extremity of loue thou bearest to mée I vow thee recompence but with contract I dare not promise therefore good Theseus suppresse those passions which now thy minde is perplexed with Theseus standing a while commenting of his dull perplexity scarcely dared vouchsafe to giue an answere or demand a remedie yet sayd hee opportunities neglected are signes of follie therefore hée beganne againe in these tearmes Titana the fatall doubts of cruell death is not so feared of me but I dare extend my life with fortunes sate to enioy thy loue why then faire Lady sith I am so wounded with your loue yéeld to my request which is within the bounds of modestie desired If I were lasciuious demanding vnchast desires to vse thee as a Concubine then mightest thou iustly be peruerse say me nay or were I a begger or a base borne vassall of no desert or for reputation vile then would I hold it wisedome or came I like a Scythian Shepheard with my shéepe-hooke on my neck but comming like a Grecian Prince with my Scepter in my hand demanding loue with a chast deuotion me thinkes you should not be so peruerse to deny so kind a demand Quoth Titana good Theseus be not so tedious for to be short in tearmes I will not grant thee loue for loue is the only thing â— hate therfore trouble me no more with such friuolous spéeches if you please to accompany mee as in former time you haue done you shall be the welcomest man in Greece but if you reply with such like speeches as loue I rather desire your a sence than your presence Theseus hearing her still in that froward denying veine quite expel'd hope and included despaire and thus beganne hee which scarcely found beginning O wicked and despairing wretch forlorne and of Titana forsaken worse than the seruilst slaue in Achaia more base than the stimie earth vnderneath thy féete more in bondage than Tunisian gally slaues more vacant on earth than Indians in Arabia and more wretched than Progne in her transformation why how camest thou thus metamorphosed being a Kings sonne oh with loue with loue of that ingratefull Titana for had I not loued Titana she had not caused my vntimely death but measuring my adverse fortune with thy peruerse obstinacy I le end my life and with that hee unsheashed his fatall Engine and sayd thus Faire Lady as like the Camelion I haue liued by the Airy essence of thy loue so like faithfull Theseus by thy hate I le die He sets the point of his sword to his brest Titana séeing him so desperate lightly skipt from off the banke whereon she sate and suddenly takes him by the hand which held his sword and thus beganne Theseus art thou a Prince and a Kings sonne a warriour and Grecians Champion and wilt at a wenches frowne ruine thy body and bring thy aged Fathers gray haires with griefe vnto his graue and his carefull head on a restlesse pillow remember this thou art Heire apparent vnto thy Fathers Crowne and kingdome and by thy well liuing thy Fathers daies are prolonged on earth but by thy ill dying with griefe they are soone ended why then know this braue Theseus wenches will most deny the thing they most desire and séeme most peruerse where most they loue and proue most constant where they séeme most wauering and so will I I loue although I faigned a frowne yet detested I to hate and though my tongue sayd no my heart protested I. Therefore swéet Theseus impute me not peruerse for the heauens know I shame to expresse how proud I haue beene of Theseus loue yet would I not say Theseus I loue thee because then thou mightst repute me immodest being a Lady but the Gods doe know I haue honoured Theseus with a zealous deuotion and I loued Theseus with as dutifull affection as Titana could performe or Theseus desire therefore swéet loue thinke not I yéeld with vrgent prayers but with the force of Loue. Theseus noting her behauiour and hearing such vnexpected tearmes and snared allurements of Titana which made such pleasing harmony in his halfe dead eares was halfe rauished wholly reuiued to his former senses sheathed his fatall blade againe imbracing her in his armes layd battery to her skarlet lips with many a sugred kisse he giues assault and winnes the Fort In briefe they suddenly combind and fully accomplish'd a matrimoniall contract so that after many louely imbracings and pleasing-wanton toyes as loue hath many they parted for the time so fraught with inordinate ioy that it is impossible for the capacity of man to looke so high as their ioy did raise rebounds Fortune now enuying their good acts turnes her Whéele and as she had dimpled her cheekes so now she wrinkled her forehead and vnréeled the destinies for in Achaia there dwelt Oenie which euery yéere did sacrifice the firstlings of his store the which he first assigned of his corne and fruits to Ceres to Bacchus the first pressing of his wine and vnto Pallas Oliue oyle and thus honouring the gods of Graine and fruit hee offered frankincense but at Diana's Altars none was offered hee ouer slipt them the which Diana tooke in high disdaine and sayd he shall not scape vnpunished though he past mine Altars vnworshipped nor vaunt of his escape vnreuenged if I be a Goddesse I le plague him and his fruits and with that away she flies and on the next morne she sent a huge ouer growne Beare to Oenies ground such as the like had neuer yet beene séene This gréedy Boare deuoured the Corne and grasse and rent his â—â—ines vnto the ground and not so sufficed but beganne to ouer-runne and deuoure his Countrey of Achâ—ia insomuch that the husbandmen had laboured in vaine he ouer ranne their Lambs shéepe and Hearvs of Kie nay men women and children went daily in danger of this orped swines dreadfull Tuskes In so much that the people of Achaia preferred supplications to Aegeus Meleagar and Theseus and many other Kings Dukes Lords and Knights to desire their ayde to conquer this mercilesse Hogge the which they all were very willing and affable but Theseus yet he said I although he could haue wisht it no for the reason that moued him rather to haue stayed at home than haue gone was this he was newly returned from his loue Titana and they had both agréed to make their Fathers acquainted with their loues on the next day following which was the day appointed that this Princely knot should méete and accompany each other to the face of the Achaians foe Theseus very much discontent with this newes could haue faigned himselfe sicke and stayed at home but his heart was so enobled with valour that it would suffer excuse to take no place he seeing no remedie but goe he must being that renowned King Meleagar with his royall troopes of valiant Knights accompanied with his Father Aâ—geus were come he like Jason when he ventured for Media or Hercules for Deianita
her began to step hastily to her but euen as he was ready to touch her he perceiued that she was wéeping and lamenting very grieuously to her selfe breathing out her passions in these tearmes Ah infortunate Titana and therefore infortunate wretch borne vnder the destinies displeasure and therefore crost with Fortunes frownes bound to Theseus by loue therefore pincht with care by fate yet Theseus Ah swéet Theseus is dearer farre than my selfe is to my selfe and none shall deflowre mee of his Virgins Rose except this fatall Engin sith protestations vowes and bonds are made and sealed with the wax of Loues swéet lips it 's Theseus and none but Theseus shall enioy my Loue. Theseus séeing her in that dull perplexity and so metamorphosed stand astonished at that sight and had not the power to goe backward nor forward he was driuen to such an exigent faine he would goe backe to lose the sight of so grieuous a prospect and fainer goe to her to know the cause and séeke redresse yet could he do neither but stood still in a dull extasie halfe dead with griefe till at the last shee remou'd her head and lookt vp after a mournfull fashion as Phillis lookt for Demophoon and casting aside her blubbered eyes she espied her Theseus she rose off the banke whereon she sate making her complaints threw away her Fatall Engine tooke him about the necke and kist him smiled and thus bespake him Ah Theseus art thou come to prosecute my weale or woe Quoth Theseus thy weale I hope with hearts content swéet Loue but I pray thee sweet-heart what 's the occasion of these thy preambling passions thus sob'd with sourcing feares Oh said Titana sinister Fortune hath cast me into aduerse perplexities for since thou departedst from these sweet imbracements of mine Fortune hath frowned on our pretence quoth Theseus how swéet Loue Titana faigned to smile yet forced to wéepe thus began Oh Theseus my Father sent Ambassadours to Ambrosia King of Portugall to intreat a marriage betweene his Sonne Pirismus and thy loue Titana his father being as willing to yéeld as my father to demand presently sends ouer his son Pirismus as a pledge of his promise by the returne of my Fathers Embassadors and now is come himselfe to accomplish the match when my father heard the returne of his Embassage and saw Pirismus he called me to him where he opened the whole volume of his pretence perswading me of the Princes intire loue his rare accomplishments and how happie I was to enioy the loue of so rich a friend with many such capitall perswasions in so much that in the end I did reply this obstinate answer I could not loue it was the onely thing that I did hate with such like words that at last he fell from kind perswasions and fell into thundring threats and in such franticke manner that I durst no longer withstand him but gaue consent and promised to be ready whensoeuer he pleased to appoint the time the which he was very ioyfull to heare and appointed the Nuptiall to bee the sixteenth day of this moneth which is the next day following yet good Theseus account not my behauiour light though I haue promised loue to two men at once but know this deare loue it is the one is stedfastly to abide the other but falsly to delude for if I should haue stood obstinate and peruerse denying him then should I haue had his perpetuall hate and in hauing his hate like poore Jove with Argus should still be watcht and lookt after that I the harder should finde opportunity to depart with thee to Tunis therefore to auoyde suspition I made him a faigned promise but still braue Theseus resting at thy command and obeying as thy hand-maide I le liue and die with thee and with that takes him about the necke and doth so pay and repay him with kisses that shée halfe smothers him Theseus heard her politicke answere hearing her witty reply and seeing her loue so constant much commended her wit but more pittied her griefe desired her to patience and wishing her not to be so passionate promised her that euery teare that she had for him spent should from him returne ten thousand ioyes againe and quoth Theseus I haue prouided a ship and all things necessary for our passage which lyee ready in the hauen and if you are ready and willing now there is a fit gate of Winde to transport vs from the Grecian shores to Tunis Quoth Titana my deare loue it is the onely thing I desire through fire and water to follow thee swéet Theseus Quoth Theseus faire Titana this night about the houre of twelue I will come and meet thee héere for then I hold it the best time to depart without suspition of any therefore swéet heart make no delayes neither for Iewels or rich array lest that wee omitting this opportunity may stay long for she like againe for I haue all things néedfull already prouided Titana hearing these ioyfull tidings was excéedingly fraught with boundlesse ioy thinking that euery houre before night came would proue a yéere insomuch that the time being appointed and fearefull to bee espied in their priuate parley after many louely enterchanges and swéet eclipsed lips they parted where wée'l leaue them a while ruminating on their ensuing fortune and turne to Pirismus Who now is prouiding Robes for the Nuptiall which I doubt will proue his funerall yet loue being so vrgent with him it casts a mist before the eyes of his folly in so much that he thinkes euery smile that Titana lends him is a promise of perfection but alasse poore foole that such infancy should rest in such experienced yéeres but t is not to be maruelled at for Cupid doth greater miracles than this sometimes for hée forceth the bondslaue to loue and blinds the eies with folly he makes the yong old and the old become yong againe hée cleares the ageds eyes and make the youthfull dim therfore blame I not Pirismus nor yet cōmend him but as he deserues so let fortune attribute her fauours vnto him where wee le leaue him a spectator to his aduerse hopes turne to Titana Who being mindfull of her promise to Theseus assoone as the Court was quiet and euery man betooke him to his rest Titana very carefully had respect that none might sée nor heare her staied till the dead time of the night which was much about the houre that Theseus had appointed her to come she hearing no noise nor séeing no light throughout all the Court hauing a doore that opened into the Garden she secretly vnlocks it and away shee goes to the wonted place where she findes Theseus attending her comming and without any great circumstance tooke her by the arme and led her forth at a backe gate that Titana had giuen him the key of before where his man Junia stayed his comming with his Gelding he suddenly mounted on his horses back tooke Titana vp behind him and rode to the
his face so perfectly featured and viewing each limb the portraiture of his body so well limited that she greatly commended Dame Natures art and excellencie in shaddowing such perfection vnder her Fortunes lot perswading herselfe that none but Theseus should reape the harnest of her affection being thus perplexed with inordinate passions possest with amorous affection it wrought like a purgation with her in so much that at last she brake her passions in these tearmes Ah Titana thou art in loue I with whom with Theseus with Theseus hee is a Kings sonne why so art thou a Kings Daughter he is famous in birth thou art vertuous and faire by Nature he is a Prince why thou art a Princesse thou euery way art equiualent with him why then if thou lonest Theseus Theseus cannot chuse but loue Titana Ah Titana thou fond foole sigh sob and lament thee of thy follies art thou so fond to thinke that Theseus being a valiant warrier the Grecians champion and heire apparent to that inuincible King Aegeus will looke on thee no thou art not an obiect fitting for his expectiue eye though thy vertuous qualities be opposite to his valorous accomplishments yet he cannot loue Titana why Titana is beautifull vertuous and rich I and after her Fathers decease heire to the Crowne of rich Achaia why then Titana suppresse these franticke passions and incline to louely affections for doe thou but smile hee cannot chuse but loue well when she had thus at large playd and displayd her passionate affection she returnes to her chamber to be melancholy where wée le leaue her Theseus who had receiued such a deadly wound thought it long vntill he had some remedy for it starts him vp from the imbracements of his restlesse bed and walkes towards the Court of Meleagar euen at his approach within the Court gates she clocke strucke eight quoth Theseus it is too earely dayes to séeke to speake with Titana yet I le goe walke a course or two about the Gorden till the clocke strikes againe and that I thinke will be about the time of Titana's rising he immediately turnes on the backe side of the Court to enter into the Garden but when he came he found the doore fast lockt yet Fortune willing to fauour his presence would not suffer him to returne but caused him to knocke the which hée did and immediatly it was opened by a Groome of Titana's chamber quoth Theseus where is your Lady and mistris stirring yet quoth the Groome and shall please your Highnes shee sits alone at the further end of the Garden a reading with that Theseus cast vp his eye and espied his louely Paramour walking in the Garden vnséene of Titana he stept into a gréene Arbour which stood directly opposite against her and not farre distant from her where he first viewed each limit or proportraiture of her body and then beganne hée to breake his passions Ah Theseus ecce sée how her crimson lips stand like two Pilgrimes to adorne those vermillion chéekes of hers which like as the Adamant drawes the stéele so they draw thee to loue Nay behold her chrystall eies how like to vnestimable Diamonds they glitter and giue light to the out chanted Cynthia now last of all sée how farre her twined lookes doe surpasse the Arabian gold in golden beauty when he had thus breathed out his passions in these passionate tearmes he stands a while commenting in this dull perplexity yet at last beginnes to prosecute his passions with these tearmes Theseus thou séest her excellency perfection and beautie why then make a mixture with those and thy intire loue and drinke them as a physicke potion either to cure or kill and so shalt thou be sure to be eased by death else cured to life for in loue there is life in hate there is death but Titana's face resembles an Adamants vertue to draw loue by affection and not kill loue with reiecting and more it is impossible that she should couer a flinty heart with a smiling face for I know the vertue of Venus mollifies the heart of Titana why then Theseus what néedest thou feare shew thy selfe as valiant a Prince to Titana as thou hast done in former time to Mars and returned victor of the field when thou wast beset with millions of foes and wilt thou now feare the repulse of a woman and being thy loue too no thou shalt scale the walles and lay battery to the fairest and with that he stepts out of the Arbour with a modest behauiour and full resolution takes her by the hand and withall dimples her cheekes with a louelie smile as loue giues louers direction and thus beginnes Faire Titana euer since I could conceiue one Amorous thought or cast a wanton eye on beauties perfection I haue remained imburthened with the essence of your beauty and wounded with the vlcerous sore of your loue therefore faire Lady reiect me not with disdaine because I approach with courtesie and as our two aged Fathers liue in peacefull amity so let vs combine a matrimoniall vnity it will not onely be a comfort to them but also an eternall ioy to vs Titana resting and meditating a while at last be paints her chéekes with a maiden blush and thus replies Prince Theseus this is very strange to mee that such inordinate passions of loue should so farre ouerflow her shores on the sudden being no storme nor spring to be the causer therefore Theseus surely this is not loue these are but faigned fictions to try simplicity inluring baites to catch fond folly in wantons snares for Demophoon was faire by nature but prooued false to Phyllis Aeneas was a braue man but as false as Almider yet were their protested vowes greater than common hearts can conceiue Therefore Theseus suppresse thy passions and leaue to loue Titana for she cannot loue thee againe shee is like the starre Artophylax that is beautious to the eye but fit for no vse euen so is Titana iust opposite against nature well still she keepes him at the staffes length and sits her still on the gréene banke where hee found her shadowing her yéelding passions with denying frownes Theseus who all this while had mark'd and viewed each limit of her body and the feature of her face thought it very strange that Nature should endow so faire a face with so hard a heart such comely limmits with such peruerse conditions at last thus beganne to prosecute his cause againe in these tearmes Faire Titana be not proud of beauties painting for it is but a Summers flower the Winter séedes it and those which disdaine in youth are despised in age therefore faire Lady make not a Goddesse of beauty but yéeld me loue for loue and let not the destinies cause me to despaire now in the verdency of my blooming youth Titana sitting still on the banke as it were not regarding him thus beginnes Theseus I commend thine excéeding wit but in this case I pitty thy distresse and for thy
insomuch that to shew his bounty and bind him vnto his promise hée sent him away very richly rewarded where wée le leaue him prouiding for their Voyage and turne to Meleagar Fortaine who had already layd her traine so destinated that it vtterly brake the vnited bands of these two Louers Fathers combinde League and almost to the separating of their loue with heart breaking yet not so content intending as she had giuen them a slender checke so now shee should giue them a cruell blow and to bring her pretence to be managed with perfection she layd her plot in his wise Meleagar walking priuately in his Garden commenting on his Daughter Titana brake out his passions in these tearmes Meleagar thou hast but one onely Daughter and she is now about the yéeres of 23. and she is a Prince so richly deckt and adorned with the gifts of Nature so fraught with beauty and vertuous qualities that she is not onely a comfort to thee but also a ioy to thy poore Commons why then place all thy ioy in her perfection and fith she is now marriageable prouide her a husband that is equiualent with her when he had thus passioned a while he sate him downe vnder a Poomsisherne Trée to meditate on whom he might bestow his Daughter Titana till at last he called to minde great Ambrosia King of Portugall who in former time had bin brought vp togeither for the space of seuen yéeres in Schoole and knowing this Ambrosia to haue a Sonne whose name was Pirismus who was faire by Natures royall by birth by vertues famous and by possessions rich presently sends Embassadors to the King of Portugall to intreate a marriage betwéene his Daughter Titana and his Sonne Pirismus Ambrosia hearing this was excéedingly fraught with ioy and told the Embassadors it was his decrée before they came to haue sent to their King Meleagar concerning the same matter but sith they were so hapily come he told them his nauy was ready and his Sonne Pirismus should along with them to Calidon and if God did permit him he would be there with them within forty dayes The Embassadors hauing receiued their answere and the Prince borded his Fléet the Marriners hoisted their maine sailes weighed anchors and halled into the déepe Fortune fauouring Theseus destinie opens the windowes of Aeolus and giues them a full wind which in a short space arriued them on the shores of Achaia being so fortunately arriued they instantly retired to the Court with the young Prince Pirismus and made report to Meleagar of Ambrosia's answere and how he had sent his Sonne as a pledge in the meane while When Meleagar heard that was Ambrosia's Son hee séemed very angry they did not send him word of their comming that he might haue receiued him in a more Prince like manner but séeing it was now too late to recall what was past he saluted him very submissiuely and told him he was very sorry he knew not of his comming for if he had he would haue met him by the way Well after these and such like words Meleagar takes him about the middle and leades him into the priuy Chamber causing the Nobles to attend them whereas Titana sate a sowing Quoth Meleagar young Prince Pirismus behold there sits mine onely Daughter Titana my chiefest ioy and the originall cause of your Voyage hither and if you please to acquaint your selfe with her you may Quoth Pirismus my noble Leige with your leaue else not Quoth Meleagar yong Prince you haue our leaue to vse your pleasure Quoth Pirismus with a low obeysance thankes my noble Leige and with that steps vnto Titana takes her by the hand and thus beginnes Faire Lady if a 〈◊〉 Prince may vouchsafe so bold to be as to preferre a rough vnpolish'd touch vnto those soft lips of yours without offence my desire is accomplisht otherwise my suit is cold Titana séeing him a stranger and hearing such inordinate tearmes procéede from him was halfe in a misdoubt that her father had brought him to be a suter in a cause that was already ouerthrowne and dammages recouered yet hoping the best though fearing the worst with a low curtisie she thus replies noble Knight as your request is small it is the easier granted againe if I should by dentall refuse it you might iustly appeach me foolish with that he giues her a kisse which she very thankfully receiued and accompanied him vnto her father the which did greatly reioyce the King her father by this time there was a table furnished with such cates and dainties as could at so small a warning be prouided Meleagar sitting downe caused Pirismus to sit on the same side which he sate on and Titana to sit on the other side right opposite against him because they should take a ful veiw of each other the which Pirismus did in so much that her perfection dighted so déepe an impression in his heart that none but Titana could satisfie the Amor of Pirismus eye when he was thus solemnely and sumptuously feasted and royally entertained and so entertained that if Ambrosia had béene there himselfe in person hauing so small warning they could not receiue him with more triumphant royaltie After they had thus sufficiently past the daye in sumptuous feasts and banquets the King gaue command he should be attended on to his lodging and all his Lords Knights and Gentlemen and their followers appointed their lodgings and attended also which being done and all departed Meleagar calls for Titana and thus brake his mind vnto her Titana my gray haires sounds an alarum and calls mee to my graue therefore actions measured by time are seldome bitten with repentance thou art young and I am old my white haires are fading blossomes and thy fresh colors blooming flowers mine preparing to die and thine repairing to liue therefore Titana I take care and tell thee as a father hoping thou wilt giue care and obey as a Childe The chiefe thing I haue taken care for and desired hath béene to sée thee happily married before I die or thou grow old Titana hearing her fathers counsaile and marking well his words beganne to féele which way the winde sate and at last perswaded her selfe in her opinion as this that her father had chosen this young Prince Pirismus to be her spouse fearing to displease her father yet swearing and vowing not to forsake Theseus made him this answer May it please your Grace to giue me leaue to speake Quoth Meleagar we giue you free leaue Quoth Titana Sir there is no greater bond than dutie nor stricter law than Nature for often disobedient youth are despised in age and Parents wills are lawes therefore rather than by deniall I should be appeached of disobedience I le rest content to loue although it be the onely thing I hate I fit may please your Highnesse to appoint whom I shall loue Meleagar hearing this vnexpected answer of his Daughter and séeing how light she accounted of Loue began to be
fauourers to her pretence and thus walkt thée a while commenting in these dull perplexities till at last her passions were so vrgent with her shee could no longer suppresse them but safe her down on a gréene banke and burst out her passions in these tearmes Ah Titana thou vnfortunate wretch art thou a Kings Daughter and liue thus a slaue to Cupid better wert thou a country wench to enioy their louely pleasure than a courtly mistresse thus wrapt in troward miserie now maist thou sée the destinies plague thee for thy disobedience Ah sigh Titana draw dry those two chrystall fountaines from whence these pearled streames descend to ouerflow these tender cheekes of thine loue Pirismus and in louing him thou louest thy selfe Ah no I dare not Pirismus no 't is Theseus and none but Theseus shall haue my true loue Ah foole that thou art to fix so fondly thou knowest Theseus is a Grecian and Greekes thy fathers foes then sticke to thy fathers Election and loue Pirismus for in louing him thou shalt enioy the worlds content Ah no I haue made my solemne vowes to Theseus and will kéepe them 't is not worldly content alone that I desire but Theseus loue the patron of my meditating thoughts the Couch of my weary ioyntures rest and the Crowne of my earthly glory When shee had thus breathed forth her solitary passions from the gray Morne to the red Euen Zephyr beganne to draw the melancholy curtaines of portendous night which caused Titana to depart who hauing taken her leaue of the Orenge and Lemmon Trées which onely did accompany her all that day returnes to her chamber againe where shée immures her selfe in contemplation At hapned that in two dayes after her father Ambrosia Pirismus and all their followers arriued on Calidon shores and Pageants Drums and Trumpets were prouided with swéet persumes and Frankincense the stréets were swéetned for their passage which greatly pleased Ambrosia so that they suddenly arriued at Meleagars Court where they were most sumptuously entertained with banquets and feasting which being done Meleagar willing to make knowne by outward shewes how hee was possest within ward ioyes leapt from his chaire of state and fetcht his Daughter Titana leading her into Ambrosia's presence by the middle Titana séeing her supposed sire faigned on him a smile and withall to grace the dimples of her chéekes she giues them a comely and modest blush and with a low and reuerent courtesie the old obeysance to King Ambrosia the which he séeing suddenly stept to her took her in his armes and louingly imbrac'd her with many courteous and royall spéeches Pirismus who had all this while markd her behauiour blest his Fortune and thank'd the gods for his good accesse when he had so done hée thought himselfe to haue most right to her tooke her aside to the further side of the Roome where hee sported his blind folly and catcht at shaddowes yet to his hearts content and both their Fathers increased ioy but alasse to poore Titana's heart breaking though she faigned a smile in her fathers presence yet was she forc'd to wéepe in his absence Meleagar was so fraught with ioy that hee thought euery day a yéere that his Daughter went vnmarried yet past he six dayes more in kéeping Ambrosia company and shewing him the Pastimes and pleasures that hee chiefely tooke delight in the meane time he called to him his chiefe Officers and Nobles and demands if all things were ready for the Nuptiall the which they all answered I. When Meleagar heard that he was very ioyfull and presently makes Ambrosia Pirismus and Titana acquainted with his pretence which was this that on the seuenth day following being the sixtéene day of the month he did purpose to accomplish the marriage betwixt Pirismus and Titana the which they all séemed to be very ioyfull glad of saue onely Titana yet shee séemed no lesse than ioyfull in the sight of her Father but in her chamber she passioned whole riuers of teares from her christall eies where wee l leaue her to the fauour of the gods and turne to Theseus Who all this while hath béene very busie and laborious in his carefull affaires and hauing accomplish'd his busines finish'd his purpose and layd the ship ready in the Hauen is very desirous to speake with his loue Titana but his father being present he could find no opportunity fitting to make escape forth which bred hatefull melancholly in so much that he immured vp himself in his chamber to sollicite sadnes Fortune smiling at his folly dandled him once again on her indulgent knée It hapned at that instant a Noble man of Aegeus Court riding through a Forrest that was some eight miles distant from Athens espyed a wilde Boare and knowing the King loued the sport of hunting as well as the one halfe of his kingdome came riding post to the King and made report of his busines the king hearing him caused sudden preparation to be made he hauing a very faire Pallace standing in the midst of the Forrest determined to go thither to bed that night the which preparation being made and all things ready he calls for Theseus but he had heard some inkling of his fathers hunting progresse and how he was vpon going faigned himselfe sicke and tooke phisicke when word was brought to the King that Theseus could not goe he demanded the occasion they answered hée was not well hée tooke phisicke The King hearing that newes and loth to delay time and so lose his sport called his Nobles about him where they mounted their Stéeds and rode towards the Forrest where wee le leaue them to their sport and turne to Titana Who now hath little hope to enioy Theseus loue for the six dayes are al most expired and the seuenth is the Nuptiall day appointed which was the next day following yet being the last day of her hope she went one morning to walk in the Garden to séeke her Theseus bearing a sharpe Engine in her hand determining with her selfe that as she had made her vowes to Theseus none should enioy her loue but Theseus and where she did protest those vowes to Theseus there she meant to sacrifice her blond to the Gods for Theseus sake where wée le leaue her Theseus hearing his father was gone puts on a disguised suite of apparell and secretly conueyes himselfe forth at the Court gates by Junia's meanes determining neuer to come in againe sends Junia to the Hauen where the ship lay and caused him to attend his comming there which done his walkes towards the Court of Meleagar which was at that time neare adioyning to the City of Atheus hee being arriued at the Court suddenly makes meanes to enter the garden which being entred hee walkt to the farther side where hee was wont to méete his Loue Titana he was no sooner approacht but he spied her where she sate leaning her head on her hand as though she had béene asléepe he no lesse then glad to see
and againe but still he denied her yet would she take it for no answer but still importuned him for loue in so much that he began to be very angry with her and beganne to goe forth of her chamber the séeing no hope to obtaine loue of him she sware she would haue his life she steps to him againe and thus besets him Thou faire faced Peregrino canst thou deny a Wench that comes of gentle bloud no vassall nor runnagate but bred borne in gentility therefore reade the margent of my browes and thou shalt sée that thy birth is not equiualent with mine thou knowest how my Lord and Master entertained thee the other day as a Pilgrime that meant to spend his life in Pilgrimage and wilt thou reiect mee that am a Gentlewoman of good account no no Pirigrino remember thy selfe what thou wert when thou camst hither and yéeld Impio loue Pirigrino hearing her so insatiable in this vaine attempt began to wrest away from her whereupon she cried out helpe helpe he will rauish me with that steps in the yong man that she had appointed to beare false witnesse against him and cries out for helpe too and suddenly came running in diuers of the Court and layd hands on him and news was carried to the Lands-grave and the Emperour of Pirigrino's fact Alphonsus very sorry to heare this tidings yet would not séeke to excuse him but suffered him to goe to prison where he lay for the space of six daies the seuenth according to the order of their law he was had in examination and for the loue Alphonsus bare him he would heare the triall of the matter himselfe that he should haue no wrong but when he heard how euidently the matter was proued against him by this rong fellowes meanes that came in and sware directly against him it was a fact that was so hainous not to be forgiuen their lawes were so strict against it when he had thus consider'd with himselfe the greatnes of the offence the seuerenesse of their Law he held his tongue and suffered the Law to passe on him which ouerthrew him the sentence of death was pronounc'd against him that the next market day there should be in the midst of the market place a stake erected to which stake he must be bound fast with Iron chaines and so done fire kindled about him and so burne to death the law hauing thus past on him and the sentence of death pronounc'd against him they carried him back to the prison vntill the next market day in the meane while they made ready the stake and set it in the midst of the market and when the day came according to their order they brought him to the place of execution where was gathered together two or thrée hundred to sée him executed he was so beloued that there was many a wéeping eie for him and cried out to the Sheriffes saying it was a great pitty so braue a man should die for so small an offence yet they could not doe withall but caused him to be tied to the stake which done they layed straw faggots about him and were kindling the fire about him yet did he smile and laugh on the people and prayed them to pray for him the which they did all very heartily he prouided himselfe to die euen as the fire was kindling there came riding by a Knight of Athens by chance as he was trauelling into France espying a multitude of people gathered together turnes his horse-head and rides to the place to sée the occasion when he came néere to the place and séeing a man bound fast to the stake he began to looke very earnestly on him in so much that in the end hee beganne to perswade himselfe that it was Theseus thrusts in amongst the people thus spake Prince Theseus Theseus suddenly look'd vp maruelling who it was that knew his name so perfectly looking on this knight called him to mind and answered Horatio Quoth the Knight Horatio for so was his name my Noble Liege what make you here thus bound with chaines so neere your death Quoth Theseus I haue béen falsely accused and now condemned to die Horatio intreated the Sheriffes to hold backe the fire a little whilest he went to the Emperor to certifie him what he was for he is a kings son and falsely accused The Sheriffes although they were to haue done the execution by an houre yet for that loue they bore to him they pul'd backe the fire Horatio gallopt to the Emperour and told him in few words that hee knew not what to put a Kings Son to death vpon a false accusation with such such like words he roughly bespake the Emperor without all feare or reuerence in so much that the Emperour sent some of his chiefe attendants with his priuy Signet to fetch him againe to heare the matter more plainely proued the whilst they went to fetch him Horatio declared what he was the occasion of his departure from his owne Countrey Quoth Alphonsus he told me that was the occasion of his departure but hee told me be was a Gentleman and a yonger brother by this time the Emperors men came to the place of execution where they declared his will and shewed the Sheriffes the Emperors signet when they saw the Signet they knew it was the Emperors will hée should be brought theÌ„ they caused him to be vntied which when the people heard there was such casting vp of hats hooting and reioycing as though heauen earth would haue gon together when he came to the court he was examined againe of this matter the which he vtterly denied wherupon the fellow was called againe that came in against him and demanded if this man were guilty or no he answered I. The Emperour would not beléeue him so but would make a farther triall of it sends presently for a racke to racke him till he told the truth assoone as the racke came the very feare sight of the racke made him fall on his knées confesse all telling how Impio did hire him to doe it I gaue him fifty Crownes The Emperor and the Lands-grave hearing this sends for Impio who hearing her knauery was com out gets her into her chaÌ„ber where she suddenly strangles her selfe with a Towell she being found there dead in this manner they were all very sorry and desired Theseus to pardon their hasty rash iudgement the which he fréely pardoned this being past the Emperor the Landsgrave intended to accoÌ„pany Theseus into Greece command a Fléet of ships to be prepared for this voyage this news being bruted about Perigrino was a Kings Son of Greece so that in the end it came too Titana's eare who was halfe perswaded it was her Theseus well she could not be quiet in minâ— till she saw him the next day she made an excuse to go forth goe to the Emperors court as she was entring the court gates she met her Theseus yet not knowing him directly but stood stil look'd on him he did the like on her til at last Theseus said Titana when she heard him say so she stâ—â—t to him and with ioy she wept and the like did he like two Turtle Doues they sweetly bild each other when they had thus don they made it knowne to the Emperor Alphonsus that she was K. Meleagars daughter she was she that the pirats took from him this news bred more admiration and more in Fuesen this being past the ships ready all things prouided the Emperor clothes them in very rich array causeth them to board the Nauy there did accompany them the Emperor the Duke of Branswicke the Lands-grave of Hessen and diuers other knights and Gentlemen of good account and reckoning which being a full wind suddenly arriued in Athens K. Aegeus séeing such a Fléet of goodly ships coÌ„ming began to misdoubt the worst sent out a Pinnace to sée what they wore and to what intent they came which returned him this answer shall please your Highnes there is the Emperour of Germany the Duke of Brunswicke the Lands-grave of Hessen your yong Prince Theseus Aegeus hearing that ne're staiâ—d to call any to attend him neither to put on his cloake but 〈◊〉 tâ— méet them without hat or cloak His Son Theseus coÌ„ming for most in the troop when he saw his Father fell downe on his knées the aged king stooped tooke him vp in his armes and wept bitterly for ioy hauing so done he salutes Titana the rest in the courteousest maner he could deuise The Citizens hearing of their coÌ„ming againe to shew their ioy made Bonfires showes with Bells ringing throughout all the City the Courtâ—â—â—s knights appointed Iusts and Turnies to signifie their 〈…〉 gratifying the Kings fortunate hap Aegeus hearing of his Sonne Theseus aduerse haps since he departed from him thought now to accoÌ„plish his ioy caused preparation for the Nuptiall which being done and twenty dayes fully expired in solemne feasting the Emperor the Duke the Lands-grave with their followers took their leaue and departed Aegeus sent for his men that were in the field against the Achaians Calidons proclaimed a finall peace and crowned Theseus king of those thrée kingdomes hauing this done and finish'd all things as he could wish he gaue his Son charge of the well gouerning his estate to kéepe the hearts of his coÌ„mons after these and such liue words he died euen with ouer ioying himselfe at Theseus return his father being dead he caused his funeral to be made which done his father intombed his solemne obsequies being past Titana Theseus ended their vales in quiet rest FINIS