a kingdome is not to be put in the ballance with the unity of affection the one proceeding onely from forced reasons that last no longer then the motives have power by the operation of private ends when the other arising from the secret influence of the heavens engraves a perpetuall affection in the heart not to be removed by humane Tyranny Wherefore I say interests of Crownes cannot contribute any thing to the felicity of Nuptialls however sometimes they pretend false shewes to cover hidden discontents and so by that meanes couzens the world into a beliefe of what the married couple never enjoy of the contrary enduring millions of concealed torments that are increased in violence when they burst forth like imprisoned flames which by accidents procure their owne liberty Therefore I say nay I will boldly professe the undergoing the punishment of a thousand deaths before I be ever compelled to marry by the prescription of earthly respects much lesse be commanded to take any for my husband that hath not really perswaded my judgement or absolutely wrought upon my fancy let it suffice your perfections carry with them more powerfullnesse in my consideration then the Senates desires doe waight in my understanding though I should be sorry to chuse rashly or to be guided wholly by mine owne opinions which is enough to let you see my unconquered and I hope pure love cannot be constrained although my deare life pay the ransome of my seeming wilfulnesse for though Tyranny may shut up my weake body within strong Walles untill the just gods punish the wickednesse yet my resolved soul will be free to make election of death or life as the occasion shall be presented so that as your actions have changed already my beliefe of your intentions doe not againe change your actions that I become of an other minde wherein you will but lose honour instead of gaining love and that losse perhaps may make you uncapable of all other fortunes it is enough I valew your bloud I esteem your person and love your vertues however I cannot be yours in possession as long as Narcissus lives and with those words wept againe as at her former apprehensions of his safety which continued her in a silence untill Cassianus reply gave her thoughts new matter to work upon Madam said he as I cannot but be perswaded though unwillingly by your powerfull and excellent Rhetoricke yet give me leave to tell you that I understand not your conclusion since you have beene pleased to say in your discourse that as long as Narcissus lives you cannot be mine a chovce I must confesse that the gods have never to this house revealed unto me since at my leaving of Lydia a match of a farre greater dignity in Titles seemed to be the obstacle that destroyed my hopes and so consequently all motions I could make of my secret love but however if my ears have not much deceived my knowledge I have heard it generally reported that some accident many moneths since hath deprived Narcissus not onely of the share you pretend he hath in your affection but also of all the claime he can expect in this world If it have said Clorias your pretentions are the neerer and with that fell a weeping again so bitterly that Cassianus could not chuse but accompany her in her griefe but after some time that his thoughts had liberty to enter into consideration both of the Princesses words and of his owne concernment scarce yet believing her relation he told her that he had no reason to claime the interest of another yet if Narcissus were dead he hoped his love and service should expect the next place in her affection and with that parted from her with an intention to make a more particular enquiry into the truth of the intelligence which afforded the Princesse a kinde of a calme for the present that contented her thoughts And this calm having made her discontents something to erable she was perswaded one afternoon by her Governess to take some little delight or recreation in a green Meadow within the limits of her imprisonment that usually was not frequented by strangers where a River in the midst divided the field by a seeming equall arbitration which afforded a kind of a sad entertainment to the Princesse whilst Roxana was perswaded also by her many solicitous thoughts to search out solitary walkes in the neighbouring woods for the exercise of her contemplation To this purpose Cloria sitting down by the Brook side supporting in the interim her faire cheeks by her white hand whilst her knee underpropped both as a rich foundation that nature had created for the establishment of a most noble building her fancy was carried as it were with a stedfast melancholly to behold the running streame that represented to her troubled imagination her own inconstant fate that had formerly afforded her some moments of happinesse in the conversation of her deare Narcissus whom now she was not sure ever to enjoy againe which by a quick course seemed to hasten to the Sea to be drowned in that vast confusion as her past delight was buried in her Fathers misfortunes and her own And as she was sending also her teares along with the course of the River into the man Ocean to be confounded in the multitude of those rude waters of a sudden she saw a Pilgrim to travers the Meadow as if his ignorance in those parts had rendred him altogether unskilfull in the wayes But the Princesse being yet fuller of charity then sorrow dispenced for the present with her griefe to give him some instruction and to that purpose calling him to her began to question with him about his name and businesse The Pilgrim in a kind of amazed reply told her that as his name scarce deserved any remembrance amongst those that enjoyed happy conditions by reason of his many misfortunes so for his businesse he should be loath to impart it to any before it did reach the eares of the Princesse Cloria to whom it was directed whose aboad as he was informed was not farre off that place Truly answered the Princesse if you meane that happy condition by my selfe you are as much mistaken in your opinion as you were in your way however perhaps I may prove so fortunate to your intention as to helpe you to the speech of that Lady you mention although I must tell you this passage is not open to all travellers being onely kept for the Princesse private recreation and such company as are confined with her in the Castle At which words the poor Pilgrim fell upon his knees to askâ— pardon for his fault though he protested he was altogether ignorant that any prohibition had forwarned passage into those private walkes reserved for the Princesse pleasure however his journey into Lydia was chiefly intended to her presence The Princesse quickly commanded him to rise assuring him that as the limitation of those fields did not belong wholly to her jurisdiction she being
depth of his offence Thus he continued glasing his sight all the while with the troubled water of his sorrowfull teares untill the youth himselfe with the sadnesse of his contemplation could not chuse but accompanie his passion with a few distilled drops of Cristall from his owne beautifull eyes and withall by way of interruption told him that although he intended his preferment in his suite yet he was not so unmannerly as to procure his vexation thereby but rather if he thought his unworthy service might prove any inconvenience to his more glorious imployments he would most willing notwithstanding his kinswomans kinde recommendation whom he conceived had had some interest in his breast desist from further prosecuting his intention how profitable soever it might prove to his unfortunate condition O uncharitable Phalarius replied Orestes be not so unjust as to misconster my present passion or to entertaine the least sinister opinion in thy yet innocent bosome that any desire from the faire Alciana can be lesse commanding to my grieved soule then as a decree enjoyned mee by the powerfull Heavens which must not be disobeyed no gentle boy said he I doe not onely entertaine thee but constitute thee my deare and onely Companion to talke nothing but Alciana to liken every flower we can find in our soft conversation to the severall perfections of beauteous Alciana and when wee have discours'd whole Summer dayes upon that delightfull theame thou shalt gather them together in a gay nosegay and carry them to my Love as emblemes of her perfections and my constancie informing her of all the sad postures poore Orestes undergoes for the absence of his deare Alciana nay more assure her that the Sun shall sooner lose his light then he the bright remembrance of that beautie which onely captivates his heart for death by the force of spightfull Tyrannie may well separate our mortall bodies but our pure soules shall ever live together united in the heavens triumphing over all humane injuries and violence But Phalarius having obtain'd as he thought what he came for would not expostulate more with him the reasons of his passion onely hee desired to know if he had a desire to entertaine him according to Alciana's request whether it was not necessarie to accoÌ„modate himselfe otherwise for his service since he had some friends not far off that he was assured would assist him to that purpose No already deare Phalarius replyed Orestes the commands of sweet Alciana worke not upon so dull a Subject as to admit of the least protraction besides thou must said he be a speedie active messenger to divert her thoughts from that killing resolution of retirement and by that meanes release Orestes from a world of torments which he should suffer in being perpetually banished from the sweet conversation of his most deare Love With this taking the Boy by the white hand he led him into his owne Lodgings enforming every one that he was a neere Kinsman to the Princesse Alciana his passion not being able to hide that which his discretion should have concealed since his enemies wanted not suspition to keepe over him still watchfull spyes to obserue his actions knowing his determinations to be variable as his nature was violent In conclusion he made the daintie Ganymed not only his daily play-fellow but his night companion which two seasons for the most part were spent ia discourses concerning Alciana But the time approaching for his publick negation of the contract between him and Alciana Dion againe was sent by Philostros to pâ—t him in mind both of the houre and the circumstances whereupon Orestes contrarie to his expectation like an enraged Lion fell upon him with this language Thou wicked man said he dost thou beleeve the Gods will suffer thee to goe unpunished for this attempt must the sacred Lawes by which the two soules of Alciana and my selfe are united in one before the Throne of Heaven be abrogated by humane power as I formerly told thee can that Devill Philostros whose onely spirit thou art retaine in his uncompassionate breast still constant intentions of this impietie or will my unnaturall Brother for ever punish me and protect his malicious favorite without end against right and reason Is all Religion absolutly banished from every humane heart and nothing succeds but unconscionable interest and crueltie cannot the benefits of my dead Father or the sufferings of my dead Mother at all worke thy nature to any pitty and banish from thy pernicious thoughts those malicious treasons thou intendest against love and goodnesse wherefore I say get thee out of my sight or by the Gods I will make thee a quick sacrifice to the infernall furies Dion had no need of any Counsell at the present to avoid these extravagant intemperances however with respect enough he took his leave since his wisdome thought it better to temper his passion the provoke his choler yet instantly he carried the newes to Philostros with the addition also of his opinion that certainly it was the frequent conversation of the newly entertained Kinsman to Alciana that altered the resolution of Orestes Philostros considering this strange and sudden change could not chuse but be of the same beliefe and therefore called a Councell of his owne private friends wherein after some consultation with the approbation of the King command was given to an Officer of the Court with a strong guard to repaire the next morning to the Princes Lodgings there by force to separate him from his young Favorite and then to convey his person to some place of lesse liberty where again he might be treated withall about his former promise a judgement given as might be thought against all morality and pitty but the support of a Crown will not be regulated by any compassion tears being onely fit for the condition of a penitent no way becoming the dignity of an unthroned King whose dazeling glory must not behold the darke misfortune of any other condition This resolution I say was put in execution with all expedition and vigour for the Captaine of the guard a man of a rough nature having received his commission at the time appointed went up into the chamber of Orestes and finding him a bed though his diligent servant Phalarius was newly risen from the warm sides of his deare Master where he had reposed the night past The Officer in a cold complement shewed him the strict commission of the King his brother desiring him without resistance or delay he would prepare himselfe to an absolute obedience which else might turn to his greater prejudice But Orestes not taken with a dejected sorrow though he too much apprehended the injury presently flew out of his bed like some furious wild beast that feared to be deprived of that prey which his own hunger had lately procuced and so seized upon his naked Sword that lay neere him on the Table vowing to make that weapon the instrument of his just revenge if he
being a Commander in his brothers Army In this manner these two threatning forces approached each other delay seemed too passive a quality to be practized in either of their intentions which soon brought them together to exercise their enraged spleenes that procured an encounter no lesse horrid then couragious since one side contended revenge shame and valour against oppression pollicy and power however in conclusion poore Austratiuâ— having beheld the slaughter in a manner of all his souldiers in defence of his person himselfe still fighting for his sisters right was taken prisoner by his enemies But notwithstanding this glorious victory that seemed absolutely to cast the faire Orbella into Orestes bosome and he prepared with the open armes of his imagination to embrace her yet as he was at dinner one day in his tent encompassed about with multitudes of Nobility he was suddenly saluted by a dainty damosell about the age of thirteen who with a confident bashfulnesse not onely presented him a letter but told him she had also a commission to wish him to read it aloud which if he refused she would publish the contents thereof to his greater dishonour Whereupon Orestes with a disdainfull smile to be so tutor'd by an innocent girle although he could not but be a little amazed at the adventure in a kind of hasty passion broke open the seale and found the lines speak this language Orestes let it suffice that the hand that wrote this Letter pretends to as high a prerogative in blood as thy selfe though the name of the person be unsubscribed for some reasons however it is sufficient thou art the Injurer and I am ordained to be the revenger unlesse thy valour defend thee from the punishment by protecting thy selfe bravely against thy enemy since I am an ominous messenger sent by the heavens to call thee to an account concerning the injuries of wrong'd Alciana whose dying soule was by accident breathed into my bosome after she had made a large relation of her own sufferings and thy perjuries Whereupon I vow'd thy destruction or my own wherefore prepare thy selfe to meet me the day after to morrow ready armed in the Island between the Town and the Army where there shall be no partiality in our weapons although cowardly thou mayst pretend it in our qualities unlesse thou wilt procure thy certain destruction by some other stratagem I shall invent if thou refuse this equall way of triall prescribed thee to thy eternall infamy Farewell After that Orestes had read this strange and resolute Letter in the presence of all the Company who wondred at the accident some with jeering smiles and others with distracted looks he retired into the innermost part of his Tents with an intention to aske counsell of his troubled thoughts what answer he should make to the challenge and faine hee would have flattered himselfe with reasons in the behalfe of his approaching marriage to have denied or avoided the combat being stung with the sharpnesse of the injury he had done to the faire Alciana but his honour as he believed called him to a more noble resolution especially since the summons was delivered him before the eyes of all the brave spirits of Syria who would have been glad of his least shew of want of courage since their ambitions could not chuse but envie the dignity of his person that so much out-shined theirs wherefore in a little space he came out from his secret chamber with this answer that although the appearing distance of their qualities might serve as a sufficient priviledge to make him deny what was so rashly demanded yet his own eminent courage as he said could not dispence with the reason and therefore was determined to meet his unknown enemy at the time appointed where he made no doubt but to punish him for his bold attempt and so conducting the little Virgin some way out of the bounds of his own lodgings with order she should be safely guarded through the Army returned to make preparation for the appointed combate where long he had not remained but the King came in person to chide his brother for undertaking so desperate an attempt without his licence and withall laying his present commands upon him not to proceed further in the execution But these blasts were too weake to shake the setled resolutions of Orestes who chose rather to die sighting with an unknown enemy then live disgrac'd among his intimate friends so that falling down upon his knees before his brother he desired him either to suffer him to vindicate his own honour since he had undertaken the combat or he himselfe would be the author of his own destruction to let the world see he was no coward which at last forced the King to give way to his passions though Philostros was very sorry to hazzard his Neeces happiness in so doubtfull a contention Although Orestes in heat of blood had consented as I may say rashly to fight with one whose name was not so much as known however he was supposed to be some Prince of Alciana's kindred yet being retired privately into his own secret Cabinet and the dead of the night raising fancies in his fearfull imagination began to expostulate with himselfe after this manner Is it possible the Gods can suffer me to scape unpunished for those injuries I have done to the more then wronged Alciana much lesse can I hope for victory in this unjust combat can her sweet soule look down from the skies with any eye of forgivenesse when she shall behold me shedding more blood of her Noble Family is it not sufficient that she already hath made her selfe an innocent sacrifice to redeem part of my wickednesse but I must with new slaughter disquiet the rest she now deservedly enjoyes in the Heavens O rather let me die by mine own accursed hand wherein I shall perform an act of justice since I am onely he that hath offended then hazzard the death of one who brings with him as little guilt as the dead Alciana No no I will not be a mortall enemy to him that professeth so absolute a friendship to my deare Love but rather confesse my selfe twice overcome both by his goodnesse and valour so shall I appeare to the world more just though lesse fortunate And for Orbella with all her beauties and honours I shall return again to her great Uncle who can give her not onely protection but dignity Whilst I will again wed my selfe to dead Alciana These were the imaginations that entertained the thoughts of Orestes during the solitary season of the night untill the chearfull morning not only gave his mind some courage but brought into his chamber the gallant Commanders of his brothers Army who breathed nothing into his sad soule but inflamed desire and certain victory that again something setled his despairing thoughts so that presently he gave order for his Armes and whilst hee was beholding divers of sundry sorts Philostros accompanied with many Officers of the Court
liberall lamentation since these were the onely sacrifices they could offer in his behalfe for although he was esteemed amongst them but a private Gentleman of Iberia yet could they not chuse but grieve to see a Youth of his naturall perfections untimely brought to his destruction by the cruelty of a wicked Tyrant But in the meane time poore Brisania summoned to the spectacle by the noyse of the spectators at the first sight began to feele new passions in her gentle bosome not so much of love as pitty since the prisoner himselfe had by divers messages solicited her to yield rather then to make him the onely object of Fridius his hate wherefore first she laid before her thoughts the innocency of the prisoner that was to suffer onely because she continued wilfull Then she began to thinke there was nothing but her own miserable captivity could redeem his life religion charity and affection pleaded of one side as hatred honour and courage contended of the other which made her sometimes resolve to breake through the crowde and fling her selfe at Fridius his feet to begge his pardon But then her spirit againe disdaining such a submission rather chusing to cast her person amongst the people and by her own death incite their revenge Whilst these confiderations tormented her gentle soule and that his approaching execution seemed to exact from her consent a speedy resolution at the further end of the Market place appeared a confused feare amongst the common people which was quickly seconded not onely with cryes of Treason but with the noyse of many warlike instruments tending to the surprize of the Towne so that the scaffold that was ordained to be the stage where Cassa was to act his last part became soon emptied of all those unwelcome assistances and he lest onely to be his own prisoner an accident certainly that sufficiently pleased him although his amazed joy had scarce beliefe enough to apprehend he was freed which made him longer continue that posture the executioner had put him in then his good fortune required at his hands so that he moved not untill one of the Souldiers wish't him to pray for the life of Saxanius who had delivered him from death By which declaration it was quickly knowne throughout all the Market-place that Brisanias first Suitor had both saved Cassa from destruction and possest himselfe of the City who hearing of the cruell captivity of his deere Mistresse by the wicked tyranny of Fridius had assembled all his friends to her rescue and by a neat stratagem had happily brought about the designe for her delivery and her enemies punishment Fridius sufficiently apprehensive of the guilt of his own Treason staid not to dispute the right of his cause with his victorious rivall but presently retired under the safe protection of the strong Castle where he supposed was a Garrison able to contend whilst other succors camâ—â—â— his assistance besides he had Brisania in his power by whose authority and Title he imagined the better to retaine the obedience of the People But Saxanius intending neither to be slothfull in his love or hate after he had given some orders for the surer obedience of the Towne soon placed a formall siege before the Fort where his Mistresse was imprisoned with so great a probability of prevailing that within some few dayes he received a Message from wicked Fridius that if he did not presently retire himselfe and his Troopes from before the Castle he vow'd by all the gods that Brisania should act the first part in that Tragedy was intended And for the greater assurance of his intention he caused the Lady to be brought upon the Leades where were already prepared the circumstances of her death Saxanius after he had understood this peremptory demand from the proud Tyrant and beheld with his sorrowfull eyes the threatned danger of his faire Mistresse for whose safety he had ingaged not onely his owne courage but the valours also of all his friends and kindred became tormented with many thoughts and divers resolutions since if he absolutely performed the commanding request of his hated rivall he was no more secured as he supposed of Brisania's preservation then if he should yield to nothing he desired but rather gave Fridius the more liberty to be cruell when he had no occasion to feare And for any promise he could make it was to be esteemed like the rest of his false actions wherefore he almost determined to send away the Harralde with a threatning deniall instead of a submissive consent But then reflecting upon the apprehensions of his deare love who as he believed would imagine that he esteemed much more a little honour then the saving of her life it destroyed his former halfe resolution and entered him againe into new and confused considerations which were lost in his desperate breast with diversity of passions untill casting his sad eyes towards the place where Brisania was as a pure sacrifice to be offered according to his imagination who seemed in his apprehension already to accuse him of unworthy love that could so long dispute in his minde her preservation of a sudden he might see one cast headlong from the top of the Castle into the ditch which too soon perswaded his beliefe that the wicked Tyrant had prevented his judgement by performing the execution before the returne of his messenger so that he remained like one that seemed to be changed into a marble Statue untill a flagge of Truce appeared joyfully upon the Castle as a testimony of future friendship however Saxanius could not be satisfied in the Omen untill a Messenger from the Fort assured him not onely of the Ladies safety but also of the death of Fridius with this relation that the Souldiers of the Fort neither being able to endure their Princesse captivity nor the Tyrants cruelty had by force rescued their Mistresse and committed a supreame Justice upon his person who now was sent from Brisania to know what conditions the besiegers expected both for her liberty and the Towne they had already conquered But Saxanius would make no Articles at all with his Love for after he had disposed of his Troopes into severall Quarters he went to present himselfe a slave to the faire Captive he had redeemed where he intended to chaine his freedome for ever However Cassianus finding that he was not onely fallen into some disdaine by reason of those desires he exprest for his own preservation as also Saxanius likely to take possession of those favours he might have enjoyed imagined there was no way to preserve him still in the good will of his Lady but to discover his quality which he supposed would both advance his esteeme and lessen his rivals credit and by that meanes become a publicke pretender to Brisania which notwithstanding produced no other effects then a challenge from Saxanius which Cassianus in honour could not refuse after he had given sufficient testimonies of his condition to be a Prince and
no wandring stranger Yet however the day was appointed for the combate and every ones expectation attended the finall event of the quarrell Brisania's nurse called Rhena promised to satisfie all parties without danger or bloud provided her Mistresse would be directed by her Counsells and become wife to him whom the heavens had ordained to be her husband This strange intricacy gave curious desires to multitudes of people to be present at the wonder since both the Champions were resolved not to be foyled in their honour scarce in their loves Wherefore they came into the Field armed to supply the defect of the old womans performance according to her bold promise but when they were prepared to have ended the difference by a bloudy encounter Rhena intreated them they would first repaire to the great Temple to sacrifice to the immortall gods where she said she might perhaps relate such a story that would satisfie all their desires This proposition from the old woman although it carried not with it much probability of according the rivalls their quarrell being grounded upon a difference that knew not how to admit of any competition when gratitude it selfe seemed to have no place in Cassianus disposition though he enjoyed his life by the fortunate favour of Saxanius yet by the importunate cryes of the people who began to be lesse curious and more pitifull they were perswaded to follow her directions and being before the Altar encompassed round about by the expecting multitude Rhena after she had called the heavens to witnesse of the truth of what she intended to utter delivered this relation which as she said she had bound her self by a vow never to declare untill some necessity not to be avoyded forced from her the discovery When beautious Elizana said she the vertuous mother of Prince Cassianus here present was constrained with her deare Husband to flye from the Countrey of Mesopotamia by the prevailing power of Artaxes generall in the way being great with child she was forced to retire to the house of my late Lord Father to Brisania whose wife was her neere kinswoman and at the same time great also where she had not remained many dayes before she was delivered of a faire daughter as my Lady not long after of another to the joy of the whole house however the gods esteeming my Mistresse too good for this life took her out of this world before she had finished the moneth of her child-birth to the unspeakable sadnesse both of her husband and all her servants leaving no issue to inherit her singular vertues but a daughter only Elizana also being quickly called away by her own troubles left her little infant unto my education as my Lord also trusted me with his jewel but accidents and the warres in Armenia growing every day more hot then other for the better security and quiet I was perswaded with the two children to retire to my own house where we remained for some yeares they contented to be each others companion as I happy to be both their Foster mother since they increased not so fast in dayes and nights as in beauty and goodnesse but alasse the Fates were envious at our felicity and tooke one of them out of the world and with these words the old woman wept with the remembrance of her deare losse untill her many Teares running downe her aged cheekes gave some interruption to her discourse but finding her griefe was scarce seasonable to the passionate multitude she wiped her eyes and then proceeded When the violence of the warre said she became so qualified that Parents had some leasure to enjoy the comfort of their children I presented my Lord with a beautifull daughter though for the other I had in charge I desired his favour to make my excuse since it was not in my power to prevent the will of the gods which gave him so much satisfaction that he perswaded Elizana by letter to be content that had many more which continued untill my Lady Brisania by his late death as you know became heire to all his possessions though interrupted some time by wicked Fridius and redeemed by valiant Saxanius to whom without a great deale of ingratitude she cannot but give her selfe and all that she hath since she hath received it from his hands At which words Cassianus began to muster up within his brest a multitude of passions untill the old woman turning towards him told him that presently she would render him satisfied also wherefore after the people were a little quieted in their confused murmur she thus ended her story But now said she to unriddle this mystery and fully to performe my promise I must let know that Brisania wat not child to your late deceased Governour but daughter to worthy Elizana I onely using that fallacy upon the death of the other because I feared the losse to my Lord would have proved a vexation intollerable since he wanted children to inherit his fortune and honour and for Elizana I supposed the crosse would not appeare so great in respect of the bountifulnesse of the issue which the gods had bestowed upon her however I made a private vow to my selfe as I said never to discover this mystery untill some pressing occasion forced from me the declaration aswell to retaine Brisania in her supposed Fathers possessions as to take from their Parents all jealousie of my fraude But since the heaven by the power and right of conquest have now establish't my Lord Saxanius in that government which Brisania did intend innocently to usurpe and that his noble prententions to her love deserve her best entertainment as if the Gods intended a perpetuall unity in their hearts against all obstacles I hope it will be the opinion of all here present that the marriage between them be solemnized instantly in the Temple and the rather for that I cannot doubt Prince Cassianus will forbid the conjunction since nature denies him the capacity of such a happinesse This declaration was quickly warranted by the desires of all the people with loude acclamations so that Brisania turning about to Saxanius with a blush that more enflamed his joy after a little pawse saluted him with this language My Lord said she for so it should seeme the destinies have designed you against all difficulties though whether I shall be now esteemed worthy in your vertuous thoughts to give you that Title may be some question since your noble addresses formerly received not those ready entertainements they merited however I shall endeavour to perswade you to believe that the heavens have had a secret influence whereby the better to unite our selves since my preposterous affection to my Brother upon small grounds endeavoured something to obscure your perfections in my apprehension which now appeare to my knowledge in a most full and affectionate prospect that absolutely delights all my senses And with that as if she had been too liberall in her language like a Rose over-prest with the nights dew
her selfe a prisoner also under authority so if she were an absolute commandresse as he did imagine she was so well acquainted with the reverance due to his sacred habit that his free absolution would soone have been procured at her hands At which words the Pilgrim began to weep and notwithstanding her earnest intreaty would by no meanes rise from the ground where he kneeled which made Cloria wondeâ— though not more at the businesse then at his passionate carriage Wherefore after some few circumstances finding no importunity of hers was able to remove him from his setled humility she told him she was the Lady to whom the intention of his travels was directed When the Pilgrim had received this information he beseeched her a new to pardon his rude errour since as he said being lately come out of Syria he could not be enformed of the dignity of her person not having any attendants about her to instruct his knowledge and then wept againe as if his businesse had been nothing else but meer expressions of sorrow untill at last having wiped his eyes with a Handkerchiefe hanging at his girdle he entertained the Princesse with this language Most vertuous Princesse said he be pleased to know that it was my fortune to be in the City of Tyre when young Narcissus was brought into the Towne mortally wounded by a ship of the same Towne where by the courtesie of the Captaine he was soon provided of convenient lodgings for his repose and an assembly desired of the best Physicians of the place for his cure although his name and condition was concealed from all but those that had conveyed him thither thus hee remained with some hopes but more doubts for many weekes of his recovery untill at last a dangerous Feavour made every one in the house despaire of his safety amongst which number it was my chance to be preparing my selfe for a voyage to Delphos according to a serious vâ—â— I had made to the Gods for the expiation or certaine offences But he understanding of my intention and conceiving my best way would be to passe by the Kingdome of Lydia in the journey one day when the violence of his sicknesse gave him some more ease then accustomed that the chamber by hazard was freed from all company but my self by reason of a certain holy day neere the Towne he desired me to approach his bed-side where after I was seated and that by many sighes he had made me acquainted with your unfortunate lâ—ves and his own condition he conjured me by all the charity that ought to accompany my thoughts in so sacred a journey that in my passage I would visit you in Lydia where he understood you were newly arrived and not onely declare unto you all the circumstances of his untimely death with the assurance of his most constant love to his last end but withall obliged me to deliver this Ring which he said was the deare testimony of the contract that had been between you and presently putting this hand in his bosome drew out a paper wherein was contained that unwelcome token When Cloria beheld the pledge of their unfortunate loves now ended in the worst of periods she looked upon it as if she expected a miraculous remedy or a miserable distraction till at last conquered by the very depth of her desperate imagination she became exceeding pale and scarce was so for any time before a more earthly colour by little and little seemed to change that yet lovely white which death it selfe a great while had no power to overcome Bâ—â— alasse the procession was too wilfull for not long after her dainty though weake legs not being able to support the waight of her faire body since her pure soule could contribute no assistance she sunke downe to the ground like a rich marble statue built upon snowy bases which caused the poor Pilgrim with a haste composed of an amazed sorrow and a desperate feare to flye to her reliefe cursing not onely his relation but his very journey that occasioned it his violent execrations had not power to breath the least shew of life into her sweet body as if the gods were resolved to keep possession of so heavenly a spirit notwithstanding he continued the rubbing of her Temples with more then ordinary passion untill he spake in her eares that Narcissus was not dead but falsly so alleadged by his malicious wicked tongue and for a testimony of his last affirmations which he wisht might be confirmed by his perpetuall torment as a punishment for his offence he sudden pulled off that deceitfull beard that had so unluckily disguised his person from her knowledge Cloria after she had for some time continued in her sad sleep that faine would gently have sent her without noyse to a better habitation she softly againe opened her eyes that seemed something ecclipsed of their former brightnesse and fixing them upon that object that onely had power to keep them from entertaining an eternall darkenesse she used these low words And is it possible that Narcissus still lives or is it my flattering fancy that ever couzens me into new miseries then shut them againe as if either yoâ— she was not absolutely perswaded of his truth or had a mind to reprove him for his unkinde concealing of himselfe But Roxana's arrivall both afforded Cloria more remedy and proved a meanes to beg Narcissus pardon who was not able by any Rhetorick to excuse the sin he had committed against the Lawes of love in borrowing a disguised shape to hide that which Cloria had onely a desire to see however lovers quarrels although they are violent yet never or very seldome are lasting beside the sweet Princesse had no room left in her bosome for revenge where there was already inspired so much joy so that in a short time a perfect truce was not only made between them though chiefly exprest in contemplation wherein their hearts spake more then their lips but after they seemed sufficiently to have surfeited of their joy Narcissus was perswaded to make a perfect relation of his own adventures Wherefore taking her faire hand and gently kissing it twice or thrice as a sworne testimony of the truth of his story he began in this manner whilst in the meane time the poore Princesse read a lecture in his looks that appeared amply to instruct her thoughts Most sweet Princesse said he as I know not what accident or rather I may call it a fate separated our ships one from another comming from Egypt so no sooner were we out of sight of your vessell but the winds as if they intended againe to remember us of a meeting though they seemed to deny the opportunity began most furiously to rage upon the waters in so much as being tost from one billow to another with a kinde of a rude uncertainty we became at last in a manner desperate of our own safeties but then O you gods how were my thoughts transported in your behalfe