to me separate not us both for ever I would willingly said I to her redeeme your liberty and my contentment at the charge of foure yeeres servitude I could have no greater wish than that it were my chance to serve your kindred in recompence of the services you have rendred mine Oh gods how happy should I be if in the end I might come to the knowledge of them and give them intelligence of the place you are in for to make us both free by a happy change It would never grieve me to endure neither yrons nor the cruellest tortures of slaves to obtaine so great a good These are speeches saies Melintus interrupting him very powerfull and affectionate for such an unfaithfull man as you are for you were no sooner here but you forgat all those protestations to love Camilla I beseech you replies Palamede doe not reproach me with that for the affection I have for Epicharis seemes to be a strong and sure passion that keeps ever one direct course letting passe a-crosse it those little lightnesses without being moved and I hope it shall also one day attaine the end it hath pretended to Palamede would have finish'd what remain'd to be told of that depart when Epicharis entring brake off their discourse and finding them still in bed she accus'd them of slothfulnesse Palamede in laughing told her they had but too much time for the journey they were to make that day Then shee told them what she had done with their friends As for Maximus although he had reason to be ill satisfied with them for the detriment he had suffer'd for their sakes having sav'd himselfe also from the fire after them with much trouble and though he had enough to consider of his owne affaires yet hee had not failed to promise her all sorts of assistances for them that the fire was not yet out in the City but yet they ought not to lose the occasions that were offer'd to save themselves that it would be easie for her to bring them a very small cord wherewith they might draw up a great rope shee would have without the Tower which she now had all in a readinesse of an excessive length because the height of the Tower was very great There was no other difficulty but for them to get to the top of that Tower for being alwayes close shut up in their chambers Three or foure dayes pass'd on still in their deliberating upon some meanes whilest the burning continued alwayes But they were surpriz'd one morning being sent for to appeare before the Senate Epicharis was in despaire for having delayed so long to invent a meanes for their delivery and feared they should be that very day condemned Melintus and Palamede in lesse trouble were brought before the Senate where entring with a modest assurance they were set upon seats very low to the ground The Consull having commanded the accusers to speake Martian goes out from the company because he was a party in this cause and then they were accus'd with much vehemency for having by an abominable practice set fire on Rome and to be the cause of the greatest ruine and desolation that City ever suffer'd that not content with that horrible impiety they had added the murthering of Marcelin and many others whereof proofe was made by Marcelins sword that Melintus was found seiz'd of and for that he was taken all bloody For these crimes it was concluded by the accuser that they deserv'd the cruellest punishments that were Melintus seeing that no body presented himselfe for them demanded permission to defend himselfe and having obtain'd it hee was a while looking downe to the ground to thinke of what hee had to say then lifting up his eyes towards the Senators he spake thus MY Lords if I were to speake before Iudges that were lesse equitable than you I should have great cause to feare the oppression of our innocence I consider the authority of our accusers all the City of Rome animated against us and if the crimes they suppose us guilty of were true you your selves my Lords interessed by your losses to punish us Against all these powers may two strangers forsaken of all things pretend to defend themselves Neverthelesse we doe not esteeme our selves altogether destitute having in heaven the gods for witnesses of our life and upon earth the justice we are in hope to finde amongst you We have nothing but the truth for our defence and this truth being naked and simple I will also make you a simple relation of our misfortune whose causes may very easily be justified Being arrived at Rome for no other end but to behold her glories and make our selves knowne for persons desirous of the best things wee entered to our misery into the acquaintance of Marcelin who after he had made us great professions of friendship in the end conceiv'd a cruell jealousie against us for a womans sake and resolv'd to kill us Those that knew him can tell if hee were capable of such a practice One night we were set upon by a number of men that left us for dead and had it not beene for the succours of Emilia and Camilla before whose house the noyse was heard wee should have had no mere paine to defend our owne lives Camilla will be a witnesse of this truth and all her house whither we were carried who will tell also how Marcelin not beleeving we had knowne his treachery sent Palamede an oyntment that was found to be ranck poyson Neverthelesse wee advised to dissemble and absent us from hence having such an enemie Since that Aristides father to Palamede being come hither with his daughter Ariana upon the rumour of his sonnes danger Marcelin fell in love with Ariana and had a purpose to marry her But Palamede having him in detestation as his mortall enemy and Ariana shunning him as the murtherer of her brother his love contemned turn'd into rage and knowing we were upon parting to returne into Sicily he plotted our death but the cruellest one that could bee imagin'd by him Because he would not let us be gone without a revenge he encompassed with armed men the house of Maximus where we liv'd and then set fire to it on all sides having resolv'd either to burne us there or kill us at our comming out when we had no other thought but how to save us from the flames They of Maximus house can witnesse how they saw these furious men setting fire with Torches in their hands and that two slaves were killed going to fetch water at the Tyber For mee I determin'd with my selfe to take a horse and save mee by running through flames and swords Palamede did the like but tooke another way than that I went Marcelin seeing himselfe on foot and that I went farre away made a horse be given him to pursue me and overtooke me being all alone where furiously assaulting mee I had the good fortune to kill him though he were armed Two others came
first motion she told him it could not be done but being overcome by his intreaties and importunities she had in the end promis'd him and the day after Marcelin having studied upon that occasion came to find her and propos'd how Ariana might be deceiv'd by representing a false deity that should perswade her to love him Virginia said that at the beginning she approved not this device being unwilling the Temple should be prophaned by a fraud but that he was so skilfull in conjuring her by representing to her to what extremity his passion was reduc'd as at last shee permitted him to make ready all his engines and how to give him time she had remitted Ariana to the eight day after Then she told her how her brother had drest the Chamber with the riches that were his owne and chosen an excellent Ingineere to set up stately Theaters and make all manner of representations and they together had consulted to take in the vault of that little Temple and make a heaven of it that within it they had set a musique with store of Torches which made that light and that the darknesse was caused by meanes of certaine clothes they had hung before the windowes to make the place afterwards more lightsome by the torches That the Diana was the most faire and famous Comedian that was at that time in Rome the children were also accustom'd to the Theaters and had their shafts rubbed with a composition that kindled in water that all this descended and ascended by meanes of little wire threds untwist and strong that were tied to their scarfes as it were invisibly Ariana was full of wonder to heare of a deceit so well carried but she was as full of shame when Virginia confest that Marcelin saw her when she went into the bath through holes he had made about the pipes of the cisterne and that she her selfe had beene curious to see so many beauties which she protested she had never seene the like After that she assur'd her that if she had thought her brother would have used violence the entrance into the temple had never beene permitted for his inventions Whereupon she ask'd her pardon for having expos'd her to that danger being over-reach't by the prayers and assurances her brother gave her Ariana answer'd her that she wonder'd not if she had done some thing in favour of the friendship she had to her brother and press'd by his importunities that she had a great obligation to her for quitting the interests of a person so neere to have care of hers and for discovering this trick that might have kept her in errour and trouble all her life They parted asunder after some other discourse and Ariana went out of the temple with an oath never more to seeke to purifie her selfe in Rome where chastity was subject to be corrupted by so many artifices She confest to Melintus he had reason to suspect some couzenage and after she had made this relation which he himselfe found strange they gave their judgement how they were to distrust that man who would never rest there since he sought out such rare and powerfull practices In the meane time Marcelin perceiving his designes either discover'd or at least made unusefull was resolv'd to demand Ariana in marriage of Aristides being in no hope otherwise to asswage his passion He communicated his purpose to Martian his father and told him she was daughter to Aristides one of the chiefest men in Siracuse neece to Dicearchus who was the most powerfull in that City and had no children and that they both drew their pedigree from one of the most noble houses in all Greece His father would have put him off this because she was a stranger but he could not doe it what ever remonstrances he made him of the injury he did himselfe that might pretend to any of the nobiest maids in Rome In the end Martian that was already accustomed to endure all the vitious passions of his sonne because he was of use to maintaine him with Nero could well be pleas'd with this that was an honest one and consent to that he desir'd With this permission Marcelin addrest himselfe to Maximus having thought him fit to mannage the affaires and declar'd his designe to him back't with his fathers consent and intreated him to make the proposition of it to Aristides of whom he hoped to be receiv'd with contentment being the sonne of a Senator if he could resolve to leave his daughter at Rome or else dwell there himselfe and in that case that he would obtaine for him the quality of a Citizen of Rome that Palamede had obtain'd already that if he had any familiarity with Ariana he besought him also earnestly to dispose her to wish him well Maximus considering of the quality of Marcelin his credit and authority about the Emperour thought he might gaine a great support to himselfe if he were able to doe him any good office and finding this proposition honest promis'd him all the assistance he could expect That very day he mov'd it to Aristides who at the first could not consent to quit his daughter Neverthelesse the greatnesse of that party dazeling his judgement he began a little to give way to the reasons of Maximus and at last promis'd to communicate the businesse with his sonne and daughter and that very houre he wrote of it into Sicily to his brother Dicearchus Maximus finding he was so fairely forward advertis'd Marcelin of it who seeing that his good fortune partly depended on the good will of Ariana fail'd not to appeare at the Temple proudly cloth'd with a great traine to make her see what honour she should be mistresse of if she consented to his desire and omitted not to make great expressions of his respect to her serving himselfe at the same time for divers ends both with pompe and with humility On another side Aristides having made overture of it to his children Ariana was in a great wonder to heare him mention it as a thing he desired Yet she continued mute to her fathers reasons and left the taking of her part to her brother who not enduring to have any thing more spoken concerning a man he had so much cause to abhorre and his sister also for his sake was forc'd to say he beleev'd not that so good a father would marry his sister to a man that had twice attempted upon his life that he could no longer hold from confessing to him that it was Marcelin that would have murther'd him with a troupe of men from which the gods only preserv'd him that after that feigning to send him an ointment for his wounds he had sent him poyson not ever thinking he was advertis'd that he had beene the head of those that had assaulted him by night that he had beene constrain'd to dissemble that treason especially knowing that the Emperour was of the party But what cause said Aristides had he to wish you so much evill
fairest woman in the favour of whom most lovers would present themselves and recite verses all the women that pretended to beauty in the City drest up themselves to appeare that day on the Theaters and dispute this victory but I despising it or else having no hope to carry it shut up my selfe in the house what ever they could doe to perswade mee to goe thither neverthelesse some that recited having complain'd at the absence of their Mistresse and nam'd me the Judges without seeing me adjudged the crowne of flowers that was the prize to be given me and brought it to my lodging when I was very farre off from that enterprize Melintus having learn'd by the letter my father wrote to Palamede the glory I had obtain'd after the contempt I made of it conceiv'd yet a greater estimation of mee and had no other thought now but to be soone at Siracuse At length Palamede sent us word he prepar'd to come home with Melintus but I must tell thee I did prepare my selfe with a farre greater care to receive them Neverthelesse the encounter they made of Corbulo that was going against the Parthians greatly staied this returne but it as much avanc't and rendred glorious the reputation of Melintus who following him into Asia with my brother did so memorable actions in that expedition that there was no other talke but of Melintus valour which increas'd marvellously that opinion I had of him and made me judge that there was some sympathy betweene his courage and mine When occasions were wanting to give other proofes of their valour they parted from Asia and landing in Sicily gave advice of their returne for to be receiv'd as victors at the Olympique games according to the purpose the Siracusians had for them but they had since added many other victories with much more danger and glory which ought to make their reception still more honourable The newes was receiv'd of all with a great joy but of me with surprize considering I should see Melintus whom I made so great account of by reason of his renowne There was beaten downe a pane of a wall according to the custome in all countries to receive them that have gained the honour of the Olympique games and I said that since the sieges they had beene at they were not us'd to enter into Cities but by breaches not by the gates of them Every thing was in a readinesse to receive them and those of the City were of opinion to goe out to meet them and in exchange to render them the honour they had gain'd to their country I was chosen to give them the Cities presents to Melintus a white horse and a sword hanging in a Carnation scarfe imbroider'd with silver and to my brother a Casock of a most rich worke with a quiver garnish'd with gilded shafts and a bow of the same They had beene advertiz'd of the reception was to be given them so as Melintus and my brother still clothed after the Greeke fashion appear'd mounted on faire horses in the head of those of their traine and some other of their friends that had gone out before us I was upon a pled nagge that had a white foot-cloth I my selfe was also cloth'd in white with my haire hanging downe crowned with a garland of flowers and went by my uncle Dicearchus side that was the chiefe of those of the towne The horse destin'd to Melintus was lead neere me by two footmen that held him on both sides with great cords of purple colour that serv'd for reines then followed another man that carried the sword and scarfe those that held the casack the bow and the quiver went in their order and after them an infinite number of people At our meeting Melintus alighted from his horse Dicearchus did the like presently two men helpe me also to descend and Melintus having saluted us I prepar'd my selfe to speake to him but I was so troubled to see the person whose knowledge I had desir'd goe with such a grace and so full of Iustre and honour that I had much adoe to reassure my selfe I know not if he were deceiv'd in what he had fancied in him concerning me yet he has sworne to me since that he was never so taken as when he saw me in the height of all this preparation and traine I thanked them in the name of all the people for the honours they had procur'd to their Countrey in acknowledgement of which I prayed them to accept these presents and then was given mee one of the strings that were in stead of reines to the horse which I presented to Melintus but when I tooke the Sword and Scarfe I had charge to put upon him I doe not thinke that in all my life I ever blush'd so much or was seiz'd with so strange a trembling And I was very glad of passing towards my brother to put me in countenance againe by making him the present was ordain'd him I well remember that Melintus spake to mee to give mee thanks for the honour they did him but I tooke no heed to what he said so confounded was I and if I had beene to reply I must have stood mute Hee told me since his answer was that his Countrey which had given him birth might attribute to her selfe as her owne all that ever hee should be able to doe and that he was a debtor to her for all the glory of it neverthelesse hee received these presents not as recompences but as new obligations as for Palamede I cannot call to minde in what manner he thanked me After that I was set a horsebacke againe by Melintus who presently mounted upon that horse I had given him and ever accompanied me in managing him with a great grace I ceas'd not admiring every thing he did and I well perceiv'd he was not without trouble for his part for he look'd upon me sometimes with an eye that shewed astonishment and a passion new comming on but so modestly that there was none but my selfe that could observe it Wee arriv'd in this manner at Syracuse and he waited on me to my lodging where hee left mee with Palamede and Dicearchus his friends with the rest of the people brought him to Telephus house All the night long I let my imagination wander upon every thing I had seene perfect in Melintus That sweet and assured face that free making the grace and comelinesse in all his actions and his fashion of speech so full of mildnesse and vivacity made me avow that I had never seene any thing so amiable but as I was concluding something to his advantage and was surpriz'd in that conceit the disadinfull humour that is naturall to me filled me with shame and fortified me against all that merit Then seeing how my father inclin'd to marry me to Amintas sonne of Diocles the richest in Syracuse and that Melintus possest not so great an estate as was in our house my stomacke could not then consent for his sake I
the vexations of my soule and doe but consider a little to what I was reduced when by your hands I was deliver'd and what thoughts I could have being in the hands of those robbers After losing of a brother as I beleev'd whose death was followed with my fathers I saw they were gone to cut my uncle's throat the onely support I had left me and my selfe forsaken of all and condemn'd to suffer the rage of those hangmen without your rescue whom I am beholding to for what I have most deare in the world Madam answered Melintus we were first indebted to you for our life and honour and you secured both to us by meanes of Epicharis whom you sent us if since we have assisted you you are wholly to thanke your selfe for your deliverance but I know not how you should ever pardon mee for the feares I put you in going to force you away from among those Souldiers But rather replide she how will you pardon mee the blowes I gave you for so I payed you for all the paines you had taken to save me Ah Madam answer'd he how pleasing were those blowes to me but may I dare to remember you of one you call'd upon to helpe you Ariana blush'd and told him a little after I remember it well enough and give you leave to take those words I spake as much for your advantage as you please Melintus taking her hand in excesse of joy pursues Upon this assurance Madam may I from henceforth without offence tell you my thoughts Hee spake these words in a voyce so trembling and with a face so pale that Ariana well perceiv'd the extreme respect he bare her and the feare he had to tell her of any thing might displease her but to encourage him she answered Melintus I have sufficiently made triall of your friendship by your discretion I will not have you spend so much as one word to assure me any more of it He was so ravish'd that bowing him and putting his mouth to the faire hand he held hee was some time in this posture without any speaking so transported was he with contentment Ariana was very glad to see him so seized but at last he lift up himselfe and said to her What will you thinke of me Madam to see me silent after such a favour and indeed so great it is that there are not words to expresse to you neither the excesse of my joy nor how much I am to rest your servant Ariana answers him If we measure the obligations without doubt those I have to you are farre the greater but you are to be satisfied with mee seeing that to acquit myselfe I give you my soule which is all I am Your soule Madam replies Melintus may I be so bold to beleeve these advantageous words but why should I not beleeve them since they come from your mouth that cannot be but true Will this faire soule then give it selfe to me for to animate a body so unworthy of it and will you indeed receive mine in place of it Melintus said Ariana I doe not meane so this exchange would be too prejudicious for you but at the least I give you a part of my soule which is my will and I must have you dispose of it from henceforth in exchange of yours which I am sure is in my possession Melintus was so rapt for these deare engagements that the commotions of his heart disturb'd his minde and stopp'd the freedome of his thoughts and the knowledge of that disorder gave Ariana a greater assurance of his joy and passion than a thousand words could have done In the end he replies It is impossible Madam I should expresse to you how deare these favours are to my soule for the more I resent them the lesse am I able to tell you but it suffices you to know the greatnesse of my affection by being assured how they replenish me with joy and you shall see with what submission I receive them by the inviolable respect that shall alwayes accompany me in your presence and when I have declar'd what I am I will incessantly call to my remembrance the estate wherein I was when you were so favourable to me Melintus sayes Ariana interrupting him this declaration is the businesse you are to thinke upon at this time and I would advise you to make your selfe knowne to my brother you are not to deferre it any longer if you thinke it fit to be done and then we may consult together concerning the wayes we are to take for since the death of my father there is come from Corinth Pisistratus sonne of Calistenes who was uncle to Acidalia by whose onely meanes my uncle married her after a sute of many yeeres lasting This Pisistratus drawne hither rather by the reputation of some estate than of any beauty he sayes is in me hath brought letters from his father to Dicearchus wherein he desires him to doe the like in his sonnes behalfe with me that he had heretofore done for him with his Neece Acidalia Pisistratus relying upon that favor thinks not he hath made an unprofitable voyage but that with the duties he renders my uncle and the affection he expresses to me he shall presently marry me and carry me away to Corinth in the same ship that brought him hither which still attends him for this purpose On the other side Diocles seekes my uncle more than ever and he entertaines them both with hope not knowing what to resolve on for although he hath great obligations to Calisthenes he is not willing for all that to have me so farre from him by giving me to Pisistratus and againe seeing him to have such faire possessions and comming of a farre more illustrious house than Amyntas he cannot finde in his heart to refuse him Upon these uncertainties it were good you first declar'd your birth and after that your suit Madam replied Melintus you doe me a very great favour to instruct me of all these things and I am very glad your counsell is correspondent to the designe I had but yet I would have wished that it had not prevented the permission I had desired of you to make this declaration I hope it will be well receiv'd for the Syracusians have cause to love me and Dicearchus is oblig'd to me by oath never to wish me ill for my fathers sake The life sayes Ariana you saved him ought much more to oblige him to that and I have reason to take this ill because all that wee shall resolve on from henceforth to your benefit will rather be thought duty and acknowledgement than affection I shall ever take it for pure grace replies Melintus for scarcely could all my services together pretend to hope for so much as one of those words you favour me with This agreeable conversation ended at the arrive of Dicearchus that came to take Melintus and to shew him with his Nephew the beauties of his house before the night obscur'd them and it
the sweetnesse of his imaginations Emilia was come to her sister into Palamedes Chamber and had interrupted a discourse that was very agreeable to them Camilla already overcome with the love and good grace of Palamede and finding moreover that she was transported with pitty to see him so ill for hersake had thus addrest her selfe to him Palamede what thing can be capable at this time to give satisfaction to your mind and comfort to your griefes Your presence sayes he Madam which causes in mee these two effects for although Fortune hath handled me cruelly enough I know not how to be angry with her in what case soever she hath led me hither to give me the happinesse of seeing you at all times But I would not answer'd she have you buy my favours at this price often for then my good will would be farre more cruell than all the rigours you could receive Well see what it is you desire of mee your affection sayes hee which I demand but of grace though it may seeme I have purchas'd it with my bloud You should not be here replyes she if this affection were not yours already but I will assure you besides by an oath I make you to banish from me what ever you would have me to love but you onely Palamede willing to thanke her tooke her hand and lift up his head from the bolster in paine to kisse it Camilla making as though she would have placed him right againe as he was for feare he might take harme came neare him with her head and kiss'd him and because that at the same time hee gave a straine that made him feele a shooting in all his wounds Oh gods said he what envious Demon thus intermingles paine with joy Then Camilla bowed downe and kissing him againe said I will not have you be the last in paine Madam sayes he I am asham'd to let you goe all the way but if I were cur'd you should not thus prevent mee We must sayes shee take pitty of the sicke and doe for them what they would willingly doe themselves in another season Madam answers hee if it please you sometimes to take this paines for me I promise to returne you foure times as much when I am in health I will not ingage you replies shee in so great debts that you shall never be able afterwards to pay me I sweare to you sayes hee that as soone as I am well these scores shall the first be acquitted Emilia surpriz'd them in this loving entertainment and after some common discourse shee advertis'd them what Melintus and she had consulted of concerning Marcelline but just as they were speaking together there came a messenger to Palamede from his father with these Letters Aristides to Palamede MY Sonne I doubt not but Rome hath wonders enow to stay you there all your life but consider that you have a father that loves you and would be glad to see you againe and a sister whose marriage is but now resolv'd on with Amyntas and who waits but your returne to deliberate upon the happinesse and repose of her life leave therefore all things for our sakes and come home to enjoy our friendship if it be still at least deare to you Ariana that lov'd Melintus though she would not he should know it had foreseene that this Letter might produce great perturbations in his minde and therefore shee accompanied it with this other which shee wrote to her brother knowing well he would not faile to shew him either of them Palamede when he had read the first opened his sisters Letter which was thus Ariana to Palamede MY deare Brother you will much wonder that my designes should be differing from my fathers but I will tell you thus much that you need not hasten your returne for the newes he sends you for I attend you but for this to declare that I will never marry Amintas for some reasons I shall let you know hereafter It is therefore in your choyce to come or not to come as it will be one day in mine to determine with whom I am to live Palamede was of opinion that the reasons of his sister which made her assume this liberty of speech and leave her accustomed modesty must needs be important Then he sent for Melintus to communicate the Letters with him And he presently rose from his bed and came to him and the sisters leaving them alone Melintus tooke the letters out of Palamedes hand and could not choose but change colour sometimes as he read them which Palamede observ'd well enough but knowing he desir'd to keepe secret his affection hee was wel content to favor this discretion of his since he lov'd to live after that fashion and so was resolv'd never to enquire for any knowledge in that matter but at what time Melintus should think it seasonable so much respect had he to this vertuous friend of his When he perceiv'd he had done reading that he might keep him from suspecting of his regarding of any thing he prevented him thus The letters you sent them since the dispatch of these will make our excuses if we should so suddenly goe to them The excuses answered Melintus are very lawfull but yet they will not be very acceptable to them and now I finde you past all danger I repent me that I obeyed you and gave them so much feare My sister replies Palamede will not be angry that I have given her this occasion to see Italy but that they may finde us both in good estate returne you to your bed againe for I am sure you have need of rest for the paines you have taken for me Melintus went backe againe to his Chamber where being alone he thanked Ariana in his mind for the care she had taken to send this letter to secure him from feare well perceiving it was rather addrest to him than to her brother and judging more to his own advantage of the state of his loves than he durst have hoped heretofore hee was resolv'd to endure patiently the constraints wherein he found himselfe obliged to Emilia and his wounds being clos'd up agâ—â—ne he employ'd all his time with his friend Wherein he was so carefull that Palamede with the helpe of the Ladies was in case to be able to lift himselfe up though it were still not without much paine ARIANA. The Second Booke WHen Melintus was most comforted for the health his friend recover'd he was himselfe surpriz'd with a fever The losse of blood he had sustained the watchings and labour he had endur'd during the extremity of Palamedes sicknesse had so weakned him with the cares he was tormented with that his body was not able to resist so much paine This accident renued Emilia's feares for his life and she blam'd her selfe for suffering him to be so carefully diligent about Palamede Neverthelesse with the remedies they applied that Fever was not very violent It was at that time that newes was brought them how
Aristides and the faire Ariana were arriv'd and dyed for impatience of seeing them Palamede could hardly yet goe but was made to be carried to Melintus bed and was desirous his father should finde him up to remove feare from him at this first enterview yet for all this he was very sorry the lot was fallen upon his friend at that time Emilia was sitting upon the bed little thinking that Melintus at that occasion saw her but with regret in the place and Camilla was entertaining Palamede when Aristides came in followed with the faire Ariana After he had embrac'd his sonne and exprest to him the joy he conceiv'd to find him a great deale better than he look't for Ariana tooke off the vaile that hid her face and discover'd such beauties that she dazell'd all those that beheld her Shee had a sweet Majesty that filled mens minds with admiration and astonishment her complexion was delicate and of a bright whitenesse her eyes sent forth a lively and delicious light and conspir'd with the pleasing features of her face to compose a charme to amuse reason with pleasure while they tooke her captive It seemed the center of her faire cheeks was red by the nearenesse to the fire of her eyes or else that the blood was retir'd into so small a space to offend as little as might be the purity of her whitenesse her haire was flaxen and curl'd into rings her shape slender and her fashion grave and modest and withall her clothes after the Sicilian fashion did so well accompany all these graces that there was not any one but was ravish'd in seeing her She was followed by a young Gentlewoman call'd Epicharis that waited on her whose beauty had beene consider'd but for Ariana's and who had sometime beene lov'd of Palamede This view caus'd very different effects in the place for it possess'd Palamede with joy to see his deare sister Melintus with admiration and at the same instant with shame to be found among those Ladies who though handsome were most unworthy as he thought them of his love and he fear'd that Ariana gave a judgement of him which would greatly wrong the opinion she had conceiv'd of him Emilia and Camilla consider'd her rather with the eyes of envy than admiration but Camilla having no cause to be jealous of her because shee possess'd her brother gave up that paine wholly to Emilia who failed not to marke the changes of Melintus and Ariana and from thence gather'd consequences which ruin'd her dearest hopes Ariana her selfe was not able to hinder the appearance of the trouble her thoughts had brought her to if she had not beene assisted by the occasion of going to kisse her brother by whom shee stayed the longer to have her rednesse past whilest her father was speaking to Melintus after that being re-assur'd as much as was necessary when Aristides had taken his sonne apart to entertaine him shee addrest her selfe to the sicke man who at her approach felt the motions of a thousand differing passions Shee thank'd him for the cares he had taken for her brother and pray'd him to suffer that shee might give him the like assistances for to satisfie so many obligations Faire Ariana said Melintus you are borne to command and not to serve your presence is sufficient in a place to drive away from it all kinds of evill and since your arrive I find my selfe so eas'd that I hope I shall not bee any longer trouble some to these Ladies I have receiv'd so many good offices from Although all these words were so many deadly blowes to the designes of Emilia yet she would needs mingle her selfe at this discourse and answer him That persons of their worth could never be importune that there was much more appearance that he should be weary in being with her that shee well saw Ariana came to deprive them of that they had so carefully conserv'd But yet in what place soever they were they should never meet with hearts so affectionate to their service These last words shee pronounced with some trouble which obliged Melintus to say to her Be sure Madam you have not so ill an opinion of us to beleeve one may so easily escape out of your hands Then seeing she stood mute as full of astonishment and to give her respit to come to her selfe againe he pursues I am assur'd that Ariana acknowledging here so much brights and beauties and seeing us on all sides encompassed with fires must of necessity feare for our sakes judging well how difficult it is to avoyd the faire desires you give birth to and all those torments that accompany them Besides the evill that retaines us in this place is the least of these we are sensible of you would not be so diligent in curing that you are the cause of and is the greatest But for all that I will not use reproaches against persons we are so beholding to it shall suffice me to tell you that you are too assur'd of our engagement seeing that beside what we owe your merits fortune was willing to binde us for ever to you for so many carefull assistances These words restor'd a little the spirit of Emilia and Melintus thought it sitting so to dissemble for not provoking her and give themselves meanes to retire from them withall he spake those words in such a fashion that Ariana knew it was but feigned for if the discourse had beene true he would not so confidently have uttered it before her Neverthelesse shee could not but feare and was preparing her selfe to heare Emilia's answer at the very time that Aristides that was speaking to Palamede on the other side interrupted them as he return'd to them This good father was very joyfull to see his sonne out of danger but yet he was not over-well pleas'd to finde him in that place with voluptuous and magnificent women though being discreet and of a good nature he made no appearance of it and after he had enquir'd of his sonne the cause that brought him to that house he advertis'd him to goe out as soone as he could from the place where he had beene so troublesome then not to seeme uncivill he turned â—owards Camilla and Emilia to witnesse to them how hee had a heart that acknowledg'd the favours he had receiv'd from them in the person of his sonne Ariana left him her place and went to find her deare brother whom she desired passionately to have alone to know all that had haâ—ned to them during their voyage Palamede seeing that Melintus was preparing to make the same rehearsall to Aristides said to his sister that if shee desir'd to know all the particulars of it it were necessary for them to withdraw into the next Chamber because he could learne her many things that Melintus his discretion would not permit him to tell especially before those Ladies who made up a great part of their adventures And besides he was not willing that Epicharis should be present for
him Aristides beleev'd already he saw his daughter wife to a Roman Senatour equalling the pompe and glory of the chiefest of the Empire But Ariana would not let her selfe be wonne by these vanities and more prized the least of Melintus qualities than all those honours that were accompanied with so many miseries she therefore dream'd onely of the meanes that were capable to breake off this blow At last the day came that Marcelin was to come to the house where Maximus did what hee could to receive a person of so great worth and prepar'd the rest to give him the honours were worthy his order They dined altogether with much silence every one meditating apart the designes he had in his mind then they return'd into the Chamber where they must receive this lover Aristides a while entertain'd his daughter with the discourses shee was to make him wherein she was not resolute to satisfie him altogether then he gave Maximus his place to set upon her with the same perswasions and went to finde Palamede to dispose him to shew a well pleas'd countenance They were all thus busied attending Marcelin that was something tedious Palamede said it became the Roman gravity to be waited for Some houres passe away more at last Maximus impatient that he came not sent to Martian's house who sent word that he had not seene his sonne since the day before and that he was in paine for him Aristides begins to wonder at this humour in Marcelin to neglect a thing he had before so much sought for Yet for all that they could heare no newes of him every one thereupon gave his different opinion but not one of them could ghesse the cause of that action Marcelin's people appear'd to be in great trouble for him and one of them said that the night before he had accompanied him very neere to the Tyber that there he had commanded him to returne home and how he knew not but he might be drown'd in the darknesse of the night His fathers feare thereupon increas'd and all the day after past also and no body could learne what should be become of him Aristides had a suspition that his sonne willing to hinder the marriage and revenge himselfe had handled him the night past in the same manner he had beene us'd by him when he was left for dead and made him be cast into the Tyber yet he durst not signifie to him any thing of this surmise About the evening Melintus Palamede Ariana and Epicharis being together and not knowing to what they might impute the cause of Marcelin's absence What may we thinke said Ariana is become of him For mee sayes Melintus I thinke in what place soever he be he burnes for love of Ariana It suffices me sayes Palamede he be drown'd It seemes replied Ariana you know something of the matter have you indeed serv'd him as hee would have serv'd you They protested both they had not imagin'd to doe him any harme T is true sayes Palamede that before hee had married you some thing like this might have befallen him but I thought not it had beene time yet for that Ariana added let him be drown'd or burn'd or let the earth have swallowed him it little concernes me provided hee appeares no more Epicharis having some while hearkned to them could not refraine from telling them I am assur'd I can ghesse better than you all three And what thinkst thou said Ariana is become of him I imagine answer'd she that he is neither burn'd nor swallowed up nor drown'd but that at this present he is dying for hunger Ariana thinking she had but jested and whereupon ground you sayes she that beleefe rather call it sayes she assurance If you will give him any thing to eat I will bring you to the place where he has as much need of it as ever he had in his life Ariana urg'd her to tell her what she knew I feare sayes she you three will be more gentle than I for I have condemn'd him to dye and if I discover to you in what manner it may be you will preserve his life to destroy afterwards your owne That made them the more eager to know what she could say of the matter and they so prest her that at length she told them You know that at the end of the garden of this house in a place remote enough there stands a little lodge neare to the gate opens upon the Tyber Marcelin waits for Ariana in that place since before yesternight and I can assure you that never lover was so impatient of seeing his Mistresse They were so astonish'd at this newes that some while they spake not a word But Ariana desirous to know how she had beene able to draw him to that place You know said Epicharis you commanded me to goe to the Temple in your habit and vaile which I did and Marcelin scarce daring to come neare me I lift up my veile a little so as he could not see me and made him a signe with my hand to come to mee but in stead of saying to him that you commanded me to say I began thus speaking very low Marcelin hitherto I have profest to you nothing but coldnesse not but that I acknowledg'd the honour you doe me but in satisfaction to a brother that cannot love you and will never give his consent I be yours wherefore I will make to appeare the affection I beare you and you shall expresse yours to me if this night you come alone to our house by the gate that lookes to the Tyber there you shall receive assurances of what I would doe for you and I will make my brother resolve to consent to my desire when I shall let him see that you are already my husband Marcelin gave me a thousand thanks for so many graces and promis'd me not to faile comming thither at the houre I had appointed him I came backe from the Temple and would not tell you what I had done yea I fear'd mee lest hee might doubt some malice and not come but at night stealing from you I went to stay for him at that same gate where I miss'd not to finde him and after I had let him in I told him I had charge from Ariana to put him into that lodge while her father and the rest were asleepe where I so well shut him up that he never got out since besides I tooke the key of the garden for feare any one going by that way should heare him crie out and I had resolv'd to let him die there for hunger to make him pay for the conzening villanous tricks he had wrought in the temple and deliver you out of all paine which I thinke you are to resolve on too for this man will be a cause of a thousand misfortunes to you in the end and you may revenge you all three of the mischiefs he hath done you it will be easie for us afterwards to cast him into the Tiber and
spight of the crosses which Amyntas and my affection have met with and to tell you their beginning I must of necessity tell you the beginning of my life too Since the birth of my brother Melintus Hyperia my mother had beene many times great with childe but she could never be deliver'd of any alive untill at last having made some vowes to Lucina shee was brought to bed of me This was a very great joy to the house and Diocles the chiefe friend my father Telephus had came to congratulate with him and brought his sonne Amyntas too that was then but five or six yeares old they told him jestingly I should be his Mistresse whereto he agreed and ask'd to kisse me I beleeve that he could then make me no very eloquent offer of service neither did I give him any great cause to love me being but a disagreeable Mistresse and very troublesome that had nothing but cryes to entertaine him His father instructed him in the duties he was to render me and sometimes laughed with Telephus at the fashion he tooke them in hand every morning hee sent first to heare from me and after came himselfe to seeme and kist my hand one while he brought me a posie another time a coloured feather that they pinn'd on my head in hope that one day I would give him some of my favours to weare in that fashion When I began to speake hee exprest much contentment having no more a mute to entertaine and seeing how that which he loved began to be inform'd with a soule he seem'd to augment his affection at it In like manner finding him compleasant in every thing I desir'd I had a friendship to him for children are pleas'd with those that contradict them not We had a thousand sorts of playes where I was the Mistresse and he the servant I commanded him with gentlenesse hee obeyed me with joy and so the tenderest of our yeeres passed away in many innocent recreations I cannot repeat to you all our childish discourses but when he came to be seventeene or eighteene yeere old that age that is accustom'd to change all things had not this power over him for in stead of diminishing by degrees this affection that had taken no foundation use serv'd him for matter of love and made him pursue his designe of loving me For my part comming to a little more understanding I perceived how these little liberties were not very honest and would retire me from him He was not overmuch troubled at this for he is of an humour not to afflict himselfe and to be moved at nothing as you shall see by that which followes and onely said one day to me It seemes my faire Mistresse you love your servant no more I had at that time judgement enough to answer him I pray you leave these names that are no more fit for me than for you He without accusing me of change or going to complaints told me 'T is now impossible wee should lose these qualities since I have neither will nor power to doe it If it be not possible to you said I to him it is very possible to me and from this time I will quit the name of your Mistresse That answered he depends not on you On whom then replide I On me pursued he for I remaining alwayes your servant you must of necessity continue my Mistresse What though I forbid you replied I. You pretend then answered he some power over me and in that respect your selfe agrees to be my Mistresse You may interpret said I my words as you please but I will not have you use me any more in this fashion Since you permit me answered hee to give what sense I would to your words I will have them signifie that you love me but that you are not desirous at all to make it appeare Looke you replide I I lov'd you being a childe but things are chang'd I doe not complaine at this change answered he for in that first age you said before all the world that you lov'd me and it was nothing so and now you will love me indeed and say nothing Flatter your selfe as much as you please said I but for me I know well what I am resolv'd on so I left him and went to joyne me with the other Maids to avoyd his returnes for my young age furnish'd me not with reasons strong enough to vanquish him and my weaknesse emboldned him the more Some time after Diocles who had by little and little enrich'd himselfe without noyse was declar'd possessor of the great estate hee had acquired and Amyntas thinking nothing could be refus'd him with the advantages he had seemed more than ever assured of my affection I beleev'd my honour oblig'd me to expresse more coldnesse to him still for feare it might bee thought that I made much of him for his riches in such a fashion that I altogether withdrew me from him and would not suffer him to speake to me in particular I thinke he perceiv'd my cunning well enough for without being amazed at my resolution he would needs write to mee One day he came to see me when I was in company I know not what shift he made to put a Letter into my pocket and when hee was gone his way I put my hand by chance into it and was strangely taken finding this writing that was not to have beene there Neverthelesse I dissembled what had befallen me and having impatience till I were alone to see what it was went out and finding a letter I open'd it and saw that it was thus Amyntas to Erycine IF I found my selfe faulty I should not be so bold to demand of you a reason for your severities but having alwayes serv'd you with fidelity I dare be bold to say that it 's impossible you should wish me ill what-ever disguise you put on It may be you would make triall of me but if you have a designe to receive my service after a great deale of time and paines I pray you doe it for the present and deliver us both of the cares and vexations you are preparing us I aspire not to that sad glory of knowing how to suffer well and when I shall have endur'd your cruellest torments you would in the end be obliged to relent Doe that now for affection which you would then doe for justice and making me so happy you shall force mee to serve you also for justice which I did not before but for affection I blamed him a little to my selfe for taking the boldnesse to write to me and for the liberties he us'd in his letter but yet this humour of turning thus all things to his advantage was not disagreeable to me sometimes I accus'd my owne facility that was the cause he could not thinke me so ill as I seemed on the other side I was very glad that hee gave not backe for those feined rigours because I did but what I ought to doe and that made him
not beleeve thee so wicked But what reasons canst thou alleage to colour the usurpation of what was his For if thou hadst no meaning to keepe it why didst thou mocke at Telephus when he advertis'd thee not to aspire to the daughter of Aristides by the support of those riches because Hermocrates sonne was living and if thou wouldst not beleeve that why didst thou not restore those goods to them of the race of Hermocrates since they belong'd not to thee See there then the treasures thou hast acquired without running Fortune either by sea or land see there the excessive gaine thou hast made returne of giving nothing in exchange for so many possessions but thy faith and thy conscience which thou hast forsaken This Trafficke was made within thy selfe and thou hadst nothing to doe but to deliberate whether to get that estate thou wert not to betray thy soule Thy avarice disputed against thy fidelity and the decree thy judgement gave in behalfe of it is the sole title of these new acquisitions But 't is but to abuse the cares of the Iudge and of the people to seeke for other proofes after a case so cleare it stands thee then upon to disavow the writing of Hermocrates and thy owne too and after that to report the titles of all thou art possess'd of and all this being impossible I demand of the Syracusians that they condemne thee to restore the goods thou injustly detain'st from me whereby I might from henceforth sustaine the quality of my birth and that they ordaine for thy infidelity that punishment it hath deserved When Melintus had made an end of his speech all the people began to clap their hands and to cry out Condemne Diocles but the Judges having made the noyse cease commanded him to speake Then he requir'd time for to consider upon his justification and said that hee could not answer in the field to all Melintus his impostures that he well knew how to defend himselfe from them but that he must have some leisure to make the falsnesse of what he had said appeare They gave him the writings that Telephus brought in and demanded of him if he knew them He could not disavow his owne hand-writing nor that of Hermocrates but hee said all this made not against him but that he might have gotten the goods before his depart The Judges enquir'd of him if he had the Contracts of the sale that passed betweene them He answered that they were at his house and that he onely desired time to produce them They order'd that hee should send his sonne Amyntas who was present to goe bring them but then he sayd they were not in place where he could finde them and that he himselfe had need of terme for to put them in order All these answers being but shifts and the people never ceasing to cry out against him the Judges assembled together to deliberate and after a long time speaking what they had to say some excusing Diocles that had to that time beene ignorant who Melintus was others shewing more severity and saying that how-ever the case stood he was willing to retaine what appertain'd not to him In the end the Magistrate pronounc'd this judgement That Diocles was condemn'd not onely to restore into the hands of Melintus all those goods he held of Hermocrates but besides to pay him the revenue for the time he had possessed them and that for the infidelity he had committed he was banish'd for three years The people by their applauses seemed to be well satisfied for this sentence and Melintus making a signe with his hand that he would againe speak all was silent and he said I have hitherto onely demanded justice of you and now I demand a grace at your hands which is to revoke the banishment of Diocles in my favour and for the revenue of my estate for the time that is past I give it to Amyntas whose good qualities I esteeme and will be a friend to him Every one having admired the generousnesse of Melintus towards the father and his liberality towards the sonne he obtained all that he desir'd and this last action brake off the assembly Melintus tooke Ariana's hand who was full of satisfaction for the happy successe of their desires and brought her backe to her house with Palamede and their friends Diocles full of sadnesse and shame retir'd him to his owne house not knowing whether hee were to complaine of Melintus or commend him from whom in so small a time he had receiv'd so many displeasures and so many graces Dicearchus who had not assisted at the playes because of his place which he quitted to his Nephew learn'd this newes of a friend of his that presently went his way to advertise him of it for to advise together how they were to live with Melintus since hee was knowne for the sonne of Hermocrates When they were upon that doubt Melintus comes in bringing Ariana Palamede made the recite to Dicearchus of all had passed and so to Melintus his advantage that he was oblig'd to confesse to him that he rejoyced for that good fortune But after all was retir'd when Palamede said to his uncle that they were to esteeme themselves very happy in this that nothing hereafter could be found wanting in Melintus for giving his sister to him since his birth and estate were as great as he could desire them to be Dicearchus answered how that deserv'd well to be thought of at leisure and for that time could get nothing else from him This acknowledging of Melintus for sonne of Hermocrates was cause of the death of two persons Diocles whether it were that he was seized with griefe for seeing himselfe fallen from so great a fortune or whether hee repented for having committed so great an infidelity was found dead the day after in his bed and Hyperia who till then beleev'd she possessed an inestimable good having a sonne so accomplish'd as Melintus receiv'd a farre greater affliction when she knew she was not his mother than she had done when the newes was brought her of his death and not able to resist this dolour lost her life some dayes after Melintus having much resented the losse of a person that held the place of a very affectionate mother to him could not for all that keepe any long time this displeasure in his minde being too much diverted by his hopes and seeing himselfe restor'd to the possession of all that could appertaine to him he thought nothing could now retard his contentments being assured of the affections of Ariana of Dicearchus and of Palamede He came every day to visit them and had conceiv'd too high an estimation of his felicity receiving every moment new testimonies of Ariana's love had it not beene for some coldnesse that Dicearchus made apparent to him though he endevour'd to hide it with a feined courtesie Pisistratus too rendred many duties to Ariana and Melintus seeing that Dicearchus made more esteem of him than
lesse accomplish'd that it might have beene doubtfull whether I esteem'd him or not and not knowing how to be reveng'd of this common opinion sometimes I was resolved to abandon him and I consented to make my selfe miserable and him too for to ruine this beleefe at our owne cost it is true hee has payd very deare for that glorious and haughty vertue he taught mee and that I well serv'd my selfe against him of this greatnesse of spirit to which hee had advanc'd mee that perswaded me it were better to lose all the contentments of my life than it should be said I were in love In the meane time I considered not how there is nothing more lawfull than to chuse by honest meanes him one thinkes shee shall be happy to live with and when that happinesse is arriv'd one cannot but bee thought wise That errour made mee commit faults I shall deplore all my life time Though my father had let Artemidore see that Lepantus was not to thinke of mee yet hee refrain'd not sometimes to put him upon that discourse and represented to him what fault it was to refuse this good fortune for his family that hee despis'd in Lepantus the qualities that other fathers would desire to meet with for their daughters that if hee loved mee with so much passion it was rather a happinesse than a thing to make him culpable that the whole City would have an obligation to him for the stay of a person of that merit with them for the greatest part of his estate being about Corinth hee offered to settle himselfe there and never forsake my father but all this prevailed nothing upon him That which rendred Lepantus recommendable was that which did him the most harme my father having this wofull opinion that he was rather to chuse a sonne in law lesse able than hee and that would be more carefull of his affaires But yet I beleeve the strongest reason was that my father although a knowing man retaining the nature of old men that will have all their opinions passe with authority was envious of Lepantus's knowledge and desir'd not to have ordinarily at his house a person that could contradict him though Lepantus well knew how to give way to all he said with much discretion My father had not so much reason to refuse him as I had to love him and he could not but perceive the desire I had because I was not able to suffer any body that spake to mee to the disadvantage of Lepantus and farre rejected the parties that presented themselves I know very well that if I had declar'd to my father that I could not consent to any other search he would at last have beene flexible to the tendernesse hee had over me and the merit of Lepantus but fearing lest so absolute a resolution came to be knowne in Corinth I never had that assurance In the meane time I was tormented with Lepantus vexations and with my owne too I saw him at the Temple but rarely and with a face so changed that Death hath not a more forlorne one His letters were not filled now but with the misery of his life and modestly he remembred me of my promises I acknowledg'd he had reason and that his good fortune was in my hands but I could not resolve me and this severity that made me insensible to his griefes and prayers in the end wrought in me also an insensiblenesse to his affection All that came neare mee were instructed to speake in contempt of Lepantus and because I knew him too well to beleeve them if they told mee any thing that were contrary to the truth they did onely disguise his vertues and made them passe for so many vices Thus the charmes hee had to make him bee lov'd of the ablest and respected of the meanest were but an imperiousnesse and a tyrannicke authority which he usurp'd upon all that haunted him his discretion was dissimulation and his courtesie artifice all his good qualities in their judgement were so many defaults I confesse to you I beganne by little and little to give place to their reasons Lepantus absence effaced every day out of my memory some one of his perfections I said that peradventure my affection blinded me and made me imagine merits that were not in him that those that were without passion judged of him otherwise at last beleeving I was farre more quick-sighted and more perfectly judicious I perceived not that I became blinde and without all judgement Neverthelesse there still remain'd in me a certaine respect for Lepantus that I durst not offend him by expressing my coldnesse I was asham'd to give him that displeasure that never yet had the fortune to displease me His letters were still full of love and sorrow for seeing me no more and because hee knew that the gentilesses and points of wit he wrote were very agreeable to me he ever mingled some of them maugre the cruelty of his fortune and the torments he endured and many times he so forc'd himselfe that laying aside his griefes they were throughout filled with sweetnesses and elegancies and to any but my selfe would have seem'd to come from a man very well satisfied For me I knew well his constraint and lamented it but then when my affection diminish'd I changed my opinion and judged that if hee had beene much in love he would not amuse himselfe with those finenesses if his passion carried him away to expresse some despaire to me I said it proceeded from the respect hee ought me if hee gave mee any advice I tooke it not well hee should trouble himselfe to counsell me or that hee mistrusted my owne direction if I met him and he appear'd to me with a very alter'd face finding no more in him that which heretofore was so acceptable to me I thought I had reason to withdraw my affection and if some hope made him recover his ordinary complexion I said hee was not much troubled with love In the humour I was in it had beene hard for him so to have compos'd his face and his actions as I should not have found something to distaste in them He judg'd well that the cause must needs be very ill that produc'd so great a change for that heretofore hee did nothing which I would not have approved yet his discretion alwayes so perfectly maintain'd it selfe that he never complained of me what cause soever hee might have He never made knowne any of the assurances he had receiv'd to expresse what wrong I did him So hee dissembled his griefe not daring to accuse me and hoping I would use his affection better but that good will I had had for him began to be quite extinguished At the beginning I made answer to his letters and gave him new assurances with some instructions for his conduct since I tooke upon mee to represent to him the difficulties a little after I receiv'd his letters without answering him and at last I sent one of his backe
feined not to understand what he would say to me but for all that I was not sorry when he came neare me and I tooke the paines to entertaine him with the best discourse I was able Dicearchus was not in that esteeme with me because I knew him to be a violent and an artificiall man and I judged that his humor would never agree well with mine My mother soone perceiv'd the purpose of Hermocrates and was well content therewithall so as she was never displeased that he should speake to me and the first time he found the occasion to come to our house she assur'd him that the entrance to it should ever be open for him He receiv'd this permission with a great deale of respect and made very discreet use thereof but Dicearchus could not suffer to see a rivall so well intreated and to finde himselfe so distant from our good graces beleeving that he was not so removed but by the advancement of Hermocrates He had recourse to a thousand devices and at last counterfetted a letter which he sent to my mother as if Eryx who was Hermocrates father had written it to her wherein he advertis'd her not to receive any more his sonne at her house and that he had other designes for him that if shee of her owne accord hindred not those frequent visits of Hermocrates hee should himselfe be forc'd to doe it by a meanes that would be heard with no very agreeable noyse to her See what a crafty plot here was see my mother then in a great wonder and more offended withall As soone as Hermocrates came to see her she prayed him to come no more at her house neverthelesse with so much temper as she express'd no discontentment at all to him beleeving that he had no part in what his father had written to her Hermocrates although my mother us'd him with no discourtesie was yet in a great surprize and besought her an hundred times to tell him what fault he could commit against the respect he ought us She would reveale nothing of the matter to him but in the end she told him that Eryx was not well pleas'd with their friendship He confess'd that his father indeed had propos'd a marriage for him but that it was a thing so unlikely that he beleev'd verily he thought no more of it No no Hermocrates replied she he has forbidden me by writing to receive you here any more but I thinke he might have express'd his aversion to us by something a civiller way Ha Madam sayes he is it possible this you tell me 'T is so true answer'd she that without opposing his desire or my owne honour I can no longer suffer you in this house Then he went his way overcome with displeasure and not knowing how hee should make shift to live any more because that as hee had a great respect and love towards his father so he had also as great a resentment of the injury he thought he had receiv'd from him in such sort that piety and choler began a combat in his soule which gave him no repose at all When he was at home he durst not lift up his eyes upon Eryx for feare of offending him with an ill looke for it had beene impossible for him to see him without paine He would not wish his father any evill and yet he could not desire any good to him so as having liv'd some time in this trouble of spirit he could not rid himselfe of at last he fell sicke and the more care Eryx express'd to have of him the more did his sicknesse increase This good father full of griefe to see in that danger his sonne whom he had reason to cherish as well for the lovelinesse of his person as because he was the onely one he bad who for all this gave no comfort to his sorrow not enduring the sight of him and refusing from his hand the remedies he offered him knew not whence this aversion should proceed of his sonne towards him and shed teares abundantly Hermocrates on the other side seeing his father in that perplexity accused himselfe for an ungracious sonne so to torment his owne father and could not tell whether he should wish himselfe dead or alive well knowing that if he dyed he should but heape sorrowes and anguishes upon the old age of those that brought him into the world and by living he could expect no contentment from them nor give them any But at length Eryx prayed his wife to aske him what cause he had not to love him and if ever he had given him any occasion to be displeased with him that having receiv'd of the gods a sonne so vertuous and obedient hee should thinke himselfe very ingrate towards them and himselfe too if ever it should happen that he gave him any displeasure His mother labour'd to get this secret out of him but he could never be perswaded to accuse his father and hee was resolv'd rather to dye than a word should escape him that shewed any want of respect She forced her selfe many times to make him declare his griefe which she doubted he concealed though she knew no cause he had for it but it was impossible to draw any thing from him In the end this good father outraged with affliction could no longer containe himselfe but approaching his sonnes bed he put himselfe on his knees before him and full of teares prayed him to tell him if ever he had displeas'd him in any thing Hermocrates ashamed at this submission and beleeving he received an injury rather than an honour by it kneeled him downe upon his bed and bowing towards his father desired him as he embrac'd him to rise up and not make his pitty guilty of shame by an abasement unworthy of him No sayes Eryx to him I will never rise untill you have told me wherein I have given you displeasure Ha my father sayes he must I have beene so unfortunate as not to have inviolably followed all your desires and that my affections should be repugnant unto yours What would you say replied Eryx speake more clearely my sonne for I doe not think you have ever oppos'd the thing I desi'rd of you and besides I promise you never to be contrary to any thing you shall desire of mee No no father answer'd Hermocrates be well assured I will never be disobedient to you and I shall take order with my selfe for your sake for ever thinking upon Euphrosyne but. Then he made a stop and his father said to him Goe on sonne and feare not to tell me what you desire you shall learne me what I know not yet and peradventure what I shall as much desire as your selfe Ha! father sayes Hermocrates if it be lawfull for mee to put a reproach upon you your letter made no such expression that you would desire it What letter answered he But not to seeme troublesome to you continued Euphrosyne the good father knew at last there had beene sent to my
advancing my designe one while employing magnificence to shew the grandeur of my estate and birth another while using an extreme modesty for to gaine her mothers heart who approv'd not superfluous expences In the end I turned me a thousand wayes to vanquish her finding that I was ingag'd both by honour and love to carry her from all the rest neverthelesse I acquired nothing upon the spirit of Euphrosyne or her mother But when Hermocrates was return'd from his voyages wherein he had followed Germanicus I found my selfe more reculed yet by farre from what I pretended because Hermocrates having prevented the Syracusians by a great reputation they had of him even before he was return'd every one fixt his eyes upon him as soone as ever he appeared and it seem'd they would not so much as take the paines to regard me That contempt so animated my jealous ambition that I feared not to declare my selfe his enemy having as then no other cause of hating him but that he was more honour'd than my selfe and the more lovely he rendred him to all men the more did I see him with displeasure But when he attempted to love Euphrosyne my jealousie went upon a visible foundation and I practis'd what I was able both openly and secretly for to destroy the opinion was had of him Yet for all this obtaining nothing that way and perceiving how by my expulsion he was receiv'd at Euphrosyne's I cannot expresse to you what rage I felt within my heart at last I found the invention to drive him from that house by meanes of a letter counterfetted from Eryx father of Hermocrates to the mother of Euphrosyne wherein he intreated her not to suffer his sonne at her house because he had destin'd him some where else This crafty device succeeded for a time every one being ready to resent that which touches upon their honour and you know that an offence of this kind so surprises that its impossible one should then thinke of doubting whether the thing be true or false Euphrosyne's mother presently banish'd Hermocrates her house without hearing any defence he could make And for me knowing what had happened to him I inforc'd my selfe to the uttermost of my power for to gaine Euphrosyne in that resentment of injury hoping that to worke Eryx despight they would turne their eyes upon me But Eryx and Hermocrates having made all cleare together my plot wrought its effect against my selfe and in a small time the marriage of Hermocrates and Euphrosyne was agreed on and soone after accomplish'd I conceiv'd such a despite at the contempt they made of me and at the good fortune of Hermocrates that a hundred times I resolv'd to have him dye but seeing there was no remedy to undoe what was already done I could no longer endure to live at Syracuse where I should be constrain'd to see perpetually an object that was so troublesome to my sight but went my way for a long time to Corinth When I was there arriv'd all my acquaintance labour'd to divert me and I sought nothing else my selfe but to expell the griefe that tormented me I went often into companies and at last willing to chace away the passions I travell'd with by one that might be more happy for me I had a designe to make another love and casting my eyes upon Acidalia that was the fairest of all Corinth I enterpriz'd to love her I was willing at my first comming to dazle the eyes of those of Corinth by aproud bravery of clothes and traine which made me be honour'd throughout all companies All the Maids that love these externall ornaments regarded me with a desire and attended with much unquietnesse the choyce I would make of some one of them so as when I made my addresses to Acidalia she received me with a great deale of contentment and I perceiv'd as soone the plots of some other women that labour'd to put me off from this affection by a thousand malicious inventions against Acidalia but those attempts wrought no effect upon me contraiwise the intelligence I had of their purpose caused me to be farther ingag'd with her and because she was very handsome by little and little I was taken with a very violent passion She used much coldnesse at the beginning to assure her selfe the more of me and confess'd not that she would love me but after a long time But when she saw me intirely submitted she tooke a kinde of Empire over me notwithstanding she oblig'd me with a great confidence and so mingling her favours to some affected rigours she made me so in love as I could not live any where but besides her At that time a young man call'd Attalus frequented with us who was well enough borne but that made himselfe so acceptable by many pleasant actions and jesting humours that they thought there could be no good mirth if he were not in the company 'T is true he was of so merry a disposition and so borne to buffonnery as the features of his face his armes his legs and all the rest of his body were not deficient in executing what everslights his wit ordained them There was not a ridiculous person that he imitated not no subtilty he was ignorant of but he had so studied to counterfet the discourse of impertinent and stupid people as it would have beene a difficult matter for him to speake seriously I perceiv'd that Acidalia tooke a little more pleasure than was fitting in whatsoever Attalus did As soone as ever he spake she admired the quicknesse of his wit if he turned but a foot or a hand she made an observation of the gentilenesse of his postures and alwayes gave advice to the very first of his motions for feare hee might lose the praise of any one action I was angry for that she was something overmuch carried away in the estimation of him judging it proceeded from a weake spirit to thinke that highly commendable which was simply ridiculous I endevoured to make her lose by little and little this good opinion she had of Attalus giving her to understand that he had reason thus to counterfet sots and fooles because he could never make a discourse himselfe that expressed an ability to any thing that such wits as these were not proper but for laughter and that we were to have a care of trusting them with a secret or expecting any counsell from them in a matter of importance besides we see ordinarily that women and maids love these persons in publike to make them laugh but for thinking them worthy their affection they are well aware of because this sort of men cannot have the conditions that are necessary long time to entertaine a friendship for said I to her respect discretion and fidelity are qualities too serious for such ready wits they are so free and flitting as they cannot endure a constraint and rather than lose a good word or a pleasant action they will quit all considerations of keeping an affection
after I had bin to see Euphrosyne and carry her all things she might have need of I return'd to finde him and we parted from the haven together then having met with his other shipping that attended him we began to set saile The wind was so favourable that in a few dayes we passed round about the Peloponese and having pass'd the Egean Sea arriv'd happily in the Island where Eurymedon advis'd to land upon the coasts and not at the haven The shore was so desert as we had much adoe to find a man there that could tell us in what estate the affaires of the Countrey were neverthelesse in the end we encountred certaine persons that sought for a retreat in those inhabitable places who told us how a great number of Scythians were come to land in the Isle to pillage it and that the King Archelaus was resolv'd to give them battell having many stranger Princes with him that came to the deliverance of the Princesse Pasithea and were opportunely met with for the safety of the Island and expulsion of the Barbarians Eurymedon learning this newes could not tell what to resolve on he had a great desire to goe and present himselfe to the King to serve him in the day of battell but he fear'd his indignation Besides he knew not how to appeare at the combat without being knowne On the other side it was impossible for him to stay in the Countrey and not be met with either by the Scythians or Archelaus and we had in all but foure thousand men with which we could not resist a great Army at last he bethought himselfe of this subtilty You know he is very young and extremely handsome he resolv'd to disguise himselfe into a Maid so to goe finde the King before he could know him and to tell Archelaus that he was daughter to the King of Thrace whom the Scythians had massacred after they had pillag'd his kingdome and how she had found meanes to save her selfe out of their fury with a few souldiers she brought with her that seeking for refuge at his Court she was glad to finde occasion at her arrive to succour him and be reveng'd upon this cruell people for her fathers death His plot being thus laid he chose out the youngest of his souldiers to be disguis'd also and represent the Maids of her traine and because I have yet no haire on my face he prayed me to be one of that number By good fortune he had made some provision of womens clothes that were very fine having a designe to carry away Pasithea fearing she might need them going so unprovided away with him and this happened very luckily for him and us too I sweare to you when he had taken a juppe and drest up his haire which he wore very long in tresses I was deceiv'd in him my selfe and I know few women that would have exceeded him in beauty He arm'd himselfe onely with a corslet and a caske having his sword by his side and a javelin in his hand He commanded all those that were disguis'd with him to put themselves in the same equipage so we landed some horses out of the ships whereupon being mounted we went in good order in the head of our troops towards Mitylene We had scarce gone halfe the way when we perceiv'd armed horsemen that ran scatter'd about as if they were sufficiently out of heart wee stayed some of them that told us how the Armies of Archelaus and the Scythians were joyned and that the King was very neare to be defeated Eurymedon made the place be shewne him where the battell was given and presently he commanded us to advance and ayd that Prince We arriv'd instantly at a hill from whence we viewed the combat and having knowne the Kings troops that were in great disorder we ran to ayd them which we did so opportunely as the vanquished began to take heart againe Eurymedon in a moment open'd the Squadrons of the Scythians and his womans habit made his blowes appeare more marvellous I followed him close endevouring to imitate his valour and at last we came to the very strength of the battel where the King was fallen from his horse and defended onely with two or three souldiers that with much adoe sustain'd a great number of Scythians Eurymedon kill'd foure or five Barbarians that seem'd to be the most obstinate and while I undertooke the rest alighted from his horse and addressing himselfe to the King said to him Courage Archelaus assure thy selfe thou shalt this day be victor At the same time he help'd him up his horse againe and remounting upon his owne they went together to charge the Barbarians that began to tremble The King had alwayes his eyes fixed upon this unknowne warriouresse and knew not from whence this succours came He admir'd the blowes were given by the arme of this generous Maid and could not beleeve but that it was Pallas her selfe who was come to his defence I will not relate to you all the particular encounters of this battell in the end we remain'd vanquishers and after we were return'd from chasing the flying enemies the King receiv'd Eurymedon with as much respect as if he had bin a goddesse indeed but he not willing to keepe him in that errour told him he was the daughter of the King of Thrace with all he had premeditated adding that he never receiv'd so much joy as in punishing these Barbarians for the death of his father Archelaus tooke the boldnesse then to embrace him in quality of a Princesse and told him that since he had drawne so great an advantage from her fathers calamity and her owne he intreated her in like manner to dispose of all she had conserv'd to him Great King said this disguis'd Princesse I demand nothing of you but a retreat within your territories and that I may live with you in a ranke worthy of my birth The Prince that already felt himselfe touch'd with love sayes to her that it was in her owne power to hold the highest degree in his kingdome her sex was capable of and that hee would make her Mistresse of his estates and of his person too if it pleas'd her Eurymedon would not lose this occasion and said to him The fortune I am in forbids me to hope for such an honour neverthelesse since that you are in permits you all things I accept the offer you make me and I intreat you well to remember your selfe of it when I shall challenge you of your promise He sware to her he would never faile her and that it would be no difficult matter for him to effect what he desired himselfe with so much passion Many Princes arriv'd at the same time and seem'd to desire something of the King who seeing their impatiency told Eurymedon that had nam'd himselfe Hermione how these Princes expected his judgement because he had promised them that he that shewed the most valour that day should have in marriage the Princesse