had a very great friendship and besides was obliged to he felt that friendship growing stronger within him To which may be added that looking on him as at a great distance from happiness he could not entertain any envy against him Nay on the contrary he became his Protector as to Clelius Sulpicia and Clelia Yet had he as little discourse as he could with his admirable Sister who also for her part avoided all conversation as much as civility permitted by reason of the melancholly she was in that she could not hear from her dearest Aronces who at that time was kept so close a Prisoner that he had not the liberty to write Celeres was also equally ill-treated and the Prince of Pomstia and Prince Titus were no longer in a capacity to do him any good office which troubled them very much For they were themselves at a loss as to all opportunity of writing to Hermilia and Collatina whom they both loved and were beloved by For Aronces he endured all that an unfortunate Lover could endure He was a Prisoner to a Prince that was his Rival he thought he had two Rivals about his Mistress for he knew not that the pretended Prince of Numidia was her Brother he thought in all probability that Porsenna would engage in the interests of Tarquin Celeres was a Prisoner he could not see the Princes that were wont to comfort him and he could hear no tidings from Clelia so that he had only the assistance of his own courage to oppose so many misfortunes What added to his affliction was to understand by those that guarded him that Tarquin had a considerable Army and that within a few days in all likelihood the fate of Rome would be decided by a Battel before Porsenna had the time to declare For had he been at liberty he would with incredible joy have fought for his friends for a just cause for his Mistress and for to smother the valor of his Rivals by the greatness of his own But seeing no hope of liberty he was extreamly cast down though he seemed resolute enough to those whom Tarquin had set to look after him But for this Tyrant and the cruel Tullia they were extreamly well satisfied to see they had an Army for as it is ordinary with those who attribute nothing to the conduct of a superiour power to be easily persuaded that injustice may be ever prosperous they made no question but to see Rome once more under their Tyranny and when they were alone together they debated the punishments should be inflicted on Brutus Valerius Clelia Lucretia's father Herminius Horatius Mutius and divers others who expressed a particular zeal for her liberty For Amilcar for his great wit sake they were content only to forbid him any abode in Rome as they would also serve Artemidorus and Zenocrates Thence they fell to dispose of the Estates of all the best Families they promised rewards to those that served them at their charge who were not engaged in their interests They proposed not only to purge the Senate but to abolish it and there is not any thing so tyrannical which the desire of revenge suggested not unto them But as for Clelia they said nothing one to another of her their designs being so different as to what concerned her that they could not be communicated for Tullia's intention was to have her put to death so to disburthen Tarquin's heart of her and Tarquin's to make her Queen if he could dispatch Tullia out of the way In the mean time having nothing to expect from Rome and imagining they should never reduce it but by force they sent for Sextus on whom Tarquin bestowed the chief command of his Army next himself But while this Prince made it his only business to re-establish his Tyranny Brutus Valerius and all their illustrious friends minded nothing so much as how to oppose it To this end the Legions were reviewed with all the accustomed Ceremonies The Consuls made a kind of particular sacrifice in the field of Mars in order to the War wherein were offered three several Victims consecrated to Mars for it happened that the season which is by the Romans called Lustrum was expired and for that reason it was requisite according to their custom to purify the Army by that sacrifice purposely instituted to make a review of the Soldiery from five years to five years and to inspire them with new courage But this being not for a simple review only to know the number of the Soldiery but looked on as concerning liberty and publick safety it inspired the whole people of Rome with an universal curiosity all the Ladies were present at the ceremony which was performed in the best order in the world Never were the Chiefs seen more magnificent nor the Souldiers better armed Even Brutus himself notwithstanding his melancholly conceiving it necessary to gain the respect and vows of the people by magnificent objects put on Coat-armor such as for lustre the world could not afford the like Yet were there some marks of mourning in his equipage for his horse was black his Feather black and he had divers black twists amidst the gold wherewith his magnificent Coat shined All the other Chiefs were also very richly armed and all the Soldiers had taken so much pains to make their Arms bright and clean that the least agitation of these several bodies making all objects shine again the lustre was so great as could hardly be endured And as there was not any Roman-Souldier who made it not his design to gain reputation in this War and to be remarkable so had they all particular Badges some distinguished by their several Feathers some by the skins of stout beasts which they fastned on their Shoulders as those of Lyons Wolves Tygers and Panthers some by what they had about their heads as burnished Leather glittering steel some by their large Bucklers wherof the edges were very different Those that had any particular inclination to some beauty and withall somthing to express the posture of their thoughts and fortune But besides the ordinary ensigns Brutus had caused to be fastned under every one of them a streamer wherein in some of them were found these words in the vulgar language CONQUER OR DYE And in some others For GLORY and LIBERTY So to acquaint the Souldiers both with the occasion of the War and their duty But besides all the several Troops whereof these Legions consisted which made up the Army there was a Body of those that came from Ardaea to which the Voluntiers were that day joined such as Themistus Meleagenes Amilcar and divers others For Octavius though he had not passed through the several offices he should have done according to the Roman Discipline as having not been brought up at Rome yet was he ranked among persons of quality of his age such as Horatius Mutius Spurius Herminius and divers others of the same condition who were in the Catalogue of those
lov'd but things being dispos'd otherwise by reason of Sextus's wound he was forced to come against that man who of all the world was the dearest to Hermilia excepting himself For Brutus his thoughts were so taken up with revenge of Lucretia and the liberty of Rome that he looked on whatever was in Tarquin's Army as what he was obliged to destroy Nor did he appear otherwise in the head of his men than one whose extraordinary forwardness seemed to presage a victory to those that looked on him The two Armies being thus in a posture of fighting and so near one the other that it was impossible but they must come to blows Brutus though the weather were very fair heard a thunder-clap on his left hand which was a happy presage to his Forces for according to the observations of the antient Thuscans Thunder coming on the left hand of an Army ready to fight was a sign of victory Brutus therefore making his advantage of so favourable a disposition as that he then perceived in his Forces gave order for the charge and marched on and all followed so that that great body consisting of so many different parties being animated by the same spirit came up without the least disorder within a Darts cast of the enemy Tarquin on the other side being in the head of his main battel advanced towards Brutus as Brutus did towards him The first cast of Darts happened at the same time so that meeting together and crossing they did less execution than if they had been cast successively But when that shower of Darts was over the fight began with the Cavalry the right wing which was Valerius's engag'd with that of Prince Titus and had at first very much the advantage and that of Brutus with the Prince of Pometia's But Brutus desirous to shew by his own example how he should slight death that would carry a victory advanced twenty paces before with his sword drawn seeming by a threatning action to challenge him that was in the head of the wing that was opposite to him though some have interpreted it otherwise The Prince of Pometia perceiving the eyes of two great Armies to be upon him turns to a friend of his that knew the affection he bore Hermilia and listing up his eyes to heaven May it please the gods said he to him that if I cannot overcome without killing Hermilia's Brother that I may not survive the victory Whereupon that generous Prince being obliged to do what in point of honour he could not avoid advanced before his forces as Brutus did before his So that they had the glory of exchanging the first blows of that bloody battel But alas those blows proved fatal to both since that by a strange destiny the wounds they gave one the other prov'd both mortal for at the same time that Brutus violently made towards the Prince of Pometia he came as eagerly towards him and meeting together with equal impetuosity Brutus as he run his sword through his enemy run himself upon his so that they were both seen to fall together whereupon follow'd a most cruel fight between the Tarquinians and the Romans But to shew how predominant the love of Lucretia and that of his Countrey was in Brutus's heart O ye just gods cry'd he falling as one that was near him hath related since I die satisfied so Rome be free and Lucretia revenged Herminius extreamly troubled at this accident caused the body of his illustrious friend to be brought off to see whether he were quite dead which perceiving he was the indignation he conceived thereat added very much to his ordinary valour and made him to do things worthy immortal glory Aemilius and Mutius did also all that persons of Worth and courage could do but the soldiery disheartened at the death of Brutus fought at first but very weakly insomuch that soon after being unwilling to be commanded by Octavius Mutius Herminius or any of the other Chiefs they began to give ground and to run away and that with such confusion one upon another that the stoutest were forced to go along with the disordered multitude who despairing of victory now that Brutus was dead would by no means fight it out It was therefore to no purpose that Caliantes and Alcimedes endeavoured by their example to rally them again for having no leader they would confide in they did only what their fear advised them to In the mean time though the enemy had lost a valiant Prince but not so considerable among the Tarquinians as Brutus was among the Romans yet not despairing of Victory they sought courageously besides that Tarquin heaving of the death of his Son came in person to the place so that the Roman Forces being frightned never was there a more horrid spectacle for the Tarquinians dispatched all before them notwithstanding the opposition of Brutus's illustrious friends So that though Valerius had had the advantage over the left wing of the enemy yet was the battel in a fair way to be lost as to the Romans when that Horseman that Brutus had seen on the Mountain on the left hand and who was come into the Plain came with his sword drawn among the Roman forces At first was it not known whether he were a friend or an enemy but it was soon discovered for having observed the terror the Romans were in and heard a confused report of Brutus's death whither run you friends says he to the frightned Souldiers whither run you you must be slaves if you turn not upon the enemy and you shall be free if you revenge Brutus's death follow me then and do but what I shall do before you Some that heard these words knowing that he that spoke them was Aronces whom they had seen do such great actions in the Court of Tarquin s Palace when he endeavoured the deliverance of Glelia made a halt and cried out Aronces Aronces Herminius who strived to rally the Soldiers that run away turning about at those out-cries perceived that it was indeed the valiant Aronces who was putting himself into a posture of fighting So that crving out with the rest Aronces Aronces the name passed from mouth to mouth among those scattered forces who thereupon looking on that Prince as an envoy from heaven rallied put themselves in order and began to fight with a strange earnestness Aronces in the first place killed Helius with whom he had fought before near Ardaea and who was one of the chief Commanders of the enemies Army What added to his ordinary valour was that he saw Octavius do things worthy eternal fame so that looking on him still as his Rival he endeavoured to exceed him as much in valour as he thought he did in love He therefore did things beyond description because they would seem incredible for he carried terror with him wherever he made them feel the weight of his Arm. What was yet further remarkable was that his presence might be said to have dissolv'd that enchantment
soon be ended He parted from Amilcar with much dearness notwithstanding his being his Rival but for the three other his Rivals he bad them not adieu His civility was greater towards Clelia to whom he made a thousand protestations of friendship as likewise to Octavius who being better recover'd had a long conversation with him before his departure to oblige him to serve Aronces to the utmost of his power since he was going to be of the same Party intreating him to be confident that if he could find occasion of seeing him he would promote his interests faithfully with Clelius and against Horatius After which this generous Veientine having thanked Clelius for all the favours he had received from him departed from Rome where the same day there arriv'd news which was not very acceptable For intelligence was brought that Porsenna was so diligent in assisting Tarquin that in a little time the troops of Veii and Tarquinia would be united with his and that he had resolv'd to be in person in the head of his Army It was also inform'd that Publicola would return within three dayes because having been advertiz'd by Herminius that there was beginning of division in the Senate since his departure he judged it more important to take care for the assuring of Rome than to preserve the out-places of it Besides his Army being too weak to undertake to sustain the first attempt of that of the King of Hetruria when the Forces of the Veientines and those of Tarquin should be added to it he thought it better to let the Enemies cool and weaken themselves before he offered to fight them The vertue of Publicola being highly respected by all the Romans the news of his return produc'd a good effect in Rome They who had begun to divide themselves reunited and had not the boldness but to appear zealous for their Country before a man who had no other interest and who having all the People at his devotion might easily punish them for their delinquency The return of Publicola was no doubt very acceptable to Valeria but Mutius coming back with him diminisht part of her joy because he had such a kind of haughtiness in his deportment that she had rather this imperious Lover would alwayes have been at the war than return'd to Rome The forces being also to come back Clidamira and Berelisa thought fit to defer their journey to Praeneste till the return of the Army and moreover Artimedorus being at Rome they had no great impatience to leave it But as for this Prince he ardently wisht Berelisa had been there alone having scarce any opportunity of seeing her without Clidamira for which reason he took no delight in seeing her and was more frequently with Clelia than with her for this aimiable Lady looking upon him as Aronces his friend and a wise good and discreet Prince to whom she might communicate all the secrets of her soul had very much affection and complacency for him As they were one day together a Slave of Artimedorus brought him a Letter which oblig'd him to take leave of her without telling her the cause of it Tho the same night he return'd to her to beseech her she would please to take a walk the next day with Valeria Cesonia and Plotina in a Garden not far from the Sublician bridge Clelia not caring for divertisement desir'd to be excus'd but Artimedorus telling her the business was to do a good office to Valeria and that he could not discover more of it to her she promis'd she would be ready when Cesonia Valeria and Plotina should come to call her knowing Sulspicia would not refuse to let her go with those Ladies her dear friends And accordingly the next morning they whom Artemidorus had nam'd came to her house there being no men in the company besides Artemidorus and Herminius As they were going to the Garden Clelia ask'd Valeria what service she desir'd of her I should rather answer'd she desire to know what I may do for your service for Artemidorus has told me you had need of me in relation to some affair It is to be believ'd then reply'd Clelia that 't is he that has need of us but in reference to my self I cannot but think him too blame for taking such a course since I should serve him with joy In my opinion said Valeria it must be for something which Berelisa is concern'd Then they asked Cesonia and Plotina if they knew what the business was which occasioned their going to that Garden For my part answered the first I know no more of it but that Artemidorus told me you both desir'd me to accompany you thither and to take Plotina with me 'T is some satisfaction to me said Clelia that we shall soon know what the business is with us When these Ladies were arriv'd at the gate of that garden where Artemidorus and Herminius waited for them they lighted from their Chariot and entered into the Garden where they found no person at all wherefore they demanded what was the design of their coming thither Be not impatient answered he you shall know it presently but you shall not know altogether but severally what has induc'd me to deceive you and bring you hither at least Clelia and Valeria shall be together in one place whilst Cesonia and Plotina shall be in another If Artemidorus had not been well known to these four persons this would have occasion'd strange thoughts in them but being ascertained how prudent and discreet he was their curiosity did not inquiet their minds at all But said Plotina I desire to be satisfied whether Herminins be more knowing than we are He shall be so presently answered Artemidorus for he shall know all that shall be told Clelia and Valeria tho not till after them For my part said Herminius I desire never to know any thing concerning my friends but what they are willing I should After this Artemidorus having been to give order that none should be admitted into the Garden led Cesonius and Plotina into a walk which was on the far side where they found an old man who no sooner beheld Plotina but he knew her altho it was a very long time since he had seen her But this fair Virgin could not know him otherwise than by his voice and was some time before she could recollect her self At length calling him to mind she testified much joy to see him and believing he was her Uncle made him a thousand caresses Alas said she to him embracing him where have you been for so long time You shall know answered he when I have opportunity to tell you without any other witness than Cesonia to whom I know you have such great obligations that 't is fit she be acquainted with all your fortune Alas reply'd Plotina my fortune is very easie to know for when I have said I have lost my father and my mother while I was yet in the cradle and alwayes liv'd with the vertuous
endeavour to discover the truth if he does not his disobedience will argue his guilt The Prince judging this advice of the Princess reasonable sent an express order to Cloranisbes to come forthwith to him and to resign the command of the Forces to another whom the Prince nam'd to him But at the same time that this order was dispatcht away this subtle Princess oblig'd those false Friends of Cloranisbes whom she had suborn'd and treacherous Domesticks to write to him to beware of coming So that when Cloranisbes receiv'd the Prince's order he received four tickets which extremely perplex'd him for in the first he found only these words Very bad offices have been done you here have a care and distrust all things In another The Prince is much incensed against you the Princess excuses you as much as she is able but cannot appease him take care of your affairs and your safety There was also a third in which Cloranisbes found these words Your destruction is design'd Cloranisbes therefore do not trust to your innocence for they which have power to ruine the innocent make them criminal when they please But that which astonisht Cloranisbes most was the fourth which spoke thus If you obey the Princes Order you cannot escape imprisonment or death this is all that can be told you by a Friend who hazards his own fortune to save you You may judge Madam in what a perplexity Cloranisbes was for he did not mistrust those who gave him this advice But that which wholly perswaded him to think himself lost was that the Princess of Carthage having cunningly caus'd a rumor to be spread in Utica that if Cloranisbes came he should be arrested he receiv'd also twenty other adviso's and particularly one from so faithful a Friend that he could not doubt of it Yet his own inclination led him to trust to his innocence and to go to the Prince But having consulted two very prudent friends whom he had in the Army they disswaded him from it But if I do not obey said Cloranisbes I render my self suspected and become culpable Believe me answer'd one of those that counsel'd him 't is better for a man to render himself suspected than miserable but to take a middle course in this extremity and to testifie that you design not to render your self Master of the Forces leave the Army and go towards Utica and whereas you have a house upon the frontier feign your self sick write to the Prince that assoon as you recover you will go to him and in the mean time your friends will do their utmost to discover what you are accus'd of and justifie you to the Prince This counsel seeming very prudent to Cloranisbes he oppos'd his own inclination and follow'd the advice of his friends So he left the Army made shew of intending to go Utica feign'd himself sick when he was at his house upon the frontier and writ to the Prince after the manner that he was counsell'd But at the same time he answer'd all those that had given him intelligence and conjur'd them to send him what they could learn Wherefore they that betray'd him shewing his Letters to the Princess who endeavour'd to destroy him she made use of them to perswade the Prince that he was not really sick and to inform him what a curiosity he had to know all that was spoken of him at Utica For though he spoke in his Letters as being innocent yet they contributed something to make him seem culpable because they imply'd that he was not very sick that he was desirous of intelligence and durst not trust himself But to make the matter worse this subtle Princess pretending to be his Friend sent one of her own Physicians to him to the end that if he were in health as she believ'd he might inform the Prince of it and that if he were sick she might make him report that he was not Now for that a Feaver is not to be had at pleasure Cloranisbes took his bed indeed and carried himself like a sick man but the Physician found that he was in health and reported so to the Prince who no longer doubting but that Cloranisbes was guilty was so exasperated against him that all the intercessions of his true friends could not hinder the Prince from sending to forbid him coming near to Utica for the house where Cloranisbes stay'd was upon the frontier So that Cloranisbes was banisht without knowing the cause of this severity against him At first he was extremely afflicted but having a great and firm Soul he took a resolution on a sudden and writ to his Friends to desire them not to trouble themselves further about making his peace assuring them that he found his heart strong enough to be able to live in solitude and enjoy himself without being concern'd with the rest of the world 'T is true there was a wise old man who contributed much to cause him to take this resolution for going to see one of his friends a days journey from his own house he lost his way and went cross the corner of a Forest And finding a mountainous and barren Countrey beyond he perceiv'd some miserable Shepherds tilling a little corner of ground between the Rocks and observ'd a venerable old man who liv'd in a Cave not far off and who with a countenance both melancholy and serene said to them as he beheld them Alas poor people beware of rendring your fields fruitful leave your land uncultivated if you love quiet for if your Countrey become good you will soon have War Cloranisbes who stopt to ask the way having heard what this venerable old man said seem'd surpris'd at it and turning towards him Tell me I pray said he for what reason you would make a desart of the Countrey you dwell in Because answer'd he solitude is always inseparable from desarts barrenness upholds solitude vertue and peace are in solitude preserv'd and felicity found if it be possible for men to be capable of it This old man who was a Greek though he spoke the African tongue and whose name was Andronodorus spoke this with so grave an air that Cloranisbes believ'd that perhaps the Gods had caus'd him to meet with him for his comfort Wherefore lighting from his horse and giving him to the slave which follow'd him he drew Andronodorus apart and askt him who he was where he liv'd what had caus'd the aversion which he had against the World My Lord said he to him I was born at Samos and I was banisht by Polycrates when he usurp'd the Soveraign Power because he knew well I could not submit So I departed from my Countrey with all that I could carry in a Ship intending to see if it were possible for the monsters of Africa to be more inhumane than the men of my Countrey For in truth my Lord I acknowledge to the shame of mankind I never found any thing but weakness folly injustice and wickedness in all places where
Office of a Mediator between his Grandfather and his Father talking one while unto one another while unto the other to regulate their conditions with the sweet ingredient of Galerita's prayers he compleated the pacification between them But whilst this Princess was talking Celeres who stayed in the Chamber acquainted Aronces with the manner how Porsenna got out of prison He told him how Nicius had quitted the Isle of Saules and was gone disguised to acquaint all the Commanders in his name that the Son of Porsenna would shortly appear and that they should all prepare themselves to save the life of that King in case Mezentius should attempt any thing against it and that since the Troops were quartered very near the Castle where the Prince was guarded so it hapned that those who Mezentius had sent that morning to make Porsenna either consent unto the Divorce or die if he would not did meet with Nicius whom they knew very well and their minds being troubled with the Order which they had received they had some conference with him about it Nicius aiming at nothing more than to procure Friends for Porsenna he told them as much as he told all the rest whom he desired to gain and he was more zealous with them because he understood they were to go unto the Castle where Porsenna was kept So as they imagining what would be their destiny in â—ase they should put to death a King whose son should one day be their Master fears did so seise upon them that they believed Nicius so as having made them change their minds they made use of a Letter of Credence which they carried unto him who commanded the Castle moving him thereby to let Porsenna come out These two Men telling him that Mezentius intended to have him carried unto another place The matter seemed the more likely because Nicius having all the Commanders of the Troop for him there was four hundred horse at the foot of the Castle the Commanders saying that they had orders to conduct and guard this Prince To be short the things was done and Porsenna at his coming out the same time that Galerita was carried unto Perusia shewed himself unto the Army And after a speech to the Commanders and Souldiers desiring their assistance for the liberty of a Princess who one day would be their Soveraign they all did promise him fidelity He went first with four hundred Horse only unto the Gates of Perusia appointing all the Army to follow and his intention was to demand the Queen his Wife and Aronces of Mezentius But as he was ready to execute this intention Sicanus met him and telling him that all the people at the sight of Galerita were in a great disposition to rise he changed his mind and resolved to enter inuo Perusia and after he had sent forth fresh Orders unto the Army to make hast up Porsenna in the head of these four hundred horse entred the Town after that Sicanus had acquainted all the friends of Aronces who were at the house of the Princess of the Leontines but as he related the business unto them they received intelligence of all the passages at the Palace against Aronces Galerita and him so as changing the design they went to meet Porsenna whom they advised to go strait unto the Palace This King from whom his Prison had not taken away his brave mind and Majesty marching through the streets of Perusia followed with those four hundred Horse and all the friends of Aronces and his own which amounted to no small number did infinitely win upon the minds of the people for he saluted them with all civility and told them that he looked for nothing but the liberty of Galerita Adding that Aronces was his Son and that Mezentius knowing it would have put him to death The people were charmed with him followed him to the Palace of Mezentius as I told you and would have helped him in the execution of his design But to make it most manifest concerning the knowledge of Aronces Flaura and her Husband desired to enter and did so for then it was not a time to insist upon Ceremonies Nicius and Martia arrived also and brought with them a Man whom Clelius sent unto Aronces by whom he sent the same Cradle in which he was found floating upon the Sea after Nicius had suffered shipwrack So as there wanted nothing concerning the knowledge of Aronces and Porsenna doing all things with unparalelled generosity Mezentius was so moved unto repentance that he would needs resign the government of his Dominions unto him that gave him his life But Porsenna being both generous and prudent he would not let Mezentius cease Reigning But what repentance soever appeared he would not for all that remain under the power of a Prince who had used him with such rigour nor would he let Galerita Aronces nor any that had a deep hand in his liberty remain there So that after Mezentius had sent Orders unto all those who commanded in the Towns which he had usurped Porsenna left him and carried with him the Queen his Wife and the Prince his Son 'T is true he did not go out of the Town as soon as ever he was out of the Palace for such multitudes did choak up the streets by their eager desires of seeing their Princess and Aronces that they could not pass Aronces told Porsenna that he owed his liberty chiefly unto the Princess of the Leontines and that he would never go out of Perusia before he knew whether it was her pleasure or no to go out with them So as for all the press he got into her house and thanked her for all her favours Mean while Galerita who was in the Coach willed the people to obey Mezentius that they should forget the rigour which had been used unto her and keep within the compass of their duties Whilst she was thus talking with much prudence and generosity the Princess of the Leontines was entreating Porsenna to let her be protected in his Court she conceiving her self not safe with Mezentius considering how she had transacted Also considering the love of Tiberinus to her she could not counterfeit with him any longer since Aronces had no need of her and therefore she was very desirous to go out of Perusia so as without more delay Aronces went to acquaint the Queen of Clusium and presently after did fetch this Princess whom the Queen received into her Coach Aurelia Martia Flavia and the Women of the Princess of the Leontines did follow in other Coaches All being ready this Illustrious company went out of Perusia Tiberinus being gone into the Countrey for three days was astonished when he returned at night and heard all this news especially that his adored Princess was not in Town yet she was not very far off for Porsenna and all his Train passed away that night to a Village where they took thought for nothing but how the Princess might pass it away with the
him that he hath not sealed her justification and that his extinct slames may be re-ascended if they are not already You would therefore attract much more glory to recompense the inconstancy of Terillus to leave Artemidorus to Clidimira and by this means you will free your self from that obloquy which doubtless will blemish your Reputation if you do not regulate your self by my Counsel As soon as Berelisa began to read this Letter she blushed and blushed with so many signs of anger imprinted in her face that Artemidorus who looked attentively on her knew it contained something which displeased her and had much vexation because he had delivered to her Clidimira on the contrary had an extreme joy to see the inquietude of Berelisa she testified her notice of it to the end to give more curiosity to Artemidorus for she believed Berelisa would not shew it him She had no sooner perused the Letter but she said to her I entreat you Sister to tell me if the news you have from the Army acquaints you with the death of any of your Friends for I see so many marks of grief in your countenance that I already seek to divine who we have lost For my part added Artemidorus looking on Berelisa I shall esteem my self very unhappy if I have brought unto you any doleful news but if so I can at least assure you I know not who writ it Berelisa seeing her self prest to shew this Letter told him that there was nothing considerable in it and that it contained certain Domestick Affairs You have not a soul so interessed replied Clidimira with much confidence to be sensible of things of this nature I blush sometimes so easily replied Berelisa cloystering this Letter in her Pocket that one must never judge of the resentments of my heart by the emotion of my face but though Berelisa made a great effort to constrain her self Artemidorus knew some disturbance had entred her spirit in effect so soon as Clidimira was gone she thought on nothing but this cruel Letter and she imagined it had been wrote by the contrivance of Terillus but though her spirit was incensed she did not believe she ought to shew this Letter to Artemidorus for fear he did not credit what she believed and lest he should be transported against Terillus to whom they had both obligations and her ancient jealousie beating an alarm to her heart in this instant she had intention for some time to observe Clidimira and Artemidorus In the mean time Clidimira who secretly triumphed at this deceit was in hope this Letter would prove effectual for if Berelisa did not shew it to Artemidorus 't was an evident sign this Artifice had made some impression in her heart which might in some time breed a difference between them and if she shewed it him Clidimira drew from thence at least this advantage to make known to Artemidorus she yet loved him for though she imagined I had told him she was not certain of it So soon as she was departed Artemidorus pressed Berelisa to shew him this Letter but as Clidimira when she went away saluted this Prince in a manner which augmented her suspicions she confirmed her self in her intended resolution not to shew it him Artemidorus who could not suffer she should conceal any secret from him thus complained of her injustice Do you then believe Madam said he to her that it is permitted you to hide any secret from me who have made an entire resignation of my heart to you and who tells you without any reservation all you desire Is it thus Madam you requite my Tenderness my Fidelity and my Respect You know added he that you have refused me a thousand and a thousand favours and that I have promised never to breath forth any dislike of your actions whilest I am assured to possess your heart Speak then Madam I entreat you and tell me if this is to be the master of it not to know what passes there Do you think Madam that one cannot be unfaithful but in ceasing to love any person Or that one cannot love others more than Clidimira And believe you not that it should be a kind of Infidelity to trust more to ones self than to the person one loves and conceal any thing from him I believe at least replied Berelisa blushing that when one faithfully loves a person one ought never to mention a woman one hath loved if he is not constrained to it but you do not so For I am assured you speak an hundred and an hundred times of Clidimira without necessity I have even heard you mention her name for anothers there being no resemblance betwixt them If you would speak of some quarter of Agrigentine the street where Clidimira remains if one asks you the time when you were freed from close restraint you say it was a little before Clidimira came to Agrigentine and Clidimira is yet so strong in your memory that you speak not so much to me of others as you do of Clidimira to me But Madam replied he I have mentioned her an hundred times to you to declare her unworthy actions You would have done me more pleasure never to speak to me of her replied she to dis-accustom your mouth from pronouncing her name For in fine it is a general maxim not to mention the first Mistress to the second unless as I have formerly said one is constrained and I had rather hear you call Clidimira Berelisa than Lysicoris Clidimira But Madam said Artemidorus to her Do not you think hatred presents persons one hates to the memory as well as Love those which one loves And do you think it should be possible I might ever love Clidimira if I should not love you No no Madam added he I cannot love an unfaithful Mistress 'T is true I am not so much transported as another but it is because I believe discretion ought to reside in the hearts both of happy and unhappy Lovers and that they should retain a kind of civility for the Female Sex But after all I hate and despise Clidimira and I despise her it may be more than you can imagine Time will demonstrate it to us replied she What Madam replied he do you believe time is necessary to assure the fidelity of a man to whom you have promised your affection And can you conceal a secret from me Ah Madam if it is so Terillus is less unfortunate than I am for at least he can ground his happiness on no future hope but for my part Madam who think to be happy I find my self plunged in misery In the mean time added he there is it may be several things within these few days happened to me which merit a more favourable treatment But if there is happened things I know not replied she with precipitation you ought not to think it strange if I declare not a secret to you since you have one I know not Artemidorus seeing his own words had betrayed him
engaged had been forced to fight themselves Tarquin who had soon perceived them having ordered thirty of his men to engage them out of a fear of being surprised by some fresh supplies and accordingly they had been either taken Prisoners or cut to pieces Besides that Tarquin having been informed by those who had been taken that Horatius was not far from him with two hundred Horse and easily inferring that if he joyned with Aronces he were utterly lost since that valiant Prince found him so much work with so small a handful of men he commanded his people to make one final attempt to overcome him for till then in regard he was Son to a King who was his Ally from whom he expected Protection he had given Order that he should not be killed But considering the importunity of his present condition he was obliged not to debate the business any longer So that Aronces was in an extreme danger for he had about an hundred Horse left and had almost four hundred to deal with Besides all this the Prince of Pometia and Prince Titus had joyned their Father and being obliged to fight for their Father how wicked soever he might be they engaged Aronces with an incredible Courage though they had an infinite esteem for him 'T is true the Valour this Prince expressed that day was so prodigious that there never was seen any thing like it for he was several times surrounded by his enemies yet could they neither take him Prisoner nor hurt him He killed in a manner at Tarquin's Elbow that valiant Hellius with whom he had some time fought near Ardea and if Tarquin had not used a subtle shift he might have been overcome by him so signal was his Valour and so worthily was it seconded by that of Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres To this may be added that the Romans whom he had with him were in so much fear of falling into the power of Tarquin that they behaved themselves so much the more gallantly But at last Tarquin having caused some of his people to make out-cries as if Rome were returned to its Duty to him and that his Army had changed their resolutions those who were with Aronces taking Alarm at this false report though he did all that lay in his power to hinder them from believing it ran away so that he was left alone with his four Friends amidst so great a number of Enemies yet would he not yield till that there was no other remedy after he had received a wound in his right Arm but at last he was forced to submit to the multitude by which he was surrounded and become the Prisoner of a King who had lost both his Kingdom and his Army But that this adventure might prove yet more insupportable to him it hapned that Tarquin whom it concerned to treat him had indeed an extraordinary care of him out of some considerations of Policy only though he hated him most horridly both as a Lover of Clelia and that he found him in Arms against him so that after he had put a Guard upon him and those Friends of his who met with the same Fortune except Amilcar who made a shift to escape after he had been taken it hapned that Tarquin causing Aronces to be dressed at the first House he met in his way one of Horatius's men who had been taken by some of Tarquin's standing near him when he was dressed knew him and made acquaintance with him Aronces who could not want a curiosity for such a Rival asked him by what adventure he came thither and where his Master was To which this man being of the humour of those who when they relate things love to circumstantiate answered That Horatius recovering at length of his wounds found himself in a condition to cast himself into Rome then told him how he had found Clelia highly expressing the satisfaction that Beauty had in meeting him so seasonably assuring him that he was to carry her to Rome and that they would be there very suddenly The first apprehensions of Aronces were extremely confused and entangled for after a long fear that Clelia might perish through the cruelty of the implacable Tullia he arrived to a slender comfort when he understood that she was not in her power He was not also dissatisfied that she went to Rome as also that she was quite out of the reach of Tarquin's violence and Sextus's but when after all he considered that she was fallen into the hands of a Rival a person of so great worth as Horatius one who had such an advantage over him as to render him so considerable a service and withal saw himself wounded and Prisoner to a Prince who he knew loved Clelia and who would not fail to return him to the King his Father and to engage him into his Interests he thought himself the most unfortunate man in the world for he fore-saw what in reason should be the consequence of so cross an accident Accordingly when he was on Horse-back and forced to follow a Prince whom Fortune had forsaken and who went for refuge to Ceres intending to send thence to Treat with Porsennas he entertained himself after the saddest manner that could be For when he called to mind with what eagerness he wished Romes Liberty and Tarquin's Ruine and considered that the Misfortune of that Prince was the only cause that he was his Prisoner he acknowledged in himself that men were guilty of great rashness when they presumed to desire any thing precisely of the Gods since that many times what they desire proves more prejudicial to them than what they fear So that not daring in a manner to wish any thing for fear of making any wishes against himself he was extremely afflicted especially when he considered that Clelia was in a place where he had two very considerable Rivals that himself in all likehood should be turned over a Prisoner to the King his Father and saw not any thing from whence he might derive the least comfort but the hopes he had in the Friendships of the Illustrious Brutus and the generous Herminius The End of the Second Part of CLELIA CLELIA AN EXCELLENT NEW ROMANCE DEDICATED TO MADEMOISELLE de LONGUEVILLE The THIRD PART Written in French by the Exquisite Pen of Monsieur de Scudery Governour of Nostredame de la Gard. LONDON Printed for Dorman Newman and Thomas Cockerel 1678. TO THE ACCOMPLISHD LADY THE LADY Constance Enyon MADAM THE Opinion I have of your Goodness must needs be very great when I think the presumption I am guilty of in this address so innocent and justifiable that I do not much doubt your pardon It is certainly no small one in me to make use of your name to do that which of all things I take the greatest pride and pleasure in that is confidence to let the World know I cannot receive a favour with half as much freedom and satisfactino as I can acknowledge it To those I
love you Are you not able to say positively that you will love me for ever since you may be sure I shall love you as long as I live When one does love replied Valeria he thinks that he shall Love always and yet thousands of examples make it evident that there are some Lovers who cease to Love Oh Madam replied he the heart of Herminius is not alike unto those Lovers that think so Since so replyed she The Term that our affections shall last shall be equivalent since if you love me as long as you live I will love you until I dye Herminius was so charmed to hear these obliging words from the mouth of Valeria that he resolved to submit his spirit unto the reason of this wise Lady He therefore commended her he asked pardon for his importunity and beseeched her to pity his imbecillity and to comfort him in his misery by her constant goodness So as Valeria being very glad to see that the power she had upon the heart of Herminius was so great she spoke unto him so obligingly that when Domitia and Valerius returned they found his Soul in such a temper as they desired it to be Being therefore both of them charmed at his vertue they assured him that they would love him as their own Son as long as they lived And indeed ever since that day they did love Herminius better than before Yet for fear of incensing the Tyrant they agreed that for a time he should not come so frequently unto them as he used nor that he should hide any of his sorrows to the end that unjust Prince might know by his spies that they had obeyed him Things being thus Herminius not acquainting Valerius nor Valeria he went unto Prince Titus and to the Prince of Pometia and imployed them to move Tarquin not to oppose his marriage But though these Princes were very zealous in the service of Herminius yet they could not do him any good So as he grew so melancholy that the splenitick Spurius was comforted in all his disgraces He had also the pleasure to see that Salonina did not marry Volesus And some there was that suspected he hindred the Parents of that Lover from consenting unto his marriage So as though Spurius was not loved by neither Salonina nor Valeria yet he had the satisfaction to see they did not marry those whom they did love and to break off the society of so many excellent persons who were always together But Herminius yet found out an invention to establish another Cabal for the Amity between Valeria and Lucretia being very great these two Ladies became inseparable So as when Lucretius the Father of Lucretia permitted his Daughter to go unto Racilia in the Countrey The Cabal grew as gallant as ever Lucretia Hermilia Collatina and Valeria being of it But the thing most particular in this adventure was that Spurius who now hated both Valeria and Salonina and also Volesus and Herminius especially the last of these he took a fancy that since he neither could nor would be any longer his Rival he would find him one that should Endeavoring therefore how to bring such a fantastical design to pass he bethought himself of Mutius who till then never seem'd to have any amorous inclination For as perhaps you have observed him Mutius is naturally proud and ambitious and the love of Glory takes up so much of his heart as I believe Valeria with all her charms would not be so pleasing to him as some dangerous occasion would be if he were sure to come off with honour So as Mutius having a heart full of nothing but Heroick designs he never minded such trifles as are the delights of lovers you should see him oftener with grave bearded Senators discoursing upon the valour of Romulus than with young Gallants So as Spurius who was a friend unto an Uncle of Mutius who had the Guardianship of him he cast his eyes upon him for this fantastical design And indeed he made no ill choice for Mutius was handsom he had wit and spirit he was proud and haughty and he was fit to court a Lady and enrage a Rival Spurius then finding Mutius as he was walking with one of the gravest Senators in the Capitol he drew him aside upon pretence of some business with him Sir said he unto him I beg your pardon for depriving you of a conversation which I know you preferred before all the young men of your own age and before all the beauties in Rome But Sir to speak sincerely added he and smiled I do aim at your honour in it For to be free with you I love you very well and you have often told me that you would follow my advice in all things Mutius was a little surprised at this for he knew not why he should be reprehended for preferring wise men before such as were not Though he did not love any reprehensions yet since his Uncle had often commanded him to follow the advice of Spurius and since he had often promised that he would he asked him wherein he had failed beseeching him to tell him what he would do to get honour and glory Since you would know replied Spurius I would that you should not cross the order of nature I would not have you wise before your time but to think there is a kind of folly which well becomes all young men and that to arrive at Glory the sooner you must do many things which may seem a retreat from it For in lieu of applying your self eternally unto these old grave and serious Sages who are experienc'd in the conduct of affairs and command of Armies you should see all the Ladies in Rome that have any beauty wit or handsomness you should make your self some friends out of such as have spent five of six years in Gallantry and are able by their example to teach you how to behave your self in the world You should be in society with all such as have any reputation of excellency but not hang upon them too much Never go where you are not wished for nor imprudently molest the pleasures of others when you are not diverted your self nor inconsiderately engage your self in such foolish company as meet with any business and where none desires you But you should cunningly and handsomely make your self desired you should be sociable you should love pleasures you should court Ladies of merit you should invent occasions to divert them you should not be too merry nor too grave but temperate with judgment you must not be a Wit nor Sword-man nor a Gallant of profession I beseech you said Mutius Tell me what one should do to get esteem you must fall in love replied Spurius But said Mutius Can one fall in love when one will I assure you answered Spurius when one is of your age it is harder to keep out than to fall in love but as long as you keep company with none but gray bearded Senators your heart cannot
power we should endure such pain When we both love and are belov'd again 2. Perpetual fears my Soul invade To see the person I adore Amidst a thousand hazards laid Who Love would think under thy power we should endure such pain When we both love and are belov'd again 3. I often fear but am too blame Unjust to 's Love can I be more Another may his heart inflame Who Love would think under thy power we should endure such pain When we both love and are belov'd again Mericia having written these three Couplets sang them to the Princess who in the mean time had her thoughts filled with all the satisfaction that a person who fears not to discover her most secret sentiments to a true friend can have My Sister by this means got the Song so perfect that the next day being returned to Syracuse she sung it not thinking of any thing before the Prince of Messena who asked her from whom she had it Mericia remembring her self blushed and made no direct answer so that the Prince wes still at her to know and knowing she was able to do any thing of that nature told her that he was very happy for whom she had made that Song Mericia perceiving that the Prince of Messena's suspicion was far from the truth suffered him to believe what he pleased and craftily confirmed him in the jealousie he was in choosing rather to be suspected of a thing that was not than to give any occasion to suspect the Princess of Himera of a thing that was for considering the extraordinary friendship that Lindamira had for Mericia as also that they came up out of the Countrey together and that there were few Women at Syracuse that could write such a Song it might at last have been thought to come from the Princess of Himera if my Sister had not discreetly started the occasion of suspecting that she had made those verses Not that Lindamira does any way pretend to be a Wit but it is nevertheless known that she can do what she hath a mind to and so it might have been imagined as I have already told her that she had made that Song if my Sister who could not affirm she had it from her had not suffered people to believe that she for diversion sake had written it her self But what made the Princess Himera the more obliged to her was that the whole Court concluded these Couplets were made for one in the Army that was very deeply in love with Mericia He wanted not friends to send them insomuch that he was so far perswaded they were directed to him that he writ a very obliging Letter to my Sister to know whether he ought to return her his thanks for such a Favour This adventure no question troubled Mericia very much but such was the affection she had for Lindamira that she willingly suffered for her sake So that this endeared her so much the more to the Princess who still preferring solitude before the Court during the absence of Themistus returned to Meriander's house taking my Sister along with her While she was there news came that Themistus had given the enemy another overthrow and that the Prince of Heraclea had desired a cessation of twenty daies so that Lindamira looking on this cessation as a thing that would retard Themistus's return if it produced not a Peace was so melancholly and cast down at it that she could not endure any to be near her but Mericia Nay there were some intervals wherein she would rather walk without her than with her and wherein she went and sate in the pleasant Arbor which Meriander had caused to be made up a little before One while she spent the time in thinking another in reading Themistus's Letters and sometimes desirous to stay some of her thoughts she took her Table-book and writ something in it Sometimes taking her Black-lead which she always carried about her she would design something or write some gallant yet passionate expression upon the squares of White and Red Marble that were in divers parts of the Closet but dash'd out all immediately if she did not forget to do it When she had done she gave my Sister an account of all she had either done or thought as if she had been return'd after a long journey though commonly she had not been an hour alone For Madam I dare assure you that there never was any affection so passionate and withal so innocent as what Lindamira had for Themistus who yet loves beyond what he is lov'd if it be allowable to make comparisons between two things that are extream This fortunate Favorite in the mean time making his advantage of the cessation and pretending out of policy to come and advise with the Prince about the Articles of the Peace if any were made left the Army to be commanded by his Lieutenant-General and came for Syracuse But understanding that Lindamira was at Meriander's house he would needs surprise her with a visit He left four men that came along with him being all the retinue he had at a little Village and attended only by a Slave he alighted at a house where Meriander's Gardner lived that is a Cottage which lies without the Park within which the house is This fellow being simple and necessitous it was the easier for Themistus to oblige him by Presents to do what he pleased But he desired no more of him than that taking no notice of his being there he would let him into the Garden where the Princess of Himera was wont to walk The Sun was about an hour high so that he might easily hide himself where he pleased in the Garden so as to discover himself of a sudden to Lindamira who was not yet stirring For besides that it was as yet early day for a Lady to get up the Princess of Himera had walked so late by the Moon-light the night before that she could not rise very betimes However the Gardner assured Themistus that she would take a walk before dinner and therefore saies the poor fellow out of his natural simplicity if you would see the Garden do it before she comes for she is no sooner dressed but she comes and sits in an Arbor where my Master hath caused abundance of things to be written on Marble which are past my understanding Themistus was extreamly taken with the simplicity of this Gardner who knew him not though he had been divers times before in the Garden and the reason was that he had only minded the Prince and the Princesses with whom Themistus came so that he bid him leave him to himself and go to his work The Gardiner accordingly who was very busie about a hedge of Myrtles whereof there were abundance in the Garden as also a many Orange-trees left him and went about his work Themistus was no sooner come to the midst of the Garden and saw the windows of the Chamber where his Princess lay yet asleep but he felt a strange
that might be chosen for Commanders This review was performed with so many expressions of joy in the Souldiery that the people drew a happy presage thence and the Army seemed so terrible when it was drawn up that it was not easie to fear it should be vanquished In the mean time the two Consuls going from Band to Band with the Lictors and the Fasces before them put a certain respect upon all those that saw them and this War being extraordinary they did one ceremony that was beyond all custom for they made all the Army take a publick oath never to lay down Arms till Rome were absolutely free So that at a certain signal given by a military harmony which was in use in those days all both Commanders and Souldiers drawing their Swords and lifting them up to Heaven with a menacing action every Centurion promised for all that were under his command that they should dye a thousand times rather than suffer Rome to be enslaved again Having proceeded thus far the two Consuls went to the head of the Army while in the inteâ—im all the Ladies of quality were in magnificent Chariots disposed in a manner of a half moon before the Troops in one whereof were Clelia Valeria Caesonia and Plotina While all were thus busied there appeared these three men on horseback admirably graceful conducted by a fourth who was also a very proper person The former was armed like a Roman the other three after the Grecian mode Their Horses were of a dark colour their Plumes black and all their equipage mourning There was upon their Bucklers without any figure these sad words WE COURT DEATH But of these three there was one whose melancholly was much more visible than that of the other two though they all seemed to be sad enough He that followed them seemed also to be very pensive so that this mournful company drawing all eyes after it and raising their curiosity it took up the thoughts of the people the Army the Ladies and the two Consuls Nay Clelia whose heart was never filled with any thing but her dear Aronces looked very attentively on these Strangers not knowing but that he had made an escape out of prison and might be among those she saw though she could not apprehend why he should put himself into that mournful equipage if some groundless jealousie should not put him into the humor Valeria also who sate next her looked on them no less but passing close by the Chariot wherein she was to go towards the Consuls who expected them she perceived that the Roman who conducted the three strangers was Aemilius so that her colour changed at it Herminius on the other side being in the head of the Army knew him to be his friend and withall his Rival when he was come up to the Consuls Spurius and Mutius knew him also and Valerius no sooner saw him but he knew it to be him to whom he had promised Valeria when he thought Herminius dead Aemilius coming up to the Consuls bowed very submissively and speaking to them My Lords said he the love of my Country having brought me to Rome whence another passion had banished me I thought it good service to persuade these three illustrious but unfortunate persons to come along with me for since they desire nothing so much as to dye gloriously I thought the greatest happiness they could arrive at was to expose their lives for the safety of Rome Receive them my Lords as persons whose birth is very noble whose valor extraordinary and whose fortune deplorable But since they seek neither protection nor service but only a glorious occasion to dye I demand on their behalf the favor immediately to be put into the rank of those that are to fight If your illustrious friends replyed Brutus with a kind of a forced smile only sought death they should have gone to the Enemies Army for it but since they also court glory in it and that it is not impossible to find them together in a victorious Army we receive them with joy but with this hope that the glory they shall gain by saving Rome will take off part of their disgraces and encourage them to live However added he speaking to Valerius that they may be put into a rank suitable to their quality do you not think fit they should be put with Themistus Meleagenes and Amilcar Valerius approving what Brutus said and the three Strangers by an action of condescention approving what Aemilius had said of them they were conducted whither Brutus had disposed them For Aemilius though he were a Roman yet he desired he might not be separated from his friends so that he was placed with them but as he went to his place he saw Valeria whom he saluted very submissively Herminius who still followed him with his eyes had observed that Valerius and Aemilius had had no private discourse but thought that Valeria had saluted his Rival with a little too much courtesie so that it put him into a disturbance which lasted till the Muster was over On the other side Valerius felt an affliction growing upon him that troubled him not a little for he loved Aemilius as well as he did Herminius and had promised his daughter to both However he omited nothing he should have done with Brutus that related to the review of the Army Mutius for his part was not well pleased to see another Rival in his way and only Spurius out of his revengful humor took a certain pleasure in this distraction For Valeria she gave over looking at any thing so much was she afflicted at Aemilius's return But says Clelia to her seeing what trouble she was in I cannot conceive how you ever hated Aemilius On the contrary replyed she I have ever had a friendship for him and have still and thence proceeds my disturbance for it being impossible Herminius and he should be good friends if his thoughts be not otherwise than they were towards me I see my self exposed to unhappy adventures While Clelia and Valeria discoursed thus and that Caesonia and Plotina hearken to them all the other Ladies had a curiosity for these three strangers in mourning who were so handsome and withall seemed to be so melancholly Nor was this curiosity particular to the Ladies for all the men were equally desirous to know them and amongst the rest Amilcar who was placed just before one of these strangers But military discipline not permitting discourse upon such occasions he was forced to be silent and to forbear asking who they were that he was so desirous to be acquainted withall At the last the review being over and that great body wasted away by companies and parties Amilcar to whom Aemilius had been named came up to these strangers spoke to them and notwithstanding their melancholly forced some little discourse out of them I imagine said he to get somewhat out of them that you are friends and that some concernment of ambition hath made you equally
unfortunate On the contrary replies one of the Strangers we are Rivals we have been a long time enemies and nothing unites us but the equality of our misfortune and the desire of death If love said he to them furnished a man with no more pleasant desires then that I should never either desire or obtain any thing It is not love replyes another of the Strangers that makes us desire death but despair You may add some hatred to it says the third who had not yet spoken for I abhor my self so much because I cannot hate that which hath not loved me that I cannot endure my self For my part says Amilcar I am much more happy then you are for when one loves me I am extreamly pleased and when I am not loved I give over loving and laugh at the Woman that would not love me These Strangers perceiving the good humor Amilcar was in were troubled the more and envyed his disposition as a wretched minded man would the treasures of a rich man But Aemilius taking them to his house they left Amilcar who went to Themistus with whom he spent the rest of the day at Sulpicia's where they found Clelia Valerius Caesonia and Plotina In the mean time Valeria preferring the publick interest before the private what disturbance soever he conceived at Aemilius's return left not Brutus till he had done all those things which according to his place he ought to have done Besides knowing the prudence of Herminius that of Aemilius and their ancient Friendship he was in hope there would not any thing amiss happen till he had spoken to them On the other side Aemilius was in a strange distraction for having not spoken with any one since his coming to Rome because of the Review of the Army nor since his departure heard any news thence he knew not whether Herminius were Married to Valeria or not So that not able to continue in that cruel uncertainty he went abroad as soon as he had brought his three Friends to his House For having found there but one old slave that looked to it whom he could not ask any thing for that as soon as he had perceived him and opened him the Gate he went without saying ought to him to acquaint his friends with his return he was forced to go to one of his ancient friends to satisfie his curiosity But he had scarce gone twenty paces but he met Herminius he had no sooner eyed him but he felt an extraordinary emotion within him Herminius for his part was not very quiet within love it seems and friendship raising in their hearts an equal agitation They saluted one the other civilly enough besides that having not any thing to reproach one another withall they were persons of a greater command of themselves than to be carried away by the impetuosity of their sentiments in a procedure wherein love had not caused them to do any thing that might rationally injure their friendship But at last after salutations Aemilius looking attentively on Herminius I was going said he to him to inform my self of the condition of your fortune and my own but since I have met you it were better I asked your self whether you are happy and I miserable If you are still in love with Valeria replyes Herminius you are still unhappy for I do not doubt but she will be so constant as to preserve her first affection But if absence and reason have recovered you you are happy since it is certain she hath abundance of friendship for you and that I am still your friend Ah Herminius cries out Aemilius were you Married to Valeria I might haply still act as your friend but since you are not I must needs tell you that I am still your Rival and that neither time absence nor reason have cured me And yet when I came to Rome it was with intention if you were married to Valeria not to say any thing to her of my passion nor yet to your self but only to find out death in the defence of my Countrey but since it is not so and that Valerius hath kept his word with me you must needs do me that favor to promise me that you will entertain no thoughts of Marrying Valeria till the end of the War I know you have a greater interest in her than I have but when all 's done I may be able to love her without any injury to you it is impossible I should forbear loving her and I cannot forget that I had some place in her affections when you returned which if you had not I had been happy The War will haply take me out of your way added Aemilius deny me not what I desire and if you would convince me that you be my friend you will oblige Valeria to give me leave to wait on her To deal sincerely with you replyes Herminius I will tell you that Valerius hath no intention to marry his Daughter while the War lasts and since I am no Tyrant over my Mistriss she shall see you if she thinks fit But if you would take my advice you would not desire it for Valeria is still handsome still amiable still constant How ere she may be replyes Aemilius I once more desire what I did before And I make you the same answer I did before replyes Herminius so that it is of Valeria that you are to desire the liberty to see her and not of me Satisfie your self that I do not oppose it and assure your self that all a Lover can do I shall ever do for you as long as Valeria shall not love you but if she come to affect you to my prejudice no doubt but I shall do what ever an unfortunate Rival can do to Revenge himself It seems then replyed Aemilius according to your Maxims I am to look on you as mine enemy By no means replyed Herminius for I have done nothing against you Ah cruel friend replyes Aemilius why should honor and friendship oblige me to forbear hating you As they were at this pass Valerius passing by embraced Aemilius and carried these two Rivals to his house and there spoke to them with such prudence that he obliged them to continue friends while the War lasted And yet he advised Aemilius to give over all thoughts of Valeria and pressed it so much upon him that that unfortunate Lover desired no other comfort than a promise from Valerius that he might see Valeria whilst the War lasted assuring him that if he could not be happy when that were ended nothing should hinder him from dying an exile But for a final favor he would needs have Herminius tell him that in case he dyed he would give his consent that Valeria should marry him So that not able to deny an unfortunate friend a comfort that could do him no prejudice he promised him his intreaties to Valeria to that purpose Accordingly when she was returned from Sulpicia's and that Valerius had commanded her to entertain Aemilius as a person
not much care if he did But truly if I knew who he were it would be another case and I should keep my self to the four Verses which I retorted but now almost without thinking what I was saying Hortensius fearing to speak more of the matter than she was willing handsomly chang'd the discourse and demanded of the Princess why she hated a Prince so resolvedly who had ceas'd being her enemy and was become her Lover who treated her so respectfully and with whom also she liv'd in terms of great civility As for the civility I have for him answer'd she he owes it to my prudence to the counsel of Cleontine and to yours but for my hatred it proceeds from his injustice For if he repent of what he has done why does he not return into Messena why does he not restore me to my liberty and put Elis into my power and leave me in peace But Madam reply'd Hortensius who in the bottom of his heart gave her thanks for this her rigor if you speak at this rate while you are in the power of the Prince of Messena how would you speak if you were free And you seem not to consider that the interest of his Love is a more powerful inducement to make War upon you retain his conquests and keep you under guard than his ambition it self Ah Hortensius said Elismonda without answering to what he had spoken as often as I think how insensibly you have engag'd me to bear a friendship towards you and consider that at the end of the truce you will become my enemy and draw your sword against those that defend my interest I am even ready to die under the necessary desire of hating you as well as Melanthus But Madam answer'd Hortensius I shall never be your enemy 'T is Fortune apparently that hath cast me into the interests contrary to yours but nevertheless I shall not forbear to assure you that I make a vow to honor you all my life and to respect you in a manner so full of zeal that even when I shall be in the Army of your enemies I shall have more thoughts of veneration for you than all your Subjects and Friends too can ever be capable of Hortensius spoke these words with so passionate an air without designing to do so that Elismonda blusht at them and Cleontine who had all this while been silent seeing the Princess a little perplex'd what to answer interpos'd and without dissembling Madam said he you may be said to be happy in your enemies for Melanthus treats you as if you were not such and Hortensius expresses as much dearness to you as if he had been born your Subject and always your Friend Horten was going to answer Cleontine when Andronice accompanied with the fair Chrysilia the lovely Claricia Eumenes and my self enter'd into the Princess of Elis's chamber and interrupted that conversation to begin another more general yet very agreeable for you must know there had been born a contest between the Princess Andronice Chrysilia Claricia and me which could not be determin'd So that it was agreed to refer the same to the judgement of the Princess of Elis Cleontine and Hortensius who we knew were with her Andronice was no sooner in the chamber of the fair Elismonda but she told her there was a great dispute between Claricia and me I conceive answer'd the Princess those two persons minds are sufficiently concordant but because I cannot doubt of what you say be pleas'd to tell me the subject of their contestation Though the Princess of Messena said Claricia be an impartial person and speaks very equitably without prejudice against me yet I should be desirous to tell you the cause of their dispute my self For indeed proceeded she saying she may perhaps make some small distinction between a very accomplisht man and one of the contrary Sex not wholly uningenious which would not be to my advantage It would be requisite to have more merit than I dare own answer'd I to induce the Princess of Messena to do you an injustice However it be said Andronice I am wlling that Claricia tell the Princess Elismonda the subject of her dispute Be pleas'd then to know Madam said Claricia pleasantly that the Olympick Games being now as universal a matter of discourse as great cold in winter or great heat in summer I began to speak concerning them as others do for since 't is the custom it ought to be follow'd But for that I conceiv'd a little pleasantness alwaies enlivens conversation I said upon occasion of the Olympick Games that not doubting but there were very many Lovers amongst those who aspire to win the prize I pitty them for the inquietude they would be possess'd with by their anxious incertainty of victory This leading me to speak concerning hope and fear it was contented that of these two passions hope afforded more joy than fear does sadness Upon which the difference was examin'd between a hope proceeding from Ambition and a hope proceeding from Love to know which was the most sweet and pleasing But after some debate it was concluded that these two sorts of hope were more or less sweet according to the inclination of the persons possess'd by them and that an ambitious man was more delighted with the hope of making a great Fortune than with that of being lov'd by his Mistriss but that one without ambition and very amorous was more pleas'd with hoping to be lov'd than with hoping to be rich It was also agreed that a Lover without ambition who hopes to be lov'd again resents a sweeter delectation and an ambitious person without Love a pleasure more unquiet and less charming But passing easily from one thing to another we came at length to enquire which gives the greatest pleasure either the remembrance of favours past or the hope of favours to come and this was the point upon which Merigenes and I could not agree For I confess the remembrance of any thing that has been offensive is troublesome to me and that of a past delight gives me nothing but regret because I no longer taste the pleasure of it As for hope it flatters and charms me and to such as know how to use it aright it gives a satisfaction in hoping pleasures which never come to effect judge therefore what a lover must do in comparison with me who have no other object of my hope but some delightful entertainment of walking a conversation that pleases me Musick a Collation or some other like divertisement For my part said the Princess Elismonda I declare my self for Hope You give your judgement too soon for an equitable person answer'd I for you have not yet heard my reasons If after I have heard them reply'd Elismonda you make me change my opinion you will have the greater glory therefore I desire you to declare all you have to say in defence of your sentiment and I also request the whole company to pronounce their judgements upon
Verily said Plotina I wonder all the world does not addict themselves to learn to speak well since methinks nothing is more easie than to be always in the company of worthy persons for the case is infinitely otherwise in all other things that we desire to learn It is sometimes tedious enough to attend the directions of those that teach to sing to paint or to dance but since to speak handsomely there needs nothing more than to converse with people of the World and with those too that speak gracefully and agreeably I make a vow to learn to speak during my whole life and never willingly to converse with any others Others ought rather to apply to you Madam said Zenocrates than you to others You have reason answered Amilcar but there is another kind of thing which the amiable Plotina has need to learn which is to hear a little more favorably what I sometimes say to her As for that replyed she 't is learnt but too soon but there is another which I would have all them taught who know it not which is to consider what is spoken to them and not to wander into unseasonable fancies from the purpose in company A little distraction added she I can pardon but for that multiplication of continued extravagant fancies some people are addicted to who never are present where they are seen and are scarce ever in any place I think it fit they were reformed of it For he that has so many things to muse of better than those he intends to speak ought to abide in his Closet and entertain only himself since 't is undoubtedly an incivility not at all to attend to that which is spoken in the place where you are present and to make no account of the company and for my part I am perswaded there is nothing but the murmur of a rivulet or the prilling of a Fountain that can be civilly heard while we are meditating What ever you are pleased to say answered Amilcar the liberty of musing is infinitely pleasing and you are not ignorant that there are certain houses in all places which are accounted more agreeable than others only because the Masters of them lay no constraint upon any person There a man may be either pensive or sociable he may either laugh or sing entertain himself with whom he pleases come in and go forth without speaking any thing and in a word enjoys a liberty in such houses attended with so much sweetness that they are deservedly preferred before all others However it be replyed Plotina I consent to what Herminius affirmed for without learning so many several things it will be most convenient for me only to converse with persons of ingenious accomplishments and therefore I am resolved to consort with no others hereafter if it be possible You had reason to add those last words answered Amilcar for according to the course of the World it is sufficiently difficult to converse only with such persons as you speak of He had scarce ended these words but one came to advertise Herminius that Valerius enquired for him concerning some urgent affair Another also came at the same time to tell Horatius that the second Consul who was his Kinsman had some occasion for him so that this honorable company broke up for Valeria having a curiosity to know what her fathers business was with Herminius departed presently after him and afterwards Amilcar and Zenocrates retired and left Cesonia and Plotina alone together Those two gallant persons were no sooner in the street but they met Aemilius who told them there was a man come from Clusium that had brought some intelligence which obliged the Consuls to assemble the Senate extraordinarily And indeed it was a Messenger sent by Artemidorus who advertised Valerius that they were already about raising forces in the States of the King of Hetruria and preparing to advance the Troops of the Veientines and the Tarquins It was also informed that the Queen Galeritia accompanyed by the Princess of the Leontines was gone to the Island of Saules where Aronces was confined with intent to perswade him to yield absolute obedience to Porsenna and that it was not doubted but he would be won to it there being no appearance that he could refuse to beat Arms against all those whom the King his father declared and adjudged for enemies Valerius receiving this intelligence judged it important to seize upoh a considerable Passage and cause a Fort to be built there before the enemies had time to perceive how necessary it would be for them to be masters of it But the second Consul being as much a savorer of the interests of Horatinus as Valerius was of those of Aronces though both of them sought the publick good there became a kind of disposition to discord between them Valerius knowing of how much concernment it was there should happen no breach between them desired to avoid a contest which might prove prejudicial to the publick affairs To which purpose being to act two important matters at once one of which was to know which of the two Consuls should go Commander of the forces designed to fortifie that difficult passage between Rome and Clusium and the other to know whether the Consul Horatius or Valerius should be the person that should Dedicate the Temple of Jupiter Valerius propounded to refer the decision of it to the event of Lot perceiving the urgency of the matter for the people imagined all would go ill if the Temple were not dedicated and intelligent persons foresaw it was necessary to seise of a place that might hinder the enemies from coming so suddenly to besiege Rome and consequently allow leisure to fortifie it And it was to consult of this affair that Valerius sent to seek Herminius and the second Consul desired to speak with Horatius Valerius would rather have stayed at Rome where he believed his presence necessary but the Dedication of the Temple of Jupiter being an honor desired with immence passion by his Collegue he put the matter into the power of Lot which decided it in favor of the second Consul So that Valerius was obliged to go and command the Army for that secret expedition which was judged so necessary Horatius as amorous as he was resolved to accompany him and would not remain behind a peaceful Spectator of the Dedication of a Temple while there were Forces in the Campagne Themistus Herminius Amilcar Zenocrates Aemilius and all the other friends of Valeria would have done the same but he judged it necessary for himself that his true friends should continue at Rome during his absence And moreover his attempt requiring to be executed by surprise he did not deem it needful to carry so many brave persons with him for such a purpose Nevertheless he consented that Mulius should go with him for knowing his imperious honor and what his passion was for Valeria he was not unwilling to separate him from Herminius and Aemilius whom he very highly
last Euripides shall die miserably for he shall be torn to pieces by the dogs of that King at a famous hunting The people shall say the cause of it was because he interceded for a man who had slain one of those dogs but the true reason shall be for that the King scarce minding his hunting any longer and being almost continually in discourse with Euripides jealousie and hatred shall both enter into their hearts so that finding him one day wandring alone they shall tear him to pieces and thus shall the famous Euripides die whom many judicious persons shall scarce dare to place above Sophocles But after having seen this illustrious Poet fix thy eyes a while upon a very little man who stands there on one side he is a Poet and nam'd Philetas he shall make Elegies full of very handsome fancy He shall be so lean so little and so light that the people shall report he always carries lead about him for fear the wind should carry him away He shall have a Mistriss named Batthis and shall dye through grief for not being able to resolve the argument of a Sophister He that thou seest in the next place is the incomparable Menander whose glory shall be immortal he is the man that shall refine Comedies who shall take away the insolent satyre from them and banish all that encounters modesty He shall have an inclination extraordinarily amorous for which reason there shall be much true modesty in his works He shall apprehend perfectly that a handsome Comedy ought to be a description or picture of the World and the passions ordinary to all men for no Poet shall goe beyond him in skill and exact observation of manners customs passions and inclinations of each particular of mankind There shall be other Comick Poets after him who shall confound all his different stiles and without observing all those varieties which are so necessary to these kind of Pictures they shall make Kings and Slaves speak after the same manner and confound the Tragick style with the Comick These cannot without injustice be equall'd to Menander who shall be gallant and polite throughout who shall have nothing but what either instructs or diverts Whence there shall be in the sequel of time a most grave and famous Author who shall prefer Menander a thousand degrees above him that shall be the most excellent amongst all others Menander shall be accus'd by one nam'd Cratinus to be sufficiently addicted to play the plagiary in Authors that preceded him but this Cratinus shall be one of those dangerous sons of Envy of which there shall always be some as long as there are persons of virtue that is one of those malicious criticks who seek not to instruct their age they live in but only to injure those they see more esteem'd than themselves Menander shall compose an hundred and nine Comedies and shall be Victor only in eight but posterity shall do him the justice to believe that it was by reason of the factions of his Envyers He shall be Disciple to Theophrastus a great friend to Demetreus Phalereus and so esteem'd by the Kings of Aegypt and Macedonia that they shall send a Fleet and Ambassadors to him to oblige him to come to them But in fine being yet in the flower of his age he shall be drown'd as he is swimming in the Port of Piraeus Look upon him that I shew thee next he shall be named Philemon and shall overcome Menander several times rather through good fortune than merit though there will be handsome fancies in several places of his Works but Menander speaking to him of his victories shall smilingly say to him Art not thou asham'd to have overcome me He is destinated to die with laughter at the sight of some uncouth spectacle he shall live fourscore and seventeen years and shall make fourscore and ten Comedies He that thou seest upon that great Theater and whom such a croud of people attentively listen to is Aristophanes he shall be of low birth and yet of great reputation and taking to himself a middle way between the excessive licentiousness of antient Comedy and the regularity of the New he shall please the generality of people His style shall be sharp subtle elegant full of ingenious setches and railleries but he shall not scruple to offend the fancy of the virtuous sort of people so that he may but give divertisement to the multitude He shall be extraordinarity bold in speaking against all the World insomuch that he shall make a Comedy against a Tribune of the people wherein he shall speak so sharply that no Comedian will venture to act that part whereupon being led by his Satyrical inclination he shall act it himself and for that reason be condemned to pay a great Fine That which shall blot the reputation of Aristophanes is that he shall be an enemy to Socrates and make a Comedy against him but on the other side he shall have the honor to have his Epitaph made by a great Philosopher after a glorious manner which shall serve one day for a document to the World that all great men are not always of the same judgement since another great Author speaking of Aristophanes shall say that in his works the Tragick and Comick style are confounded together the high and the low the sublime and the familiar very many superfluous words cold railleries and impudence diffus'd throughout He that thou seest next is Lycophron an Author famous for his obscurity He shall be of the number of those seven Tragick Poets who shall compose the Pleiades and he shall be ingeniously compar'd to a certain obscure Star which is in that constellation He shall be born in the City of Chalcis in Eubaea and shall be slain with the shot of an arrow Now take notice of that man who goes forth of a Temple and seems to be in amazement 't is Callimachus the Cyrenian who shall make Elegies Epigrams and other Works with sufficient approbation He shall make one among the rest that shall live a long time of which I will tell thee the subject to the end thou mayst understand Poets may sometimes have boldness which lead them out of the common road provided they be manag'd with judgement Berenice Queen of Aegypt seeing Ptolomy her Husband going to the War shall devote her hair which shall be very graceful to Venus in case he return victorious after which this Prince coming home Conqueror Berenice shall cut off her hair and carry it her self to the Temple of Venus where it shall not be found the next morning A famous Astrologer who shall desire to court that Queen shall profess that he saw it in the Heavens and that it makes a new Constellation there And indeed having really discover'd one that he had never seen till then it shall for ever after be call'd The hair of Berenice This is the subject of Gallimachus's Poem wherein making use of the boldness permitted to great Poets