with Treason Treason Nay the worst of Treasons to be a Traytor to my friend Wherefore my Lord pardon me for I will with more willingnesse die then execute your minde and more happily shall I end sauing him innocent from ill deliuering my soule pure and I vnspotted of the crime you tax me of or a thought of such dishonour to my selfe I might haue saide to you but that this cruell course makes me thus part my honour from you yet can you not part infamy and reproach from you nor me said he Prepare then quickly this shall be your last My Lord said shee behold before your eyes the most distress'd of women who if you will thus murder is here ready then vntying a daintie embrodered wast coate see here said she the breast and a most heauenly breast it was which you so dearely loued or made me thinke so calling it purest warme snow yet neuer was the colour purer then my loue to you but now 't is ready to receiue that stroake shall bring my heart blood cherish'd by you once to dye it in reuenge of this my wrong reuenge nay such reuenge will my death haue as though by you I die I pittie your ensuing ouerthrow Whether these words or that sight which not to be seene without adoring wrought most I knowe not but both together so well preuaile as hee stood in a strange kind of fashion which she who now was to act her part for life or death tooke aduantage of and this your cruelty will more appeare wheÌ„ it is known you gaue no time for consideration or repentance said she you deserue no such fauor from me said he but rather that I should with out giuing care to that bewitching tongue haue reueng'd my harme but since I haue committed this first like faultie men I must fall into another Charity but in no desert of yours procures this fauour for you two dayes I giue you at the end of which be sure to content me with your answere or content your selfe with present death The ioy she at this conceiued was as if assured life had beene giuen her wherefore humbly thanking him she promised to satisfie him so fully at that time as he should she hop'd be pleased with it Away â—hee went leauing her to her busie thoughts yet somewhat comforted since so shee might acquaint mee with her afflictions for which cause grieuing that I should be ignorant of the true meanes to her end she so prettily gain'd that little time for the rarest lampe of excellent life to endure Then called she a faithfull seruant of hers and the same who brought me the dolefull letter First she coniured him by the faith hee bare her to obey what shee commaunded and to bee secret then related shee this soule rendring storie to him which shee inioyn'd him truly to discouer to mee by his helpe getting pen and paper and hauing written that dolorous yet sweete because louing letter sent him to mee that day shee was to giue her answere which shee assured him should bee a direct refusall esteeming death more pleasing and noble then to betray me who for my now griefe mixt with that blessing shee inricht with her incomparable affection giuing him charge to deliuer it to mine owne hands and besides to stay with mee assuring him I would most kindly intreat him for her sake which shee might truly warrant him being Commandresse of my soule Hee found mee in my Tent ready to goe forth with a wan and sad countenance hee gaue that and my death together then telling the lamentable storie I now deliuered you With flouds of teares and stormes of sighes hee concluded And by this is the rarest peece of woman-kinde destroyed Had I growne into an ordinary passion like his of weeping sobbing or crying it had not been fit for the excessiue losse I was falne into wherefore like a true Cast-away of fortune I was at that instant metamorphosed into miserie it selfe no other thing being able to equall mee no more then any except the owne fellow to a cockle shell can fit the other This change yet in mee which to my selfe was so sudden as I felt it not was so marked by my friends and by all admired as those who feared the least doubted my end which would it then had happened since if so the earth no longer had borne such a wretch this sad place been molested with a guest perpetually filling it and these places neere with my vnceasing complaints Despaire hauing left mee no more ground for hope but this that ere long I shall ease them all death prouing mercifull vnto mee in deliuering this griefe-full body to the rest of a desired graue My Lord Perissus said Vrania how idle and vnprofitable indeed are these courses since if shee bee dead what good can they bring to her and not being certaine of her death how vnfit are they for so braue a Prince who will as it were by will without reason wilfully lose himselfe will not any till the contrarie bee knowne as properly hope as vainely despaire and can it bee imagined her husband who passion of loue did in his furie so much temper should haue so cruell a hand guided by so sauage a heart or seene by so pitilesse eyes as to be able to murder so sweet a beauty No my Lord I cannot beleeue but she is liuing and that you shal find it so if vnreasonable stubborne resolution bar you not and so hinder you from the eternall happinesse you might enioy Only rare Shepherdesse said the loue-kill'd Perissus how comfortable might these speeches bee to one who were able to receiue them or had a heart could let in one signe of ioy but to me they are rather bitter since they but cherish mee the longer to liue in despairefull miserie No shee is dead and with her is all vertue and beauteous constancy gone She is dead for how can goodnesse or pitie bee expected from him who knew nothing more then desire of ill and crueltie Thou art dead and with thee all my ioyes departed all faith loue and worth are dead to enioy some part of which in short time I will bee with thee that though in life wee were kept asunder in death we may bee ioyn'd together till which happie hower I will thus still lament thy losse If you bee resolu'd said the daintie Vrania folly it were to offer to perswade you from so resolute a determination yet being so braue a Prince stored with all vertuous parts discretion and iudgement mee thinks should not suffer you to burie them in the poore graue of Loues passion the poorest of all other these inuite mee as from your selfe to speake to your selfe Leaue these teares and woman-like complaints no way befitting the valiant Perissus but like a braue Prince if you know shee bee dead reuenge her death on her murderers and after if you will celebrate her funeralls with your owne life giuing that will bee a famous act so may
onely sure for his owne honour then her safety hee sent often to her this made her take ioy assuring her selfe he now felt he was bound to loue her since thus she was neere death for him this made her hope he would be gratefull in affection though not passionate Much did he flatter then and protest respect of her aboue his life and that her life and safety were more deare to him then his owne heart bloud Expresseles consolation were these vowes but broken greatest plagues what should we trust when man the excellentest creature doth thus excell in ill No sooner was she amended but he sent againe with all shew of affection his comming he excused as out of care to her lest others would haue visited her too and so might trouble her in weakenes bring danger to her health These glosses were to her like faith beleeud cheerish'd til soone was she made to know mens words are onely breath their oathes winde and vowes water to begin with her ensuing griefe her new borne hopes soone died those tyes she had knit vp were broken asunder in more violence which death brought heauy misery vnto the mother of these misaduentures for soone after fell his direct leauing her not scanting any contempt or scorne but turning all shew of fauour to her after that fell a new change for then this dainty woman must yeeld her fortunes to a new choyce in him and to an other whose beauty wins him from her craftinesse Then did she likewise fall to new dislikes crying out 'gainst disloyalty complaind of her misfortune cursd her credulity and fond hopes neuer ceasing complaints nor reuilings for her thoughts chusing the first forsaken louer to heare her accuse him euen vnto her face he who had from her chang'd lately to her and now from her vnto an other loue cruell this needs must bee to see him blamd and for that fault which she had suffered for alas then would she say what hap haue I to accuse my Fate and still to heare the accusation from an other to the same purpose Disloyall Lincus hath thy poore louer Alena deseru'd this hate canst thou without shame consider my wrongs thinke on my deserts I challeng none but leaue them to thy selfe to iudge I am your lost forsaken I am yet your truest loue and I am indeed the vnhappiest sufferer of your blame Pelia complaines of your disloyalty and to mee from whom you flew to her if shee dislike what shall I doe who beare the marks of shame and losse for you my reputation marr'd my honour in the dust are these requitalls to be scornd despised and hated at the last vnkind man for worse I cannot call you yet turne backe againe and look on my desearts if not on me and you shal find cleerenes in them to discerne these other faults by purenes to tel you none but it self deserues you griefe to mooue all your compassions to it lastly iust claimes to make you gratefull but you I see despise all vertuous wayes goe on your course then while I mourne for you and my extreamest crosse Thus did she oft complaine yet neuer shund his sight least he should thinke his change could alter her◠the more he saw her patience the more and insolentlyer did hee presse on it striuing of purpose to afflict her most which the sight of his alteration needs must bring when she beheld him kisse his new loues hand with melting heart and passionate respect smile in her eyes begge for her grace write to her praise and expression of his loue these alas cryd shee were the baites that first betrayed me thus once he did to me thus fond was hee of mee thus careles of all else but now transformed as is his truth and faith Many perswaded her to keepe away to scorn as much as he to hate as much as he no would she cry his fault shal neuer make me il nor wil I chang though he so fickle bee yet bee assured I loue him not nor can bee more deceiued by him or any other onely thus far the remnant of my loue extends that I wonll take any course though painefull dangerous and hazard my life to keepe him from least harme Thus did a loiall louer liue and this is cōmonly the end of loyaltie to men who neuer knew but the end of their owne wills which are to delight only Perissus excepted And to satisfie you I haue giuen you this short example of true loue faigned I confesse the story is yet such may be and will bee louers Fates Pamphilia gaue great attention to it and the more because her last aduenture and this discourse did somewhat neere concurre as ending in misfortune why said she to her selfe should all chuse these or such like wofull histories of purpose to torment me with feare that I may liue to see like woes alas Loue sheild me from such harme I now behold cleere ioy so did Siluania and Alena and Pelia yet what conclusion haue they vtter ruine and distresse for reward These thoughts so inwardly afflicted her as she sat still her colour not changing nor any motion in her outward part while the soule onely wrought in her yet not to let the world be ignorant of her operation sent teares from out her eyes to witnesse the affliction that she felt teares which did fall with such louelynes as louelines did fall and bide with them So much did Limena loue her as shee greeu'd for those teares and with cryes gaue testimony of her sorrow while she vnstirr'd still let them slide vpon her softest cheeks as if she did consent to honour her true teares with touching that earths-heauenly place her heart did beate with paine and I thinke greefe that her eyes should be more happy in ability to demonstrate her paine then that which best knowing her mind could attaine vnto I feele said it the torment they shew it like players of an others part and so did it swell as Limena was forced to helpe and with comfort and perswasions appease the rage Thus they continued till Nanio the dwarfe came to them telling his Lady the happy tydings of Rosindy's arriuall with Selarinus this awaked her and made her melancholy companion yeeld to her better friend ioy back they went together and with much content met the King Rosindy and his companion in the Hall where the King and all the Court were assembled ioy plentifully disposing it selfe to euery one Amphilanthus holding his course towards St. Maura was thither brought safely and speedily then going to the Rocke he tooke Vrania in his armes vsing these wordes My dearest Sister and the one halfe of my life Fortune neuer fauourable to vs hath ordain'd a strange aduenture for vs and the more cruell is it since not to be auoyded nor to be executed but by my hands who best loue you yet blame me not since I haue assured hope of good successe yet apparent death in the action I must
wofull a misfortune O Philistella treasure of the truest sweetnesse why art thou lost and I in thee Why was euer cruell fortune turned on thee and why alone wert thou made excellent to bee fallen into this misery Deare loue canst thou not yet send thy spirit to mee to tell mee where thou art I feare thou hast long since parted from it and too highly is it prized where it remaines to bee permitted mee I mourne for thy losse I dye for thy want and assure thy selfe will indeed end when I shall know that thou art not whâ—ch yet I trust I shall not doe nor liue to that heariug Why waile you thus said Rosindy since shee is but inchaunted But enchanted why call you that nothing Shee is your Sister and you should thinke it a hard fortune for her to suffer such a mischance but to mee it is death but inchaunted and but for euer for any thing wee know what old fables blind you lest by enchauntments when shall the best louer and best beloued be found till then which will be neuer neuer being able to decide it she must liue inclosd in dull walls Were not my louing armes fitter to embrace her Am not I a more proper Keeper for such excellencies then a marble house and is not Epirus a more conuenient place for her to passe her time in then a stone Theater where should shee play her part but with her loue where liue but in his brest and yet you make nothing of this but an enchantment When Meriana was iniur'd it was something when her head appear'd then there was cause of mourning but now that Philistella the earths star is lost she is but enchanted This passion said Rosindy so well fits your loue as I must commend it and be no way angry with your choller your constant affection to my sister moues in mee as much loue as I desire to haue from my best friendâ— yet I would haue you temperate in your sufferings Why should not the best louer be found Neuer was any such thing made for I dare not name it againe for feare of displeasing but to be ended was not that at Cyprus concluded by Amphilanthus and my Sister Yes said Selarinus but there bee now both your Sisters in this and Vrania and my Sister who shall fetch them out neuer think of it there liues none now they are there that hath worth enough to venture to haue a thought of gaining end to it A disguised creature I sure disguis'd fortune hath caused all this let me not liue if I beleeue this tale Wil you for more certainty goe and see it said Rosindy With all my heart said hee if I were sure to be shut vp where I might but still behold Philistella That you may doe if you please and I will carry Meriana to aduenture it Ah said he now doth truth in friendship shine in thee most braue Rosindi when shall we go as soon as I can prouide said he theÌ„ went they back into the court where Rosindy acquainted the Queene Meriana with his purpose She who would not refuse any thing he lik'd or mou'd gaue consent and so appointed habites of purpose disguising her selfe into the shape of a Forrest-Nymph to Sea they went and by the directions giuen by the seruants arriu'd at the rocky Iland the Pylot knowing the place being able to bring them the safelier to it without danger To the Pallace they went and round ahout it beholding it with all curiosity and care at last came to the gate againe which as soone as Meriana touch'd opened to her who no question had ended it for all points but the disguise which was forced Rosindi and she passd to the Throne and Selarinus with them who would not be shut out nor can any be that will venture though alone he strait ran to Philistella who met him and together fold in each others armes sate downe vpon one of the ascents right beâ—ore the other Rosindi and Meriana in her new habits hard by them No content can be compared to these happy people because they esteeme themselues so Polarchos would not attempt alone for feare he should sit likewise alone within therfore he wish'd for his sweet Lady he last parted from or any other would be alike to him so she were faire and kind he walk'd vp and downe alone in the Iland til he saw another ship ariue then he went towards her to see what company she had in her he found many all determined to try their fortunes glad he was of that and they reioyced to finde one could direct them but among these who should be one but his old loue and late enemy the Princesse of Rhodes shee was asham'd and grieud to see him he was angry as much displeas'd to see her and therfore was leauing the coÌ„pany almost ready to forswear the aduenture because he should behold her too long if one hower for his hate She sought by meanes of her selfe and friends there to purchase some discourse with him he shun'd it and despised the humblest intreaties shee made hee saw her weepe and smil'd at the falling of those teares shee quak'd for feare of his frownes hee said he shooke so long time in his iron Cage for colde shee sigh'd and pittifully beg'd with eyes and heart for pitty He scornefully said there was not a more foolish thing breathing then a louing woman nor lesse to be pittied for said hee their sorrowes are but like exhalations in a hot euening odde to behold but neither hurt nor burne like lightening no more should womens passions touch our hearts to scorch them or tâ—rne them to any pitty Shee confessed her fault to bee vnpardonable Hee answer'd it was strange then her iudgement would let her aske impossibilities hee alone shee cryde might absolue her shee alone hee said deserud no good from him Shee offer'd to throw her selfe at his feete for pardon Hee said hee would take her vp but to no commiseration from him Shee protested her heart had suffer'd innumerable stormes of passionate sorrow since his departure Hee answer'd his body and heart both had suffered by her tyranny Shee repented and implor'd pitty He slighted and denyed what euer shee petition'd for Could there bee such cruelty imagined against such a Suiter none but cruell man could doe it and yet was not hee to be blam'd for what punishment could bee sufficient to bee inflicted vpon a woman that not only left louing but hated to that extremity none can be enough and yet surely shee now beares the greatest this world can let her know The other Ladies that were with her were the Princesse of Samos the refused loue to Philarcos and the Lady of Stalamina Sister to Nereana all Iland Ladies and of purpose ioyn'd to try their fortunes the Princesse of Rhodes was like a Pilgrime of Lemnos like a Pastora and the other like a Shepheardesse they had seruants or louers as you men call them who by their
he take comfort in any thing else this is the crueller to me now he is changed like giuen to the heart strikes sure for curing yet is this though most true vanity in me to remember I haue done Thus shee would complaine but only to him who knew the continuance of her loue and had seene her once to be couerd but like flames the more pressed to rise the higher and now blowne elsewhere by a wauering winde The Ladies had euery day letters from the trauelling Court Pamphilia had some from her brothers and Cousen Leonius but els shee heard no newes Amphilanthus had forgot to write but she at last gain'd one letter from him by one from her which was respectiue and yet sad his answer was short but complementall this said she was not wont to be his stile but I must be content nothing did she see or heare but still of his glory and his loue This was once said shee belonging vnto meâ— but I was not worthy of them sure else he had not alter'd Meriana likewise to make her discourse passe away the time would often tell her storiâ—s she had knowne of his affection Alas would she say would some good body would tell her he was once and but lately as kindly mine for it grieues me more to heare her speak of it since each word wounds my soule then if all should only talke of it because I know she loues me vnwillingly will hurt me she is deceiu'd and betrai'd in this course she would not be a meanes to cut my life-strings with this cruelty some noble body tell her how hee lou'd me how I still loue him and then she will no more molest me nor abase our loues Sweet Meriana those dayes now are pass'd of my best delights be not you an increaser of my woe but curst remembrance for no new act of his in this change presents it selfe but giues a deaths blow to our ancient loues I could almost be brought to tell it her my selfe and would were it not to discouer his forgetfulnes and cruelty but rather then my lips shall giue the least way to discouer any fault in him I wil conceale all though they breake my heart and if I only could be saued by accusing him I sooner would be secret and so dye no my loue will not let me vse thee ill then be it as it is I le liue forsaken and forlorne yet silently I will indure this wrong nor once blame him to any others eare for deare alas he is to me deare to my eyes deare to my thoughts and dearest to my heart since he will rauish that poore part of all the ioy and sweet content it euer had conuerting it to bitter lasting paine Cruelly she thus remain'd perplex'd and cloathd in the wofulâ—'st robe of griefe what a miserable spectacle was this to see her once the comfort of the Court the starre that guided all the sweet delights now the poore testimony of another creature griefe hauing so decayed her as she seem'd scarce so like her selfe as an ill picture to the life her chamber her thoughts were only bound to her or rather she to them and thus did she remaine the sad example of forsaken loue The other Ladies louing in mirth and happinesse wanton with it like Kids in the Sunne for blessing shin'd on them and that this afflicted Lady did she said once know The Emperour and all his Kings and Princes held their way for Italy at last ariuing at Rome where the Pope sent the whole Clergy and Nobility to meete him without the Towne and with great pompe and ioy conducted him to the chiefe Church to giue thanks then vnto the Castle Triumphs began that night and the next day continued and many dayes to expresse the content of the Emperours arriuall but by his command all dangerous sports of the field were forbidden because he would haue no bloud mixed with his entering Iust they did but their speares had burs at the points for feare of piercing after Supper they had Barriers and all imitation of that braue warre they had lately brauely beene in and the Concluders of it To Naples he went to see his owne Country and People where hee was affectionately and sumptuously entertain'd surpassing all other places in magnificence as in affection to their owne Prince thence hee went to most parts of Italy that were in his way or not much out of it till he came to the neerest part of Germany and so passd without any aduenture carying the keyes as one may say of all those places to open his passage which way hee pleas'd neuer so pleasant a iourney all hearts contented leauing discontent as an vnprofitable thing at home Buda Prague Vienna all places he saw that were of worth traueld ouer the most part of Germany to see the strengths sometime for pleasure visited others At Franckford he was crown'd with the greatest applause content that euer Emperor was with the best reason for he was the most worthy and famous that euer reign'd oâ—er them but to all this ioy a little sorrow would needs come in for Leandrus after the Coronation whether with heate or ouer-exercising himselfe at these triumphs striuing to excell all in shew of loue fell sicke of a Plurisie a disease little known then which not being seene time enough or then taken he died thereof before his death writing a letter to Pamphilia and inclosing an infinite rich Ring within it which he besought her although he belieued shee cared not for it yet to keepe in memory of him who most affectionately and loyally loued her so as though her loue should not suffer in his death but as he loued her yet she might when she looked on that say â—he Master of this loued me These he gaue in charge to Leonius to send her which hee did comming to ger one morning after she had endured a sad and vnquiet night for she hauing got away from the company shut her doore pretending to sleepe but poore Lady little rest did shee enioy carrying the enemy within her selfe that held her eyes vnclosed her heart oppressed and be friended her in nothing except furnishing her with teares and new cause still to shed them O Pamphilia cride she was thy creation for thy ruine was thy birth giuen thee to haue a life wholly in affliction were all contrarieties to pleasure ioyned together for thee to possesse and vertues giuen thee to be vndone by else why was this rare excellent qualitie of constancy alotted thee was iudgement giuen me to make the worthiest choice wholly to discerne I chose well but to bee rewarded with that leane benefit and losse to bee my gaine Did I reiect the firme and spotles loue of that excellent Prince Steriamus the humble suites of all the greatest subiects and neighbour Princes slighted the earnestnesse of the noble Prince Leandrus refused all and made my selfe a Vassell in affection to him that weighes
grieu'd I am in soule to tell the truth for you must and cannot choose but hate me when I shall say what yet my heart loth to let me speake my eyes will waste themselues in streames before I can vâ—ter it and my soule rend when I must say you cannot bee blessed in loue your wofull and sinfull mother being the cause and roote of all this mischiefe I blush in soule guiltinesse I mourne in the knowledge of my sinne I am more faulty then euer woman was and a meere staine to my sexe you cannot my dearest heart enioy this Lady nor you sweet Lady haue your loue I am the Monster that keepes the gates against you and the Serpent that deserues death from you for double iniury Then kneel'd shee downe pardon mee cryde shee you perfectest and best though most vnfortunate Louers I am the wretch that hath vndone you and my selâ—e your loue 's vnlawfull I am the shamefull cause thereof your loues cannot imbrace I am the Diuorcer your wishes if granted would bee wickednesse and I am the ground brought forth this poyson wonder not but shun me as the Pestilence I am not to bee neerer suffer'd then the Plague for such I am to you to you deare two the life of my poore life the reason of all this was loue and your loue by this sinfull loue is cross'd you are poore soules deceiu'd and couzened turne your affections now to chast and iust desires for you are ah that I must say so Brother and Sister children to one man They miserable soules could not looke vpon each other the grouâ—d was their highest obiect swell and almost burst they did with griefe their senses shut vp as in an Apoplexie at last all rose from the earth into which they rather would haue gone the old woman to her chamber where falling into passions her weaknes could not sustain but she with heart afflicted oppressed with shame and vnsufferable woe dyed being found in the morning in her bed a pittifull corps of an afflicted minde The youth and his Sister wept and sate that night together wringing their hands as their hearts and soules smarted for this harme In the morning for feare of spies they parted their misery being to shew themselues as carefull as before their honours and the Parents lying on it though their wofull fortunes might haue giuen liberty which was their greatest Prison liberty they before did couet now had is onely hated Sobs and groanes were the words they said farewell withall their eyes so fill'd with cloudes of teares as if yet pitty were had not to let them see their extreamest misery but through a scarfe of loue shed water The noise of the Ladies death was soone spread abroad the house comming to the young Lords eares who with much sorrow which hee dissembled not his supposed father being absent tooke order for her buriall himselfe soon after went thence priuatly like Caunus from Biblis yet the comparison holds not clearly because these Louers were chaste and pure after the secret was disclos'd Wandring about hee happened on this Desart and into a little round place in proportion like this you came from where you descended the stayres Shee follow'd him or fortune whither she would guide her who was so kinde as to bring her to this place where they continued some short space life not allowing too much sorrow to such vnfortunate though worthy creatures but would to assist them loose it selfe parting with them leauing their bodies cleare reliques of spotlesse truth and cross'd affections malice They saw each other and bewail'd their chance but to fauour each other came no neerer then through those bushes to behold their wofull selues as in Mooneshine glimmering and as colde At last as they had iustly at once begun their loues they iustly at one instant died a little before meeting pitty not letting the one outliue the other or loue couetous would receiue both parts at once againe into possession loth to spare any part of such perfection The bodies by diuine prouidence kept safe the woefull Prince Father to them by destiny brought to them hauing searched and all his seruants for them Vnder a great Cyprus Tree which grew where the stone is now they lay intwined in each others armes dying with as chast and in as chast embracements as they had liued her groanes of death called him who had as little life yet some thing more strength finding her end comming hee kissed her hand and dying lippes then tore some of those branches downe honouring againe poore Caparissus wearing his Funerall memory making two Coronets one for her another for him selfe and so Crowned but most with loyall spotles loue they ended leauing no staine but misfortune to touch them withal much honour to be rendred to their loues The Prince finding them thus fell downe on them and as it were breathing his last likewise into them but hee was to out liue them and to grace their Funeralls he therefore rose commanding that stately Tree to be cut downe whose pride had beene such as not to let any tree grow within the compasse of his armes of the body hee made a Coffin into which with precious balmes he layd the bodies as one then did hee get the rarest workman and by his directions make this place the comming to it he would haue this way as most vnusuall and strange as their liues the place els on the other side would haue suffered another and finer comming to it though painefull the ascent being so highe for indeed it was a place as cut out of the maine Rocke and wrought into the heart of it all of one side hauing light in aboundance but hee had as it were made his way in the middest thereof as if to pierce the Center as that part in their hearts had beene sealed When this stately and sumptuous building was finished he went into Chios where dwelt an ancient and rare Magitian this man he made his instrument to fulfill his intent who did so well performe it as hee accomplished what Art could frame my selfe my Wife the old woman that conducted your Maiesty and my Sonne that brought you hither were heere established by them this booke hee gaue mee to deliuer to you when you came and the time appointed when a woman should raigne heere louing as well as much deseruing but more happily enioying to her comfort which is your selfe I was commanded to tell this story to none els nor deliuer this Booke wherin this is more exactly expressed and yet all this in the presence of the King your chosen mate These I haue obserued and now haue but two things more to do which are these to shew you the Tombe then opened he that place which seem'd like an Altar wherein lay the two Louers adorn'd as they dyed with the same Garlands whose honour was to continue greene still as hopefull of their memory The candles hee then lighted telling them that hee and his
and because it self betokened truth By this time her husband was come who told vs 't was time to goe rest We obay'd and this was the last time that euer I saw my deere and most worthily accounted deere Limena for the next morning I was by day to be at the Citie and so from thence to returne to the Campe. Thus tooke I my leaue and my last leaue of vertuous Limena whose sad face but sadder soule foretold our following harme and succeeding ruine For within few dayes after my returne to the Camp there came a Messenger early in the morning and O too early for my fortune whom I strait knew to be Limenas faithfull Seruant At first it brought ioy to me seeing a letter in his hand but soone was that turn'd to as much mourning cursing my hands that tooke it and eyes that read so lamentable a letter the contents nay that it selfe being this and the verie same my Mistris sent and wo is me the last she ere can send Vrania read it while he with teares and groanes gaue the true period to it The Letter said thus MY onely Lord thinke not this or the manner strange I now send knowing already some part of the vndeserued course taken with me only pitie her who for your sake suffers patiently accept these my last lines and with them the sincerest loue that euer woman gaue to man I haue not time to speake what I would therefore let this satisfie you that the many threatnings I haue heard are come in some kind to endâ— for I must presently die and for you which death is most welcome since for you I must haue it and more pleasing then life without you Grant me then these last requests which euen by your loue I coniure you not to denie me that you loue my poore memory and as you will loue that or euer loued me reuenge not my death on my murtherer who how vnworthy soeuer hee was or is yet hee is my Husband This is all and this grant as I will faithfully die Yours Alas faire Shepherdesse said he is this a letter without much sorrow to be read and is not this a creature of all others to be belou'd Neuer let him breath that will not heartily and most heartily lament such a misfortune T is true said Vrania reason and worth being companions but yet I heare not the certaintie or manner of her death then will I not faile to lament with you Alas said hee heare it of mee onely fit to tell that storie After my departure from his house to the Citie and so to the Campe the iealous wretch finding my Ladie retired into a Cabinet she had where she vsed to passe away some part of her vnpleasant life comming in he shut the dore drawing his sword and looking with as much furie as iealous spite could with rage demonstrate his breath short his sword he held in his hand his eyes sparkling as thicke and fast as an vnperfectly kindled fire with much blowing giues to the Blower his tongue stammeringly with rage bringing foorth these words thou hast wrong'd mee vild creature I say thou hast wronged mee shee who was compounded of vertue and her spirit seeing his wild and distracted countenance guest the worst wherfore mildely shee gaue this answere Philargus saide shee I knowe in mine owne heart I haue not wrong'd you and God knowes I haue not wrong'd my selfe these speeches said he are but the followers of your continued ill and false liuing but thinke no longer to deceiue me nor cousen your selfe with the hope of being able for in both you shall finde as much want as I doe of your faith to me but if you will speake confesse the truth O me the truth that you haue shamed your selfe in my dishonour say you haue wrong'd me giuing your honour and mine to the loose and wanton pleasure of Perissus was I not great enough amiable delicate enough but for lasciuiousnesse you must seeke and woo him Yet Limena I did thus deserue you that once better then my selfe I lou'd you which affection liues in the extremitie â—till but hath chang'd the nature being now as full of hate as then abounding in loue which shall instantly be manifested if you consent not to my will which is that without dissembling speeches or flattring finenes you confesse your shamefull loue to the robber of my blisse you may denie it for how easie is it to be faultie in words when in the truth of truth you are so faultie but take heede vnfainedly answere or here I vow to sacrifice your blood to your wanton loue My Lord said she threatnings are but meanes to strengthen free and pure hearts against the threatners and this hath your words wrought in me in whom it were a foolish basenesse for feare of your sword or breath to confesse what you demaund if it were trueâ— farre more did I deserue eternall punishment if I would belye him and my selfe for dread of a bare threatning since sure that sword were it not for danger to it selfe would if any noblenesse were in it or his master choose rather to dye it selfe in the blood of a man then be seene in the wranglings betweene vs yet doe I not denie my loue to Perissus in all noble and worthy affection being I thinke nurst with me for so long haue I borne this respectiue loue to him as I knowe no part of my memory can tell me the beginning Thus partly you haue your will in assurance that that vnseperable loue I beare him was before I knewe you or perfectly my selfe and shall be while I am yet alwayes thus in a vertuous and religious fashion O God cry'd out Philargus what doe I heare or what can you stile vertuous and religious since it is to one besides your husband hath shame possest you and excellent modesty abandoned you you haue in part satisfied me indeed but thus to see that I haue iust occasion to seeke satisfaction for this iniury wherefore resolue instantly to die or obey me write a letter straight before mine eyes vnto him coniure him with those sweete charmes which haue vndone mine honour and content to come vnto you Let me truely knowe his answere and be secret or I vow thou shalt not many minutes outliue the refusall Shee sweetest soule brought into this danger like one being betweene a flaming fire and a swallowing gulfe must venture into one or standing still perish by one stood a while not amazed for her spirit scorned so low a passion but iudicially considering with her selfe what might be good in so much ill she with modest constancy and constant determination made this answer This wretched and vnfortunate body is I confesse in your hands to dispose of to death if you will but yet it is not vnblest with such a mind as will suffer it to end with any such staine as so wicked a plott and miserable consent might purchase nor will I blott my fathers house
seeke her seeing her long stay not mistrusting harme but that they had forgotten themselues The rest seeing this dolefull spectacle rent their haire and gaue all testimony of true sorrow then came these newes to vs how welcom iudge you who I see feele sorrow with vs her father brothers arm'd themselues and are gone in search of him who was seene with all speed â—o passe towards the Sea Thus heare you the Daughters misfortune which must be followed by the mothers death and God send that as soone as I wish my Lord and Sonnes may meet with that vngrateful wretch to reuenge my miserable childs losse This being done she swounded in my armes my selfe being still in my transformed estate helpt her as much as I could then deliuering her to her seruants I tooke my leaue buying this armour to goe vnknowne till I could find a place sad enough to passe away my mournefull howres in Many countries I went thorow and left for all were too pleasant for my sorrow till at last I lighted on this happie one since in it I haue receiued as much comfort by your kind and wise counsell as is possible for my perplexed heart to entertaine By this time hee was fully armed which made the sweet Vrania admire him and if more pitie had lodg'd in her then before she had affoorded him his goodly personage and dolefull lookes so ill agreeing had purchased for she did pitie him so much as this had almost brought the end of some kind of pitie or pitie in some kind loue but she was ordain'd for another so as this prou'd onely a fine beginning to make her heart tender against the others comming Now was he ready to depart wherefore they came downe from the rock when being at the bottome they met a young shâ—pherd whose heart Vrania had although against her will conquered This Lad shee entreated to conduct Perissus to the next town which he most willingly consented to thinking himselfe that day most happy when she vouchsafed to command him withall she inioyned him not to leaue him till he saw him shipt which hee perform'd comming againe to her to receiue thanks more welcome to him then if a fine new flock had bin bestowed on him Perissus gone Vrania for that night draue her flock homeward giuing a kind looke vnto the rocke as she returnâ—d promising often to visit it for braue Perissus sake and to make it her retiring place there to passe some of her melancholy howres in The next morning as soone as light did appeare or she could see light which sooner she might doe then any her eyes making day before day else was seene with her flocke she betooke her selfe to the meadow where she thought to haue met some of her companions but being early her thoughts hauing kept more carefull watch ouer her eies thought it selfe growne peremptorie with such authority She found none come wherefore leauing the flocke to the charge of a young Lad of hers tooke her way towards the rocke her mind faster going then her feete busied still like one holding the Compasse when he makes a circle turnes it round in his owne center so did shee her thoughts incircled in the ignorance of her being From this she was a little mou'd by the comming of a pretie Lambe towards her who with pitifull cries and bleatings demanded her helpe or she with tender gentlenes imagined so wherefore she tooke it vp and looking round about if she could see the dam perceiuing none wandred a little amongst bushes and rude places till she grew something wearie when sitting downe she thus began to speake Poore Lambe said she what moane thou mak'st for losse of thy deare dam what torments do I then suffer which neuer knew my mother thy misse is great yet thou a beast may'st be brought vp and soone contented hauing food but what food can bee giuen me who feede on nothing but Despaire can that sustaine me No want of knowledge starues me while other things are plentifull Poore innocent thing how doth thy wailing sute with mine Alas I pitie thee my selfe in some kind wanting such a pitie Then shee did heare a noise in the bushes looking what it should be she saw a fierce she-wolfe come furiously towards her she who though a spirit matchlesse liued in her perceiuing her wished the beast further yet taking her wonted strength of heart and vertuous thoughts together she thus said O heauen defend me miserable creature if thou please if not grant me this blessing that as I shall here end not knowing any parents to sorrow for me so those parents if liuing may neuer know my losse lest they doe grieue for me As shee thus religiously gaue her thoughts and her last as shee thought to the highest the beast running towards her of the sudden stood still one might imagine seeing such a heauenly creature did amase her and threaten for medling with her but such conceits were vaine since beasts will keepe their owne natures the true reason being as soone appear'd the hasty running of two youths who with sharpe speares soone gaue conclusion to the supposed danger killing the wolfe as shee stood hearkning to the noise they made But they not seeing Vrania who on her knees was praising God said one to another Alas haue we hasted to kill this beast which now is not for our turne little helpe can this giue to our sicke father Vrania then looked vp hearing humane voices which she so little expected as onely death was that she looked for but then perceiued she two young men whose age might bee iudged to bee some seuenteene yeares faces of that sweetnesse as Venus loue could but compare with them their haire which neuer had been cut hung long yet longer much it must haue been had not the daintie naturall curling somewhat shortned it which as the wind mou'd the curles so pretily plaid as the Sunne-beames in the water their apparrell Goates skinnes cut into no fashion but made fast about them in that sort as one might see by their sight they were wild yet that wildnesse was gouern'd by modesty their skinne most bare as armes and leggs and one shoulder with part of their thighes but so white was their skinne as seem'd the Sunne in loue with it would not hurt nor the bushes so much as scratch on their feete they had a kind of shooes which came vp to the anckle Thus they were before the Prime of Shepherdesses who comming to them and saluting them they stept back in wonder to see that beautie which yet in the masculine they came neere to then laying admiration so farre a part as to keepe themselues safe from rudenesse in some kind one of them began Diuine creature pardon this our boldnesse which hath brought vs thus rudely to your presence if we haue offended let our humilitie in sorrow excuse vs or if this beast we haue kild was fauour'd by you take vs who are rude men to serue you in
in his armes He soone alas and so foreuer left his deare imbracement turning on him who hurt him repaying the wrong with giuing him his death but then soone followed his owne the wound being mortall which he had receiued yet not so suddenly but that he saw the destruction of his enemies We being as fierce as rage and reuenge could make vs then he remaining alone besides my selfe aliue and yet dying giuing me infinite thankes for my loue and willing rescue lent him with many dolefull and in affection lamentable groanes and complaints he tooke his leaue of his onely and best beloued then of me to whom he committed the care of her and his body then kissing her departed But what shall I say of her imagine great Prince and all this braue company what she did You will say she wept tore her haire rent her clothes cri'd sobd groand No she did not thus she onely imbraced him kissed him and with as deadly a palenesse as death could with most cunning counterfeit and not execute She entreated me to conduct her to the next Religious house where shee would remaine till she might follow him I admird her patience but since more wonder'd at her worth O women how excellent are you when you take the right way else I must confesse you are the children of men and like them fault-full The body we tooke with the helpe of a Litter which passed by hauing before conuayd a hurt Knight to the same Monastery next to that place and in that we conuayd it thither where we buried him and almost drownd him in our teares Thinking then to haue remou'd she fell ill not sicke in body but dead in heart which appear'd for within two dayes she dyed leauing this world to meet and once more ioy in him who more then a world or ten thousand worlds she loued and still desired which made her choose death being her then greater ioy burying them together a little without the house the order of that place not permitting them to be layd within it After this sad but honest performance of my word I went on in my Iourney meeting within few dayes after a Page belonging to my dead friend who with his Masters Armour followed him loue and obedience bringing it into his mind The armor was good being that which I now weare mine owne hackt and cut in many places With much sorrow the youth receiu'd the wofull tidings of his Master then obtained I so much as to haue those armes which with violeÌ„t sorrow he consented to helping me to arme my selfe in them though so as had I been any but his dead Lords friend he sooner and more willingly would haue wound into his funerall shirt He tooke my armour and laid it together vnder a tree which grew in the mid'st of a faire and pleasant plaine then although against my will he kist my hands and with as much true-felt sorrow as could lodge in so young yeares tooke his leaue of me only beseeching me when I remembred my vnfortunate friends I would also with some pity thinke on his misery this was my aduenture And then past I by sea till on a rock I suffered shipwrack being taken vp by this famous Pirat whom you so valiantly haue slaine being I assure you none of your least victories he hauing had as much strength and skill as in any one man need remaine but knowing me and some power I haue with the king of Cecile my deere and worthy friend Pâ—rissus his Vncle whose excellent company I gain'd in Achaya he then being there and with whom I trauelled many moneths almost yeares till I began this search this man on condition I would mediate for him to the King or his Nephew let me goe at libertie and arm'd in his ship till such time as we fortunâ—d to land alwaies concluded that while I was with him I should defend him with my best meanes This made me resist you till heauen told me my error which I repent and heartily aske pardon for and this sure was the reason that my Page imagined my death if hee found as by all likelihood he did my armes Then did Parselius againe imbrace Leandrus turning to the Squire of Amphilantus he demanded what he knew of his Master Truly replide he nothing but the ioy I conceiue to heare by this gentle Knight that he is liuing I parted from him in a great storme hauing been in Germany sent thither with an army from the Pope to assist the Emperour against the Duke of Saxony who was slaine by his hand and for this act was by the Emperour and the other Princes made King of the Romans hauing protected the Empire against such an enemy since till now neuer hauing heard newes of him but he ment to seeke still for you and therefore left Germany and in the Mediterran sea my selfe ship and all my Lords treasure was taken by this Pirat whom your valour hath destroyed Thus with prosperous wind and infinite ioy for Amphilanthus his new title and honâ—ur they sailed towards Italy hoping to land not farre from the Towne where the king of Naples at that time kept his Court which was at that great Citie but being within the sight of the shore because it then was euening they resolu'd not to land till the next morning and so take the day before them This thought the best like mens counsells proou'd the worst for in the night rose a terrible and fearefull storme being so violent as it tooke not away rest only but knowledge from the Pilot being onely able within some howers to assure them that they were far distant from Italy The tempest continued in as great iâ— not greater furie nor any more comfort had they saue that now they enioyed light and yet could that light scarce be counted day being but as day-breake before the Sun-rising so as it was but as to distinguish the time of day from night or as if it were to hold a candle to them the more to see their danger so thicke cloudy and vncomfortable as they could discerne nothing but what was nearest them which was perill Cunning now preuail'd not for the most skilfull confessed that now he was artlesse heauenly powers working aboue the knowledge of earthly creatures which way they were by force carried was vtterly vnknown to them sailes tackling were gone the mast either by force or hope of safety cast ouer-board thunder lightning wind raine they wanted not none being able to expresse the desperatenes of this storme but by saying it was the picture of the last day for violence but like the world for strangenes and vncertainty Thus they continued in the day hauing only the shadow of a day and in the night feareful flames which yet they thankt because by theÌ„ they could discerne themselues When heauen did think this storme had lasted long enough crosse to those though crosâ— yet still most louing louers it commanded the seas to be at quiet which
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
make her feele seeing him her soule had onely loued after so many cruell changes and bitter passions in their crost affection This being past the wounded Knight began thus First said hee let mee know by whose hand I haue receiued this worthie end and indeed too worthy for so worthlesse a Creature who now and but now could discerne my rash and wicked error which now I most heartilie repent Now are mine eyes open to the iniuries done to vertuous Limena her chastity appeares before my dying sight whereto before my eyes were dimme and eares deafe seeing and hearing nothing but base falshoods being gouern'd by so strong and vndeserued Iealousie Next I must aske pardon of you my Lord Perissus deny not these Petitions I humbly beseech you both vnto a dying man who in his life did offer you too foule and too vnpardonable an iniury Perissus seeing his speedy end approaching hauing the noblest and freest heart forgaue him that offence which proceeded from the same ground that his crosses came from both taking roote from Loue and yet Loue in that kinde chang'd nature with madnesse when attended on with so much iealousie then with a milde voice he spake Philargus said he I am glad your punishment is accompanied with so happy and true repentance I doe freely forgiue you and thinke no more of that past then if neuer done But this I desire you will demand the like of your excellently vertuous wife who hath beene the patient of all your fury That I doe said Philargus and let my soule enioy no happinesse if I wish not her as well as it Then deare Limena haue you pardon'd me if not O doe and forgiue vnfortunate and ill-deseruing Philargus My Lord said she I most sincerely and heartily forgiue you and so I pray doe you the like for me my dearest then said he I happily and thrise happily now shall welcome death For your other demand said the braue Prince my name is Parselius Prince of Morea Philargus kissing his hand gaue him thankes and weeping for ioy said Most fortunate end how doe I embrace thee comming so luckily and brought thee by such royall hands Then taking Perissus by the one hand and Limena by the other he said I haue yet one request more to make which granted I shall dye with all content and this is only in you two to consent to they promised that then he should not be refused These misfortunes said he which now are past and I hope shall haue buriall in mee haue neuerthelesse it is most likely left some false conceipt remaining in the hearts of some people which to remedy and vtterly take away desiring Limena's honor which without questioÌ„ remains spotted might flourish as deseruedly as the clearenesse of it selfe is without so much as the shadowe of a thought to the contrary I beseech you for your owne best fortunes and my quiet departing to promise mee that after my death you will marry each other One more worthy my Lord more loyall more chaste the world holds not and this are you bound to doe for her who for you hath been wrongd and Limena deny not this to your dying husband being the last he can euer aske you He needed not vrge them much to what they most coueted and purposed in their hearts before yet to giue him full satisfaction though on her side with bashfull and fearefull consenting they yeelded to him Then my Lord said he take her and my hearts prayers with best wishes to you and my best belou'd Limena in witnesse of my loue to you I bestow on you this most worthy Lord far better befitting you and my whole estate with that embracing them kissing her and lastly lifting vp his eyes to heauen he departed they like true friends closing his eyes Being now growne late 〈◊〉 that night they went into the Caue which but lately had been the priâ—on of sweet Limena with them they caryed the body laying it in the further part of the hollownesse Then did Parselius tell them how infinitly happy he esteemed himselfeâ— in hauing come so luckily to serue them of whom and whose vnfortunat affection hee had heard hauing had it from the rare Shepherdesse Name her he could not his breath being stopp'd with sighes and his teares falling down in all abundance sent from his heart which dropp'd like the weeping of a Vine when men without pitty wound it Perissus seeing his sorrow made hast to ask the cause fearing some great harme had befalne that Diuine Creature of whom he gaue such praises as Limena thought they were too much which hee perceiuing left with demanding of her safety and why his greeuing was which Parselius hauing passionatly and truely related he desired most earnestly to heare the rest of Limena's story which she thus began My Lords after I sent the Letter and the time expired Philargus came for my answer or to performe his vowe which with desire I attended although he contrary to my wishes prolonged it When hee had what I resolud to giue him for satisfaction which was a direct deniall being in these words I know as your wife I am in your power to dispose of then vse your authority for so foule a staine will I neuer lay vpon my bloud as to betray the Prince name you in truth I durst not least at the last that might mooue my affections Then did he command me to goe with him to my death I hoped when he brought me into a great Wood in the midâ—t whereof he made a fire the place being fit and I thinke sure had been vsed in former time to offer sacrifice in to the Siluan Gods Then hee made mee vndresse my selfe which willinglie and readily I did preparing my selfe to be the poore offring but the richest that richnesse of faith in loue could offer When I had put off all my apparell but one little Petticote he opened my breast and gaue me many wounds the markes you may here yet discerne letting the Mantle fall againe a little lower to shew the cruell remembrance of his crueltie which although they were whole yet made they newe hurts in the louing heart of Perissus suffering more paine for them then he had done for all those himselfe had receiued in his former aduentures therfore softly putting the Manâ—le vp againe and gently couering them lest yet they might chance to smart besought her to goe on longing to haue an end of that tragicall historie and to come againe â—o their meeting which was the onely balme could be applied vnto his bleeding heart She ioyfull to see this passion because it was for her and sorry it was Perissus did sorrow proceeded And after these threatning many more and death it selfe if yet I consented not But seeing nothing could preuaile hee tooke my clothes and with them wip'd the bloud off from me I expecting nothing but the laâ—t act which I thought should haue been concluded with my burning his mind chang'd from the first
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
strongly hath continued the honour in keeping the conquest as I am and euer must bee your deuoted Seruant my loue being wholly dedicated to you and this I would faine long since haue said but I feared your displeasure nor had I now ventured but that me thought you bid me bee bold taking your discourse wholly to my selfe Then did you take it right said shee for I confesse with that shee blush'd so prettily and look'd so modestly amorous as shee neede haue said no more to make him know she lou'd him Yet he couetous to haue the word spoken taking her in his armes be not so cruell my onely life said he to barre me from the hearing of my blisse Why then said shee I must confesse I loue you Blessednâ—sse to my soule cryd he these words are now my dearer selfe canst thou affect poore me I honor your worth and loue your selfe said shee but let your loue be manifested to me in your vertuous carriage towards me Vertue said hee made choice for me then can she not abuse her selfe and vertue in you made me most to loue you then assure your selfe that onely vertue shall gouerne me Thus they louingly and chastly liu'd a while only pleas'd with discourse but that grew to leaue place to more enioying it selfe being loath that any time should be spent without it enuying the night that kept them so long absent to auoid which he so earnestly sued and she so much lou'd as she could not refuse what hee desired for their equall contents so as making two of her maides and his Squire onely acquainted one morning they stole out of the Castle by a back doore which opened iust vpon the Mote and hauing a bote there wherein they vsed to row for pleasure they crâ—st the water and so walked vnto an Hermitage hard by where after they had heard Prayeâ—s the Hermit plaid the Priest and married them With infinite ioy they returnd to come to the height of their desires where wee will â—eaue them a little and speake of Berlandis Squire to Amphilanthus who longing to see his Lord and seeing little hope of getting Parselius thence resoluâ—d to try how he might get him from that lazie life and win him againe to follow Armes but alas this was as impossible as it was for Vrania to belieue that Parselius would forsake her Many times he vrg'd him many times he told him of aduentures which himselfe and his Cosen had past to theiâ— eternall fames oft hee remembred him of the promises hee had made and vowes which ought to bee performed but these wrought nothing vowes he remembred not but this last holy one which was most religiously to bee obserued promises hee had made but those might stay till some other time or till he had longer solaced himselfe in these new delights To conclude Berlandis concluded to leaue him and so telling and taking his leaue of him departed with this message to Amphilanthus that he would in short time come vnto him in the meane time intreated to bee pardoned since in his time hee had a little absented himselfe from him vpon a like though not so iust an occasion Then hee charged Berlandis not to let any know where hee had left him except his owne Lord and to intreate likewise his secrecie to all others to denie his finding of him Thus Parselius obscured himselfe for some time while the fame of his Brother brauely fild the world and had shind alone like the greatest light had not one eclips'd it with his greater power which was and is Incomparable Amphilanthus who with his two companions left Romania intending to goe to Morea as I before said hasting thither as in pretence of the Albanian businesse After they had taken ship they came downe the Archipelago and amongst those Islands staying at Sio for fresh water and to take in some passengers left by that ship there at her going to Constantinople into the which Iland the Knight of the Forrest would needes perswade the rest to enter seeing it delightfull and louing naturally to see nouelties and venture as farre and oft-times as happilie as any this motion was agreeable to Steriamus whose heart yet faild him for all Amphilanthus did warrant him to goe where his soule was Prisoner for feare of offending her though so much hee loued as if hee had been sure to see her and with that sight to die instantly rather then liue and not see her he would so haue suffered death But Amphilanthus was loath to loose time yet hee was contented to content his Friend so as they passed vp a good way into the Iland themselues alone without any other not so much as their Squires with them long they had not gone before they met three fine young Maides apparreld after the Greeke manner carrying each of them a basket wherein were seuerall delicate fruites the knight of the Forrest went to them desiring to bee resolu'd of the manner of that place and whether they could let them vnderstand any aduenture The maides with much sweetnes and modest fashion replied They were but of meane Parentage and not accustomed to such businesses but said they this last night a braue Gentleman lay at our Fathers house much complaining of the losse of a young Prince called Dolorindus Prince of Negropont who landed here and since was neuer heard of much hee seemd to doubt his danger and especially to feare Treason the Lord of this Iland being indeed the most cruell and treacherous man breathing old and yet so ill as his white haires haue gaind that colour from black since he practised villany for these fortie yeares plotting nothing but the destruction of braue Knights and delicate Ladies of which hee hath store in his Castle where in darke and vgly prisons he continues them onely letting them haue light when he sends for them and sports himselfe in their torments and this proceedes from no other cause but out of a generall hate to all where vertue liues and beautie dwells His wife of as sweet a condition who is worne away to bare bones with meere hatefull fretting to heare that any should liue inricht with goodnesse From this paire are brought a forth couple of as hopefull branches as can proceede from so good stocks their parents ill which they haue bin many yeares practised in to come to perfection being fully flowing in them so as they in this kind excell hauing so many yeares fewer and yet as much sinne in them falshood and all treason abounding with ill nature in them one of them being a Daughter and the elder called Ramiletta the most cunning dissembling flattering false Creature that euer sweete ayre suffered to breath in without corrupting it with her poysonous treasons the other a Sonne vilde craftie and beyond measure luxurious These three are now gone a iourney whither I cannot tell you but surely to some villanous purpose brauely they are attended on and richlie set forth the old woman onely left
attend you and to you doe the seruice we owe him which by him I know will be a like taken as to himselfe such is his affection to you such admirable perfections liuing in him as loue and affection to his friends are plentifully flourishing in him wherefore we beseech you to accept of our affectionate seruices which shall euer next to Parselius bee most deuotiouslie obseruing to your commands Him wee loue for his vertues and the benefits wee haue receiued from him you were loue for him and your owne merits whose name doth duly claime all eies and hearts to loue and admire Pamphilia whose modesty neuer heard her owne commendations without blushing pretily did now expresse a bashfulnesse but her speech deliuered with confidence shewed those words nor the speaker of them neede for them blush they were these Braue and renowned King of whose vertues mine eares haue long since been witnesse bee pleased to heare your seruant say shee doth blesse her eyes that presents such worth vnto them and esteeme this as my chiefest happinesse that for the first encounter in my iourney fortune fauours mee with the meeting of such excellent Princes in whom are all the powers of true worthinesse that can be in either or both sexes and in you most happy Queene the rare vertue of matchlesse and loyall constancy and much doe I blesse my destine thus to enioy your companies which Parselius shall thanke you for and I him for you Then she presented them both to her Vncle who kindly welcom'd them being glad such royall company would â—ttend his Neece to honour her Coronation which he meant should be with all speed after their arriuall he determining to retire to a religious house he had built to that purpose Thus with happy and pleasant content she sailed towards Pamphilia while Parselius all this while continuing in sweet delight it is now fit time to let him see his fault committed in the greatest kind of ill being breach of faith in loue One night in his sleepe Vrania appeared vnto him seeming infinitely perplexed but as if rather fild with scorne then sorrow telling him hee was a Traytor to loue and the subtillest betrayer of truth Now may you ioy said she in your shaâ—e and change your cruell falshood hauing vndone my trust but thinke not this troubles me farther then for vertues sake so farre are you now from my thoughts as I study how I neuer more may heare of you and to assure you of this you shall see me giue my selfe before your face to another more worthy because more iust This in soule so grieued him as he cried sobd groand and so lamentably tooke on as the kind Dalinea lying by him awaked hauing much adoe to bring him out of his wofull dreame But when he recouered his sences they were but to make him more truly feele paine continuing in such extremitie of weeping as she feared his heart would breake withall which made her heart euen rend with compassion Much shee intreated and euen besought him to tell her the cause but this of any secret must bee kept from her shee begged hee continued in laments till at last he saw hee must not leaue her thus in feare Wherefore after hee had a little studied how to bee more deceitfull or as equally as he had bin before weeping still and she accompanying him in teares seeing his fall so fast which hee finding made him weepe the more both now kindly lamenting each other they remayned the most perfect soules of affliction that euer had earthly bodyes about them Compassion he had in great fullnesse to Dalinea torment for Vrania's scorneâ— affliction for her losse hatefull loathing his fault condemning himselfe more â—ruelly then she would haue done all ioyning as it were for his vtter destruction yet remain'd hee in his bed framing this excuse to satisfie his wife telling her that he imagined hee saw all Arcadia on fire the earth flaming and in the midâ—st his father burning who with lamentable cryes demanded helpe of him wherfore said he certainely some ill is befallen or befalling him which makes me resolue instantly to goe vnto him O take me with you said she My deere said he pardon at this time my leauing you for should I carry you where troubles are no Sweet remayne you here and be assur'd you soone shall heare of your Parselius and if all be well in short time I le returne for you besides our marâ—yage not yet knowne may wrong you if not carefully carryed then deere loue bee patient and stay heere She could not deny for words fail'd her only she sob'd and washed his face with her teares who was as much afflicted Then rising he sent her Maides vnto her and so departed to his chamber where he arm'd himselfe then being ready to goe to her hee thought the word or shew of farwell would but giue new wounds wherfore writing some few lines he deliuer'd them to the Steward so with charge to giue the letter to her owne hands he tooke his horse hasting he knew not whither regarding neither way nor any thing else then came he to the Sea side his Squier nor daring to speake one word to him all that iourney when he sent Clorinus so was he cald to prouid a boat for him he thought it not fit to deny nor durst he venture to councell In the meane time came a little Barque into which he went turning his horse loose not considering what griefe trouble might come for his misse But he who sought for death thought of no earthly content he being in they put againe from the Land and at Clorinus returne were quite out of sight He finding his Masters horse without his Lord fell into pittifull complayning not being able to guesse other then the worst mishappe long he was resoluing what to doe but in conclusion hee vowed to spend his life in solitary search of him and so to dye but by no meanes to goe to Dalinca nor to bee an ill newes bringer to his Parents Heauily and afflictedly hee pass'd on by the Sea side till hee mette the Squier of Leandrus who ioyfully asked him for his Lord hee as sadly replied he had lost him then followed Leandrus who knowing the youth asked for his friend but to him hee could make no answer but in teares Sraight feare possessed him the youth still wept Leandrus sigh'd and taking him aside coniured him to tell what he knew of his Lord. Then did hee relate all vnto him hiding onely what might touch Dalinea this much mooued the Prince yet he sought to comfort Clorinus telling him he did not see by this any other harme likely to follow but some priuat grief had made him take this course and therfore willed him by any meanes to make no busines of it but goe and seek him as carefully as hee could aduising him by reason of his loue which he knew he bare to Vrania to goe to Ciprus least thither hee were gone to
then my Lord said shee you shall haue it my desire to know you was caused by an vnresisting power your excellencies haue ouer my yeelding affections to you the first time I saw you I receiued the wound I now perish in if you fauour not Amphilanthus was rather sorrie then glad to heare this speech being to him like as where the law is that a man condemned to die may bee saued if a Maide begge him for her husband so hee may bee saued from death but wedded against his heart to another affection before hauing wounded him hee can scarce entertaine this but considering gratefulnesse is required as a chiefe vertue in euerie worthie man he curteously replied that till that time fortune had neuer so honoured him as to bring him to the height of so much happinesse as to be graced with such an affection Shee who loued and desired tooke the least word hee spake for a blessed consent was about to answere againe when they saw Ollorandus come with her husband to them who with much adoe as he counterfeited had told who they were the good man hearing that these were two of them relieu'd and won Romania to quiet by their owne valor but especially reioycing that Amphilanthus of whom the world was fild with same was there came to welcom him nor would be deny'd but they must lodge with him in his tent Luceania was not greeu'd at this motion though Amphilanthus would willingly haue gone backe to his Milan Tent where he might haue comforted himselfe with discoursing to his owne thoughts But the Lady now keepes him prettily well from those passions with continuall discourse of other things Much he enquired after the manner of ending the enchaunment which hee longed for that then hee might againe see what he only coueted Loue still increasing in her as longing grew in him to see his deerest Loue. Hee kindly entertain'd her fauours and courâ—uously requited them and one day the more to expresse his respect to her hee tooke this course which in his owne minde was plotted rather to get more freedome and to make proofe of his valour his friend and hee onely acquainting Luceania and her Lord with it changing their armors and colors the better to be vnknowne came in the morning with Trumpets before them challenging euery one that desired to trie his strength to the Iust to breake sixe staues a piece and this to continue sixe dayes in defence of their Mistrisses beauty Amphilanthus was in Watchet and White Ollorandus in Orange colour hee hauing no fauour and therefore in spite wore that colour the other had a scarfe which Lucenia sent him the night before which hee wore on his right arme This challenge brought forth all the knights and they the Ladies the first was an Italian and encountred Ollorandus who was to hold the first three dayes if so long hee could without foyle by Amphilanthus appointment if not then he to come in This Italian was strong and the stronger for that he was in loue and more because his Mistrisse at that time made him the bolder being fauourd with her sight and blessed with her louing wishes But these could not preuaile against the Bohemian who had the stronger spirit waiting on him of perfect loue which ouerthrew the Italian lying on the ground flatly confessing his ouerthrow Two dayes he thus kept the field without shew of loosing the honor to any but then came one who encountred him with such cleane strength and valour as he was forc'd to confesse hee matched him nor did it turne to any dishonour to him when it was knowne who it was being Polarchus Bastard sonne to the king of that Iland but soone did Amphilanthus reuenge his friend and so by conquest kept the field though hee confest hee had seldome felt such an encounter as the last of the sixe courses the other fiue hauing lasted without any aduantage this with the losse of his stirrops but the falling back of the other vpon his horses backe and trumbling downe striuing to recouer his saddle Thus he redeemd his friends mischance maintaining the field against all commers in the defence of his mistrisses beauty Two dayes hee held it in which time hee woone the same of the brauest Knight The last day they were a little hindred from that sport by the comming of a great and braue troope of knights hauing with them two of the beauties the world could hold excellent they rode in a Chariot of watchet Veluer embroidred with crimson silke and Pearle the inside the outside with purle of siluer and yet that riches poore in comparison of the incomparable brightnesse and clearenesse of their owne beauâ—ies Soone were they knowne for who could be ignorant of the perfâ—ctions of Pamphilia and Limena for hee that neuer saw Pamphilia but by report seeing this vnspeakable beauty said it could be no other then that peerelesse Queene none else could so excell in true perfection Two Knights rid on each side of the Chariot one in armour of Gold enameld with leaues of Lawrell the other all blacke thus they came with great magnificence and state when Amphilanthus was ready to encounter a new knight that would needs haue the fauour to be throwne downe by the conquering Prince who soone receiud the honour his vanquishing power gaue all other kissing his mother without desire oâ— pleasure Then did the Prince looke about him casting his eyes by chance towards the troope at which sight hee straight knowing the neuer enough exalted Princesse he went towards her his eies meeting the vnresisting power of her eies who was soueraign of al harts telling the new Queen that certainly now the charmes must haue conclusion she being come to aduenture for them I hope my Lord said she there will be an end of them since I know I am able to bring one part to the conclusions demand being that I thinke you haue not been much troubled with all and in truth I cannot blame you much since libertie is an excellent profit But what colour shall wee haue next the last I saw was Crimson now Watchet and White do you adde to your inconstancy as fast as to your colours None can bee accused deere Ladie said he for their change if it bee but till they know the best therefore little fault hath yet been in me but now I know the best change shall no more know mee Euery change brings this thought said shee but here is the Queene Limena whose noble vertues were rescued by your friend and my brother from crueltie and death though not of them but her person dying they must if not for him haue remaind the outward tombes of her honor Then kist he her hands and so conducted the two Queenes to the fittest place to see those begun sports and to be beheld of the Knights Amphilanthus continuing his still enioyed victories none parting from him without flat falles or apparant losse of honour Then the Knight of Victorie and the Black
and remained like a distracted creature till she vrging him and he desiring to satisfie her swore they were none of his nor that euer he receiued any from her O miserable man said he thus to be betrayd what haue I done to be thus plagued and insufferably afflicted Alas my deerest I neuer heard from thee neuer writ to thee but if I had sweetnes and loue should haue beene the subiect and not this False Terichillus this I feare comes from thee for this is thy hand I know it is the same in iest that thou wert wont to counterfeit and hast thou practisd it for this vnkind and cruell man Shee seeing his sorrow and his clearenesse receiued much comfort and taking him againe by the hand happy am I my Lord said shee that shall now ende contented blessed in your loue and cleare from the end I fear'd you had sent me be happy my onely deare and liue with all content let that Lady whosoeuer you shall choose loue you no lesse then I doe let her be as iust and loyall but so much more fortunate for your sake as to liue to enioy you longer Had you beene cruell as you were accused falsely my loue had pardoned it and welcommer had my death beene to me sent by you then life if in dislike of you My soule lou'd you and loues you nor euer suffer'd it shewe of dislike against you I had cleerly passed into the other world without blameing you yet am I happy to see you and your truth before I part I must leaue you my onely loue I must goe and yet this I will beseech you to keep of me the memory of your truest loue and let that memory bee put with loue and not moou'd with rage to reuenge these wrongs he hath done you a fauour it may be in keeping you for a worthyer but neuer can you haue a truer He weeping told her he tooke that last ill that shee would say hee could haue a worthier O no said he that cannot be thy worth cannot be equal'd no more then my wrongs reueng'd sufficiently They both wept then spake a little and so tooke their leaues shee seeing his sorrow was afflicted for it he finding it sought to couer it so he kissed her and went out of the chāber with as dying a heart as she had almost no sooner was he gone but she calling her womā to her willed her to burne those papers thē taking ◠ring from off her finger which was a pointed Diamōd she euer wore had vowed to doe so till she died or married charged her to giue it Antonarus then turning her to the other side tell him said she I bequeath this my truest loue and last loue to him so I coniure him to keepe these She went to performe her command he instantly with the rest of the company came in but there they found her dead It was alas too late to recouer her but not to giue a more happy end how hee tooke it onely such a loue can expresse which began but when she was dying and enioyed but in death He instantly left the Court and hearing Terichillus had stollen away vpon his comming guiltinesse condemning him he went in search of him putting on an armour as blacke as his sorrowes so he trauelled cloathed in sorrow accompanied with remembrance of her chast and loyall loue her death the treason that caused it the iniury done him yet her spotlesse affection All these were motiues the more he ran from one to the other still the first held him and wrapt him fast in all Thus he went caught in himselfe till hee met Terichillus in a plaine betweene two hills to whom he sent his Squire who was all his company not to discourse with him but to call him to answere the wrongs done to him and his loue when the Squire came to him hee made no answer but this he had cause to call him to account and he would satisfie him so he prepared himselfe and they met where they fought a cruell fight but Antonarus hauing iustice on his side got so much the better as hee had Terichillus vnder him and at his mercy which when he had confest asked pardon of him for his fault he tooke him vp with these words Rise Terichillus thy shame and conscience are sufficient reuengers I will not shed thy bloud which cannot cleanse so foule a fault or satisfie for losse of her so chaste and immaculate make it more cleare and purer if thou canst with true repentance while mine eyes and heart drops fulfill and serue for her funerall Then leap'd he vpon his horse leauing my brother hurt and wounded more with scorne and hate of himselfe so to be saued then kindly thanking him that had done it Away Antonarus posted and came into Morauia to visit me who indeed was onely his seruant Infant Loue on my side haueing made me so he stayd not long but told me all this story for which I lou'd him better then before gratefulnesse hauing large command ouer my hart Hee neuer by my words had knowledge of my loue to him till two yeares after passing by that way and priuately desiring to see me vnfortunately for vs both I did confesse it hee embraced it and so wee lou'd my brother still continuing his hate but in my Fathers time of life did make no publique shew of it Vpon the death of him he tooke the title and first began with open proclamations of his hate and the first forbidding me his company yet where were these proclaimd but in his house and to his priuate friends yet I went further and did warne my loue of him this was the cause hee came not in his sight nor to his knowledge and in hunts-mans habit was the last time I did see him for my brother returned with his wife the watches were made new and stronger ouer me yet loue made them fruitles for on a time appointed we met and meant to keepe together then boldly I writ to my brother telling him what I had done and that I hoped he would excuse me since I had taken him for my husband whom loue and youth had chosen for mee and now was gone with him whom most I loued to liue with and whom I now was happily to obay My brother grew infinitely inraged with this and straight sent out many horses to stay and interrupt our passage but in vaine for we were passed and had laid such spies for them as kept vs free Into Selesia we came finding and bringing with me all content in hauing my owne hearts desire with me Antonarus welcommed me with gift of all his estate I returned that to him againe taking a farre greater as I esteemd it which was himselfe and his true loue my best and only fortune Terichillus this while imagined himself highly iniured wherefore he sent Antonarus word that so ill he tooke this affront as he would with armes regaine his honour touched He replied that
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
for true noblenesse excellent goodnes perfect vertue and matchlesse valour Wherfore I beseech you as you may be or are a louer in that regard aide me as a King asist me against a murderer of a Prince and as the best of Knights against such treachery The cause is strange and the businesse it may be will to some seeme nice since a sister vrgeth reuenge of a brother but weigh with all that my loue and husband is murder'd and by my brother 's owne hands that will wipe away all doubts and cleere me to implore your aid The King and Amphilanthus much pittied and admired the Lady who had related this story with as much passion and fine expression of witty sorrow as could be Amphilanthus moued so much with it as he presently consented and gaue his promise to asist her so they pass'd to the Court in the same manner as she before had trauel'd for she had vowed neuer to leaue the body nor to bury it till she had his death reueng'd When they came where Terichillus was she sent vnto him to let him know shee had brought a Knight to defend her wrong and to call him to account for his Treason hee made his wonted slight answers but the Lift and all things were prepared then entred the Lady with the body and the two Knights accompanied with the mourners the Princesse of Morauia because her husband was one would not be present the other Ladyes were plac'd to see the fight Then was it proclaymed that if the Knight were ouercome hee should loose his head and the Lady should be at Terichillus disposing if the Knight ouercame then the Prince if vanquished and aliue should be disposed of by the Lady and the Knights with all the troope should haue safe passage without stay or disturbance in returne Thus all agreed on the Trumpets sounded Terichillus furious and ambitious of victory and peace encountred Amphilanthus with such strength as he made him bow backwards on his horse but the King strooke him flat on his backe vpon the ground hauing meanes by this to aske pardon from heauen for his offence but he least thinking of so good a matter quickly got vp and with his Sword in his hand did attend Amphilanthus whose noble curteâ—ie was such as not to take aduantage of him lighted also to fight on foote Terichillus was valiant strong and now to fight for life and honour so as hee held Amphilanthus longer play then many had done yet at last he acknowledged with all others the King to be fittest to be yeelded vnto and so perceiuing his life at an end curstly set his sword on the ground and brake it desirous as it seemd to die vnarmd rather then disarmd by Amphilanthus which was to no purpose he making him openly make confession of his fault ask pardon direct that al should obay his sister as their Lady and Princesse weep and lament his fortune without compulsion and according to his ill life hee frowardly and peeuishly concluded his daies leauing behind him this certaintie that such treasons are neuer any more left vnpunished then Countries without Princes for straight was his Sister proclaimed and he as soone forgot as she speedily receiued The King of Bohemia and the King of the Romans were carried into rich chambers but they since the last busines in the Castle would neuer lie alone so as they were lodged together and as soone as Amphilanthus was recouerd of some slight wounds he receiued in this combat they took their leaues following on their iourney for Hungary But as they were euen ready to leaue Morauia hard by a Wood which grew from the bottom of a hill to the top the hill steepy craggy and ful of rocks and places where stones had been cut for building of a stately Abby which was among meadowes not farre from the foote of this hill betweene two dainty riuers but then decaied by warre they met a Lady running her haire loose couering her face her cries loud and fearefull her cloathes halfe on and halfe off a strange disorder in her words she spake as if danger pursued and helpe requisitly demanded a little from her were some men who hastily followed her one especially from whom it seemd she sought to be deliuered Amphilanthus willing to aide and she seeming to beseech it rid to her to demand the cause she fled he pursued till they came to the bottom of a great quarry there in some thicknesse she offerd to couer her self but he lighting desired to know the cause of her flight and danger She as if her enemy had been at hand amazedly and frightfully answered Alas Sir what meane you what iniury haue I done you that you should thus follow me I neuer wrongd you why seeke you my dishonour He reply'd that she was deceiu'd and therefore intreated her to looke vp againe vpon him she would see her error Then beholding him wishly as if she had been till then in the wrong Pardon me my Lord said she for I mistooke you my misery being such as hath quite destracted me I am a poore Lady dwelling here not farre hence in yonder old Abbey Lady thereof by the death of my Husband since which time a young Lord hath been an earnest suter to me but my loue and fortune dying with my husband or but liuing to his memory I refused him as many other that haue sought me wherupon he vowed to haue me by force since no other meanes would preuaile and this day to performe his vow he came found me but slightly guarded and newly out of my bed tooke me out of my house bound my seruants and thus farre on the way hath brought me but when I saw this thicke Wood and being acquainted with the hidnest parts of it I slipt from behind his seruant that carried mee and with all speed possible ran as I thinke you must needs see me towards this wildernes here I hope I am secure and shall assure my selfe of it if it might please you to take me into your protection He curteous beyond expression promised to defend her I pray Sir said she let me yet ask some things more of you which are what your name is and how long you haue been in this Country My name said he is Amphilanthus my being here hath bin some time being brought hither by the Princesse Sydelia Let me be so bold I beseech you to demand one fauour more which is Whether you were one of those two that came with her to reuenge heâ— quarrell I am indeed said hee and the same who fought with Terichillus Then am I blessed said she for I may assure my selfe of the valiantest man aliue While they were thus discoursing an other Lady with as fearfull cries shricks passed by running from the Wood-ward with such haste as her feare had made her so light as shee left no print so much as pressing the grasse whereon she ranne the impression it seem'd being in her and
so vnfortunate as to be a louer of all variety and so for that I may like changing men or delight in Camelions With this the Princesse came a Lady not of highest stature nor low so hansome as one well might see there had bin excellent beauty but decay'd as loue was withered to her who now resembled the ruines of a faire building her countenance graue but curteous shewing rather retirednes then much giuen to conuersation her pace slow and her apparrell careles her clothes were of Tawny cut with Willow color and embroidered with Willow garlands of that color and gold to shew the forsaken part was noble She came towards them and with a modest gesture saluted the Prince who with his helmet off presented the true Amphilanthus to her eyes she desired to know of whence he was and what aduenture brought him thither He told her he was of Italy and that his blessed fortune had brought him where he might repaire an iniury done to a wronged Prince and serue her in the busines Alas said she what seruice can I haue in that since none liues wrongd so much as I nor can one of that countrie or all that Nation right the iniurie receiued by one and yet deare one â—o me That one that wronged you answered he shall right you or my life shall pay for it tell me where you thinke he is If I did know said she and with all vnderstood a danger to him by reuealing him for all the haâ—me I haue receiued I would conceale him and thus haplesse liue rather then be a meanes to harme his person which still I hold deare How happy is that Prince said he â— and yet vnfortunate to be so iniured as to be defamed by a suborner and a traiterous man falsely assuming thus a Princes name Wrong him not with that taxe said she for sure I could not loue a meaner man not any but that Prince and so the brauest Amphilanthus But you it seemes haue heard of his light loue his change and falshood Alas heare with that what man nay euen your selfe hath lou'd and neuer changed may not then Amphilanthus doe the like What a perplexitie this was to him iudge brauest louers but she did proceed What shame then is it to him and to whom can harme insue saue to vs wretched trusting women Madam said hee I seeke to cleare the Prince and to let you discerne the wrong he beares that one so base and so persidious hath taken his name on him She was speaking when a Knight who newly there arriu'd kneeled to him telling him he was most glad to find him so neare home but sorry for the newes hee brought which was he must repaire with all the speede hee could into his Country for otherwise he could not enioy the blessing of his aged fathers sight who then was ready to yeeld vnto death withall hee gaue him letters from the Lords and from his brother While hee thus discoursed the Prince tooke them and then the Lady askt of the stranger who this Prince was to whom he had vsed such reuerence He answered Amphilanthus of Naples Prince and now he thought the King She then turning to him My Lord said she I must needes blame your name that hath brought me my discontent yet honor your person though the loue to that was the sweet betrayer of my blisse Then did she freely confesse what the Lady before had related which being heard by the young Prince of Venice for it was he that came vnto him with the newes he assured Amphilanthus that hee had met the Knight and by him had been ouerthrowne so as truly Sir said he he is valiant and as strong as a man need bee to maintaine so bold a charge as to counterfeit your strength he hath also now got a companion who calls himselfe Ollorandus and thus they passe your fame makes few except strangers meddle with them But I seeing his face and with that his falshood ventured to fight with him hauing iustice on my â—ide which I hoped would bring me victory but I see that a good arme must hold the ballance else sometimes truth may fal as I did to the ground Amphilanthus confident of the truth of the deceit took his leaue of the Lady who earnestly desired his presence to her house but he taking the occasion of the Venetians comming would excuse himselfe and keepe him free from temptations till hee saw the perfect commandresse of his dearest loue The Lady was troubled yet at last like other crosses shee did beare with that but in the night she thus lamented Wretched woman aboue all accursed must my affection first be placed on worth that worths name abuse me and my trust which were I better hope of that I was betraid and cousned by a false and treacherous man then by the Prince No sure I was deceiued for none but he that did betray me spake of him here one cals him away vnto his country O I was deceiu'd and am and shall be haplesse Emilina borne to ill nursed to misfortune and must die by change Alas Amphilanthus I did loue thee most best and my youngest loue and most innocent was giuen to thee I knew not loue when I did find that I loued thee my heart was thine before I knew it was mine owne to giue thou tookest it I thought did prize it too thou calledst it thine thine owne beâ—t heart didst cherish it and kindly made of it said I did arme the God of loue himselfe giuing him sight and power and when in Verse I once did waile a little absence which I was to suffer by thy going for one weeke from mee in that small space thou didst repay my lines calling me sweet more kind telling me if I did harme mine eyes I should disarme loue and vndoe the throne of him and his and yet all this is falfe and thou O thou vntrue Deceiued I am yet why didst thou plot for my ruine If to gaine by me why didst thou not make all the Country thine as well as me No I doe see thy conquest was but me and I was only for a prey to â—atisfie thy will variety of loues not faire possessions are thy aimd at-games Yet Amphilanthus true or false I must still loue thee best and though thou wrong me I must loue thee still What torments haue I alas for thee indurd How haue I searched my heart and found thy Image as if lim'd in each small corner of it but all ioyn'd in that seruice made it round and yours yet are you false O me that I must liue and say Amphilanthus is proued false and vnto me yet this braue Stranger saies hee is abused well bee it so I loued him as that Prince and so my crosses came Is it not possible O cruel man Prince or whatsoeuer els that thou wilt back returne Come home againe and be thy first sweete selfe kind louing and if not a Prince I 'le make thee
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
so temperately carried himselfe as she sought and he granted when he had done sufficient to make her sure and finding himselfe so deare to her hee tooke occasion to demand many things of that Countrey and of her Castle She to indeare her selfe to him told him of her power and at last all her secrets concerning the Prisoners he counterfeited an admiration of her wâ—tt and seem'd so highly to esteeme of it as if it rather were a miracle to be told then found in a woman shee to make him assured of it carried him into the Caues and Prisons where she shewed him many so miserable as they appear'd their owne Ghosts their bodies quite consum'd In a Caue a little lightsommer but no more pleasant was the worthy Parselius and his friend Leandrus both chain'd togeather in chaines and in each others armes complaining and weeping their sorrowes to those walles and diâ—mall roomes O Parselius said hee how wretched art thou thus to be held not onely in fetters but from thy sweetest loue what will become of her when she shall heare that I am lost What will my friends say of me how will all accuse me yet how can I right my selfe or they succour me Braue Rosindy would thou didst but know my estate I know thou wouldst free me or if not thou wouldst yet certainly comfort my wife thou art to succeede me likewise be mine heire in louing Dalinea cheerishing her dearest soule my afflictioÌ„ is nothing to me must not she suffer too I could beare all more if thou wert not likewise to endure paine vnsufferable to know that Dalinea must be afflicted death were nothing nor these dying paines if I could be sure she dearest she could but be patient wheÌ„ I consider her affection to me the torments and violent passions she breath'd in my first absence doe not they make me see her death Oh my sweet soule I would rather forgiue thee for forgetting me then for dying for me yet the latter were the worthier and none indeed is worthy of thee for none but I can so firmely loue thee must this body so louingly embraced and kindly held within her purest armes be bound in yrons like a thiefe must I cherished and daily tended by her lye here naked on the bare stones and die like a vaâ—lell these armes that haue conquer'd be sham'd like a murtherer these eyes that haue seene all the world's beauty nay Dalinea haue bin kiss'd by her must these eyes now gaze on dead walls expect sight but to see death instead of all my former happinesse O Leandrus had I died and by it kept thee free my soule would haue reioyced and Dalinea bin better contented but to die here and thee with me shee can neuer absolue me Deare brother said Leandrus comfort your selfe and if it be but to be the abler to die brauely what neede we lament our fortunes doth that for vs be patient and death if not dislik'd will seeme enough pleasing make it to vs desired it will then be welcome and beleeue it the more we pitie our selues the more we shall hate that which we shall goe to and therefore the more to be sought thinke but how fine a thing it is to be free from all vexation when wee shall neither trauell nor feare misaduentures neither be taken by misfortune nor shaken with the harmes of others when neither loue nor hate afflicteth vs where all things are at one stay no fall to hurt vs nor rysing to corrupt vs when friends shall neither be disconteÌ„td nor contented but in death Dalinea wil be held from me cry'd he else I like al the other wel Could you wish her here with you said Leandrus No cursed were I then sigh'd he but I would faine once more behold her ere I died To be more torture to her saide Leandrus content your selfe dearest Parselius said he and be confident the Heauens ordaine all things for the best then doe not repine you haue made your selfe already famous sufficient to gaine sorrow for your end and reuenge be then braue and resolute and make bold Death by your constant suffering quake to assaile you O my Dalinea doest thou thinke of me thy poore but loyall Parselius said he thus did he waile and Leandrus discreetly comfort being in equall misery Polarchos and his Mistris harkning to them she glorying in their distresse he in soule lamenting them but must counterfet till fit oportunity was offer'd which in short time he gain'd for so fond hee had made her of him as she gaue him the keyes of the Prison and what else hee demaunded Then did he prouide armours for them and one night in the dead time of the night when all saue his carefull eyes and Rosidi's were shut stole downe into the vault and there discoursed with them letting them see both hope and ioy in them Soone did this worke so with them as they recouer'd strength and after some time were fit to goe with them the night being come for their escape the honest Morean who yet without his Wench would not goe and Rosindy went for them carried them into an Orchard thicke close where they were to tarry his coÌ„ming which was about some houre before day She loth to part with him as being the last time of enioying her soule foretelling some harme but being so ill not able to tell her any good to her selfe or to preuent hurt was onely troubled he as willing to stay for the same reason of being the last for she was pleasing but when he roâ—e and put on his mantle and other cloaths he againe sat down on the bed and taking her hand kiss'd it she tooke him in her armes and kiss'd him farewell deâ—re Lady said hee my better selfe cry'd she farewell Hee presently went downe hauing the keyes a back-way into the Garden and Orchard where they stai'd with his Armor then arming himselfe he toke his way with them to their horses which attended them at the further gate A litle sad he was to goe though glad considering the cause but so long had hee dissembled and so feelingly acted his part as he was caught indeed such were her allurements her sweetnesses louingnesses delicasies and pleasures as shee was fit for any seruant and yet such her changing she deseru'd none that had worth in him yet had he plaid himselfe almost into loue with her Being farre enough the rest made sport with their companion to see his passions and he truely confesâ—ed he could willingly haue stayed with her but if euer said he one more be made such a stale as I haue beene loue will bee vndone for it will turne that way more delight lodging by halfe in this sort then in twenty marriages They were glad he had his content and they by that their liberty so they posted till they ouertooke Meriana who was much molested with Rosindi's stay and well contented when she saw him and happily did esteemâ— of her
a looking-glasse betweene two which to haue wherein she might see her faire follies best yet if euer prid were to be commended it was there to be esteemed for certainely that held her vertuous and so by that meanes one of the greatest sinnes grew like a vertue but no neerer being one then the shadow of the purest Lilley in the water is one neither hauing colour or sweetenesse of the Lilley only shape but blacke and nothing of it selfe no more good is in pride but as it is sometimes and here especially vsed for a shadowed vertue Ollorandus when Amphilanthus resolud to aduenture this place did likewise thinke to doe so too for such a friend he was as he imployd himselfe wholly to be his imitator then did he best in his own opinion when he did any thing or said any thing like Amphilanthus but yet he kept an vnuiolable affection to his Melysinda whō he went to fetch to the aduenture but as he went he met the newes of the Emperours death which hastned him home faster if it could be or if wings can be giuen of more speed then those of loue with which hee flew yet hee had the fortune that trauelling Princes haue for this chanced to him A Gentleman he met all in mourning his face more expressing it then his cloathes though in the exactest fashion for shape and blacknes armes he had none but his owne armes foulded within each other his hat downe in his eyes his pace slow his sighs many his teares had spent themselues so liberally before as now he had none left to shed the spring dry and stop'd with heauy sorrow his speech when vrg'd by Ollorandus to speak was as if frozen and only melted or thawed by good manners to giue answere though but no deeper the thawe peirced then to make a little moistnes to freeze the harder on it for so few was his words and so long before gain'd as it was almost like a hope of great content a louer promiseth himselfe when he thinkes after a long absence he shall enioy his loues sight a whole day when that day comes his fed imagination in conceit is so soone made to sterue againe with the speedy passing of that time as it is worse then if not had and indeed scarce is it had because the expectation so much excells the enioying so did the King in this for when he had got him to answere once he prouoked him with such discourse as he thought should procure a large scope of replye but he only looked on him sigh'd cry'd I am the perfect scorne of fortune what neede I or can I say more The Bohemian would not thus be satisfied but stil vrged the Gentleman stood still bare-headed in respect to him but more words hee got not of him for a great space at last fearing that too great inciuility would bee layed to his charge hee thus spake Sir said hee what offence haue I giuen you that you should seeke this reuenge on mee to make mee wound my selfe with my owne miseries relation Alasse consider when misfortune is befalne on how doth euery one that loues him striue to keepe his discourse from his friends eares if hearing bee painefull what is the telling it when the soule euery word that is spoken feeles torment insencible tasting the harme knowing euery corner of it as an Architecture doth in the framed building his imagination casteth yet seeing their satisfaction can be obtained but by this I will speake what I am loath any but my owne heart should know out of two reasons being so deare to me one because my dearest deare was the Actor the other that the fulnesse of the griefe stor'd vp might choake and kill my heart and so send me to her but your importunity hath preuaild and I haue now set open the two gates of my silence to the ruine the enemy speech will bring to my soule I was borne to honour and dignity wealth and what men most esteeme I had plenty of I was fauoured by the King imploy'd by his Maiesty in office and command but what did I gouerne when I was ouerrul'd by loue A Lady I affected she loued me and spar'd not to giue me all testimonies of it another sought me I grew proud of it and accepted her affection likewise the former saw it wept to me and tax'd me for it I protested against it and yet was guilty shee at last by my vnpardonable offence being certaine of it for I neglected her this second I doted on bewitch'd by her charmes she onely had power ouer me shee could onely make mee doe any thing I left the Court almost for her neuer thinking my selfe at rest but when I was with her businesses were tedious to me sought before by mee for I did loue imployment till I imployed my selfe so ill as to bee her seruant◠shee as I thought as fond of mee I ioyed in that and to satisfie her left all the world vnsatisfied of me and as many to scorne my weaknesse as in former time admir'd and loued my readinesse my poore true loue liu'd this while disdaind forsaken and almost contemn'd more wretched creature I who was ordain'd to doe that ill to spoyle my selfe with all In this time of my blindnesse another got my place in my masters brest growing so powerfull and dangerous as I was forced to oppose him for hee spared none to worke his owne ends on I was vnfortunate in that likewise for then was hee so mighty and besides so ill as hee forgetting all but himselfe brought many into the Kings displeasure I repin'd at that and seeing at last no remedy tooke armes with many other my friends but too weake wee were and I taken by composition in mine owne Castle yeelding on condition all the rest should bee spard that was granted and I alone carried to the Prison the greatest Traytors are carried vnto being called the Kings Prison there I lay ten dayes till euery thing was ready for my arraignment then was I brought forth and after by the great men condemn'd I could not say they did vniustly for a subiect ought not vpon any termes to weare armes against his rightfull King I was contented with the censure setled my selfe to dye and was grieued for nothing but that I should not kisse my loue before my death The night before my appointed execution when I was meditating on my end my Keeper came vnto me and with teares told me the compassion he had of my estate I desired him to forbeare putting me into thoughts that might withdraw me frō those more necessary befitting me at that time He would not as hauing a furder purpose giue ouer but proceeded till at last I found by him he had some plot for my deliuery then I was more troubled between two doubts one of the truth of this thing whether it were for my good or only a trap to take me in so to make my death more terrible
ignoble when ioyed with feare basestealing a life or if he meant really how it might be effected These coÌ„trarieties put me into a great perplexity yet I stil held conuenient discourse with him who finding me vncertaine in my answers and suspitious of my selfe brake out in these termesâ— I see my Lord my fortune to be so ill as you whom I most desire to serue mistrust me alas if loue moou'd mee not what plot should I haue to put my selfe into so eminent a danger it is onely that hath wrought mee to this and yet I am mistrusted by you I sought to appease his passion he then went on I haue my Lord said he layd the way and a youth of my acquaintance stayes below with the cords shall if you please deliuer you from death and this place it is more then time wee were about it therefore resolue what you will doe and that speedily I hearing this and looking on a clocke was in my chamber found it past midnight straight led by a bold beliefe gaue consent to goe vp and downe at all houres went forth telling the watch hee was sent for a Gowne for mee to weare the next day at my death vnder colour of this within a long robe hee brought the ropes which hee fastened to the barres of the windowes which were not so thicke placed but one might easily get out the reason was the heighth made the feare of getting thence nothing At the bottome stood the youth hee spake of and made the lower ends fast out hee went first to shew mee the way and try if the cordes were fast then came vp againe and helpd mee forth staying till I was safely on the ground then vntyed the cordes and the youth loosed them below so hee drew them vp and in a fire in my chamber burn'd them shutting the window and himselfe comming downe the ordinary way againe without suspition to any Gate hee duâ—st not bring mee for they were all so strongly guarded as no safety would be there but knowing all the passages brought mee to a little Garden then vpon the wall and there was a Posterne doore low and little but bigge enough but then another danger was how to goe downe on the outside the Castle standing on a maine Rocke but the danger wee soone passed for with some scrambling wee got downe holding by one another the youth though weake yet hauing a strong heart to saue mee help'd beyond expectation this man my keeper had a brother dwelt hard by this place thither he led vs and telling his brother hee was sent of earnest busines concerning the State got horses of him and so wee posted the youth riding behinde me holding me with so much affection as I imagin'd it had beene his care for feare of slipping but I iniur'd him in that for his worthy selfe could neuer slip Wee rid thus till wee arriu'd at a Castle of mine but that not being of strength sufficient wee left it and our wearied horses furnishing our selues better the youth rid well and I was carefull though hee still besought mee to heede my safety hee weary as weake his horse being little lesse they fell wherein hee was hurt but at last hee sure wounded and tyred I pittied him and more when I saw his teares which were not for his approching end as after I saw letting some from mee to accompany his hee seeing them my Lord said hee weepe not for mee nor shed those deare teares for one who once might haue had a life giuen by one of them but those dayes are passed and now my ending as fast as may bee the bruise and death this fall brings mee not being yet so cruell to mee as the fall of your fauour was nor vnwelcome since chanced to mee in your succour I am to tell now the cause of my seruice Loue my Lord hath brought me to this and all other miseries your scorne neuer hauing had power sufficient to make mee leaue louing you which procur'd this action censure me then a louer and not immodest no disguise could euer disguise me but still I lou'd you nor put I any on but for your good and so forced to alter my habits what haue I taken but habits of the much worthier Sexe the noblier to serue you not out of any wantonnesse which heauen can witnesseâ— for had I ecaped this harme and you once safe you should not haue knowne mee but as a poore youth affectionate to your safety I would againe haue returned after the time of your imprisonment I tooke this resolution putting my selfe to waite on one of the guard and neuer left prying vp and downe to finde how I might assist you till happy fortune brought me to this man whose affection I saw such towards you as I ventur'd and hee likewise to attempt what now I ioy to see perform'd and more that my end is brought by so louing an occasion farewell my Lord and I beseech you mourne not for mee whom you thought so little worthy of your loue couer any fault in this I haue committed with the vaile of feruent affection then shall I bee secure and you noble Weepe not deare Lord for mee I must bee gone and in going shall bee molested to see you sorrow for mee bury mee I beseech you not heere but in some of your owne commands that as I am yours my dust may bee also held in your ground and then lest you shall grieue for mee I can now giue you leaue to forget mee then did shee faint for this was my first and truest Loue. I got her with much paine againe to life shee blam'd mee for it yet told mee such kindnesse had preserued vs both if timely giuen then with many prayers for my safety wishing all the blessing that heauen granted to any to bee powred on me shee dyed in mine armes breathing her last into my breast for I kiss'd her when her breath left her I buried her as she desir'd at a Castle of mine whither we rid that night and there remained till my peace was made with the King which hee was willing to and honour'd me so much as I had satisfaction oâ— my enemy but what was this to my losse hauing lost the wonder of her Sexe for loyalty Besides my second Lady for whom I had left the faire patterne of vertuous loue did shew me my ill by requiting me according to my merit but not from her for of her I had deserued well she neuer sent to me neuer seem'd as I heard by all sorry for me but superficially quickly chose another and like the worst of her Sexe thought sorrow would hurt her complexion and so she might liue vnlou'd grew merry and thought no more of me though at the first she wept but why onely to shew how sweetly shee could looke in teares not shedding more then became her were safe from hurting her though euery one because they were hers had if seene wounded mee When I
Pamphilias hee would not knowe it As they pass'd they saw a handsome and well cloathed woman neither walking running or staying but as if she had made a motion of them all and imployd them to her vanity shee one while cryed another chafed smil'd scratch'd her head stamp'd rail'd and all at Loue blind foolish thing said she be thou for euer hated and abandoned haue I not better deseru'd of thee then thus to be handled Must I be a miserable Testimony of thy cruelty when I merited thy best fauours I hate thee froward Childe and will neuer leaue reuiling thee till thou doest requite mee if neuer shame light on thee and thy Baby gouernment Haue I beene a quiet patient of all thy folliesâ— Suffered my selfe to fall vnder thy Tyranny to serue thy wilfulnesse and obey thy vaine employments Are these tollerable or am I not fit to be rewarded Peeuish Boy either speedily requite and pacifie me or be sure to be set forth in thy colours no Bird beares so various or seuerall calourd a Plume as thou dost in changeablenesse which shall not be neglected but set foorth to the life then Sir it may you will say I am bitter but the world shall see that you are vniust Waiward Babe I admire thou hast a face to doe all this withall 't was well faign'd at first that thou hadst no eyes which indeed is the true face for thou canst neither see truth nor be seene truly by it Vnworthy creature an inuention fram'd a thought lighter then thought a Bubble made by breath in a Shell blowne by a straw fired with a frowne reuiued by a smile and ruin'd by an neglect a stately and constant building that breath can destroy that looke can establish or the least of dislike sacke In this fury shee would haue persisted but this Troope had beene and were Louers wherefore they went to her who seem'd like a moouing or stirring water-worke she turn'd to them and from them againe shee cryd and groan'd then scornfully seem'd to defie passion and with a faint forged countenance would haue appeared sociable No greater diuersity is there in womens dispositions who are richer in that vanity then men then she had in her selfe so as good women might hope all the superfluous vanity of that sexe had beene collected and setled by vncertainty in her The Queene of Naples intreated Perissus to speake to her he did so she answr'ed iust like her demeanour at last the Queenes drew neerer to her and demanding some questions of her she answer'd them thus I am said shee a Gentlewoman though vngently vsed by Loue my name not worthy of Knowledge my estate ouerthrowne by mifortune my friends not to be named as being vnfit to consanguinate with miserie and indeed such a wretched forlorne soule as I am onely the shaddow of that kind men most contemne but for their owne sakes and necescities sometimes respect I haue most of my time beene among those of highest ranke but meanest requitall else I had not thus suffered I am a cast-downe-wretch not worthy of life or your presence let me then on these reasons petition departure you shall be noble in granting and I happy in being permitted my owne course Limena well liked this odd manner in her and would not licence her to be freed from them but desired to heare more for said shee I haue beene as you are afflicted and neuer felt more felicitie then in discoursing my woes besides I see you are apt to discouer your passions to these places why not then as well to vs who are and euer will be sensible of passion She lookd vpon her and with a noise betweene sighing and long breathing scorning directly to sigh she answered her that shee should haue what shee sought Then said the Queene I desire to know your losse your despiser aud yet dislike It is this said she I loued a Gentleman who was brother to the Dutches I seru'd hee loued me and swore it perfidious man I belieued him and granted what he asked he made of me as we doe of the best fortunes and was contented with nothing so much as with my Loue nor did I ioy or indeed glory in any thing but his affection this vndid mee and I a poore yeelded creature and spoiled by him remaind the poore Trophy of his victory and my losse I sought yet long time after I writ to him both in Verse and prose but alike to his vnderstanding and alike taken and receiu'd Hee remembred my kindnesses and thank'd me but yet rewarded them no further like a King that takes a Present and likes it but thinks it was his Subiects due to present it and so meanes not to reward the bringer scarse the giuer no more did he for I was both giuer and bringer and yet as one cast off and forlorne I vrgâ—d Faith and constancy hee confest it with faire words but alas his rewards were miserable and dry I then after a long and most laborious suit and toyle to winne or rather keepe but part what I once had had recouer'd not so much as dammages but all lay still on me I then writ some Verses to him which I haue in memory hauing made them vpon the subiect of many vnhappy Women but bringing them all to my sadd estate the Verses are long and teadious therefore if you please I will let them passe and continue my discourse Nay I pray said the Queene let vs haue them and the story too we haue time enough for both and no time being able to be better spent we can affoord the euening into the bargaine rather then misse such a relation Then Madam said shee when I saw no merit no loue no remembrance nor any thing could worke against a newe choice which he had made I framd these lines as my last peece resoluing if they preuailed not to let all goe and fall to the resolution or indeed more properly distraction I am now in the Lines be these DEare though vnconstant these I send to you As witnesses that still my Loue is true Receiue these Lines as Images of Death That beare the Infants of my latest breath And to my tryumph though I dye in woe With welcome glory since you will it so Especially my ending is the lesse When I Examples see of my distresse As Dido one whose misery was had By Loue for which shee in Deathes robes was clad Yet lost shee lesse then I for I possest And loue enioy'd she lik'd what was profest Most cruell and the death-lik'st kind of ill To lose the blessing of contentments will Faire Ariadne neuer tooke more care Then I did how you might in safety fare Her thrid my life was to draw you from harme My study wholly how I might all charme That dangerous were while pleasures you optain'd And I the hazard with the labour gain'd Yet shee this his life sau'd he her honor lost That false Prince Theseus flying left her crost With his abandoning
feare of seeming too vaine and boasting of my happines therefore I will with your permission ouerpasse them and follow the high way to my misfortune Hee loued a farr greater Lady then my selfe when I aspired to winne him I preuailed she grew infinitely despised but I was blessed and with little pitty at last compassion beheld her though with much respect ioying to thinke I had coÌ„pass'd my desires crossed my Riuall after this had coÌ„tinued some time I thought I saw my selfe cheife how was I ioyed and how triumphed I in my victory but then as a braue Hauke hauing seazed the prey after a delicate flight is taken off from it as if she gained but for another so did I but get him from another and to another must leaue him yet held I chiefe a while and thought I had got a preferment in being the Lady his respects were shewed vnto the rest but as I had been second and to receiue fauours by stealth which are surest and heartilest giuen from the soule as I too well know which grieued mee to see any other haue but I was to be patient and obedient loue taught me obseruance this was an affliction but nothing to that which followed for then hee fell in loue againe with one to whom either his affection so subiected him or her peremtorie power abased him as he quite left me and looked vpon me if by chance I came in his way like a Iudge on a Thiefe or offender sternly and curstly I melted with sorrow I pined and starued with vnkindnesse but all this preuailed not I then gaue Hope quite ouer and embraced Despaire and with much adoe got quiet in vnqâ—ietnesse Into the Country I retyrd leauing the braue City resoluing neuer to see Court or company more but one time a neare Kinsman of his and one most inward with him came to my house where I dwelt I bid him welcome after my old manner but hee found sadnesse in me suteable to my state he disliked it not yet after supper sought to perswade me from such melancholly and retirednesse which he said was not onely hurtfull to me but to my honour the world speaking and guessing strangely about it What is that to me said I Is it not as fit the world should see my sorrow for my losse as my content for enioying I neuer was sparing to manifest the one I will not bee ashamed or afraid to suffer for the other with as much confidence as sorrow which truly felt will licence me He said refraining the Towne and my Parents would bee too meane a part for mee therefore it were much better and nobler to shew it if I desired that then to sit at home as if I would couer it for thus my brauery in bearing appeared not I finding him presse me so farre began to draw so neere to hope as to thinke it might be he was set on then my thought I saw he had commission and heard directly the words of my loue deliuerd by him as a Bird taught repeating his lesson yet I dissembled a while till so long we had discoursed as I was forced to discouer my conceit which thus I did If said I these speeches haue proceeded only from your well-wishes to mee I must be sorry for them since they tie me in a stricter band then I willingly would bee oblieged in my merits or power being so small as I shall alwaies be forced to remaine indebted for it and so much as I shall not hope to be able to pay the due but if they come from another fauour me so much to let me vnderstand whence they are that I may make my resolutions according He that had not bin nice to declare what concerned me especially if good plainely told me that hee could not be iust in this to vs both yet because he would begin as he wished the succeeding might be happy therefore Madam said he I was commanded by my friend and Cosin to perswade you to come vp and he will if you please to accept of his seruice deserue by loue to be yours againe May I belieue this cryd I as you will belieue any thing spoken by your truest friend and seruant I gaue credit to him and with him as onely to visit my Parents and taking the opportunitie of hauing his company went to the Citie as soone as I came to my fathers house I saw a well knowne seruant of the Knights I loued I felt instantly my blood euen spring in my breast as warming mee with hope and almost ioy soone after he came and supped there carrying so fine and curteous a fashion to me as might haue wonne a new heart but mine was his before and if euer I was sorrie it was bestowed it was at that time when my thought he deserued the noblest and best heart to bee giuen him for that gentle returne of loue which as my onely content and hoped for blessing I most willinglie embraced then did I forget not onely all my â—orrowes before and my paine but was an new creature made of ioy All perceiued the alteration and ioyed with mee some seeing the causâ— others that knew not the first chance admired me and grew merry at my pleasures but long had not they this cause of mirth nor I the happines for after a confident and setled beliefe of his constancy not then euer to remoue he grew a little slacke again by degrees as one that dies with bleeding looseth the outward sense of sight so by little little growes to death so did his fauors to my death of parting with theÌ„ I finding this grew to my late estate again and sorrowed at last fell sick in which sicknes he came vnto me I then spake some thing to him not so freely I confesse as I thought to haue done but so much as hee I saw vnderstood me sufficiently but so coldly he answered me his fashion being so different from loue as if he had but heard a tale not the truth nor so much as looking on me like the complainer or suter At last he said that I should haue no cause to doubt him I made my selfe for all mine owne eies iudgement stroue against me belieue he meant iustly which indeed I cannot say he then did but after proued it true for he tooke away all doubt and gaue me certaine knowledge but of what alas my perpetuall misery for such a stranger he grew as hee seemd either ashamd to know mee or disdaind the knowledge of me One day I found him with his loue I comming to visit her Lord what a poore salutation he gaue me yet at last as I was going away hee spake to mee taking occasion of doing something neare the place where I stood I answerd him but thought I to my selfe am I or must I euer be the Vicar of the Empire to his loue neuer enioying but in a second place vnlesse the first be gone and then in the interim raigne but
Selarina drew neere to the Shepheard who with low reuerence welcomed her She demanded many things of him he gaue her true and witty satisfaction at last she desired to know the cause of the Shepheards shunning her hee answered that he did the like when he discerned any company being vrged vnto it by a violent melancholly which would not permit him time for recreation if any but himselfe came neere him She asked the reason He replyed that secret was his friends and therefore besought pardon if mine owne said he I should be happy in hauing such royall eares to giue hearing to my story she still vrged so much as he was forced to obay Then Madame said he since your Maiestie will haue it I must yeeld one's Princesse hauing power to search all Subiects hearts This man my companion and my selfe were sonns to two of the best men in this Island he was called Sirelius my selfe Procatus we were bred together at Schoole first after we went to the Court of your Lords Grandfather where we liued and in good reputation hee meriâ—ing all mens good oppinions by his owne noblenes and excellent parts my selfe I thinke for his sake was respected expecting something in me who was frieÌ„d to so much worthines At last he fell in loue with a young Lady the only daughter of her father mother a great marryage she was likely to be but the true riches he sought was her loue answerable to his affections She was very young hauing so few yeares as her Parents were loath she should heare of a husband yet at last his deserts and store of friends brought the marriage about and some honours were giuen to the father in requitall of his consent The Lady grew on and the time of marryage came which was solemnized by the Kings command at the Court where great tryumphs were Masques and banquets and such Court delights neuer man with greater ioy receiued a wife nor any woman expressed more comfort in a match but where such violence is seldome is their loue lasting for within lesse then two yeares after the marryage whether his fondnes ran to Icalousy or her youth and loue to change gaue occasion I dare not iudge but discoÌ„tents grew disliks of all sides spread them selues the father tooke part with the Son in law the Mother with the Daughter to that extremity this â—lew as no fire flamed or sparkled higher Most mens eyes were vpon them to see whither this would come and for whom all this storme was raised it was discouerd that this stir was about a young Lord who deseru'd alas not the least suspition for any goodnes that for himselfe could inuite loue from any aboue a common creature such an one he might purchase or shee because hee was a Lord take vpon trust to find more then promised his pride was such as he would loose rather then beg his ignorance such as none that had vnderstanding of worth would or could accept his vncertainty such as he was alwaies making loue and his fortune such as he was still refused and his insolency requited with scorne yet of this fine Gentleman my noble friend was mistrustfull his wife I must confesse carrying a little too much respect to the other and yet on my conscience it was more out of her spirit that disdaind to be curbd then extraordinary liking of him and that often is seene and proues the way to make truth of mistrust He forbad him his house and her his company she refused to obay if by chance shee might meete him Her Cabinets hee broke open threatned her seruants to make them confesse letters he found but only such as between friends might passe in complement yet they appeared to iealousie to be amorous He was so distemperd as he vsed her ill her father a phantastical thing vaine as Courtiers rash as mad-men ignorant as women would needs out of folly ill nature and way wardnesse which hee cald care of his honour and his friends quiet kill his daughter and so cut off the blame or spot this her offence might lay vpon his noble bloud as he termed it which by any other men must with much curiositie haue been sought for and as rarely found as Pearles in ordinary Oysters but what time chose he to execute his fury in but before her husband whose loue though crackt was not quite broken nor so much crusht but that hee held his hand which with a Dagger was giuing her a cruel vntimely end yet a little scratch he gaue her iust on her hart which otherwise had laine opeÌ„ to the disgrace of an vnmerciful vnworthy father She cryd out the husband held his wife who poore Lady was ready to fall vnder the weight of vnkindnes and danger It was a strange sight to behold a father incensed for a husbands sake against an onely child that husband to be the shield of her defence from whom if at al the wrong was to rise This at last with much ado was appeased a seeming content sprung out of these blusters among theÌ„ the Lord left to his pride wherwith he pufft himself vp was fild with it like a dropsie or a blader blowne with wind the quarrel was taken vp too between them easily might it be for my friend could not by any meanes prouoke him to fight chosing rather to giue satisfaction by oath promise neuer of seeing her more to be tide to any conditions then drawing his sword Matters thus pacified God blessed them with a son and daughter after which she died leauing them as witnesses of her loue and to speake for remembrance of her after her death A widdower he continued long his children bred with much care and affection with the Grandfather trauel he did both out of his own loue to it and imployment from the State but all this could not roote out the aptnesse of his disposition to loue so as hee fell enamoured of a beautifull young Lady daughter to a great Duke in Romania whose perfections and yeares called at eyes to admire her and his to be her Vassels With much sute and meanes he Courted her employing all his friends to his assistance of gayning her shee was not allowed the greatest liberty but affected it as much as any shee saw how braue his former wife had liued and in what liberall fashion she might also with him continue these were sweete motiues to a great minde and a low estate of meanes where honour call'd for plenty to supply what she was indued with Her father was against it vehemently and shut her vp but these courses preuaile no more with a louer then to increase loues force in fetters as any Creature for keeping close growes the more furious when libertie comes and so did her loue grow to that heate as wheras mild perswasions might at first haue beene acceptable now nothing but marryage will content her which so much gayned in my friends breast as he
bringing Beauty and Youth in excellency before his eyes to make mee excellingly vnfortunate hee was caught with those faire allurements and I tyed to mischiefe by that taking Woe is mee I lost all my comfort all my ioy by that but at last a greater ill tooke mee for another got him from vs both who had long sought it but while he held fast to me she could not gaine him beauty was the vntying of my blisse and wit her losse yet I had the fairer share in loosing that a faire creature was my vndoer like the fortune of Paris she a terrible harme to haue her ioy and hopes bereft her by a witt which gaining discouer'd her want But I pittied her though shee had robbéd mee as if I should haue compassion of a Thiefe that another causeth to be executed who hee had before stolne from me and was forgiuen so I forgaue her and was sorry for her who long outliued not her losse Was shee a marryed woman said Perselina when shee dyed Shee was answered Pelarina Did shee much loue said the beautifull Princesse Like Women that loue the ordinary way of loue said the other whose affection greatnesse gifts or such ends entice not the vertue of loue it selfe after her death hee vsed mee a little better then before as if againe casting his eyes on me for loue or vse Why said Perselina could you haue patience to endure him after hee had vsed you so vildly as to change Patience Madam said she yes and a greater wonder in me affection continued strong towards him and doth though his Mistresse call'd it dulnesse when I told her good natures would haue giuen it the title of patience but I excusd her for it to witnesse my patience I haue been with her in companies abroad nay at her owne house and seene all what I had once enioyed giuen to her my eyes looked not on as if blear'd my hand vntouched as if poysonous hers kist babies look'd in her eyes smiles flowing to her frownes plentifully shewing themselues on me I haue hunted with them I haue gone as one day I must needs remember aboue the rest a Fouling with them where so much fauour I receiued from him who was once mine as she being a little parted from vs to shoote at a Fowle he went as fast from mee as hee could without running while his scorne rann to me An other Gentleman was there and none els he was of his Family and kindred and as true louer of me as I was of his cousens but him I as much shunn'd and rather then goe softly with him I went apace after my flyer the way of necessity leading me to follow my disdainer When they met with what loue did he take her hand and kisse it I following vnmarkt but weary and dabled like a hunted Hare in Winter tyred with my disgrace and weary of my wrongs sweeting with passionate paine and durted in despaire yet loued I still A bracelet he wore of her haire braided and tyed about his left arme a peice of it one day hung out I saw it and griefe with it and yet a little ioy tooke me when I discern'd he knew it should not be seene by me and that he had so much shame or pitty as hee turn'd from me blushd and put it vp out of sight I would faine haue said your newe fauours too much discouer themselues but I fear'd or rather was loth to displease him at first he was a little or much more strange but after he grew sociable and I continued humble finding fault with nothing but embracing all small curtesies or the lookes like them as welcome and so vsed them yet so much it was marked and I discern'd my losse publikely noted as I grew sensible of it and so a small deale wiser for needes I would be free I tried all meanes possible but what force can peruaile against an impregnable strength or steely heart of Faith and loue Yet I vsed all instrumentall meanes that could be thought on I look'd off as oft as my heart could let me I look'd then when I could not choose with resolution to dislike saying in my selfe haue I suffered this for you that scorne mee I would faine haue found fault with his shape his fashion or any thing blaming my selfe for doting on snch an one but these would not serue for the more I looked I saw more cause of Loue gazing though to death willingly I absented my selfe and in absence had got so much heart as warranted me to see him againe and haue my desire of carelessenesse I ventured assured as I thought but couzened I was meerely for though I came in like a Giant swolne with pride of my owne power and assurance of my conquest the true Knight Loue came armed against mee in armes of fire and truth I yeelded and could but like a poore miserable Poet confesse my selfe in Rime thus finding my error with the blisse I confesse of seeing him who I found I could not but loue for all other resolutions DI◠I boast of liberty 'T was an insolency vaine I doe onely looke on thee and I captiue am againe And so indeed I was for I neuer knew loue stronger in me as then of necessity it ought to bee contending with iudgement multitudes I could reherse of his fauours and disgraces to mee of his mistresses feares and smiles but to what ende All can but shew I was blessed and am vnfortunate my face and life say that for mee onely this appertaines to the Story I at last was againe made beleeue he loued me and I was euer in that a wauering religious glad of it proud of it ioyed with it and vtterly ruin'd by it ◠He was in shew as he was wont to be I saw it gladed at heart for it others told me of it I was like a Birde nice and blusht yet receiu'd it willingly ad so as I had cause after finding his neglect againe to grow with shame and teares to repent my credulity and to manifest it with my true penitence I therefore tooke this Pilgrimage vpon mee which now I haue in a kind ended I haue seene Hiersalem confest my sinnes asked forgiuenesse and remission which I hope my desire of pardon though not my merits hath purchased mee and thus I am returnd But are you free from loue said Perselina In troth no Madam said the other I loue him stil but I hope it is now but charitably yet I am afraid to try my selfe left I should finde my spirit like my selfe fraile The Princesse smiled at her pretty innocent confession thinking that shee had learned so truly to consesse as shee could doe no other yet in that shee was deceiu'd for vnlesse shee would shee could bee silent But was your iourney and vow wholly made vpon this wherin you were faulty but in vertue or beliefe to it Mix'd Madam said shee I professe and mixture made it I did so farre beleeue as I granted what I
instantly withdrew her selfe from the windowe threw her selfe vpon her bedd ctyed out onely against misfortune and so brake her heart and dyed her last words being yet though honour and life bee lost I dye iust and truely thine my onely deare Ala and this Ala was all for all my name shee spake death either then wholly possessing her or shee desirous still to hold mee neere her kept that last part in her for her to ende with and mee to liue by yet truely had I like to haue gone with her with her though asunder I may say for our soules vnited had gone together but alas I was not so happy though had I had a spirit like hers or weapons suffered mee I had soone ouertaken her or came to her as her soule parted but I was hindred and â—he had all my powerfull spirit the shew of my falling and the truth of her death was thus The Villaine had dressed mee and a stuff'd-man-likeâ—thing in sutes alike his intent being this and such was the performance in some kinde though too hasty they were that if the King ouercame I should bee throwne downe if the other the counterfeit piece should bee cast foorth that all hope being taken from her shee might the sooner yeeld to him but the Executioners seeing the King downe threw out the framd Alarinus which brought as much mischiefe as all ill could doe for shee seeing it imagining it to be mee dyed and left all misery to dwell with vs especially in me I fell from the window in â— swound thinking the day lost they heeded not any thing more but confident of the Champions victory tended mee striuing to saue me to this misery The doores within a little while after were opened and I fetch'd foorth to death I thought but so it happened not nor neere so much good befell mee for I no sooner saw liberty with the King who came for mee but I mette the cruellest of deaths encountring her death O Myra my best and last Loue thy memory liues in mee and I liue but to remember thee now let mee know if so much loue so much misfortune chastity and deare true Loue rested in your Mistresse else I must not yeeld Hee then twin'd his handes one in another wrung them and sighing wept then lay downe on his side leaning his elbow on the ground and his face on his hand when the Bauarian followed thus Loue I confesse you haue had plentifully shewed vnto you yet as grieâ—e is felt but by one's selfe none being able to compare with the knowledge vnlesse hee felt the equall weight no more can I yet see but that my losse is the greater My selfe am called Peryneus Duke of Bauaria but vassell to misfortune my Lady was called Elina daughter to the Duke of Saxony that now is brother in law to the Emperour that then was she was brought vp with the Empresse and there I fell in loue with her she asmuch did affect me although at that time there were three of vs fiercely wooing her the other two were the Dukes of Brunswicke and Wertenberge the one infinite rich but as poore in naturall perfections for hee is weake in iudgement and discourse else faire and white The other as louely as a man can bee or indeed a woman for delicate clearenesse and sweetnesse but wanting in estate as the other in wisedome My selfe the third and such as you see gained the loue from the other two and the hate of the one while shee was liuing now hee vseth mee well but so shee had beene still would I had still beene hated My ill fortune it was also that the Empresse liked mee shee was not so true a wise as Vlisses had but yet shee was and had a braue Woman and belou'd of many shee nobly requiting most for gratitude is a great matter in Louers This sweet Bird of beauty and vertue Elyna saw the Empresse Loue as clearely as her owne could make it transparent through which shee saw likewise sorrow and was sad as dispayring I hauing that countenance as carefully beholding her as her loue cared for mee I fear'd shee lou'd I sawe shee lou'd and grieued because shee loued For O me I durst not thinke it was my selfe the King of the Romans then now my Lord the Emperour after his receiuing that Title for ouerthrowing the vsurping Duke of Sax in whose place and to whose honour and estate my Ladies Father by the Emperours and Princes fauours succeeded came to Prage where the Court was to entertaine him all triumps were prouided none thought enough to welcome him who had saued the Empire from ruine Sports of Field were most in vse the King most affecting them at those excercises I was one and then called the seruant to the Dutchesse she pleased to honour me with a fauour but the greatest honour was that she sent it by Elina who comming into the Chamber of Presence hauing layd it on her Fardingale I approached like the rest but aboue all others in affection to her shee that day honoured me more then vsually wee was wont turning from the rest and looking on mee bashfully for feare of them sadly because imployed against her selfe as for another sweetly but slowly bringâ—ng foorth these words I am said shee O dearest shee entreated by many to giue fauours this day but my Lord I am determined to deny all because not able to conâ—tent all yet to you who haue not asked I must present this Scarfe giuing me a maruellous rich one of Crimson Tafaty embrodered with gold siluer and dainty coloured Silkes euen to the height of richnesse and delicacy but the delicatest delicacie was that shee presented it mee I kissed my hand to take it and kissed that part where shee had touched it blush I did and tremble with ioy and wonder till shee looking on me my Lord said shee are you amazed me thinkes you should know the Sender this shee spake so low as none but I heard it and I was sorry I then had hearing rather would I haue beene deceiued and thought graced by her then assuredly honour'd by the Dutchesse I bowed lowe vnto her saying I had been richer in content if she had giuen me a Shooe-string of hers She starâ—ed smil'd and with her eyes kindly shewed shee liked my words but gaue no answer so I departed and with the rest of the Court performed what was expected of vs oft times I confesse I looked vp to to the window were shee stood and thence tooke spirit anâ— hope grew then and still increased when I sawe shee entertained and not reiected my humble affection Thus were wee fortunate but how much longer can that word last then it is spoken Alas no longer for no sooner were wee truely assured of what our soules called blisse enioying hearts wishes in loues happy remembrance that yet said this is and was when miserable Fate her Aunt discerned it wearing quickely then glasse eyes to make euery mote seeme thousands and so
neither mee nor these expressions of loue I haue done all this and I yet haue not done enough for O how worthy is he though vnkind to mee you might yet most cruell man haue shewed more gratefulnesse and I had been contented no colour you haue to excuse that with all for you knew my loue you seemed to cherish it all eyes saw it too for my face shewed it I stroue for nothing more then meanâ—s to declare it mine eyes did looke but for meanes to shew how they and I were won by you my lipps haue parted from themselues to let my tongue make true confession of that you then seemd with expressefull ioy and content to entertaine Where is that loue now gone where is that content you embraced departed and with that instant forgotten the Heauens will yet for me witnes my vnchanged heart and vnstained affection the aire hath been and is so fild with my complaints and protestations as I wonder it doth not like Ordinance rattle in your eares the Sunne hath blushed for you the Moone been pale and wan nay hid her face from my teares which I haue shed for your inconstancy All things heauenly and earthly pitie me except your selfe from whom onely good by pitie may arise Why did I open my heart alone to your loue shutting it to all other motions to be thus carelessely throwne off but I am well enough requited since had I fortunatly held these passions in me the fiercenes of them might by this haue rid me of these during torments haue left this poore body a loyall sacrifice to loue the loue of the most vngrateful Vngrateful why do I cal him so pardoÌ„ me dearest though despising deere I wrong you more in this title which is the worst that can be giuen to maÌ„ then you haue iniur'd me though with vnmerrited deceit it was a certaine and too great confidence ioyned with assurance of what I most desired that betrayed mee and my ioyes with it else I might sooner haue seene if not maskt with innocent belief and abusd with trust or am I punished for aspiring to the ioy soules on earth can beâ—t and chiefliest couet as blest with inioying in hauing your fixed loue Oh confidence I feare t is you that I must curse you are the honest though vnfortunat chanced-ill that haue vntied my hope Was it good nature made him so refraine my sight and presence nay vnlesse by force my words and that because you cannot loue still nor wil say so in charitie you will auoide all if so be yet more mercifull and multiply your pitie with this free increase kil me at once for all torture me not with sorrowes I will truly and religiously confesse I am not worthy of you but it is not my fault I wish I were so fit as you might euer loue and such an one as all the world might thinke fit for you then I know you would be iust nor wish I this for any benefit but for your loue for else in the comparison of other gaine vnto my selfe or any other then your loued selfe I rather would wish to be a Black-moore or any thing more dreadfull then allure affection to me if not from you thus would I be to merit your loued fauour the other to shew my selfe purer then either purest White or Black but faith will not preuaile I am forsaken and despised why dye I not it is not fit no t is not fit I still must liue and feele more cause of woe or better to say to see my cause of woe Cruell forsaker looke but once on mee or rather on my loue there you shall find if vnremoueable affection and zealous truth can seeme deserts I will and doe deserue you in them better then any and more then any if not not my selfe againe shall doe my câ—aselesse plaints may some way claime reward my nights spent wholly in salt floods of teares eyes turned to swelling Riuers may lament that they and I should thus regardlesse passe some other motiues which your selfe best knowes might tie you in a bond more kind and gratefull but these I vrge not be your owne best selfe and as once you were then will you still be free from cruelty if not accused by Iustice selfe and then too large a punishment will second the offence Offence alas I cannot call it one for I am yours and may not you dispose of yours as best doth like your selfe Yet is there meanes to helpe if you please to assist if not condemned I will remaine till I may haue my end which most I wish and speedily I trust to gaine then if your once most vallued vertuous gratefulnesse be sent t will be too late only this good I may receiue or my cold ashes for mee that when my death shall come vnto your eares your matchlesse heart may be content to let a sad thought hold you for a while and if so too too much for mee who still do wish your blessednesse In this manner vnluckie Princesse shee passed that night till day appeared Ay mee sad night said shee haue you now left mee too shall light afresh perplex mee my waylings â—itter were to bide in you afflictions sounded best in you darke blacke and terrible as you were is my state vncomfortable and affrighred howers suted better with my woes my fortune like your face my hopes blacker then your saddest Mantle whose dulnesse changeth them into despaire yet liked I you farre better then this flattering approaching day you truely shewed my selfe vnto my selfe you were mine eyes to make mee see my selfe and how farre distant I remaind from comfort in my want Then turned she in her bed and put her sad afflicted face into the pillow to hide day from her which she needed not her eyes labouring so fast to deliuer themselues of her teares as their shewers were sufficient clouds to dim all sight with them As she thus lay her Maide that waited next vnto her came in but not daring though so bold as to come into the chamber being more then without extraordinary businesse she durst doe to speake to her a little opened the curtaine and laid a letter by her shee started at it and asked from whom it came from the Prince Leonius said she With that she instantly went out againe Pamphilia opened it and finding another within her heart rise a little in deluding hope but by the little day that was her bed standing to the window she saw quickly what it was And is it come to this said she most true Leandrus I could methinks for thy sake blame my selfe for being cruell to thee yet maist thou rather thanke me who would not dissemble with thee not hauing any loue for thee that I would not deceiue thee This token of thy earnest faith and loue I le keep for thee and weare it for thee nor euer part with it vntill I die and then bequeath it to that Person I shall most affect and make
my choicest friend these teares I shed for thee and pay them as the offâ—rings to thy death O loue O crueltie see how you gouerne mee Then came the King and Queene and all the braue Ladies some to comfort some to aduise some and many to gaze most verily belieuing her sadnesse before had been for absence now expressed for his death but that death-sorrowing-cause was before happened that molested her yet she took this vpon her though in respect of his faith to her shee was sorry to set a colour of deceit vpon any thing that concerned him but this businesse neuer concerned her self and yet her noble gratefulnesse chid her for it She wept they comforted they counselled shee lay silent and grieued beyond their helpe her parents most louingly and kindly aduised she shewed both humilitie in the suffering and humble thankefulnesse for their cares yet did modestly and respectiuely let them see t was lonelines she desired which they granted her No sooner were they out of the doore but they were called againe by a shrike her woman gaue for she with violence of passion held in before them hauing no vent would burst ouercame her they stroue to recouer her Father Mother Friend Sisters Vrania al did their best at last they brought her out of her swound when she sighed groaned and cri'd O cruell then againe fainted and thus did shee thrice but at last comming to her selfe shee was saying more but her senses comming apace to her she found it vnfit and too many Counsellors by wherefore she againe desired to be alone and that was all she required of them which for her satisfaction was allowed her and being alone she thus began or rather continued her complaints which could haue no new beginning neuer hauing end What haue I done but sorrow nay what shall I euer else doe salues I can haue none to ease me nor so much as giue me shew of it O Vrania how maist thou in thy heart chide the murderer of thy affectionate but miserable Cosin Parselius how wilt thou deny acquaintance and friendship with so wauering a creature did not he say and write he loued me did not his still winning eyes assure me and his sweete charming speech confirme me in this beleife I am not then deceiued deceiued O yes but not in iudgment but by faulshood O faulshood what pitty is it that thou shouldest inuest thy selfe in so sweete and delicate attyre once I remember I told him of his change when he lelft Antissia he denyed it not but excused it with hauing chosen better and so to chuse was no fault but it seemes the best is not found vnhappy I must behold these dayes and be left who most vnchangeably loue him Then came Vrania againe vnto her whose hand Pamphilia tooke and wringing it wept and sighed hauing scarce breath left her to breath her sighs with Vrania seeing her passion and the assurance of her end if thus she continued whom as her selfe she loued like such a friend and a discreet Counsellor ioyned in commission with her friendship she thus spake My deerest Cousen said shee let neither my presence hauing put my selfe contrary to your seeming desires of lonelynes into your company nor my speech wholy proceeding from affection be displeasing to you Stoppe these teares which else will find no stay but in your end giue not occasion for loue to see so much his victory and to tryumph ouer your braue and matchlesse spirit or for Man to glory that our weaknes meeting their faulshood can submit so low as to their tyranny Where is that iudgment and discreet gouern'd spirit for which this and all other places that haue beene happy with the knowledge of your name hath made you famous will you now fall vnder the low groanes of the meanest esteemed passion Where is that resolution which full of braue knowledge despised the greatest Princes when they wore loues liuery must this sinke while his tossing follies swimme shall your excellent vertues bee drowned in the Sea of weaknesse call your powers together you that haue been admired for a Masculine spirit will you descend below the poorest Femenine in loue If he be dead you loued loue his memory discreetly how would he grieue if he could into that ioyfull place where he is see you torment your selfe nay sorrow infinitely to see such inability in her whom he had chosen to rule himselfe and his if your people knew this how can they hope of your gouernment that can no better gouerne one poore passion how can you command others that cannot master your selfe or make laws that cannot counsel or soueraignise ouer a poore thought yet it may be you are not in some kind faulty altogether in this since it may bee a liuing loue perplexeth you if so it is worse for will you lie here wasting your dayes and hopeful time in this tormenting fashion keeping that secret which told it may be would helpe you let passion since possessing you breathe it selfe forth and though you will not demand helpe yet if the blessing of your affection were knowne to him who it may be liues ignorant of the happinesse all content without question would be offered you speak then and as to your selfe if you will not trust mee and I will but by chance ouer-heare you I am sure you cannot affect impossibilities If hee be false will you vex your selfe when you may rather bee glad you discouer it before too far misfortune assayled you as longer ingagement would produce if cruell were it not better he matched else-where then that you had fallen into that vnhappinesse if vnconstant which is a thing familiar with men take a good heart and hate that humour by your owne worthy constancy and seeke to preserue your excellent beauty and let not so vncertaine a qualitie hurt you beautie is besides a vertue counted among men of that excellent worth as it wil draw their hearts as Adamants doe Iron yet in this the comparison is not so proper their hearts too tender to resist an easier inuitement but I say beauty will sooner compasse ones desires in loue then any other vertue since that is the attractiue power though worth is often made the glosse of their change which they are in many places forced to take such paines to find found is scarce enough to be called so not being more then iust will serue turne to be termed worth not worth the trauell of seeking yet if some better then no shadow for their fault Preserue your health then that must continue your beauty let not the world blame you with iust cause you haue grieued enough for men euerlastingly to curse themselues that one of their kind should giue occasion of sorrow to the most deseruing woman all is yet well you may with care recouer what is something touched and in time see his repentance which you may pity or bee more wise and respect in stead of louing him who how worthy in