see the cause But since you have been pleas'd to take off that vail and to let me know the cause give me leave to tell you that I see no reason why you should afflict your self And I wonder that you account to Love a crime since it is enforced upon the will with so much rigor and violence we do not use to impute the crime to them who are forced against their wills to the commitment nor count them noxious that are forced contrary to their own spirits to commit an errour it is the consent of the will that makes us culpable which cannot be laid to your charge seeing there is so absolute a forcement and without the least indulgencie on your part your repugnancy shewing how unwilling you were to lose your liberty It is not in this as in other things where the will is able to make its choice for we are able and have so much power left us that rather than lose our honour with a generous resolution to sacrifice our Lives but in this we are so suddenly surprized that even the will is forced to that which you call a crime and then to offer a Life is not a choice but an expiation but of what of that which even the gods themselves had forc'd us to which would be blasphemy to say their actions are worthy of expiation and therefore you need not imagin that a crime nor think your self guilty when you are clear You see with what confidence aâ—l the world entertains this Deity few or none escaping the touches of his flame being once arrived at the age of puberty though some have it more violently injected than others There seems mighty difference in the actions of love in some he seems to be the causer of vice in others the causer of vertue which hath made some account him as they have seen his effects whether good or bad which difference is not to be imputed to the nature of Love which is constant pure and unchangable of it self but to the different dispositions of those people that possesse him and cleaving to the habit of their mind is regulated according to their dispositions and though in effect it keep its Soveraignty over the Will in that it cannot chuse but Love yet it leaves it free to act and gain the object that it Loves according to its own disposition or inclination and this is it that makes so many different faces in Love as there are different humours in men And this is manifest in that we see some to gain what they desire through the passion of Love become most mercilesse Tyrants seeking all the wayes of vice painting their way with blood using all wayes their evil hearts may suggest and yet in appearance caus'd by the passion of Love Others by the same passion seek to attain their wish'd desires by the rules of Vertue submission duty and obedience all things contrary to the former which makes Love either a virtue or a vice according to the actions and several dispositions of men or women therefore to Love is no crime but the impudicity of our actions that makes us criminal But Madam as the basenesse of our actions who are troubled with this passion be a disgrace to Love in the eyes of those who are not able to judge right of him so the goodnesse of their actions that are virtuously possest with the same passion redound to his Complement and without doubt having suffered by the impudicit action of others and knowing the severity of your humour he hath call'd you from all the world to restore him the good opinion he once had in the eyes of the world and lost by the folly of others Therefore Madam fea rt not that this deity will do any injury to so considerable a servant but expect him to infuse the like virtue and the like passion into the object of yours if he hath not already effected it and for the rest wherein my duty and fidelity is expected you need not doubt having vow'd my life to your service but that I will employ it to the utmost of my abilities In this manner Melanthe sought to ease the disquiets of Amenia who returned her an answer to what she had said and being somewhat setled reposing much in the abilities of Melanthe she made her to return to her bed and gave her self to a repose that might fit her for the intuition of the next dayes sports Had I had but that happinesse to have known with what affection Amenia beheld me I should not have felt those torments which I did endure that night and many others for her sake having past it over with Loves usual disquiets and very little sleep I arm'd my self with those flames which represented those within my breast and in the same manner at the hour appointed I entered the lists as I had done the day before I shall be brief and pass this over only I may tell you and I think without vanity that I dâ—d more that day than I had done both the dayes before to the admiration of all the Spectators not being moved out of my Saddle at the decursion of all those who that day I made to kiss the earth The better part of the day being spent and the long intermission since any had appeared to oppose me made us think the sports had been ended and we were about to break them up when there entered at the other end of the lists a Cavalier of a good port having his sword ready drawn armed with fair green armes and over them a strong paludament his caske was plumated with green and white intermixed he attracted all the eyes of the beholders upon him but his motion was so furious that it gave them hardly leasure to behold him His furious pace soon brought him up to me and being come near with a voyce that shew'd anger had prepossess'd him he said Proud man is this the way to raise your glory having ambitioned a happinesse thou art not worthy of by the breaking of a few reeds which is rather a sport for boys than an exercise for men if thou hast not lost all that courage which fame hath told us you shew'd against the Romanes let us see it in defending thy self against me who am thy mortal foe with as much animosity as thou hast shewn pusillanimity in maintaining these juvenile sports I am come purposely to deprive thee of a Life before these Spectators which cannot be in safety so long as I live and to let thee see on what weak foundations thy aspiring hopes are built He spake these words so loud that they were easile heard by Lilibilis Amenia and those that accompanied them Lilibilis thought he knew that voyce but the unexpected evenement and his bold carriage took off his imaginations from calling to his remembrance who it might be and only took care to prevent a combate he saw so much desir'd on both sides For whilst he uttered his audacious speech I
fear then that she will think either of his inferiority or her greatness but of her place and duty Love is the mother of obedience for who obeys the gods better than those who love them neither fear or honour can beget so true obedience as love the other are servile this free and ingenuous There is then no fear of those disunions disjunctions and disagreements which he imagins Love being the conjoyner no fear that she will usurp more authority over him than is meet and that she hath gained over his affection But these are vain and idle suppositions for may not the gods cause a disunion and disjunction where they please These things must be left to them who take a special regard over Princes and Kingdomes placing titular Demons or inferior spirits for their safeties If they are minded to unite hearts for the prosperity and felicity of a kingdome what disparity can be an obstacle but if they will disunite and disjoyn the hearts of the Princes for a plague to us what love can bind For this we should make our dayly orations this should be the subject of our prayers and petitions to the gods that they would continue their unity and concord In the the next place my Lord was much besides himself in saying Araterus was one of whom we have had but small experience I wonder what experience he would have can there be greater than we have had can there be more Hath he not given us an essay of his valour prudence magnanimity policy courage and animosity Hath he not been sufficiently trusted with the Army with the Navey with the City what mischief might he have done us had he been false how beneficial hath he been to this kingdome and how much experience have we had of him what greater would he have what greater can he have and yet this man tells us that he is one that we have had small experience of when for this two years he hath been sufficiently employed by the Queen who with all others that are not as malicious as himself have had sufficient experience of his vertues and generosity I am sorry I have said so much to evince a truth so obvious and which in spite of envy himself was forc'd to confess when he goes to eclipse his valour What and every good Captain may not make a good King yet 't is requisite that every good King ought to be a good Captain and he that proves fortunate in the field is most likely to prove fortunate in the Throne and he that is bad in the Camp is not likely to prove good in the Court Their discipline is not so far different as he imagins and though it be granted that he who knowes how to rule an Army may not know how to govern a Kingdome I am sure he that knowes not how to to govern an Army cannot rule a Kingdome for how can he that cannot rule few govern a multitude Is it not most likely that he which can rule himself should rule others and he which can govern an Army govern a Kingdom How can he which cannot rule himself govern a family How can he which cannot govern a family rule a City And how can he which cannot govern a City rule a Province So how can he which cannot rule an Army govern a kingdome But Araterus can tell how to rule an Army therefore we have no fear but that he knowes how to govern a Kingdome He hath shewed himself valiant in the Camp and therefore most likely to shew himself wise in the Court. And truly good Kings ought to be good Captains for where a good Captain comes to be a King there most commonly is the best Government for he which cannot rule few can never govern a multitude At last he would fain insinuate into us a Maxime of policy fram'd to beat down aspiring minds That Princes were only indued with a capacity from the gods to rule others to obey which I deny and though it be little to the purpose I cannot let it pass unanswered I could stop his mouth thus by telling him that Araterus was a Prince and therefore by his own Maxime of a capacity to reign But the falsity is so perspicuous that I need but mention to you the experience we have had of many Princes about us that have lacked a capacity to rule and of others far from the line of Nobility which have received their Titles and Kingdomes and have not only had the capacity to rule but to rule well Is the gods inspiration into Princes any other than education They having a greater means to beget Majesty and magnanimity knowing besides the excellency of Teachers that they are born to a Crown and to rule And were they ignorant of their birth and not nursed up in those princely employments we should see that the gods inspiration is secondary through education But again my Lord mistakes to think we would make our Queen mercenary we know he hath merited much and he hath been well rewarded and we know his modesty would not have accepted the honours the Queen hath given him neither is it his seeking nor our desire as he thinks to reward his deserts with the Queen and kingdome But that my Lord might see that he hath the art to continue its happiness and peace Alas how weak hath he shewed himself in repineing at Araterus's valour when the enemies themselves acknowledge it And though he pleads that his praise was against equity and Justice I never heard him yet superlaudated nor did I hear any ascribe more to him than he deserved Shall we repine at the valour of a man though it eclips'd that of the Sornalians so long as it was for their safety and welfare is this according to equity and justice is this his best gratification for his being instrumental in saving the Kingdome and us What if he beat not the Sornalions himself He cannot deny but that he was the chief cause of their overthrow what if many others ventured their lives as freely what if they were not equally rewarded was there any that did deserve it I believe though that none returned with life from the wars ever complained to him or any else of the ingratitude of the Queen or that they were not satisfied But Araterus's glory is too splendent to be eclipsed with this durt What he is pleased to reflect upon me I value it not though it be contrary to the use and custome of this place to move secret suspition If he thinks me guilty of any thing worthy condemnation let him accuse me according to the way and order of our Lawes For I protest I do it not in any way of gratification to Araterus for that life which I confess I hold from his valour but that I think in my conscience it will be for the happiness and prosperity of the Kingdome Alas what avails it to be vertuous since it cannot shelter from the Calumniator How wickedly and maliciously goes
of yielding to her that the more I thought upon her the more odious she seem'd to me and in consideration of Amenia I rather began to hate her than love her My thoughts likewise exhibited to me the great trouble and vexation was like to ensue if she persisted in it but if my disdaine should cause her hatred as it was very likelie it should I saw on that hand as great danger and trouble as might be on the other I fear'd nothing but ruining my pretentions for Amenia by stratagems never wanting to inraged women My life I valued not but I fear'd she might procure my banishment which would be far more gâ—ievous than death A thousand thoughts came thronging into my mind all representing some disaster to ensue and methought this evement had already ruined my hopes I complain'd against the gods inveigh'd against Clotuthe spoke against my self and in these transports I spent a good part of the night before I came forth of the closet When I was in bed my imaginations hardly suffered me to take any sleep sometimes me thought I saw Clotuthe like a fury assailing me and endeavouring to tuine me by and by she was represented acting part of her resentment against Amenia using her with violence and rigor this gave me real cruciations though it were but a thought and made me often exclaim against her with the bitterest words I could invent then I saw her in my imaginations acting her own Tragedy this caus'd me no less feare and trouble on the other side in consideration that she was the wife of Lilibilis whom I very much honoured and lov'd these troublesome thoughts took away sleep and rest with some that love injected for Amenia and I hardly gain'd a slumber that night which also was interrupted with dreames of the like nature those Idaea's exhibiting themselves in my sleep The next day I was visited by Amenia and her presence dissipated part of those troubles which continually employed my imaginations and gave me that relaxation which nothing besides her self could do We passed our time as we us'd to do in very ordinary discourse and though she lov'd me well yet had she hardly the confidence to six her eyes upon mine when she spake and when she perceiv'd how intentively I beheld her my eyes taking that libertie which was denied my tongue it made her blush out of the knowledge that she understood those dumb orators yet was she so cruel as not to take off her imposition At last Amenia made me acquainted with her mothers sickness but she knew not the cause she desired me to go along with her to give her a visit I was afraid to discover it to Amenia by denying to go and I knew my presence would do her hurt in consideration that I was the cause of it I was very loth to do Clotuthe so much wrong as to discover her weakness to any which made me go after two or three times invitation wherein I could not deny Amenia I was troubled though least Clotuthe might discover her self by some action that my presence might cause but my chiefest trouble was least that visit might give her any encouragement to persist in her love or cause her to believe I would not be altogether averse from her or might yield to that which was so odious to me With this trouble I accompanied Amenia to Clotuthe's chamber we found none there but that woman who brought me her letter for Clotuthe desired few of her other womens companie being all ignorant of the true cause of her grief After Amenia had rendred her what she thought was required from her and testified what share she bore in her egritude by many words full of sweetnesse and compassion I approached her bed side but with so great fear and trembling that I could not express my self a great while her colour went and came very often at my approach which shew'd an extraordinary motion within her ' Madam said I after I had stood a while silent I cannot yield to any in the world that superiority of having a more sensible affliction of your egritude than my self and I cannot believe I injure truth if I say I feel little lesse dolor than your self How joyful should I be and how happy should I account my self if by the sacrifice of my life the gods would recover you to your pristine estate I should offer it with more content than I ever shall receive while you are in this condition and were your sickness depending upon my life only this moment should be the last of your grief She understood these words and perceiv'd what I meant by them I saw they had rais'd an extraordinary colour in her face and her eyes expressed the great desire she had to speak but Amenia's presence deterr'd her she was not more sorry than I was glad that she was there but that subtle woman who knew her desire found means to draw Amenia to the window and Melanthe who attended her stood at a distance out of respect Clotuthe glad of this opportunitie answered me softlie but so as I could hear her distinctly ' Eurâ—pedes said she without looking me in the face but hers was tinctured with â—eâ—â—â—â—ion all over I cannot reproach you for your virtue nor call you cruel though you slay me I am not ignorant what virtue is though I have not the power to folâ—ow it It shames me to our-live a fault I have committed against Lilibilis my own pudor and your virtue by the over-ruling of that implacable tyrant Love but I am so carefully watched that I cannot gain an opportunitie to expiate the crime of Lilibilis his wife by the victim of Clotuthe I have confessed O Euripedes that I have loved you I cannot deny it and to my shame I must still own it in that love I must die the bonds of dutie were too weak to restrain me from letting you know it and I should not have accounted it acceptable if you had been ignorant of it I die Euripedes and I die for you or rather for the fault of loving you if it can be imputed to me since the gods inspir'd it and forc'd my inclinations to it I know you are too generous to divulge it and if the fault of Clotuthe might give you an occasion to do it yet the love you bear Lilibilis will restrain you After a little respite Your heart cannot be capable of pity continued she no no Euripedos let me die to ease my self of that pain which is insufferable but I do not believe you desire I should live since you alone are the cause of it Her tears stopping the rest of her words she gave me time to answer her O Madam said I I have told you and do again that I never had more affection to do you service than now I have and shall ever retain it so long as my honour may not be blemish'd nor the precepts of vertue broken I value not the expiration of my life
went in and gave Clotuthe notice of it Clotuthe was kept so secret that none in the City no nor his own souldiers knew of her being there for if the one had known it they would have endeavoured her releasment being extream affectionate to the family of Lâ—libilis and if the others had known it the respect of the Captain could not have detain'd them from endeavouring her destruction being very much incens'd against the whole stock of Lilibilis which made him keep a guard more then ordinary with pretences specious enough to blinde the eyes of others At last the Captain of the guard returned and told me that Clotuthe was somewhat indispos'd and in bed and therefore desired to be excused from any visit that night but desiring that I would lodge in that place and in the morning she would not fail to visit me betimes After some other words between us of complement and civilities I entred without the least suspicion of any thing only troubled at the procrastination of my life or death I was led into a very small court and through that up a paire of stairs into a chamber very well furnisht I knew the place very well for this tower which had several roomes in it was somewhat remote from the Palace and was alwayes the retirng place of Lilibilis being the strongest and most solitary of all the Palace After the Captain had left me with the young man whose name was Lascaris I was soon visited by that woman belonging to Clotuthe who made the same excuses to me as the Captain had done but longing to hear of Amenia I desired her very earnestly to let me know what was become of her but she answered me her Mistris would satisfie me her self and that she was charg'd to the contrary she told me that when the Romans entred the Citie being abandoned the Captains had much ado to keep them from rasing the foundations of it and how that Captaine coming first to the palace finding Clotuthe involved in those common miseries that had befallen the whole Astures out of a meer sense of pity preserved her from the rage and fury of the souldiers and taking that part of the palace for his own quarter he conveighed her thither very privately and had thitherto us'd her with the same respect he owed to his mother This was all I could learn of her and as soon as she departed I went to bed and Lascaris into another in the same room I will not tell you how I past over that night but you may be sure it was with trouble enough and wholly imployed in thinking on Amenia with fear hope and joy having wearied my self with these thoughts I fell into a slumber in the morning which detain'd me longer in bed then I intended I was just about to rise when Clotuthe knock'd at my door I bid Lascaris unlock it to see who it might be and having obeyed Clotuthe entred with that woman the Captain and three or foure souldiers I wondred to see so many enter my chamber but seeing their intentions I had rose our of my bed had not the presence of Clotuthe stopt me to have prevented them for the Captain and those souldiers seised upon my arms and both our swords Ah Madam said I looking upon Clotuthe what usage is this have you betray'd me Lascaris would have run to have hindred them but putting the points of their swords to his breast they had put a period to his life if he had wag'd Assoon as they had got the possession of them they departed the room leaving only Clotuthe and her woman with her When they were gone without considering Lascaris she ran to me with open armes and quite forgeting her wonted modesty she clasp'd them about my neck and letting her face fall upon mine Euripedes said she that buckler wherewith you were wont to oppose my Love and to defend your self is now taken away for now I have no duty that should binde me from giving you the testimonies of my good will neither can you refuse them if you have any regard to the life of Clotuthe and you must now seek new excuses if you continue in your disaffection but I am sure you cannot finde any wherein virtue may interest her self against me I account all my sorrows as nothing and all my miseries incompetable to that joy I receive now in imbracing my Euripedes and I must make him see the greatnesse of my affection by passing those bounds prescribed to our sex but I cannot be ashamed of this when I have more manifestly testified my weaknesse It was the amazedness I was in at this action and the trouble that had seised me for being deprived of my armes and made a prisoner that made me suffer her in her action and words but by that time I had recollected my self blushing more than she did and putting her off with my hands Madam said I you are not so absolved by the death of Lilibilis of your duty but that you ought still to have in veneration the memory of such a husband and not contrary to the rules of modesty and decency to embrace one whom you have confest to have lov'd in his life time I had hoped those troubles wherewith you have been afflicted had taken away these thoughts and had reduced you to a more perfect knowledge of your condition But you have given me cause of a very great and just resentment against you in taking away those armes wherewith I have endeavoured to maintaine your lives and liberties and by delivering me into the hands of your enemies and not considering how often I have exposed my life to danger for your sakes Is this then the reward Clotuthe I ought to expect and is this the requital I shall receive for my paines and is this the sure testimonies of your Love Ah Lilibilis dost not thou behold this action of thy wife from the lower shades with regret and dost thou not say Ah Clotuthe hast thou so soon forgot me as to desire the imbraces of another and art thou so ingrate to my friend he who hath endeavoured with indefatigable paines to withstand our evil fortune and whose good will to us hath made partaker in our miseries as to render him a captive to our enemies and deprive him of a liberty which may yet be for your good I had gone on further had she not replied very briskly It is but justice that Euripedes should be my captive so long as I am his and though I cannot captivate that part of his which he hath of mine yet will I give to my self this satisfaction that I will imprison his body in lue of those bonds wherein he holds my soul But I le assure you you are not prisoner to your enemies except you account me so I hope replied I I shall never count you my enemy yet I cannot take this as the effect of your friendship It is nothing else said she again for it was impossible for
as resolute as my selfe by which means as fortune had rob'd me of my content and dispossessed me of my greatest riches so now becoming her executioner I made others miserable by their losses who seemed to be her favourities and enriched the coffers of my praedonians with inaestimable treasure taken on the Seas It was now that fortune gave me a very happy encounter and made me some amends for her former injuries I was gliding over the Tuscane sea when I perceiv'd one of my vessels in fight with another I bore up to her to afford her my helpe and to make sure of the prey but before I came I perceived that she was taken and my men slain and prisoners a thing not usual it was to see them overcome which made me believe I should find so stout a resistance that I should not seek any further for the death I wish'd for I came up encouraging my men to revenge the death of their fellows and falling abord on them I expected a sufficient number of them to resist me but I wondered to see so many slain and taken prisoners by the prodigious valour of one man A shamed to assault him with so many I commanded them to keep their ship and to leave me the glory of that combate They obeying me I entred the ship wherein Euripedes had done such wonders for it was he and encountering him I found that I had need of the assistance of all my men to overcome him I sustained the sury of his arm at least an hower but not without wounds and undoubtedly I had fell under his strenuous arme had not my men at that time breaking their wonted obedience through the great fear they had of my life rushed all into the ship to assaile him I was extraordinarily moved at their basenesse and fearing their temerity I turned about and defended my enemy What said I opposing them with my sword after all your loyalty will you now give me proofs of your disobedience I had thought you had not been capable of such basenesse I have hitherto opposed my self against a valour that is invincible but now I 'le defend my enemy rather then suffer this ignobility These words stoped their motion and made them retire turning about to Euripdes Sir said I you shall have no odds le ts finish what you have so bravely begun Euripeles being truly generous replyed It is a folly to opose you since you have two weapons which make you invincible valour and generosity it is enough that you have overcome me with the first let me not be altogether conquered in the last I proffer you my sword and service and give you all the signals of victory Alas said I how unjustly you attribute this to me which I ought to have given you But we must finish our combate 't is not out of hopes that I shall prove the victor 't is a thing I desire not but out of a desire I have to receive the death I have so long sought by the hand of one so valorous You shall never find it under mine reply'd the generous Euripedes I will not commit so heynous a crime as to offend my defender but if you 'l honour me with your friendship I shall prize it above the victory if not yet give me leave to render you proofes of my servitude With that he offered me the pummel of his sword I was vext at his refusal to fight and stepping back I bid him stand upon his guard and thinking to irritate him with my blows I renew'd the fight he indeed defended himself but would not strike to hurt me What said I very angry you esteem me not worthy enough to exercise your valour upon with this giving him a forceable blow his guard being low I cut his hand wrist and as fortune would a braslet which surrounded it This put a period to my anger for I no sooner saw it but I knew it by a remarkable stone in the midst of it to be the same that I had put about the neck of Atalanta's child I took it up and with an action that testified my amazedness I beheld it and assuring my self that it was the same I was not slack to know of him how he had acquired it He very courteously satisfying my demand I must live now cryed I out since duty binds me to perform what I owe to Atalanta O gods what ought I to expect from that infant since ye have preserv'd it so miraculously I presently crav'd pardon for my insolencies and it was as soon granted by generous Euripedes I gave him a brief relation of Atalanta's misfortunes and my own whereby he saw what interest I had in the child and entring into a very near league of friendship I conducted him and the fair Amenia into the Issick gulf He gave me direction to find Marinus which name he kept for the imposers sake and with wonderfull expression of his amity he left me to go and redeem the child which by a miracle fortune once more gave me I hasted back to my fortress and from thence to the place where Euripedes had left Marinus I found him redeem'd him and brought him back to the fort he was so well grown for those few years that I should scarce have believ'd it to be the same child that the storm had rapt from me had not the semblance of his mother and these tokens which were yet preserv'd that were lost with him sufficiently testified it It was a long time before I could get from the Pyrates so loth were they to part with me but at last I effected it through my continual importunities and desires and landing at Lixus with Marinus I discovered my self to my friends and was welcom'd with as great kindness as the sence of former obligations and a strict amiry could work in generous souls I was forc'd to make my self known but to few and those whom I knew neither the power of gold nor the sea of ruine could have any power upon to induce to prodite me for fear of the implacable hâ—â—e and revenge of my brother who not dying of those wounds I gave him had been recovered and sent out divers to murther me if I could be â—ound In this manner I spent many years in a private life among my friends having treasure enough to recompence their kindnesses and to serve me though I spent prodigally all the rest of my my dayes which the Pirates compell'd me to take with me The remembrance of Atalanta so often dejected me that had not the care education and protection of her Image put a necessity upon me of living I believe I had not reacht these dayes I made it my duty and delight to give him all the education both in literature and arms that others of his rank us'd to learn which he receiv'd with a nature propense to the highest attainments and prov'd so good a proficient in both that he was equally lov'd and admir'd of his â—utors Whilst
fear of punishment or hope of reward A Prince is left to his will so that his true nature will appear either vicious or vertuous when such as Araterus are often exceeding vicious humble courteous generous and what not in that estate which fortune hath brought them into in the world when coming to a Crown or higher pitch of dignity their former vertues are oft-times changed into vices and have made themselves as odious as they were before loved and esteemed Seeing then that men of mean conditions are so apt to fain those vertues they have not and to restrain those vices they are naturally prone to out of a lack of ability to act them and that if possessed with real vertues the danger of change of dignities and places most commonly works a Metamorphosis upon the heart especially from vertue to vice it will be far more safe for the Queen to take a noble Prince who having power to act what he pleaseth will not be changed when he comes to rule than one who it may be palliates his vices out of hope of reigning For you shall know how he acts as he is a Prince so may you expect him when he is a King Again consider how dishonourable it will be for the queen to stain that royal blood with the conjunction of so mean a person and for my part I believe that when the queen gave us this liberty of electing one to the dignity of enjoying her she never imagined that we would pitch upon one so inferior to her nor could she think that we could have any such thoughts as to believe she would ever act so unworthy her self She could not but think that we would elect a Prince amongst her Neighbours and many Sutours and because she would not be led by affection but by that which might conduce to the good of the Kingdome she remitted this election to us to choose which we thought best amongst those Princes that sued to her and I verily believe that if we nominate Araterus to her 't would make her take away the liberty she hath given us and repent her for our folly Do you think the people will subject to Araterus as their Soveraign to one whom they number among themselves and so inferior to the Majesty of a Prince The Sornaleans ' its true affect him much but not so much as to create him their King and I believe if ever he arrive to that dignity many which now love him will then hate him for these people were alwayes ambitious to have noble blood to rule them To conclude consider that the gods create Princes to rule and gives them only ability to reign well others indeed may usurp the place but they most commonly bring all men to ruin What I have said I hope tends only to the good of my Princess and the welfare and prosperity of my fellow Subjects Let all things be well weighed and considered that this man who hath ended a war happily may not bring upon us a peace implete with more misery Peomontile having heard Maurishia with a great deal of impatiency seeing him thus conclude and having an excellent memory he thus reanswered PEOMONTILE HIS ORATION My Lords I Beseech the same favour that you have granted my Lord Maurishia that is your patience and diligent attention to what I shall say I shall endeavour to answer this declamation and detect both his errors and weakness and I fear his maliciousness As we ought to speak here fully and freely for we ought to speak apertly and sincerely and as not swayed by the favour or fear of others so not drawn aside by the secret malice or grudge of our selves My Lord I doubt was conscious to his thoughts that he needed your candid interpretation of that which was not candidly spoken and covers the malice and envy he bears to Araterus with the vail of his 't is for the good of his Prince and welfare of his Countrey I should not speak thus bitterly but that the malice which runs along the veins of his speech urges me to it This business is weighty for by this conjunction we and ours hope for halcion dayes and therefore it is not to be concluded without debate The reasons and arguments against the election of forraign Princes I have before laid down which being yet unanâ—wered I think stand in some force among you I endeavoured then to shew you the conveniencies of our queens marriage with some younger Prince or if possible with one of this Nation The Qâ—een having graciously left it to our dispose ye all gave your opinions and I mine I had sought the whole kingdome in my thoughts and finding none fitter than this stranger I nominated him and that not without reason on my side I could give you many but they will be prolix and it may be I shall have a fitter occasion after I have removed those obstacles which my Lord Maurishia hath cast in against the approving of my Lord Araterus Their malignity is perpicuous enough though their weight is hardly considerable He first tells us of their disparity and therefore infers it is impossible to have a happy conjunction This may be answered in a word that there is no such disparity as he speaks of and although he cannot believe him to be a Prince yet the queen has and hath honoured him according to his dignity Those that are acquainted with him cannot but see all the marks of honour and nobility in his breast neither was it his own assumation or bragging that made it known but by an extraordinary way and contrary to his desire And why is it not a likely matter I pray that a Prince should suffer such common disasters as shipwrack and causial exil And what if he shew no desire to return being at such a vast distance from his Countrey and which cannot be effected without apparent danger of his life what and if he had no such ambitious mind but had rather serve the Queen than rule in his own Countrey must he for this be defamed and not counted what he is I am sure that as yet we have not found the least cause but that we should believe him and therefore I know no reason why we should not But however grant it were as my Lord Maurisâ—ia would have us believe and that there were such disparity as he speaks of yet that disparity of persons might not be any obstacle to agreement in affections as he would make us believe For the Queen I make no doubt will resolve to love and obey as duty requires him whom we shall choose and therefore it 's but a defacing those noble vertues of our queen to suppose that she should be so full of pride and disobedience as not to yield to him and the lawes of the gods being they require it If then she love him whom we chuse you need not fear but that amity concord and peace will continue they being altogether maintained by love There is no