and remained like a distracted creature till she vrging him and he desiring to satisfie her swore they were none of his nor that euer he receiued any from her O miserable man said he thus to be betrayd what haue I done to be thus plagued and insufferably afflicted Alas my deerest I neuer heard from thee neuer writ to thee but if I had sweetnes and loue should haue beene the subiect and not this False Terichillus this I feare comes from thee for this is thy hand I know it is the same in iest that thou wert wont to counterfeit and hast thou practisd it for this vnkind and cruell man Shee seeing his sorrow and his clearenesse receiued much comfort and taking him againe by the hand happy am I my Lord said shee that shall now ende contented blessed in your loue and cleare from the end I fear'd you had sent me be happy my onely deare and liue with all content let that Lady whosoeuer you shall choose loue you no lesse then I doe let her be as iust and loyall but so much more fortunate for your sake as to liue to enioy you longer Had you beene cruell as you were accused falsely my loue had pardoned it and welcommer had my death beene to me sent by you then life if in dislike of you My soule lou'd you and loues you nor euer suffer'd it shewe of dislike against you I had cleerly passed into the other world without blameing you yet am I happy to see you and your truth before I part I must leaue you my onely loue I must goe and yet this I will beseech you to keep of me the memory of your truest loue and let that memory bee put with loue and not moou'd with rage to reuenge these wrongs he hath done you a fauour it may be in keeping you for a worthyer but neuer can you haue a truer He weeping told her he tooke that last ill that shee would say hee could haue a worthier O no said he that cannot be thy worth cannot be equal'd no more then my wrongs reueng'd sufficiently They both wept then spake a little and so tooke their leaues shee seeing his sorrow was afflicted for it he finding it sought to couer it so he kissed her and went out of the chāber with as dying a heart as she had almost no sooner was he gone but she calling her womā to her willed her to burne those papers thē taking ◠ring from off her finger which was a pointed Diamōd she euer wore had vowed to doe so till she died or married charged her to giue it Antonarus then turning her to the other side tell him said she I bequeath this my truest loue and last loue to him so I coniure him to keepe these She went to performe her command he instantly with the rest of the company came in but there they found her dead It was alas too late to recouer her but not to giue a more happy end how hee tooke it onely such a loue can expresse which began but when she was dying and enioyed but in death He instantly left the Court and hearing Terichillus had stollen away vpon his comming guiltinesse condemning him he went in search of him putting on an armour as blacke as his sorrowes so he trauelled cloathed in sorrow accompanied with remembrance of her chast and loyall loue her death the treason that caused it the iniury done him yet her spotlesse affection All these were motiues the more he ran from one to the other still the first held him and wrapt him fast in all Thus he went caught in himselfe till hee met Terichillus in a plaine betweene two hills to whom he sent his Squire who was all his company not to discourse with him but to call him to answere the wrongs done to him and his loue when the Squire came to him hee made no answer but this he had cause to call him to account and he would satisfie him so he prepared himselfe and they met where they fought a cruell fight but Antonarus hauing iustice on his side got so much the better as hee had Terichillus vnder him and at his mercy which when he had confest asked pardon of him for his fault he tooke him vp with these words Rise Terichillus thy shame and conscience are sufficient reuengers I will not shed thy bloud which cannot cleanse so foule a fault or satisfie for losse of her so chaste and immaculate make it more cleare and purer if thou canst with true repentance while mine eyes and heart drops fulfill and serue for her funerall Then leap'd he vpon his horse leauing my brother hurt and wounded more with scorne and hate of himselfe so to be saued then kindly thanking him that had done it Away Antonarus posted and came into Morauia to visit me who indeed was onely his seruant Infant Loue on my side haueing made me so he stayd not long but told me all this story for which I lou'd him better then before gratefulnesse hauing large command ouer my hart Hee neuer by my words had knowledge of my loue to him till two yeares after passing by that way and priuately desiring to see me vnfortunately for vs both I did confesse it hee embraced it and so wee lou'd my brother still continuing his hate but in my Fathers time of life did make no publique shew of it Vpon the death of him he tooke the title and first began with open proclamations of his hate and the first forbidding me his company yet where were these proclaimd but in his house and to his priuate friends yet I went further and did warne my loue of him this was the cause hee came not in his sight nor to his knowledge and in hunts-mans habit was the last time I did see him for my brother returned with his wife the watches were made new and stronger ouer me yet loue made them fruitles for on a time appointed we met and meant to keepe together then boldly I writ to my brother telling him what I had done and that I hoped he would excuse me since I had taken him for my husband whom loue and youth had chosen for mee and now was gone with him whom most I loued to liue with and whom I now was happily to obay My brother grew infinitely inraged with this and straight sent out many horses to stay and interrupt our passage but in vaine for we were passed and had laid such spies for them as kept vs free Into Selesia we came finding and bringing with me all content in hauing my owne hearts desire with me Antonarus welcommed me with gift of all his estate I returned that to him againe taking a farre greater as I esteemd it which was himselfe and his true loue my best and only fortune Terichillus this while imagined himself highly iniured wherefore he sent Antonarus word that so ill he tooke this affront as he would with armes regaine his honour touched He replied that
them to suffer Amphilanthus relating the blessed content he felt in his fortunate enioying truly and affectionately discouering the expresse knowledge of her loue by the sincerest expression made vnto him and such as Selarinus grew to be iealous hee should neuer compasse for it seemd vnpossible that any more then one woman could bee so excellent and perfect a louer As hee was ready to make reply in that kind they heard a voice as if within the Tombe bring forth some words which made them at the first hearing it start vp afraid of discouerie or as if troubled that they had hurt her the speech betraying the heart to suffer excessiuenesse in misery Vnfortunate woman said it that cannot die hauing such occasion Is it possible deare Tombe that thou canst hold and inclose my woes yet keepe them safe in thee and with the multitudes of them at last conclude my griefe let my sorrowes swell against themselues in iustest rage and with their furies choke my breath that serues to speake them and to bee drawne contrary to my onely desires to saue my weary and afflicted life tedious vnpleasing time finish thy labour and my woes let this bee my last minute of vnquietnesse redeeme me from the cruell slauery of liuing and bring mee to the excellent libertie of dying for how can life be pleasing when Polidorus is not My dearest and alone deare Lord I know that thou art dead else were I fetched by thee to ioy with thee where as now I remaine in my liuing death Would I did know the truth then might I giue thee my last farewell and with that ioyne my soule with thine but twixt these violent despaires how am I tortured Then was shee quiet a little space while they perused the place but long continued she not so like to women spinning staid but to fasten the thread to begin againe to turne and twine her sorrowes but now she had spun them into Rime like the Swan in a most weeping Verse they hearing her stayd from the releasing her out of the Tombe till she had said her Verses being these INfernall Spirits listen to my moanes From Cauy depths giue hearing to my groanes Great Pluto let thy sad abiding moue With Hellish fires to flame for fires of loue Let Charon passe my woes vnto thine eares His boate if empty they shall load it well With tortures great as are the paines of Hell And waightier then the Earth this body beares Take downe my spirit cloyd with griefe and paine Coniure the darkest Pits to let me gaine Some corner for a rest if not let mee O Pluto wander and complaine to thee No corsiue can make wounds haue torture more Nor this disfauor vex a forelorne soule If all thy furys were put in a role Then Loue giues me ah bitter eating sore Call thy great Counsell and afflicted Sp'rits Examine well their woes with all their nights And you shall find none there that are not mine Nay my least with their greatest ioyntly twine Let saddest Echo from her hollow Caue Answere the horrid plaints my sorrow giues Which in like mournefull and vast cauerne liues Then iudge the murdering passions which I haue My Iudge is deafe then O thy iustice proue Mend thou the fault of proud forgetfull loue Release me from thy Court and send me out Vnto thy Brother Ioue whose loue and doubt Hath oft transform'd him from his heauenly kind So now from thee transforme my killing care To blessing and from Hell into the Ayre Darke griefe should not a louing fancy bind Yet loue thus binds me euen vnto my death and welcomest wereâ— that might I obtaine it but yet that must not bee What ioy did I euer know yes I did loue vnknowne then knowne enioyed enioyed how long the quarter of the time I lou'd in vaine and that poore quarter how oft cross'd afflicted and tormented with all varyeties of paines yet my deere Lord thou euer wert most kind and so true louing as one death is too too little now to haue for thee although a wasting lingring end Would tenne times more I might beare so thou wert fafe vnfortunate but brauest Prince to bee embraced in such a busines where not only honours Crowne possessions but thy life must bee a sacrifice vnto the pleasure of two young men My sweetest loue thou must bee the poore Lambe offered for others faults O my deere Polidorus thou didst merit fame and loue not trouble and reuenge thou didst not erre but if thy Father did must his sinnes lye on thee and thou be punished for his pride yet deere thou hast required my best loue and made prouision for thy other selfe for after thee none should ere haue had my loue since with thee it ought to haue as first creation lasting buriall and that assurance thou hast giuen but keepe thy promise which was if with victory thou didst returne to bring mee vnto thee if thou wert killd to be brought vnto mee that in this vault we might haue our graues and that red Marble serue for such a Tombe as might best â—itâ—esse blood did cause our ends Thou art ore-throwne I find it deere and hindred I am confident else none could keepe thee from remembring thy poore loue but if thou wert so hindred cursed be the causers and my Desteny to barre my last enioying of my best lou'd Lord let those neuer ioy in happines of loue that be the parters of our bodyes a poore gift it had bâ—ene to giue a chosen graue alas he must be buried and if so where easier and with lesser paines or fitter then with her that liues to dye when shee 's certaine what becomes of him Dâ—ere Polidorus heere I liue to thy deere memory feed on the sweetest word thou gauest mee when we parted but will liue no longer then thy end bee knowne to mee If thou beest liuing quickly come to me if dead assoone the tydings then shall I witnes my conâ—â—ant woe and pay to thee what thou deseruedst and only vnto thee will I commend my loue and dying paines others to others yeeld their last made â—ows my first and last were dedicated and so giuen to thee and thus a dying life doe I continue in till thou or thine release me vnto thee When she had ended these lamentable speeches they tryed to open the Chest which easily they did she seeing it open her heart euen opened with it as embracing the ioy her loued Lord should bring her ready as it were to take or loue or death equally fit for either the place by opening being fit to be discouered they found the stone to be like an vpper box in a Cabinet lesser then the other but part of it as the light to the ancient Halls in Princes houses but this was darke the lower part was a bed of gold vpon which she lay her apparell a Roabe of purple imbrodered as the Kings Roabes vse to be vnder that a petticoate or round kirtle of
Sweet heat and light My heauy sp'rit Dull'd in thy setting made anew If you renew Daysies doe grow And spring below Blest with thy warm'th so once I grew Wilt thou returne Deare blesse mine â—yes Where loues zeale lyes Let thy deere obiect mildly burne Nor flie but turne 'T is season now Each happy bow Both buds and bloomâ—s why should I mourne No sooner had he ended his song but the same voice though in a more plaining maner brought forth these words O life O death why am I cloyd with one slaue for the other much more of me desired False ioyes leaue forc'd pleasure fly me musick why abide you since ioy pleasure and true musick which is loue abandons me shuns me alas true piece of misery I who am despis'd hated scorn'd and lost Are these my gaines vngratefull loue take here thy conquest and glory in thy purchase while I liue loathing my selfe and all but her by whom I remaine a wretched forlorne slaue yet some comfort I haue to sustaine mee that I suffer for the rarest and most excellent of women and so long Cupid vse thy force and tyrannize vpon my slaughtered heart These words were to the braue Italian so iust the image of his owne thoughts as they were as if his or like two Lutes tun'd alike and placed the one struck the other likewise sounds so did these speeches agree to his incumbred thoughts Willing he was to comfort him but loth to disquiet him knowing in this estate lonelines and disburdning of some part of the like griefe doth ease one wherefore he remain'd in a doubt what to doe when as the young man for so he perceiuâ—d from such a one the voyce did come not caring which way he did take or seeing any direct path but that his phantasies led him in came hard by the place where Amphilanthus lay who viewing his youth and delicate beautie admired and pittied him He passed on towards the Riuer his eyes as it were imitating the swift running of that streame his Lute he held in his hand till againe hauing some more Verses fram'd in his minde perfect louers neuer wanting inuention he againe played and sung hauing done O Loue said he once eaâ—e me or let death seaze me giuing conclusion to my dolorous daies What doe I gaine by being a Prince What auailes it me to hope for a Kingdomes Gouernment when she who is my Kingdome to me and my Princesse doth reiect me Woe is me that euer I knew Morea Woe is me that euer I beheld Pamphilia O Phamphiliâ— would I were but so much honour'd as thou wouldst but thinke me worthy to kisse thy hands that would reuiue me and for that fauour would I thinke my selfe sufficiently requited for all my torments-bearing Amphilanthus hearing his Cousen named and the young man discouer himselfe to be a Prince wondring in his trauels he had neuer seene him desirous to be resolu'd of his estate and name with all the true cause of his desperate griefe went towards him curteously and with respect due to him saluted him thus Sir let not I pray you my boldnesse in this interrupting your more pleasing thoughts be displeasing to you since it is my fortune not desire to trouble you which brought me hither wherefore I hope I shal obtaine pardon of you The young Prince soberly and a little blushing answered No fault can I find with your being here or any thing except my owne fortune which thinkes it selfe neuer curst enough to me but since as I assure my selfe you haue heard my Passions till now neuer knowne to man let me know by whom I am discouer'd Vpon promise to haue the like curtesie from you replyed the valiant King I wil not hide my selfe from you He consenting the stranger Prince began Then Sir know I am called Steriamus Prince and rightfull King of Albania brought vnto this countrey by the vertuous and noble Prince Parselius who hath vndertaken to assist me in recouering the Kingdome lost in my Fathers daies but what talke I of a Kingdome hauing lost the power of my content and happinesse now Sir performe your word I am said the other Amphilanthus King of the Romans Steriamius knowing him to be that famous Prince in whose search his friend was gone fast held him in his armes crying yet am I happy to see the most renowned Priâ—ce breathing before I dye for now may I ending say I haue seene the worth of the world and feele her greatest cruelty Amphilanthus blushâ—d to heare his vertue so extold but louingly embracing in like manner the Albanian Prince was againe sollicited by him to tell him all his story which in this manner sitting downe by the Riuer side he did discourse My selfe and my brother being brought by that worthy Prince to his Fathers Court were there left he first hauing receiu'd promise and command being giuen for mens raysing to restore me miserable me to my kingdome as I before told you he tooke his leaue being gone in the search of you but promised returne within six monthes into Morea being now gone into Italie hoping to meete you there I remaining grieu'd to part with him but more afflicted with an incurable wound which in that Court I receiu'd But before I goe any further I pray tell me whether you haue lately seene the Princesse Pamphilia for surely then shall I finde one paine troubles vs and one cure onely for vs I saw her very lately repli'd Amphilanthus being but almost now come from her Fathers Court but for all that you may safely goe on with your discourse Then said he it was my happinesse to see her but my misery to fall in loue with her cruell she who if she proue not mercifull to me I must for her thus euer suffer besides it hinders my going on in the regaining of Albania for what is a Kingdome to me being subiect to a greater power of the minde What can that Realme proue to me if Pamphilia martyr mee What is a Court to one cast downe to the lowest of Loues slaueries No Selarinus thou art worthy and free and therefore fit to rule and God send thee that and all other good fortunes and this among the rest that thou neuer come to the knowledge of thy miserable Brothers end whose misery did thus begin One day as the King and Queene were walking in the Garden attended on by all the Princes Ladies and Knights of the Court euery one discoursing as best pleased them Pamphilia walked alone none daring to present himselfe to her such was the respect all bore vnto her and feare of displeasing her I saw her and with that sight lost my selfe Loue then emboldned me so as arm'd with his fire I went to her and tooke the boldnesse to walke by her and offering discourse I confesse vnworthy of her hearing shee entertain'd me modestly and grauely Loue for me finding this hope forc'd me to vse the time and to speake something of it selfe to her
as many dayes iourneyes as wee could still to win of time at last wee there arriued where want was none if fault onely I found the continuall company of her good man that which I disliked yet wee conuersed freely as well wee might before him hee being as free as noble courtesie could desire expression in but we were not fully contented with this wherefore wee would venture for more which cost all for hee lying from his Wife that night by reason of care to her lest continuall businesse might disquiet her I hauing notice of it when all were in their beds and sweete silence spread with sleepe ouer all the house I rose out of my lodging and softly went vnto her Chamber where I found her sleeping at my comming to the bed side shee awaked but how did shee blame mee and yet truly I belieue it was the hazard I had put my selfe in shee more accused and chid then my selfe for shee did not too cruelly reiect mee though earnestly she intreated nay coniurd my sudden retyring which I after some howers yeelded vnto taking my leaue of her with as sad and dying affection as if I had foreseene the ensuing harme which thus happened I had at my rising lighted a Candle which careleslie my mind onlie on my aduenture I left burning on the Cubbord in my Chamber this light by miserable mischance wasting it selfe to my ruine burned so into it selfe as not being able to sustaine or in mallice falling downe to throw mee to the bottome of all destruction tooke hold of the Carpet so setting that on fire the blaze aspiring to my ende fired the hangings they hating the iniurie the guest they honoured had done to their owne Lord in angrie flames made testimony of their loyaltie to their Master giuing him knowledge by their light to see my fault and to bee as torches for the conducting him vnto my misery The fire great the smoke greater and which more hastily flew about to call witnesses of their innocencies raised the seruants they their Master he carefull of me sent to my chamber to call me to safetie but more respecting his wife as dearest to him went himselfe to saue her when at the doore how vnwelcome a meeting had he encountring in mee the robber of his honor Hee stood still and in truth I must euer say hee beheld mee rather with â—orrow then fury nor would he suffer any to be witnesse of his ill but seeing me vnarm'd and onely in my Cloake he intreated me to passe into the next roome which I did and seeming cheerefull enough to all els tooke care of his House to preserue it if possible Then brought he vnto me a suit of Cloathes and hauing caused me to make my selfe ready together we went forth vnnoted by any as well wee might considering the businesse they had to saue the place from destruction When wee came into a faire Field he with teares thus â—aid Till now had I neuer the misfortune to be acquainted with the worst of offences which is breach of the true law of Friendship but since I am falne into the wretchedest experience of it I must like the most miserable seeke a way out of it You cannot deny but you haue deseru'd death and in the worst kind yet though I may haue it yet will I leaue the fault where it is and in the brauest manner wipe away the staine which cannot be washed but with your bloud or cleansed by my ende Take then this Sword throwing one to mee and said he defend your selfe I besought him not to put me to such a triall I had deseru'd no fauour nor wishd I any to my selfe onely that hee would honor me with giuing me my death and spare his wife who was for all my shamefull attempt vertuous and vntouch'd He onely shooke his head and fetching a deepe groane bid me leaue speach and goe to the conclusion which must bee death Wee fought for my part with so much foule guiltinesse as me thought strength cunning all good and vnderstanding had abandon'd me hee furious reuengefull and as I preceiu'd greedy of ende pursued me who onely held my Sword not to offend but to defend me till some who I descern'd not farre off could come to part vs but he likewise seeing them ran â—o fiercely at me as I must either lay my selfe open to take death or holding but my Sword out giue him his end which I most vnwillingly did forc'd to it by the frailty of the Flesh which in the apparent dangers is alwaies kindest to it selfe Those I saw came and iust to take vp his body and who alas followed them but the poore Lady extremity of shame bringing her to shew her shame She seeing him slaine cry'd out O spare not me who am the wofull cause of all this misery let me at last be thus farre blessd as by your hand to be sent againe vnto him from whom your sinne and mine haue parted me neuer let so detestable an offence rest vnpunished Shame calls vpon you and calls to me for satisfaction The seruants amazedly beheld vs till she neuer ceasing accusing her selfe nor vrging death seeing she could not get it kneeled downe and taking a cold kisse from his lips that were to her doubly dead in affection and pale death suddenly rose vp and in rising taking his sword with furious and hatefull spite to her selfe and wrong done him threw her selfe vpon it falling downe vpon him ioyning in that manner her broken vow againe in a new one with their ends Then did the seruants finde the cause whereupon they set on me for I would not yeeld to goe with them choosing and deâ—iring rather to dye with them then outliue them in such shame but too happy and contrary to my wish was my destinie for I slew them Being then left with the two dead bodies I fell into such complaints as sorrow and shame could procure in me crying out where affliction hath iudg'd it self in being excell'd as in my misery why should it not haue end in death then gaue I my selfe many wounds neuer ceasing wounding while my wounded soule abided in my body at least the soule of humane sense for so it onely prou'd for others following their Master and Mistris found vs all in the entertainment of wounds palenesse mixt with bloud in the outside in stead of the more naturall habitations the veines hauing made open flouds to drowne themselues in as a riuer may swell against it selfe to loose her owne name and yeeld it to a greater by her owne Pride Their bodies they carried away mine remain'd like a tatter'd Ensigne rather a glory of gaine then losse and so poore a thing was I but a charible man more louing goodnesse then me and yet louing me for goodnesse sake to make me haue a better ending then in bloud tooke my martyr'd body away with bathings and many more fine curiosities he brought mee to know I liu'd to be more knowing my dayly
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
an vnlook'd for meanes for Amphilanthus at his first comming into the Caue being confident of not being knowne pulld off his Helme while Bellamira was gone to the monument at her returne seeing his face she fell on her knees blushing at her errour My Lord said she the afflictions which make me ignorant of all â—hings but themselues haue caused my forgetfullnes vnto you which I most humbly craue pardon for He admired how she knew him desiring to bee made certaine of the cause and meanes of her knowledge being extreamely sorry to be discouered Be not displeased great Prince said she that your seruant my poore selfe knowes your excellency since heere you shall command what it shall please you and be knowne but as you name your selfe only giue me leaue to expresse what ioy my afflicted heart did little expect in beholding in this my sad dwelling the most matchlesse Prince the earth carryes and may glory in bearing But Madame said hee how doe you I beseech you know me My Lord said she I attended on the Kings Neece in â— iourney she was pleased to make out of too much pride and conceit of her beauty being enough to be liked but too little to be defended in field Into Italy among other places shee went and then it was my happines to see you and the honor of chiualry in you which the poore Prince my Ladies seruant found for after you had cast him to the ground she cast him out of her fauor scorning any after but your selfe yet not louing you because you wonne the prize from her beauty to your Mistris The King did very well remember that accident and so discoursing a little more to that purpose they concluded with her promise not to disclose him or to know him to be other then the Lost Man and that was the reason she so freely disclosed her passions to him Shâ— tooke her way towards Saint Maura the two Kings higher into the Country though no way likely to finde the Ladyes yet first for them who could lay those memories apart trauelling through the delicate parts of Greece till they came to Romania passing many aduentnres vnder the name of the Lost Man one being necessary to be remembred On the skirts of Romania they came into a place Rockey and hilley nothing but Heath and some small shrubs to shelter rayne Sunne or any thing from one the mighty Rocks which shewed their swelling sides appeard like Swannes in their neasts when breeding and angry at passengers for troubling them white as they and fringed with Holly trees the wayes stony and troublesome so as they walked on foote and their Squires led their Horses Defirous to see rarities Olorandus went among them Amphilanthus keeping on in a path The braue Bohemian seeking among them at the last hapned to one which was wonderfull to behold a Rocke of great height and bignesse the midst of which was cleft to the bottome so euen and iust as if cut by hands yet was it impossible for hands to doe it Nature shewing how neere she can come to Art and how far excell it Beyond this was an other Rocke in which was a little Caue and in that a man lying it was so shallow in the body of it as he might discerne him to lye on his left side his face from the light in Pilgrims cloathes his staffe and bag by him and to add to this sad sight his voyce agreed to make him knowne miserableâ— breaking into these complaints Vngratefull wretch monster of manâ—kinde why liue I still to poyson the sweete Aire with my vild breathing what wickednesse is there that I abound not in and haue committed false trecherous and vngratefull I haue beene dye then with shame wrap'd round about thee dye Dolorindus and neuer let thy vnworthy face be more beheld nor thy false eyes behold the light let darkenesse not so blacke as thy sinne infold thee and be as thou art a creature vnfit for Heauen to looke vpon Olorandus knew he had beene lost strangly the manner and cause was vnknowne the other Kings keeping his councell til they could finde meanes to worke for his good He stole away softly and calld Amphilanthus who presently came with him where they heard him continue in his moanes crying out O Villaine that had a thought to wrong thy worthyest friend to be vngratefull to al-deseruing Amphilanthus nay more to plot his ruine and conspire his death Antissia thou art the cause of this and I the more miserable to be brought by a woman to be a Beast Amphilanthus pardon me my soule begs it let the fault be where it is laid iustly on vniust commands in loue But what excuse can I make say Antissia bad mee kill Amphilanthus is that enough O noe truth tels me that he saued mee from ruine from staruing from death shall a woman then make me forget these benefits and only because I loued her loue should not extend to hurt or procure murther I haue offended beyond pardon mercy must be shewed if I continue but mercy cannot I aske so far hauing forgone truth as my offence flyes higher then any hope can ascâ—nd to Antissia I now hate thee more then once I loued thee and more iustly for thy loue hath made me worth-lesse and spoyled my name honor and content shame is the reward I haue gain'd for my loue to thee and the heauy waight of vngratefulnesse lyes on my heart They were both amazed to heare these words not being able to coniecture whence they came the voyce they knew and the name but how this sorrow was could not imagine In the end they concluded to speake to him and Olorandus began Repentance said hee merits pardon for the greatest ill if you truely repent doubt not but you shall receiue what you seeke and the neerest way to that is to confesse freely your fault and then pardon will follow Pardon cry'd he I cannot be pardon'd I cannot hope I cannot be forgiuen You may said he And for that I will ingage my honor if you will be ruld said Amphilanthus With that hee rose and looking on them knew them which so much oppressed his weake body as he fel to the ground in a swound Amphilanthus took him vp and Ollorandus went to the next Spring for water wherwith they rubd his temples and brought him to himself but to what end only to die again for so was he afflicted as impossible it was for him to liue as they doubted then Amphilanthus vowed vnto him at his second comming to himselfe that whatsoeuer he had done or thought against him was then forgiuen desiring onely to be resolued of the griefes cause My Lord said he how shall I dare to tell you what I haue done when no shame is so great so infinite so ill as my faultâ—â— I am a Traitor to you take reuenge or let me giue it you Stay Dolorindus said he fall not from one ill to a greater speake to me plainely tell me
most sad feeling in it all spite In night when darknesse doth forbid all light Yet see I griefe apparant to the show Follow'd by iealousie whose fond tricks flow And on vnconstant waues of doubt alight I can behold rage cowardly to feede Vpon foule error which these humors breede Shame doubt and feare yet boldly will thinke ill All those in both I feele then which is best Darke to ioy by day light in night opprest Leaue both and end these but each other spill Song 3. STay my thoughts doe not aspire To vaine hopes of high desire See you not all meanes bereft To inioy no ioy is left Yet still me thinkes my thoughts doe say Some hopes doe liue amid dismay Hope then once more Hope for ioy Bury feare which ioyes destroy Thought hath yet some comfort giuen Which despaire hath from vs driuen Therefore deerely my thoughts cherish Neuer let such thinking perish 'T is an idle thing to plaine Odder farre to dye for paine Thinke and see how thoughts doe rise Winning where there no hope lies Which alone is louers treasure For by thoughts we loue doe measure Then kinde thought my fant'sie guide Let me neuer haplesse slide Still maintaine thy force in me Let me thinking still be free Nor leaue thy might vntill my death But let me thinking yeeld vp breath 19. COme darkest Night becomming sorrow best Light leaue thy light fit for a lightsome soule Darknesse doth truely sute with me opprest Whom absence power doth from mirth controule The very trees with hanging heads condole Sweet Summers parting and of leaues distrest In dying colours make a grief-full role So much alas to sorrow are they prest Thus of dead leaues her farewell carpets made Their fall their branches all their mournings proue With leauelesse naked bodies whose hues vade From hopefull greene to wither in their loue If trees and leaues for absence mourners be No maruell that I grieue who like want see 20. THe Sunne which glads the earth at his bright sight When in the morne he showes his golden face And takes the place from tedious drowsie Night Making the world still happy in his grace Shewes happinesse remaines not in one place Nor may the Heauens alone to vs giue light But hide that cheerefull face though no long space Yet long enough for tryall of their might But neuer Sun-set could be so obscure No Desart euer had a shade so sad Nor could black darknesse euer proue so bad As paines which absence makes me now indure The missing of the Sunne a while makes Night But absence of my ioy sees neuer light 21. WHen last I saw thee I did not thee see It was thine Image which in my thoughts lay So liuely figur'd as no times delay Could suffer me in heart to parted be And sleepe so fauourable is to me As not to let thy lou'd remembrance stray Lest that I waking might haue cause to say There was one mnute found to forget thee Then since my faith is such so kinde my sleepe That gladly thee presents into my thought And still true Louer-like thy face doth keepe So as some pleasure shadow-like is wrought Pitty my louing nay of conscience giue Reward to me in whom thy selfe doth liue 22. LIke to the Indians scorched with the Sunne The Sunne which they doe as their God adore So am I vs'd by Loue for euermore I worship him lesse fauours haue I wonne Better are they who thus to blacknesse run And so can onely whitenesse want deplore Theu I who pale and white am with griefes store Nor can haue hope but to see hopes vndone Besides their sacrifice receiu'd in sight Of their chose Saint mine hid as worthlesse rite Grant me to see where I my offerings giue Then let me weare the marke of Cupids might In heart as they in skin of Phoebus light Not ceasing offerings to Loue while I liue 23. WHen euery one to pleasing pastime hies Some hunt fome hauke some play while some delight In sweet discourse and musicke shewes ioyes might Yet I my thoughts doe farre aboue these prize The ioy which I take is that free from eyes I sit and wonder at this day-like night So to dispose themselues as void of right And leaue true pleasure for poore vanities When others hunt my thoughts I haue in chase If hauke my minde at wished end doth flye Discourse I with my spirit talke and cry While others musicke choose as greatest grace O God say I can these fond pleasures moue Or musicke bee but in sweet thoughts of Loue 24. ONce did I heare an aged father say Vnto his sonne who with attention heares What Age and wise experience euer cleares From doubts of feare or reason to betray My sonne said hee behold thy father gray I once had as thou hast fresh tender yeares And like thee sported destitute of feares But my young faults made me too soone decay Loue once I did and like thee fear'd my Loue Led by the hatefull threed of Iealousie Striuing to keepe I lost my liberty And gain'd my griefe which still my sorrowes moue In time shun this to loue is no offence But doubt in Youth in Age breeds penitence Song 4. SWeetest Loue returne againe Make not too long stay Killing mirth and forcing paine Sorrow leading way Let vs not thus parted be Loue and absence nere agree But since you must needs depart And me haplesse leaue In your iourney take my heart Which will not deceiue Yours it is to you it flies Ioying in those loued eyes So in part we shall not part Though we absent be Tyme nor place nor greatest smart Shall my bands make free Tyed I am yet thinke it gaine In such knots I feele no paine But can I liue hauing lost Chiefest part of me Heart is fled and sight is crost These my fortunes be Yet deare heart goe soone returne As good there as heere to burne 25. POore eyes bee blinde the light behold no more Since that is gone which is your deare delight Rauish'd from you by greater power and might Making your losse a gaine to others store Oreflow and drowne till sight to you restore That blessed Starre and as in hatefull spight Send forth your teares in flouds to kill all sight And lookes that lost wherein you ioy'd before Bury thâ—se beames which in some kindled fires And conquer'd haue their loue-burnt hearts desires Losing and yet no gaine by you esteem'd Till that bright Starre doe once againe appeare Brighter then Mars when hee doth shine most cleare See not then by his might be you redeem'd 26. DEare cherish this and with it my soules will Nor for it ran away doe it abuse Alas it left poore me your brest to choose As the best shrine where it would harbour still Then fauour shew and not vnkindly kill The heart which fled to you but doe excuse That which for better did the worse refuse And pleas'd I le be though heartlesse my life spill But if you
This grieuefull spectacle did much amaze the sweet and tender-hearted Shepherdesse especially when she perceiued as she might by the helpe of the candle the teares which distilled from his eyes who seeming the image of death yet had this signe of worldly sorrow the drops falling in that abundance as if there were a kind strife among them to rid their Master first of that burdenous carriage or else meaning to make a floud and so drowne their wofull Patient in his owne sorrow who yet lay still but then fetching a deepe groane from the profoundest part of his soule he said Miserable Perissus canst thou thus liue knowing she that gaue thee life is gone Gone O me and with her all my ioy departed Wilt thou vnblessed creature lie here complaining for her death and know she died for thee Let truth and shame make thee doe something worthy of such a Loue ending thy daies like thy selfe and one fit to be her Seruant But that I must not doe then thus remaine and foster stormes still to torment thy wretched soule withall since all are little and too too little for such a losse O deere Limena louing Limena worthy Limena and more rare constant Limena perfections delicately faign'd to be in women were verified in thee was such worthinesse framed onely to be wondred at by the best but giuen as a prey to base and vnworthy iealousie When were all worthy parts ioyn'd in one but in thee my best Limena yet all these growne subiect to a creature ignorant of all but ill like vnto a Foole who in a darke Caue that hath but one way to get out hauing a candle but not the vnderstanding what good it doth him puts it out this ignorant wretch not being able to comprehend thy vertues did so by thee in thy murder putting out the worlds light and mens admiration Limena Limena O my Limena With that he fell from complaining into such a passion as weeping and crying were neuer in so wofull a perfection as now in him which brought as deserued a compassion from the excellent Shepherdesse who already had her heart so tempered with griefe as that it was apt to take any impression that it would come to seale withall Yet taking a braue courage to her shee stept vnto him kneeling downe by his side and gently pulling him by the arme she thus spake Sir said she hauing heard some part of your sorrowes they haue not only made me truly pitie you but wonder at you since if you haue lost so great a treasure you should not lie thus leauing her and your loue vnreuenged suffering her murderers to liue while you lie here complaining and if such perfections be dead in her why make you not the Phoenix of your deeds liue againe as to new life rais'd out of the reuenge you should take on them then were her end satisfied and you deseruedly accounted worthie of her fauour if shee were so worthie as you say If shee were O God cri'd out Perissus what diuelish spirit art thou that thus dost come to torture me But now I see you are a woman and therefore not much to be marked and lesse resisted but if you know charitie I pray now practise it and leaue me who am afflicted sufficiently without your companie or if you will stay discourse not to me Neither of these will I doe said she If you be then said he some furie of purpose sent to vex me vse your force to the vttermost in martyring me for neuer was there a fitter subiect then the heart of poore Perissus is I am no furie repli'd the diuine Vrania nor hither come to trouble you but by accident lighted on this place my cruell hap being such as onely the like can giue me content while the solitarinesse of this like caue might giue me quiet though not ease seeking for such a one I happened hither and this is the true cause of my being here though now I would vse it to a better end if I might Wherefore fauour me with the knowledge of your griefe which heard it may be I shall giue you some counsell and comfort in your sorrow Cursed may I bee cri'd he if euer I take comfort hauing such cause of mourning but because you are or seeme to be afflicted I will not refuse to satisfie your demaund but tell you the saddest storie that euer was rehearsed by dying man to liuing woman and such a one as I feare will fasten too much sadnesse in you yet should I denie it I were too blame being so well knowne to these senselesse places as were they sensible of sorrow they would condole or else amased at such crueltie stand dumbe as they doe to find that man should be so inhumane Then faire Shepherdesse heare my selfe say my name is Perissus Nephew I am to the King of Sicilie a place fruitfull and plentifull of all things onely niggardly of good nature to a great man in that Country whom I am sure you haue heard me blame in my complaints Heire I am as yet to this King mine Vncle and truly may I say so for a more vnfortunate Prince neuer liued so as I inherit his crosses howsoeuer I shall his estate There was in this Country as the only blessing it enioyed a Lady or rather a Goddesse for incomparable beautie and maâ—chles vertues called Limena daughter to a Duke but Princesse of all hearâ—s this starre comming to the Court to honour it with such light it was in that my blessed destinie to see her and be made her seruant or better to say a slaue to her perfections thus long was I happie but now begins the tragedie for warres falling out betweene the people and the Gentlemen the King was by the people imagining he tooke the other part brought into some danger and so great an one as rudenes ioynd with ill nature could bring him into being at last besieged in a strong hold of his all of vs his seruants and gentle subiects striuing for his good and safetie in this time nothing appearing but danger and but wise force to preserue mens liues and estates vnto them euery one taking the best meanes to attaine vnto their good desires The Duke father to the best and truest beauty would yet bestow that vpon a great Lord in the Country truly for powerfull command and meanes a fit match for any but the wonder of women since none could without much flatterie to himselfe thinke he might aspire to the blessing of being accounted worthie to be her seruant much lesse her husband Shee seeing it was her fathers will esteeming obedience beyond all passions how worthily â—oeuer suffered most dutifully though vnwillingly said she would obey her tongue faintly deliuering what her heart so much detested loathing almost it selfe for consenting in shew to that which was most contrarie to it selfe yet thus it was concluded and with as much speed as any man would make to an eternall happines While of this and so my
and because it self betokened truth By this time her husband was come who told vs 't was time to goe rest We obay'd and this was the last time that euer I saw my deere and most worthily accounted deere Limena for the next morning I was by day to be at the Citie and so from thence to returne to the Campe. Thus tooke I my leaue and my last leaue of vertuous Limena whose sad face but sadder soule foretold our following harme and succeeding ruine For within few dayes after my returne to the Camp there came a Messenger early in the morning and O too early for my fortune whom I strait knew to be Limenas faithfull Seruant At first it brought ioy to me seeing a letter in his hand but soone was that turn'd to as much mourning cursing my hands that tooke it and eyes that read so lamentable a letter the contents nay that it selfe being this and the verie same my Mistris sent and wo is me the last she ere can send Vrania read it while he with teares and groanes gaue the true period to it The Letter said thus MY onely Lord thinke not this or the manner strange I now send knowing already some part of the vndeserued course taken with me only pitie her who for your sake suffers patiently accept these my last lines and with them the sincerest loue that euer woman gaue to man I haue not time to speake what I would therefore let this satisfie you that the many threatnings I haue heard are come in some kind to endâ— for I must presently die and for you which death is most welcome since for you I must haue it and more pleasing then life without you Grant me then these last requests which euen by your loue I coniure you not to denie me that you loue my poore memory and as you will loue that or euer loued me reuenge not my death on my murtherer who how vnworthy soeuer hee was or is yet hee is my Husband This is all and this grant as I will faithfully die Yours Alas faire Shepherdesse said he is this a letter without much sorrow to be read and is not this a creature of all others to be belou'd Neuer let him breath that will not heartily and most heartily lament such a misfortune T is true said Vrania reason and worth being companions but yet I heare not the certaintie or manner of her death then will I not faile to lament with you Alas said hee heare it of mee onely fit to tell that storie After my departure from his house to the Citie and so to the Campe the iealous wretch finding my Ladie retired into a Cabinet she had where she vsed to passe away some part of her vnpleasant life comming in he shut the dore drawing his sword and looking with as much furie as iealous spite could with rage demonstrate his breath short his sword he held in his hand his eyes sparkling as thicke and fast as an vnperfectly kindled fire with much blowing giues to the Blower his tongue stammeringly with rage bringing foorth these words thou hast wrong'd mee vild creature I say thou hast wronged mee shee who was compounded of vertue and her spirit seeing his wild and distracted countenance guest the worst wherfore mildely shee gaue this answere Philargus saide shee I knowe in mine owne heart I haue not wrong'd you and God knowes I haue not wrong'd my selfe these speeches said he are but the followers of your continued ill and false liuing but thinke no longer to deceiue me nor cousen your selfe with the hope of being able for in both you shall finde as much want as I doe of your faith to me but if you will speake confesse the truth O me the truth that you haue shamed your selfe in my dishonour say you haue wrong'd me giuing your honour and mine to the loose and wanton pleasure of Perissus was I not great enough amiable delicate enough but for lasciuiousnesse you must seeke and woo him Yet Limena I did thus deserue you that once better then my selfe I lou'd you which affection liues in the extremitie â—till but hath chang'd the nature being now as full of hate as then abounding in loue which shall instantly be manifested if you consent not to my will which is that without dissembling speeches or flattring finenes you confesse your shamefull loue to the robber of my blisse you may denie it for how easie is it to be faultie in words when in the truth of truth you are so faultie but take heede vnfainedly answere or here I vow to sacrifice your blood to your wanton loue My Lord said she threatnings are but meanes to strengthen free and pure hearts against the threatners and this hath your words wrought in me in whom it were a foolish basenesse for feare of your sword or breath to confesse what you demaund if it were trueâ— farre more did I deserue eternall punishment if I would belye him and my selfe for dread of a bare threatning since sure that sword were it not for danger to it selfe would if any noblenesse were in it or his master choose rather to dye it selfe in the blood of a man then be seene in the wranglings betweene vs yet doe I not denie my loue to Perissus in all noble and worthy affection being I thinke nurst with me for so long haue I borne this respectiue loue to him as I knowe no part of my memory can tell me the beginning Thus partly you haue your will in assurance that that vnseperable loue I beare him was before I knewe you or perfectly my selfe and shall be while I am yet alwayes thus in a vertuous and religious fashion O God cry'd out Philargus what doe I heare or what can you stile vertuous and religious since it is to one besides your husband hath shame possest you and excellent modesty abandoned you you haue in part satisfied me indeed but thus to see that I haue iust occasion to seeke satisfaction for this iniury wherefore resolue instantly to die or obey me write a letter straight before mine eyes vnto him coniure him with those sweete charmes which haue vndone mine honour and content to come vnto you Let me truely knowe his answere and be secret or I vow thou shalt not many minutes outliue the refusall Shee sweetest soule brought into this danger like one being betweene a flaming fire and a swallowing gulfe must venture into one or standing still perish by one stood a while not amazed for her spirit scorned so low a passion but iudicially considering with her selfe what might be good in so much ill she with modest constancy and constant determination made this answer This wretched and vnfortunate body is I confesse in your hands to dispose of to death if you will but yet it is not vnblest with such a mind as will suffer it to end with any such staine as so wicked a plott and miserable consent might purchase nor will I blott my fathers house
sensibly doe know the blessing you inioy But what will you doe when she shall leaue you leaue this pleasure pine starue and die with so great miserie Alas I pity you for such a change will bee And what wilt thou sweet Iland doe let in the sea be drown'd and lose thy pleasant solitarines Hauing thus said he left the desolate rock and went to meete her who with equall loue and kindnesse met him such indeed was their affection as can be expressed by nothing but it selfe which was most excellent When the first passion was past which ioy gouern'd for sight loue taking the place of speech Ah Vrania said he how did the Sun show himselfe in his brigâ—teâ—t and most glorious habits to entertaine thee in these meades coueting to win thy fauour by his richnesse triumphing in his hope of gaine What mou'd thy sight then in my soule Think you not it grew to rauishing of my sences The Sunne said she shin'd mee thought most on you being as if so fond as he did giue himselfe to be your seruant circling you about as if he meant that you should be the body and himselfe serue for your beames With that he tooke her hand and with an affectionate soule kissed it then went they together to the Caue where the two yong sauage Princes and their Sister attended them then did they priuately bury the old King promising if businesses went well that they by Parselius fauour might recouer their right to fetch his worthy body and lay it with the other famous Kings of Albania This being agreed vpon they went out of the Caue Steriamus and Selarinu for so the yong Princes were called went first in their sauage habits which they resolued to weare till they came where they might fit themselues with apparell and Armes befitting their Estates Parselius then promising to knight them Next after them went the Morean Prince leading Vrania and she holding Selarina by the hand Being come into the Plaine Parselius againe speaking to Vrania vrged the likely-hood of her being the lost Princesse besides assuring her howsoeuer of no lower an Estate if she would goe with him She made him this answer A Prince said she can demand or promise but Princely things I beleeue you to be so because you say so and that face me thinkes should not dissemble out of this I credit you and so consent to goe with you then nobly and vertuously as I trust you dispose of me He casting vp his eyes to Heauen Let me nor my attempts prosper said he when I breake faith and vertuous respect to you now let vs to the Ship Nay I beseech you first said shee permit me to take my leaue of my good friends and formerly supposed Parents lest my absence bring their death if ignorant of my fortune besides wee will carry the mantle and purse with vs. He soone agreed vnto it and so together they went to the house the late abiding of the matchlesse Shepherdesse where they found the good old folkes sitting together before the doore expecting the returne of Vrania But when they saw her come so accompanied they wondred at it and though poore yet were they ciuill wherefore they went towards them and hearing by the faire Shepherdesse who the Princes were kneeled downe and would haue kissed the hand of Parselius but he who respected them for their care of Vrania would not permit them to doe so much reuerence lifting them vp and imbracing them told them the same story of his trauell and cause thereof as he had done to Vrania and then concluded that the likelihood of her being that sought for Princesse was the reason why they agreed to goe together he promising to conduct her safely into Italy and if she proued the Princesse to deliuer her to her father which verily he beleeued he should doe and seldome doe mens imaginations in that kind faile especially hauing so good grounds to lay their hopes vpon The old folkes sorry to part with Vrania yet knowing she was not ordain'd to tarry with them would not seeme to contradict their wills wherefore fetching the mantle and purse with the little writing deliuered them to Vrania whose good disposition was such as she could not refraine from teares when shee parted with them they wishing their age would haue permitted them to haue attended her but being feeble it was not for them to trauell especially to go so vncertaine a iourney but in their place they desired their daughter might serue her which she willingly consented to Thus euerything concluded they tooke their leaues and way to the Ship which they found where Parselius had left her but not as hee had parted from her for much more company was in her and a strange encounter he found his Seruants Prisoners his Armes possess'd and all his goods in the hands of a Pirat yet had he gouern'd it so as this mis-aduenture was not dicouer'd till they were aboord Parselius alone in regard of his company and some women would neuerthelesse haue ventured his life to haue kept Vrania free such was his loue by none to be surpassed his compassion likewise was great on the other Princesse in himselfe feeling the iust cause as he thought they had to mistrust him and his promises to be value-lesse this accident being the first of their hoped for ioyes But shee whose truth in beliefe would not permit her to haue the least part of suspition to enter much lesse lodge in her breast against him hindered that braue but doubtfull attempt vsing these speeches to him Be satisfied my dearest friend said she and hazard not your selfe in this kinde seeking to alter what is ordain'd by Fate and therefore not to be changed but rather giue vs example as confidently and mildly to suffer this aduersity as happily we might haue enioyed the other we expected He onely with a languishing but to her louing looke answer'd her when the Pirat contrarie to their expectation came and kneeling downe before Vrania vsed these words Let not fairest Princesse this accident trouble you since your imprisonment shall bee no other then the command of mee and mine neither most noble Sir be you or these other offendedâ— for sooner will I doe violence on my selfe then any way wrong those that come with this Lady Bee patient and you shall soone see the cause of my taking this noble prey this said he rose and placing them all on fine seats in the Cabine where lately the Prince had sate free from both the bands of loue and imprisonment himselfe sitting before them began his discourse in this manner while the ship vnder saile was guided the way which he directed the Pilar My name said he is Sandringall borne and bred in the land of Romania being seruant to the King thereof this King liued long as one may say the fauorite of fortune being blest in his gouernment with peace and loue of his people but principally happy in two children a son and a
of my profession and heere is the triall of false or faithfull Louers Those that are false may enter this Towre which is Cupids Towre or the Towre of Desire but therein once inclosed they endure torments fit for such a fault Into the second any Louer may enter which is the Towre of Loue but there they suffer vnexpressable tortures in seuerall kindes as their affections are most incident to as Ieloâ—sie Despaire Feare Hope Longings and such like The third which is guarded by Constancy can bee entred by none till the valiantest Knight with the loyallest Lâ—dy come together and open that gate when all these Charmes shal haue conclusion Till then all that venture into these Towres remaine prisoners this is the truth Now if your hearts will serue you aduenture it They thanked the old man for his relation but told him they had some Vowes to performe first which ended they would aduenture for imprisonment in so rare a prison The old Priest left them and they weary laid them downe neere the Towre of Desire refreshing themselues with some little meate which Vranias mayde had in her Scrip but wanting drinke they all went to the Riuer whereof they had but drunke when in them seuerall Passions did instantly abound Parselius forgot all but his promise to the dead King of Albania for the setling his Sonnes in that Kingdome Leandrus afflicted with the losse of Antissia must straight into Morea to finde her and take her from Amphilanthus Steriamus and Selarinus would not be refused the honour of Knight-hood Mars hauing so possessed them with his warlike disposition as worlds to their imaginations were too little to conquer therefore Albania was already wonne Vrania whose heart before was onely fed by the sweet lookes and pleasing conuersation of Parselius loues him now so much as she imagines she must try the aduenture to let him see her loyalty is such as for his loue and by it she would end the Inchantment Selarina thought she saw within the Gardens a young Prince with a Crowne vpon his head who beckned to her wherefore she would goe at such a call Vrania's maide beheld as she beleeu'd Allimarlus in the second Towre kissing and embracing a Blackmoore which so farre inraged her being passionatly in loue with him as she must goe to reuenge her selfe of that iniurie These distractions carried them all as their passions guided them Parselius hauing knighted the two Princes tooke their way to the next Port Vrania now not seene or thought on Leandrus hasting another way to finde meanes for his Iourney Selarina to the Towre and knockt with that feruent desire to accomplish her ende as the gate opened all the three rush'd in â—triuing who should be first But Selarina was then soone made to know shee should not contend with Vrania wherefore she was lockt into the first tower burning with desire to come to that sweete Prince which still she sees before her hee calling shee with vncessant desire striuing to goe to him Vrania went on when entring the second tower guarded by Venus she was therein inclosed when as thus much sense came to her as to know she had left Parselius which strak her into a mourning passion confessing that an vnpardonable fault and what he in iustice â—ould not excuse Then despaire possest her so as there she remaind louing in despaire and despairing mourn'd The shepherdesse her seruant continuing her first passion got into that Tower too where she stil saw her affliction striuing with as much spitefull iealousie as that fury could vex her withall to come at the Moore to pull her from her knight Thus were the women for their punishment left prisoners in the throne of Loueâ— which Throne and punishments are daily built in all humane hearts But how did the honest Allimarlus carry himselfe in all these changes Alas with much griefe â—nd sorrow for this misfortune he not hauing drank being the onâ—ly sensible man left wherefore fearing more the harme of Parselius and his companions then the Ladies who were without question safe though farre from being â—ree he followed them lest harme might from those furious humors grow They made such haste as no rest could inuite their stay till they were tired with their owne minds trauell and then all three lying downe in one anothers armes they yeelded vnto sleepe In which new torments vexed them for then did they come a little to themselues or a little more from themselues in another kind and as men long held in a trance awaked Parselius weeping for Vrania's vnkindnesse who had as hee dreamed forsaken him and left him sleeping while shee went with another The two Princes bewailing the death of their Sister who they imagined taken violently from them and sacrificed to Venus Thus they againe fall into strange and new distractions which grieu'd the young Knights verie soule to see but hauing no hope of seeing them restored while they continued in that Iland soothing them vp in their owne opinions knowing it dangerous and idle to crosse mad men with gentle peswasions gain'd Parselius to goe with him when hee promis'd to bring him where Vrania with her new friend did abide and then he might recouer her and kill his enemie The other hee likewise gaind promising they should haue the meanes to kill their aduersaries likewise Thus he got them thence trauelling in this sort till they came to the sea side where they found a small Barke and in her two persons an old man and a little Boy being Fishersâ—â— and hauing taken some had then newly put a shoâ—e to dresse and so to satisfie their hungers with their gaine The Romanian Knight saluted the old man intreating that that companie might goe into his boate and time it was to preuent the comming harme for then were they ready to râ—nne into the sea but by force they got them into the Barke where no sooner they were hauing freed themselues from the land which was the nature of those charmes but their good spirits againe possess'd them Then did Parselius bewaile Vrania crie out of his miserable fortune in hauing lost her beseech euery one to pitie with him so great a mischiefe The knight wept to see these changes but then mildly told him all that had happened Grieu'd Parselius did remaine but considering heauenly powers had caused this he the more quietly endur'd it yet not without a bleeding hart and often showring eies O Vrania would hee cry how iustly maist thou hate me for leauing thee Damn'd country can it be that thou wert ordain'd for loue to haue a Throne in and yet to be the hel of louers Much more he cri'd and sorrowed out while the old man had gain'd the knowledge of this aduenture from Allimarlâ—s who was by him knowne so as beseeching Parselius to lay by his mourning or at least to giue eare to this story said hee which will encrease compassion and passion in you with that the graue old man began thus
of Antissia whose iealousie infinitely vpon this increased and the more meanes were sought to alter it the greater did the heate grow like a Smith that puts water into his Forge to make the fire more violently hot The sweet but sad Princesse not mistrusting this went as appointed into the Groue the suspitious Lady whose heart now lay in her eies to discouer her soone and secrâ—tly followed her where she discern'd being in the Euening a knight so like in proportion to hers or so had the power of doubt made him as shee euer belieued it to be himselfe but when she saw their affectionate imbracements then was her heart like to breake not being able to sustaine but for feare of discouering as softly but lesse quietly being confident her confidence in his loue which had before but flattered her to his own ends and not for loue had beene a bayt to draw on her destruction With this dolorous opinion shee retired into her Chamber where she fell into the most grieuous complaints that euer poore afflicted suspitious Lady had endured The Princes continuing in the Wood with all loue and kindnesse the black Knight beginning his discourse My best and onely deare Sister know that after my departure hence I past thorow most part of Greece to seeke aduentures till I came into Macedon where I found the King dead and an Vsurper strongly placed and setled in his roome the same of Meriana's beauty I likewise encountred but alas shee was shut vp in prison by that Traytor and so close kept as none could gaine a sight of her but with much danger The Villaine though her neere Kinsman keeping her thus with intent to marry her if he can gaine her consent if not so to hold her inclos'd during her life But by a blessed chance as it may happen I got the sight of her truely so rare a creature as my commendations which cannot with all worldly eloquence if with best art imploid to set forth the neerest of her praise come neere to the lowest degree of her perfections what then should I venture to commend her whose delicacie may receiue wrong by my vnperfect tongue not sufficient to extoll her Let it suffice my eyes saw that which made my heart her slaue and thus I compassed my ioy I lay in a house the Master whereof had serued her Father and Mother wayting in the Queenes chamber and now hath libertie to see her when hee will or hath any businesse with her as to bring her new apparrell or such necessarie things hee being Master of the Wardrobe This man with whom I often conferred concerning the Princesse finding my longing to behold her and heartily wishing her libertie brake with mee about it I hearkned to him and so wee grew so farre as wee were fast enough to each other for betraying our purpose Then hee caused mee to put on a suite of one of his seruants who was iust of my stature and taking new apparrell to carrie her sent it by mee withall his excuse that hee was not then able himselfe to come I went with it imagining my selfe more then a Prince in being so happie to be his Seruant to such an end When I came the Maides that attended her told her of my comming and of my selfe being a stranger and neuer there before shee sent for me demaunding many things of me which as well as so much amazednesse as I was in beholding her could permit me I answered Shee tooke delight to see me so mou'd imagining it had been out of baâ—hfulnes which she made sport with Thus for some time it continued till one day my Master went himselfe with whom the Princesse had much discourse concerning me and among the rest shee very much prest to know what Country man I was and at last directly who I was for said shee either hee is a verie foolish fellow or some other then he seemes to bee which I rather doe imagine therefore faile not but tell mee by the respect and loue you beare mee what you know of him Hee who loued mee as his Sonne was loath to discouer mee directlie for feare of danger yet considering that if at all hee were much better tell who I was and the cause of my disguise which would purchase mee more good then dissembling Vpon promise of her being no way offended nor discouering it which if knowne would cost my life he told her all and withall added my extreame affection to her When shee at first heard it shee seemd offended yet after said she was contented to keepe counsell vpon condition that I presently went thence and neuer more attempted to come where shee was in so disguis'd a habit to wrong her When I receiu'd this message of death I knew not whether I should thank or blame my friend in an agonie I was afflicted to the highest perplexed in soule in briefe I was but torment and with it tormented my selfe Words I had none nor other action but going straight to my chamber throwing my selfe on the bed and there lay I sencelesse speechlesse and motion-lesse for some houres as they told mee in which time hee went to her againe telling her how hee had left mee and that shee had kild a braue Prince and her hopefull kinsman adding How doe you thinke Madam euer to bee freed when you vse such as would venture for your freedome with this scorne long enough will you remaine here and bee a Prisoner for any hope you can haue of deliuerie by these fashions but it may bee you affect this life or meane to marrie Clotorindus if so I haue done amisse for which I beseech you pardon me and him with whom I will likewise leaue Macedon for what shall I doe here where worth is contemned and slauerie esteemed When shee heard the honest speech of my Master and saw the likelihood of loosing him in whom onely shee could haue assurance of truth and trust shee told him his loue and truth had gaind his pardon for shee would not haue him goe by any meanes For mee shee would haue mee sent to her with whom shee would speake since shee could not belieue such a Prince would take such a course for her loue and direct me what I should doe if shee found I was the man he spake of Hee returning told mee of it and the time being come I resolu'd though for it I did die since shee did mistrust mee to goe like my selfe so as putting on my owne clothes and my Sword by my side but my Masters cloake vpon them I past into the Garden and so into a Gallerie the honest man directing mee there to tarrie till shee came vnto mee When shee appeared it was like a blazing Starre foretelling my lost life and liberty if she did still perseuerâ— in her crueltie But when shee spake my heart was so possessed as I had not one word to answere her onely throwing off my disguise kneeling downe and gazing on her was the manner of
rest Leaue not that to me since but for my ill Which punish may and millions of hearts kill Then may I lonely sit downe with my losse Without vexation for my losses crosse Forgetting pleasures late embrac'd with Loue Linâ—k'd to a faith the world could neuer moue Chainâ—d with affection I hop'd could not change Not thinking Earth could yeeld a place to range But staying cruelly you set my blisse With deepest mourning in my sight for misse And thus must I imagine my curse more When you I lou'd add to my mischiefs store If not then Memory continue still And vex me with your perfectest knowne skill While you deare solitarinesse accept Me to your charge whose many passions kept In your sweet dwellings haue this profit gaind That in more delicacie none was paind Your rarenesse now receiue my rarer woe With change and Loue appoints my soule to know When he had made this and committed them to that keeper who yet would not be perswaded to set him at liberty but continued the more to molest him like a soare that one beates to cure yet smarts the more for beating So did Memory abide with him Then walk'd hee on to meete his friends who were all in their kinds as much perplex'd as himâ—elfe Amphilanthus alone and so the abler to be bold in speech began thus walking with his armes folded louingly for loue one within the other along a sweet Riuer Vnhappy man sigh'd he that liues to bee vexed with the same that once most delighted thee who could haue thought inconstancy a waight if not to presse me on to more delight Leâ—â— I till now any wherein change brought not vnspeakable content When I tooke Antissia thought I not I was happy in the change When I before had altered from and to that loue did it not bring a full consent of blisse But now that I haue changed and for and to the best alas how am I troubled How afflicted How perplexed Constancie I see is the onely perfect vertue and the contrary the truest fault which like sinnes intices one still on of purpose to leaue one in the height as the height of enioying makes one leaue the loue to it I haue offended all you powers of loue pardon me and if there be any one among you that hath the rule of truth gouerne mee direct me and hencefoorth assure your selfe of my faith and true subiection error makes me perfect and shewes me the light of vnderstanding But what talke I of truth Why commend I faith when I am vncertaine whether these will winne She alas shee doth loue and woe is mee my hope 's in this quite lost shee loues and so I see my end yet neuer shall that come without a noble conclusion and that her eyes and eares shall witnesse with my losse Dearest once pitty my sad lookes shall tell thee I doe loue my sighes shall make thee heare my paines my eyes shall let thee see if thou wilt but see mee that onely thy sight is their comfort for when from thee they stirre they must finde a new seat to turne in and a head to dwell in and so now they haue for nothing see they but thy delicacy nothing viewe but thy perfections turne from all to thee and onely turne vnto thee My soule hath also eyes to see thy worth Loue hath now fram'd me wholly to thy Lawes command then heere I breath but to thy loue from which when I doe swarue let me loue vnrequited but dearest be thou kinde and then haue I all blisse Why shouldest not thou leaue one since for thee I le leaue all Be once vnconstant to saue me as 't were from death who for it will be true I vow and this vow still will keepe that onely thou art worthy and alone will I loue thee Then casting vp his eyes he saw before him a rare meadow and in the midst of it a little Arbour as he so farre off tooke it to bee but drawing neerer he found a delicate Fountaine cricled about with Orenge and Pomgranet trees the ground vnder them all hard sand about the Fountaine as next adioyning was a hedge of Iesamnis mingled with Roses and Woodbines and within that paued with pauements of diuers colours plac'd for shew and pleasure on the steps he sate downe beholding the worke of the Fountaine which was most curious being a faire Maide as it were thinking to lade it drie but still the water came as fast as it past ouer the dish she seemd to lade withall and iust thus said hee are my labours fruitlesse my woes increasing faster then my paines find ease Then hauing enough as hee thought giuen liberty to his speech he put the rest of his thought into excellent verse making such excelling ones as none could any more imitate or match them then equall his valour so exquisite was he in all true vertues and skill in Poetry a quallitie among the best much prized and esteemed Princes brought vp in that next to the vse of Armes When he had finished them he sate a while still then looking on the Fountaine he said Deare hopes spring as this water flow to inioying like this streame but wast not till my life doth wast in me nay dye runne to my Loue and tell her what I feele Say and say boldly till I knew her selfe I was but ignorant and now doe know that only she and she alone can saue or ruinâ— me Many more and far more excellent discourses had he with himselfe and such as I am altogether vnable to set down therfore leaue them to be guessed at by those who are able to comprehend his worth and vnderstanding such may expresse his passions all else admire and admiringlâ—â—steeme so incomparable a Prince who for a little while continued â—hus but then leauing the Fountaine he went strait on and followed on his way till he came vnto a Hill the sides appearing rocky the topp hee might discerne greene and some trees vpon it he by little and little climb'd to the topp where in the middle of it he saw a hole and looking in at that hole perceiu'd fire a pretty way below it and that fire as if it were stir'd by some hands whereupon hee concluded that this was some poore abode of some miserable people either made so by want or misfortune which likewise might bee want that being the greatest misery Round aboâ—t the top hee sought but at last thought with himselfe that there was no way to see the Inhabitants but by some way in the side of this Rocke wherefore he went downe againe and halfe about the Hill when he found a little doore of stone the euen proportion of the opening making him knowe it to be so else nothing could haue disordered it so close it was appearing but like chinkes or clifts He pull'd at it but it would not stirre then he knock'd when straight a little window was opened and out of it an vgly old Dwarfe looked whose face
dying In a little Cell hee recouer'd me but to no more health then to be able to goe thence for longer I would not stay then I had ability to goe away I discouer'd nothing of my selfe to him but by him all that had passed after I left sense till his recouering me the generall report was I was burn'd some fewe said murdred all agreed I was lost and in that was true agreement for so I was and am Then left I Apulia and in Hermits Cloathes roam'd vp and downe till I lighted on this place neuer finding any that could content mee but this What since became of my poore Daughter her misfortunes or blessings I can giue no account of but I feare the worst since one day one instant and one Planet gouernd and gaue our births onely 2â— yeares differing in time here haue I since remaind and till now neuer disclosed my selfe nor would haue done to you had not your freedome first ingag'd me repentance hath beene my blessed delight hauing enioyed that as plentifully and comfortably as euer ioy was to soules Now sir you see before you where misery hath not beene sparing where afflictions haue not faild their greatest bounty in excessiuenesse and where only comfort of a happy repentance rules and giues a sweeter consolation then worldly pleasures could with all glorious paintings giue liking Then did Parselius againe grieue for him and yet comfort sprung as after a hard Frost flowres though dead may appeare liuing retaining some warmth in the roote as in his breast that he might with gray haires know a change from misaduentures to a pure content Thus they continued sometimes Parselius wayling sometimes the Hermit relating his Stories past hee bent to comfort the other to Dispaire though sometimes a little moou'd to hope but with as small strength as life hath in the last gaspe But now must Steriamus and his companion find their way to their destined reliefe following the course ordained for them they took to the Sea so toward St. Maura Steriamus euer bringing into his sight the sweetnesse and brauenesse of Pamphilia blessing Mellissea for sending him to such a heauen of ioy as to see her and with her fauour to speake to her and for his happinesse to kisse her hand shee mildly permitting him O said he Steriamus now shalt thou end happily if so thy Destiny bee since thou hadst a kind parting from thy better selfe Then beheld he the Sea which calme and smooth gaue them quiet passage so said he appeard my Mistris gently letting my good come vnto me to passe me vnto an vnlooked for content Dearest Loueâ— how doth sweetnesse better fit with you where truest sweetnesse dwels then harsh cruelty Then did night possesse them but so still an one and so brightned by the fauour of the faire Moone who seem'd chastly to behold her selfe in the smooth face of the Sea which yet sometimes left her plainnes rising as catching at her face or as with loue to embrace it or rather keepe her in her dwellings wherein shee was deceiu'd for fauours are not euer so free as though lent to be possess'd for euer and thus greedy was I said he but she as chastly refused me yet did their sight bring some Verses into his minde which were these PRay thee Diana tell mee is it ill as some doe say thou think'st it is to loue Me thinks thou pleased art with what I proue since ioyfull light thy dwelling still doth fill Thou seemst not angry but with cheerefull smiles beholdst my Passions chaste indeed thy face Doth seeme and so doth shine with glorious grace for other loues the trust of Loue beguiles Be bright then still most chast and cleerest Queene shine on my torments with a pittying eye Thy coldnesse can but my despaires discry and my Faith by thy clearenesse better seeme Let those haue heat that dally in the Sunne I scarse haue knowne a warmer state then shadeâ— Yet hottest beames of zeale haue purely made my selfe an offring burnt as I was wonne Once sacrific'd but ashes can remaine which in an Iuory box of truth inclose The Innocency whence my ruines flowes accept them as thine 't is a chast Loues gaine Hauing done them he said them to Dolorindus whose thoughts were as busily employd in the same kinde now were they come within sight of St. Maura wherefore Steriamus demanded of the Marriners if they knew the white Rocke they did and so in the long Boate carried them vnto it where landing them they departed the Princes taking to the topp of it viewing it and the ruines admiring what they should doe in that desolatnesse where they found no man no place for man to bide in saue one little Caue whereâ— into they went and sitting downe they afresh discoursed of their Fortunes Steriamus relating to his companion the manner of his liuing in Pantaleria in the little Caue and so his youth but when he touched of Pantaleria he could not passe it ouer without some passionate remembrance of it where he only liued free and therefore as hee called it happy Delightfull Pantaleria would he crie when I remaind in thee how was I Lord of my selfe and so of all quiet content dayes were then past in hunting or some other countrie delights which now waste in being hunted by afflictions no paine knew I if not by surfetting of pleasure yet proued I a man esteeming change my greater happinesse when braue Parselius with the rarest of women except my Lady released me from ignorance bringing me into the world to be the riper in miseries fruite what happinesse in comparison of the woe we Princes suffer doth remaine in a country life O Pantaleria would I had still remaind in thee or would I had neuer knowne delights which were still springing in thee like thy dainty flowers and tender grasse which increased in plenty of sweetnes being corrected for the little height it some times got by the tender sheep as my sorrowes abound by the cruelty of my dearest loue Cruell loue Ah cruelst of cruelties why end you not your tyrannies or let tyrannie end with ending me Cursed be the time I euer suffered the vnrightfull Monarchy of loue to gouerne me thus to soueraignize ouer me giuing wounds and a little easing them as to make one hope the danger of death were past of purpose to make them more intollerable in the suffering els why brought you me from ioy to misery then a little to enioy a glimmering hope to be put into a darker night of sorrow with parting from it els might you haue left me in the sweet Morea when Pamphilia smiled on me Loue you inuited me but steru'd me you againe feasted mee but poyson'd me forcing me to drinke of absence You said Dolorindus doe lament as if alone you were appointed to suffer or alone did indure affliction when too couetously you hoard vnto your treasure what belongs to other men you call loue a tyrant when you are a
greater taking away the inheritance of others as from me your friend who haue as much right to misery as any liuing in as great excesse of it and hauing as large possessions in that gouernment then spare me liberty to complaine with you permit mee to say misfortune is as much mine as yours and then like fellow subiects let vs bewaile the weight of that vniust tyranny Pardon mee deare friend said heâ— if I would wholly take ill to my selfe since it is to free you and all worthy people from that which I am fittest to beare as a creature fram'd for the vassalage of Loue and his crueltie but since you aske liberty to bewaile take it and let that bring your freedome while it redoubles on my breast as being mine and yours tell mee then all your woe and know you speake to woe it selfe in speaking vnto me Then Dolorindus beginning with the set order of louers which is with sighes and teares began his discourse thus Free from the knowledge of harme it was my hap to meete a Lady hunting in a great Forrest attended on by many braue Gentlemen and Knights but being more then woman-like excellent in riding she had left her Ladies or rather they had left her not able to attend her in that surpassing quality I young and affecting sport fell into the company marking more that braue Diana then the chase shee followed which was of a Stagge who though hee tooke pride in being so pursued and that it was in him to make her follow stoutly commanded her attendance yet cowardly flying from her thinking it better to trust to his speed then her mercy yet was he rewarded at last fit for his merit for standing at bay as if to threaten her doggs and euen before her face gazing on her she stroke him with a Crossebow to the heart then weepingly hee fell downe at her feete groaning for her vnkindnesse yet was not this the cruelst blow she gaue for O me shee did likewise wound my breast Then came they all about her admiring the hurt while I admired any seeing her could liue vnwounded Some prais'd the hounds that so truly hunted I prais'd mine eyes that neuer were at fault till they brought home the honor of the day which was the losse of my poore heart hunted by mine eyes vnto that bay When all the rights were done and doggs rewarded I alone vnsatisfied for my great gift shee nobly intreated the company to goe with her vnto her house which all agreed vnto and my selfe vnknowne to any there tooke my way with them boldly aduenturing on that inuitation We sat downe at dinner all the discourse was still vpon the sport that morning the Stagge afforded them to which I gaue a poore assistance for hauing been bred abroad to learning and to armes I was an vnexperienced hunts-man which she marked and accordingly made vse of telling mee that sure the hunting was not pleasing to me or the want of that exercise had made me vnskilfull in the discourse I said the latter was the true reason for till that day I neuer saw that sport though I had knowne the field delights in many sorts Then fell she to discourse of martiall things being excellently learned in all the Arts knowledge no way scanting her Thus dinner past when horses againe were brought forth and she waited on by vs went forth to see Haukes flee spending the after-noone in that delight inuiting vs againe with her when before supper choyce of musique was bestowed vpon vs all these did well and best to serue her best beloued selfe but these alas prou'd but more hurts to mee making mee by them see my greater losse loue like a seâ—pent poysoning my ioyes and biting my best daies venomd all my blisse making my new pris'd wound death to my hopes and sorrow to my soule Pitie I wanted pitie I sought but pity durst not ask and thus did griefe take me in me make abiding commiseration was the mark I aimed at but feare held my hand I saw her faire and delicate and therfore imagined soft pity to be within so sweet a cage yet had her eies such powerful might as gaue command that none should dare to claime so rich a blisse ouerwhelmed with the cruelst spite that Nature could inflict vpon a man I remaind which was fild with a youthfull bashfulnesse which ouerswaied my humblest heart disasters glorying in my patient suffering excessiuenesse of sorrow flowing in me for now was the time to part or if I would remaine I must not hide my selfe or longer stay vnknowne for then was her husband to returne from a iourney made vnto the neighbour I le wherefore I thought it not amisse the company all gone to take my time and thus I spake vnto her If that which I must say should turne to giue offence accursed would I thinke the time and words I go about to vtter but comming from a man wholly deuoted to your seruice I hope they will produce such ends as they are now directed to and so may make me blessed if blessing can descend on one so much vnblest yet as my self this time wherin I haue enioied the full of outward ioy beholding you hath yet brought loues attendants losse feare with it losse of my libertie tyed wholly to your wil feare in my heart if you despise my loue cause of affection I can challenge none for me if not in gratitude to me who giue my self for it a strangers name may make you scorne me not knowing worth in me but boldnesse fitting all contempt these yet you may cast by for this stranger your seruant am sonne to the King and your humblest louer Dolorindus She who before did in her lookes manifest the breeding of a curst reply a little smoothed the tempest of her rage and wiâ—h sober reuerence demanded pardon for her vsing me with no more respect and yet my Lord said she the fault may sooner be pardoned since 't was you which were the cause of it Then did I againe solicit she modestly but confidently much refus'd Her husband then arriued who knowing mee gaue free and noble welcome I sought how still to induce the man to loue my company and to seeke it which hee did also hauing his ends which surely he might gaine so I might compasse mine to which for all her chast replies and curious preseruing of her honour in her words at last I did obtaine and so her loue in as equall measure as mine was to her which was without compare had hers not equald it Thus it continued for some yeeres all the mirth and sports that were in Negropont were still at her Castle Maskes Iusts Huntings nothing can bee thought on that was not in plenty at her house My selfe though sonne vnto the king yet my sister being to inherit the kingdome was not so much lookt after if not by noâ—le minds as shee who was to rule so as I gain'd by that meanes both more
the priuatest places and striuing to gaine the sea which soone after I obtaind getting the opportunity of a youths passing into Italy who had sought Perissus to bring him notice of his Vncles death the King of Sicily with him I passed and so came into this country where euer since I haue romingly endured neuer in any one place setled The youth Menander and I parted at the sea he I thinke going to seeke his Master or rather you then did shee close her speech with multitudes of teares which truly mooud mee to much compassion beginning then to hold her deare to me I perswaded her to leaue that life and liue with me who would accompany her sorrowes rather then afflict her with mirth and besides it might bee in my company shee might gaine remedy for her torture No remedy but death said shee can I haue and too long O me haue I sought that yet to obay you I will abide some time here and but here in these woods beseeehing you not to vrge me to the Court when the poorest place much better doth agree with my estate I to enioy her conuersation granted to any thing concluding that I should often visit her and so passe our times together in louing discourse This said Amphilanthus by your fauour sweete sister prooues you loue the water it seemes hath not so thorowly washed away your affection but reliques remaine of the old passion No truly dearâ—st brother said shee all those thoughts are cleane droun'd but yet I will goe on with my story Doe deare Sister said he and begin againe at But yet She blusht to find he had taken her and yet daintily proceeded That promise most religiously was kept betweene vs euery day I visiting my Shepherdesse But one day as we were together discoursing and walking in the wood we heard one not farre from vs sadly to sing an od kind of song which I remember getting afterwards the coppy of it and if I bee not deceiu'd sweet Cosin said she you will like it also the song was this speaking as if she had by him and the words directed to her as his thoughts were YOu powers diuine of loue-commanding eyes Within whose lids are kept the fires of loue Close not your selues to ruiue me who lies In bands of death while you in darkenesse moue One looke doth giue a sparck to kindle flames To burne my heart a martyr to your might Receiuing one kind smile I find new frames For loue to build me wholly to your light My soule doth fixe all thoughts vpon your will Gazing vnto amazement greedy how To see those blessed lights of loues-heauen bow Themselues on wretched me who else they kill You then that rule loues God in mercy flourish Gods must not murder but their creatures nourish Pamphilia much commended it which pleased Vrania infinitely touching as she thought her one estate while a proper song and well composd truly said Amphilanthus is this to be so much liked but my cosin only doth it to please you No in truth said Pamphilia it deserues in my iudgement much liking he smild on her Vrania going on you seeme Brother said she a little willing to crosse me this day but I will proceed in discourse The song you are pleasd to iest at being ended the same voyce againe did begin to lament in this manner If scorne be ordaind the reward for true loue then I am fully requited if firme affection must be rewarded with contempt and forsaking I am richly pay'd but if these deserue a sweet payment which alone consisteth in deare loue then am I iniurd and none more causelesly afflicted or cruelly reiected Loue suffer what thou wilt faith indure all neglect but euer be your selues pure and vnspotted Vnkind Liana yet pardon me for calling thee so since my heart grieues at that word vnkind yet giue me leaue to tell thee I haue not deseru'd this punishment from thee nor merited this rigor if anothers offence may make me faulty I am most guilty els as free as my loue still is to thee from blame or thought of staine in it art thou not then vniust sweete Iudge of all my harmes to punish me without a fault committed Pitie me yet and recall the censure wrongfully giuen on me condemned without a cause and still led on towards execution in daily tortures without merit Did any man die for anothers act then I must also suffer that tiranny else consider falfe iudgement is a shame vnto the Iudge and will lie heauy on his conscience call backe then e're I die this vnmerited verdict since my truth with-stands thy cruelty I would with Liana haue gone to see who this was that thus accused her but that we heard him againe say some Verses which being concluded we went to him but as wee went we heard another speake vnto him thus Alanius why doe you thus accuse Liana and torment your selfe with that which were shee certaine of shee would and must pity you nor can you blame her for flying you seeing as we both belieued your vnkindnesse and foule error Alas said Alanius farre be it from me euer to blame her nor can my soule permit me to loue her lesse though she were curst nay were she false I yet should loue her best but being by you assured of her truth giue me leaue to blame her rashnes and curse my owne ill fortune and vnluckie life which gaue and giues such dislike and smart vnto my dearer selfe and my sad daies Liana now knew not what to doe when she was certaine this complainer was Alanius and the other as she did imagine Menander but I willing to reconcile such broken fortunes made her goe towards him accompaning her sorrowes my selfe When being neere him and he looking vp perceiuing her without ceremony or regarding me ran vnto her and kneeling downe cry'd out these words Alas my deare Liana what hath your vnhappy slaue Alanius deseru'd to be thus pitilesse tortured heare but the truth and before you rashly censure me consider my great wrongs which I still suffer by mistakes in you Liana who loued as much as he and was as equally perplexed yet now a little more if possible bearing her owne and his sorrow for her affliction as being his and caused by her she lifted him vp from the ground and with teares said Think not my Alanius thy Liana can be other to thee then thou wilt haue her be yet blame me not directly for these things since here Menander can resolue thee of the cause yet let that passe and now bee confident thy loue hath such command mee as hadst thou been false she would not say as we imagined thy repentance and thy loued sight should haue destroyd all those thoughts where in offence might haue been borne to thee and so forgetfulnes in mee had gouernd with the memory of thy loue Then rising with a kisse the louers reconcil'd themselues and cast away their mourning but the story being strange where
by so braue a King But what is become of him I pray that you hauing such a desire to see him could not compasse it Truely said the Knight of Loue I was going to finde him but an accident vnlooked for call'd me from Morea and so much against my heart as neuer any thing was more when I could neither goe into Albania where they say he must be shortly nor stay where I most desired With that â—ee sigh'd indeed and so passionatly as they all pittied him Then the Duke demanded who the others were He answered strangers they encountred vpon the way but it seem'd good Knights So the Duke tooke the Knight of Loue on his right hand and the Forrest Knight on his left desiring the others likewise to sit so sitting downe altogether Amphilanthus besought him to let him know in what estate the Country stood for said he I desire to goe to the Court and see it but hearing the King is dead I would most willingly be ordered by you what I should doe Truely said he Sir I can direct you no better way then to stay heere till such time as we heare of our King nothing to be seene nor safety much in this Countrey for an Army is prouiding men raysing and much businesse toward By whom I pray Sir said the Knight of the Forrest are these men rays'd The chiefe yet repli'd he hath not declared himselfe but there are foure Great men that call these Troops together yet none of them hauing right or claime it is thought they haue some other who yet will not discouer himselfe Who is the next in bloud said he Marry that am I said he being the last Kings Vnkle Brother to his Father Will not you Sir then be pleas'd said hee to withstand these forces in the Kings right Alas Sir said he you see I am old noâ— euer was I a Souldier borne deformed as you see not for Armes but Carpets these shoulders crooked and mishapen were not ordaind but to be kept from eyes which would rather bring contempt then respect my Stature low my body weake all fram'd to be a Chamber-keeper rather then a Knight at Armes but I haue a Son who I hope wil be worthy of his bloud Where is he I pray said he Truely now I am not certaine but I thinke he will be here this night answered the Duke These things netled Ollorandus yet he couer'd his rage as well as he could and thus they pass'd the time till Supper when the old Duke desirâ—d them to goe to their lodgeings and vnarme themselues which they did and returning sate to meate The Duke all Supper time curiously beholding the Knights especially Ollorandus who he imagined by his complexion and the fauour of his face to be the King though it was long since he had seene him but the ground he had in malice made him discerne that which otherwise had laine hidden enuy hauing sharpnâ—sse in discouering Thus the night grew on and Supper ended the Knights were brought to their seuerall lodgings Amphilanthus desired to lye with his friend but the Duke out of complement as deâ—iring-they should see their welcome by the respect done them would not permit them to lodge but alone the other two were carried to an other Towre farre from them they being in their Chambers Ollorandus safe as he thought from discouery went to bedd taking his rest very soundly his Dwarfe lying in the next roome to him Amphilanthus had not so much liberty or freedome by rest granted to him wherefore he went not to bedd but walked vp and downe his Camber in his old posture armes acrosse and breathing in sighes wishing his eyes might be once more blessed with seeing what his soule euer beheld with feruent loue that neuer deuiding it selfe no more then heate from fire Passion growne such a commander ouer him as he was an Imagâ— of Loues torments curiously carued to the life of passionate distresse Measure some of his thoughts hee did and delicately expresse his paine in Verse but so dainty was he as few saue himselfe which was his Mistris euer saw them especially those which were for his parting and those hee made that night But his Muse had no more then finished that conceit when she and hee were call'd to attendance summon'd by a fearefull and terrible noise mixt with voyces and armour at last hee heard his friend say O traytors thus betraying a stranger and Villaine to doe it in thine owne house farewell deare friend let misfortune wholly be and end in me Those words and the knowledge of the speaker quickly make the King prepare for rescue wherefore arming himselfe he ran towards the Chamber where Ollorandus lay but by the way he saw him fetter'd and leading to a Gate where it might appeare a Prison was He quickely came to him crying to those who led him to stay they refused but he who fear'd not many more tâ—eâ— they were set vpon them they deuided themselues and some of them held him play while the rest went away with the King taking the aduantage of his busie fighting but his hands were not so imployd but his eyes also vsed their office and so well did he consider the traitors as he neuer let them be but in his eyes which made him soone perceiue this villany and as readily preuent it for they thinking to steale him away were staied and made in streames of bloud to deliuer their confession and liues to his victory The Dwarfe in this time had so roared about the Castle as the other two Knights awaked and came to the rescue Amphilanthus throwing a Sword and Sheild of one of the vanquished to Ollorandus and in time they came for hee was then readie to bee slaine the old Duke and his sonne comming together and incouraging their seruants by promises and commanded by threatnings to kill him but those Armes protected him and then furiouslie did he flie among them the old monster reuiling his people for letting them escape death till Amphilanthus got to him and as he was opening his mouth to speake hatefully to them he thrust his Sword into it hindring those villanous words which hee had else deliuered The other two also came and saued the braue Prince from killing such a worme dispatching that ill naturd man out of the way of molesting any more good creatures But his sonne reuenged his fathers death killing the elder of those brothers whose death Amphilanthus quickly pay'd with the young mans end striking off his arme whereof he died then getting close to Ollorandus they set backe to backe and so fought till they gaind the stepps which went vp to the Hall and getting euen into it they pressed to that doore but some who continued fight with them kept so neare as they got betweene Ollorandus and the doore so as Amphilanthus hoping in the croud his friend was come in locked the doore but shut Ollorandus out where he was ingirdled with his enemies and past hope
that time to aduenture and hauing rid two dayes iourney without let or any kind of hazard the third day he vnfortunatly hapned into a house belonging to a Keeper and standing in a great Forrest this Keeper had in his youth beene an Esquire to an Epirian Knight slaine at Mantinia at a great iust there held after whose death he return'd and putting himselfe vnto the Queene hee gain'd the keeping of this Forrest this man fell into discourse being crafty and so fitt for so ill an imployment as he was vsed in by discourse hee gain'd knowledge that this was one belonging either in place or affection to the Morean Court then hauing enough to worke vpon as if he had eaten much poyson hee must breake so brake he into the open way of destroying Selarinus for sending his boy to the Court which was then but ten miles off by the next morning he had forty Knights to secure him and conduct the Prince trecherously made a prisoner to the Queene who mistrusting no Treason vnder greene clothes nor falshood where so faire language and welcome dwelt at night being weary vnarm'd himselfe and went to bed where hee slept till hee was awaked with the paine which hard cords cast about his armes brought him he did after confesse he heard some noise but thought it had only beene his Squire puting vp his Armour or making it ready and fitt against the morning but when he saw how he was deceiu'd and heard his poore seruant cry also out against them he only with Princely patience said this suffer imprisonment with mee poore boy said he as well as thou hast enioyed freedome and content witnessing that Fidelius can serue Infortunius in all estates faithfully By that the youth knew his Lord would not be knowne by other name then Infortunius wherefore hee resolu'd to dye rather then betray him Till morning hee was thus held then deliuered to to the Knights who straight carryed him to their Queene shee hating all that had but seene Morea or any of those Countryes belonging to them she cal'd enemies went into her Hall and with all magnificent state sate to behold so to scorne the vnfortunate Knight who was brought in chaind the Queene sitting with a setled resolution to manifest hate scorne and contempt but seeing his sweetnesse and louelynesse his tender youth his modest countenance tryumphing as it were ouer his misery with noble patience only shewing stoutnesse in bold suffering and giuing way to Fortune as subiect in that tyranny yet inwardly his estate molested him shame to see those braue armes fetterd and bound brought some blood into his face which though shewed vpon such occasion yet it prouoked an other conclusion for he being naturally some what pale this made his beauty appeare more delicate as if of purpose to purchase his libertie thus was hee forced to be beholding to that womanish part to restore his manly power to liberty that working for him which his worth held least worthy in him for the Queene though most ambitiously raised in conceit of her selfe now found there was a greater Prince and a higher authority which might and would command She gazed on him shee blam'd the small respect their rudnesse had shewed to a Knight to bring him like a theife chain'd shee caused his bands to be taken off and strictly corrected them who expected thanks telling them the disarming had beene an honor but their taking him naked was a shame vnto them and to all braue spirits Then called shee the Prince to her desiring to know his name and Country kindly smiling on him holding him by the hand the softnesse and fairenesse of which she grieued should handle a sword or be vsed in fights fitter to bee held by her like-louing selfe withall she assured him his imprisonment should be no other then content if he would but yeeld to her desires Hee answered his name was Infortunius nephew to the Lord of Serigo who was killed at the King of Morea's Court in his presence and many more hauing thither brought a faire Lady whose loue he was to winn by fight but he was slaine by Selarinus younger brother to Steriamus for whom the great preparations were now made to winn Albania Are you of their party said she Truely Madam said he I wish good to all iust causes otherwise I being but one am little able to asist any therfore dare I not venture to say I am of any side but I did intend to see the warrs If you did but intend that you may said she still continue that purpose nor will I hinder you yet I must enioyne you to some things for my sake Hee answered her his life was in her hands to command Not but to saue and cherish it replied she therefore goe with this Gentleman who shall direct you and conuey you to a chamber fitt for you then did one of her cheife officers conduct him to a maruellous rich roome which she had appointed him to carry him vnto where hee had all things necessary and braue saue his armes then did he leaue him there and his owne Squire to attend him with many more whose respects and officiousnesse was such as mou'd trouble and proued such liberty a true imprisonment yet at night he had freedome for by the Queen's appointment they were not to lye in his Chamber but in an other roome where for his safety no way to trouble him they might conueniently remaine Supper was serud vnto him with all seruicable duty infinite rich and sumptuous fare glorious plate and nothing wanting that so proud a woman could to satisfie that humour thinke of to gloryfie her selfe and obleige him He fed and after supper went to bed the doores were shut and hee layd downe to rest but what quiet could he enioy fearing all these faire beginnings would turne to his greater harme for no end could he see but dishonour to him as himselfe and certaine danger as Infortunius abuse and what was most as Philistella's seruant shame and iust reproach if hee falsified her trust or his affection Tormented thus he did remaine til towards midnight when a doore opened at his beds head out of which came sixe Ladyes each carrying two white wax candles which they set downe vpon a cupbord placed of purpose before the bed then they returned when the Queene as rich and glorious as Iuno came in her mantle was Carnation sattine embroder'd with gold and round pearle fastned with a faire Ruby her wastcoate of the most curious worke could bee made with needle her petty coat suitable to her mantle her head dressed with a dressing fram'd of the same worke with her wastcoate through which her haire was delicately drawne in many places daintely she was apparrel'd able to winne any but such a spirit as Selarinus for neuer did curious carelesnesse better adorne creature then it did this Queene who with care sought to bee neglectiue in her apparrell To the bed side she came and
what perplexeth you and had you sought my life I doe forgiue you You haue braue King cry'd hee said what I grieued to name it was your life I aimed at commanded by Antissia to kill you and then to take her for my wife loue made me vndertake this hateful practise now you haue it vse me as I merit and neuer pardon so foule an act Loue Antissius and hate me for he was likewise solicited by her to murder you but he refused and would needs hinder mee whereupon we should haue fought but then were stayd by two who told vs they were Amphilanthus and Ollorandus Antissius more in sense then I knew they had taken your names vpon them and were not your selues he vndertooke the named Ollorandus I the other whose name had that power as he ouer came me laying me as low as my sinne hath puld me Wounded I was taken vp but saw his death giuen him by a young Gentleman whose father he had killed in a quarrell concerning the Princesse of Croatia whom he had vnder your name abused With the sight of his death shame straight possessed me and selfe-accusing infolded mee for then your noblenes came into my mind your clearenesse shewing my foulenes your worth my blame my heart I cannot say brake but cloue in sunder neuer liued any man to say he was afflicted that more truly left affliction Soules that condemned are cannot be more tortured my soule feeling what can be felt of miserable torture Antissius with whom I would but a little before haue fought withall I threw my selfe at his feete I petitioned Perissus neuer to think of me nor name any name might sound like mine that you especially might not know my falshood left your condemning mee might prooue worse and a heauier punishment then all other torments for your blaming me and so iustly would bee more terrible then condemnation from any other As he spake those words he sunke againe and they againe rerouered him but then Amphilanthus chid him that he would not belieue him Why said he can Dolorindus think that any wrong can be done Amphilanthus which he cannot forgiue and by Dolorindus whom he loues and for loues sake be patient deare friend and grieue not thus for that is not to be grieued at Loue commanded you when you were his subiect t were treason to haue disobeied or refused to kill a traitor to his Crowne as I was esteemed Comfort your selfe I am free from anger or spleene I will not say I forgiue I say you erred not nor I remember ought but our first meeting and our friendship let all other like Phansies passe I am thy friend and will cherish thee and loue thee as I did yet must I◠blame Antissias forgetfulnesse and causelesfury When did I offend her so much to be so irreconciliably displeased how did I vex her to bee vnsatisfied with ought but my life or what could my death bring her Dolorindus as much ouer-waighed with ioy and kindnes as before pressed with sorrow could with as little power withstand the fury of the kind passion so as with teares and deare loue he fell at Amphilanthus his feete kissing them with such affection as hee was forced to throw himselfe by him to make him leaue and in his armes hold him as fast as his loue tied him to him O Amphilanthus cri'd he why doe you thus exceede all possibilitie for man how noble soeuer to be a shadow to you much lesse to equall you will you gather together all perfections in you to be admired and enuied by men or indeed be as you are fit and only deseruing to bee eternized for magnanimious and glorious spirit Your kindnes exceeds my act said he and such expressions of loue find I in you as I am glad rather of this accident whereby I enioy them then of the want of this cause should I haue missed the truth and knowledge of your loue Neuer was more kindnesse shewed in offering and accepting in confessing and forgiuing then betweene these two Ollorandus when they had for a while continued their discourse and all former businesses razed like Castles belonging to Traitors desired to know who they were that had taken their names vpon them Truly said Dolorindus I know not for one kild the other dying desired that he might be so much fauord as neuer to be spoken of nor his companion being something neare mee in shame but as his fault was lesse the lesse sensible Speake no more of this said Amphilanthus I haue done said Dolorindus for little ioy can it bee to mee if not by that to see your gratious fauour But so he died saying onely they were Gentlemen and had taken those names for their honour and his companions gaining the Princesse of Croatia whom after he vildly left and forsooke Then did Amphilanthus relate his finding that Princesse her discourse to him and his conference with her women which much pleased Ollorandus especially when he heard what gaine they had by those names being glad to heare such reuerence was done to them Amphilanthus was contrary for though hee loued best to doe well yet he cared not how little he was told of it hating flattery as much as hee loued worth and that was best of any man nay so nice he was as he would rather doubt flattery then let himselfe thinke he heard but truth of himselfe He left not till he had made Dolorindus leaue his habits of a long Gowne and Staffe to change them as come home againe to a sword and armour his trauaile on foote to horse-backe and contrary to his expectation or resolution to be once more a warrior But this he gaind to be licensed to trauell vnknowne with them which they also were resolued to doe and so from this rude Rockey place as from despaire to comfort they took towards Constantinople Into the Towne they went priuately and furnished themselues according to their humors Amphilanthus in Tawny embroidred with Black and Siluer Ollorandus in Grasse-greene and Gold Dolorindus in Haire colour or a kind of dead leafe colour and Gold they hapned there iust at a time which was solemnly kept euery yere which was the day of the Coronation of Antissius and the restoring of their Countries liberty Here they saw their honors blazd and remembred fame to flourish among the strange Knights they put themselues and as Macedonians whereof there were some good number they came to the Iusts hauing made their habits after their fashion The Presidents was present with al the Nobility and the other braue men that returnd from Albania the King himself hauing sent thē home when he tooke his iourney in the search what Amphilanthus and the other two did in these exercises may be imagined by the knowing they were Actors else his acts as impossible to be expressed as the starres numbred Much inquirie was made after him and his companions but vnknowne they passed and took their way from the Court after they had
so temperately carried himselfe as she sought and he granted when he had done sufficient to make her sure and finding himselfe so deare to her hee tooke occasion to demand many things of that Countrey and of her Castle She to indeare her selfe to him told him of her power and at last all her secrets concerning the Prisoners he counterfeited an admiration of her wâ—tt and seem'd so highly to esteeme of it as if it rather were a miracle to be told then found in a woman shee to make him assured of it carried him into the Caues and Prisons where she shewed him many so miserable as they appear'd their owne Ghosts their bodies quite consum'd In a Caue a little lightsommer but no more pleasant was the worthy Parselius and his friend Leandrus both chain'd togeather in chaines and in each others armes complaining and weeping their sorrowes to those walles and diâ—mall roomes O Parselius said hee how wretched art thou thus to be held not onely in fetters but from thy sweetest loue what will become of her when she shall heare that I am lost What will my friends say of me how will all accuse me yet how can I right my selfe or they succour me Braue Rosindy would thou didst but know my estate I know thou wouldst free me or if not thou wouldst yet certainly comfort my wife thou art to succeede me likewise be mine heire in louing Dalinea cheerishing her dearest soule my afflictioÌ„ is nothing to me must not she suffer too I could beare all more if thou wert not likewise to endure paine vnsufferable to know that Dalinea must be afflicted death were nothing nor these dying paines if I could be sure she dearest she could but be patient wheÌ„ I consider her affection to me the torments and violent passions she breath'd in my first absence doe not they make me see her death Oh my sweet soule I would rather forgiue thee for forgetting me then for dying for me yet the latter were the worthier and none indeed is worthy of thee for none but I can so firmely loue thee must this body so louingly embraced and kindly held within her purest armes be bound in yrons like a thiefe must I cherished and daily tended by her lye here naked on the bare stones and die like a vaâ—lell these armes that haue conquer'd be sham'd like a murtherer these eyes that haue seene all the world's beauty nay Dalinea haue bin kiss'd by her must these eyes now gaze on dead walls expect sight but to see death instead of all my former happinesse O Leandrus had I died and by it kept thee free my soule would haue reioyced and Dalinea bin better contented but to die here and thee with me shee can neuer absolue me Deare brother said Leandrus comfort your selfe and if it be but to be the abler to die brauely what neede we lament our fortunes doth that for vs be patient and death if not dislik'd will seeme enough pleasing make it to vs desired it will then be welcome and beleeue it the more we pitie our selues the more we shall hate that which we shall goe to and therefore the more to be sought thinke but how fine a thing it is to be free from all vexation when wee shall neither trauell nor feare misaduentures neither be taken by misfortune nor shaken with the harmes of others when neither loue nor hate afflicteth vs where all things are at one stay no fall to hurt vs nor rysing to corrupt vs when friends shall neither be disconteÌ„td nor contented but in death Dalinea wil be held from me cry'd he else I like al the other wel Could you wish her here with you said Leandrus No cursed were I then sigh'd he but I would faine once more behold her ere I died To be more torture to her saide Leandrus content your selfe dearest Parselius said he and be confident the Heauens ordaine all things for the best then doe not repine you haue made your selfe already famous sufficient to gaine sorrow for your end and reuenge be then braue and resolute and make bold Death by your constant suffering quake to assaile you O my Dalinea doest thou thinke of me thy poore but loyall Parselius said he thus did he waile and Leandrus discreetly comfort being in equall misery Polarchos and his Mistris harkning to them she glorying in their distresse he in soule lamenting them but must counterfet till fit oportunity was offer'd which in short time he gain'd for so fond hee had made her of him as she gaue him the keyes of the Prison and what else hee demaunded Then did he prouide armours for them and one night in the dead time of the night when all saue his carefull eyes and Rosidi's were shut stole downe into the vault and there discoursed with them letting them see both hope and ioy in them Soone did this worke so with them as they recouer'd strength and after some time were fit to goe with them the night being come for their escape the honest Morean who yet without his Wench would not goe and Rosindy went for them carried them into an Orchard thicke close where they were to tarry his coÌ„ming which was about some houre before day She loth to part with him as being the last time of enioying her soule foretelling some harme but being so ill not able to tell her any good to her selfe or to preuent hurt was onely troubled he as willing to stay for the same reason of being the last for she was pleasing but when he roâ—e and put on his mantle and other cloaths he againe sat down on the bed and taking her hand kiss'd it she tooke him in her armes and kiss'd him farewell deâ—re Lady said hee my better selfe cry'd she farewell Hee presently went downe hauing the keyes a back-way into the Garden and Orchard where they stai'd with his Armor then arming himselfe he toke his way with them to their horses which attended them at the further gate A litle sad he was to goe though glad considering the cause but so long had hee dissembled and so feelingly acted his part as he was caught indeed such were her allurements her sweetnesses louingnesses delicasies and pleasures as shee was fit for any seruant and yet such her changing she deseru'd none that had worth in him yet had he plaid himselfe almost into loue with her Being farre enough the rest made sport with their companion to see his passions and he truely confesâ—ed he could willingly haue stayed with her but if euer said he one more be made such a stale as I haue beene loue will bee vndone for it will turne that way more delight lodging by halfe in this sort then in twenty marriages They were glad he had his content and they by that their liberty so they posted till they ouertooke Meriana who was much molested with Rosindi's stay and well contented when she saw him and happily did esteemâ— of her
him as I flatteringly commended my selfe for being able to winne a heart hee frequented my company after vowing all respect and begging liberty to see mee which should be without touch to me or my honour Vnder this ciuill demaund I perished for then did his second Act please better then the first and I yeelded though he asked not and so I was made an vnfortunate creature for what danger such loue could procure I fell into I neede say no more I 'me sure by this you vnderstand me I was carefull of my reputation to the world though to my selfe I knewe how it was wracked all possible meanes to auoide reproach I tooke as I thought safely and cunningly I carried the matter yet walked I in net or like the fowle that when the head is hid thinkes all is safe though his body lye open to â—ight So did I blinde my selfe while my action was brought to light trusting an vnworthy woman who for couetousnesse vndid meâ— leauing others vnsatisfied that for meere reuenge spred my shame which came to my husbands eares and to my brothers who inquired the businesse and found it so likely or it may bee true as hee left mee yet I writ to him and so faire a letter for likelihood and comming from a Sister as might haue got credit but it preuailed not otherwise then to bee forsaken of him Then did my husband take a disgracefull course against mee that Country being very strict in punishment for such offences I was condemn'd and censur'd and indur'd my punishment but then I thought how this man for my paines fuffâ—red for his sake I should haue found affection or continuance of his loue hee also left mee and in such case as I haue no money or meanes but to sterue for want my estate being againe seased on by my husband and yeelded him by censure I writ to Amphilanthus to assist mee which his noblenesse I make no question in tendernesse to Ladies would haue done but hee was call'd away and I feare informed of my fault which now I am doubly asham'd of and grieu'd for Alas Sir I haue made a free though a briefe confession to you I am the wofull'st woman liuing of a good house but ill life of noble parentage but meane disposition yet O Sir for mercy sake pitty mee Philarchos beheld her of personage tall and well shaped faire of complexion good eyes sweet fauour and of so modest a behauiour as if her owne tongue had not accused her she had passed vnblam'd for any show of ill in her fashion or lightnesse in her countenance Hee pittied her and demanded what he might doe to helpe her Shee told him that if he would ride with her to her brothers Castle which was within aleague she doubted not but hee might obtaine her peace yet dare not I aduenture within his gates said shee vntill you haue preuailed towards the Castle they went being within sight of it Philarchos spake to Perissus to goe first Nay said he since you haue vndertaken the matter I will not be so hasty to take it out of your hands therefore do what you thinke best on he went and met the Lord of the Castle her brother with whom he spake a good space a ciuil fine Gentleman he seem'd learned and stored with noble qualities vnmarried but a Cousen germane liu'd in his house to gouerne as Mistris Shee was not so young nor beautifull as one might imagine any other cause then to order his houshold was the motiue of her liuing there yet she was a braue Lady more manly in her demeanour and discourse then the modestest of her sexe would venture to be and so much that fashion affected her as she was a little too vnlike a well gouerned Lady Shâ—e had beene hansomer a cruell word but is true and yet she might well be seeme a faire houses gouernment the Lord was courteous and so kinde to his Sisters honour which likewise was his as hee tendred it aboue the rate his Couâ—en would haue him who out of care of all womens credits as shee pretended raild bitterly against her reuiling her for immodesty for dishonouring her house shaming her bloud more adoe shâ—e kept then he who it did more neerely concerne yet at last so fairely Philarchos spake and Perissus so well wrought with him as they got his fauour so farre that he was contented to see her but by no meanes in some time to haue her abide with him they satisfied themselues with that for the first and so brought her in to him the next day they all parted some one way some another the two companions together till they came to the neerest part of Achaia to Corinth then Philarchos meant to crosse the Gulfe but Perissus aduised by no meanes to venture it yet he preuaild and so they got a little Barque which was no sooner vnder sayle but with great speed made way till they were encountred by a Ship which would needs take them as prisoners They were not made to yeeld as they thought neuer hauing beene bred to any such thing wherefore they brauely fought and at the boarding got into their ship fighting with such valour as they amazed all that saw them and made their party good a great space at last they were so hardly laid vnto as they found yeelding must bee their best defence but contarily it hapned for another Ship made towards them boarding them likewise the fight now anew begun the strangers fierce and the others a little wearied yet what most troubled them was that the two first encountred Knights got new heart againe and fought as freshly as at first Discouraged with that and vexed with the blowes of the last succourers they would haue shewed them a trick by suddden falling off from them but the deuice was discouered and they for their deceipt punished with no lesse then death The two last were knowne to be Selarinus and Antissius so the foure tooke their course to Corinth where they were brauely entertained Now were all the eight Champions together none missing but Amphilanthus and Ollorandus and Steriamus who was alone who will in short time likewise arriue Rosindy and Selarinus the two deare friends hauing beene long as their loue made them thinke asunder renewed their kindnesse and manner of friendly conuersation into a walke priuate and sweete they passd where loue possessed Selarinus so farre as hee brake into these passions Alas Rosindy said hee did euer heauen thus punish louers was any soule tortur'd like mine or so vniustly condemned to death what did that chast deare soule merit to bee taken away and carried from his brest that held it dearest Why was sweet and dainty Philistella depriued mine eyes and all my sense of hearing of her accursed Sea that brought this misfortune dambn'd Barque that betraid her and wicked vanity that inticed them to such harme Was euer beauty so treacherously handled Did euer eyes see such mischiefe or eares haue hearing to so
heauen bring her not to murder mee lade your selues with pitie and compassion then come apace and giue life to the most peâ—plexed louer All this while she was comming while he attended as a passionate man doth the breaking of the day when he is to visit at that time his loue Dawning and leasurely shee came hee thought shee made small haste yet came too fast if loue did not accompany her and that loue to him like a delicate young Courtier who is to make his estate by the marriage of a great heire when hee comes before her is at first timerous loth to offend yet dressed vp in all richnes and finenes so was hee his Helme hee tooke off rubd vp his Haire wiped his face set on his most manly yet amorous countenance knowing women loue not childish men how much soeuer they commonly like louelines and the choicest beauties Poore man to see what a busines he kept with himselfe were strange that hee who but newly come to know passion should bee in so much variety and skilfull manner of learned knowledge to win as those who after their naturall inclination change and wooe daily but to such it is pleasure and delight to this young man torture He sighed he looked he prayed he wished he did all and yet nothing that might helpe him for so long he was in these distempers as either ignorance neglect or ill manners were like to be laid to his charge who indeed was an exact fond louer taken and spoild at first sight the louing Country of Italy could neuer make him thus passionate the beauties there were as ones owne Country esteemed nothing so pleasing to one as the thought of others till they be tried Arcadia is the place can onely captiuate his heart and there must he tast the paines makes him wish to be in Italy with freedome O sweet place heauenly Paradice said he what delights be in thee but what serpents keepe them from enioying stories I haue heard of waters and trees kept by Monsters but what rarenes was euer thus kept as loue keepes her and mee from asking pity while he stood letting his imagination twine out the time which he might if acquainted with loue or bred in his cunning Schoole haue vsed to farre more gainefull purpose She past feare of danger secured by the death of the Beare her before threatner turned back and came to thanke him but what with her sight and words he stood in as still a Posture as if the Beast in death had also wounded him which made that excellent Shepherdesse take him by the hand and kindly demaund how he felt himselfe but the touch of her dainty skin with the rare softnes gaue a more cruell hurt to his heart then the hard sword had giuen though death vnto the Beast Hee could not answer but with sighs his eies raining showers of teares and yet as through a wet cloud gazed on her She was sorry for his sorrow and wished her helpe might pleasure him it was she alone that could doe it but he duâ—st not hope for it nor aduenture to demand it then were the rest come vnto them who stirred not but looked like metamorphosed creatures their hands fast in one anothers she pittying and hee that had what he could wish yet fearing it enioyed it not which the Shepheard Youth perceiuing louing Leonius as much as man could loue another with no more acquaintance stepped to him Sir said he it appeares that the sudden ioy of this braue victory with the releasing of this rare beauty before you from such danger doth too much possesse you or else the same fit which this day I found you in hath againe ouercome you He now who shame instructed to be carefull starting as children doe at Bugbeares told him that it was true his fit had taken him and held him worse then it had done before which had caused that stilnesse in him for which he asked pardon of the most faire Shepherdesse and kissing her hand assured her that nothing was more comfort to him then the rescuing of her nor any thing more grieuous then that he had been so rude as not to acknowlâ—dge the fauour she did in comming back to thanke him for that wherein he did but the due of any one to serue and preserue such beauty thinking himselfe most fortunately borne and brought thither at that time so to doe her seruice She mildly and modestly blushing told him the good fortune was hers which had gained not onely safety but that from the noblest hand and heart so taking away her hand which was a death-like blow to him courteously bid him farewell with millions of kind thanks and sweet words vnto him euery one of which were wounds vnto his soule because with them she left him They gone he alone but for the Shepherd began his complaints partly to himselfe partly to his new friend in this manner Is it possible O Arcadia the most sweet and delicate of all these Prouinces that in thee there should liue so dangerous a creature as at first sight should wound and kill with the first touch alas my friend what peril doth abide in these most dainty dwellings were these places ordained excellent and alluring to draw men to their ends are you made happy with seeing delicasies only to see them but to taste none other then sharp murders O my father how hast thou left thy son in thine owne friends dominions to bee slaine and by a woman how will you brauest brother disdaine my bloud vanquished by a looke O Arcadia in your sweetnes I am martyrd and one of your Kings blood thus you kil are you not then guilty of treason The Shepheard who now perceiued this Knight to bee a Prince and by his words an Aliance of that Country hee kneeled downe and thus spake My Lord said hee blame not this place for that for which I doubt not but you shall haue cause to loue it accuse not your friends since if they saw your vallour and braue destroying that fierce Beast they would without question glory in your vertue nor be displeased with your fortune or loue since fortune hath brought you to loue one the most loue-worthy and I beseech you what cause haue you thus to complaine not knowing whether you may be fauourd or disgraced I see no reason you should bee discontented if not that you would not receiue kindnesse she so mildly and sweetly affording it Loue Loue it was and is cryd he makes mee thus wretched what can I doe when my senses in her sight faile me how can I haue comfort when deadly dispaire makes me not dare to hope what shall I ioy in when I scarce may venture to looke on her who must deliuer mee from this bondage noe I see no remedy when I am not able to aske or take it I am lost and only found by dispaire and desperate loue Then did his teares follow those words and groanes those teares till the Sheephard
began againe My Lord said hee yet heare me there is a way whereby you may let her see your loue and yet not speake it your teares thus continually shed your sigh's still breathing out your passions your groanes foretelling death will all truly witnesse your affliction and sue for you pull off these habits vnfit for these passions put on such as I wil prouide for you so well agreeing to your humour as the cloathes and the action shall make her vnable to withstand so much pitty as must breed loue and that loue if you then discreetly gouerne it will procure your happinesse Direct me deere friend said hee and let me enioy her loue and be assured I will make thee see I am not vngratefull Then my Lord said hee you shall put on the habit I will tomorrow morning bring to yonder Groue but be sure you be there before the Sunne appeare least they be there before vs and after follow my aduice so shall you I feare not come to your wishes end but withall you must promise and performe assistance to me Leonius could but with kind teares and straightly embracing him giue him thankes and promise thus they resolued the youth went to the next towne to buy things fit for the Prince while he with sad thoughts vncertaine wishes and wrestlesse passions spent the time till his returne The Sheepheardesse who poore soule before knew but her owne beauty now found anothers to master her I would said she the Beare had deuoured me rather then this torment should perplexe me Why did this Stranger succour me of purpose was he sent to torture mee must I be made a subiect to one I know not and suffer afflictions for one I shall no more behold fie vpon this strange loue which makes me so strangly loue as to affect impossibilities but I see I am but iustly punished for disdaining all the Youths of these parts thinking none worthy of me now I must loue one that knowes me not will no more see mee and surely loues an other Pride it is you haue vndone mee I confesse my fault I sorrow for it yet Venus helpe me Pan our Sheapheard-God assist mee let not one of your seruants nay poore me your seruant thus distressed liue I recall my former scornings I repent my disdaines I accuse my selfe more then you can blame mee O ayd me then Thus she pass'd the night in millions of such like complaints till morning being come she rose and hastely dressing her raysed her flocks before their vsuall time as shee was raised by this vnusuall passion to the plaine she went there awhile she stayed yet rested no where sometimes shee walked a pace as if she would leaue that paine behind her but seeing it so closely follow her lay downe embracing it yet blushing would turne her face on the ground and seeme ashamed of her owne thoughts O Chastity said shee why doe you wholy possesse mee deere Diana take me to thee but then did Venus as in rage increase her flames making her forget all but her affections Then rising to the next tree shee went which was a Willow and of those branches she puld and with them crowned her selfe casting off her strawne hatte her Sun-beame haire falling downe at the full length which with a little fine and naturall curling reched to the small of her leg and the rich thicknesse spread it selfe ouer her shoulders there awhile she stayed grauing some few words in the Barque of the tree agreeing to the paines shee felt and condition of that tree whose softnesse concur'd with the yeelding hearts of loâ—ers but the Fate giuen it to be forsaken and made it to be the Garland for such haplesse creatures Well poore Willow said she thou shalt yet be my companion and I will honour thee though happier folks despise thee then went she into the Groue but as little stayd shee there flying the company she saw there assembled seeking new places as all doe that seeke ease and hope for it by trauell so shee pass'd along the side of one of the little Brooks her eyes still fixed vpon it speaking sometimes at last shee said these words Poore Brooke said shee how like my paines are yours I seeke to flye from the Spring of my sorrowes so fall you from your head how fast sweete Brooke you runne in hope of eafe so fast doe my poore hopes flye from my hart stay turne your course and I shall hope to liue notwill not be you runne and I continue in my paines As she went on sadly bemoning her solitary thoughts she heard as pittifull a voyce vtter these vnperfect ioyn'd words Leonia poore Nimph said it where is thy vowe must Venus make thee change O loue coward loue to steale thus to my heart couldest thou not haue come brauely and contended with me in the Chase or taken me in the time when I did reuile thee and scorne thy power but to set vpon me when I was quiet and safe as I thought treacherously to lye in wait and betray mee when I was vnarm'd naked and without power to resist and more for my shame when I had sworne to Diana what punnishment will that chast Goddesse lay vpon me for this offence But foole why talke I of these poore things which in comparison of my woe are but blossoms I loue and must loue what then I will loue and die in loue then shall that Cruell see written in my heart that murther thus committed vnkind alasse my soule melts as these teares and yet to thee my paines are no more waighed then bubbles my hart weepes blood pitty me then say you do pitty and saue me pitty said the Sheepheardes is that I want what new companion in my woe haue I found heere with that she went towards the place from whence as shee imagined that sad voyce did proceede when as a little from the banke vnder the shade of mirtle trees which made as it were a Cabine of them selues lay a Forrest Nimph her apparrell of colour and fashion like Diana buskins vpon her leggs of white her haire tyd vp only some of the shortest and about the temples curled crowned with Roses Hyacinths she lay with her head toward her who with a soft pace went on till she came iust behinde her then viewing her earnestly her eyes being so full of loue as all louing creatures found a power in them to draw them to her call especially those eyes which were so much hers as they could not stirre but to her will commanding them so as shee could with her looking on them with louing force bring them to her owne and so it now prooued for those eyes which full of teares were seeing themselues in the streame shewing their watry pictures to each other her earnest viewing the Nimph with a naturall humblenesse to hers drew her lookes to her ioy then appear'd in the Nimphes face yet straight was that clowded with sorrow She rose and with a timerous though she
Pamphilias hee would not knowe it As they pass'd they saw a handsome and well cloathed woman neither walking running or staying but as if she had made a motion of them all and imployd them to her vanity shee one while cryed another chafed smil'd scratch'd her head stamp'd rail'd and all at Loue blind foolish thing said she be thou for euer hated and abandoned haue I not better deseru'd of thee then thus to be handled Must I be a miserable Testimony of thy cruelty when I merited thy best fauours I hate thee froward Childe and will neuer leaue reuiling thee till thou doest requite mee if neuer shame light on thee and thy Baby gouernment Haue I beene a quiet patient of all thy folliesâ— Suffered my selfe to fall vnder thy Tyranny to serue thy wilfulnesse and obey thy vaine employments Are these tollerable or am I not fit to be rewarded Peeuish Boy either speedily requite and pacifie me or be sure to be set forth in thy colours no Bird beares so various or seuerall calourd a Plume as thou dost in changeablenesse which shall not be neglected but set foorth to the life then Sir it may you will say I am bitter but the world shall see that you are vniust Waiward Babe I admire thou hast a face to doe all this withall 't was well faign'd at first that thou hadst no eyes which indeed is the true face for thou canst neither see truth nor be seene truly by it Vnworthy creature an inuention fram'd a thought lighter then thought a Bubble made by breath in a Shell blowne by a straw fired with a frowne reuiued by a smile and ruin'd by an neglect a stately and constant building that breath can destroy that looke can establish or the least of dislike sacke In this fury shee would haue persisted but this Troope had beene and were Louers wherefore they went to her who seem'd like a moouing or stirring water-worke she turn'd to them and from them againe shee cryd and groan'd then scornfully seem'd to defie passion and with a faint forged countenance would haue appeared sociable No greater diuersity is there in womens dispositions who are richer in that vanity then men then she had in her selfe so as good women might hope all the superfluous vanity of that sexe had beene collected and setled by vncertainty in her The Queene of Naples intreated Perissus to speake to her he did so she answr'ed iust like her demeanour at last the Queenes drew neerer to her and demanding some questions of her she answer'd them thus I am said shee a Gentlewoman though vngently vsed by Loue my name not worthy of Knowledge my estate ouerthrowne by mifortune my friends not to be named as being vnfit to consanguinate with miserie and indeed such a wretched forlorne soule as I am onely the shaddow of that kind men most contemne but for their owne sakes and necescities sometimes respect I haue most of my time beene among those of highest ranke but meanest requitall else I had not thus suffered I am a cast-downe-wretch not worthy of life or your presence let me then on these reasons petition departure you shall be noble in granting and I happy in being permitted my owne course Limena well liked this odd manner in her and would not licence her to be freed from them but desired to heare more for said shee I haue beene as you are afflicted and neuer felt more felicitie then in discoursing my woes besides I see you are apt to discouer your passions to these places why not then as well to vs who are and euer will be sensible of passion She lookd vpon her and with a noise betweene sighing and long breathing scorning directly to sigh she answered her that shee should haue what shee sought Then said the Queene I desire to know your losse your despiser aud yet dislike It is this said she I loued a Gentleman who was brother to the Dutches I seru'd hee loued me and swore it perfidious man I belieued him and granted what he asked he made of me as we doe of the best fortunes and was contented with nothing so much as with my Loue nor did I ioy or indeed glory in any thing but his affection this vndid mee and I a poore yeelded creature and spoiled by him remaind the poore Trophy of his victory and my losse I sought yet long time after I writ to him both in Verse and prose but alike to his vnderstanding and alike taken and receiu'd Hee remembred my kindnesses and thank'd me but yet rewarded them no further like a King that takes a Present and likes it but thinks it was his Subiects due to present it and so meanes not to reward the bringer scarse the giuer no more did he for I was both giuer and bringer and yet as one cast off and forlorne I vrgâ—d Faith and constancy hee confest it with faire words but alas his rewards were miserable and dry I then after a long and most laborious suit and toyle to winne or rather keepe but part what I once had had recouer'd not so much as dammages but all lay still on me I then writ some Verses to him which I haue in memory hauing made them vpon the subiect of many vnhappy Women but bringing them all to my sadd estate the Verses are long and teadious therefore if you please I will let them passe and continue my discourse Nay I pray said the Queene let vs haue them and the story too we haue time enough for both and no time being able to be better spent we can affoord the euening into the bargaine rather then misse such a relation Then Madam said shee when I saw no merit no loue no remembrance nor any thing could worke against a newe choice which he had made I framd these lines as my last peece resoluing if they preuailed not to let all goe and fall to the resolution or indeed more properly distraction I am now in the Lines be these DEare though vnconstant these I send to you As witnesses that still my Loue is true Receiue these Lines as Images of Death That beare the Infants of my latest breath And to my tryumph though I dye in woe With welcome glory since you will it so Especially my ending is the lesse When I Examples see of my distresse As Dido one whose misery was had By Loue for which shee in Deathes robes was clad Yet lost shee lesse then I for I possest And loue enioy'd she lik'd what was profest Most cruell and the death-lik'st kind of ill To lose the blessing of contentments will Faire Ariadne neuer tooke more care Then I did how you might in safety fare Her thrid my life was to draw you from harme My study wholly how I might all charme That dangerous were while pleasures you optain'd And I the hazard with the labour gain'd Yet shee this his life sau'd he her honor lost That false Prince Theseus flying left her crost With his abandoning
grieu'd I am in soule to tell the truth for you must and cannot choose but hate me when I shall say what yet my heart loth to let me speake my eyes will waste themselues in streames before I can vâ—ter it and my soule rend when I must say you cannot bee blessed in loue your wofull and sinfull mother being the cause and roote of all this mischiefe I blush in soule guiltinesse I mourne in the knowledge of my sinne I am more faulty then euer woman was and a meere staine to my sexe you cannot my dearest heart enioy this Lady nor you sweet Lady haue your loue I am the Monster that keepes the gates against you and the Serpent that deserues death from you for double iniury Then kneel'd shee downe pardon mee cryde shee you perfectest and best though most vnfortunate Louers I am the wretch that hath vndone you and my selâ—e your loue 's vnlawfull I am the shamefull cause thereof your loues cannot imbrace I am the Diuorcer your wishes if granted would bee wickednesse and I am the ground brought forth this poyson wonder not but shun me as the Pestilence I am not to bee neerer suffer'd then the Plague for such I am to you to you deare two the life of my poore life the reason of all this was loue and your loue by this sinfull loue is cross'd you are poore soules deceiu'd and couzened turne your affections now to chast and iust desires for you are ah that I must say so Brother and Sister children to one man They miserable soules could not looke vpon each other the grouâ—d was their highest obiect swell and almost burst they did with griefe their senses shut vp as in an Apoplexie at last all rose from the earth into which they rather would haue gone the old woman to her chamber where falling into passions her weaknes could not sustain but she with heart afflicted oppressed with shame and vnsufferable woe dyed being found in the morning in her bed a pittifull corps of an afflicted minde The youth and his Sister wept and sate that night together wringing their hands as their hearts and soules smarted for this harme In the morning for feare of spies they parted their misery being to shew themselues as carefull as before their honours and the Parents lying on it though their wofull fortunes might haue giuen liberty which was their greatest Prison liberty they before did couet now had is onely hated Sobs and groanes were the words they said farewell withall their eyes so fill'd with cloudes of teares as if yet pitty were had not to let them see their extreamest misery but through a scarfe of loue shed water The noise of the Ladies death was soone spread abroad the house comming to the young Lords eares who with much sorrow which hee dissembled not his supposed father being absent tooke order for her buriall himselfe soon after went thence priuatly like Caunus from Biblis yet the comparison holds not clearly because these Louers were chaste and pure after the secret was disclos'd Wandring about hee happened on this Desart and into a little round place in proportion like this you came from where you descended the stayres Shee follow'd him or fortune whither she would guide her who was so kinde as to bring her to this place where they continued some short space life not allowing too much sorrow to such vnfortunate though worthy creatures but would to assist them loose it selfe parting with them leauing their bodies cleare reliques of spotlesse truth and cross'd affections malice They saw each other and bewail'd their chance but to fauour each other came no neerer then through those bushes to behold their wofull selues as in Mooneshine glimmering and as colde At last as they had iustly at once begun their loues they iustly at one instant died a little before meeting pitty not letting the one outliue the other or loue couetous would receiue both parts at once againe into possession loth to spare any part of such perfection The bodies by diuine prouidence kept safe the woefull Prince Father to them by destiny brought to them hauing searched and all his seruants for them Vnder a great Cyprus Tree which grew where the stone is now they lay intwined in each others armes dying with as chast and in as chast embracements as they had liued her groanes of death called him who had as little life yet some thing more strength finding her end comming hee kissed her hand and dying lippes then tore some of those branches downe honouring againe poore Caparissus wearing his Funerall memory making two Coronets one for her another for him selfe and so Crowned but most with loyall spotles loue they ended leauing no staine but misfortune to touch them withal much honour to be rendred to their loues The Prince finding them thus fell downe on them and as it were breathing his last likewise into them but hee was to out liue them and to grace their Funeralls he therefore rose commanding that stately Tree to be cut downe whose pride had beene such as not to let any tree grow within the compasse of his armes of the body hee made a Coffin into which with precious balmes he layd the bodies as one then did hee get the rarest workman and by his directions make this place the comming to it he would haue this way as most vnusuall and strange as their liues the place els on the other side would haue suffered another and finer comming to it though painefull the ascent being so highe for indeed it was a place as cut out of the maine Rocke and wrought into the heart of it all of one side hauing light in aboundance but hee had as it were made his way in the middest thereof as if to pierce the Center as that part in their hearts had beene sealed When this stately and sumptuous building was finished he went into Chios where dwelt an ancient and rare Magitian this man he made his instrument to fulfill his intent who did so well performe it as hee accomplished what Art could frame my selfe my Wife the old woman that conducted your Maiesty and my Sonne that brought you hither were heere established by them this booke hee gaue mee to deliuer to you when you came and the time appointed when a woman should raigne heere louing as well as much deseruing but more happily enioying to her comfort which is your selfe I was commanded to tell this story to none els nor deliuer this Booke wherin this is more exactly expressed and yet all this in the presence of the King your chosen mate These I haue obserued and now haue but two things more to do which are these to shew you the Tombe then opened he that place which seem'd like an Altar wherein lay the two Louers adorn'd as they dyed with the same Garlands whose honour was to continue greene still as hopefull of their memory The candles hee then lighted telling them that hee and his
instantly withdrew her selfe from the windowe threw her selfe vpon her bedd ctyed out onely against misfortune and so brake her heart and dyed her last words being yet though honour and life bee lost I dye iust and truely thine my onely deare Ala and this Ala was all for all my name shee spake death either then wholly possessing her or shee desirous still to hold mee neere her kept that last part in her for her to ende with and mee to liue by yet truely had I like to haue gone with her with her though asunder I may say for our soules vnited had gone together but alas I was not so happy though had I had a spirit like hers or weapons suffered mee I had soone ouertaken her or came to her as her soule parted but I was hindred and â—he had all my powerfull spirit the shew of my falling and the truth of her death was thus The Villaine had dressed mee and a stuff'd-man-likeâ—thing in sutes alike his intent being this and such was the performance in some kinde though too hasty they were that if the King ouercame I should bee throwne downe if the other the counterfeit piece should bee cast foorth that all hope being taken from her shee might the sooner yeeld to him but the Executioners seeing the King downe threw out the framd Alarinus which brought as much mischiefe as all ill could doe for shee seeing it imagining it to be mee dyed and left all misery to dwell with vs especially in me I fell from the window in â— swound thinking the day lost they heeded not any thing more but confident of the Champions victory tended mee striuing to saue me to this misery The doores within a little while after were opened and I fetch'd foorth to death I thought but so it happened not nor neere so much good befell mee for I no sooner saw liberty with the King who came for mee but I mette the cruellest of deaths encountring her death O Myra my best and last Loue thy memory liues in mee and I liue but to remember thee now let mee know if so much loue so much misfortune chastity and deare true Loue rested in your Mistresse else I must not yeeld Hee then twin'd his handes one in another wrung them and sighing wept then lay downe on his side leaning his elbow on the ground and his face on his hand when the Bauarian followed thus Loue I confesse you haue had plentifully shewed vnto you yet as grieâ—e is felt but by one's selfe none being able to compare with the knowledge vnlesse hee felt the equall weight no more can I yet see but that my losse is the greater My selfe am called Peryneus Duke of Bauaria but vassell to misfortune my Lady was called Elina daughter to the Duke of Saxony that now is brother in law to the Emperour that then was she was brought vp with the Empresse and there I fell in loue with her she asmuch did affect me although at that time there were three of vs fiercely wooing her the other two were the Dukes of Brunswicke and Wertenberge the one infinite rich but as poore in naturall perfections for hee is weake in iudgement and discourse else faire and white The other as louely as a man can bee or indeed a woman for delicate clearenesse and sweetnesse but wanting in estate as the other in wisedome My selfe the third and such as you see gained the loue from the other two and the hate of the one while shee was liuing now hee vseth mee well but so shee had beene still would I had still beene hated My ill fortune it was also that the Empresse liked mee shee was not so true a wise as Vlisses had but yet shee was and had a braue Woman and belou'd of many shee nobly requiting most for gratitude is a great matter in Louers This sweet Bird of beauty and vertue Elyna saw the Empresse Loue as clearely as her owne could make it transparent through which shee saw likewise sorrow and was sad as dispayring I hauing that countenance as carefully beholding her as her loue cared for mee I fear'd shee lou'd I sawe shee lou'd and grieued because shee loued For O me I durst not thinke it was my selfe the King of the Romans then now my Lord the Emperour after his receiuing that Title for ouerthrowing the vsurping Duke of Sax in whose place and to whose honour and estate my Ladies Father by the Emperours and Princes fauours succeeded came to Prage where the Court was to entertaine him all triumps were prouided none thought enough to welcome him who had saued the Empire from ruine Sports of Field were most in vse the King most affecting them at those excercises I was one and then called the seruant to the Dutchesse she pleased to honour me with a fauour but the greatest honour was that she sent it by Elina who comming into the Chamber of Presence hauing layd it on her Fardingale I approached like the rest but aboue all others in affection to her shee that day honoured me more then vsually wee was wont turning from the rest and looking on mee bashfully for feare of them sadly because imployed against her selfe as for another sweetly but slowly bringâ—ng foorth these words I am said shee O dearest shee entreated by many to giue fauours this day but my Lord I am determined to deny all because not able to conâ—tent all yet to you who haue not asked I must present this Scarfe giuing me a maruellous rich one of Crimson Tafaty embrodered with gold siluer and dainty coloured Silkes euen to the height of richnesse and delicacy but the delicatest delicacie was that shee presented it mee I kissed my hand to take it and kissed that part where shee had touched it blush I did and tremble with ioy and wonder till shee looking on me my Lord said shee are you amazed me thinkes you should know the Sender this shee spake so low as none but I heard it and I was sorry I then had hearing rather would I haue beene deceiued and thought graced by her then assuredly honour'd by the Dutchesse I bowed lowe vnto her saying I had been richer in content if she had giuen me a Shooe-string of hers She starâ—ed smil'd and with her eyes kindly shewed shee liked my words but gaue no answer so I departed and with the rest of the Court performed what was expected of vs oft times I confesse I looked vp to to the window were shee stood and thence tooke spirit anâ— hope grew then and still increased when I sawe shee entertained and not reiected my humble affection Thus were wee fortunate but how much longer can that word last then it is spoken Alas no longer for no sooner were wee truely assured of what our soules called blisse enioying hearts wishes in loues happy remembrance that yet said this is and was when miserable Fate her Aunt discerned it wearing quickely then glasse eyes to make euery mote seeme thousands and so
you for blisse hope still and still enioy Let sad misfortune haplesse me destroy Leaue crosses to rule me and still rule free While all delights their contraries imploy To keepe good backe and I but torments see Ioyes are berâ—au'd me harmes doe only tarry Despaire takes place disdaine hath got the hand Yet firme loue holds my senses in such band As since despised I with sorrow marry Then if with griefe I now must coupled bee Sorrow I le wed Despaire thus gouernes mee 10. THe weary Traueller who tyred sought In places distant farre yet found no end Of paine or labour nor his state to mend At last with ioy is to his home backe brought Findes not more ease though he with ioy be fraught When past his feare content like soules ascend Then I on whom new pleasures doe descend Which now as high as first-borne blisse is wrought He tyred with his paines I with my minde He all content receiues by ease of lymbs I greatest happinesse that I doe finde Beliefe for faith while hope in pleasure swimmes Truth saith 't was wrong conceit bred my despight Which once acknowledg'd brings my hearts delight 11. YOu endlesse torments that my rest oppresse How long will you delight in my sad paine Will neuer Loue your fauour more expresse Shall I still liue and euer feele disdaine Alasse now stay and let my griefe optaine Some end feede not my heart with sharpe distresse Let me once see my cruell fortunes gaine At least release and long-felt woes redresse Let not the blame of cruelty disgrace The honour'd title of your god-head Loue Giue not iust cause for me so say a place Is found for rage alone on me to moue O quickly end and doe not long debate My needfull ayd lest helpe doe come too late 12. CLoy'd with the torments of a tedious night I wish for day which come I hope for ioy When crosse I finde new tortures to destroy My woe-kild heart first hurt by mischiefes might Then crye for night and once more day takes flight And brightnesse gone what rest should heere inioy Vsurped is Hate will her force imploy Night cannot Griefe intombe though blacke as spite My thoughts are sad her face as sad doth seeme My paines are long her howers tedious are My griefe is great and endlesse is my care Her face her force and all of woes esteeme Then welcome Night and farewell flattering day Which all hopes breed and yet our ioyes delay Song 2. ALl Night I weepe all Day I cry Ay me I still doe wish though yet deny ay me I sigh I mourne I say that still I only am the store for ill ay me In coldest hopes I freezâ— yet burne ay me From flames I striue to flye yet turne ay me From griefe I hast but sorrowes hye And on my heart all woes doe lye ay me From contraries I seeke to run ay me But contraries I cannot shun ay me For they delight their force to trye And to Despaire my thoughts doe tye ay me Whither alasse then shall I goe ay me When as Despaire all hopes outgoe ay me If to the Forrest Cupid hies And my poore soule to his law tyes ay me To the Court O no he cryes fye ay me There no true loue you shall espye ay me Leaue that place to falsest Louers Your true loue all truth discouers ay me Then quiet rest and no more proue ay me All places are alike to Loue ay me And constant be in this begun Yet say till Life with Loue be done Ay me 13. DEare famish nor what you your selfe gaue foode Destroy not what your glory is to saue Kill not that soule to which you spirit gaue In pitty not disdaine your triumph stood An easie thing it is to shed the bloud Of one who at your will yeelds to the graue But more you may true worth by mercy craue When you preserue not spoyle but nourish good Your sight is all the food I doe desire Then sacrifice me not in hidden fire Or stop the breath which did your praises moue Thinke but how easie 't is a sight to giue Nay euen desert since by it I doe liue I but Camelion-like would liue and loue 14. Am I thus conquer'd haue I lost the powers That to withstand which ioyes to ruine me Must I bee still while it my strength deuoures And captiue leads me prisoner bound vnfree Loue first shall leane mens fant'sies to them free Desire shall quench loues flames Spring hate sweet showres Loue shall loose all his Darts haue sight and see His shame and wishings hinder happy houres Why should we not Loues purblinde charmes resist Must we be seruile doing what he list No seeke some host to harbour thee I flye Thy Babish tricks and freedome doe professe But O my hurt makes my lost heart confesse I loue and must so farewell liberty 15. TRuely poore night thou welcome art to me I loue thee better in this sad attire Then that which rayseth some mens fant'sies higher Like painted outsides which foule inward be I loue thy graue and saddest lookes to see Which seemes my soule and dying heart entire Like to the ashes of some happy fire That flam'd in ioy but quench'd in misery I loue thy count'nance and thy sober pace Which euenly goes and as of louing grace To vs and mee among the rest opprest Giues quiet peace to my poore selfe alone And freely grants day leaue when thou art gone To giue cleare light to see all ill redrest 16. SLeepe fye possesse me not nor doe not fright me with thy heauy and thy deathlike might For counterfetting's vilder then death's sight And such deluding more my thoughts doe spight Thou suffer'st falsest shapes my soule t' affright Sometimes in likenesse of of a hopefull spright And oft times like my Loue as in despight Ioying thou canst with malice kill delight When I a poore foole made by thee thinke ioy Doth flow when thy fond shadowes doe destroy My that while sencelesse selfe left free to thee But now doe well let me for euer sleepe And so for euer that deere Image keepe Or still wake that my senses may be free 17. SWeet shades why doe you seeke to giue delight To me who deeme delight in this vilde place But torment sorrow and mine owne disgrace To taste of ioy or your vaine pleasing sight Shew them your pleasures who saw neuer night Of griefe where ioyings fawning smiling face Appeares as day where griefe found neuer space Yet for a sigh a groane or enuies spite But O on me a world of woes doe lye Or els on me all harmes striue to relye And to attend like seruants bound to me Heate in desire while frosts of care I proue Wanting my loue yet surfet doe with loue Burne and yet freeze better in Hell to be 18. WHich should I better like of day or night Since all the day I liue in bitter woe Inioying light more cleere my wrongs to know and yet
will bee kinde and iust indeed Send me your heart which in mine 's place shall feede On faithfull loue to your deuotion bound There shall it see the sacrifices made Of pure and spotlesse Loue which shall not vade While soule and body are together found 27. FIe tedious Hope why doe you still rebell Is it not yet enough you flatter'd me But cunningly you seeke to vse a Spell How to betray must these your Trophees bee I look'd from you farre sweeter fruite to see But blasted were your blossomes when they fell And those delights expected from hanâ—s free Wither'd and dead and what seemd blisse proues hell No Towne was won by a more plotted slight Then I by you who may my fortune write In embers of that fire which ruin'd me Thus Hope your falshood calls you to be tryde You 'r loth I see the tryall to abide Proue true at last and gaine your liberty 28. GRiefe killing griefe haue not my torments beene Already great and strong enough but still Thou dost increase nay glory in mine il And woes new past a fresh new woes begin Am I the onely purchase thou canst win Was I ordain'd to giue despaire her fill Or fittest I should mount misfortunes hill Who in the plaine of ioy cannot liue in If it be so Griefe come as welcome guest Since I must suffer for anothers rest Yet this good Griefe let me intreat of thee Vse still thy force but not from those I loue Let me all paines and lasting torments proue So I misse these lay all thy waights on me 29. FLye hence O Ioy no longer heere abide Too great thy pleasures are for my despaire To looke on losses now must proue my fare Who not long since on better foode relide But foole how oft had I Heau'ns changing spi'de Before of mine owne fate I could haue care Yet now past time I can too late beware When nothings left but sorrowes faster ty'de While I enioyd that Sunne whose sight did lend Me ioy I thought that day could haue no end But soone a night came cloath'd in absence darke Absence more sad more bitter then is gall Or death when on true Louers it doth fall Whose fires of loue disdaine reasts poorer sparke 30. YOu blessed shades which giue me silent rest Witnes but this when death hath clos'd mine eyes And separated me from earthly tyes Being from hence to higher place adrest How oft in you I haue laine heere opprest And haue my miseries in wofull cryes Deliuer'd forth mounting vp to the Skyes Yet helplesse backe return'd to wound my brest Which wounds did but striue how to breed more harm To me who can be cur'd by no one charme But that of Loue which yet may me releeue If not let Death my former paines redeeme My trusty friends my faith vntouch'd esteeme And witnesâ—e I could loue who so could grieue Song 5. TIme onely cause of my vnrest By whom I hop'd once to be blest How cruell art thou turn'd That first gaâ—'st life vnto my loue And still a pleasure not to moue Or change though euer burn'd Haue I thee slack'd or left vndone One louing rite and so haue wonne Thy rage or bitter changing That now no minutes I shall see Wherein I may least happy be Thy fauours so estranging Blame thy selfe and not my folly Time gaue time but to be holy True Loue such ends best loueth Vnworthy Loue doth seeke for ends A worthy Loue but worth pretends Nor other thoughts it proueth Then stay thy swiftnes cruell Time And let me once more blessed clime to ioy that I may praise thee Let me pleasure sweetly tasting Ioy in Loue and faith not wasting and on Fames wings I le raise thee Neuer shall thy glory dying Bee vntill thine owne vâ—tying that Tyme no longer liueth 'T is a gaine such time to lend Since so thy fame shall neuer end But ioy for what she giueth 31. AFter long trouble in a tedious way Of Loues vnrest laid downe to ease my paine Hoping for rest new torments I did gaine Possessing me as if I ought t' obey When Fortune came though blinded yet did stay And in her blessed armes did me inchaine I cold with griefe thought no warmth to obtaine Or to dissolue that yce of ioyes decay Till rise said she Reward to thee doth send By me the seruant of true Louers ioy Bannish all clouds of doubt all feares destroy And now on Fortune and on Loue depend I her obey'd and rising felt that Loue Indeed was best when I did least it moue 32. HOw fast thou fliest O Time on Loues swift wings To hopes of ioy that flatters our desire Which to a Louer still contentment brings Yet when we should inioy thou dost retire Thou stay'st thy pace false Time from our desire When to our ill thou hast'st with Eagles wings Slow only to make vs see thy retire Was for Despaire and harme which sorrow brings O slake thy pace and milder passe to Loue Be like the Bee whose wings she doth but vse To bring home profit masters good to proue Laden and weary yet againe pursues So lade thy selfe with hony of sweet ioy And do not me the Hiue of Loue destroy 33. HOw many eyes poore Loue hast thou to guard Thee from thy most desired wish and end Is it because some say th' art blinde that barr'd From sight thou should'st no happinesâ—e attend Who blame thee so small Iustice can pretend Since 'twixt thee and the Sunne no question hard Can be his sight but outward thou can'st bend The heart and guide it freely thus vnbar'd Art thou while we both blinde and bold oft dare Accuse thee of the harmes our seluâ—s should finde Who led with folly and by rashnesse blinde Thy sacred power doe with a child's compare Yâ—t Loue this boldnesse pardon for admire Thee sure we must or be borne without fire 34. TAke heed mine eyes how you your looks doe cast Lest they betray my hearts most secret thought Be true vnto your selues for nothing's bought More deare then Doubt which brings a Louers fast Catch you alwatching eyes ere they be past Or take yours fix't where your best Loue hath sought The pride of your desires let them be taught Their faults for shame they could no truer last Then looke and looke with ioy for conquest won Of those that search'd your hurt in double kinde So you kept safe let them themselues looke blinde Watch gaze and marke till they to madnesse run While you mine eyes enioy full sight of Loue Contented that such happinesses moue 35. FAlse Hope which feeds but to destroy and spill What it first breeds vnnaturall to the blrth Of thine owne wombe conceiuing but to kill And plenty giues to make the greater dearth So Tyrants doe who falsly ruling Earth Outwardly grace them and with profits fill Aduance those who appointed are to death To make their greater fall to please their will Thus shadow they their wicked vile intent Colouring