Cylenisa It happened that this unfortunate Prince walking in his Chamber and contemplating his misfortunes chanced to spy the Princess as she passed and knew her she also looking up saw him To tell you Madam the thoughts of these two illustrious persons at that instant and how sad this sight was unto both is not an easie matter Cleander would have broke the grates the Princess wished the Coach might go more safely yet she made signes with her head and her hand to let him understand she lamented his misfortunes and he did let her see by his violent and disordered actions though full of respect how great the trouble of his soul was Mean while the Coach went on and they lost the sight of one another But the Princess as I was told afterwards looked a long while after upon the place where Cleander was a prisoner After this Madam the Court of Lidia was as dull as it was delightful before In the mean time Artesilas did not bring his designes to pass for he could not move Cressus either to put Cleander to death or call back the Princess Palmis Cressus also knowing that the King of Phrygia was entered into his Dominions was forced to go himself in person unto the Army and that was one of his reasons why he sent the Princess his daughter unto Ephesus having no mind to leave her in that place where Cleander was a prisoner The general state of things did change faces for you know that the King of Assyria who had carried away the Princess Mandana sent to solicit these two Kings who were his Allies to enter into his Countrey and in order unto that they made a truce between themselves and did so going both of them to aid the King of Assyria and to oppose the King of the Medes whom they feared or rather indeed the valour of the illustrious Cyrus under the notion of Artamenes who was so terrible to all Asia The King of Phrygia notwithstanding the truce desired that his Troops might not mingle with the Troops of Lidia The truth is Madam you know so well what passed in all Asia since that time as I need not speak of them nor of Cleander who being still a prisoner had nothing to do amongst them for after the King of Assyria's first defeat Cressus out of some discontent retired and returned unto Sardis still keeping us and the Princess prisoners However Artesilas was not a whit more happy since neither being able to ruine his Rival nor see his Mistress it may be said that he himself was punished for their own crimes As for Cleander he being of a very obliging disposition he got the love of all the Guards and so far that they let him have the liberty to write and receive Letters in spite of Pactias for bidding them to do so so that he writ unto Esope to the end he might acquaint him with all news concerning the Princess which Esope accordingly did though I know not which way he went to work However Cleander Thimettes Timocreon Acrates and my self did live most melancholy lives and so we lived until Cressus who was restless to hear of all the prodigious victories of the Illustrious Cyrus sent unto all the famous Oracles in the world though I know not what he intended to enquire of because there was no return of them when I came from Sardis But during the voyages of all these Embassadours who were sent to consult with the Gods he ceased not from making great Levies he imployed divers Envoyes to several Princes and was so busied in some great design which he had in his mind that he thought much less of Cleander Then Madam to shorten my relation I will make hast to tell you that Cressus being gone to muster his Troops Tegeus the son of Pactias and Lover of Cylenisa plotted with Meneceus and found out ways to release us love being predominate over all other considerations perhaps his aims and desires were only to release Cylenisa But Meneceus of whom he stood in need denying him any assistance unless Cleander Thimettes Timocreon Acrates and my self were released also he consented unto it So that one night when I little dreamâ— of liberty Tegeus who had suborned the greatest part of Cleanders Guard and Garrison of Pactias entered into the Ciâ—tad I and going unto Cleanders Chamber he told him that he was at liberty and afterwards coming where we were he told us the same That which did make the business more easie was because Pactias was gone two days journey from Sardis and Artesilas was with the King Moreover Meneceus who had the Conduct of the business had provided fifty horse ready to guard us so that without fight or tumult we went out of the Ciâ—tadel at the same door by which the poor Cylenisa entered I forgot to tell you that Tegeus went not unto the Chamber of Cleander to release him till after he had been with Cylenisa for whom he had provided a Coach ready at the coming out of the Cittadel However since Meneceus had many friends in Ephesus and since besides that it was a place where they might more easily hide themselves then any other by reason of many strangers which resorted unto the famous Temple of Diana and more then that it was easie to flie away when one pleased by reason of the Seas nearness It was resolved to retire thither and indeed Cleander would not go any where else because of the Princess Palmis and there was none that would leave him The Governour of Ephesus was also an intimate friend of Meneceus who though he should know him to be there yet he did not fear that he would do either him or his friends any hurt Then Madam when he had gone a days journey from Sardis we disguised our selves as well as we could Cylenisa also with a woman which waited upon her and would not leave her did the same so that we came unto Ephesus as strangers which come to visit the Temple of Diana Meneceus also caused those horses which guarded us to enter at several Gates and resolved to have them always with him in case of any need of them The first thing Cleander did was to go about the Temple of Diana desiring to see the place at least where the Princess was though he could not see her In the mean while Madam one chance most extraordinarily happened to the great comfort of these illustrious Lovers which was That she who commanded the Vestals whose name was Agesistrata proved to be Sister unto a Lady in Ephesus with whom Meneceus in his younger days had been in love and whom he should have married if her friends had not opposed it so that there being this obligation then between them there continued still a great friendship between them though they had not seen one another of a long time Meneceus having done many considerable services towards Cressus in behalf of her Husband whom afterwards she married and since was dead Menecius
carried unto another So that this variety of mistakes made the best sport in the world When the mistaken Letter was brought unto Cleonice we were all together and she wondred that Artelinda with whom she was not friends should write to her She opened then this Letter very hastily but when she looked upon the Character she presently knew it to be the same in which she used to write unto her Gallants and not that in which she used to write unto her friends Then Cleonice and I began to read these words which did not at all concern her IF you will be in the street which leads unto the Temple of Diana about that houre I use to go thither I shall understand from your own mouth what thoughts you have of me at parting and you may understand from mine how much your absence will trouble me After we had read this Letter we knew that he who brought it was mistaken but I advised Cleonice to say nothing unto the man but that she would do as his Mistress desired And indeed we did not go with less desire to be at the appointed place then perhaps that Lover would have done for whom it was intended Cleonice gave orders that they should acquaint her when Artelinda went out of her house that we might follow after her which was easily done because both were neighbours Therefore we no sooner knew of her going out but we also went out at a back-door which was neerest that street where the appointment was knowing well we should find her on foot because it was not the custom of Ephesus to go unto the Temple of Diana in Coach As soon as we spied her we began to walk softly that we might observe what she did and we saw her look towards the place where she expected her Lover very seriously and often then she walkt very softly in hopes still of his coming having none with her but one woman who was acquainted with all her secrets But at the last turning towards us we came neerer her and met She no sooner saw Cleonice who she thought had received her Letter in which she desired her to stay within at her own house after dinner but addressing herself Come Cleonice said she it is not in this place where I must justifie my self therefore I beseech you let me have the honour after dinner to talk with you And then she would have left her But Cleonice craftily staying her and counterfeiting very handsomly Then have you changed your mind said she unto her for your Letter appointed this place and I thought you were going some journey by the expressions of your Letter Artelinda blusht at this discourse and apprehending that he who carried the Letters was mistaken and had given one Letter for another she was in a great fume yet being both crafty and bold she turned it to laughter and asked to see the Letter to the end she might get it out of Cleonice's hands She said by way of excuse that she had writ it unto one of her Cosins who was not upon good terms with her mother and was going into the Country but Cleonice having no disposition to restore it said she had left it at home Yet since Artelinda knew she had writ many others and that the same mistake might chance have hapned to them also her minde was very much disordered She durst not return back or would she go unto the Temple hoping still that perhaps he who was appointed to meet had received the right Letter and would come But yet not seeing him she did more and more doubt the universal disorder of all her Letters so that being in a restlesse impatience she left us and returned home where she found all the Answers of her Lovers which did sufficiently confirm her in the mistake He who was to go out of Town in the morning and had received an appointment to meet in the evening at the sea-side complained against her for her cruel kinde of Rallerie and went out of Ephesus with a minde much incensed against her He who never came into Temples and had received an pppointment to meet in the Temple of Diania said it was enough to make him change his Religion and adore only her eyes He who had received that Letter which was intended for Cleonice wherein she desired him to stay at home that she might come and justifie her self writ back to her that he was not worthy of so much honour as that she should come to his house nor knew he why she should justifie herself of any thing yet adding notwithstanding that he would obey her For be pleased to know Madam that the Letter was written so that it would serve either to a man or a woman Moreover he who had received that Letter which appointed him to go unto a Lady whom he never saw and who was his mottal enemy thinking that Artelinda mocked him did answer her in anger Insomuch as Artelinda designing to favour four Lovers in a morning disobliged them all and gave a full subject of revenge unto Cleonice Yet would she not publish this adventure at the first but I who was not so indulgent as she told it unto one of my friends who divulged it all over the Town So that all these Lovers having heard what happened unto Cleonice every one of them believed her and themselves both injured by Artelinda Moreover Artelinda was so very angrie with him that had so grosly mistaken her Letters and used him so ill that he told it unto very many and in a few daies the thing was so universally known that all these Lovers except him who was absent shewed their Letters one unto another and had so many jeers for Artelinda that Cleonice found her full revenge She found from thence another benefit which was that they never after this spoke a word more concerning the love of Ligdamis So that both Ligdamis and she did for some daies enjoy all the happinesse that an innocent Love could afford Yet did Cleonice cause some angrie hours unto Ligdamis because she could not be perswaded that love could last long So that though she agreed so far with him as to believe his love was very great yet she told him time would wear it out So that it may be said she disquieted herself when fortune did not She did divers times hinder Ligdamis from perswading his father to alter his minde concerning his marriage and to permit him to addresse himself unto Stenobea to obtain her consent of Leonice telling him he must never be too hastie in businesse and that perhaps his love would lessen and that she would have a long trial of his Passion And though Ligdamis thought this trial she alreadie had was enough yet his respect of her was so great that he durst not importune her against any thing she much desired especially since he had no other distempers of Love but only impatience For though Hermodorus was still in love with Cleonice also
whom the King of Pontus moved Croesus to give protection How could this Lady said Cyrus get into Sardis since it is compassed about with two hundred thousand men No Sir said one of those prisoners she came in before unknown for whom shee was though they say she is of some great Quality There is also a man whose name is Heracleon who is a most gallant man that promiseth Croesus to bring great succours unto him They say also that he has been long in Sardis concealed but I can give no further satisfaction in the adventure onely this that he is a man of some great Quality After this Cyrus retired and most part of these prisoners took up arms under him The day following those Deputies which Leontidas spoke of arrived and in the name of the people who sent them did swear inviolable fidelity to him They came from Gnide from Cavia from the Territories of Xanthes and from Licia the Cauniens also and the Melesians sent their Deputies so that Fortune smiled upon Cyrus from all sides And truly if ambition onely had been his aim and if glory onely had been his wish he had full cause of contentment but since Love onely was the engine of his soul he relished nothing but what conduced to Mandana's releasment and he would freely have quitted all his Conquests upon that condition However he received all these Deputies with much sweetnesse and treated them most magnificently He assured them of protection against all their enemies and told them he would so mediate the matter with Ciaxares as he should look upon them like antient and faithful Subjects In conclusion they were so charmed with his sweet expressions that he made himself as much a Master of their hearts by his sweetnesse as he had made himself Master of their Country by force of Arms. Their greatest admiration was to see a Prince so young so expert in all their Customes and Laws and able to give them as sound advice in the management of publique affairs as if he had been brought up amongst them and had nothing to doe but govern them He spoke unto them all in their severall Languages and filled them all so full of wonder that they returned not onely charmed with his presence his spirit his virtue and his sweetnesse but also with his gifts and went with resolutions to incite their Citizens unto some act which might redound unto the glory of Cyrus And they did constitute every year for ever a day of thanks to be rendered unto the gods for bringing them under the power of Cyrus In the mean while to testifie more confidence in the people which expressed so much affection he confirmed all their Laws and Priviledges remitted unto them all Tributes and required nothing from them but assurances of unalterable fidelity Calling back the Army which Thrasibulus and Harpagus commanded sent orders for the first of these to march with them unto him and leaving the other in the arms of his dear Aleionida And though Cyrus was so well versed in the Politiques as that he knew it contrary to custom to draw off his Army so soon from a new conquered Country yet since this Lydian War was the main hinge upon which all the rest moved and since he left Garrisons in some places of greatest strength he did not think the hazard was great but thought it better to fortifie his own Forces not knowing how long the Siege might last and knowing that the taking of so great a Town as Sardis might require as great an Army as his However Cyrus neglected nothing he sent to see how Sesostris recovered who was so well that he sent Cyrus word he should ere long come and hazard that life in his service which he had preserved Cyrus also sent a complement to the Princesse Araminta and was as good as his word in not suffering Phraartes to come unto her during the Siege nor did he forget Cleonice and Doralisa nor any of the Lady Prisoners But though he did most gloriously acquit himself of all he had to doe either as a Lover or as a Friend or as an Enemy or as a Prince or as the Generall of an Army or as a Conquerour yet Mandana's unjust charging him with infidelity did grate upon his very heart and as oft as this angry thought came into his mind he thought also he had some reason to fear her constancy Since commonly those who lightly suspect others are guilty themselves yet did he presently repent of such a thought which had much more troubled him if he had not received intelligence that the people of Sardis began to consider that their riches would not fill their bellies and that there was likelihood of a hungry sedition to rise amongst them so that their Town would be thereby more pregnable And indeed there was great probability of it though Croesus and the King of Pontus did all they could the one to save his Crown the other his Mistris but they were in extream fears of both Yet lest the people should despair they concealed their fears and divulged that Relief was coming that the Army of Cyrus wasted every day and that he would in a short time be forced to raise his Siege That the people which he had conquered did revolt and consequently he would not be in any condition of new Conquests Moreover the King of Pontus gave out that Cyrus did not now care for Mandana who was the cause of the War but that he was in love with the Princesse Araminta so that within this short time all would be made good friends So that these reports being divulged the people suffered their miseries more patiently in hopes ere long to see an end of them The King of Pontus also received another advantage for this report coming out of the Town into the Cittadell and from the mouthes of the people unto the Souldiers So that Mandana's women heard what was talked in Sardis the Guards told them aloud thinking it would bee welcome newes that they should ere long come out of prison that the Peace was almost concluded between the King of Pontus and Cyrus adding that the first of these was to marry Mandana and Cyrus Araminta Martesia did not credit these reports though they confirmed Mandana's Jealousie and though they made no impression in the spirit of Martesia yet they did in Areatina who told all she heard unto a woman belonging to the Princesse Palmis and in so loud a voice as Mandana in the next room over-heard her It did so surprise her that the Princesse of Lydia who was with her did ask her why she did so suddenly change her colour Mandana being one who loved not to confesse her own weaknesse but what confidence soever she had in the discretion of the Princesse Palmis yet she concealed her jealousie but now seeing it was become publique talk she resolved to acquaint her desiring leave first to ask Ariamta where she had these reports Arianita being
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
neither blinde nor invisible But to speak in your own terms I am the most mistaken man alive if your curiosity be not quickly satisfied for if I be not yet in love with you yet I dare swear that it wants so little of it that two looks more will fully do it Do not think Sir said she being excellent at Rallary that when I say I long to see a Lover I mean such Lovers as say they are in Love but are not for I have no desire to see such a one But on the contrary I mean such a Lover as is able to do all that the most violent passion in the world can make one do What do you mean Madam said he I mean said she that he should if occasion present it self kill himself throw himself down a precipice and poyson himself for very dispair But Madam replied Pisistrates I pray tell me which one of these three testimonies of Love would you have a man give you if you should make him in Love For said he and laughed a man cannot kill himself throw himself down a Precipice and poyson himself all at once But Madam to tell you truly added he methinks I see too much joy in your eyes to desire any such tragical testimonies as these And I am the most mistaken man in the world if you would not take more delight in some musique which a Lover should present unto you then in seeing him kill himself and therefore Madam be pleased to make an ingenious confession that you do not desire any such sad signs of Love for I must needs confess that I take such infinite pleasure in seeing you as if you should require it I should not obey you Truly Pisistrates said she your sincerity does please me yet I must tell you that then you must be no other then my friend for if I should wish you my Lover I should wish you also to be such a one as I mean to wit pale sober grave and melancholy somtimes unquiet disordered and reserved and indeed to be the most miserable man in the world I would not have you one of those who can play with a Feather and divert themselves at every thing However Madam said Pisistrates I beseech you receive me as your Lover and afterwards I will try if I can become conformable to your desires But Madam you must not think I can grow pale lean sober and melancholy in four and twenty hours No no Sir said she and laughed I am not so unreasonable I will allow you fifteen daies to fall in love with me and fifteen daies more after that to become such a pittiful Lover as I desire out of curiosity to see for since I am none of those great beauties who wound in an instant you will stand in need of all this time to become only a little reserved But if at the expiration of this moneth which I allow you added she you are not become the most pittiful puling Lover in the world you must give me leave to think you will never be such a one But Madam said he unto her since it does depend wholly upon you whether I must be happy or miserable it is not in me to promise whether I shall or shall not be so but I am able to ingage my self to be more in Love with you then ever any was and to be sincere with you if my Love should encrease as it hath done this last quarter of an hour I shall not need halfe fifteen days to become the most passionate lover upon Earth Seriously Pisistrates said she unto him I should be very angry if you speak truly for to discover the very bottom of my heart unto you I care not for such real lovers as for such as think they are so and are not and yet make much more noyse of it then those who really are for I think it does reflect much upon a womans honor to admit of such a croud of Adorers as many most vainly do Yet me-thinks Madam replied Piâ—strates It is a honor to Reign Sovereignly over the hearts of so many men I do assure you Sir much less then you do imagine replied Cerinthe for to tell you truly I am confident that when one is young and not altogether ugly one may with a very mean merit so they have any hansomeness make themselves followed and get a Troop of most assiduous lovers since certainly that is not any effect of great beauty or wit but depends only upon some certain petty effected indulgencies and a kind of Air which is most fit to attract which makes men seem more then friends and dare not see such women without applauding their sweetness On the contrary I dare affirm that without this attractive behaviour the fairest person in the world and the most charming shall never have this multitude of lovers So that since I think many lovers are no effects or arguments of extraordinary merit in such as have them but rather of their weakness I should be very sorry to have any such And though I tell you I long to have one yet I had much rather never see him then to be perpetually importuned with such complaints as I can never satisfie and I am so afraid to meet with any such that I dare not make my self any friends least they should afterwards change the nature of friendship into love at last For ought I see Madam replied Pisistrates my destiny is changed in a short time since within this quarter of an hour you desired to see a lover and now forbids me being your friend I assure you Sir said she and laughed I think it so good to have no acquaintance that I think it would be a very ill office to make me alter my opinion For my part Madam replied Pisistrates I shall not oppose your humour of having no friends and of not affecting to have an infinite number of lovers but I must confess I cannot endure that you should not entertain one or that I should not be that one As Cerinthe was ready to reply those Ladies who were talking with her mother being gon their discourse was interrupted Yet Cerinthe being of a merry nature and one that loved Rallary she knew so well how to carry the matter without saying either yea or no unto Pisistrates that he continued seeing her he much delight for he was so deeply in love with Cerinthe that he took a greater pleasure in talking with her then in any other in the world yet not so far as to have all the inquietudes of a violent passion but on the contrary was always much joyed for he saw Cerinthe every day who chusing him for her companion in Rallary made him the gladest man alive by her thousand pleasant conceits which she told him upon several subjects But Madam that you may the better understand what did most contribute unto their diversions a long time be pleased to know that Theocrites of whom I spoke before who was second son unto
not such a kind of friendship whereof there is not above two or three examples in a whole age nor of such men as have but one only friend in the world The first of these must be able to dye for their friends and be as full of generosity as tender friendship And as for the other who are so nice and delicate that they can find but one only in all the world that they think worthy of their friendship certainly they are neither pleasing to themselves nor others For since they cannot be merry with any but those they love and since there is but one Phoenix in the world which they can find certainly they find their diversions very seldom Nor do I require that solid friendship which is found in the grave Sages of the world for they are too cold too dry and too tyring melancholick Such men as these will content themselves with loving you in the depth of their heart with serving you upon extraordinary occasions and to speak well of you when it highly concerns you but will never tell you that they do love you They neglect all petty Complements and duties of friendship and are alwaies so serious that they cannot endure any mirth yet truly my opinion is that for the most part it is the triviall Civilities and Complements which makes the most friendship as for great and high Services they are so rare as it is impossible they should both beget and nourish friendship For ought I see Madam replyed I the friendship which you desire hath such a neer resemblance with love that I begin to think my self more miserable then I did imagine and to look upon all your friends as my Rivalls Since I have friends Sir replyed she who are in love with some Ladies whom you do know you are much mistaken if you think them my Lovers However Madam replyed I I would gladly know how you do rank all your friends To begin replyed Dorinice I must tell you that my amorous friends are alwaies of the lowest rank in my heart though I am often very much delighted to hear them tell their folly and fond adventures And if you will name unto me any I will ingeniously tell you in what degree they are in my opinion Then tell me Madam said I in what Sphere you place a friend of yours whose Soul is so ambitious that I think it enjoyes not one minute of rest As for him said she he is neither in the first nor last but in in the rank of those from whom I hear many secrets but whom I would not trust with any of my own if I had any You have another friend Madam replyed I. who indeed is a man of much merit but he is so rude and feirce that I cannot tell what sweetness his friendship should afford you nor in what rank you can place him for you have none who resembles him I assure you replyed she that this feirce friend of whom you speak as irregular in friendship as he seems unto you yet he is not one of the lowest rank in my heart and should his feirceness a little mollifie he might perhaps be in the first for he does not seem as if he were desirous one should love him though there be nothing more like to cause it then that But Mâ—dam said I unto her you have another friend whose name is Artimas and who if he be not in the first rank yet he will be ere long For indeed he has all quilities that are requisite to please and I do observe that he doth already very much please you 'T is true said she that he whom you mention is according to your description for he is handsome and he has a most excellent and pleasing wit He writes well both in verse and prose he can be both merry and serious and he began his friendship in the most ingenuous way in the world He seems so tender so sweet so civill and so affable and has such an obliging way with him as would perswade any one he loves them better than ever he did any Moreover he seems so extreamly glad to see you he is so hugely sensible of benefits and so desirous to be loved that one cannot choose but have a disposition to love him but let me tell you withall that whether he is so weary of his friendship or glutted with accustomacy of favours or not sensible of them or whether it be inconstancy in his nature he is so un-equall in his amity and so negligent that though he were ungratefull or coldly indifferent he could not be worse than sometimes he is Sometimes he will be a whole day together with you and not speak a word he will see you as if he saw you not and will be of such a sluggish faint spirit as he will both amaze and vex any that have any interest in him for nothing doth more surprize him then to see men who have held a correspondency become as cold and indifferent as if they were not acquainted Yet since I have not been long enough acquainted with him you speak of to passe any definitive judgment of him all I can say unto you is that most infallibly he will either be in the first or last rank in my opinion Nor can I directly tell you what place he will have in my heart since that depends more upon him then me for if he thus continue unequall and luke-warm perhaps he will be in the lowest rank of my friends and if he become as he was when I first knew him and not so troublesome as almost all the young Gallants of the Court are who thereby render themselves incapable of any illustrious Conquest either in Love or friendship then he shall be in the rank of my dearest friends But I beseech you Madam replyed I tell me more positively what degree is a Cousen of mine who useth to visit you oftner than any other except my selfe as for him said she I must confesse he is in the same degree that you are for indeed I see nothing in our friendship which doth now please me The beginning was gallant the sequell was obliging and I have observed him very carefull to please me He seems more tender and more sensible then he was at our first acquaintance he is more glad to see me and we divert our selves better then when we talk together then in the infancy of our friendship You have also another friend replyed I who loves to talk with you in private as if he were your Lover And I have observed that when any came to you he would always make a third He whom you speak of replyed she is none of the least in my favour for indeed it is one of the greatest signs of a good wit to hold particular discourse and the greatest proof that one can give that he is pleased with his friend is to court in private and did you know the good will I beare unto him you mean because I think
was this that if she would needs know them and command me peremptorily to tell them I should have much ado to disobey her Yet replyed one of Dorinices friends vvho alvvays told her every thing I do not think that ought to be for if I did I vvould never tell any thing unto my friends For my part said the Lady vvhom I loved I think he is a perfidious Lover vvho reveals the secrets of his Friend unto his Mistress and that she is an unvvorthy Mistress vvho shall desire it For my particular replyed a friend of Dorinices vvhose name vvas Nirtile unto vvhom she made signe to contradict that Lady vvhom I loved I do not understand your meaning but I am sure that the greater svvetnesse of love is the absolute empire of a Lovers heart and if I had one who should conceale any thing from me which I desired to know I would never look upon him again for he did not love me if he did not blindly obey me right or wrong and I would not only have a Lover tell the secrets of his friends but I would also have him commit an unjust act if I should command him he may as well do the last replyed a friend of Dorinices whose name was Oxaris as reveale the secrets of his friends which of all things in the world ought most inviolably to be kept and for my part who does not think that Justice and generosity are incompatible with love I cannot think it allowable to be perfidious but am so much against it that had I a Mistresse who vvould exact this testimony of my love I should no longer esteem her and consequently be no longer her Lover and so should never tell her my friends secrets Did you knovv vvhat Love vvere replyed I you vvould not have said so For though a Mistress should command unjust things yet for all that one cannot leave loving her for it for if love vvere a thing voluntary it vvould of necessity follovv that all the vvorld vvould love none but admirable persons such as there is not perhaps three in a vvhole Kingdome and in a vvhole age and there vvould be such a croud about them that there vvould be no approaching Yet experience shevvs us every day that there are men of great vvits parts and spirits vvho fall in love vvith persons that have faults and faults vvhich they knovv of and vvhich yet vvill not cure their passions I knovv very vvel replyed Oxaris sharply that one may find his Mistress a little pale or a little svvarthy complexioned and yet not leave loving her and one may knovv that there is some unequality in her humour and some levity in her spirit and yet not change yet I cannot understand how one should continue loving a woman without honesty and vertue And I dare boldly affirm that the person who reveals the secrets of his friends is as great an offender against the rules of vertue and honesty as any Traytor is and there is nothing in the world more odious then to betray those who trust them Were I to judg only of the thing it selfe replyed Nyrtile I should condemn it But however I must needs affirm that if a man be in love and will not tell his Mistresse all he knows iâ— she desire it he does but love by halfes for he is not so much obliged in point of honour to conceale the secrets of his friends as he is in point of love to tell his Mistresse what she desires to know For he is not to examine whether her desires be just or no but to give her a testimony of his love he is to obey her blindly since there is no greater than that of obedience and without obedience there is no love nor delight in loving For my part replyed my former Mistresse I know not how to comprehend this and for my part replyed Oxaris I see no reason in it Fer I beseech you said he unto Dorinice though he did not dispute the matter with her may there not be many just causes of ceasing to love Doubtlesse there may replyed she if so replyed he why is it more just that jealousie should make love dye then when you discover your Mistress is not truly vertuous as she is not if shee would have you perfidious is there not much more reason to break off with her for that then because she did not cast an eye a little favourably upon a Rivall should I look upon you as a Phylosopher you have reason for what you say answers Nirtile but when I look upon you as a Lover I cannot think you ought to deny your Mistresse any thing Truth is iâ— you deny her any thing that is unjust you are to be looked upon as a wise man whose passions are all in his own command But for all that the Lady who required the injustice from you will charge you with being a bad Lover For though she be in the wrong to desire any thing that in unreasonable however you have no reason to deny her and you can expect nothing unlesse whilst your friends do say you are discreet your Mistresse will say you know not how to love The best of it is replyed I not to grieve the Lady too much with whom I had former correspondency There are but few Ladies who are so unjust or who will trouble themselves with knowing a thousand trifles which they have nothing to do withall For my part replyed Dorinice very maliciously were I in the humour of having a Lover my chief delight would be in making him relate all passages of his past love As for the secrets of his friends I would not desire to know them but as for trifles of gallantry which are such fond follies when they are past and seem always so to them who have no interest in them I should take the greatest pleasure in the world in hearing them exactly related unto me and if any reason induce me to admit of a Lover I think it will be in hopes of this delight in which I fancy such great diversion And if I do make choise of a Lover it shall be of such a one who hath loved many others for though they say first passions are most violent yet I would not be his first Mistresse lest I should loose the pleasures which I mentioned before If Madam the knowledg of many secrets do so much delight one replyed I then if you should admit of a Lover who were of Nirtiles humour he would have a fine time of it if you should reveale all the secrets of your friends unto him You I say who has such a multitude of them that they can hardly be numbred I cannot tell whether you jeer me in this or no replyed she and smiled but I conceive the greatest commendations that can be given me is that I have so much wit as to get and keep so many friends But Madam said I unto her to turn the discourse do you think it any honour in
admitting so many of them and do you believe that under colour of this gallant kind of friendship you ought to have a thousand at a time if so I must needs confesse that I think it a great conveniency for a Lover to have many Mistresses as for a Lady to have many Gallants I am so fully perswaded replyed Dorinice that one may have as many friends as they will that I look upon my friendship as a thing infinite and when I have purchased any new friend and payd him my friendship for it after the rate that I think he esteems me yet I find my selfe as rich within a quarter of an hour after as if I had given him nothing for it Then I perceive said I unto her that it is not according to merit that you grant your affection No replyed she merit is the measure of my esteem and friendship the measure of my friendship and thus I assure you I use to distribute my selfe very equally For my particular replyed I I cannot conceive that one can much love such a number of men nor know how any man can content himself with the hundred part of a heart for if I had not a whole one I should never think my selfe happy Then you shall never have one replyed Dorinice and smiled for I will never give all mine unto one man After which she rising up and I going with her I complained against her for her malice and afterwards in a low voyce used all my Rhethorick to perswade her unto a permission of my passion But all to no purpose and all my arguments and perswasions could obtaine no more from her then the first of her friends so as seeing no other remedy I would try if I could content my selfe with that rank she gave me in her heart And indeed I must needs say that Dorinice was as good as her promise unto me and I had no cause to think that she was more favourable unto any friend than unto me For she spake to me with much confidence she was always very glad to see me she discoursed with delight and she would sincerely give mee her opinion in any thing we talked of Moreover she did interest her selfe in my fortune if I were sicke she would send constantly to see how I did if by chance I were two dayes from her she would have me tell her what I had been doing She took my part always ever against her dearest friends she would highly commend me she would have all her acquaintance esteem me and was every way very obliging So as it may be said that I enjoyed all the sweets and pleasures of a most sollid tender and gallant friendship Yet all this while I was nothing contented and the most favourable looks of Dorinice made me more angry then pleased for though I never saw her eyes incensed yet I could never see them as I desired The truth is she looked upon me as people use to look upon all indifferent objects which are in their sight her eyes were all tranquility and I could never see in them the least languishing glance which is the true character of Love I never saw them troubled transported or passionate they had no language of Love in them nor did they understand me when mine spoke in that dialect So as I could never think my self happy Moreover though she was alwaies gladder when I talked with her than any other of her friends yet I could never perceive that my conversation made any deepe impression for if any who had any private business came unto her she would leave me to talk with him and leave me without any Regret also be at severall diversions wherein I had no share without any inquietudes and all the priviledge I had by being her first friend was that she would somtimes be a little freer with me than with others and knowing that I did love her though I did not often tell her so she used all waies imaginable to make me beleive that her Amity would never be any other than Amity and indeed she did so well perswade me of it that I thought my self the most miserable man alive So as not being able to contain my self any longer I fell into a continuall course of complaints and complained so much that I was troublesome unto her And the very truth is my complaints were excusable for there is nothing upon Earth more intollerable then to be extreamly in Love with one who retturns only friendship And there is no comparison to be made between that misery and to love without being loved again For in this case one is perpetually neer a happiness and never is like to enjoy it and all services are to no end further than what one already knows which can never give any content for it is a most undoubted truth that the most fervent friendship in the world is not comparable to the lowest degree of Love Yet Dorinice would needs one day perswade me that my complaints were unjust for said she were my affection to you of another nature than it is I should do less for you then I do I should think Madam said I unto her that in doing less you did more and I am so confident of what I say that I should think my self more happy if I could see you sometimes turn away your fair eyes for fear of meeting mine than to see them so full of tranquility as they are and to shew you how little my Love is satisfied with your friendship I do declare unto you Madam that your indifferency would be much less intollerable This is so very fantasticall replied she that I almost think you are out of your wits were you in love Madam but one quarter of an hour replyed I you would quickly finde that the most miserable condition of a Lover is to be perswaded that he must never be loved so that Madam beignning to think that it is is an easier step from indifferency unto Love than that a long continued friendship should become that passion you need not wonder I should think my self the most miserable of men in that I see all my Love all my Cares and all my Services can never alter the nature of your affection to me And yet Madam me thinks it is so easie a matter for you to make me happy that I know no reason why you do not For I am contented you should love me less than you do so you will but love me in another manner and otherwise it is impossible I should ever be satisfied for Love is never satisfied but with Love again and all your tender gallant and solid friendship is not comparable to the lowest degree of that passion and therefore I beseech you judge whether it be likely to satisfie the most violent passion that ever was For all this replied Dorinice I must tell you again that if I should love in that manner as you mean you would be less happy thâ—n you are for now I
said that as to the second thing in question That jealousie was of so large an extent that possibly it might be so as one might be jealous without any Rivalls since one might be jealous of any thing which too much took up the heart of the person loved and said he who reported the opinion of the assembly since one is not so jealous of those thoughts which others have of the Lady whom one loves as they are of those thoughts which she hath of others it follows that one may be jealous of any thing which engageth her heart any manner of way If she affect any solitude too much a Lover may without extravagancy be a little jealous Judg therefore I beseech you then since Dorinice having a hundred Friends who may become her Lovers or who at least take up a great part of her heart and who fill up her time so that Mereontes can hardly ever speak unto her whether I say such a Lover hath not reason to entertain some thoughts which may be termed jealousie and whether he have not reason to complain of her since she is so eternally taken up with her friends and such friends as so nearly resemble Lovers that one may easily mistake the one for the other As soon as this was said a friend of Dorinices who pretended unto the first Rank stood up and said that it was great injustice to think friends could be jealous That this was the way to violate all the priviledges of friendship which of all things upon earth ought to be most inviolable And that it would put a great disorder and confusion amongst all men if love and friendship should be declared incompatible for as friendship cannot be without love so love and friendship may consist together Then she instanced many examples out of antiquity to make it appear that one may be a zealous Lover and a zealous Friend both at one time And amongst the rest that of Achilles who though extreamly in love with Briseis yet loved Patrocles with abundance of tendernesse And after this he desired it might be declared that Dorinice might admit of as many friends as she pleased without being subject unto any complaints against her But Sir after this friend of Dorinices had said all he could and after I had answered all his objections against me the Judges ordained that Dorinice should make her choise either to answer my affection with the like Or if she could not and would yet preserve me to exclude all the rest of her friends to the end I might solely remain in her heart declaring that if she would do neither of these two I might lawfully quit her without inconstancy or being accused of ingratitude So Sir Dorinice being unable either to love me or renounce that multitude of friends which diverted her she publiquely declared that she was so far from doing either of these two things as she was fully resolved upon two other things quite contrary For said she I am resolved never to love as long as I live neither will I faile to admit of more new friends You may easily imagine Sir how this cruell Declaration of Dorinices went to my heart But that which finished my despair was that she sent unto me she would never see me any more and yet the very same day she sent this rigorous message she admitted of two fresh friends so as resolving upon absence I employed the illustrious Sapho to obtain a licence from the Queen to go out oâ— her Dominions And so I did without bidding adieu unto any but Sapho Agelaste and Phaon As soon as I had passed those Desarts which environ our Country I came into the Territories of the ancient Sauromates where I found Troops ready to depart which Aripithes had levyed for Thomyris So as I conceiving War the best remedy against Love I followed them without any other design but to forget Dorinice But though I am not able to do it yet I am so fully resolved never to see her again that I will voluntarily banish my selfe for ever out of the most pleasant Countrey in the world But Sir if you will be pleased to give me leave to devote my selfe inseparably unto your service I shall hope for more tranquility and satisfaction then ever I had And my joyes in finding such an illustrious Protector will be above my sorrows for the losse of an unjust Mistresse Mereontes having ended his Relation and his Complement Cyrus returned a very obliging answer unto this illustrious Sauromate After which entring into deep Cogitations of his past misfortunes and present miseries he spake little all the rest of the day But night being come and all things ready Cyrus entred into this close Coach which Meliantes and Mereontes being their Convoy they got out by the favour of the night none observing that Cyrus was in the Coach And as they got well out of the Camp so they arrived at the Tents Royal and as good luck for Cyrus was the Tent of Meliantes being one of the very first Cyrus was presently in a place where none could see him unlesse Meliantes would and where it was unlikely any would seek for him for his death was so generally believed on all sides that it was divulged over all places in the world The Grecians which were in the Army writ into Greece the Persians sent unto Persepolis the Medes made it known in Media Intaphernes writ into Pontus and Bythinia The Assyrians sent into Babylon Thrasimedes writ it into Lycia Ligdamis unto Ephesus Myrsiles unto Sardis and so all the rest into their severall Countreys And the noise of his death was so universally divulged in all remote places and so generally believed that many excellent Histories were deceived by the mistake and Historians have left this supposed death of Cyrus in their Histories as true though the truth is it was the unfortunate Spitridates who lost his life and passed for this illustrious Conqueror In the mean time Feraulas in this generall belief of Cyrus his death endeavoured all manner of ways to find out his Corps And having many friends since the time that Cyrus was there under the name of Artamenes hee employed all their helps in the discovery But in his Quest of one thing he discovered another which made him extreamly joyed for he understood by accident that the Gelon Captain who presented the head of Spitridates unto Thomyris as the head or Cyrus did endeavour to sell those rich Arms of gold which that unfortunate Prince did wear the last day of his life and which Cyrus gave unto him after his Combate with Aripithes So as Feraulas knowing that Cyrus wore a very common suit of Arms that day he concluded that of necessity it must be the head of Spitridates which Thomyris plunged in blood and not of Cyrus so as much hope and joy began to revive in his soule and so as the death of Spitridates which before made him full of sorrow now filled him full of
the same night and said she came but then to town The King received her with extream joy and shed many tears of tenderness for he knew how the Princess his daughter loved her she acquainted him with all the removes and rapes of Mandana and with every passage excepting what related unto Artamenes which she handsomly concealed with much care naming him but once in all her relation nor did she mention the Oracle received at Babylon lest it should trouble him and displease Artamenes and as she was very witty so she did deliver every thing or pass it over as it might be either advantagious or prejudiciall Ciaxares was glad that the Princess was in the King of Pontus power supposing that a Prince who was deprived of his own kingdomes would hardly find protection in another He beleeved that the King of Armenia would be glad to have a new pretence for a war and upon that thought he sighed and could not chuse but secretly wish that Artamenes would put himself into a condition to relieve her by confessing what he desired to know from him After the King had welcomed Martesia he would have had her lie in the Castle but she beseeched him to let her return back unto her kinsman whither she went accordingly and was visited by all the Ladies of the town and also by all the Princes and men of quality in Sinope mean while all the friends of Artamenes were continually soliciting the King in his behalf and indeed the King did seem much to desire it yet was very obstinatly resolved to know either his innocency or his crime yet he had such confused thoughts that he himself knew not well what to resolve upon untill the return of Megabises whom he had sent into Armenia for if by it he found that his daughter would be restored then would he be less indulgent towards Artamenes But if on the contrary she were refused and that he must be forced unto a fresh war then he knew how necessary the liberty of Artamenes would be unto Mandana's thus being in himself irresolute the King of Phrygia the King of Hircania and all the rest of the Princes who were advocates for Artamenes could not get one peremptory word from him As they were upon a day altogether about him intelligence came that there appeared many strangers and forrain troops upon the plaine coming towards Sinope and presently after Thimocrates and Philocles came in and told the King that the Prince Philoxypes a favorite unto the King of Cyprus their master and an ancient friend unto Artamenes having married the Princess Agarista his sister unto the Prince of Sicily had obliged him upon the marriage to send ten thousand men unto Artamenes to the end he might present them unto his majesty and that he would be so pleased as to permit them to have some part of that honour which these troops would get under the command of so great a King and by the valour of so gallant a man as Artamenes Ciaxares blusht at the discourse and somwhat wondred that he who was to present the Sicilian troops was himself in such a condition as to need the help of another also he very civilly accepted all that Thimoerates and Philocles said unto him and permitted him who commanded these souldiers who was brother unto the King of Sicily to enter Ciaxares himself to do him the more honour would go upon the wals of the town to see these troops come in which he found to be very gallant composed of handsom men well armed and accoutred and the Prince who commanded them young and handsom After the King had viewed these Sicilian troops under the wals and had ordered them to encamp close by the troops of Cyprus they two being in amity one with another the young Prince who was their General called Artibies was brought by Thimocates and Philocles unto Ciaxares who told him that Artamenes was not in a condition to be present Artibies enquiring the cause was much surprised at it and made some doubt whether he should continue his offer unto Ciaxares considering Philoxypes would never have moved his brother to send these troops but only in favour of Artamenes But Thimocrates and Philocles conceiving that in case of necessity they might be usefull unto Artamenes told him that he ought not to decline from his offer unto the King but that he should when he spoke unto the king acquit himself of his commission and tell him that it was the interest of Artamenes which moved Philoxypes unto it This young Prince was no sooner come before Ciaxares but after he had saluted him Sir said he unto him I was in hope to have been presented unto you by one who ought to be very dear unto you and one who has made himself most Illustrious throughout all the world but I see that Thimocrates and Philocles have great need to comfort me in my sorrowes to be deprived of that advantage For indeed although the Prince of Sicily my brother and soveraigne and the Prince Philoxypes have sent me for the service of your Majesty and accordingly I have obeyed them yet for my own particular I must confess unto you I should have been extreamly Joyfull if I could hope to learn under the Illustrious Artamenes that mystery in which he is so exactly knowing You may find so many other expert commanders in this army said the King and shewed him all those about him that though my affaires will not permit me to set Artamenes at liberty yet you will find no cause to repent you came amongst us Sir replied the King of Phrygia we are all but Schollars unto Artamenes and this Prince has great reason to grieve as he does for the privation of so great an advantage Since this discourse was not pleasant unto Ciaxares he turned it to somthing else and asked very inquisitively concerning the health of the King of Cyprus and of Philoxypes and also of the Prince of Sicilie but say what he would yet Artibies would alwayes bring in Artamenes If the King spoke concerning the King of Cyprus he would then answer that this Prince had ever a good opinion of his prudence since he understood how he had committed the conduct of his army unto Artamenes If Ciaxares asked him any thing concerning Philoxypes then he would answer him that Philoxypes had a great desire to come himself and command in the room of Thimocrates only that he might learn of Artamenes if Ciaxares spoke any thing concerning the Prince of Sicilie then would Artibies tell him that if he were not so infinitly uxorious loving unto the Princess his wife whom he had newly married he would have come hither himself purposely to be acquainted with Artamenes of whom fame spoke so loud at the last when Ciaxares saw that no discourse though never so far off the matter but still the name of Artamenes was in the mouth of Artibies he told him that it was not just he should be
them such magnificent offerings as were the richest in all Asia Since these offerings must remain in the Temple said I unâ—o him I shall see them army return It is true replied he but you cannot see in one day all the beauties in the Town assembled as they will be to morrow at the Temple nor can you ever see a Ceremony so great as this For they do not use to receive private offerings in such state as they will do the offerings of Kings As for the Ceremonies said I unto him smiling I can easily dispense with them But since you assure me I shall see all the beauty of Delphos at once I will take your counsel and not depart until the next day Melesander and I parted upon these terms the next morning he came betimes and since I was a stranger undertook to shew me all the Ceremony and get such a place where we might see all How indifferent soever I seemed to be concerning these feasts yet I observed them with much delight I went as others did to see the treasures of the Temple which were shewed unto the Ambassadours of Craesus before they brought their offerings I admired as well as they at a most magnificent Chain of pearl which once they say the famous Helen was owner of and at another also which called Eriphile Mistress I saw there that flately Throne of gold which the Grandfather of the King of Phrygia did bestow and the fix great dishes which Giges sent thither which weighed thirty Talents also several Statues given by several Princes The sheaves of gold which they of Smirua and Apollonia offered two Tuns of Massie gold which were of curious workmanship and would contain an hundred Gallons of water being made use of it at a Feast which we call Theophanies I saw afterwards amongst such amighty Mass of wealth which I cannot exactly describe and wh ch were given by all the Republiques of Greece Obelisque of a miraculous Manufacture given by Rhodophes that famous Lady with whom the Brother of prudent Sapho was in love who to make it appear she was in Egypt where she lived a great part of her life she gave those wonderfull Piramids which are talked of throughout the world after I had well observed all these Rarities and a thousand others which I shall forbear to speak of every one went to take his place and the Ceremony of the sacrifice did begin Those who were to consule with the Oracle did come unto the foot of Parnassus which is just over against the Temple where they did purifie themselves at that famous Castalian Fountain from thence they went into the Temple of the Muses which is built upon that river which runâ— into that of Apollo and where the Pithian being under a glorious Canopie and upon a stately Throne she receives the demands of them who came to consult with the Gods after which she retires behind the sacred Curtain where being inspired by the Gods she delivers the Oracles unto them who enquire of her Give me leave also to tell you besides the rich offerings of Craessus I saw the Statue of a woman of a great stature all of most pure gold and most admirable workmanship a Lamp also of engraved gold as rich as is imaginable But notwithstanding all these wonders after the Companie began to settle themselves I left off regarding them but turned my head towards the Gate of the Temple to observe all the Ladies which entred and ask Melesander their names yet because the croud was very great I could not discern them all and many passed by which I could not discover but I saw many beauties enter which I looked upon with a very indifferent eye and serene mind without any penetration of heart yet when the Ceremony was ended the better to view all the Ladies Melesander and I went close to the Gate to speak with two or three of his friends and I saw one come from behind the Pillars of Marble which sustains the Arch of the Temple whom doubtless those Pillars had obscured from my fight as long as the Ceremony lasted she was a beauty so admirable fair that I was dazled at the sparkle of her eyes and magick of her complection I no sooner spied her but without further harkning unto what they talked I pulled Melesander by the arm and without taking my eyes off that wonderful object which had enchanted them Melesander said I unto him shewing her Tell me the name of yonder miracle Her name is Telesile replied he whose name is as famous for the charms of her wit and pleasantness of her humour as it is for the excellency of her beauty At the Name of Telesile those who were with us interrupted our discourse and looking upon her as she passed by us we congyed unto her and followed her that we might the longer see her since she was well acquainted with Melesander and much esteemed him she gave him a Salute with such a pleasing smile and so obliging an Air that as her beauty did seem greater in my fancie so also did my admiration and I perceived such an unquiet joy in my heart and such an interior tumult in my soul that I knew not what I did and to exculse my imbecility at that time I was forced to tell them that very few hearts were ever assaulted with such beautiful and poweful Arms as these which wounded mine Telesilâ— was about seventeen years of age her stature was tale and stately her garb was delightful her action was free and natural her hair was the purest black that ever eye beheld her complexion was so lively fair that it was not to be looked upon with imagination of Snow and Vermilion Lillies and Roses mixed together for Nature had adorned her face with her purest collors adding unto these her sprightly and sparkling eyes mixt with ingenious sweetness an admirable mouth fair teeth and white neck such as did infinitly Captivate my heart But alas I had no sooner vewed the fairest Telesile but I could not view her any more for she went presently out of the Temple and the next day I went out of Delphos so that I was no sooner in love but I was absent As we went out of the Temple and had lost the sight of her because her house was very near it Melesander and I going to dine together and his friends having left us alone Melesander said I unto him if you be not in love with Telesile I must needs conclude you are either in love with some other or else you are not capable of loving any thing for I think it impossible that any heart which is not either prepossessed or incensible can resist such an admirable beauty as hers If Thimocrites answered he and smiled did not fall in love at Athens or Corinth I beleeve he presently will at Delphos and I do heartily thank the Gods that I shall not be his Rival if he chance to fix upon Telesile as I do find some
her self first taught me But when I was returned unto my Chamber the faint coldness of Telesile troubled me and I imagined that perhaps she was offended at my discourse with her at my departure yet I hoped that my constant perseverance might win upon her The next morning I did as I was accustomed before I went unto Milete which was to go unto the Temple where I know she would be There I found Androclides and the greatest part of those who loved her before my departure but they had all of them changed their places for whereas they were wont to sit close unto certain Pillars of marble close unto Telesile where I first saw her they now dispersed themselves into several other Sears yet I who not like them was no changling did seat my self as I used in a place where I might see her and she me at the first she took no notice of me because she was intent upon her devotions unto the Gods but afterwards she turned her eyes towards me and I saluted her with such reverence as might make it appear I was in love with her Telesile returned my complement with a blush and me thought she looked Androclides in the eyes as if she would thereby tell that all the world had not rejected her and indeed her looks had such an influence that though her action was without any designe yet Androclides changed both colour and place and immediately went out of the Temple as one that was ashamed of his baseness and would have been very glad if I had been as unworthy as himself I understood afterwards that the constancy of my affection had almost made him renew his and conquered his covetous inclination But yet in conclusion he was contented to shun Telesile and me both For my part I let slip no opportunity of seeing her I loved and it had been very difficult for her not to do me so much favour as to make a difference betwixt me and those who had cast her off yet notwithstanding she was so absolutely resolved to love none at all that she did treat me with much indifferencie Thus did I live a long while and could not find a fit opportunity to talk in private with her because she her self took away all occasions of it But at the last I met her upon the banks of the River Cephises which runs by Delphos where all the Ladies of the Town used to walk and left their Coaches at the end of a large Meadow set round with mirtles most delectable there she was with two others of her friends who after they had taken a turn or two did meet with some men of their acquaintance who led them by the hand whilest I did the like unto Telesile and could discourse with her without being understood by any but her self for the freedom is greater at Delphos then at Athens or Corintis by reason of the multitude of strangers which resort thither and do insensible introduce the Customes of their Country But Oh Heavens how was I gravelled when I offered to begin discourse I no sooner resolved to speak one thing then I did contradict it so that we walked a long while without a word between us both but in conclusion my passion spurring me up I began with a sigh and said I wish the Gods were pleased adored Telesile you understood the thoughts of my heart without my tongue and that you guess how much I adore you I can easily satisfie your wish said she unto me for I am so very well acquainted with the hearts of all men that I must needs know yours Oh Madam said I make no cruel comparisons nor I beseech you confound Androclides and Thimocrates together Androclides said she is thought to be very prudent and Thimocrates said I i◠very amorous Thimocrates replied she can perhaps dissemble better then others but for all that his soul is subject to the same imperfections that other men are who begin to love and never think upon it continue it through custome and end it out of an humour doing every thing without any reason Oh Madam said I unto her how ill do you interpret Thimocrates if you should think so of him For indeed I must confess that I began to love you whether I would or no but I continue it both out of mine own free disposition and reason I departed from you as full of passion as ever man I endured that cruel absence with unimaginable sorrow and I return with affection infinitely augmented although I thought it a thing most impossible that my love of you could admit of any increase since the first minute I began to fix it upon you Thimocrates said she unto me Androclides within this three months would have said the same unto all the men of Delphos when he spoke unto them concerning me Moreover the supposed beauty of Telesile has now lost all its charms since Crantor has put her out of any hopes of his riches The reason why Androclides loved Telesile said I unto her was the riches of another but I adore her for her own riches No no Divine Lady said I it is those eyes it is that mind which I regard and indeed it is only your own merit which I love which I serve and which I will adore as long as I live Beauty Thimocrates said she unto me though I were owner of it yet it is a thing which is as soon lost as any thing else so that though your soul is not sensible of anysuch sordid passion as to prefer riches before honour and virtue yet I have no good assurance of your affection and I am perswaded that you will do that hereafter out of weakness and inconstancy which Androclides has done out of covetousness No Divine Telesile answered I you do not know me yet to be sincere unto you I do confess that the loss of your beauty would be an inconceivable grief unto me but it would be in relation to your self not that it is absolute necessary to keep in that fire of affection which is throughly kindled in my heart but I look further and I find so rich a beauty in your mind most charming Lady that although those glorious flames in your eyes were extinguished yet your soul has beauty enough to ravish mine although you were not fair at all But Telesile has yet seen so little of the Spring time of her beauty that it is 〈◊〉 long time till the Autumn It is for want of experience then said she smiling that I ought to distrust my self And therefore Thimocrates not to deceive you I pray you know this that how coarsly soever fortune has treated me yet will I carry it as highly as ever and will be much more hard to be perswaded then before I suspect all men and my self also therefore give over your designe if you will be ruled by me and I conceive you may do it without any dishonour for when one runs away with a croud said she laughing he
mistaken Stesilea was very well satisfied that Philista was in the wrong Antigenes was ravished with joy though in respect of me he would not express it but for my part I was all confusion and anger in the mean while these two last named passions which do not use to contribute any thing to the causes of love did yet quicken that passion in me I did not at the first intend to let Philista know that I was not altogether unworthy to be Philocles but only in point of honour yet the truth is that was too tender a reason to restrain me Fair Philista said I unto her with a serious look you are only mistaken in the name since most certainly Antigenes is owner of all those qualities mentioned to be in that Philocles in the Princess of Corinths Letter Antigenes replied my friend who was now become my Rival is not so much obliged unto this fair Lady as you imagine Why so replied the Princess The reason is Madam replied he because she does not positively say that she thinks me to be Philocles she is only pleased to wish I were so That seems unto me the â—more obliging said Stesilea for if she had only said she thought you to be him it had been barely a mark of her esteem but since she bestows an advantagious wish upon you it is an evident signe of her inclination towards him You need not take so much pains said Philista smiling as to interpret my thoughts inâ—my presence for if any do make any doubt of them I shall my self expound them No Madam said I unto her I beseech you interpret them no further lest Antigenes die for joy and I for sorrow if you should express more marks of your inclination to him and if I should perceive any further aversion in you towards the true Philocles Philista hearing me say so would have expressed her self unto me in some civil language thereby to make her peace with me but the more she desired to speak the more she was gravelled For seeing how much she had already obliged Antigenes she had no mind to disingage him so that since she could not handsomly deliver her self nor keep within that just mediocrity she endeavoured the Princess and Stesilea laughed and were exceedingly delighted in observing her disorder and she perceiving it I see Madam said she unto her that you jeer me because I would engage two in lieu of one But yet be pleased to know said she very angerly that though Antigenes is not Philocles unto all the rest of the world yet he shall be so unto Philista And I am very much deceived if though he should not have alâ—those qualities which the Princess of Corinths Letter does attribute unto the right Philocles my conversation with him do not in a little time infuse them all into him I stand in great need of it then Madam said Antigenes unto her and that it is the greatest honour I can pretend unto You are already so close said I unto him that I shall hardly know you any longer But not to abuse your patience any longer thus did that day pass away and after we had waited upon the Princess unto her Chamber Antigenes and I went into ours for they joyned close together but both of us retired and not a word passed betwixt us at parting and afterwards he coming into my Chamber and silently sitting down Doubtless Antigenes said I unto him you are musing upon your own honour I am thinking said he what I shall do to support that great Name which the fair Philista has bestowed upon me And do not you said he unto me laughing pity me to see me thus charged and will not you infuse some of your excellent qualities into me that I may thereby save the honour of Philista Philista said I unto him does know your merits so well and perhaps has made a Conquest upon your heart that I know not why I should pity you and Philocles stands more in need of the help of Antigenes then Antigenes of his I would by this discourse have moved my friend to have discovered his thoughts unto me but he would not so that I making him my example I spoke no more unto him concerning Philista In the mean time I beseech you take notice and admire at the phantastical honour of my fate As Philista was a Lady of honour and a little humourish she was so vexed to be so mistaken that she did really entertain an aversion to me and resolved to set such a value upon the qualities of Antigenes that if he had been one of her ancientest friends she could not more deeply interest her self in his honour then she did and I believe also that her own natural inclination did biass that way That which was the greatest cause of her spight was that when she turned towards Antigenes and named him she was verily perswaded out of her subtlety that it was Philocles and therefore she did confidently fix upon him for since she understood I did sing well she set her self to observe both our voices as we spake and finding that the tone of Antigenes was more sweet then mine she thought he had been Philocles though what both of us spoke were the very same words yet for all this I did oftentimes applaud this beauty and since all the Court was acquainted with this accident every one did contend against her which did so much exasperate her phantastical Resolution that she could not endure to hear any speak well of me not but that she made a shew as if what she did was only out of her Gallantry but the truth is I am fully perswaded that from the very first time of seeing us her Genius was averse towards me and inclinable towards Antigenes Observe now how we imployed our selves he endeavouring to answer the Princesses of Corinths Character of Philocles better then my self and I also to shew that I was not absolutely unworthy of her applauds Then it is most certain that the Princess of Lindus either in respect of the Princess Cleobuline or my good fortune did me the honour to take my part and all the Court after her example did put some difference between Philocles and Antigenes and the fair Philista did put as great a difference between Antigenes and Philocles for in any company or in walking or at Bills I found that Lady who of all the world did best please me and my fancie every day doing a thousand things with intention to displease me and yet whether I would or no I was pleased Whether I would or no I say for certainly I did all I could not to love her but all in vain and impossible for there was such of I know not what kind of gallant and pleasant Aire in her which I could not resist so that from the first minute of my passion I was most unfortunate and much more then they who are made so by an hundred thousand accidents which may chance in love since
which she could not restrain that she did endeavour it as much as possible I was so sensibly moved at it that it was impossible any should be more Madam said I unto her May I take so much liberty as to ask whether those tears which I see proceed from any cause which is known unto me Yes said she in a languishing manner and more then that you may cause them to cease I Madam said I unto her Yes replied she for if you were as generous as you should be I should be at more quiet and you also and indeed why cannot you hate me The same question may be asked Madam replied I why cannot you love me The reason is said she because I cannot The same reason is for me Madam said I unto her for I can no more cease from loving you then you cease from hating me Know then however said she that by reason of this impossibility I am not in any fault Be pleased to know also by the same reason answered I that I am most unfortunate since I cannot live without you nor you live with me but I better understand upon what reason I love you then I do what reason you have not to endure my love Look for neither any reasons nor excuses for what I do said she for I not look for any my self Perhaps said I unto her that time and my services may at length alter your mind No Philocles replied she deceive not your self I have hitherto carried the matter as well as I could I have invented pretences and excuses to defer the marriage which my father will needs make up with you I have counterfeited sick and that so long until I was really so but for all this if he or you or both do not alter your resolutions I am fully resolved to disobey him openly and by consequence be blamed by all the world yet I cannot do otherwise Alas Madam said I unto her are you absolutely determined to oppose my good fortune Call not that marriage good fortune said she which would be so disadvantagious both for you and me for what pleasure can you find in seeing me perpetually melancholy and receiving an hundred signes of indifferency from me No Philocles you would not find any happiness in it and therefore if you be wise think upon some other course and I am so generous said she as that I would not punish a man who loves me as you do so cruelly no◠is your own interest in this business less concerned then mine And I am most certain said she that I should never marry you although the whole earth would be given to purchase my consent I do consider also that affecting honour as I do I should think my self infinitely obliged unto you if you would not force me to an urgent necessity to resist my father but of your self resolve to forsake me To forsake you Madam said I unto her with extream sorrow Oh H avens how can I obey you Had you rather said she that I should look upon you as my persecutor and that I should turn my indifference into fury against you and despair against my self And have you a mind to make me as miserable as you are unfortunate you may very well think that if I could love you I would obey my father but since I am not able to do it what grand injustice is it to wish me unto things above my power No Dominion was ever so tyranical as that which one pretends unto over the soul Think well with your self Philocles consider it and if there be any reason remaining in you make use of it in qualifying your own misfortunes and making mine to cease Madam said I unto her do you intend that I should leave you the liberty to marry Antigenes 〈◊〉 Oh no no I love you too well over to consent unto it If I were perswaded that your disdain of me proceeded from a natural antipathy which you could not overcome I should then be so respective of you as that I would resolve to die in resolving never to express any more symptoms of my love or persecuting you any longer But unjust Lady that you are since your aversion to me is caused only by your inclination unto Antigenes and that you would not cast off Philocles but only to give him room in your affection be pleased to know that I cannot brook it nor will ever suffer it Antigenes has been my friend it is true but since he is become my Rival he must prepare himself to unloose the bands of friendship I have hitherto restrained my resentments I have seen him favoured and loved but I will never see him the Husband of Philista and therefore to make all parties happy alter your designe Philista It must be the Gods must alter it answered she and since I cannot think they ever will all that I can say unto you is that although Antigenes were not in the world though I had never known him yet should I be the same unto you I am But however Madam said I unto her confess the truth Antigenes should have the honour to be the fair Philista's choice if Alasis would consent unto it I am too sincere replied she to deny what you say O most cruel Lady said I unto her will you make me absolutely despair But Philocles said she would you have me lose my reason what right have you unto any part of my will Did I ever give you any hopes since the first time I know you No said I unto her but you have procured in me abundance of love Am I to blame replied she Have I not an hundred times desired you to cease from loving me 'T is true all that ever you said unto me was in vain for Philocles shall never enjoy me And I swear by the Heavens said I Antigenes shall never enjoy Philista as long as Philocles lives I had rather chuse that misfortune then the other replied she Would you so said I with a mind full of anger jealousie and love I have already told you so answered she Since it is so pursued I be pleased to know that if you will you may be rid of the unfortunate Philocles he shall not persecute you any more nor unless you please shall ever see you again Which way said she can I obtain so great a happiness By breaking off with Antigenes said I unto her and solemnly promising never to see him no ofter them me for to imagine that you should cast off me and I suffer you to enjoy a thousand happy days with my Rival is a thing impossible I know very well Madam that I do in some sort transgress against the respect which I owe you but whosoever has no more reason then I have is not subject unto any Law of Complacencie Speak then Madam I beseech you Is it your pleasure Philocles shall see you no more it is in your power and you may do it presently If I were your wife replied she what
All preparations for our marriage were in readiness as a magnificent Feast as all rich marriage clothes a mask also was prepared and a general Bill was to be kept three days together In conclusion that day which I thought the happiest that ever dawned did come and in the morning I saw Leontina in a most glorious dress who notwithstanding her modesty was pleased to make it appear in her eyes that she did participate in my joy She was conducted unto the Temple by her father and waited upon by all the Ladies in the Town I also waited upon her according unto the custom and was accompanied by all my friends But as soon as she came to the Alter she was suddenly taken as she said with an extream pain and terrible beating at her heart she was forced to sit down not being able to kneel any longer and finding her self very ill she was forced to complain unto some of her Cousins which were next her As my eye was always upon her I saw she grew high coloured and was very sick But alas why should I insist so long upon vain circumstances Leontina could not accomplish the Ceremony she was so good as to excuse it unto me and they carried her home in a chair where a feaver feized suddenly upon her and notwithstanding her youth and all the art of Physicians and notwithstanding all my prayers the seventh day her disease was at the height you may suppose that as the terms stood then betwixt us I had the liberty to see her during her sickness at all houres which handsomeness would permit I saw her then endure it with admirable patience and she seemed to be sorry for nothing but that she was to leave me she did hide a great part of her pain from me least it should too much grieve me and though she thought to dye ever since the first minute of her falling sick yet would she not speak a word of her death unto me until the last day of her life Oh most dismal and unhappy day I saw her then endure and hardly complain and I received from her own dear mouth a thousand assurances of a most innocent and pure affection she desired me to continue mine unto her memory after her death and after she had invoked the Gods she commanded me to submit as she her self did unto their will her speech failed yet she still looked upon me and after her sight was also gone yet she held her hand out and weak as she was she gave it unto me then breathing out a deep sigh she expired not loosing one jot of her beauty nor strugling into any unseemly posture Ask me not Oh my just Judg what I did or what I thought since you may well imagine that a man who grieved for her whom he was not loved and wept for her whom he thought he hated her would be absolutely desperate when he saw her dying before his eyes at such a time when he was beleved and steady to enjoy her I apprehended it so sadly that if Polimnis had not been I had killed my self at the first minute of my sorrow but his care of me was so great that I may almost call him the cause of all my sorrows I have suffered since that time and of all those I shall suffer hereafter I thought the face of the whole Universe was altered I looked not upon any thing as I was wont or to say better I saw nothing but Leontina either dead or dying when they took me away by force from that fair Corps her image did follow me in all places and drooping as I was it appeared to my phancy in a hundred different manners her Tomb was more sacred unto me then the Temple her Name as holy as Angels and my sorrows were so sweet unto me that I hated all them that would comfort me Although the places where I had been with her did augment my grief yet did I frequently visit them Those whom she did tenderly love were they only whom I could endure and although I had been alone in the world I could not have been more sadly solitary and whosoever has not tried what it is to see her whom he loves die doubtless do not know the most supream misfortune I do confess absence to be a great misery but what kind of absence can be comparable unto that eternal and terrible absence which is never to return which carries the party beloved into such obscure and dark Cells as humane spirits cannot enter and into such sad and doleful places from whence no news of her is ever to be hoped for Truly my apprehensions are so strange as oft as I imagine that the most fair and perfect Leontina should be no more then an heap of ashes that I am astonished any should offer to contend with me for the first place amongst unfortunate men I know very well that not to be loved is a grand misfortune but to lose her whom one loves and to lose her for ever is a far greater for he who is not loved does wish and desire a happiness which he never had any trial of nor does he know the sweets belonging unto love whereas to see her who honoured a man with her affection to die is to lose a Treasure which he possessed and whose riches he knew how to value Moreover the worst treated Lover in the world may yet comfort up his heart with some hopes which he whose Mistress is in her Tombe can never have his soul is abandoned of all comforts and remains in such a horrid despair as certainly is inconceiveably by any but such as had had experience of it nor am I ignorant that jealousie is a terrible torment yet whosoever shall well consider the cause of jealousie shall find that fear to lose her he loves is it which causeth his disquiet for if he were assured he should never lose his Mistress his soul would be terene not would he care a pin for having an hundred Rivals Moreover a jealous lover may find out an hundred ways to busie himself in out of which he may find out some comfort But to see her one loves in her coffin is such a miserable object as leaves the soul in so sad an unquietness as is a thousand times worse then all the pains in the world he knows not whither to go nor what to do all the Universe is indifferent unto him The more pleasant the time past was unto him the more insupportable it makes the present and all the time of his life which is to come has nothing sweet but his hopes of death Moreover jealousie being a passion which of its own nature is muâ—able various changing and uncertain it produces fear and hope an hundred times in a day and by consequence admits of some relaxation of mind But the death of the party loved is a torment continually rigorous which no time can ever remove for indeed though I should live out an hundred Ages yet
a picture upon without any scandal unto her honour but if you will follow my advice said he you shall not shew this picture unto any lest you should make so fair a Lady your enemy It is not my intention said I unto him to provoke her but I have a very great desire to know this Lady whom this picture represents I shall better inform my self said he unto me and then I shall render you an account but in the mean while speak not a word of this picture but if you please leave it in my hands for I beleeve it will be as safe in mine as yours for said he I have a kind of fear you cannot for bear shewing it unto some or other I promise you said I unto him neither to speak of it or shew it unto any but pardon me if I do not render it unto any but him who lost it and that too but unwillingly for it does infinitly please me Theanor used all his arguments that he might keep it but I did so obstinately deny it that he was forced to be contented after which we went unto Policrates at Court and with him unto the Temple After dinner this Prince did me the honour to present me unto the Princess Hersilea his sister who was a Lady most admirably accomplished with whom there was then many Ladies and amongst the rest one named Meneclida with whom it was said Policrates was in love There also did I see the wonder of the world Alcidamia so admirably fair that I never saw any so amiable The Princess Hersilea willing to grace a new Favorite of the Kings did place me next this glorious beauty whose Soul did so powerfully second the charms of her face that I could no longer preserve my freedom Theanor coming into the company and seeing me next Alcidamia seemed unto me as if he were troubled at it yet did not then take any notice of it and my mind was also so much disordered that Alcidamia had not any reason to think my conversation very agreeable Which of all these said I in my self in looking upon all the men which followed Policrates to his sister is that both happy and unfortunate lover who has lost this picture which I have found Afterwards I began to think how much this Lady would be astonished if I should shew her this picture which I had about me afterwards I bethought my self how infortunate that man would be who should fall in love with so fair a Lady as this whose heart might perhaps be already ingaged and indeed I had a thousand several thoughts in a short time and it may be almost said that jealousie which uses to follow love in others did precede it in me since it is certain that I found all the symptomes of jealousie in me before ever I gave her any testimony of my love any manner of way I enquired very diligently of all the lovers of Alcidamia hoping to find out him unto whom this picture belonged but those of whom I enquired told me That there was not a man of quality in all Samos which loved her not so that all my conjectures finding no foundation but said I unto them has she not made choice of any That is a thing said they not easily to be discovered for Alcidamia is wise and able to disguise her thoughts if she please all we can say is that if she have any Favorite her discretion conceals him since it is certain there goes no rumour of any about the Court. Thus did two or three days pass away during which time I often saw Alcidamia either with the Princess or in the Temple or walking or at her own house for I urged Theanor to carry me thither I say I urged him for he excused it as much as he could Mean while I was continually conjuring him to tell me if he could to whom the picture of Alcidamia belonged and he always answered me that this unprofitable curiosity ought at the least to be well intended and that though he did know whose it was yet would he never tell me unless I would promise him before hand to make good use of that knowledg and not incense Alcidamia by it Since I did not yet think I should be fettered in the chains of love I promised him what he desired so that a few days after he came one morning unto my chamber and seeming to be very joyfull Leontidas said he unto me I have at last discovered him unto whom the picture which you found belongs and he is a person of so high a quality as you have reason to rejoyce that it is in your power to do him so great a favor as to restcre it I blushed at this discourse of Theanor who seeing me change my colour changed himself also and asked me why I did not thank him and satisfie his curiosity and desire It is Theanor answered I because I have altered my mind and now do fear as much to know who is the owner as I desired it before and my reason is because I cannot yet resolve to restore it But I am engaged that you shall answered Theanor much surprized for I did not think you desired to know the owner with any intention to do him so much injustice But yet Theanor said I unto him I beseech you who is the owner I must not tell you replied he since you will not restore it The party who permitted me to trust you with this secret did not allow me to acquaint you but upon condition you will restore it for otherwise it is not just to acquaint you with such a secret as this But said I unto him is he who owes this picture in love with Alcidamia Desperately replyed he And was this picture given him by that fair Lady When you have restored it me replied he you shall know that but until then I have no commission to tell you any thing Cruel friend replied I unto him I had rather have this picture then your secret and if I restore it unto any it shall be rather to the party who gave it then to him who lost it Oh Leontidas said Theanor I beseech you do not as you say unless you intend most absolutely to disoblige me As we were thus talking one came and told me that Policrates asked for me so that I was constrained to leave Theanor but oh Heavens how melancholy was I all that day for indeed after this which Theanor told me I doubted not but my conjectures were well grounded and that this picture was not given by Alcidamia unto him that lost it I began to perceive also that I was not right master of my reason and I resolved to love Alcidamia notwithstanding all will or reason or any thing else Am I not very inconsiderate said I unto my self to suffer such a growing passion without any opposite which most apparently will cost me abundance of sorrow I know that Alcidamia has fixed her love and what would I obtain
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
her self I kneeled down before her my sorrows being so great that I could not cry for those are but slight sorrows which can be expressed by tears Oh Madam said I unto her inflict what punishment you please upon that sacrilegious hand which wounded you and do not think that though I defer the execution for a little while it is not with intentions of living long No Madam I would only see you in a way of recovery to the end you may see me dye and that way expiate this horrid crime which I have committed Alcionida was so surprized to see me and hear me thus express my self that though she had not been in so weak a condition as she was she would not have been able to hold any long discourse therefore not answering at all unto what I said If I dye said she unto me I shall pardon you with all my heart and also I entreat the Prince Tisander if he be living to pardon you as wel as I. The Prince Tisander Madam said I with much wonder is he here As she was about to answer the Chyrurgions prevented her and told me it would kill her if she spoke any more so that hastily retiring and leaving her with her women I took her Cousin by the hand and carring her to the Chamber door asked her what it was which Alcionida said unto me But at the same time some Souldiers which had taken Tisander in another Ship brought him into mine and he knowing that it was I which he had fought against desired to speak with me and when in entrance into the Ship he understood that Alcionida was wounded he was in as desperate a case as I Cruel Friend said he in coming first to me what a fatal adventure is befaln us Give me leave rather to say answered I what a fatal adventure is mine Ah said he you are not to be pitied so much as I for the thoughts of friendship are nothing so tender as those of love Doubtless you love me and will be sorry for fighting with me and for being perhaps the cause of her death whom I most adore and intend to marry But said I and interrupted him do you intend to marry this fair and most incomparable Lady Yes cruel Friend answered he and therefore imagine the sorrows of my Soul But I beseech you let me see this fair and unfortunate Lady In saying so he went into the Chamber where she was and I with him and he no sooner saw her but taking her hand kissing it and also washing it with his tears he expressed a hundred signs of sorrow and affection which I durst not render unto her She cast her eyes upon me and doubtless did so plainly perceive the sorrows I endured that she turned away her eyes and blushed Tisander observing this and fearing to be troublesom to her went from her imagining the alteration of her face to proceed from no other cause but the extremity of her pain We asked the Chyrurgions what they thought of her but they could not tell what juddgment to give until the second dressing not yet knowing whether any of the Nerves were molested or Veins cut In the mean time I understood that Tisander being cured of his passionate affection unto the fair and wise Sapho did consent unto the marriage which the Prince his father had made up between him and the fair Alcionida before he knew her and that as soon as ever he saw her he was more in love with her then ever he was with his first Mistress I understood afterwards that he did not know my Ship because it had been newly trimmed up at Gnides and since all the Banners and Flags which Leosthenes had set up for the entertainment of Alcionida did stand still it was not possible Tisander could know it Neither could I know his Ship for since his intended marriage his Flags also were full of gallant devices and other Motto's then he was accustomed to have Since this Prince was really generous and seeing me silent he did ask me pardon if in the extremity of his sorrows he had spoke any thing which was offensive to me But I my self was so much disturbed in my mind that I knew not what I should answer him But I gave orders that all his men should be set at liberty and treated as my own however the sight of this Prince was insufferable to me since I understood he was to be the husband of Alcionida and I could not resolve to go out of his Ship because I could not depart from her yet not being in freedom to grieve in her presence I went into my own under a pretence of giving out some orders and went into my own Cabin with a mind so full of sorrows that I was a hundred times ready to throw my self into the Sea and there bury my self and all my misfortunes together but there was a kind of secret chain which linked me to Alcionida that restrained me and kept me alive And being alone with Leosthenes I began to descant upon the strangeness of my misfortunes and my mind being a little more quiet then before Confess with me Leosthenes said I unto him that I was born under a most malignant Constellation for if you look upon the present condition of my fortune you may therein find miseries enough to make a hundred men unfortunate Were it only the inconsideration of my sorrows for fighting with my friend and hurting her whom I infinitely loved I deserved compassion though for nothing but to find my Friend my Rival I had cause enough to grieve for it extreamly were it for nothing else but to find my Mistress enjoyed by another I were most worthy of pity and were it for nothing but wounding with my own hand that Lady for whom only I desire to live all my tears are too few to lament the sadness of the accident But having in one day fought with my Friend wounded her I loved found him to be my Rival heard my Mistress is to be married and my own hand putting her in danger of death Ah Leosthenes these are too many miseries to be endured and it would be as base as impossible for me to live under the weight of them For indeed what can I do I must not hate my Rival since he is both my Friend and my Benefactor I never dare speak any more of my passion unto her who first did cause it my Soul is out of all hopes my Love cannot now be innocent I dare not hereafter find any fault with her I have no reason to accuse Tisander I have not power to acknowledg my passion unto him and it were in vain if I should since he is the husband of Alcionida In one word I am in as deplorable a condition at ever any Lover possible can be But alas what do I say and what would I do I speak as if Alcionida were not wounded and wounded by my own hand and that perhaps mortally Oh most
about to undeceive them who reports it because as long as they believe that to be the cause of your retiredness they would never look after the true cause and consequently never find it out And why said Amestris did you not acquaint me with these things Because I saw you so sad answered Menasta that I scrupled whether I should tell such unpleasant news yet since you do know it I wish it may be a means to restore you again unto your friends No no answered Amestris deceive not your self for I shall never do so and were it for no other reason but the having such a Husband as Ottanus is I will never see them again but Menasta I shall have further cause not to love him for he will by all means expose me to the view of the world For my part said Menasta I do not think that Ottanus did press you unto it so much as you think and he would never have spoke as he did but because Artemon was present however for your diversion a little let me tell you that Anatisa hearing of your marriage with Ottanus in the Countrey where she is is rapt into a little Heaven of joy and makes no question but her own marriage would be next with Aglatidas as soon as she came to Ecbatan but afterwards hearing that he was vanished and had setled all his Affairs as one that would not return again her sorrows were as great as her joyes were before and since Tatlers do seldom get love either from such as themselves or others every one had a vie in disadvantage of Anatisa who did so crack of her affection unto Aglatidas before and of her anger against him now that I believe she will never be able to make any great Conquests though perhaps she will endeavour to repair her loss by hopes of some other victory Amestris did hearken unto Menasta with some delight because the anger of Anatisa did evidently prove the fidelity of Aglatidas for though she fully resolved never to see him again yet she had a secret design in the root of her heart to love him as long as she lived Mean while after Artemon was parted from Ottanus and Ottanus had dispatched his business with those who came to speak with him he was alone with his own thoughts and calling all these passages into his memory which before tormented him he found his soul in a worse condition then before and that which at the first afforded him some minuts of tranquility was now a perpetual turbulency unto him For said he to himself as he related afterwards from whence should this sudden alteration in the humour of Amestris proceed What may be her reason to leave hating me why should she begin to hate all the world which way should I find out the true cause of all this After he had restlesly reasoned upon it and that which Artemon told him sticking in his stomack he spoke unto Amestris at night and conjured her not to neglect her self so much but to make some visits yet as she refused it though with much respect so his mind became much exasperated and he very roughly moved her to dress her self and to walk abroad and frequent Balls and all other places whither a jealous and angry Husband would have forbid his wife Insomuch as she told him that she would do all she could to obey him and in order to that she dressed her self the next morning more handsomly then ordinary and went unto the Temple at the same time which other Ladies used but yet it was with so much melancholy in her eyes that she infused no joy into any of those friends which saw her and as ill luck was two or three persons having seen her so sad and afterward meeting with Ottanus told him that they would ask no more why Amestris was so long unseen since it appeared by her face she had been sick But Ottanus knowing that she had not been so did conclude that there was some secret matter in her mind which was the cause of it and which he could not discover Amestris yet was less solitary for three or four days but with so much forcing of her self that she was not able to endure it any longer for if she saw any friends of Aglatidas her soul was in a very hell if they were indifferent men she met with they gave her some such touch concerning the pretended jealousie of Ottanus as did not please her or if they were any of the discreeter sort of people they entertained her with discourses so opposite to her present humour that they were extreamly troublesom to her if any compleat man was commended then the image of Aglatidas appeared in her fancie if any was blamed then the thoughts of Ottanus would direct her eyes She thought all those that looked upon her did blame her for marrying Ottanus So having lived three or four days thus and not being able to endure it longer she faigned to be sick that so she might not go abroad nor receive any more visits But since she could not deceive Ottanus so easily as she could the world who saw her not his torments did double upon him and not knowing what he would have he endured all the pangs of a jealous man and much more then common jealousie could infuse for they who are jealous have at the least some ground for it though he could not so much as imagine what the cause of his torments was And not being able to contain all his turbulent cogitations within the compass of his own heart he discovered all his secrets unto Artemon who after he had observed the Raptures the Reasons and Complaints of his Cousin could not determine what his malady was for said he unto him It cannot be said you are jealous since there is no imaginable reason for it for Amestris neither sees nor will be seen by any Amestris when she was free made choyce of you and married you what would you have more I would gladly know said he why upon a sudden she resolved to marry me and why upon a sudden she will not look upon the world I do confess said Artemon that the last of these is very strange unto me since you assure me it is not long of you yet however it concerns us who have lost her to complain of that and not you since you see her oftner and discourse more freely with her Not at all replyed Ottanus for she perswades me to live as I was accustomed to do and that I should allow of her alteration I know very well that heretofore she did not hate Aglatidas but there has been such jars between them since that as I cannot conclude any thiug upon it But why should you torment your self said Artemon since your wife desires not to see Aglatidas more then any other and indeed cannot see him since he is absent The reason why she lives thus replyed he after a little study upon it is
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
all the compleat gallants of the Town thither Every one was ambitious of the honor to be her first servant and pay her his first services That quality which did most take those that saw her was their observance that she knew her beauty and was not proudly affected with it and though she was one of the most sweet and civil Ladies upon the earth yet she was so out of a natural inclination and not out of any design to please or take others who came unto her She took her pleasures as other did but she did not greedily seek after them and though she had one of the most charming wits of the world yet did she rather endeavor to hide some part then to shew all the rules of it nor did I ever in my life meet with any who knew better how to speak well or how to be silent with less pain then she did Thus Madam you see a perfect description of Cleonice at her first coming unto Ephesus The Mother sought after all pleasures and all pleasures sought after the incomparable daughter Be pleased to know Madam that there was then at Ephesus a Beauty who bore the name of Artelinda and one who was of a good quality and to speak the very truth as it is there was so many charms in every part of her and such a sweetness in all her actions as whosoever looked upon her could not choose but love her for their was such an obliging and captivating quality in her taking eyes as made all hearts her own before they knew where they were or could consult with their reason at the least that great number of her lovers said so to justifie their passions And Madam to describe Artelinda the better unto you for she has so great a share in this history as I must needs let you perfectly know her Be pleased to know further of her that never was such a proud insulting Minx as she was for she would not only gain the hearts of her Lovers by her beauty and her wit but also by all her endeavors by her complacency and civility and then when any of her private particular friends did contend with her she would mock them and jeeringly say That as ambitious people think they can never get a Crown at too dear a rate so one can never take too much pains to get a heart and as Conquerors do always talk of their victories but never speak of the pains they took so would she brag of the hearts she had got but never remember the cares and troubles which they cost her and truly I believe Artelinda was never melancholly but when a day passed over her head in which she had not made some new conquest yet be pleased to know Madam that this Lady had a mother called Anaxippa as wise and discreet a mother as ever was one whose vertue was a little too severe and condemned all innocent Recreations and who had educated her daughter in so great a constraint that no such things as diversions were ever named or heard of And indeed if Stenobea had been the mother of Artelinda and Anaxippa the mother of Cleonice there had been far greater suitableness amongst those four persons For the frollique and gallant humour of Stenobea made Cleonice often think time to be very tedious and Stenobea would often complain against the too serious disposition of her daughter and chide her for it secretly Anaxippa could not endure the gadding humor of Artelinda and Artelinda could not abide the strict severity of Anaxippa The one would be continually in the Temple at her prayers the other would be always abroad to see and be seen however Cleonice and Artelinda were near neighbours and visited one another very often and the contrariety of disposition which was between them and which in probability would have prevented frequency of visits was a cause of their ofter being together then any others For since Artelinda found always more company at Stenobea's house then at her mothers she went thither very often and since Cleonice found less company at Anaxippa's house then her mothers she was there as oft as she could so that these two beauties of contrary humors were almost continually together Stenobea was glad that Cleonice was often with Artelinda hoping she would drive her out of her serious and melancholly mood and Anaxippa also was well pleased that her daughter should be ever in the company of Cleonice hoping her modest and fevere example would correct the giddy inclination of the other Thus did Cleonice seek her solitude at Anaxippa's houses and Artalinda seek her servants at Stenobea's Cleonice endeavored to reclaim Artelinda from her gadding humors and from letting her chief felicity consist in conquering of hearts without number or choice or having no other design in it but the vain-glory to make all that look on her in love with her Yet Ligdamis was to be excepted for she could never subject him with all her arts do what she could for the truth was Ligdamis never loved any and in all likelyhood never would and though he was a most accomplished gallant yet was he so resolutely opposite unto that passion that he not only would never be in love but also would never love those that were and upon that score he broke off with an old friend called Phocylides because he was of the same disposition as Artelinda and he had professed service to as many several Ladies as she had captivated servants Thus Madam you see the humors of these four persons which were most spoke of in Ephesus Ligdamis a most accomplished gallant was esteemed by all though he would be a friend but unto very few nor would he love any at all Phocylides he fell in love with all the Ladies in the Town at least seemed so Artelinda had many Lovers and would have had all And Cleonice without any intentions to captivate any at all did captivate many and the truth is if she would have given entertainment unto all that addressed themselves unto her the Empire of Artelinda had been ruined but she carried her self with so much wisdom and discretion and was neither severe nor lavish of her favours so that she rid her self of that multitude of Lovers which were of Artelinda's humour and she did so publish it that her heart should be hard to conquer as there was very few in all the Town who durst have so good an opinion of themselves as to attempt it Many a Lover sighed at it but sighed in secret yet one whose name was Hermodorus was to be excepted for he did absolutely quit the service of Artelinda and devoted himself and all his services wholly unto Cleonice but she had no fancy at all unto him and the jocund humor of her mother was so averse unto her disposition that she did not at all answer his addresses but lived in Ephesus with so great an indifferency that she could be compared unto none but Ligdamis who did sometimes see
upon some affair of matters But passing insensibly from one discourse into another every one began to chide Doralisa for wishing Nature to work a miracle in favour of her self and make up an accomplished man without the helps of Love every one asked if she had changed her mind Since Mexaris had formerly loved another besides the Princess he began to argue against Doralisa and maintain his own case and since Abradates had never been in love he seconded her reasons for saying that she would never accept of any heart that had been scorched n any other flames besides her own Perinthus gave a listning ear unto what his Rivals said and endeavoured to guess at the thoughts of the Princess Tell me Doralisa said Mexaris to her What reasons can you give for scorning all compleat men only because they have been in Love with some other before your self The number of them is so large replyed she that I cannot tell which I shall give you first and truly that is the greatest difficulty of my answer I cannot believe it so easie a matter replyed Mexaris to maintain your error with all the wit you have for what does that which is past concern you as long as you know it not By what is past replyed she I can judg at the future for whosoever can quit another for me give me some cause of fear that he can quit me for another whom yet he knows not but may perhaps hereafter know her But have you any better security for the fidelity of that man who never loved any but your self replyed Mexaris Such a one replyed Abradates did never give so bad an example and there is greater grounds of hope that his first passion will be constant then there is to believe that one who has loved many will ever become constant It cannot be doubted replyed Doralisa But the worst of it is I could never meet with a man of my Quality who is such a one as I wish one that will love me and never was in Love before As for such as wear so many several fetters as suits of cloaths and offer two or three Sacrifices with one and the same Victime in offering the self-same heart unto two or three Ladies one immediately after another I cannot endure them but should use them scurvily as long as I lived I may perhaps meet with such compleat men as will serve to make friends of but I 'le have none such to be my Lovers for I can never believe that any who can quit a black Beauty for a fair or a fair for a brown can ever have any constancy of heart Admit said Mexaris unto her that one should meet with a heart of flint which nothing can molifie were it not wisdom to cure the misery by a discreet retreat and if such a one do afterwards love another why should he be taxed with inconstancy when as he would not have changed if he had been more favourably entertained Though I should not tax such a one with inconstancy replyed Doralisa yet is he such a one as I should never favour since he is but the refuse of another Admit her rigour proceeded from a phantastical and extravagant disposition replyed Mexaris Why would you treat such an unfortunate Lover with rigour Because such a man as would ever love such phantastical and extravagant Woman as you speak of replyed Doralisa would never honor me by assuming my Chains The truth is whether he loved a mild or severe disposition whether he have been well or ill treated whether he did reject or was rejected All 's one to me I should never love him that ever loved any besides my self If he have been severely used he knows by example how to be severe if he have been favourably treated I will think that since the favours of another could not keep him mine cannot neither If he betrayed his Mistriss there is no trusting of him If it was she who forsook him it is to be conceived that he has made himself unworthy by some secret crime or other which we know not of or at least it is to be feared he was either phantastical or jealous Moreover if she whom he loved be fair there is no security of his loving me since he hath quitted her if she be not fair it is to be thought that he relished her so ill that he will quit me for one that is fairer Therefore if ever I permit any to love me it must be an entire heart and none of those that has been pierced with a thousand Arrows it shall be a heart I say which is sensible of the least touch and not one that is hardned with the rigour of another freshness and newness in love as in other things is a grace And whosoever will ever hope to be acceptable in my esteem he must perswade me that I am and ever shall be his first and last love I do profess said Abradates that I think the opinion of Doralisa to be very just and so much the more replyed Panthea because by taking up that resolution doubtless one resolves never to love any because it is to desire an impossibility I must needs concur with you in that opinion replyed Abradates So do not I replyed Doralisa For I do not hold it a thing impossible that one should love but one only in all their life The great difficulty of all is to find out a compleat man who never loved any but me The Princess would perswade me Sir said she and addressed her speech unto Abradates that Perinthus was never in Love and truly though I have much ado to believe it yet I see that I cannot win much upon his heart therefore I will give over all thoughts of any Conquests The Conquest of me replyed Perinthus a little surprized would add so little honour unto you Madam that questionless you are not sorry for it Really Perinthus said the Princess you are too much in good earnest and Doralisa will perswade me that you are in Love indeed for if you did not fear that she whom perhaps you love should know what answer you give unto Doralisa doubtless you would have returned her a more civil answer You may think what you please Madam replyed he but I do not think what I said to be any incivility but that rather it deserves the name of Respect There is a kind of respect so hollow and indifferent replyed Doralisa as does not at all oblige one But however Perinthus I am more indulgent then you think I am for I do not complain against you yet notwithstanding to find out the cause of that incivility which the Princess doth tax you with I shall keep an observant eye over you to the end I may more plainly discover whether such an accomplished man as you are can be and not be in Love And since my own eye cannot be alwayes over you I will entreat both all your friends and mine to observe you as well as I will
rather to be wondred if he did see him replied the Prince Mazares for Belesis almost never stirred abroad since he left his desart but when he thought to assist me in the delivery of the Princesse Mandana After this Cyrus desired these two enemies to refer the relation of their difference unto him whom Abradates named since they could not agree to do it themselves and they consented unto it yet desiring to see Alcenor before he spoke so that without losse of any longer time the Queen of Susiana sending to looke for him he was immediatly found and was shewed unto both those his friends who joyntly willed him to speak the truth both of them supposing there needed nothing else to Iustifie themselves after which retiring into another chamber Alcenor began the relation in these termes Panthea appointing him to addresse his speech unto Cyrus as Judge of the controversie for she had already been informed of the adventure though she was desirous to hear it over againe The History of Belesis and Hermogenes and of Cleodora and Leonisa DOubtlesse Sr. It will seem very strange unto you that I should be so equall a friend unto two enemies as I should even to the least circumstance know the events of both their lives even to their most secret thoughts and that both of them should have such a good opinion of my sincerity that they are contented I should relate the adventures of their lives in their own presence though they are of that nature that the least circumstance omitted doth extreamly alter the case yet notwithstanding I hope to render my self worthy of the favour which they do me being fully resolved to disguise nothing but will ingenuously relate all their imbecillities as I found in them But Sr. since I conceive it requisite you know who they are give me leave to tell you Sr. that Belesis is a Mantianian and of the Prime quality in his country and that Hermogenes is a Susanian and of a very high quality also besides the advantages of birth they had that of excellent education not only in such arts as are essentially requisite to make compleat men but also in other inferiour trifles which yet do infinitely polish the spirits of them who know them and are delightfull to those that know them not It was the pleasure of their Parents they should travell together at one time and as if the Gods designed their meeting and that they should love each other they met both at Babylon not only at the same time but also in the same house though one of them came from Susa and the other from Mantiana so that though both of them were of such a garbe as might move equall curiosity of knowing who they were yet they sought for occasions of beeing talked of and they easily found them For since they had got most of the Asiatique languages before they set out to travel and since the Susian and Mantinian tongues resembled one another they discoursed familiarly together the first time they met went together to view the wonders of this proud and stately town they were so well acquainted at this very first encounter tthat they affected the same pleasures practised the same Arts knew the same things a first their intentions were to associate together as long as they stayed in Babylon where they â—â—journed about a moneth But since in that time they grew more intimate and loved each other better they could not part so soone and in conclusion agreed to travel together those two loving friends kept close together a whole year in travelling from Court to Court and from Country to Country in much delight not the least contest ever happening between them after they had seen all that was worthy of sight Hermogenes moved Belesis in lieu of returning home to spend some time at Susa and certainly his curiosity to see so statly a towne was grownded upon good reason for I do not think there is a town in the whole univers so full of all delights Belesis then being easily perswaded to see the most goodly place of the world and to go with a friend from whom he could not part without extream grief arived at Susa a little while after the illustrious Abradates was banished But that he might not repent of his comming thither Hermogenes who was well acquainted with all the Advenues did so guide him that they entered in at the most pleasant quarter which indeed is one of the most delightfull objects that eye can behold For Sr. in comming to Susa this way there is a little hill from whence one views a great valley containing above a hundred furlongs in the midst of which passeth in a serpentine manner the river Choaspes the water whereof is so clear and pure that the most cristall fresh spring is not comparable to it upon the banks of this River stands the towne of Susa and the great number of magnificent Fabricks makes it seem as fair without as it is within That which makes the place most pleasant and dwelling there most healthfull is that all this great valley is diapered with a million of severall colours in flowers which by their admirable enamell does charme the eyes with variety and perfume the Aire with odour infinitely surpassing the Rainbow or any other prospect whatsoever Also from this abundance of Fragrant Flowers the towne of Susa takes its name for in that language they signify alike and therefore this valley or meddow is called the Rainbow of Susa throughout all Asia Moreover in coming that way which Hermogenes did bring Belesis there are along that pleasant River foure great walkes so large so straight so even and so shady by the height of the trees which grow by the sides though wood is very scant in all that Countrey that a more Pleasant walke cannot be imagined Unto this place all the Ladies every evening resort in their Coaches and where the Men Rendezvous on horseback so that having Libertie to go sometimes into one walke and somtimes into another it is a Place of the greatest pleasure in the world Hermogenes intending to let the first time of Belesis his coming unto Susa to be a time of Pleasure and the more to surprise him he never told him that he would bring him this way yet because he would not displease his friend by bringing him into a place of so much resort in a negligent habit desired him that morning to dresse himself as one that was to Lodge in a house where he should see many Ladies as indeed there was at the house of Hermogenes his mother and his sister being there So that Belesis not foreseeing the harmlesse deceit of his friend did habit himself in a very rich handsome suite above the custome of travellers But he easily perceived the cunning of Hermogenes when he found all these great walkes full of Gilded Coaches in which were all the Prime Beauties of Susa and after them an infinite number of men of Qualitie
Belesis produced in the heart of Cleodora But to let you see how even very trifles do often purchase great esteem amongst Ladies Be pleased to know that Belesis understanding there was a great league of friendship between the sister of Hermogenes and Cleodora he expressed much civility towards her and she to him her name was Prassilla Belesis being one day with her he entreated her to shew him what rare Gardens there was in Susa I should have asked this favour of Hermogenes said he but I confesse unto you I cannot think any gardens or walks pleasant unlesse in the company of Ladies and therefore you will much oblige me if you will do me this honour Belesis had no sooner pronounced the last word but Cleodora entered who came to visit Prassilla she was no sooner set down but Prassilla acquainted Cleodora with the desire of Belesis who the sooner to compasse his desire seemed to hinder Prassilla from ending that which she had begun to tell I beseech you said he unto her do me not so bad an office as to make me passe yet for a stranger unto the fair Cleodora with whom I am not yet thoroughly acquainted The resistance which Belesis made wrought his desired effect and infused a great desire in that Lady to know what Prassilla would tell her so that being very urgent Prassilla told her and withall desired her assistance in setting forth the glories of Susa Cleodora being glad of an occasion to complement with Belesis told him that she was much pleased to see he was not like most travellers who hardly use to know who it is that reignes in the Countrey which they passe thorow and who content themselves onely with the memory of the temples which they have seen of mountains of rivers and such things but never enquire of the manners customes and people which dwell in those Towns whose streets and publike places they onely use to observe But I perceive you are better acquainted with all the gallants of our Court then you are with our Gardens and therefore I am very willing to assist Prassilla in letting you see them and if she please to morrow shall be the day when with some other Ladies that are our friends we will go unto the most pleasant place in the world not farre off our river I am very well contented with it said Prassilla And then Belesis could do no lesse then concur with the desires of two such pleasant Ladies alwayes seeming to be sorry Cleodora should treat him as a stranger The matter being thus resolved upon and the morrow being come Hermogenes Belesis and I went to wait upon the Ladies who were to be present at this walk And Cleodora being in the pleasant humour as soon as we came unto the place and came out of the Coach she held out her hand unto Belesis Come hither generous stranger said she unto him come and see the beauties of our Countrey that you may talk of them when you come into your own For heavens sake Madam said he unto her Call me not stranger I must needs call you so this day replied she and laughed since I shall shew you a thousand things you never saw before and since you are in a place where you have no acquaintance I am contented said he to be a stranger untill this day of washing be ended and so am I said she At the coming into the Garden she willed him to observe all the beauties in it the rest of the company followed and mixed discourse At the first Cleodora carried him into a great walk of Cypresse trees at the end of which was a Fountain the waters whereof rising up in great spouts one upon another seemed as if it were a rock of chrystall unto which the rayes of the Sunne gave colours like to the Bowe of heaven Afterwards we went to sit down in a great Arbour of Myrtle wherein there were twenty four statues In the midst of this Arbour there was a Fountain whose waters were cast out by twelve Sea-monsters so that half of their bodies were onely visible in the midst of which was a Neptune with his Trident. Because this Arbour was exceedingly pleasant and had severall seats in the midst we stayed there a long while Cleodora was alwayes disputing with Belesis and would needs perswade him hee had such things as those he saw in his countrey she named all the flowers and herbs that were generally known unto him and she was so witty upon every subject that shee infinitely delighted all the company Belesis did contribute as much as possible to augment the mirth But after we had been a long while there Belesis told Cleodora that to compleat all her favours it would be a great addition if she would be pleased to let him see the house unto which the garden belonged You will not finde it so pleasant as what you have seen already said she for excepting one Parlour and a vault which are exceedingly cool in Summer all the rest are inconsiderable yet if you will wee 'l go In saying so Cleodora rose up Belesis continually leading her and all the company following untill we came to the Parlor door Then did Cledora send unto the porter to open the door But Sir there was no need to stay long for him because as soon as Cleodora and Belesis came to the door it was opened and Cleodora saw that there was a very magnificent Banquet prepared She was so surprized at the sight and so little imagining it could be Belesis who prepared it that shee retired and would her self shut the door supposing there might be some secret piece of gallantry of other men But she was not long in that errour for Belesis thrusting open the door there was heard a consort of rare Musique after which turning towards Cleodora he beseeched her to excuse him as a stranger if he did not treat her so handsomely as he would do How Belesis said she unto him do I shew you the garden and is it you that gives us this costly Banquet At least confesse that Hermogenes and Aleenor have ordered the businesse I will not shame them so much replied he by telling such an untruth to excuse my self withall for your no better entertainment Then did Hermogenes and I declare that we knew nothing of it So that after this every one was ravished with admiration acclamations and commendations of Belesis Cleodora asked pardon for treating him as a stranger and promising never to do so again as long as she liv'd The truth is we praised Belesis so much that every one forgot there was such a thing as silence in Nature And the company was so highly satisfied with this pleasant surprize that it wrought no small effect in the heart of Cleodora For there is nothing so prevalent with a growing affection as to act some high peece of gallantry as may cause many persons to commend one in the presence of her he loves Thus Sir did Belesis cease to
you then your behaviour to me was unreasonable and if you did know it it was unjust and inhumane Consider therefore with your self I conjure you or to say better consider me and force me not into despaire To shew you said she unto him that I would not absolutly disoblige you I will make an ingenuous declaration unto you but I pray you do not put another gloss upon my words then my meaning will beare Never fear Divine Cleodora said he unto her that I will flatter my selfe with any thing that you can say unto me for I look upon my miseries through such glasse as makes them seeme greater then they are and my happinesse lesse Since so replied she I will not fear to tell you that I do infinitly esteeme you and if I were capable of so much weaknesse as to love any it should be you sooner then any other But for all that I must tell you for your good both and my own it is requisite I loved you but a little for if I should proceed so far as to tell you that your passion pleaseth me I should be so much ashamed that it would make me extreamly melancholy and since melancholy begets vexation and vexation anger we should alwaies be quarrelling therefore to compose things and that you may not complaine of my injustice I will make a proposition unto you which is that you shall Love me much lesse then you do and I will Love you a little more then I do to the end our affections may meet in the medium and become a more solid and true friendship When you begin to Love me a little more replied he I shall try if I can Love you much lesse Oh Belesis said she it is you that must begin first and not I. Alas Madam replied he and sighed If you cannot Love me when I Love you as much as I can I doubt you will not Love me at all if I Love you lesse But cruell woman my affection to you is not in my choice as it seemes yours to me is in yours for whether you would have me Love you or not Love you I shall alwayes love you not only whether you will or no but also whether I will or no yes inhumaine heart that you are you do often make me wish I could not Love but I cannot drive out of my heart that Passion which tyrannizeth in it Belesis had many other expressions of his soule but could not obtaine any more from her yet he thought himself very happie that he was treated no worse In the mean time the rare merits of Belesis had a most powerfull influence upon the heart of Cleodora yet was it long before she would give him any voluntarie testimonies of it But yet without any designe at all she would often do such things as let Hermogenes and me know that she did not hate him for though ordinarily she seemed very cold in the businesse when he did earnestly seek for opportunities of seeing her yet when it chanced that he was not in any place where she imagined he would follow her she would alwaies twitt him with some piece of rallarie or other so that one may say if it be lawfull to say so of such an amiable person as Cleodora was that her fantasticalnesse was the first favour which Belesis received from her But at last after a long contest between her lenitie and her severitie she yielded a little and confessed unto Belesis that she was well pleased he could not love her lesse It is a hard task to tell how joyfull this half despairing Lover was when he obtained leave to talk of his passion unto Cleodora the memory of all her rigour was pleasing to him and though she granted no further favour then suffering her self to be Loved yet did he esteeme himself the most happie man alive yet was his happinesse not long tranquill because the more Cleodona began to love Belesis the more hard she was to be pleased If he expressed much love she would say he was imprudent to expresse so many visible markes of his passion if he offered to hide it she would chide him for changing and say he loved her lesse If he were pleasant she would think she had given him too many testimonies of her affection and would say she repented if he were sad she would accuse him for not being sufficiently sensible of her favours by his expressions of joy so that whatsoever Belesis could either say or do there was some exceptions or other still against him and continual Jarrs between them However they knew that they loved and were confident of it though they would often use such expressions as would make others beleeve they loved not at all Yet for all this Belesis had many pleasant houres For Cleodora would suffer him to write when he could not see her and she gave him her picture so that the unequality of her humours would move one to say that Roses have alwayes thornes in them and thornes bear roses Thus Sr. did Belesis live a long time whilst Hermogenes and I without any intended designes did recreate our selves in the visiting of Ladies with all indifferency that could be Yet Hermogenes went lesse to visit Cleodora then any other to the end as he said that his friend might have more opportunities of courting his mistresse alone Things being upon these termes it chaunced that a sister of Cleodoras Aunt died in the Country where she had lived a long time and having left only one daughter called Leonisa about the age of fifteen yeers This young Lady came unto Susa to dwell with her mothers sister and consequently in the house with Cleodora When she came thither Belesis Hermogenes and I were gone a journey of eight dayes before we returned and then we went to Cleodora who had already contracted a great friendship with her new-come Cosen But Sr. we were all wonder when we saw Leonisa for though we know she was to come to Susa and had heard say she was very fair yet wee could not chuse but be dazled at the lustre of her eyes and purity of her complexion Nature never gave unto any one such lovely hair pure collours sprightly eyes and hansome mouth though her stature was not tall yet it was not low but so rightly proportioned in all parts and so noble that she was a delightfull wonder her affability was as admirable as her beauty the lovely Aire of her Aspect was such that her eyes never took any hearts without giving some hopes of moving hers though yet as modest as possible could be Thus Sr. apppeared Leonisa when Belesis first saw her with Cleodora who presented us all unto her lovely Cozen whose civilitie to us appeared as much as she was sprightly and fair Since Cleodora and Leonisa were of different beauties envie took no hold of their soules and they had this advantage that they did not injure each other though it must be confessed that Leonisa had more amiable
dissemble Love was not without his cares and Leonisa being desirous to discover exactly the thoughts of Belesis had such a kinde of unquiet Curiosity as it cannot be otherwise named When Hermogenes did begin to frequent Cleodora after their ordinary manner Shee made him a hundred welcoms thinking thereby more to oblige Belesis then Hermogenes and imagining that his coming was onely to do some good office for his friend and never dreamt of the matter as it wasâ— Some dayes passed thus on and none of these Parties found any great augmentation of sorrows Belesis yet had his choice for when he was alone with Cleodora he could speak unto none but her and when he was with Leonisa and her he was so amazedly confounded that he was not able to help out with Conversation unlesse in things indifferent In the mean time Hermogenes to content his friend did so accustom himself to speak to Cleodora that he left much time unto Belesis to talk with Leonisa yet this did exceedingly perplex Cleodora for beleeving that Hermogenes was of Belesis his intelligence she could not comprehend why he should not give place to Belesis to talk unto her and why he should alwayes talk to her himself yet at last she imagined that perhaps Hermogenes was in Love with Leonisa and had desired Belesis to speak to his advantage but still she thought strange Belesis should never talk with her But what conveniency soever Belesis had to talk with Leonisa by reason of Hermogenes his holding Cleodora in hand yet he had not confidence enough to discover his Passion to her in the presence of one whom he had formerly loved so well and one who loved him and therefore he sought for an opportunity of seeing her when Cleodora was not present He never could finde her without Hermogenes who at the last was no lesse desirous to talk with Cleodora in private as Belesis was to talk with Leonisa For Sr. be pleased to know that since Hermogenes was more Conversant with Cleodora then he used to be he discovered so many charmes and rich beauties in her minde that never any appeared more amiable in the eye of his Fancy and he hath told me a hundred times that whosoever does not see her in this free humour of familiarity which she useth to her real friends cannot see half her beauty nor can imagine the power of her charmes Hermogenes discovering a thousand fresh Graces and as many rare Qualities in the spirit and heart of Cleodora which he was ignorant of before was wounded a fresh with the darts of her fair eyes and fell insensibly to Love her at first he could not think it to be Love for he did nothing else but blame Belesis for quitting Cleodora and addressing himself unto Leonisa But by degrees he left of telling his friend of his inconstancie and fell so desperately in Love with this Lady as Belesis never loved her or Leonisa more Yet he did not acquaint his friend with his growing Passion though he knew not why he should make a secret of it unlesse because Love in it's own nature is a mystery and Loves secrecy he never strived against this Powerfull affection which took root in his heart For although he knew the heart of Cleodora was a little engaged to Belesis yet he hoped that when he she knew his inconstancy she would disengage her self and then he might perhaps possesse that place in her soul which Belesis had made himself unworthy of Hermogenes then having these thoughts did visit Cleodora with such assiduitie that Belesis not knowing the thoughts of his heart did alwayes when they were together ask him pardon for the trouble which he constrained himself unto for his sake But at last hoping for some fruit of the plot which he had invented Belesis seemed to grow something jealous of Hermogenes and did so negotiat with Cleodora that he perswaded her she was deceived if she thought he talked unto Leonisa in behalf of Hermogenes for by some passages which he told her she thought he talked with her onely to spite her At the first since she imagined this odde and jealous proceeding of Belesis was an argument of his love to her she was not offended with him and so much lesse because not suspecting any thing of the love of Hermogenes she imagined it would be an easie matter to cure Belesis of his jealousie when she would by desiring his friend not to apply himself so much unto discourse with her so that taking a kinde of delight to torment Belesis for a few dayes she never troubled her self to remove that belief out of him which she thought he had so that this did facilitate unto Belesis the designe which he had to discover his passion unto Leonisa One day then when they were all four together in Leonisas chamber which she kept not being very well Cleodora to vex Belesis asked Hermogenes if he would go with her upon a visit which she intended to make Leonisa hearing her say so began to complain for leaving her and threatning to use her with the like indifferency if ever she were sick But Cleodora told her that she left her such good company as she had no reason to grudge hers Belesis ravished with this though heretofore he would have desired her presence told her that she might judge others by her self who in carrying away Hermogenes would not regreat those she left with her After which Cleodora and Hermogenes going out Belesis remained alone with Leonisa who knew not what to think of this passage for if she remembred what Prasilla told her she should believe Belesis Loved Cleodora and that this was onely a trick to hide his passion but when she considered all his actions she beleeved he Loved her and not Cleodora Yet not knowing what to think nor daring to wish any thing she turned towards Belesis and looking upon him with a crafty smile I do extreamly pittie you Belesis said she unto him that Cleodoras severity should engage you thus in a company which cannot Countervail the losse of hers I beseech you Madam said he unto her if you will pittie me let it be because I have sought for an opportunitie of speaking to you in private and could never meet with it till now we have been so continually Conversant replied Leonisa that I cannot think you have any thing to speak of more then you have already told me for have I not seen you every day since you came to Susa T is true replied Belesis I have seen you every day and the reason was because I would speak with you in private for Divine Leonisa had I seen you seldom perhap's I should not have observed all the Riches of your minde but should doubtlesse have been lesse in Love with you then I am Fie Belesis cryed Leonisa I thought you would have spoken seriously but I see you deceive me No no Madam replied he you cannot imagine I will jest upon such a subject as this
Susa and should have gone unto some place farr off from hence where I might have hid my self from the acquaintance of men where neither he nor Cleodora should have heard any more of me After this Belesis began to aggravate his misfortunes untill anger did so swell his spirits that never remembring his love or friendship to Hermogenes he said that he was not able to suffer him to marry Cleodora In the mean while the Prince of Susa hearing that Belesis stirred out of his lodging was so incensed against him that I was advertized he intended to give command that he should retire himself And I understood that Tisias thinking that whilst he could not stirr out Belesis might perhaps work upon the spirit of Leonisa against him had moved the Prince of Susa upon some Colourable pretence or other to place Leonisa about the Queen untill he was perfectly recovered of his wounds So that fearing some mischief was plotted against my friend I conjured him to quit Susa for some certain dayes but he told me that he would never quit it untill he had spoken with Cleodora and that in private He told me how that he had been severall times at her house but he was alwayes answered by them that she was not within or would not be seen Adding that if Hermogenes would enjoy her in quietnesse it were his best course to procure him a sight of her When I therefore perceived the obstinacy of Belesis I went unto his friend in hopes to do some good upon him but found him as resolute as a Rock which would not be moved So that when I saw I could make no good end between them I went privately unto Cleodora to let her know the state of things and that her prudence might prevent all mischief and order the businesse between them for they being both my friends I knew not how to be partiall and to preferr one before another I had no sooner acquainted Cleodora how things were between Belesis and Hermogenes but she said that the last of these did her wrong to tell his friend she would not see him she seemed to be much surprised and very unquiet Yet afterwards she used so many expressions of anger against Belesis as I thought he would finde no great satisfaction in seeing her But since he did so vehemently desire it and since I could not perswade him to go out of Susa untill he heard his sentence of death pronounced from her own mouth I beseched her to let him have the opportunity to see her but she would not consent unto it Yet for all this I had a conceipt that if I did deceive her and finde out a way for Belesis to see her she would pardon me So therefore thinking to advance the happinesse of Hermogenes by advancing the departure of Belesis who would not stirr from Susa till he spoke with Cleodora I ordered the businesse so that the next morning I imployed Hermogenes in some businesse another way and one of my Cosen 's carried Cleodora to see a new built palace which for its curiosity every one went to see it since it was yet uninhabited Belesis who had his instructions failed not to be there my cosen conducted Cleodora unto a Gallery where leaving the rest of her women she carried her into a chamber within that chamber a closet where Belesis was waiting for Cleodora she no sooner saw him but she started back would needs go out again he falling upon his knees and having hold of her gowne For God Heavens sake Madam said he unto her give me but one howres hearing I conjure you 'T was to that end this charitable woman brought you hither Give me leave therefore Madam to beg your pardon and to beg it in a flood of tears Provided you will give me leave to deny you all you aske said she unto him I shall consent to give you audience If I demand death Madam will you deny me that also said he unto her doubtless I would deny you that replied she not only because the punishment which you deserve would not be long enough if you dyed so soon but because it sufficeth that you have desired something which I cannot consent unto how ever it be Madam said he unto her if it be only to chide me yet I beseech you hear me hear me with patience whilst these two were thus in discourse she who brought Cleodora in the house went unto the rest of the women which were in the Gallery did amuse them with shewing them pictures other such talk so that Belesis seeing he could talk and not be understood Give me leave Madam said he unto her fore I ask you pardon to assure you that this Belesis whom you see at your feet is the very same Belesis whom heretofore you were pleased to preferr before any other And so I do still said she for I think you so much different from all other men that I think you do incomparably excell them all However it be Madam said he I am most certain of one thing which is that my heart was never so full of love unto you as now Oh I wish with all my soul replied she that you spoke truth and I wish with all my soul Madam said he that you did really desire it No no Belesis answered Cleodora I was not far from my reall thoughts when I said that I should be even ravished with joy to be certain that you were desperately in love with me But you do extreamly mistake my meaning if you think I make this wish with any intentions to accept of your affection Since I do not wish you should love me for any other reason but that I might thereby punish you for ceasing to love me before I confesse Madam replied he that I am the most to blame of any man alive for doing as I lately did But Madam I beseech you do not too severely looke upon the most extravagant act of all my life or if you do looke upon it let it be as upon a subject whereupon to exercise your goodnesse Forgivenesse Madam does most resemble divinity and by consequence your self To what purpose is clemency but to forgive and this is the operation that when it is extended in the greatest measure it converts the greatest offendors to become the greatest lovers Moreover Madam do not think I beseech you that I did absolutely cease to love you at that very time when I seemed to be most in love with Leonisa She can tell you that I would never be moved to acquaint her with the least passage which had been between us nor could I ever endure that my best friend should ever love you and therefore it must by necessary consequence be concluded that I ever loved you Not that by this I intend to justifie my self But that I would if I could something lessen my crime to the end you may the sooner pardon it Before I can ever have such a
know her name yet his impatiency was not so earnest to be out of the Labyrinth as that he might endeavour to learn who this unknown one was whose voice stature hands and witt did so pleasingly surprise him sweetly charme him so that Antimaques thinking the sound of his Horne would the sooner cause some unto their release began to winde it as loud as he could but all in vaine for the Porter who walked in the Garden till the hower after Parthenia's departure hindred the Gardner from going to them also but when the hower was over he went and released them assoon as he saw them according to Parthenia's order he told Timantes that a Lady unknowne unto him sent him to release them and asked pardon for coming no sooner because he mett with a man with whom he had some businesse of importance Ah my friend answered Timantes you tell me not truly for it is impossible you should not know one who is so well acquainted with every turne of this mysterious Labyrinth Sir said the Porter with a seeming ingenuity since I have not been long a Porter unto this house it is no wouder I should not know this Lady for I assure you my Master hath a Daughter I know not yet Timantes did not yet beleeve him but pressed him to tell him who she was but all in vaine then did he promise him a very considerable reward if he would but satisfie his longing curiosity but since promises are not so prevalent with such men as present gifts and since Timantes had nothing about him to give he kept himselfe faithfull unto Parthenia When Timantes saw he could not win him to reveale and indeed beleeved he was ignorant who she was however tell me said he unto him which way she went Sir said the man most subtilly I shall easily doe that and then he shewed him the high way to Paphos assuring him confidently that her Coach went that way though it were quite contrary and he told it with more confidence because the way was much beaten and Coach-Wheeles might be seen lately gone that way so that Timantes giving credit unto his words took Horse with Antimaques and without any thoughts of Hunting went in hast and hopes to overtake the Coach yet he asked the Servant whom he left with the Horses whether he saw any thing but though he answered yet did not this undeceive him so that he went as farre as Paphos in hopes to overtake it and so it chanced that asking some men upon the way whether they mett a Coach they answered that they mett two so that Timantes not questioning but she in whom he was in quest of was one he went on but when he came at Paphos and told every one he spoke with that the Lady he met with at the Labyrinth came thither none ever looked towards the Princesse of Salamis nor could they beleeve she would ever leave her desart and come unto that place for the reason aforesaid and therefore none ever thought upon her but to consider who there was in Paphos who did so well sing but since the number of them was great this afforded no light the Prince Philoxipes never thought upon the Princesse his Sister but on the contrary imagined her whom Timantes heard to be a woman of inferiour ranke who had a good voice but was very ugly and for that reason would not show her selfe and indeed every one was of that opinion and chid Timantes for his curiosity But he for his further satisfaction would see this ugly woman and heare her sing but when he saw and heard this woman he was confident she was not the same but his imagination was filled with so much curiosity that Timantes began to suspect it was Parthenia which he heard In the meane time he would not declare his thoughts unto any but one woman who was his friend and this woman beingone of those whom Parthenia had heretofore robbed of her adorer she hated her he had no sooner asked her whether this woman whom he mett with might not be the Princesse of Salamis whose Beauty Witt and Voice he had heard so much extolled But she cryed out and answered with as much envioâ—s hast as any Rivall could that if she whom he met was of a good stature white hands and sweet voice as he described it could not be Parthenia For said she however she be cryed up by the world yet she is tall but not handsome her hands are white but not well made and her Voice is shrill but not pleasant You may imagine Sir after this that all the suspitions of Timantes dyed for he knew that he whom he saw was of an admirable proportion and height her hands the whitest and best made in the World and her voice the most sweet and pleasing so that this pleasing Idea swelling his imagination more and more and augmenting his curiosity he continued his quest after this amiable unknowne one he went unto the Temples to the Walks and all Visits with an intended designe to seek her out in all places but all his labour was lost and he still continued in the same unquiet curiosity In the meane while Parthenia being returned from the Labyrinth to her solitude began to talk with Amaxita of their encounter extreamly commending the handsome garb of Timantes and the gallantry of his witt Madam said Amaxita unto her if Timantes prove the man whom the Gods have reserved for you our journey was very happy and I am confident your voice and witt did charme him more then you imagine for he spoke in such an obliging Emphasis as certainly expressed more then common civility Alas Amaxita answered Parthenia and laughed doe you thinke I could wound Timantes through so thick a hedge I know they say Love has wings but I cannot thinke he can fly so high as over it therefore never imagine that Timantes has any thoughts of me his curiosity happily lasted a quarter of an hour or so and after that dyed and there 's an end and I pray let us doe the like and never trouble our selves with chimericall Fancies in the Aire which have neither beginning nor ending For truly Timantes will never love me unseen and if he should see me and chance to be captivated by that poore pittance of Beauty which I have I durst never trust him not only because of that cruell experience I have had that love founded upon Beauty will never last but also because the Gods have fortold me that I shall never be happy if I marry one whom my eyes have captivated These Sir were the thoughts which Parthenia had of Timantes whose person and wit did much please her yet had he easily slipt out of her memory unlesse the Prince Philoxipes had visited her who revived him in her fancy and thus it came to passe After that Prince had been a long while in conversation with her shee asked him whether he would give her leave to shew him the alterations
much this woman should be so opposite unto the judgement of all others concerning the Princesse of Salamis I pray tell me said Parthenia what shee did say in particular of her For I take the greatest pleasure in the world to see envy and jealousie work in the spirits of those who are inspired with those humours Since it is your pleasure Madam said he unto her I will confesse that after I had the honour to meet you the first time in the Labyrinth and could not finde you in any place after nor none could tell me who you were I had an imagination that you were this Princesse whereof we speak Yet I durst never reveale my thoughts unto any but this Lady who was my indifferent good friend but she kept me not long in that errour for she told me the Princesse of Salamis had a shrill voice not at all sweet that she was grosse and ill made that she had white but not handsome and fair hands The truth is said Parthenia There is no certain conclusions to be made by the reports of others and since I love Parthenia very well but doe not love her who speaks against her perhaps I shall be partiall and favour the one and wrong the other then I would have you see the Princess of Salamis and be judge your self In the mean time I am beholding to you for thinking me to be her for though she were not as all report her yet my obligation is not the lesse since your imagination fancied me to be so and not as that Lady described her 'T is true replyed Timantes That I fancied your Idea like that of the Princesse of Salamis bee shee as fair as shee can be However said Parthenia exceedingly desiring to know what Timantes would think of her beauty I pray doe me so much favour as to see that Princesse How can I see her Madam replyed he for the Prince Philoxipes asked her leave to bring me into her desart and she would not honour me so far And to tell you truly Madam all my curiosity is confined unto your self and I desire to see none else Yet I should think my self obliged to you answered she if you would see her Once more Madam said he pray tell me how I can see her You may easily doe it said Parthenia for I know she goes almost every day unto a little Temple of Venus Urania not above thirty furlongs from her house towards Amathonte I doe know the Temple said hee for it was shewed unto me as I went unto the Adonian Feast Since so said she I pray you goe thither to morrow for I confesse I should be very glad if the beauty of that Princesse should please you to the end you may hereafter suspect the reports of that Lady who I love not and may put her out of the Catalogue of your friends Alass Madam said Timantes there is no necessity of my seeing the Princesse of Salamis for I know enough from you to make me discard that Lady from the number of my friends for since she does not please you she cannot me No no said she I would not have you doâ— so out of complacencie but out of reason therefore I conjure you to doe as I desire But Madam said he if this Princess be as fair as reports make her me-thinks you should have some care of my heart in exposing it unto so great a danger at least you should shew me your eyes that I may with them defend my self against hers On the contrary said she since I doe intend never to give my entire affection untill I am first most certainly assured of yours I wish the Princesse of Salamis were a thousand times fairer then she is that she might be a stronger tryall of your constancie For since I value not a perfideous inconstant heart nor would be loved for beauty if I had it but would have good security against all those evils which beauty causes I should be glad you saw all the beauties in Cyprus to the end I might not fear it In conclusion Sir Parthenia ordered the matter with so much art that Timantes promised to go next morning and see whether the Princesse of Salamis were at that Temple not having the least suspition of the truth nor thinking she had any other design in her commands but onely that she loved to be punctually obeyed So that he prepared himselfe for it And after he went from her Parthenia gave all requisite orders for his journey in the morning and so did she Amaxita writ a Letter unto me to send a Coach by break of day for Parthenia would not make use of the Ladyes with whom shee lodged because Timantes knew it So she did rise betimes in the morning and dressed her self in her richest habit and neglected nothing which might set her self out with advantage When she was all ready and had looked the last time in her glasse Amaxita asked what was her design not being yet satisfied with all the reasons she had told her I would exactly know said she what Timantes will think of me which I can never doe if I shew my self unto him and discover who I am But Madam said Amaxita unto her since you doe not feare that your beauty will attract the heart of Timantes why doe you tell him the truth No replyed Parthenia I have not changed my mind but still fear the menaces of the gods and these fears are my reasons why I goe so fantastically to work But for all that Madam said Amaxita I am confident Timantes will think you the fairest that ever he saw and I beleeve all the excellings of your spirit your soul your hands your stature and your voice will have much adoe to hold out against the glory of your eyes and therefore if you think you cannot marry him if perchance he should be in love with your beauty as well as with your soul never expose him unto that danger but seek out some other way to make tryall of his fidelity Yet Parthenia would not hearken unto Amaxita But not well knowing what she should think if Timantes should commend her either too much or too little She went into the Temple so early as she was in no danger to be known in the Town She went also by a blind way to the end that she might come as if she came from Salamis for so her Desart was called But since she feared that if Timantes did see her in the Temple he would know her by her stature as soon as she came she offered her sacrifice and afterwards seeing that Timantes was not come she went unto the Sacrificers house under pretence of resting her self whose house was close by the way as one comes from Paphos So that being in a Parlor shee leaned against the window talking with Amaxita whose hood was up as well as hers for in favour of their design the Sun did not then shine She had not stood there a quarter of an
apprehension since it was more easie to take the Town of Sardis then to relieve it it were better for him to receive Timareta from his hand then from Croesus therefore in lieu of relieving the Town he would help to take it and was very glad that he was certain she was in the Town which could not chuse but be taken since the invincible Cyrus would assault it My hope is replyed Cyrus that since the valiant Sesostris will fight for Timareta he will teach me by his example how to fight for Mandana In the meane time Cyrus treated Sesostris with all civility and would have all the Grandees of his Armie visit him and do him all honour so that Sesostris that day saw all the Princes which were in the Armie who were so well satisfied with him and so taken in with his spirit and civility that he was infinitly esteemed And to do him the more honour Cyrus would have him comm and one Brigade of the Assaulters so that the morning being come all orders being given all the Engines fit all the Ladders ready every one prepared to fight they began an hour before day to fill the ditch about the Town in diverse places with faggots which was so readily done that the assault was given almost in an instant and this great Towne was set round with ladders except that side which lookes towards the mountaine Tmolus which seemed inaccessible Cyrus was in that quarter next the Cittadell which was the most dangerous The King of Phrygia assaulted that side towards Pactolus The King Assyria that which was opposite to it And Mazares commanded that which was between Cyrus and the King of Assyria Sesostris that side which looked towards the Plaine Tigranes and Phraartes another towards the principall Port and Anaxares another quarter Hidaspes Chrisantes Andramites Aglatides Persodes Hermogenes Leontidas and all the brave men of the Army commanded under these Princes The King of Hircania Gobrias and Gadates remained at the Camp and commanded the reserves to execute all the commands of Cyrus and to send reliefe where there was need The orders of this assault were not onely judiciously given but most couragiously executed and the more because the Lydian resistance found matter enough for the valour of all these great Princes and Souldiers Both besiegers and besieged were all fury both in assaulting and defending There was such a vast number of Ladders and men to carry them that if the Lydians had not been incouraged by a man whom love made think nothing difficult certainly they never would have opposed so great a storm and so generall an assault but he infused such spirit into them and they fought so couragiously that they made their enemies admire them for though they were assaulted by the most valiant Princes of the World and by stout souldiers used to gain battles conquer Kingdomes and take Townes yet they resisted them so sturdily that they seemed invincible they did not onely send clouds of arrowes showers of stones and throw down Ladders but fought hand to hand with heroique fury against those that came upon the top of the walls But Sir though Cyrus did things prodigious and all the rest of the Princes wonders especially Sesostris and though every one fought with all their force yet they were not able to carry the Town that day Yet it was very remarkable that except Tigranes who was slightly hurt in the hand by the fall of a ladder there was not one of those Princes either kiled or wounded 'T is true Cyrus was oft in extreame danger for he exposed himself so oft that he was of tready to be thrown down from the top of the ladder or else to be knockt in the head with stones which the Lydians threw Yet he came off safe but so sadly that never any was more for he found it a matter of great difficulty to force this Town so that calling a Councel of Warre whilst a Cessation of hostility was made for four hours to draw off their dead it was resolved to force it no more because it could not be taken by storme by reason of the high walls multitude of Inhabitants and abundance of Souldiers which defended it but they began to draw a line about it with forts hoping to take those by famine who could not be taken by force And the next morning without more delay Cyrus went with the Engineers of his Army to view the ground and to consider at what distance they should make it and how they were to raise forts to defend it It was no sooner resolved upon but Prisoners and others began to cast up earth Cyrus himself being a while an example to encourage the laborers so that the Inhabitants of Sardis seeing their Town ready to be inclosed and that the besiegers went not about to raise their siege as they hoped their joyes for the last repulse of the enemies was quite quashed and they began to murmure some said one thing some another sometimes they would make them believe that Cyrus cared not for Mandana then they would perswade them that he would discampe if they did couragiously sustaine this assault yet it seemed thye were like to be exposed unto all the hardships of a long siege So that they fell unto a fresh mutinie for nothing is more terrible to the people then fear of Famine The thing which much augmented their disorder was that when the siege began there were many strangers in the Town who were forced to stay against their wills and who now would have gone out if it had been in their power amongst this multitude of strangers there was one Lician Ladie of quality who coming unto Sardis to see a sister which was married unto Doralisas Unckle was there shut up having with her one daughter one Neece and one of her friends all three very fair and amiable Every one was sorry that these three beauties and strangers should be shut up in a besieged Town They did earnestly solicite Croesus for leave to write unto Doralisa who they knew was the Princesse of Pontus since the death of Panthea that she would obtain leave of Cyrus for three Ladies who were not of Sardis to come out of the Town and go unto their own homes And since they knew Andramites was in love with Doralisa also in favour with Cyrus they hoped he would mediate for them Therefore having obtained a a Herald from the King of Lydia they writ unto Doralisa and Andramites giving their letters unsealed unto this Herald who according to his Commission went out of the Town unto the head of the Trenches where he stayed and where an officer and four souldiers came to conduct him unto Cyrus This Prince no sooner knew the Cause of his coming but he sent him immediately unto Doralisa and sending her word by him who conducted the Herald that he consented unto what was desired so Doralisa and Andramites in lieu of coming to ask a favour were obliged to come and
thanke Cyrus Then the Herald returned with much satisfaction the time being set when Cyrus would send a Convoy to guard these Ladies at their coming out of the Town Then the Herald rendering an account of the happy successe of his voyage that Lician Lady named Lycaste accompanied with a Neece named Parmenides her daughter called Cypide a sister of Parmenides called Arpalice and one of her friends named Candiope went to thank Croesus and take their leaves of him The Prince Myrsiles accompanied them to the Gates of the Town in consideration onely that they were cosens of Doralisa whom he ever highly esteemed and certainly this stood in need of a person of some authority to conduct them thither For though the Inhabitants might have been glad of these Ladies going out of the Town yet they murmured yet the presence of Prince Myrsiles restraining them they let them go out in a Coach Parmenides riding on horseback and followed by all the Train of Lycaste and her own A Herald of Croesus riding before to conduct them unto the place where Andramites in the head of fifty horse waiâ—ed for them But as if Fortune did strive how to make the most innocent actions of Cyrus seem culpable it chanced that the Princesse Mandana and the Princesse Palmis having got a day of leave to take fresh air upon the Tarrasse from which all the Plain is discovered they were there just as these Ladies went out at the Gate next the Cittadel so that wondering to see a Coachfull of Ladies go out of a besieged Town they began to observe them and follow them close with their eyes so that they saw when the Herald conducted them to the place where Andramites stood and observed how Andramites received them Mandana perceived or at least imagined that he received them with much respect and afterwards that he led them towards the Camp Since all he did must needs be by the orders of Cyrus his actions could not be indifferent unto her and she conceived that these Ladies could not come out of Sardis but by the permission of Cyrus therefore she had so violent a curiositie to know who they were and why Cyrus should shew them such a favour that she could not chuse but ask the King of Pontus the next time she saw him which was every day at such hours as his businesse of War could best spare him and when the melancholy of Mandana permitted him therefore she no sooner saw him but addressing her speech unto him I would gladly know Sir said she unto him who those Ladies were which yesterday went out of Sardis and who have obtained more favour then I can The King of Pontus not being ignorant of her thoughts answered her craftily that those Ladies obtained a Pasport from Cyrus because they were Cosens unto a Lady whose name was Doralisa who the Queen of Susiana loved very well and who at this present is with the Princesse Araminta Thus this Prince though he spoke nothing but truth yet spoke very much against his Rivall Mandana not doubting but that Cyrus permitted these Ladies to come out of Sardis onely in consideration of the Princesse Araminta and not at all of Doralisa yet since she would hide the agitation of his spirit as much as she could I wonder said she since the Princesse Araminta has such a power over the spirits of Cyrus that there are not more Ladyes which make use of her credit with him to get out from hence for I beleeve he can deny her nothing I beleeve replyed the King of Pontus that my Sister makes better use of that power which she hath over the soul of Cyrus then you doe of that which you have over me You I say who every day ask things impossible or at least things which if not denyed will give a death to him you ask them of I know not what she askes replyed she yet I am sure I ask nothing of you but what is just and which you ought not to deny me Though I agree replyed he that what you ask is just yet I cannot agree Madam that I ought not to deny it For Love is a passion which cannot acknowledge any empire but his own Therefore never wonder Madam if I doe not hearken unto what you say since you never speak any thing but in opposition to my passion Though I should confesse Sir replyed Mandana that Love does not admit of Reason yet it must admit and submit unto necessity Therefore to what purpose is all your obstinate endeavours to defend Sardis and to win my heart since the first of these is very difficult and the other absolutely impossible It were better policy for the King of Lydia to think of preserving his Crown and for you to think of procuring your liberty by giving me mine I will consent added she in a mind extreamly incensed against Cyrus that you shall not deliver me into the hands of any Prince who is your Rivall since I would have you deliver me unto none but the King my Father Ah Madam replyed he the better to know her thoughts can I beleeve you had rather be carryed unto Ecbatan then to remain in the Camp of Cyrus Doubt it not replyed she but beleeve that my soul is in such a condition as I will neither be favourable unto you or him How Madam replyed he can you cease from loving Cyrus as well as my self I assure you sayd she I begin to love none in that way you would be loved I have told you Sir a hundred times that you have an infallible way to get my esteem and friendship which is to keep me no longer a Captive For though in reason when any one ceaseth from persecuting it is enough the persecuted party cease from hating without so much generosity as to forget all past injuries which the common people of the world are not used to doe But I will now repeat the same I have said a hundred times before Doe but release me Sir and I will ever both esteem and become your friend I wish to the Gods replyed he that I were able to be contented with your offer or that I could perswade you to a little more As for my self replyed she it is absolutely impossible therefore it must be you that must change since I cannot that the Warres may cease which causeth so many miseries and which in all likelyhood will last a long time at least I am perswaded Cyrus has no design to end it quickly since hee lets so many out of Sardis The King of Pontus hearing Mandana speak in this manner was as joyfull as his bad condition could permit for he perceived her mind was much incensed against Cyrus and truly he was not mistaken He was no sooner gone out of her chamber but Mandana called for Martesia What doe you conceive said she unto her of the passages we have seen this day Could you ever beleeve that the civilities of Cyrus should transcend his love However
unto Families and not the Fathers and the Mother of Arpalice being exceeding rich declared by her testament that she should marry Menecrates adding that her intention was that he should have the greatest part of her estate if her daughter would not marry him It may very well be said that Arpalice was never Mistris of her self since she was engaged before she had either reason or discretion Menecrates was then four years of age and Arpalice seven when every one said unto them that they were destined to live together and that they were so fast nothing could ever part them but before I acquaint you how they lived together I must tell you what the manner of living is in our Town All the world knows that Licia in generall is a mountainous Country very craggy and uneven and very barren in many places therefore you may imagine perhaps that those who inhabit there will smell of the rudenesse of their Country But there being some land in Licia exceedingly fertile it may be said there are as gallant compleat men there as any is in the world Also the Metropolis of our Country which is called Patara is one of the most famous Towns in all Asia not onely for its beauty but also for the magnificent Temple of Apollo whose Oracle is so famous and many Strangers resort thither to consult with it Also many come out of curiosity to see that famed mountain of Chimera This Mountain I say whom the renowned Bellerophon rendered famous whose top is full of Lions middle of wild Goats and bottome Serpents so that many Strangers resorting unto Patara it is most pleasant living there Moreover though the Government of our Country be in the manner of a Republique yet a King of a Court may be seen there as well as in a Monarchicall state For there is a President of the Councell whose authority is so great that he wants onely the name of being Soveraign of all Licia So that all the Offices of State being in his dispose he is as much courted and as much honour done him as if he were absolute King So that their way of living is much more pleasant then in other Republiques where every one is divided into severall Factions and the contrary the authority of one man attracting together all the compleat Gallants of a State into one Town and after into one house this questionlesse makes society most agreeable and spirits more polite it being the source of all delights and gallantry And I can assure you we had the advantage to live in a time when there were more compleat men in Licia then of three ages before This is the place fair Doralisa where Arpalice was educated and lived all her time I shall not need to tell you what shee now is for it is apparent she is one of the greatest Beauties in the world You may see shee has been ever fair not like one of those beauties who make people beleeve they use enchantments and who after they have been ugly in their infancy become fair in six moneths yet Arpalice did not onely promise beauty in her most tender years but abundance of spirit a spirit so gallant so high so noble so passionate for liberty and such an enemy to all subjection and constraint that I have heard say a hundred times a pleasure commanded did lose the pleasure of it You may imagine therefore that nothing could fall out more opposite to her humour then to be engaged at seven years of age to marry Menecrates not but that he was exceedingly handsome but though he had been the handsomest man upon earth yet he would never have got the heart of Arpalice out of his reason also that she did not chuse him and truly I think another thing did much disunion the spirits of these two persons which was that Menecrates was of an imperious nature and an enemy to any thing that crossed his inclination so that it may be said that Arpalice loved liberty and Menecrates loved licentious-nesse But to return unto the beginning of their lives be pleased to know that Lycaste and her brother who were the Tutors of Arpalice and Parmenides did think themselves obliged to see the last will of Arpalices Father and mother executed so that they used all their endeavours to incline the heart of this young Lady to love Menecrates on the other side the friends of this pretended lover did so expresly command him to court his young mistrisse that being not at an age to disobey them he was continually with her at least at such times when he was not busied with his Tutors who taught him such things as one of his quality ought to learne and they saw one another so oft that it may be said they saw one another too often to love The three first years both of them being very young it was not observed that there was any stronge aversion in the heart of Arpalice towards Menecrates nor any great affection in the heart of Menecrates towards Arpalice But alwaies doing as their Parents bad them Menecrates send a thousand pritty knacks for tokens unto Arpalice which she received very civilly more for the love of the things then the sender if they danced or walked it was alwaies together and they never enjoyed any pleasures asunder yet this lasted not long for Menecrates being seaven years elder then Arpalice when he was eighteen she but eleaven so that having lost his Father he began to live after some mode and to use her like a child entred into the world with all the liberty of a young man of an impetuous spirit Yet his designe was to marry Arpalice to keep her in hand with some trivial tokens but in such a negligent manner that as young as she was she took notice of it and slighted him However be pleased to know that Menecrates having no mind to lose Arpalices estate contracted an intimate friendship with Parmenides for he concurring in age he loved the brother better then the sister Also there was a sympathy of humors between them but though he had screwed himself into his affection yet he did not neglect Arpalice Thus did he swim in all delights and pleasures and believed himself as some fort of men use to do who though they be married yet make a profession of Courtship and Gallantry When he was in any of his Gallantries either he would not come before Arpalices window or if he did it was so late that she should not see him if she were at any meeting he took her out to dance not above once or twice at the most and then would leave her to go and talke with some other whom his heart more liked All the advises of his mother and friends were in vain when they told him that Apalice had more wit then years that he did ill to use her so that he would move her unto an aversion which indeed he did for all his care was to please himselfe
she if you understand their Language very well they will never tell you any thing which may perswade you I can forget the offence which you have given me Alas Madam replyed he I do not desire you should forget it as long as you live but that you may remember as long as life lasts that I am the most zealous and respective Lover that lives upon the Earth As Arpalice was ready to answer and perhaps sharply I came in making a thousand excuses that I came no sooner I perceived that the minds both of Arpalice and Thrasimedes were so distracted that they knew not what I said and I began so to talke unto them as I moved Arpalice to blush and Thasimedes to smile who told me he would come and thanke me for the favour I had done him but to tell you truly I thought my selfe little beholding to him for the favour because he did visit me rather as the friend of her he loved then for any other reason After he was gone out of Arpalices Chamber she related all their conversation unto me but for all her anger against Thrasimedes for speaking so openly of his love yet I knew she did not hate him but that there was a strong inclination in her heart to esteem him I pray Arpalice said I unto her tell me wherein you think liberty consistes you I say who declares your self to be an enemy unto all manner of force and constraint who would enjoy it in the most triviall things who never thinkes any recreation pleasant unlesse you might chuse it who thinkes that which others call decency to be an insupportable severity who was alwaies used to say that the only advantage which men have above women is liberty and that the greatest pleasure of Travellers is that they are not subject unto the Lawes of the places where they passe and who conceives the chiefe felicity of friendship to consist in venting unto each other all that is in their hearts freely without compulsion and yet I see this great Lover of liberty does suffer her selfe to be a slave I pray said she unto me what moves you to speak thus Reason replyed I for do I not know that you hate Menecrates extreamely I do confesse it replyed she and do not I know said I that you do lovâ—â— â—â—rasimedes Did he behave himselfe towards me as I would have him replyed she I do 〈…〉 fesse indeed that I think I should not hate him for his person does please me and his spirit is infinitly agreeable unto mine and hee does almost perswade me that he esteems me I pray tell me said I unto her how would you have him behave himselfe towards you and what would you have him say but withall Madam I would have you speak sincerely would you have have him said I unto her seeing she answered not not respect you more then any other that he should not prefer to talke with you before me that he should look upon you like a man who thinkes upon nothing that he should never talke unto you but upon things indifferent as having no particular design to please you that he should never commend you nor do any thing which might perswade you that he loves you speake I conjure you and ingenuously confesse that if he should do thus he would not be so much in your opinion as he is though he hath a little over freely told you that he loves you You are so free this day replyed Arpalice and laughed that I thinke you will make me a hater of Liberty since it moves you to utter so many things which displease me though they do not anger me so much as I would I beseech you said I consider seriously and resolve with your selfe what you will do with the poor Thrasimedes for I perceive he is so deeply in love with you that I am confident he will never returne into his owne Country For my part said Arpalice very sadly I do not thinke you would have me so miserable as to marry a man whom I cannot love nor do I think you would have me love Thrasimedes whom I can never pretend unto but I thinke Candiope that you are either out of your wits or else will drive me out of mine otherwise why do you not expresse your selfe quite contrary to what you do It is because I cannot betray my owne thoughts replyed I and laughed at her anger and because I have no mind to contradict yours Then did Arpalice by degrees confesse unto me that she never saw a man in all the world whom shee could affect except Thrasimedes But not to trouble you with a tedious relation of all wee said at this time let me onely tell you that it appeared Thrasimedes had no intention of going so soon from Lycia For he put himself into a magnificent equipage and co 〈…〉 ed the acquaintance of all the Gallants in our Town But as for the Ladies he never visited any unlesse the friends of Arpalice and amongst them I was one whom he often visited and with whom he held a great intimacy of friendship He was so amiable and handsom that he was the object of an universall esteem and it had been strange if Arpalice had slighted him Hee was none of those light â—â—apoâ—ring lovers who care not what they talk before their Mistrisses oâ— who excessively commend a black Beauty before one that is fair but on the contrary hee is so judicious so exact and discreet in his passion and without any affectation or constraint in his actions that if at any time he commended any in the presence of Arpalice it was so as it might appeare hee thought Arpalice the most fair and most worthy of commendations And I beleeve never any had a finer art to keep himselfe within in his owne ranke then hee had As oft as I have seen him with Arpalice in the Temples at Visits in Walkes and Assemblies I never saw him intrusive nor ever put any out of their places yet was hee perpetually with her and therefore you may imagine that if shee had a heart absolutely insensible shee could not chuse but bee much taken with such a perfectly acomplished man as Thrasimedes and with one who was so knowing in the art of procuring love I will omit all the relation of all those rigours which she shewed unto him at the first and how she slighted the merits of such a man For perhaps you will hardly think it possible she should treat a man so roughly whom she esteemed so highly But let me tell you that the paâ—â— on of Thrasimedes did manifestly appear that the friends of Menecrates tooke it to heart and though they esteemed Thrasimedes very well yet they thought themselves obliged to tell Arpalice their minds Untill now Arpalice did constrain her self but as soon as Menophiles and Lycaste spoke unto her concerning Thrasimedes and commanded her to let him know that he must not any farther engage himself in her service she
soul and spirit worthy of so fair a body But he told him that she was much fairer then her Statue that her Spirit was as high as her beauty and that her soul was more worthy of esteem and admiration then her beauty and Spirit adding that her fortune was as extraordinary as her merit and her virtue more admirable then all that he had said After this the Ambassador presented unto Cyrus the best sort of those who followed him and amongst the rest the illustrious man who bore the name of Aristheus and presented him as a particular friend unto that fair Lady of whom he spoke and as being himself one of the rarest men in the World I think my self very happy said Cyrus in imbracing him that he is only her friend for had he been her Lover perhaps I should not have had the happiness to see him since it is probable he would have been with the substance for whom this Statue is made I can assure you Sir replied Aristheus that though I were her Lover and desired above all things to please her yet should I have had the houour which I have received this day for that most excellent person takes such great delight to hear talk of your Virtue and Victories that to obtain her favour I ever intended to be a Witness of so many truths as you Sir make good and so be able to please her in talking of you Your language replied Cyrus in the same Aristheus spoke does much oblige me but I would not have those who come unto me use many adulations and flatteries as you do lest in taking too much delight in their applauds I should grow in the end not to merit them from any After this Cyrus gave orders unto Hidaspes to conduct this Ambassador and all his Train unto the lodging which was prepared for him commanding her to treat him with magnificence worthy of that King who sent him In the mean though Cyrus by the will of Ciaxares was become Master of all the Treasures of Croessus upon condition not to restore them unto him yet he told him concerning this Ambassador though he was not yet in the possession of his Crown which he would restore unto him and though it was not above eight daies before the ceremony was to be solemnized with the marriage of the Prince Artamas and all the rest of the happy Lovers who were then at Sardis and he did more then that for he did so transact the business that Croessus and this Ambassador did see each other Cyrus telling the latter of these that he ought not to consider this Prince as him who had denied the Statue which the King his Master demanded but as a Tributary King unto Ciaxares of whom he desired alliance since he desired his so that after this reconciliation which this Ambassador had power to make for his Commission was not limited he did visit the Princess Palmis as well as the Princess Timaretta and was so charmed with this magnificent Court and with the beauty of all the Ladies in it that at the desire of Cyrus he promised to be at this great Feast which was to be kept within eight daies during which time nothing was talked of but the King of Phenicia whom they said was in Love with that Beauty whose Statue he demanded every one were full of curiosity to know more precisely the particularities of the adventure the reason of the difficulty to know it was because there were only three or four with this Ambassador who understood the Lidian and the Greek Tongue and these three or four were so busied in answering all that was asked them as they could not be moved unto any long conversation Also during the first daies they were taken up in seeing the rarities of the Town and all the Treasures of Croessus so that at last the great Feast day arrived before any knew that which they had so great a desire to know This ceremony was doubtless one of the most sumptuous in the World and the most glorious for Cyrus if he had followed the dictates of his own inclination he had stopped many things which wounded his modesty But there was a necessity of submitting unto the custome and unto the Councels of the King of Hircania Gadates Gabrias and Chrisantes who told him That it was fit the people with their own eyes should see their King was a Slave and that it was he who made this Slave a King so that maugre the repugnance which he had unto it he yeelded unto custome and hearkened unto the counsel of his friends though not in all things for he would not suffer Croessus to go chained through the streets of Sardis from the Palace to the Temple but thus prevented it Presently after break of day Croessus and Myrsiles were carried in a Coach to the lodging of the High-Priest which joyned to the Temple where the ceremony was to be solemnized where they stayed until it began In this Temple which was one of the greatest in the World was erected an Amphitheater most magnificently covered with the richest Tapistry of Sidon where all the Ladies might most conveniently sit and see All the streets from the Cittadel to the Temple were also sumptuously hung there standing ranks of Souldiers on both sides all in such glittering Arms as never was a more glorious sight a thousand Martial Instruments made the Ayr eccho with shrill and pleasant sounds which attracted all the people of Sardis either into the Temple or into the street which joyned to it or into the place before the Cittadel out of which Cyrus came accompanied with all his Court which was so numerous and so glorious that day as it was suitable unto the Court of Asia's Conquerour As for the Phenician Ambassador he was in the Temple upon a Scaffold with all his Train next him was the Princess Timaretta and all the Ladies which lodged in the Palace of Croessus When Cyrus entred into the Temple with a huge croud of people about him Croessus was brought by the Priest into the midst of the Temple having a Chair and Fetters of Gold upon his hand and behind him the Prince Myrsiles in the like manner The Princess Palmis was next him but under a Canopy of golden Tissue and without Chains Cyrus having no mind that she should have any sign of servitude or that they should upbraid him with triumphing over a Lady As soon as this Prince entred into the Temple most admirable Musique was heard which after it had played a quarter of an hour some Himns that were sung unto the Gods did cease After which Cyrus who was upon an elevated Throne descended and taking off the Chains and Fetters which Croessus and and Myrsiles wore and which he gave unto the Priest he took from the hand of the said Priest a Crown and put it upon the head of Croessus after he had caused him solemnly to swear that he would acknowledge the power of Ciaxares
at that time fall so desperately in Love with Elisa as he was readie to run out of all his wits and patience for her and who did more hang upon her then ever Poligenes and Agenor did Asiadates is a man of much Spirit but verie violent and hastie which moved him to act his desires with an unexpressible impetuositie you may then verie well imagine that he being deeplie in Love with Elisa would do any thing to enjoy her he loved if he could finde out fit opportunities for it Since Elisa would not admit of any visits unless of her most intimate friends who could not be suspected of any Gallantrie he could not find his desired opportunitie of seeing her at that Ladies house At last he contracted a great league of amitie with a person of Qualitie who was one of Elisa's friends Since few men in all Phenicia were richer then siadates was and since he understood the decay of Elisa's estate he conceived that a woman who was as high-minded as even unto verie pride it self could never brook povertie but thought that perhaps excessive liberalitie haâ—â— somly carried would tempt her to admit of him as her friend at least though not as her Lover yet he durst not be so forward as to offer any presents unto Elisa with capituâ—ations of giving all his riches for the purchase of her heart but he told her by this friend whom he perswaded that generositie more then Love prompted him since he could not endure to see virtue poor that he made her an offer of all his estate without the thought of retribution or gratitude but her acceptance Also he put into the hands of this Ladie a vast number of Jewels to present them unto Elisa so that any other then she considering the state of her fortune might easilie have been dazled by them for Elisa then did subsist only by the generositie of her with whom she lived In the mean time all the eloquence of his Lady Solicitor could not perswade her to accept of this magnificent present though she did negotiate very cunningly with her for having insensibly ingaged Elisa to look upon them she carried her unto a Closet where this abundance of Jewels did lie upon a Table Elisa not knowing how they related unto her began to look upon them she thought most admirably rare and asked the Lady whose they were Before I return you an answer said this dangerous friend unto her let me ask you what you would think of a man who would give you all these Pearls Diamonds Rubies and Emeralds I would say and think replied Elisa that he were either much in Love or verie liberal or else not very wise for I know not what else I should either say or think Yet there is somthing to be said answered she unto him that would give such a Present For indeed Elisa it must needs be confessed that Asiadates is the most generous man alive and the most real friend that ever I knew and to make it evident be pleased to know that he is so charmed with your virtue as not being able to endure Fortune should treat you with so much injustice he hath charged me to beseech you that you will be pleased he may do that which Fortune would not and enrich you with what she has given him He thinks his estate is not his so long as you do want it and is perswaded that you have more right unto it then himself Moreover never think that he has any ill intentions in it he will not so much as see you if you please he expects no retalliation or gratitude but his liberalitie is all pure therefore Elisa make no scruple in accepting the assistance of such a man who offers it unto you by me who would never advise you unto any thing which might be prejudicial unto you and who would never offer you the aid of another if I were of abilitie enough my self All the while this Lady was talking Elisa's resentments were inexpressible somtimes anger made her blush and look with scorn upon her which spoke otherwhiles her shame made her deject her eyes and somtimes her wonder would bring such paleness into her face as if she were afraid But at last not being able to keep silence I could never have believed said she unto her that Fortune could have brought me into such a condition that any one should be so bold as to make such a Proposition unto me But as there are some who suck poyson out of the most innocent things so by contraries I will draw glory out of the most infamous act in the world And that you may not think I speak this out of an arrogant pride I will render you a reason of my thoughts Know then I am fully perswaded that the estates of our friends may be ours upon some certain occasions but I am fully perswaded withal that unless one will render her self infamous one ought never to take or accept any thing from a Lover Yet I have heard you say replied this interested friend that liberality and love are inseparable Concomitants And I assure you replied Elisa that woman who receiveth Presents does give her self or to say better doth sell her self So that when a Lover would be liberal it must be without any gifts unto his Mistress but in Feasts cloaths magnificent equipage not in any things which are profitable unto the person he loves for indeed I know nothing so base so wicked so opposite to modesty nor which begets greater thoughts of scorn then for a woman to take any thing of a man who is in love with her and truly for my part I had incomparably rather receive a benefit of such a nature as this you offer me from the hand of a mortal enemie then from any lover and to beg it upon my knees then to accept it from a man who is in love with me I beseech you think that as unfortunate as I am I have still a heart so high as Fortune cannot make it lower and if I were to chuse either death or these magnificent Jewels doubtless I should prefer it before them all rather chusing to die with glory then live with shame But Madam said this corrupt friend Asiadates doth not require any thing from you He doth insolently ask me all things replied she in offering me all these riches and I am confident that never any woman received any considerable present from a Lover but within few houres after he has less esteem of her then if she had refused it and looks upon her as one whom he has right unto as if he had bought a Slave Tell therefore Asiadates he is undiscreet in the management of his inclination which doubtless is liberal since in lieu of getting my esteem by this virtue he hath got my aversion if he will be shewing his liberality he must bestow it without any ends let him inrich many unfortunate Gentlemen of which the Court is full and never think
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
three Rivals did not hinder the universal joy that was in both Town and Camp But to be short at their return from the Temple Cyrus after he had taken orders from Mandana sent unto Pactias and Licambes to acquaint them with the state of things and to induce them to lay down arms He sent also to the Xantheans and Caunians to confirm the offers which they made He sent dispatches also unto Ciaxares and Cambises The Princess writing unto the King her Father to thank him for his cares in procuring her libertie and unto the Queen of Persia also to testifie her obligations unto the Prince her Son After this was to be seen according to the orders which Cyrus sent over night the two Fleets of Thrasibulus and Timochares enter into the Port of Cumes and as they passed in sight of Mandana's Chamber where Cyrus then was the Flags of all the Fleets vailed Bonnet in honour of that Princess As soon as Thrasibulus Timochares Philocles and Leontidas came ashore they came also to salute Mandana unto whom Cyrus presented them You see here Madam said he and spoke of Thrasibulus a Prince who was my Conquerour and whose valour did exceedingly help me to finish the Armenian War In telling me replied Mandana that the Prince Thrasibulus hath conquered the Conqueror of others you oblige me to esteem him infinitelie The victorie I got Madam replied Thrasibulus did cost me so dear and the defeat of the illustrious Artamenes was so glorious unto him that if I might have chosen I had rather have been the conquered then the Conqueror As Cyrus was readie to replie and vie modesty with him the King of Hircania the Prince Artamas Gadates Gobrias Persodes and many others of Noble Quality came into Mandana's Chamber who entertained them with as much sweetness as Majestie Croessus and Myrsiles came a little after the first of these asking pardon for protecting the King of Pontus beseeching her not to be less generous then Ciaxares and Cyrus had been To testifie unto you said she unto him that I will not yeeld unto them in that virtue I assure you I am much joyed at the alliance which you have made with such a renowned Prince as the Prince Artamas who hearing what Mandana said of him returned a most ingenious and civil answer But since such kind of visits as these never use to be long this croud of renowned persons did soon disperse themselves Cyrus also was obliged to go out of her Chamber into his own to receive two Deputies from Susiana which Orsanus sent unto hm So that Mandana in this interval talked with Chrisantes and Feraulas unto whom she had not yet spoken therefore she went into her Closet whether Martesia brought them Now was the glorie of Cyrus aggravated with much zeal by these two faithful servants unto their Master and she did much better understand from them then from him how much she was obliged unto him In the mean while Cyrus being come to his Chamber whether Mazares and Hermogenes also resorted to hear some news of Belesis he received the Deputies which Orsanus sent He understood from them that all the Grandees in the Kingdome of Susiana no sooner saw the Testament of Abradates who gave him his Crown but all were joyfully disposed to become his Subjects and acknowledg him for their King That the people did submit unto it with abundance of satisfaction that Belesis had done him very good service in this business that Adusia's according to his order stayed at Susa to command in that Kingdom until he himself could honour that state with his presence that all things were there verie quiet that both Grandees and People had taken oaths of fidelity to him and that he was absolutely King of Susiana These men having ended their speech Cyrus did treat them as men who brought him a Crown and began to transact with them as with good and faithful Subjects Then appointing them to be lodged in the Town he dismissed them keeping Orsanus with him purposely to tell him some newes of Belesis whom he infinitely esteemed knowing that he did ever confirm Mazares in those resolutions of virtue which he had planted in his soul seeing then there was none but Mazares and Hermogenes neer him Well Orsanus said he unto him hath the voyage of Belesis been as happy for himself as it hath been for me Will Cleodora acknowledg him for her Slave with as good a will as the People of Susa are to acknowledg me for their King Sir replied Orsanus it is not so Why said Mazares and interrupted him had Cleodora accomplished her last vowes which the women consecrated unto Ceres use when Belesis came unto Susa No Sir replied Orsanus we came thither some daies before she was to perform them I pray said Cyrus relate unto us the business Hermogenes understanding by the discourse of Orsanus that Belesis did not thrive in his affection to Cleodora his curiositie augmented and his sorrows diminished for his belief was that Belesis was gone to take possession of her so that he lent a most attentive ear unto what Orsanus said Since you are pleased to command me Sir said Orsanus unto Cyrus to acquaint you with the adventure of Belesis be pleased to know Sir that when he came to Sâ—sa he presently enquired whether Cleodora had power to come out of the Temple unto which she was retired and whether it was believed she would remain there He understood that the last ceremony which was to bind her for ever was not to be performed of a moneth after that the general opinion was she would remain there because she might live a retired life there every one telling her that she was none of those who in lieu of seeking out a solitude amongst the vailed Virgins and preserving their innocence would trouble the first and lose the second and so dishonour them in lieu of adding glory Yet Belesis was not very much grieved at the thought that Cleodora would remain in the Temple because he hoped she might change her mind so that not to omit any tittle of his duty in matter of love he writ unto Cleodora and gave his Letter unto Alcenor to carry soliciting her also by many friends for leave to see and speak with her But whilst Alcenor and the Ladies his friends were negotiating for him he took order for all things which related unto your services and in the mean while he understood that Cleodora refused his Letter that she would not see him that she obtained leave to shorten the time of the last ceremony and that it was to be accomplished the next day You may judg Sir what sad news this was unto Belesis who no sooner heard it but he went unto the Temple of Ceres and so tampered with her who had power to command Cleodora that she commanded her to see and speak with Belesis an houre before she was to engage all the rest of her life Belesis then saw her and
am apt to believe that these Ladies do think more then they speak The discourse of Cyrus did put Atalia Lysidice and Philoxone to the blush but as for the indifferent Cleocrite she never changed colour for it yet those three Ladies blushed more for as soon as Cyrus had spoken that which made them blush Anaxaris returned and Thrasiles followed who entred with so good a grace and seemed to be a man of so good behaviour and of such a noble and gallant Air that as soon as Cyrus and Mandana saw him they had a good disposition to believe that those Ladies who had no mind to commend him did esteem him much more then they would speak of In the mean time Thrasiles spoke so well so reverently and so pathetically both unto Mandana and unto Cyrus that they esteemed him as much for his wit as his courage It is most generous and nobly done Madam said he to the Princess Mandana to give liberty unto a man who endeavoured all he could to hinder yours Though his zeal unto the Prince of Cumes and unto his Country was his only motive to fight against you Since you have done nothing but what honour did oblige you unto replied Mandana I do not think any thing you have done against me ought to keep me from my dictates of Generosity and doubtless it is upon the same reason that the Illustrious Cyrus doth so easily and with so good a will grant me your liberty Since I know Madam replied Thrasiles Lyside would have me wholly obliged unto you I dare not in your presence express my gratitude unto him though it be infinite No no replied Cyrus you ought not to give me that which I ought to have no share in In all places where the Princess Mandana is present she is the Authoress of all good and she deserves the disposing of all favours and therefore unto her from whom you received a benefit is your gratitude due Whil'st Mandana Cyrus and Thrasiles were talking Atalia Lysidice and Cleocrite and Philoxene looked on and looked often upon Thrâ—siles who for his part was not attentive to what he said or to what he heard as he was to observe Philoxene and to observe whether Atalia Cleocrite and Lysidice observed him But Anaxaris perceived it not for he was so wholly taken up with the sight of Mandana and Cyrus as he thought upon nothing but his own passion and never minded others But the most observeable passage of this day was that this company who was then with Mandana and stayed very long was composed of persons who had no mind to be there for Philoxene wished she had not been there Lysidice was extreamly perplexed at her being there Atalia was vexed at her presence and Cleocrite as neutral and indifferent as she was had rather have been any where else As for Thrasiles he was much non-plust at his being amongst foure Ladies with whom he had held various correspondencies and as for Anaxaris though the sight of Mandana was the essential part of his life yet he cared not for being there since he could not be rid of his Rival so that except Cyrus all in the Chamber desired to be out 'T is true this Prince was as restless as the rest for though he had no mind to be from Mandana yet he wished with all his heart that none else were with her yet they stayed a long while But at last Atalia Cleocrite Philoxene and Lysidice being gone Mandana asked Thrasiles whether these Ladies were his friends and whether he much esteemed them But ask what she would he was as much reserved in his speeches of them as they were to talk of him yet he commended them more then they commended him but yet it was after such a manner as was apparent that he was zealous in the commendations of none but Philoxene After some other indifferent discourse the rest of the company parted also But just as Cyrus was ready to fall in talk with Mandana Anaxaris brought in an Inhabitant of Cumes who had a Letter unto the Princess from the King of Pontus Mandana no sooner looked upon it but she knew it to be his hand so that giving it unto Cyrus to read Will you spare me the pains said she unto him of reading this Letter which I believe will but anger me I will obey your commands Madam in all things replied he though it be no pleasing office to read a Letter from a Rival lest in lieu of anger it should invite you unto pity after which Cyrus opened the Letter and found these words The most unfortunate of all men living unto the Princess MANDANA MADAM SInce revenge is the sweetest thing in the world I thought it my duty to let you know that though I can give you no other satisfaction in my life yet I can acquaint you that never any was so fullie revenged as you are for trulie Madam I suffer more then ever any did I suffer without any hope and which is the greatest of my misfortunes I suffer without your pitie And I resolved to let you know my sorrows that I might thereby force you to pitie an Enemie who now hath no power to hurt you Imagine Madam what sadness of soul it is after I have lost two Kingdomes after I have ruined Croessus and the Prince of Cumes after I have so long loved you without any hope but to hinder my Rival from being happie what horror I say it is to see him the most happie and most glorious of all men and to lose my verie hopes of ever seeing you again I am gone away Madam the most unfortunate Prince that ever was in the world the most desperate Lover that ever was or ever will be and the most miserable man that ever lived Since I â—o almost alone to seek my death in the same element in which I had the happiness to save your life and since in all prohabilitie my end will have no witnesses I had a desire to let you know that mangre your insensibilitie towards me and in spite of all those miseries into which my passion hath precipitated me I shall still die your adorer and can never repent of my adoring you though that be the onlie cause of all my misfortunes This Madam is the Passion which you have scorned and these shall be my thoughts of you when the excess of my sorrows shall end my life believe therefore I conjure you that you you onlie shall be my last thought and that when I expire my last gasp will be a gasp of love and happie enough shall I think my self if after my death you shall onlie say I was worthie of a more favourable Fate When Cyrus had read this Letter he looked upon Mandana and said Doubtless I have good reason to fear Madam that the King of Pontus his Letter will move your heart more unto pity then anger for though he be my Rival yet I profess I cannot read it without compassion Since pity
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
unless Fortune do call them unto it by some extraordinary way Indeed were it not a fondnesse to hope that persons of most high Quality should ever care for such Companions one must owe them all things and they be obliged by nothing They love you only because they love themselves and measuring their affections to you by the diversions which you afford them as soon as your diversions faile their loves will cease Do you not by experience find that how Princesses who are the best of any in the world do slight you and since they have company enough they will not carry you with them to take the Aire Good Berisa let not the Court deceive you but undeceive your selfe and shake it off before it shake you off It is but a habit and may easily be left Do you think that Provinces far off Courts have not wits and men of spirit in them and can you think those wiâ—s and spirits are idle and weary No no Berisa it is not to be imagined but be confident they think themselves as happy as you or any Courtier in the world The laws of amity and friendship is regularly observed amongst persons of their quality there is as much complacency amongst them as amongst others there being no Lords nor no slaves amongst them they live much sweeter lives then you imagine I pray then judg Berisa what should you do at Court Oh Orcames sayd she I see you never use to make any visits into the Countrey since you know no better how tedious and wearisom they are For know Orcames that all of them either talk not at all or talk too much or else talke scurvily They have not only a pronunciation different from the Court but their matter and manner of speaking doth also differ Their gallantry is so grosse that it is rather an impertinent piece of a talk which is insufferable To hear them talk of love is enough to procure hatred to hear them talk of Martiall matters would move ones pitty of them If they talk of news they know so little of the world and tell such unlikely stories that they are not worth the hearing yet you advise me Orcames not to stir out of my own Quarters I must confesse sayd I unto her that I do advise you to it because the vexations which follow the delights of the Court are greater then the other though it were so that no accomplished persons were there to be seen For the truth is as I have already told you persons of high Quality care not a straw for their Inferiours Their friendship aâ—mes only at themselves they will give you a thousand welcomes to day and hardly look upon you to morrow they will promise more then ever they intend to perform and their delicacy is such that if you do not flatter them sufficiently you do them wrong Believe mee Berisa though there were no other consideration then this to drive one out of all Court-fancies that one must spend all their dayes with people that are above one unto whom they must hold a continuall complacence and blind obedience I think it were enough to move one unto my advice Besides matter of honour which cannot endure to be slighted is considerable for indeed Berisa you know as well as my self that if a Town or Country-woman chance to love any Courtier she exposeth her selfe to more talk then any other since certainly it is a piece of injustice which reigns in the spirits of all men of that quality in Courts to think that a Country Lady is more beholding to them for their services and visits then a Court Lady is Moreover that 's not the place where Country Ladies use to seek for Husbands either for themselves their Daughters their Sisters or their Friends and the truth is there is nothing more odious then for a Country or Town Lady to be too much at Court Therefore Berisa if you will be ruled by me you shall erect a Court in your owne Chamber and attract all the gallants of Calcedonia which are reasonable thither the number of whom is not so small as you imagine I do not advise you said I to be troubled with such men whom the name of Court affrights and who have as great an aversion to Court as Court hath to them but like some Creatures who live sometimes on Land sometimes on water make choise of such friends as are a Miscellany part Court part Country and pleasing in all No no Orcames replyed she you can never perswade me to it for though I know that what you say is partly true yet I assure you I cannot change my opinion Indeed said she and smiled I am so farr from mewing my selfe in my own Family that I professe I care not if I never came at it so I could but heare all in it were in health Since you are of that mind said I I will move you but unto one one thing more so it be not to quit the Court replyed Berisa I will willingly follow your Councell Then said I unto her to oblige the Princess of Bythinia not to neglect you again try if you can absent your self only for three or four dayes and thereby force her to send for you But suppose she should not send for me replyed she I should then be pittifully puzled how to return again to her And therefore Orcames I had rather follow my own inclination then your advice Then follow it said I since I cannot cure you of this fond Court-humour but if they should chance to slight another time when they are going unto any diversions blame not me for it After this Madam I left Berisa and was very sorry that I had no better acquitted my selfe of my Commission to perswade her from haunting the Princess of Bythinia For all I could say against the Court did make such small impression upon her spirits as she went unto the Princess that very same night who received her civily enough For besides her naturall sweetness there was another reason which obliged the Princess to tolerate her which was because the Father of Berisa who was a very popular man in Calcedonia had done Arsamones very considerable service Thus not knowing how to be rid of this troublesom Creature I was again made choice of by Intaphernes and Atergatis to counterfeit Love unto her And indeed Madam though I did not love to dissemble my thoughts but ever affected sincerity yet I begun to make experiments upon Berisa so that holding her continually in talke I gave Intaphernes and Atergatis opportunities to talk often with the Princess of Bythinia and the Princess Istrina Thus Madam was the Winter spent But the Spring bringing warre with it it was resolved we must depart I believe Madam I shall tell you no lye If I tell you that the adieu betwixt the Prince Intaphernes and the Princess of Bythinia and between Atergatis and Istrina was much sadder then mine and Berisa's Yet the Princess of Bythinia
been more desirous to know the state of his wounds then they were but as inquisitive as they were yet they could not know any more then what pleased Cyrus to impart because those whom he left with the King of Assyria did give an accompt only to him so that since Cyrus gave it out he was very ill they knew no other In the mean time this journey being a journey of jollity and victory Cyrus did not only give order that Mandana should not be distasted at any thing but contrived all way possible to please and divert her in her journey so as if Mandana to rest her self in any Town did stay a day there the day was employed in seeing all that was remarkable in the place The Ladies all assembled they feasted they danced they had races and Cyrus carryed Mandana unto no places of his Conquest but he presented the sweet fruits of his victories unto her so that betwixt Cumes and Ecbatan seemed to be but one continuall triumph And the truth is the people were so fully perswaded of the vertues in Cyrus that nothing but universall acclamations were to be heard in all places where he came Also he had an extraordinary care that the march of his Troops should not do the least injury unto the Countrey And it may be most truly sayd that he came unto no place during all this voyage where hee had not signalized some one of his vertues For in one Town he had left testimonies of his humanity in cheering up the people in an another he made his Justice to appeare in punishing som insolent Souldiers In a hundred places he had left glorious marks of his liberality according as occasions presented themselves And in what place soever he came he was alwayes himself which was always incomparable As for Mandana she gave severall testimonies of her Piety during this Journey by re-edifying ruined Temples and giving them new foundations according to the peoples Petitions And it is most certain that Cyrus and Mandana passed not a day without some excellent work of goodnesse The Prince Intaphernes was such an admirer of their vertues that he could speak of nothing else when he talked with the Prince Artamas with Myrsiles Mazares Anaxaris or any else And there chanced one adventure which gave him further subject of talk For Cyrus desiring that Mandana should go but a very little journey that day by reason of convenient Lodging she came unto a place which afforded Intaphernes a subject of Compassion and to talk further of her vertue Cyrus then having resolved that the Princess should lye in a little Town upon the Rode not far from the place where she lodged before it was so long before she set out that she came as late to her Lodging as if her journy had been longer yet she came time enough to observe the extraordinary delighfull and odd scituation of this Village where she was to lye She saw as she came unto it that she was sometimes high and sometimes low somtimes on a mountain and sometimes in a valley and between Rocks Moreover she saw there an ancient and stately Castle standing upon the point of a Rock whose prospect was towards a Forrest over against it she saw three great deep vallies environed with Rocks into which they descended by a winding path in the Rocks And to make the place more pleasant and extraordinary there was to be seen at the foot of a hill and on the side of a Torrent 2. stately Tombs the one built after the Aegyptian the other after the Grecian mode So as the Sun setting that Evening without any cloudy umbrage it might almost be said that the Sun-beams did guild the whole Countrey and made it the more delectable This magnificent object did make a deep impression in the mind of Mandana so as when she arrived at this great Castle where she was to lodge she talked upon nothing else enquiring very earnestly whose were those Tombs which she saw as she passed and why one was built after the Aegyptian manner and the other the Grecian The questions you ask Madam replyed the Master of the Castle whose name was Eucrates a man well in years of a good spirit and much travelled is questionlesse worthy of your curiosity for the truth is Love was a cause of their foundation as well as Death it being most certain that if he who caused them to be built had not been in Love they had never adorned the Country about this Castle The Princesse Mandana hearing the old man say so was fuller of curiosity then before so as pressing him to tell her all he knew he related unto her in few words how a man of quality and high merits called Menesteus descended from the race of the first Phocensians who left Phocides to go and build Phoceus which the Prince Thrasibalus had taken being resolved to travell after he had lost his Wife who left him one Son and one Daughter he came into Aegypt where he fell desperately in love with a Lady of Heliopolis whom he with her consent did carry away That after this passing through Asia he came unto this Castle where this fair Aegyptian dyed within four dayes after he came thither and from whence he would not depart but built this stately Tomb after the mode of the Countrey and since Menesteus would never forsake her who had followed his fortunes and left her own Country for the love of him he built his own Tomb near hers which is also his house where he waits for death to finish his dayes How said Mandana and interrupted him does he live yet who caused these two Tombs to be built and lives he in that which is built after the Grecian work Yes Madam replyed he but it is in such a manner as deserves compassion It may be said he lives dying for he spends whole dayes in the Tomb of her he lost and never comes in his own but at such howrs when sleep forces him to take truce with his sorrows so as I assure you Death and Love together did never make such an emblem of despair as Menesteus Yet one would say that the Gods take delight in his sufferings and lets him live to pay an eternall tribute of sighes and tears unto his lost Lady for he has already lived above eight years in this mournfull manner and yet cannot dye I wonder said Mandana then that since he is of so good a Quality his friends and neighbours have not forced him to change his heartlesse habitation I assure you Madam replyed Eucrates that the illustrious Peranius his sonne who should be Prince of Phoceus after him if the Armies of the invincible Cyrus had not conquered his dominions has done all he was able to move Menesteus unto a change of his living but could never perswade him All he could obtain was to let two servants stay in a house next his Tomb to bring him once a day only such things as were of
up her self presently against her sisters anger And since Telamire was not well and kept her chamber she went to visit her for there being a great amity between them and being equall in quality and age they used to see each other very often Also Clorelisa in the mind she was had a mind to seek out new acquaintance to the end she might have occasions of relating her voyage and talk of Artaxander There was also another reason which moved Clorelisa to see Telamire very oft for you must know that Belermis her brother was much in love with her and pressed her every day to knit acquaintance with her to the end shee might be able to do him a good office After that she had quieted Isalonide she went unto Telamire not knowing that the mother of this Lady had a designe to marry her unto Artaxander for there had been no reports of it out of the Family So that after the first Complements and Clorelisa had told Telamire that her sicknesse had not altered her and that Telamire also had told Clorelisa that the Sunne had not burned her Clorelisa asked her the news of the Town and Telamire asked her concerning her voyage So that having a way so easie to humour her own inclination she made her an exact relation of it aggravating with extreme delight her meeting with Artaxander Since I have not stirred out of my Chamber of late said Telamire unto her I knew not that Artaxander was returned but I beseech you did you find him handsome enough to render your voyage the more delightsome I assure you replied Clorelisa I found him to be so excellently accomplished as I do not think any one in Themiscyra When one is in an humour to divert ones self replied Telamire one shall be pleased at any thing and those who are but meanly accomplished will please sometimes better then those who are more can when that humour is off No no Telamire replied Clorelisa the esteem I have of Artaxander is not grounded upon my pleasant humour but upon his own merits which are such as to justifie the judgement which I have given of him I will bring him to you and I will take upon me to chuse his acquaintance and his friends for him for as you know he parted from Themiscyra very young he is now almost a stranger in his own Countrey Certainly replied Telamire Artaxander hath found you to be as fair as he finds you to be accomplished since in so short a time he esteems you so much as to let you chuse his friends and acquaintance for him However it be replied she have not you an ill opinion of Artaxander because I confesse unto you that he hath a good one of me For the truth is your compleatest men are capable of an errour once in their lives and it may be that I am the same of Artaxander Oh Clorelisa replied Telamire I shall rather beleeve the errour is in Artaxander then in you since I am well acquainted with your merits but with his not enough to answer for him That you may judge justly replied Clorelisa I will bring him unto you to morrow for added she and smiled since it is I who brings him unto you I must not stay till you be perfectly well lest I should expose this friend whom I esteem so much unto a great danger if you should see him when you are perfectly recovered Since he hath seen you already replied Telamire you have no reason to fear any in Themiscyra since certainly there are none so taking as your self you are disposed to flatter me replied Clorelisa but all the sweet language you can give me this day will not blot out the wrong you have done me in telling me I do not know compleat men since you suppose I am mistaken But to punish you if the fancy take me I will tell Artaxander that you cannot beleeve what I say of him Oh Clorelisa cried out Telamire take heed what you do for if you should do so I should never pardon you as long as I lived As Clorelisa was ready to answer there came in some Ladies who caused the discourse to change and moved her to go away for they were such as did not please her fancy In the mean time since Artaxander had a particular intimacy with her and with all the Ladies with whom shee was in their voyage he saw them every day and came acquainted with Belermis so that it was an easie matter for Clorelisa to keep her word with Telamire But since her designe was to be very carefull in keeping that conquest which she thought she had made she told Artaxander when she carried him unto Telamire that she was carrying him unto a Mistresse of her brothers But I beleeve she told him so to the end that he looking upon her as a Person who was already engaged unto another he might have no thoughts of her in case the Charmes of Telamire should move his heart more then her own But that he might not bee surprized at the beauty of Telamire she extolled her to the skie knowing well that it was a good way to lessen the admiration which any great Beauty may cause at the first sight At least I do imagine that this was her aim and my reason is because when she spoke of Telamires beauty unto other men she was nothing earnest in her Elogies However it was they came unto this fair sick One who doubtlesse deserved that Epethite for since it was my chance to see her that day I never saw her look better in her health 'T is true her disease was not great and she was handsomely drest also in such a negligent and taking manner that it was impossible to look upon her and not to love at least like her Also Clorelisa who since the return of Artaxander had much more care of her self then ordinary was also handsomely drest that day but for all that the negligent and free Garbe of Telamire exceeded her and she appear'd a thousand times more fair then Clorelisa though Clorelisa was also exceeding well Since I had a great share in Telamires friendship she sent unto me that morning to passe away the afternoon with her and indeed I came so timely that I was with her before Clorelisa but I was no sooner set down then she asked me upon what termes I was with Artaxander for said she as we may sometimes have friends who are not Cousins so also we may have Cousins who are not friends All I can can tell you replied she is that Artaxander is certainly an excellent wel qualified man enough both to be my Cousin and my friend But since it is not long since his return and since his return he hath been continually with Clorelisa or with those Ladies with whom she was at the Castle of Orithea I know not yet whether he hold me as his friend or will look upon me onely as his Cousin As soon as I had said so
though I certainly foresee shee will make mee the most miserable woman in the world Alas alas cried out Artaxander I am afraid she will make me as miserable as you and that you being continually with one who hates me she will cause you and Algastus both to hate me also Did Clorelisa hate you replied Telamire I should not fear so much as I do But Artaxander Clorelisa doth not hate you and I am most confident she does not marry my father but onely to be revenged upon me because she loves you whether she will or no and I wish you would deliver me once from this persecution which is coming upon me I wish to the gods Madam with all my heart said he that I could imagine which way I could deliver you from falling into the power of my enemy and sister of my Rivall but I must confesse I know not how And yet you easily may replied Telamire for I am confident if you would marry Clorelisa she would not marry Algastus though she were in the Church with him and though she were ready to pronounce that terrible word which ties as long as one lives Oh Madam cried Artaxander what a most terrible motion is this Is it possible you should wish me so much misery For to tell me you would have me marry Clorelisa is to tell me you will never marry Artaxander to assure me you love him not that you have an ill opinion of him and that you wish him all imaginable ill since you wish him to marry one whom you hate and who hates you Oh Telamire Did I understand you right Is it possible your heart and your tongue should agree Yes Artaxander replied she they do but I assure you at the same time that I find my self to be in a most lamentable condition for I do foresee such dangerous consequences of this marriage that I am in one moment sensible of many yeers torments I do not onely foresee Clorelisa commanding me but Isalonide upbraiding me at every turn and also I see Belermis looking upon me as a subject rather of his valour then his love and yet all this without any remedy but poor uncomfortable complaints yet I must seem to be all joy for that very thing which causeth my greatest sorrows I must obey one who hates me one whom I hate You need not Madam unlesse you will replied Artaxander and your onely way to prevent it is to make me happy For I am perswaded that a father who marries again doth lose something of that lawfull Authority which he hath over his children and since Algastus looks onely to his own satisfaction and never thinks of yours you may very well seek out wayes to accord the tyranny of Clorelisa No no Artaxander said she unto him I cannot do a you propound since it is more just to obey Clorelisa then disobey reason After this Artaxander used all his winning arguments to move her unto marriage without the consent of Algastus But still Telamire answered that she would never do any thing against the Rules of obedience and that she should be lesse miserable by doing what duty required then by not doing it In the mean time the more she made her vertue appear the more love and sorrow appeared in his eyes for when he considered that he was a cause of the affections in Telamires soul his did infinitely augment On the other side Algastus being returned home after he understood that Clorelisa had acquainted Telamire with his marriage Artaxander was forced to go away because Algastus sent for his daughter Thus these two Lovers parted with extreme sorrow Yet Telamire was carefull to conceal hers lest her father should think that some interest of her own moved her to grieve at his marriage And she constrained her self so well that he did not perceive the sadnesse of her heart but on the contrary beleeved that she was glad since he would marry again hee would marry Clorelisa and he was so fully perswaded of it that he desired her to have a care the feast for his marriage should be Magnificent And indeed Telamire so ordered every thing as if she were the most joyed person in the world at this marriage at which were present none but the Family of Algastus and that of Clorelisa For besides the age of Algastus which did not require a great assembly Isalonide would not allow it As for Artaxander he sighed away all that day with me and lamented his misfortune thinking it to be the greater because Belermis was to dwell with Algastus so that though untill then he was never jealous of him yet now he began and feared lest Clorelisa should move Algastus to command Telamire to marry Belermis But said I unto him though I do allow you to lament that Telamire should come under the power of Clorelisa who is both her Rivall and her enemy yet I cannot endure you should be jealous of Belermis You know very well added I that he is more like to make her fear him then love him and that Telamire ever had 〈◊〉 strange aversion unto all such men whose Aspects were alwayes as if they were ready to fight Ah Erenice said he unto me I did not fear that Telamire would ever love Belermis untill now nor did I ever suspect her Constancy But now I must sadly confesse I am extremely afraid of her vertue For I am sure that if she hold the opinion that she ought not to disobey Algastus she will marry Belermis for all his gri 〈…〉 Martiall looks though she were sure it would kill her And who knows Erenice whether she will accustome her self unto the sight of Belermis and disaccustome her self from the sight of me But whilst Artaxander was lamenting with me the misfortunes of Telamire and himself Telamire was in a strange constraint yet she thought no lesse of Artaxander then he did of her for she told me the day after that when she looked upon either Belermis or Clorelisa she thought of nothing but him On the other side this new married Lady had her angry minuits and her joyes to see her self in a condition to be revenged upon Artaxander was not so tranquill as it was the day before And a friend of hers told me since that shee confessed shee never looked upon Algastus whom she had married without a remembrance of Artaxander not ever remembered Artaxander without unconceivable grief And she had another addition of sorrow for Isalonide drawing her aside did reade her a Lecture of the life she was to live the most harsh and severe that ever was she regulated all her actions one after another shee did limit her to her ordinary visits when shee went to see her sick kindred and indeed never to make any other unlesse either unto Funeralls and marriages She told her that now she was to lay aside all richnesse and superfluity in her dresses she forbad her to frequent Walks Balls Musicks and every thing else she made choise of
out of jealousie did get her greater credit in the opinion of Algastus and passed in the world for her vertue For Isalonide and all the faction of precise Ladies who were her friends did so trumpet up the reformation of Clorelisa that they proposed her as an example unto all youths who were too much addicted unto diversions In the mean time Artaxander had no other comfort but to relate all his miseries unto me and to write unto his new reconciled enemy called Tysimenes who became his friend during his travells But it was an absolute impossibility for him to see Telamire unlesse sometimes at Church but then he could not speak unto her and consequently it was small satisfaction nor had he so much happinesse as to see any who did see her because as I told you before Clorelisa had banished all his friends whatsoever In so much as he lived the most miserable life in the world And to make him the more miserable he could not chuse but quarrell with Belermis and they fought with such sad successe as they were both of them dangerously woundeed and had they not been parted in all probability it had cost them both their lives After this you may easily conceive how sad Telamire was to hear in what a pitifull condition Artaxander was however she must go with Clorelisa unto the chamber of him who was wounded and seem as if she grieved for the wounds of Belermis though her grief was onely for the wounds of Artaxander And this constraint was not onely for a day for as long as Belermis was ill he would have her every day to come with Clorelisa who never stirred out of her brothers Chamber And Clorelisa upbraided her a hundred times a day accusing her of all her brothers wounds But all this was nothing in comparison of her griefs a while after For you must know that since Artaxander had gained one of Telamires servants unknown unto her to acquaint him with all her actions this servant told him how assiduous Telamire was with Belermis so as he grieved in such excesse as his wounds grew worse and for some dayes the Physitians despaired of his life In the mean time since Belermis mended Telamire had the grief to see him Recover who she thought was the death of Artaxander So that not being able to constrain her self any longer nor hide her tears shee feigned her self to be sick to the end she might not stir out of her Chamber nor go any more unto Belermis Yet this invention did not deliver her from that trouble for since Belermis began to mend Clorelisa brought him to Telamires Chamber who having not so much liberty as to lament in the day did imploy all the night in tears And yet her tears did double for the servant whom Artaxander had suborned did bring her a Letter wherein she found these words Madam I Cannot deny my self so much satisfaction as to tell you that the cares you have of reviving Belermis have killed me And it is lesse by his hand then yours that you have lost the most Passionate and most Faithfull Lover that ever was Artaxander This Letter did so touch Telamires heart that though she did not love to hazard Letters yet she answered him in these words if my memory fail not Sir You have accused me with much injustice and if you saw into my heart you would find that if I could revive any one it should be Artaxander and not Belermis Do not judge of me by appearances and if it be possible get into such a condition as I may chide you for no better knowing Telamire Though thâ—â— Letter did not contain all the tendernesse that was in Telamires heart becaâ—e she durst not trust unto the thinnesse of a piece of paper yet it wrought so great an effect upon the mind of Artaxander that after it had calmed the turbulency of his soul the violence of his Fever diminished and in a few dayes he recovered as well as his Rivall Yet he was more perplexed then before his Combat because Clorelisa had a better pretence for keeping a severe eye upon Telamire Things being upon these termes Artaxander had a new displeasure For Clorelisa did put away that servant by whom he received intelligence concerning Telamire But at the same time he received much consolation by a Letter from Tysimenes which intimating unto him that he was returning unto Themiscyra desired him to come secretly a dayes journey to meet him that they might consult together how to make their reconcilement known unto their parents with least offence unto them And as soon as Artaxander had received this Letter he prepared himself to meet his friend who he found to be much more accomplished then when they parted and the friendship between them was inviolably confirmed but in lieu of publishing it as Tysimenes designed Artaxander conjured him to the contrary and to conceal it carefully But to the end this prayer might not surprize him or offend him he acquainted him with his love of Telamire and his misery in not seeing her no nor seeing any who did see her because Clorelisa had banished from her house all his friends So that my Dear Tysimenes said he unto him after a full relation of all passages I am perswaded that if you passe still for my enemy you may easily insinuate your self into the favour of Clorelisa and have that liberty of seeing Telamire which is denied unto all those whom she thinks have any converse with me so as by this means I may know how Telamire does and you may much oblige me in speaking in my behalf unto her Since I shall give a greater testimony of my friendship replied Tysimenes by concealing it then by publishing it I shall accomplish your desires And accordingly Artaxander and he resolved to keep very close the affection which they had unto each other to see whether Clorelisa who banished all the friends of Artaxander would admit of a man whom she thought to be his enemy They also agreed upon the place where they were to meet each other secretly And for that purpose they made choise of a house belonging unto one of Tysimenes friends which had two doors opening into two severall streets agreeing which of these doors either should enter so as none should ever see them enter together into one place and for the more security they never met but in the nights at the house of this friend unto Tysimenes for whose fidelity he would undertake Thus after all things were agreed upon these two friends parted and came severall wayes unto Themiscyra where nothing was known of their Reconciliation for Artaxander carried but one servant with him when he went to meet Tysimenes and of that servants fidelity he was assured And Tysimenes had none but strangers unto his servants for all those he carried out of Cappadocia were all dead so as those he now had could not reveal the secrets of their Master if they would
deluded onely the simple On the other side Amaldea wishing the marriage of Artaxander with Telamire after the death of Algastus as shee did in the life of Cleossante shee negotiated the businesse so well with the kindred of that excellent Lady as she concluded the matter in few dayes But since they feared that Belermis would be some obstacle they did carry it very sacretly In the mean time since the reconcilation of Tysimenes and Artaxander was known Amaldea desired this friend of her sonnes not to forsake him untill he had married Telamire lest Belermis should oblige him to fight the second time acquainting him to what a passe she had brought the businesse and let him know that the marriage would bee celebrated very shortly And indeed Amaldea acquainting Artaxander what she had done for him and the friends of Telamire having told her what was resolved upon they both of them did think themselves as happy now as they were miserable before but Tysimenes was the saddest man that ever lived Not but that he did strive against himself with admirable generosity But yet the Passion in his soul was so strong that he was not able to overcome it As soon as Artaxander knew of his happinesse he went to tell it unto Tysimenes but hee was much surprized to finde him so melancholy and more surprized to finde that hee would not tell him the cause of his sadnesse as he had told him the cause of his Joyes Yet Tysimenes coloured his sorrows with some Domestique businesse which he said did not go so well as he wished so that since the soul of Artaxander was all joy he never examined the sadnesse of Tysimenes any further However it was so extreme that as soon as his friend was gone he thought he should have died and he was so neer it that as hee confessed since that he resolved upon twenty violent courses in a quarter of an hour Is it so said he to himself as he related afterwards that Telamire is going to be married unto Artaxander and he ready to be as happy as thou Tysimenes art ready to be miserable And yet it is thy self who hath contributed unto his happinesse and it is thy self who cannot see it without sorrow But thanks be unto the gods added hee and sighed that I can hope for nothing from Telamire for in spite of all my vertue if I had any hopes from her I should have much more ado to overcome my self But I have not so much Consolation as that I can complain either against my Mistresse or my Rivall And I can onely lay the blame upon my own weaknesse Yet though Artaxander be my friend and though I am resolved to carry my self as if I were not his Rivall I am not able to bee a spectatour of his felicity And when I consider that within four dayes hee shall enjoy Telamire I finde such a turbulency in my heart that if I should see him happy I should hazard the doing of things which would be farre from either Reason or Vertue Let then Artaxander alone in Peace Tysimenes since thou canst never bee so thy self But in order to that thou must never see Telamire Thou must quit thy Countrey banish thy self from that place where thou wilt leave Artaxander happy and seek out thy death in some Desart where thou canst never hear of their felicity who have caused thy misery And the truth is Tysimenes was so fully resolved to depart from Themiscyra and never to see either Telamire and Artaxander any more as nothing could stagger this Generous determination hee seemed therefore as if hee had some earnest businesse which called him away And without unfolding the cause of his journey hee told Artaxander that he would depart the day before his Nuptials of which Clorelisa and Belermis were ignorant At the first Artaxander used all his perswasions to make Tysimenes stay untill after he had compleated his happinesse and he perswaded him in such sweet expressions and tender words as Tysimenes was so ashamed that his resolution of going away was the stronger since hee was not able to see Artaxander enjoy Telamire without envy at his happinesse and grief to himself However since hee could not depart before hee had seen Telamire hee resolved upon a visit but it may bee very well said hee went to see her but speak he hardly was able and had not some company been there which helped out with discourse he had been put to a pitifull Non-plus But at last he left her and bid her Adieu without telling her whither he went nor why he departed At his going out from her he went unto Artaxander with whom he was not able to stay above a quarter of an hour so violent were the raptures of his grief which his passion caused Artaxander used all his Arguments to make him stay onely two dayes for since he was ignorant of the cause hee could not chuse but presse him to bee a witnesse of his happinesse But at last seeing hee would not be perswaded and thinking that the businesse he pretended was some secret of the Family which was not to bee imparted he pressed him no further but bad him Adieu with a thousand expressions of friendship Telling him that he was much beholding unto him for Telamire and that he would acknowledge his obligements for it eternally But Amiable Doralisa after that Tysimenes had left Artaxander and returned home hee thought himself more miserable then before For he found Telamire so early fair and Artaxander so full of tender expressions that Love and Friendship beginning to renew in his soul his suffering were beyond all expression or toleration Yet he stood firme unto his resolution But since love is a Passion which naturally would make it self known he could not resolve upon his departure before he had made known unto her who caused his misery what course he took against himself purposely to keep him from any attempts against Artaxander So as being resolved to write unto her he did so and when he was just ready to depart he gave it unto a trusty servant with orders to carry it unto Telamire an hour after his departure and to chuse such a time as when Artaxander was not with her After which taking horse he departed without any with him but one Page onely and went to a friends house some thirty Furlongs off to consult what course he should take and whither he should wander to make choise of his exile In the mean time he with whom he left the Letter which he writ unto Telamire having punctually obeyed him and given it unto her she was extremely amazed to finde it such as I shall afterwards read unto you for since she afterwards gave me a Copy I think it is about me In saying so she looked for this Copy and found it so she shewed it unto Doralisa and Martesia But before she read it she told them that Telamire after she had read it with much wonder and being
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
unto that Princess Yes Sir replied Indatherses Anaxaris is really Ariantes brother unto the Queen of Massagettes and the voyage which he made when you were with that Princess caused him to pass unknown in your Army for since you never saw him he might pass for whom he pleased But I beseech you said Cyrus what could his design be in concealing himself so long and in rendring me services so great as will for ever after make me the most miserrble man alive Did he only wait for an opportunity of revenging Thomiris by carrying away the Princess whom I adore And must I look upon this Act of his as an effect of that revenge which lurks in the soul of that incensed Queen Or as his love unto Mandana Sir replied Indatherses I cannot tell you what the intentions of the Prince Ariantes was but I am sure he has been too long out of the favour of Thomiris to be the Executioner of her revenge I beseech you said Cyrus how do you know that Anaxaris is Ariantes for I must ingenuouslie confess what you tell me does so much surprize me that I must needs enquire of all circumstances concerning a matter which would seem absolutelie incredible if any but you had told it Sir replied Indatherses I know so very well that Anaxaris is Ariantes as none can be surer of any thing for a servant of mine in whom I have extraordinarie confidence and who hath seen him whole years together did see him with Mandana and since I desired to be sure of the place where you were I sent him to enquire with orders to return unto me at a place where I stayed a day to put my self in a fit equipage to appear before the Princess Mandana whom I knew you conducted So as this servant who has wit and spirit enough saw Anaxaris yesterday do the office of the Captain of the Guard unto the Princess Mandana But since he saw him and was not seen by him again by reason of the press of people which crowded to see that Princess as she went unto the Temple his wonder at the sight of him was not perceived and knowing none about him he had no reason to express his admiration yet he made a shift to be understood and to ask the name of him whom he looked upon so seriously and being answered that his name was Anaxaris but none being able to tell him either what he was or from whence he easily apprehended that the Prince Ariantes would not be known so that saying no more he returned in all hast towards me not only to assure me that I should find you upon the banks of the River Halis but also to tell me that he had seen the Prince Ariantes passing by the name of Anaxaris and as Captain of the Guard unto the Princess Mandana At the first I told him that certainly he was mistaken by some that resembled him yet he was so extreamlie confident of it that I contended no longer with him but made 〈◊〉 doubt of it in my own mind and said no more unto him But Sir when I came unto the place where I imagined to find you then I understood that this Anaxaris had carried away Mandana and then I made no question but that he was the Prince Ariantes and truly I am now as fully perswaded of it as if I had seen him my self Alas my dear Indatherses said Cyrus I am no less perswaded of it then you for trulie were Anaxaris of a more inferiour qualitie certainlie he durst never have been so bold as to carry away the Princess and now methinks you have opened my eyes and I find some imperfect resemblance betwixt Thomiris and him Also he hath an accent and sound in his voice as might at least have induced me to know him for a Scithean But assuredly the Gods being resolved upon my ruine did blind me and deprived me of my reason to the end that I my self might contribute unto Mandana's and my own destruction After this Cyrus was silent and continued a while sighing and walking then upon a sudden calling Feraulas unto whom the King of Assiria was talking he asked him how it was known that Anaxaris had carried away Mandana Sir said Feraulas Anaxaris hath carried the marter so subtilly that none ever knew until within foure houres after his departure for Sir he went away with the Princess above an houre before it was day yet it was not known that she was not in her Chamber until an houre before I departed with intention to come hither and which is strangest Arianite whom she left behinde her had orders to conceal her departure as well as Pherenice and all the rest of the women But Doralisa and Martesia are with her Oh Feraulas said Cyrus this cannot be I can never believe that Mandana would let her self be carried away and carried away by Anaxaris Sir replied Feraulas it is as far from my belief as yours but it is a certain truth that neither the Princess nor either of the Ladies who are with her did call any unto their aid that all Mandana's guard followed her and that Andramites and his friends are gone with her The greatest wonder is Arianite said that Anaxaris came and caused Martesia to be waked to the end she might awake Mandana which after she had accordinglie done he spoke unto the Princess that he read somthing unto her out of a Letter which he had and that he shewed unto her a Scarf which she looked upon with a torrent of tears in her eyes and with extream bitterness of heart Arianite said further that after Mandana had caused Martesia to come unto her and had sent to waken Doralisa they both of them wept a while with her and afterwards the Princess rising in haste whilst Anaxaris went to take orders for her departure she did nothing else but shed tears whilst she was dressing She also said that as the Princess was ready to depart and to take Coach at a pair of stairs in a back Court Martesia commanded her from the Princess to cause her women not to open the door of her Chamber until it was very late Then Arianite pressing Martesia to tell her whether the Priucess went why she grieved and why she carried not all her women with her You shall ere long have orders to come unto her replied Martesia But in the mean time my dear Arianite said She repent of your serving the King of Assiria since perhaps you were the cause of his killing the illustrious Cyrus and of the Princesses death for very grief of his loss You may well conceive Sir that a woman who thought the King of Assiria dead was extreamlie surprized to hear that he lived and that he had killed you yet she could not express her wonder for Martesia and Doralisa followed Mandana with as much haste as sorrow However since this news did touch Arianite very much she imparted it unto the rest of the Princesses women and also awaked
a most high degree but since he knew that Noromata had an aversion unto Sitalces he could not charge her with inconstancie only of a little weakness though it was such as her vertue might excuse since she did it onely in obedience to her father But since this was a misery without remedy he complained sometimes in such feeling expressions as moved me to pittie him very much Alas alas said he the day he received Noromatas letter into what strange destiny am I reserved If I had a dozen Rivals and all preferred before me I should be much less miserable then I am though Noromata doth not hate me and hath a husband whom she loves not For such a misery though great yet was not without a remedy But that Noromata should be wife unto one whom she hates and that she should be a woman of a rare vertue this is a thing which leaves me nothing to do but complain and pittie both her and my self Yet surely her affection unto me was not great since she was able to obey so soon and I wish unto the gods that mine to her were no more violent However Sir Adonacris had a desire that Noromata should know his sorrows and therefore as soon as he heard that Targitas and Sitalces were gone unto Thomiris three dayes after the marriage and that they had sent unto a Town called Typanis with intention to continue there as long as the war lasted he dispatched one of his servants unto the place where she was Yet Sir she would not read his letter but sent it back sealed together with this note which had neither superscription nor subscription unto it SInce I am not now the same I was when I permitted you to write unto me forbear writing unto one whom decency will not allow so much as to see your letters much less to answer them I have not opened this you sent for I do not love to hear of miseries which I neither can nor ought to ease And I desire you with all my heart never to write to me again as long as you live And to believe confidently that I can never do any thing more advantagious for you than not to excuse my self and permit you to hate me if you cannot cease loving unless you pass from love to hatred After this ask no more of me for I do profess this is the last time of writing unto you and I would not have written now but onely to desire you to write no more unto me After the reading of this letter Sir the miserable Adonacris had nothing to do but to strive with his sorrows and to suffer them without seeking a remedy Yet he was vexed with a fresh inquietude For you must know that after Thomiris had her Army up and Ariantes in the head Agatharses upon the first occasion killed the brother unto a Lady of high account called Argirispe whom I told you was a friend unto Elibesis so as by this means Argirispe being one of the richest matches in all Issedon the father of Adonacris and Elibesis whose name was Tyssagetties had a fancy to marry his son unto her and he was so earnest upon it that he never let him injoy any rest Also he imployed the Prince Ariantes and Octomasades to perswade him unto a marriage with her For in those times of tumult Ceremonies were not stood upon and therefore the mourning of Argirispe was no hindrance unto her marriage And as for Argirispe she was not unwilling to marry such a well accomplished man who was brother unto her who was shortly to be a Queen So as the whole Family of Adonacris being met together to persecute him and to tell him that he did not love the Grandure of his house he was so chid by them that in the end he told them he would do as they desired Thus was the marriage made in four days by the authority of Ariantes but to tell you truly his greatest enducement was because I perswaded him to stifle a passion in which he had no hopes and because he hoped that perhaps the beauty of Argirispe might by degrees root Noromata out of his heart Thus though Adonacris did still love Noromata and not love Argirispe yet he lived very lively towards her But to his comfort the Prince Ariantes having viewed his Troops departed from Issedon with intention to meet the Army of Thomiris which was advancing with design to decide the matter by battel and by this means Adonacris was delivered from his constraint of being with Argirispe Thus Sitalces and Adonacris were engaged in two contrary sides for Sitalces followed his father in law and went to Thomiris three days after his marriage with Noromata And Adonacris engaged with Ariantes so as they were in contrary sides as well as Ariantes and Agatherses who as I told you before was Lievtenant General of Thomiris her Army which the young Spargapises commanded by the advice of the prudent Therez by reason of the Queens indisposition But to speak truth since Spargapises was but a child and his name only used to prevent the pretention of others and since Agatherses was more forward then any other being exasperated by the whet-stones of love hatred and revenge it was he who indeed was General of the Army In the mean time the Prince Ariantes before he went from Issedon did set guards upon Elibesis lest during his absence the friends of Agatherses should attempt any thing against her But Sir I forgat to tell you that before he went away he courted Elibesis as earnestly as he could to marry him For though he had told her that his Throne was yet but ill established to set her upon it yet since his love increased he pressed her unto it yet all in vain for she was resolved to marry none under a King and a King quietly settled in his Dominion It being certain that of all Subjects she loved Agatherses best and much better than Ariantes though a Prince Thus finding severall pretences which did not incense this Prince she denied his desire and he was forced to retire without marriage So as by this means Agatherses was not in so bad a condition as Adonacris for he had a Rivall to fight with whose death might be advantagious to him But as for Adonacris though Sitalces were killed he were never the better since Agarispes was his wife so that I think none could be in a sadder condition than he was during all that war I will not make any particular relation of this War unto you Sir lest I should abuse your patience yet I must needs tell you that when both armies met and many Subjects of one Princess ready to kill each other the most prudent of both sides and the least interested did make some overtures of an accommodation and began to talk mildly upon the matter before they fell to blows So as the wise Terez and Targitas did so negotiate the business mauger both Agatherses and Octomasades who were all
she offered to go away saying She had no interest in the news since she knew of Sitalces as much as she desired to know But Eliorante stayed her and told her very gallantly that it belonged unto her more then any other to entertain the Prisoners very well since her Husband was in the same condition For said she It 's credible that the same usage we shall shew unto those which are sent unto us the same will the Prince Ariantes shew unto those under his power So that Noromata not daring to resist any longer stayed And Eliorante desiring Aritaspes to satisfie the curiosity of all the Ladies who had a desire to see the Prisoners he told them smiling that though he should thereby more expose them to be their Prisoners then the Prisoners of Spargapises yet he would satisfie them And then commanding them to enter the Lievtenant of Spargapises Guard who conducted them appeared first after him Adonacris entred in the head of ten or twelve Officers and he entred with so good a grace and such a noble ayr as it was easie to know he had sold his liberty very dear and that his captivity was no shame unto him You may well think Sir how Noromata was surprized at the sight of Adonacris whom she thought dead to see Adonacris whom she had not seen since they were so kind together since they were both married and since they thought never to write unto each other again nor see one another as long as they lived The surprize of Adonacris was as great for though he knew Noromata was at Tipanis yet he did not think to find her in that place Moreover so it chanced that the first person who saw Adonacris was Noromata and also he saw her very sad And though he knew not the true cause of that sadness which appeared in her countenance yet he was well satisfied that she seemed displeased at her fortune for he did not then think that she could be so melancholy for the imprisonment of Sitalces but thinking to make this moment of happiness to himself he interpreted that blush which appeared in the cheeks of Noromata when she first saw him unto his own advantage and indeed I understood by a Lady who was my friend and present at this enterview and who knew all the secrets of this affection that Noromata blushed in such a manner as it was easie to perceive that she who blushed was not displeased for her eyes grew more lively and such a joy did spread it self so all over her face that it presently made a deep impression upon the heart of â—donacris Indeed Sir there was somthing so passionate and so significative in the looks of these two persons at this unthought of meeting that they told each other without design that they loved one another still that they would love alwayes and that they were both very miserable However the first unpremeditated thought which last not long being over the virtuous Noromata after she had blushed for love did blush again for shame at her weakness and did so strive with her self that she shunned the eyes of Adonacris and assumed unto her own the same sadness which appeared in them before he came in and it was the more easie to be done because her joys to see Adonacris living whom she thought to be dead were tempered with her sorrows that she could not innocently either love him or be loved And this thought did so imprint it self upon her soul as it cost her many a sigh Think upon it Noromata said she then unto her self Consider well what thou wouldst do and what thou oughtest to do Adonacris is amiable it 's true and thou dost love him more then thou oughtest to do But for all that since thou dost love him without power of doing otherwise thou lovest him without a Crime provided he know it not and provided thou never lets him know it but on the contrary shun him as if thou didst hate him Consider Noromata that it concerns thy glory and to preserve thy virtue consider that thy Father knows Adonacris loved thee at Issedon and that if thou dost suffer him to see thee at thy own house he cannot chuse but have thoughts which will be disadvantagious to thee But especially consider that Adonacris will esteem thee less if thou shouldst give him any testimonies of thy affection then if thou beest only upon terms of indifferency with him And out of a more Noble resentment consider that thou wouldst esteem thy self less and that whosoever does not esteem themselves can never he happy nor merit the esteem of others Whilst Noromata was thus reasoning with her self one would have thought she studied so profoundly that her study had no object and as if her mind was far off any thing about her So that after Aritaspes had spoken unto all the Prisoners and told Adonacris that he had orders to lodg him at his own house and to give him all the Town of Tipanis for his Prison and to let him pass upon his parol he turned towards Noromata who as I told you seemed to be in a deep study For ought I see Madam said he unto her you care not for seeing the Prisoners of the Prince Spargapises but I believe you think more upon those that are prisoners unto the Prince Ariantes and think more upon Sitalces whom you see not then upon Adonacris whom you do see though I think you knew him at Issedon 'T is very true Sir replied Noromata with a trembling heart though not seeming so that I am thinking upon Sitalces And I am thinking also upon Adonacris added she with incredible resolution but it is how to get an exchange between him and Sitalces The discourse of Noromata did so much surprize Adonacris that he knew not what to answer 'T is true his silence was not observed for Eliorante beginning to speak she gave him time to recollect himself The design you have Madam of releasing two such gallant men at once said she unto Noromata is so noble and worthy your self that I believe there is none but will do you what service they can unto Thomiris and Spargapises And if the friends of Adonacris will solicite with yours it is to be hoped you will very shortly have the joy of seeing Sitalces and the sorrow of parting from Adonacris If his imprisonment be no worse than mine said Adonacris a liberty which will be disadvantagious to his side is not to be wished So that Madam since Sitalces is more considerable in the party of Thomiris than I am in Ariantes I shall not murmure though I be not exchanged for a man who may more hurt my side by his valour than I can serve it by mine And therefore I shall never solicite for my liberty but leave it unto the consideration of the Prince whom I serve This answer is so modest so generous and so gallant replied Aritaspes and smiled that you could not be more ingenious if you were
sometimes For my part I do protest unto you Madam that the name of Noromata is very often in my 〈…〉 th and it is a sound so agreeable to me that I cannot hear it without abundance of 〈…〉 ght But Madam I assure my self that mine is not so to you and you can hear it pronounced a thousand times without the least alteration in your colour As Adonacris said so Noromata who was vexed at her self in secret that She was not so insensible as he said She was could not chuse but blush So that Adonacris observing it he was now as full of curiosity to know the cause of that blush as he was before to know the cause of the sigh But since Noromata's modesty would not give her leave to tell him She only left him so much subject as whereby he might guess that her heart entertained no disadvantagious thoughts of him for he importuning her to tell him her thoughts and She thinking upon her design of going unto Sitalces and parting from Adonacris the tenderness of her soul did appear more in her eyes then She desired it should and her very words did utter somthing to him against her mind for as he did importunately press her to tel him her thoughts a little more clearly and what her pleasure was to command him she gave him an answer much more favourable then She intended one quarter of an hour before You are so very importunate said she unto him that because I would be rid of you I will confess ingenuously that I am not so absolute a Mistress of my heart as of my actions and that my thoughts and my words do not agree and that when I command you to forget me yet I should not have been very glad if you had obeyed me all I can say unto you Adonacris is that what resolutions soever I have taken to do alwayes what I ought to do yet I perceive I should more easily pardon you if you do not forget me that I should my self if I do not In the mean time whether I banish you out of my heart or not yet I will so behave my self towards you as if you had not the least share in it and after this Adonacris ask me no more I know that I do give you more obliging language then I would and the words which I pronounced do make me blush as oft as I remember them But for all that the infidelity which my obedience to my Father did make me commit against you doth merit doubtless that I should punish my self and comfort you and therefore though I have said more unto you then did become me yet I do not repent of it though I know I shall repent as soon as you are gone You have reason Madam replied Adonacris to repent of what you have said for it is so little obliging unto me that I conceive you have great cause of repentance As Adonacris pronounced these words Eliorante returned so that Noromata fearing that She would speak before him of that office which She was to do for her and fearing lest his Love should guess at her secret intention She went towards Eliorante and understood from her that what She desired should be effected before the day was done Eliorante assuring her that it rested only upon this That the wife unto the servant of Sitalces who was to go and visit her sick Husband was not to depart until the next morning Noromata having obtained her wish thanked Eliorante for the favour and took her leave immediately but when she turned towards Adonacris to salute him and it coming into her thoughts that perhaps She should never see him again such a deep melancholy did seize upon her Spirit that tears stood in her eyes But she no sooner perceived this weakness in her self but she hasted out lest it should be observed So pulling her Hood hastily down She did the better hide those impressions of sorrow which came from her heart unto her face But though She had wit enough to hide yet She had not power of overcoming her sad resentments but passed over all that day and the night following in such transports of violent sorrow as She confessed since that She was never in all her life in so sad a condition However her virtue being above her sorrows she kept close unto her resolution of going unto her Husband and to perswade him that She did not obstruct his liberty nor desire the society of Adonacris And in order to this she made choice of two ancient servants unto Sitalces to conduct her and a woman to go with her giving order that a Coach should be ready by break of day but not her own Coach lest her design should be discovered And to the end her departure should not be known until she was gotten far enough from Tipanis to be overtaken if Agatherses should send after her this virtuous Lady commanded her women which she left at Tipanis to let none come into her Chamber for three daies after and to tell all the rest of her Domestiques that she was sick having to this end imparted her design unto an old Physitian her friend who promised to come unto her Chamber as if she were really sick And to the end he should not be ill treated by Spargapises and Agatherses when the thing was discovered It was agreed upon that he should say he was deceived and that one of Noromata's women did counterfeit her voice and lay in her bed and the Curtains being drawn he thought it to be her Mistress and that she was sick Moreover she writ a Letter unto Eliorante giveing orders to deliver it three daies after her departure To be short the business was carried so well that none of her servants knew it except those who were of the conspiracy So that putting the woman which was to go with her in the best place of the Coach She caused her to speak unto the Keepers of the Gates and shew them her Pasport which was to let her pass out with one woman and two men to conduct her Thus it being very early and not light enough to know one another She easily got out undiscovered but not without much sorrow for when She was out of the Town and began to think that perhaps She should never see Adonacris again whom She so tenderly loved and that She was going to abide eternally with Sitalces whom She loved not her sadness was above expression and her journey was the most melancholy that is imaginable yet somtimes She rejoyced in the doing of an act of so much heroique virtue but somtimes again this joy did cost her very dear However She passed over her journey without any obstacle for all the Troops of Spargapises obeyed the Pasport and when She came into the Quarters of Ariantes She discovered her self unto the Commander in Chief and desired a Guard to be conducted unto Issedon where She arrived sooner then She desired though her resolution was yet to go
manage of great affairs In short Sir Solon found Anacharsis so admirably knowing in all things that he consulted with him and relied upon his judgment in things of highest concernment and made him known unto all his friends Truly said Chersias it was Solon who writ unto Bias what Anacharsis was And it was he also said Diocles who caused Periander to invite him unto that famous Feast at which except my self who by their favor was permitted there was none but persons of most illustrious fame and indeed this Feast for the excellency of it was called the Banquet of the seven Sages not comprehending the rest who were there because indeed it was prepared only for them As Diocles said so one came to acquaint Cyrus that the Princess of Armenia was coming so that desiring to do her all possible honors he went to meet her at the door of his Tent where he received her with much civility telling her that if she had any service to command her she did him much wrong not to command him to come wait upon her Since it would not become me Sir said she smiled to command him who comands most of all Asia I thought it more fit to come my self to tell you that I have heard newes of Spitridates and Tigranes Onesile had no sooner said so but Cyrus being very impatient to know what they had done since their departure and where they were he desired her to tell him So that this Princess acquainted him how since Tigranes embarqued from Galaâ—ia with the Prince Spitridates to follow Phraartes who had carryed away Araminta they wandred continually from Sea to Sea could hear nothing of her until at last landing at Cholchiâ—es they understood that Phraartes had carried Araminta unto the Dominions of Thomiris and that Mandana was there also and that he would march with his Army towards that part of the River Araxes which limits the Massagettes on that side And Tigranes who writ all this unto me further added that as soon as their Equipage which was in making was ready they would come unto you Sir and Tigranes told me further that he would think himself obliged unto me if I would come unto this place whither of my self I am come Cyrus hearing this seemed to be much joyed that Tigranes and Spitridates would so shortly be in his Army For truly Madam said he unto her I do value those two Princes as good as ten thousand men and I do not doubt but I shall deliver Mandana since they will fight for her They would think themselves very happy Sir replied she if they can contribute any thing towards the delivery of so famous a Princess at least I am able to answer for Tigranes that he desires nothing more zealously then to have the glory of serving you Sir After this Cyrus acquainted Onesile how he had sent to Thomiris and since he knew Onesile to be of a very illustrious house originally a Greek Republique he presented those three Grecians unto her with whom he was talking before she came in and presented them as men who were esteemed by all the Grandees of Greece So that this Princess being very civil she received them with the sweetest grace that was possible the fair Telagene who was with her did no less and they were all three so happy in this discourse that at the very first meeting they got the esteem of this Princess and her lovely Cozen. In the mean time it being dinner time Cyrus told Onesile that he left it to her choice whom she would be pleased to have dine with her not excepting himself I have already told you Sir replied she that it becomes not me to prescribe any thing unto the Conquerour of Asia 'T is true Madam said he unto her But I answered alwayes that you might command me any thing Thus both Cyrus and Onesile did so vie civilities that they could not excel each other But whilst they were talking most of the company there being withdrawed out of respect there was none remaining but Indatherses and those three Grecians who dined with Cyrus Onesile and Telagene and two other Ladies of Quality who followed that Princess in her travels So that the last thing which Cyrus talked on with Diocles Menesiphiles and Chersias being the Banquet of the Seven Sages as soon as they did rise from the Table he turned towards them Though there be not so many Sages at this dinner said he unto them as at that Feast in Corinth yet I believe we had one advantage which they had not Since these Ladies who are here replied Diocles were not there nor you neither Sir doubtless there wanted the greatest ornaments of the world But Sir I assure you that Feast was more gallant then you imagine it for it was not only an Assembly of grave Phylosophers but also a most pleasant meeting of Ladies for the late Queen of Corinth was there she who raigns at this day also and the Princess Eumetis who otherwise is called the Princess of Lindes she was also there with the wise Cleobulus her Father Moreover there was an Embassador from the King of Egypt called Niloxenus the intimate friends of Periander were there also the merry Esope who at his departure from Lidia came to Corinth he was there and indeed this Assembly was so mixed that there was enough to find in it all that would satisfie any humor The truth is added Menesiphiles all manner of things was discoursed upon questions were argued upon all imaginable subjects Policy Morality Oeconomy Pleasures Riddles and Musique were treated upon abundance of pleasing rallary a million of questions in matter of love were put many an amorous history was related the adventure of Arion was told who also was there Indeed Sir this Feast deserved the Fame it hath gotten over all Greece For my part said Onesile I have had the greatest desire in the world to know all the particulars of it since a Grecian once coming to Artaxates told me somthing of it but not being present he told me only as much as filled me fuller of curiosity but nothing to satisfie me Since so Madam said Cyrus you speak it in a happy hour for Menesiphiles Diocles and Chersias were all three present at it and are able to satisfie you Now Sirs said he I know not how time can be better imployed then in hearing the sayings of these Sages of the world and of the most meritorious Princesses upon earth For truly Madam the Princess Cleâ—buline is a person composed of wonders and the Princess of Lindes hath been described unto me so amiable that the time will be very well spent in hearing their wits After this Onesile importuning Diocles Menesiphiles and Chersias to acquaint them with all that was done and said at this famous Feasts these three friends did in civility dispute amongst themselves who should have the honor to relate it But in conclusion it being agreed that Menesiphiles should begin it and
I will never trouble my self any further But then answered Parthenopea I must not any more deny that which I did so earnest deny before and you must dictate unto me how you would have me answer those who accuse you for hating of Iphic ate and loving Chrisippus As for Chrisippus replied Aglatonice sharply I will not acknowledg that I love him for you know I do not use to avow any such things all I would have you do for me is to keep me from being blamed for my aversion u to Iphicrates To avoid that blame replied Parthenopea you must treat Chrisippus less favourable then you do and must not hearken any more unto that croud of Lovers which press about you for then the world will say you have changed your humour and hath banished all Gallants in general because you affect not Gallantrie But that you should suffer a hundred to love you and out of this hundred you should chuse the least deserving man and dot endure Iphicrates the most meritorious this is the most unreasonable thing that ever any did However it be answered Aglatonice I shall not follow your counsel for I do love the world and hate solitude and since those who throng about me do onlie make a noise it is a diversion to me and to tell you trulie I delight not in silence unless in a Forrest and yet I had rather hear the croaking of Crows as harsh as the noise is the 〈◊〉 hear nothing at all and therefore I will continue seeing those I use to do and I assure you I will not absolutely thwart my self and I am fully perswaded that ever since there were any men there hath been continuallie some who have loved more out of fancie then reason and therefore though I did love Chrisippus more then I do yet I were not so blameable as you make me Also since I wil never do any thing for Chrisippus against what I owe unto my self surelie it were unjust I should go and trouble the tranquilitie of my life onlie for the satisfaction of Iphicrates and therefore my dear Parthenopea let not this piece of injustice wherewith you upbraid me make me lose your esteem or friendship As for my friendship replied She I shall leave it with you but as for my esteem I must confess you have a less share in it then you had when I came to you for trulie when I I consider that you should slight the most deserving of your Lovers and prefer the verie worst I shall think you capable of being unjust in matters of friendship as well as in matters of Gallantrie and to prefer the worst woman in all the Court before me since there can be no greater a difference between her me then between Iphicrates Chrisippus That which doth most comfort me in your anger is replied Aglatonice smiled though out of spite because I perceive you do not think I love Chrisippus very well for if you did think so you would not speak so scornfullie of me On the contrarie replied Parthenopea I speak as I do because I think you do love him for if I did not think so I should not speak at all But I must needs confess that seeing you so amiable as you are I cannot endure you should love below your self and scorn a Lover who indeed is worthie of you and therefore that I may no more upbraid you with these two things I beseech you strive with your self either to leave scorning Iphicrates or to leave loving Chrisippus Trulie Parthenopea said She and blushed I should be verie much puzled should I offer it to make choice of one of thee two for they seem unto me both equallie difficult and since I cannot endure any difficulties I beseech you pardon if I do not attempt either This Madam was the conference between Aglatonice and Parthenopea which yet did not end thus For be pleased to know that the Garden wherein they were having three doors Iphicrates to entertain his own melancholy thoughts did enter in at one where Parthenopea's Coach was not and not suspecting Aglatonice to be there he began to muse upon the oddness of his fate and so went on in his studie until he came to the place where Aglatonice and Parthenopea did sit But to render this accident more extraordinarie Chrisippus returning from hunting sooner then I wished I made the motion when we came to the Gate 〈◊〉 this Garden to light from our horses and take a turn in it For said I hunting habits are not fit for the visit of Ladies So that Chrisippus not dreaming of my design which was to keep him from interrupting my friend and being unwilling to displease a man who had diverted him all that day he lighted from his horse and went first into the Garden We had not gone thirty paces but we saw Aglatonice Parthenopea Iphicrates altogether and yet they saw not us I seeing this though I could not do my friend a greater pleasure then to stave off his Rival all the rest of the day So as I perswaded Chrisippus that since these Ladies saw us not our best way was to retreat since it was not handsom to shew our selves in such rude habits But Chrisippus being in love and of a hasty Spirit to execute what ere he had a fancie to in lieu of answering me he went straight to Aglatonice caring no more for me then if I had been none of his company But Madam in his address to her he used such trivial expressions which had neither seriousness or Gallantrie or delight in them that Parthenopea looking slily upon Aglatonice She made her blush But on the contrarie Iphicrates spoke so exactlie and played so handsomlie upon his Rival that Aglatonice in her aversion to him was no less vexed that Iphicrates did speak well then She was ashamed Chrisippus spoke ill So that not to be forced to commend Iphicrates in secret nor blame Chrisippus She talked on continually Parthenopea having a subtil wit and perceiving that Aglatonice talked only to make others silent did whisper her in the ear and chide her All will not do said She unto her for though you hinder Chrisippus from talking of trifles and Iphicrates from speaking excellently yet you cannot hinder but that there will be still a vast difference between them for indeed you need onlie to observe how they hearken to you and how they understand you to make the distinction I profess Parthenopea said She as loud as She could you are this day one of my cruel persecutors Have I not good reason replied Parthenopea For my part said Iphicrates to contradict Aglatonice though he knew not of whom they spoke I am perswaded that Parthenopea is in the right For my part said Chrisippus to contradict Iphicrates I think Aglatonice is in the right I assure you replied Parthenopea and smiled you do her the greatest wrong in the world to think so and there were never any thoughts more unjust then hers
petty division produced divers quarrels between these two Ladies which strangely perplexed Pisistrates for they would both of them be forcing him to take their parts yet he carried it so handsomly that somtimes condemning the one and sometimes the other he became a Judg of their differences and did not declare himself But in the interim of all these squabbles Theocrites continuing still the gravity of his humour made no further progress into the heart of Cerinthe then ordinary and consequently was more miserable then he was used to be Things standing upon these tearms and Pisistrates still saying that but for Euridamia he had loved Cerinthe and but for Cerinthe he had loved Euridamia I understood that Philombrotus was to go into the Country with his whole family I no sooner heard this but I went unto Pisistrates and addressing my self unto him Well Sir said I unto him and laughed We shall shortly see whether your words be true or no and whether you will fall in love with Euredamia as soon as Cerinthe is out of your sight for I understand she is going into the Country How said he Cerinthe into the Country Yes Sir answered I and I understand Philombrotus resolves upon it to morrow Then am I in a miserable case said he to me for I understood yesterday thar Euridamia goes away also to morrow and as you were coming to me I was saying to my self That I must prepare to fall in love with Cerinthe during the absence of Euridamia but for ought I see I am out of that danger since they both go Since it is not likely replied I and laughed that the same chance which caused them to depart both in one day will make them return also both in one day I shall not dispair but to see my curiosity satisfied ere it be long and we shall see whether you will fall in love with her who returns first In the mean time Pisistrates thought himself extreamly concerned in the absence of both these Ladies yet since he had rather only a bare amorous inclination towards them then any real love he comforted up himself and being obliged to take a journey himself a little after their departure change of place helped to dissipate melancholy thoughts But Madam I being he of all his friends with whom he held most familiarity he ingaged me to go this journey with him telling me the more to induce me to it that he was to go neer those famous Bathes which are at the foot of the Mountain Thermopiles and that we should go thither and divert our selves some daies after he had finished his business For Madam be pleased to know that these Bathes are so famous that for three moneths an infinite number of persons of greatest quality in all Greece resort thither Not sick languishing and diseased persons But the opinion of those best known in the virtues of these Bathes is that they are more proper to preserve health then to cure diseases So that all those who resort thither are in a fit condition for diversions Moreover Ladies having a fancy that these Bathes do augment their beauty or at least preserve it there is every year a huge resort of them thither under pretence of preventing diseases though really only to keep longer fair or at least to divert themselves for this is a rule in all Bathes that melancholy is by all means to be banished and mirth must be made as much as may be So Madam since I had never been there but often heard excellent diversions to be there met with I accepted of the offer which Pisistratss made unto me I shall not insist upon telling you what business carried Pisistrates unto Thermopolâ— for I must confess he kept it secret from me yet I thought it was to confer with some who were banished from Athens which might be useful to him in the change which he hath since brought about though he would not confess so much unto me However I went this voyage with him and after he had left me two daies with one of his friends whilst he dispatched his unknown business he returned and we went unto Thermopiles which was not above half a daies journey off us But Madam it is very requisite I acquaint you both with the place and the manner how they live at these Bathes for three moneths in the year Be pleased therefore to know Madam that very neer this mountain of Thermopiles which parts Greece and leaves but one narrow and difficult passage by which one can pass from one part of Creece unto the other Here stands a Town called Alpenes wherein are many houses commodious for lodging such as resort to the Bathes but the place where the Bathes stand hath in it somthing both salvage and pleasing Indeed when one is at that strait passage by which men come from one part of Greece into another one shall see a most inaccessible mountain environed with affrighting Precipices which reach as far as Mount Eâ—na towards the West and on that side towards the East may the Sea be seen and a kinde of Marish ground so full of sources and bogs as there is no going 'T is true that descending a little lower towards that side which looks towards Artimision there is a most pleasant Meadow and though it be in the view of this hideous mountain and on the other side the Sea yet there are an infinite number of trees growing about it Moreover since it is there where these Bathes are they have drained away the bogs and marish waters and conveying them away by several channels these famous Bathes are preserved There are also made at both ends of the Meadow above a hundred all bathing tubs of Marble unto which when they please they can convey the water and since every one who comes unto this Bath brings with them a magnificent Tent to cover over the bath they imploy these several Tents standing in this Meadow do make a most delighting object But Madam I forgot to tell you that the reason why this is so is because these waters being naturally lue-warm do lose their virtue if transported and therefore they must of necessity bath in the same place where they spring Yet here the Ladies have every one their bath in private as well as if in their Chambers and the Tents appointed for the men are at the other end of the Meadow in respect unto the Ladies yet there is a Gallery between them where Guards are kept during the hours of bathing so that the men do wait upon the Ladies so far only as this Gallerie after which they go into their own private Tents where they are at full liberty Also the men do never bathe at the same hours they do for they bathe mornings and the Ladies evenings So that after they have waited upon the Ladies to the Gallery they afterwards walk in the Meadows and wait until they have done bathing and then to conduct them unto their coaches which stand in ranks
so great a beauty as yours is I beseech you said Cleorante and smiled do not smother me with commendations for since Pisistrates and Silamis do hardly know me they will think I love to be commended hearing one of my friends flatter me so highly and I pray know that I do not love to be commended to my face though I must confess I love it well enough in speaking unto others behinde my back But I beseech you Madam replied Pisistrates what satisfaction will those commendations do you which you hear not and very often will never know of As for example added he I am confident that though I should depart to morrow and never see you again as long as I live yet I should speak above a hundred times of you and you never know it Perhaps you Sir would speak so little in my advantage replied she and smiled that it would be better for me not to know what you say of me I assure you Madam said I unto her if you did well know Pisistrates you would easily believe that he never speaks so oft of one that does not please him and she would know also added Pisistrates that I am alwayes speaking of her who pleaseth me As Pisistrates said so Erophile and almost all the Ladies being come out of their Tents Cleorante left us and went unto her mother who doubtless had been one of greatest beauties in all Athens and still was very well Those who had seen her young yet said that she was never so lovely as Cleorante who indeed was one of the most charming Beauties upon earth for besides that her Beauty was a Beauty of great lustre she had also such rare ayr of youth such a pleasing and merry modesty and such an inviting power that it was an impossibility to resist her But Madam as soon as she had left us we went as all the rest of the men did who walked in the Meadow to wait upon the Ladies at the door of the Gallery and to present our hands unto them for in that place men have as much liberty as at a Ball where it is not necessary to be acquainted before they speak or dance together In the mean time Ariston being next the door and as I said before being a particular friend unto Cleorante when she went out she tendred her hand unto him but as soon as he took it he turned towards Pisistrates and told him that as a testimony of his friendship he would surrender his place unto him And added he speaking unto Cleorante as he deserves it better then I so I beseech you Madam let him have it It seems you are weary replied she and laughed and desiring Pisistrates should be so also you would have him go away to morrow No Madam answered Pisistrates but on the contrary Ariston desires my stay here and therefore he lets me have the honor of speaking to you However it be said Ariston in leaving them I hope you will tell me what you talk of at the end of the walk After this Ariston presented his hand unto another Lady and I mine unto Cleorantes friend of whom I spoke So that the evening being very fair they walked a long time Pisistrates and Cleorante had so much leisure as to talk enough to let one another know that they had both of them most admirable wits But the hour of returning unto Alpene being come Ariston came to them because the Lady whom he waited upon went first away and as soon as he had put her in the Coach he came and asked Cleorante and Pisistrates how they liked one another For my part said Pisistrates and laughed I must tell you that I was never in all my life so taken with any as I am with Cleorante and me-thinks I have been acquainted with her ever since she began first to live For my part said this fair one Pisistrates is so little a stranger unto me that I believe if I had any secrets I durst trust them unto him To testifie unto you added Pisistrates that we were not at any non-plus as ordinarily those are who are first acquainted I assure you we talked all the while and yet not of any beauties of the time or that of the place nor of any such kinde of things as people use to talk of when they have nothing else to say As Pisistrates said so Erophile being returned to call her Daughter Ariston advanced towards her and told her at the desire of his friend that Pisistrates had a design to go with her to her house So that she staying he saluted her and she received him very well for she being a Lover of peace quietness and pleasures she was very desirous to contract an amity between Megacles and Pisistrates yet this conversation was not long For since it was very late we only waited upon the Ladies to their coach After which Pisistrates Ariston and I we walked a little longer In the mean time they had no sooner left us but I said unto Pisistrates in a laughing manner that I found he would ere long be accustomed unto Cleorante But be sure said I unto him whilst Ariston was taking order for our lodging that first you have unaccustomed your self from Cerinthe and from Euridamia We shall stay so little here replied he and laughed that I shall not have leisure to accustom my self in earnest with Cleorante And we shall return so soon unto Athens that I shall not have leisure to unaccustom my self from Cerinthe and Euridamia But Euridamia and Cerinthe said I unto him will not be there when you return for they are both in the Country 'T is very true said he unto me I profess I had forgotten that Really said I unto him and laughed this is a most infallible proof that you are not in love with them For it is without example either in a Lover or a friend that they should forget they bad adieu unto their Mistress or friend and not remember whether they be absent or present Since I laughed somthing loud Ariston coming towards us asked what I laughed at But Pisistraees not well knowing any reason why forbad me to tell him so earnestly that indeed I did not After which we began again to talk of Cleorante and we asked him whether she had as much goodness as she had beauty Doubtless she hath replied Ariston but she hath one good quality which is very particular for she is unequal humoured without any fantasticalness and she is at that very same time one of the most equal humoured persons upon earth in many things This is a thing replied I which cannot be easily comprehended Yet it is most true replied he for most certain it is that Cleorante is alwayes one of the best persons in the world and loves her friends with the most even constant and equality of humour In what then is she unequally humoured replied Pisistrates In this answered he that she is somtimes merry and somtimes serious and yet her
see that Cleorante received his Rival very coldly In the mean time since Cerinthâ— and Euridamia had no relations to the bathes which had acquainted them with Cleor 〈…〉 Conquest they both of them looked upon Pisistrates as their own So that they were both of them in their wayes â—â—gely civil unto him Pisistrates on his side was the same but he knew then very well 〈…〉 that these two Ladies whom heretofore he thought to have fall 〈…〉 in love withal should now never be but in the degree of friends and he perceived also by the thoughts he had of Lycurgus that he needed not to ask him of what nature the affection was which he had unto Cleorante since he needed not to question but it was Love In the mean time Cerinthe and Euridamia finding Cleorante admirably fair that day because they knew not that she had taken Pisistrates from them they could not â—â—use but commend her whilst Philombrotus and his Wife were talking unto Erophile Truly Madam said Cerinthe unto Cleorante I do find you are so much imbellished that you perswade me the bathes have indeed that virtue which is attributed unto them No no Madam said Pisistrates boldly and interrupted her Never ascribe more unto the Baths then what 's their due for Cleorante returns and never bathed and that freshness which you see upon her cheek is only an effect of her youth and her own beauty and I do protest that out of a multitude of high beauties which bathed every day there was not one whose lustre she did not dim Since you went not to bathe your self replied Cerinthe and blusht for anger at the commendations which he gave Cleorante it is to be thought Madam you went thither only to perplex the hearts of all those who saw you there But you see Madam replied she and pointed at Piststrates Ariston and me that I have spared those of my own Country for they are too merry to have their hearts wounded Those wounds are so sweet replied I seeing the non-plus of Pisistrates that one may be glad to have them and that joy which appears in the faces of Pisistrates Ariston and me is a convincing proof that you have not very much wounded us On the contrary replied Euridamia and looked upon Pisistrates I think it so glorious to be wounded by so fair a hand that it would be a difficult thing not to be joyed at it However it be said Cephise not knowing the interest which Cerinthe and Euridamia had in Pisistrates I assure you there was not so many men this year unto whom the Bathes have done good unto as there are whom the eyes of Cleorante hath done hurt unto For my part said Cerinthe in way of Rallary to try whether her suspition were rightly grounded I care not what hurt they have done unto the men of Thebes Delphos Argos or Megares so the Athenians be free but for them I must confess I would not have her bring them back Slaves Pisistrates Ariston and Silamu do agree so well together replied Euridamia that there is no likelyhood of their being Rivals For my particular said Ariston I do declare openly that I dare not be in love with Cleorante and am but only her friend For my part said Pisistrates I will not so directly tell what I am for methinks it is not handsom to tell before all the world whether one be in love or no. This answer which Pisistrates made was not interpreted after the same manner for Cerinthe flattering her self did alter her opinion and thought that Pisistrates said only so because he thought it not civil to tell a fair Lady to her face that he was not in love with her Euridamia for her part she seeing no share she had in the answer of Pisistrates knew not whether the hidden sense of his words related unto Cleorante or Cerinthe But as for Lycurgus the looks of Cleorante did clearly evidence unto him the obscurity of Pisistrates his discourse for this fair one turning her eyes accidentally towards Pisistrates Lâ—curgus saw she took them off again in such a manner as made him judg she knew Pisistrates loved her more then he would tell So that the very same words which extinguished jealousie in the heart of Cerinthe did kindle it in Lycurgus They put Euridamia into doubt and assured Cleorante of Pisistrates his discretion In the mean time Philombrotus and his Wife who were talking with Erophile beginning to walk towards their house and commanding some of their Servants to get the broken Coach mended Cephise Cleorante Euridamia Cerinthe Pisistrates Lycurgus Ariston and I did follow them and chance did so favourably order the business for Pisistrates that without any exceptions he helped Cleorante to walk for it was the custom of the Country for the strangers alwayes go first So Lycurgus led Cephise Ariston Euridamia and I Cerinthe Truth is she spoke not much unto me for she had alwayes somthing to say unto Pisistrates or unto Cleorante Euridamia for her part she entertained Silamis no better and Lycurgus did not much divert Cephise Truth is Madam as things stood if we had stayed longer we should have been all weary For though Pisistrates was not where he would be since he was not at freedome he thought himself nothing happy and the presence of his Rival and those two friends who pretended to be his Mistresses did damp all his pleasures But being come into the house of Philombrotus they carried Erophile Ciphise and Cleorante into a very fair Chamber where they left them for a time at liberty to rest themselves So that by this means Pisistrates was ingaged to be with Cerinthe and Euridamia without Cleorante Yet he carried himself well enough in this discourse for since he alwayes esteemed them and saw them both together he spoke nothing which might make them think he was changed and if they had seen him only out of Cleorantes company they would have believed him to be the same he was when he went from Athens But they continued not long in these thoughts after Erophile Cephise and Cleorante came out of their Chambers and went into a Parler which looked into a lovely Garden where Cerinthe Euridamia and all the rest of the company were For as soon as Cleorante appeared Pisistrates went to her and had so quite forgotten that Cerinthe and Euridamia observed him as though she had not been above half an hour out of his sight yet he seemed as glad to see her again as if he had been moneths from her So that now the melancholy and merry Ladies began both to think one and the same thing and concluded certainly that Pisistrates was in love with Cleorante for Cerinthe was vexed and Euridamia was sad yet both of them had one equal consolation in the adventure for Cerinthe had rather lose Pisistrates by Cleorante then by Euridamia and Euridamia had rather Cleorante should get Pisistrates from her then Cerinthe should Yet this poor consolation did not so
being pursued by his Rivall which had fallen upon him was forced to leave her under a Tree with her woman And whilest they fought with extreame animosity she got into the thick of the wood unseen and happily she found a Cave into which she entered and stayed a whole day and a night there during all which time she still heard a noise But never any stirre since the Sun did rise fearing lest some wild beasts and famine should force them out they came to the high way side where I was and covered themselves with leaves waiting till any came whom they thought would helpe them and they thanked the Gods for sending me thither Is it possible said Gobrias that Astidamas should carry away my Daughter the Son of my Sister in law he who hath a million of Obligations upon him and who could never commit such an act unlesse he were the most ungratefull and basest man in the world Yes sir answered Hidaspes but he is punished for his crime by another who is no lesse innocent then himselfe for he was killed by a man of good ranck named Licander with whom he was fighting when the faire Arpasia got into the wood yet she was ignorant of his death still after she spake with me but came to know it presently after for being in a strange amazâ—ment to imagine how I could secure her person being alone and having but one horse as good luck was as I was talking with her an empty Coach came by and talking with the Coachman I understood that it belonged to a Lady of Quality who had lent it unto one of her friends and was returning back and that this Ladies house was not above fifteene furlongs distant from the place so that without more adoe I desired Arpasia to goe into the Coach with her woman and to entreate a lodging with the Lady who owed it until some course was resolved upon Since no better course could be thought upon she willingly consented and I promised such recompence to the Coach-man as he was very glad of the imployment So the faire Arpasia went into the Coach and I promised her to dye rather then she should receive any wrong But sir after wee had gone three or foure furlongs we saw five or six dead men and amongst them Astidamas The faire and sad Arpasia grew pale at the sight who turning her head aside from this sad spectacle she told me that her Ravisher was amongst those dead men since he is dead said I unto her you need not feare him Alas Hidaspes cryed she though Astidamas be dead yet all my Enemies are not And indeed sir she had no sooner said so but a very handsome Man followed by foure others comming out of the thick Wood no sooner saw her but comming up to the Coach Why Madam said he unto her doe you shun your deliverer If you will merit that name sir said she unto him let me passe under the conduct of Hidaspes and follow me no farther for truly Licander I would not be under your power Since I have beene a long time under yours Madam replied he you have no reason to feare me but may well permit me to be your Guard And indeed Madam added he and looked fiercely upon me I am resolved that a Persian shall not rob me of that glory nor will I let the King of Assyrias Conqueror obtaine that honour which you have denyed me since I have at this present more right unto it then he since all the King of Assyria's subjects said I unto him are onely slaves unto the Prince whom I serve you have no right unto the Daughter of the valiant Gobrias who is at this time under his protection and therefore I must tell you that I will not leave her until I have conducted her unto the place where she desires to go Since you are single said he unto me and I have company I know not how to answer you but I am sure you shall not follow me long If the faire Arpasia doe not forbid me replyed I I will follow you as long you follow her At these words Arpasia being so good as to feare lest he should make use of the Advantage he had of me and fearing also to fall under his power she began to use all her Rethorique to perswade him unto her desires but all in vaine So that comming to a part of the wood where were several waies Licander would needs force the Coachman to drive the way he desired and not that way which went to his Ladies house And not being able to suffer the violence which this unjust Lover offered unto the faire Arpasia though I foresaw my certaine ruine yet I drew my sword and went straight to Licander whom I slightly hurt in the left arme the first thrust I made Licander standing in a posture of defence did very gallantly charge his man to stand still saying he himselfe would conquer me But sir he was so ill obeyed that for all his charge they fell all upon me at once yet I was so happy and quick that in charging through them I wounded one so dangerously that he fell amongst our Horses feet but yet I had three upon me and Licander seeing one of his fallen did not charge his men then from falling upon me all I was able to doe was to wound another of my Enemies for whilest I was making at a third Licander gave me such a blow that I fell downe as dead After which I could onely heare the cryes of the faire Arpasia and could not see any farther of the passages Yet I understand since that Licander forced the Coach-man to drive the way he desired In the meane time my loss of blood and my sorrow was such that I was not able to relieve Arpasia that it made me insensible and I returned not to my selfe till some shepheards finding me in that pittiful condition carried me unto that Ladies house unto whom the Coach belonged She being a woman of great virtue she had a great care of me But my mind running most upon Arpasia after I had thanked her for her favours I told her in short all the passages acquainting her with the quality and merit of Arpasia and desired her to send some of her servants and relieve her if possible or if she had not upon a sudden men enough to doe it yet at least to send one to follow them and know the place where the Ravisher carried her confessing ingenuously to you that I had then no thoughts of the Assyrian King But sir This Lady not being able to satisfie my first desire yet she did the second and immediately made choice of a witty and bold fellow whom I informed which way the Coach took and so away hee went with intentions to follow till he had lodged them in some place where they were likely to stay After this Sir I suffered incredible miseries for my wounds being very great and being in a place where the
who stayed in that part of the wood where Aripithis was to come So that seeing no likelihood of victory they sent Orders to those Forces which were before the Fort to retire and they themselves also are retired Aripithis staying farre in the wood with his forces I did not think good to engage him in the narrow Passes but came to you sir to tell you that there is none who can dispute the victory to you but as for Spargapises I know nothing Mazares had no sooner done speaking but Cyrus desiring to teach his men by his example that all blessings come onely from heaven he fell downe upon his knees and looking up to the Sunne which is the adored Deity of the Persians he gave thanks for the victory Thus he was seene victorious in the midst of a field full of dead and dying men under the homage of his valour unto the God whom he adored All his Troopes after his example did the like and every one according to the Religion of his Country did the like gratitude for such a signall victory indeed never was any more compleat the whole Army of the Enemy was vanquished not a squadron unscattered and undispersed Few of the Officers but what were either kil'd or prisoners the valiant Terez dyed in the head of that couragious Infantry which fought the last All the Enemies Engines and Batteries were taken and served for a Trophie of Glory unto the Conqueror their Baggage enriched all the Souldiers of Cyrus his Army and in testimony of this great Conquerors victory he incamped in the Enemies Campe but his greatest glory was that Myrsiles Artamas Intaphernes Atergates Gobrias Gadates Indathirses and all that were at this great dayes worke did publish aloud that Cyrus alone wonne the batâ—el And it is most certaine without any flattery of him that the prudence by which he guided his valour did get him the day for had he not restrained the impetuosity of his courage and the forwardness of his Troopes when he had broken the Left-wing of his Enemies things had not succeeded so happily For Cressus having led on his Troopes with a little too much precipitation they were presently routed not but that hee did signalize himselfe upon that occasion and shewed much courage but yet after he had received a great wound in his right Arme and was carryed out of the fight he had the sorow to see that wing which he commanded quite put to flight many battalians of his Infantry torne in pieces all his Engines taken by the Massagettans and indeed to have seene all his men perish had not the body of Reserve advanced in the Areare to their reliefe Thus one would have said that the victory had been on both sides for the Right-wing of Cyrus where he himselfe was did rout the Left-wing of Thomiris and the Right-wing of Thomiris where Ariantes was did rout the Left-wing of Cyrus But whilest this double victory was on either side the Infantry was not idle for that of Cyrus advanced against that of the Massagettans After all the most pleasing of his thoughts upon this occasion was to imagine that the noise of his victory would reach Mandana and that she would thank him for what he had done to deliver her As he was thus enjoying the sweet fruits of his victory in thinking upon his Princess Chrisantes came hastily to him and told him that one of the Prisoners who had the honour to be taken by his own hand was the Prince Spargapises How said Cyrus the Son of Thomiris my Prisoner Yes Sir replyed Chrisantes But those unto whom you committed all the Prisoners in guard having observed that this Prince whom they knew not had made more endeavours to escape then any of the rest and seeing that they had a great number to guard they bound him for the more securitie but a Massagettan who had seen me heretofore with you at the Tents Royall not being able to endurethe Son of his Queen to be in that condition and considering that I could not know him because he was at Issedon when you Sir were with Thomiris he acquainted me who he was in hopes of better usage but Spargapises hearing and observing that I understood his language he called unto me Since I cannot conceal my selfe said he unto me I pray let Cyrus know how his men use me like a slave and I desire so much favour from him as to be treated as a Prisoner of Warre and not to be tyed up as I am This Prince had no sooner said so but going to him I endeavoured to let him know that you would be extreamly sorry for the usage he had received and I would presently have caused him to be unbound but he who had the chief command of the guard not being there the Souldiers who understood not what that Prince said unto me would not lose him so that I came in all hast to acquaint you Sir that you may give orders for it Cyrus no sooner heard what Chrisantes said but he imagined that Mandana would be loaded with the same chains Spargapises was and that Thomiris would revenge upon her the hard usage her Sonne had received so that being both griev'd and vexed at what his men had done though he was very glad of such a Prisoner he sent Hidaspes with Chrisantes to cause him to be delivered and to bring him to his Tent commanding them to tell Spargapises that he had rather have been bound himselfe then to see so great a Prince as he in such a condition Hidaspes and Chrisautes according to the orders of Cyrus went to Spargapises and unbound him with their own hands after they had told him what Cyrus had said As long as they spoke this young Prince who was very lovely though of a surly deportment did hearken to them without any interruption but he hearkened unto them with such a fretting look as made it seem he took his misfortune with much impatiency so that desiring to comfort him they added unto what Cyrus had also charged him with a Letter to Doralissa Feraulas another to Martessia Hidaspes and Gobrias desired him to enquire very carefully whether a Lady came unto Thomiris whose name was Arpasia conducted by a man whose name was Licander Adonacris also writ by him unto Agathirses who he knew was with Thomiris and thereby moved him to compose things as much as he could And Anabaris also writ unto all his friends which he had in that Court to do the like Thus Ortalgues was charged with so many different commissions that he stood in need of all his wit to acquit himselfe well of them all Mazares had a good mind to send one unto Mandana but he Mastered himselfe and contented himselfe with thinking upon her without moving her to think upon him In the mean time Cyrus talked a long while with Anacharsis in private after which that sage Scythian went with the Envoy of Thomiris who went next the Chariot which carryed the
did put upon him but he found Argelise so chollerick that do what he could he was not able to qualifie her incensed spirit As for Arpasia he found her very sweet and civill and she told him that she thought her self much obliged unto Meliantes for hazarding his life in her behalf though she could have wished he had not applied such violent remedies but she desired him to tell Meliantes from her that she wished he would not any longer continue obstinate in loving her since he did but loose his Labour Then Phormion for all that did perswade her withall the reasons which his friend had furnished him withall but she told him again so resolutely that she would never entertain a Lover whom she could suspect of inconstancy that he plainly saw Meliantes had no hopes On the other side Cleonide seeing infallibly that Astidamus forsook her out of self interest she was so incensed against him as she declared that though he should return again unto her yet he should return in vain for she would never marry a man who had more ambition in his heart than love This example of Cleonides generosity wrought so upon the heart of Argelise that she being out of hopes Meliantes would ever become her slave again she said as much as Cleonide did so as the resentments of these three persons being quickly known unto Protogenes and Gabrias they did not think the business so difficult to be composed yet were they very sorry to see that the marriage of Arpasia and Astidamus could no be consummated but since they still united their interests against the King of Assyria they made the best of this adventure they could So that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meliantes and Astidamus were almost equally culpable to each other and their sisters and that Cleonide and Argelise would not pretend unto their Lovers nor Arpasia unto Meliantes they conceived that there was nothing else to be done but to prevent a second combate And imploying the perswasions of all their friends these two enemies did seem to yeild unto the desires of their freinds purposely to be rid of their guards and they conâ—ented to imbtace each other promising to quarrell no more But for all that hating one another with an inveterate malice as they imbraced each other there passed a reciprocall challenge between them and they carried it so cunningly that none perceived it They both went out of Alfenes the night following and fought the next morning by break of day where none was present to part them Meliantes wounded Astidamus very dangerously and disarmed him so that seeing he could not enter into Alfenes after this combat considering the condition of his enemy he retired after he had put him into the hands of his page who waited upon him and that he sent his own page unto Phormion to acquaint him with the place where he would stay for him giving him a Letter also for Arpasia Thus Madam immediatly after this fair one understood that Astidamus was brought in much wounded this page found an opportunity to give her his Masters Letter wherein was writ these words if my memory fail me not To the Fair ARPASIA Madam I Have oft heard say that one may treat a persidious Lover ill but I cannot think it just to use a faithfull Lover so I conceive Madam that Argelise cannot hate me without shee be unjust and I conceive you cannot hate me unless you be cruell However though perhaps you beleive not this yet I cannot choose but conjure you to remember that had it not been for my love to you you had been the wife of Astidamus and beleeve that in what part of the world soever I am I shall be eternally your Lover and shall be more faithful under the name of Meliantes than ever I was under that of Clidaris I being with Arpasia when she read this Letter I observed she could not read it without some disorder yet shee would not answer it only intreated Phormion when he came to bid her adue to tell his friend that she was so just as never to forget her Obligations to him conjuring him to think of her as a person who could not be any more than his friend But Madam after Phormion had met with Meliantes since it was easy to foresee that Gabrias would very shortly return he would not go very far from Alfenes purposely to know the passages there and being resolved to speak with Arpasia say what Phormion could he would meet Arpasia upon the way In the mean time whilst we were at Alfenes Gabrias was much perplexed for since Meliantes did first come with him and since it was he who presented him unto Protogenes this man greiving to see his nephew in danger of death pretended that Gabrias must needs know where Meliantes was and that it was fit he should inform him Gabrias for his part being perswaded that this Duell was fought without any foul play and with equall advantage and thinking it against the Laws of honour to pursue Meliantes he told Protogenes that he knew not where he was But though he did know he would not tell him unless his thoughts were better than he saw them So as growing insensibly very bitter one against another though their interests required an union they parted upon ill terms and much animosity one against another But I do verily beleive the black tongued Alcianipe did blow the bellowes of their anger very much for she divulgd a report that Protogenes had a design to discover the intentions which Gabrias had of taking part with Ciaxares and to make his own peâ—ce with the King of Assiria intended to send both him and Arpasia unto Babylon and at the very same time she told others that Gabrias thinking to betray Protogenes had secretly conveyed some souldiers into Alfenes and that Arpasia did set on Meliantes to fight with Astidamus but the wonder was that she thinking to tell a lye did tell a truth for she affirmed that Meliantes was to meet Arpasia upon the high way as she travelled Moreover she said that she was sure there was most intimate affection between them Again she would not allow that this duel was fought with fair play and vented such invectives both against Cleonide and Argelise that her venemous tongue did become odious unto all that had any interest in these two Ladies or had any sparks of virtue in them she had drawn such an universal hatred upon her self when we came from Alfenes that all the Ladies intended to forbear any more visits unto her as the most dangerous and detestable person upon earth In the mean time after our departure was resolved upon and that Gabrias and Protogenes though they defied one another yet carrying it as if they were good freinds all the Ladies came to bid adieu unto Arpasia and to testifie their sorrows to loose her yet Argelise must be excepted who faining to be sick could not find in her heart to visit a person who
the fairest slowers of Pernassus But Madam these are not they which make Sapho most amiable For the charms of her wit do infinitely transcend those of her beauty And indeed it is of so vast an extent as it may most truly be said that what she understands not cannot be reach'd by any other And she is so wonderfully apt to learn any thing that she hath made it her owne before you would think she began to learn First she had naturally an inclination to composeverse and she has so happily improved her selfe as none whoever excells her And she hath invented such singular measures as Hesiode and Homer were ignorant of and have found such an approbation in the world as they that bear the name of the inventor unto this day and are called Saphiques She wrote also most admirably in Prose and there was an amorous Character upon all the works of this rare Lady that she moved and softned the hearts of all such as read what shee writ I have seen her compose a Song upon a sudden which was a thousand times more moving then the mourning Elegie could bâ—â—and her wit had such an amorous way with it as none other besides her selfe ever had She expressed her selfe in such things as were most difficult most delicately And she knew so well how to read an Anatomy Lectur upon an amorous heart fit be lawfull to say â—o that she could make an exact description of all its jealousies all its inquietudes all its impatiencies all its joyes all its disgusts its murmures its dispairs its hopes its feares its revotls and all the tumultuous imaginations of it Moreover the most admirable Sapho did not only know what belonged to matters of Love but also much better what belonged to matters of generosity Indeed she knew so perfectly how both to write and speak of every thing that there was nothing which did not come within the compasse of her knowledg and yet one would not imagine it a knowledge infused for Sapho had seen all that was worthy of sight and took much pâ—ines to be instructed in all that was worthy of curiosity Moreover she played upon the Lute and sung passing well she danced with an excellent grace and would divert her self and others most admirably in a harmless Rallary and which was most admirable in her This person who was so knowing in so many severall things knew them without the least spark of ostentation or pride and without scorning those who knew them not her discourse is so naturall so free so easie and so gallant as one should never hear her talk in generall Company but of such things as a person of a good wit might talk of without having studyed for what she knew Not but that knowing men might see that Nature alone could not arrive at that height she did but it was because she was so carefull to keep her self within the Sphere of her own Sex as she almost never spoke of any thing but such as was within the compass of a Ladies knowledge and it was to her very singular good friends that she would impart the depth of her knowledge unto yet it must not be imagined that Sapho affected any gross kind of ignorance in her Conversation But on the contrary she was full of witty and pleasant conceits Moreover shee could speak so singularly well both unto things serious and things gallant and Airie as it was admired one person should have talents so opposite But what is most worthy of commendations in Sapho is that in the whole world there was not a Person fuller of goodnesse then shee nor more generous nor more officious nor lesse interested Againe her friendship was full of fidelity her soule was so tender and her heart so passionate that questionlesse it was asupream felicity to be the friend of Sapho for she had such an ingenious spirit and such a witty way of inventing new means to oblige those whom shee esteemed and to make them know her affection that though shee seemed not to do any extraordinary thing yet she perswaded them that she loved them deerly shee was absolutly incapable of envie And she would do Justice unto any merit with so much generosity that she took greater delight in commending others then in being commended Besides all this shee was full of complacency which without the least dram of basenesse in it was infinitly agreeable and if shee at any time denied her friends she did it with so much civility and sweetnesse that she obliged them by her deniall and imagine I pray how she would oblige them if she should grant them her friendship and confidence This Madam is the composition of the rare Sapho whose Brother is fraught with inclinations far different from those of his admired Sister Not but that Charaxes hath some qualities which are good but with all he hath many bad ones He had courage indeed out it was a bestiall courage such as makes a Dog more valiant then a Deer and not such a generous valour as is requisit in a compleat man But Madam this rare woman being so accomplished as I have described her she made so great a rumour in Mylitene notwithstanding all her modesty and care to conceale her knowledge that fame carried her name throughout all Greece and that so gloriously that untill then never any of her sex had so great a reputation The greatest wits of the world were greedy of her Verses and all Greece preserved them with care and admiration yet she did impart them with so much difficulty and seemed to value them so little that it augmented her glory Moreover one could never know what times she took to make them for she was a daily visitor of her friends and one should hardly ever see her either read or write and she was so good a disposer of her time that she had some â—â—r her self and some for her friends Moreover she was such an absolute Mistresse of her own mind that what careâ— soever were in her soule they never appeared in her eyes unlesse it was her mind they should But Madam I have not said enough yet of the most admirable Sapho for I must furt er tell you to the end you may the better perceive her judgment that there were some Persons whom she honoured with her Amity And amongst the rest there were foure who had the principall shares in her diversions The first was called Amithone The second Erinne the third Athys and the fourth Cydnon my sister However though â—t be not handsome to commend such as are neere allyed unto us wiâ—h he same sincerity and applause as others yet to the glory of Sapho I shall speak of them all very advantageously For since Cydnon was her first friend it is but just I should justifie her choice And to begin the description of these four give mee leave to tell you that Amithone was a very big woman of a very advantageous stature and a goodly presence who though
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
unto Sapho telling me he had a very earnest desire to se her and adding that in all likely-hood he should fall in love with her if he found her such a beauty as he imagined If so sir said I purposely to prevent him I must not carry you thither for you would be extreamly miserable if you should become a lover of a person who has so many others Thus I not being able to perswade Phaon and Themistogenes not being able to perswade me we parted but I wondred when after dinner being at Saphoes shee should tell me that Nicanor and Phylire who had seen Phaon did give him such a noble Character as though it was not her use to affect fresh acquaintance yet she could not choose but desire his The very truth is Madam replyed I Phaon is a person of very extraordinary merit since he is your intimate friend replyed she I shall hope he will come and visit Cydnon and so happily I shall see him at her Chamber I believe Madam replyed I that he would see you at your own house before any other place did he not stand in feare of you Alas Democedes said shee unto me why should any friend of yours stand in feare of me but to be plaine with you I shall think you have infused a bad opinion of me into him if he do not come and see me you may imagine Madam how this expression of Saphoes perplexed me knowing the mind of Phaon as I did but I engaged my self to bring him unto Sapho and accordingly I went very seriously unto Phaon and desired him to make this visite for my sake if not for Saphos but I had much ado to perswade him yet being affraid to fall out with me he yeilded but told me withall that I must take this Complacency as a great argument of his friend-ship and afterwards promised me to go the next day with me unto Sapho But that which most troubled me was that I durst not carry him unless I carry Themistogenes also because he would be very angry with me if I had not so that to carry a very pleasing man unto her I was constrained to carry a very ill Companion also I advertised Sapho of this intended visite and she acquainted all her dear friends with it so that Amithone Erinne Athys and Cydon were all with her when Phaon Themistogenes and I came thither Sapho being one of the most pleasing Persons in the world at the first sight and the most obliging when she pleased she received us extreamly kindly and in such a gallant manner that I saw very well Phaon was much surprised and that he did not expect to find her Aire so free so amiable and so naturall As for Themistogenes I observed that he was astonished as well as Phaon but it was in a different manner yet being both of them prepossessed with an opinion of Saphos knowledge and conceiving they ought to speak in an Elevated stile they begun their discourse in a grave serious and very solemn Tone And though I told Phaon there needed no such setting off himself in Print yet he did not beleive me so that thinking he ought to commend her as a Person extraordinary and in the highest Phrases he began his Encomium with a very eloquent Exordium But Sapho stopping his Oration and turning towards me I professe Democides said she I have great reason to complaine against you Against me Madam replied I with astonishment Yes replied she against you for since Phaon does not know me it were injustice to complain against him and therefore I do positively accuse you for all these applauds which he bestows upon me for had you acquainted him that I do not affect any Commendations I believe him to be a more accomplished man then to turn his Complacency into such flatteries as cannot chuse but displease me I assure you Madam replyed I I advised him not to offend the modesty of your humour Then 't is apparent hee does not know me replyed Sapho But Phaon continued she and turned towards him since I do not love to be beholding unto Fame I shall take it as a very singular favour if you would judg of mee onely by your own knowledg Let time and experience give you the knowledg of me For it would be very unjust in you to judge of me upon the reports of others Madam replyed Phaon and smiled I do admire your Modesty and that 's all I dare say for to acknowledg that you merit more commendations then Fame doth give you is to tell you that you merit more then ever any did Can fame give you better report added Themistogenes thinking to hit the naile upon the head then that a Lady can make better verses then ever Homer did and that she is wiser then all the seven Sages of Greece However Sir said Sapho I cannot endure that any should tell me of any such things and the greatest injury my friends can do me is to think that I love to be commended For since I know that I am not wise I cannot endure to be told that I am and though I were so yet surely I should hate flattery I cannot deny but that I have made some foolish verses but Poetry being only an effect of a natural inclination as musique is I ought to be no more commended for making verses then for singing After this Sapho turning the discourse upon some other subject very ingeniously she was extream carefull to talk of nothing that might smell of too much wisdome but on the contrary she passed away all the afternoon in a pleasant Rallary with her friends twitting them with a thousand petty passages concerning their Caballa which yet were so intelligible that Phaon and Themistogenes did take as much delight in them as those did who were acquainted with the passages Afterwards Alces and Nicanor coming in Sapho began to chide the first of them for a custome which he had and which he always used when occasion presented it selfe For Madam be pleased to know that Alces had such a fancy of a faire woman that he could not endure those who were not so and he would alwayes be sure to change place whensoever Chance had set him neere any ill-favoured person So it hapned when he was in Sapho's Chamber that a Woman came in who indeed was very ugly he according to his humour went out and went so abruptly that the woman plainly saw that he vvent out purposely to shun her Sapho being desirous to turn discourse another vvay began after a gallant manner to condemn his nicenesse and in his person to blame most young Gallants of the time vvhose Custome was to do the like Truly Madam said Alces unto her I had not gone out at that time from your Chamber but because I desired to go unto the faire Athys and I do protest not upon any other reason I pray Alces replyed Athys make not your visit unto me your excuse for you came not to
truth is that though I do know some things which all women do not know yet I am sure I know less than all women ought to know Truly Madam replyed Cydnon and laughed you do engage them unto a great task and to speak sincerely you know so much that I cannot tell how you should conceal your knowledge from them nor how you should infuse it into them I am very certain replyed Sapho that I know so very little that if all women would imploy that time well which they imploy idely they would know a thousand times more than I do Your expressions Madam are so ingenious so modest and so noble replyed Phaon that though what you say as relating to your selfe be not positively true yet I cannot for my life choose but commend you For it is most certain that most Ladies are much to blame in spending many a most precious houre which might be much better imployed than they use to do For my particular said Phylire I cannot tell how Ladies can learn any thing though they would for often times I have not so much leasure as to go unto the temple and I have a friend who is every day so long in dressing her self that the sun is set before she can get out of her Chamber I have often thought replyed Amithone that Sapho could not afford her self so much time as to sleep and do all shee did untill I went a journey with her into the Countrey But since then I have been convinced of my error by seeing her order her time so well that she had leasure to do a thousand things which I could not do for she found as much time to sleep as kept her complexion fresh and her eyes in Luster she had time enough to dresse her self as gallantly as any did she had also her times of reading writing studying walking and still time enough to look unto her businesse and to enjoy her friends And all this without being troubled or being busie I would she would teach me the secret said the faire Athis for could I learn it I would strive to know more then I do But before you oblige her to impart so great a secret replyed Erinne I would all women here would wel examin whetherit be expedient that women generally should know more then they do I think that Question will easily be resolved replyed Sapho for I must confess that though I am a declared enemy unto all women who are alwayes in their Altitudes of knowledge and wisedome yet I cannot choose but extreamely condemne the other extreame and be ashamed to see so many women of quality so grosely ignorant as in my opinion they dishonour their sex Nor know I any thing more injurious unto our sex then that any should say a woman is not obliged to learn any thing for if so then would I also have her forbidden to speak and not taught to write for if she may write and speak it is but reason she should use all helps to better her understanding to informe her judgment and to learne how to speak and write well And seriously it is the oddest thing in the world to observe how women commonly are educated They must not be any Gossippers nor Gallants and yet they are taught with abundance of care every quality that belongs to gallantry but never any thing that will fortifie their virtue or improve their wits Dancing singing and playing are parts that must not by any means be neglected but are never instructed in any thing which may make them speak well or carry themselves in any business with discretion And considering how some Ladies lead their lives one would think that they were forbidden all reason or wit for they doe nothing in the world but sleep grow fat and make themselves faire and never do or say any thing but foolishly And I am sure there 's none in the company but knows some unto whom what I say is applicative For my part I do know one who useth continually to sleep above twelve houres who spends three or foure in dressing her self or to say better in undressing her self for she spends half the time in undoing what she did before afterwards she imployes two or three more in her repasts and collations and all the rest of the day is spent amongst men unto whom she knowes not how to talke Judge I beseech you whether the life of this Lady is not well spent I must confesse replyed Alces many Ladies do live as you do say For my part replyed Cydnon I am not at all concerned in what she sayes for since I spend my whole time in her company I cannot be charged with any mispending it Oh Cydnon replyed Amithone I hartily thank you for finding out so good a reason to make my ignorance excusable since I have as much right unto it as you added the faire Athys I may make the same use of it Were I as knowing as you are replyed Erinne I should not stand in need of any excuse For my part said Phylire I have no excuse for my selfe For I have so seldome the happinesse of seeing Sapho that I cannot make it my excuse to have imployed any of my time in her company And I must ingeniously confesse that sometimes I trifle away a whole day and yet cannot say that I had any considerable businesse For my part said Sapho to speak in generall the reason why women have so little time is because they spend it idely and make a great business of every trifle one misplaced Curle is an hours rectification and takes up more time then a thing both of profit and delight would do yet I would not have it thought added she that I am at all against any womens ornaments or dancing singing or playing or such accomplishments no on the contrary I allow them all delights and recreations but to tell you truely I would have them take as much care in dressing their minds as well as their bodies And between being knowing and ignorant I would have them take the middle between these two extreams which will keep them from being troublesome by their ignorant stupidity or impertinent audacity I assure you replyed Amythone this way is very hard to be found out If any living can find it and teach it replyed Phaon it must be Sapho For my particular replyed Philire I should be infinitly obliged unto her if she would be pleased to tell me how far a woman ought to be knowing Doubtless it is very difficult replyed Sapho to give a generall rule for what you aske for there are such variety and difference of spirits that no Law can be so universall and not unjust Yet I conceive this for an infallible Maxime that though I would have women to know more then generally they do yet I would not have them talke as if they were knowing at all I would have them give others leave and cause to say that they know more then they will vaunt
hit upon the resemblance of Saphos eyes Phaon would say he thought not so but that he had much better taken the smile of her mouth If Nicanor said the picture was too pale Phaon would say it was rather too high-coloured and if the Painter should have wrought according to the various opinions of these two Rivals they had had but a bad picture of their Mistress But that which was most pleasant in the contradicting humour of Phaon was that after the Picture was first rudely taken Nicanor said that it wronged Sapho because she was a thousand times fairer then it Phaon durst not contradict him because if he had he had said the Picture was fairer then her for whom it was made but his eyes made it evident that he was vexed because he could not contradict him and because he would oppose him in something he began to flatter the Painter Therefore said he it is no wonder if no picture can be absolutely resembling the most admirable Sapho because there are so many Angelicall features in her face and fire such in her eyes as is unimitable and that he was perswaded Leon had done it as well as any other Artist could though short of the Originall All the company knowing what the reason was which moved these men to thwart one another we tooke much delight in hearing them for since their dispute was not very bitter because they respected Sapho more then to quarrell in her presence we made our selves admirable good sport at them and Sapho her selfe was not sorry to finde a new testimony of Phaons love by his obstinate contradicting of Nicanor At the end of this Conversation we had another diversion For as we asked the Painter when he would be at leasure to take the pictures of the other Ladies who intended to give Sapho their pictures as she would give them hers the Painter answered that it could not be the day following nor the day after that because he was very busie in finishing a great piece of Damophiles which had abundance of work about it But why said Sapho to him is there more work about her picture than mine because Madam said he unto her she will have drawn besides her a great Table full of books a Lute many Mathematicall instruments and a thousand other things which may represent her learning and knowledg I think also she intends her dresse to resemble the Muses so as I assure you her peece will require much time before it be finished For heavens â—ake Leon said Sapho and laughed dresse me like unto the ragged Shepherdess Onone that my picture may nothing resemble Damophiles and she was so earnest upon it that to content her he promised to draw her in the habit of a Shepheardesse whereas before she resembled a Nymph After which she did so pleasantly and innocently play upon the picture of Damophile that we ended the day very pleasantly But Madam to abreviate my story as much as I can be pleased to know that Sapho's picture being finished it was one of the most admirable peeces in the world The habit of a Shepheardess did so become the Aire of her face that never any was more amiable so as all the Copies which shee was to give unto her friends being taken and the pictures of Amithone Athys Erinne and Cydnon being also taken all these severall pictures were distributed Sapho gave hers to her friends and they gave theirs to her But as for Nicanor Phaon Alces and my selfe which were in the catalogue of her friends we only thanked her for her most precious presents but it was in a very different manner for Nicanor who durst not speak of his passion but thanked her but under the notion of a friend who durst not tell her that he was her Lover As for Phaon he thanked her in such passionate Language that though he did not pronounce the word Love yet Sapho did hearken unto his Complement more then unto a Complement of amity As for Alces since he was still an officious Solicitor for the Prince Tysander he told her in a low voyce that he alone would not thank her for her precious liberality but would stay untill a person of more merit joyned with him So as I was the only one who payd the tribute of thanks out of pure amity and common gratitude In the mean while while Phaon being the most assiduous in his merits hat day which he thanked her for his picture he stayed the last with her So as looking upon the Originall of the picture which yet lay upon the Table he began to talk of the extravagant Damophile who would have her picture drawn with so many Emblemes of knowledg about her And afterwards he talked of what Sapho said when shee desired the Painter to dresse her resemblant unto the Shepheardesse Onone However Madam said he unto her you may be sure you shall never have her destiny as you have her dress for it is most impossible if ever you love any that he whom you love should forsake you Though the Goddesses should every day have a fresh contest about their Beauties replyed she and laughed yet perhaps when I am in the humour of loving a Shepheard as Onone was he should never be their Judg and his constancy would not be put unto such a difficult Test as her Shepheard was Oh Madam cryed out he if that happy Shepheard whom you shall choose have but the heart of Phaon he will never hearken unto the promises of the fairest of all the three Goddesses though she should shew him as much of beauty as made Paris perfidious For really Madam you are to me the only beauty in the whole world I find none in it amiable but you and my heart is so wholy yours that you deny it unto all other Ladies upon earth And I think also added he that you keep it from all my friends for I am so sensible of you that I am absolutely insensible of any else I pray Sir said Sapho and interrupted him consider well what you say for if you go beyond the degree of a friend you must restore my picture for I will not be upbraided with bestowing it upon any Lover No no Madam said he I can never restore your Picture I must lose my life before any have it out of my hands and though you should be angry banish me and treat me with the worst of rigour yet as long as I can do it without any witnesse I must tell you that I do love you and must beseech you not to hate me for the very truth is I cannot live unlesse I love you and I cannot love you without telling you and I cannot tell you unlessâ— I conjure you to do justice unto the grandure and fidelity of my of passion by preferring it before the quality and merit of all my Rivals I perceive Madam continued he that you prepare your selfe to give me an angry answers but I am resolved to endure it
described the sweetness of Looks the trembling of Heart which a sudden surprize useth to cause the disorder of the Countenance the agitation of the Spirits and all the motions of a passionate Soul But Madam after Phaon had read these verses aloud he read them again in a low voice to himself and when he had done he looked earnestly upon them without a word speaking or ability to read others I being desirous to satisfie my curiosity rowsed him out of those musings which I thought his admiration only had caused and forced him to read those Verses which Sapho had made upon a jealous amity which had been betwixt Athys and Amithone But Madam This jealousy had the right Character of Love and all the violencies which that tyrannicall passion could possible inspire into an amorous heart were so admirably expressed as it was absolutely impossible to mend them For my part I did nothing but applaud and admire the genius of Sapho all the while Phaon was reading that peece but as for him he read it with attention so full of pensivenesse as I began to wonder yet to lose no time in asking him the cause I set my self to read some Verses which Sapho had made in the Country during a little journey of eight hours which she went alone with my Sister unto a very pleasant house of Saphoes by these Verses she represented the felicity of two Persons who love one another and thereby proves that they stand in need of none but themselves to live happily describing afterwards the tendernesse of their affections their sincerity one unto another their delights their recreations their discourses upon the sweetnesse of amity and friendship and a thousand such like And Madam all that the most delicate love could invent of sweetness was described by these lines though it aggravate only the sweets of amity and never in my life did I see any so full of Wit so gallant and so passionate But as excellent as they were I could not read them out for Phaon who harkned unto them with extraordinary attention interrupted mee with these words Ah Democedes said he unto me Sapho is the rarest Person in the world but I am the most miserable Lover upon Earth and you the most subtile of all men living As for the first of these you mention replyed I I concurre with you but I do not understand the second nor the third for why are you the most miserable Lover in the World and why am I the most subtile of all men living I am the most miserable Lover replyed hee because Sapho is most certainly in love with some one And you the most subtle because you assure mee shee is not in Love with any But I beseech you said I unto him upon what doe you ground your opinion that she loves any one I ground it replyed he upon what I have read For Democedes it is absolutely impossible she should write so passionatly and tenderly unlesse she had experimentally been passionate As Phaon said so Sapho returned expecting a thousand applauds from Phaon But Madam if I had not commended her she had gone without a debt which was due unto her merit for Phaons mind was so stung with a causelesse jealousie which sprung in his heart that he could hardly speak Yet after I had given him time to recollect himselfe by my commending of Sapho The same jealousie which caused his silence made him break it to see if he could discover in the eyes of this exellent Lady whether he had any ground for his suspitions What I see here Madam is so surprizing said he unto her that you must not think it strange I should not be able to expresse my admiration Since Sir answered she you have now been long enough acquainted with me to know that I do not love to be commended in my presence you would do me a pleasure if you would speak no more unto me of what you have seen Oh Madam said he hastily I must needs speak something and ask you bouldly what you do with all that tendernesse wherewith your heart is filled for I have read such passionate expressions that the heart of the Writer must needs be well experienced and capable of Love It is so with the merit of my friends replyed she and blushed and my affection to them is so tender that if I had as much wit as amity I should have written more passionatly than I did Phaon eying Sapho very attentively he observed her blush yet he could not divine that it was in his advantage and that Sapho had not changed colour as she answered him but because she secretly chid her self for having too tender thoughts of him But on the contrary interpreting her blush another way he thought that Saphoes soul was passionate for some of his Rivalls and this beleife did raise such a disordered damp in his spirits that he was silent upon a sudden And if company had not come in doubtless his silence had seemed very odd unto the fair Sapho but since Nicanor Phylire and some other Ladies came in Sapho made hast to hide those Verses which she had shewed unto us so as she took no notice of Phaons silence In the mean time perceiving his mind much unquiet he made a sign unto me that we should go away and indeed whilst Sapho was entertaining these Ladies we went out without taking leave and we went to walk by the Sea side We were no sooner there but Phaon began to complain against me for said he how can it be possible you should be brother unto Saphoes best friend and not know that she is in love for most certainly so she is or has been for it most absolutely impossible that any should express themselves so passionatly as she hath done unless she had experimentally been possessed with that passion There is such odd tender and passionate phrases in those lines which Sapho shewed us that friendship alone could not suggest them unto her but absolutely she either is in Love or hath been for my part said I unto him I have known Sapho from her Cradle I have known all her acquaintances I am the brother of one who knows all the secrets of her heart and I do solemnly protest unto you that I am most confidently perswaded though Sapho was loved by every one that saw her yet she never was in love with any but withall let me tell you that I think her very capable of that passion and if ever it enter into her heart she will love with more tenderness and fidelity than ever any did Alas Democedes said he unto me you do either deceive me or else are deceived your self for Sapho could never write those verses unless she were in love with some or other But friend said I to comfort his mind if you had seen any of those lines which Sapho writ upon a victory which Pittacus obtained you would say she can write as well upon war as upon Love and
that end she sent unto him the day before her return unto Mytelene an exact memoriall of all his delights which he had during her absence hinting unto him every particular dayes visit which he made the pleasant walkes which he took all the diversions which he took and in a word all that hee did and to this Diurnall shee joyned a Letter which was very neer these words SAPHO unto PHAON SIR SInce it is not to be believed that the sight of me will not adde so much unto your pleasures as my absence I conceive that my returne will perhaps be but a disturbance unto your delights You may perceive by this Diurnall which I send you that I have a very exact accompt of all your diversions but the question is whether it be to punish or to recompence you For to tell you truly I believe we are not both of one opinion and I am perswaded that you are not so sorry for displeasing me as you joyed in my absence and therefore you have no share in the affection or esteem of SAPHO Since Phaon was really most extreamly in love with Sapho and knew that she was to return the next day he did resent this Letter vvith much agitation of spirit but hoped to make his peace at the first sight of her Yet to the end he might see her before she came unto Mytelene he came unto me and after he had shevved me the Letter he intreated me to go with him and meet her at a very rugged uneven place where all those who come in Coaches must come out of them so that Phaon and I stayed under some willowes in that rugged place as soon as we were alighted from our horses and stayed in expectation of their coming I began to chide Phaon for his humour For said I unto him how is it possible you should be much in love with Sapho and be so little sensible of sorrow in her absence when you are with her you are so ravished with joyes as perswades me you would die if you were out of her sight The truth is said he one cannot have a more violent passion than is in my Soul and my hopes of seeing Sapho this day does at this very houre so joy my heart that could you but see into my soul you would confess that I do love Sapho better than any loved but yet I must needs confess that setting my jealousie aside there are few things can make me very sad I do profess said he if I feared Sapho would not love I think I should run into desperate madness in what place soever I were but when I have reason to hope I am loved when I hear of her being well every day and when I know she will shortly return and I must ingeniously confess that I cannot be pensive and melancholly without a cause And my soul is so propence and inclinable to court all delights to shun all sorrows that I use all the best means I can to sweeten the harshness of absence But for all that as soon as I see but Sapho again you shall see me eternally with her and see me the most amourous of all men living Ah Phaon said I unto him to love as you do is enough to make one beleive you love your self more than your mistress But yet it is most certainly true replyed he there is none in the world would undertake more difficulties for Saphoes service than I would I would blindly obey her in any thing I am more carefull more exact and more submiss than ever any was I have a heart more tender than ever any had I delight in the least of her favours one favourable look swells me with joy I have a million of tumultuous thoughts when I am with her I esteem her I admire her and I adore her with as much reverence as I do the Gods and my joyes are so full when I talk in particular with her as never any Lover in possession of his mistress had a fuller tesentment of delight And after this I pray judge whether I be not in Love and whether you have reason to accuse me for want of it T is true my soul doth naturally shun sorrows and affects pleasures but what does it concern the person loved whether her Lover be sad or merry so he never fail in any reall duties of a faithfull Lover As he sayd so we saw the Coach of Cynegire appear a far off so as Phaon and I took horse and in a rapture of Passion went as fast as ever he could to meet Sapho and he was so extreamly earnest as that it could not be questioned but that he was most desperately in Love And if the fair Sapho had seen him doubtless she would have repented of what she writ and he accosted her with so much joy and love in his heart and eyes that had she not wholly trusted unto Cydnon she had doubted of her intelligence and beleived that Phaon had sighed all the time of her absence But for all that since she could not doubt of what my Sister had written she received Phaon but with a hollow and faint Civility and had received him worse if Cynegire had not been present However after these first Complements were passed the Coach went on untill it came to the rugged place which I mentioned where the Ladies must go on foot I being Phaons friend I presented my hand unto Cynegire purposely that he might have the opportunity of talking with Sapho for this rugged way was above two hundred Paces before it was fit to take Coach again and the Coach not being able to go so fast as we we rested under some Willow Trees where I drew Cynegire apart under pretence of talking with her concerning a great design which Pittacus was negotiating Thus Phaon had an opportuniy of talking with Sapho but she intending to chide him no sooner saw him in that passionate posture but her heart began to relent whether she would or no yet striving to retain her anger she asked Phaon how he was able to quit his diversions to meet her but she asked the question with a blush so as Phaon by her looks seeing she would be appeased he was well satisfied why Madam doe you aske such a question sayd he unto her and what cause have I given you to write to me as you did since I harboured no joyes but what you caused for I beseech you Madam sayd he unto her how can you think a man who had hopes in your favour can ever be sad Therfore Madam when I was absent from you without sorrows it was upon no other reason but because I knew you had not banished me your heart And indeed Madam this thought was so sweet and filled my Soul so full of joyes that as long as I was happy in your love I defied Fortune to make me miserable Yes Madam provided I may enjoy your affection I can be contented to part with all my Estate be an
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
all Friendship yet I thought my self not at all the more miserable for since I knew that I had some share in her esteem and that she promised me her friendship I thought that I might pretend unto her love But to carry it according to the common Maximes of all prudent Lovers I did not declare my self at the first but stayed untill her heart was a little engaged before I openly told and divulged that I was in love with her However I was very assiduous in my Visits and courted her with all imaginable submissions for the friendship which men held with her did exact from them the same services almost that Love did and I was so happy in my behaviour that in a short time she did me the favour to admit me into the catalogue of her friends yet I must confess this rank did not altogether please me for since she was ranked higher in my heart I could not be contented with that rank which I had in hers The truth is I flattered up my self with hopes that as soon as she knew I loved her she would then distinguish me from the rest and though I know she made open profession never to admit of any Gallantry yet as one is apt to flatter ones self with what they love so I thought that I might happily be excepted out of that generall rule So as not being able to endure this cruell incertainty I resolved to discover my passion unto her and I resolved upon it after I had spent a whole day with her in extream melancholy for I was perswaded that all her friends would at other times be so much about her that I could not find a fitter opportunity So as I staying the last with her I began to speak unto her and desired her to tell me whether I was as much in her heart that day as I had been in her Chamber Doubtless you are replyed she as all my friends are Oh Madam sayd I there is no justice I should be thronged with such a croud of friends in your heart since you are single and alone in mine and therfore Madam I must either be excluded out of your heart or else all those men you croud with me in it must for otherwise I must confess that I cannot be at any rest there Alas Madam continued I and would not give her time to answer me it is extream injustice to mix me with them for I am not of their rank nor are my thoughts like theirs Indeed I am so far from entertaining you as some of them do with my ambition that I do declare the height of my ambition I to be loved by you I am so far from telling you of any Intrigues and Caballs like theirs that I will never be of any in which you are not I have so little to do with domestick business and cares that I never think of any but what you have caused in me and so far am I from talking of any love which I bear unto others that I can talk of nothing but my love to you and therfore Madam I beseech you judg whether it be just you should rank me amongst such men as nothing resemble me Doubtless it is not replyed she and smiled for if you be such as you say I must exclude you from my heart and admit another in your room for it were not just added she by way of rallary that I should banish a hundred out of it to admit of one but much better it is to banish the one and keep the hundred and therfore Meriontes It is in your own choise if you be my friend as I ever thought you be quiet in my heart as all the rest of my friends are but if you be not take it not ill if I do exclude you However since I do not well understand you nor will take so much pains as to examine whether what you say be true I will beleive you upon your word Since it is so Madam replyed I I beseech you beleive that I am not only your friend but your Lover also for I profess that I am not able to live in such a press of friends Since it is so sayd she you must out of my heart and you would do me a pleasure if you would drive me out of yours for since I am there alone it is very likely considering my humour I shall be very weary of being there Madam sayd I unto her you answer me with so little seriousness that I beseech you neither look upon me as your Lover nor as your friend Seriously replyed she I know not well what to think but Mereontes if you will beleive me you will content your self with the Rank of a friend for I must ingeniously tell you that otherwise you must loose me were it a thing which were in my own choice answered I I would choose rather the quality of a friend then of a Lover for I see all that are under that notion are well pleased satisfied and at rest But alas Madam it is otherwise with me and though you should rank me in the first Sphere of your friends yet I must whether you or I will or no be your Lover and be so until death Since Sir replyed she you may happily be mistaken in your affection to me and think of it more then it is I will not yet exclude you out of my heart but will stay a little untill you be better satisfied whether you are only of a temper in friendship somthing different from others such a temper as being neither love nor friendship yet so like unto both that either name without injustice may be attributed unto either of them Oh Madam said I my affection to you is not of that nature for I ma most certain that friendship hath never any desires nor inquietudes nor jealousie in it Oh Mereontes said she unto me I plainly see that you know not what a tender and gallant friendship is for such friends as I desire will desire to be loved they will be unquiet when they have been long absent from their friends and be jealous to see any others about them But Madam said I unto her since you cause jealousie and have such abundance of friends I wonder they should not quarrell The more you speak of this tender and gallant friendship which I mean Sir replyed Dorinice the more you seem to be ignorant for the jealousie which it inspires is not of the same nature as that which Love dâ—tâ— cause is but on the contrary it is a sweet pleasing and ingenious Spirit which helps discourse which augments friendship which is never melancholick lumpish or sad and which produceth no other effects but such as make men more courtly more neat and more complaisant such as rather makes others jealous of them then they of others So as it may be said that the friendship of which I speak hath all the sweets of love without any of the bitters Moreover added she I mean
Combate between his virtue and his love yet in the end virtue got the predominancy and he had such a power over himselfe that nothing appeared in his countenance but a quiet joy when he saw Cyrus and Mandana together and saw them in such a condition as in all probability they might hope for happinesse together and he received them hoth with many signs of esteem and amity For after Cressus had saluted them they gave a thousand commendations unto Mazares and afterwards unto all the men that accompanied them Gadates he was very glad to see Istrina again Gabrias was joyed at the sight of Arpasia and he could not choose but be glad also to see Meliantes though he knew not well how to carry himself between him and Hidaspes Indathyrses was much satisfied at the sight of Telagenes unto whom he had a strong inclination Tigranes was as much rejoyced to see Onesile as if he were her Lover and not her Husband Intaphernes spoke unto the Princess of Bythinia who was more sad than any of the rest because she mourned for the death of her Father and Spitridates Myrsiles he entertained Doralisa who according to her humour complained against him for not comforting her after the death of Andramites of which she was very glad As for Meliantes and Hidaspes they both spoke unto Arpasia and Gabrias keeping most exactly within the limits which Cyrus had prescribed them So the way not being very fit for long discourse the entertainment of these excellent persons quickly ended and continuing their march they were received into the Camp with such acclamations of great joy as never was the like heard In the mean time as impatient as Cyrus was to be far off the place where his Princesse and himselfe had been Captives yet there was a necessity of lying in the Camp for before all the Officers of the Army had expressed all their Joyes and Complements it was so late as there was no thinking of departure So as Mandana and the other Princesses lodged in the Tents of Cressus and Mazares Cyrus in that of Artamas Cressus and Mazares in those of Gabrias and Gadates and all the rest of the Princes in their own Cyrus was no sooner dis-engaged from that abundance of men who testified their joyes but he went unto the Tent of the Princesses where he passed away the Evening in such great delight that he quite forgot all his past miseries for since there was not one Lady there who had not some particular friend to entertain except Onesile who entertained Mazares Cyrus applyed himself wholly unto Mandana and in such a most agreeable manner that in lieu of accusing he was forced to justifie her For though Feraulas had told him that he was obliged unto her for that smile which he saw in her eyes as she passed before his Tent yet he was extreamly glad to hear from the mouth of his Princess that she grieved for him and was not comforted after she heard of his death And she did so obligingly aggravate her griefe that day she beheld the dismall ceremony of Thomyris that his joyes were unconceivable And vvhen he looked upon the faire eyes of Mandana and considered that they shed teares for him all the love of his heart appeared in his ovvne and he thanked her for it in such a passionate manner that Mandana thought him worthy of those tears which she shed and that he did merit her affection So as laying aside that exact and severe reservednesse which alwayes obliged her to hide the tendernesse of her thoughts shee did him the favour that night to discover part of her mind unto him and to let him divine the rest But whilst these two illustrious Lovers were making mutuall exchanges of love Intaphernes did what he could to comfort his Princess in her mourning Atergatis also entertained Istrina with abundance of satisfaction for since the King of Assyria was dead he believed Gadates would be no hinderance of his happinesse As for Myrsiles though he was very much joyed in his talk with Doralisa yet he was lesse happy then the rest because her humour was such that though she had loved that Prince as well as he loved her yet he would find such a sweet inequality in her as he would often complain of her rigour even when she intended to give him cause to commend her For though she was always equally generous towards her friends yet she was alwayes very unequall towards her Lovers So as though Myrsiles was much joyed in being with her yet it was with a mixture of many bitter minutes But as for Meliantes and Hydaspes they were the least content of all for such was the temper of Arpasia's mind that endeavouring to carry faire unto both she obliged neither Yet Meliantes was happier than Hydaspes because Hidaspes thought Meliantes more in Arapasias favour than he was so as though Meliantes was not altogether content with his Mistress yet he was very glad to see the sadnesse of his Rivall though he extreamly grieved that he enjoyed but halfe that heart of her he loved But as for Hidaspes since he hoped to have enjoyed all and seeing it divided into two his sorrows were above his expressions for in point of glory he concealed his vexation from his Rivall Meliantes also on his side out oâ— the same motive he made it appear that he was more joyed than he was and to get him some advantage over Hidaspes it chanced when the discourse was generall and when Cyrus was ready to retire that he spoke very advantageously of Meliantes unto Mandana and entreated her very obligingly to let him have the honour of her esteeme and friendship Also Meliantes thought himselfe highly recompenced for the service he had done that Prince since he had given him such commendations For truly Madam said Cyrus unto Mandana I assure you that Meliantes hath more conquered me by his virtue than his valour though his valour be such as made me his prisoner and such is his merit that doublesse he deserves your acquaintance Oh Sir said Meliantes I cannot endure you should say you were my Prisoner for I have ever endeavoured to obey you since the first time I had the honour to see you 'T is true replyed Cyrus but however by the laws of War you might have commanded me and in not doing it your generosity the more appears Also I assure you that you have lost nothing by it for my acknowledgment gives you more power over me than the right of Conquerors can over the conquered After this Cyrus making himself ready to go away Meliantes could not reply and all the company parted But Mandana did not yet go to bed for since Cyrus had told her that he would send away Posts unto Ecbatane and Persepolis in the morning that Princesse would write unto Ciaxares she writ also unto the Queen of Persia And accordingly Cyrus by break of day dispatched Araspes towards Cambyses and Aglatidas towards Ciaxares making choise
beauties of all the Court and Town and though it was not very judiciously done to commend unto any fair one the beauty of another and that so extraordinarily as I did yet I did it with such aggravations as I was sure that I procured my self the hate of all those I saw that day And I used the matter so as there was none but Amestris her self who was ignorant that I was in love with her I moved jealousie in some envy in others and a curiosity in the wisest The next day Hermanista found her self to be reasonable well disposed all the Court came to visit and I amongst the rest the first Amestris was very hansomly drest that day and I thought her so wonderfull fair as I wisht a hundred times that I might be so happy as to be her slave She entertained me with much civility and desired me sweetly that I would tell her the names of all those which came to visit her least she should out of ignorance commit a fault against their quality You may well suppose Sir that I received this command with abundance of satisfaction and went not that day from her I confess unto you that I passed it over with different thoughts both joy and sorrow mingled in my soul so that I could say I enjoyed not pleasure without pain nor any pain without pleasure It is very true as I told you before that the whole Court came to visit Hermanista and it is more true that the beauty of Amestris did charm them all Not a man did enter but was amazed nor a woman though the fairest in all the Court but blusht to see her self excelled by any Country Lady It would be a hard matter to tell you Sir how much I joyed at the glory of Amestris or to tell you how it troubled me to think that I was sure to have as many Rivals as men which saw her That which moved most admiration in me was that in this first day of her visits she committed not the least absurdity in all this so great and so long a conversation and that she received the commendations which every one did give her with so much modesty that the fairest of our Ladies in spite of their ecclipse could not chuse but love her and confess she deserved the esteem of all the world When most of the company was gone only some five or six whereof I was one I began like the rest to commend her but she told me that though perhaps she had not committed any gross absurdity in this meeting yet she had so many obligations to me that though it may be she did deserve some commendations yet she was not to receive them from me I would have answered her and told her that she might very well pretend unto my best commends and praises yet she would not suffer me but began to discourse of what she had seen before She highly commended the beauty of all those who visited her and enquired more particularly of them praising sometimes the wit of one and sometimes the hansom behaviour of another I must confess unto you Sir that I was very much perplexed for I observed every one found her to be so fair that I was afraid to satisfie her curiosity in speaking over well of any that might be my Rivall And I found by her inquisitive curiosity of every one that she had a desire not to be hated of them I spoke therefore with as much moderation as I could I commended my dearest friends though contrary to my custom with less zeal lest I should perhaps help them to destroy my self Night drawing on I must leave her and as soon as I went from her I went unto the King where we talked of nothing but the beauty of Amestris and that so advantagiously as the King design'd a visit unto Hermanista and Artambaces told her she might expect him the next day though his age you know might very well have dispensed with thy curiosity of seeing fair Ladies But the next day the King went thither and as the rest did acknowledged Amestris for a miracle I cannot tell you how many slaves this Beauty captivated how many Lovers threw off their old fetters and entred into hers and what a strange Revolution she caused amongst all the Gallantry of Ecbatan But I can very well'tell you that there was not one in all the Court which had not seen her and which did not love her or at the least admire her except one who was my friend called Artabes brother unto Megabises who was there and who as you know is allied a little unto the Royall Family This man was of a good disposition and shewed much affection towards me and I also returned unto him so much fidelity that I preferred him before all the rest of my friends Arbates affected solitude and never car'd for the conversation of Ladies so that say what you would unto him he could not be won unto this visit He was contented to see Artambaces but he had never seen Hermanista and by consequence Amestris yet I visited this bright Star with a constant assiduity and I had better opportunities then any other for it because there was a very great League of friendship betwixt Artambaces and my Father Amestris had such an absolute power over my soul and I so much reverence of her that I dust not discover the passions of my heart unto her but did hide them with as much pains as others to make theirs known such were my fears to anger her Amongst many others I perceived that Megabises was one who was fettered in the chains of Amestris This did very much vex me and as I never used to conceal my soul from Arbates so I acquainted him that his Brother Megabises was become my Rivall and asked his Counsel in the business He gave it me and doubtless most faithfully He told me that if he could possible he would cure me of my dangerous disease but if he found that he could not then he would endeavour to cure my Brother But he told me in the mean time how he thought it fitting that since I was the first Lover of Amestris since she came to Court So I should be also the first which should discover my Passion unto her I thanked him for his faithfull advice and was so importunate with him to see Amestris that in the end I prevail'd upon condition I would undertake to prepare her so as the conversation might be solitary without multitudes of company I went then unto Amestris whom by good fortune I found alone so that I had an opportunity to speak unto her unheard by any Madam said I after other indifferent Discourse you will perhaps think me very bold in not being contented with that honour which I have in coming to you my self but that I must also beg leave to bring a friend of mine who passionately desires to receive the same honour although it was never his custome to visit Ladies I am
the more obliged answered she and since you think him worthy to be your friend it would be a happiness to me to become mine Madam said I and changing colour I would desire one favour from you and if it be possible obtain it that you would carry it so with my friend as he may only esteem and admire you without loving you I think said she smiling and blushing both together that you desire a very difficult matter but since you forbid only impossibilities I will do what I can to satisfie you Ah Madam said I unto her little do you think what you have said you would think this which I desire to be impossible if you did but know your self as well as I do Aglatidas answered she with a more displeased smile know that I pretend unto no more then that you who are a friend unto Artambaces my Father should not live with me as others do from whom I endure their flatteries out of complacence and custome but as for you I would not have you use it and if you continue these kinde of speeches unto me you will force me to carry my self so towards you as perhaps displease you Why Madam said I to her will you let all the world commend you and will you not permit Aglatidas to say that all the world does love you or at the least I am certain it is so if I may judge others by my self I confess said he smiling and turning her Discourse unto a jesting that since you speak your affection unto me after so unusuall a way and since not in speaking of your own fancy but the fancy of the Court in generall I have no reason to blame you in particular But said she then and changed her Discourse Go bring your Friend and as for the rest leave the care of it unto my small merits without any fear of his being captivated I wish Madam Replied I that he may be more happy then one of his dearest friends is You are so unwise replied she that one may finde of your speeches more subject to pity you then to quarrell with you therefore Aglatidas for this once I will be more indulgent to you in saying so she rise and went unto a Balcone which opened into a Garden she called two of her women unto her so that I saw she desired to break off discourse Then I went unto Artambaces and Hermanista from whom after I had held a little discourse I departed and went to finde out Arbaces unto whom I imparted the permission I had obtained from Amestris I related unto him all that I spoke unto her and all her answers and how I desired her to give Arbaces leave to enjoy his freedom It seems said he unto me smiling that you are not only jealous of Megabises and others who have seen your Amestris but you are also jealous of Arbaces who never saw her and who never desired to see her and who never would have seen her if you had not desired him Arbaces spoke this with such an angry smile that I was much puzzled certainly if I had not already asked leave of Amestris to bring him I should have been well contented to have let it alone But as the case now stood I should have seemed too giddy-headed unto my Friend and Amestris would have thought it strange if I did not bring him yet when I considered that Megabises was his Brother and a Lover of Amestris I thought my self safe enough and that which so much troubled me before did now not at all disquiet me supposing that Arbaces would never become a Rivall unto his Brother and his Friend both at once I remained silent a good while after I had propounded unto my self that Arbaces should not see Amestris but upon a sudden I said No No I will not deprive Amestris of the acquaintance with so compleat a man as Arbaces or him of the incomparable delight in hers but if she should chance to enchain me said he smiling what would become of our friendship then if you break those chains answered I for the love of me our friendship will be more strong But what if I cannot Replied he will you then blame me I know not Replied I but yet I know that I do not see how any one should love a Rival Never then answered he put me to the hazard of losing your friendship and since Amestris is so terrible and dangerous leave me to my solitude and let me enjoy my liberty for if I should have the misfortune to lose it I know not whether I should hate you more for being the cause of it or you me for being your Rival not that I finde any disposition in my self why I should fear any such thing at all but on the contrary I perceive the spirits of the most rationall men are so weakned by this Passion as I will never be without an Antidote against this so dangerous a poison Fear me not Aglatidas said he to me and beleeve that if I do lose my Liberty it shall not be without strong opposition When you were catcht Love took you unprovided and put a trick upon you You went into the Countrey to enjoy your solitude and unexpectedly you finde Amestris there you were not prepared for so sudden an assault Your eyes were blinded with over-sudden light Your reason was confused and your heart was suprised and therefore it was no wonder if she captivated a man who had no Arms wherewith to defend himself But it is not so with me for all the world tels me of it you your self tell it and that a hundred times how Amestris is the Fairest upon earth and from these Reports I have fancied so perfect an Idea of her that I am absolutely perswaded she cannot surprise me and perhaps too I have over-fancied her and shall finde her a meaner Beauty then my expectation lookt for Moreover I go with resolved intentions to dispute with her for my heart as much as possible and since my Brother loves her and you love her very reason saies that there is no danger I shall be captivated I told him that I wished as much yet I could not chuse but fear the contrary Arbates not being able to forbear laughing you are so simple said he to me that the very fear which I have to be like you may well make your minde at rest yet notwithstanding let me tell you whilest it is time if you please I will not see her since there is nothing but hazard in it I confess unto you Sir that I was in a hundred mindes whether or no I should take him at his word but I could not resolve upon it I found such folly in my procedure that I was confounded at last I told Arbates that I would not alter my minde but to morrow after dinner we would go unto Amestris Arbates as I have described him was something solitary but he was none of those angry Melancholiques whose conversation was clownish or
was that he was as good as zealous and as faithful a friend as ever any could be he was magnificent and liberal he was brave and generous and though he was more ambitious then he thought himself yet he had an uninterested soul and the greatest fault that could be laid in the dish of Pisistrates was that he was too much wedded to his own opinions and to believe too easily that whatsoever he thought would happen as he did imagine it Moreover Pisistrates had one quality which I forgot to mention which was that when he was accustomed unto any one absence could never unaccustome him and though he had not seen one of his friends for ten years yet whensoever fortune brought them together he would speak to them with as much familiarity as if he had seen them every day and would talk of things past as if he could not live without them yet for all this he could be long without seeing or sorrowing for them So I think that I had reason to say at the beginning of my discourse that there was a hundred things in his humour and way which seemed to be incompatible And yet for all that he was a most excellent compleat man and I am confident Madam that after this discription of Pisistrates you will wonder he should ever think of making himself Lord of Athens since it is not likely a man so much devoted to pleasures of an unbyassed soul one who loved Solon so well should 〈…〉 of usurping Soveraign Authority But Madam when I have related his adven 〈…〉 will wonder much more and admire how one heart could contain so much amb 〈…〉 so much love I shall not trouble you Madam with relating the beginnings of Pi 〈…〉 his life though they were with much glory for he did signalize himself at the enterprize of Salamine and did many other Noble Acts But let me in few words tell you 〈◊〉 that at seventeen years of age his Father forced him to marry and within three years after his Wife died This Marriage being made by force without love and only an act of obedience unto his Father no passages happed whilst it lasted worthy to be related unto you But Madam after he had sacrificed his liberty this first time unto his family he would sacrifice it unto himself the second time as you shall know by the sequel of the story yet it s fit you know that his Mother and Solons being neer Cozens he received the Sapient Documents of this famous man even from his very cradle yet this was no hinderance unto his matter of Gallantry For besides that Solon was no Enemy unto love he affected and desired that the youth of Athens might more set their minds upon matters of Gallantry then matters of ambition and it would more conduce to the liberty of his Country For truly said he one day unto Thales when he was in our City as long as Pisistrates and all the rest of his volley are Slaves unto our Beauties they will never think of makeing us theirs So that Madam Pisistrates being naturally gallant and not being restrained from it any manner of way no not by the Councels of a man whom he thought and with reason to be Soveraignly wise he devoted himself wholly unto pleasures and laid hold upon every occasion of diverting both himself and others 'T is true there were some that said that at that time he thought upon making himself Lord of Athens and that he carried it so only to colour his designs But Pisistrates himself said that Fortune brought him to that height he was by her own fancy without any long premeditation However it were Pisistrates was no sooner absolute Master of himself but he seemed to think upon nothing but passing away his time merrily and certainly he was in a place the fittest in the world for it For Madam though commonly the Courts of great Kings are more proper for great diversions then Republiques are because the Palaces of Princes does more invite men of admirable parts then they can be in a place where the power is divided yet I assure you Athens was then in so high a lustre that there were few places in the world where one could more fully divert themselves For besides that the business of whole Greece was done at Athens which caused a huge concourse of strangers there was also by a favourable constellation abundance of most lovely women and so many wits of both Sexes at that time as if the Gods had sent them all at once to honour our Country Also peace and tranquility looked as if it would last for ever The Laws of Solon were then religiously observed though there happened some disorder in his absence peace plenty and abundance flourished then in Athens more then in any place of the world yet the Cylonian Conspiracy which made such a ring in the world had yet left some sparks in the embers and served for a pretence of all our divisions Not that by reason of all the past divisions there was not any disposition to any new ones in the minds of most men but since it was lately since the first disorders were appeased there was so great a calm in appearance as put all those who loved quietness in hopes that it would last long So that now nothing was feared but that sleeping peace would rust us But amongst the youngsters of highest rank Pisistrates was the most considerable Licurgus and Theocrites who were men of the first form and sons unto one called Aristalas were also in high esteem though of different humours and there was another whose name was Ariston who was infinitely pleasing As for the Ladies amongst that multitude of ornaments unto our City Cleorante who was Daughter unto a man very considerable in Athens called Megacles held the first rank as well as Cerinthe daughter unto Philombrotus and Euridamia the Kinswoman of Solon But Madam I beseech you give me leave to let you know them according to the order as Pisistrates came to know them and in order to that I must tell you that though our City was under the protection of Minerva yet she held Cere◠in particular veneration and indeed she had a very famous Temple in Athens and every year there was celebrated two Feasts unto her honor which we called Thesmophoria where women are the principal actors of the ceremony For besides several other austerities they would watch nine nights together in the Temple of this Goddess and in honour of Ceres they would there be dressed as if they were going to a Ball So that this Temple being very beautiful and enlightened with a thousand Lamps it was a most glorious sight to view these Ladies when they watched nine nights until after midnight and there was not a man of any quality but he was there men of age came only to honor the Goddess and the young men came more in devotion to the Ladies then to Ceres One of these nights then Pisistrates
unto whom I was a piece of a friend made a motion to go thither and I having nothing else to do went with him Pisistrates then had no particular Engagement upon him more then I had But as soon as we had placed our selves by chance more then out of any affected choice the lovely Cerinthe Daughter of Philombrotus who followed her mother came and sat next us and was so very pleasant that though she spoke not unto us yet she seemed by the ayr wherewith she received our salute that she was not sorry we were so neer her For Madam you must know there was not any person in the world who had such significant actions as she and indeed with a wink of her eye a nod of her head or sign with her hand she could commend or dispraise and make others understand a thousand several things Moreover Cerinthe though brown and little yet she was infinitely amiable all the features of her face were delicate and fair her cheeks fresh her eyes quick her ayr sprightly and pleasant and for her bigness majestical her physiognomy did not deceive one she had wit in abundance and was infinitely merry She being such a piece as I have described you may imagine Madam that we were not ill placed since next her But her mother being a mighty precise piece of austerity as soon as we began to say somthing concerning our good fortune she imposed silence and said nothing but it was in such an obliging manner though she spoke only in the language of her eyes that yet we easily perceived if she had not stood more in fear of her Mother then the Goddess she would have gladly answered us Thus this first sight of her being passed Pisistrates and I retired murmuring much against the mother of Cerinthe for we knew well enough that but for her we should have had some discourse during the intervals of the ceremony However though Cerinthe was very fair in the eyes of Pisistrates yet he never so much as thought upon her the next day nor went he unto the Temple But the third day going thither alone and betimes he chanced to sit next Cerinthe again though not in the same place where he saw her first and to his happiness her Mother was not then with her but there was with her a Kinswoman which was not of so Puritanical a temper Pisistrates no sooner saw her next him but coming very respectfully to her ear You did so cruelly forbid me Madam the other day to express my joyes of being need you said he unto her That I cannot tell whether you permit it now It is so great a happiness replied she to be in a multitude and sit next a man of excellent parts that I believe Ceres will pardon me if I should imploy one minute in receiving your civilities unto me A minute Madam is so very little replied he that if you allow me no more I shall be but ill satisfied Should you spend a whole day here replied she and smiled perhaps you would think minutes very long Yet Madam I finde somthing in your eyes replied he which makes me think I could spend my whole life here with much delight Fie Pisistrates said she turning her head aside and imposing silence upon him with her hand I will not hear you any longer Yet Cerinthe was not so good as her word for she still listned from time to time unto what Pisistrates said 'T is true she did not answer but still charged him to be silent But Madam from that night Pisistrates did accustome himself to see Cerinthe and did it with abundance of care as long as the nine daies ceremony lasted So that at the end of this Feast they were grown intimate friends Pisistrates was extreamly vexed that as long as this ceremony lasted Ladies received no visits So that as great a desire as he had to see Cerinthe at her own house he must wait until the nine daies were past But as soon as they were over Pisistrates went unto the wife of Philombrotus who received him very well and desired that her Daughter should also receive him with much civility for she knew that her Husband was desirous to get such friends as Pisistrates Cerinthe being of a very merry composition and naturally loved Rallary Pisistrates and she fell into great familiarity the first visit And since several serious persons came in who took up the mother of Cerintae Pisistrates talked much more freely then he had done if the company had been more general he engaged himself into no discourse but with her not that he thought himself in love with her nor indeed was he very much but the truth is he had that kinde of amorous accustomancy towards her of which I told you before he was apt for and she had towards him that first favourable inclination which is often seconded with a violent passion So that Pisistrates being that day in one of his merry fits and Cerinthe being as usually she was frolique they were not weary of one another At first they discoursed of all they had seen in the Temple during the nine daies Feast Of such Lovers as were wrong placed in being far from those they loved or of some jealous husbands which they had seen who had never been there but to see who was with their wives So that after many an innocent Satyre and manya pleasant discription Pisistrates upon a suddain interrupted Cerinthe and said unto her I pray Madam after you have talked of every one you have seen in the Temple of Ceres nine daies together why do you not speak one word of me I profess Pisistrates said she and smiled you are the strangest man in the world to ask such a question for what can I say of you but that you very ill obeyed me when I did forbid you talking and you were the least devout in all the assembly All this is true Madam replied he but this is not all you can say of me for I am confident that as you saw some Lovers who could not sit next their Mistresses and some Husbands looking who were with their wives so you saw as well that you were already very deep in my heart I do protest unto you said she and laughed I did not so much as see my self in your eyes It was not long of me Madam replied Pisistrates for I looked in yours as much as possibly I could and endeavoured to let you see in mine that I did you Justice and thought you far fairer then all I could see besides Your eyes Sir replied she may tell lyes as well as your tongue can slatter And to punish you added she and laughed I could almost wish all you say were true and that you were deeply in love with me for I have had a long longing curiosity to see a man really in Love Oh Madam said he unto her certainly you are not sincere for it is impossible but that you have seen many Lovers since you are
in the Meadow and this year was a most rare year for abundance of company Indeed there was Ladies from all parts of Greece some from Athens some from Thebes others from Magares Argos Corinth Chalcis Delphos and a hundred other places and I do verily believe except from Lacedemon there was company from all the principal Towns in Greece Moreover there was Musitians from all places in the world which had any fame for excellency Indeed there was no pleasure but it was there to be found and more pure then in any other place for there was not a man who had the face of business or domestique occasions upon him all their care was only to divert But Madam be pleased to know that the hours of the womens bathing being an hour before Sunset as the mens was an hour after the rising Pisistrates and I came to Hermopiles when the Ladies were in their Tents So that Pisistrates having been there formerly he knew the custome of the place and we alighted from our horses at the side of the Meadow then went to walk as the rest did for since we had not come far we were in equipage well enough to appear before the Ladies Also Pisistrates who as good luck was was not in one of his negligent humours he had on a Country habit the most magnificent and gallant that possibly could be seen But we had no sooner walked twenty paces in the Meadow but an Athenian man of quality called Aristâ—n named us unto the company with whom he was and came to meet us with them and it being the custom of the place for those who came first to do honors unto such as come after they received us very civilly For my part being altogether a stranger I viewed these several Tents with much delight and informed my self from Ariston of all I desired to know But after the first civilities were over Pisistrates and I being parted from the rest with Ariston we asked him if there were any beauties of Fame there that year And after he had told us that there was many who were very fair others less fair others less then they and others not fair at all I spied among the Tents of the Ladies one walking alone very reservedly whose garb was extreamly noble and habit very gallant Indeed Madam I forgot to tell you that they use to dress themselves after a very particular manner in that place which truly is very pleasing and delightful for the habit of the 〈◊〉 is resemblant unto that which Painters dress the Nymphes of Diana in and the r 〈…〉 the custome is that since they must undress themselves to bathe such a dress was in 〈…〉 as was both gallant and convenient for that purpose But to return from whence I digressed I told you that I saw one walking alo 〈…〉 not seeing her face I asked Ariston who she was Though you know her no 〈…〉 r walk said he unto me yet she is one of our Atheâ—ian beauties At these wo 〈…〉 â—isistrates looking more attentively upon her and she turning her face towards us 〈…〉 w her to be Cleorante of whom I spoke in the beginning of my discourse and 〈◊〉 was Daughter unto Megacles a principal Athenian He no sooner knew her but 〈…〉 ed her though he had never spoke unto her for since there had been an opposite faction between their Fathers there was no familiarity between their Families Yet 〈◊〉 Athens was then all in tranquility Pisistrates and Megacles were upon civil terms though they used not to visit each other But Megacles not being at the bathe only his Wife called Erophile this did facilitate the acquaintance of Pisistrates and Cleorante In the mean time since this fair one returned her salute so civilly she obliged Pisistrates to talk longer of her and to ask Ariston how long she had been at the bathes So little a while replied he that if you had been seen privately at Athens with her I should have thought you had held intelligence together for Erophile and she have been here only two daies But how comes it to pass said I unto Ariston that Cleorante does not bathe For I finde her fair enough to preserve her beauty The reason is replied he because she is so fair as she think should wrong her self should she use a thing which has a reputation of imbellishing it I thought indeed said Pisistrates then that Cleorante was very fair at least I remember very well that in the time of our divisions at Athens I saw her one day in the Church at a neerer distance then now I do and I said unto one that I was very sorry Megacles had so fair a Daughter You speak of this in such a pleasant manner replied Ariston as would move one to say you had no eyes I assure you said he unto us that I have not eyes alwayes for that which I look upon for if my minde and my eyes do not hold intelligence together I know not well what I see As Pisistrates said so we saw many Ladies coming out of their Tents after they had bathed themselves who meeting with Cleorante began to walk together towards the Gallery and since we were very neer them we saluted them But as they turned back staying for other Ladies to come out from bathing Ariston at the request of Pisistrates spoke unto her I beseech you Madam said he unto Cleorante do not so soon deprive us of the happiness in seeing you but give me leave to present two Athenians to you who are sorry they have need of my mediation to make themselves known unto you and that they have not hitherto the honor to be acquainted Ariston being a particular friend unto Cleorante she stayed and kept one of her friends with her named Cephise and coming then out of the Gallerie with as much grace as civility If these noble Athenians said she would know me better then they do they must disclaim from those civilities you tell me of It appears very plainly Madam replied Pisistrates that I have not the honor to be known unto you since you think I can disclaim from what Ariston hath said unto you For my part Madam added I I think it is sufficient that the fair Cleorante does know her self not to doubt but that as soon as any sees her they must needs be sorry they saw her no sooner At least I am sure said Ariston to her that Silamis thought you so fair as he wondred why you should not bathe your self since the bathes have a reputation of preserving beauty Since I do know my self very well replied she and smiled I have good reason to think that your friend finding so little of beauty as I have in my face he thinks I should wrong my self if I should hazard the losing of it in a thought that if I should lose any there would not remain so much as would let me be endured I profess Madam said the Lady who was with her you do wrong unto