to right her so shamefully wrongd she would go away and execute some mischiefe on her selfe her spirit and conscience not being able to sustaine themselues induring such abuse and then if euer he lou'd her he would be sorry he had wrongd so true and faithfully louing a wife while he did credit pickthanking Counsellors He seeing this passion in his deere wife vowed reuengefull iustice on all she could accuse Vpon this vow and some other assurance which was giuen by execution her holy Maiesty seem'd somewhat satisfied and then contenâ—ed as it were to liue hauing new life giuen in her iustice and faith-trying honour She came abroad but oft-times blushing modesty was the colour put vpon it when indeed it was affection to a young Lord in the Court who after shee found she could not win with all inticements and loue-showes shee accused him for seeking her and so with many more lost his head Now was Antissius and his vertuous wife confind to a Castle some twenty miles from the Court he being accused of popularity and aspiring to the Crowne This was the power of that insatiable Monster as shee could and would banish from him his best and onely true comforts My Nephewes misfortune increasing and his hate to liue growing euery day stronger in him he gaind for all this the Queenes leaue to goe and liue with me She willing to it hoping his former ill vsage would prouoke him to that hee might die for else shee would finde a meanes to compasse it But few plots needed this being the beginning and his soone following ouerthrow for the people finding her gouernment absolute and that being bent to the ruin of the land followed the vertuous Prince in great numbers and at al times which he as much as in him lay did put off auoid yet not so but
that the Queene wrought cunningly enough vpon it to mixe iealousie with the fathers loue to his sonne shee neuer ceasing to wish the subiects loue as great and firme to his Maiestie as shee and all others saw their hearts were placed vpon his worthy sonne which though he for his affection to him did not yet make vse of yet it is a fine thing said she to bee a king and a terrible matter to be tempted were you not safely blessed with so honest a son And therefore you must trust more to the loyaltie of Antissius then the faith of his people who he might perceiue regarded nothing lesse then their due respect to him Sparingly she spake well of him but freely to make suspition Thus now was he falne into the path which led to the court of her malice for buzing these things in his old and fearefull eares shee at last brought to this fulnesse of ill One day as she had appointed being priuately with the King in a Gallery two of the Counsell came in in hast yet a dissembling feare in their faces counterfeiâ—ing need but doubt and vnwillingnesse to discouer what mou'd in them this sudden approch The King vrg'd them when with teares they told him that they had gaind knowledge of a dangerous conspiracy which was plotted to be instantly executed vpon the persons of his Maiesty and his most royal Queen by Antissius and my self the treason being this to depose him kil the Queen banish the Counsell I make himselfe Monarch of Romania dispose the offices already disposed of among his fauourites and the whole realme as he best liked to his followers and associats and in this kind make a conquest of it Then alas sir said they what will become of poore Romania when your vertue and wisdome shall be put by their gouernment and his greene capacity and those young wild headed Counsellors shall rule ouer vs who were fitter at schoole to learne obedience and loyalty then to sway a Scepter besides the wrong and sin of taking the lawfull Prince from among his people This related and seconded by the Queen who stil in a double maner clear'd condemn'd poore Antissius whose iust and vertuous heart neuer thought of such a treason nor of her if not with sorrow for her wickednes It wrought so far in the iealous brest of the old man as he manifested his crediting it and with all the feare hee conceiu'd of it expressing as much hate to his son as such a wicked practise might iustly challenge Then hastily as feare is alwaies sudden he demaunded aduice with the best and readiest way to auoide the danger They yet hauing gone but halfe way of their diuelish progresse replied That since it pleased him to haue such confidence in them as to aske their aduice in so great a busines they would as honestly discharge themselues and this they held the safest and the best course which was that the Prince who they must still loue and reuerence and whose fault cut their hearts to thinke of should be sent for but in such manner as he should haue no cause to distrust lest then he went about to gaine by force what they before had been inform'd he hoped to compasse by a priuate conspiracie This aduice and the plot it selfe he imparted to some more of the Counsell who already were sufficiently instructed in their parts and so accordingly agreed consenting nay commending the graue carefull and honest aduice of the other two Then was a Messenger straight dispatched to the Prince who like a braue but innocent Hart came into the toile with order to come himselfe his wife and Soâ—ne vnto the King whose age and weaknesse being great and his affection only left strong in him towards him and his would haue them neerer to him and for that he would recompeÌ„ce him for the iniuries in former times done to him I was not at home for had I bin the iourney surely had bin hindred while Antissius doubting no treason his noble heart being free from thinking any in haste hoping that way to expresse the ioy hee felt by these vnexpected glad tidings posted to the Court leauing word that I who was to returne in a very short time after should with all conuenient speed accompany his wife and sonne to the King Few daies he had rid before he was encountred with a troope of horse vnder the commaund of an ancient friend of his and a friend indeed he was in this action being betrayd as well as he sent vnder colour of loue to the Prince who since hee had or at least it being thought hee had so much dislik'd his father as hee had forbid him his once heeld-deerest sight and that the people had taken notice of it in a dangerous kind to preuent any bold or hazardus attempt might happen by a rude multitude the Queene had sent this troupe to guard him and that she knowing the loue this Gentleman bare Antissius had made choice of him to conduct his person thither Antissius was somewhat troubled with this accident wondring why she should be on the sudden so kind knowing thâ—t there was none whose ruin she and her godly crew more shot at yet could not he who saw only with the eies of vertue pierce into this plot Mildly and gratiously hee saluted the Captaine and his men yet telling them his innocency had been guard enough for his person They went on but when they were within â—ight of the great Citie of Constantinople the Court then being there they perceiued a farre greater number of Souldiers with which sight hee saw his end and soone heard he sentence of his death for then did they set vpon him crying Downe with that Traytor that disobedient child the incurable griefe of his louing father the dishonour of our Countrie and the Canker of the States quiet With these cries they rushed violently vpon the Prince The first troope seeing this Treason did their best to defend Antissius but their liues could not buy his safetie in vaine striuing to alter destiny the period of his dayes being come with a blow giuen him by a trayterous villaine which strake his head in two Griefe of this accident turn'd to fury his party â—ighting as if Antisius had beene in euery one and so to bee defended but that was past their loues onely liuing to him Yet dyed it too for none were left of the whole Troope but the Captaine and some tenne more The Queenes men hauing gain'd almost what they sought fully to giue her satisfaction in his death yet wanted part since they could not get his bodie to be made a present to her cruelty For the Captaine perceiuing their drift hinder'd them of it taking him vp when he saw the vnluky blow giuen and in the heate of the â—â—ight fled away with it knowing this a better piece of seruice then to haue lost his life in reuenge at that time since to better purpose he might saue it in
though abus'd by her and sham'd in her Leandrus went to him and kindly offerd his seruice if he needed it Hee casting vp his weeping eyes in teares thankt him but said One man was enough to suffer in so slight a cause and so vndeseruing a creature He desired to know the matter He answerd he had lou'd a Lady she had done the like to him or made him thinke so but hauing what shee would she had changed and not only so but giuen her selfe to his enemy being first betrothed vnto him and in that time he was prouiding for the marriage married the other and this is the cause of my torment hither I am come to reuenge my selfe of him and in him of her if shee loue him still They are in a strong Castle of his where they merrily liue while I am miserably vexed with tortures and dishonour the worst of torments What was the originall cause of his malice Truly Sir this cruelty hee vseth but to mee as belonging to my destiny Neglected I haue been of my friends for bearing this disgrace from mine enemy and the hater of all my Countrie the reason of his hatred to vs proceeding from this The King of Morea in his youth was a braue man at Armes and followed and finished many aduentures by chance at a great Iust held in Achaia for ioy of the birth of the Kings son cald Leandrus as after I heard he was and proou'd a Prince worthily deseruing the ioy then shewed for receiuing of him This Lords father was likewise there and encountring the King was by him throwne to the ground which disgrace hee took so heauily as he would haue reuenged it with his sword but that being forbidden the end of those triumphes reaching no further then sport discontented and burning in rage hee went thence watching when the King returnd in his iourney in this very place he set vpon him troopes of his comming all these seuerall waies and at once charging him who onely for his pleasure had sent his greatest company before him following with two Knights and their Squires but in this conflict the King got so much of the victorie as hee slew his Enemie with his owne hands but could not keepe himselfe from being taken prisoner and carried almost to the Castle whither if hee had gone without doubt hee had thence neuer returnd But the Squires seeing his distresse and the death of the other two their Masters ran euerie one a seuerall way till they got a good number of the traine together who with all speed and fury pursued them ouertaking them hard by the Castle and taking their Lord from them most being kill'd some few got into the hold where relating their vnlucky aduenture the wife of the slaine Lord and Mother to this Lord hauing as great a spirit as any woman breathing made a vow to bee reuenged of all the Court of Morea of the King and his posterity especially And this she hath hitherto performed with great cruelty her sonne hauing beene nursed in this hatred doth likewise continue it with more violence as his spirit is so much greater as commonly a mans is in respect of a womans and this is the cause why hee hateth all the Moreans of which countrey I am borne in Corinth my heart truely scorning him for his other iniury done mee am inuited hither for these two reasons to bee reuenged on him Leandrus thank'd him for his discourse but told him hee had by it made him long to try if hee could bee made a Prisoner also for so iust a cause or deliuer those so vniustly inclosed and the rather said hee to serue one so much iniuried as your selfe whose quarrell lay on mee and doe you defend the honor of your King and Country shee not being worth fighting for Hee answered that was true yet his honor hee esteemd worth cleering and that calld vpon him While they were thus discoursing the Lord and the false Lady came louingly hand in hand together downe one of the paths shee smiling in his eyes and want only courting him seeking to giue him occasion of mirth but hee went on like a man to whom ill was succeeding hee had some seruants with him arm'd and his owne armour was likewise carried by him if hee should haue any occasion suddenly to vse it hee was of a cleere and pleasing complexion a person amiable and louâ—ly curld hayre fayre eyes and so iudiciall a countenance as might haue made the worthiest woman like him and so well hee deseru'd as it was pitty hee fell into her hands who vndid both his minde and bodie making him as wicked as her selfe which was the worst of her sex He looked vpon her with loue but his speech was sparing either that naturally he had not store of words or his inward heauinesse at that time made him silent When he came neere the fountaine Clarimatto approched to him My Lord said he I am sure you know the cause of my comming into these parts if not examine your heart and that will tell you the iniuries you haue donâ— me or if that be so impure or partiall as it will not for offending bee true to so false a master behold this creature by you your shame and mine and in her forehead the faire field of our disgrace you shall see it written in spots of infamy and wrong The Lord knew his face and with it the offence therefore answered him thus Sir said he if on these conditions I acknowledge the vnderstanding of your rage I should make my selfe guilty of what I am free from to my knowledge I neuer wronged any if vnwillingly I made amends and am ready so to doe Can you giue mee my honour againe throwne to the ground by you and your inâ—atiable Loue cride he You wrong vs both said he and this shall be the Ground of my reuenge and answer to you with that he arm'd himselfe shee crying to him not to aduenture his deare selfe against that stranger whom she knew full well shee kneeled to him held him by the leggs kissed them gazed on him in termes call'd him dearest All would not serue he encountred his enemy and truly was he iustly made so by his owne ill deseruing They fought like two one hauing got and earnest to keepe a Mistris the other hauing lost and reuengfull to gaine his honour and kill his Riuall and Vndoer in his Loue at last the true cause got the vpper hand and the Lord came to the lower side of Victory which the seruants perceiuing rushed all vpon Clarimatto Leandrus finding the wrong they offer'd and the other was like to suffer stepp'd in to his rescue A fight was among these performed fit and onely the prize of Loue fit to be the end of it Clarimatto nimble valiant and hauing Iustice on his side fought accordingly and so as the Lord hauing lost much bloud out of two wounds giuen him by his foe nor had he escaped free but was hurt in
dying In a little Cell hee recouer'd me but to no more health then to be able to goe thence for longer I would not stay then I had ability to goe away I discouer'd nothing of my selfe to him but by him all that had passed after I left sense till his recouering me the generall report was I was burn'd some fewe said murdred all agreed I was lost and in that was true agreement for so I was and am Then left I Apulia and in Hermits Cloathes roam'd vp and downe till I lighted on this place neuer finding any that could content mee but this What since became of my poore Daughter her misfortunes or blessings I can giue no account of but I feare the worst since one day one instant and one Planet gouernd and gaue our births onely 2â— yeares differing in time here haue I since remaind and till now neuer disclosed my selfe nor would haue done to you had not your freedome first ingag'd me repentance hath beene my blessed delight hauing enioyed that as plentifully and comfortably as euer ioy was to soules Now sir you see before you where misery hath not beene sparing where afflictions haue not faild their greatest bounty in excessiuenesse and where only comfort of a happy repentance rules and giues a sweeter consolation then worldly pleasures could with all glorious paintings giue liking Then did Parselius againe grieue for him and yet comfort sprung as after a hard Frost flowres though dead may appeare liuing retaining some warmth in the roote as in his breast that he might with gray haires know a change from misaduentures to a pure content Thus they continued sometimes Parselius wayling sometimes the Hermit relating his Stories past hee bent to comfort the other to Dispaire though sometimes a little moou'd to hope but with as small strength as life hath in the last gaspe But now must Steriamus and his companion find their way to their destined reliefe following the course ordained for them they took to the Sea so toward St. Maura Steriamus euer bringing into his sight the sweetnesse and brauenesse of Pamphilia blessing Mellissea for sending him to such a heauen of ioy as to see her and with her fauour to speake to her and for his happinesse to kisse her hand shee mildly permitting him O said he Steriamus now shalt thou end happily if so thy Destiny bee since thou hadst a kind parting from thy better selfe Then beheld he the Sea which calme and smooth gaue them quiet passage so said he appeard my Mistris gently letting my good come vnto me to passe me vnto an vnlooked for content Dearest Loueâ— how doth sweetnesse better fit with you where truest sweetnesse dwels then harsh cruelty Then did night possesse them but so still an one and so brightned by the fauour of the faire Moone who seem'd chastly to behold her selfe in the smooth face of the Sea which yet sometimes left her plainnes rising as catching at her face or as with loue to embrace it or rather keepe her in her dwellings wherein shee was deceiu'd for fauours are not euer so free as though lent to be possess'd for euer and thus greedy was I said he but she as chastly refused me yet did their sight bring some Verses into his minde which were these PRay thee Diana tell mee is it ill as some doe say thou think'st it is to loue Me thinks thou pleased art with what I proue since ioyfull light thy dwelling still doth fill Thou seemst not angry but with cheerefull smiles beholdst my Passions chaste indeed thy face Doth seeme and so doth shine with glorious grace for other loues the trust of Loue beguiles Be bright then still most chast and cleerest Queene shine on my torments with a pittying eye Thy coldnesse can but my despaires discry and my Faith by thy clearenesse better seeme Let those haue heat that dally in the Sunne I scarse haue knowne a warmer state then shadeâ— Yet hottest beames of zeale haue purely made my selfe an offring burnt as I was wonne Once sacrific'd but ashes can remaine which in an Iuory box of truth inclose The Innocency whence my ruines flowes accept them as thine 't is a chast Loues gaine Hauing done them he said them to Dolorindus whose thoughts were as busily employd in the same kinde now were they come within sight of St. Maura wherefore Steriamus demanded of the Marriners if they knew the white Rocke they did and so in the long Boate carried them vnto it where landing them they departed the Princes taking to the topp of it viewing it and the ruines admiring what they should doe in that desolatnesse where they found no man no place for man to bide in saue one little Caue whereâ— into they went and sitting downe they afresh discoursed of their Fortunes Steriamus relating to his companion the manner of his liuing in Pantaleria in the little Caue and so his youth but when he touched of Pantaleria he could not passe it ouer without some passionate remembrance of it where he only liued free and therefore as hee called it happy Delightfull Pantaleria would he crie when I remaind in thee how was I Lord of my selfe and so of all quiet content dayes were then past in hunting or some other countrie delights which now waste in being hunted by afflictions no paine knew I if not by surfetting of pleasure yet proued I a man esteeming change my greater happinesse when braue Parselius with the rarest of women except my Lady released me from ignorance bringing me into the world to be the riper in miseries fruite what happinesse in comparison of the woe we Princes suffer doth remaine in a country life O Pantaleria would I had still remaind in thee or would I had neuer knowne delights which were still springing in thee like thy dainty flowers and tender grasse which increased in plenty of sweetnes being corrected for the little height it some times got by the tender sheep as my sorrowes abound by the cruelty of my dearest loue Cruell loue Ah cruelst of cruelties why end you not your tyrannies or let tyrannie end with ending me Cursed be the time I euer suffered the vnrightfull Monarchy of loue to gouerne me thus to soueraignize ouer me giuing wounds and a little easing them as to make one hope the danger of death were past of purpose to make them more intollerable in the suffering els why brought you me from ioy to misery then a little to enioy a glimmering hope to be put into a darker night of sorrow with parting from it els might you haue left me in the sweet Morea when Pamphilia smiled on me Loue you inuited me but steru'd me you againe feasted mee but poyson'd me forcing me to drinke of absence You said Dolorindus doe lament as if alone you were appointed to suffer or alone did indure affliction when too couetously you hoard vnto your treasure what belongs to other men you call loue a tyrant when you are a
not to prolong time or amaze you with discourse alas that I must say these words deerest Vrania I must throw thee into the Sea pardon me Heauen appoints it so My deerest brother sayd she what neede you make this scruple You wrong me much to thinke that I feare death being your sister or cheerish life if not to ioy my parents fulfill your command and be assured it is doubly welcome comming to free me from much sorrow and more since giuen mee by your hands those hands that best I loue and you to giue it me for whose deare sake I onely lou'd to liue and now as much delight and wish to die Kinde teares proceeded from them both and mournfull silence did possesse their tongus till she againe besought and hee refused but yet at last resoluing if she perish'd to ende with her he tooke her in his armes and gently let her slide shewing it rather to be her slipping from him then his letting her fall and as shee fell so fell his heart in woe drownd in as deepe an Ocean of despaire but soone was he call'd to wonder and all ioy for no sooner had she suncke into the water but the waues did beare her vp againe to shewe the glory they had in bearing such perfections but then the Deepes ambitious of such a prize sought to obtaine her opening their hearts to let her sincke into them when two men in a boate came rowing towards her and one who lay in a craggy part of the Rocke furiously threw himselfe vnto her she only saying Liue happy Amphilanthus and my onely deare Parselius farewell that calld him who leaping in cry'd Parselius will neuer out-liue Vrania and sunke straight with her then were both pulled vp and safely brought to land by the help of the other two who leaping out of their boat into the sea spared not danger or life it selfe all foure then soundly washed came a shoare where Amphilanthus embraced them and with teaâ—es of ioy welcom'd his sister and his friends who now well vnderstood the operation of that water for Parselius knew nothing of his former loue to her onely the face of Vrania and being assured of her neerenesse to him in bloud reioyced with them the others did the like Now was Steriamus released of his vnfortunate loue esteeming Pamphilia wholly for her worth not with passion thinking of her Vrania's desires were no other then to goe into Italy to see her father and Dolorindus to accompany his friends whither they would goe Thus happily were all deliuered of the most burdenous tormenting affliction that soules can know Loue and Loue was pleased because now he might haue new worke in new kinds Parselius longs to see his Dalinea Vrania wisheth it also without iealousie or anger but loues her heartily for her Cosins sake most happy Princesse to be deliuerd from such a hell as louing him who had although so neere to her been so farre from truth to her Amphilanthus was so ouercome with comfort and ioy discerning this fortunate and blessed issue of the aduentures as kindnesse now wrought like sorrow then embracing all they tooke to the boats the Hermit going with them to the Iland where with kind louing perswasions they inuited him to leaue that place and to accompany them thence but hee excused himselfe promising to be ready at any time to doe them seruice but his vow he could not breake then he intreated them that if by chance in their trauels they happened into Dalmatia they would enquire for his vnfortunate daughter Bellemira and by some meanes to let him vnderstand of her They promised this so with more kind farewels they parted from the Hermit and at Amphilanthus eaâ—nest intreaty went together for Italy where they arriued and so past vnto the Court But what ioy what content did all hearts feele in seeing the Princesse of true worth and admiration returnd Then did the old king whose haire and beard like snow make a true resemblance of it ioy like the Sun heating and melting so did ioy melt his hart into teares they like a thaw dropping on the lower snow he held them in his armes they kneeld he kist them but could not speake so was he wrapped and ouerwhelmd with ioy At last Amphilanthus spake beseeching him to salute the other Princes which he did and then turnd to them and againe kissed and embraced them This being past they were conducted to their lodgings Vrania hauing rich robes fit for her birth brought vnto her till then hauing worne her Shepherdesse attire which she resolu'd to doe as long as she liu'd vnseene of her father only to receiue them from his hands Now was Italy fild with delight being the pleasing'st and delightful'st of any sports are new inâ—â—nted to giue welcome and Iusts proclaimed wherein these Knights must also shew their skil the Ladies came from al parts to see Vrania the Knights to honor Amphilanthus the first day of the Iusts the King being ready to go forth of the Hall to the lists there entred an old man in habit like a Pilgrim with a staffe of that fashion in his hands bare-footed and with all demonstration of that life he spake lowd and besought the King to stay till he had deliuerd some things fit for his knowledge then all placing themselues he began thus Most happy King receiue these speeches from me a miserable man if you pitie not a Prince I am by birth but a Villaine by nature Prince I was of Istria and brother to the King of Dalmatia proud I was and accompanying that vice I had malice and all ill abiding in mee which causd a detestable treason in me for hearing many prophesies likelihoods of the greatnes worth of Amphilanthus I studied how I might any way crosse the successe he then being but of tender yeares scarce hauing attained to seuen yeares of age but that which most moou'd me was that a learned man said he should rule ouer the greatest part of the world and liue to be Lord of my Country alsoâ— to auoid this I vowed to loose no meanes or opportunitie wherefore I went to the Court of my brother where there then liu'd a great and a wise man this man confirm'd what before I had heard adding more vnto it for his increase of honour for he had cast his natiuitie hauing gaind it from one who was at the birth of the worlds wonder your sonne Vpon this I disguised my selfe and hither I came into your Country and Court where I found the Queene newly brought to bed of a daughter this I thought might be a meanes for my safety for no magicke could withstand the happy fortune of Amphilanthus though a danger he should fall into vncertaine to recouer it and by a woman So determining to haue my ends some way hauing some skill in Magicke I cast a sleepe vpon all the attendants where the babe lay and being in an euening tooke the child and conueyed it away
wherfore embracing her I told her she said right and that I was the same Vrania afflicted then for ignorance of mine estate now known to be daughter to the King of Naples but hers proceeding from loue I againe intreated the vnderstanding of it she then rose vp and with sober and low reuerence she began her discourse thus Most excellent Princess poore Liana your seruant being as you know Daughter to the chiefe Shepheard of that Iland who had the title of Lord ouer the rest being indeed a Noble man and a great Lord by birth in his owne Countrey which was Prouence but misery glorying to shew in greatnesse more then in meaner sorts of people It happ'ned so as the Earle of Prouence tooke dislike with him and that growing to hate he so farre prosecuted his spight as he ceased not till he had vndone him an â—asie thing for a Prince to compasse ouer a Subiect Then hauing nothing left him but life and misfortune hee left his Countrey seeking to gaine some solitary place to ende his daies in he happened into that sweet Iland and as you haue heard I am sure very often with his few friends that would not forsake him else left by fortune inhabited in it and call'd it by his name nor did I till after your departure know my Father to be other then the chiefe Shepheard But my misfortune brought that knowledge and makes me desire a speedy end for thus it was I being his onely child and so heire to all his estate which was great for a Shepherd was by many sought iâ—deed most if not all the young and best Shepherds of the Countrey those youthes all striuing for me made me striue how to vse them all alike and so I did likeing none but courteously refusing all till as euery one must haue a beginning to their misery there came a Shepherd and a stranger he was in birth to that place yet gained he a neerer and choycer acquaintance with my heart and affection then any of our home-bredâ— neighbours He call'd himselfe Alanius and so if you haue heard part of my discourse I am sure you haue already with that vnderstood his name being the head-spring to my calamitie for Alanius I affected and onely lou'd and to say truth most desperatly did loue him O Loue that so sweet a name and so honour'd a power should bring such disasters secretly I lou'd somewhile vnknowne vnto himselfe but not before his heart had made it selfe my prisoner little imagining mine had beene so much his subiect But so it continued till his paine made him discouer his loue and that pittie I held ouer his paine mixed with mine owne affection compelld me to yeeld to my misfortune yet was Alanius then worthy of my loue for hee loued me and I must euer loue him still though he be false False murdering word which with it selfe carries death and millions of tortures ioynd with it yet thou art so and I vnfortunate to call thee so else no worth wanted in thee But this is too sadd a relation I will proceed with the continuance of our Loues which was for a pretty space when another who had before Alanius his comming thither sought me for his wife being of good estate and of equall hope to rise in his fortunes giuen to husbandry and such commendable qualities as Countrymen affect and so it was my fathers minde to breed me too and therefore had giuen his consent looking to the towardlinesse of the man and the great blessing hee had receiued in more then vsuall increase of his stocke These were allurements to him while they were scarce heeded by me the riches I looked vnto being fortune in our Loues till one day my Father call'd me to him telling mee what a match he had made for me and not doubting of my liking shewed much comfort which he had conceiud of it and so went on with ioy as if the mariage had beene straight to bee consummated I was truely a little amazed withall till he finding I made no answere pulling me to him told mee â—hee hop'd my silence proceeded from no other ground then bashfulnesse since he assur'd himselfe I would not gainesay what he commanded or so much as dislike what he intended to doe with me wherefore hee would haue mee ioyne my dutifull agreement to his choice and order my loue to goe along with his pleasure for young maides eyes should like onely where their Father liked and loue where he did appoint This gaue me sight to my greater mischiefe wherefore I kneeld downe words I had few to speake onely with teares I besought him to remember his promise which was neuer to force me against my will to marry any Will said he why your Will ought to be no other then obedience and in that you should be rather wilfull in obeying then question what I appoint if not take this and bee assured of it that if you like not as I like and wed where I will you you shall neuer from me receiue least fauour but be accompted a stranger and a lost childe These words ran into my soule like poyson through my veines chilling it as the cold fit of an Ague disperseth the coldnesse ouer all ones body for not being Alanius whom he meant it was death to me to heare of marriage yet desirous to seeme ignorant and to be resolud who it was I desired to know who it was it pleased him to bestow vpon me Hee reply'd one more worthy then thou canst imagine thy selfe deseruing then naming him that name was like a Thunder-bolt to strike my life to death yet had I strength though contrary to iudgement to doe this I kneeld againe and told him that if he please to kill me I should better and more willingly embrace it else vnlesse he did desire to see me wretched and so to conâ—clude my daies in misery I besought him to alter his purpose for of any man breathing I could not loue him nor any but. That But I staid withall yet he in rage proceeded But cryd he what haue you setled you affections else where Who is this fine man hath wonne your idle fancie Who hath made your duty voide Whose faire tongue hath brought you to the foulenesse of disobedience Speake and speake truely that I may discerne what choice you can make to refuse my fatherly authoritie ouer you I truely trembled yet meaning to obey him as much as it was possible for me to doe in my heart louing the expression of dutie I told him it was Alanius Alanius a trimme choice truely said he and like your owne wit and discretion see what you haue done choose a man onely for ouâ—side a stranger and for any thing we know a run-away from his countrey none knowing him nor himselfe being able to say what he is I weeping implor'd a better opinion of him since I assured my selfe that if I could come to the blessing of enioying him all happinesse in this world
that some sweet delightfull passages passed not betweene them The Court now fild with loue Parselius perceiued their loues and was as well contented with it as Vrania had been with his and as freely did they before him shew it Amphilanthus infinitely glad of it and seeking all meanes for the continuance of it so as each day Pamphilia's chamber swarmd with louers Steriamus and Vrania Selarinus and Philistella Parselius and his wife Philarchos and his Orilena the Queene her selfe beholding them while her heart was as true a patient as any of theirs but must not shew it Leandrus with the rest had leaue to visit her but to see his passions to one that were sure neuer to be in such a snare it were sport else a terrible feare to fall into such a Laborinth The Queen gratiously respected him but when he spake of loue she then was deafe euer found occasion to discourse of somthing els or to some others Amphilanthus graced Selarina most with his discourse which made the whole Court iudge his affection was placed there in truth she did deserue it for she was an excellent fine Princesse but froÌ„ al these amorous delights the braue Prince must go betake himself to the field and aduenture with Ollorandus the next day was the time for their depart and also for Pamphilia's going who ouer night took her leaue of the court not willing as she said to be seene so much a woman as to weepe for parting Yet Vrania was witnes of it both getting vp earely and Amphilanthus with Ollorandus comming to them before they were ready stayed with them till they went downe Vrania bringing her to her Coach with the other two Princes when with teares they parted on some sides Vrania wept to part with her deare brother and cousen Pamphilia's heart was pierced with like sorrow or greater but stop'd her teares as hauing a stronger spirit till beholding the water in Amphilanthus eyes ready to fall and waite vpon the least summons her eyes would giue she then let some few slide and drop and so saluted him loue smiling in their teares to see so kind and affectionate parting glorying in his owne worke as proud in such a conquest Part they did taking their leaue without saying farewell which their hearts and eyes did for them making them then and as long as they could attend and behold each other which was not long for the waies being contrary the sight was soone lost Pamphilia went alone saue for her owne Traine of Knights which were come out of Pamphilia to attend her thither and quickly with the haste she made arriu'd at the Sea where shee shipped and so passed to her Kingdome where with infinite ioy and troopes of people shee was receiued and conducted to her chiefe City of Perga where shee remain'd in plenty of all things but the delicate conuersation she vsed to haue in Morea which want made her for a while melancholly but afterwards shee comforting her selfe with hope and resolution shee came abroad and followed those delights shee was wont to affect which was Hunting and Hawking and such like The two braue Companions holding on their way hating the land chose the Sea and tooke Shpp at Sornesse and so passing by Zants and Setalonia went vp the Gulfe of Venice and landed in Triale from whence without any one aduenture worthy the rehearsing they came into the confines of Bohemia when they met two knights of whom they demanded the newes of that place they resolu'd them that the King was dead and that they as many more were going in search of their Prince and Lord Ollorandus Then did he discouer himselfe vnto them which they infinitly reioyced at so passing on they came vnto a Castle where they would as they said lodge that night but the two Knights tolde them that by no meanes they should doe so for their dwelt the cruelest man that was in all those parts his name Seuerus and was next of the bloud to Ollorandus wherefore by no meanes they would aduise him none being left but himselfe of the Stocke to aduenture into his doores The new King imagining this a disgrace vnto him to let any such thing passe for feare would not be perswaded saying Hee was assured that hee durst not attempt any thing vpon his person but Amphilanthus disswaded what he could yet all in vaine for hee was resolu'd When nothing could preuaile against staying him yet they obtain'd of him that he would hold himselfe vnknowne hee repli'd they neede not call him Ollorandus but he would neuer leaue that happy name of the Knight of the Forrest with which he had pass'd through so many aduentures thus rashly would he runn into danger and which was worst hazad the brauest Prince To the Gate they came and presently were bid welcome with many seruants who attended on them and tooke their Horses some of them conducting them into the Hall where the old Duke Seuerus sat in a Chaire with a little staffe in his hand his thumbe on his staffe and his mouth on his thumbe which euer was his fashion when his minde was set vpon any plots Their comming in call'd his minde a little to him and looking on them seeing such rarenesse in their persons and louelinesse in their countenances imagined them to be of great quality especially Amphilanthus to whom he went and welcom'd him with the rest desiring to know who they were that thus courteously had honour'd his house Amphilanthus told him that he was an Italian and hearing of his bounty by some of the Country made him take the boldnes to visit him hoping by him also to vnderstand the manners of that place to which as yet he was a meere stranger The olde Duke told him â—hat he had done him an especiall fauour in it and that wherein he could doe him courtesies he should finde him most ready in requitall of this honour Then he demanded who the others were and their names Amphilanthus reply'd that his friend and himselfe vpon a certaine vow to their Mistresses till they saw them againe were not to disclose their names but were only known by the titles of the Knight of Loue which was himsâ—lfe and the other the Knight of the Forrest and thus they had passed most parts of the world Whence came you last I beseech you said he From Morea said the Knight of Loue. And what newes there I pray you said the olde Duke haue you not heard of Ollorandus our Prince and now our King by his fathers and brothers death I heard of him said Amphilanthus for no eares can vnlesse deafe but haue notice of his valour and excellent goodnesse and much haue I desired to be honoured with his sight accounting it one of my misfortunes that I am not knowne to so famous a Prince Hath his Acts replied the Duke made his name so well knowne I am heartily glad of it for now shall this Kingdome againe flourish when it shall be gouerned
one of their fellow prisoners in the Castle of loue wherefore desirous to heare that discourse especially louing to heare loue descâ—ibed and related by a woman out of whose lipps those sweet passions more sweetely proceeded hee gaue occasion for it as they walked along a dainty pleasant brooke the bankes whereof were of such sweetnesse as the plenty of the most delicate smelling flowers could yeeld vnto them being shadowed from the Sunnes parching by Mirtle and that Mirtle preserued by high and braue trees whose breadth and large boughs spread to giue content to those who vnder them would submit to solitarinesse This place said Amphilanthus were fitter much for louers then such free Princes as liue here Is there any free from that passion my Lord said she Only such said hee as you are whose sence of loue doth rather from you command harts to your seruice then presume to bring you into the fetters being rather his commandres then subiect An vntoward gouernment answered she assuredly I haue yet had I neuer hauing enioyed quiet minut since I knew this state but that rebellious passions haue euer tormented me Can that be cry'd Amphilanthus I am sensible of them said she Alas said Amphilanthus that I might be so fortunat to merit so great a happines as to vnderstaÌ„d the way that bold loue takes to coÌ„quer such perfection That may soone be gaind said shee for requite me with your story and I will truly discourse my fortunes to you Neuer let mee bee rewarded for my paine said hee if I refuse this noble offer Begin you Sir said shee I will obay in that also said he and then did he tell her the whole story of his affection onely keeping her name secret because Ollorandus knew her and had mistrust of it but no assurance after which she began thus My Lord so ill it seemes loue hath carried himselfe as it is a kind of fault in a woman to confesse any such matter yet I knowing my selfe innocent of ill and now ingaged by your freedome to make a requitall I will venture to speak of this Lord Loue. My father had a sister married to one of the noblest and greatest Princes of this Countrie as rich in possessions as any yet possessed he not so much treasures as hee did vertues being richer in them then any other of this land true noblenesse and noble hospitalitie abounding in him He had to inherit his estate two Sonnes and one Daughter children fit for such a father truly and lawfully being heires to both his estates of riches and vertuous qualities Many yeares this good Lord liued but age claiming the due belonging to time and a sore disease taking him hee dyed leauing his honours vertues and chiefe estate to his eldest sonne called Laurimello who had been much in my fathers house his father putting that trust in his brother in Law as to leaue his dearest part of comfort with him besides my Fathers estate lay neare to the Citie of Buda which was a conueniency by reason of the Courts lying there for his seeing and frequenting that by reason whereof after his fathers death he brought his sister likewise thither betweene whom and my selfe there grew an entire friendship She being great and her brother beloued and honoured aboue any other Prince many sought her for wife but shee knowing her perfections and greatnesse was nice in accepting any nor indeed had shee much mind to marry louing her liberty more then mariages bondage Among others that offered their seruice to her there was one called Charimellus who by his friends and parents was sent to sue for her fauour thither hee came but I comming with her into the roome where her suiter was and her brother with many more hee cast his eyes on mee which brought him that misfortune as to bee so suddenly surprised as he knew not scarce how to salute her which made her scorne him laughing at his bashfulnesse which caused so much blushing and trembling in him I regarded not his traunces beginning so much as to thinke from whence it proceeded but out of good nature was sorry for the man who in troth deserued much pitie and merited great respect but my heart elsewhere placed held mine eies in their set way not marking any thing but mine own fortunes no more then one starre troubles it selfe with anothers course but my cosin who would not keepe her thoughts from imparting them to her friends liberally vsed her wit on him whose part I tooke ignorant of the cause I had till some dayes being passed in which she gaue him refusall he discouered his loue to me and withall protesting how he was surprised at my first sight I told him I could not belieue one fight on such an instant could worke such an alteration nor if it were true that I would so soone accept of a refused suiter since my fortunes I trusted would not be such as to bind me to take my cosins leauings This answer grieu'd him yet did it no way allay his affection but rather like snow which plaid with all doth make ones hands burne so did the cold despaire of my words make his hart hot glow in loue towards me my friends liked and lou'd him he being of a sweet and mild disposition valiant and accompanied with many braue and noble conditions and such a one as none I thinke could haue disliked that had been ordaind to marry with iudgement onely or had not their heart before settled as mine was Long he pursued his loue at last he gained my fathers consent my mothers and most of my friends the estate and antiquitie of his house besides his person meriting any subiect for wife When I saw this and the danger I was in to bee bestowed I then wholly employd my time in studying how I might gaine mine owne desires and finely put this off While this was in my mind a third businesse came in which was another match offerd my father for me whose estate was greater and neerer to our dwelling to which my father being more then ordinarily affectionate to me quickly harkned and willingly embraced Then was I in more danger then before my heart so perplexed as I knew not what I did Poore Charimellus came vnto me wept to me presented his affection to my memory and eies I pittied him and truly had as much compassion vpon him as I or any other whose soule was in anothers keeping could haue of him and so much fauour I did grant him as to promise to speake with my Father and directly to refuse the new proffered match This contented him hoping my refusall had been onely for his good I performed my promise and spake with my father telling him how much he was afflicted how passionately he loued me what reasons I had rather to accept of him then any other how the world had taken such notice alreadie of his two yeares suite as it would be a disgrace to him and a touch to me to take
one and rather would I wish thou wert not one but with that title throw thy fault away and bee a louer iust and excellent thou maist be so for where doth lodge more abilitie of good of valor vertue and all else but constancy which I wil pardon come vnto me I forget that euer I was left that thou wert false vnkind and will remember onely our first ioyes thinke all this other time was absence or a dreame which happines likely contrary to what appeares O let this be so my deare and only deare I doe forgiue thee I inuite thee come accept my state a gift laid at thy feeâ— my selfe thy vassall these are worthy thanks and these I will performe Leaue those inticing beauties and great wits that snare-like catch hold for meere aduantage to them and their ends ticing thee by fine Brades of vowed locks and plaited haire a dainty shew nor didst vse with me my haire vnworthie of the honor to be worne by thee thou thinkst I know not this yes and do grieue for it yet will be silent to thee I am a woman free and freely offer I not begge but giue and aske but loue for principality and rule of me many I know doe seeke thee and thy gentle disposition apt to bee deceiued as I was when I loued will be abused Beware cast those deare eyes that wonne my freedome on my faith and zeale and then discouer what a difference there is betwixt feruent loue whose ends are loue such where only vse gaine attends desier But if thou wilt continue thus be yet still safe let their loues to thee bee as firme as mine let dangers flie from thee safetie bee neere and all ill shun thee blessings prosper with thee and bee thou blessed with them Then turnd she fighingly within her bed al night she thus did passe those houres with such distracted passions and so full her mind was stor'd with memorie of him as shee did call all actions into mind and as new done did liuely make presentment to her eyes and so of all past happinesse shee knew Then mixt she them with her new discontents and so comparing them make her poore selfe the stage where ioy and sorrow acted diuers parts her heart the sad sceane where the storie lay oft did shee call him false then loue inraged made her recall that and complaine of spite concluding still I cannot yet but loue though thus forsaken and forelorne I liue Amphilanthus gone he fell into discourse with the young Venetian who related vnto him what he had heard of the counterfet Prince then did hee proceed how hee vnderstood hee had taken his way by sea into Greece and thence for Asia and there no question said he the dainty Pamphilia will be the kingdome he 'le first visit and good welcome surely said Amphilanthus he 'le find there Thus they rid on the King contemplating his Mistrisse beholding her as present as if by and the Venetian plotting how to gaine the louing Emelina to his wife but that was difficulter to bee gaind then their arriuall without more aduentures into Italy so as being thither come the King was met with many who were going some to seeke and some from seeking him were return'd At last he came to Naples where he found his father sicke and past recouery yet so much comforted to see his sonne as life in the last power did expresse it both with face and smile but that as ioyfull newes crost by the next vnlucky messenger is as a greater crosse then if at first time knowne so did his death more heauily incounter the good hope his sonne did then receiue He dead the Lords and Commons all with one consent and that consent accompanied with gladnesse in their good receiued Amphilanthus for their King A maruelous braue funerall was then prepared within which time the Princes neere and farre as fast as notice came sent their Embassadors to condole and congratulate his happy beginning The funerall once passed straight followed the Coronation where the Embassadours did assist of Morea France great Brittany Bohemia Romania and the sweet and delicate Pamphilia all being done the Embassadours tooke their leaues the King presenting them with presents rich and fit for him to giue and them to take then the next businesse was to settle all his estate in good or quiet gouernment to which end he did appoint the Prince his brother to be Regent and setled such a graue and honest Counecll as he was secure though absent of his Kingdomes good Then went hee with some forces hee had raised which were in number twentie thousand Foote and fiue thousand Horse to the place appointed to ship them for Epirus directing them the time of putting forth which way he resolued the rest would passe into Albania the Princes of Florence Milan Ferrara Naples Modina Apulia and many more officers of this Field in this braue army went but he trusting the army with these commanders himselfe accompanied onely with the Prince of Venice landed in Morea from thence being able easily to meet his men and time enough for any seruice Being landed hee heard nothing but Drums and Trumpets and such warlike musique which well pleas'd his eares much hast hee made till he came to the Court where he found great sadnes for an vnhappy accident befalne Selarinus which was this going as hee thought safe enough because disguis'd into Epirus the proud Queene of that Country who had denyed passage for the Armie got notice of him and that notice gaue dainger of his life for her Mother beeing Daughter to one of the Kings or Lords of Albania treachery and falshood hauing deuided it into fiue parts he and the other Townes had made a combination neuer to suffer eyther to be harm'd but contrariwise to harme any should molest the other and to seeke all meanes to ruine the two brothers whose fame had though with honor vnluckely come to their eares vertue in them hauing brought the worlds companion malice with her This was not only agreed of among this wicked confederacy but also taught as a necessary lesson to their Children this Daughter hauing marryed her selfe to the like vow else a maide and faire but proud insolent and as those creatures are commonly ignorant enough She first to giue occasion of offence denyed passage for the Armies hauing so much foolish pride about her as she was blinded from knowledge that thâ—se forces could passe with her losse of her Realme if they pleased but she who saw but as through a prospectiue glasse brought all things neerer or farther as shee pleas'd to turne the ends to her sight so she drew danger to her and put assurance with iudgment and goodnes from her laying waite through all her Country for either of those Knights or any other who belonged to the vnited kings that by chance or hope of disguises surely might offer to passe that way It was Selarinus his mishape first and onely at
came Dolorindus for after hee had beheld her picture which Polarchos brought hee was neuer free from her affection he being the yellow Knight that had the ill fortune to receiue the worst in the Court of Morea yet was that seruice a meanes to bring him to Antissias fauor for hee taking that occasion to let her know his affection she entertained him being assured of her first loues losse yet vowed she to see him once againe or write to him before shee would wedde Dolorindus Besides shee had engaged him by oath to performe one seruice shee would employ him in when shâ—e demanded it and that done shee would marry him He contented himselfe with that hope which proued as empty as it selfe without gaine so farr as that promâ—se did ingage her yet hee after enioyed her All the famous Princes met the question was who should command in cheife ouer all Parselius had the Moreans Amphilanthus was to command his Italians which without comparison were the brauest and best order'd Rosindy the Macedonians Leandrus the Achaians Selarinus the Eperians Antissius his Romanians Doloâ—â—â—dus those hee brought from his Kingdome of Negropont wherof hee now raigned King Other troops there were wherof the chiefe of their owne Country commanded but ouer all as it was then resolu'd Steriamus for whom all these were ioyn'd should haue the power and name of Generall Hee was loath to take it vpon him so many Kings there and himselfe hauing no army of his owne All his arguments were turn'd to his honor and gaine of that place which he with much respect and care accepted Imagine how braue a Prince he now is and what ioy this would be to his Vrania to see her Steriamus command fiue Kings besides innumerable Princes Dukes Earles and valiant Knights But the first and brauest King her brother was not yet come nor could there be iust guesse where he was yet on the Army marched newes being brought them that Plamergus had taken a strong passage to defend and hinder their passing further into the Country This Plamergus was one that enioyed a part and that part of Albania hauing in times past beene a seruant to the lâ—st true King but ingratitude of all faults the greatest beeing such as it reacheth to a sinne he was infected and possessed with The braue Steriamus call'd his magnanimious Councell together where it was resolu'd that he should be fought withall and that Antissius with the Romanians should haue the honor of the Vantguard and so it was agreed vpon The next daies march brought them within sight of their enemy but together they could not com a great Riuer parting them and he hauing throwne downe the bridge in spight On the other side the Country was hilly if not more properly to say mountaynous and not one but many straight wayes so as iudgment was heere required to equall valor and direct it Their first resolution therfore was alter'd as there were fiue wayes so they deuided themselues into fiue deuisions The Italians Steriamus tooke ioyning Dolorindus with him and so determined to take the middle way The King of Macedon was to take the first way on the right hand and Parselius on the left Antissius to goe on that side with Parselius and Selarinus with Leandrus were put to the last on the side with Rosindy Much did Leandrus grudge at this that his riuall as he deem'd him should bee matched with him wherfore he began to repine at it till the rest told him that he was ioynd with him only out of respect that he was one of those two for whom all this quarrell was Hardly this could preuaile with him wherfore Steriamus discerning it chang'd the order taking the forces which Selarinus had there of Epirus into his diuision and sent those of Negropont to Leandrus but because Dolorindus was a King his Leiueâ—enant went with them and himselfe stayed with the Generall The next care was how to passe the Riuer which might haue beene the first considering that was like the barr let downe at Barryers to stay the combat and such a barr was this as all their iudgments were called to councell how to avoyd the danger and passe the water on the other side wherof was the desired fruit At last Steriamus gaue this aduice that they should cut downe part of a wood along the side of which they had maâ—ched lay those trees close together then faâ—ten them with chaines one to another and so lastly all together and passe ouer some first in the night who might both helpe to fasten the trees on that side and if they were discouered hold some play with them till the army pass'd This was well liked and his aduice applauded so was the practise instantly put in hand and by morning many making quick worke the Army passed At breake of day the Enemie discouered them which amazed them for so many they went in front as they couered the trees and so thicke they came as if they had walked on the water the enemie apprehended feare which was as terrible to them as if a wife went out confident to meete her husband to ioy with him and incounters him slaine so were they wedded to assurance of safety and vnmarryed by this stratageme But Plamergus gathered his spirits together and so drew his men into the heart of the straights where he could compell them to fight and most wrong our men not being able to goe aboue three in front besides his horâ—e he placed on the side of the hills most aduantagiously for them but haâ—mefull to vs had not fortune fauored and made Antissius the instrument for hee something forwarder then the rest hauing got his Army ouer and put them in battell marched on and comming to the entry of the passage perceiued the place filled with the plaÌ„ks posts of the bridge which they had enuiously pull'd downe those hee tooke vp and as a certaine foretelling of their successe made vse of the benefit commanding his soldiers to carry them to the Riuer and laying them vpon the tree-made-bridge made a reasonable way for the horse to goe on now was there noe want horse and foote being placed Then were the horse likewise diuided and the hills giuen them so as on hills and in the valleyes the enemy was answered with forces But now it is time to leaue these affaires to Mars and let his Mistris haue her part awhile who alwayes and at all times hath some share in businesses Pamphiliia in her owne Country contented because as shee thought safe in the happinesse of her loue though tormented with the burthen of absence one day walked into a Parke she had adioyningâ— to her Court when shee was within it shee commanded her seruants to attend her returne her selfe taking a path which brought her into a delicate thicke wood a booke shee had with her wherin she read a while the subiect was Loue and the story she then was reading the affection of a Lady to a
Burnt like a Phaenix change but such could shake And a new heat giuen by your eyes did make Embers dead cold call Spirits from the pits Of darke despaire to fauour new felt fits And as from death to this new choice to wake Loue thus crownes you with power scorne not the flames Though not the first yet which as purely ries As the best light which sets vnto our eyes And then againe ascends free from all blames Purenesse is not alone in one fix'd place Who dies to liue finds change a happy grace These I did learne for these did fit mee best and from that time contented was to let him see I entertaind his sute which was his kingdome wonne in sweet delight then was that as an Empire to my gaine when I first saw him rudely yet innocently clad like a Lamb in wool for colour and softnesse to the eye or touch his face blushing like modesty after his arme had showed manly power his delicacie asking pitie but his commanding absolutenes disdaining it as much as the bright Moone if we should say wee were sorry in a frostie night to see her face in the water least she might bee cold rather might I say I feard the Sunne would burne him when hee enamourd of his dainty skinne did but incloase him with his power from other haâ—me touching him not to hurt but to make difference twixt his fauours shind and shielded him while others he did burne kinde in embracements and soft in his force The language he did speake was milde so were his lookes loue shaddowing all himself within his eyes or in his face keeping his greatest Court because most gaining Ah sweet Philistella had you seene the vn-relatable exquisitenesse of hiâ— youth none could haue blam'd me but euen chid me for not instantly yeelding my passions wholly to his will but proud ambition and gay flatteriâ— made me differ and loue your brother thus if I changd t was from sweete Steriamus to Parselius for his excellency wonne me first so this can bee noâ— change but as a booke layd by new lookt on is more and with greateâ— iudgement vnderstood You need not said Philistella striue to make me seâ— your loue and cause thereof to Steriamus since I truely speake I thinke none worthyer to bee truely loued except my Lord then I imagine him nor can I much or any way defend my brother who had you still continued louing I should haue blam'd he prouing so vniust yet this only salue and good excuse is left Desteny did and euer still must rule Now for mee deere Vrania all I aime is loue if I discourse what is it of but loue if I walke out what trauell in but loue if I sit still what muse I on but loue if I discoursed be withall what answere I but loue so as being made maintaind by loue and in loue shaped squared only to his rule what neede excuses but plaine truth and say if I doe speake from purpose or extrauogantly fly from the matter we were talking of if cleaue to other â—ubiect â—diuert the proferd speech say this and only this Loue who is Lord of all braue royall minds hath like the heauens beheld my lowly breast and in it taken lodging gracing it with humbling his great Godhead to embrace a true and yeelding heart in comparison of his supreame authority most meane should I not thus without excuse be freed nay euen respected when loue is adored As if hee spake from me so heare me now loue dwels in me hee hath made me his hoste then if I only doe remaine as sure I shall wholly affection and his humblest slaue scorne mee not but still reckon mee a seruant nearest wayting on great Loue. Others like Painters better can set him forth in his coulers Kings we see haue pictures drawne to be eternised by but t is them selues for which the picture is drawne not for the workemans skill so fauor me for Loue nor blame me though an ill peece 't is the best though by an ill hand drawne t is to the life others may smoother bee and fairer none more like nor iust vnto the perfect true resemblance of pure loue thus see you before your royall selfe the humblest vassall Cupid cherisheth Vrania in her soule coÌ„mended the pretty confession faire Philistella made admiring her sweetnesse of disposition as much as before she woÌ„dred at the beauty of her person embracing her my deere companion in true loue said she now shall we with more ease and freedome serue our Master dayes must not passe without our seruice done to him nor shall my deere Vrania said the other let our most priuate thoughts be to each other plaine and open seacrysie to all others held and only loue and we know what we think thus they did liue and loue and loue and liue Nerana still remaining in Cicely now growne as humble as before proud and ashamed as before scorning liuing in a Caue alone and feeding on hearbs roots and milke of Goats which fed on those rocks playing the milke-mayd better then before the Princesse extremity forcing her contented with patience and patiently contented nothing troubling her but her loue which was and is enough to vex the greatest and best gouernd Spirits hers being none of those the exactliest ruld To bring her from her misery Loue hauing sufficiently tyrannised the King Perissus came thither who in loue to his friends the braue and matchles Princes meant to assist them iournying towards them hee happned to that place where he beheld the sportfull exercise of Fortune a Princesse without a Country cloathes or seruants a Lady that must tell her selfe to be one else not to be mistrusted a miserable woman and the more so because she felt it experience and sufferance making her sencible of misfortune She sought to shunne the King at first but afterwards considering her good might come from him her hurt likely if kept close to abide with her she came vnto him and with much humility made her aproach who beheld her with a gratious and pittying eye seeing in her more then ordenary behauiour and a countenance that might carry greatnes with it and had it in it though shadowed vnder pouerty Perissus tooke her to him and demanding some things of her shee answered with these like words Said she this estate may iustly merit contempt and scorne from you or so great a Prince as you appeare to be I am a creature liuing by ill chance able to relate my misery which if you please to giue an eare vnto I shall tell you I am cal'd Neraena Princesse of Stalamina made in myne owne Country and in the most perfect time of my rule subiect to a stranger both to me and I feare good nature so far scorning me as it brought me to this estate you see me in for after with curst and scornfull words he had refusd my loue and louing petition for pitty left me and with his friends as
they found some thing was in that name wherefore they would not presse but left him promising to obserue his commands The two Companions rid till they came againe to a Wood but not so â—hicke as the other but of great huge trees and such a place it was as offerd delights to most hearts to stay and receiue it there The bodies white as snow testifying innocency and their tops so large and thickly spread as expressed glory for their purenesse In this place they lighted giuing their horses to their Squires and the very content of that solitarinesse brake their silence Here said Amphilanthus is a place fit for such a creature as my selfe to dwell in here alone am I fit to inhabit and leaue all gouernment to him that can rule shunning that when I cannot rule my selfe When did I euer see you my dearest friend said Ollorandus in this tune What haue you done with your spirit where drownd your iudgement and how buried your selfe What if you liue to bee crossed in your desires belieue it it is not to other end then to make you happier with the sweet meeting of what the misse will make dearer to you when passed Pamphilia cannot bee lost Vrania drowned Philistella cast away or Selarina stolne What vexeth you if they bee carried to a farre place if the worst as those parts are full of enchantments Enchanted cryd Amphilanthus deare friend t is we that are enchanted from finding the truth of their losse they are lost and weeled by the same Deuill in ignoraâ—ce the more to torture and scorne vs. Ollorandus perswaded and spake houres to him but he was deafe or speechlesse for not a word could he get of him his sighes were his answers his groanes his speech and thus they walked till they met a Lady as she seemd to be in mourning attire her faire eyes shewing more griefe then her apparrell sadnesse yet had they red cirkles about them threatning reuenge for their sorrow her traine was only one Page who shewd as little mirth as his Mistris did contentâ— they came one a little before the other as if sorrow could haue most liberty in lonelines and therefore although but two would goe asunder Amphilanthus sad found or sadnes found for him that distresse in her demanded his helpe wherfore he went to her curteously demanding if his seruice might auaile her Sir said she your tawâ—y liuery so wel suits with my fortune as if I saw but that I might from thence ask help but alas Sir my misery is but one way to be redrest my woe no way equald nor can my afflictions see end but by the end of me Miseries face said he is so perfectly yet in delicacy vnfortunately presented in you as would make one wish rather to be thus miserable then free otherwise affected but as in you excellently are these perfections so in me are as excelling crosses I knowing these can with more feeling vnderstand yours and with a more reuengefull mind serue you hauing that abounding in me for behold here before you the man who neuer saw moâ—ning ioy that was not nipt by cold euenings malice Comparing griefes said the Lady are but to augment sorrow without helpe comming to extremity but in your discourse I find by you that you want helpe as well as I. And help only of one like your selfe said hee can make me blessed I will not touch oâ— that said she though thus I might since if she were like mee shee would bee much more pitifull How can I know that said he but thus I may gesse it that none being able to compare with her except her owne excellencies they gouernd by her selfe can suffer no comparisons This shewes you to bee a louer said she and for that I bewaile likewise your fortune for hell cannot inflictâ— more terrible torment on a heart then loues power settles in him Do youâ— spring from that ill said he I thought only my starrs had directed me to sucâ— distresse They spring and flow cryd shee increase and dwell in this subiectâ— May I know the cause said he Yes said the Lady if you will promise me pardon for my boldnes and tedious discourse which it will proue and other assistance I need not Alas cryd he that shal be most willingly lent you thougâ— I may feare as little to helpe you or my patience being a poore though nessary vertue Tell me who you are said the Lady I am reply'd he cald thâ— lost Man my name little famous here not hauing done any thing but againâ—â— two Knights at a Bridge from whom I won passage If you haue done thaâ— answerd shee the more assurance haue I of your worth and valor for they were two counted the strongest and most valliant of this Kingdome and part of my story toucheth on them but now haue I cause to be ambitious oâ— your knowledge and by the want of it reason to distrust the continuance oâ— mine own vnblessed destiny which increase in harmes pursuing and following me Alas said the lost Man what hope is there left where two such fortunes encounter Onely this said she that the extremity may change to good out of that confidence you shall know the vnkind fortune that gouernâ— me This image of griefe or rather true griefe my selfe am called Bellamiraâ— my father was called Detareus a great Lord in this Country and Steward oâ— the Kings house fauoured by him but at last sent in an Embassage whereiâ— he was lost wherewith my misery ran on to this height He had many chilâ—dren but most borne to misfortune my self being his first as sent the sooner tâ— taste of miserie for being much at the Court with my father before I kneâ— what loue was I was his prisoner I pined sigh wept but knew not what thâ— paine was till at last the Tyrant shewed from whence the danger came buâ— with it shewed the impossibilitie of obtaining hee hauing setled his affectâ—â—ons in another place nor had I pride enÌ„ough to thinke my selfe able to wiâ— him from the Princesse for she it was hee did affect a Lady deseruing the title of excellent had not her pride and other defacing imperfections throwne a blacke Scarfe ouer her outward fairenes This Lady hee loued but as afterwards I found no more constantly then your sex vseth not meaning to bee a Phaenix among men-louers for feare of enuy When I perceiued his eyes somewhat fauourably to bend themselues to me vnhappy foole that I was I held and valued it my certaine comming fortune giuing mee such hope as perswaded mee without feare to see the end which brought mee to the ambition to bee at a great marriage which was at the Court the King gracing a young Lord so farre as to haue his Nuptials performed there Then did I more plainely see his respect to me his shifts and meanes to bee neare mee certaine proofes of loue his alluring eyes telmee his heart appointed them the messengers to discouer what he sought which
of grauity as she was fit for the honour they recalld her to her sister shee prouided for but she returnd no more but with a young Prince shee grew so enamourd of although a married man stole away ended so as her friends did desire all good people should forget her or that she neuer had bin thus may you see that none can run so far that shall not haue some time to returne nor any how much soeuer condemn'd but may liue to be fit of commiseration and respect this was verified in her she deserud their due restoring her proouing an excellent Gouerness and braue Lady being able to ouerrule her old passions by theÌ„ to iudge how to fauor licence curb others this expâ—rience though late is most profitable to Princes Amphilanthus with the braue once hating now louing Ladies comming to Negropont were by Dolorindus Antissia infinitly welcom'd and feasted yet Antissia was not wellplesed for although she had directly lost the loue she most prized yet somuch she lou'd him stll as she was sorry he should do amisse which she did coÌ„fes he did in leauing Pamphilia sor Musalina Alas said she most excellent Lady did not I fortell your harme yet I protest I am truly sorry for this and wish I had said false so you had still beene bless'd it was not my fortune to be happy in what I most sought yet wish I you had inioyed what your worth and constancy had merited no enuy I beare to you nor euer did but to my destâ—ny which would not fauor me Of purpose shee would vrge discourse of her which the Empeâ—or tooke wel enough and was contented so far with it as to think of her and at last resolu'd to see her but one day walking alone in a delicate walk of Birches set by art vpon the top of a hil both sides being sowed with wheat Haruest not yet being come though the corn ripe for it hee beheld the euen perfect growing of them Can we said he possibly be as euen in our owne brests to truth as these things which are sowed or set by our hands No and for our shame our own works must wittnesse against vs for I confesse I haue done amisse and against her deserued best of me for loue and constancy and yet none haue I payed with so much neglect I am faulty but I will mend and she I hope wil pardon Sweet Corne said he when the wind stirrs how doe your heads bend humbly that way you are blowne how euenly equally and patiently hath she borne my neglects I will giue satisfaction and she shall bee requited As he walked thus he heard a Ladd pipe meerily on a Pipe he had made of one of the stalkes of Oates not farre off growing he stayd to heare him and when he thought he had done went toward him desiring to heare some thing which though low in respect of his vnderstaÌ„ding yet would now be pleasing to his passions as he drew neerer to him he heard him vse these words Loue since thou art thus gratefull be thou euer blessed I now am sorry I did call thee ill I doe repent that I did thinke thou hadst beene wayward or vngratefull all is passd and I doe pardon craue I le sing vnto thy praise as I did cry agaiust thee I le make songs in thy honour as I did in reuiling thee I le sweare thou art alone worthy and fit to be honourâ—d as I lately vow'd thou wert the onely Serpent and hatefull humor to be cheerished If humble submission can merit fauour I will gaine it of thee if not punish me aud spare not for I must and doe confesse I am guilty and deserue more ill then thy noblenesse will inflict on any giue me my freedome from thy fauours and I wil euer be thy vassell for it Then tooke he vp his sling walked a litle farther that being his weapon to defend himself and to molest the Birds or other enemies to his charge in that delicat Corne. Amphilanthus thus followed a farre off as hope doth despairing Louers when he saw him sit downe againe and take vp his Pipe then againe proceede in his commendations of Loue and then sing The Emperour liked that humor well wishing he might haue the like cause to praise that passion vpon which hee was pleased to make most excellentâ— Verses and then return'd to the Court Musalina and Lucenia whose humble submission had gain'd pardon and loue in some kinde had them as they had most he had written but still his minde ran on his iourney not doubting of his welcome yet knowing his fault wished the first encounter passed Musalina took her leaue to returne into Romania much sorrow was for parting but those things are so vsuall as the relation were like telling a tale so often till all eares were tyred with it Musalina in her iourney had as many seuerall thoughts as loue could bring forth sometimes suspition came then anger and reuenge followed yet these were salued againe with hope and trust She was grown likewise a Poet as being a necessary thing and as vnseparable from a witty louer as loue from youth When she arriu'd at home the poore trees felt the cruelty which she said was inflicted on her sad rimes came often into her thoughts some of her own others of Amphilanthus his making on parting and of diuers others contenting her selfe or rather forcing content to be shewed when no remedy was her loue being gone and which was worse in a kinde neuer to returne which gaue forme to these lines following a great drought being in that Country and euery one wishing for raine Why doe you so much wish for raine when I Whose eyes still showring are stand you so nigâ— Thinke you that my poore eyes now cannot lend You store enough alas but rightly bend Your looks on me and you shall see a store Able to moisten Earth and ten earths more Sighs to make Heauen as soft as tender wooll And griefe sufficient to make vp the full Of all despaires then wish not since in me Contained are teares griefe and misery Many times she would goe to the solitary woods and grieue there freely crying out her woes but all return'd alike to her for gaine or reward for how can helpe be now expected only absence will assist and that at last in this distrest Lady preuailed wherein she was happy though many sad daies and nights passed before the cure could be wrought Time being for this disease the best Phisition Amphilanthus tooke his way towards Pamphilia taking with him only twelue Knights whom hee chose and his and their Squires them he inioyned not to disclose him nor cal him any other then the Iust in hope Pamphilia not hoping for any redresse was one day in certaine walkes with her ancient friend and seruant the Lady who the Queene 's met in such diâ—order for loue and was the same Lady that was so pleasant with
vowed she should haue what his fortune would allow her and himselfe a loyall and affectionate seruant and husband to her This was agreed on and they marryed with such ioy as none can expresse but louers who meete with equall affections and so liued sometime but now three yeares being pass'd the heate resonably cooled other passions haue crept in like Mothes into good stuffe and discontents haue risen so as he hath left her attended on like her selfe meanes to the height of his estate and all things according to her owne mind himselfe only retyring to lament his misfortune liuing to out liue her loue as he feares although I am confident of the contrary tooke his life likewise on me to diuert him if I could from this course which I trust I shall doe and haue preuailed thus far as he hath promised to weare this Summer out only in his sorrowes and then to returne but company he will not yet admit of so as I feare when he come abroad againe hee that before was the most absolute fine Courtier will be a new learner in that Art but let it be as it will so he come forth of these woods and plaines put on Court apparrell instead of this Sheephards coate a scarfe for this Scrip and a sword for this hooke and I trust we shall be gallant once more for my part I am tired with rurall mirth and passionate ditties I had rather heare a horse neigh then all the Sheephardesses in this Island sing quarrâ—lls haue also risen in our absence as I heare all which will breed ill blood if wee stay out wherfore I pray for returne The Queene smiled at this Story thinking how fit it was to be compared to the graue Suter they had left at the Widdowes house and how likely such a conclusion was to happen which some sayes did afterwards fall out of their great discontents but againe concluded with loue and more loue then euer had beene before at least in outward shew so as these storyes may bee called one Selerina left the Sheephard intreating him to vse his best meanes to comfort his friend and to carry him backe to his wife which she deâ—ired as a woman and hee premised to performe To the Court shee returned meeting the King as hee came from hunting to whome she related this discourse Antissius knew them both and resolued to cal them to the Court as soone as he return'd for he had euer lou'd them and then had employment for them The Progresse ended he return'd againe to his first welcome where he did find his amorous seruant a fortunate man wanting nothing but his Maiesties presence for the whole consummation of his blessing which was concluded by his marryage before the Kings going thence he assisting at the wedding and thus was he happy in hauing what he most coueted To Constantinople the King and Queene soone after went where Selarina was with all ioy and ceremony by her deerest louing Antissius crowned Queene liuing as happily as euer Queene did Antissia and Lâ—cenia came only to visit her the other stayed and attended her daily in the Court being cheife of the Chamber Parselius with his Dalinea being got into their owne Country of Achaia once more remembred the sweete and pleasant time they at first inioyed when Parselius grew a louer and shee as passionate a receiuer of his affection they called to minde many more passages as his sadnes and parting yet neither of them they stucke long vpon the cause one not desiring the remembrance since for that occasion the other for feare of offending let it passe nothing appeered before them but content he striuing for nothing more then to please her nor she ambitious of any thing more then his affection both thus equally bent to loue and satisfaction happines must needs be the end If she had a mind to goe abroad he could neuer know cause to stay him from accompaning her if hee liked any sport or pleasure abroad that she chose to please her selfe withall his desire was her will and her will desire to serue him Thus was loue obserued and serued by these who one day going into a greate Desart after their manner in that Country to take delight carrying Tents where places so desolate would not afford conueniencie or ciuill lodging in a faire plaine the Pauillions were placed hard by a wood a dellicate brooke running before them ouer which was only a ford but no bridge there the Queene fished while the King hunted As she was at her sport an ancient fine woman appeared on the other side smiling and calling her by signes vnto her the Queene was at first carlesse of her but she still following right against her calling as shee went with her Angle fit for the streame shee at last marked her and was so intised as she resolued to goe with her sending straight for her Horse and so with some few in her trayne one of her seruants taking the old woman behind him rod into the wood and a great while in the Desart-like wildernes till comming within a place thicke and scratching ful of bushes and thornes catching as longing to hould her and so into a little round place greene as fresh grasse could make it and as circular as those places faigned to be made by the Fairy company to daunce in she leaped from behinde her guide and comming to the Queene besought her to doe so likewise she obeyed as led by Fortune then alone saue with the old woman she went into the thicke from thence into such another little round in the midst wherof was a Stone white as white could be a Ring of siluer on the top wherby it seemed to bee lifted vp the Queene looked on it and admired it when the old woman bad her lift it she seeing the bignes thought it impossible yet as come by her desire she would not disobay her will wherefore lifting at it she easily tooke it vp and then appeared a rich sumptuous and braue Staire of stone carued and guilt with gold Those Staires she was to descend which she did entering then into a delicate fine Gallery as curious and costly all on Pillars of Gold out of this into a Garden such as the perfectest was described to be thence into a Tarras the railes pillars and all of the same continued richnes out of that into a large and spacious Hall the inside for ingrauing and curiosity like or surpassing the others the very Benches and Thresholds being pure Gold the walls inriched adorned with preâ—ious Stones In the midâ—st of this or rather at the vpper end was an Altar or the proportion of one sixe Candlesticks with wax lights in them vpon it but not burning a Booke in the mid'st lay open which she tooke vp and reading in it instantly a delicate sound of Musicke was heard and then appeared an ancient grauefull old man speaking these words Great and rightfull Queene of Achaia blessed be your dayes and
the old man to haue a Christian buriall by his howling and crying calling passengers in and buried her but could not win the Dog from the graue but there he died Philarchos and his deare held on their way for Mytelin where with ioy and feasts they were welcomed and liued euer till their ends happily but Philarchos thought his end the crueller because faire Orilena was taken from him desiring to die together The King of Bulgaria with his braue Queene as sumptuously as their owne minds required and their minds were no lower then such Princesses should be but as much higher as ambition and all the dependances of that folly could carry them and that was high enough to make them aboue iudgement proud such Coaches Liueries furnitures for horses were neuer seene before yet they but poore as her Maiestie esteemed them who surely would haue been contented to bee starued so all shee had touched had been Gold and Diamonds In this magnificence they tooke leaue of the King and Queenes in Morea and so tooke their iourny towards Bulgaria they only riding in one Coach two other went spare one for each the traine so richly prouided for as ordinary Kings and Queenes would haue been well contented with that furniture but yet these were scarce good enough for their seruants Out of Morea they went without aduenture and so passed till in Liuadia this fine accident befell them A young Gentleman attended on by six Pages apparreld in coates of Grasse-greene Veluet laid with gold Lace and twelue footemen in the same colours all with Plumes of greene and yellow in their Hatts the young Gentleman in a sute of those colours imbroidred with Gold the trappings for his Horse and all furniture answerable came towards the most glistering troope of Bulgaria then being instructed accordingly he presently allighted and on foote presented himselfe to the Queen humbly making a reuerence to her liking the like he did to the King then he deliuered these words Great and most happy King enioying such a treasure as hauing the worlds riches composed in this vnestimable Iewell the Earths admired Starre and mans wonder your Queene I am sent vnto you both but if I faile in performance of my message blame your owne glorious aspects that take from mee the true abilitie of speech and boldnesse a Messenger should be armed with all but who can without trembling speake to the Gods or touch the Sunne if he descend within reach no more can I speake to you whose Maiesties strike me dumbe or make me to say better faulter like an vnperfect Schoole-Boy saying his lesson They heartned him wiâ—h ioy flattering pride nourishing their proud hearts when he proceeded Pardon and grace said he from you so heauen-like creatures giues life with speech to me againe I am sent from the Prince of Liuadia my Master who hearing of your comming this way doth desire the blessing I his Vassaile haue already enioyed humbly beseeching you to honor him with your royal presence in his fathers Court an old Prince but good where hee is within two dayes to haue a Triumph by meanes of manie strangers and happie he is to haue such an occasion at this time to be the fitter to giue entertainement to such persons he earnestly desires not to be refused and I pray I may not be sent but with the soules-like-comfort of blisse which is your grant The King was the finest speaker in Court language of the World and so complemented as the youth had enough to doe to returne halfe his good language to his Lord for the Queene shee soone had granted to shew her beauty and scarce could hold within the bounds of expressing what she felt of ioy knowing shee must bee admired but at last said she would obey her Lord and accompany him to waite on his Prince thanks she returned none for she esteemed this honour but due to her and knew it should be offered her Forwards they passe 〈◊〉 within the â—ight of the Court where the Prince and many Noble-men attending him met them in arming suites and conducted them to the Court but yet there wanted though all this honour was done that whereto her Pilgrimage was made her Saint was not among them and yet vnproperly that is said for she respected him but for adoâ—ing her it was but earely in the day being scarce foure in the afâ—ernoone wherefore the Prince asked her if she pleased to goe first into a rich Pauillion raised from the ground at one end of the Lists and see them practise for that was their houre She was very willing yet stayd till her husband with curious words and phrases had consented so they went in from whence at the other end they discernd the old Prince and Princesse with the graue Lords with them then did the Prince arme himselfe and the Prince of Iambolly as not thinking of the good fortune to see her but as if by chance led thither came into that place to arme She would needs goe forth and leaue the roome to him but so she did it as al eyes might see good manners noâ— wil to leaue him made her offer it He as curteous would rather he said arme in the field then be so rude She blusht and smiled â—imperd all to auoid expression expressed what hee desired and she granted Her husband was gone with the Prince and so saw not this encounter Well he at last got another roome right ouer against that and armed came downe into the lists his Beauer open but to see how he stood gazing on her and she in what perplexity shee was to the window shee would come and a while stand still looke on him he stare on her then retire red with content and yet finding fault with the heaâ—e as that the cause of her distemper Many Ladies were there likewise to see the sport who lost not that better pastime in marking her yet took no notice of it lest offence might follow but shrewd wits there were that after made pretie mirth at it To the place againe she would come and looke though ouer them and see in spite of seeing and as if whether she would or no take content The Prince came also and stood there beholding as the rest did while some others ranne at last came a great man of that Country and desired one of the Ladies there to bestow a fauour on him She did so Now you are engaged said the Prince to runne well else your fauour will be shamed and you for not better maintaining it I will doe gallantly replyd he The Iambollian then cast his eyes crauingly towards her she onely lickt her lipps that when they returned to sight they might looke like cherries after raine red and plumpe and totterd her head which made a feather shake she had on it Hee with that it seemed vnderstood her and lifting vp his Bases a little of one side as if to take out his Handkercheif shewed her his points were of same
alike that she had resolued to marry if euer one of her owne affections chusing so what with my slight answers and her direct refusalls she and I were left quiet and so in truth we were for her Husband left her happliy both by his losse and a faire estate hee gaue her at his end to make amends partly for the ill she had indured To her I often went and stayed as long as I could and neuer found her displeased but for my parting what blessing can any on Earth wish to equall such a blisse and this I inioyed and might still haue done but With that he sigh'd aud look'd so deadly pale as if that But had beene the Axe to take away his life Leonius desired him to proceede He turned his face they before both leaning against a Table to the Boord and hung downe his head ouer it groaning as if his breath had beene in contention with his body to goe or to be stay'd at last Leonius likewise leaning downeâ— and earnestly perswading with him he lifted vp his eyes on him eyes that would conquer in what looks so euer they pleased to attyre themselues and putting his hands together Oh my Lord said he be contented with this you haue As they were thus in intreatyes and excusings Veralinda came and the Lady so as they were now brought to a conclusion and for that night parted the Lady with much Ceremony as excellent she was at it bringing the Princes to their Chamber then all parted to their rests but the sweâ—est sadnes who remained all night as his expressions of his fortunes shewed he had beene troubled When day came he rose and went downe into a Garden there he walked and let the hower slip away vnthought on as his steps Leonius longing for the end sought him out and finding him would needes haue him goe on Then Sir said he I must beginne againe with But such was my misery as I fell into a great and strict acquaintance with this Lady which she did dislike though not me as since I vnderstand but then did belieue by reason of some slight carriages she shewed me but causlesly I did mistrust her and openly leaue her She that had none of the lowest but rather highest spirit of the World yet humbled it selfe to seeke me vngratefull I accepted it not a Iourney I was then to goe in which shee writ to mee affectionately and kindly as euer which I tooke well and writ to her a letter that she liked vpon which she made a perfect answere and as amorousan one as she had euer written and they were excellent as any in that kind could be but this came not to my hands till tenne Months after and then by the meerest accident in the world When I read it I saw her loue and the crosse fortâ—ne still that attended it I was sorry I had abused such noblenes and resolued if shee would receiue me to offer my selfe againe In this resolution I went where she was with a friend and kinswoman of hers I met her abroad walking and striuing to make my selfe acceptable looked with my old lookes vpon her she with the same I had bin blessed with receiued me then I told her I had receiued a Letter from her but it boare a long date shee said shee was sorry I had not had the meanes by that sooner to haue knowne her mind I smild as glad of her loue she euen reioyced at it but yet such habit I had got of strangnes as I could hardly get my selfe out of it But to assist mee in this busines a Feauer tooke me what kindnes did she then expresse leauing all businesses her owne house and all suffering where she was though most welcome many inconueniences and all for me tending me her selfe and being so louing a Nurse to me as I recouered within short time since wee haue beene good friends and shee so perfectly good as shee let all pass'd faults on my side dye and vnremembred passe taking the new returne in the place of it and satisfaction in that for the other without questioning of it Thus it continued and doth but I haue beene lately with her and lefâ— her not so well as I desire she should be but such accidents haue befallen vs both as I am forced not to shew how much I loue her nor she how willing to embrace it counterfeit awhile we must though I cannot in my countenance but shew what my heart feeles Discouer said the Prince likewise that and you will be better eased I will sooner dye said he leauing my selfe a pure offering to her trust then betray her she hath commanded and I will obay and in that merrit some fauour iustly from her shortly I hope to heare what most I couet from her and if I be happy most braue Prince you shal know it for I will attend you at your owne Court and if the contrary happen I hope yet you will permit â—y sadnes a receite the one shall bee an honour the other a charity The Prince would not vrge any more hauing so â—oble and free a promise from him vnasked but told him hee trusted he should finde those sad lookes turned into as much ioy which hartily he wished and the time came when he should be freed from sorrow and himselfe made happy with the story'es end which he much and infinitly desired the knowledge of The two Ladyes came into the Garden also to recreate themselues a little be-before dinner the delicate Princesse hauing libertie granted to the Lady her demand in her story of her pass'd Aduentures the Lady being to requite her told her thus I aâ— said she that vnhappy Lisia who was by birth and greatnesse of estate sought before I had knowledge and giuen before discretion was appearing in me to a great Lord I thought it as most women doe a gay matter to be great a Duches me thought was a rare thing and a braue busines but all that while I marked not the Duke who was and is as dull a piece of flesh as this or any Country neede know besides he hath had such vnsufferable passions and passages with me as truely if I had not giuen my selfe to hunting and such delights abroad to take away the trouble I had at home I must haue suffered like a Martyre vnder his churlishnes but I relolued to alter him likewise if I could and so I wrought my selfe to worke with him as I got the hand with much a doe ouer his Sycofants all of them I turnd away hauing liberty to vse my will for I had gained him by perswasions oathes and iustifications sufficient for his capacityâ— to right my selfe against those had iniured me and so to continue a kind wife as he would be an husband to me these conditions gaue me such liberty as twenty foure seruants in one day I put away and placed such of mine owne or friends as I best liked and knew would and must be iust to me
EGypts Pyramid's inclose their Kings But this farr brauer nobler things Vertue Beauty Loue Faith all heere lye Kept in Myras Tombe shut from eye The Phoenix dyes to raise another faire Borne of her ashes to be heire So this sweete Place may claime that right in wâ—e Since heere she lyes Heauen willing so The braue Knight beheld it very wishly coniecturing by it that it was the Tombe of some famous woman and that Monument made for her by her seruant which made him lament though a stranger for them both for her as a losse to those parts neuer to be repayred for him as neuer to be relieued hauing such a losse Then he called to mind his owne fortune which made him light and laying or rather throwing himselfe vpon the grasse at the foote of the Pyramede letting his horse goe at his owne pleasure while his Master felt none of that part groaning out these words and weeping he deliuered them How fit is this Aduenture befallen me to be brought to this place where I may freely and sadly without interruption breath out my myseries Vnfortunate Peryneus what is Bauaria or all the world to thee hauing lost thy onely delight and for that which thou didst loue them O thou Mirror of thy time and sexe Dearest Elyâ—â— was thy Spring and young Summer too sweet and pleasing for vs nay such as we did not or could not bee worthy of it was thy tendernesse too delicate or thy delicacie too tender to suffer it selfe with vs thy exquisite sweetnesse such as wee like Bees would greedily haue sucked thy daintines to inrich our pleasures and therefore fearing wee should surfet would take away all lest part might hurt Dearest Elyna yet though thy goodnesse was beyond our merit why wouldest thou for euer leaue thy faithfull Peryneus who dyes in thy losse and liues but in thy memory Then turn'd hee himselfe on his backe crying out O Heauens why did you behold her end without fatall-killing thunder and all stormes that could be thought on or executed by you neuer let such cruelty againe bee indured plagues being their companions noysome smells and dangerous infections but the greatest plague could come depriuing the Earth of her hath yet brought but this that with her last breath shee sweetned for euer the ayre and left the most delicate odour of her most sweet breath to blesse the Countrey as if of purpose that all may say this was Elyna's breath and wee must breathe to her memory My onely companion Memory aâ—â—ist mee now and let mee to thee and with thy helpe relate againe our loues Thou knowest when young wanton and idle I liu'd at the Emperours Court courting and oft times receiued of the not refusing Ladies Elyna appeard like the happy signe of no more destruction in that kinde for I had before felt paine and pangs of loue but shee tooke away all giuing mee life and comfort for shee requited me nay deseru'd more then I could giue her so as I remaind wanting but not in want of loue faulty Thou canst with mee remember how I lou'd a Maide belonging to the Empresse faire and fond shee was and so her fortune continued with the latter but her I left Thou canst call to minde that a Widdow lou'd mee and I receiued her affection for who would denye beauty and kindnesse But shee was not for mee though for the satisfaction of her fondnesse I fondly ventur'd danger Thou wilt it may be say I was led astray with the liking of a Dutchesse wife to a great Duke I cannot denye that but both of vs must ioyne and truely say Elyna came like a faire chaste cloud and wrapt vp my heate in her snowy armes keeping it onely to warme her requiting breast but hid the bright hot beame from harming her or making others either warme with delight or hot with fury for it Sweetest Elyna my soules ioy is thinking of thee wert thou not yet vnkinde a little in leauing mee yet diddest thou leaue mee the worthiest way and noblest nothing but death tooke thee from mee no other threed broke nor any but that cruell fatall Sister could haue disseuered our twiued loues nor hath death done that for dying thou diddest bequeathe thy loue to mee and met and equall'd by mine owne it remaines ioyntly mix'd not two but one and such an one since compounded with them as now I may boldly say I hold inclos'd in mee the richest treasure of loue and faith that euer mans brest had being the glory of both Sexes hers for worth mine for humility and loyalty I remember kinde Memory when shee told me shee fear'd our loues were discouer'd to the suspitious Empresse how sweetly and carefully shee spake vnto mee wishing my care of my selfe but expressing her loue in the height of kindnesse to mee fearing shee could not enough let mee know both or feare both without a lesse loue then passion would permit yet thus shee was cleer'd from suspition that passion neuer had more force nor yet more regular power then in her Shee as passionately louing as any yet with that discretion temper'd it as none so discreâ—tly shewed passion Shee forbad mee not speaking to her comming to her chamber looking on her writing to her as idle humorous Louers doe startling at euery motion Loue being in them but like Hunny kept in the Hiues many stings of trouble to hold one from inioying but in her loue and care were reall and so vsed no lesse was her fashion noble kinde and free then when no suspition was not although the Empresse tooke her about the necke led her to a window which looked on a Tarras bad her looke forth and tell her who that was who walked with his back towards them shee answering it was Peryneus Is hee not said shee the hansomest man you euer saw Truely said shee Madam his minde ioyn'd to his person makes him appeare excellent and such I dare presume your Maiesty thinkes him to bee shee answer'd nothing but frownd Elyna retyr'd yet neuer stir'd from her former braue carriage to mee loue in her indeed being most excellent O Elyna Elyna what shall I say more or can say lesse and speake truth but that thou wert liuing and dead art the worthiest example of thy Sexe That is enough too much said one who lay on the other side of the Pyramide for Myra was and is beyond her take life or death which you will I will venture both and take the worser answer'd hee rather then heare Elyna wrong'd They both were angry both vex'd but hasty in choller tooke not the hurtfullest though the readiest way to hurt for they flew one vpon the other with great fiercenesse but small harme could insue for no weapons they vsed but their hands the one hauing none the other at first for haste vsing none and after finding the others want in honor to his Mistresse would not contend with an vnarmed man not as hee deemed him worthy to bee medled
hide the noblenesse of their search and truth of their duties At the place where they landed they got horses to the next Towne which was twelue miles off according to the reckoning of that Countrey then came they to a very faire Towne large but not any way curiously built though the houses were of stone but they low and ill couer'd made them seeme poore There were women of maruellous beauty for Brittany had the name to haue the fairest Creatures in her of all women and that part the honor to haue the fairest of Brittany many they saw as they past by but as variety they pass'd them gazing as on wonders but a wonder it had beene to haue staid them whose thoughts flew on still to the finding the happines of their Masters recouery beauty was not now the Shrine they offer'd to yet at other times that would willingly haue stay'd them now loue affection were two things or one so mix'd as no other thing or part could enter but the finding of Amphilanthus to bee either and so both On in the Country they pass'd till they came to a Desart that prou'd onely rich in Ayre and that in greatest bounty in few places it was inhabited the rest all Desart and as wilde as any ciuill Country could bee Many places they passed stony wooddy rocky and as odde as could bee lamentable trauelling in it the people rude and churlish so as with much difâ—iculty but to them good fortune they happened on a Noblemans house antiquity they saw in all things there in house age of furniture of seruants building and situation which was such as certainly were not nor could bee vnder hundreds of yeares the Master of the house was not there then trauel'd vpon occasion into another Countrey but the Mistris there and shee the most ignorant proud woman liuing caring for nor respecting any but her selfe and hers as rude and ill manner'd a company and as vaine as her selfe were about her though much opinionated to bee well-bahaued creatures and so they seem'd to bee bred no other then such which were of her owne being and who could haue that oâ—ly way of good fashion as shee said to bee admir'd and to all other eyes the worst of fashions Of her blood she had some who equal'd nay exceeded her so as shee may be excused thus that shee woman-like had ambition to bee chiefe of her blood which shee said was the best and would rather excell in ill then not be the most excelling neglect she did all people but her chosen assotiats so as one might iustly say they were strangers that came to her house for none were familiar with her but her priuate somtime too foolishly exprestâ— humours The friends her husband best lou'd in his absence were vs'd like others it may bee sometimes sooner had the ill fortune to sâ—â— her proud person els no more priuiledgedâ— when in his presence shee would like his Dogge fawne on him and them then there came thither a wondrous braue Lady who was a Kins-woman of her La to whom as much respect as shee could let slide from her selfe was vsed and who yet looked for as much as either or both had nay as well could haue been exprest to such like Ladies and neere of bloud to all vanity and proud folly These Ladies the Princes met one field from the house by good fortune to them els they might haue stayed for admittance longer then their haste would permit them sad they were and penfiue proud they were and insolent the Knights did them Princely respect they gaue vnmanerly acceptance with much humble maner they presented themselues to them they fleering one on the other most rudely entertain'd them looking on them carelessly as who would say wee honour you with this but who would rather doe well would doe otherwise The Florentine was haughty and where hee found neglect hee could repay it els most noble but not knowing the nature of the Brittaines was so discreete as not to bee rash therefore hee rather to beare then prouoke ill entertainment spake with his hat in his hand in this manner Wee are Trauellers and strangers yet more strangers to the sight of such beauty as till this instant I neuer did behold and which doth so amaze mee with content as I am rapt into the cloudes of pleasure not being able to expresse your excellencies but by my infinite admiration beholding you like so many Sunnes contented to distribute your equall beames to let vs be the abler to behold you heere I see the excellentest excellency of the rarest perfections excuse them most excellent Ladies if my Companions or my selfe haue ouerslip'd any due respect vnto you since the fault wholly lies in your ouer-ruling powers and we must excuse our selues by that fault if you close vp all powers in amazement you must pardon the amazed and if you show beauties beyond expression or ability to be suffer'd no more then flames can be to a naked person how should one especially my strooken selfe be able to doe what I am call'd vnto by respect vnto such diuine soules Hide your conquering beauties and then our great weaknesses will get some strength to speake if but in a maner of admiration but so short of your deserts as I shall still remaine a poore and an ashamed speaker for my selfe and companions who cannot speake thus much for themselues as I do The Ladies left him in his speech and taking handes walked away as who would say by that time the Oration is done wee will come againe smiling on themselues and their vnciuilnesse The other two Princes laugh'd at the Florentine who was so angry and ashamed as hee being very black look'd betweene fury and blushing like a Night-piece what to doe he could not resolue but the other two did for him which was to goe to the Towne and rest them till the next day morning and so proceed in their iourney in this vncomfortable Country where their first entertainment was so strange When they came to the Inne there they found a second or rather a perfect Hell there were Knights and Squires but all fellowes and most fellow-like drunke some were singing some dancing some quarrelling others fidling some calling for more drinke in which they all like the burthen of a Song agreed and called more These Princes fell into this second misaduenture the first had too little curtesie this as farre exceeding in too much aboundance for euery one had a seuerall humour and they must indure them all but an aduantage they had in this kinde though to their losse of sleepe for they being well on their way before their comming a very little more satisfied them and sent them to rest some to bed some vnder the tables some on benches one in the Garden on a Lauender bed while the Princes againe tooke their horses and rid some miles further and in the Desart in a most poore but for quiet rich house they spent
the rest of the night the next day taking their way towards the Court where then liu'd the King but they not destined to see so much happines met this Aduenture Passing along a most craggy and stony Lane they came at the end of it to a tripartite diuided way a stone in the mid'st and the way so iustly parted as it made them imagine it was a place fit to bee accepted and to part themselues equally to take their offer'd fauours Vpon the stone they laid their hands sware there within three Moneths to meete againe without strange accidents befell them to declare their losse and search to all their names neuer to conceale and so at the conclusion to returne euery one to his owne Countrey to lament their Lord and friend It was the Florentines fortune to encounter the first aduenture which was after hee had rid in that stony way sometime hee came to a large Commune spreading it selfe broader still vnto his sight as comming out of a Riuer the Sea appeares boundlesse So did this Land extend it selfe hauing no bound to comprehend or limit sight sheepe there were in aboundance and some Cattle people hee saw none so as it appear'd there was little danger of losing them or that the trust was great in those parts At last a Countreyman hee met driuing a Cart which had carried wood a commodity in those parts of him hee demanded what that place was and the name of that part of the Countrey Hee replyed the place hee was on was called the Forrest Champion that part of Brittany being full of Forrests and Chaces anciently called the deserts of Brittany a little way from thence hee told him was a faire house where a noble Knight and his Lady liued within a part of the same Forrest which they had inclosed and made like an orderly ciuill place from the others wildnesse and shut themselues within a Pale woods were within this place the rest all Heath and Rocks scarce a Bush but no tree that could shelter one from a small shower The Prince desired to be directed to that place which the honest man did waiting on him till hee came within sight of it now Sir said hee you cannot loose your way except you will of purpose so hee tooke leaue of him who arriu'd within a short time there the Knight had at that time much company with him and one Lady who in her younger time had the fame for one of the fairest if not the fairest of that Countrey But Loue the Ruiner of beauty when curst had decayed her beames of outward perfâ—ction though her inside by the vertue of constancie shined the cleerer Black had her fortunes beeneâ— so were her habits sad her faceâ— and her countenance not heauy but graue the Knight was a braue Gentleman for his inward parts learned and honest but lame by blowes in his youth when hee trauel'd as hee had in most parts of Christendome his Lady a young woman cheerefull and pleasant the daughter of a great Lord and Sister to as fine a Gentleman as was in that Kingdome but the Prince most marked the sad Lady of whom hee enquired after some complements and a little acquaintance of the Knight who would needs stay the Prince there that night the Lady went away hauing not aboue some sixe or seauen miles to ride to her fathers After her going there came to the same place a Knight not a youth nor a stayed man forward in speech and so valiant and bountifull of it as he would where euer hee came haue all the talke some being angry at him for it who thought they could speake as well and it may be better but hee carried it with his boldnesse and vnlesse any would fight with him hee would doe so still Some laugh'd at him and said hee rung such peales of discourse as were sufficient to bee reckoned among those rung for triumph or ioyes for Nuptialls others pittied him as fearing it a disease or Palsie in his tongue but all admir'd hee held out so long with matter vnlesse hee had as strange a faculty in his braines of perpetuall working and so made that motion in his tongue to rid her burthen The Prince much wondred at him thinking hee was led thither to see the Prince of contrarieties the first Lady as silâ—nt as he talkatiue the others in a reasonable good meane like himselfe thinking them both strange at last as the round of this most discoursing Knights thoughts came to the height hee began to speake of the Lady Did you euer said hee see a sweet Lady so much changed as shee is I knew her â—nd so did you a faire dainty sweet woman noble and freely disposed a delicate Courtier curious in her habites danced rid did all things fit for a Court as well as any braue Lady could doe what can change her thus they say shee is in loue would that man were hang'd would suffer such sweetnesse to decay by his curstnesse but I thinke and belieue it is so for I haue made loue to her my selfe and shee refused mee who neuer before heard the word of deniall I offer'd her Horses though shee wanted good ones at that time yet shee would not take mine nor presents from any for feare of offending him who presented her with nothing but scorne I made Verses to her said them to her who commended them faintly and instead of thanks said some of his to mee as to let me see that as hee was most deare to her so was all that hee did or belonged to him I haue a Brother was in my case for her loue but more grieu'd for she vsd him scarce ciuilly mee shee euer did respectiuely and that wrought so much with mee as I hate the woman hee loues and is the cause of her trouble for her sake but for mine owne part I can beare her denying mee well by reason I can loue as often as I see cause and stay no longer on it nor staid hee there but with this last word tooke his leaue onely saying hee would follow the Lady if but to vâ—xe her as easily hee might doe or any other discreet person if hâ—e continued his talking trauell which was more wearisome then trauell it selfe to a quiet Spirit When hee was gone the Roome was like a calme after a storme or as after foule weather the Ayre is silent and sweet so all being quiet they pleas'd themselues as Birds in the Spring wiâ—h their owne tunes but then did the Florentine desire to heare more of the Lady which the Knight with much respect to him and honour for her dâ—liuerd thus Noble Prince said hee if I goe about to tell you her Story I must vndertake to tell you the most vnfortunate of the most deseruing woman that euer was and venter to relate a businesse which I shall bee vnable to deliuer to her worth or tâ—e excellency of the matter but this I may say for her shee was the vertuousest and