liberty I take and do not think I would wrong your present condition because I have saved your life or as your Enemies triumph on your misery I doe no lesse esteeme you tied to this shamefull post then if you were seated in your throne but that which gives me the boldnesse to deliver my thoughts to you is a desire I have you may henceforward live happy and by a true change of life avert the vengeance of heaven which yet groanes over your head Zabaim to these words answered nothing but holding his eyes fixed on the earth confessed by his silence the enormity of his faults Almanzor having wholly unbound him brought him to the three Kings who presently restor'd his royall robe Almanzor put on his Diadem with his owne hands and the peace being presently proclaimed the gates of Senega were set open Those who had beene such deadly foes imbrac'd each other and made appeare by so quick a change that the Subject hath neither hatred nor love but when they are forced to those passions by those who command them Zelopa came downe from the wall from whence she had beheld what was pass'd and came to meet the King The King of Tombut who could not forget his causes of hatred intreated Almanzor not to engage him to see her who thinking his request very just not onely consented he should retire into his campe but accompanying him to his tent intreated his wounds might be search'd He saw them dress'd and being assured they were not dangerous tooke his leave of the King after he had by many vowes renewed the assurance of his friendship He return'd to Zabaim who was in great care for him and reconducting the King to his Palace through the applauses and acclamations of the people besought him to have perpetually in minde the businesse of that day Polexander not able to abide longer in that impatiency Almaid's relation gave him What said he intetrupting him Is this Zabaim of whom you talke the same whose adventures the Queen hath bin pleas'd to make known to me The very same answered Almaid and judge whether Almanzor did not gloriously avenge himself unwittingly on that ingratefull and unnaturall father who would have murther'd him in his cradle Almanzaira could not refraine from teares at those words but pleas'd her selfe in exhaling her griefes by her weeping and sighes Almaid perceiving Polexanders astonishment That which you have heard of Almanzor said he is well but 't is nothing in comparison of what you are to know you shall see this out-cast Sonne give twenty times life to his Father for that one which he would have taken away and not onely re-establish him in all his estates but re-settle in the Throne that Fury who had driven him thence and robb'd his mother of it Polexander had yet more questions to aske but he let them passe for not hindring the contentment he expected from the rest of Almanzors adventures Almaid perceiv'd his intention and thus went on For five or sixe dayes together Zabaim seem'd more sad and afflicted then hee was even in his imprisonment and spoke of nothing but repentance of change of life of recalling those whom hee had unjustly banished and banish those whom hee had more unjustly retained Imagine what thoughts these demeanours might worke in Zelopa and what revolutions she foresaw in her fortune if she did not oppose the rebellion of her slave She did it and so effectually that Zabaim trampling under-foot his word his honour and his proper interest threatned the King of Tombut and his allies and made insolent protestations to wash off with their blouds the staine they had cast on his reputation Whilest he was acting his new extravagances Zelopa was perpetrating new villanies she look'd on Almanzor at once with the eyes of concupiscence and hatred she lov'd him for his person and gracefulnesse but she hated him because she knew 't was his advise and admirable vertue which troubled the harmony of her designes and pluck'd off the muffler she had wound over Zabaims eyes Yet Love preserv'd his Empire and Ambition reduc'd it to its former servitude was compell'd together with hatred and cruelty to submit to their ancient Conquerour Zelopa then reconciles her selfe unwittingly to her mortall enemy she adores him whom shee would before time have strangled with her owne hands and equally sinnes both against heaven and her owne intention But Almanzor who under the name of Perseus had gotten the love of all Senega fled from the monster he was not permitted to destroy and threw himselfe among thornes to avoyd the walking on flowres which hid invulnerable Serpents Whil'st Zelopa was agitated with this new Fury there came divers Postes which made her change or at least suspend her criminall affection They brought Zabaim newes that all Guinea had taken armes that the Kingdome of Melly was ready to denounce warre and the most part of the Commons of Senega leant to Rebellion This Advertisement was slighted for some few dayes but that thunder after it had rumbled awhile broke out and Zabaim saw himselfe reduced to the estate of being King of one onely Towne Almanzor got into the field and sent Couriers to the King of Tombut to intreate him to keep his word that King forgetting Zabaims follies came to assist him for Almanzor's sake and brought with him a mighty Army whereby the Rebelis of Senega were quickly brought backe to subjection Assoone as Zabaim had left his wicked Angell that great courage of his manifested it selfe with which hee had conquered the halfe of Africke His wisdome accompanied his valour and even made the King of Tombut to admire him whithersoever he marched he became victorious and Almanzor farre more affecting fame then spoyle or prey gloriously out-went the steps of his Father in one same day he redeem'd the King of Tombut whom the Rebells had taken prisoner and dis-ingag'd Zabaim who having lost his horse and armes was going to satiate the fury of his rebellious Subjects A few dayes after this glorious action Zabaim was inforc'd to resolve on a battle the revolted were joyn'd and had composed an army able to amate such hearts as had not beene truely couragious But Almanzor representing to Zabaim and the King of Tombut the fortune and honour of their former actions made them contemne the great number of their Enemies The battle was fought and prov'd so bloudy that from both sides there dyed on the place fourescore thousand men That memorable day Almanzor sav'd his fathers life five times and twice the King of Tombuts the better cause at last had the victory and by an entire defeate of the rebellious party corfirm'd that important verity which sayes The Power of Kings is a Power derived from above and that the bonds which binde Subjects to their duties being made by the proper hand of heaven cannot be broken without violating the divine Lawes as well as humane This battle intombing all the Rebels of Senega did the like
presently alighting from his owne and offering his Sword to that dejected proud one 'T is now said he Abdelmelec that thou must beg thy life of me and since thou art not in case to instruct me I will take thy place to tell thee that thou soyl'st thy vertues with a vice which is not so much as supportable in the person of those who are continually victorious Courtesie and humility should be the particular vertues of Kings Others which are not of so high a birth may sometimes be proud but Princes renounce the advantage they have over the rest of men as often as they are apt to forget themselves This long oration was not very pleasing to Abdelmelec for Almanzors Sword was all that while at his throat nor would he answer a word to it but shewed by his demeanour he desir'd rather to dye then to beg his life Almanzor gave it him and presenting his hand to help lift him up Come said he let 's goe get our selves dress'd and never afflict your selfe with the successe of your Combate for I swear to you Alcidiana hath not brought me in love with her and I have no intent to crosse your Suite Abdelmelec hearing Almanzor's declaration could well have wish'd he had never been jealous of him but 't was too late for those thoughts He was then carried to the Palace and put into the Surgeons hands Almanzor who had but two sleight hurts got againe on horse backe and follow'd with the Acclamations and Praises of all the Court went to Zabaim and related to him what had pass'd betwixt Abdelmelec himself The King would see his wounds and have their first dressing in his presence For Abdelmelec he was sore hurt but his rage to be twice quell'd by one same man troubling him more then his wounds he besought Zabaim to be pleas'd he might retire to Morocco Zabaim told him the danger whereto he exposed himselfe yet had he rather hazard his life in getting further from Almanzor then to preserve it by being ingag'd to see him againe Zabaim did all he could to stay him but seeing his exceeding resolution to be gone would not hinder it but conducting him to his Ship left him to the protection of Mahomet Almanzor in the meane time thought on his cure and in lesse then fifteene dayes was in case to leave his chamber The second time he went abroad as Zabaim and he walked on the Sea shore they perceiv'd a ship beare right up to them they had the patience to stay her entrance into the Gulph and assoon as she had furl'd her sayles the curiosity of learning newes wonne them to send for the Captaine of the Ship who receiving the commandment sent backe him that brought it and intreated he would let Zabaim understand that he had such things to shew him as would be very pleasing to him The Messenger was no sooner return'd but the Captain landed and with him an ancient man clad like the Jewes of Africa and a woman of more then three sore yeares old which led in her hand a young mayden of sixteen or seaventeene yeares so amiable and so richly clad that the two Princes invited by her admirable beauty stood long time gazing on her Ah Almanzor thou hadst not now been the Captaine to a company of theeves if the power of thy soule had not slackned at sight of that faire Wanderer Zabaim after he had long look'd on her made her come neere and ask'd the Captaine whence he was and by what adventure those three persons he brought with him were falne into his hands The Captaine following the ill custome of those that come from farre unwilling to let slip the least accident had befalne in his voyage was about to begin a very tedious relation when Zabaim cutting him off bade him answer succinctly to these two questions The Captaine obeying against his will told him he was of the Isle of Madera and had a long time trafiqued into Spaine The last time I was at Lisbon said he I had such contrary windes and the tempest was so furious that I was cast on the coasts of Fez I staid there some time to trim my ship and attending a favourable winde the very day before I set saile as I walked on the strand those three persons you see there came out from under the rocks which were by the Sea side and shewing their feares by their teares cast themselves at my feet this old man imbracing my knees began thus My Lord said he if you beleeve there is in heaven a Divinity which recompenceth pious actions and watcheth for the preservation of oppressed Innocents have pity on three miserable creatures and suffer not this harmlesse Soule with that he shew'd me this young mayden to be a prey to those villaines that pursue her If their cruelty would have beene satiated by our deaths we had glutted it but their fury threatens us with a more horrible disaster They would immolate the honour of this Virgin to the brutishnesse of their Prince and have us consent to the ruine of that for whose preservation we would give a thousand lives The good man's speech much mov'd me I tooke him with his company into my ship and weigh'd anchor to returne to Madera but the winde unwilling to have it so hath cast me on this Coast and the old man knowing it gave thankes to heaven and besought me to land him with his wife and daughter I could not deny him so just a request and therefore bring him with me taking to witnesse the Justice which reignes in heaven that I have carefully observ'd the Lawes of Hospitality and have not fail'd of any duty which the prudent Law of nature wills us to render to one another This Commander that might passe for a miracle amongst Sea-faring men ask'd those whom he conducted whether they had any cause to complaine of him but receiving thankes and blessings from them in lieu of accusations tooke leave of them and the Princes and so retir'd into his vessell Zabaim was ravish'd at the vertue of that Pilot but he was farre more with the beauty of that visible Angell who was come from a place so remote to put her selfe under his protection For Almanzor he stood as tied by the eyes on the face of the faire stranger at last hee suddenly came out of his deep and dangerous contemplation and having heard nothing of what had been said 'T is to be confess'd said he to Zabaim that she is perfectly faire but let 's know what she is and whence she comes For this quarter's houre repli'd Zabaim wee have talk'd of nothing else No doubt if you continue as you begin you will out-goe all those that have been before you Almanzor blush'd at Zabaim's jeasting and though it reflected on the pleasure he had taken in beholding the faire stranger yet he could not refraine from looking on her againe and to wonder in himselfe at the sweetnesse of her eyes and the power of
so unmercifull as to suffer me to live Soliman extreamely perplexed with my Sisters speech call'd for five or six Eunuchs whom he trusted with his most important affaires and committing Histeria into their custody Have said he a speciall care of this Souldier and be accomptable to me for him on your life He will bring you to his lodging where his brother is Goe and bring them both to one of the Tents next mine owne This command was executed as it was enjoyn'd and we were shut up where Soliman had appointed and serv'd by his Eunuchs with so much care that we thought his noble entertainement had beene an infallible presage of the end of our miseries In that error we liv'd eight or ten dayes but when Histeria saw that Soliman neither came nor sent to visit us she resolv'd to dye and told me her constancy was at the last gaspe and she could no longer endure Solimans insensibilities I was of the same opinion but had not the same courage I wish'd with all my heart to be out of the world but all the wayes to it seem'd hydeous and fearefull to me I see my deere Auditors you grow weary of my laments and the relation of our miseries begins to be irkesome I am now ending it by a bloudy Catastrophe Know at the generall assault which the Turks gave to Lepanto Histeria finding a way to deceive her keepers fought above two houres in the first rank of the Janizaries and even in sight of our father and her Beloved She then receiv'd many mortall wounds and the assault being ended entreated two of her Companions to carry her off into Solimans Tent. That insensible man came in almost as soone as she and knowing her was so inly touched at that tragicall spectacle as he commanded all his followers to withdraw When he was alone with her he would have said something but she impos'd him silence and though she spake with a great deale of paine Of so many requests said she which I have made to thee since I was borne at least grant me one I will aske no unjust thing of thee 'T is that after my death thou wilt be a little more humane then thou hast beene whilst I liv'd Thy prayers are heard Soliman see this is the last time the unfortunate Histeria will importune thee she hath obtain'd from her selfe a great deale more then she desir'd from thee But she laments not the losing her life to please thee for 't is the least losse thou hast made her suffer O happy among so many miseries if she can by her death purchase her sisters felicity Thou weep'st Solyman since when began thy stony heart to change nature Hath my bloud had the vertue to mollifie it If it be so ô how precious are my wounds to me since in bringing my death they end my miseries and melting that congeal'd ice within thee promise some peace to my deare Melicerta What more could she adde to these words truly nothing but ending them she died and seem'd to die joyfully because she thought it would be the price of my redemption Alas my deare sister thou died'st with that generous thought and I unfortunate and coward that I am dare live with that knowledge give Melicerta give somewhat else then vaine teares and Iamentations to her that hath bestowed her bloud and life on thee I yeeld to it my deare Histeria and am fully resolv'd to follow thee for I feele in my selfe I know not what strange motion which assures me my death is at hand and that the insensible Solyman shall not much longer triumph o're my unreasonable perseverance But return we my dear Auditors to that unpitifull man Histeria's death almost made him desperate not that he had lost her but that hee had beene the cause of it and by consequence of the most sensible sorrow his Benefactor Achomat had ever resented He was about to have slaine his Eunuchs yet weighing that their diligence how exact soever could not be sufficient enough to hinder the resolutions of a furious Lover hee enjoyn'd them for penance to take better care and charge of me then they had of my sister he sent me a little after the body of that unfortunate Princesse and a Jew Physician intreating me by him to imbalme it I gave her those sad duties that very night and help'd to inclose her in a cedar Coffin covered with plates of silver which Solyman sent me with a great many excuses in that he could not himselfe give me that respect he was oblig'd to by my birth his duty and our common affliction I knew too well for my quiet he had not changed nature and that the teares he had shed at my sisters death were rather teares of ceremony then pity The next day he sent me a new Messenger and told me by him that to what place soever I would retire I should finde a Tartane ready in the haven to carry me thither with the body of Histeria He who brought this message said he had command not to leave me and he would not onely performe it but being Captaine of the Vessell would either hasten or retard his voyage as I pleas'd I have no more to doe here said I but to take leave of Solyman That will be a hard thing for you to doe he repli'd since he is busied about the batteries and 't is thought the Venetians will this day come to a Treaty about the reddition of Lepanto What he said prov'd true Solyman who hath ever been the good Fate of his Masters ô happy Histeria and Melicerta if he had been so of his slaves tooke the Towne by composition and accompanied Bajazet into it at his glorious entry The day of triumph being pass'd Solyman without any mans knowing or so much as suspecting the cause with a few of his followers left the Camp and renouncing all the honours riches and supreme greatnesse which the Emperours favour and his important services might justly make him hope for stole away in the darke of night from all the Turkish Fleet. The flight of a man of so great a consideration was soone noys'd abroad after it hapned but divers dayes pass'd in the Camp before it was beleeved The Emperour my father and many others fill'd with the love and admiration of that Prince lamented his losse as the greatest could a long while betide the Ottoman Empire Assoone as the newes was brought me I imbark'd with Histeria's body and intreated my Pilot to land me in some part of France or Italy I thought I should finde Solyman there for since he was a Christian there was no safer retreat for him I was almost sixe months in quest of him but all my care and diligence was fruitlesse sometimes I enquir'd for Solyman sometimes for Iphidamantus and seeing â—…was all in vaine I thought then to aske for Polexander's brother That Name which is knowne through all Europe was my guide to bring me to Solyman I was told that
to the Rebellion all the Townes rendred themselves to their former obedience and that commotion being of the nature of those tempests which happen in the fame Climat was as short as it was violent Zabaim seeing himselfe more absolute in his Realmes then he was before the revolt would a while enjoy the peace he had restored to his Subjects to go all fresh and unroyled into Guinea and by the ruine of all those Tyrants who had divided his Empire preserve what appertain'd to him by his right of Conquest Hee brought with him to Senega to refresh themselves the King of Tombut and Almanzor but hee gave them new perplexities in thinking to bring them to their repose Zelopa was to them an object of horrour and hatred and though they look'd on her very differingly yet they found there the same defects and the same crimes But she who was no lesie bewitch'd by the beauty of Almanzor then Zabaim was by hers could not suppresse her heat in reseeing him she welcom'd him with all such kindnesses as were able to make Zabaim jealous if his eyes had not been inchanted as well as his other senses she call'd him her sonne and her defender and her disordinate passion depriving her of reason she fell about his neck What said she can I neither give nor refuse this brave Warriour by whose valour I enjoy my Crowne enjoy Zabaim and enjoy my selfe Almanzor not being able to indure those derestable pratings wrested himselfe by force out of her armes and to make her asham'd Remember said he in leaving her I am not Zabaim Thou art not indeed said she with a languishing voyce but thou art somewhat more Zabaim heedlesly contributed all that remain'd to ruine his wife utterly and recounting Almanzor's glorious actions threw sulphure and oyle on the fire of that enraged woman at the sole name of Almanzor she was taken with tremblings and shiverings she sigh'd while Zabaim prais'd him she held her eyes fix'd on him and from time to time speaking unseasonably O my onely deliverer cry'd she finish thy worke and leave not thy glory imperfect thou hast saved my Lord the King thou hast restor'd to us a part of our Empire Goe and by the ordinary miracles of thy good fortune ruinate those Traytors which are revolted from us Those words as artificiall as the braine from whence they came were expounded one way by Zabaim and another by Almanzor hee grew almost desperate at Zelopa's folly and to free him from it intended to abandon Senega but as he was at the point of parting divers considerations and some secret power staid him whether he would or no and upbraided him of cowardize to fly before a woman neverthelesse he was forc'd to take that resolution and overcomming all those obstacles which oppos'd his departure he avoyded the precipice whereunto Zelopa's fury had infallibly drawne him One day meeting him in the great garden of Senega In humane said she which deniest life to thine enemy which begs it of thee and gloriest in the destruction of a wretch which implores thee know that I am in possession of that Empire thou disputest with me and Kings have not usually resisted my charms Aske the people of Guinea consult with those of Melly and Senega they will tell thee their Princes have been my slaves and that the Crownes and Lives of Monarchs depend more servilly on the power of my charmes then on that of Fortune yet thou flyest me thou scorn'st me and may be adding indiscretion to insensibility thou accusest me to Zabaim Ah cruell Perseus neglect not thy destiny make not thy selfe miserable in contemning thy good fortune and drive not to despaire a creature that sues to thee for pity I yet beseech thee Perseus hearken to my supplications let me adore thee accept the offering of my selfe which I make thee the gods whom thou so much fearest and so often namest have they taught thee to neglect all vowes and sacrifices looke they of what value the Present is which is offered and are they not contented with the zeale and heart of their Adorers Why then dost thou then despise mine What! insensible man thou dost not answer me but deafe as well as blinde participatest in nature with those trees which environ thee but what said I No thou too evidently makest knowne to me thy cruell intention I lose my words and time thou sayest and thy hatred increasing proportionably with my love the more I persevere in beseeching thee the more obstinate art thou in denying me would to that Spirit which torments me that one day our Destiny might be altered or at least that my patience might be turn'd into fury I should then avenge me of thy cruelties and immolating thee to my contemned flames I would have him for my Sacrifice whom I could not have for mine Idoll Zelopa thus ending her speech dissolv'd into teares and went from Almanzor as from an enemy with whom we are yet loath to breake The young Prince being not a little mov'd by these shamefull solicitations call'd to him that high vertue which was so deeply rooted in his heart and consulting with her on this occasion confess'd he should make him selfe guilty of Zelopa's crimes if by his absence hee stopped not the course of them he therefore without taking leave of Zabaim or the King of Tombut and heaven which alwayes tends meanes for the execution of good resolutions was pleas'd he should finde in the mouth of the River of Senega a ship belonging to the King of Morocco in it he imbark'd and learn't from the Captaine he was sent by the young Prince of Fez to invite the Princes and Knights of Africa to the Turney which he had undertaken for the honour of Alcidiana Polexander surpris'd with that name interrupted Almaid and vexed either for not being at that meeting or with the boldnesse of the Prince of Fez Who said hee put that fancy into the Moores head I cannot tell you that reply'd Almaid for I never enquired after it but I can relate to you all that passed at the Turney I beseech you said Polexander doe so and let me know what happy Knight 't was who preserv'd that faire Queenes honour 'T was Almanzor reply'd Almaid without any intention to be the man or without ever seeing or desire to see Alcidiana He overcame not onely all the African Knights and many dextrous Spaniards who came thither to defend the beauties of their Ladies but he so roughly handled the proud Prince of Fez that 't was his owne fault if after hee had disarm'd him the tother had not beene brought in case to beg his life from Almanzor The Turney being ended all retyred our Prince who had made a league of friendship with the Prince of Meda imbark'd in his ship and steer'd towards Senega he related to Meda that Zabaim was in Guinea striving to regaine by armes what hee had lost by a revolt and got that Prince to resolve on that voyage