reveal a secret to him which concern'd the Crown In a word he told him that almost every night I lay as husband by the Princesse Orixa and that after the matter was concluded between us she had made choice of him for hee friend to relie on how that he had seemed very willing but that he could not chuse but presently come and give him notice of it that it was very easie to surprize us in bed together where he assured him I came three or four times a week by a Ladder of ropes fastned at her Chamber window He moreover for securing his mothers life protested that she was no way accessary to that shameful act He likewise did all he could to palliate the Princess crime and swore most horribly to make the Prince believe I had suborned her but could not for all that divert the tempest which that night fell on her For Demouax who though at the dishonor of his house was very glad to have that subject of revenge against his sister whom he extremely hated fail'd not to surprize them in bed together conducted by perfidious Callias who knocking at the door of the outward Chamber where lay the Nurse he waked her and having told her that he had some business of importance to her the poor woman opened it unto him and was amaz'd to fee the Prince come in with her son and eight or ten men following him Wonder not mother said the traytor to her Prince Demonax is advertised of a disorder which the Princess uses whereof he knows you are not guilty deliver me the key of her Chamber for he intends to finde her in bed with her minion The Nurse more dead than living for thus seeing herself by her own son betrai'd aplying herself to the Prince Alas Sir said she what can your sister Orixa have done nay can you have any ill opinion of her honor Sweet heart answered Demonax be not you troubled I know you are free give me but the key and you shall see you are betray'd as well as we and that my sister hath dishonored your grave conduct as well as her own birth Piroxenus whose errant there was not to sleep although they spake with voices low enough heard a confused noise of words and thought at first the Nurse was talking to some of the Princess women who were come it may be to watch with her in the outward Chamber but when he perceived they came neer the door and that the key was put into the Lock Ah Madam cry'd he out we are discover'd we are betrayed and without giving the Princess leave to answer him leaving his night Gown behinde him which would but cumber him besides that he had not the leasure to take it with him he made but two springs from the bed to the window and just when as his foot was on the first stop of the Ladder to save himself Demonax came in who seeing the poor Lover flying with incredible haste Take him take the gallant but take him alive said he if possible that justice may be done upon him Presently three of them went to go down the Ladder to obey the command but Piroxenus who carried his sword in his hand had so much reason left him as in going down to cut as many of the rounds of the Ladder as he could in so much as those who followed him finding no footing fell from the top to the bottom and had so ill speed as one of them burst out his brains and tother two so crusht their bones as that our Lover had good leasure to get to his Lodging Meanwhiles Orixa was in wofull case That most unhappy Lover seeing herself surprized so and no way able to deny an action whereof there was such testimony being with shame confounded and possest with horror believing that her Nurse had betrayed her instead of replying to Demonax abuses and endeavouring to disswade him by entreaties she furiously beholding him snatch'd at a Daggar by his side having taken it thou cruell Tiger and unnatural whom once I called Brother I will glut thy rage said she and since the losse thou think'st my honor hath sustain'd must be accompanied with my lifes catastrophe I shall at least have thus much comfort that my own hands shall be my executioners which said she would have stab'd herself but was prevented by the Prince and those of his company whose power she was not able to resist That night therefore they kept her safe during which time she uttered complaints which might have mov'd the most inhumane hearts and I believe the Prince himself whatever hatred he had borne her or purpose taken to revenge himself had sure relented if he had remaiued in the Chamber But he retir'd because her tears should not importune him and in his person would take order for imprisoning Piroxenus and left the sorry Lady in the custody of five or six who gladly would have hazarded their lives for hers if so their duties and their faiths would have permitted them The traytor Callias had no mind to stay among them he too much fear'd the Princess accusations and his mothers curses that poor woman seeing her Mistress in such case though she were no way made a party in her crime would yet accuse her self and die with her left being free and her son author of the Treason her sidelity might be suspected Bind me said she to those that kept her I am as guilty as Orixa and might it please the gods the little life I have might satisfie for both our crimes yea cannot spare me without cruelty nor think I can out-live her life who only is the cause I care to live No Mother no said one of them Callias hath cleared you sufficiently and we perceive what ere you say proceeds from your affection to the Princess your true feeling of her great misfortune The Prince hath too great justice to entangle you in her mischance however you desire to follow her But notwithstanding all their reasons she was so resolv'd to taint herself of guilt by tearing off her hair and knocking her brest as the unfortunate Orixa though so troubled knew she had no hand in that foul treachery and that her son alone was author of it she therefore in her rage had so much wisedom as not to destroy her but beheld her with mixt eyes of love and fury Then as an instant cursing her ill fortune which had lead her to the push of losing life and honor both together she spake to those that watched her and with wrung hands and watred eyes conjured them that if they had not heart enough or rather piety to kill her they would at leastwise suffer her own hands to do that last act on her and prevent thereby the shamfull death was threatned her When as she saw she obtain'd nothing and that her begging drew no other issue from them than their tears refuse me not however said she to them this request to tell
afflicted as if her Father had been spoyl'd of all his Countries whom formne and the valour of Lisimantus had made victorious over the King of Maldives and who had 〈◊〉 his Empire over all his enemies possessions Lasimena I say forgot the pleasures of these Conqueslis and only would remember that great loss so late received in that Country which she loved equall with her own although she had not had an obligation by the Laws of nature and of blood Now as she never fail'd from alwayes being with Orazia to assist in the contrivances of new Pastimes far was it from her thoughts to leave her in the woefull case whereto this new mis-fortune had reduced her But how was their entertainment now altered from thier former conversation for whereas they were wont to breath no other thing than sweetness and content they now could nothing else but mix confusedly their tears and sighs not able to speak a word Thus in embraces they were found when Saradin Arontus faithfull squire with a countenance bearing deaths picture in it entred the Princess Chamber and kneeling said Madam behold the first time ever I unwillingly observ'd my Masters commands and surely I obey him now in this last service in duty to a sorrowfull Commission and saying this he from his pocket drew a handkerchief to wipe his tears which ran about his face abundantly and in his other hand holding a Letter sealed with Arontus Signet Madam said he see the last reliques of that generous Prince which made all India tremble at him dying he ever named you and when he saw Physicians left him having but two houres time to live he spent that space to let you see his last desires under his dying hand in this short letter which he wanted strength to finish yet had he care to have it sealed in his presence whiles he lived and among all his people who lamented him about his bed within his Tent he chose out me and thus said to me Saradin as soon as mine eyes close go to my Sister and tell her she observe what I advise her by this Letter which thou shalt trust no other hand with than her own scarce had he said these words but that his soul followed them and took its flight to heaven The fair Orazia who had not need of this addition to her sorrow had notwithstanding resolution enough to open the letter which she received from the faithfull squire But yet her tears which choak'd her eyes gave her not leave so soon to see that it contain'd these words Arontus Letter to Orazia MY deer Sister the little time I have to live I spend in teaching thee to bear my death with comfort I pray thee trouble not thy self because it could not be more glorious for it has succeeded the destruction of our enemies whom I have over-thrown in battell The only grief I have in dying is that I cannot with my person clear a truth unto you which is needfull you should know Those accomplish'd Knights who under names of Ariomant and Calistenus have so long aisguis'd themselves among us are two of the most renowned Princess of Asia and I conjure thee to observe the Gods intention and thy Brothers last will which do ordain the first of them to be thy husband he is the son of great Al The poor Prince would have said Alâ—idaris King of Cambaye and Father to the generous Anaxander whose qualities and manners he intended to describe if so his hand had power to second his desire but strength upon a suddain fayling him by reason of his mortall wounds received he was constrained to leave unperfected his Letter and in his presence have it sealed as it was to keep his promise given the Prince Anaxander and his Cousin Proxenus that he would never make them known but to his Sister Orazia nor make their birth apparent till they were fit to shew themselves in Princes equipage before the King of Narsinga This letter did redouble her affliction and among the violent touches of her sorrow waked her amourous dislurbances After she had a thousand times accused the heavens and curs'd Arontus fatall victory which cost his life comming at length to cast her eyes upon the notice he had given her in his Letter admire the force and power of love a suddain alteration surprised her and mov'd her thoughts from the sad mourning of her brother to reflect upon her Lover She alwayes had opinion that Ariomant whose actions were so Kingly must be of eminent quality and notwithstanding his so humble fashion in the King her Fathers Court she knew that in his eyes and Courage there was somewhat great and famous But at that instant she receiv'd so glorious a testimony of his birth she neither could disguise apprehension nor dissemble from Lisimenaes eyes the passion she was in to be more fully satisfied For which cause drawing Saradin apart My friend said she to him since the misfortune hapned to us by thy Masters loss hat testimony hath Ariamont given who now commands the Army Madam answered Saradin since that wofull day where in the Prince forced to leave us gave him the guidance of our Troops he hath so worthily discharg'd himself that though he be a stranger and known by nothing but his actions he hath not purchased the smallest jealousie all our Captains with delight obey him and though the Prince had not himself appointed him as chief I think he had been chosen by the Armies generall consent His wisdom and his valour are so met and so full of every vertue sit to make up a commander that if there be any thing which may administer a comfort to us in this dire mischance it is to see our Prince his power hath fallen into so noble hands The Princess receiv'd a two-fold mitigation of her sorrow when she learnt that he to whom she had already given her heart not knowing his descent was not alone a Prince by birth but that his reputation was so great and universally admired by all the King her Fathers subjects as that she saw fair likely-hoods of good success unto her loves The only curiosity she had to know his parentage and over what people he commanded did yet keep her unsatisfied and gathering by Saradins discourse that in the Army he was not held for what he was she guest there was some reason why he publish'd not himself and that she could not know the truth thereof except himself did tell it her This was the reason why among so many other questions ask'd of Saradin she enquired of him whether his return would not be shortly Madam answered the faithfull squire as soon as he shâ—ll have conquered that rest of the Kingdom of Decan which had been made a prey unto those two revolted slaves whom we have punished and overthrown in battell he will bring back the victorious army which as you know have decreed sacred honours to my Master whose pretious body embalmed will be within a
the honour of access unto you Madam and bid him get him Pen and Ink for that hee found himself yet strong enough to leave his last Will for his dear Sister under his own hand before he had made an end of it feeling his heart to fail him he charged Saradyn his Squire who is now yours to seal it with his Seal and give it to no hand but yours death came so fast upon him as he was constrain'd to leave it imperfect but he had so much reason as to see it Sealed in his presence ere he died I believe Madam by that I have collected from your words since my return his care did only tend to give you knowledge of our births and that to mitigate your sorrow for his death he would be first should tell you of his quality whose heart was vowed to you and whose services you had not scorn'd Then Orazia drew the Letter from her Pocket whereupon they wept again and after Anaxander had wip'd off his tears he thus went on to end his Story Madam said he as soon as brave Aronthus soul had taken flight among the Gods we caus'd his body to be pretiously embalm'd which though so inanimate wee accounted worthy of a Triumph if so the King thought good to grant that honour to his memory which could not be sufficiently perform'd towards so great a Prince we therefore sent a Post unto the King your Father to advertise him of what misfortune had befaln his only Son and that with common consent all the Army meant as soon as Visaporus should bee taken to conduct the Corps to Baticalus where we had understood the King with all his Court was gone since Lisimantus by his valour had regain'd it from the enemy and that we meant if he so pleased to accompany the pomp of his Funerals with that of his Triumph which he approved of Some few dayes after Saradin departed with the dead Princes Letter and we Madam drew right to Visaporus which was not three Leagues distant from us but first we summon'd them to yeeld themselves as we did also unto those of Goa Ballagate Chaul Bider and Danaget which were the Capitall Cities of Decan and which we would reduce under obedience to Orixa there was not one that made so much as shew of holding out against us but having lost their lawfull Lords and of themselves not able to maintain themselves they voluntarily submitted to the King your Father whose Authority they hop'd was much more pleasing and more honourable than the rule of two revolved slaves which only force had made them subject to Madam I fear to hold you over long if I should punctually relate you all that hapned us in Visaporus where soon the Gates were opened to us and if I should tell you all the joy and pleasures Piroxenus felt when he saw his dear and saithfull Orixa in a private house where she unknown to any other save her Nurse had liv'd under the name of Asteria know only Madam that there never was so great equality of transports or reciprocall embracements as they two exchang'd where I forbare not too to take my part as by the duty of my friendship I was bound without impediment to theirs Piroxenus began presently to talk of re-establishing his Spouse without expecting the King your fathers approbation with whose Forces only we had compass'd our designes but seeing that the heat of his passion moved him so forward I restrain'd him and far was that advised Princess to whom we had already told all our adventures and pretensions from pressing us thereto she would not give consent to be so much as known alive till we were known unto the King I mean said she to passe still for Asteria whiles my faithful husband goes for Calistenus and that Anaxander wears the name of Ariomant the gods forbid that ever I delight to reign alone or that I reckon the Decanians my Subjects till Piroxenus do receive the Oath of their Alegiance Go then said she present your selves unto the King of Narsinga like Princes as your are and you my faithfull husband do your best that solemnly our Marriage may again be shortly witnessed when Anaxanders and Orazias Weddings are solemnized We did as she commanded Madam and leaving her in a mean quality as she desir'd when we had left as Governor an old servant of Aronthus in the Castle of Visaporus we took our leaves of her and went to fetch the body where we left it which in the pomp you saw we followed to this City There Anaxander finished his History and his dear Orazia who for Orixas satisfaction as her own died almost in her longing desire that they should shew themselves unto the King for such as really they were pray'd them to be there again next evening to resolve how to contrive a matter of so great importance Meanwhile without more stay our faithfull Lovers interchang'd their Marriage faith which they confirm'd with mutuall kisses in the presence both of Piroxenus and of Lifimena too And being late they were compell'd to part untill next night although their hearts and inds were not at all divided THE INDIAN HISTORY OF AN AXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The fourth BOOK HAd the Princess been able to foresee the mischief which by Lisimantus Page the little Aquilant his treason was ordain'd them they would not have permitted his so free accesses to the Garden with them as they did I have already said he was a spie for Lisimantus who had gained him by flattery and gifts and having seen through certain rails the two Princes enter at a secret door into the Arbor without understanding either their discourse or complements imagining they had as much to say to Lisimena as to her companion Orazia he faild not on next morning early to advertise Lisimantus of it The Cavallier was yet in bed where notwithstanding his amorous thoughts had not allowd him any rest when that unfaithful Messenger came to disturb his mind more cruelly by that unhappy news than it had ever been Immediately as t is the common custom of men in love to think that only their Mistresses are look'd upon so great a power hath jealousie over the highest spirits he made himself believe that Ariomant for he knew not Anaxander but under that borrowed name was lov'd of Lisimena and since that a great courage endureth nothing more impatiently than scorn seeing another was admitted to his prejudice in private and imagining that that was the sole obstaele that hindred him from being lov'd of Lisimena he resolves him instantly to take revenge of both and to comprize as well Orazia as an accessary unto that Treason which they us'd towards him in that common losse But his generousness not suffering his choler in such sort to blinde him or to be led unto so base a revenge after a tedious consultation with himself at length his anger wholly bent to Anaxander and although himself had but three daies before assisted to
thereto it was casie enough for one man to know an other by his face and therefore Lisimantus who thought he knew the sound of that voice which spake unto him but could not possibly call him to mind seeing him so near knew him perfectly not having seen him in twelve or thirteen years before and crying out My Father said he casting his arms about his neck is it possible that you are that good and vertuous Eurimedes who brought me into the world and whose name I once bare If my eyes do not deceive me say what occasion brought you hither and what strange fortune made you leave the Trade you drove at Diu to weare the gown that you might condemn your own Son to death The good Eurimedes for he it was indeed was so astonisht at these words as remaining a good space without speaking O yee immortall Gods said he what do I hear what see I what miracle is this Which Lisimantus hearing sufficiently confirm'd in what he beleeved Oh my Father said he I know you without doubt and see the Gods for punishment of my forsaking your house and raising my self beyond my duty in forein parts and shaming my birth which I have till this time conceald from all the world will have me once appear before you for my more Confusion and to have my Condemnation from your mouth O how justly fortune deales thus with me and how reasonably may she repent her of her favours so prodigally bestowed on me I have treated in Equality with Kings I have pratled with the fairest Princesses of Asia I have commanded armies I have every day layd new foundations for vanity and conceiv'd new hopes of greatnesse I have reckoned of the goods of fortune as mine own and now she takes them not only all at once from me but Entrenches on the honor I have gotten with my sword and does not spare my life whereof she formerly hath seem'd to be so tender This my Father makes me see that the world is but vanity that its greatnesse after which so many ambitious spirits run is but vapor and smoak which slips out of ones hand when fastest seeming to be held and that the whole stock of her prosperities are frayl and mutable Eurimedes who by this time doubted no more that it was the very child which he had lost and precious pledg which Pirobus had made him formerly responsable for and for his better satisfaction pray'd him to let him see his right arm naked where finding the Arms of Gouzarat imprinted and his conscience troubled for what he was compelled long ago to do he cast himself upon his knees before Lisimantus and acknowledging him for his lawfull Lord Great Prince said he to him if you have been elevated by your courage and ambition if you have treated equally with Princes and if you have commanded Armies you have done nothing unanswerable to your birth or unworthy of your illustrious parents Know my Lord that you are son unto the great Alcidaris and only to avoid the blame which I had had for not producing you being required of me when you fled from my house I was fain to imprint the Royal arms of Cambaya in my childs arm which was set on yours to know you by when you should be taken out of my hands That child my Lord whom I dare not own is he who unjustly at this day holds your room and for whom all the Court and the King himself have so little good opinion I make you this comession with shame and I who am his father ask your pardon if necessity enforcing me I have so ill supplyed your place Lisimantus surpriz'd with wonder and astonishment caused Eurimedes to rise and prayed him to tell him what he knew of the truth of his History which he did from the beginning to the end and recounted to him how Alcidaris got him on the Queen Bernica his first wife and forced by his passionate love unto QUeen Anaxarete who resisted his sute because he had a son he was constrain'd to suffer his fatherly affection to give place to the violence of his love in conclusion he recited to him from point to point how Pirobus had trusted him to his education that he changed his name Alcidaris into his own Eurimedes lest in progresse of time he might be known for the Kings and that he might be bred among his children and passe for one of them untill he should be called to Court and used as himself the heir of the Crown But my Lord added he when you had stollen from me because Pirobus had exceedingly recommended you to my wife and self and that we received a great pay yearly for you we could not doubt but that you were of great extraction in so much as for the fear of being punished if you were found wanting as for the losse of a great Pension which we received I thought it best together with my wife having seen after what manner the Arms of Cambaya had been printed on your arm to do the like to one of our children who was very neer your age and shape and colour'd hair and is the same who at this day draws all the Court after him and thinks he is the only heir of all those Kingdoms which expect you Indeed had he been of a better inclination and of other breeding than he is my fortune had been greater But the King taking him for his son and believing that he got with me those evil customs and habits which he hath by nature only he thought it sufficient to take me from my trassique and give me an Office which was then vacant in the Criminal Chamber of Justice in Campanel wherein I am Commissary general of all Crimes against the Crown In truth the Office was but too good for me and I accounted it still honorable untill this fatall day of your condemnation wherein I have dishonored both it and my self by adhering to the beastlinesse of the Campanelens who covet to glory in the death of one of their Princes by the ignominious losse of the other but by the gods assistance I intend to prevent it I will go instantly and declare my knowledge to the King and though it be a sad intelligence to know you were your only brothers homicide not knowing him he must in sinte be comforted that you are living and his lawful race not quite extinct In uttering these words without giving leasure to the Prince to reply he left him in his prison with new disquiets for having slain a brother of so generous and good a nature and presently went to King Alcidaris at whose feet he cast himself and made him this discourse Eurimedes his Speech to King Aleidaris SEeing your Clemency is infinite most great and generous Monarch I hope it may extend on me although unmeasurably guilty and unworthy of a pardon for my fault I am here cast at your Majesties feet to accuse my self for having given you my own instead of your