of dazling my eyes with Diamonds Tell him farther that I will shun him as much as civility will permit me and if I should follow my own inclination I should be revenged on him with more anger and delight then if he had stole as much riches from me as he offers And as for you said she unto her whom she spoke unto I will for my own glory believe that you thought the intentions of Asiadates very pure and innocent but since he hath a little corrupted you I must continue no longer with one who will be perswaded unto any thing opposite to Justice and virtue In saying so she rise up and went out maugre all the perswasions of the Ladie and put her so out of countenance as she durst never after see Elisa In the mean while Asiadates was even dead in sorrow when he understood how Elisa had rejected his liberality yet he acknowledged that he both esteemed and loved her much more for it then he did before But the waspish part of the business was Lyriope who till then never believed that Asiadates was in Love with Elisa but perceiving him to be melancholy she came to discover the cause and to be extreamly jealous and spiteful Asiadates on his side he conceiving that if he had not been married he might have married Elisa he began to hate her abominably So that Elisa without any design did make these two persons the most miserable of their time In the mean time Poligenes and Agenor being out of all hopes to relent the heart of Elisa they began to quench the flames of their passions yet still had such a high esteem of her as obliged them both to justifie her and confess their imposture But as for Phocilion who was accustomed to love without hope he continued to love her as before and was so constantly resolute that in the end Elisa pardoned him upon condition he should keep himself within the limits of friendship without ever speaking of any Love This being the state of affairs Elisa followed her business so wisely and close and with such good success as she recovered the greatest part of her estate out of their hands who had usurped it and was now in a condition able to subsist of her self according to her Quality without the benevolence of any yet upon the casting up of all accounts she found her self not so rich as she imagined but yet having a sufficient competencie to pass in the world she contented her self with her fortune and suited her self accordingly One loss she had which grieved her very much for she lost that Lady with whom she lodged After which she resolved to be Mistress of her self and to enjoy that freedom as long as she lived she being the most sociable company in the world she had as much care in the culling of her friends as she had in avoyding her lovers Never did any live a life more pleasing more contentedly nor merrily then Elisa after she had quit her self of Poligenes Agenor and Asiadates who since the refusal of his Present durst never persecute her as before yet still the same fire burned in his heart most ardently But Madam that you may the better understand the felicity of Elisa it is expedient I make descriptions of some of her friends which she then entertained and what manner of lives both she and they lived by which doing I shall add glory to my Country by acquainting you with the number of most accomplished persons who were with her Be pleased to know then that after Elisa saw her fortunes to be competent and in a better state then once she hoped she had the happiness to be dearly loved with high esteem and tenderness by one of the most illustrious persons in the world for all Qualities Elisa and this Lady whose name was Cleomira were inseparable Give me leave to tell you how Cleomira though she lived at Tire yet was an Athenian born and that her family was as illustrious as any of their Kings can boast of But since I am not to relate her history but only to let you understand the merit of her person I shall only tell you that Cleomira married a man of the best rank in all Phenicia and of merit suitable to his Quality after this I will endeavour to give you an Idea of Cleomira I must not describe her Madam as our Painters do Venus for she was not modest enough to set out Cleomira nor yet as Pallas because she was too austeer nor as Juno who was not charming enough nor of Diana who was a little too salvoge But to represent Cleomira rightly is to pick out all the excellencies of all these Goddesses to make her picture resemblant Cleomira was tall and well proportioned all the features of her face were miracles the delicacie of her complexion is inexpressible the Majesty of her presence strikes admiration and there is a kind of divine lustre in her eyes which imprints reverence in the souls of all those who look upon her and for my part I must confess that I never came neer Cleomira but my heart was struck with an awful respect Moreover Cleomira's eyes are so wonderfully fair that it is impossible any tongue should describe them they are eyes which indeed do produce admiration yet do not produce the same effects which other fair eyes use to do in the hearts of beholders for in producing Love they also produce at the same time both fear and reverence and by a peculiar priviledg they purifie the hearts which they burn There was also a mixture of excellent modesty with the Majesty and sweetness which was in her eyes and I am most confident that there is not any man in the world which durst entertain the least disvitious thought in the presence of Cleomira Moreover her physiognomy is the fairest the sweetest and the most Noble that ever eye beheld and there appeared such a serene tranquility in her countenance as did evidently speak the Halcion calmness in her soul one might perceive all her Passions were subjects unto her reason and never raised any intestine rebellions in her heart I do not think that ever the Carnation in her cheeks was seen to exceed its limits unless through heat in Summer or by a blush but never out of anger or irregularity in her soul So that Cleomira being alwayes constantly tranquile was alwayes constantly fair Indeed Madam if a body of chastity were to be adored throughout all the earth I would represent Cleomira's If one would embleme glory then let Cleomira's picture be taken or for virtue hers also Moreover the mind and soul of this admired person did infinitely transcend her beauty she has no equal in generosity constancie goodness justice and purity The spirit of Cleomira has more in it then the light of Nature for it is adorned and dressed with all the Liberal Arts she speaks divers languages elegantly and is ignorant in nothing that merits knowledg yet seems not to
not go he would not go neither and for above half an houre I was in a belief that neither she for whom the Feast was made nor he that made it would be present at it But in conclusion She was so earnest with Thrasiles that he himself should go and She her self to stay behind that obey her he must and accordinglie went unto this Feast without her You may imagine Madam in what a sullen humour Thrasiles was in all that day yet he did bear out this peevish passage with abundance of patience and as inconstant as he was reported to be he did not desist from loving Lysidice though in my opinion he had verie great cause but on the contrarie he desired me to tell all the company that Lysidice was really sick lest they should speak somthing of her which might be disadvantagious unto him But the oddest Passage of all was that the next day she would needs perswade him most unjustly that he was very merry at the Feast though he never seemed so melancholy in all his life and charged him with a crime for obeying her in the entertainment of those Ladies which she her self made choice of However her waspish humour being over She easilie appeased Thrasiles But since it was not possible the fantastical humour of Lysidice should be concealed She made the love of Thrasiles to her more apparent insomuch as one who was an Enemie unto Lysidice and had a squint eye her self upon Thrasiles did give it out that Thrasiles did not onlie love Lysidice but also that Lysidice suffered Thrasile to love her And She spoke this before so much company that some friend of Lysidices did acquaint her with it So that She never considering that it was onlie the reports of an Enemie did take the matter as hainouslie as if it had been the vulgar talk of all the Court and charged Thrasyles never to see her again yet She did a little moderate her doom and confined him only not to see her at her own house So that Thrasiles who was all obedience sought out all occasions of comfort to himself in seeing her at other places either in the Temple or in the Walks or at other visits which she made insomuch as though he did not see her at her own house yet he saw her very often but he did not long enjoy this favour wiâ—h any tranquilitie for Lysidice growing into a worse mood began to be very harsh to him and to think that he slighted her since he came not to see her though She positively commanded the contrarie and though he never in his life loved her more In the mean time Thrasyles seeing himself so coursly treated could not devise unto what to attribute the cause and I believe would never have found it unless he had by chance come unto 〈…〉 e when Lysidice was there where casually I was speaking of a man in Court who was one of my friends One of your friends replied Lysidice sharplie how can that be since I never see him with you I do not say replied I that he is in the first rank of my friends yet however since I see him almost everie day in several places I may say he is my friend Oh Lyriana said she you do strangelie mistake your self for it is my opinion that though I should see you everie day at Philoxenes house and not at mine I should look upon you only as my friends friend and not my own But if Lyriana should onlie aim at seeing Lysidice in Philoxenes Chamber replied Thrasyle what would you think of her then I would then think replied She that She might have spared her labour for I am not at all obliged unto her for it There is such a notable difference between visits at ones own house and visits at anothers house one is not Mistress of the conversation but must submit in civilitie to the pleasure of her whose house it is Moreover when one is not at home one is obliged to see a thousand persons whom they care not for meeting with and who somtimes desire not to be seen So that the humour taking me as oft it doth I shall be a whole after noon and not speak a word and there is so great a difference between Lysidice in her own Chamber aâ—p Lysidice in anothers as one would say she was two Lysidices Yet replied I and laughed yet there is not necessity of being so different in your self However it be said She it cannot be denied but that it is incomparably more sweet to have good companie at home then any where else and that any one is fuller of life and spirit in ones own Chamber then in anothers According to your Maximes Madam replied Thrasyles I am onlie to be the friend of your friend You need not doubt it replied She and from this verie houre I will look upon you as Lyriana's friend and not mine for I do profess and declare unto you that all the men I find abroad do never make any particular impression upon my heart and it would be an Age before I should look upon them as having any right unto their amitie but should rank such men in the Catalogue of my acquaintance and not of my friends But I beseech you Madam replied Thrasyles if one do forbid anie one of their friends to come unto their house does such a friend lose the glorious title and qualitie of friend by being obedient unto their commands Yes replied She if such a one will willinglie be obedient in such a thing as might be disobeyed without disobliging her who did command it I know one of your friends replied he unto whom I will give this counsel Be not too hastie said she for perhaps the counsel which I give in general is not good for him you speak of in particular The truth is Madam Thrasyles did easily understand her for since he had a mind to go the next day unto Lysidices she did treat him most abominablie ill and told him that since he would scarcelie ever see her at her own house he should not see her any where else so that there was a fearful quarrel between them but for all this it ended to the apparent advantage of Thrasyles for since that he obtained leave to see her at her own house as before But Madam it was to torment him more then ever he was before for I am confident that there was not one day on which the inequalitie of this fantastical woman did not torment him with a new punishment the greatest crueltie was that she would so smooth him up with her sweet and pleasant houres that he could not for his life disingage his mind For truly said he one day unto me when I was perswading him to desist were She alwayes in her ill humours I could easily break those bands which tye me to her service But Lyriana did you but know how amiable She is when She pleaseth you would not wonder I should love her maugre
that Chersias should end it the first began to speak in these terms addressing his Speech unto Onesile according to the orders he received from Cyrus The Banquet of the Seven Sages BEfore I begin the description of this famous Feast which the Greeks do call Simposia it 's fit I tell you Madam that though I have related it a hundred times in my daies yet I cannot deliver it in the same terms though I never did vary from truth in any when I told unto men of knowing capacities I never mentioned any thing but what passed among the Sages and of things suitable to their understandings but never told them of any passages in the Garden amongst the Princesses Chersias Esope and my self whilst the Seven Sages were discoursing in high points of Phylosophy with Anacharsis Niloxenus and some others But since I am now to make this relation unto you I think it convenient not to omit the pleasing passages of the day preceding this Feast give me leave therefore to tell you Madam that since nothing was then talked on in Corinth but of these famous men who were met there at one time and of that Embassador from Amasis who they said was sent unto the Seven Sages of Greece every one was fill'd with curiosity to know what he would ask of them from the King his Master Great talk was also of an extraordinary foresight in one of those Sages called Chilon who smelling somthing of the Lacedemonian severity being of that Country he was nothing of Salons humour nor of the other Sages who suited their Philosophy according to the mode of the world as for Chilon he would have all the world conformable unto him So that squaring all the actions of his life by the straight rule of reason he was as careful as he could be to converse with none but such as he esteemed and none else and to prevent his being in any other company whensoever his friends invited him to eat at their houses he would first ask who would be there before he would make any promise saying That a man who travelled at Sea might be in the same Ship with men who pleased him not as well as a valiant Souldier might be in the same Tent with a Coward because necessity of travelling and encamping with such as Fortune brought together did allow it without any imprudence But the case was otherwise in going to Feasts and the man was out of his wits that would venture himself wilfully amongst a miscellany of all sorts of several people So that according to his humour and custome when Periander invited him to be at this famous Banquet Chilon asked before he would promise to make one who would be there As they named unto him Thales Solon Pittacus Bias Cleobulus and Anacharsis he was very well contented and was well pleased also that Esope was to be there but when he was told there would be some Ladies also he refused to go and had absolutely absented himself if they had not been named unto him yet seeing there was to be but three The first Melissa Wife to Periander The second the Princess her Daughter and the third the Princess of Lindes and that these three were the Wives and Daughters to as wise men as himself he promised to be there As for Diocles Menesophiles and my self he did us the favour not to refuse our company Yet since he had never spoken unto the Princess of Lindes Esope understood that he inquired of her very inquisitively he was full of his Rallary all that evening with the Princess of Lindes playing upon the severity of Chilon in the wittiest and pleasant manner in the world affirming boldly that nothing in the world was more dangerous then being over-wise For my part said he and smiled it plainly appears that I am not of Chilons humour at least the Fable which I composed of the Country-Mouse which came to sup with the City-Mouse makes it appear I am not so severe as this Lacedemonian But said Eumetis then unto him your Country-Mouse do so much repent the leaving of her Achorns whereon she lived and her coming for better cheer when she heard the door open where the City-Rat feasted her self that I cannot tell whether Chilon or you have greater reasons for your opinions and whether he have not more reason to be at home in quiet then come unto such ill company as mine However I should be very angry with my self if I should be the cause of his not being at the Feast to morrow for I have heard say that though he be severe yet he is a most excellent man and though he be melancholy yet he is sensible of joy Since now it is very late replied Cleobuline he cannot see you before the Feast Yet I have heard say replied she that Chilon never judges upon any thing by reports nor ever trusts any but himself Then it were requisite replied Cleobuline that the Princess Eumetis did write some piece of wit which may be shewed unto him and that she compose one of those pleasant Riddles which she used so happily to invent and send it unto him that he may know she has as much wit as himself As soon as Cleobuline said so all the company concurred in her opinion and moved Eumetis to compose a Riddle So that Esope who had alwayes a Table-Book about him did take one out of his pocket and offered himself as Secretary unto that Princess who being excellent good at Rallary told Esope that she would let him be her Secretary for once provided he would let her be his another time So that seeming to study a while she writ in Esops Table-book a Riddle which formerly she had made and which none ever yet saw but in lieu of addressing it unto Chilon she addressed it unto Cleobuline Then after she had written it in Esopes Table-Book she gave it unto Esope and he did read these words in a distinct voice A Riddle unto the Princess of Corinth What is it Which flatters not Kings more then Beggers Which serves to correct the faults of others yet knows them not Which is Dumb and yet gives Counsel Which when in the right is not believed but when it flatters is alwayes credited Which one part of the world makes use of to conquer the other Which is multiplied by its own ruine For my part said Esope and shrugged his shoulders I must confess that I better understand the language of my Crows then the words of the Princess of Lindes though their voices be nothing so charming as hers and I confess to my shame that I cannot resolve this Riddle And I will not say for my self as I made my Fox say when he said That the fruit which he could not reach was too green and therefore would not reach them So I will not say I will not unty this Riddle but ingeniously confess that I cannot but am confident that it would puzzle all the Seven Sages of Greece Really
but your self and are you not content with your own Victories but you must also rob other men of theirs Artamenes looking upon him with a fiery aspect It is such a one answered he who makes use of the valour of others to vanquish a distressed Prince abandon'd of his men who ought to be reproached with stealing a victory and not Artamenes who never imploys any arm but his own to obtain it and who leaving all the Plunder of a Field unto the Souldiers doth seldome make them partakers of his dangers Those whom Fortune favours Replied Philidaspes need not to call any others to their help Those who dare trust unto their own courage answered Artamenes never beg the help of Fortune I am certain she hath been your friend and helped you at this bout Replied Philidaspes And certainly she hath forsaken you replied Artamenes that you should thus need the assistance of twelve or fifteen to deal with one single Prince It is an easie matter for you to vanquish answered Philidaspes who never hath any to fight with but base saint-hearted and simple Antagonists It is an easie matter for you to vanquish an abandoned King with a great number but you would perhaps finde it a harder matter added he and raised his voice to vanquish Artamenes single whensoever you shall give him an occasion to fight with you for he desires it and it shall be to morrow morning if you please Let us not stay so long Replied Philidaspes then he stood upon his Guard ready to receive Artamenes who came most fiercely upon him and gave a furious blow which doubtlesse had deeply wounded him if his hand had not turned and the Sword glided upon his Arms. To be short they both of them felt the weight of each others blows and the strength of their Arms do what we could who endeavoured to part them But here Sir I beseech you admire what vertue and true valour can do we were but only four which followed Artamenes and they were twelve or fifteen which followed Philidaspes who when they saw the dispute that was between them though they took his part against the King of Pont yet they would not do so against my Master but turned on his side At this very time Claxares followed by a great number of men did draw neer us and caused these two surious Combatants to give over and suspend their choler What Demon enemy unto my Glory said Claxares would ruin these who have made me victorious And why would ye do that your selves which Fifty thousand men could not do After these words he asked what was the ground of their Quarrell and when he understood it he chid Philidaspes very much for drawing his Sword against one who had the Command over him and he did a little blame my Master for so saving the King of Pont. Sir said Artamenes to him I will engage my self to repair this fault by some way that is more Honourable and I will promise to bring you this illustrious Prisoner before the War be ended or else perish in the attempt Did I not promise in your Majesties presence that I would not suffer him to be vanquisht by any numerous multitude and I did but keep my word with him If the King had not come replied the desperate Philidaspes you might perhaps have been punished then added my Master interrupting him for your boldness and rashness The King imposed silence upon them both and by vertue of his Soveraign Authority agreed them upon the place and caus'd them to embrace one another before him In conclusion a Retreat being sounded they encamped upon the field of Battle and every one returned into his Tent and Artamenes thought upon his Feraulas who had been wounded did the same As for me who had escaped more happily then they I found my self in a condition to do them both service The King came to visit Artamenes at night who not being able to contain his joy that my Master had escaped so dangerous an adventure he expressed all the signs that possibly could be of a most dear and tender affection towards him He sent immediatly unto the Princess his fair Daughter to acquaint her with the Victory and Preservation of Artamenes and my Master as you may very well beleeve did receive this Honour from the King with much joy and reverence All this while though Artamenes and Philidaspes were good friends from the face outward yet they were not so at the heart and it may easily be conjectured that this last adventure did sharpen their spirits it begot phantasticall resentments in both their souls For Sir to disguise the matter no longerâ— Philidaspes whom my Master thought to be only an ambitious man did love the Princess as well as he and this is the reason why he was so hot against the King of Pont looking more upon him as a Lover of Mandana then as an enemy unto Ciaxares Nevertheless he drew some rest unto himself out of this accident for considering how generously Artamenes had preserved the King of Ponts Life he could not so much as suspect my Master to be his Rivall thinking it a thing impossible in such a case to be a Rivall and so Generous both As for Artamenes his thoughts ran quite contrary concerning Philidaspes for his suspicion of his Love to the Princess was by this days accident more augmented then ever How is possible said he to us at night after Ciaxares was gone out of the Tent that Philidaspes who cannot harbour any particular hatred of the King of Pont unless because he is his Rivall should offer to kill him as he was about to do That Prince I say who seems to be of a brave and Generous Soul and is inspired with a Gallant desire of Glory Ah No no Chrisantes said he to me Philidaspes Loves Mandana if I be not the most deceived man in the world Thus Sir you see that one and the same action produces different effects for Philidaspes did think that Artamenes did not Love Mandana because he saved the Life of the King of Pont and on the contrary Artamenes thought that Philidaspes did Love her because he did endeavour to kill him in a manner so dishonourably Yet notwithstanding this all these diversities of opinions were so dubious so uncertain and grounded only upon weak conjectures that they could not assure themselves of any truth but they entertained an inveterate aversion one against the other However some two or three days after the Battle Ciaxares held a Councel of War to consult Whether or no they should Pursue their Enemies who were retreated and who waited for a Puissant Recruit And to amaze them the more it was resolvd to divide the Army and send one part of it to besiege a strong Fort in Bythinia which was seated upon a great Lake by this means to divert and impede thse Forces which the Enemy expected Mean while the most considerable part of the Army to stay and wait upon
incommodious but on the contrary he was of a very pleasant disposition in any company which pleased him The cause of his reservedness was not any melancholique composition in his natural temper but it was because he was of a more delicate fine spirit which without much difficulty could not endure the least fault in his friends he looked for perfection in every thing and could not endure defects so that since it was a hard matter to finde many exactly perfect therefore he found but few to love and many to shun As for me he did me the favour to finde an exception for me out of the generall Rule and forced his inclination to love me The next day we went unto Amestris with whom we found Megabises who was the most astiduous observant of all my Rivals and most to be feared being without question the handsomest and compleatest man about the Court. As soon as we entred I presented Arbates unto Hermanista and after to Amestris They received us both with much civility and treated us after such a manner as I might discern they esteemed those whom I did for besides the common respect which was due and which they rendred unto his condition and merit they did things in such an obliging manner as told me without words that the Favours which Arbates received were partly done for the Love of Aglatidas To speak truly those first welcomes which he received because they could not be attributed unto his merit in so short acquaintance therefore they were far from moving any jealousie in me but rather much joyed me not but that I had some farre fetcht fears lest this civility should engage Arbates more then I would have him but because she did quickly dissipate them The Conversation therefore was very pleasant that day for Megabises was so surpris'd to see his brother amongst Ladies that he could not forbear telling Amestris this was one of the greatest miracles of her beauty Think not Madam said he that my Brother comes hither to finde in you all those excellencies which all the world admires But on the contrary Madam I dare assure you that he would be ravisht with joy to finde if it were possible any imperfection in your beauty or any fault in your Language any dullness in your wit or any harshness in your humours Perhaps it would be advantagious unto Megabises and many others Replied Arbates that the fair Amestris had some imperfections so that she could censure theirs but as for me who never look for any defects but because I look for perfections I am ravisht with joy to finde them all in one and to see my self undeceived in that errour wherein I have been in beleeving that there was nothing perfect in the world You are a very good flatterer for a solitary man Replied Amestris I am very sincere Madam Replied he and therefore I freely tell you what I think After this Hermanista diverted the Discourse News and Court-diversions was all that afternoons entertainment For my part I spoke but little all the day I was so taken up with looking upon Amestris and observing Megabises Arbates and Otanes that I cared not for discourse I saw Megabises grew every day more in Love and a hundred others also were daily captivated Arbates for a man who affected solitude methought was much pleased with this first daies conversation and Amestris did deal her civilities with such equalitie and covered her thoughts with so much modesty that I could not discover any partiality Indeed I was very unquiet all the time insomuch as Amestris perceiving it did pleasingly chide me saying that if she had not known how I had a better reputation then my friend she should have taken Aglatidas for Arbates and Arbates for Aglatidas Yet I thought my self happy that Amestris would take any notice of my naughty humour and Arbates was very well satisfied so that his accustomed solitude appeared no more Melancholy then any other Night being come every one retires to his own Lodging I carried Arbates unto my Fathers house and because I had a minde to treat him civilly I carried him upon a Tarrass where we saw the River Orontes which runs by Ecbatan We took two turns upon that Tarrass and spoke not a word Arbates not daring perhaps to tell me what he thought of Amestris nor I daring to ask him his opinion But here Sir you may admire at the fantasticallnesse of Love I protest unto you I equally feared that Arbates would commend Amestris too much or that he would not commend her enough I feared that he would not disapprove of my choice and I feared that he himself would chuse where I had chosen before him I being then thus perplexed as I have told you and walking silently two turns about the Turrass at last I broke the silence and said with a little forced sight Well Artabes have you defended your self very well has not the fair Amestris made a Rivall of the dearest friend I have You are so jealous answered Artabes that to break that ill habit I will not satisfie your curiosity I will only tell you thus much that I think Amestris to be worthy of all admiration But if you admire her said I to him I believe you love her also That is not an absolute necessity answered he nor a necessary consequence yet I will not talk any more of it for I would work a cure upon your minde and insensibly unaccustom you not to fancy monsters to fight withall Ah my dear Artabes said I to him leave me not in the midst of these uncertainties Tell me I beseech you what are your reall thoughts of Amestris What would you have me tell you answered he if I commend her you will say I am in love and if I discommend her you will say that I either deceive you or have lost my reason It is no matter said I to him though you should let me know that you only esteem her but I would know whether your heart be not taken and whether you love her so much as you must one day hate me for it I know not what 's to come answered he but for the present I know I am infinitely obliged unto you for bringing me to the knowledge of the fairest Lady in the world I consess Sir that seeing Artabes spoke with such freedom of spirit I did beleeve all his tart answers had been only in jest and mocks at my imbecillity so that being ashamed of my self I left off troubling him and went quietly to supper In conclusion I found that though Artabes was extreamly wounded with the beauty of Amestris yet he would not be forced to love her and by the power of his vertue he resisted it as much as he could and strove with all his strength not to become a Rivall unto his brother and his friend such a friend too who had made choice of him to be his confident and without whom he had never seen Amestris It is to be
despair of finding me And these two which had such pleasant things to relate unto me were both of them much troubled that they could not learn what was become of me They were not like to know since I concealed my self as close as I could with intention to let Megabises hear from me Indeed day did no sooner dawn but I sent a man with a note unto him which acquainted him how I desired to fight with him upon that Quarrell which he might easily guess at and to let him know that the man whom I sent would conduct him unto the place where I would expect him with a Sword in my hand But so it chanced that he whom I sent unto him found abundance of company with him because three of his friends came to him and would have him go unto the King who intended to hunt that day and to be with him before he went this Note therefore could not be so hansomely delivered but it was perceived and suspected what the business was so that it was impossible for Megabises to give me satisfaction Artaban coming to hear of these reports acquainted the King who gave order to secure Megabises and commanded to look out for me But here Sir may be admired how fortune does sport her self at the destinies of men Although I did challenge Megabises yet there was almost none in the Court that would beleeve it unless those which were with him when he received the Note and the report of it being spread abroad that Megabises and Aglatidas would fight it was not thought likely that I who had killed his brother should also call him to an account Amestris thought it to be Megabises who called me in question and not I him and did imagine that this would more confirm me in the opinion I had of her so that she resolved to go on in her odd determination Mean while Artaban with ten or twelve of his friends took horse and all the care they could to finde me out I knew by the return of the man whom I sent that Megabises was clapt up and that he sent me word by him he would give me satisfaction as soon as he could But when I perceived Artaban some two hundred paces off and because I would not be clapt up as Megabises was I galloped away and as I often turned my head I saw Artaban before the rest riding as hard as he could and making signes with his hand to stay me because he would speak with me But as my misfortune had resolved my ruine I perswaded my self that the wisdom of Artaban thought it not fit I should call that man in question whose brother I had killed and indeed I my self did think it unreasonable so that imagining that he had nothing to say unto me unless that the King would make Megabises and me friends the more he made signes to stay the more I spurred my horse I did oft understand what he said but would not make answer and I think he had overtook me had I not met with a great Ditch which my Horse did freely take but his would not under a quarter of an hours beating In the mean time I having found a thick wood which hindered his sight of me I quit the common road and took such an obscure path that Artaban was constrained to return very sorry and angry that he had not spoke with me I not well knowing what resolution to take after I had contrived and devised a hundred designes I went unto a Church which was not farre off the Priest whereof I knew with whom I had an intention to stay four or five daies concealed imagining that they would restrain Megabises very long and that as soon as he was at liberty he would give me satisfaction It would not be at all advantagious to you Sir to tell you what kind of life I led in this place supposing that you will imagine it to be most restless and melancholique This Church was built in an ancient Forrest the trees whereof were so thick that the Sun did never shine upon it I wandered all the day in places least frequented Sometimes I passed away the time with the Magi which dwelt thereabouts and with him with whom I lodged I had told him that some grumblings at Court caused me to retire for a time But whosoever I entertained my self withall and wheresoever I walked alone Megabises and Amestris took up all my thoughts Perhaps said I they are just now together perhaps Amestris is talking of me unto him with scorn perhaps she is entreating him not to expose himself unto a new Quarrell perhaps she is praying against my life and perhaps Megabises and she are married To tell you Sir how sadly this last thought was resented and how deeply it wounded my soul is a story which I cannot possibly relate Upon a day then when I was most dejectedly walking in the Forrest I discovered a Coach full of Ladies I no sooner saw it but I rusht into the Wood But one of the Ladies spying me Aglatidas cried she do not fly and but suffer me I beseech you to speak one minute with you I knew the voice full well to be Menasta's and imagining that perhaps Amestris was with her I knew not whether I should stay or shun her But at last hearing her call very earnestly and very often I turned and came to her as she was coming out of the Coach which was very near the Church she having two friends and one servant with her did leave them and desired them to go and stay in the Church whilst she did speak with me concerning some business she had with me we being cosens the Ladies which were with her did not think strange at her freedom to me so that Menasta giving me her hand and walking some twenty or thirty paces into the Wood without speaking a word to each other she said unto me looking me earnestly in the face I do not know Aglatidas whether what I have to tell you will be welcome or unwelcome unto you for since you love Anatisa so well you will not regard the marriage of Amestris Amestris cried I out being transported with sorrow and jealousie is she married Yes replied Menasta faintly but Aglatidas what does the news concern you that you should be so troubled at it you who have told me you did not nor would not love Amestris any longer I think so to replied I and I beleeve I should not love her but I do hate Megabises so much that I cannot hear of his happiness without an unimaginable despair If Megabises answered she have no other joy but what the marriage of Amestris affords him I would advise you not to trouble your self at his good fortune What said I to her with a minde full of hatred sorrow and jealousie not knowing her meaning can Megabises marry Amestris and not be the happiest and most satisfied man in the world Ha Menasta said I not giving her time to answer
hides his flight amongst the rest but if you shall persist in your Courtship of me and afterwards make 〈◊〉 retreat you will then be taxed with absolute inconstancy Give over then Thimocrates go and leave Telesile at rest for she will neither love nor beloved she thinks her self so rich in her own vertue that she desires no more You shall possess my heart said I unto her whether you will or no I shall know that said she smiling whether you will or no and so mixing with the rest of the company we walked on and I had not any opportunity to speak any more in private with her and my mind waâ— so busie with thinking whether I had cause of hopes or fears that I knew not what any said But to shorten my discourse I shall in few words tell you that the hundred thousand services and solicitations which I rendred unto Telesile move some acceptance of them she knew that her father would not dislike of my affection and she her self did so like of my proceedings and addresses to her that she entertained them with as much acknowledgment as she scorned them thâ—â— had forsaken her In a word I arrived unto such a happy condition with her that she believed I loved her and gave me leave to tell her as much In the mean while Androclides since he could not endure the sight either of Telesile or me went into the Countrey and so in time many others of her former Lovers so that I thought my self in a very happy condition for I saw Telesile everyday and she was so sweet as to seem as if I were welcome she had not directly told me that she loved me but as I one day took an occasion to speak with her she told me that there was news abroad which would make Androclides hate her more then he did which was that Atalia was like to bring forth a Successor unto Crantor and it was true but she looked so attentively upon me when she told it as if she would find the bottom of my heart by the colour in my face No no said I unto her subtle Telesile you cannot find anything in my face which does not speak that real thoughts of my heart and you shall never find anything in my heart which shall make me unworthy of yours I wish I may not said she hastily She had no sooner pronounced this last word but she blushed as if she had committed a crime and endeavouring to mitigate that obliging interpretation which I might have made upon it but it was with such a pleasing confusion that I placed that minute in the number of the most happy ones that ever I had in my life but Heaven knows it was seconded with as great a misfortune as I thought that a happiness for I was no sooner at my lodging but my father sent for me and told me that he â—â—ood in great need of my company in a journey which he intended in the morning that I must prepare my self for it I endeavoured to excuse it but could not but presently after I understood by Melesander that my father did complain unto a friend of his of my love unto Telesile telling him that he suffered it as long as there was any hopes of her being rich but that he would not suffer it now that hope was taken away so that when I had vanquished the rigor of Telesile and was almost sure of Diophaxtes his consent unto whom I had made addresses by Melesander a new obstacle started up and I must be sensible of all the horrid rigors of a â—ong absence for to depart from her one loves is doubtless a great misery but to depart from her one loves who loves him again is incomparably the most dismal disaster that can possibly come unto a man yet notwithstanding I must prepare my self for it and go with my father unto the furthest part of all Phocides towards Megares I knew not whether it were expedient to tell him that I took my leave of Telesile but depart we did and during this voyage this misfortune happened that the Commonwealth had given my father such an imployment as was exceedingly beneficial and augmented his estate so that I met with nothing but obstacle upon obstacle and I was as much grieved at my good fortune as I could not be more if the worst had happened During this time my father used all his arguments to avert my love and sometimes also I endeavoured as much as I could to perswade him to prefer the vertue of Telesile before any thing else but when I found that the more I testified my constancy the more I retarded my return to Delphos I dissembled my thoughts and made him believe that absence had wrought the cure upon my love-sick mind But alas how extreamly was he deceived in his belief for I was never in my life so deeply plunged in the gulf of love as then I knew that Telesile loved me and I understood by Melesander that my absence much troubled her and I fancied such a Heaven of delight in seeing her again that I thought upon nothing else Yet I knew that my father would not return to Delphos of a long time if I did not very much think that I was absoluted averted from Telesile Therefore I did vâ—zard my affection and began to make frequent visits for we were in a great and populous Town and I fixed upon one above the rest who was indifferently fair but yet I entertained not one thought of her which did lessen my love of Telesile This Lady was of a most sweet but melancholy composition and by consequenceâ— could better think upon Telesile when I was with her then if she had been sprightly and airy These visits produced those effects in the mind of my father which I expected for now he thought I had quite forgotten Telesile since I was in love with Pheretime for so was her name But since he did not approve of this second choice no better then of the first because though Pheretime was of a noble family yet not so illustrious as he expected therefore he resolved to return unto Delphos But although this harmless dissimulation wrought good effects upon my father yet they produced bad ones upon Telesile who as I came afterwards to know was informed by the means of Androclides she not knowing it came from him that I was deeply engaged with Pheretime so that when I returned unto Delphos I found an alteration in her mind and I understood by Melesander that for this fifteen dayes she could not endure to hear him talk of me as she was accustomed Diophantes also seemed to be changed as well as she for knowing that my father was averse to any aliance with him his mind was much angered so that for some certain dayes I was as miserable as any lover could be in the presence of the party loved but at the last finding an handsome opportunity to speak unto her What have I
limbe and without being excellent in any thing I did almost know every thing Thus did I recreate my self until it pleased love did disturb my delights by the very same thing in which I so long time delighted and see how the misfortune came to pass Cleobulus one of the wise men of Greece and Prince of Lindus sent unto Periander concerning some important Affair but his Agent dying at Corinth I was made choice of to go unto Cleobulus for I had now attained unto twenty years of age and since this Prince had one daughter called Eumetes whom the people called Clobuline after her father though her name was not so and since it was the same with the Illustrious Daughter of Periander I confess that I was much pleased with the voyage and because I had a great desire to be known unto the Princess of Lindus of whom I had heard spoken so much both of vertue and spirit and since I had no business at Corinth I was very glad to depart and since the Princess Cleobuline did esteem me much above my deserts and held a great correspondency with that excellent Lady unto whom I went by reason of their sutableness in their spirits and humour she did me the honour to send a Letter unto her by me to the end I might be the more acceptable unto her and since this flattering and obliging Letter was the cause of my love And I have so perfectly remembred it that I believe I shall not alter a word in relating it unto you though I must needs blush in telling it to make you the better understand the beginning of my passion And thus it was The Princess CLEOBULINE unto the Princess EUMETIS WHat share soever I shall participate in that joy which Philocles goes to receive inseting you and in that happiness which his acquaintance will bring unto you I know very well that I am neither friend nor Cousin to prefer the interest of another before my own since I cannot me thinks sufficiently rejoyce at the delight you will take in the person of Philocles to know all that is admirable in Corinth and that he will find in you all that is illustrious in Greece This petty Jealousie moves me to tell you that which his modesty will questionless conceal how that besides those essential qualities which of themselves are enough to make a most compleat man he is one of Aâ—poles best Disciples and greatest FAvourite of the Muses especially of those Muses which are your friends Move him therefore to impart those qualities which he uses to bide from all but such as are like you Make him shew you his Verses his Pictures and his Aires all of his own composing I have charged him to bring me back a Character both of your mind and face and if you please let him not steal it against your will but afford him such convenient time as he may worthily acquit himself of his Commission which he has received from me make an exchange with him some of his Verses for some of your ingenious Riddles which you have composed and which troubles all them that would unfold them But after all this remember that I do but lend not give this Treasure unto you Send him therefore generously back and do not ruine Corinth by retaining Philocles with you Since I have discoursed that which perhaps he would have concealed Tell me at his return what progress he hath made in your opinion of him what ingenious Pieces he has written of you and how many Conquests he has made amongst your Ladies for I know him too modest to tell any thing advantagiously concerning himself and too judicious to talk of any thing but you at his return I could tell you much more concerning him I will leave it unto you to discover some vertues of his soul which are more excellent then his wit After all this be pleased to consider him as my kinsman and that you have promised to esteem every thing that is dear unto me And lastly know that I am your CLEOBULINE This Letter so full of flattery being written the Princess as I came to take my leave of her told me with as much Gallantry as Civility that she had engaged me deeply in many things by her Letter unto the Illustrious Eumetis but that she was not sorry for it since she knew I would not pass for one of a prejudicated opinion Madam said I unto her what you tell me makes me afraid lest intending to favour me you ruine me See said she unto me shewing me her Letter whâ—ch was yet unsealed whether you will not gallantly perform what I have promised in your behalf I would then have excused my self and not have seen it yet since she absolutely commanded me I obeyed her But as soon as I had read seven or eight lines I blushed for very shame and not daring to read any further Oh Madam said I unto her what have you done and what have I done that you should in such an ingenious manner do me so bad an office No no Madam said I and would have given it back unto her I must not carry that which would dishonour me Yet you may see it at the least said she laughing though it be only to teach you what you ought to do if you do not agree that can do as I say and since I refused she took the Letter and read it aloud I confess I was so confounded at it that I could not chuse but interrupt her and although prayses be sweet especially unto young men yet I was extreamly fearful I could not be able by my presence to make good what the Princess Cleobuline had said of me But since I did absolutely refuse it she made use of her absolute Authority to make me take it and after her Commands to seal it I must take it and promise her to deliver it although I knew it might much prejudice me since certainly all excessive commendations in new acquaintances is very dangerous especially unto persons the most accomplished although it be not an easie matter to resist flattery So not well knowing what I should do with this Letter I took it and departed with a man of good quality called Antigenes of the same age with my self who intended the same voyage and certainly he was as pleasant company as any in Corinth we were at that time two intimate friends we were of the same height of the same garb and loved the very same things and he had a Genius as well as I unto Poetry Limming and Musick If the Princess Cleobuline had known of his journey doubtless she would have mentioned him in her Letter for she highly esteemed him but he concealed his intentions from all the world not desiring that his father should know whither he went fearing some considerations of his family should obstruct his curiosity But Antigenes and I embarqued together and arrived at Jalissa a Town where the Prince Cleobulas did commonly reside I
me as his friend and resolved some time or other to speak sincerely unto me concerning it and coming one morning unto my Chamber he said unto me that he thought himself the most unfortunate man in the world because he imagined that I was in love with Philista as well as he and protested unto me that if he had observed any inclination in her to love me he would rather die then be any obstacle to my felicity but since he saw her mind was so far from any advantagious thoughts of me he thought he was not injurious unto me 〈◊〉 falling in love with one whom I could not love before him since we saw her both together the first time and since the first minute of her sight was the first beginning of his passion Indeed he spoke unto me with as much generosity as I Lover who would not quit his Mistress could do and I answered him with as much discretion as a desperate man and one who had some vertue was capable of speaking unto a Rival that was more happy then himself and one who he esteemed as his friend I confessed so ingeniously unto him that I had no lawful cause to complain against him but I told him further that for all that it was impossible for me but to be infinitely angry at his good fortune That it was but a piece of raillery to think that two Rivals could ever be true friends and that all which generosity and prudence could do in such cases was to prevent them from being mortall enemies Moreover since I was too just to desire him to give over his designe so I desired him not to take it ill I continued mine and told him he might well enough agree unto so much liberty since there was very small appearance it would any thing advantage me In conclusion after a long conference we agreed to discourse no more together concerning Philista but both of us to endeavour all we could to obtain her love and that he who of us two could arrive at that honour should move that fair Lady to pronounce a sentence of death against him she loved not After this Antigenes and I lived better together and was as civil one to another as any men could be who endeavoured all they could to ruine one another since the Prince Cleobulus would retain me a long time with him and since I had received new Orders from Periander which would imploy me longer there I had the leisure to put in practice such expedients as are usually advantagious in matters of love I followed Philista whithersoever she went I was perpetually in conference with her I spoke of her eternally unto all my acquaintance and I applauded no other beauty but hers but was continually whensoever I had any occasion extolling her to the Heavens I composed verses in her honour which were better relished by all the Court then those of Antigenes though perhaps his were more ingenious I added musick unto my poetry I composed Aires as well as words and sung them my self with all the art I had so joyning the charms of harmony unto my expressions I sighed as I sang and endeavoured to enchant her heart by her ears I was at vast expences in clothes in Balls in Collations and Banquets and in all manner of Liberalities I got the friendship both of all her friends and all her Lovers Alasis her father loved me very well a brother she had did not hate me her women and all her Domesticks were all woon by my gifts I spoke unto her with as much reverence as he who approaches unto the Gods I expressed my passion both in Verse and Proes my tears also did often plead in my behalf The violence of my love did sometimes whether I would or no blow furie into my eyes and dispair into my discourse I saw I was vexed jealous my face changed and to say all in few words the most miserable man in the world yet I could not alter her heart from that stubborn â—version which she had towards me I remember that one of her intimate friends who afterwards became mine also asked her one day Whether it was possible she should not esteem me since I had the good fortune to get some share in the esteem of all the world besides she did then acknowledge unto him that she knew very well I did not deserve those rigid treaments I received from her yet for all that she could not help it and that since some men do fall in love when they know no reason for it so it was no wonder if there were some which hated when they had no cause But said that friend unto her those who love as you say do ordinarily resist against their passion It is true replied she but it is only because that passion might move them unto some dishonourable actions And do not you replyed her friend act some unjust ones No answered Philista for I am not bound to love all the gallant men which are in the world but esteem my self very happy that I have so good a remedy against so terrible an enemy But said this charitable Confident further unto her why do you not defend your self with the same Arms against Antigenes which you use against Philocles since you do only fight for your own liberty Cruel friend said she unto him urge me not so far I conjure you and force me not to tell you that which I dare not think upon without a blush Content your self with this consideration only that love and hatred are two tyranical passions which oftentimes do mock both at Reason and Prudence all that I can say unto you is that I have not resisted that strong aversion which I have unto Philocles because it can never do me any harm and that I have much resisted against that sympathy and inclination I have towards Antigenes because it may be prejudicial unto me Thus did this conference pass whilest we were every day with the Princess unto whom all the Ladies resorted but amongst the rest Stesilea who indeed was a very passable beauty was most frequent This Lady had a good wit but such a jealous and envious mind that she wished her self the only fair one in all the world yet was my heart so altogether taken up with Philista that I perceived not things most visible So that I not knowing she abhorred her Rival in beauty did sometimes discourse with her she was so crafty and full of spirit or at least made many believe so that indeed she suited her self with my humour she began to disswade me from my passion afterwards to pity me and complain of the incivilities of Philista towards me and of her indulgence towards Antigenes and carried the matter with so much art that her company was more agreeable unto me and requisite to comfort me Then did I discover the bottom of my heart unto her I laid open all my imbecility before her and conjured her to become my friend I asked
Leontidas so much that he cares not for his being a Rival But it may be said I that my conjectures may deceive me and those who told me that Theanor loved Alcidamia may be deceived themselves At the last I concluded that either Theanor did not love Alcidamia or else that he was loved I wished the Gods that it might prove the first of these I being in these uncertainties I resolved to satisfie my self a little better and to talk unto this fair Lady and to discourse of several things concerning Theanor thereby if possible to discover the truth so that not thinking to make my own passion known unto her I endeavoured only to discourse concerning my Rival I went then unto the Princess Hirsilea where I knew she would be and after that several people were come in and gone out again at the last I addressed my self unto Alcidamia who according to her usual custom entertained me with much civility presently after Policrates came in and almost all the men of quality in Samos followed him except Theanor who melancholy retained him at home after a little while of general discourse Policrates having some private business with the Princess his Sister took her to the window which opened unto the Main Sea and left me an opportunity to execute my designe me thought also that Alcidamia did contribute her willingness unto it though truly it was in such a manner as did add unto my unquietness As it was but a little while that I had yet been at Samos she had no reason to speak unto me concerning any thing but general things and as she had observed that Theanor was more friendly unto me then any other so she was readier to entertain discourse with me then those with whom I had yet no particular acquaintance After then we two had been a while together and said nothing one to another What have you done with your friend said she unto me and how comes it to pass Theanor is not here now all the Court is present This unexpected question surprised me and I could not hear the name of my Rival from the mouth of Alcidamia without a blush for truly though I intended to speak concerning Theanor yet did I not think she would begin the first Madam said I unto her I have left him in his Chamber so melancholy that at the present I did not think his humour fit for company You â—re then a very ill friend said she unto me smiling to leave your friend in such a case It was because his humour was so sullen said I unto her that my presence was trouble some unto him and perhaps also more then anothers would be In truth Leontidas replied she you vex me for Theanor is a very compleat gallant man and if any great misfortune should befal him I should be extreamly sorry Madam said I more unquiet more curious and none jealous then ever Since I have been but a while at Same 's I cannot be well acquainted with the news of the place but you who knows all I suppose you are not ignorant that Theanor's disease as I think proceeds from a violent passion Aloidamia thinking then that I would speak in behalf of Theanor changed her colour and looking upon me more seriously then before I knew not said she that your friend was in love neither do I think he is but indeed Leontidas if there be no other cause of his melancholy but that I should not pity him so much as I do It is because perhaps said I and looked more attentively upon her you know he is not to be pitied but that he is loved by the party whom he loves I know not answered she whether he be loved or hated for I am neither his Mistress nor his Confident I wish the Gods that half you say were true said I interrupting her very sharply for Leontidas would then be much more happy then he is Leontidas said she smiling was born in that Isle which was consecrated unto the Mother of Love where Gallantry is Law where they never speak of any thing but love and where the Ladies are never entertained with any discourse but such as obliging sweet and flattering but we who reverence another Deity are less gallant then they and also if you please to have it so something more severe I must tell you as a stranger that you must not mention any such things unto our Ladies who would perhaps be more offended at you then I am because they do not know how to excuse the eâ—stom of your Countrey as I do All your Ladies replied I hastily Ah Divine Alcidamia you do not know Leontidas if you think he will ever say unto any other but you that he is desperately in love Seriously Leontidas said she either correct this ill habit which you have brought over with you or I shall complain unto your friend and desire him to break you off it if it be possible He cannot answered I though he should attempt it Then must I fly your company replied she until such time as you have better learned our customes It is the custom Madam for all that replied I to adore such beauties as you And it is also the general custom of all places replied she except Cyprus that those beauties of whom you speak are glorious noble and severe and will not suffer any discourse of such things But is it possible replied I that all the beauties in Samos should be inexorable Was there never any that would suffer themselves to be loved and have permitted hopes that they themselves would hereafter love and have bestowed their pictures upon their servants and have been complacential many other ways unto such as they have accepted on I know not said she wondering why I should use this odd discourse or if I did their example shall never be followed by Alcidamia But however Leontidas let me once more intreat you to leave off this ill custom if you have a mind to enjoy any of my company Alcidamia spoke this in such a manner as I was afraid she would banish me her conversation and since my jealousie perswaded me that she was so severe unto me only because she would be more faithful unto my Rival even very spite made me entertain love still in my heart so that beginning to speak again If it be only an ill habit said I unto her you would be unjust to think it possible I can lay it off upon a sudden therefore Madam I conjure you to allow me some certain days to unaccustom my self Alcidamia who was very glad to turn the discourse into raillery said that she would allow me the rest of the day but I used so many arguments and urged her so much that I obtained eight days after which I was not to speak a word of my passion or love she telling and laughing that she would complain unto Theanor if I broke my word Thus 〈◊〉 lieu of speaking of my Rival Alcidamia spoke first unto me
was amazed at the discourse of Artemon and seriously protested unto him that he never desired Amestris should so retire from company but that her reservedness was voluntary and proceeded from her self only No no said Artemon you cannot perswade me to beleeve it but since you know I am your Friend you may very well make an ingenious Confession of your weakness unto me after you have done so I shall say you have a mind to satisfie the world But to make me beleeve that Amestris who all her life lived in the company of compleat men and delighted her self with variety of Recreations should change her course the very next day after her Marriage unless you had commanded her or at the least unless she knew that living so would please you this I say is a thing which I cannot beleeve I do protest unto you said Ottanus to him that I am no cause at all of her alteration And I do protest unto you said Artemon that I do not beleeve you yet to speak sincerely and plainly unto you think Ottanus that Amestris is yet too young to begin so severe a course of living and I have heard many say that a Husband who is jealous without cause may afterwards have cause to be so and thank himself for it I know the vertue of Amestris is so great that you are not in any danger of such a misery but for all that there is no great pleasure to be taken in being the common talk of the world and the more vertuous a wife is the more foolish the Husband is and more tales are told if he be jealous Therefore if you will take my advice be not so or if you needs must be at the least hide it handsomly A Lover I do confess may be jealous without dishonour and seldom is love long without some sparks of it yet a Husband cannot seem to be so but he exposeth himself to be the mock of all the world I know it is some injustice to excuse the one and condemn the other but since it is grown to be the universal opinion of the world you cannot alter it therefore alter your self if you can Ottanus seeing he could not perswade Artemon to believe him and being vexed to the soul that such tales should be commonly told of him he carried Artemon whether he would or no unto the Chamber of Amestris to ask her before him whether ever he did so much as seem to desire she should retire her self from the world Artemon thinking Amestris would perhaps be pleased if he could contribute any thing that might cause an alteration in her life went with him As soon as they entered seeing she was alone in her Closet I pray Madam speak said Ottanus to her whether ever I desired you to forbear any visits or to go any more unto Walks or Balls Did I ever forbid you any handsom dress or refuse any company that ever came unto you or did I ever bid you go unto the Temple by break of day as it is reported over all Ecbatan Sir answered Amestris and blushed I cannot think these are any who have such an ill opinion either of you or me as to say any such thing Ask Artemon replied he who will tell you that because you are more solitary then heretofore you used to be it is said that I am jealous I had rather answered Amestris they should say you are jealous and that I obey you then say I go to Balls and Walks against your Commands But since it befits me to justifie you Know Artemon said she and turned towards him that this change which is observed in me is not properly a change since it was always my natural inclination which I was forced to hide as long as Artambares and Hermanista lived because they were not so indulgent towards me as Ottanus is who suffering me to be Mistress of my own will I can now live without any forcing my self as before I did It must needs be confessed replied Artemon and smiled that if you did force your inclination you did dissemble it admirably well but however said he further thinking to please Amestris whom he much esteemed since you did heretoâ—ore force your disposition to obey a father in exposing your self unto the view of the world doubtless you canâ—do no less now to preserve the honour of a husband who is accused of much injustice I do not think said Amestris much puzzled that ever Ottanus will be perswaded by such ill grounded reports for I have seen none since he was married of whom he can be jealous and therefore I hope that in spite of all malicious Rumours he will permit me the freedom to prefer the tranquility of my Closet before the tumult of the Court of which I am weary Then I beseech you tell me said Artemon who imagined that Amestris spoke so only to please Ottanus what you would have me answer unto those who ask me how you live and what you do You may tell them replied she that somtimes I read somtimes I imploy my self in works of gold and silver somtimes I limb and draw pictures and somtimes I enjoy my solitude in remembring all the follies of many men who think themselves very wise and are not so Whilest Amestris was thus talking Ottanus walked up and down and said nothing and observing that she was angry at what Artemon had said unto her Madam said he I hope you will no refuse to justifie me and my honour in the opinion of the world therefore I do conjure you to look upon it and vindicate me for I cannot endure to be any longer accused for keeping you up as a prisoner Sir said she unto him if you let your felicity depend upon the opinion of others I think myself in an ill condition and if I should expose my self unto the world again I know not whether the same men that unjustly report you to be jealous will not report me to be too gallant and free therefore it is much better not to run the hazard of that danger Then some came into the Closet who had business with Ottanus so that he could not make a reply unto Amestris but he went out and Artemon with him leaving her alone in much wonder at the passage Menasta came to her presently after and observing some disorders in her looks What 's the matter said she unto her since yesterday when I left you I am so angry replied Amestris that I can hardly tell you the cause of it for truly Menasta excepting your self I had but one comfort in the world which was my solitude and which I thought I should have enjoyed quietly until my death yet they will deprive me of that then she related unto her the whole passage But Menasta said she it is true that all the world reports Ottanus to be jealous It is certain answered she that such a rumour runs about the Town and more certain that I never went
conducted might be carried unto the Queen of Susiana Chrisantes was too gallant a man to treat so brave an enemy as he found him ill and told him that according to the Laws of war he must carry him to Cyrus but promised to obtain of him what he desired In the mean time Chrisantes did provide the most convenient lodgings that he could for those Ladies amongst which one of them was a most ravishing beauty and the next morning himself did Conduct these Prisoners unto Cyrus But in going thither they were to pass through a little town where the Queen of Susiana and the Princess Araminta was and they went by the Temple there just as those Princesses were coming out of it Chrisantes out of his respects unto them made a halt and the coach in which the Captive Ladies were staid and one of them knowing Panthea cryed out so loud as that Princess turning towards her looked seriously upon and knew her And being well acquainted with Chrisantes she sent unto him desiring the favour that she might speak with those Ladies which he conducted And since he was not ignorant what Respects Cyrus would have rendered unto that Queen he went himself unto her and said he would bring them unto her house as soon as she should be there and he was giving orders accordingly for it when news was brought him that Cyrus was coming to see Panthea and the Princess Araminta So that Chrisantes seeing the disposition was no more in him since his Master was present he left the Queen who was going into her Coach and went to acquaint Cyrus with her desire This Prince then passing by the Captive Ladies saluted them with as much civility as if they had not been Prisoners at all and going straight to the Queen of Susiana with whom the Princess Araminta was Madam said he unto her and bowed down to the very ground you will finde more conveniency at your own house then here to entertain these Ladies which are of your acquaintance Panthea then commanding they should obey Cyrus went to her own Lodging and the Coach in which the Captive Ladies were followed hers In the mean while Chrisantes presenting his Prisoner unto his Prince Sir said he unto him this enemy which you see here is questionless worthy of your protection since he assures me that the Prince Artamas is his friend if so said Cyrus and embraced him I am sure to be his also since I think my self obliged to love all that he loves That honor sir replyed the Prisoner would be too great for me and it would be enough if you will be pleased in consideration of him to treat those Ladies whom I conducted with all civility The consideration of the Queen of Susiana replyed Cyrus without any addition of the Prince Artamas is sufficient to oblige me unto it and your own merit without that Prince is also enough to make me your honorer for finding by your face that you are a man of quality and spirit and understanding by Chrisantes that you have as much soul and heart as a man can have there needs no more to induce me to it and to let you see I am serious before I certainly know what you are pray go with me to your Ladies who are with the Queen of Susiana In saying so they alighted from their horses and went unto Panthea's chamber whom he found full of expressions of friendship and affection unto one of those Prisoners My dear Cleonice said she unto her am I so happy as once to see you again And can I grieve for your imprisonment since it makes my own more sweet Madam replyed Cleonice the loss of my liberty shall delight me if it can any way adde unto your happiness however it is not long of your illustrious Conqueror said she and looked upon Cyrus that my Captivity is not sweet unto me Cyrus answered Panthea according to his ordinary generosity After this that Princess told him how the father of this fair prisoner was born her subject since he was the subject of Clasomenes although he dwelt at Ephesus and told him further that she had known Cleonice a long time and loved her exceedingly and that she was of a most sweet condition conjuring him to let her be with her and all the Ladies in her company also though she knew none of them Cyrus consented unto all her desires telling her they should have their liberty if he did not think their presence would be more pleasing to her and would divert her Afterwards Cyrus asked that Lady whose name was Cleonice whether she was any friend unto the Prince Artamas thinking it impossible but she must needs know him by the famous name of Cleander Sir answered she and blushed I am a debtor unto that honor which I have to be known unto the generous Ligdamis and pointed with her hand unto that prisoner which Chrisantes took and I make no question but when by his mediation Artamas shall know we are in your fetters he will obtain so much favour from you as that our chains may be as light as the Laws of War will permit The illustrious Cyrus said the Princess Araminta and interrupted her does not use to impose heavy ones upon his prisoners for he is much more observant unto the Laws of Generosity then the Laws of which you speak Whilst Araminta was speaking thus Panthea looked upon Ligdamis and thought she should remember the name then addressing her self to him I pray Sir tell me said she and smiled whether your father be not Governor of the Castle of Hermes and whether you are not that same Ligdamis whom reports say does make a publique profession to be a declared enemy of Love and to all them that are in love Madam replyed he doubtless I am the man you mean though I am not the same I was Leonice blushed at the answer of Ligdamis but to turn it as handsomly as she could she said when none asked her that one of her Cousins being sick in the Country she durst not venture to go from Ephesus unto her if Ligdamis had not offered to guard her and one of his sisters which she shewed unto Panthea who indeed was very fair Cyrus knowing by this discourse the name and quality of his prisoner did use him more civilly then before conceiving it might advantage the design of Artamas So that after a long visit unto these fair Prisoners he left them with Panthea and charged Araspes to treat them with all possible sweetness and curtesie As for Ligdamis he carried him with him assuring the Ladies that he would be as careful of him as Panthea could be of them and indeed in their return unto the Camp they talked together and Cyrus to testifie how dear the friends of Artamas were unto him he let him have his liberty upon his parole and told him he should have no other guards upon him but his own generosity Ligdamis returned thanks with all imaginable submission and
absolute arguments whereby to conclude he was in Love so that he knew not either what to say or think since he was not one of an humour to love violently he himself was never much unquiet and the Jealousie of such men may rather be termed Curiosity then Jealousie As for Artelinda she did secretly triumph in being a cause of Cleonice's trouble yet was her Joy not over-full of tranquillity because she was still in some doubt there was some secret affection between Ligdamis and Cleonice for if that were not said she she would never have taken that Letter and concealed it and if she had not conceived herself interested in Ligdamis when she saw his hand she would not have come off with so short a visit nor been so impatient to be gone Thus did Artelinda argue all whose thoughts since then we came to know for she was not of any humour of keeping secrets very well In the mean while Ligdamis could not imagine what this Letter should be which Cleonice so carefully concealed nor could he conceive what it was which so troubled her mind He could not think upon any thing else but it and when he returned home he would not admit of any company whosoever Yet did he wonder to find himself so unquiet and was angry that he should be no more a master of his own mind conceiving that friendship only ought not to cause so many angry hours nor knowing any reason why the sight of this Letter which she so closely concealed should cause any such sensible sorrow in himself since he was not in love with her Yet since friendship may be as tender as love it may be also a cause of as much unquietness and one may fear the loss of a Friend as well as the loss of a Mistress Finding therefore that he had some reason to be troubled he waited with much impatiencie till the next morning before he could cleer himself of his doubts yet he could not so soon for though he went betimes to the house of Cleonice yet she was gone forth before he came But Madam that which caused her haste was her fancie to tell Artelinda all that had passed between Ligdamis and her to the end she might better be convinced of his being in love though she was absolutely perswaded that he was for besides this Letter she knew that the Father of Ligdamis would not suffer his son to marry any but one woman whom he had proposed unto him So that she expounded all that Artelinda had told her even as that cunning woman wished But to cleer all Cleonice went to Artelinda's chamber and conjured her to discover the name of this fantastical Lover who permitted her a hundred servants Cleonice said Artelinda to her I confess I ought to be fuller of pitty then you yourself have been but you shall never know it not only because you are too cruel but also because he whom you would have me name hearing of our private conferences is so afraid I should discover our correspondencie unto you that since yesterday he hath written no less then thrice unto me that he will absolutely break off with me if ever he hear I acquaint you with the league that is between us Therefore Cleonice I beseech you pardon me and importune me no further to tell his name I confess his proceeding does much astonish me because I cannot comprehend his reason why he should so much fear I should disclose our secret unto you especially knowing that he esteems you very highly And truly I must also confess said this subtile woman that if you were less severe then you are I should think this Man hath told you as well as me that he loves you and so deceives us both Therefore Cleonice said she still most craftily if there be any man who notwithstanding your severity does tell you any delighting lyes which do not displease those who do not believe them I conjure you to confess it unto me and name the man who told them promising you that if you name him whom I mean I will immediately acknowledge him for I have as great a desire to tell his name as you have to know it Speak therefore Cleonice and tell me the man to the end that joyning our interests and resentments together we may both of us hate the man that thus divides his heart between us For my part said Cleonice who found enough to confirm her in the opinion she had of Ligdamis since none ever talks to me concerning matters of Love I can neither satisfie your curiosity nor my own Ha Cleonice said Artelinda you speak in too generall terms to be credited for how is it possible men should see you and not tell you at the least that they think you fair since I my self who am not in a capacity to love you cannot chuse but say as much However said she you may very well speak more sincerely unto me since I would trust you with things of my greatest importance I do not desire Cleonice you should tell me who it is that you love but who it is that loves you I perceive very plainly you will not satisfie me because you will not so much as name Hermodorus I shall not name him indeed replied Cleonice as well because he hath ceased his Courtship as because I know it is not he with whom you hold this secret correspondence As they were thus in discourse Ligdamis hearing Cleonice was there came into the chamber As soon as he appeared Cleonice blusht and Artelinda counterfeiting sadness she drew her stool further from Cleonice as if she were afraid Ligdamis should observe she whispered with her This conversation was not pleasing unto any but Artelinda who had a secret malignant joy to observe the restless minde of Cleonice who not being able any longer to endure the company either of Artelinda or of such a perfidious friend as she conceived Ligdamis to be did rise up and would have gone away He presented his hand unto her to lead her out though this visit was so short that it was a kinde of incivility offered unto Artelinda to go so soon but Cleonice imagining that his going with her was only to dissemble the better would not suffer him to go with her and to hinder him she said she was not going to her own house adding further with a forced smile that she would not incur the hatred of two such friends at once by separating them so soon Artelinda replyed unto this according to her usual subtilty and Ligdamis could not imagine why she should say so for her looks were so serious as he could not believe it to be a bare complement without any design so that he would however conduct her to her coach and as short as his visit had been yet would he not go in again but would see whether Cleonice said true in saying she went not unto her own house So that he followed after her and Cleonice looking back to see
and businesses of all the Court as well as if he had been bred in it all his life After the expiration of fifteen dayes the fair Cleodora returned and hap would have it so that Belesia Hermogenes and I being in the walkes we saw her return and saluted her and knowing of her return before hand we were there the first and since it was yet very timely we might without any incivility visit her but first we gave her time to consult with her glass and make her self fit to entertain company When we were come thither Hermogens pretented Belesis to her Aunt and her also and to compleat his civility unto his friend he kept the Aunt in discourse and left Cleodora unto Belesis and me In the mean while as flatteries are seldome forgotten when they are handsomly applied so the language of Belesis unto Cleodora in the walks the same day he came first to Susa did now move her unto more affability then she ordinarily used and she spoke unto him much more then unto any one yet she treated him as a stranger unto whom she thought it not fit to speak of any thing but in generall therefore beginning her discourse I do not aske you said she unto him whether Hermogenes hath shewed you all the beauties of Susa for I make no question but he carried you to all places where you might meet with any delights therefore I pray you do me the favour to tell me what you think of our publike places of our Temples of our walkes and of every thing in Susa all these Madam replied Belesis seem admirably beautifull unto me but to tell you sincerely said he and laughed I do not think these questions proper to divert you therefore I beseech you do not use me like a stranger unto whom nothing is to be talked on but the customes of his own country If I had had the honour to have spoke with you the day after I first arrived I should have been patient at such discourse as this But now Fair Cleodora it is fifteen dayes since I came to Susa so that if you think I know nothing yet but that your streets be large and neat your Temples beautifull your Palaces magnificent and such things you treat me too cruelly but I beseech you if you love me do not force your self unto such discourse but ask me what newes as if I were a Susanian and a courtier Cleodora hearing Belesis say so began to laugh not thinking he could tell her any private newes and imagining he would not have spoke so but because he had known something of her humour so that beginning to talke again I see you know said she unto him that I am afraid of any new acquaintance nor care for the company of men who are ignorant in the affaires of the world But Belesis I am not so unjust as they report me for that which I wonder at is at the men of Susa who are ignorant in all things but as for you who are not so nor have dwelt amongst us I should be very unreasonable if I should blame you for not knowing all the secrets of our Court and uncivill also to speak unto you of such things as you understand not For my part said I and spake unto Belesis I conceive you have reason to commend Cleodora on the contrary replied he perhaps I have more cause to complaine of her then you think I have but however said he speaking unto her will you be pleased to promise me that you will not let me pass under the notion of a stranger if I do tell you some newes I do not mean such said he and smiled as is spoke aloud in the streets or such as is whispered from eare to eare four dayes together before it bolt out Ah Belesis said she you will make me the most ashamed and do me the greatest favour in the world if you can do as you say yet I see no likelyhood of it for excepting yesterday I have every day received letters from Susa which acquainted me with all the newes that was stirring however said he unto her if I acquaint you with something since you ought not to tax me with ignorance After this he began to tell her of a hundred passages and to speak unto her as one that knew all the factions and severall interests of every person of quality whether it were his ambition or his love or any thing else in all the Court and Town so that Cleodora and he came to that pass before the conference ended that they often whispered unto each other and induced me to change my place and addresse my self unto the Aunt of Cleodora and Hermogenes And so that from this first day Belesis was very intimate with Cleodora who openly confessed that he had told her many things which were never written unto her Truly said she unto him as they were ready to go away I beleeve you have been a long time concealed in Susa for it is impossible you should come to the knowledge of all these things which you have told me in fifteen dayes I know something more replied he which doubtlesse you do not know oh I beseech you said Cleodora unto him go not away before you impart it to me I will said Belesis to her then whispering in her eare certainly you do not know sweet Cleodora said he unto her that I am extreamly in love with you I do not indeed said she aloud and blusht and more then that I do not beleeve it or think it possible Time will tell us both more certainly answered Belesis and retired after which we went out and went unto the house of Hermogenes When we were with Belesis in his chamber we asked him what he thought of Cleodora I will not tell you replied he for perhaps you are not now the cause of my staying here I do not wonder replied I that you should be well pleased with this beauty since she hath treated you otherwise then she used to do any that were not her friends yet her behaviour said he would cost me many an angry hour if I in earnest love her for notwithstanding her sweet affability I discover a kinde rigid pride in her which would grieve me to the soul and notwithstanding all this she hath such attracts in her eyes as I know not how to defend my self against them though I have a great desire unto it For my part said Hermogenes I ever defended my self against her for though she have many alluring beauties yet there are many things observable in her humour which are so many antidotes against the poison of her charmes so that I am in no danger of ever dying for love of her It is not so with me said Belesis for I am afraid I shall one day complain against you for making me acquainted with her These were the effects Sir which the beauty of Cleodora wrought in the heart of Belesis and now I will tell you what effects
place of his name but give me leave to tell you Sir that as soon as all ceremonious mournings were over Parthenia made a voyage to the Court upon a businesse which concerned the Principality of Salamis also that perhaps she was not sorry that she was as fair as ever for Parthenia was not above eighteen years of age However she returned unto Paphos where she dimmed all that could pretend to any beauty and captivated no fewer hearts then she did at first but hers was more difficult to be caught then ever and she was so resolutely determined not to receive the affections of any that shee did not thinke her selfe so much as obliged unto any that profered theirs unto her And as Callicrates one day chid her for this cold indifferency and telling her that solitude had made her salvage and unsociable shee stiffly maintained that shee had no reason to think her self beholding unto those who loved her because her beauty pleased them For the truth is said she I am resolved not to expose my selfe unto the same misfortune I have had and as long as I believe that they do not love me but because I please their eyes and for a fading thing which a little sicknesse may take from me I cannot much build upon such kind of affections But Madam replyed Callicrates if you take beauty away from love you may as well take away his arrowes and bow and quite disarme him I would not take beauty away replyed she but on the contrary I would have such use made of it as of a Candle do you not see that when fire is put unto a faggot it burnes though the Candle which lighted it be taken away or extinguished So would I have beauty do which sets hearts on fire but I would not have them extinguish when it which set them on fire is extinguished Your smile Madam replyed Callicrates is full of wit Yet certainly the fire which lasts long must have something to maintain it T is true said she but it must not be beauty for that is onely to kindle the fire not to preserve it It would be a rare World if love should alwaies change as oft as the face of those they love doth if so a Rheume would kill a thousand lovers and a gentle feaver would break a thousand Chaines and set as many Slaves at liberty No no things must not be so and whosoever loves onely the beauty of Parthenia shall never get her love I would have them love all Parthenia and not by halfes as you told me when Polydamas lived I would have them love her for something besides her beauty that they may not fall off when it fades did not you do so Callicrates before I went to Salamis T is true Madam I did answered he but it was because I could not endure to see you miserable Fie fie replyed she you cannot make me believe that but I am perswaded you left me either because I had fewer Company or because my friendship was lesse considerable But know said she and smiled that I never loved Callicrates but for the wit of Callicrates I liked his f 〈…〉 Letters and his smooth verses and his pleasant conceits otherwise what did I care 〈◊〉 he were happy or miserrable Also I thought 〈◊〉 daies in which you shewed m 〈…〉 one of my letters said she in such a manner as might let him see she was not ignorant of his proceedings or verses or on which you were not pleasant to be ill spent in your company and but for them I should very near have hated you for I cannot endure 〈…〉 constancy either in friends ot lovers but it is most of all odious in friends since so Madam said he I beseech you do me the honour to ranke me amongst your Lovers that I may be lesse criminall Since I cannot revoke what 's past said she and smiled I cannot though I would make yo 〈…〉 ore or lesse innocent then you are but in justifying you on the one side I shall condemn you on the other therefore it is much better I look upon you as an unfaithfull friend then as an unconstant lover since which way soever you shall become the last of these you will be alwaies criminall and alwaies ill treated However I should be glad Madam said he unto her that yo 〈…〉 uld do me the honour I ask for I must confesse I cannot endure to be dishonored and called an unfaithfull friend since in being one I should have renounced all virtue and generosity but it is otherwise in being onely an inconstant Lover for such a one is onely accused of lightnesse and weaknesse Yet I think folly may be added unto them replyed she Since that is a thing which is not dishonorable replyed he it shall be no great obstacle unto me and I had rather you should think me foolish and out of reason then thinke me culpable Though Callicrates was formerly wont to speak many times as boldly as thus without any supicion of speaking seriously yet now Parthenia took it ill he should speake thus for he spoke it with such an Air so bold as displeased her So that both she and Callicrates stood a long while silent and Parthenia had no mind to begin discourse for she observed that Callicrates was not sorry for her anger but this silence lasted not long for company came in and Callicrates went out very glad Parthenia understood him Yet he resolved to appease her at what rate soever though it cost him a hundred oathes that he did not love her and that he spoke as he did onely to put her into a quarter of an houres impatience However Sir there was such a Fatalitie in the beauty of Parthenia as brought upon her a hundred miseries either by those who loved her or by those who envyed her or by Callicrates There was also a man of very high account who loved her but not long and she was so assaulted by all the Court and all the World that she was not able to endure it and so much the lesse because the Prince Philoxipes returning from War Courted her in marriage for a friend of his so that to deliver her self from so many importunities at once she returned to her solitude She had no fancy to Salamis but to the Country and since I had a Sister whose name was Amaxita whom she loved very tenderly she entreated her to goe with her unto her accustomed desart which she willingly consented unto In the mean time since Parthenia had ever a passionate Soul she was something perplexed to see that she could meet with none whom she could love Also the custome of Cyprus requiring that all Ladies should be loved she was something vexed that all those Ladies who were her Enemies because she was fair should Triumph in her absence But that which most vexed her was a piece of knavery which Callicrates played her I think Sir I told you not that since their last conference which
to be once loved and then not to be so and since Beauties are more exposed unto that danger then any others I doe not recant of any thing I said These Sir were the opinions of Parthenia whilst shee was in her melancholly moods and this was the life she lived when a Gallant of high esteem called Timantes came to Paphos with an equipage proportionable to his quality and high birth and sutable to the magnificence of his mind and riches which were both as high as his Quality This Timantes Sir was descended from King Minos who raigned â—ong in Crete And though the Crown was not invested in his house but the form of Government changed yet the people did highly respect those who were descended from their ancient Kings insomuch as they had the highest honours and greatest authority amongst them So that it may be said that though the Father of Timantes had not the name of a King yet 〈◊〉 â—ad very near the authority especially in matters of War 'T is true that since he did st 〈…〉 observe the Lawes of that famous King which before I named and who was a patâ—â—rn 〈◊〉 the Legislators of Greece hee did not deceive that trust which the people repo 〈…〉 him but did infinitely purchase their love and no wonder for I am confident that 〈◊〉 â—oever is an observer of the Laws will easily get love and obedience also This Sir was the descent of Timantes whose person was extreamly handsome and whose wit was above ordinary capacities The reason of his voyage had no matter of privacy in it and being born in an Isle which had a controversie with ours in point of Reputation he had a longing curiosity to see whether Cyprus was to be preferred before Crete or Crete Cyprus So that his travel being a voyage of pleasure and curiosity onely he arrived at Paphos as I said with a most magnificent Train and Equipage His Quality was no sooner known but the King did him all imaginable honours and his merits were no sooner discovered but he was esteemed beyond all expressions So that in a few dayes Timantes was no stranger in our Court The Queen Aretephile much honour'd him the Prince Philoxipes had contracted a close friendship with him Policrite esteemed him and not a Lady in all the Court but had a good word for him As it is the custom of all Courts to double their diversions in favour of strangers the like was there for Timantes But whether in company or Balls or Sports or Walks or publique Feasts Timantes was the onely man of spirit wit behaviour and magnificence So that no one was talked on in Paphos but him his reputation rung as loud and reached as far as where the Princesse Salamis kept her solitudes and I think I was the first who described him unto her Yet she did all she could to hinder me saying she would not willingly know any more what passed in the world since she had quitted it But notwithstanding presently after she asked me which of all the Ladies in the Court was it that most moved the heart of Timantes Beleeve me Madam said I unto her hitherto his civility hath been so equall unto all that it seemes he 's not in love with any For at a grand Feast where there was used a kind of delightfull Combat where those which fought had their devices upon their Bucklers Timantes represented upon his a Phoenix with this Motto I stay untill the Sun doe burn me Certainly said Parthenia this Stranger puts none of the Ladyes out of hope to conquer his heart to the end none should hate him as long as he stayes at Paphos In the mean time Megasides you would oblige me very much in acquainting me with these diversions which I am ignorant of And therefore when you visit your Sister hereafter I pray you acquaint me with what the Court hath more then it had when I was there what new diversions what fresh gallants and what the old ones who are past diversions say This Sir Parthenia heard me speak of Timantes the first time but I was not the onely one who told her of him For the Prince Philoxipes went to see her and did the same Policrite also and Dorida writ unto her so that she had a most exact Idea of Timantes Yet would she never consent that the Prince Philoxipes should bring him thither as he affected this Prince telling her that a Stranger would not interrupt her solitude But she did so earnestly forbid him that hee durst not bring him or to say better the Gods would not permit him since they would have Timantes and Parthenia acquainted in another manner But Sir before I tell you how it was be pleased to know that there was a fair house of Timocleas Fathers about a dayes journey from Paphos about half way unto the town or place where Parthenia lived in this place there was a Labyrinth of Myrtle trees whose hedges were so thick and so high that one shall be as much puzzled to get out of it as out of the famous Labyrinth of Egypt or that in Crete but this was made with such art that those who were in them of Egypt or Crete yet could not finde out the issues of this For as that of Crete was made by ingenious Dedalus when Minos kept there the Minotaure whose modell Dedalus borrowed from that of Egypt So likewise that which is at Paphos was made by a man who having seen both the other took something out of the one and something out of the other and contrived one of the most pleasant diversions in the world The Architecture seemed in Myrtle as if it had been in Marble conveighing from room to room from closet to closet and from gallery to gallery In divers places there were erected Statues of Alabaster and Brasse which yet were no notions of the wayes in or out because the very same were pla 〈…〉 in many places alike there were also severall seats of grasse-cushions whereupon to râ—st the weary limbs of wanderers or for those that knew the passes to sit contemplate The center of this Labyrinth where 〈…〉 ese wayes did meet was a most pleasant round in the midst of which was a most admira 〈…〉 â—ource of water which was conveighed over the hedges as high as they were This Sir was the Lab 〈…〉 nth which Timantes had so much curiosity to see with more longing desire because he 〈◊〉 seen that in Crete which was visited from all parts of the World He spoke often of going to it and the Prince Philoxipes intended to make one but falling sick his journey was stopped So that Timantes turned his intentions into a hunting design with some others of quality in Paphos But as chance would have it Timantes lost his way and wandered from the rest of the company with a friend who travelled with him whose name was Antimaques So that not knowing were they were they espied at their comming
indeed this Musician was very long in tampering and tuning his Harp twenty times did he twine up and down the strings sometimes it was set too high sometimes too low sometimes in the same note it was before he broke above twenty strings still something was out of order then would he lift up his eyes towards heaven and turning towards the company seem to be very angry Afterwards would he offer at a tune in a kind of confused manner so as one could not judge whether he was skilfull o◠ignorant in Musique And indeed this subtle friend had all the fretting humours of a peevish Musician and seemed so hard to please in tuning his Instrument that he gave Thrasimedes time enough to talk he would lengthen out the time by intermixing a discourse of Musique and omitted not one term of art he told me of three sorts of the Phrygian of the Dorian and of the Lydian he had up the Diotonique the Cromatique the Diapason the Mese the Paramese and a hundred other conjuring words which I understood not nor ever shal remember and all this in such a Magisterial tone as if Amphion Linus or Orpheus had spoke In the mean time be pleased to know that I thinking I could not do a greater pleasure unto him that was my Musique Master then to acquaint him I sent for him appointing him to be brought into my Closet by a back paire of stairs And indeed when this pretended Arion had tuned his Harp this Musician was in my Closet with all the women of my house You may imagine how impatient he was to hear this man whose fame went over all the world In the mean time since I knew he was not lesse famous for his Verses then for his Musique and Voice and thinking those which he sung when he thought he should have dyed would be most admirable I would needs entreat him to sing them therefore I explained my meaning and courted him unto it you may imagine that he could not satisfie my desire since the true Arion would never impart those admirable Poems unto any but the friend of Thrasimedes having wit at will excused himself very handsomly He told me that it was a song so sad and so full of lamentable expressions that it would move more sorrow then joy I who desired that he should have a good opinion of my ability in matters of musique desired to think that Arpalice and my self were not of the humours of most women in generall who affect onely light pleasant Airs but on the contrary we delighted most in melancholly tunes which sad and soften the hearts of hearers and move them unto compassion Oh Madam replyed he I dare not consent unto your desires for I am confident that which moved the Dolphins unto compassion will move too much sadnesse in you Seeing then that I could not move him to satisfie my desires I pressed him no farther but let him sing what he pleased All this while Thrasimedes was expressing his love unto Arpalice who fearing to give too much hope unto her Lover rose up and came nearer the counterfeit Arion who perceiving his friend had done his businesse and would talk no longer with Arpalice and therefore he resolved to sing But though he did it very well for a man of Quality who made it not his profession yet my expectation being high I was astonished when this friend of Thrasimedes began to sing so meanly But whatsoever I was the Musician in the Closet was much more However Arpalice and I durst not let our wonder appear but seemed as if we thought he sung admirably well yet I could not chuse but tell Arpalice in a low voice whilst he was tuning his Lute for another Air what I thought Do you not think said I in her ear that Dolphins only can think this Harmony admirable For my part said she all I can say is that if Arion speaks no better then he fings certainly he has tired you I assure you said I unto her he does not sing so well as he speaks and I am confident that it was by words not songs he charmed the Dolphin Though Arpalice and I resolved to speak but one word yet I found my self in such a laughing vein that I talked a long time purposely to keep me from laughing out But that which gave me the first ground of suspition was that whilst I was talking to Arpalice I observed this feigned Arion tuned his Instrument looked upon Thrasimedes and was so tickled with a laughing conceit that he had much adoe to contain as I yet did he counterfeit the Musician still and did it very well But finding his friend desired no longer discourse and seeming to be angry at what Arpalice and I did he laid his Harp upon the Table hastily and would sing no longer Arpalice having not observed so much as I began to make a thousand excuses and desired him to continue his singing but he with the pettish humour of a Musician said it should be some other time For my part I stood silent and he making use of my silence to colour his refusall of Arpalice told her that he perceived I was not pleased because he would not sing the same verses which he sung when the Dolphin saved his life and therefore he would stay untill such time as he had a little recollected his memory Since you owe your life unto them replyed Arpalice it is not credible you should forget them Whilst she was talking thus Thrasimedes who was not sorry his plot was discovered because it would be taken for a mark of love came unto me and asked me with a smile what I thought of his friend Me-thinks said I unto him in a low voice that this Arion speaks so well and sings so ill that I think him more fit to divert company by his discourse then to char 〈…〉 Dolphins by his voice For my part if I had been a Dolphin I should have taken more delight in hearing the Waves dash against the Rocks then in his songs However said Thrasimedes unto me his Harp gives not more satisfaction then his eloquence I cannot say so replyed I for his discourse pleaseth me much better then his Musique After this Thrasimedes told me that Arion had a desire not to be known and therefore would be called Philistion as long as he stayed in Town And the best conceit was that this borrowed name which Thrasimedes mentioned was the right name of the counterfeit Arion who after as much discourse as spoke him to be a man of much spirit went away with Thrasimedes who told me so much as I did not doubt of this trick which was put upon us So that fearing lest it should make some noise in the Town I went presently into my Closet to entreat the Musician not to tell Arion was in Patara but a woman of Arpalices and another of mine over-hearing that name it was a hard matter that a secret should be kept amongst three
plain dress that vail hanging down to the ground over her fair hair that plated Tiffiny about her fair Neck and tyed with several black Ribbonds like a Scarf those turned up sleeves which let the whiteness of her arms appear and all her sad habit which gave a more fresh lustre to her eyes and was a foil unto the freshness of her complexion all of these were so advantageous unto her that her greatest adorers confessed they never saw her so fair and they pressed so that day to see her that one could hardly pass through the Chamber unto the Queen who did treat her according to her merits Amongst that croud of gallants there was one that day with the Queen whose name was Poligenes who was one of the most considerable men in our Court both for his quality and merit who being a great friend of Stratons and one of the prime Admirors of Elisa was ravished with joy at the acclamations which were attributed to her Beauty yet he thought that this his joy was as much an effect of that friendship which he held with the Father as the love which he bore the Daughter for having seen her in the Cradle and used in her infancy to speak unto her as if he had been her Brother also given her a hundred advisements in divers accidents he could not believe he was in Love with her yet it was not long before he did perceive it as I shall hereafter tell you Amongst this multitude of men of Quality who were then at Court there was one of Sidon called Phocilion who having never seen Elisa before was so surprized and charmed that he could not talk of any thing else He did not content himself with looking upon her whilest she was with the Queen but he followed her when she went out as far as her Coach afterwards he came in again unto the Queen and mixing with the company of three or four whereof Poligenes was one he began to extol the beauty of Elisa very highly asking where she lodged who used to visit her often and who could carry him thither Poligenes who till now was glad of the praises which were attributed unto Elisa began to think strange at those which Phocilion gave her for he was very handsom and he told this fresh Adorer of Elisa that the house of Straton was not now so open and free as it was wont to be in the time of the late King and therefore he would not advise him to court his new acquaintance adding further that since he was a Sidonian it was not convenient for him to see such a dangerous person in Tire yet for all this his perswasions would not work upon Phâ—cilion for which he was very sorry So that calling himself to an account he found that certainly the affection which he bore unto Elisa was of another nature then he imagined But before I acquaint you Madam with the progress of this Love it is requisite I acquaint you what kind of man the lover was Poligenes was doubtless descended from a very illustrious family and out of a house more noble then that of Elisa his person was very handsom he was rich and neat in his habit and never any had a more Polite and facetious wit then he Courtship and gallantry were qualities born with him civility was inseparable from him and though he was of a little too serious composition yet he was not melancholy but on the contrary his conversation was very pleasing 'T is true he was a little reserved and particular and never spoke in any of those tumultuous conversations where there was much company If he was at any time to give a treatment he would do it with so good a grace in such order and so neatly that one would believe it cost him half as much more as it did and in any thing which he undertook either Races Musiques Balls Walks or Feasts he alwayes had somthing extraordinary and rare so that all unanimously did give him the reputation of the neatest of men and it may well be said that all the spruce youths of the Court came not neer him Poligenes was about thirty five years of age when the late King of Phenicia died although he seemed not to be above twenty and eight He had a Brother much younger then himself but he was not then at Tire Poligenes being as I have described did not mix himself with the youth of the Court which made such a croud upon Elisa as if he were their Rival but on the contrary he behaved himself as the friend of Straton and his Daughter not but that he did commend her with a better grace then they and was as full of his expressions of gallantry but it was in a way more subtil and by not professing the Gallant he was more Courtly then they Since he knew the sharpness of Elisa's humour he carried it so as he perswaded her that whatsoever he said were only effects of that Gallantry which proceeded from his natural Genius so that Elisa not suspecting he had any particular design upon her lived with him in much confidence and as if he were her brother The better to palliate his own thoughts Poligenes would somtimes give her advice either in acquainting her what was said of her or in advising her to rid her self of some who visited her craftily chusing those whom he feared most prejudicial to him Elisa thinking him well intentioned towards her thought her self exceedingly obliged to him for his behaviour to her and his advice though she would be her own Governour nor was she of too easie a belief yet she lived with him in a most obliging manner So that whil'st she made all those to dispair whom she thought her Lovers Poligenes whom she thought only her friend received a thousand testimonies of esteem and friendship In the mean time Phocilion notwithstanding the advice of Poligenes found out a way by the help of a friend to be carried unto Elisa and being handsom and of a good spirit also being of good quality and a very compleat man Straton entertained him very well and the better because he looked upon him as one who might in reason think of a Marriage with his Daughter for he knew very well that all those Princes and Grand Signiors who had loved her would not marry her As for Elisa she looked upon him as a compleat man and never looked further for in the humour she was marriage was no part of her inclination Phocilion being discreet and wife having a sweet and pleasing wit and never speaking any thing unto Elisa which might give her the least cause to shun his company he courted hers and he had presently got that pleasing familiarity with her which she allowed to her friends and denied to her Lovers Poligenes upon whom Phocilion cast a shadow imployed all his Stratagems to put him out of Elisia's favour Somtimes he would tell her he was but a Rustique other whiâ—es that if she
and since Elisa was known to have excellent judgment in such things he desired Straton that he might shew them unto her in her Chamber shewing him also which he brought on purpose some Diamonds saying it was to let his Daughter see them Straton no sooner heard this but he sent to know whether his Daughter were awake and hearing she was drest he carried Poligenes to her Chamber door and having some business left Poligenes with Elisa whose beautie without any art or ornament appeared in greater lustre then ever he had seen it At first Elisa thinking he had some business with her asked earnestly what it was For I do imagine said she unto him that it is of some importance since you come to me at an unusual houre for the visit of Ladies 'T is verie true Madam replied Poligenes the business I come about is of great importance But I must tell you said he and spoke in a low voice lest any of her women should hear that the business concerns you more then me For indeed Madam had it been only my own business I should not have been so uncivil as to have disturbed you at such an unfitting houre yet though my business is only your service yet I deluded Straton in telling him that I desired your judgment in some Jewels for I did not think sit that he should know what I have to tell you Elisa was at the first surprized at the discourse of Poligenes but since he never used to tell any thing which displeased her since she thought him to be her friend and never suspected him as her lover she recollected her self and imagined that since he had given her heretofore much good advice so now perhaps he was come to acquaint her what Lyriope had said of her so that thinking Poligenes had somthing of consequence to impart she made a sign unto her women to go out of the Chamber after which turning towards Poligenes I have a great desire said she unto him to know what you have to tell me Madam said he unto her though in telling you my business I shall give you good proof of my affection yet I wish things were so that I could omit it for indeed it is of such a nature as friendship alone is not enough to excuse the Treason which I shall commit against one whom Nature bids me love but for all that since it concerns the glorie of Elisa I shall not weigh it for I am perswaded that I ought to his interest or my own rather then fail in the respects I owe you I am infinitely obliged unto you replied Elisa most sweetly for your expressions of so much zeal in any thing which concerns me but because I will not hinder you from relating this business which I so much desire to know I will not therefore at this time return you your due thanks Though my desires of telling you replied Poligenes are higher then yours yet I cannot chuse but terrâ—ble at the Treason which I shall commit Yet notwithstanding I conjure you Madam said he to colour his design that when I shall have discovered the crime of a man committed against you that you will not then think me a partaker in his crime but to make use of the advice which I shall give you according as your prudence shall think most conducing to your tranquilitie I promise to be directed by your advice Poligenes replied Elisa lest I should disoblige him who hath so much obliged me Then Madam replied he I must with some shame and anger tell you that the man whom I accuse is my brother How Poligenes said Elisa and interrupted him hath Agenor done any thing which will offend me Agenor replied Poligenes faintlie doth doubtless adore you as much as possible he can but to be sincere with you he hath blabbed out some things which certainlie he ought not But I beseech you said Elisa sharplie which way can the indiscretion of Agenor concern me for there is no private intimacie betwixt me and him or any else I wish Madam replied Poligenes that all he hath told me of you were not true if it be not your glorie is much more safe How Poligenes replied Elisa and blusht has Agenor told any thing to my dishonour He hath told me somthing which at least is advantageous unto himself replied Poligenes But Madam before I complain give me leave to speak and in accusing Agenor in some sort to excuse him and let me further tell you that it is almost impossible to find a man of his age who is discreet Discretion is a most excellent qualitie replied Elisa sharplie but yet those who come into my companie may fail in it yet not prejudice me But Poligenes I pray unmask this Riddle Madam said he unto her I would gladly talk with you as if you did not know that Agenor loves you Alas Poligenes said Elisa and interrupted him I believe Agenor hath deceived you as once he deceived me when he would have perswaded me that all those Gallantries which he was used in companie were real marks of his Love for I profess unto you I was a long time verie angrie with him for it yet in the conclusion I was well satisfied that all his designs were onlie to divert so that we were reconciled again and I both lost and found a friend in one quarter of an houre No no Madam replied Poligenes there is more in it then so Agenor who is accustomed alwayes to have two or three confidents of his passion to the end he might have so many witnesses of his glorie made choice of me for one and indeed I know all the passages between Lyriope and him Alas Poligenes said Elisa Lyriope and I are of verie different humours 'T is true indeed replied Poligenes He does not boast of receiving from you such as he received from her I mean letters pictures tokens and such like favours as may be kept in a Cabinet but he is so bold as to say he hath received such from you as can be kept onlie in the heart with a pleasing remembrance I am so ignorant in matters of Gallantrie replied Elisa with exceeding anger as I cannot tell the differences between favours and favours all I know is there be none so little as are not criminal or which I could ever find in my heart to confer upon any person But yet Poligenes pray ye tell me what did Agenor say I did for him He said Madam since I must tell you replied Poligenes that he has told you a thousand times in secret how he loves you that you permitted him so to do without the least anger and that you and he together did scoff at all his Rivals and that in conclusion you did not hate him if you did not love him and I believe he talked of somthing more obliging then all these for he talked as if he often read in your eyes that he had a little room in your heart However Madam added
know the most sublime Sciences transcend not her knowledg she is a compleat Mistress in the most difficult Arts she built a Palace after her own ingenuous model the best in the world she found out the Art of a Palace of a vast capacity in a little room order proportion regularity are in all the rooms all is magnificent all convenient full of conceit and useful design her Closets and Cabinets are full of rarities which speak the judgment of the chuser the Aire in her Palace is all perfume several rich pots ful of flowers makes a continual Spring in her Chamber and the rooms of common use are so full of pleasure and phancie that one would think himself in a place inchanted when he 's there Moreover she had a most facetious ingenuity in composing either Prose or Verse But amongst so many high advantages which she received from the Gods she had the misfortune that the least distemper impaired her health like certain flowers which to preserve their freshness must neither be alwayes in the Sun nor alwayes in the shade which yet being kept neither cold nor hâ—t do keep their beauty or else will wither and die Cleomira therefore being so tender went less abroad then any other Ladies in Tire The truth is she never needed to go out of her house to seek for company for there was not a person in all the Court who had any excellencie of wit or virtue who did not frequent it nothing did pass for currant if it had not the stamp of her approbation not to be known unto her was thought not to be in the world a stranger never travelled to Tire who would not see Cleomira and pay her homage not any excellent Artificer but desired the glory of her approbation upon their works all the Poets in Phenicia did sing her Encomiums and she had the esteem of all so universally as there was never any that ever saw her which did not extol her and were charmed with her wit her sweetness and her generosity Moreover Cleomira was not the only Ornament of her Palace for she had two Daughters who indeed were worthy to be hers The elder whose name was Philonide has a mixture of much beauty much complacence much wit all her inclinations are noble and generous her stature tall and handsom her beauty rare her behaviour the most genuine and natural in the world her wit the most charming the most easie and the most gallant that can be she writ as well as she spoke and she spoke like an Angel she was wonderfully apt for all excellent things and was ignorant in nothing that was fit for a person of her Quality to know her dancing was able to make any in love with her and she was every way so apt for the world for great feasts and the honours of a great Court that it was impossible for any to be more her dress did ever so well become and fit her and troubled her so little that one would say any thing would fit her pleasures and delights did so Court her that not a day did pass without a fresh diversion and if ever she were sick it was ever at such melancholy times as when no pleasures were stirring and if she were ill at any time it was only so as to draw all the Court unto her Chamber and never so ill as to be deprived of their company Moreover she had such a prodigious number of friends to say nothing of her Lover as it was to be admired how she could answer the friendships of so many at once yet she gave them all very ample satisfaction Yet I am confident say what she please that it was impossible she should love so many as she seemed to be obliged unto for their friendship and I am certain there was a great number whom she did only esteem with common civility and acknowledgments yet they all were very well contented with her and loved her as effectually as if she loved them not but that she had many friends who had deep sâ—ares in her heart but that choice number was not easily discerned from the rest and I believe only her self knew positively whom and how she loved yet she had a general tenderness to all which made her the most officious person in the world and had such secret and particular charms in her conversation towards some few men she liked as to pass away one afternoon in her Chamber in one of those Summer daies which Ladies use to convert into an artificial night to avoid the heat was enough to fall in Love with Philonida But Madam as Philonida was a great contributor unto the diversions of Cleomira's Palace and made it a most charming Paradise of pleasures Anacrisa her Sister did merit to be her Partner She was not so tall as Philonida though of a handsom stature but the lustre of her complexion was so taking and the delicacie of it so extraordinary that though her eyes were not extreamly fair yet every one did highly applaud her with a thousand Encomiums Though Anacrisa was both very fair and amiable yet there was somthing in her aspect so sprightly so delicate so subtil so austere so crafty and so sweet both as did most pleasing arrest all eyes and as did make her both loved and feared at once and certainly it is no wonder she should inspire both these two passions at one time for she was the most amiable and the most terrible both which was in all Phenicia There was one considerable difference between Philonida and Anacrisa which yet was contributory to their happiness the first of them was almost never discontented in all places she was pleased with what she could find in them and whither soever she went she carried such a suitable Spirit along with her as that she could find pleasures in Provinces furthest off from the Court But for Anacrisa there was so few things which satisfied her so few persons that pleased her so few pleasures that fitted her inclination her phancie was so delicate and her humour so hard to be pleased as it was almost impossible for her to find one day of perfect happiness in a whole year yet was she so happy as that her dislikes were alwayes divertisements for when she was to pass over a tedious journey in the Country or an afternoon in bad company she would do it so pleasantly and in such a charming manner that it was not possible but to admire her and one could not chuse but pardon a person of so much beauty and spirit as she was for being very hard to please in her choice of such as she would honour with her esteem or allow them her conversation Thus Madam have I described Cleomira and her two admired Daughters and after this I beseech you imagine what delights Elisa would enjoy in the friendship of three such illustrious persons who were not contented with loving her themselves but also would have all their friends to love
as if he were not worthy and speaks such things of himself as it is impossible he should speak as he thinks since it is not credible that he should so perfectly know all good qualities in others and be ignorant of his own excellencies After this Madam I believe you will confess that a man who cannot be blameed for any thing but having too much of a virtue is a man most extraordinary and that such a one is no mean contributor unto the pleasures of Cleomira's Palace Did you but see the divine Cleomira the adorable Philonida the fair Anacrisa the admired Elisa the generous Megabates the illustrious High-Priest the pleasant Clearques the wise Theodamus the merry Pherecides the accomplished Aristheus and five or six others worthy of such a company with Phocilion I am most confident you would be charmed and confess that Elisa had reason to think greater felicity was in such friends then in her Lovers Moreover Madam It is requisite I let you understand that all these friends of Elisa did not entertain her with such a kinde of friendship as take up with civility and has so little fervency in it as it can scarcely be discerned but on the contrary it was with a most ardent zealous and earnest amity which shewed it self upon all occasions an amity full of applauds and commendations which was careful to please and divert and to speak reasonable this affection which they all had unto Elisa might be termed Love without desires since certainly there was much more in it then ordinary amity though none of the restless resentments of Love After this Madam you may easily imagine that Elisa being continually in Cleomira's Palace amongst so many accomplished persons did live in full satisfaction and was full of complacence for her austerity had so choaked all her Lovers that they kept distances and durst not importune her yet Asiadates in his heart was still full of unruly passions to Elisa and not daring to testifie his Love unto her he resolved to sweeten the bitterness of his torment by expressions of his hatred of Lyriope who endured most insufferable restlessness that Elisa should rob her of the heart of a Husband as formerly she had done of a Lover So that whil'st she was innocently enjoying her diversions amongst such and so many illustrious persons Lyriope was plotting how to ruine her and so to cure Asiadates of his passion yet she was a long time before she could contrive the way But since there is nothing which jealousie cannot invent Lyriope knowing Asiadates to be ambitious as well as amorous to try if she could take him off Elisa resolved to perswade the King to undertake this Conquest conceiving that Asiadates durst not be a Rival to his Master Since she had her education with the Queen and was of the same age with the King she had great familiarity with him for there was alwayes a great friendship between this young Prince and her Moreover since he never yet knew what Love meant she thought it not impossible but her design might hit and the sooner because she divers times heard him commend Elisa very highly So that making use of this favourable inclination which she saw he had unto the thing he desired she contrived it so cunningly that she ingaged the King one day unto a long conference with her and seeming to be infinitely zealous for his glory and interest she perswaded him that there was no better subject for it then this thing which she had to impart This Prince being very desirous to know her meaning desired her to tell him sincerely what it was Lyriope seeing so fit an opportunity did close with it Then she began to applaud him to the Skies and to counterfeit a bashfulness which seemed natural she told him that which doubtless she never would iâ— her jealousie had not been above her reason I must confess Sir said she unto him blushing and holding her hand before her eyes as if she would not have him see what she desired he should that your commands do perplex me for I must tell you that which indeed handsomness forbids me and yet that which my duty tells me you ought to Know S 〈…〉 I am confident of your sincerity replied this young Prince I conjure you to tell me what it is Know then Sir said she unto him that the only fault which can be found in you is that you are a little too solitary and reserved and seem as if you were a hater of civil conversation but especially the conversation of Ladies your Enemies speak a little broad and say it is a sign your heart is not sensible of those services which they render you and that you banish your self and them from the pleasures of the Court and that which is worse they interest the people in their reasonings saying that those Kings who are lovers of magnificency feasts musique and glorious Gallantries do inrich them in their trades whereas on the contrary those who are of other humours do impoverish them So that the herd of people being capable of any impression whatsoever this report begins to spread it self throughout all â—ire and will ere long through all Phenicia therefore Sir I conceive it would be very well if you quitted your serious business somtimes to spend some houres in discourse with Ladies and to stop the mouths I know not whether it were not best of all for you to seem as if you were in love with some beauty or other but I would have her such a one whom you may quit when you please when you have stifled these odd reports which are raised among the people The King hearing Lyriope deliver her thoughts with such expressions of zeal to his service never examined the truth of her words nor did at all doubt it So that seeming to credit her advice he thanked her for giving it And to testifie unto you said he unto her that I am none of those who will hear of their faults and not correct them I will put my heart into your hands dispose of it as you please for I do protest unto you it was never yet any one 's but my own I have eyes Lyriope which can distinguish beauty but I must confess they never loved with any violence of passion Sir replied Lyriope I would advise you not to be too liberal of so precious a Jewel Dissemble the matter said she and laughed and counterfeit Love But I pray said he assist me in the choice of her with whom you would have me dissemble Then was Lyriope extreamly non-plust for though she wished the King to dissemble a love to Elisa when she was at the very point of naming her envy and jealousie did so sparkle in her heart that it began to beat her colour changed and she stayed a while with her mouth half open before she could pronounce the name of Elisa to perswade the King unto a choice of her for the object of that feigned
her jewels After I had laughed heartilie at Lysidices discourse I would needs take the Ladies part in general and told her that there were as manie men as women whose companie and discourse was not verie pleasing Doubtless replied she there are some whose companie and talk is intolerable but yet there is this advantage in them that one may more easily be rid of them nor is one obliged to observe an exact civilitie towards them But Lyriana said she this is not my meaning for the thing I say is that the most amiable women in the world when manie of them are by themselves together and not a man amongst them do use to talk of nothing worth a straw and wearie one another more then if they were by themselves But it is not so amongst men of able and accomplished parts Their conversation its true is not so pleasant without Ladies as with them yet though it be more serious it is more rational For my part replied I I could live very contentedlie though I never saw anie but women provided they were such as Lysidice To answer your civilitie replied she I could be as well contented as you provided my companie were all Lyriana's But for all that one to one two to two or three to three at the most makes the best companie for I had rather see none then twelve to twelve Yes Lyriana pursued she with the pritiest anger in the world though there were a dozen Lyriana's in the world I should not desire to see them altogether everie daie unless there were two or three men amongst them For though I never heard anie impertinencies proceed from you in my life yet I am confident that if there were twelve of you there would or else you would do like manie of hers who sit and say nothing but makes conversation languishing and weariesom The truth is Lyriana unless you dissemble you must confess that there is something in it which I cannot tell how to express that makes one accomplished man more to divert and please a companie of Ladies then the most amiable women of the world can do I shall go further then this also for I will maintain that if there be but two women together unless they be intimate friends to each other they will be less pleased then they would be if each of them were talking with a man of spirit and wit whom they had never saw before Judg therefore if I have not reason to murmure against my Sex in general But I do wonder said I to her and smiled since the societie of men is so necessary that you do not manage the companie of Thrasiles better for I perceive you treat him with as much sharpness as if you intended to banish him Thrasiles replied she and blushed is questionless a very compleat and pleasing man but he hath given me such cause to complain against him as that I cannot pardon him I should more easily pardon him if I were not in the humor in which now I am Since I had a great desire to know how the case stood between Thrasiles Lysidice and since this she told me did much augment my curiositie I pressed her to tell me what he had done so that she desiring to be rid of my importunity without telling me directly what she thought Thrasiles replied she hath or would have done a thing which would have displeased me the most of any thing in the world This is a verie fine accusation said I unto her for you know not whether Thrasiles hath or would have committed a fault However it be said she he is culpable for you must know that in all probabilitie he endeavoured to deprive me of my dearest friend and the man whom of all the world did please me best and he hath made me so to fall out with him as I shall be constrained to see him no more I confess Madam Lysidice spoke this with such an air that my curiositie was higher then I could devise whom she should mean I named two or three whom I knew to be her friends and She alwaies answered mean I named two or three whom I knew to be her friends and She alwaies answered that I could not guess him and to puzzle me the more She seemed to wonder that I could not hit upon him But said I who is this friend with whom you must break and with whom Thrasiles hath made you quarrel He is such a one replied she as hath not only made me out of conceit with him but out of conceit with my self also I must confefs said I unto her that I cannot understand you for if Thrasiles have told you anie thing concerning this friend which gives you matter of complaint against him why you doth grieve for him Because answered Lysidice that I had rather not have known the crime which Thrasiles hath revealed unto me then to be deprived of him who did commit it But said I innocently unto her Can you not wink at it as if you knew it not for so he do not know that you know it you are not obliged in point of honour to punish him If Thrasiles should know replied She that I could pardon such a crime I should be extreamly ashamed But replied I though I must not know the criminal yet may I not know the crime No answered she and smiled you must not know it now Yet I do wish said I unto her that Thrasiles whom I made you acquainted with were not so much out of your favour and I must confess that I cannot well see by your words why you should treat him as you do If I should speak so plain as to be understood replied she and laughed doubtless then you would understand me but since I spake purposely that you should not understand me you will hardly find me out Really Lysidice said I unto her You are a verie strange woman and it may be said that in this business you are both one of the most dissembling Persons and one of the most sincere in the world Since you both commend me and blame me replied she I conceive that I ought neither to thank you nor complain against you yet do not think that I keep this secret from you ibecause I do not think you worthy to know my heart but the reason is because accordng to inequality of humour wherewith you have so often upbraided me there are some daies on which I make a secret of every thing and others on which I keep close nothing But Madam I could not perswade Lysidice to tell me directly So that not being obliged to observe fidelity with one who would not trust me I must confess I was very impatient to see Thrasiles and to get out of him what I could not out of her desiring to do a good office between them and to make them friends So that the next morning chance bringing Thrasiles to see me I began to ask him what he had done to incense Lysidice
should stay a while and endeavour to make the business cleerer But being extreamly in love he apprehended more danger in staying too long before he fought with Armatrites then in fighting with him too soon for indeed said he to himself Armatrites is my Rivall that s certain therfore though I look upon him only as so and not as a Ravisher of the Princess whom I adore yet still I must be his Enemy since there is not such a naturall antipathy in the whole Universe as between two Rivals Then Atergatis feared that if he overcame he should then be forced away from Istrina yet since he knew Nitocris did not love Armatrites he hoped he should not be banished the Court for it or at least if he were it would not be long Also considering the carrying away of the Princess Istrina he thought it better he should be banished from her then expose her unto any such misery So that to defeat the unjust design of Armatrites he resolved to ruine him But to the end the Princess Istrina should not suspect the truth of what he told her he cunningly got the Prince Intaphernes to tell her in his presence as a peece of novelty how Armatectes was the new Favourite of the Assyrian Prince and how Atergatis was out of Favour So that the Princess applying what he sayd unto herself according to the wish of Atergatis she blushed so extreamly that though she was upon her bed where it was not very light yet Atergatis perceived it and saw that he was understood In the mean time without further delay he endeavoured to meet with Armatrites the next morning and seemed as if he had no design in it And since it was that season of the year when walking upon the Banks of the River Euphrates was much frequented he thought to find him there And since he was of a very violent and hasty temper it would be an easie matter to find a cause of some Quarrell especially since he had such a Spirit of Contradiction For truly Madam Armatrites was of such a cross disposition that if two persons were in contrary opinions to one another he would rather be of a third to contradict them both then side with either Atergatis knowing this humour did conceive it would be very advantageous to himself to interest the Queen in the Cause of his quarrell to the end he might be protected against the Prince her Son if any need were that he might not be banished if he were the Vanquishor and by consequence not be separated from Istrina Consulting then with himself how he might effect his Design he resolved when he came to the Banks of Euphrates where he found Armatrites to extoll those great and wonderfull works which that Illustrious Queen had made to prevent the violence of the River by turning it severall waies before it came to Babylon imaging that Armatrites would be sure to contradict him And indeed Atergatis was not mistaken for as soon as they met and as he began to commend that wonderfvll work Armatrites checked him and sayd that the Queen was rather to be blamed and that she had done much better if she had employed those vast Expences in turning the course of the River in fortifying the Frontiers of her Dominions After which he began to condemn in generall all those Princes which busie themselves in publick works and sayd that this which Nitocris had done was not done for the security of the Town and to make it more impregnable but only out of the vanity of that Queen Atergatis not to let slip such a favourable occasion told him in an angry tone that he spoke to unreverently of a great and illustrious Princess who could not be sufficiently admired Upon this Armatrites returned a tart answer and Atergatis the like still engaging the Queen in his discourse insomuch as he forced him to bid Atergatis meet him with a Sword in his Land Atergatis did joyfully take him at his word and told him their best course was to take a turn in the Walks and to draw out insensibly from the Company least their Design should be perceived for at the beginning of their Contest severall persons did hear them Armatrites being very brave he did as Atergatis advised him and they seemed to be good friends so that there was no suspicion of a quarrell In the meane time since they were both lovers of Istrina and knew it they both longed to see each other with Swords in their hands so that when they observed there was no notice taken of them in lieu of returning amongst the people which walked they continued on their walk along the river side as if they were men that affected a solitary walk Since it is the custome of that place for the Pages to waite upon their Masters at the Gate of the Towne to the end they should not interrupt the walks of the Ladies by their uselesse scurrility the Pages of these two Princes were with the rest and by consequence could not see their Masters when they separated themselves from the company However since these two Rivals had either of them a sword they were both of them well enough prepared for a Fight So that as soon as they came to a place where the River turned kept them from the sight of those that walked because the ground in that place was very low they began that Combate I shall not trouble you Madam with any particularities of it for I have so many other things to relate that I must not insist too long upon such as are least pleasing Let it suffice therefore I tell you that Atergatis was the Conquerour of Armatrites his victory was deep in blood and fatall to his Enemy so that being both fortunate and brave the great courage of Armatrites could not defend himself from foure wounds two whereof entred into his body So that losing abundance of blood he fainted presently and striving to make a passe at Atergatis he fell at his feet yet he strived to rise againe but his generous Rivall who was not wounded would not suffer him but took away his sword and having no mind to kill an enemy who was not in a condition to defend himselfe but told him that he would spare his life upon three Conditions The first to publish that their Quarrell was upon speeches of the great workes which the Queen Nitocris had made The second to confesse he had a design of carrying away the Princess Istrina And the third to engage his word that he would never think any more of executing his unjust design as long as he lived I could oblige you pursued he never to think any more upon that Princess but since I know that Love is a thing not voluntary I will not require any thing of you but what is just and Possible Armatrites being much wounded hearing Atergatis speak in that manner was much surprized for the Prince of Assyria had never told him that he made the
therefore you must prepare your selfe to be neither faire nor young If ever such fatall misery fall upon me replyed she I will break all my Glasses in a thousand pieces I will shun the world as much as it will shun me and I believe I will never look you in the face again for feare I should see my selfe in your eyes for really my imagination abhors so strange a Metamorphosis I have much ado to endure so many Mothers and Aunts who go in company with their Daughters and Neeces and do you think I should ever endure it in my selfe If such an alteration should come upon a sudden replyed Glacidia and laughed at what Amathilde said I should confesse it were to be wondered at and if you should go now this night to bed young and faire as you are and rise the next morning old and ugly I should then permit you to break some of your Glasses But Amathilde it will not be so but when you come unto the first point of your decline every minute will gradatim steale something from you so as since the alteration comes undiscernably upon you and since you see your selfe every day the change will be insensible Oh Glacidia replyed she this can never come to passe and I had much rather dye young then it should What pleasure is it possible I should find in an age wherein all I doe now is ridiculous then when I must change my manner of life when all the world is weary of me when I must alter all my cloaths when colours is not allowable No no Glacidia I am not able to endure it for I must tonfess I cannot change my way of living and forsake my pleasures And if you will have me open my heart unto you I must very ingeniously tell you that if I should live long I should not only be ugly but also ridiculous for I am confident I should be perswaded to dance at sixty though I danced by my selfe and I should wear Jewels and colours untill the hour of my death The truth is I should do the very same things I do at this day for I know no other thing that can divert me Really Amathilde said Glacidia and laughed you are the strangest woman in the world to speak thus Yet let me tell you to put you out of all thoughts of dancing at sixty that as the diversions of your infancy are not such now unto you so those things will not divert you hereafter which please you now your pleasures will change with your face and both with yeares And when all your beauty is gone you will think it sweet to live For my particular I know that though I live to be extream old yet I shall wish to be older though I shall find no other pleasures but to see the Roses blow and smell the Orange and Jestimine Flowers Moreover since age is such a bug-beare to you do not bestow it so soon upon others Consider that some women are fairer at five and twenty then at fifteen Leave your invectives against age I conjure you for commonly when four or five of young persons are together you talk as if you would uever be above seventeen yet at the very same time when you are censuring this Lady to be ugly and that Lady old you are drawing towards the same ages your selves I beseech you replyed Amathilde do me the honour to teach me how I must live you must enjoy your beauty and your youth replyed Glacidia as two things which you must infallibly lose And you must bring your selves to such a passe as to be still amiable when they are lost I will freely give you leave to enjoy your youth and beauty with all variety of delights but yet so as it may be without pride and so as you may part from them without despair I consent you should gust all the advantages of youth and beauty with a full swinge but I would not have you jeer at others who are not so faire as your selues for certainly it is the greatest folly and the most unjust thing in the world to scoffe at what you may be your selves For if I were to prescribe Laws unto such as delight themselves in raillary I would make this inviolable neuer to mock at such things as we may be our selves upbraided with To play upon such as are stupid and ignorant there is no danger of any retort and the like of a hundred examples But to mock at any woman because she is not faire or young is to mock at what you must certainly be your selves this is a thing I abhor that such as are neither young nor fair and yet behave themselves as if they were When one arrives at the twi-light of Beauty at the medium between youth and age when one may choose whether they will pass for young or old according to their humours I would then have them incline more unto reservedness then unto jollity yet notwithstanding I would not have them despair nor passe from extremity of mirth unto extremity of melancholy I would have such renounce all such things which may be hansome when they were younger I would have them still be hansome but without all affectation I allow them all good company I would not have them strive more to get Lovers then to keep Friends I give them the free liberty of walking that they should have eyes for all excellent objects and eares for musique when decency and occasion present themselves So Amathilde depriving you only of a few gaudy Ribbons and some Lovers which most of them very likely are perfidious me-thinks you need not despair though I do foretell that you should live long When I hearken unto you replyed Amathilde I am almost perswaded you are in the right but when I hearken unto my self I can scarcely believe it And I am so confident that as soon as I am out of your sight I shall hearken unto my own dictates as I am in the greatest feare in the world you should take it ill that I do not follow your advice Amathilde spoke this so pleasantly that Glacidia and all the company laughed But as the Prince of Phoceus Bomilcar Galathes and Britomartes were about to give their opinions of this pleasant Contest an old Aunt of Glacidia's entered who was so very much marked with all the grim wrinkles of age in her face as is imaginable In so much as though two very young and fair Ladies followed her yet Amathilde not being able to endure such a ghastly object she prepared to go away but first she came to Glacidia and asked her in a low voyce will you yet maintaine that old age is desirable Yes replyed Glacidia as shee toid us afterwards and I will maintain also that you will desire it when you are a little older Say you so sayd she and laughed aloud then I will to morrow become what you say I shall be afterwards After this Amathilde Galathes and Britomartes went out and
to wonder was that she had sent a servant of her own and this servant being not in the house she conceived that it was onely some mistake between Clorelisa's servants and hers So as making her self ready to go presently unto her she gave her hand unto Artaxander supposing he would go with her And to let him see she made no application of what he had spoken unto her self Though I do beleeve said she unto him that you are not in love with Clorelisa yet I cannot chuse but think you will visit her since you cannot deny her the advantage of being the first friend you had in Themiscyra and I will be the more earnest in maintaining her right in that because I pretend to be in the second place your friend Oh Madam said he whether I be in love with Clorelisa or no I am sure she hath not so high a rank in my heart as you have though she be a person whom I much honour and esteem Since Telamires house was very nigh unto Clorelisa's they had not leysure to say any more And since one of Telamires women might hear them Artaxander was forced to talk of something else However as soon as they were come into Clorelisa's Chamber she chid Telamire a thousand times and that with a strange agitation of heart for since she saw Artaxander with her she imagined him to be the cause of her stay but she was much worse when Telamire to justifie her self did tell her all the passages yet Artaxander did still affirm very confidently that they assured him she was asleep But since the heart of Clorelisa was too much engaged to be deludâ—d she would needs look into the matter a little neerer and calling all her women one after another they all said that they saw none either from Artaxander or Clorelisa Artaxander then told her that certainly some of the servants unto Belermis to save themselves the labour of coming to her had told this lie But say what he would or could Clorelisa was not satisfied and she was fully perswaded that this was a trick of Artaxanders and she thought also that Telamire was an accessary unto it for since she assured her very earnestly that she had sent unto her house and since all her women on the contrary assured her that none came from her she did not onely think Artaxander to be in love with Telamire but she thought as that Telamire held a great correspondency with Artaxander then ever she imagined so as jealousie having possession in her minde she was tormented beyond expression and she who was so earnest in sending for Telamire knew not now what to say unto her Since I came in a little after this confused examination of the matter I could plainly perceive the turbulency of Clorelisa's mind all I could observe was the confusion of Artaxander and the prudence of Telamire For truely this wise Lady taking no notice of Artaxanders love not of Clorelisa's jealousie did speak unto every thing with a marvellous moderation and tranquillity and certainly I came in very opportunely to help out with discourse However I made her since confesse that she could not chuse but find some sweetnesse in thinking that though Clorelisa loved Artaxander yet he did not love her and that the glory to be preferred before such an amiable Person was some delight unto her For my part I was exceedingly delighted with the passages of that day for besides the pleasure of seeing how Clorelisa and Artaxander were put to a Non-plus I was extremely taken with seeing Belermis in his fierce Garb who knowing that Telamire was in his sisters Chamber came thither to see her But he came amiable Doralisa more like a Conquerour then a Captive not but that all he said unto her was very civil and respective yet his Air and Garb did alter the very sence of his words and made him seem as if he intended to fetter her whose chains he wore Moreover since he could not chuse but be talking as much of matters of warre as love he was so full of his Martiall phrases as that day I learned as many Military Termes as might serve for the Relation of all sorts of Combats for he vsed them all in his discourse so as before 't was night I knew what Incampment and Quarters were I knew what the first second and third Divisions did mean I learned all the Postures to the right hand to the left hand as you were double your Ranks and Files And I knew from him that day at least enough to lose a Battle if I had commanded an Army And to be serious with you he was so full of words peculiar unto War that all I could do was to remember them though as yet I did not know the significations of them But to compleat my diversion The severe Isalonide entred who commonly finding fault with every thing did not like that Clorelisa should be so dressed since she was sick saying openly That those sicknesses which onely draw company about One and will let one be dressed better then when they are well were of a most dangerous consequence For indeed said she If one were really sick they should see none but such as could cure them or their very intimate friends and not do as most women now adayes who are more carefull in consulting with their Glasse before company come then with their Physitian And are more diligent in advertising all their acquaintance that they keep their Chamber then those that can cure them And to tell you truely they have a greater desire to have them come who can tell them a thousand tittle tattles then such as use to cure diseases But said I unto her to do Clorelisa a pleasure if you did but know how much melancholy doth augment all manner of diseases you would say that pleasant company may be put in the rank of the most infallible Remedies If you should ask the advice of my sister answered she in a most imperious Tone I am sure she will be of your opinion and maintain that all manner of simples used in Physick are not comparable to the company of five or sixe such tittle tattles as are glad to hear of any sick Gallant who are sick onely because they should come and see them I must confesse unto you said Clorelisa and blusht for anger that I have been such a one as you speak of but at this time I am so ill that much Company are very troublesome unto me Telamire hearing Clorelisa say so did rise up and offered to go away but Clorelisa out of jealousie as well as friendship took hold of her and said that she was neither weary of her nor me Then it is of me replied Artaxander But if so I beseech you speak unto Telamire to command me away for since I had the honour to wait upon her hither I expect that command from her You may easily judge how Clorelisa resented Artaxanders discourse yet she could make no
since they knew not the Language of the Countrey Since Tysimenes was of the Prime Quality in all the Town and was very handsome his Return was no lesse talked of then that of Artaxanders And all the Town feared that some rufflle would fall out between them two whom all the world thought to be enemies for being of the same Age pretending unto the same things and had good right both of them to dispute in point of merit there was great reason to fear they would fall foul upon one another And when they met together in any place they behaved themselves with such coldnesse unto each other as was very probable would beget a Quarrell between them Thus their innocent Imposture did thrive so well as all the world was deceived by it But as it did thrive well in generall so it did thrive better in particular unto Artaxander for you must know that since Clorelisa did naturally love company and hated solitude shee was very glad she had found one out who was not a friend unto Artaxander and shee fancied some delight in contracting friendship with a man who passed for his enemy thinking this would spite him to the heart so as when Tysimenes went upon his first visit she did not entertain him with such severity and precisenesse as she used since her marriage But as he was well received by Clorelisa because she thought him the enemy of Artaxander so he was very ill treated by Telamire upon the very same reason for since it vexed her to see every day those whom she hated and never those she loved she could not chuse but be angry at the heart to see a man so civilly treated whom shee thought Artaxander hated She hath confessed since unto him that shee could not this first time know him to be a man of much spirit but told him that shee was vexed at him yet she continued not long in this errour and you shall see how she was undeceived Since then the Aims of Tysimenes was onely to satisfie his friend he tempered the spirits of Belermis and Algastus so well as they both of them desired Clorelisa to give him leave to see her often For as almost all old men do love to hear talk of Travell that they may have a pretence to â—alâ— of their own Tysimenes so fitted his humour and hearkned so attentively to what would please him that he doted upon him As for Belermis Tysimenes talked unto him of Battles and Combats and so much commended his valour that he loved him tenderly so as in three or four visits he had the freedome of the whole house Clorelisa having wit enough shee easily observed how Telamire was vexed to see an enemy of Artaxanders to often and to vex her the more she affected to place him alwayes next her But since he never saw her unlesse Clorelisa was present because Telamire shunned him as much as she could he was at first much puzled to make it known unto her that he was not the enemy of Artaxander but on the contrary was the confident of his passion But at last she understanding the Assyrian Language which Clorelisa did not and which Artaxander and himself understood very perfectly he caused his friend to write a Letter in that Language directed unto Telamire so as carrying it about him he went to Clorelisa who according to her custome did place him next Telamire to spite her and indeed she was not deceived In the mean time as those who are witty can turne discourse as they please Tysimenes that day fell into discourse amongst the Ladies of some excellent pieces of Prose and Verses And after he had repeated some in their own Language and promised others he told Clorelisa that he was extremely sorry that she did not understand the Assyrian Language for he had one of the most pleasant love-Letters in the world written in that Language which he seemed as if he would interpret but upon a sudden seeming to remember that Telamire understood that Language he gave her the Letter and forced her to look upon it whilst he made a shew as if he would tell the sence of it unto Clorelisa So that though Telamire had no great curiosity to see any thing that came from the hand of Artaxanders enemy yet she took this Letter not daring to offer any incivility unto Tysimenes openly But she was much surprized when she saw it written by the hand of Artaxander and much more when she read the words ARTAXANDER UNTO TELAMIRE Madam GIve me leave to tell you that he who gives you this Letter is not what he seems to be since he is so farre from being my enemy that he is the onely Confident of my Passion to you Look upon him as the dearest of my friends Tell you him all you are pleased I should know as I will what I desire you should know For it is onely in favour of my Love that he seemes to hate me knowing that none but such as do hate me are admitted unto the place where yru are Receive all his services as from my self Beleeve all his words as if I spake them and if it be possible tell him some thing that may preserve mee from dying for sorrow I cannot see you I beg your pardon for trusting him before I asked your permission as I would if I could But since I could not I had rather he knew I loved you then not to know whether you loved or hated me or then you should not know that I love you still more then I did when I swore most truly that I loved you more then ever any yet loved Artaxander Whilest Telamire was reading this Letter with a strange agitation of heart Tysimenes did so court Clorelisa that she could not observe her but striving to invent a Letter upon that subject which he said Telamires Letter was he took up the mind of Clorelisa as much as he could But since it was impossible hee should ex tempore invent such a piece as could merit those Commends which he gave unto it Clorelisa told him that certainly the excellency of that Letter consisted in the grace of that Language in which it was written since as she apprehended the conceits of it were no more then ordinary Oh Madam said he unto her you have good reason to say so for I assure you there is no comparison between what I say and the letter it self And beleeve it said he and took it again seeing Telamire had read it there are some passages in this Letter would ravish you with wonder if I could relate as in it self it is Also I am confident that Telamire which understands that Language will concurre with me 'T is very true replied Telamire this Letter is very rare and the interpretation which is made of it is very surprizing also You commend this Letter so highly replied Clorelisa that you make me desirous to learn the Language wherein it is written and Algastus who understands the
out It was not generous to kill a man who had no weapon Belermis turning his head aside and seeing him come with a sword in his hand and seeing the sword of Artaxander broken he was ashamed of his action and confessed that he was very sorry and that he did not see his sword to be broken Thus Tysimenes saved the life of his Friend and Rivall for though Artaxander was not wounded but Belermis was yet since he had the misfortune to break his sword Belermis had certainly killed him but for Tysimenes But afterwards company came in Belermis retired and the body of him whom Tysimenes killed was carryed away Tysimenes was so weak that he fell and they were forced to carry him back unto Themiscyra in a most lamentable condition since there was no place neerer where he could be dressed I beseech you Amiable Doralisa dispense with me from relating all the expressions from Tysimenes to Artaxander and from Artaxander unto Tysimenes for if I should offer it I should drown all my words in tears And to save you the sorrow of hearing it I will onely in short tell you That Tysimenes lived but five dayes after that whilest he lived he talked of nothing but Telamire that Artaxander was sadly with him all the while that Telamire was very sensible of this sad accident and that the very day designed for Artaxanders marriage was the funerall of Tysimenes But that solemnity was deferred and for some dayes the whole discourse of Artaxander and Telamire was onely of Tysimenes In the mean time Artaxander taking it to heart that he had not vanquished Belermis and since he thought he was obliged in point of honour to revenge the death of Tysimenes his friend as well as to fight for love of Telamire therefore he resolved to fight with Belermis again as soon as he was cured of his wounds But in this second Combat which was one to one he had the advantage cleerly for he wounded Belermis in two places and disarmed him In so much as Clorelisa was even mad to see that nothing could hinder the happinesse of Artaxander Yet shee found out a device to deferre it for she divulged such reports about the Town that never was such a clamour against Telamire not onely that she should marry Artaxander but that she should think of marrying him whilst she was in mourning and before her father was well cold in his grave In so much as Telamire being strangely moved at those clamorous reports how false soever did take a fancy not to marry till her time of mourning was over So that to passe away that time more safely which was not to be very long the two families joyned And since the Aunt of Telamire had a house very near unto Amaldeas it was concluded that all this company should come thither so as for this moneth wee have been alwayes together some times at one house and some times at another But since the time of Telamires mourning ended yesterday doubtlesse she will be married unto Artaxander as soon as this flux of waters will give us leave to return And that which will the more hasten the consummation of it is wee have received Intelligence that Belermis was cured of his wounds and that Clorelisa is more incensed then ever against Artaxander and Telamire As Erenice had ended her relation and Doralisa began to thank her for the delight she had in hearing it Amaldea entred and told Erenice that the body of Belermis was found upon the banks of the River and that his Page whose horse had saved him by swimming told her that his Master being come out of Themiscyra with intentions to hinder the marriage of Artaxander had been at Amaldea's house where hearing that she was on the other side of the River and that Artaxander was there also he would needs crosse it maugre its overflowing and strive to get unto the end of the bridge out of his fears lest Telamire should bee married before he could come to her who told her also that parting from his horse he was drowned Though Belermis was no friend unto any of those Ladies who were with Amaldea but on the contrary was an inveterate enemy of Artaxanders which was both kinsman and friend unto them all yet this accident did strike some sadnesse into all the Company As for Artaxander as much an enemy as he was he took care for his funeralls which were as well performed as if he had died in the time when he was Clorelisa's friend However since this Accident was it which brought Cyrus and Mandana to the knowledge of Artaxanders Adventure And seeing that the floods would not permit them to depart these four or five dayes Cyrus and Mandana desired Telamires Aunt and Artaxanders Mother to consent unto the marriage of these two Lovers and that it might be consummated in their presence And they having no power to deny the request both Cyrus and Mandana did honour the Feast with their presence which though in hast yet was very Magnificent both becomming the persons present and those for whom it was principally made 'T is very true there was more men at the Balls then Ladies but those few there were so Amiable that the shew was glorious And though there was no other Ornaments but Mandana and Cyrus the sight was worthy Admiration especially when they danced together since it was a thing most impossible to see two persons of a finer composure or that danced better and with a more noble Air. Mandana dazeled the eyes of all beholders There appeared a most extraordinary blithenesse in the countenance of Cyrus and one would have beleeved that he had received some high newes which had given him some ravishing satisfaction But the next mornings newes did most surprize the world for the common voge was that the King of Assyria was dead of his wounds and Cyrus himself said he beleeved it So as all those whom his death made melancholy or merry were either in tears of sorrow or tears of joy according to their severall Interests Anaxaris grieved Mazares was all compassion Mandana had some pity Chrisantes Martesia and Feraulas were all glad of it And every one now did look upon Cyrus as at the end of all his miseries since he now had not one Rivall which he had not vanquished or which was in the least respect to be feared as for Anaxaris the resentmentâ— of his passionate soul were beyond all expressions when he saw that nothing was likely to thwart his Rivalls happinesse For considering the condition in which the King of Pontus was said to go in from the Tombe of Menesteus he had not the least shadow of any hopes that he could be any obstacle unto the felicity of his Rivall However hee could not endure the very thoughts of it and though he knew well enough the injustice of his thoughts yet he was not able to regulate them but he still was desiring what he ought not
the Gallant passed for severe and vertuous and She who was the vertuous passed for the Gallant seemed to do many things against the Rule of Vertue Falling then into discourse of these two Ladies whom so few did rightly know Eliorante Noromata and Adonacris being together and Agatherses coming also in Noromata began to blame that vertuous Lady who trusted too much unto her own goodness and who was not enough observant over her actions I could never have thought said Adonacris and smiled that of two persons the one only seeming vertuous and not being the other being vertuous and not seeming that the fair Noromata would take her part who was not vertuous I do not take her part replied Noromata and yet I am against her who is vertuous and is not careful of seeming so also For truly if a woman love not her reputation I cannot be well satisfied with her vertue nor know I well whether She truly merits the name of Vertuous It is most dangerous to subject ones self unto censure and I will maintain that though one be not vertuous yet they ought at least to endeavour to appear so and much more She who really is vertuous For my part replied Adonacris I am perswaded it is sufficient if one do nothing against vertue and one needs not to insist so precisely upon endeavours to take away all manner of pretences of slander for as those who are most assiduous in frequenting sacred duties are often accused of hypocrisie so it must be concluded a thing impossible to prevent all scandal and censure And so since malicious and envious people will be talking and belching out their venome do what one can it were a piece of unjustice unto ones self to be all their life long rigid and severe for fear of being talked of Much better it is to let ones mind sore above all that malice can say then to stand eternally upon a watchful guard against all tongues For my particular said Agathersas then I think Adonacris to be in the right For to carry ones self so as nothing can be said against them is a thing most impossible And indeed we see every day that one and the same action both commended and condemned according to the several humours of men and to justifie what Adonacris hath said hypocrisie is commonly called piety They do ill who do so said Noromata and interrupted him But for all that what is good must appear to be so and ill habits ought to be concealed Your opinion seems so reasonable replied Eliorante that I cannot believe any is able to contradict it Yet I shall Madam replied Agatherses for there is nothing worse becomes an heroique soul then to study how the world should see all their good qualities yet according to your Tenents a man must never do any brave action but first he must call for some witnesses unto it he must never be liberal but in publique and he must do all the good he can only because people must know it and talk of it No no replied Noromata you put an ill exposition upon my words How then must I expound them replied he To understand me rightly answered She I would not have any do good with a design it should be known but in things which may reflect upon ones reputation I would have one never to do any thing which may stain it For example I would have a man so regulate his life as none can think but that he is valiant I would have a woman live so prudently that none can suspect her vertue and not to content themselves only with being vertuous but be careful to avoid all things which may make her believed otherwise Alas Madam said Adonacris your Rule is most severe for all the pleasure of life consists in such things as may be ill interpreted according to several humours I do confess it said She but since they cannot be done without hazarding reputation I will affirm that the sorrow for losing it is greater then all the delights that can be found But Madam replied Agatherses pleasantly you must do nothing as long as you live but in your Chamber nay I know not whether such a retreat would not be also subject unto scandal for it would be said that you would never live so but because Sitalces would otherwise be jealous 'T is true said she and smiled but they would then say that I did not give him any cause of jealousie By your rules added Agatherses a Lady must carefully avoid all private conference with men whom others do think do love her She must never walk under a hundred women at once and in a Garden be alwayes in the throng of company and never go aside to talk with any friend about any business She must alwayes talk aloud and never talk of the Beauties of the Time or of shadows or walks lest it should be thought you talk as if you were in love certainly She must talk more with men She hates then with men She loves lest otherwise she should be scandaled So a Lady who is so cheary of her reputation must live ever without any friends of either Sex lest it should be said they are either her Lovers or her Confidents None of all this replied She for I allow her friends of both Sexes but I would have a Wife live so as none can accuse her of having any favoured Lovers and therefore as soon as ever a Lady knows that any man is in love with her She must carefully avoid both saying or doing any thing that he may take any advantage to himself by it but live so reservedly that none can so much as suspect her favourable to him and to avoid all occasions of his speaking to her lest it should be thought he speaks of his love For my part I whom as little apt to slander as another I must confess that I cannot see a Lover hold long discourse with his Mistress but I must needs think he is talking neither of State affairs nor martial matters So that since She may draw a great inconveniency upon her self for a little pleasure I must conclude She ought never to run the hazard of it To instance in the fair Orique for an example All the world knows that She it most horribly slandered with keeping private conference with a Gallant in a Garden yet I do know of a most infallible certainty that all the while he was with her he only related his affection that he bore unto a Lady who was with Thomir 〈…〉 s. Do you think that the pleasure of the story did merit the hazard of her reputation in passing away a whole afternoon with a man whom She loved not I must confess said Adonacris then that since Orique did not love the man and since he had nothing to say unto her which concerned her self She had better to have let that meeting alone But still I must say that when a woman esteems a man in an extradinary manner
tell you that to love and not be loved or without hopes of being so is a thing which I will never advise you unto This Madam was the mind of Iphicrates when his misery augmented which I think I told you was like to drive him into extream dispair Be pleased to know that as Aglatonice did almost every day make a new Conquest so there was a man of Rank who yet was never in love but because it was the mode to love Aglatonice he would be in fashion and tell her he loved her and encrease the number of such as offered incense unto her But Madam be pleased to know also that this fresh Lover of Aglatonice whose name was Chrisippus was the very poorest parted fellow of all her Lovers his wit had neither height nor depth nor conceipt nor quickness nor pleasingness in it it might truly be called a trifling wit which sported it self in such pittiful poor things and was so far from any Gallantry that unless to very ill tasts it was intolerable to all accomplished men However Chrisippus being as I have described and Iphicrates also yet there was a huge difference in their destinies as there was in their desarts For Aglatonice as full of excellencies as She was yet was most extreamly unjust not only in denying her affection unto Iphicrates but also in accepting of Chrisippus much more favourably then any other Thus out of an unparallelled fantastical fate the most rarely accomplished man of all her Lovers was only scorned and the pittifullest poor parted fellow of them all was really preferred before all the rest The injustice of Aglatonice was not at first perceived for it was such an unlikely thing that Chrisippus should ever be preferred that none could suspect her of such extream weakness But as an ill-treated lover useth to observe his Mistress neerer then any other so Iphicrates quickly saw that Chrisippus was not only permitted as others were but preferred before them For since Aglatonice had as gaeat an inclination to him as She had an aversion unto Iphicrates She expressed more Symptoms of her affection to him She really loved then to him She did only suffer So that the unfortunate Iphicrates was grieveed beyond all expressions Then began he to do all he was able not to love her but as there was some predominate power which forced him to love her and likewise the like power which forced Aglatonice to hate him he was constrained to love her whether he would or no. In the mean time since he saw this new Slave every day more like to raign Soveraignly in the heart of Aglatonice and that reports of it began already to fly abroad he resolved to talk with her and once in his life to tell her his mind plainly so that he watched an opportunity of privacy yet it was a long time before he could find it For Chrisippus who naturally made a business of every trifle was perpetually about her but at last Iphicrates having communicated his design unto me I promised to rid him from the persecution of Chrisippus for tomorrow and in order to that I did engage him to be at a hunting meeting which kept him until it was very night So that Iphicrates who went betimes unto Aglatonice had all the conveniency of talk with her he could wish When he first entred into her Chamber She was reading but not daring to read on She laid the Book upon the Table negligently but did not shut it as if She intended to read presently again and She laid it down in such a manner as Iphicrates perceived that She was displeased at his interrupting her so that it confirmed him in his resolution of complaining against her Yet since he would not begin his discourse with complaints he saluted her very respectively What book soever that is you laid by Madam said he unto her I am sure my company does not please you so much as the reading of it did Truly Sir said she I was not weary with reading it for it is not with a bad book as it is with a wearisome friend since one may when they will lay the Book aside but not so easily berid of troublesome company Since I am perswaded that you have more Lovers then friends replied I and laughed I think Madam you were never put to the tryal of that trouble Though I do agree to what you say replied She yet this does not conclude but I may be troubled since there are troublesome Lovers as well as troublesome friends I know Madam replied he how neerly I am concerned in what you say but I know withal that there is a Lover somtimes with you who should not be thought troublesome and another also who should at least is so to all that know him except your self Iphicrates had no sooner said so but Aglatonice blushed for anger and shame for it was impossible maugre her aversion to Iphicrates and inclination to Chrisippus but she must needs know there was a vast difference between those two men So that Iphicrates perceiving he had netled her he grew more bold though he was resolved not to transgress the limits of civility and respect so that not giving her so much time as to answer I beseech you Madam said he unto her Pardon the excess of my sincerity and plainness and as you know it is a virtue which I neither can nor will leave off so I beseech you let me now tell you my mind fully So none hath any right to take more liberty then they should give unto another replied Aglatonice coldly I suppose you will also let my tongue take the like liberty of telling my mind if the fancy take me You may well think Madam replied he that a man unto whom you deny every thing cannot think he hath any right to impose any Laws upon you Therefore Madam when I have uttered my mind you may freely tell me what you please declaring unto you before hand that the worst you can tell me shall not surprize me But not to lose such precious time the thing I have to tell you is that as violent as my passion is unto you I have taught it how to suit it self unto my bad fortune and to subsist without any hope Yes Madam pursued he I can continue loving you without any hopes of ever being loved again and the excess of my affection is able to do that which no other Lover but my self ever could You know Madam there was a time when I desired you to hearken unto me as you did unto a hundred others or else not to hearken unto those others more then you did unto me But now being grown more reasonable and knowing it was not just to impose harsh Laws upon her from whom I was to receive them I am contented Madam you should hearken unto all those whom before I desired you would not hearken and I am contented also you should not hearken unto me and to carry my moderation a little higher
for the gallant delicate fine and witty I shall oppose her and defend it as far as I am able and Euridamia must either be absolutely of my opinion or else directly tell me what sort of Rallary she will permit me to take delight in I have already told you replied Euridamia that there is none which I approve of though there be some which pleaseth me Tell me then which pleaseeth you said Pisistrates for I do believe what pleaseth you will please all the world and though it be only to correct Cerinthe I beseech you establish the Law of Rallarie protesting unto you that I will observe it as exactly as the Laws of Solon For my part said Cerinthe and laughed I will not say so much and if I am not much mistaken the same may be said of the Laws which she shall make as was said by Anacharsis of our Legislator However said Euridamia Since Pisistrates sayes he will observe them I will venture to make them And I do promise also never to break them said I unto her provided you give them unto us presently The word Law does so much fright me said Euridamia that I dare hardly pronounce it and therefore to speak a little more modestly I will only tell you my opinion and submit unto your own judgments I shall tell you then added she that I would have Rallarie natural not forced I would not have any to seek it for certainly if it come not of it self unpumpt for and without pains it will never come well and pleasingly off Moreover there must be such a great interval and difference between Rallarie and Satyrism that one may never be taken for the other I know very wel some say That if Rallarie be not a little biting it will never take well but for my part I consider it otherwise Truth is I would have it surprize and sensiblie touch him to whom it is addressed but I would not have the wounds it makes to be too deep nor prick the hearts of those who resent it otherwise then those are pricked who gather Roses and finde a sweet smell to make amends I would have Rallarie raise the fancie and quicken the imagination with a wit full of fire which retaining some part of its original may shine only as the stars do but burn not Again I would not have one be alwayes in a vein of Rallarie few long continuances in Rallarie but are naught But above all I would have everie one know his talent of wit and be contented and therefore those unto whom nature hath not given a nimbleness and quickness either in their actions or feature of face or in their expressions are never to meddle with more then she hath given them for art commonly mars all let him follow only his own Genius and not anothers It is not with Rallarie as with pictures which somtimes are copied so like the original that one cannot know the copie from its original but in matter of Rallarie there is no imitating another and therefore let him never attempt it But to speak somthing concerning those ill Jesters and tellers of tales which we have condemned I would have such as tell a tale never to say it is delightful before hand I would have the tale to be either very natural or else verie witty and pertinent that the beginning be not more pleasant then the ending and above all things I would have it new and short Those who are to make long stories I would have them do it with art and method that they suspend the minds of their Auditors and if it be possible to deceive them in ending their discourse contrarie to their expectations But principallie let them not use any impertinencies let not their eloquence be either intricate or drailing but on the contrary let them pass from one thing to another without puzzle or confusion and not to interrupt themselves too often in saying I had forgot to tell you or by saying I should have told you and a hundred such like with such use as have no method nor order in their thoughts Furthermore I would have them be sure to speak in the language of compleat men not like those whom Pisistrates did most wisely mention unless in case he be to imitate how a Slave spoke unto his Master or so for then since imitation is his aim the neerer he imitates the more commendable it is Moreover I would not have them be too covetous of their thoughts but to take a care as much as possible not to repeat any thing twice As for such as are full of old Proverbs in their Rallarie I have already said that they may be pertinent and I say again that if they be natural pat and applicative to the business they much illustrate But to speak upon that which is positively called Rallary or jesting I say that to rally right is requisite to have a wit full of fire a quick fancy a delicate judgment and a memory full of variety to be used upon all occasions he must know the world and please it he must have a natural nimbleness of wit and a kinde of bold familiarity which without any smack of insolence must please and impose silence upon others Ah Euridamia replied Pisistrates What abundance of wit is requisite to make up such a one as you describe For my part said Cerinthe I believe if she would lay aside her serious humour not one in all Greece could rally better then she Seriousness replied Euridamia is not so great an obstacle unto fine Rallary as you imagine for I once knew a man who had such a languishing ayr with him so melancholy and so dull a garb as I never saw the like and yet he was the fullest of pleasant wit and gallant Rallary that ever I saw man in my life like him Now though I have hinted unto you how one ought to rally yet I must repeat what I said before and maintain that one ought to have a great care how he rallies especially upon his friends yet there is one general rule which will never fail which is to say nothing of such as one would not willingly have them understand and never to say any thing of themselves so biting as to hinder the delight of such as hear him for it is not just to say any thing of your friends which will please others more then them nor to put them into such a necessity as to reply such things as will please you less then the company for friend is so nice a matter that one cannot too much fear the wounding it and indeed to speak rationally these biting quiblets do not make the best rallary The delight any takes in them proceeds more from the malignity of their own inclinations then from any right art of Rallary and certainly a trifle handsomly retorted is more fit for pleasant Rallary then a Satyrical invective whose name is only changed and called Rallary It is no fault to be ill at
one of the most charming Ladyes of the world her Garb was so high her aire so noble and her walking agreeable that none could look on her without a disposition to love her She danced with as good a grace as shee walked and had such a nature of mirth and gravity together as did infinitely please her humour was as charming as her beauty for shee was alwayes sweet civill and affable she had a good inclination to Rallary or at least to love those who did it well but she gave a check unto her inclination and commonly seemed more grave then merry Yet notwithstanding she loved pleasures especially company and company a little gallant she could not spend a whole afternoon with one freind in private without being weary for shee had a kind of active spirit which was an enemy to all lâ—mpishnesse and which made all shee did delightfull Moreover shee was naturally magnificent liberall and good and had a soul so tender as would make one almost assured not to be hated though one should tell her that they were in love with her yet she was not capable of any violent passion the pleasure of being loved made her sometimes suffer her self to be so rather then out of any real inclination She was not at all fantasticall that desire to please which was in her heart proceeded from a more further noble cause Furthermore shee had a witt so sharp and shee could so cunningly pumpe the minds of those whose designes shee desired to know as it may be said shee had a key to open their hearts and look into their secrets and all this without any seeming of subtiltie indeed her temper was so opposite unto any guile that shee never had any freind whom shee once deceived but was apt to a kind of generous confidence which had rather be exposed to be deceived by others then to be so subtle as to prevent being deceived This Arpasia with her Beauty Wit and goodnesse did so please the Princesse of Bythinia and the Princesse Istrina that they were desirous to know her adventures especially since shee would imply them in some businesse unto those Princes whom they were to see For truly said Istrina to her after much other discourse It is not possible wee should be able to do you any right service unlesse we do know the state of your misfortunes They are of such a nature replyed shee that I can expect no advantage from you by telling of them but only your pitty Though you cannot Madam replyed the Princesse of Bithinia yet I beseech you tel them unto us for truly as for my part I do finde great case unto my miseries by being pittied Doubtless its true Madam replyed Arpasia But I am so unable to relate all the accidentes of my life my self that if you would know them it must be from her who has a share in my misfortunes for besides her knowing of them as well as my selfe I cannot relate such things with any order which have so much disordered my mind I know t is said that the remembrance of miseries is sweet but I must be happy first before I can take any delight in remembring my past misfortunes And therefore since I am not in that condition I beseech you dispense with me We shall willingly dispense with you Madam replied the Princesse of Bithinia provided the amiable Niside who is with you will undertake it in your roome I am contented answered Arpasia then I beseech you said Istrina let it be this day for since we do not directly know when wee shall goe and see those Princes unto whom you will imploy us It is requisit we should be knowing in the state of your fortune as soon as you can To testifie how willing I am to discover my misfortunes unto you answered shee I will go unto Niside and give her orders to acquaint you with all my weaknesses shee is a woman whose hard fortune cannot deject by dejecting her house and familie and who has such a share in all that relates unto me that shee knowes all my thoughts And therefore you may give credit unto all that shee will say excepting in any commendations which perhaps shee will give me For happily her friendship to me may byasse her When wee have heard her replied the Princesse of Bitihnia wee shall give you all justice and shall beleeve as wee ought to doe After this Arpasia retyred and Niside stayed with the Princesses asking them pardon before hand for her want of any art to relate what they required Then after many civilities they pressed her to begin the relation which she did in these termes addressing her speech unto the Princesse of Bithinia THE HISTORY OF ARPASIA THough I am perswaded you have so good an opinion of Arpasias judgment as to think that she would never have comamnded me to relate her adventures if she had not known that I was able to make a perfect relation of things past yet I must tell you Madam that none upon earth knows them better then I do and I dare almost say that I know them better then her self For the truth is that the heavy burthen of her sorrowes hath hindred her from observance of many which I have seen with lesse trouble though I was ever a sharer in all her miseries For fortune having ruin'd the family from which I descended which heretofore kept my self in a good rank and having lost those who gave me life when I was very young I was put unto Arpasia as having the honour to be allied unto her by my Mother And having continued with this excellent Lady ever since my infancy I have not only seen her adventures with my own eyes but further I have known her most secret thoughts I shall not trouble you Madam with a relation of Arpasias birth For you are not ignorant that Gabrias her Father hath a little Dominion which depends only upon the Gods and himselfe and that Gadates and he were two Grandees who heretofore pretended to marry Nitocris Nor shall I aggravate the miseries of the fair Arpasia which began by the death of her elder Brother who dyed after so sad a manner at Babylon by the violence of the late King of Assyria that it is not possible that you should know it and Arpasia was then so young that she was not capable of any long sorrowes for it But Madam it it is requisite you know that Gabrias even since the losse of his Son did wholy decline the interests of the Assyrian Prince Yet he did conceal his Resentments out of his Respects unto the Queen Nitocris who then lived But as soon as she was dead and that Prince had brought the Princesse Mandana to Babylon his desire of revenge began to break out and his whole imaginations were how to ruine the Assyrian King And to that end he did not only enter into league with all his neighbour Princes against him but also united himselfe with all the
meet in a country in which they are equally strangers it was an easy matter for Meliantes to fail into discourse with this servant who naturally loved to talk and who told him more than ever Meliantes asked For he did not only acquaint him that Gabrias was going unto Alfenes but he told him also that he was going to marry his Daughter unto Astidamus Further hinting to him that Arpasia did not love him nor was pleased with the marriage and out of his excessive zeal to Arpasia to justify her aversion he acquainted him with the irregular demeanour of Astidamus Thus Meliantes did as perfectly know the state of Arpasias fortune as if he had known her from her Cradle And understanding that Gabrias would stay some dayes in that place he intended to visit him the next morning accordingly did so with his friend whose name was Phormion Since Arpasia had spoken very advantageously of Meliantes unto her father hee entertained him very civily and his person was so fitt to please and his way was every way so noble that he got a good opinion at the very first sight For he was bigge of a noble stature and of an admirable deportment Moreover his haire was chest nut colour his face somthing long his eyes brown Teeth white mouth handsom and his physiognomy so ingenious that it spoke him witty before he spake yet he spoke most excelently well though his accent was somthing different from ours and though Meliantes was already knowing in so many severall things as it was a wonder considering his age how he should attain unto it yet his conversation was naturall and easy and spoke with such facilitie that one might see he spoke no more than what he knew though he spoke of every thing at least I am sure I never heard him speak any thing which I would have unsaid again also he composed verse excellently and writ admirable prose he had a quick fancy a sparkling witt A pleasant humour a noble heart and most generous inclinations he courted all persons of any extraordinary merit with a strange desire of acquaintance and could so finely insinuate himself into their spirits that they no sooner were acquainted with him but he got their esteem and affection All that knew him knew him to have a most tender heart and passionate soul And when he had any designe to oblidge any one he used such expressions as when he spoke of friendship one would have thought he spoke of love Meliantes then being thus amiable did exceedingly please Gabrias who desired his company as long as he stayed in that place he would by all means have him at dinner with his freind Phormion who without all doubt was a man of much merit and to compleat his good fortune Gabrias desired him to visit Arpasia who dined that day in private and Meliantes willingly obeying where his own inclination invited him he went unto Arpasias chamber who was glad to see him Since they had already so much esteem of each other as to desire an augmentation of it it seemed by their conversation that they had no designes to conceale their wits they shewed them without any affectation their discourse were so pleasing diverting that all the company had shares in their joyes of confirming that esteem which they had of each other The principal subject of their conversings was that universall chain of all things in the world which if one linke be but changed a hundred thousand linkes will change also For truly said Arpasia unto Meliantes very sweetly if Sesostris had never passed out of Affrica into Asia perhaps I should never have spoken to you For then he had never erected that pillar upon which I sate which was the commencement of our acquaintance and if old time had not defâ—ced it I should never have known you for had the inscription bin faire my father would have understod it and I should not have had any need of you So that I am a debtor unto two very different things for the pleasure which I have in your company First unto that illustrious conqueror who erected that Columne Secondly to time which did ruin it and which made me stand in need of your help to satisfie my curiositie I beseech you Madam said Meliantes and smiled remember what you say that if ever my acquaintance should become troublesome to you you may still accuse Sesostris and not me And I should be very glad you should think there is a fatall necessitie upon all things in the world to the end you may complain a-against destiny if ever my visits become tedious to you I cannot tell Sir replied she whether I should have any cause to complain against that which first made us acquainted but I am sure I shall complain against you if you will not acquaint me more precisely who you are I have already told you Madam replied he one of the reasons which hinders me and I shall not despaire but hereafter I may tel you the rest if I do not acquaint you with what you desire to know you speak Sir replied she as if we were to live out all our lives together and yet in all probability we shall quickly part Since you neither know who I am Madam replied he and smiled nor what my businesse is for ought you know my businesse is to the place unto which you go my wishes do so seldom happen replied she that I cannot believe that and I am perswaded that accomplished men are so farr from coming unto the place whether I go that I should rather banish all that are there your language Madam is so obliging replied Meliantes that though I had no businesseat Alfenes yet it is my duty to go thither only to make my selfe worthy of these honours you have done me But Madam to tell you somthing of my fortune be pleased to know that being in an humour of travell I have seen all Greece and having contracted an intimate amity with Phormion my friend unto whom I am obliged for all the pleasures I have found in his country I came to shew him all Asia as he hath shewed me all Greece therefore Madam having no other busines but to shew him what Asia hath most rare and admirable I cannot do better than follow you since there can be nothing more excellent then your self But truly Madam added he since I finde you to be as full of modesty as beauty and that your own deserved prayses make you blush give me leave to tell you that I go unto Alfenes only to see the strange and admirable lake of Arethusus which the Tiger crossed This being a busines more rationall than the other replied she I shall be glad you intend it and shall hope to have your good company the longer Since Phormion had not the language which Arpasia spoke very perfectly he said little this first visit but that little he said spoke him worthy to be the friend of Meliantes In the mean
sexes in one single person I beseech you content your self to be esteemed or envyed by all weomen and so to be adored by all men without hating them in generall Since I cannot be unjust replyed she I know very well that I ought not to assume unto my self any share in those Praises which you give me and I know that there are many men so excellently accomplished as they deserve all my esteem and may obtain some share in my friendship But as soon as ever I look upon them as Husbands then I do look upon them as Masters Masters so apt to become Tyrants as I cannot choose but at that time to hate them and to thank the Gods that they have not given me any great inclination unto that fatal thing which they call marriage But Madam replyed Tisander when some happy and rarely accomplished man should move your heart perhaps then you will change your mind I cannot tell Sir replyed she whether I shall change my mind or no but I am sure that I had rather even lose my wits then ever lose my liberty and I am fully resolved never to make my Slave my Tyrant I am so far from conceiving replyed Tisander that there can be any one in the world who dares be so bold as to cease obaying you that I am confident none dare command you For how can it be imagined that a most admirable Lady who is knowing in all things Nay I beseech you Sir sayd Sapho and modestly interrupted him do not speak thus for I know so very little that I know not whether I have any reason for what I say As soon as she had sayd so one calling away Tisander about some business he was forced to leave Sapho but he left his heart with that fair One nor was this love long concealed for Tisander being young and of a quality which attracted many eyes upon him every one did presently perceive his love unto Sapho for he went unto her the next day after the marriage of Aminothe and was obsequious and Courtly to her as there was no doubt but that he was in love with that most admirable Lady At that time all manner of Pleasures were in their highest Lustre at Mytilene and every day had its fresh diversions In the mean time Tisanders Fate being not to get the love of Sapho and her Fancy could not comply that way she only esteemed him and acknowledged the favour of his affection but could not follow the councels of her brother who advised her to sacrifice her liberty unto Fortune by answering the love of that Prince But Sapho naturally hating Marriage and not affecting Tisander she would by no means consent unto it though she were sure she might marry him with the consent of Pittacus However since he was still in hopes to win her affection He courted her with a thousand Entertainments and filled the Town full of Diversions insomuch as the little Court was so full of Gallantry as none could be more Indeed the admirable Sapho had inspired such a spirit of politenes into all that conversed with her which also did communicate it self unto those who never saw her as it was a wonder that it should not spread it self through all the Town of Mytilene and also throughout all the Isle of Lesbos but it did not for Envy Ignorance and Malignity kept almost half the Town from being benefited by the Conversation of Sapho and her friends But to say truly she was no looser by not seeing these kind of people unto whom the Grandure of her spirit and wit was a terrour Few strangers ever came to Lesbos who went not immediatly unto the admired Sapho and who went not out charmed with her discourse And certainly they had reason for it was impossible for any to talk two hours with her without a high esteem of her and without a great inclination to love her Also there was a knot of five or six of us men who were inseparable and who alwaies waited upon Tisander when he went unto Sapho and who somtimes went unto her without him when her severity made him so melancholy that he would not go In the mean time the ignorant and envious Caball which was opposite unto ours did talk of us in such pleasant manner as I cannot think upon it without a little wonder For they sayd we never talked of any thing at Saphos but Poetry Philosophy and mysterious questions and I think they sayd that we taught Magick there also The truth is these professed Enemies unto all Wit Sence Reason and Virtue are a most dangerous sort of People for I found that the most rationall amongst all those who shunned Sapho and her friends were a sort of young fine sturdy and merry Fellows who made it their brag that they were no Schollars and whose ignorant vanity made them so bold as to cenâ—ure and judge of what they knew not and who were perswaded that men of parts and wit did nothing but talk of things which they understood not Thus did they talk of these Persons whom they shunned with much care and made such extravagant Tales of them as were most ridiculous unto such as were in their Senses But besides this generation of people who are capable only of a Vapory and disordered kind of Jollity there was also a sort of women which I rank together with them who shun the company of Sapho and her friends and who are also full of their own frothy Rallary Truth is they are a sort of women who think it their duty to know nothing unless that they are fair and how to dress themselves Women I say who never talk of any thing but Fashions whose Gallantry consists in eating the Collations which their Gallants bestow upon them and whose discourse is nothing but most egregious folly There was also another generation of Women who thinking that exact Virtue requires a Lady should know no more than how to be wife unto her Husband Mother unto her Children and Mistress of her Family they think Sapho and her friends spend too much time in Conversation and that they ought not to discourse so much upon things which are not of absolute necessity There are also some of these men who look upon their wives as the chief Servant in the house who forbid their Children to read any books but Prayer-books and who will not allow them upon any terms to sing one of Sapho's songs Again there was some both men and women who shunned us and who without Injustice cannot be counted amongst the dull herd of beastly people since they are persons of quality And indeed there were some men of ingenious parts being prepossessed with a false imagination who beleived our way of living was such as these ignorant men reported and who not endeavouring to un-deceive themselves rested in their errour Truth is there was one thing which did much contribute unto their implicite beleife For Madam be pleased to know that there was a
half of their nobleness and are not like any of their family or kin if they meddle with writing any books and indeed they will be treated after another manner than those are who never meddle with any writing and it will be said that such were destined only to please others and are obliged by a Law to be still writing peice after peice and if they leave writing they will be no longer regarded If they be rich it will hardly be beleived and if they be not it is the worst of fortune a poor man who is not guilty of any wit is better used than if he were Yet I see replyed Nycanor that all the Court doth very much cherish those who are addicted to writing I do assure you replyed Sapho that they are cherished after a very strange manner for almost all young gallants use to treat those who are addicted to writing as they use to treat their Taylors and shoomakers Indeed they think that they have rendred all that is due to their merit when they have cursularly commended them For my part they cannot do me a greater displeasure than to talk impertinently of those verses which I writ only to please my self I cannot endure that one should come unto me and desire me to make an Elogy for him another a song and a third come and ask me whither such an Epigram was mine I cannot endure that they should not speak unto me as they do unto others since I desire to be as others are and cannot be distinguished after so odd a manner They do not speak unto me as they use unto others if they would make an excuse for not seeing me they tell me it was because they were afraid to interrupt my study if at any time they accuse me of being too reserved they tell me that I am never well but when I am by my self if I say my head akes they tell me it is the disease of all good wits Nay my Physitian when I complain of any little pain he must be telling me also that the same temper which causeth my good wit causeth my disease The truth is Verses Wit and Knowledge are such troubles unto me that I begin to look upon Ignorance and stupidity as the only happinesse The truth is replyed Alces the fair Sapho hath great reason for her complaints and were it not for the satisfaction which her writing does give unto her self she had never used her pen though never so learnedly for my part I have seen many Courts in the world and I have observed most horrible Injustice done unto all writers Every Grandee desires to be commended but they receive the incense which is offered unto them as a tribute due without any regard unto the hand which offered For my particular I once presented a poem unto a Prince who took it and liked it but never did so much as ask to see me yet to tell you truly Considering how he used me I took heart and loved the Author better than I did the Prince And my mind better satisfied in having a heart more genuine than his then if fortune had set me as much above him as he was above me Oh! my dear Alces replyed Sapho how infinitely do you joy me for nothing gives me greater satisfaction than that I am able to tell my self my soul is more noble than those whom giddy fortune has set above me But for all this I cannot choose but oftentimes be very sensible of those disgusts which my reputation of wit doth cause unto me for I observe both men and women when they talk unto me are much perplexed because they have a fancy that they must not speak unto me as they do unto others and they are so perswaded that I constrain my self in speaking unto them that they constrain themselves also to go beyond their last insomuch as I wish that I could Vn-Sapho my self and if my heart could be seen it would manifest that nothing could more vex me than to take me for a witty and understanding woman And therefore I conjure all the company to ease me of this persecution by publishing to all the world that I am not as I am taken to be but that it is Alces who composed those verses which pass under my name and that I have nothing in me which is worthy of esteem to the end all sorts may let me alone in quietness without either seeking for me or shunning me For I must confess I would neither be courted or shunned as a woman of wit As soon as she had said so much company came in who caused the discourse to change but as for Sapho she spoke very little all that day as my sister told me for I went out as the company encreased because I heard of the arrivall of two of my old friends who had been long abroad in Travels But Madam since one of them whose name is Phaon hath a great share in the History which I am relating It is requisite I speak of him a little more particularly then of the other who was called Thimistogenes yet I must acquaint you that they were both of them Lesbians that were practised in one exercise together and that during ouâ— first years I did equally love them yet at their return me-thought I had lost the one though I saw them both And to explain this Riddle be pleased to know that when Phaon and Thimistogenes departed I loved the last of these a little better then the first because indeed he was then more amiable both in his humour and in his Person But at their return I found a very great alteration for the one was grown very ill-favoured and the other much more handsom the wit of Thimistogenes was not at all improved but Phaon was so mended that I assure you he much excelled him and few men could be found more amiable then he As for his Person doubtless it was incomparable for he was extraordinary fair but such a fairness as does not resemble the beauty of Ladies though he had all the good deportments of his own Sex and all the beauty of others his stature was tall and noble though not of the highest pitch his hair very brown his eyes black and lovely his cheeks plump his Teeth white his Nose even proportioned and his Aire haughty moreover for a man he had most fair hands a sprightly look a promising Physiognomy and I know not what kind of passionatness in his aspect without any affection which spoke him very apt to become a most compleat Gallant Indeed Madam Phaon is so fair and every way so handsome that the people of Lesbos invented the oddest Fable of him in the world Fo he being the Son of a man in great reputation at Mytilene who had commanded Navies in severall Was The dull people say that when he was very young and playing in a little Boat neer one of his Fathers Ships Venus came to him and desired him to carry a
knowledg because there was many Women in the company I should lay aside the high opinion which I had conceived of her For truly I heard her not speak any thing this day which any other Lady did not know as well as she might speak as well Yet you must confesse replyed I coldly that though she did speak like a Lady yet it was like a Lady who spoke very well I must needs confesse said he that she used no barbarous words but to tell you truly I expected much more from her then I found Perhaps you expected said I unto him that she should have read a Phylosophy Lecture resolved some difficult questions and explained some obscure places in Hesiode and Homer I expected at least said he that nothing would have come out of her mouth but high matter wâ—ich should have made her knowledg appeare And for my part I tell you ingenuously that I am perswaded she will sometimes shew her knowledg for it is not possible she should get such a reputation over all Greece if she talked of nothing but trifles such as I heard her speak of this day You may imagin Madam how I wondred at the difference of opinion between Phaon and Themistogenes In the mean time Themistogenes spoke so loud that Phaon confusedly heard what he said so that being now one of the most jealous admirers of Sapho he came unto us and asked me of what Themistogenes talked He told me replyed I and smiled that he could not see how Sapho should deserve all those applauds which are attributed unto her but that he expected from her a thousand excellencies which she never so much as mentioned I perceive replyed Phaon faintly that the fair Sapho cannot get the esteem both of Themistogenes and me for I do infinitely esteem her After her discourse upon all these trifles where with he upbraids her but I should scarcely have esteemed her had she only talked of such high matters as he imagined she would so that it follows of absolute necessity she cannot please us both I confess it replyed Themistogenes faintly but the difficulty is to know whether it were not more advantageous for Sapho to satisfie me than to satisfie you If you please to let Nicanor and Democedes be our Judges replyed Phaon I shall consent unto it Since I am altogether on your side replyed Nicanor unto Phaon and directly against Themistogenes I am not a competent judge it is no wonder said Phaon that Themistegenes and I should differ in Opinions for it is not above two years since we were both of one mind in any thing so as it is not strange that as soon as I began to admire Sapho he should not admire her but prefer Damophile because I preferr Sapho before all the women I ever saw and indeed I have abundance of reason so to do for to write as she writes and to discourse as she doth are two qualities so admirable that she deserves the esteem of the world But yet I pray tell mee replyed Themistogenes in such a pelt as made us laugh what hath she said which hath excellency in it she spoke elegantly and gallantly replyed Phaon and she spoke with modesty and in such a discreet manner as she hath merited my admiration but not mine replyed he for I never use to ad 〈…〉 ny thing but what is extraordinary I once knew a man at Athens replyed Phaon who was of the same humour with Themistogenes for he knew not how to put a difference between things which men admire and things which make men astonished I cannot tell you whether I am of his humour you mean or no replyed Themistogenes very â—iercely but I am sure I cannot see any difference between Sapho and other women of Mytelene by any discourse I heard her utter and in the humour I am in if she do not elevate her Muse to a higher strain than I heard her this day I shall beleive some hath made her verses and published them in her name Phaon hearing Themistogenes say so began first to laugh and afterwards to be angry in good earnest so as replying very sharply upon one another they sell to quarrell Nicanor and I should have had much ado to part them if Alces and two more had not accidentally come in However since this quarrell could not be taken up upon the sudden it was the next day before they were reconciled so as it was divulged all over the Town But Phaons advantage was that I related all the passage unto my sister and she unto Sapho insomuch as the very first day that he saw Sapho she understood that she was obliged to him This reconciliation had one Circumstance in it which was very remarkable for Phaon would not be â—â—eindâ— with Themistogenes untill he had acknowledged himself too blame in judging so rashly upon Saphoes merit so as this excellent Lady hearing of all these passages did think her self very much beholden unto Phaon and the next time she saw him she received him very obligingly and she no sooner saw him enter into her chamber but she went to meet him most civily and accâ—sted him with such singular and gallant complements that it deserves a rehersall For looking upon him with a smiling countenance Sir said she unto him you have so commended me for not talking of high matters that I care scarcely thank you for the favour least contrary to my custome I should use any such big phrases as might purchase the esteem of Themistogenes and loose yours Your language Madam replyed he is so full of wit and gallantry that I cannot repent of my disgust against Themistogenes for he who does not admire you deserves an immortall quarrell from all rationall men when you are well acquainted with me Sir replyed Sapho you will see that I am not so jealous of my honour And that as long as they do not asperse my virtue and my goodness I care not what they say Afterwards Sapho causing Phaon to sit down the company were very pleasant for not only all her intimate friends were there but Phylire Nicanor and I were there also And after much discourse upon the Errour of Themistogenes who thought every one to be ignorant if they do not talk of high things Phylire said that though gross ignorance was a most odious fault yet she thought it better all women were so then to be overwise for do but imagin said she what a pestilent persecution it would be if we had but two or three damosells more in Mytelene But I beseech you imagin also on the other side replyed Phaon what a felicity it would be if there were but five or six Saphoes in the whole world and if Athens Delphos Thebes and Argos could boast of that honour as well as Mytelene Oh Phaon replyed Sapho and blushed I beseech you do not lessen my Obligations by over-commending me and remember that I do not affect it nor would I pass for wise For the
them if that be true Madam replyed Athys it is very strange that you should be knowing in so many things and yet be ignorant of your own merit Seriously replyed Sapho in a lovely châ—â—e unlesse you do unaccustome your selves from commending me I shall unaccustome my self from seeing you any more Oh Madam cryed Phaon Nicanor Alces and I all at once For Heavens sake do not threaten us with any such sad affliction But after this Sapho continuing her discourse with her accustomed modestie she told us a hundred pleasing stories and knew so well how to charm the company that we parted not till night At our going from Saphos house we saw Thimistogenes leading Damophile and the next day we heard by one of his friends that he preferred her a thousand degrees before Sapho So as wondering at his extravagancie we both of us promised to shun him as well as Damophile In the mean time I began to perceave that Phaon in all likelyhood would fall in Love with Sapho if he were not so already On the otherside I understood by my Sister that Sapho did infinitly esteeme him and that he pleased her more then all the men she ever saw Alces who was Tisanders spie did also perceive this growing love of Phaon and the inclination of Sapho for he hinted as much unto the faire Athys with whom he was in Love Nicanor who was one of Saphoes adorers had some slight suspition of it And both Amithone and Erinne did perceive it as the rest did As for Sapho she knew that Phaon was in love with her before he ever told her for she had such a suitable and delicate spirit of discernment into every thing that she perfectly knew what thoughts every one had of her and sometimes knew them before they knew themselves As fervent as the friendship was which any bore unto this charming Lady she would never take it under any notion of Love And how faint and cold soever this passion was in the hearts of some men who were not capable of any zealous fires by reason of their frozen tempers she would never take them under the notion of Friendship so that it is most certain she precisely knew in what degree any one loved her and it was so impossible to conceale it from her that it was absolure folly to attempt it for she could so well distinguish between the lookes of friendship and the looks of Love that she was never mistaken Moreover she did not only know of what natures the affection of any was unto her but also she knew what thoughts every one who used to visit her had unto one another So as this discerning knowledg of all hearts enabled her to manage matters so cunningly that she made all Rivalls live in peace and she augmented or lessened the affection which any bore unto her almost as she pleased And yet this last quality had more difficulty in it then the other for she is so very lovely that it is a very hard matter for any Lover to go lesse yet still she would so temper them as that they would tell her no more then what she had a mind to heare Sapho having such a discerning eye she quickly saw that Phaon was in Love with her and the sight of it did not offend her but found such a sweet relish of it in her heart as she plainly saw that if she would ever defend her selfe against Phaon shee must begin betimes so as shee resolved to overcome her selfe But she could not resolve to hinder Phaon from ioving her and contented her selfe with never answering his affection by the like However Cydnon being her grand Confident they held a Councell together about it which I intend to relate unto you that you may the better know the temper of Sapho's soule My sister being then with her one Evening and both leaning upon a Balcone which opened towards the Sea she saw by Moon light some ships coming to Myâ—elene I wish these be not the Ships of Thrasibulus which bring back Tysander unto us said she and smiled For that Prince being of very much merit I wish for his own tranquility he may not return unto a Place where he would be more miserable then when he departed I cannot see replyed Sapho that any great alterations have hapned here since his departure For I hold him in the same degree of esteem as I did and my heart has the same resolutions of never loving him if that were all replyed Cydnon he would not be so miserable as he is like to be but I know there is something more in it I wonder replyed Sapho why you should say so Since you would needs have it replyed Cydnon I must tell you that Phaon is here Cydnon you are always so full of your Querks replyed Sapho and blushed that I need not wonder at them I assure you Madam replyed Cydnon there is no Quarks in what I say for it is so apparant Phaon is in Love with you as it is impossible to be one hour in his company and not perceive it And when he is in your presence they must be blind who do not see it and deaf who cannot understand it by his words for he speaks always with such cordiall earnestnesse that his thoughts cannot be doubted However replyed Sapho they do not see mee answer him with the same earnestnesse You Madam replyed Cydnon doe know so well how to regulate all your actions that your thoughts can never bee knowne by your Actions Yet I who know you better then any others I am most confident you do not hate Phaon and that if Fate have resolved you must love any it must be him I perceive Cydnon replyed shee and smiled that you think you have stoln from mee the Art of knowing the thoughts of others by bare conjectures but I believe that you are now mistaken in your Conjectures and Predictions 'T is true added she That Phaon was very glad to find that I did resemble Damophile and to be sincere with you I know he loves me or at least hath some inclination to it But I must professe unto you that I have no intentions to answer his Love For since exact decency requires one should not only defend themselves against criminall affections but from the most innocent also I must observe it and not expose my selfe unto scandall although I am perswaded that it is not impossible but one may love very innocently I do believe it is not impossible replyed Cydnon And since there are many men have honest hearts there can be no great danger in engaging with them It is so dangerous said Sapho that since I knew the world I never knew two whom I could think capable of any complyance of such a nature as I imagine But to speak unto you as unto my second selfe though decency hath so established it a Law that Women should not love any by reason of the bad consequences which Love may cause when
So as unlesse you know the very bottome of Policie and have History at your fingers end there is no talking with them of any thing The truth is replyed I It is very tedious to harken unto such people but such kind of People as without any care of the generall businesse of the world will heare of nothing but privacies are very troublesome for you shall see them alwayes as busie as if they had a thousand great weighty affaires in transaction though they are of no other nature then medling in other mens matters and running from house to house with this or that tittle tattle as publique Spies who are every where and desire not the knowledge of any thing to any other end then to tell it again All these kinds of people replyed Sapho are very obnoxious unto Civill societies and the principall Rule of all Companies ought to be never to utter any thing against sound judgmenâ—t I would gladly know said Niâ—aâ—or how you would have our Conversation to be regulated To speak in generall replyed she our discourse ought to be more of things ordinary and gallant then of any high matters yet I conceive that nothing but what is discreet must intervene Our talke ought to be free pleasing and pertinent according to the times places persons we talk of To speak alwayes nobly of inferiours simply of high matters very gallantly of things gallant and all without any affectation or earnestnesse And though conversation ought alwayes to be naturall and reasonable yet I must needs say that upon some occasions sciences may be handsomly brought in and triviall follies may also have their place provided they be ingenious and gallant So as to speak rationally I conceive there is nothing but may be brought into Conversation so it have wit and judgment in it But the most necessary quality to render it sweet and pleasant is a kind of Politnesse of wit which absolutly excludes all manner of biting jeâ—stâ— and such as may offend a chast eare I would have every one to have the Art of turning things so ingeniously as that they may without offence speak of gallantry unto the most Austere Nun in the world and to tel a trifling tale unto the gravest and most serious men to talk of Sciences and ignorance if they be forced and to vary ones wit according to the things talked of and Persons to whom they talk But above all I would have a certain spirit of mirth to be predominant which without any tincture of the follies in those Eternall Laughers who make a great noise upon a little matter may inspire into the hearts of all the company a disposition to divert themselves at any thing and to be troubled at nothing and I allow them to talk of greater matters provided still they talk well and without any pumping for their words and of such things as are fit to be talked of The Laws Madam which you gave unto Conversation are such replyed Phaon as whosoever shall admire your wisdom and carry themselves as you do will merit the admiration of the whole Earth for never any had such an Art of pleasing of charming and of diverting as your selfe I would all you say were true replyed she and blushed and that I could beleeve you more then I do my selfe but to shew you that I cannot and that I know my self often faulty I ingeniously declare that I have spoken too much and that in lieu of telling you all my Conceptions concerning society I should only have said as much of all the company as you have said of mee After this every one opposing the modesty of Sapho we all commended her so highly that we more then half angred her but afterwards the discourse was so gallant so free so pleasant and merry that it continued til night when we all parted Phaon who more fettered in the netts of Love then before would needs stay the last with Sapho and his passion was so fervent that he resolved to give it a little vent and not to leave her untill he had given her some glimps of it So that after we were all gone he asked pardon for troubling her so long but Madam said he unto her when I saw you only in company me thought I did not see you enough T is true I am much bettered by your Elegant discourse and I do admire it more then any but for all that I am more joyed when I heare you in presence of none else and two or three words only which are interrupted only by my selfe do give me fuller satisfaction and would more ravish me then al your excellent Language wherewith you have charmed all the company this day were you in Love with me replyed she and smiled I should think these expressions very gallant but since I entertaine none but friends and will never look upon any Lovers I much chide you for profiting no better by my discourse concerning Conversation Since this your Language would be very sutable unto a Mistresse but not unto a friend I beseech you Madam said he do you think my Language very sutable unto a Person whom I loved you know I am alwayes sincere replyed she and therefore you may beleive I speak my thoughts Then Madam replyed he and looked upon her my Language is most suitable unto you for I do not speak it only unto afriend but unto one with whom I am most desperatly in love and that in such an humble and reverent manner that you cannot be offended at me If decency would allow me replyed Sapho and blushed not to be offended at a declaration of Love I believe I should not be offended at you But Phaon it will not and therefore I must either be angry with you or else not believe you Oh Madam cryed out Phaon never make any question between these two but be certaine that I had rather be treated ill then not believed Since you never saw me angry replyed she very gallantly you know not what you say but since I know what is good for you better then you do your selfe I will neither be angry with you nor believe you Oh I beseech you Madam said he unto her believe me and be angry too if you cannot beleeve me without being angry for as I told you before I had much rather see you angry then incredulous Since beliefe is a thing not in our own power replyed she we cannot believe what we would And therefore when I said that it was in my choise whether I should believe you or be angry with you I conceive that I spoke improperly and had better say That it being impossible for me to believe you it is also impossible for me to be angry with you But I beseech you Madam said he unto her why cannot you believe that I love you Is it because you think your selfe not fair and charming enough to captivate harts Is it because I have not wit enough to know your transcendencies It is because
for you Madam your power has a greater influence upon me I love you after another manner and when I do apprehend the bitterness of this horrid absence I begin to prepare my self for infinite miseries for this bitter absence is unlike all the rest indeed when you were in the Country I alwaies expected your return so shortly that it was no wonder if my hopes of soon seeing you should diminish my sorrows and that my beleif of your loving me was so joyfull unto me as to keep me from grieving But alas Madam a whole year looks like a little eternity to me and I shall go away in fear that you are not fully perswaded of the great ness of my Love But Madam I beseech you judge me not by what is paest since certainly I never loved you so much as I now do Yes divine Sapho I do love you more than ever and more than ever I shall any other and more than ever I can hope to be loved I beleive it said she and interrupted him but for all that in all appearances you do love me less then you thought you did after you had been fifteen dayes out of my sight After this returning a very plausible answer he made a million of protestations of fidelity unto the fair Sapho and in such a passionate manner as she was perswaded that the heart of Phaon was changed and that he would resent this long absence with abundance of sorrow so as both of them used the most delicate and passionate expressions that Love could possibly infuse into the hearts and tongues of two persons deeply in Love and ready to depart from each other Thus Sapho and Phaon parted infinitely satisfied and reconciled Phaon imbanqued the next morning and Sapho went in the country carrying my sister with her but she went not thither so much to enjoy the sweets of sollitude as to hide the sorrows of her soul and to avoid bidding adieu unto Nicanor who know too weH that all the favour he received belonged not unto him But Madam since Phaons departure Sapho was all melancholly T is true at her return unto Mytelene she contracted a very great league of friendship with Clyrantes who was so extreamly in love with Phylire as none could be more In the mean time the company at Saphoes was nothing so pleasant as heretofore because she was grown to very melancholly that she shunned as much as handsomness would permit her all occasions of delight so all the good company broke up For Alces at last married Ashys who since her marriage did not frequent Saphoes Erinne she fell sick of a languishing disease my sister went into Phrygia with my Mother who was of that Countrey and Amithone went into the Country so as I was the only One left unto whom Sapho could talke with any confidence And yet she had one deare friend whom I did not mention at the beginning of my relation because she was absent from Mytelene during all the time of this long love but since she returned the same day my sister departed it may well be sayd she took her place And certainly she was worthy of Sapho's friendship though her fortunes were not so high as the rest of her friends Indeed this Lady who was called Agelaste by reason of her melancholly temper had most rare qualities her person did please much more then some could who were fairer then she She was not tall but handsome her hair was brown her eyes gray and sweet her face a little long her nose something high her mouth pretty her complexion well but a little pale her teeth white her neck admirable her hands and arms faire and her Physiognomy so wise and modest that every one had a good opinion of her at the very first sight Agelaste also played upon the Lute most admirably But I alwayes most esteemed her for her wit her discretion her goodnesse and her fidelity were so great that one might trust her with any thing in the world Moreover though she was naturally melancholly Yet she would be very pleasant in company especially with her intimate friends for unlesse with them she spoke little Agelaste then being as I have described her she was inseparable from Sapho since all the rest of her friends had left her And Phylire also did visit her much oftner then she did before The truth is Sapho stood in need of some comfort at that time for you must know that Cynegire with whom she lived and to whom she was much obliged dyed and a few dayes after she heard that her Brother of whom she alwayes heard bad newes was faln in love with a Slave called Rhodope whom Esope also had loved and that the passion of Charaxes had been so extream that after he had enfranchised her his love of her had quite ruined him Also Sapho understood that Rhodope whose beauty and art had rendered her more famous in Aegypt then her vertue had she sent him back to Mytelene in a most lamentable condition Moreover the death of Tysander had so altered the Court of Pittacus that people did not live in that Citie as formerly they did yet Sapho was so happy as to finde a satisfaction in her selfe without seeking it in others In the mean time the greatest inquietude which she had being Phaons absence she was forced though she did not affect to have any Confident to let me talke unto her sometimes for I was the conveyer of all the Letters between Phaon and her yet it was not possible to have many Letters from him which was no small addition to her inquietudes But Madam she was much more restlesse and unquiet a little after when she receiving a packet from Phaon which I brought in all hast unto her she found besides her Lovers letter a Note directed unto him written with a womans hand but so scurvily writ that it was evident she who writ it was not guilty of over much wit In the mean time it appeared by it that Phaon had writ many Letters unto her that he was much in her favour and that he had given her severall Serenades And indeed Madam I understood afterwards that though Phaon did love Sapho most passionately yet he would sometimes solace himselfe with that faire Foole whom he had formerly loved in Sicily Not that there was any comparison between those thoughts which he had of Sapho and this faire Sycilian for his passion was most zealous and servent to the first of these and his engagements to the other might rather be called a musing then any reall affection However he did divert himself as much as if he had not been absent from that person whom he loved with most passionate tendernesse But to return unto Sapho you may imagine Madam how she was surprized to find in Phaons packet this note directed unto her and a Note stuffed with the most fond simple gallantry in the world indeed I think that never such a piece was seen yet
I am descended from a family which holds a considerable Rank in my country for since Democedes hath related the history of Sapho I am sure he hath told you of Clirantes who is my brother and by consequence who I am Nor am I obliged to acquaint you with the life of our Court For since you do know it to be gallant that there are Judges established to determine all the differences of Lovers and that the most admirable Sapho is very happy there you will easily beleive what I shall say But Sir since the beauty and merit of one whose name is Dorinice is the foundation of this adventure and the cause of my misfortune it is requisite I describe her unto you to the end you may the better know the violence of my passion and the greatness of my misery Since it was not the quality of Dorinice which made me love her I shall tell you only by the by that her family from whence she is descended is very illustrious but let me tell you that she is adorned with a thousand qualities which attract Love Indeed she is of a very handsom stature her Complexion is rare her Eyes black and full of spirit her hair is fair her smile charming her Teeth white her Air both gallant noble and modest and her neck and hands most fair Moreover her Wit is superlative her humour alwaies equally the same and there is such a just mixture of mirth and seriousness in this person that she doth infinitely please and suite with all the world both the melancholly and the merry She seemed to be a very good friend and indeed she was so though to my sorrow I found her heart but hollow yet it was a disguised hollowness For when one first sees her and sees the freeness of her looks her civility and sweetness one would say that for the time he had made a far progress into her soul and yet one should not be one step further in her favour at the end of three months than they are at the end of three dayes and the like at the end of three years all imaginable services and courtship will not work upon her heart Then Sir I must tell you that though we have but one City in our State yet Dorinice was eighteen years of age before I ever spoke unto her For besides the bigness of our City which is so large that one may easily be long there and not particularly known so it was that severall trifling passions did take up many of my young dayes and as chance would have it I fell into a Caballe opposite unto that of Dorinices Mother so as it may be said I knew her and I knew her not But since severall changes chanced which absolutely dis-engaged my heart I chanced one day to meet this fair one in an assembly at the Queens Thinking I should much spite those Ladies whom I had broke off withall if I did entertain Dorinice whom I knew they loved not I began discourse with her Thus I entertained her the first time more in spight to others then to please my self not but that I found much pleasure in her company for since she was glad to see I had quitted the Ladies whom she loved not she received me better then when I was in favour with her Enemies and yet she chid me when I began to tell her that I thought my self very happy in her company Before I give any direct answer unto your Civility Sir replyed she and smiled I beseech you give me leave to examine a little whether I should take you as a Spy or as a desertor of your friends or as one who hath changed sides Oh most lovely Dorinice said I and interrupted her I am neither a Spy nor a Desertor of my friends but I have changed my side with so much reason that you cannot in any justice blame me yet least you should have an ill opinion of me I will not speak any ill of your Enemies but since I have so much good to speak of you time is better imployed in that then in the other Were you to talk long replyed she and smiled you would both trouble me and your self for I have so many faults and so few good qualities that you would find it Sir a hard task to talk of such things only as should please me But since Sir it is probable you will tell me more of my good then my bad qualities I shall hope you will not tell me any thing which will displease me At the least I am sure Madam said I unto her I shall say nothing but truth when I tell you that you are the most fairest and loveliest person in the world As Dorinice was ready to reply they came to take her out to dance so as all that night I could not talk any more with her But since she had infinitely pleased me and since I observed that I had sufficiently vexed those Ladies whom I intended to spite I went the next day with one of my friends unto the house of Dorinices Mother whose name was Elicrate and Sir I was so much taken both with the Mother and the Daughter that I repented I had been so long unacquainted with them for the truth was their society was infinitely more pleasing then that I had quitted for those Ladies whom I had left off were persons who admitted all sorts of men without exception or choice which questionless goes against the grain of those who have nice and delicate spirits and not at all advantageous unto such as frequent them But Sir it was otherwise in the house of Elicrate for almost none frequented it but men of excellent parts and Dorinice had such an art of wearying those who were not well accomplished that if any such came once there they were sure not to come twice and yet there was alwaies much company with her because there was men more of excellent parts in our Court And Sir you must know that this Lady though never capable of love nor ever will as long as she lives yet is she the greatest fondling in friendship that is in the world for she has friends of all sorts and the wonder is she gets them every day and looses none and does so well keep all such secrets as are intrusted to her that she never injures any but as far as she is able is ready to do any service for those whom she hath promised any place in her friendship Yet as I said in the beginning of my discourse she hath this particular quality that she hath set bounds about her heart beyond the limits of which none whosoever can ever go for one shall be as high in her favour at three months as they can be in three years Dorinice being as I have described her very amiable and engaging at the first I thought my self the happiest man alive in her acquaintance and I presently perceived that my thoughts of her might be phrased Love and not at
he is better pleased when he finds me alone then with much company you would see that I do much prefer him before such vapourers that are out of their element unlesse they be in a great tumultuous company where they must speak loud before they can be heard and who had rather be in the very worst company of a Town then spend an afternoon in civill discourse with two or three rationall persons Yet they are the greatest loosers by it for I am sure that commonly such men get such ill habits as renders them lesse amiable and lesse inclinable to love But Mereontes continued she to save you the labour of naming of any more I wil assure you that there is but you three or four more who are in the first form of my friends and as for the rest I imagine you will not much care for them Why Madam replyed I do you think that I am satisfied with your admitting three or foure Co-equalls in your heart When you consider replyed she that I have a hundred friends and that I think but three or four of them your Equals me thinks you should be well satisfied and think your selfe happy Alas Madam replyed I were I only your friend I should not be contented with it for I am of such an humour that I would be the first of the four and therefore being your Lover I cannot esteem my selfe happy in my conviction with so many friends To testifie replyed she that I will do all I can for you I will tell you that you are the first provided you will not speak any more of your pretended love Alas Madam replyed I I find no great security in all this since you have a friend who may be in the first rank and another whose place you know not therefore this last may exclude me and all the rest Since I know not what is to come answered she I will speak of the present And therefore all I can say unto you is that if he of whom you speak doth continue as he hath been of late it is not all his merit all his wit nor all his handsomnesse that can obtain him the first ranke of my friends and I will tell you after that of all those who have any place in my friendship you shall have the first ranke if you will Alas Madam said I a Lover can never be contented with the first quality of a friend and I had rather be in the lowest rank of your Lovers than in the highest of your friends However Mereontes said she this is all I can do Consider seriously upon it for if you should refuse the first ranke of my friends perhaps I shall become your Enemy As I was ready to answer one came in and said her Mother did aske for her so that I left her not accepting the quality of her first friend and she not permitting me to be her Lover Yet since I had discovered my passion my heart was something more at ease and my greatest hope was in knowing certainly that Dorinice did hold me in the notion of friendship so as imagining it not impossible but her affection might change its nature and believing it a more easie step from friendship to love then from indifferency unto that passion my hopes did keep life in them so as I passed over some dayes without any great inquietude thinking it but fit I should give Dorinice some time of consideration before I could expect any recompence Yet there was not a day in which this multitude of her friends did not perplex me and in which I did not feare that this which some of them called friendship may be called by the name of Love and indeed I understood at last that there were at least two Lovers in this disguise of friendship so that with jealousie and love together I had many a vexatious hour Yet after I had vvell observed these concealed Rivalls I was not so jealous of them as of some other of her friends Not but that one of them was very handsome and likely to prove a very dangerous Rivall for his person was very pleasing and he had a delicate wit and since his first affection was unto a person of great merit and wit this did infuse such a politenesse into his conversation as made him so accomplished as he was for it is most certain that nothing is more pernicious unto young men then first to engage them selves in Love with foolish persons and indeed this second Rivall made this apparant which I speak for he was better born than the other also he had wit and spirit enough and yet it was his misfortune to fall at first into intimacy and familiarity with many women of mean merit who were unfashionable and knew not the world so as he blasted his wit by their society and did insensibly accustome himselfe to be such a one as his company were so as I had no cause to fear him And for the other though he had wit merit and manners enough yet I did not feare him neither because Dorinice suspecting him in Love with her did treat him worse than the rest of her friends I saw also very clearly that these two Râ—vals had not so great a part as my selfe in the heart of this faire one for she was pleased to tell me what they said unto her But as for her friends she would not impart the least syllable of what they said though I vowed she was most absolute Mistress of my hear and told her that though generosity required that I should never reveale the secrets of my friends Yet she had such a power over me that I could not keep my own But this aggravation of my Love caused a great quarrell the next day for be pleased to know Sir that both of us meeting the day following in a place where one of the Ladies who formerly I loved was with much other company Dorinice very craftily began to talk of the power which a Mistress hath over the heart of her Lover and hearing that some reports of my passion were divulged in our Court she would needs be so pleasant as to twit me with it And to that end she told me very openly that as I was talking the day before with her I said that as soon as ever I became a Lover I would sacrifice all my own and my friends secrets unto my Mistress and that I had already told her all the passages of my first Love So as being driven to the necessity either of contradicting what she whom I then loved had said or else displeasing her whom I loved not I made choise of the latter and would rather anger my old Mistress then my new one yet I turned the matter as well as I could Indeed I said replyed I unto Dorinice that when one is in love one hath nothing which is their own but I did not say I would relate the secrets of friends and former loves unto my Mistress what I said
shew you all the tenderness of my heart I communicate my very soul unto you and I have a thousand obliging cares for you whereas if I should love you as you desire I should I should then conceal all the tenderness of my thoughts from you I should make choise of the most indifferent words to express my affection to you and I should shun the place where you are and therefore I pray judge whether you would not be more miserable in my Love than in my friendship And to tell you truly it is my friendship unto which you are beholding for this my indulgency in suffering you to speak thus unto me of your passion for did I not perceive the constitution of my heart such as it is impossible I should ever love you in any other manner I should never suffer you Oh Madam said I this is the extremity of cruelty how ignorant are you in the sweets of Love and of being loving a hundred and a hundred thousand friends cannot afford one single gust of it I beseech you consider that you have not an absolute power over any one of your friends there is not one of them but are able to deny you somthing Whereas your power over me is absolute without any exception you are mistress of my destiny you can frame all my good fortune and all my bad and you have such an absolute Empire in my heart that you must raign in it as long as you live But Madam to raign with delight you must take some care for the preservation of your authority Cast off therefore Madam this multitude of friends amongst all which perhaps there is not one who truly merits the name of friend or are realy worthy of your friendship But if you will not rid your self of this croud which are troublesome both to you and me yet I beseech you make some difference in your Love betwixt me and them for I do affect singularity so much in matter of affection that I cannot endure to be loved in the same degree with others Put some difference I beseech you Madam betwixt me and your friends and know that if you do not I must infallibly either loose my life or my reason and wits for I am most certain I can never loose that affection which I have unto you Me thinks Mereontes said she unto me that in telling you I esteem you as the cheif of my friends and so distinguish you that this should content you Alas Madam replyed I though you should tell me that I am your only friend and though I am a Lover of singularity yet should I not be contented for your affection is still friendship and before I can be satisfied your friendship must either become Love or my Love friendship and therefore since it is an easier matter to add some degree of heat unto your affection than it is to quench the flames of mine I beseech you and conjure you to strive a little to love me in another manner then you do But Mereontes said she unto me do you not consider that if I should love you as you desire you shall receive no favours from me and that I cannot be so indulgent to you as now I am for I see you and I talk as long as you please Yes Madam replyed he sharply you do see me and you do talk with me but you do them not with the same joy which you would if you loved me as I desire There wants that mutuall exchange of pleasures which does nourish and augment Love and which is the cheif felicity of Lovers And therefore Madam only out of curiosity I beseech you try the difference between Love and Friendship and do not deprive your self of lifes greatest delight by making me the most miserable of men Yet all these intimations in the sweets of Love unto Dorinice were to no purpose for Sir she was unalterable and I could not obtain the least hope of ever changing her mind So I was in a most miserable condition nor could I make any appeal to the Judges and Laws of Love because they were established only for such as do or did love one another and I bring the only party that ever loved I could not have any remedy for them Yet was I not able to inclose all my sorrows in my heart but complained in such a sad manner unto Doronices friend whose name was Nyrtile that I did mollifie her heart and moved her to speak in my behalf unto her friend And as they were walking one day in a Garden she severed her from the rest of her company and told her she did not well to mixe me among the number of her other friends and that she had no reason to entertain such a croud of them as she did For truly said Nyrtile to her my humour is such that I had rather make choise of some man of accomplished parts than to love a hundred or two Alas Nirtile said she than unto her can you think I do love all those who tearm themselves my friends I cannot tell answered Nirtile but you seem as if you did and as if you thought them all the most faithfull and sincere friends in the world The truth is answered Dorinice I am just unto all my friends for I know how to distinguish betwixt those who visit me out of vanity or for interest or out of custome or out of inclination And I have unto those who love me such a kind of civility as befits such as are to be esteemed for if I had not I should deprive my self of a thousand delights which the conversation of such men afforded it but for all that I only love those who love me very well and I am able to make it my boast that I am the justest person in the world unto all those who use to see me You must except Mereontes Madam replied Nyrtile for certainly he has no reason to be pleased with you Perhaps he hath more reason than you imagin replied she for I assure you I have been striving as much as I could these two months together either to love him as he would be or else to hate him The one half of this had been enough to have told me replied Nirtile doubless it had replied she but I could not unless I had lied for the truth is Mereontes doth every day move me unto both those thoughts though they be very opposite to each other When I look upon his restless inquietude and consider his Merit his Affection and my own Friendship to him I wish I were able to make him happy by loving him as he desires But on the other side when he smothers me with his complaints upbraids me with my many friends and permittance of many Lovers this unjust persecution makes me desire to hate him and yet I find an equall impossibility in both and therefore I must remain as I am and if he be not contented I cannot help it However Madam said Nirtile to her