death The word wounded her heart as soon as her ear and as a sharp dart peirced it on every side she strove to resist the unhappiness which surprized her but she was taken at an instant in so much as staggering in Saradins arms who held her up he was at length constrain'd to let her fall upon the Velvet floar clean lost he was ready to call her women to her aid but considering the accident requir'd but sew witnesses and finding in her Closet some cold water he cast thereof upon her face and caused her eyes to half open Madam cryed he suddenly to her come to your self despair not before time happily Anaxander may not be dead and that which makes me think he is not is because you were your self even now just in his plight and I perceive you breath again then presently he unlaced her bodies and when she had more liberty she opened broad her eyes which suddainly were drowned in a multitude of tears and when she would have unclos'd her mouth to have seconded the with her complaints and griefs she could not uster more than two or three sight which she drow from the bottom of her heart and were as many witnesses of her most deadly sorrow Saradin conceived by that action that she was not yet perfectly come to her self and though her fair eyes were exceedingly troubled he saw as clearly as in her heart the second seebleness that threatned her and cast water again upon her face and wrung her hands and cryed in her car and us'd such means as that at length he got her perfectly out of her swoundings When she was ready to begin her complaints one of her women took the boldnesse to enter her Chamber to give notice that a Gentleman desiring to speak with Saradin about matters of great importance expected him at the door Saradin imagining it to be one of those whom he had left with Anaxander went forth with leave of the Princesse and found it to be Almerin who was come hastily to tell them that his Mastet lived yet and that some order or other must be speedily taken to perserve him for that there ran already through the City a whisper of that Duel Saradin intreated his patience a little and ran into the Closet to repair the evill which his first intelligence had caused The Princesse commanded that Almerin should he let enter who recounted to her his Masters adventure whom they had lamented dead how God be praised he was come again to himself how they had brought him out of the way and upon their cloaks carried him unto a green bed where he was much better than upon the strand but where the moistnesse of the night might however do him great harm in case he were not suddainly succoured Hereof they all three consulted and Saradin having proposed to have him conveighed unto a Castle which he had some ten leagues off upon the road to Bisnagar the Princess held it fit without considering in the trouble she was in as well as the rest that that Castle was the first lodging the King meant to take who within two daies intended to depart from Bacicalus to return for Bisnagar and having made choice of a very excellent Chirurgion and the Princess furnishe the Litter they went to take Anaxander and together with Piroxonus and Neander convaighed him all the night as far as the Castle where Saradin at first conceal'd him in a Chamber very private for fear the King in passing might discover him As soon as he had sitted him with what was necessary he left him in the company of his dear Piroxenus and his two Gentlemen and returned upon the gallop to Baticalus which was already full of that Duel And to prevent a search the Princesse thought good to spread a noise that Anaxander was slain for that Lisimantus was seen fly and that the fishermen who had reported it had seen Anaxander stretched out in his own blood without any appearance of life lamented of his people and be wailed of his friends which gave an easie credit of his death It was the absence only of those valiant Cavalliers and of their friends which gave suspicion they had fought for not withstanding the noise of their Duel which had run through the City had they returned safe there being no man to accuse them they had run no hazard nor fallen into any kinds of trouble But when the King found them all four away and that he knew that those from whom he expected greatest supports in the maintainance of his Edict had been the first infringers he raged and swearing deeply that he would be revenged even upon the dead commanded that Ariomants body should be sought for to expose it to the shame of punishment I perceive said he my authority is very openly scorned and I were very worthy to be laughed at by my neighbours if I endured the violation of an Edict made but three daies since for whose execution I have so solemnly sworn upon the Altars I vow again even by my Fathers Soul that Lisimantus though a stranger as he is shall repent him of it and that he shall not so close keep himself in Zeylan but I will one day sinde him our to be revenged on him As for Ariomant who hath been as it were naturaliz'd among us and who hath lived under my pay I will that he endure our justice and that his body dead as it is be dismembred by the ministers of justice and I proclaim him an enemy to my State and Crown whoever shall conceal or assist to the close keeping of Galistenus in continuance of this protestation he promised the Government which Zenobus had of Baticalus to whomsoever should bring him any one of those four either alive or dead immediately every man sets himself upon the quest but there was too faith-full a care had of Anaxanders surety whose wounds however great being found not deadly Piroxenus and he made but sport of that adventure they promised themselves to spend the time merrily one day with the King of Narsinga when they should return to Gonzarat in Princes equipage having sent their Embassadors before them In the mean while for fear lest the noise of that Duel and the pretended death of Anaxander spread through all parts might not cause Orixa whom they had left unknown in Visaporus to suspect some disaster they dispatched Neander toward her for her satisfaction and to tell her the cause of their delay assuring her that as soon as Anaxander should be recovered they would travel for Gouzarat and return with all expedition in the quality they had promised her taking with them only faithful Almerin to serve them as occasion offered it self On the other side the King causing so exact a search to be made for Ariomant sent every moment to Oyazias soul most deadly fears who doubting that her Ariomant was not enough conceal'd was a thousand times tempted to discover his name and birth unto her
aid and make reply to the great wrong the King had done him But that he had scarce opened his mouth when the King transported with indignation take the Impostor said he from my presence and dispatch him with the rest Then was he carried to a Prison till the hour of execution and more tormented for my loss than for his own and when that mournfull time was come surely I shake for horror to remember it before we parted from the Prison they read the sentence of our condemnation and instantly the Hangman took us and all three were bound fast in one Chariot which was compassed about with Halberts and other Officers of Justice so conducted to the Pile where by that cruell Element we were to be devour'd For reconciling of our Consciences three of the ablest Bramins of the Indes were allowed us They did their duty in perswading us to fit for death assuring us the mercy of the Gods and promising a thousand spotless pleasures after this life ended Piroxenus from the Prison to the place of execution dared not once to turn towards us nor to speak one word so much cause he found himself of our destruction His sorrows had already even as much consumed him as if he had endur'd the flames so much he griev'd that 't was not his power by death to expiate a crime by him committed and with his blood redeem the loss which he had caus'd of those he loved more than all the world But surely Madam in so great extremity I could not chuse but wonder at Oriaxes courage and her resolution who being still abused with the belief she had I was her husband not able being bound to cast her arms about my neck leaned her head upon my face to give me her last kiss and seeing that I shew'd but little joy at that her testimony of perfect love which even in dying she then gave me and that the apprehension may be of the punishment might cause forgetfulness of what I ought her Taxilus said she to me with a strong voyce and setled countenance I swear by that same Sun that looks upon us and which we shortly shall behold more neer in Heaven that I am no way griev'd to die since thou in death art my companion One thing there is alone that troubles me and that to see thee sad and that thy heart seems not to hold his wonted seat can it fall out that neer thy faithfull Orixa thou should'st fear death which ought to be a pleasing passage to a far more happy life Let us my Taxilus out-brave our evil destiny and take revenge on fortune which does cross our loves by shewing her a courage able to make head against her and a resolution brave enough to undergo our evils Fair Orixa made I answer I invoke even that same Sun which you have call'd as witness of your courage that my sadness is not for the fear of death but from the just affliction I endure for having as I know abused you Know you fair Princess that in Taxilus you have loved an ungratefull undeserving and perfidious man who was not worthy of the honour of so beautious and so brave a friendship and that it is Cleontus who adores you and whom the Gods have chosen for your husband And as for me behold me not in this small bit of life that rests us but to say I do forgive thee Taxilus and may the Gods allow thy soul to rest in peace with us The poor Princess who was praepossest with that strong imagination that on me she had bestowed her embraced marvelously strucken at the change and that of love there came not one word from me Ah Cruell said she that in the case thou art so neer to yeeld the Gods a reckoning of thy actions doest not apprehend their justice thou miserable dost thou then now deny me because thou canst no longer have me wilt thou by scorn revenge thy death which my love causes thee Ah how ill doth this wickedness become thy sex to leave me in extremity as if 't were sin agaist the Gods to love a maid that is unfortunate Can those be the effects of all thy promises and of thy faith which thou so oft hast sworn me thou should'st somuch have reverenc'd the memory of thy faithfull Orixa as to have lov'd her after death and have preserv'd for ever her Idea in thy heart but see thou giv'st her to another when she can be thine no longer and for a recompence of that incomparable love which made her hold thee deerer than her honour or her life thou wilt not suffer her to dye in patience Thou art not barely pleas'd to take the only comfort from me which I dying had to flatter my self with of thy pure constancy but wilt accuse thy self of treachery and want of faith to kill my constancy and resolution that in deep despair I may depart this life I would have spoken to have dispossest her of that hard belief and pacifie her thoughts but that I scarce had uttered the first word to justifie my self when with a fiercer and a more incensed voice preventing me No no thou hipocrite said she thou double-hearied thankless and forsworn Taxilus thou art industrious at the price of innocent Cleontus life whom most injustly thou accusest to preserve thine own I call the Gods to witness that he never knew me and that thy self art only guilty of the crime for which we are all three condâ—mned Thou may be thinkest that those holy men who hear us may by thy lies be drawn to credit thee and when thou basely bast turn'd all the fault upon thy harmless friend who maketh no defence thinkst to be free But though they were so credulous as to believe thy words and that it hapned which the gods forbid that thou shouldst scape the hangmans hands I vow thou shouldst not save thy self from mine and if before I die I had not leave to strangle thee my ghost shall never leave to haunt thee More she would have said but that her sorrow and her rage made her insensible her eyes and judgement strayed and her heart and voice at once did fall her in the passions of her anger Meanwhiles the Charior which kept alwaies going was come neer the Pile and those that guided us as well the Bramins as the Hâ—ngmen were so courteous as to leave that miserable Princess in her swounding being more willing for the pitty they were touch'd with that her grief should kill her than that fire which was already kindled and mov'd horror in all those that did behold the fear fill spectacle But Ladies for the sequel of this History is yet long and that the hour is laâ—â— may you be pleased I defer the prosecution till to morrow the two Princesses who were equally inflam'd to know the rest seeing the Moon so favourable to their entertainment go on go on Anaxander said they and do not fear our late stay here will cause us
scandal for we sometimes spend a good part of the night as scarless of the air as our domesticks who are acquinted with the pleasing freedom of our secret entertainment No creature hears us nor is there entred in the garden but a little Page who holds a Torch ready to light us at the door when we return unto our chambers Wherefore the Prince seeing there was no danger in so long communication shewing all due obedience to the Princesses proceeded thus in his discourse THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The third BOOK THe customary prayers for our souls before they cast us into the fire were begun when as that Bramin which had serv'd the Princess and who since her comming to herself had leasure to cast about his sight look'd earnestly into my face which formerly he had not done and being he had spent all the last year in the King my fathers Court where he had opportunity enough to note me Unfortunate Prince said he to me for doubtless if my eyes deceive me not you must be Anaxander son and only heir unto the great Alcidaris King of Guzarat what desparation may have made you hide your name and birth and so prefer a shamefull death before a happy Marriage Born as you are a Prince and above all I know accomplished this Kingdome Laws have no pretension to your life since you are he who have enjoy'd the Princess favours Boldly then shew your self for t is yet time and with one word believe me you may save her life and honour and your own I was exceedingly indeed surpriz'd for being known for thought it would have troubled me enough to die it would much more have grieved me to live with such an infamy as to have matried a wife who had been bedded by another and who had nere been thought upon by me the last consideration therefore ruled me and thus I answered him Good father you are not the first that have mistaken me for the Prince Anaxander a whole City have been deceiv'd as well as you for comming out of Persia whence originally I am about some twelve or fifteen months since with a purpose to â—ee all the Indes and especially these parts where I imagin'd not to finde such barbarism I passed through the great City of Campanol where King Alcidaris holds his Court and was amaz'd tâ— see that every body saluted and made me great obeysance as I pust the streets To be short I found they took me for the Prince and even the King himself who saw me was transported at the great resemblance and detained me there some while with him and sent me afterwards away with costly presents No No said he to me no halting before Criples I am no whole City I have but two eyes but you cannot deceive me for you are even the same I mean nor hath the apprehension you may have of death so changed you but that I know you Anaxander and desery the fraud of your disguisement For howsoever should you not be glad to be esteemed such a one as if it did not wholly save it might at least prolong your life and see I not that you deny your self for nothing else but through a brute aversion in you to contractia Princess whom you have abus'd but I profess unto you Anaxander that her life and honor and contentment are more dear to me than your chimeraes And therefore Gentlemen said he to the Guard while went by the Chariot go tell the King that for the honor of hi-daughter and his house t is sit to stop the execution and that I have found out a truths which doubtlesly will ravish him with joy Then instantly one of the Troop went to adveruse the King hereof and in the interimâ— some went to a Fountain which was in the great place for water to cast into the Princess face who was scarce come out of her swounding when a Captain of the Kings Guard accompanied with an unknown old man divided the throng with an incredible diligence crying withall their might to have the execution stay'd hold the King commands it Immediately a very great noise was moved through the whole assembly and followed with great acclamations of joy for there was not one of all the company who was not touched at our fortune and shed not tears for our distress And surely all were much amazed at the comming of the Captain of the Guard for our deliverance for that the officer who went to advertise the King was but then gone and all men thought he must have had some notice from elswhere which notwithstanding had not secur'd our lives had not the Bramin so much observed me as to know who I was and sure this last means had arriv'd too late for that there was not any ceremony more which might retar'd the execution As soon as the Captain whom they made room for was advanced as far as where we were the old man who accompanied him did all he could to cast his arms about my neck but not able to reach me for that the Chariot was somwhat high Anaxander said he my dear Anaxander my Prince and Sovereign Lord what evill fortune hath guided you to this sad place and you dear Piroxenus what have you done to have deserv'd this cruell usage My dear children for so may I call you since from your infancy you have had under me your education is it a dream or reall act of your ill destiny which makes me finde you in this lamentable taking and after such a tract of infinite misfortunes which have crost me since your absence is it possible the gods would give me this much happiness to see you ere I die and guide me to this Country at the instant when you must have otherwise been put to death You may imagine Madam whether I were surpriz'd finding it was the wise Evander who spake to us whom the King my father had ordain'd our Governor and unto whom I bare as great repect as if he had been my father Wherefore howsoever much I was afflicted and notwithstanding any resolution I had taken to conceal my self I could not chuse but shew him tokens of my friendship and answer with my tears that tenderness of his so that none doubted but I was the man for whom indeed the Bramin took me Piroxenus who till then had neither wept nor said one word because the greatness of his grief had drown'd his senses and shut up the powres of his soul waking as from a most deep sleep by the found of Evanders words and seeing they were like to be delivered from that danger hich he thought inevitable or that at least their deathâ—should be deferr'd he somewhat recollected his spirits and exchanging tears and kinde embraces with the old man he did for him what for Orixa he could not The Princess only remain'd silent as of all most surprized and amazed and through wonderfull displeasure she conceiv'd at my denying her had her whole mind
Palace and carried with him the richest Jewels of his Crown This persidious Panaris seeing no way of safety for himself or Master being to crosse the Camps mischievpusly conceived in his heart to kill the King and take his Jewels which doubtlesse would remain as reward to him when he should carry his head to his enemies This purpose was no sooner resolved on but put in execution for when that poor Prince thought of nothing lesse than Treason from his servant he was thrown to ground by a thrust made through and through his body and having cut off his head he carried it to Rozalcan who was encamped towards the River Notwithstanding he was a barbarous man and sought nothing but the death of the King and his children yet could not that action chuse but fright him however he put not the traytor to death but after having taken his riches from him was only pleased to forbid him his presence and no more He presently advertised his brother Zabain of what had passed and they thought good to advertise the besieged by a Trumpet of the Kings death that they might be the more disheartned promising them that if the Souldiers would render themselves they should depart with bag and baggage without any hurt done them and as for the inhabitants of the City they should quoitly enjoy their lands and houses on this condition alwaies that they should deliver up the Princes Araxus and Demonax into their hands The people of that poor distressed City were so moved at the news of the Kings death who had so long a time maintained them in peace as without considering what became of themselves seeing they yet demanded the Princes of them to put them cruelly to the sword likewise fell so furiously upon the Trumpeter as in an instant they had crusht him and their rage was so great as they dismembred him with their teeth and every one would have a plece On the other side the Queen whō the apprehension of an approaching ruin had already very much afflicted having been told of the murther done upon the King her husband what was threatned to her children sound so great a load of sorrow grown upon her as being not able longer to endure it she was compelld to submit unto its violence soon the gods gave leave that wound should pierce her heart took away that life which was but grievous to her Meanwhile the Princess Orixa knew not any thing of these misfortunes and had already these two daies lost all manner of understanding and so great was the strength of her disease as taking from her all appearances of life she who attended her came to advertise us how she had followed her mother Orazia exceedingly moved at this conclusion which she looked should not be so Tragical Ah said she to the Prince interrupting him the poor Orixa then is dead truly she should not have dyed after having past so many troubles Hear the sequel of the story Madam reply'd Anaxander we are not at the end of our misfortunes yet As soon as Piroxenus was advertised of this fad accident he hastily ran to her and finding neither Pulse nor motion in that body which more than his life he loved he forgat his resolution and his constancy and that great courage which all the injuries of Fortune and threats of death it self could not so much as shake was by that wofull spectacle constain'd to yield to his affliction and his sorrow he did at first all that a man in desperation could devise to do in such extremities he tore himself he cursed heaven fell out with those that would but comfort him and when that fury was past over casting himself upon his knee◠to worship those pretious reliques of his love and with a flood of tears bathing the liveless face of the fair Orixa Unhappy Princess said he is it possible that after so much trouble to obtain thee I must all the remnant of my life hereafter lose thee and have the Gods ordain'd I shall not freely have thee in possession till after death O my fair mouth which pale and changed or how ever cold your kisses are do notwithstanding charm me I must love them yet Alan Had I but come before thy last sigh given I might have clos'd my lips to yours that that fair soul which I lament mightnot have had so free a leave to take her flight Give me orixa leave to follow her that without mine she may not go if thou hast any feeling yet of worldly things stay for thy miserable husband thou canst not yet be far direct me quickly which way thou art fled that I may come unto thee Much more he would have said and the extravagance he had already shewn began afresh when being call'd to comfort him I with such language interrupted him What pleasure said I deer Piroxenus can you take in giving testimony of your weakness and appear quite loft in presence even of those who ravish'd with your noble actions past accounted you a demy God and without humane frailty recall quickly dear friend recall thy reason that in our presence it may disavow what ever in its absence thou hast done Thou knowest not why thou moanest and art so unhappy as to give thy self up to despair when thou should'st rather thank the Gods for so great favour as to take her from thee who was ready to be taken by the hands of meer barbarians Imagin she had liv'd falling into the power of such notorious revolted slaves who seek but to exterminate the race of Demonax and where she must have been a prey unto her enemies what would become of her ought'st thou not rather to be glad that she is with the Gods who loved her too well to let her see her last Town pillaged her Fathers Murther and her Mothers suddain death with loss of all hee friends in general Besides these reasons I administred so many other as I somewhat setled his mind but not being able longer to remain in that sad place which had been a theatre unto us of so many mischiefs grief and affliction which had rul'd his heart gave wrath and vengeance at one instant full possession Le ts forth le ts forth Anaxander said he out of this unfortunate City which even affrights me stay we not till the enemies do force it and be taken among those who must give up themselves unto the mercy of barbarians let us revenge the Royall blood of Decan and with the choyce of all the brave and valiant men among us powre upon those Traytors and if we cannot scape their hands le ts at dear rates sell our lives and gloriously expire my blood already boyles with anger in me and I perswade my self that rascall rout cannot resist my sury I had already made the same overture to the Princes and told them 't was the only way which they could try to save themselves seeing how true it was they sought but for their lives and therefore
thereto it was casie enough for one man to know an other by his face and therefore Lisimantus who thought he knew the sound of that voice which spake unto him but could not possibly call him to mind seeing him so near knew him perfectly not having seen him in twelve or thirteen years before and crying out My Father said he casting his arms about his neck is it possible that you are that good and vertuous Eurimedes who brought me into the world and whose name I once bare If my eyes do not deceive me say what occasion brought you hither and what strange fortune made you leave the Trade you drove at Diu to weare the gown that you might condemn your own Son to death The good Eurimedes for he it was indeed was so astonisht at these words as remaining a good space without speaking O yee immortall Gods said he what do I hear what see I what miracle is this Which Lisimantus hearing sufficiently confirm'd in what he beleeved Oh my Father said he I know you without doubt and see the Gods for punishment of my forsaking your house and raising my self beyond my duty in forein parts and shaming my birth which I have till this time conceald from all the world will have me once appear before you for my more Confusion and to have my Condemnation from your mouth O how justly fortune deales thus with me and how reasonably may she repent her of her favours so prodigally bestowed on me I have treated in Equality with Kings I have pratled with the fairest Princesses of Asia I have commanded armies I have every day layd new foundations for vanity and conceiv'd new hopes of greatnesse I have reckoned of the goods of fortune as mine own and now she takes them not only all at once from me but Entrenches on the honor I have gotten with my sword and does not spare my life whereof she formerly hath seem'd to be so tender This my Father makes me see that the world is but vanity that its greatnesse after which so many ambitious spirits run is but vapor and smoak which slips out of ones hand when fastest seeming to be held and that the whole stock of her prosperities are frayl and mutable Eurimedes who by this time doubted no more that it was the very child which he had lost and precious pledg which Pirobus had made him formerly responsable for and for his better satisfaction pray'd him to let him see his right arm naked where finding the Arms of Gouzarat imprinted and his conscience troubled for what he was compelled long ago to do he cast himself upon his knees before Lisimantus and acknowledging him for his lawfull Lord Great Prince said he to him if you have been elevated by your courage and ambition if you have treated equally with Princes and if you have commanded Armies you have done nothing unanswerable to your birth or unworthy of your illustrious parents Know my Lord that you are son unto the great Alcidaris and only to avoid the blame which I had had for not producing you being required of me when you fled from my house I was fain to imprint the Royal arms of Cambaya in my childs arm which was set on yours to know you by when you should be taken out of my hands That child my Lord whom I dare not own is he who unjustly at this day holds your room and for whom all the Court and the King himself have so little good opinion I make you this comession with shame and I who am his father ask your pardon if necessity enforcing me I have so ill supplyed your place Lisimantus surpriz'd with wonder and astonishment caused Eurimedes to rise and prayed him to tell him what he knew of the truth of his History which he did from the beginning to the end and recounted to him how Alcidaris got him on the Queen Bernica his first wife and forced by his passionate love unto QUeen Anaxarete who resisted his sute because he had a son he was constrain'd to suffer his fatherly affection to give place to the violence of his love in conclusion he recited to him from point to point how Pirobus had trusted him to his education that he changed his name Alcidaris into his own Eurimedes lest in progresse of time he might be known for the Kings and that he might be bred among his children and passe for one of them untill he should be called to Court and used as himself the heir of the Crown But my Lord added he when you had stollen from me because Pirobus had exceedingly recommended you to my wife and self and that we received a great pay yearly for you we could not doubt but that you were of great extraction in so much as for the fear of being punished if you were found wanting as for the losse of a great Pension which we received I thought it best together with my wife having seen after what manner the Arms of Cambaya had been printed on your arm to do the like to one of our children who was very neer your age and shape and colour'd hair and is the same who at this day draws all the Court after him and thinks he is the only heir of all those Kingdoms which expect you Indeed had he been of a better inclination and of other breeding than he is my fortune had been greater But the King taking him for his son and believing that he got with me those evil customs and habits which he hath by nature only he thought it sufficient to take me from my trassique and give me an Office which was then vacant in the Criminal Chamber of Justice in Campanel wherein I am Commissary general of all Crimes against the Crown In truth the Office was but too good for me and I accounted it still honorable untill this fatall day of your condemnation wherein I have dishonored both it and my self by adhering to the beastlinesse of the Campanelens who covet to glory in the death of one of their Princes by the ignominious losse of the other but by the gods assistance I intend to prevent it I will go instantly and declare my knowledge to the King and though it be a sad intelligence to know you were your only brothers homicide not knowing him he must in sinte be comforted that you are living and his lawful race not quite extinct In uttering these words without giving leasure to the Prince to reply he left him in his prison with new disquiets for having slain a brother of so generous and good a nature and presently went to King Alcidaris at whose feet he cast himself and made him this discourse Eurimedes his Speech to King Aleidaris SEeing your Clemency is infinite most great and generous Monarch I hope it may extend on me although unmeasurably guilty and unworthy of a pardon for my fault I am here cast at your Majesties feet to accuse my self for having given you my own instead of your
the mysteries of one of the most powerfull Gods In truth I knew not yet what Love was but I knew that Lisimena was the sweetest object of mine eyes and the sole thing in the world which could please me I knew well enough that I ought not to love her and that my inclination was extravagant and rash but when I thought to divert my self from it a certain power recall'd me which I could not chuse but yeeld to Growing in age I increased in affection and my respect augmented in such sort as I dared not stedfastly behold Lisimena because the Love which day by day did kindle in my eyes had without doubt discovered the passion which my minde formed and I feared to undo my self by laying it open to her as well by the losse of my fortune as contentment which had been quite taken from me if I had been separated from her service However I could not so well conceal my self nor keep in my inclination but that somewhat at length appeared in my face I lost by little and little that gayety which was so naturall unto me I became melancholick and grave in short I dayly gave visible signes of a growing affection and respectful which I one day took the boldness to let her see that cans'd it in such manner as I mean to tell you I was retired all alone into the Wardrope where having discovered by a chink of the door that the Princesse came to observe what I did feigning not to see her I cast my self upon a bed and drew a Handkerchief out of my pocket to wipe my eyes bedewed with tears a fegining which became the innocency of my age and uttered these Words so as to be understood O divine Lisimena why am not I permitted to adore you and why hath Nature given me the courage to love you not giving me conditions worthy to deserve a like of affection But I what am I that presume to sigh for you poor and miserable Creature a despicable found Child the refuse of the world and Fortunes Shittlecock Truly t is a handsome thing that should suffer my desires to carry me so high to make my fall the more shamefull it becomes me well to look amorously on her whom the greatest Princes behold with respect and who by the force of her beauty is able to bring down the greatest courages of Asia Die yee incon siderate thoughts yee are so faulty as but for letting yee take place in my soul I do confesse I have deserved death When I had ended those words with a deep sigh drawn from the bottom of my hear I heard a noyse at the door and instantly rising I perceiv'd it was that divine Princesse who having been on her knees to consider me the better and when she found her self surpriz'd by any discourse meaning to steal softly away she could not do it so quietly but that her knee in rising knock against the door that noise made her double her pace and she fled as fast as she could into her Closet for fear left I should take notice of the curiosity she had had to see and hear my discourse That flight of hers put me at first into a great fear for I thought she had gone to declare my childish passion to the Queen and make sport of it through the Corut however she said nothing and in truth her discreet concealing it is the only note that I think I ever had of her good will to me which never the lesse proceeded but from her perfect judgment Since that time she hath been more grave to me and hath not talk'd so often with me as she was wont but I have lov'd her still and flattered by I know not what hope because she had not disocvered me I would not see my condemnation in her silence I therefore persisted and to make my self worthy of the high resolution I had taken I began to be touched with honour and to look upon the deeds of those who were of greatest credit in Court that I might get reputation by their example The thing which facilitated my means of arriving to the glory I pretended was that after the Queens death who loved me and was my only support finding my self used with lesse favour by the chief of her houshold than I had been while she lived and my little courage obliging me to put my self forward by how much more I found they neglected me A certain young Gentleman one of the Princesses Governesses sons who had a mind to anger me and us'd to sâ—off at me could not upon a day endure the high answers I gave his flouts After I had a good while suffered at last I lost my patience in so much as I could not chuse but answer him sharply whereat he growing very angry Thou art too saucy said he in a tone more grave and serious and I will teach thee to know thy duty not to make comparisons thou mistakest thy self too much and so as thou hast forgot thy own name For thou shouldst call to mind Euribeldus that thou art but a found child T is trâ—â— reply'd I briskly to him but whatso cre I am remember thou that I am able to lose thee and so wholly as never more to be found alive And with these words I drew my sword and made him do the like he came couragiously towards me but though he had two years advantage more than I I had so good fortune as to reverge the injury he did me by his death As soon as saw him fallen I put all my surety in my heels and saved my self in my first Master Arbirans house who with open arms receiv'd me This valiant Knight and the greatest of the whole Kingdom had still kept the good will he bare me even from my infancy in somuch as when he had heard my reasons which he found just he kept me a while private until he had justified me to the King of whom in spite of the mother and friends of the dead which were of quality he obtain'd my pardon In acknowledgment of this good turn I ever after was so observant of him and shewed so great a zeal and affection to his service as I can truly say he loved me before any of his kindred and made me so considerable in the Court by the honor of that friendship which all people took notice of that I was respected of both sexes for Arbiran was no lesse loved of the Ladies for his extream civility than by men honor'd for his exâ—eeding valour But truly all these honors were indifferent to me in the only consideration I had to be acceptable unto Lisimena That fair Princesse nourish'd still within me the servant desires which consumed me and by so much the more entertain'd me in my amorous disquier by how much my respect depriv'd me of the means of seeing her for fear of offering an unwellcome and sad object to her Governesse eyes who could not forget the death of her son if
had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
reveal a secret to him which concern'd the Crown In a word he told him that almost every night I lay as husband by the Princesse Orixa and that after the matter was concluded between us she had made choice of him for hee friend to relie on how that he had seemed very willing but that he could not chuse but presently come and give him notice of it that it was very easie to surprize us in bed together where he assured him I came three or four times a week by a Ladder of ropes fastned at her Chamber window He moreover for securing his mothers life protested that she was no way accessary to that shameful act He likewise did all he could to palliate the Princess crime and swore most horribly to make the Prince believe I had suborned her but could not for all that divert the tempest which that night fell on her For Demouax who though at the dishonor of his house was very glad to have that subject of revenge against his sister whom he extremely hated fail'd not to surprize them in bed together conducted by perfidious Callias who knocking at the door of the outward Chamber where lay the Nurse he waked her and having told her that he had some business of importance to her the poor woman opened it unto him and was amaz'd to fee the Prince come in with her son and eight or ten men following him Wonder not mother said the traytor to her Prince Demonax is advertised of a disorder which the Princess uses whereof he knows you are not guilty deliver me the key of her Chamber for he intends to finde her in bed with her minion The Nurse more dead than living for thus seeing herself by her own son betrai'd aplying herself to the Prince Alas Sir said she what can your sister Orixa have done nay can you have any ill opinion of her honor Sweet heart answered Demonax be not you troubled I know you are free give me but the key and you shall see you are betray'd as well as we and that my sister hath dishonored your grave conduct as well as her own birth Piroxenus whose errant there was not to sleep although they spake with voices low enough heard a confused noise of words and thought at first the Nurse was talking to some of the Princess women who were come it may be to watch with her in the outward Chamber but when he perceived they came neer the door and that the key was put into the Lock Ah Madam cry'd he out we are discover'd we are betrayed and without giving the Princess leave to answer him leaving his night Gown behinde him which would but cumber him besides that he had not the leasure to take it with him he made but two springs from the bed to the window and just when as his foot was on the first stop of the Ladder to save himself Demonax came in who seeing the poor Lover flying with incredible haste Take him take the gallant but take him alive said he if possible that justice may be done upon him Presently three of them went to go down the Ladder to obey the command but Piroxenus who carried his sword in his hand had so much reason left him as in going down to cut as many of the rounds of the Ladder as he could in so much as those who followed him finding no footing fell from the top to the bottom and had so ill speed as one of them burst out his brains and tother two so crusht their bones as that our Lover had good leasure to get to his Lodging Meanwhiles Orixa was in wofull case That most unhappy Lover seeing herself surprized so and no way able to deny an action whereof there was such testimony being with shame confounded and possest with horror believing that her Nurse had betrayed her instead of replying to Demonax abuses and endeavouring to disswade him by entreaties she furiously beholding him snatch'd at a Daggar by his side having taken it thou cruell Tiger and unnatural whom once I called Brother I will glut thy rage said she and since the losse thou think'st my honor hath sustain'd must be accompanied with my lifes catastrophe I shall at least have thus much comfort that my own hands shall be my executioners which said she would have stab'd herself but was prevented by the Prince and those of his company whose power she was not able to resist That night therefore they kept her safe during which time she uttered complaints which might have mov'd the most inhumane hearts and I believe the Prince himself whatever hatred he had borne her or purpose taken to revenge himself had sure relented if he had remaiued in the Chamber But he retir'd because her tears should not importune him and in his person would take order for imprisoning Piroxenus and left the sorry Lady in the custody of five or six who gladly would have hazarded their lives for hers if so their duties and their faiths would have permitted them The traytor Callias had no mind to stay among them he too much fear'd the Princess accusations and his mothers curses that poor woman seeing her Mistress in such case though she were no way made a party in her crime would yet accuse her self and die with her left being free and her son author of the Treason her sidelity might be suspected Bind me said she to those that kept her I am as guilty as Orixa and might it please the gods the little life I have might satisfie for both our crimes yea cannot spare me without cruelty nor think I can out-live her life who only is the cause I care to live No Mother no said one of them Callias hath cleared you sufficiently and we perceive what ere you say proceeds from your affection to the Princess your true feeling of her great misfortune The Prince hath too great justice to entangle you in her mischance however you desire to follow her But notwithstanding all their reasons she was so resolv'd to taint herself of guilt by tearing off her hair and knocking her brest as the unfortunate Orixa though so troubled knew she had no hand in that foul treachery and that her son alone was author of it she therefore in her rage had so much wisedom as not to destroy her but beheld her with mixt eyes of love and fury Then as an instant cursing her ill fortune which had lead her to the push of losing life and honor both together she spake to those that watched her and with wrung hands and watred eyes conjured them that if they had not heart enough or rather piety to kill her they would at leastwise suffer her own hands to do that last act on her and prevent thereby the shamfull death was threatned her When as she saw she obtain'd nothing and that her begging drew no other issue from them than their tears refuse me not however said she to them this request to tell
astonish d and though she were recover'd from her swounding yet the freedom of her actions was so hindred as she could nor comprehend nor relish any testimony which was given before her of our births The Captain of the Guard whom the King had sent us was not in less amazement than our selves to see a thing so strange and extraordinary He had till then given such way unto Evanders passion as he had not dar'd to hinder his embraces or his tears but when he saw us silent and in admiration of our misfortunes looking one upon another he came and with this complement saluted me Great Prince said he for such we now acknowledge you and soon enough the Gods have by this sage old mans arivall cleer'd the truth of your extraction The King my Master hath in his behalf commanded me to wait on you and tell you that enough he cannot wonder why you should choose death rather than his alliance which so many Princes have made sute for That to excuse the usage you have had he thinks not fit seeing by concealing your names and blood and having knowledge of the Kingdom Lawes you have your selves occasioned the trouble you leave had and may accuse no other And besides he hopes you will acknowledge what degree he holds among the Asian Mâ—narchs and that if for his daughters love you will not at lest for love of him and honour to his quality you will repair the fault committed by a lawfull marriage Mean while he hath commanded me to guide you and your friend to certain lodgings in his Palace I would not trouble my self to give him any answer because it could avail me nothing I only followed him where he conducted me and we parted from Orixa both Piroxenus and my self not daring to say ought unto her for fear of grieving her a new or waking of her anger This most unhappy Princesse in despair for that her crime was known to all the world and for affronts so publickly receiv'd but more again for my pretended infidelity which she could not possibly forget would not be carryed to her Chamber and her extreme affliction reduc'd her to such pass as that a thousand times she griev'd for leaving the fire behind her as the only comfort left her and solt remedy to end her miseries I was impatient to entertain Evander that I might as well learn from him who so happily had thither guided him as to be told some news from Guzarat and the good man who had the same desires to be at freedom with us as soon as we repos'd a little and had rested in the lodgings were allowed us to satisfie my curiosity began in this sort his discourse My deer Children for so although ye be my Lords and Masters I from hence conjure yee to allow my age and deer affection to call ye many sad tears and sighs your absence hath drawn from me and little rest and comfort have I had since that unhappy day ye stole so inconsiderately from the King of Cambaya's Court where ye were adored of all how are the Gods most just in sending ye the troubles ye have had to punish ye in some sort for afflicting those who brought ye into the world and with such tender care have bred ye up Know then my Children that as soon as your departure was discovered in Campanel the King affâ—cted both with grief and anger having been told how that same night wherein ye had departed a Ship had gon out of the Port of Cambaye and made her course towards the Coast of Zeilan he doubted by reason of hot Wars late made in that Countrey against the King of Maldives that ye might have thither gone to seek occasions whereunto your Courage called ye for this cause he immediately sent after that great Vessell two light Saylers from two divers Ports and sent as well to seek ye over land But long they were not without newes from her which they thought had carryed you away for she was scarce gone out of the Gulf of Cambaye to enter into the great Arabique Sea when threatned by a tempest and finding her self neer the Heaven of Bazaim which is one of the securest of that shore the Pilots thought it fit to cast Anchor there and shelter themselves so long as till the storm were over This stay gave opportunity to that Post who had been sent from Campanel to Bazaim to send out a Ship to meet that same which had put all the Court in trouble But when it was known that you were not therein rage in the King increast so much and the Levity of your flight touch'd him so to the quick as all the love he bare ye he turn'd to hate and indignation I went about to tell him how I had from certain pieces of your discourse with one another in your privacies collected that ye had purposed a voyage to Narsinga and told him 't would be very good to send there after you and that in case you were not met upon the rodes it would be very fit to dispatch an Embassader to the King of Narsinga that at least ye might not pass as unknown people but be receiv'd like Princes No no Evander said he to me they have shewn themselves unworthy of mâ— care or trouble and I am asham'd for having so much already grieved my self for them let thâ—m even pass for inch as they will There declare my self from henceforth not to own them Come go with me into the Queens closet and you shall see that Anaxander hath play'd more the fool than he is ware of The Gos be thank'd I have another Child and Heaven is just in robbing me of him whom I alone did love and upon whom I built all my delight and hope As soon as we were come into the Queens Cabinet the King caus'd Pirobus to come unto him who had negotiated his last marriage with that fair Princess who brought you into the world and who had alwayes served him so faithfully And sure I was exceedingly amazed when turning to the Queen he made her in our presence this discourse Madam said he to her I know the sorrow you conceive for your Sons Levity is so great as that to understand he were no more alive would no more grieve you than his slight wherefore because it cannot add a jot unto your present forrow I intend to tell you of a thing which does exceedingly concern me and which these twenty years I have conceal'd from all the world and most especially from you You may remember Madam when first I sent you Pirobus in Embassage to seek you for my wife you after having courteously received him gave him an answer somewhat cold by framing an excuse touching your brothers death Spimantus who because he had been dead two years before finding that reason insufficient to oppose my just demand he was desirous to instruct him better in your truer meanings and understood by one of your chief States-men that the
when you were about to die a shamefull death that I might turn from off you one of those blows your evill destinies had threatned you withall See Madam what discourse Evander entertain'd us with which set my thoughts into as great confusion as they were but two hours before for I believ'd I was Alcidaris his only son and much it angred me a fool should be my elder brother However I cheer'd up my self in hope or one day having the fair Kingdom of Dulcinda which could not be taken from me And however I despaired not of gaining others which my courage and my sword did promise me But as on our parts we were recounting our adventures to the wise Evander who much blamed us after having told him of Orixas loves and the change we us'd towards her for not revealing our selves to the Prince Araxus a Page came to advertise us the King was comming to see us in our Chamber I was a little surprized at it because I foresaw already what would be the issue of that visit However Piroxenus and I composing our selves as well as we could we went forth to meet him and after mutuall salutations he began and thus said to me I much admire Sir that being born as you are and for our neighbourhood knowing my greatness and my Lordship of the famous Potts of Chaul and Goa which adjoyn to yours you would chuse rather death than my alliance when you had first abused my daughter who had been alwaies till your comming hither the pattern both of honor and of vertue I finding his discourse grew to be long and that he went on reproaching me and excusing himself for the violence had been shewen us suddainly interrupted him to tell him every circumstance that passed I told him of the passionate affection Piroxenus bare the Princess his daughter how that he was my Conzin germain and the only heir unto the Kingdom of Citor how he had borne so great respect unto her as not to dare declare himself her husband though never any save hithself had known her how when he saw things grown to such extremity as they were and me condemned for his fault he went and cast himself at his Majesties feet who would not hear him At length I so far perswaded him as having appear'd his spirit and freed him from the trouble which his former rage had put him in he relished my reasons which he found most just and likely and taking us by the hand that he might suddenly finish Piroxenus Marriage he lead us to the Princess Chamber who was very sick a bed and by her sat the Queen in tears Although amid so many accidentâ— and misfortunes her soul were laden with profound and fearfull thoughts the spite she had conceiv'd against me had not gained so much over her but that her wasting body was still battered with love whose heat joyning to that of her Feavor kindled so great and violent a five within her as Physicians did despair already ever to be able to quench it Seeing me come into her Chamber and the King her father leading me by the hand believing he was come to confirm our Marriage and that it had been done more through compassion of her friends than of my own good will the tears ran in her eyes and to conceal the passion which surprized her she turn'd her head the other side My daughter said King Demonax unto her behold your husband whom I bring you and would it had so pleased the Immortall gods that I had had but patience enough to have understood the truth of a History which will no less amaz your self than me we should not then have had the labour to oppose our Laws against you nor threaten with a shamefull punishment your life and honours which at once I now do warrant you Know if as yet you do not know that those two Knights who have been condemned with you are sons to the most puissant Kings of India this same said he pointing at Piroxenus has the Kingdom of Citor already in possession and is Ceuzin germain to this other who lives in hope after the death of Alcidaris to reign over the Empire of Guzarat They have not only chang'd their names but their hearts also and he who you as you believed chose for husband was never yours more than for manners sake or for civility but hath in that good fortune given his Cousin place who only for his marvellous affection to you merits your possession Turn your self towards me think no more of what is past for which I am more sorry than your self and hence forth studying but to please your self receive with courtesie your real husband whom I here present you Here at the Princess turn'd her face towards the King and seeing it t was Piroxenus he presented her How Sir said she to him that impostor then is constant in denying me after renouncing of himself to quite undo me and you believe him and I shall be so miserable as that you will put off your common knowledge to be overtaken by his lies she would have prosecuted her reproaches when Piroxenus who till then had not dar'd speak a word emboldning him by presence of the King who favoured his love took liberty to interrupt her and casting himself down at her feet he fram'd her this discourse Madam said he though you should heap your scorns upon me and all my life I should repent me of my rashness yet I finde fit I should no longer hide it from you but make known the errour you till now have been in Know fair Orixa that I have never loved any save your self and that the meer consideration of my love and of your beauty hath compelled me to keep Anaxander so long in this Country we have between us both but one desire and one affection wherefore I having learnt by him that your unhappy Inclination carried you to bear him love who was already gaged in affection to another I conjur'd his help and favour to my sute he had compassion on me and admitted me instead of him and that which by good forune I was not able to deserve I got by subtility Love fair Orixa made me bold to deceive you blame therefore him not me who weak against so strong a Master was compelled to yield and follow him T was I whom Callias under favour of the darkness guided where you look'd for Anaxander and in short t was I who in your Nurses presence sware to be your lawfull husband and who made you a thousand protestations of unalterable Love which since I 'me sure I never violated the fear of death has not been able to do it nor shall your scorns of me prevail at all no though you should be more cruell to me than the destinies who have so threatned me with punishments and though by taking all hope from me of your favour you should condemn me unto death I vow I will preserve your love even in my grave Orixa
the honour of access unto you Madam and bid him get him Pen and Ink for that hee found himself yet strong enough to leave his last Will for his dear Sister under his own hand before he had made an end of it feeling his heart to fail him he charged Saradyn his Squire who is now yours to seal it with his Seal and give it to no hand but yours death came so fast upon him as he was constrain'd to leave it imperfect but he had so much reason as to see it Sealed in his presence ere he died I believe Madam by that I have collected from your words since my return his care did only tend to give you knowledge of our births and that to mitigate your sorrow for his death he would be first should tell you of his quality whose heart was vowed to you and whose services you had not scorn'd Then Orazia drew the Letter from her Pocket whereupon they wept again and after Anaxander had wip'd off his tears he thus went on to end his Story Madam said he as soon as brave Aronthus soul had taken flight among the Gods we caus'd his body to be pretiously embalm'd which though so inanimate wee accounted worthy of a Triumph if so the King thought good to grant that honour to his memory which could not be sufficiently perform'd towards so great a Prince we therefore sent a Post unto the King your Father to advertise him of what misfortune had befaln his only Son and that with common consent all the Army meant as soon as Visaporus should bee taken to conduct the Corps to Baticalus where we had understood the King with all his Court was gone since Lisimantus by his valour had regain'd it from the enemy and that we meant if he so pleased to accompany the pomp of his Funerals with that of his Triumph which he approved of Some few dayes after Saradin departed with the dead Princes Letter and we Madam drew right to Visaporus which was not three Leagues distant from us but first we summon'd them to yeeld themselves as we did also unto those of Goa Ballagate Chaul Bider and Danaget which were the Capitall Cities of Decan and which we would reduce under obedience to Orixa there was not one that made so much as shew of holding out against us but having lost their lawfull Lords and of themselves not able to maintain themselves they voluntarily submitted to the King your Father whose Authority they hop'd was much more pleasing and more honourable than the rule of two revolved slaves which only force had made them subject to Madam I fear to hold you over long if I should punctually relate you all that hapned us in Visaporus where soon the Gates were opened to us and if I should tell you all the joy and pleasures Piroxenus felt when he saw his dear and saithfull Orixa in a private house where she unknown to any other save her Nurse had liv'd under the name of Asteria know only Madam that there never was so great equality of transports or reciprocall embracements as they two exchang'd where I forbare not too to take my part as by the duty of my friendship I was bound without impediment to theirs Piroxenus began presently to talk of re-establishing his Spouse without expecting the King your fathers approbation with whose Forces only we had compass'd our designes but seeing that the heat of his passion moved him so forward I restrain'd him and far was that advised Princess to whom we had already told all our adventures and pretensions from pressing us thereto she would not give consent to be so much as known alive till we were known unto the King I mean said she to passe still for Asteria whiles my faithful husband goes for Calistenus and that Anaxander wears the name of Ariomant the gods forbid that ever I delight to reign alone or that I reckon the Decanians my Subjects till Piroxenus do receive the Oath of their Alegiance Go then said she present your selves unto the King of Narsinga like Princes as your are and you my faithfull husband do your best that solemnly our Marriage may again be shortly witnessed when Anaxanders and Orazias Weddings are solemnized We did as she commanded Madam and leaving her in a mean quality as she desir'd when we had left as Governor an old servant of Aronthus in the Castle of Visaporus we took our leaves of her and went to fetch the body where we left it which in the pomp you saw we followed to this City There Anaxander finished his History and his dear Orazia who for Orixas satisfaction as her own died almost in her longing desire that they should shew themselves unto the King for such as really they were pray'd them to be there again next evening to resolve how to contrive a matter of so great importance Meanwhile without more stay our faithfull Lovers interchang'd their Marriage faith which they confirm'd with mutuall kisses in the presence both of Piroxenus and of Lifimena too And being late they were compell'd to part untill next night although their hearts and inds were not at all divided THE INDIAN HISTORY OF AN AXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The fourth BOOK HAd the Princess been able to foresee the mischief which by Lisimantus Page the little Aquilant his treason was ordain'd them they would not have permitted his so free accesses to the Garden with them as they did I have already said he was a spie for Lisimantus who had gained him by flattery and gifts and having seen through certain rails the two Princes enter at a secret door into the Arbor without understanding either their discourse or complements imagining they had as much to say to Lisimena as to her companion Orazia he faild not on next morning early to advertise Lisimantus of it The Cavallier was yet in bed where notwithstanding his amorous thoughts had not allowd him any rest when that unfaithful Messenger came to disturb his mind more cruelly by that unhappy news than it had ever been Immediately as t is the common custom of men in love to think that only their Mistresses are look'd upon so great a power hath jealousie over the highest spirits he made himself believe that Ariomant for he knew not Anaxander but under that borrowed name was lov'd of Lisimena and since that a great courage endureth nothing more impatiently than scorn seeing another was admitted to his prejudice in private and imagining that that was the sole obstaele that hindred him from being lov'd of Lisimena he resolves him instantly to take revenge of both and to comprize as well Orazia as an accessary unto that Treason which they us'd towards him in that common losse But his generousness not suffering his choler in such sort to blinde him or to be led unto so base a revenge after a tedious consultation with himself at length his anger wholly bent to Anaxander and although himself had but three daies before assisted to
them whose deplorable conclusion fill'd him with compassion and confusion and had much more wrought upon his heart if he had known but Lisimantus his story But because there was never seen so furious a Combate sought as between those four it will not be impertinent to give you the description in a few words As soon as they were come where Lisimantus had a mind to lead them on the strand having cast off their Dublets unsheath'd their swords and that their seconds had seperated themselves about an hundred paces from them that they might not hinder them they witness'd all bus one resentment and who had seen them could not have discern'd the seconds from the Principals so eqaully were they incensed to revenge Anaxander and Lisimantus began first whiles their friends were going off and made an infinite number of thrusts in the beginning to see if they could dazle one the other or set each other out of guard but being guided by an equal courage to assault and seconded by as much dexâ—erity to ward the blows they fought a quarter of an hour without being able mortally to hurt each other they passed twenty times with equal nimblenesse on one another because they had agreed not to close and seeing that they could not that way compasse their intents they us'd a thousand faints and all the subtilties of Fencing to undo their lives so cruelly were they bent to one another Their blows were so thick that notwithstanding all their cunning in desence they could not avoid an infinite number of hurts so as at every step they made the earth was stained with their blood and who had seen their all-discoloured faces would have said they had already lost a great abundance but because they both had mighty hearts they felt not weaknesse but through the greatnesse of their courage seeble as they were they yet subsisted On the other side Piroxenus having to do with a valiant enemy had a hard task to overcome him at first they made five or six thrusts at one another without hurt and Zouobus trusting in his exceeding force the second passe let fall his sword to close and grasp Piroxenus whom he constrain'd to quit his likewise that he might the better struggle with him They long disputed after this manner at length they came to ground and Piroxenus no lesse strong than dexterous had the good hap to fall upon his enemy whom he might have strangled if he would for that the fall was very soul Zenobus finding himself in so ill case Sir Knight cryed he out if we end not our Combate after another manner than this it will not be in haste that we shall help our friends it was not I that began said Piroxenus thou wouldst fain prevail by thy might and the gods have ordered that thy subtilty hath served to thy prejudice However though thou art already overcome to let thee know I can tell how to conquer every way I give thee leave to take thy sword again to defend thy self against mine which is able to lay thee once more levill with the ground and therewithall he rose and returned toward Zenobus with his sword in his hand who being much broken by the greatness of his fall fought not again with so much nimblenesse as formerly although his courage were continually the same he was therefore fain to recoil at those gallant onsets Piroxenues gave him at the first and in retiring had the ill fortune to light upon a stone over which he fell backward when instantly Piroxenus lept upon him and having made him yield his sword he ran withall his might to succour Anaxander whom he found fallen on one side not able any longer to help himself for the losse of blood which ran every where out of his wounds and Lisimantus on the other in the same condition They both yet breathed when Piroxenus came neer them but with very little sign of life By and by without staying to bemoan his friend who had more need of ready help than uselesse tears he drew out of his pocket a precious Balme with which he presently anointed all his wounds and toar his shirt in divers places to bin them up a well as he could But as soon as he gave them air he perceived him by little and little to vanish in his arms turning sweetly his eyes towards him without being able to speak one word Poor Piroxenus believing that his friend was dead who was but in a swound felt in his own heart deadly touches and moreover fearing lest some Officer of justice might surpriz the body in that unhappy state and exercise the rigor of the new Edict on him as an example was in a grievous straight and a thousand times tempted to despair and open with his own hand a way through which he might follow his dear Anaxander Zenobus having on another side found his friend weak and at the point of death ran hastily towards the bark which he had caused to be ready neer the shore not far from the Haven and brought the Chirurgion which he had provided there with the three Saylers and having found that Lisimantus had yet some small motion of his pulse they carried him upon a Coverlet into the Vessel that they might preserve at least his body and immediately hoyst sail to leave the Coasts of Zeylan Scarce were they unmoared when Saradin arriv'd with Almerin and Neander the faithful servants of our two Princes because for satisfaction of what the Princesse had told him he had run first to Anaxanders lodgings and not finding him there knowing how great considence his Cousin and himself had of Almerin and Neander had lead them with him that he might not fail of what he went about which had been hard for him to do alone But O ye gods how sad and woful spectacle at once beheld they At first they found one of their Masters stretched out in his blood upon the sands having nor heat nor motion and then the other desperate weeping and cursing heaven that had preserv'd his life none of them knew in that extremity what to resolve for if on the one side they lamented for Anaxanders death they feared on the other left two or three fishermen who had seen the Combate might reveal it and not daring to carry back the body into the Town they neither of them knew what place of surety to dispose it in In this confusion Saradin was dispatched in behalf of them all toward the Princesse to advertise her of this accident that she on her side might try to remedy it and prevent that he whom she had chosen for her husband might not again be unfortunate after his death The poor Orazia in the deadly apprehension of that disafter which she had foreseen had caused all her women to retire and shut her self into her Chamber to entertain her melancholy alone when Saradin in truth a little too inconsiderately in searful manner brought her the woful news of her Lovers
Father for at voiding such inconveniencies as might happen she was thereto more pressed by the perswasions of Lisimena who seeing the Kings rage each hour increase for want of news was of opinion that by telling him the true extraction of those two Princes it was best to hold him no longer in errour who were not Subject to his jurisdiction nor the observation of his Laws But whatever great appearances obliged her to this discovery Orazia feared to be worse than that word she had given the two Princes not to make them known untill they were returned to Gouzarat and therefore she entreated Lisimena to continue the secret and not reveal it till the time were come So our two Heroes remain'd conceal'd in Saradins Castle untill Anaxander were recovered and being both assured of their mistresse savours burnt with one equal impatience of returning to their own Provinces where they expected earnestly that the good Evander who should have been long since returned should have regained for them Alcidaris good will but this sage old man was taken and held sick some six or seven daies journey from Visaporus which hindred the performance of his commission so soon as he ought and that he could not come time enough to divert an Embassage which tended to the ruin of Anezanders contentment as you shall understand by what does follow Alcidaris the great had by the common noise learnt all that had befaln his son Anaxander and his nephew Piroxenus in the Kingdom of Decan which gave him wonderful discontentments And because in that great sally they had made where the two Princes Araxus and Demonax were slain upon the place some of those who sled from the confusion as well as they themselves had spread the news of their deaths as in truth sew men knew what was become of them the King of Cambaya believing them out of the world notwithstanding all their youthful parts and follies past was hardly able to be comforted especially when he reflected on their amiable presence and the good education which they had gotten in his house and that which added to his affliction was to see that that child which remained to him by his former wife was so unhappy born as not be acceptable to one subject he had the most complacent and foulest flatteners of his Court wanted boldnesse to applaud his ridiculous actions or commend him be never did any thing but out of season if he had a mind to oblige he did the contrary and dulnesse was as natural as vice unto him however this unhappy father who believed that he had no other child alive finding himself obliged to marry him not for any good inclinations he had for him but for the proper interest of his greatnesse and to perperuate his name and memory having known of the death of Arontus sole son unto the King of Narsinga who had remaining but one only daughter heir to all his Estates thought good together with his Counsell to seek her in Marriage for his son for this purpose he dispatched Pirobus who had worthily served him in divers other occasions in an Embassage towards the King of Narsing a as well to condole with him the losse of his son as to desire his daughter of which the young Alcidaris had no sooner understood but he burst out a weeping as if he had lost all his friends For he had fallen in love with a mean towns-mans daughter whom by all means he would marry and for her sake despised the love of the greatest Ladies and the rarest beauties of the Court This faithful Pirobus whose age and abilities made him very venerable soon after departed from Campanel and having learned on the way shat the King to whom he was sent remained yet at Baticalus made so good journeys as he arrived there the very next day after that Duel had been fought The King received him magnificently and dissembling the displeasure he took at that so late fought Combate he resolved to give him Audience before he would depart for Bisnagar that the grave oid man might have lesse labour and journey to return He knew not the cvill conditions of the Prince of Gouzarat nor any thing but of the greatness of his race and his possessions for that indeed there was not in all India a more mighty Monarch than the King his father He stood not long deliberating whether or not he should satisfie Pirobus and prefer the alliance offered by him before all other that might be hereafter And a speciall motive which so much rather made him give him his desire was the assurance given in the King his Masters behalf that be had but that child only hopeful to inherit four Kingdoms And thus you see how the King of Narsinga sent back Pirobus with great embraces and fair presents and fully pleased every way with his so happy imployment Before he departed he was by the Kings leave to kisse the hand of his future Princess who having nothing dearer in the world than that name of Cambaye to whose lovely Prince she had already vowed her self receiv'd him with a smiling countenance and dessembling the knowledge of his evill parts for whom he sought her said to Pirobus that the gods had favored her too much that had design'd her for the most perfect and accomplished Prince of Gouzarat She was even on the point of opening her self wholly to the grave Embassadour because she knew he was the man that had treated the match for Anaxanders mother and that she happily might do him an exceeding favour to declare him his adventures and to tell him where with Piroxenus he was concealed for having been one of that Combat which he heard so much noise of in Baticalus but she thought best to say nothing for fear of disobliging Anaxander who would not be known in Narsing a but with a Royal train and worthy of the love he made to Orazia However because she had a perfect knowledge of her Lovers story and because she had learnt it from his own mouth that after the taking of Visaporus the good Evander his old Governor returned to Gouzarat where he was to declare unto Alcidaris the adventures of his son and nephew she very much wondred that Pirobus assured the King her father and her self likewise that the Prince in whose behalf he was sent was the only son of his Master among other questione which she made him of the Kingdom of Cambaya she askt him what was become of the wise Evander of whose abilities she had heard so much discourse Madam answered the Embassador we know not what fortune he hath run since he stole from our Court to pursue the two Prince whose losse we have felt so sensibly as we shall never come again to our selves and for mine own part Madam I should be the unthankfollest man alive if I did not weep for their losse as long as I lived The Princess imagined by this disoourse that some accident had befallen Evander on the way
for that his arrivall must 〈◊〉 have pleased them and rather have obliged the King of Cambaya to Aispatch Pirabus in Anaxanders behalf than on the part of young Alcidaris whose unfortunate birth a thousand times a day he cursed But continuing her discourse she asked him what assurance there was of the two Princes death which he lamented Madam answered Pirabus the common report hath instructed us in that unfortunate adventure they had in Visaporus where they so beastlike were condemn'd to death I know of each particular said Orazia but certainly they died not there T is true Madam replyed Pirobus that they died not in that conflict but when Visaporus was besirged where the fair Orixa died of her Feavor a little after the King of Decan her father was murthered in his flight by a serving-man and that that cruell end which was not yet come to her knowledge had caused that of the Queen her mother who sunk under the burden of her sorrow you have understood how the two Princes Araxus and Demonax finding themselves put hardly to it fearing the two staves who desired but their lives caused Anaxander and Piroxenus our Maslers to think fit to hazard a sally upon the enemy it being the only way they could attempt to avoid the funy of Rozinloan and Zabain who would reign without impediment Now we are told Madam of all those who escaped living from that fatal sally that our Masters were there slain together with the two Princes of Decan had it not been so we should undoubtedly have since heard of them but their deaths have been confirmed to us by so many that 't were too great mincredulicy to doubt thereof The beautiful Orazia seeing that this supposed death of Anaxander and Piroxenus wrought so real a sorrow in Pirobus did think it charity to tell him the truth however not willing to do any thing without Anaxanders consent and seeing that the King her father had yet three daies to remain in Baticalus where the Embassidour had stayed him she dispatched Saradin whom she could only trust and gave him charge to hasten to her Lover with this advertisement and to come back ere Pirobus who was to do part the day following should return for Gouzarat Meanwhile when the Embassadour taking his leave kissed her hand she could not forbear saying to him that she believed those he sorrowed son were alive Saradin immediately mounted on an excellent Courser galloped with all speed to his own home and finding the two Princes together for that Piroxenus since Anaxanders hurts had not stirred out of his sight he related to them the comming of Pirobus the subject of his Embassage and the discourse he entertain'd the Princess with which much astonish'd them and made them believe that poor Evander was dead on the way They deliberated sufficiently what to do hereupon and whether it were not best to discover themselves upon that occasion seeing that if they endured the Prince Alcidaris his sute it might be feared that the King of Cambaya resolute upon that match might in very few daies hasten the accomplishment On the other side Anaxander held it no way safe to declare himself so soon after that Combat which had so much displeased the King and did most wisely foresee that they might be blamed by an imputation that being by reason of the greatnesse of their bi ths assured from the punish neut they had most rashly broken am Edict which themselves ought to have preserved inviolable within the Dominions of a King whom they loved and to whom they sought to be allied â—t length after full consideration knowing hat Pirobus was the next day to depart from Baticalus they resolved that Piroxenus should go all that night to way-lay him at his first daies lodging and make himself privately known to him and trust with his discretion the truth of all their adventures Saradin took leave of them in this resolution and very glad that Anaxander did so well of his hurts there being hope that three weeks time would make him well returned to him Mistresse who on her side rejoyced infinitely as well for the recovery of her Love as for the purpose Piroxenus had taken As soon than as the Embassadour had received the Kings commands and the two Princesses of Narsinga Zeylan and that he was departed for Baticalus he was amazed to finde at his first journeys end the King his Masters Nephew the generous Prince of Citor expecting him he at first took it for an illusion which deceived his eyes but when by his face and action and speech he knew him to be Piroxenus he cast himself up â—n one knee and weeping for joy strove to have kissed his hand But Piroxenus raising him up venerable Pirobus said he my Cousin Anaxander and my self have understood the cause of your journey by a Gentleman whom the Princess Orazia sent unto us and because the request you have made the King of Narsinga is utterly opposite to the contentment of your young Prince who contrary to the belief you have had is still alive I am as well in my own as his behalf come hither to salute you and to acquaint you with the reasons obliging us to remain yet unknown in this Kingdom And here Piroxenus made him an ample rehearsall of all their adventures and whatever good or evill had befallen them since their sally out of Visaporus where so many men thought they had both come short The good Pirobus felt so great astonishment at this recitall and so great a joy as with much difficulty could he make him answer at length having recollected his senses and the liberty of his tongue Sir said he is it possible that two great Princes as ye are would for meer pastime endure so many troubles and crosses Ah how the gods have been favourable to us contrary to all expectation in restoring us the true props of our Crown and disengaging our spirits from the just fear we had to yield in subjection all our lives unto a vicious Prince And than he would have told him of the evill nature of Alcidaris but that Piroxenus let him know that they had understood the whole story Well than Sir said Pirohus what please you that I do will you have me go back and change my errant to Anaxanders behalf I think the King his father will never disavow it and the King of Narsinga who hath been a witnesse of his vallour will be glad to conclude the match without drawing breath and specially when I shall let him know his daughter whom he loves so dearly shall be desirous of it No father said Piroxenus seeing is hath so fallen out that sage Evander to whom we declared our intensions and whom we have desired to regain the Kings good graces for us hath met with some misfortune go you with speed and supply his room and obtain that the acts of our youth may be forgotten thanks to the gods we have committed nothing worthy to be
Vessel weather beaten seemed to be rather forced in by contrary winder than come voluntary wherein were two Cavalliers of good countenance who craved leave to refresh themselves in the Town the most eminent of them was in ill case being hurt in divers places of his body Now by reason that place was of great importance to the King of Cambaya they accustomed to keep a good guard and to suffer none to enter whose name and quality and business thither was not known and because those two Gentlemen who arrived then newly in that Vessel being ignorant of the custom had refused to name themselves advertisement was given the Governor and his farther pleasure demanded Evander imagining that it might happily be the two young Princes his Pupels who it may be would not discover themselves till they came to Court and surpriz all people he went himself unto the Haven and borded the Bark wherein he found a young Knight lain all his length upon a Matteresse who althuogh he seemed greatly suffering by his hurts which the tempest had augmented shewed notwithstanding a certain majesty in his eyes and face which made him reverenced of all that saw him Evander knew well enough that t was some personage of note and as he was extremely full of charity and hospitable seeing the Gentleman who accompanied him would not tell his name he thought however that the laws of civility did command and oblige his succour and to offer them not only the Town but his Castle also for their better accomodation The strangers accepted his offer and so much care was had of him that was hurt as that in eight or ten daies he gave undoubted signes of an approaching health Now as he was very generous and infinitely sensible of the good entertainment and usage shewn him by Evander her thought he could not do lesse in gratitude than discover himself unto him that he might know he had obliged Lisimantus that vallorous Lisimantus who had got so great a fame and whose glorious name was renowned through all Asia Poor Lisimantus how much had it been better that thou hadst not discovered thy self than to have payed so dearly for the honor given thy excellent vertues at thy first comming at lest shouldest thou have been contented to have told thy name without particulars of thy quarrel which will set thee into the strangest confusion thou yet ever sawest Evander knowing that this stranger was the valiant Lisimantus who had so worthily served the King of Zeylar and who so lately had perform'd so brave exploits in the Kingdom of Narsinga had a double cause of being glad not only for that he had it in his power to oblige a man of that condition but that the assured himself he should learn news of Anaxander and Piroxenus under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus but before he enquired seeing that the Cavallier disposed himself to recount unto him his adventure and how after being so grievously hurt he came to the Port of Bazain being very glad to be enformed willingly gave his attension and Lisimantus innocently began his discoarse without considering what manner of man he was to speak unto or what kinde of people he was to have to do with Know said he most reverend father that alter my triumph over the King of Maldives and if I had set all the Island of Zeylan at quiet and been very helpful to the King of Narsingas peace I quitted the Wars and finding again in Baticalus the only object of my passion that adorable Lisimena who had alwaies payed my love with ingratitude and but whose name I well perceive I shall alone possess my flames renewed and I felt my self so to the quick sollicited by my amorous desires as I used all manner of subtilties and invention to be in private with her but she ungrateful who never sufficiently acknowledge the services which I have done her Crown augmenting her disdains as my pains grew instead of enduring me neer her as my fidelity alone obliged her enough rebuking and repelling whosoever spake to my advantage she at length committed the most notable Treason against me that was ever contrived against a miserable Lover There was in the King of Narsinga Court a young Knight of Persia very accomplished indeed and worthy of great praise who having by much industry the honor to be known by her was notwithstanding preferred before my long and faithfull services I understood by a little Page of the Princessers that every night he was brought secretly into her company and spent six hours together with her and how that ungratefull Princess breathed nought but love for him I will not deny but that hereat so jealous a madness in such sort transported me as not able to endure the happinesse of that Rival I waited for him on an evening where he vsed to passe towards his amorous randezvous and not able for my anger to understand his reasons I call'd him instantly to fight with me Evander who with impatience looked that he should name that young Knight and finding that he was too long about it interrupting him demanded it His name was Ariomant said Lisimantus and well said Evander full of fear what is become of him I slew him said Lisimantus and truly I have since lamented it for a more valiant Knight I never met He was about to continue on his discourse and tell them how after the death of Ariontant whom he verily believed was slain because Zenobus had assured him that he saw him stretched out in his blood without warmth or motion being in but little better case himself he was carried to a Bark which attended him and how thinking to avoid the coast of Zeylan to shun the King of Narfinga his anger whose Edict they had broken a contrary winde arising which begot a furious tempest had cast them on the Coast of Cambaya neer the Haven of Bazain He was I say about to have recounted all these particulars but that he was prevented by an accident which did surprize him and which no lesse a mazed all that were about him that himself for at the recital of Ariomants death Evander fell into a swound on Lisimantus bed They all ignorant of the reason of this suddain change threw water in his face and when he was come to himself which a deep sigh cry'd out my friends we have embraced the murtherer of your and my Master and uttering these words he gave plain evidence of a second weaknesse which grew on him but being prevented by the ready help administred Unhappy and most cruel hospitallity said he we shew kindenesse and are civil unto one who vaunts that he hath cut our Princes throat and who unjustly stirred his courage and without cause provoked it Let the wicked man be set safe added he and seaze upon his second in the quarel and as they are let them be instantly conveighed towards the King that even himself may order what he please concerning them
Immediately the guard that was with Evander bound the poor Lisimantus as he lay in bed so weak but half recovered of his hurts and seaz'd on Zenobus as well whom with his friend they put into a Chariot to carry them without delay to the City of Catupanel where the King of Cambaya was The people of Bazain when they knew that those two prisoners which passed in the Chariot had slain their Prince Anaxander for the acceptable news of whose safety they had lately made Bonefires were so provoked as had it not been for Evanders authority which restrained them I verily believe they had stoned to death those two unhappy ones or else dismembred them alive On the other part the generous Lisimantus having from the first known for what cause he had been used so rigorously by a man from whom be had received so much countesse â—epented him but too late for having named him whom he abought he had seperated from the world and whom till that time he had taken but for an ordinary Knight but seeing that after the Laws of hospitality so sweetly observed in favor of him so great inhumanity was used towards him his great courage could no longer commin and addressing himself to Evander who accompanied him on horseback compassed about with Halberts What means all this my father said he must I be like those ancient sacrifices which were wont to be crowned with flowers before their being slain do you believe that all those praises you have given me and flowers of Rhetorick which you have prodigally wasted in my behalf do make your cruelty the sweeter what cursed custom is it you practise to make such fair appearance to those you do design for punishment like those Sea-monsters who seeming amiable charm the passengers with their pleasing voice for no other end but to destroy them Is' t after that sort you are hospitable to strangers Is' t so you use the afflicted who seek their shelter in your arms when they are under persecution of their evill fortune Evander withdrew himself behinds the Chariot for fear he might be forry his heart was in such manner wounded as he considered but his own grief and in that sense of his Lords death was nothing moved by Lisimantus reproaches or complaints But in the mean time that the false news of Anaxanders death shall with him be carried to the King of Cambaya at Campanel le ts make a turn into Narsinga to see how he does of his wounds and the Kings departure from Baticalus to return for Bisnagar As soon as that magnanimous Prince had answered Pirobus his demand and that he had sent him back laden with presents and honors and having no more to do in the Province of Canara and finding that notwithstanding the strict search of the Combatants no news was to be had after having placed a new Governor over Baticalus in Zenobus his stead he departed with his whole Court but carried with him his resentment and wrath against those who with so much impudence had violated his Edict and resolv'd where ever they were found to punish them with rigor The fair Orazia who saw him willfull in that bloody resolution was much disquieted and her heart troubled with divers and sundry motions when she perceiv'd the Court drew neer to Saradins Castle wherein was hid the richest treasure of her soul if on the one side her fear of his discovery did trouble her the pleasure of her hope to see him was so acceptable as both compar'd her joy was greater than her sorrow and her hope prevail'd above her fear At worst she thought the danger of his being found in that place would not be great because it would be easie for her to prove his birth as well by Arintus declaration whose letter she kept as by Lisimena's testimony who had heard all the adventures of his life However though she found much safety in all these proofs shew was not with out fear when the King whom she saw so severe entred the Castle she at first imagined that some of Saradins people who had seen the two Princes comming might for hope of recompence betray them but she was soon assured by the Master of the house who answered for the truth of those that guarded them and who promis'd she should see them if she might trust one off her women for they were lodged over her Chamber He had forbidden the way to that retired part of the house making the harbengers believe that they were Store-houses where he had set certain Houshold-stuff and reserv'd it for himself alone and those who had care of the princes and the way to go unto them when he pleased In so much as when night came the Princesses who would lye together they often did feigning to be weary of their journey retired betimes and would not suffer any of their women to lie that night in their Chamber they only call'd for a watch light for Orazia seemed as if she would read in her bed When they were laid they sent away their women not daring to trust any one of them and when every body was asleep they rose softly cloathed one the other to go to Saradin who expected them at the door and was to conduct them where the two Princes were Orazia would never endure that any other should have knowledge of that important secret which she would have conccaled even from her dear Lisimena however well she was assured of her faith fulness had not her company been then so necessary to her This fair stranger Princess had never been at ease since Lisimantus combat for as I have already said she Iov'd him secretly in her heart although her glorious courage never suffered her to shew it and for she had understood nothing of him she feared somewhat worse had besaln him than had to Anaxander and what was grievous to her was that she dar'd not openly enquire after him besides that very few were able to say what had become of him But Orazia promis'd her to enquire of Piroxenus who better than any other could tell whiter hee were alive or not being he who had advanced himself to purt them and who had found them in the lamentable case which I have told you Each then cast a robe about her and fitted their hair as well as they could and their naturall graces surpassing all that art could adde unto them they thus went to the sick Princes Lodgings where Saradin conducted them As soon as Anaxander saw appear before his eyes the onely beauty of the world which hee adored accompanyed with her dear and faithfull Lisimena My Ladies cryed he out is it possible that you have done me this honor take so much pains for a subject of so mean importance Recover your self once brave Anaxander answered Orazia and you shall see of what importance your health is to my contentment But I conjure you to conceal your self as much as you can whiles you are in our Countreys for
the King my Father to whom you will not yet discover your self thunders extremely against you and my self as well for diversion of his wrath as that you might surprize him wholly at your return have sowen the newes of your death through all the Court. Were it true indeed replyed Anaxander your only presence and words comming from so fair a mouth in my favour were sufficient to restore me again to life But Madam do not think that I can conceal my self however carefull I may be to do it nor do you think that my wounds are secret no more than those which your fair eyes have caused in the bottom of my heart since you are privy to my evils I believe all the world is full of them wherin you only are to me considerable But said he smiling and flriving to take the Princess hand to kiss it I believe Madam you are come hither of purpose to tell me of the good fortune which the marriage of my Brother Alcidaris promises you to whose merit you are dedicated and that you do me the honour to visit me as your Brother in Law rather than as your servant the Princess who could not endure jesting upon that subject I do not think said she with a cone more serious that you have misunderstood the answer I gave Pirobus and which I by and by communicated to you by Saradin to wit that I accounted my self too happy in that heaven had ordained the most perfect and accomplish'd Prince of Gouzarat to be my husband for you know better than I that that praise can belong to man save your self and that having made me know the wants of Alcidaris I should seperate my self as far from his sute as you are from his ill behaviour Anaxander could not forbear laughing to see her justifie her self so seriously in thing which she had said to his advantage and finding that she was a little moved How Madam said he would you have so ill an opinion of me as to be perswaded that I should think you guilty of loving a sot I pray believe I have too good a one of my self and that I have too many testimonies of your love to imagine you were pleased with Alcidaris sute but I thought that in talking of so ridiculous a man a little sport had not been out of season and to say the truth although he be my Brother I cannot think on the description made me of him without bursting with laughter During their entertainment with such like discourse the Princess of Zeylan entertained Piroxenus and without seeming to have any interest in Lisimantus safety making him tell her every particular of the combat she understood that he had been carried very much hurt aboord his bark but that he thought him not in worse plight than Anaxander and that where ever he was he thought him still living This assurance gave great cause of comfort to Lisimena who in truth feared nothing more in the world than the death of that accomplish'd Knight who had performed as many brave actions for the love of her as of himself besides that she knew that last encounter grew but from the extreme affection he bare her which was grown to such a pass as in his very despair he could endure norivals They were all four more than two houres together having no other witness of their contentment but Saradin but when there was a word of parting sorrow trod short upon the heels of joy And what ever means Orazia used to dissemble her displeasure it was so plain to see in her fair eyes bedew'd with tears as Anaxander could not restrain himself from seconding them with his in that tender motion which did seaze him and a thousand times kissing that adorable Princesse hands he made her as many protestations of eternall constancy then in presence of three witnesses they renewed with extreme and reciprocall affection their promises of mariage which they had formerly made in Baticalus desiring the Gods to exterminate the first of them that should break faith They being thus fortified by that mutuall assurance finished their adieus wherein Anaxander promised his Princesse that believing himself to be able in a short space to depart from thence for Gouzarat he would return sooner than she thought for the accomplishment of both their wishes The night being well spent the two fair Princesses returned to their Chamber where they entertain'd themselves untill day which no sooner appeared but the King who was already cloathed caused them to be advertis'd that they should make themselves ready to depart if they desired to avoid the heat of the day which the beginning threatned they shut not their eyes all that night and yet Orazia desiring nothing more in the world than that the King her father were departed from that Castle where she had never been in quiet she suddainly made her self ready and having again sent a new complement by Saradin to Prince Anaxander she ascended with Lisimena her Chariot and so following the Kings she little and little lost sight of the Castle which as long as she was able she kept within her eye The amorous Prince whom she had left behinde her paid full dearly for the pleasure of her visit for he was so much moved by excesse of joy which his Mistresse presence caus'd him as he fell into a violent Feavor which accident very much retarded his recovery but let us leave him to amendment by a long rest untill a perfect health grow on him Lots likewise leave the King of Narsinga arrived at Bisnagar where he did a thousand honors to the Princesse Lisimena who would not permit him to accompany her any farther and let us suffer that fair Princess to depart who although she returned to the King her father and to an Island which the Arabians In their tongue call the land of delights and the Indians the Paradise of the earth and that over and above those considerations she hoped to see her Love again there could not chuse but be extremely afflicted â—â—en departing from Orazia she lost the sweetest conversation she had in the world Let us I say leave all these matters as they are and return to Cambaya and see that unfortunate Knight whom Evander conducted to the great ALcidaris arrive as Campanel and who had unawares accus'd himself of Anaxanders death As soon as the King was told of that sad news it was as much as he could do to live for torrow Unfortunate Anaxander said he must I lose thee again the second time and be deceived so soon of the hope was given me that I should see thee yet alive Ah Evander how unacceptably hast thou vifited me my rage was over and I had dryed my tears caused by the imaginary losse of my son and thou hast let me know his being alive and his brave actions but to increase my sorrow for his death indeed Great was his grief but the Queens extream That fair Princesse who was but newly come from
giving the Gods thanks for the recovery of her only son whom she had so lamented touch'd to the quick by the sense of that irreparable losse and for that time losing all patience and accustom'd modesty could not for bear accusing heaven and injuring its powers Ye unjust gods said she whom too in vain I have invoked with so great fervency and zeal for my sons safety I see plainly ye are deaf that have not heard me he that burns insense on your Altars foully deceives himself your power is but opinion or have you any it serves but to offend those that distressed make their vows to you Alas I had regain'd my dear child but for invoking you and you even since my vows and prayers have snatch'd him from me I perceive my dear Anaxander that I have lost thee for ever I shall no more see thee in this world and yet where ere thou art I am resolv'd to seek thee and die for sorrow if no other remedy But ere that be I mean to satisfie thy good Angel and since thy murtherer is fallen into our hands I promise thee to be revenged on him These sorrows served but to augment the Kings displeasure who was strucken to the heart as well may be a father who hath lost the honor of his house and hope of his Kingdom However he was infinitely just and generous seeing it was that brave Lisimantus whom Evander had brought whose known vallour was renowned every where he thought it would be too great an act of basnesse and inhumanity to revenge his sons death on him who had slain him like a gallant man in Duel and unknown but by a borrowed name which he had taken and thought it an action of a great King to send him to the King of Zeylan without punishment and seeing too that Anaxander could not live by tother death But however absolute he was in his Kingdom he could not then be Master his Subjects too much loved the memory of their Prince to suffer his murtherer to scape unpunished whom they had in their custody And seeing that the great Alcidaris inclin'd to mercy all the Judges assembled themselves suddainly and seconding the Queens angry purposes they hastned Lisimantus judgement and that very day condemned him to die As for Zenobus they judged him to a perpetual imprisonment who had not scap'd so cheap but that he averred himself overcome by Piroxenus whom he assured them he left alive and weeping by his dead friend When the sentence of Lisimantus condemnation was read unto him that great and invincible courage which had scorned death in all the shapes and forms it ever had appeared to him in was shaken by that so severe and terrible judgment He fiercely look'd upon the bringer of those cruel tidings and his rage prevailing in his sense of that cruelty shewn on him Thou wicked man said he who serv'st the fury of the most barbarous people of the world hast thou impudence enough to come and outrage me in the miscrable condition I am in and publish with a ceremony the injury prepared for my innocence My name which hath made so many Nations to tremble and is so regarded through the Indes shall it be so much scorn'd by you as you will dare condemn me for an honorable action Will ye be so unworthy as to stain the memory of your Princes death who did so valiantly defend himself and make me bear so many marks of his courage Can I believe I do converse with men where reigns so great in humanity Where is that generous Alcidaris whose praises are so ignorantly sung throughout all Asia He suffers me to be a prey unto his Subjects fury and endures that after having led a life full of honor I be put to a shameful death under his own eyes The Officer who was in truth a generous and compassionate man and touched at the misery of that famous Knight reply'd thus to him I come with sorrow brave Lisimantus to execute the sad commission given me against you but consider that my charge requires it of me and that I must whatever justice bids me Were it your safety did depend on me you should be soon made free I have admired long your vertue and however far from your profession I cannot but do reverence to men like you But what in this disability wherein I am can I tender you but vows unprofitable and pray the gods to give you resolution enough to bear your evill fortune patiently Do not accuse Alcidaris he wishes you at liberty and believe me his subjects have hastned your condemnation but since they saw his nature willing to remit you He is not this day master of his peoples wills who are doubly animated against you as well by the strong motions of the Queen as by their own resentments What manner of Country must it be replyed Lisimantus where the King is govern'd by his Subjects he that forbids not evill does command it and truly though divine and humane Lawes did not condemn Alcidaris cruelty yet she honour he professes should perswade him to defend me He to whom all power is given should shew it less than others and you will g rant me that your Prince uses too insolently his authority and makes too poor a use of my calamity Well well Death will deliver me from his tyranny but he shall not be freed from his neighbors blame I will let him see I can tell how to die and that the crosses of my fortune are not able to shake my Resolution nor deject my Courage 'T is true 't is hard to part with life at so young an age but 't would be more intollerable if I feared Death I know I live to dye and that the very day of my Birth nature sets limits to my dayes and besides an unworthinesse of heart it were a folly in me to fear what I cannot avoid I have so often beheld Death as my eyes are acquainted with him and I call the gods to witness nothing aftonishes me but the manner of my dying I pass the headsmans hands ah who soere thou art that look'st with pitty on me and are touch'd with my misfortune if thou have any credit with the King or those that seek my life obtain of them that either a Dagger or poyson satisfie their cruelty Excuse me from the shame prepared for me and permit not that I outrage nature so much as to deliver my self out of their hands which doubtlesse I should rather do than to expect their punishment This compassionate Officer was so touched that the tears came in his eyes at those last words and curseda thousand times that day wherein for his preferment he was taken from his ordinary commerce with men to be a Judge of their lives he then drew near Lisimantus to comfort him and to offer him all the aid was in his power and however dark the Prison might at first entrance seem yet by a little stay and accustoming the fight
son and caused you so great displeasures for his ill behaviours accounting him your lawfull heir But I am hopefull of your favour having more offended through necessity than malice and for fear of angring you than willing to offend you Let your Majesty know great King that young Alcidaris whom Pirobus did long since trust me with in his Cradle did in my house receive a handsome education as he should have done in your Palace and that his inclinations were so great to goodnesse from his infancy that I do verily believe it had been hard for him to have done ill But though I seem'd his father and that he had no other privilege above my children in my house as Pirobus directed me he could not chuse but feel certain stings of glory and elevate himself to enterprizes worthy of his Grandsires generosity Scarce had he accomplished ten years of age when he stole from me and as from his own mouth I have learned he hath since done actions never to be forgotten and which I shall declare to your Majesty when I have finished this As soon as I know of yong Erimedes his flight for it was thought fit to name him after me I sent every way after him and despairing of his news fearing he was of great birth because of the strict charge was given with him that he should be one day call'd for as since hath fallen out being very sure that those who hadicommitted him to me could not know him but by the mark of your Arms which they had printed on his right arm I made use of that secret learnt of Pirobus to give the same character to one of my children who was of his age shape and hair T is he Sir who at this day holds his quality in your Court unjustly who governs himself so unhandsomly among your Subjects and whose presence hath hither to caused but greater sorrow for the losse of Anaxander No man Sir but I could reveal this important secret to you and were I without conscience and a faithlesse man I might have left things as they are and have preferred the greatnesse of my own son before your lawful interests it may be any man but my self would have done injury to truth for love of reign and have forgot the fear of God to be terrible himself but were at that I loved not justice nor reason as I do I lov'd your Majesty too well to suffer it to be prophaned longer by a man of petty birth whoâ—e innocent ambition as well as my conjeraint makes me crave humble pardon of your Majesty Alcidaris who was one of the best Princes of the world exceedingly astonished at thâ—â—â—â—â—ty of this story asked him how long since he had found his son within this hour answered Eurimedes and by so strange an accident as I know not whether your Majesty will receive more pleasure or discontentment in it Since said the King thou hast reveal'd the secret as soon as thou hast known it t is like thou hadst no malice in thy action rise I forgive thee on condition thou bring me my son and hide no part of his adventures from me Alas Sir reply'd Eurimedes that brave Lisimantus who hath been the terrour of the Indes and who is at this present contrary to your will kept in your prisons and a criminal condemn'd to death is he of whom I speak and who hath had the honour to be born from you Ah ye gods cryed the King is it possible can I be so happy as to be father of so generous a child but what say I happy should I be so unscrable as to have begotten him who hath murthered his own brother and for a cursed point of honor hath for ever ravisht my dear Anaxander from me the very hope of my old daies Unhappy father that I am shall I be alwaies so ill us'd of Fortune as to be reduc'd to complain even of her favors and shall I never receive one benefit from her hands which is not follow'd by a thousand mischiefs I thought I had but one son good man and I have twice bewail'd his death and he whom contrary to my expectation I have found again seems to appear but to torment me more and grieve me for the others losse Ah Sir said Eurimedes inter rupting his complaintt while I am speaking the poor Prince is in despair for knowing that Anaxander was his brother and I am consident he would as willingly have died himself and would be glad to buy him again with his own life Without more ado said the King let his Iront be struck off and be he no longer injur'd which way soever the gods have sent him me I am obliged to receive him considering his innocence of his brothers death and that he hath such reason to share with me in the affliction which without purpose he hath caused me Then instantly not willing to publish this news he secretly commanded the Captain of his guard to take him out of prison and bring him to him at his Palace This Prince accomplish'd whom till that time the King would not see was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds whereof he was scarce healed as for the hard usage he had shewn him in the prison yet was that want so supplyed by the gracefulnesse of his behaviour as though he came into the Kings Chamber with a sorrowful countenance it hindred not that all the Court admired him As soon as he entred the room he kneeled on the ground and witnessed so much sorrow to the King his father for the misfortune befallen him as that his Majesty was more afflicted for his grief that for his own Son said he embracing him those are the ordinary shock of fortune you are not the first that hath unwitingly destroyed his own blood the stages are daily full of like examples and not to seek so far we have at home and with our neighbours others like them Be comforted my child heaven cannot be angry for your innocent offence it self is more than you guilty which knowing your design did not divert it Believe at worst the gods will pardon you because I do and for your presence paies me for all losses and afflictions past Ah Sir reply'd Lisimantus can you behold a wretch which hath so highly outrag'd Nature a murtherer of his own blood an abominable monster which cannot with a thousand deaths expiate the crime he hath committed He had inlarged his complaints had not the King interrupted him and by his redoubled embraces and his solid reasons overcome his earnestness in condemning himself and then settling a little his spirits and by degrees changing discourse after he had made him fit down by him caus'd him insensibly to fall upon the story of his life and strange adventures which he passionately desired to be told from point to point and how he had arrived to such high honhours after having secretly stollen from Eurimedes the Marchants house whom he took for his
to be jealous of my own blood which a beastly anger hath enforced me to spill that ever after I might remain miserable and finde no where to comfort me in my displeasures The poor Lisimantus in uttering these words could not restrain his tears which ran aboundâ—nâ—ly from his eves which so moved the King as be seconded them with his and as he was disposing himself no continue the History of his misfortunce and to tell the King what sad occasion had so lightly moved him to seek his brother Anaxanders death they heard a great noise at the door and wondering who it should be that was so bold to knock so loudly they found it was Pirobus who was returned from Narsinga The good old man at his arrival hearing in how great trouble the King and all the Court were for the imaginary death of Anaxander made all baste to them and to assure them of both the young Princes health and that they would within a few daies return to Campanel As soon as the King had heard this welcome news he embraced Lisimantus with another manner of courage than he had done and that the Queen might receive him kindly he would have him to give her the first knowledge of what she no more looked for and that he who had made the wound might bring the remedy himself And because the Queen had not yet seen Lisimantus face the King commanded him to feign that he was one of the King of Narsinga's Gentlemen who by command from his Master was come to assure their Majesties that Anaxander lived and in health and that not being perfectly healed of his hurts lest they might be in fear for him he was dispatched to deliver them from that disquiet Lisimantus observed punctually that command and when with a smiling countenance he entred the Queens chamber with that good news she was ready to die for joy thinking verily that Lisimantus was an Embassador from the King of Narsinga she undid two strings of fair and goodly orient Pearl from her neck which she usually wore to give them him the King entred as he received that Present and asking the Queen if she had not all reason of the world to cherish and embrace him who came to drive all sorsows from her heart and had made so quick a passage of her mourning into joy Sir said she to him being transported I should be very ungratefull if I loved him not as long as I live seeing without the news he brings me I had never been comforted 'T is Madam said the King all that he desires that you love him and 't is the onely request I have to make you in his behalf I may now safely tell you he is my Son and that brave and generous Lisimantus whom erewhiles you so mortally hated and who hated himself yet more in the sorrow he conceived believing he had slain a Brother he knew not and whose courage he admired Love him Madam I conjure you and forgive his quarrell with Anaxander since he is so penitent and willing to repair that fault by a thousand testimonies of friendship which he promiseth to give him hereafter as his onely Brother whom onely likewise he will love The vertuous Anaxarette seeing with what affection the King intreated her to a thing whereto the good looks and news of Lisimantus had already inclined her Yes truly said she I will love him as much for the consideration of his own merit as for that you wish it and that you may have testimony that henceforward I desire to account him my Son I will give him a Mothers kiss which said she embraced him before the King who shed tears for joy By and by Pirobus was called whom the King made repeat to the Queen all that Piroxenus had said to him of Anaxander and how they hoped shortly to come and rejoyce with their Majesties and make them laugh in good caâ—nest at the King of Narsinga's anger who know them not and who pursued them as violaters of his Edict After the confirmation of this common joy they all went to the Temple to give the gods thanks the Court was presently full again of pleasure and the Cambaians thought of no one thing but doing him honour whom but so lately they were resolved to put to a shamefull death They talked of nothing now but Gallantry Balls and Turnamenâ—s after the Arabick manner which was however nothing to what they prepared for the return of the two young Princes whom they had so much lamented Lisimantus received a double cause of consolation when he understood by Pirobus all Anaxander's History and that he pretended onely to Orazia a thousand times he condemned his rashness that had not patience to clear a truth which respected his dear Lisimena's honour as well as his own interests The valiant Zenobus who had shared in his displeasures found himself at that present partaker of his good fortune he had a world of fair Presents from the King accompanied with as many assurances that he should have at all times what part he pleased of his childrens fortunes That which redoubled the pleasure of all the Court and was subject of much sport was the wise faces which Eurimedes his Son made that false Alcidaris seeing himself left of every body at the first news of Lisimantus's being Heir of the Crown of Cambaya fell a crying like a child and roaring in the streets so unfortunate as to make them laugh whom he thought to make pity him by his tears In this fashion he came to the Hall where the Ball was to be danced and applying himself to the King Sir said he to him is it true that I am no longer your son I swear to you every body comes and tells me so and all my Servants have left me as if I were some scoundrel or poor fellow I pray cause the insolence of that rabble which you made of my Train to be punished they mock me before my nose like a Drunkard and have let me come hither alone and am fain to carry my sword my self I do not think Sir that you have bid them use nâ—e so What think you my friend answered the King shewing him Lisimantus do you not believe this man hath a better look for a Prince than you and deserveth rather to be acknowledged for my Son Ah Sir replied the Innocent some Impostor doubtless hath delivered him you to keep I feel plainly that I am your lawfull son if not you would not have sent an Embassador to the King of Narsinga to crave his onely Daughter in marriage for me it may be this may be one of your Bastards though his Mustacho be very well set up I do not think that your Subjects will acknowledge him to my prejudice being not so well bred as I. Lisimantus who knew the whole story of this false Alcidaris and all his rudenesses could not forbear laughing at his words and because he laught heartily at it all the company seconded him
Arontus life when they had held such rank and kept such state among the Courtiers of Narsinga as they had got more jealousie than friendship One only Saradin had been able to have helped them in that extremity and seconded the Princesse good endeavour if himself for his innocent ofsence had not partaken with them When the King came to know that he was guilty of concealing the breakers of his Edict he commanded him to be carried from his house where he was detayned to the same prison where the unhappy Anaxander was shut up All that Piroxenus with the Princesse could do was to scatter a murmur through the Court that he whom they had used with so great in humanity was the Prince Anaxander Alcidaris the King of Cambayas Son but very few were found that believed it and the King himself who heard thereof laught at it because he had long time believed the common report that he with Piroxenus was slain together with the two Princes of Decan in that sally they made during the siege of Visaporus besides the assurance they had lately received from Pirobus his mouth that the King of Cambaya had but one Son alive That had not retarded his condemnation one minute had there not hapned a contestation between the Ministers of Justice The Grand Provost pretended that he ought to give Judgement on him because he had taken and brought him by the Kings command and on totheer side because he had commanded in Armies and till that time done things becomming a Gentleman and a man of quality The Chief Justice of the Naires disputed that it belonged to him to make his processe and spent two or three dayes in this debate the one undoing and disanulling what the other commanded insomuch as the King was fain himself to regulate it He was then of opinion that seeing there had been certain of the guard slain by Ariomant there was no reason that their Chief should be both Judge and Party and that it was reasonable that the Court of Nayres knew that it was a very easie matter to proceed against a man convicted and that they should hasten his Judgement that he might quickly serve for an example The Princesse had some small hope that the King her Father would not so wholly yeeld himself up to his passions but that he would cast an eye to the many services which her Anaxander had formerly done the dead Prince Arontus as well as the Crown under the name of Ariomant besides she hoped for some good from the journey Almerin had made into Cambaya but when she saw that the King hastned so very much the Judgement of the cause and that purposely for that reason he had sent to the Chief of the Judges she thought he would run great hazard and that when it may be her Fathers nature might incline to Pitty and Compassion he ight be too much engaged to this honour and his word not to give such example to his people The greatest part of hte Judges were very sorry for that poor offenders misfortune and seeing when they came to give Judgement that there was no liklihood of saving him there was not one but did it against his will and with sorrow condemned a man of so great merit but the reverence of the Laws and the honour they bare unto the Princes authority oblig'd them rather to save his Oaths than him who had despis'd them and seeing they must do Justice they pronounced the sentencce of death against Anaxander and condemned him to have his Head struck off in the great place before the Palace When this sad sentence was read unto him in the Prison he was marvelously surpris'd for beside that he hoped for deliverance by Pirexenus and Almerin and from the Princesse favour he did not expect that the severity of the Laws would have extended to that last rigor and thought when they had only frighted him with punishment they would have let him go But when he saw it was in good earnest they condemned him to death Friend sayd he to him that came as Deputy from the Court of Nayres does the King know who I am and that he hath no power of right over my life Sir Answered the Judge there hath been a report spred here that you are the King of Cambayas Son but the King will not believe it and himself told us he had a thousand arguments to convince that falsehood heâ— ought at least said Anaxander to have known the truth before he had thus precipitated my condemnation and he should have found that report very true Remember my Friend that this sentence passeth against himself and his own blood because I am his Daughters husband and if he be so barbarous and unnatural as to proceed farther to the execution of an unjust sentence tell him that besides the revenge I expect from heaven he shall draw on his head all the powers of the King my Father who will never indure so foul an action to escape unpunished Is this the welcome that Strangers receive in this country which come to do is honour although I were not as I am born a Prince yet ought my person to be safe even by the Law of Nations your Laws cannot by right extend themselves beyond the limits of this Kingdom nor punish crimes of honour in those whom you have not forbidden and are not subject to the observation of your Lawes Must I serve as an example and be the first man chastis'd for an action never yet by any man seen punish'd in Narsinga though Ducls frequent in it and Edicts chang'd a thousand times Ah pray bid the King he look more than once to what he does and that a Kings Son ought not to be the first mark of his vengeance Go to him presently if you love his honour and ask the Princesse whether in disgrace she will abandon those whom in Prosperity she hath made shew to love The Judge was much astonished at his words and thought himself oblig'd to tell them the King wherefore he came knocking to the chamber door to acquaint him w i th what he had learnt from Ariomant but the Door keeper would not admit him because the King was private with his Daughter and had forbidden any whasoever to be let in till she were gone That amorous Princesse having known of Anaxanders condemnation and seeing that all her vain hopes of his liberty promised no good overcome by her sorrow and most earnestly importun'd by Love forgot all respect and shame and believing that that very day he whom she so tenderly loved should unhappily end his dayes and be a shamefull spectacle for all the Court jealous of his Vertues and past Victories went and cast her self at the King her Fathers feet and full of tears told him the reason she had to beg Anaxanders life of him whom she boldly avowed for her Husband and with a thousand oaths and by the testimony of her dead brother Arontus she confirm'd the noyse that
went of his illustrious extraction The King was so moved and troubled in his mind at those words as he was a sufficient space without replying any thing at length looking with extream severity upon the Princesse Unhappy Woman said he is it possible thou wouldst endure thy self to be overtaken by this strangers prating so mserable an unknown man who is come so far to laugh at my lawes to violate my Edicts and happily thy self also say quickly hath he stayn'd thy bed and my race and whether surpriz'd with his embraces after thou went taken with his lies thou gavest thy self up to his lewd desires The Princess exceedingly amazed to finde so harsh a usage from him who had never been but very kinde to her recollected yet all her reason and strength not to seem troubled in her answer and to try to perswade her Father in her Lovers behalf How Sir said she to him could you have so ill an opinion of your Daughter as to think her able to commit so foul an Action May not a man be valued without giving ones self up to him and do you think me so filly and light to give Prince Anaxander the hearing without first assurances of his birth as well by my dead Brother as by his own confession when in my Cousin Lisimenaes hearing he made me an ample relation of all his adventures Believe me Sir if I have avowed him my affection I have done it with all Modesty becomming my Condition and my Sex and being assured you never would dislike the sure of so vertuous a Prince for my sake only he stole from his Parents run great hazard in forein parts and would not discover himself to you but in a Princes equipage which he was about to do when you surpriz'd him with your guard The King whom rage had fully possessed and made incapable of the Princesse reasons O silly Maid said he how hast then been so credulous to his perswasions whose errand here was only to abuse thee Where canst thou sinde me other proofs of his birth than from his own mouth he had sayst thou perswaded thy Brother as foolish as thy self and some ground he must needs seek to build his treason on and surprize thee Were he the King of Cambayaes Son would he have been so lo ng among us and not have made himself known to some body and had he lifted to have u s'd that quality to have married thee would he not have sent to his Father who would have been but too glad to favour his so high pretences But to let thee see he is a meer deceiver and that Anaxander is really dead didst not thou lately see that Pirobus confirm'd it being sent Embassador to me from the King of Cambaya and assur'd me he had only Alcidaris left of the two Children the gods had given him Thinkest thou that if Anaxander had not been slain in that sally with Piroxenus and the two Princes of Decan the King his Father who lamented him infinitely and made all possible means to over-take him would not have learn'd it by some of his servants and that no man would be so charitable as to raise the Queen Anaxarette from the deep melancholy wherein her dear sons losse had for ever cast her Be gone unhappy Maid reply no more thou hast committed what thou never shalt repair by suffering that Persian impostor to abuse thy credulous and simple youth without remembring that thy father is a King I have lost half and more of that esteem I had thy vertue in thou shalt be the cause that I this day put him to death whose life but for his treason thou discoverest I might have been willing enough to save Be gon go weep thy fault and in six months appear not in my sight The poor Princesse had not courage to reply unto the sharpnesse of that last language but full of confusion withdrew herself considering the tragical designs and her mind feeding on nothing but deadly thoughts How said she in her self can I endure without resentment that a Tyran father handle so unworthily the dearest thing I love in the world shall I not have so much credit as to save the one half of my soul which a most cruel man will take from me Ah wretch that I am I went too fearfully unto him who fearfully desires teaches denial I should have old him boldly that if he slew my husband I would die with him and that by death I would deliver me from his and Fortunes tyranny but that unworthy fear which Nature too last hath bound unto my feeble sex restrain'd my tongue which could not execute what my heart commanded and yet I ruin thee my dear Anaxander and yet I see thee given to death without a power to help thee so miserable am I but what say I she cannot be accounted miserable who can die easily I will follow theâ— my dear Anaxander Is it possible that thou should'st die without me whiles we two make but one with me thou mayst However I resolve to wait until the last hour that if by some miracle and particular mercy from heaven the gods will save thy life I may live with thee With this bloody resolution she retir'd into her Chamber and driving from her as many as would divert her from her deadly sorrow she caused a little Page whom she loved to be call'd to her and with a seeming setled understanding and a countenance which witnessed nothing lesse than what was in her thoughts bid him go buy a fine Dagger which she would give him to wear with that little sword by his side but that he should beware of letting her women know it because they would be jealous of the love she bare him This child who was far from guessing at the Tragical design of his Mistresse did presently as he was commanded and with the money she gave him bought a prety little Poinard which he came and delivered her As soon as she found her self so strongly armed with a remedy against her misfortunes Ariston said she so was the Page called I give thee leave to go see Ariomant executed by and by set thy self as conveniently as thou canst to see him and as soon as thou see'st his head off come as fast as thou canst and bring me word but left thou lose thy Dagger in the throng I le keep it till thy return The poor innocent resolv'd to do as his Mistrisse commanded him and in the mean while the unfortunate Orazia who would not dine shut her self in her closet where being alone sh freely discharg'd her heart which was however but of tears when it was throughly drayn'd her agony was full as violent and lasting t was agitated with an everlasting sorrow which the poor afflicted Lady promised shortly to determine by the end of her life and for that purpose kept the little dagger which Ariston had delivered her in her bosome to make use of it as soon as she should hear of
her Lovers death While she remaind in this deadly trouble and bloody displeasure le ts see what Piroxenus did on his side when he heard publickly that there was no more hope for his friend and that the Judge who pronounced the sentence of death upon him had been in vain perswading the King that he should do well to delay the execution untill the truth of what the offender said concerning his extraction were known Indeed he took an ill time to discourse with that Prince on the instant when he was a fresh insensed against his daughter so as he gave him no more speed than her and that advertisement but made him hasten so much sooner the execution and redouble his anger Almost the whole Gentry of the Court considered that execution with horror and not sufficiently able to bemoan his misfortune that was to be the first example in an action for which no man was ever known to be put to death though many in like case have in their absence been condemn'd but they ever upon the first stir of War made their accommodations which being over the King obliged himself likewise to forget their crimes past and threaten them again by new Edicts which were lately published to Anaxanders confusion But let us leave these needlesse digressions to acquit our selves of our promise in making all the world see the incomparable sorrow of that incomparable friend that faithful Piroxenus who till that time conceal'd himself as guilty as Anaxander to see if he could finde any means to succour him When he perceiv'd that he had no more to hope he thought he had no more to fear and seeing that they were about to carry his other self to execution his dear and faithful friend for whom in times past during Orixa's misfortune he had been forc'd to live he was not long to resolve whether he ought to die with him or no. When he knew that he was taken out of prison to be conducted to his end environed with two companies of the Kings guard he drew his sword to run himself through but recalling himself instantly from that precipirate actioÌ„ My deer Anaxander said he I may not in this manner follow thee since having lived so well and worthily thou art ready to die in favour with the gods and that I see already heaven open to receive thee I should never meet they happy soul if I should commit this outrage on my self and move the gods by this so contrary action to the laws of Nature For thy sake then I will not die by my own hands because our souls may meet again but I will force that rabble which encompasse thee to give me the stroak of death I le throw my self among them and the gods shall bear me witnesse that I advance not my daies by an unworthinesses of heart which makes me sinck under under the burden of my sorrows I know it is the part of a couragious man to resist with constancy the crosses of Fortune that to stand up against her is to scorn her and to endure her evils patiently is to deride her But my dear Cousin I am nto able I confesse to endure for thy sake what I could for my own be it how it will I mean to follow thee and should curse my life a thousand times if I should happen to out-live thee a minute Thus saying in great fury he came forth of his house and without farther care of being known in the streets went strait to the place where the poor Anaxander was bound upon the Scaffold paler through anger than through fear and resolute to die in that disability to defend himself from the outrage they committed on his innocency When Piroxenus saw him in that pittiful condition he grew doubly incensed and in that passion of rage which blinded him resolv'd to revenge his own and his friends death on those who were not guilty of it and in spite of those that guarded the place who were ranged like a hedg and environed the Scaffold to make way with his two swords unto it that he might once more say farewell to him he lov'd a thousand times more than himself The two Bracmanes who attended Anaxander had already begun the last prayers for his soul all the company answered the sad time which they prayed in and the Heaâ—s 〈◊〉 expected but the end of the Canticle to give the deadly blow had the Princes hair in hsi hand to cut it away that it might not hinder the striking off his head when the hopelesse Piroxenus took his time to fly through that innumerable multitude of people which gave way to his two swords which he handled with a great deal of cunning and fury he mowed down the very enclosure of Souldiers maiming and cleaving all he met in his way when he had got the middle of the place he presently ascended the unhappy Theater where so Tragical an action was to be represented and seeing the Hangman handling the Princes hair Art thou said he so infamously impudent as to touch that sacred head and therewithall cleft his to the neck and suddainly unbinding his dear Anaxander he gave the other sword into his hands Those Souldiers who suspected nothing and were far from fearing any attempt for Anaxander deliverance were wonderfully amazed and astonished that the boldnesse of one man proceeded to that extream temerity by and by by their Captains command who blasphem'd for anger they encompassed the Scaffold which wae raised some ten steps and could not be come to without a Ladder but as many as offred to come up were hewn in pieces and those two Lions who look'd for nothing lesse than saving themselves did wonderful effects to sell their lives and well dispute them When Anaxander saw that they recoiled and dared no longer approach them Friends said he to them the gods are my witnesses that with sorrow I spill your blood remember when I led you in War and how it may be I help'd you very well to set the Crown on his head who now would take away my life for an action of honor whereto beside I was provoked by Lisimantus fault Since my ruin is inevitable he shall shortly see what t is tomeddle with the sone of Kings his neighboure who give not place to him for power Friends said Piroxenus to the people on the other side if ye knew the mischief which threateneth you in our losse ye would all take arms to save us from the fury of a Tyrant whom we have delivered from the oppression of two slaves who were greedy after your goods and lives Know that however you see us we are two mighty Princes left to the severity of Fortune and if the outrage unjustly begun be finished upon us ye shall all suffer though ye be innocent and very shortly see all the King of Cambayas power fall upon you and your children who is my mothers brother and that unhappy Princes sather whom I but now unloosed from the
Hangmans hands These discourses assisted by the gracesful action of those two men of so excellent aspect began already to work some impression in the peoples minds there was not one civil man who with horror beheld not the injustice done those two brave courages and who would not willingly have hazarded his life for their safety but the sequel was of too much fear and the dread of the Kings anger restrained the most factious among them Meanwhile the Souldiers by the Captains command were gone to setch Ladders to assault our Princes on every side and try to take them alive that by an ignominious death the slaughter they had made on their companions might be revenged forbidding any arrows to be shot at them which had by some been done already when from the Palace gate-ward a great throng was seen to come and the King himself before them which began to cry on all sides grace but the confused noise the Souldiees made about the Scaffold hindred them from hearing that favorable cry when the King who caused room to be made by the Archers of his guard who went before him was come neer and had understood what Piroxenus had done he wondered and more again when he saw the two Princes defend themselves so couragiously against an armed multitude Hold cry'd he out to the Souldiers as soon as he could be heard all that were before him did the like in as much as at length those blood-thirsty men perceived the King neer them and heard his countermands His presence then having clamed the storm all held their peace and bent their eyes upon him to see what 't was he would command them and understand the reason of his comming personally there when turning towards the Princes who were not lesse astonish'd at his comming than the people and directing his speech to them spake in this manner I am so full of confusion Sirs for what I very lately have understood that whereas you think I am come to give you pardon I come to ask it of you and to conjure you likewise to forgive me a crime which I have ignorantly committed and whereof my passion only is guilty See said he to Prince Anaxander if you know this young Kinight Gentleman of the horse to the King your father t is he that hath unfolded me my errour and who hath freed me from a misfortune after which I never should have been comforted if the last act of the Tragedy had been performed on you When the Prince who was already well restored by the Kings mild language knew Falantus face he leapt from off the Scaffold and embraced him Piroxenus did the like then presently turning to the King In truth Sir said Anaxander you were a little too hasty and me thinks you should for me have made use of your accustomed wildom and have â—een whether the report spread in your Court concerning my extraction were true or no before you used so great severity as you have done However seeing the gods have pleas'd to stay the course of this misfortune we must forget what 's past and promise Sir that neither my Cousin nor my self will remain lesse affectionate to your service seeing it is our own fault we had not told you who we were Consider me Sirs said the King as your selves and judge if the report of your death being every where dispers'd and being lately renewed to me by the King of Cambayas Eâ—bassadour who assur'd me his Master had but one son only living call'd Alcidaris I had not cause to believe all to be lies that have been toldme of you verily after all those untruths accompanied with so many of your feignings and disguises I had very good reason to redouble my anger against you Anaxander when I understood from my daughters own mouth that without declaring your self to any body and passing but at an ordinary Knight you had taken the freedom to talk to her of love and contract a Marriage with her wihout my consent which had never been deny'd you had I known your birth You have certainly cause to be angry with your selves for the wrong which hath been done you but for what I have contributed I promise to repair the injury by so many testimonies of assection as you both shall henceforth have more reason to love than you have formerly had cause to hate me But in regard this is no proper place for complements le ts go together to the Palace and make my Daughter partake of our joy and first of all le ts thank the gods which have delivered you from the imminent danger threatned you by you own fault and have sent thi Knight of Cambaya at the very minute to secure your lives At these words the Princes redoubled their embraces of Falantus and truly they had great reason so to do as he who by his incredble diligence became their redeemer having in four daies and as many nights rid more than two hundred leagnes whereto that excellent horse very much contributed which he took with him whereon without stop he dispatched eight or nine Posts by this means he arrived at the time he should to save their lives so dear to the King his Master and had he more delai'd undoubtedly he had in vain perform'd that journey for the two generous Princeâ— had been forc'd to yield to the power of so great a number of Souldiers as were ready to assault them every where They departed then from that place to go directly to the Temple and in the meanwhile the little Ariston who had seen all these passages went before to advertise his Mistresse whom he found laid on a little bed in her Closet wholly over come with sorrow and already threatning her fair bosome with the Dagger from which she hoped all her remedy As soon as she saw the Page come in she rose up and taking the Dagger in her hand Is' t done my friend said she is Ariomant dead No Madam answer'd he the King himself came and delivered him and did him all manner of honor there is some mystery in the matter which I know not for I understood by the confused noise which I heard from the middle of the place that the offender was the King of Cambayaes son he told her after what Piroxenus had done and the memorable exploits they both perform'd upon the Scaffold The Princesse transported with that news which she well enough understood could not forbear embracing the little Ariston and was a quarter of an hour and more in a kinde of trouble truly he did well to come and prepare her mind for that joy for if at first it had come to her from the Kings mouth she could never have forborne to have shewn her ravishment whereas she had the time to compose her self to receive that pleasure without disquiet and to accompany her countenance with a modest coldnesse when her father came As soon as he had thank'd the gods he entred the Princesse chamber followed by