procure an answer But the second contained these words Herminius unto Valeria HOw comes it to pass Madam that you do not answer me Is it because my passion is troublesome unto you Can you not love one that is absent Do ye think it a shame to love one that 's miserable And must you hate me because the Tyrant does I beseech you let me know my destiny for I cannot go into Africa though Sivelia has commanded me unless the fair Valeria command it also Tell me therefore I beseech you Madam what you would have me to do and what I must hope for And in the midst of my miseries let me have the consolation to hear that I never need to fear the greatest loss of all which is the loss of you After Spurius had read this Letter he made no doubt but Herminius was living so as being as sorry for his life as he was joyed at his pretended death his old hatred revived in his heart and he promised himself to do some mischief with this Letter He sent therefore speedily to Mutius who was at a friends house not above two miles from thence Mutius imagining that Spurius had some earnest business with him he went as hastily unto him they no sooner met but Spurius told him that Herminius was living he told him what he had done and shewed him the Letter of this unfortunate Lover which much afflicted Mutius Do not think said Spurius unto him That I put you unto so much trouble in coming hither to make you only lament But replied Mutius what would you have me do Any thing replied Spurius that will set Valeria and Herminius at odds and I am much mistaken if I do not bring it to pass so you will follow my directions Alas answered Mutius you may be certain I will do any thing that may hurt my Rival Write then a Letter unto Valeria replyed Spurius which may move her to give you a crabbed answer and which may answer unto the Letter which Herminius writ and leave all the rest unto me Alas Spurius answered he I conceive your invention to be very doubtful for perhaps Valeria will not answer at all and though she should how should I make her answer suit unto the Letter which Herminius writ Doubtless her answer unto you will answer his also said Spurius if your letter be rightly writ Do you then write it said Mutius for I cannot I will answered Spurius so you will write it afterwards in your own hand After this Spurius began to write unto Valeria as from Mutius and these were the words of that crafty letter Madam WIll you never answer my affection but leave me still in a most cruel uncertainty Oh Madam let me know my Destiny I have ever entertained some Flattering hopes that Tarquins hatred would prefer me unto your favour yet I was mistaken in my conjectures and find my self so unfortunate as I shall go unto the utmost parts of the World if I lose all my hopes of happiness in you And yet I will not go untill you command me for you only have the absolute power to make my destiny Tell me therefore in two words whether I shall stay where I am or unto what part of the World shall I go to forget your cruelty I give you the choice of Asia or Africa For if you be not resolved to make me happy it is no matter what part of the World be the place of my exile and death After Spurius had writ this letter he observed unto Mutius that he mentioned Exile Africa departure and command as well as Herminius and therefore her answer unto him would in all probability be an answer also unto Herminius But replied Mutius how shall she receive this letter for as soon as the man awakes he will go to Rome and carry his letter unto Valeria Leave that to me answered Spurius So Mutius writ over this letter and also another unto Flavia desiring her favour in procuring an answer from Valeria The Letter unto Flavia was in these terms FOr God's sake sweet Flavia have pity upon a miserable man who at present desires no more but an answer from fair Valeria which shall tell me whether I must depart from her or die at her feet Let me obtain this favour from you I beseech you After this Mutius sent a servant with these two letters unto Flavia. Mean while Spurius the better to stay the Messenger of Herminius who slept so soundly he commanded his men when he awakened to seem very busie and careful about him and to tell him that he had been above six hours in a swound and accordingly when the cold vapours of the Poppy began to dissipate and that the man began to give some signs of waking Spurius his men who had brought several things which might make him think he had taken several medicines they told him all confidently that he was very like to die that he was still sick that by no means he should rise that it was to be feared he would relapse into the like fit again and that Spurius had sent for a Physician So as the Man who was really a little dizzy in the head with sleeping so long he believed all that was told him thanked the men kept his bed still and took all the medicines which a pretended Physician prescribed unto him Mean while Spurius to arrive at his intended end he did not put the Packet of letters into his Pocket again But whilst this man was perswaded unto a disease he never had the servant of Mutius went to Rome where he acquitted himself so well of his Commission as he brought answers from Flavia and Valeria the same night Valeria's answer was in these words IT concerns me so very little in what part of the World you live that so you will write no more unto me nor ever let me hear from you any expressions of your affection I will give you the choice either of Asia or Africa for the place of your exile Go therefore whither you will so you will never trouble me again for truly you will force me to hate you more than ever Tarquin did if you will not let me alone in quietness The letter from Flavia was in these words I Beseech you send me no more letters to Valeria For since you can never hope for any favourable answer from her you will but augment your misery in writing to her Try therefore if you can find more happiness in some other part of the world For believe it you can never be but most miserable here You may imagine Madam how welcome these two letters were unto those who expected them especially Spurius whose plot had so happily taken and whose hatred unto Herminius was greater than that of Mutius who naturally was not inclinable to hatred as he After they had read these letters two or three times over they read those from Herminius and found them so punctually answered as they doubted not but they
endeavour to discover the truth if he does not his disobedience will argue his guilt The Prince judging this advice of the Princess reasonable sent an express order to Cloranisbes to come forthwith to him and to resign the command of the Forces to another whom the Prince nam'd to him But at the same time that this order was dispatcht away this subtle Princess oblig'd those false Friends of Cloranisbes whom she had suborn'd and treacherous Domesticks to write to him to beware of coming So that when Cloranisbes receiv'd the Prince's order he received four tickets which extremely perplex'd him for in the first he found only these words Very bad offices have been done you here have a care and distrust all things In another The Prince is much incensed against you the Princess excuses you as much as she is able but cannot appease him take care of your affairs and your safety There was also a third in which Cloranisbes found these words Your destruction is design'd Cloranisbes therefore do not trust to your innocence for they which have power to ruine the innocent make them criminal when they please But that which astonisht Cloranisbes most was the fourth which spoke thus If you obey the Princes Order you cannot escape imprisonment or death this is all that can be told you by a Friend who hazards his own fortune to save you You may judge Madam in what a perplexity Cloranisbes was for he did not mistrust those who gave him this advice But that which wholly perswaded him to think himself lost was that the Princess of Carthage having cunningly caus'd a rumor to be spread in Utica that if Cloranisbes came he should be arrested he receiv'd also twenty other adviso's and particularly one from so faithful a Friend that he could not doubt of it Yet his own inclination led him to trust to his innocence and to go to the Prince But having consulted two very prudent friends whom he had in the Army they disswaded him from it But if I do not obey said Cloranisbes I render my self suspected and become culpable Believe me answer'd one of those that counsel'd him 't is better for a man to render himself suspected than miserable but to take a middle course in this extremity and to testifie that you design not to render your self Master of the Forces leave the Army and go towards Utica and whereas you have a house upon the frontier feign your self sick write to the Prince that assoon as you recover you will go to him and in the mean time your friends will do their utmost to discover what you are accus'd of and justifie you to the Prince This counsel seeming very prudent to Cloranisbes he oppos'd his own inclination and follow'd the advice of his friends So he left the Army made shew of intending to go Utica feign'd himself sick when he was at his house upon the frontier and writ to the Prince after the manner that he was counsell'd But at the same time he answer'd all those that had given him intelligence and conjur'd them to send him what they could learn Wherefore they that betray'd him shewing his Letters to the Princess who endeavour'd to destroy him she made use of them to perswade the Prince that he was not really sick and to inform him what a curiosity he had to know all that was spoken of him at Utica For though he spoke in his Letters as being innocent yet they contributed something to make him seem culpable because they imply'd that he was not very sick that he was desirous of intelligence and durst not trust himself But to make the matter worse this subtle Princess pretending to be his Friend sent one of her own Physicians to him to the end that if he were in health as she believ'd he might inform the Prince of it and that if he were sick she might make him report that he was not Now for that a Feaver is not to be had at pleasure Cloranisbes took his bed indeed and carried himself like a sick man but the Physician found that he was in health and reported so to the Prince who no longer doubting but that Cloranisbes was guilty was so exasperated against him that all the intercessions of his true friends could not hinder the Prince from sending to forbid him coming near to Utica for the house where Cloranisbes stay'd was upon the frontier So that Cloranisbes was banisht without knowing the cause of this severity against him At first he was extremely afflicted but having a great and firm Soul he took a resolution on a sudden and writ to his Friends to desire them not to trouble themselves further about making his peace assuring them that he found his heart strong enough to be able to live in solitude and enjoy himself without being concern'd with the rest of the world 'T is true there was a wise old man who contributed much to cause him to take this resolution for going to see one of his friends a days journey from his own house he lost his way and went cross the corner of a Forest And finding a mountainous and barren Countrey beyond he perceiv'd some miserable Shepherds tilling a little corner of ground between the Rocks and observ'd a venerable old man who liv'd in a Cave not far off and who with a countenance both melancholy and serene said to them as he beheld them Alas poor people beware of rendring your fields fruitful leave your land uncultivated if you love quiet for if your Countrey become good you will soon have War Cloranisbes who stopt to ask the way having heard what this venerable old man said seem'd surpris'd at it and turning towards him Tell me I pray said he for what reason you would make a desart of the Countrey you dwell in Because answer'd he solitude is always inseparable from desarts barrenness upholds solitude vertue and peace are in solitude preserv'd and felicity found if it be possible for men to be capable of it This old man who was a Greek though he spoke the African tongue and whose name was Andronodorus spoke this with so grave an air that Cloranisbes believ'd that perhaps the Gods had caus'd him to meet with him for his comfort Wherefore lighting from his horse and giving him to the slave which follow'd him he drew Andronodorus apart and askt him who he was where he liv'd what had caus'd the aversion which he had against the World My Lord said he to him I was born at Samos and I was banisht by Polycrates when he usurp'd the Soveraign Power because he knew well I could not submit So I departed from my Countrey with all that I could carry in a Ship intending to see if it were possible for the monsters of Africa to be more inhumane than the men of my Countrey For in truth my Lord I acknowledge to the shame of mankind I never found any thing but weakness folly injustice and wickedness in all places where
the end they both comforted themselves for the losse of their child by him fortune had given them and by the consolation they had to see one another after they had believed never to have seen one another again and it seemed that in the shipwrack where they had believed to have lost all they saved that which was of most value for they found a part of their vessel run on ground on a heap of sand where the richest things which they had were and Sulpicia strugling in the water had seised on a plank of another broken vessel upon which was a casket fastned by divers cords wound round about it in that turning which was made at the time of the shipwrack so that this faithfull slave of Clelius who had saved Sulpicia having found her sustaining her self by this plank which was ready to sink by the weight of this casket supported her and brought her to the vessel where Clelius found her for it was very nigh bringing likewise in his hands the casket which was fastened to the plank imagining without examination that it was hers so that after Clelius and Sulpicia had had the leasure to meditate on the accident which was arrived they found that their losse was lesse then they thought of in this occasion for they had found a child instead of theirs and stones of an inestimable value in that Casket In the mean time Clelius believing that he could not better acknowledge the favour that the gods had afforded him by saving his life than in having a particular care of that child he had found prayed Sulpicia to nourish it instead of hers and to love it as her own and as they both felt the grief they had for the losse of theirs they would have restored this child to those which had lost it if they were not perisht themselves but they could not hear of them for the misfortune was that those of the Carthaginian Vessels saved none but those which were with Clelius and the other vessels which were nigh that in which Porsennas son was shipwrackt succoured those which escaped there but as the tempest separated them and their wayes being different Clelius could learn nothing of the birth of this child neither of what country he was neverthelesse his hope was that the vessel which had saved him went thither where he had a design to go he obliged the Captain to whom he owed his life to bring him to Carthage where he had a design to passe the time of his exile to the end said he that I may not have my spirit troubled by the recitall of Tarquins tyranny But to make Sulpicia love the child better the gods had given them he desired he should have the name of Aronces which was the name of the child he had lost but he would not say when he came to Carthage that Aronces was his son though he had for him a paternal affection for fear that should obscure his knowledge and not knowing whether he should have other children he would not disguise the truth but he would carefully keep the Cradle and the swading bands in which this child had been found and likewise imagined that the stones he had found in that Casket might conduce to his knowledge And he had for this child which was unknown to him all the cares which his high birth rendred him worthy of but whilst Clelius rendred to him all the offices of a true father Nicius and Martia which had been saved by a Syracusian vessel were in so strange a despair for the losse of this young Prince which was trusted to their care that they durst never declare his death to the particular friends of Galerita though they were strongly perswaded he had perished for as things were then if this young Prince had been in their power they durst not in any wise have revealed his birth and they remained at Syracusa where they learnt that Porsenna was more strictly kept that Bianor persecuted Golerita and that Sextilia had no children But to return to Clelius and Sulpicia you shall know Madam that they lived at Carthage where their vertue soon gained them many friends and the young Aronces comforted them so well for the losse of their son that if they had had a desire to destroy him to resuscitate the other they could not resolve to do it and indeed I have heard them say he was amiable even from his Cradle and that he ever appeared to have something so great in him little as he was that it was easie even then to imagine that he should be of illustrious extraction he was likewise more dear to Clelius and Sulpitia because they were four years without any children but in the end Sulpitia had a daughter which was called Clelia but a daughter so fair that they spoke of her beauty even at her birth I shall not trouble my self Madam to exaggerate to you all her first attraction though I have heard Aronces say she testified so much spirit even before she could speak for as I have things of more importance to tell you I shall not weary your patience by a recital of that nature and I shall content my self to assure you that if Clelius forgot nothing to bring up the young Aronces Sulpicia likewise forgot nothing to bring up the young Clelia neither shall trouble my self Madam to tell you many particularitis of the Grandeur and Magnificence of Carthage to make you comprehend that these two Persons could not be better in any place of the Earth since it is true they found in it all they might find in the most political Republicks and in the most flourishing Monarchies but as it is not that of which I must treat but it is the life of Aronces you must know I shall tell you in two words that Carthage is one of the richest and fairest Cities in the World and that as all the Africans have a natural inclination to delight though they are a warlike People all pleasures were found in this Magnificent City as much as in any place of the Earth Moreover as Carthage is dreadful to her Neighbours it is never without the residence of men of Quality from all bordering Estates and it hath in its Neighbourhood a Prince which is called the Prince of Carthage because he derives his descent from an Aunt of Dido which did likewise reside there before he imbroyled himself with this Republick the Prince of Numidia here present was at this time there and there was no Prince in Africa which desired not to send his Children to Carthage so that Aronces saw even from his Birth Persons whose conditions were proportionable to his for as Clelius was much esteemed in this City and Aronces was of a pleasant disposition and a dexterous wit he easily familiarised himself with the Carthaginian and Numidian Princes they being all of one Age the Prince of Carthage so entirely affecting his Conversation that when he went to a City
Clelia likewise and all those who saw him in Clelias house infinitely esteemed him In the mean time this admirable virgin lived in such a manner that she had no lover but he was obliged to conceal himself under the name of a friend and to call his love friendship for otherwise they had been banished from her house and Aronces and Horatius inrolled themselves under that title if it was not in certain inevitable occasions where this last strangely importuned Clelia by his continual complaints for my self which was amorous of Fenice I was likewise Clelia's friend and I remember one day among the rest that Aronces Herminius Horatius Fenice and I were with Clelia where there was many other persons in conference with Sulpicia for you must know this day was one of the most agreeable in the world seeing the manner to which tended our discourse in effect as Herminius was a gallant of Friendship and commonly entertained Clelia with some expressions reflecting on tenderness Aronces told him he could not chuse a person which knew the nature of true tenderness better than Clelia adding that if he could so far prevail with Clelia as to define it he should be the happiest friend in the world her definition of it much exceeding all others If it is true replyed she that I can so perfectly decipher it it is because my heart dictates it to me and it is not therefore difficult to tell the Notions of it but from thence I must not draw this conclusion added this fair person that all those I entitle my friends are my tender friends for I have them in several degrees In Effect I have half friends if I may so speak that I call by another name agreeable acquaintance and I have some which have made a farther progress and which I number in the Catalogue of new friends I have others which I simply call my friends and I have some that I call my customary friends I have others which I name solid friends and others which I name particular friends but for those I beautifie with the title of tender friends they are but few in number and they are before so firmly seated in my heart that they can hardly make any farther progress and I so distinguish all sorts of friendship that I do not confound them By your favour amiable Clelia cryed Herminius tell me where I am I conjure you You are yet in new friendship replyed she smiling and it will be long before you go farther at least replyed he smiling as well as she I should not be very sorry to know how I might go from New amity to Tender I am of opinion replied Aronces that few men have ever seen a description of that Country it is a voyage many men would undertake replied Herminius and who may deserve to have the way by which they may be conducted to that amiable place and if the fair Clelia would do me the favour to teach me it she would bind me in an indissoluble obligation to her May be you imagine replied Clelia that there is but a short walk between new amity and Tender t is therefore before I engage you there I will promise you to give you the Map of that Country that Aronces believeth hath none I pray you Madam said Aronces then to her if there is one that gives it me as well as Herminius Horatius and I entreated the same favour Fenice likewise pressed her to give her the Map of that Country which no person had yet described we then imagined Clelia would have wrote some agreeable Letter which would lay open her thoughts but when we pressed her she told us she had promised it to Herminius and that she would send it him the next day and as we knew Clelia writ very gallantly we had much impatience to see the Letter we presupposed she would write to Herminius and Herminius himself expected it with such an ardent desire that he writ a Note next morning to Clelia to summon her of her word and as it was very short I believe it contained nigh these words Herminius to the fair Clelia AS I cannot go from new amity to tender if you do not perform your word I demand the Map you promised me but demanding it of you I engage my self to depart as soon as I have received it to take a voyage I imagine so agreeable and that I prefer you before the sight of all the earth though I should be to receive a Tribute from all Nations in the world When Clelia read this note I have since known she had forgot the promise she made to Herminius and that having hearkned to all those entreaties we made her but as a thing which then brought us some delight she had thought we would not remember it the next day so that at first the Note of Herminius surprised her but as at this time a pleasing fancy entertained her thoughts she imagined it would be delightful to others and without any further consultation she took the Tablets and wrote that she had agreeably designed and she so speedily executed it that in half an hour she had compleatly begun and finished her designment after which having wrote a Note she sent it to Herminius with whom Aronces and I then were but we were astonished when that Herminius after he had seen that Clelia had sent to him shewed us a Map effectually designed with her hand which taught us how we might go from new amity to Tender and which so resembled a true Map that there was Seas Rivers Mountains a Lake Cities and Villages and for to make you see it more clearly behold a Copy of that ingenious Map that I carefully kept from that time At these words Celeres gave a Map which follows in the next page to the Princess of the Leontines who was agreeably surprised at it But to the end she might know better all the devices of it he explicated to her Clelia's intention which she had done to Herminius in the Note which accompanied that Map so that after the Princess of the Leontines had it in her hands Celeres thus resumed his discourse You doubtless Madam very well remember that Herminius prayed Clelia to instruct him how he might go from new amity to Tender so that he must first begin by the first City which is scituated at the bottom of the Map to go to the others for to the end Madam you may be fully acquainted with Clelia's design you see she hath imagined tenderness may proceed from three different causes either from a great Esteem Recognizance or Inclination which hath obliged her to establish these three Cities of Tender upon three Rivers which derive their names from them and to make three different ways to go thither so as we say Cumes on the Ionian and Cumes on the Tyrrhene Sea she makes us say Tender on Inclination Tender on Esteem and Tender on Recognizance In the mean time as she hath presupposed that that
to do it for I conjure you to keep this inclosed Letter for the most admirable Clelia but that it may not be a breach of that fidelity which you owe unto my Rival I do not desire you to deliver it unto her until she hath made my Rival most happy This being all I ask of you I dare hope that you will not deny me this office since I do not desire it may be done me until fortune hath put me into a capacity of meriting the compassion of my Rival I hint not a syllable to you of him for what can that man say of him who hath found in the person of Aronces all that can possibly move the highest friendship and the highest hatred Adien Pity me since you may safely do it without offence note my Rival and your Friend and believe that you could never pity a person who doth more merit it than my self When Celeres had received and read this Letter he was much surprised and the more because that directed unto Clelia was sealed however since he was not desired to deliver it until Aronces was first happy he did not scruple at the doing of this Office for the Rival of his Friend But as he was ruminating upon this adventure Aronces comes suddenly into the Chamber and sees Adherbals Letter unto Clelia upon the Table this sight much amazing him he asked Celeres in all hast whether he knew where she was and how it came about that the Prince of Numidia directed this Letter unto him for he knâ—w his hand Celeres perceiving the agitation of his Spirits and Adherbal not having obliged him to conceal it from Aronces he shewed him the Letter of his unfortunate Lover and acquainted him with his departure for till then he knew not of it Aronces recollecting himself by degrees as he read this Letter Alas alas Celeres said he unto him after he had read it I am afraid that you must never deliver my Rivals Letter unto Clelia since you must not deliver it until she hath made me happy No sooner had he said so but a fresh gust of apprehension rowsing his thoughts he lamented the absence of Adherbal in a thought that perhaps he might come to find out Clelia Yet notwithstanding Celeres so convinced him that he was perswaded the absence of Adherbal would be advantageous unto him For truly Sir said he unto him amongst many other reasons there is not a more intollerable torment under the Sun than to have a Rival whom virtue compels one to love and whom love compels one to hate to be perpetually in ones eye 'T is right Celeres said he unto him but this is not the first time that such a passion as mine hath hurried a man into unreasonable thoughts Whilst this Prince was thus talking he held in his hand his Rivals Letter unto his Mistress and looked upon it as if his looks would have broke open the Seal after restoring it hastily unto Celeres take it Celeres said he and keep it lest a spark of jealousie should force me to open it And that my fidelity may be the more manifest I will be faithful unto an unfortunate Lover and Rival let my desire of seeing what he hath written unto Clelia be never so great So Celeres took the Letter and told his friend that had he offered to have opened it he would have given a stop to his curiosity After which Sicanus being come and telling them that the Princess of the Leontines prepared her self to go next morning unto Perusia and transact in the service of Aronces they went both together unto her Chamber where Celeres related all passages shewing them the Prince of Numidia's Letter and applauded the power which Aronces had over himself in not opening that Letter which his Rival writ unto Clelia though he had a most strong desire unto it Were it possible to esteem Aronces more than I do replied the Princess of the Leontines doubtless I should for I do think no quality under Heaven more laudable than fidelity is especially when it is preserved in such cases wherein it is easie to be otherwise or where good excuses may be had or examples to authorize infidelity How many men are there in the World who never use to make the least scruple of opening all the Letters which come unto their hands who invent devices how to open and then shut them again unperceivedly and who have such a general curiosity to be prying into all manner of Letters that no Seal escapes them As the Princess of the Leontines was saying so Aurelia entred and no sooner entred but Sicanus addressed himself unto the Princess of the Leontines Madam said he unto her if you desire to be informed further of their curiosity who love to be opening Letters I beseech you intreat Aurelia to tell you for she is acquainted with a fair Lady whom you Madam also know that put such tricks upon her and therefore since she is better able to inform you then I am I will leave it unto her to tell you all the passages of it So Sicanus having Letters to write unto Perusia he went out and left Aurelia to supply his place who did become it excellently well for she apprehending at first the business did smilingly ask the Princess of the Leontines whether it was concerning the opening of any Letters for if it be added she none in the World can give a better account of such a matter then my self unless I have forgotten though for my part I have renounced ever making use of any such ways as heretofore have brought upon me abundance of delight and as much sorrow The Question replied the Princess of the Leontines is not concerning the opening of any Letter but whether we ought absolutely to condemn or excuse such Men as are so inquisitive as to open them such as make a mock at those who are so scrupulously faithful as not to open the Letters of their very enemies although they were perswaded they contained some concernments of themselves Madam replied Aurelia I am able to give you all those fond and false reasons which are alledged by those who are inquisitive for a friend of mine hath instructed me in the Art Aurelia had no sooner said so but the Lady of whom she spoke entred for she living within three miles of the Thrasimenian Lake towards the Isle of Saules she used often to visit Aurelia also she had seen the Princess of the Leontines two or three times Yet this Princess never before knew of her humour in opening Letters because no occasion concerning it did present it self but as soon as she was entred Aurelia knowing her humour and also knowing that she affected raillery and that she did not think she did ill in opening all the Letters which came under her hands she told her that she came in a very good time to help her out in the maintenance of a good cause For truly said she unto her as I was
greatest when they have an easie and weak master one who is not absolutely enough nor knows how to make himself feared and obeyed This Sir is the true character of Tarquin unto whom the sirname of Proud was given but it must be said to the shame of all Romans that they all did sit still with their hands in their Pockets and all submitted themselves For except Clelius the Father of Horace and my Father and a man of noble quality called Publius Valerius who couragiously maintained the interests of the Senate and People all obeyed the Tyrant But at last the three first of these whose courages for two years together did resist against the violences of Tarquin they were banished by this Usurper But Clelius is there still as for my Father and the Father of Horace they died presently after they went out of Rome The truth is that in dying my Father did an act so extraordinary as is worthy of a relation which if I do I shall do an act extraordinary also since I needs must make an Elogy in praise of him unto whom I ow my life and since the knowledge of his vertues will help you to hate Tarquin and Tullia the more I shall without any seruple let you know them Be pleased to know then how that virtuous person whose name was Sevilia was one of the fairest women in all Rome and one who after she had been adored and courted by the most illustrious persons in all our City did marry my Father followed his Fortunes went with him into exile with such admirable Constancy as she was not allrighted at the troubles of travel nor the sufferings of such as are exiled For besides that Sevilia had a great and high soul and was so perswaded that her duty was to be preferred before all things she never made any difficulty to do what she thought she was obliged unto especially when it was a duty which amity imposed upon her And her Amity was ever so un-interested as she considered only the persons whom she esteemed never considering her self and if it was more advantagious for them whatsoever it was she consented unto she generously consented unto it so joyning together a great beauty a great spirit and a great wisdome it is not strange if when she went out of Rome with my honoured Father the People should murmur and say openly that Tarquin had banished virtue in banishing Sevilia But to return from whence I digressed be pleased to know that my Father falling sick and perceiving he should not escape it did speak unto Sevilia like a man who feared not the approaches of death so as my mother seeing his Constancy and desiring not to dishearten him by shewing all her sorrow she concealed a part of it and striving with her self she spoke to him with extraordinary Constancy It may be Sir said she unto him that the Gods will hearken unto my Prayers but in case they are not pleased to let me injoy the happiness of your life I would gladly know what your pleasure is I should do and what education you would have me give unto your Children for they being very young added she and shewing me and two others unto him perhaps I may be able to inspire them with such thoughts as you desire Tell me I beseech you in what part of the World you would have me live until they are grown able to follow those ways of virtue which I shall shew them I would have you return unto the place from whence we are banished replied my Father to the end my children may be affectionate unto their Country and may not learn strange Customes which may keep them from hating the Tyrant of Rome I would have you use all the ingenuity you can to infuse into their hearts the Love of virtue and the hatred of vice But Sir replied she should we return to Rome we must be known unto Tarquin we must obey him and ask his permission to enter Consider well I beseech you whether honour will allow me to do what you desire and whether it were not better do die out of Rome then enter into it upon such conditions However said my Father I would have my Children brought up in Rome to the end they may hereafter be Thorns in the sides of the Tyrant and that I may die with so much comfort as to hope I have left behind me Children who will contribute unto the Liberty of their Country as for the waies of getting them thither I do refer them unto your Prudence for I cannot divine what will happen when I am dead After this Sir my Father grew weak upon a sudden and could say no more for he died the same night Sevilia's intentions were to obey her dead Husband as exactly as if he were living and she carried her self with so much Prudence and Wisdom that her kindred and friends who lived in Rome did get her leave to return and bring her Children Tarquin himself not believing that she desired it not that she was any thing obliged unto him for it Yet her firm Constancy was such after she returned to Rome that she would never go and see the cruell Tullia and she hath inspired such generous and noble thoughts into me that I were the most ungratefull of men if I did not publish and acknowledge it I remember one day when she understood that I had been solicited to be one in a Plot against Tarquin and coming to me in my Chamber when I was alone you know Herminius said she unto me that hitherto I have punctually obeyed your Father whose last words you did hear and that I have laboured to inspire your heart with the Love of your Country But to tel you truly my care hath been more to make you hate the Vices of the Tyrant then the Tyrant himself And I have ever thought that attempts to ruine him are not lightly to be undertaken lest by indeavouring to set your Country at Liberty you should bring it more into Slavery Do not therefore ingage your self to no purpose not so much for fear of exposing your life which is so dear unto me as for fear of exposing Rome unto a more cruel servitude for Trees that are onely shaken with the Wind and not blown down will take deep root This Sir was the sage advice of Sevilia which I did blindly follow yet was she but ill recompenced For there was no persecution which that vertuous Person was not put to suffer but the truth is she did not suffer alone for to return unto Tarquin it may truly be said of him that since the first day he ascended the Throne unto this hour he never did any act in which there was not some injustice or some cruelty or some cousenage in it All the Wars which he made have also the same character and one may more properly call the Towns which he hath taken rather thefts then conquests and subtile craft and deceit have the greatest share
tears of others were the Pearls that must inrich them but there is no greater folly in the World then excessively togrieve when there is no remedy and the greatest wisdom is to chear up presently as soon as one can and I assure you it is my maxim that when I lose any whom I love I will do all I can to forget him Indeed I have heard say replied Cephisa craftily that when Pasithea lost a person whom she loved dearly and from whom she had his Picture and several Letters she presently burned all his Letters and threw away his Picture I do confess it replied Pasithea sharply and blusht and so both I and all else ought to what purpose is grief for the dead And to what purpose is your affection unto a living person replied Artaxander since it is a thing impossible to be sure of it Do you think said she that the affection of these death-lamenters is more sure then mine for I am most confident they cry and pule and lament more out of temper than affection I grant they do cry out of their tempers replied Artaxander but it must be granted also that they do love zealously or coldly by the same reason and you are of a temper to love nothing but pleasures and joys you are incapable of any sorrow or affection I would gladly know said a Lady in the Company what precise limits are to be allowed unto sorrow If you will believe Artaxander at this time said Pasithea he will tell you that you ought to live ever upon the grave of the party loved or at least to cry Eternally and make Fountains of your eyes And if you will believe Pasithea replied he she will tell you that you may dance upon the grave of your friends that sorrow is a fond weakness and that the loss of a fair day to take the Air in deserves to be lamented more then the loss of the most perfect Lover or the most faithful friend in the World For my part said Cephisa I love not extreams in any thing I think a middle way may be taken and that without either despair or insensibility we may grieve and comfort our selves in a reasonable manner I would gladly know saith Pasithea how you mean it that when one hath lost a Lover they may know whether they may make another if when one hath lost a Husband she may marry again and if when one hath lost a friend one may get another in his Room You ask many things at once replied Cephisa And which is most strange added Artaxander though you should make the most just Laws in the World yet she would break them all Since I cannot deny Pasithea replied Cephisa I will indeavour to content her though I am as well as you perswaded that she desires to know more then she would learn at least put in practice Though I should break all your Laws replied she yet I should do no such work of wonder since the Laws of the greatest Kings are broken every day Speak then Cephisa said she and laughed and teach me the art of crying handsomely You know so well how to laugh handsomly replied Artaxander that I cannot beleeve you will ever learn to cry if I had known how to laugh so well as you say you would have taught it me since I first knew you replied she but good Cephisa answer unto all my questions one after another and to begin with the first tel me whether when one hath lost a Lover one must bury themselves with him or make a vow against being fair and use ones eyes in nothing but crying for if it must be so I promise you I will never permit any to love me unless he can lay in good security that he is immortal lest I should be put to die with him or else lead a life so melancholy as is not worth the living To give you my opinion clearly replied Cephisa one should never be ingaged in any particular affection but since an innocent love is allowed and one hath the misfortune to ingage the heart to love one whom death takes away one ought never to ingage again without any excessive sorrow yet since it is so natural to be so comforted with time in the most sensible sorrows I will not absolutely condemn one whose heart shall be moved the second time unto a particular tenderness but if any woman shall go beyond twice I profess I shall hold her to be neither reasonable nor virtuous Then you allow one to have a second Lover replied Pasithea after one hath lost the first It were much better never to have any or at least no more but one replied Cephisa but to suit my Laws with humane imbecillity I will allow one to have two Lovers provided there be a long interval between the death of the first and the beginning of the second love also upon condition that the second Lover be worthy to succeed the first and that one should defend ones heart against the second more resolutely then against the first that one should be secretly ashamed of any new ingagement and that one should not ingage until time and reason have allowed some comforts I would not have any new Lover banish the first out of the heart of a Lady but I would have it to be time and reason which should comfort her and to put her into a Condition of loving the second time And I dare boldly say that any woman whosoever which shall ingage her self in any new affection presently after the death of the first Lover as a most unfaithful person more unhumane and more insensible then if she were unfaithful to her living Lover It is manifest replied Pasithea that all your Lovers are living and well but if you were in fear they would dy before you then perhaps you would not speak as you do Yet I am contented with this Article and therefore tell me whether it is lawful to have two husbands as well as two Lovers Since Custome hath allowed it replied Cephisa I shall not contrary it but if you would have me tell you ingeniously what I think I must positively confess that I would more willingly pardon a woman who admits of two Lovers then her that admits of two Husbands for it less wounds a delicate Genius to bestow the whole heart twice for a time then to give it for all the life And indeed if some strong resentments of Love or Ambition will not excuse a woman that marries twice she is inexcusable At least I am sure it is better to be a proud nice Mistress then to be one of those wives who as soon as ever they have buried one Husband are in bed with another and never lament his loss but in hopes that their tears will prefer them unto another more agreeable to their fancy Yet those who are onely possessed with two innocent passions they have much more to say in excuse of their imbecillity for it cannot be denied but that there
of all the passions and represented Love as a Satyr and all the pleasures that attend it Cruel actions he called Confident actions when they conduc'd to their advantage who did them and in sine he had gained such an influence on her as he doubted not to make use of her in opposition to the tyrant if there were need This cruel Princess knowing that he had the permission to visit Clelia was glad to hold a correspondence with him that by that means she might take away that Captive from Tarquin when she should think it fitting Tarquin for his part wanted not employment for the siege of Ardea found him work enough Love and hatred Dichotomized his heart and was a greater torment to him than his cruelty had caused to others As for Sextus his mind was full of Lucrecia whose beauty had made such an impression in his heart that he could think of nothing but the means how to satisfie his passion The Prince of Pometia and Prince Titus were not without their secret Loves Artemidorus and Zenocrates had each of them their Secrets and their Afflictions and only Celeres was at liberty though he had a soul naturally very passionate But yet in the condition he was in his tender affection and wit was spent in bemoaning his unfortunate Friends and in finding out ways how to serve them and therefore he was over joy'd that he could imagine the means But whilst these several persons had their different resentments there was no mention of the Prince of Numidia who had been expected in the Camp nor could Aronces imagine what resolution he should have taken for there was no likelyhood he should have cast himself into Ardea besides that Herminius knowing him he was confident he was not there But in fine night drawing on Amilcar return'd to Aronces's chamber where he found Herminius Brutus being not yet come so that while they expected him Amilcar related to Aronces all he had done and afterwards renued the desire he had to be informed of that mans life who had so cunningly concealed his Reason for I cannot believe said he there was ever any man so unhappy or at such a distance from all kinds of pleasures I cannot well apprehend what he could have done they say he married very young he hath children and he seems not to have an estate proportionable to his birth How then could he conceal his reason from his wife while she lived How could he subsist carrying himself so as if he had not the discretion to govern his estate And how could he live without Love without society without friends without pleasure and without any comfort How could he endure to be treated like a stock and a mad man And how could he abjure all acquaintance with Fame How could he be perswaded to renounce both to love any thing or be beloved and could brook the contempt of all the World It is indeed true replyed Aronces that this seems incomprehensible but a greater miracle than all this is that though Brutus hath constantly acted the Sot he yet hath preserved that great and admirable understanding which you shall by and by find in him When you shall understand it of your self replyed Herminius you will be much more amazed for as I have told you already Brutus hath not only a good understanding comprehension judgment and an acquaintance with great things but he hath withal a lively nimble delicate and an admirably versatile wit Besides he understands so exactly all the contrivances of Love and knows as well how to make use of all those ingenious circumventions which sometimes do sooner conquer the heart of a great Beauty than the most signal services that neither Greece nor Africk afford a Gallant that knows better than he the art of reducing of an illustrious soul But you consider not says Amilcar laughing that while you would describe Brutus you really draw your self for I can easily see your picture in it You know Brutus then so much the better by it reply'd he and here he comes in good time to confirm what I have told you And indeed Brutus was coming in while Herminius was speaking of him but it was after such a maner as Amilcar was surprised at it For knowing there was none in the chamber but Aronces Herminius and he he did not shadow his reason as he was wont to doe but entered with a certain freedome which Amilcar had never observed in him But he was no sooner come in but going straight on to that witty African since that when I deceived the distrustful Tarquin and the suspicious Tullia said he to him I could not over-reach the subtile Amilcar I were as good shew him what I truly am that being obliged to me for my confidence he may help me to keep a secret wherein haply the safety of Rome is equally embarqued with my own What the Brutus whom I now see replied Amilcar is he the same as I have formerly seen Spare your exclamations replies Herminius till you have seen him better than you now doe for you have yet but a glimpse of him Ah Herminius replied Amilcar I will see him throughly and I confidently promise there shall be nothing I dare not do might I but obtain from Brutus the History of his Thoughts for according to the manner of his life I believe he can hardly afford us any thing else If I had nothing else to tell you replied he your demand were easily granted but my life may afford things of greater consequence than you conceive If there wants onely fidelity to become worthy the knowledge of your adventures sayes Aronces I will be responsible to you for Amilcar's and my own and if you will think your self requited with twenty Histories for one added Amilcar you shall have all mine for yours for if you believe me I was never so much oppressed with curiosity Since I am obliged in point of honour to satisfie it replied Brutus I promise you an account of my whole life but if you have it not from my self you must take it from Herminius who knowes all my adventures and all my thoughts or from one of his Kinswomen who hath known much of the secret of my soul But it shall be conditionally that I be not present at the relation for I do not find my Spirit strong enough to hear the recital of my past happiness at a time when I pretend to no other pleasure then that of revenge and the deliverance of my Country from the slavery wherein it is Aronces and Amilcar thinking the request reasonable it was resolved that on the morrow Herminius should relate unto them the life of Brutus But he could not do it so soon as these his two Friends could have wished for that some occasions of his found him writing all the morning and in the afternoon he had the happiness to see the inchanting person whom he loved in Hermilia's Chamber who to further his satisfaction had feigned her self sick
be accepted when a woman is once another mans wife and hath the least tenderness for her reputation Resolve therefore not to love me any longer and that if I may so say for my sake as I have resolved to be unhappy for your sake and that you may be assured I do all I can and haply more then I ought I permit you to believe that I shall grieve for you while I live On the other side fear not I shall ever discover your secret for though you cannot in any likelihood destroy Tarquin but you must withal give check to the fortune of that Family into which I am entred I shall lay nothing to your charge while you meddle not with Collatine's person Not but that if you conceive I speak for my own interest I should advise you forsake Rome to set your reason at liberty to go and live at Metapont where you have friends of both sexes and where you may be cured of what passion your soul is sick of For in all likelihood Vice will ever triumph over Vertue Brutus will be alwayes miserable and Tarquin alwayes happy How Madam replyed the unfortunate Lover you would have me forsake Rome quit the design of revenging my self and delivering my Countrey but for no other end than that I might be the farther from you Ah Madam I neither can do it nor ought and if Death do not deliver you from my presence you shall never be delivered from it I shall be delivered from it replyed she if I reside constantly at Collatia whither you will have no pretence to come and though Collatine himself should command me to see you I would intreat him to pardon my disobedience and this pretended stupidity which heretofore furnished me with a pretence to see you shall henceforward be my excuse not to see you again but I shall think my self the more obliged if without any further dispute you obey the command I lay on you not to endeavour it But is it possible replyed Brutus that my sight is become so insupportable to you and that having expressed so much goodness as to let me believe that I might be the object of all your happiness I am now thought the onely cause of your misfortune For I tell you once more Madam that if you will be pleased to be my Friend I shall not think my self absolutely miserable and if I ever forget my self so far as to speak any thing to you whence you might gather I would be treated in the quality of a Lover I give you leave to acquaint Tarquin that I am a dangerous Conspirator and deserve death But do you think replyed she that when I lost you I withal lost all reason and that I can be perswded that Love may be turned into Friendship or Friendship into Love when one pleases If it be so in your heart added she you never knew any true passion and I should punish you for your dissimulation past with eternal baoishment One might indeed in a short time pass from Love to Hatred one may sometimes pass from Love to Indifference and it is not impossible to ascend from Friendship to Love but to descend from Love to Friendship is that I cannot comprehend how it may be done I could believe added she there may be some Husbands who having been infinitely indulgent of their Wives are after a long time cooled so as to have onely an indifferent affection for them which may be called Friendship but for a Lover to become a Friend is a thing I conceive impossible and shall never believe Persist not therefore in the proffers of your friendship or the desire of mine for since Fortune hath been pleased to cross the innocence of our affection I will see you no more and I profess to you I shall hate you if you continue to perswade me to a thing which I believe inconsistent with my duty For in fine Brutus you but too well know that I have loved you and you haply imagine that I shall love you as long as I live therefore our conversation can be no longer innocent one look of yours raises a controversie in my soul I must not any longer trust either you or my self in such a case as this and I have already spent too much time with you in debating a thing already resolved Go your wayes therefore Brutus go the unfortunate Lucrecia commands you be careful of the life she hath preserved you and remember sometimes that it hath cost her all the happiness she could expect But hold added she rising from her seat think on nothing that concerns me for if I thought you remembred it I could not haply forget you How Madam cryes out Brutus you cannot but remember me and can you imagine I should obey you when you command me to forget Lucrecia No no Madam abuse not your self it is not onely death can raze you out of my heart and if the despair that hovers about my soul were not kept off by the love I bear you my hand should soon rid Tarquin of an Enemy and Lucrecia of a Lover But Madam since that if I lost my life I should cease to love you if excess of grief take it not away I shall not which I do not but out of a pure consideration of love since as you may easily imagine Madam I must expect to live the most miserable of any man in the world which can afford nothing more insupportable than for a man to see his Enemy in the Throne and his Mistress in the embraces of his Rival For all considered Madam I concur with you that Love can never be remitted into Friendship and when I begged the quality of your Friend I onely meant to tell you that I should never ask any thing of you but what a vertuous friend might desire of a vertuous woman Assure your self therefore Madam that I shall love you to the last gasp and that I shall love you so intirely as never any man did the like But in requital Madam added he promise me that you will not make it your business to hate me for I had rather be deprived of your sight than that you should not promise to love me alwayes Ah Brutus I neither can nor must promise you any thing replyed she in the mean time I must leave you and be gon for I see one of my women coming to tell me that it is time to retire and indeed Brutus turning his head saw a woman-slave who was come half wayes the Garden and made directly towards the place where he was This put him into a strange disturbance for he thought he had a thousand things more to say nay he imagined that if he had said them they would have moved Lucrecia but if he should have offered to detain her by force she would have taken it in much displeasure He therefore submissively took her by the garment and would out of an amorous transport have kissed her hand and intreated her to favour
that he married her Nay I have heard it reported though that be not so easily credible that Danae though inclosed in the chest and that tossed up and down in the Sea was safely delivered therein of young Perseus and that the Fisherman made a present both of Mother and Child to the fore-mentioned Prince Ah Amilcar cryed Plotina very pleasantly you know too much and I should be easily perswaded you know all I have to tell you And yet methinks you should have missed what some related viz. that Danae was not the foundress of Ardea but a Son of Ulysses and Circe but the story is not true as being grounded only on this that Ulysses being a very eloquent person and Circe an excellent Herbalist the people of Ardea speak more politely than those of any other City and have a greater knowledge of the names and qualities of Plants than there is elsewhere But it is out of Controversie that the fair Danae built our City for the conslagration though very great leaving behind it certain magnificent Temples there is to be seen the History of Danae excellently represented in certain Pictures though done before the Foundation of Rome She is to be seen also in a sumptuous Palace drawn by a famous Painter called Cleophantus who followed Demaratus of Corinth Father to the first of the Tarquins when he came into Italy to avoid the persecution of Cypsalus King at that time of the Country so that it is agreed on all sides And to confirm it further there are a hundred particulars to evince the truth for we have women bear the name of Danae and that of Persander which is an ordinary name seems to be derived from Perseus and there is to be seen a Cypress Chest which is said to be the same wherein Danae came to land in Italy and was miraculously preserved when our City was burnt Moreover in memory of the Golden shower you spoke of there is a yearly feast celebrated at Ardea wherein all Lovers are obliged to some liberality towards their Mistress wherein there must be something of Gold For there is a certain Superstition spread whereby many are perswaded that a man cannot be faithfully loved at Ardea if he find not some means to convey to his Mistress something consisting of that Metal But if the men employ all their wits to do it the women on the contrary unless it be on the Feast-day I spoke of think themselves obliged in point of honour to avoid the receiving of any thing wherein there is gold unless it be done by some ingenious surprisal which gives occasion to a many gallant adventures But not to trouble you longer with things frivolous it suffices you know that there is a great profession of Arts more magnificence and more ingenuity at Ardea then there is in Rome as famous as it is Even Poesie is there no stranger for that in divers Temples may be found Inscriptions in verse in praise of divers persons There is one to be seen in Junos Temple very excellent and very ingenious though the subject of it be only to celebrate a certain Painter of Aetolia who for his Art and acquaintance with all Sciences obtained the freedom of our City Ardea therefore being a place more polite then the name of the Rutuli would make it be thought wonder not at what I am going to tell you and charge me not with too much partiality to my own Country But having spoken to you of Ardea I am now to speak of Caesonia For her Person I shall say nothing for you know she is infinitely pleasing that she hath the ayr it self of Beauty that she hath a Majestick graceful aspect that she is of a proper slature hath an excellent eye and her countenance full of freedom and modesty You know further she is infinitely ingenious of a gentle and constant nature and her conversation hugely inviting and that the earth affords not a woman that hath a heart more noble and sincere or inclinations more generous Being a person of the greatest quality in our City her education was proportionable Her Father indeed she lost while she was yet very young but her Mother whose name is Ersilia omitted nothing which she thought might contribute to her perfection and treated her with such complyance and obligation when she was grown up to her reason that she seemed rather to look on her as a Sister then a Daughter and would rather intreat her advice then enjoyn her by command 'T is true Caesonia did not abuse this tenderness but the more indulgent Ersilia was to her the greater was her respect and duty so that it might be said the mother was absolute mistress of the daughter and that the daughter had the same power of the Mother for there was never observed the least contestation between them Caesonia having thus a great beauty a great wit a great goodness and a great fortune it is not very strange if she had a many Suitors For my part though I am two years younger then she and of an humour less reserved and more free yet hath she given me the first place among her friends for I dare presume to affirm thus much of my self that among the most serious Confidents in the World I will not be outvied by any as to Fidelity and Secrecy It happened moreover that Caesonias house and that wherein I lived joined and that her mother and mine were allyed by which means we were in a manner alwaies together and there was such a reciprocation in our pleasures that we took not any when we were not together in the same place We had some other friends of our own sex but to tell you truly there was a great distance between those apprehensions of friendship which we had for them and those we had one for another Yet was there a strange difference between Caesonias humour and mine but withall such as had the same effect in our hearts as divers sounds have in Musick when it is well understood for my freedom of disposition diverted Caesonia and I was no less pleased with her mildness complaisance and ingenuity She is even guilty sometimes of a certain languishing melancholy with which I was much taken in a word we made such harmony that there never hapned the least discordant note between us Not that we could be alwaies of the same opinion but when we were not we disputed without bitterness as soon as we apprehended truth we submitted thereto nay even when each persisted in her opinion it was without indignation or any discovery of fullenness or obstinacy Nor did our friendship make a small noise in the City insomuch that when people spoke of us without naming us we were commonly called The two friends Caesonia in the mean time having no great inclination of her self to marry and taking no encouragement from my humour which hath ever been much addicted to liberty to change her opinion slighted many propositions were made to her
him his friendship But the more he spoke the more was Persander's vexation increased Nevertheless he answered him very discreetly neither accepting nor refusing his offers as not knowing whether he should do such a disturbance had love caused in him Which done he dismissed him without any incivility or any particular expression of Friendship In the mean time Caesonia though she seemed to be satisfied yet was somewhat troubled in her mind at Persander's indisposition which proved so dangerous that it was feared he might die of it But at length he overcame it though not that Passion which had seized his soul On the contrary it became so violent that not being able to live without the sight of Caesonia he resolved withall to endure that of his Rival and to accept the proffer Turnus had made to him to continue friends He therefore went to visit him which visit Turnus took with much kindness he brought him into Caesonias Chamber before she had any notice of his coming and intreated her to receive him as his friend which done having conducted Persander into the Garden he began to tell him he had a design to Travel Persander at first conceived Turnus had some extraordinary occasion that obliged him thereto not being able to apprehend that one whom Caesonia had chosen for the most amorous could be perswaded to leave her to go and Travel without any necessity within a month after he had married her He therefore asked him if he had any business of importance that obliged him to that resolution None at all replied Turnus but to tell you the truth it is long since I have had an inclination to travel and now there is nothing to engage my stay at Ardea and that I fear not you should take away Caesonia from me in my absence I am resolved to satisfie my Curiosity Persander hearing Turnus speak in this manner was so astonished that he could not tell what enswer to make him nor indeed had he returned him any had it not been that he had pressed him to accompany him in his Travels So that being obliged to speak he told him he had business required his stay at Ardea whereupon he took his leave of him On the other side Turnus whose head was full of this humour of Travelling spoke of nothing else and that with so much impatience as to his departure as if he had had a Mistress in every one of those places whither he pretended to go and had never loved any thing at Ardea Persander said nothing at all to him of it and onely asked what caused him to take such a sudden resolution To which Turnus answered that two friends of his having acquainted him with their intentions to travel they had stirred up in him those he sometime had so that he had resolved to go with them Not long after Persander came to see me to see what I should say of Turnus his design of Travelling and if I knew not what Caesonia thought of it For me thinks said he that having made choice of Turnus for the more amorous she should take his departure somewhat unkindly Caesonia said I to him hath more wit then to make her complaint to me but I can read in her eyes that she takes it most hainously And for my part if it were my own case I should think it very hard measure that Turnus should marry me only to forsake me being not obliged thereto by any rational ground But what saies Ersilia repli'd Persander Ersilia repli'd I repines secretly at it but for Caesonia that which confirms me that she is absolutely inraged at it sâ— that I have understood by a Maid that waits on her that unless it was the first day that Turnus acquainted her with his design that she endeavoured to oppose it she hath not spoke one word since to divert him from it Ah Plotina cries out Persander the amorous Turnus is no longer such and the unfortunate Persander notwithstanding his misfortunes is more amorous then he For in fine continued he shewing me a Letter he had received from a Kinsman you may see by what is written to me that it were for my advantage to leave Ardea and that I am promised a very considerable employment elsewhere But notwithstanding my being slighted by Caesonia I cannot be induced to quit the place where she resides and deprive my self of all sight of her I assure you repli'd I you are almost as much to be blamed as Turnus for I do not think that Caesonia deserves you should so much as think of her Besides said I to him all your love to her will be to no purpose for she is vertuous and though it should happen she lost all love for Turnus and should repent she had preferred him before you your happiness will be never the greater Ah Plotina replied he you know not how ingenuous Love is in finding out Pleasures for it is to me a very sensible one the very thought that Turnus is now to leave Caesonia Nay it is no small delight to me to imagine the Tears she sheds the day of his departure will be rather the tears of indignation then Sorrow And though I expect not ever to be happy yet there is a certain kind of Hope which stands Centinel about my heart and keeps in my love But what replied I if you have not lost your discretion can you hope I have no hope to be loved of Caesonia replied he but I hope that Caesonia will love Turnus no longer and will haply regret the unfortunate Persander We said one to another a many things of this kind whence I apprehended that Persander had still an infinite love for Caesonia and that she mistook her self much that she had not made choice of him To be short all were so surprized at Turnus's departure that a many things were reported of him which were not true but at last notwithstanding all Ersilia could say to him he took his leave So that she then saw she was deceived when she imagined to her self the absolute disposal of Turnus for this humour of Travelling having taken him in the head as soon as the Passion he had for Caesonia was satisfied all the Charms of that excellent person were not strong enough to divert him 'T is true his flatteries to her at parting were extraordinary but they proceeded not from any great regret he had to leave her though he was to be absent almost a whole year Caesonia however at first bore this departure with constancy enough and out of a consideration of glory betrayed not any the least dis-satisfaction at this voyage Nay she had not the confidence to speak to me of it and so discreetly avoided all discourse thereof that I could not take it ill that she was so reserved Besides that for my part I sought not the occasions to reproach her that she had not believed me because I could take no pleasure in afflicting her to no purpose In the mean time the
what I had sometime said to her Ah Plotina cried she you had great reason to tell me that Turnus was but an inconstant man disguiz'd and that I had done better to have preferred Persander before Turnus then Turnus before Persander But alas added she it is now no time to complain it was the cruelty of my Fortune when I thought to have chosen him who loved me most to have taken him who loved me least to his prejudice who loved me more and haply better The word haply is not well placed where you put it said I to her for it is not to be doubted but Persander will love you while he lives Ah Plotina said she tome with a high indignation if there were any means to repent I would repent me of the injustice I have done Persander But alas I must not for my own sake admit any thought of repentance and I must live so with Turnus as if he were constant and so with Persander as if I were indifferent to him Divers other things came from Caesonia wherewith I was extreamly moved Notwithstanding all this she wrote to her Husband with all the respect and mildness in the World and having discovered her affliction to her Mother it was resolved she should pretend to be sick that divers of Turnus's friends should be intreated to write to him to indeavour to bring him home again and that she her self would also invite him with the greatest insinuation she could use To be short some days after she was so much Mistress of her own thoughts that she writ to him a Letter infinitely passionate But he being at that time much taken with his loves at Rhegium and understanding from some friends at Ardea that Caesonia was not very sick he returned not to Ardea but remained two months onger at Rhegium that is to say as long as his Passion lasted He then went to Syracuse whence he was to go into Greece but he was no sooner come to Syracuse but he fell in love with a Princess of that place which is one of the greatest Beauties in the World Besidos all this Turnus having with him two friends who were of Ardea and were very complyant with his humour much of what he did came to be known by that means for one of these two was Brother to one of Turnus's former Mistresses when he first fell in love with Caesonia She being acquainted by her brothers Letters with all the new loves of Turnus was very glad to find that the charms of Caesonia had been no stronger then hers to confine Turnus's affections and maliciously divulged what her Brother had written to her concerning the Loves of this unfaithful Husband By this means the business came to be so generally known that there was none but might without any breach of civility speak to Caesonia of it either as to blame Turnus or pity her She in the mean time had observed so much reservedness in her carriage that Persander had never met with any occasion to speak to her without witnesses But one day Ersilia having employed him with some business of consequence and Persander being come to give her an account of it he found her not at home but met with Caesonia with whom he was obliged to stay expecting the return of Ersilia but he found her in so melancholy a posture that she hardly knew how to entertain him Persander on the other side having so favourable an opportunity to speak to her had not the power to tell her what he was desirous she should know but at last the love he had in his soul making him more confident It is long since Madam said he to her that I vainly seek what I have this day found yet I beseech you Madam added he imagine not it is my purpose to say any thing to you whereat you may be offended and therefore forbid me not to speak for I shall only bemoan you and but once accuse me in my life all I have to say is to conjure you to believe that as Turnus hath not been able to quit his inconstancy Persander shall never be otherwise then constant and shall love you while he lives Ah Persander said Caesonia to him triumph not over my misfortunes for it is enough to have an inconstant husband without having a Friend defective as to respect I beseech you therefore say not any thing to me which I shall not be satisfied to hear No no Madam said he to her fear not any thing from the unfortunate Persander he desires nothing of you he hopes for nothing from you and the sum of all he would have amounts to no more then the favour of one single audience from you that I may have the satisfaction of your own confession that you were mistaken when you had bestowed your self on the most amorous for Madam you need no further experience then that of this day to make the comparison To be short added he this Lover that was so eager so constant in appearance for sakes you as soon as he was possessed of you and falls in Love with divers others as soon as he is out of your sight But the unfortunate Persander though treated with insupportable injustice loves you still without hope of ever being loved by you and shall love you while he lives Turnus hath left you without any cause and I whom affairs of consequence call hence remain only to see you though I am confident you bestow not a thought on me that you would have me quit all love to you and that I can pretend to no other advantage then that of pitying you and doing you those services you can expect from a generous Friend But I beseech you deny me not this favour trust me with the burthen of an affliction you cannot conceal from me Speak not any thing of favour to me nothing of obligation nothing that may discover that you so much as think I love you but tell me only as a discreet and faithful friend that you are dis-satisfied with Turnus that you are sensible of his Injustice and his Inconstancy and are at last convinced that you have made an ill choice I therefore expect no other reward of the respectful passion I have for you then to see you dis satisfied with my Rival and to give you an infallible expression of the greatness and purity of my inclinations I protest to you that if I could change his heart and make him constant to you I would do it so to make you happy though I doubt not but I should be much more miserable then I am if you were satisfied with Turnus I beseech you Persander said she to him content your self that I tell you in general terms that I have done you an injustice and expect not I should trust one with the knowledge of my afflictions who is Rival to him that causes them Besides imagine not that the inconstancy of Turnus shall ever make me do any thing against Innocence for I am
No no generous Clelius said he unto him never bestow any such glorious titles upon me for a right Roman ought not to assume any above the rest of the Romans let us therefore only render thanks unto the Gods for our deliverance from servitude in which we were and to take away all likelihood of ever being under the power of one single person I do declare that I will not be Consul alone but will put into the hands of the Senate and People all that Authority which they gave me unless they will appoint one to be my Partner For indeed said he most generously I dare not trust my own virtue in such a business Brutus had no sooner done speaking but all that heard him were opposite to his design yet he standing firm to his principle told them plainly that he would propound it the next morning in the publick Assembly however he being ever a man most regular in all points of civility he went towards the evening unto Sivelia to see Clelia there unto whom he seemed much troubled for Aronces and told her in short how he went out of Rome with a design of delivering her Alas said she with a sad sigh and looked upon Plotina certainly it was that unfortunate Prince which was in Combate with those Troops which we saw when Horatius brought us away She had no sooner said so but Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres came to Sivelia's house who confirm'd Clelia in her thought and told all the Company that Aronces was Tarquins Prisoner also how they all made a retreat after they had seen their illustrious but unfortunate friend taken Yet they did not fear that he would be ill used because as the case stood with Tarquin it was no policy for him to shew any odium against the Son of such a great King who only was able to relieve him in his misfortune but still they conceived that he would not set him at liberty so as all the company apprehended this adventure with abundance of sorrow Brutus resented it as the friend of Aronces and foreseeing the sad consequences as a true Roman and especially out of compassion upon an unfortunate Lover who is more sensible than any other of any thing that disturbs the love of his friends As for Clelius he having almost always loved Aronces as his own son ever since he saved his life in his Cradle and keeping him from perishing after his shipwrack he was exceedingly troubled Sivelia out of tenderness and generosity did pity him Herminius was ready to run desperate Horatius out of grandeur of soul and to merit the esteem of Clelia he commended him and said That a Prince so virtuous as he was deserved a far better destiny than to be the Prisoner of the most vitious man upon earth Cesonia and Plotina could not keep their eyes from gushing out into tears as for Artemidorus Amilcar Zenocrates and Celeres they pitied Aronces pitied Clelia pitied Brutus pitied Herminius they pitied Rome they pitied themselves As for Clelia she was sensible more than thought can reach unto yet she durst not shew all her sorrow though the example of her friends might well have authorized hers nor would she too much smother her sadness lest she should infuse some false hopes into Horatius but she kept such an even and just temper in her affliction that she could not be accused either of excessive prudence or of too much carelesness That which made her the more mistress of her spirit was because she believ'd the life of Aronces was in no danger for she knew not that he was wounded but she conceived the cruel consequences of his imprisonment the least of which was that she should be separated from Aronces for a long time and be exposed unto the passion of Horatius who having made his peace with Clelius would become more confident so as this sage Lady in restraining the violence of her sorrow did deserve much commendations Mean while as one subject of compassion doth easily renew the remembrance of another so Clelius asked Brutus concerning the Prince of Numidia and understood that in visiting the Palace of Tarquin after Tullia was gone out they found him upon his bed who never caring for the disorder and noise which he heard looked calmly upon those that run from Chamber to Chamber with naked swords not knowing whether there were any men so desperate as to defend him Clelius understood further how since that the care which was taken of that Prince had something restored him unto the freedom of his spirit Alas alas added Brutus and sighed I cannot tell whether or no it be a good office to restore a miserable man unto his wits since certainly it makes all men in the world the more miserable Brutus expressed this in such a sad manner as made all those pity him who knew the distemper of his soul and were not ignorant that the death of Lucretia did more grieve him than the liberty of Rome rejoyced him for notwithstanding all his zeal to his Country could he but revive Lucretia he would do it with abundance of joy though at the rate of erecting that Throne which he had pulled down Doubtless he would have dyed a hundred deaths rather than live in the servitude wherein he did but he would have lived a slave all the days of his life rather than never to see Lucretia but in her Tomb. This sad adventure had so much changed him that he was scarcely knowable such of his friends as were not admitted unto the secrets of his soul did believe that this alteration proceeded from the weight of his cares which hung heavy upon him but those of his Cabinet counsel who knew the grandeur of his soul they thought it to be love only which loadned him his conversation was only upon such things as were necessary for the publick good unless he spoke of his sorrows and passion unto such as knew of them He was not only always more serious but also more haughty and he could not flatter any but the people of whom he stood in need to revenge Lucretia and to maintain the liberty of Rome So as after so much good language as he thought fit to comfort Clelia he retired himself to think upon other matters but especially to give that great example of moderation of which he had made such profession unto his Friends Mean while Clelius went to see the Grand Vestal his Sister and received visits from all his Friends Clelia was visited by all the Ladies of quality in Rome amongst the rest by Racilia by Hermilia by Colatina by a Lady of quality called Flavia and another named Salonina Hermilia and the sister of Colatine being compounded of such a secret Melancholy as would not suffer them to rejoyce in the Liberty of their Country so much as others they kept always together Valeria also went to visit Clelia who gave such a reception unto all these Ladies with so much obliging Civility
reasonable Ah generous Clelius cryed he out I will be any thing that will keep me from being hated by Clelia and from being unjust unto Aronces but yet I would adore your divine daughter for ever Yet sir my demand that she would not hate me is because I would die more contentedly for I know that I cannot live long Oh Sir replyed Amilcar after his usual way of freedom If you do not dye of your wounds as I hope you will not and wish you may not you will die either of love or grief time will undoubtedly cure those two kinds of maladies Death will not triumph over Lovers and unfortunate persons without the help of a Feaver or some disastrous accident But to advance your cure added he I will answer for the esteem of your Mistress and for your Rival I will also answer for their friendship if you could but surmount your love Oh Amilcar cryed he out were my heart like unto yours I should quickly surmount it but to my misery we do not resemble Afterwards this Prince who was naturally of a violent temper began to fret and grieve inwardly so as Clelius seeing him in a condition not to be long conversed withal he left him and went to take order for the repair of his house which Brutus caused to be restored unto him to the end he might receive Sulpitia who was to arrive the next day As for Amilcar unto whom Clelius was much obliged he went unto Sivelia's to see Clelia for having had no discourse in particular with her he accounted it as if he had not yet seen her yet he could not have any private discourse with her at that time because Plotina Valeria and Herminius were there But being all persons of strong reason discourse was almost as free as if they had all been intimate and particular friends Herminius having spoken much of Clelia unto Valeria she did not so much constrain her self but both discoursed of their sorrows as freely as if they had been ancient friends After a while of discourse Valeria might easily be found a person of no common rank her Physiognomy was so full of spirit she spoke so well and to the purpose her tone was so charming and her discourse so genuine and free that of all those illustrious Romans which came to see Clelia there was none pleased her more than Valeria so as having a strong inclination to love her she received all the civilities which the charming mistress of Herminius did her with extraordinary kindness I beseech you said Clelia in answer to some applauds which Valeria gave her do not judge of me by what you see now but trust unto what Herminius and Amilcar shall tell you of me for they are my ancient friends and know me I am not to day in my right humor and my face is so much altered that did I care for it I should grieve extreamly not but that I have a thousand subjects of joy For I see my Father again I see him in Rome I see the power of Tarquin demolished and I see my Country delivered But for all that the clouds of displeasure will not dissipate and the miserable condition of the most virtuous Prince upon earth makes me that I cannot gust any joys without ingratitude You see with what freedom I talk unto you and you easily perceive that I reckon our acquaintance from the first day I was acquainted with Herminius You honour me abundantly replyed Valeria and blusht but believe it Madam I will not dye ungrateful but in my humour do requite you in a most extraordinary manner For to discover my heart unto you I confess that I have ever believed a person of any solidity ought not to contract amity so lightly as to close with them at the first sight for appearances are very fallacious there are many who do please the first hour yet when they are better known will displease for ever after And I assure you that since the fair and unfortunate Lucretia betook her self to a course of solitude I never entertained any friend whom I could name particular not but that Hermilia whom every one knows to be the sister of illustrious Brutus is a person whom I love and esteem and that another named Flavia has a great share in my heart But Madam it is not after such a manner as I loved that most excellent Lady whose death would certainly have caused mine if her solitude had not accustomed me to living without seeing her yet Madam I must tell you that I do find such inclination in my heart toward you as I never found for any but for virtuous Lucretia Madam reply'd Clelia I am infinitely obliged to you for ranking me with her who cannot be parallel'd by any without injustice but to retaliate confidence for confidence I must acquaint you that I do more for you than you for me For I must confess unto you that except Plotina and Cesonia unto whom averse fortune has devoted me I have no friends whom I love so well as to trust them with any of my secrecies True indeed friends I have Herminius and Amilcar are so and will be as long as I live but as for feminine friends I have found so few a number of such as are capable of solid friendship as I content my self only with their society But towards you added Clelia I do find a strong disposition to love you and it shall stick of you if I be not at this very day perfectly your friend Whilst these two fair ones were talking thus Cesonia Plotina Amilcar and Herminius were talking of the late Revolutions But Amilcar not affecting over-serious discourse and hearing Clelia name him he interrupted those two illustrious Romans and asked them what they talked of We talk of a business so important replied Valeria as will mar all my felicity and of a thing which neither Clelia nor I ever did before for though we have not known one another yet half a day yet we intend to begin a league of friendship which must last as long as we live Both of you replied Herminius are able to move love eternally and the more you know the more you 'l esteem and love each other For my particular said Plotina I see nothing extraordinary that you have done what wonder is it that two so fair as you both flowing in wit and knowing each other long by reports of friends whom you dare trust should contract friendship so soon For this I am sure of that if you contract amitie with one whom afterwards you find not answerable to your fancy it is an easie matter to break off Though perhaps I am one said Amilcar who makes and breaks these kind of affections which they call friendships though they deserve not that title yet I am clearly of Valeria's opinion and maintain that it is very frivolous to make these imaginary friendships so much talked of in the World For my part said Herminius I must confess that
of Love and Gallantry Songs Heroick Verses and Verses of Love and all with such ease that when the Fancy takes him he does them extempore he will write them in the tumult of a great company He does them as if he never thought upon them And if I may commend my self in commending him I will tell you without a lie how one day he and I answered one another so long in Verse amongst a company of Ladies aâ— Capua as all that heard us were amazed and thought it impossible to be done without inchantment One shall meet with men sometimes of a high elevation of wit Learning and Fancy but they cannot hold it out For after some facetious piece they will fall off unto pitiful low and common conceits their style is rough and disgusts such palates as are any thing critical or delicate But Herminius is a man singular in Learning Wit Judgment and Politeness He is none of those who have knowledge and wit at will yet want a smooth and pleasing humour For as wise knowing and serious as he seems when occasion serves he will be all mirth and diversion Yet he is not much affected with all sorts of pleasures for he delights not in hunting Musick Painting Feasts and such like but in Complacency he will be one at them all and will do all he can to make men think he loves them as well as any He will sometimes be so much taken up with a trifle as if he were ignorant in any high things sometimes he will apply himself to men of mean capacities as if he were able to reach no higher he could comply with all sorts and never left any merry company yet this man who is able to inspire mirth into any company when he pleaseth can live in solitude with as much content as any man living upon Earth 'T is true indeed he loves his study so well as if he affected the company of dead men better than living And if the generous Sivelia did not sometimes divert him he would bury himself is his study I am confident that should he lose Valeria and Sivelia he would absolutely renounce all commerce with the World And yet this earnest inclination he has to his studie cannot make him neglect any matter of business As insensible as he seems he has a heart most sensible of Glory of Amity and of Love but he has these two last qualities in a very particular manner For where he is only a Friend he will seem as if he were a Lover and where he is a Lover one would think he were only a friend Yet this proceeds not from the weakness of his affection but from the generosity of his Soul which makes him too little interested in his passion As for example had he a Mistress whom a King would marry he would sacrifice his love his joy and his life to see her upon the Throne For loving the vertue more than the Mistress and thinking an interest of pleasure in Love no better than a mercenary interest in Friendship he thinks only of doing what generosity requires But whether he act the part of a Lover or a Friend he is always equally Liberal and Generous and certainly there is nothing but impossibilities which he would not do for such as he loves he takes a part in all their misfortunes he is an enemy to their enemies he will maintain their glories before his own more sensible of any affronts to them than to himself And generosity is so natural unto him that it shines in all his actions he will help his poor friends when he can and when they would he is in general the most officious man living he will often neglect his own business to do anothers and does shew his liberality in a thousand trifles which many Gallants more able than he would never think upon I have known some of his friends that are extremely afraid and careful to commend any thing he has lest he should give it unto them He knows how to give a thing handsomely as well as any man living and if Fortune had done for him as she has for many others there should not be any well qualified man of his acquaintance miserable Moreover Herminius is a general Scholar and a most Rare Poet Hesiod Homer and Sappho are all his own all the sages of Greece are his familiars 'T is true he never affected those nice speculations which Thales the Milesian had upon the Stars so much as he did that part of Philosophy which regulated Manners Herminius is a man that is able to do any thing that he takes in hand and he never did any thing ill favouredly He would sometimes undertake to speak upon a matter in publick without any preparation for it He has a most strange and vast memory after once reading of a large Copy of verses he would repeat them and not miss a syllable also he would do the like in Prose Those who think that memory wit and judgment cannot lodge together are mistaken for he had both Though he was owner of all the vertues yet he cared not for shewing them and will often strive to conceal them from such men with whom he is not familiar And yet he affects glory but he finds so few in the world that are able to judge aright that he cares not for the applauds of the multitude Moreover Herminius is so thankful and acknowledging even for the least good offices that he repays them all with usury and which is most rare this man who is able for all things who can make a History of the World as easily as a song and who knows no limits unto his parts yet is he modest beyond all thought This excellent quality also he has that he can keep a secret the best of any man alive and which I highly esteem him for he is absolutely incapable of any envy and slander and is not severe unto any but himself He sutes with my humor principally in this that he can use good fortune better than he can endure bad because he is much more sensible of forrows than of joys As to the Ladies he holds them in a high degree of respect I could say much more of this illustrious Roman but I had better make him known unto you by his story than by a description which will come short of his worth As for Valeria though Cesonia and Plotina do not know her so well as Herminius yet I will not make any long description of her As for you Madam I observe you love her so well already that I doubt not but you do perfectly know her But for my part I must confess ingeniously unto you that I never in all my life saw a more amiable person than Valeria She is indeed but of a middle stature yet so well made as she need not envie any that are taller than her self Her eys are not such as seem for bigness as if they would look three or four ways at once
above all the world and who is so necessary unto my joy as I have none if I be not with her Well well replied Valeria and smiled I will not keep you any longer with me lest I weary you And therefore without putting you to any further trouble in telling me your thoughts I assure you that you are only my Friend Oh Madam replied he I beseech you do not judge so hastily of my affection and never fear I can be weary of being with you And therefore give me leave to tell you That my tenderness to the person of whom I speak is so great that all her miseries are mine I look upon her with delight I admire her with abundance of joy all she says pleases me her beauty charms me her goodness ravisheth me and her wit strikes me with such a respective astonishment as is above common admiration But after all this I am not jealous I desire nothing and all my thoughts are so pure and free from any interest as I cannot think any ones affection like unto mine I have already told you replied Valeria cunningly That all your thoughts of me proceed only from Friendship and I am very glad of it for as they talk of Love one is never very happy by it Since Madam you say replied Herminius that my thoughts of you are only Friendship I hope there is no hurt if I tell you that you are the rare person whom I prefer before all the world and whose company I love so well that I cannot endure to be any where else Also I beseech you give me leave to hope I shall find affection for affection from you For the same vertue which they say allows Ladies to be ungrateful unto their Lovers requires they should be reciprocally kind to their friends But Madam added he and would not give her leisure to speak I had almost forgot to tell you That you are not only the person whom I love best of all the World but also to speak sincerely you are the only person whom I love For when I examine my self well the affection which I bear unto others is nothing in comparison of that I bear unto you And when I said that I would desire nothing truly I know not what may happen hereafter For at this very Instant there comes upon my heart such a violent desire of being loved by you that if you leave me hopeless I perceive I shall be the most miserable man in the whole World You deceive your self in speaking as you do replied Valeria for Friendship never makes any miserable But Madam replyed he perhaps you do not know what thoughts my Soul has of you What ere they be said she and would have gone away I will go and tell the company that you are only upon terms of Friendship With all my heart answered he For if perchance I should be in love with you as there is great likelihood I shall it is best that none but you in all the World do know it Nay replied Valeria if that misfortune ever happen I wish I may never know it After this Valeria left Herminius and blushed not well knowing what she should say unto the company Come Valeria said Salonina as soon as she came is Herminius a friend or a Lover Is it you or Flavia or I that is adored does he love all the company in general or any one person in particular I must ingenuously confess answered Valeria that Herminius is not in love and therefore we are all of us equally obliged unto him for his assiduous visits unto us Oh Madam replied Herminius I did not think you would have said so If I be mistaken answered she I cry you mercy my memory is so bad that I may be excused and if I did not say aright yet I am sure I said as things ought to be After this all the company fell upon Herminius and Valeria and contested amongst themselves some affirmed that he was in love and others that he was not and all in general did divert themselves very pleasantly upon this matter all the rest of the day Mean while great alterations grew in the minds of Valeria and Herminius for Valeria made more doubt of Herminius his affection than she did before he spake unto her And Herminius on the contrary did not doubt at all that he was in love since the time Valeria told him his thoughts were only effects of friendship When he came at home he accused himself for speaking too faintly and coldly of his affection he repented himself of his too much prudence and he upbraided himself a thousand times with blockishness in being so long before he knew that the thoughts of his soul were effects of love As for Valeria though she was as vertuous a person as ever lived and though at that time she could not imagine she could ere endure any should love her yet she could not chuse but chide her self for harbouring some little belief that Herminius did love her and could not chuse but think upon Herminius whether she would or no. Things then being upon these terms you must know that Volesus who loved Salonina unknown to any and that Salonina did not hate him they were full of joy for Spurius falling deep in love with Salonina Volesus had the satisfaction to see his Rival most horribly ill treated by that fair one his Mistress that Spurius was a man of many admirable qualities and none ill except that he was the most revengeful of any man living Valeria and Salonina were then most particular friends for Lucretia was not of their society So as Valeria saw all the bitter affronts which Salonina put upon Spurius yet it is not to be imagined there was the same confidence between Valeria and Salonina as there was since between Valeria and Lucretia for they communicated such secrets only as may be said they made great mysteries of small trifles But for all that they loved or at least thought so and in ther familiarity Valeria would sometimes tell Salonina that she treated Spurius too sharply for truly said that wise Lady I conceive it fit to be severe with judgment and when a man of good parts is in love with a well qualified woman she ought to carry it so as to let him know that his passion is displeasing unto her without scorning or sleighting the man for it is very dangerous to procure the hatred of those who love you and certainly it is much better to be hated by one who never loved you than by a slighted and contemned lover For my part replied Salonina I think nothing more glorious for a woman than that she can sleight a very brave man only because he is in love with her Valeria replied upon Salonina and Salonina answered her but they did not alter one anothers opinions So as Spurius was treated by Salonina worse than ever any poor lover was and yet she made many advantages unto her self by it for thereby the love
be my Rivals But Madam I care not for any such kind of compassion it is but a false pity which will make me the more miserable I had better dye suddenly than languish long Pronounce therefore a Definitive sentence But first consider I beseech you whether Emilius will not be more miserable than Herminius if you reject him Herminius is already accustomed to think himself not loved He can live and not see you and think himself not loved And though you should tell him you can never love him but would love me always yet he will be no more miserable than he was within this two days But I Madam who till yesterday did hope you would be eternally mine think I beseech you in what a sad condition I should be if you should assure me I should never be yours I have already told you my resolution replied Valeria and you cannot make me change it Upon this Valerius Domitia and Herminius entred Valeria blushed when she saw them and was at a strange perplexity especially when Valerius began to speak Well Daughter said he unto her have you heard the reasons of Herminius and Emilius and are you resolved upon their destinies Sir replied this sage Lady you are so absolutely master of mine that it better becomes me to advise with your will than examine their Reasons But if it be your pleasure I should tell you what I think I would beseech you to let me live with you as long as I live and not bestow my self either upon Herminius or Emilius Oh Sir said Herminius I beseech you do not consent unto the request which Valeria makes And I said Emilius do make the same Petition my Rival doth though I am more exposed unto misery than he Doubtless you are exposed unto more misery replied Herminius because my Right is better than yours For the word of Valerius and the word of Valeria had engaged me before they ever knew you And were it not that I know by my own experience it is not possible to love Valeria and preserve the use of Reason I should accuse you of injustice in pretending still to marry her after you know that I am living Till then I confess you were not to blame But now you see me and know what just pretensions I have unto Valeria you ought to renounce all yours Oh most cruel friend replied Emilius can one leave loving when they would and could you let fall your design of regaining the heart of Valeria if I had more right unto her than you I beseech you said Valerius then do not amuse us with any unprofitable contestations I do esteem and love you both and both of you ought to esteem and love me also nor have you any reason to complain against one another my Daughter has not given either of you any cause to wish her ill Nor can I accuse her of any thing The only thing to be done then is to look at the future and to compose this difference without doing any injustice I conceive then pursued he and spoke unto Flavia that in all reason my Daughter and I should keep our first words unto Herminius if he have not made himself unworthy by his inconstancy and if the heart of my Daughter be not changed Therefore my advice is that both Herminius and Emilius shall keep at a distance untill it clearly appear that Herminius had never any engagement with Clelia For if all be true he says the thing is out of doubt unless as I said before that Valeria has chang'd her mind For in that case I leave her to be mistress of her own destiny not thinking it just to force the will in such things Speak then Daughter said Valerius then unto her and tell me sincerely whether you retain the same thoughts still which formerly you had of Herminius and what thoughts you have of Emilius Sir replied she if I had a mind to make choice of one I should speak sincerely but since I design to be no bodies but my own I cannot say any thing unto you Valeria blusht as she spoke these words and could not chuse but look upon Herminius who conceiving some hope from this favourable look did speak so vigorously and tenderly both that Emilius perceiving he was like to lose his cause and fearing lest his destiny should be worse he hastily said that he would accept of the motion which Valerius offered which was to keep at a distance from Valeria until Herminius had made his innocence appear This fair one would then have opposed that and desired to put both these Lovers out of all hopes but she did it in such a manner as made it evident unto Emilius that Herminius was much more in her heart than he and would ere long return into his first place which did most sensibly affect him Things being thus they had more cause to think that Tarquin had been advertis'd of Herminius his being alive and that he was at the house of Valerius for there came a Lieutenant of his Guard accompanied with ten of his Souldiers and asked to speak with Valerius so as this conversation was interrupted in such a manner as made it known unto Valeria her self what rank Herminus had in her heart For when it was told that the Lieutenant of Tarquins Guard was in the Court and asked to speak with Valerius she was most strangely troubled at it and was the first that desired Herminius to hide himself she also imagined a place very hard to be found out And Emilius knew so well by this unexpected accident that she loved Herminius very dearly as it grieved him extremely 'T is true indeed it was a generous grief for after Herminius was gone into his close Cabinet which was in a thick wall joyning to Flavia's Chamber and Valerius gone to the Lieutenant of Tarquin's Guard he summon'd up all his generosity all his friendship to Herminius all the justice in the pretensions of his friend and small hopes he had that Valeria would break with him so as at last coming to Valeria who was in a melancholy study leaning upon the window towards the Court where her Father was he earnestly conjur'd her to open her heart unto him assuring her that if she would speak ingenuously unto him he would never trouble her more but leave her in peace Tell me therefore sincerely said he whether you think I can ever hope to be happy If you will promise me said she to wish no harm unto Herminius I will with all possible sincerity tell you what you desire to know Oh Madam replied he I need not ask you any more for you have answered me enough in not answering After this he left her and without speaking unto any or staying to know what business the Lieutenant of Tarquin's Guard had he took horse and rid away none knows whither Mean while Tarquin hearing by his Spies that divers persons were to be at the house of Valerius he sent to see what kind of
events without ever considering whether the things be just or not And yet it must needs be granted that there is a Reason above ours which guides us with discretion though we apprehend it not and which by unknown ways makes the same causes produce effects of a different nature 'T is true indeed replied Herminius that all that hath happened to you is altogether extraordinary But when all is done since it contributes to the glory of the Gods and the instruction of men that there should be great examples of virtue there must also be misfortunes and unfortunate persons I grant it replied Brutus but to speak freely it is a sad thing for a man to be the model of constancy and not to live but only to suffer For in a word my dear Herminius would you but take the pains to reflect on what ever hath happened to me you will find nothing but a long series of misfortunes The first of all was to be born in the time and under the government of the lewdest Tyrant in the World and withall to be of his blood The consequence of this you know was that I was brought up in exile that Tarquin's cruelty robb'd me of a Father and a Brother that I was forc'd to conceal my reason to secure my life and to wait the opportunity to deliver Rome How have I been in love yet durst not discover it that afterwards I was not beloved again but that I might be the more miserable How have I been forced by a strange unhappiness to see Lucretia in the embraces of my Rival and what is yet more terrible how have I seen her in those of Death This once endured I thought there was not any thing afterwards to be feared and that to lessen my affliction it might haply be the pleasure of the Gods that her death and my love should prove serviceable to the Liberty of my Countrey And yet it happens that the same passion that makes me undertake any thing for Rome makes my children undertake all things against both Rome and me So that by a sentiment which I cannot but discover I excuse them while I accuse them and I am very much more sensible of their unhappiness than I should have been had they been guided by any other motive Not but that it grieves me to the heart to think that I have had Children that should endeavor to put Rome into her chains again but when I reflect on their being in Love I pity and bemoan them Lucretia appears to me with all her inviting attractions to plead for them and I suffer at this instant all that a paternal indulgence all that the tender resentments of Love can make me endure and all that Nature and Reason when they are contrary one to another can make a man feel that is most harsh and insupportable You are so ingenious and your complaints so just replyed Herminius that a man cannot well find what to say to you But all considered if you are the most unfortunate you are withall the most illustrious of that Praedicament for your misfortunes contribute to your glory and are beneficial to your Countrey Lucretia's death caused Tarquin's removal and that of your Sons will stifle all conspiracies and settle Rome's liberty It is my wish it may be so replyed Brutus but to be free with you I am at a loss what to think of it for who could ever imagine that Brutus's Son should conspire against Rome and against him and yet you have seen it and consequently there is not any thing which we may not nothing which we ought not to be distrustful of even to our virtue nothing that can for any long time secure any mans happiness Nay I am so far unhappy that I am not happy in my friends Aronces is where he would not be Clelia is among the Rivals of that only person whom she loves nor are you yet in such a safe posture as to fear nothing But when all is done the Liberty of my Countrey engages me to live and struggle with calamities and the revenge due to Lucretia's death calls upon me to destroy those whom yet I have only driven hence But that you may live replyed Herminius you must make a truce with your grief on the contrary replyed this afflicted yet illustrious person I must give it way till I have made it habitual and for a man to suffer long he must suffer without any intermission Whilst these two friends exchanged these sad discourses the general talk of all was about what had happened Some discoursed of the Conspiracy others of the death of the Conspirators and all of the constancy and great virtue of Brutus The Prince of Numidia sick and weak as he was would needs have the story of this unhappy adventure exactly told him over and over by Amilcar who came to visit him and who to lessen the grief he might take at it gave him a short account of the History of Brutus So that this generous Numidian haveing heard Amilcar's relation was for a while silent then breaking forth on a sudden Ah Amilcar how far am I short of the virtue of your illustrious friend how weak am I or how much in Love for he hath met with thousands of misfortunes and he bears them and I groan under no other than that of not being loved and it is insupportable to me I am indeed ashamed to be so little master of my self and were it only that I might in some sort deserve Brutus's friendship I will do what lies in my power to overcome the passion now predominant in my Soul Till now was I never guilty of so much as any design to oppose it so that it speaks not a little courage that I am resolved to do what I can to conquer it I have indeed sometimes said that I would do it but must acknowledge I never have and even in the very instant that I say I will do it I am not very certain whether I shall continue in the same sentiments wherein I think my self to be Amilcar who thought it no hard matter to cure him of such a disease assured him of his recovery when he pleased himself and so having comforted him as he was wont he went to Racilia's where were the more virtuous persons of Rome met to do their civilities to Hermilia upon the accident that had happened to her Brothers Sons For though she was very young yet were Tiâ—eriâ—s and Titus her Nephews Clelia Plotina Cesonia Flavia Salonina Valeria and Collatina as also Mutius Horatius Artemidorus Zenocrates and Herminius were in Hermilia's Chamber when Amilcar came thither But of all these Hermilia and Collatina were the most troubled at that unhappy accident for among the Conspirators that had suffered death there were two of near kin to Collatina What made them yet more sad was that the interest of the two Princes by whom they were courted had engaged more into the Conspiracy than any other motive and consequently
treat you otherwise than I do but since that cannot be and that I have a certain esteem and friendship for you and cannot ruine you without doing my self some prejudice I give your Reason time to bring you to your wits again I would not therefore you should ever presume to acquaint me with any thing of your indiscretion I would have you very carefully avoid being alone with me nay I would have you see me as seldom as you can possibly till such time as you shall be in a condition to ask me pardon for your extravagance and come and declare that you love me not otherwise than you ought to love me For if you do not what I tell you though I abhor nothing so much as noise and disturbance I shall acquaint the Prince my Brother with your presumption and shall infallibly ruine you Your commands Madam replied he are certainly very hard to be observed and yet I shall obey you in all unless it be Madam that I shall never tell you that I have ceased to love you Lindamira coming hereupon to certain Green seats sate down and obliged the Ladies that came along with her to do the like But being extreamly troubled at the adventure that had hapned to her she staid not long in the Garden nay ordered things so that Themistus led her not and so she returned home very sad and melancholly She was no sooner in her chamber but calling my Sister to her into the Closet she acquainted her with what had happened to her expressing a great indignation at Themistus's boldness and withal abundance of affliction that they could not have so much of his company as formerly For in fine said she to Mericia I looked on Themistus as a person I should have made the chiefest of my friends because he not only wanted not any thing that might recommend him as to his person but was also very serviceable to me in my affairs 'T is certain he hath a great influence over the Prince my Brother he is an understanding man discreet respectful divertive and methought there was no danger to enter into a friendship with him In the mean time he is fallen into an impertinent madness that ruines all my designs and puts me into no small distraction For I will not give him any occasion to conceive the least hope nor on the contrary give any other cause to suspect any thing of his temerity You have so much prudence replied Mericia that you will do what you have a mind to do but certainly 't is great pity that Themistus's fortune does not justifie the passion he hath for you for that allowed he is worthy your love I grant it replied Lyndamira and that is it that torments me for not being able to admit him as a Lover I should have been very glad to have had him while I lived for my Friend While this entertainment passed between Lindamira and my Sister Themistus not able to becalm the several sentiments wherewith his heart was tossed desired He and I might have some discourse I at first saw him so sad that I thought some secret discontent had happened between him and the Prince Insomuch as perceiving after he had seemed willing to speak with me that he said nothing to me I asked him what it was that troubled him I should not indeed added I much wonder to see you disturbed for I think it impossible that ever ambition should be without disquiet Ah! dear Meleaganes cries He were I only ambitious I were the happiest man in the world But alas I struggle both with Love and Ambition at the same time and not being well able to distinguish whether my Love proceeds from Ambition or my Ambition from my Love all I know is that my heart is rack'd with all the disturbances that are the attendants of these two passions I would fain be at this very instant that I speak both near the Prince and near the Princess Lindamira How said I are you in love with the Princess of Himera I am replied he and what is most deplorable I love her without hope And yet I am resolved to act as if I did hope and to see whether that Proverb which saies that Fortune favours the Confident be true or no. Upon that he gave me an account of the discourse he had had with Lindamira But when I would have told him that I thought his condition not so sad in that she had not treated him worse he told me that I was mistaken and that he had been less miserable if she had expressed a greater violence towards him But to be short added he since as an ambitions man I cannot love more nobly and that as a Lover I must be withal ambitious I resign my self equally to these two violent passions and am absolutely resolved that they shall either mutually assist one the other or combine to ruine me Tell me therefore my dear Meleagenes whether what I intend to do be rational for my thoughts are in such a tempest that I dare not trust my own reason in this accident But said I what can you do to satisfie your ambition more than you do The Prince affects you you follow him every where you participate of all his pleasures and he cannot live without you Ah? Meleagenes repled he a peaceful Favourite goes on but slowly and great fortunes are never found but in great affairs When I have followed the Prince a hunting or to Demarata's to Lindamira's to the Revels to the Walks I shall never be the more powerful and so the ease of the Grandees will at last give them an opportunity to ruine me Besides that doing no more about the Prince than what a many others could do as well as I it will be easie for my aemulators to undermine me feeling therefore within me something that aims at greater matters I would stirr up some War that might contribute as well to my Ambition as my Love This is my only way to arrive at great employments wherein I am sure to meet with either glory or death By this means shall I come to a nearer distance from Lindamira and more approach the rank and quality of my Ancestors Tell me then that I am in the right way my dear Meleagenes if you would advise me as I would be advised On the other side trouble not your self for the War I intend to raise for the Prince may justly declare one against the Prince of Messena and were he not taken up with the love of Demarata he had haply been already in Arms. If it be so said I to him I think it the best course you can take provided you be in some sort confident of the happy success of this design for it is a most deplorable thing to be the occasion of a War that is not crowned with victory Victory replies Themistus is commonly the reward of those that assault rather than of those that are assaulted because the former voluntarily seek it the
that lay upon the valour of the Romans For at his arrival all the Soldiers were running away and all those that were truly valiant endeavoured what they could to rally them together But Aronces appearing and dispelling that terror which the death of Brutus had had them into there was not a coward lest among the Romans Alcimedes for his part did things worthy his great heart and his despair but after he had given many their deaths he receiv'd his own from two valiant Tarquinians that set upon him both at the same time 'T is true he was soon revenged for Aronces coming to the place killed one of them and made the other fly Caliantes had near miscarried at the same time but Mutius killed him that should have killed the other For Themistus he behaved himself very gallantly Meleagnes did no less Amilcar made it appear that his courage was equal to his wit and Herminius and Aemilius fought as Rivals that would surpass Mutius revenge Brutus and deliver Rome Tarquin on the other side managing his business as a Prince that wanted neither Prudence nor courage did all he could to preserve the advantage he had gotten at first over the left wing So that Aronces met with no small difficulty though the enemy had lost the greatest part of that confidence which they had conceived at Brutus's death Valerius relieved by the valour of Horatius Spurius and divers others lost nothing of what he had gained yet could he not so manage his advantages but that the Victory was still disputable There was not any one body of either Army that had not been engaged so that all was full of blood horror and death but especially the place where Aronces was as being the most dangerous and that where was the greatest number of both sides killed At last night coming on added to the horror of the day in regard that neither side being willing to give over till the victory were compleated the fight continued notwithstanding the darkness Never was there seen any thing more dismal than the end of that bloody day for there being no distinction between friends and enemies there was a fearful confusion in both Armies Both good and bad actions were equally obscured by the night it could be no longer known who fought well and who did not and the Romans who had been inspired with new courage at the sight of Aronces lost a part of it when they could no longer discern him Nor was it to any purpose that some called him to see if he would answer for night being come on he was not seen after and the last place his voice had been heard in was that where Octavius being still fighting was very dangerously wounded by a certain man who being hurt by another just as he discharged a blow upon him left his sword in his Arm so that neither Herminius nor Amilcar nor Persander nor any of his other friends spoke to him nor knew what was become of him All the hope they had was that he would be found in the Camp when they had made their retreat and so fought on still on their side as Valerius Horatius and the rest did on theirs But as night naturally brings horror with it and that the objects that appear seem to be both magnified and multiplied that confused voices seem more terrible and frightful and that no order can be observed a certain terror equally seized both sides So that Valerius and Tarquin giving out their several orders for a retreat the Romans dis-engag'd as they could from the Tarquinians and the Veientes and they in like manner got off as they could from the Romans The desire of retreating being general in both parties they both left the field to the dead that covered it and retired with the fatal imagination of being overcome For there fell so great a number on both sides that Victory seemed not to be of either The Tarquinians bewailed the Prince of Pometia and the Romans Brutus as the Father of the Countrey In the mean time Herminius who had taken a care of his body had sent it to the Camp by certain Soldiers at the beginning of the fight For Octavius he had courageously caused the sword which was run through his Arm to be drawn out by Amilcar who changed to be near him nay Octavius kept it instead of his own that had been broken whereupon retreating with the rest he got to the Camp less troubled for his wounds which yet was very dangerous than for Brutus's death Now was it that the Romans were more fully sensible of the loss they had received for there was so great a number of empty Tents that it was easily seen the number of the dead was very great That also of the wounded was such that there were not people enough to dress them Aronces was not to be heard of by any which raised some suspicion he might be dead Horatius was also to seek and the death of Brutus was so considerable an accident that all put together the consternation was general Valerius who knew not for certain what posture the enemy was in was afraid Tarquin might come and set upon him in his Trenches to compleat the Victory so that he gave order that the remainder of his Army notwithstanding the weariness and the service of the day before should be in Arms all night and to give example to others he went himself round about the Camp Brutus's body was all this while in the Tent that was his when living attended by the same victors who were wont to accompany him and divers of his friends bewailing him Octavius after he had been dress'd in his Tent was extreamly surprised to find that the sword Amilcar had taken out of his Arm was not unknown to him for it was one he had formerly presented Clelius with and he knew had been afterwards bestowed on Aronces Amilcar knew it also to be the same and could not tell what to think of that accident So that being surprised thereat they talked of it as a thing they made no secret of not knowing what to conceive of so odd an adventure as having not heard how Aronces got out of Tarquinia or whether it was he that had hurt Octavius or what was become of him all they knew was that when Octavius was hurt Aronces's voice had been heard very near him and that afterwards no body knew whither he was gone For Horatius some reported he had been heard after the beginning of the retreat but of that there was no great certainty and what was out of all doubt was that he was not to be heard of any more than Aronces that Brutus was dead that Lisydas and Alcimedes were so too that Octavius was dangerously wounded that a great number both of the Officery and Soldiery was cut off and that those that were left were very much disheartened In the mean time the fear the whole Camp was in made all think it the less difficulty to watch there
grief heard what her Father said Sulpitia knowing the humor of Clelius presumed not to oppose him therein and Octavius being turned towards the other side after he had expressed himself so generously heard no more what was spoken in his chamber But that which compleated the sorrow both of Sulpicia and Clelia was that Clelius no sooner understood that Horatius was prisoner at Veii but he declared he would endeavor to deliver him by the assistance of an illustrious Veientine that was one of his ancient friends Being Horatius was a brave person and one that might be very serviceable for supporting the Liberty of Rome neither Herminius nor Amilcar nor Zenocrates contradicted his intention as indeed they could not with honor do though they were Aronces friends So that there was none but Sulpltia and Clelia who testifyed enough by their silence that the liberty of Horatius was not the object of their wishes But the visit of Zenocrates being at length ended he and his two friends went to spend the remainder of the day with Valeria with whom they found Collatina Cesonia and Plotina for as for Hermilia she was continually so afflicted that she vouchsased not to see any person whatsoever Zenocrates addressing to Plotina asked of her what news there was since his departure I assure you said she to him I know none worthy your knowledge but only that Spurius who is the most vindicative person living has lately renewed his friendship to Valeria only because he hates his Rivals and would do them all the injury he is able at least I have heard so this day from one of his friends But is it not he replyed Zenocrates that sometimes counselled Mutius to become a Lover of Valeria Yes answered Plotina pleasantly but being he sees Mutius does not endear himself and cannot dispossess Herminius out of the heart of Valeria and that Aemilius also is more interessed in her favor than he he is so resolved to attempt that glorious adventure once again So that Valeria has now four Lovers at once In good time said Valeria who overheard this discourse of Plotina to Zenocrates though she spoke not very lowd but I had almost as good have four Enemies You do well replyed Plotina to make use of the word Almost in this occasion for I am confident there is at least one of the four which you would not have to hate you I confess it answered she but to speak sincerely I account nothing more vexatious than to be obstinately beloved by persons that I can never affect I know many Dames interposed Amilcar who was discoursing with Herminius and Collatina that are not of your humor and who esteem it an extraordinary delectation to be followed by a crowd of Suppliants for whom notwithstanding they have no particular affection As Herminius was ingaging himself in this conversation Themistus and Meleagenes came into the room who appearing more sad than ordinary gave occasion to Valeria to enquire the cause of their discontentment I deplore the death of so honorable a person answered Themistus that I cannot but require some lamentations of him from you and especially from Amilcar to whom he was well known at Syracuse And I am confident added he that though you never saw but only the portraiture of him that was shewn you when you had the curiosity to know my adventures yet you will not cease to bewail him Oh good Gods cryed Amilcar let me not hear that Meriander is dead for I should resent it most passionately I am sorry replyed Themistus that I must impart that grief to you but it is too true that the illustrious Meriander is no longer amongst the living but left the world three days since How replyed Valeria he that had all good qualities none bad who was both gallant and prudent who knew all things of excellence loved all noble acts passionately affected Musick that loved the whole World that was so acceptable in it so sincere so faithful a friend so constant and so generous does he no longer live He does not most certainly answered Themistus and the pensive Merigenes who arrived yesterday in the evening tells me Meriander hath been universally bewailed as never any before in the Court of Syracuse Not one Beauty but has lamented his fate nor man of quality but expressed their resentment with sighs and complaints those that excel in any good Arts do almost abandon them since he is no longer their Protector and in brief all the World deplores him as person that could alone introduce civility virtue and gallantry into the Court and serve for a model to those that propose to themselves the perfection of honorable persons I assure you replyed Herminius such as have all the rare qualities Meriander was owner of cannot be sufficiently regretted and if Amilcar would acquit himself well he should compose an Epitaph worthy of his own Wit and the merit of the illustrious Deceased I protest to you said Amilcar hastily that I would have one made but I must withall declare to you that I will not be the Author for in short this kind of composure is the rack of good Wits and I know nothing more difficult to make well Yet I believe the cause why so few Epitaphs please those that read them is that generally praises and sadness are displeasing to almost all the World So that all Epitaphs that are composed being sad and usually full of commendations it is hard to please and gain approbation Besides that to speak judiciously it being requisite that an Epitaph be short and clear and exactly congruous to the person for whom it is intended that it be between a plain Inscription and an Elogium that there be some touch of Morality by the way and that it excite tenderness and compassion it is not much to be wondered at that there be so few well made Moreover I assure you that unless some Burlesque or Festivous Epitaphs I have not seen many excellent for they are usually too plain or too eloquent Those that express too little stop passengers for nothing those that are too long and have more words than matter make them lose too much time those which commend excessively give occasion of contradiction and calumnies against the dead and the person that commends him and those which do not extoll at all when they are intended of people that merit to be praised excite generous Readers to indignation and choler Wherefore I conclude that it is not fit to adventure lightly to make Epitaphs and I cannot resolve to make one for the noble Meriander though his memory be very dear to me Then Valeria demanded of Themistus whether Merigenes was sent to him by the Princess Lindamira I am not so happy answered he but Merigenes being much my friend thought meet to come and advertise me that he understood the young Prince of Messena was gone into Italy 'T is true I received news by him of Lindamira which gave me great satisfaction and
had not he inform'd me of the death of the generous Meriander the intelligence brought me of the voyage of the Prince of Messena would not have much troubled me But by what I understand said Plotina you and Merigenes have interchanged sighs for sighs for if he acquainted you with the death of Meriander you have informed him of that of Lisydas and Alcimedes In truth answered Themistus he much deplored their fates But I must tell you interpos'd Amilcar that sorrow of this nature is a thing very unprofitable at least to the persons lamented for to those that express it it is honorable making them esteemed compassionate and constant and gains them the reputation of bearing their friendship beyond the Urne But to speak unfeignedly there is nothing more rare than true grief I must confess added Plotina I am of Amilcar's opinion and believe that there are feigned tears tears of custom and tears of decorum For my part said Amilcar I remember I saw a very excellent person dye at Carthage who was not griev'd for by half those that lamented him But can one lament without grief said Valeria I could not do it for my part said Collatina I have seen it done more than once replied Amilcar and if you would observe the general practise of the world you would be of the same belief with me For when people behold the death of some one whom they conceive themselves oblig'd to sorrow for they bewail him and extoll him and make shew of going to condole with and comfort his Relations but in the mean while if during the visit some one in the company relate some pleasant story it is listned to paraphras'd on and laught at after which the mourners walk abroad make visits and are altogether after their ordinary manner till beholding the particular friends or kindred of the deceased their tears are renewed and their sighs and melancholly acted over again And because when this is past he is never spoken nor thought of more I cannot but believe that they which do things that have so little affinity with grief can have no true grief at all For to return to that person of great worth whom I beheld die at Carthage and who was so much regretted I assure you I saw Women who were scarce known to him in his life out of vanity and to make it believ'd he was their great friend that habited themselves carelesly for two or three daies and went from house to house asking if they did lament him speaking of him with a certain familiarity full of tenderness sufficient to deceive such as had not the spirit of discernment which is so necessary to live well in the world And which was rare these fair Mourners the same day they spoke thus pitiously went at evening to hear Musick and to make Collations and Revels They pretended indeed that they went thither only to divert their mind from their sorrow for truly said they with a languishing voice should not we see some body and constrain our selves we should die of grief And will not you now consent with me that griefs are sometimes very suspitious and seldom true and that to speak things as they are there is as little true Grief as there is true friendship The measure of the one answer'd Herminius is without doubt the measure of the other for only their loss is much resented who were much belov'd but above all there is nothing more excellent than to preseve the memory of ones friends I intend not to speak of those mournings which do nothing but pour forth streams of tears which are rather an effect of the weakness of their reason that shed them than of the excess of their regret But I mean them that retain a long and prudent sorrow who during their whole life do all they are able to do for their dead friends in the condition they are in that is by speaking alwaies of them with esteem defending their past actions with zeal serving them whom they would have serv'd had they liv'd loving those whom they lov'd and never forgetting them That which you say replied Plotina is without doubt very excellent but if there are few people that can deplore their friends in this manner there are few friends that deserve to be lamented so All the company assenting to the opinion of Plotina she took leave of them because it was now very late The next day Valerius in order to executing the design he had to intimate to the people that he did not misdoubt the success of the War after he came out of the Senate went to see his workmen which he employ'd in finishing his house on the Mount Velia where he dwelt already for there was more than half of it compleated And to execute his purpose he added half as many more to the workmen that had hitherto laboured in his structure So that there was seen nothing but burthened slaves along the way leading to it going and coming continually to carry things necessary to the builders Valerius also judg'd it not fit in the conjuncture of affairs to motion so soon the election of a new Consul in the place of the illustrious Brutus for fear lest giving an occasion of a contest in the Senate there might be some commotion which might be attended with dangerous consequences when it should come to be known that Porsenna protected Tarquin He advised with the most prudent of those that understood affairs and did nothing but what they counselled him to But as the rules of prudence can never be infallible when the deliberation is concerning what the people will or will not do the wisdom and virtue of Valerius were not powerful enough to hinder but that what he did with the best and most innocent intention in the world was interpreted to his disadvantage Within five or six daies after the arrival of Zenocrates the news of the return of Aronces to Clusium and the alliance of Tarquin with the King of Etruria was known by all the people who instead of taking heart from the tranquillity that appear'd in the mind of Valerius and the several Orders he had given that the forces should be in an expedite condition began to repine very loudly 'T is true some of Tarquin's creatures served secretly to irritate the minds of the multitude Some said 't was easie to observe that Valerius minded himself more than the publick good in that he built so magnificent a House in a time wherein the new-born Republick stood in need that all the Romans should contribute a part of their Estates towards sustaining the charge of the War Others That it appear'd enough that he hated the King more than Royalty since it appear'd he had a design of reigning like a Sovereign in that he spoke nothing of making an election of another Consul and that he caused more than ordinary diligence and haste to be used about a house which might become an impregnable Citadel when he would fortifie it
with the Augurs which he had consulted For which you are not ignorant there is in that place a kind of Oracle of Chance which seems to decide the destinies of men But at Praeneste too as well as at Veii this generous Father found that his Son was born to rule and that it was necessary he should render himself absolute Master of a Soveraignity This being so decreed his noble Father whose virtue caused his affliction returned to Veii and without discovering any thing of his sorrow provided for the education of his Son in the best manner he could if possibly by industry and the flexibleness of his minority he might oppose the power of Destiny which seemed to intend him for a Tyrant of his Countrey But as the Child grew up in years so was his inquietude augmented by reason there ever appeared some Token of Superiority in all his actions If he played with Children of equal age he would be the master of them he had a lofty aspect lov'd not to obey his equals and gave testimonies both of courage and wit and lastly was very lovely and excellently well made Hortensius liv'd on this sort till the age of seven years when being in the Temple of Queen Juno where a multitude of people were assembled because it was the day whereon they celebrated the feast of that goddess He went boldly to seat himself in a Chair raised three steps high which was never us'd but by the chief of the Augurs who was Priest and though they endeavour'd to make him go thence he kept himself there immoveable till the Augur came thither to perform the ceremony Whose intreaties and commands were all ineffectual to perswade him from his seat so that he was constrain'd to pull him out forcibly Whereupon the Augur observing whose Child it was and remembring what himself had foretold concerning him transported with zeal to his Countrey turning himself towards the Statue of Juno and lifting up his voice and his hands towards it O great goddess cry'd he be pleas'd to avert that this dangerous Child become not the Tyrant of a place where men adore you with so sincere devotion He had scarce pronounc'd this but there arose a confusion of voices amongst the people During which the generous Father of Hortensius who was most zealous above all the Veientines of the publick safety being entred into the Temple as things were thus and understanding what had pass'd stept forth and with a generosity never parallel'd took Hortensius by the hand and addressing to the Priest with an admirable constancy bad him Go and make a sacrifice of his Son to his Countrey 'T is not added he for that I believe I ought to deprive him of a life which the gods have given him but I shall dispose of him in such manner that Veii shall never be in fear of his ambition Soon after this afflicted Father making choice of a friend he had of no great wealth but virtuous and who had all his life a very great desire of travel requested him he would undertake the conduct of his Son and become a father to him And assigning him half his wealth he conjur'd him to go and travel about the world with his Son to instruct him constantly in virtue to endeavour to cause him to forget of what Countrey he was to make him rather choose Greece to live in than any other place in the world and never to return into Italy This man whose name was Gentius accordingly accepted the bargain propounded to him by his friend perceiving he had taken up an unalterable purpose to banish Hortensius and a few daies after went to take ship at one of the Ports of Tuscany Whence his first passage was into Sicily and thence to Corinth where he educated Hortensius till he was twenty years old and then dyed But for that the wealth Hortensius's Father had given him had not been improv'd in his hands but he had almost wholly spent it either in travelling or in causing Hortensius to be instructed he left him a very small pittance and dying suddenly discover'd nothing to him of his fortune For you must know Madam Gentius had us'd so much art to cause this Youth to forget of what Countrey he was that he took himself to be a Sicilian Not but that he still remembred Veii but being Gentius had told him that he was brought to that City at the age of six months he was at a loss what to imagine and there was so great a confusion in his memory of what he had seen during his Childhood that all he was able to conjecture was this that there must needs have been something very extraordinary in his birth Wherefore being excited with greatness of mind he was loath to seek what he was unwilling to find and only consider'd with himself what behov'd him to do at that time He had very many friends at Corinth but this was of no advantage to him and therefore hearing there was a War lately broke out between the Thessalonians and the Opuntines he resolv'd to go thither to try what fortune would do for him But as curiosity is always inherent in the Souls of brave persons Hortensius in his journey into Thessaly which is the fairest part of all Macedonia purposed to go see that famous valley of Tempe which is between the Mountains Ossa and Olympus the top of the latter of which is above all storms and tempests and can only by night it self be depriv'd of the Sun-beams Thus Hortensius having I know not what instinct which oblig'd him to trust to his fortune he put himself into an equipage of a man of his quality of which he was ignorant who travels with no great train leaving to his destiny the care of providing means to make it subsist Wherefore accompanied with two slaves he went directly towards Tempe which I shall not stay to describe to you though I have some desire to do it because it is the most pleasing place that ever I beheld and whose pleasant prospect occasion'd the endangering of the life of Hortensius Hold I beseech you said Valeria interrupting Merigenes speed not so fast but tell us something of the delectable site of that place which all the world commends For my part said Amilcar I was once design'd to go on purpose from Africa to Thessaly to have the pleasure of walking there Let us go thither presently said Plotina for I believe if Merigenes describe it to us we shall know what excellency of contrivance nature has shewn in it as well as if we had been there As for me said Caesonia I never was against walking It needs said Herminius to be of a bad humour to break this off and therefore I conceive Merigenes has nothing to do but to prepare himself to make a handsome description for I take it as granted Aemilius and Themistus will not disgust it Both which answering like persons who wish'd whatsoever the company desir'd Merigenes pursued his
him notwithstanding his modesty to relate to him the particular passages of his encounter with Attalus so hereby as Eumenes knew full well that which he foretold Hortensius did not fail to come to pass to wit his infinitely pleasing the Prince of Messenia who made him an hundred obliging caresses and to begin the testification of his gratitude for having hindred his sister from being carried away by a man he hated he gave him a very rich Sword which he hath to this day entreating him to serve himself of it in hope it would prove more happy in his hands than it had done in his own After which Melanthus mounted on horseback went from quarter to quarter being followed with many Officers and Hortensius and Eumenes to give in person all orders necessary to the end they might be better obeyed But the morning following Melanthus drew forth his forces out of their Entrenchments a little before day and marching directly towards the Enemies he set upon them a little before the Sun began to shew his first rayes Were I to make this recital only to martial men and had not a great number of things to tell you in which Love has a greater share than War I should describe to you all the particularities of a battel wherein victory many times changed sides wherein death appeared in every rank and valor was almost equally eminent in the overcome and the Conquerors wherein the Prince of Cyparissa had Melanthus twice in his power and wherein Hortensius with incredible valor gave him twice his liberty and once his life and lastly wherein victory by the sole courage of Hortensius declared her self for Melanthus and forced the Prince of Cyparissa as courageous as he is to quit the place and retreat in disorder For had not the young Hortensius rallied those that fled the last time he rescued Melanthus out of the hands of those which had taken him and cryed aloud from rank to rank that Meleanthus was alive and free the party of the Messenians had been destroyed and this field alone had restored Elismonda to liberty given her the Soveraign power and brought her to hearken more favorably to the Prince of Cyparissa But fortune disposed the event otherwise and intended Hortensius who two days before was unknown to the Prince of Messenia should become his favorite the next after this battel For owing to him both the liberty of Andronice and his own and moreover his life and victory and the revenge of Attalus he thought no measure ought to be observed in the favors which he designed him so that he omitted no imaginable obligements towards him He was pleased he should lodge in his Palace at Elis and in one of his Tents in the Army He gave him a magnificent train made him one of his Council of War and ordered there should be two Lieutenant Generals in his Army to the end he might be one of them So that from this day forward Hortensius found he had a Court as well as the Prince and he was become of high note in a place wherein he thought he should have been unknown Eumenes who saw Fortune and the humor of the Prince had rendred his predictions true was privately familiar with Hortensius who being truly generous was more solicitous of living happily with Eumenes in his rising favor than before But when he remembred this generous friend had told him it was very difficult to keep in long with Melanthus he looked upon the divers degrees of honor to which he had rais'd him as possible to lead him to a place from whence he might be cast down headlong so that not knowing whether or no he ought to rejoyce for them he received all the favors of the Prince of Messenia with so great moderation that he was infinitely more esteemed for them and less envyed In the mean while this happy success of Melanthus's Arms began to shake the fidelity of part of Elismonda's Subjects both in Elis Pisa Olympia and all the other Cities of that Territory On the other side the Prince of Cyparissa who was advertised of it conceived a strange sorrow for this deplorable case for all the sentiments which are able to excite valor in the heart of a generous man were in his He had ambition and love for Elismonda and hatred for Melanthus Whereby being carried on by such violent passions he forgat nothing of all that he believed conducive to the design he had to satisfie them and continually contrived in his mind how to effect the same At the same time Melanthus by the Counsel of Hortensius and Eumenes wholly changed his manner of acting with the Inhabitants of Elis treating them now as gently as he had done before severely he straightly commanded all his Troops to live orderly in Compagne he caused reverence to be shewn to the Temples and sharply punisht those of his Souldiers who committed any insolent action and lastly he put forth a Manifesto wherein his Injustice was handsomly coloured over and wherein he gave hopes of all sorts of felicity to those who would acknowledge his Power All which things joyned together made some impression upon the minds of the people It hapned also that the Princess Elismonda fell extreamly sick at the same time and Hortensius obliged Melanthus to have a great care of her Who thereupon sent his Physitians to her and yielded so exactly to whatsoever Hortensius counsell'd that though this change was ascribed to the virtue of Hortensius yet it also begat some favorable inclination for Melanthus The Prince of Cyparissa understanding all these things having first left his Army in a Pass where it was hard to be attaqued went to Pisa to endeavor to confirm the minds of the Citizens and sought continually how to oppose his Enemies as well by Prudence as by Valor to which purpose he thought it requisite to endeavor to excite compassion in the breasts of the people and even in those of the Souldiers towards the young Prince of Elis. But as an amorous man easily imagins that all others are taken with that which affects him he bethought himself of a course of which never any other but a Lover could have had the apprehension You may please to know Madam that the late Prince of Elis who bore an extream tenderness towards the young Elismonda and was willing to gain the hearts of his Subjects to her caused her Picture to be drawn by the skilful Agerontus of Corinth whom he sent for on purpose and had given her pourtraiture to almost all the persons of quality in his principality He also caused the same to be placed in all the apartments of a very stately Castle which is at Pisa Now the Prince of Cyparissa having first publisht a Manifesto also in answer to that of the Prince of Messenia caused to be made secretly in fifteen days the greatest number he could of Copies of this excellent Princess's Pourtrait both in little and in the full proportion After
matters very scrupulously she speaks and writes exactly and which renders her infinitely lovely understands all the dearness of true firiendship and prudently chooses such as she makes happy with her own She has also the good fortune that the other Vestals are worthy to be with her especially three who are all extreamly amiable but there is one amongst the rest who has a great interest in her heart and that deservedly for she is a very rare person of a graceful and lovely aspect her birth is very noble her heart is generous and tender she is infinitely ingenious her humour is sweet and complacent and with all this she has the true aspect of a sincere honest person and a tender and a constant friendship for the admirable Octavia who cannot be commended after all the manners she deserves because she will not suffer her self to be commended with exaggeration Yet it must be said further to her honour that she loves glory passionately that nothing affects her so sensibly and when any thinks to commend her before the other Vestals they say half of the rare qualities she possesses and the charms which render her so admirable are not known Do me then the favour which I infinitely desire reply'd Berelisa to bring me into the affection of the grand Vestal you are so accustom'd answer'd Clidamira tauntingly to make your self belov'd by whom you please that if you have the desire you need only seek out an occasion to make your self known You seem to speak obligingly reply'd Berelisa but yet I assure you I understand you as I ought After this Valeria having told them it was time to go to the Temple if they intended to see the Ceremony these fair Strangers accompani'd her thither Where being well plac'd they saw Valeria had not flatter'd the grand Vestal and that she was fairer than she had describ'd her She perform'd this Ceremony with so much Majesty and so good a grace that she charm'd all those that heheld her Berelisa in particular looking upon her as a person from whom she expected to be protected was ingag'd to love her from that very moment Clelia having lost her Predecessor was considering to gain her affection to the end she might make use of her authority if she should need it for the Vestals have a great interest in Rome Plotina also hoping to know more fully by Octavia what her deceas'd Predecessor had spoken concerning her at her death was solicitous of getting a place in her affection Thus these several persons for different reasons purpos'd to acquire the friendship of the grand Vestal who at the end of the Ceremony continued alone standing by the holy Fire to shew an example to all the other Vestals The next day a rumour was spread abroad that the enemies Army was upon their march with all speed This news indeed was true for the King of Hetruria understanding the preparations that were making for the defence of Rome thought fit to give no leisure to fortifie it more and therefore hastened his design And besides Tarquin himself prest him him fo assiduously when he was arriv'd at Clusium that he gave him no rest 'T is true Galerita and the Princess of the Leontines did all they could to protract matters in length but being unwilling to become suspected they dar'd not employ all their credit to that end So that they could not much retard the execution of that grand design but for that they desir'd at least Aronces might be free they perform'd their promise made to that illustrious Prisoner and perswaded Porsenna it was fit he should be brought out of prison on condition to serve in the Army intended for the siege of Rome and told him during that time they would incline him to embrace the propounded marriage of the Princess of Cere who was reported to be a great beauty Galerita having promis'd in the name of Aronces more than Aronces would have promis'd himself Porsenna sent order to him who commanded in the Island of Saules to bring Aronces forthwith for Clusium But when he receiv'd this order the Prince was not yet return'd from that secret voyage which he made to Rome accompani'd with the old man who inform'd Plotina of so many things so that this man was in a strange perplexity At first he told him that brought it the Prince was sick and not to be seen and that a little time ought to be waited for his recovery to carry him to Clusium But tho he set a good face on the business he was in extream trouble Which nevertheless did not torment him long for towards midnight Aronces according to his promise return'd into the Prison to go forth again the next morning For as soon as it was day it was told him that brought the Order from Porsenna that the Prince having slept well that night was something better and would obey the King of Hetruria and that he might go and assure Porsenna of as much He was also introduc'd to Aronces who spoke to him very respectfully of the King his father but at length when this messenger of the K. Porsenna was gone Aronces prepar'd himself to depart and promis'd that Kinsman of Plotina that he would in that time procure his deliverance out of prison not doubting to obtain it by his interest in Galerita But when he consider'd upon the way that he was going to Clusium only in order to go and besiege Rome and that it behov'd him to live with Tarquin and Sextus he was in extream dispair As for the Prince Titus he was his friend and he hop'd some consolation from his presence but when he imagin'd the war was ready to begin that he could not think of seeing Clelia so long as it lasted nor reasonably hope to be happy he suffer'd more than can be express'd and if a sentiment of glory had not supported his vertue he had taken some extream resolution and could not have resolv'd to go serve Princes whom he despis'd and hated against people whom he lov'd and esteem'd But when he consider'd that Horatius would defend Rome he felt a secret desire in his heart to be enemy to it notwithstanding all his reluctancy With these thoughts Aronces arriv'd at Clusium as soon as he was there the Queen his Mother visited him to instruct him in the manner it was fit for him to speak to the King his Father whom he saw the first time in private Aronces being the goodliest Prince in the world Porsenna could not behold him without having his heart mollifi'd Aronces was so absolutely Master of it in this occasion that Porsenna was highly pleas'd with him Indeed Galerita had prevail'd with the King of Hetruria not to say any thing to Aronces concerning his Love but that which was most troublesome to Aronces was that Tarquin and Sextus being then at Clusium he could not avoid seing them the same day 'T is true it was in the presence of Porsenna and so the matter was
that some change hapned in the minds of Aemilius and Theanor for the ancient Mistress of this latter being possess'd with extreme jealousie utter'd several expressions which intimated that Theanor could not but have an other Love All the Mistresses of Aemilius did the like and within a very few daies it was generally talkt of that Theanor was became unfaithful and Aemilius constant It was also added that the cause of the constancy of one and of the infidelity of the other must needs be in Elynissa's house but however it could not be conjectur'd whether it were Aurelisa that Aemilius lov'd or whether it were Terentia that had cur'd Theanor of his first passion for these two Lovers not knowing the intention of their Uncle durst not declare themselvs and liv'd in partial civility towards these two Ladies for whom they had notwithstanding very different sentiments and by whom likewise they were lookt upon after a very different manner I being then their intimate friend inform'd them of the rumour that was reported concerning the constancy of Aemilius and the unfaithfulness of Theanor and ask't them for whose sake Theanor was become unfaithful and Aemilius constant For it is not doubted added I but 't is for the sake of you two that these Lovers have chang'd inclinations For my part answer'd Terentia suddenly and blushing I know not whether Theanor loves me but I know well Aemilius does not I am very well assur'd said Aurelisa Theanor is not faithful for my sake and as for Aemilius I care so little for knowing wherefore he ceas'd to be inconstant that I have not at all taken notice of it Yet I wonder added Terentia you have not observ'd that he takes more pleasure in speaking to you than to me I assure you I have taken notice of it answer'd she but I have observ'd upon divers occasions that Theanor uses all his address to avoid discourse with me and seeks to place himself near you as often as he can without doing me incivility If it be so repli'd Terentia coldly I have reason to complain and pity my self and I wish Aemilius be more happy than he If he have any such intention towards me as you speak of answer'd Aurelisa he will not be more happy than his friend nor I than you In truth said I to them then I see not however the business be how either of you can be unhappy for Theanor and Aemilius are both such deserving persons that you cannot make a bad choice of either of them They were going to answer but these two Lovers enter'd who to confirm what they had spoken of handsomely sought to place themselves according to their inclinations Aemilius approacht near to Aurelisa and Theanor to Terentia At which both of them blusht which the Lovers observing interpreted to their own advantage as persons in their condition use to take all occasions of flattering themselves tho in truth it was to their prejudice For Terentia blusht out of spight to see that Aemilius prefer'd Aurelisa before her self and Aurelisa out of anger to observe that Theanor neglected her in respect of her friend However being both intelligent they suppressed their sentiments and the conversation was nevertheless sufficiently agreeable at the beginning For comming to speak of gallantry the question was put whether that love were greater that could not contain from declaring her self or that which was conceal'd out of respect Terentia being in a great fear lest Theanor should tell her he lov'd her and more lest Aemilius should declare his mind to Aurelisa made haste to answer that there was no cause of doubt and that there was more love in not telling that one loves when respect alone causes the Lover's silence than in going to tell it with precipitancy Aurelisa now found her self a little perplext for she lov'd not to be of Terentia's opinion and was as unwilling to take upon her to maintain that it was fit to declare one's love for fear of encouraging Aemilius to tell her something that might not please her Therefore she chose rather to say nothing of her self but asked me What I thought of the case For my part who had no interest in it I spoke sincerely what I thought of the matter and indeavour'd to maintain that a Lover who could restrain himself from declaring that he lov'd had a less passion than he who in spight of the respect he bore to his Mistress and in spight of his own reason was enforc'd to profess that he was in love Aemilius was of my opinion and Theanor intending his silence should be a declaration of his love to Terentia maintain'd the contrary and was of her opinion So that this dispute lasted for a good time For my part said I I confess to you I fear people who are not able to contain from saying they love have nothing in their hearts which torments them very much and there is no surer token of a luke warm affection than the long silence of a Lover For is not complaint an infallible sign of great sorrowes little diseases are easily past over in silence but the wisest complain of such as are great and all the Philosophy of the most insensible persons can scarce ever keep from crying out when they suffer very much So that as no doubt it cannot be prov'd that silence is a sign of great pain in the body no more can it be made out to be an evidence of great grief of mind But do you make no difference said Theanor between a great love and a great pain No answer'd I for besides that I am perswaded there is no love without inquietude which is a kind of pain I am so also that a Lover who has not declar'd his passion has so vehement a desire to tell it that he suffers one of the greatest torments in the world You have reason Amiclea said Aemilius to me and I can answer you that for certain it is the greatest misery that can be imagin'd 'T is no doubt a great trouble repli'd Theanor but for that reason it is a great sign of love for is there any thing more obliging to a Lady than to make her know that the fear of displeasing her and the respect you have for her obliges you to be silent and to suffer without complaining and besides added he to speak equitably was a Lover ever believ'd upon his word and if he does no more than say I love you would any Lady in the world believe him And if so the best way or course to prove one's love is by a thousand cares and a thousand services sighs glances and a thousand other wayes more effectual than words without offending a fair person who will not have the respect due to her lost Believe me said I then to Theanor the sighes glances cares and services you speak of may be compar'd to metal of which not long since money has been made at Rome whose value is redoubled by the Prince's stamp For all that
all and perform nothing which they promise But for my part answer'd Berelisa I am not of that number and none can be more exact than I am For my particular said Clidamira when only Verses Sonnets or such like things are desir'd I sometimes suffer my self to be perswaded to shew them tho I have promis'd the contrary because for the most part I beleive they who make so great secrets of such kind of trifles do it not but only to make them be thought the better All such little infidelities answered Berelisa maliciously produce a strong disposition to greater I am of Berelisa's opinion reply'd Herminius and for that reason I judge it requisite to accustom ones self to be exact even in the concernment of small things In good earnest said Amilcar 't is more trouble than 't is imagin'd to keep a secrecie of trifles for as for those greater serious secrets added he all people keep them that have but a little sense of Honor or only a little prudence But as for the secrets of Verses Sonnets Dialogues or pleasant Novels 't is very difficult not to reveal them to some or other Nevertheless I confess 't is dangerous enough to give Copies of Letters or Verses when 't is not desir'd they should be common For the more loth you are to have them seen the more they are shown and which is worst such Copies pass through ignorant hands who change and pervert the sense of the Copies which they transcribe I remember I one day made a Sonnet which I was unwilling should goe abroad at that time yet I gave it to a Lady who promis'd me not to shew it to any person living the first Stanza was this which I shall repeat to you if my memory doe not deceive me Reason and Love are at perpetual strife Who so with that partaker is Becomes an Enemy to this But without Love there 's no content in life Nevertheless this faithful friend who should not have shewn it to any one gave it privately to a friend of hers that Friend to a Lover that Lover to another Mistress for I am not the only man in the world that has more than one Mistress at a time that Mistress to a Kinswoman that sung well and that Kinswoman to a Master that taught her Musick who immediately made an Air to it But this miserable Stanza having pass'd through several hands was so transform'd that I could scarce own it see how that simple fair one sung it Destiny and Love are at perpetual strife Whoso with that partaker is Becomes an Enemy to this But without cause to laugh's a pleasant life Seriously said Plotina smiling I think I like this non-sense Stanza as well as the other for the last Verse seems to me perfectly pleasant Since it is so said Amilcar I consent that the Dialogue be given for perhaps it will be as pertinently chang'd to divert you as the Stanza of my Sonnets which nevertheless astonish'd me when I heard that fair ignorant sing it and account it the pleasantest thing in the world 'T is true said Anacreon this is a hard fortune For my part I remember I one day made an Ode in the beginning of which I mention'd a Swallow and as this composition had the good fortune to please it was talk'd of sufficiently at the Court of Polycrates where I then was and at length was so often repeated and so many Copies made of it that I met with one of it in which in stead of the two first Verses which might be thus translated Thou in Spring-season each year dost return Too happy Swallow was put Thou as a Locust each year dost return Too happy Turtle So that this handsome Metamorphosis being made of a Swallow into a Locust my poor Ode became a strange peice of non-sense But people that understand a little sense answer'd Berelisa perceive well that it was not made so No doubt they do reply'd Herminius but sometimes there are things whose meaning cannot be conjectur'd and all that can be known of them is that they are not understood Wherefore the less a man can expose himself to these events the better and yet they would be avoyded if all the world were exact 'T is so troublesome to be always exact answer'd Clidamira that nothing requires more pains All other things have their bounds but exactness has none it is diffus'd every where and there is scarce any thing in which it may not be found When exactness is excessive reply'd Plotina I confess 't is something inconvenient and if you observe they that profess it have a kind of a constrain'd Air their complements savour of ceremony their familiarity is so nice that the least thing hurts it and there is no quiet from them He that is guided by true reason answer'd Herminius never addrest himself to any thing in the excess but acquires a certain habit of being exact which affords delight in stead of trouble For I conceive they who are exact as vertuous persons ought to be cannot but alwayes continue so They are so without perplexity constraint or ceremony and because they understand exactness to be a point of elegancie that it is necessary to Society and finally that without it a man can promise himself nothing from any other person For when I tell a small secret to a friend who promises me not to reveal it if I know he is not exact I am always in fear Moreover for a man to comport himself rationally in friendship it behoves him not only to conceal what he is desir'd to keep secret but sometimes also not to divulge things which he is not requested to be silent of because generosity requires him to have a certain charitable discretion even towards those that are not wise enough to be absolutely discreet in their own concernments For indeed it is never commendable for a man to lose an occasion of testifying to himself that he has more prudence goodness and vertue than another He ought to make a secret delectation to himself by acting better than others do and account it a glory to supply the reasons of others by his own and not be like those who more frequently speak what they never ought so much as to think than what is fitting to be spoken I confess said Amilcar they who have no exactness are sometimes injurious to others for I remember I saw a man at Carthage that through want of it committed the greatest extragavancies in the World I remember one day he invited me to dine with him but being invited himself about an hour after to another place he made no scruple to goe thither without so much as sending to advertise me of it For my part said Plotina I shall never pardon a man who promis'd me a basket of Orange-flowers and sent them not and I shall remember another as long as I live that sent twice to know whether I would be in my chamber that he might come to visit me
in my eies she call'd me as weak as she was and tho her wound sufficiently pain'd her stretcht forth her hand to me and grasping mine gently I beseech you my dear Amiclea said she to me beholding me wishly tell me whether the tears you shed be for Artemidorus or for the unfortunate Zenocrates The Prince Artemidorus answer'd I is so little hurt that he feels no wound but yours and as for Zenocrates I know not yet what the Chirurgions say of him so that Madam my tears are only for your self Since my life is so dear to you reply'd she with a lower voice take some care of that of Zenocrates and let me know what condition he is in Whereupon soon after I understood that his wound was dangerous indeed but yet not desperate As for the Princess she was in very great danger because she was taken with a Fever Zenocrates greatest affliction was occasion'd for that no person except my self knowing the love he had for Lysimena he was told of the danger in which she was By which means his weakness became greater than it would if he had been ignorant of that of Lysimena As for Artemidorus he had so tender a friendship for her that he could not have been much more afflicted if he had been her Lover and as we are easily led to love such as have been willing to serve those whom we love this Prince had likewise in a little time a very great friendship for Zenocrates who so generously oppos'd the violence of the Prince of Leontium and was wounded with the same stroke that hurt the Princess Zenocrates knowing I was not ignorant of his love us'd to me the most moving and passionate expressions in the world as often as I went to visit him from the Princess Whose vertue on the other side I assure you I could not but admire in this occasion for tho she believ'd she should dy yet she always preserv'd the same prudence and did not speak one word which she ought to repent of she talk'd with me concerning Zenocrates always with expressions of great dearness but yet it was with such caution too that what she said might as well agree to an amiable Friend as a faithful Lover But at length Lysimena's youth overcoming the greatness of her distemper her Physicians one day assur'd she was past all danger of death of which Artemidorus transported with joy went to inform Zenocrates who receiv'd this good news with so much delight that the Prince perceiv'd he was amorous of Lysimena But he was rather glad than displeased at it for he hated Meleontus and knowing Zenocrates was descended from the ancient Princes of Berbesa altho his rank was now inferiour to that of his Ancestors he was not sorry that so worthy a man lov'd the Princess his Sister judging too that this might rather hinder him from pardoning Meleontus This discovery exciting the Prince to a curiosity of knowing Lysimena's sentiments as well one day when she was able to suffer his conversation he began to glibe at her a little about Zenocrates whose life he said she had almost endanger'd The Princess blusht when Artemidorus spoke thus to her wherefore fearing he had displeas'd her I beseech you said he to her do not think I speak to you as the Prince my brother would do namely with a design to persecute you No my dear sister added he I have more equitable sentiments I speak to you as a faithful Friend and desire not to know your thoughts for any other end but to conform my self to them for I know you love glory and are uncapable of loving any thing without it My Lord said the Princess than to him recollecting her self to testifie to you that I consider you more as a faithful friend than a generous brother I will make you privy to the only secret of my life and confess to you that if I did not take care to rule the sentiments of my heart I should have as great inclination for Zenocrates as I have aversion for Meleontus But for as much as I foresee fortune cannot permit us to live together I speak to him always as an agreeable Friend and I forbid him to hope any such thing as a Lover might pretend to beyond a certain free and uninterested kindness which I cannot refuse him This my Lord is the onely secret of my life use it as you please and if you find me Criminal you will do me a pleasure in telling me so to the end I may endeavour to correct my fault This freedom so extremely pleas'd Artemidorus that he gave her a thousand thanks he approv'd all her sentiments and there became such an intimate and confiding a friendship between them as will last all their lives Afterwards Artemidorus with the Princesse's consent intimated to Zenocrates that he understood his affection which produc'd in a few dayes a very strait amity between these three persons who moreover had such an esteem of me as to communicate to me all their sentiments In the mean time Cleanthus found it a matter of difficulty to compose matters for the Prince loving Meleontus dearly urg'd that Lysimena and Artemidorus would pardon him these two persons on the contrary could not yield to see a man who had committed an action likely to prove so fatal to them Nor could the Princess their Mother be brought to consent to return to Leontium as long as he was there and desir'd that the Prince would banish him for ever But Amerintha whom the Prince was amorous of protecting Meleontus there was no obtaining of what she requir'd So Cleanthus made frequent journies from the Castle where we were to Leontium and from Leontium to the Castle to no purpose All this while Meleontus was under a guard tho it was more to hinder attempts upon his life then to satisfie Lysimena and Artemidorus At length the Princess being recover'd from her sickness became able to walk in the Gardens of the Castle which are indeed admirably handsome As soon as she was in a condition to see the world all the chief Ladies of Leontium came to visit her and Clidamira whom you know amongst others came thither with one of her Kinswomen It hapned that Artemidorus accounted her so amiable that day that he began to be possest with the passion which occasion'd all the adventures I know you have heard of And therefore I shall tell you scarce any thing of it but only that one day she came with Andromira and several other Ladies who stay'd to pass that night with us Towards the evening the Princess and the Ladies went to walk in the Gardens and Amerintha so brought it about that her self discours'd with Artemidorus Andromira entertain'd Zenocrates tho he did not much desire it another Lady imploy'd her self in recounting to me a hundred things which did not concern me and in the mean time one of her friends who is as crafty a person as any in the world led the Princess
wantonness if heed be not taken to them You shall see said she I know how to avoid so dangerous an extream and understand better than you think the bounds of all the several sorts of friendship that can be had But wherefore have you not one of these kinds said I for the poor Mortius for whom I now intercede Ah! Cesonia answer'd she smiling do you not know there is a Proverb which says That in the Seas of love on the same shelf No dextrous Saylor ' twice ere splits himself You speak so little seriously reply'd I that I care not to speak any more to you In good earnest answer'd she I declare clearly what I think and profess that I will have no kind of affection as long as I live which may disturb my quiet When I began to have an inclination for Martius I was so young that I wanted strength to oppose it but at present I am assur'd I shall defend my heart better For in fine I am so resolv'd to love my self and consequently to love quiet liberty and glory as I said at another time that I will never love any of those people who cannot be lov'd without hazarding those three things which undoubtedly are the most agreeable in the world But could not you marry Martius said I. If I would marry any one answer'd she I confess Martius might oblige me thereto but Cesonia I have so great an aversion from marriage that I cannot consider him as one that is to be my husband and I am so resolv'd never to marry that I believe nothing can make me change my sentiments For I judge nothing better than to resolve to live free and when I consider all the consequences which almost infallibly attend a wedded life they make me to tremble Not but that I conceive there may be some marriage happy but Cesonia where shall we find two persons who have wit constancy goodness enough one for another and a sufficient resemblance of natures to live always well together Some there may be but they are few and I do not think my self fortunate enough to meet with so great a felicity 'T is therefore more easie for me to take a resolution to live in liberty As she was speaking this by a strange chance all her Lovers came one after another to see me and were together in my Chamber So that Plotina being in her jolly humor told me smilingly that she had a desire to undeceive all persons and make a publick Declaration of her sentiments And thereupon in a very delightful way of raillery she told them all she had absolutely resolv'd not to love any person much and never to marry at all and that the most which could be hop'd from her was to please her to obtain her esteem and to have some part in a kind of calm friendship which she was resolv'd to have as long as she liv'd For in truth said she I will never run the venture of meeting with indiscreet unfaithful capricious lukewarm inequal and deceitful Lovers nor bring my self in danger of having a jealous covetous prodigal humorsome imperious surly foolish or little virtuous Husband nor consequently of having deformed vicious ingrateful and wicked Children and I incomparably prefer to spend my whole life with the liberty of having such Friends of either Sex as I please For I find that if I should marry I should be so good a Wife that I should thereby be miserable All Plotina's Lovers oppos'd her sentiments and especially Martius but she answer'd them so well that they knew not what more to say to her And so she continu'd firm in her resolution But now there being no great pleasure in living in a besieged City three or four of Plotina's friends and mine resolv'd together with us to make use of Clelia's occasion to go out of Ardea for Horatius would not stay there out of a belief that Tarquin would take the City So that Plotina without considering what grief she should cause Martius imploy'd him to manage this affair and to bring it to pass that we might be guarded by the same convoy which attended on Clelia The conversation of Plotina and Martius was very extraordinary and I know not how Plotina was able to be so inflexible as she was For he us'd all imaginable blandishments and endearing expressions to move her heart but she continu'd inalterable in her sentiments and all he could draw from her was that he should never see her love any person more than himself and that she would never marry as long as she liv'd And indeed if the poor Martius had liv'd I declare to you that you would have had less interest in Plotina's heart but you must know that when we went out of Ardea with Clelia this generous Lover notwithstanding his regret came himself to conduct us and deported himself with so heroical and passionate an air that Plotina esteem'd him much the more for it Now being it was fear'd that we should be sooner discover'd by the enemies if we had any considerable number of people with us Horatius Martius and eight of their Friends took upon themselves alone the charge of conducting us But such was our ill fortune we met with Hellius one of the Ministers of Tarquin's cruelty who came in the head of a Party of twenty to set upon Horatius Martius and their Friends How interrupted Amilcar was Martius amongst those whom Hellius fought with when Aronces Herminius and Celer from whom Artemidorus Zenocrates and I parted that morning arriv'd and carri'd away Clelia who was at the foot of a Tree with you Yes answer'd Cesonia and the unfortunate Martius was slain by Hellius in the beginning of the Fight though he was very valiant And indeed 't was his courage occasion'd his death for he charg'd with too great violence into the midst of those who came to take Plotina and her Friends I will not tell you the particular passages of this encounter for you have understood from the mouth of Aronces how Horatius and Hellius perceiving others were carrying away Clelia joyn'd together to recover her and how Aronces Herminius and Celer resisted so many enemies at the same time Yes generous Cesonia answer'd Amilcar I know all that pass'd in that great occasion I know what Clelia did putting her self couragiously before those that would assault her three protectors I know how terrible a Combate it was in what manner Aronces fought with Horatius and how the generous Herminius defended both his life and liberty and spoke to Hellius and with what generosity Aronces assisted the wounded Horatius whom he found by night in a Wood but I know in what manner Plotina lamented Martius when you were taken and carried to Tarquin Do not enquire so much of her grief reply'd Cesonia for perhaps you will think it too violent for in good earnest no greater affliction can be resented by any than was by Plotina for the death of Martius But at length
constitution prevailing she comforted her self with the thought that perhaps if Martius had liv'd she might have had the weakness as not to be able to defend her heart and since that you know your converse has reviv'd joy in her soul Cesonia having done speaking Amilcar thank'd her for having related to him that which he had so long desir'd to know Not but that I am almost troubled added he that Plotina could never begin again to love Martius for if ever I should unwittingly incur her displeasure and she should deprive me of her friendship I see she would never restore it to me again any more than she did to Martius In my opinion answer'd Cesonia you are so little accustom'd to be ill-treated that you do not fear so much as you pretend that you could not make your peace with Plotina if you should happen to be out of her favour On the contrary repli'd Amilcar I have scarce ever been very happy and I am not so now Plotina has certainly only a tenderness of friendship for me But is it possible said Cesonia that Amilcar has been almost perpetually ill-treated Since I am not capable of false boasting answer'd he I confess sincerely I have seldom been much lov'd I have many times had the advantage to be acceptable even to those women who have ill-treated me but my merry and jovial humor has done me more injury in serious gallantry than I can express to you However since it has caus'd me as much delight as the favours of my Mistresses could have done I do not complain of my destiny Yet I would know said Cesonia whether any very intelligent person has ill-treated you I lov'd one in Greece answer'd he who is one of the most amiable Women in the World She is brown then repli'd Cesonia being she is a Greek That consequence is not always infallible answer'd Amilcar but it is true the amiable Nerintha I speak of has hair of the goodliest black that ever was seen a black shining and bright which becomes her admirably well She is of a very handsome tallness and well proportion'd her Eyes are black sparkling full of fire and spirit and though she has no wantonness in her looks but on the contrary has a very modest air yet when she smiles she has an amiable aspect which pleases infinitely Ncrintha's visage is oval and of good symmetry her mould handsome her cheeks agreeable her nose well shap'd and she has an air of beauty which renders her very graceful and lovely and though her complexion is of no extraordinary whiteness yet her beauty is lively and capable to excite love But besides all this Nerintha is infinitely ingenious and of so clear a perception as keeps her from speaking things at random She is gentle civil good and obliging she is serious and debonaire together without inequality and though she is perfectly virtuous and even severe yet she converses gallantly with her Friends and sufficiently loves all reasonable divertisements She is a good friend and very generous very regular in all her actions and very careful to satisfie all the duties of civility and friendship She never jests dangerously she blames no person and having a mind naturally sociable she never speaks that of another which she would not have spoken of her self Nerintha has a very sweet and pleasing voice she sings very agreeably though she does not much care for it She speaks exactly writes handsomly and in brief is so charming that though she would not accept my heart yet she shall have my esteem and friendship as long as she lives Perhaps said Cesonia she had had neither the one nor the other if she had accepted your affection I am not of your opinion answer'd Amilcar but I confess to the glory of Nerintha I am always her Friend though she would not have me for her Lover There are so few people amiable said Cesonia that me-thinks such as are so ought to be always lov'd It has been a complaint in all past ages answer'd he and will be in all to come that there are not virtuous people enough And yet I believe the number is almost equal in all times I am not of your opinion reply'd Cesonia for I think there never were fewer than at present of such as make reckoning of persons of merit No believe me said Amilcar the World is not yet so poor of virtuous people as they report and there is also more liberality and gallant generosity than is imagin'd For during the time I was at Syracusa there hapned many things to a young Lady of that place which prove that which I say Know then that this person is of noble birth but her fortune is sufficiently bad her heart is generous she makes profession of being good and without ostentation of wit has gain'd a greater reputation than she sought know I say this person has had divers adventures which prove that virtue is yet in request For not to reckon up the number of Friends she has many presents were made to her after a particular manner and because it was known that she delighted more to give than to receive an unusual contrivance was practis'd For one morning while she was yet asleep a crafty man deceiv'd the slave that open'd the gate to him without telling who sent him and left a compleat furniture for a Chamber the most agreeable and gallant that could be seen in her Court and though great search was made to find out the author of this liberality yet he could not be discover'd Yet the person who receiv'd it imagin'd she knew by whom she was thus oblig'd but one of her friends so perswaded her that it was forbidden her to conjecture that she was forc'd to suppress her gratitude and confine it within her heart without daring to publish the glory of her Benefactor To this same Lady a great Princess of a very remote Country who is both illustrious of a great beauty wit and heart has written divers times very eloquently in a language which is not natural to her and sent her a Bracelet of her Hair which is the goodliest in the World with a clasp of Diamonds the richest that ere was seen The chief Vestal has also made her several agreeable presents after a very ingenious and obliging manner so have the generous Amalthea the Princess Elismonda a noble stranger and divers of her Friends of either Sex 'T is true all these liberalities do not make her Fortune but her humor is such that she likes them better than if they were of another nature I have known as much as this answer'd Cesonia but four or five persons make no great number in a great Country After this Amilcar and Cesonia talkt very sadly of the pitiful condition in which the twenty fair Roman Ladies were who were to be sent back to Porsenna Yet there was nothing to be fear'd from that King but only in respect of Clelia who he believ'd escap'd from his Camp
His messages were accompani'd with such earnestness that imagining he desir'd to speak with me concerning a business relating to a friend of mine of which he understood something I broke off an appointment I had made and sent him word I would attend him And so I did to no purpose and that with very much regret For it being a fair day in which all the world went abroad to walk no body came to visit me and I was all the afternoon turning my head as often as my chamber door was open'd thinking always 't was he that I waited for And which was worst I understood in the evening that this shuttle-brain'd friend had spent the day walking with the Ladies which he met as he was coming to me Judge therefore said Herminius whether the little exactness which troubled you in so inconsiderable matters would not disgust you in more important occasions Besides 't is certain that when a person makes a custome of not being punctual in small things he easily fails to be so in great and consequently many times hazards the displeasure of his best friends And therefore the surest course is to be punctual In truth said Amilcar I am of opinion all things are dubious that there is no side but may be defended and If I were to establish a Sect I would have it lawful to doubt of every thing except matters of Religion For there is nothing we can be confident of Many times we are ignorant of what we fancie we know and know what we take our selves to be ignorant of There are whole Nations which have Opinions that pass for errors amongst others and as all men have a constitution and temper particular to themselves so every Kingdom every Country every City has its peculiar manners customs inclinations and opinions too so true it is that reason varies according to the Climates and Nations For the most part we believe what our Fathers believ'd before us without searching into the reason of our belief onely there are a few sublime Wits who pry into things in their Original who seek to make a perfect discovery of their Opinions and after all their pains find it almost impossible to be done For indeed our Reason from the very first use of it is prepossest with the sentiments of others and can't without violence clear it self from all that entangles it In which respect I am perswaded men are almost alwaies deceiv'd even in things wherein they think themselves erre least and the surest course would be as I said before to doubt almost of every thing And to prove what I say is it not true that till the daies of Pythagoras the most learned men believ'd the Evening-Star and the Morning-Star to be two distinct Stars And nevertheless the knowing Philosopher has discover'd to us that the same Star which we behold so twinkling at the beginning of night is the same which is so fair at break of day All men before judg'd of it in that manner and two names were given it which it bears still and yet we see manifestly that all men were mistaken That which you say is true answer'd Anacreon but the same man that could discover a truth that had been unknown before teaches a ridiculous falshood in his Metempsychosis 'T is in that regard reply'd Amilcar that I have reason to affirm 't is best to doubt almost of every thing since the greatest men are lyable to be deceiv'd in something For my part said Herminius I cannot conceive that that excellent man positively believ'd that which his Disciples teach for the Moral Precepts are so excellent that 't is hard to believe his Doctrine could have been so foolish As for my particular said Berelisa I confess I cannot yet very well believe that he thought he remember'd he had been a Cock and Euphorbus at the War of Troy could be of any great judgment Nevertheless 't is certain answer'd Herminius that Pythagoras was one of the wisest men of the World But what then said Plotina did he teach so Excellent A thousand things Madam answer'd Herminius and to tell you some of them he commanded his Disciples to honour the Gods and never to desire any particular thing of them maintaining that no man knows exactly what is fit for him and that 't is more respectful to submit totally to the order of Heaven than to endeavour to alter the Decrees of Destiny according to ones humor What you say has no doubt something very excellent in it reply'd Valeria for I conceive indeed that all men know not what is proper for them and that the cause of disorder division and Wars in the World is for that in general all men desire good and know not what it is But to return to the excellent man you speak of I remember I once heard the Illustrious Brutus who was an intimate friend of the wise Damo daughter of Pythagoras say that this great man compos'd a thousand excellent Verses concerning heroical Friendship 'T is very probable answer'd Herminius and to the same purpose he establisht a Community amongst his Disciples for he confidently maintain'd that there ought not to be any distinct interest amongst true friends and that where there was there was no friendship but society and it may be averr'd that never any before him so well understood all the duties of true Friendship But that which makes me love him the more is that he was a profest enemy to Lying which I hate more than can be imagin'd No doubt Lying is an evil thing reply'd Amilcar but to say truth it is sufficiently hard to renounce it absolutely and upon due observation it would be found that even they who hate it most sometimes make use of it notwithstanding their detesting it At least I know that I do upon some occasions and shall do still many times in my life Not that I love to lye but it has certain little conveniences in it very necessary For example is it possible to make a Story delightfully without lying or adding some circumstance to render it more pleasant Can one commend a woman without speaking a little more good of her than she deserves Can one speak ill of his enemy without aggravating his fault Can one bemone himself in Love without making his misery a little greater than it is And to prosecute sincerity to the utmost could I have compos'd the Dialogue of sick Damon if I would have confin'd my self to the truth All the company laught at this which Amilcar said and as Plotina was going to answer him Aemilius entred and ask'd if they had heard the great news which he lately learnt I assure you answer'd Plotina that we have heard none all this day I inform you then reply'd he that I am just now assur'd there is a great division between Tarquin and Porsenna and that it may be an occasion of raising the Siege and delivering Rome As things desir'd are easily believ'd this news was receiv'd with joy and