over as a sacrifice for the State countrey vvhen behold his sayles vvere fill'd vvith a selfe-opinion in my favour Born up therefore vvith the vvings of hope he returnes to Court where love or some indulgent Fate inspired this project into his head He calls the Nobilitie and after a long narration of the mischiefes that hung over Laconia he desires their advice for prevention They glad that the onely opposer as they thought of their designes vvould have recourse to their directions in that cause vvherein they vvere jealous of his partaking after a flatteâ—ring insinuation the coÌ„mon Exordium to men of his place they concluded that it vvas fit Hellen should dye I doubt it not said he nor was it to that end I sought your counsaile that the necessitie of the times the welfare of our person the preservation of our state required her death but it much perplext me that our fame should bleed with her or that the world should say the threats of the king of Corinth had inforc't us to behead her whoÌ„ lately we vvere to take to wife 'T was this my Lords that caus'd my misinterpreted resolution hang in suspence for this I have turn'd my invention into all formes and now behold I have found an even way to lead me between the perrils of a threatned war the ill-bought quiet of an ignominious peace My will is she be brought to Court for Partinax his house I think not convenient for this project and plac't here with such about her as I know most trusty in such a secret then that her keepers at farthest within two dayes poyson her which done wee le give it out she dyed of a disease and to confirme this opinion in the vulgar wee vvill honour her death vvith such funerall pomp as the state of her life required Thus shall our cause of dissention with Corinth be taken away and vve freed from that imputation the vvorld might justly lay upon us The Nobilitie with silent admiration began to applaud vvhat he had determined chiefly Partinax who making the coÌ„moÌ„ cause his pretence labour'd by all meanes to confirm a resolution so necessary for his daughter Lemnia's happinesse The king having dismist the Councel acquaints me with these his proceedings setting forth with no meane pride the pregnancie of his owne vvit who had found a way to over-reach such gray-bearded dotards for said he you shall that night when you are thought to be poisoned be conveyed hence by two of chiefest trust about me unto my Castle of Nicos then will I cause a statue form'd to your proportion to be coffin'd up on which forsooth my grave Councell shal solemnly wayte and performe the obâ—equies in that ceremonie requisite meane time you shal live live beloved of him vvho hath undergone this dangerous enterprise and will do many more to indeer his affection to you And when the limms of this dis-joynted State be set againe you shal be restor'd to be your selfe and to enjoy this Crowne of Laconia so much envied you till when I lock these projects in the closet of your secrecie The good king was scarce gone froÌ„ me vvhen I made Lemnia of counsaile with me vvho seâ—ing the fitnesse of the time being my journey to Nicos was to be perform'd in the night and the easie execution oâ— so dangerless an enterprise my guard being only two of the kings servants she gives in charge to a sufficient number of such vvhoÌ„ she knew faithfull to her to meet them midway and after they had well beaten my convoy to discharge them of the suspicion of their consenting to the fact to carry me to the next sea port where there stay'd a ship bound for Delphos to vvhich I needs would beÌ„d my course This being resolv'd upon the Lady equally troubled with the care of my safetie and the losse of my presence wept manie teares which I confesse had beene ingratitude in me not to second so as a vvhile sorrow seem'd to have flowen thither to bathe her selfe in our eyes but love at length in both of one anothers good had vvell neere calm'd this passion when the guard appointed by the king was come and readie to carrie me to Court But why should I great Sir anie longer stay you in a storie whose tediousnes I am well assur'd hath tyr'd you know therfore that this meanes of my safetie vvas as fortunately executed as happily contriv'd the king not once daring to send to seeke me lest he should by that discover his own craft us'd in this dangerous deluding of the Laconian Noblemen But I vvas scarce a moneth absent vvhen hee vvhose eyes held the raines of his constancie the object being remov'd married as it vvas before determined the beauteous Lemnia who now in possessioÌ„ of his love stick't not to make knowne to him this whole matter which otherwise in her behalfe I was bound to keep secret Thus sir if my desire to obey your commands hath made the story of my misfortunes tedious you may excuse me since all is done for your satisfaction Faire Queene replied Basilius the sweetly delivered strangenesse of the storie would still ravish the hearers with a desire of a further cause of attentivenesse did not a greater desire in us vvho know your vertues hasten to heare the end of your much pittied distresse and so calling Amphialus to him having agreed on the day of marriage betweene the Queen him they all arose for now their appetites growing jealous of the satisfaction their minds received by the former discourse began to solicite them in the behalfe of their stomacks After dinner when most of the companie began to impe the wings of time with the feathers of severall recreations Amphialus and Hellen privately went together into an arbor in the gardeÌ„ where first vvith teares the coÌ„mon apologie of over-joy'd affection they spake their mindes in sileÌ„ce their panting hearts as they imbrac't with mutuall desire beating their envious garments that gave them not lâ—ave to meet At length Hellen gracefully shaking her head as if shee vvould shake away the drops that like the morning dew on full-ripe Cherries hung on her rosie cheekes O Amphialus said she then kist him as loath to leave so perfect a sentence without a comma I wil not say you were unkind but and there with his lips loath belike to accuse him she clos'd up her speech My sole happinesse replied Amphialus softly wringing her hand though the foulenes of my fault be no fit subject for her to speake of who breathes nothing but goodnes yet I vvaÌ„t not an accuser my soule sets forth my ingratitude nor can I yet conceive how mercie can be so farre remov'd froÌ„ justice as to finde a pardon for my offence but you have given it and if it be any requital it shal be my after lifes studie to love honor your vertues as it was hitherto to offend you It is fit therefore said Hellen with the counterfeit setlednes of
and it will be the best part of my soules liâ—e to live in your memorie Then taking his hand and placing it on her heart that now proudly began to beate the loud alarum of death Feele heâ—e said she the batterie is begun and this Fort is abandoned of all the powers of lifeâ— only my desire to be with you desperately a while keepes the breach But ô my Plangus and at that word death clos'd up in eternall sileÌ„ce her tongue that yet stil mov'd as loath to leave her speech imperfect It was a desperate griefe wilde passion that seiz'd upon the heart of the poore Plangus Accursed earth did he say how darest thou support the burthen of these many mischiefs cast by the spitefull heavens into this sinke of miserie 'T was I Erona brought an untimely set to thy sun shine of goodnesse and doe the heavens meane I should breathe that have so much wrong'd them What do they do will they heare me speake that kill'd Erona But they would have me live to torture me with the memorie of my guilt No no I will prevent their project that were a punishment fit for an ill-meant offence not an infortunate And with these words drawing his sword lifting up his Bases he would have run himselfe through the belly but I stay'd his hand from so unmanly as I then alleag'd it a violence forcing wiâ—h the remembrance of our friendship my much-prevayling teares the sword but not his resolution from him Then did I begin to alleage all that I thought in reason might remove him from his purpose for well I might see in the unappal'd stayednesse of his countenance the greatnesse of some determination To all my objections for a time his eyes gave a more heedfull attention than did his eares But vvhen I came to call his valour in question whose unspotted memorie hitherto I said this last inconsiderate act vvould accuse of a little firme constancie in bearing the changes of fortune Alas said he and will you my friend be cruell to me Is it certaine Amphialus that it vvell becomes that courage you would have in your friend to bear an equal temper both in the frowns and smiles of fortune and is it not as certain that when the malice of heaven hath join'd with fortune in producing a monstrous effect there cannot be left in man so infinit a power of suffering which he dare oppose to such unlimitted works No I will not gyant-like bandy against the Gods such is their will I must die Then leading mee softly over to Erona as if he would perswade me the violence of passion had not beene his guide to this resolution See Amphialus said he this is shee whom you would have me to live afterâ— what can mine eyes now she is gone desire to look on Erona a woman could dye for Plangus vvould you have me wrong mankind vvith a greater fear of death or my love vvith a lesse desire to dye This said but with a countenance that promis'd no suddennesse in the execution especially to me vvho was Master of his sword his only offensive vveapon behold with a downe-cast look vvhich sorrow excus'd though deceit had then I am sure put it on to further mischiefe and such a pace as used slownesse to the same end he approach't the vvindow vvhere the remain of Erona's intercepted draught appointed by the destinies to be fatall to them both stood in a gilt cup this he hastily takes as hastily drinkes off I all confus'd pale and trembling as if the poyson had vvrought its effect in me made alas too slow speed to him But Plangus now first presenting an unfayned cheerefulnesse in his lookes as if this draught had given him life kneeling neer Erona Divine soule said he if confidence in thy Plangus constancie makes thee hover neere this sacred mansion of thine to see the end of his suffrings ô stay a while and beare me with thee thy presence vvhen I appeare before Radamanth will be a countenance to my cause Then turning himselfe to me Amphialus Revenge Amphialus Erona's death upon the vvicked Plexertus his blood vvill be the best sacrifice to my ghost Leade the Armie to ByzantiuÌ„ and restore the Amasian hostage Then putting his trembling lips to the pale lipps of Erona he coldly kiss'd away his life What my sorrow vvas to be a looker on these tragedies these teares even at the remembrance of that time may testifie yet leaving the bodies to be imbalmed vvith the Nobleman vvho in her life time had been faithfull to Erona dissembling the death of Plangus lest it should vvork an innovation among the souldiers vvith some choyse Troupes of light horsemen I followed Plexertus who posting to Court had received advertisemeÌ„t from thence how Arguto the admirable engine by whom he vvrought much mischiefe being lately falne from the faith vowed to his practises had reveal'd to Artaxia the purpose his Master had to dispatch her out of his vvay since now he had a soone by her to vvhom he might be guardian esteeming it more content to be great alone than to share the royalties of her own kingdom with Artaxia These newes made his flight as dangerous as would be his stay but vvhen he understood for the heavens had made this the rendevow vvhere his misfortunes should meete that the Princes of Thessaly and Macedon of vvhom his treacheries vvere to expect their just reward did live and should be happie in the addition of Arcadia to their greatnesse that Leonatus had seiz'd upon his seigniories in Trebisond for his treason to Pyrocles and Musidorus of which not long before he had gloriously boasted that there vvas no new forme of dissimulation left to which in this extremitie he might have recourse O then the uglinesse of his guiltie conscience that untill this time had made peace with his wickednesse presented before him the progresse of his ill-spent dayes drawne to life in the colours of despaire now his father now his friends Tideus and Telenor were summon'd by his soule to make partie against him In this affright he continued all that day which scarce was time sufficient for him to reade over his misdeedes and when the silent night drawne in heâ— Ebon Chariot had spred her curtaines to hide her brothers face Plexertus glad to see her flatter his mind in this likenesse of darknesse resolv'd by despaire that the Godds wanted mercie for his faults well assured men had lesse he secretly vvent into a Garden to vvhich a back doore from his chamber led him where loathing as much to die as wishing he vvere dead he spent some time in execrations on himselfe At length tying a cord newly taken out of his bed to the stump of an Elder tree that stood with such conveniencie as if it would invite him to that exercise he slipt into his death easing the earth untill morning of the burthen of so detestable a wretch But when the day appear'd made
knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is