he never in his life was more perplexed What could she say unto you said Cleonice to him being extreamly desirous to know the passage for I cannot imagine it possible that such a one as Artelinda could begin first any such discourse Ligdamis seeing there was no way to justifie himself but by his obedience unto Cleonice began to relate what she so much desired to know As I was sitting very seriously by Artelinda said he unto her she asked me the reason of my reservedness unto which I did not answer because the only cause of my reservedness was nothing else but that I was engaged in company of one whose disposition was so contrary unto mine but I answered in an ambiguous sense so that she much rejoyced at it and told me with a smile that she had seen in her life-time more Lovers then one who carried it as I did when they loved and durst not tell I do protest unto you said I unto her and laughed also that this is not the cause of my reservedness for truly if I were so unfortunate or fond as to be in love with you I should not make a secret of it You would say answered she that I should be more glad to hear of such a thing then you are fearful to discover it unto me since all the world twits me with it But for all that if you chance to love me hereafter you would not finde it so easie matter as you think to discover it unto me for you are such a declared enemy unto that passion as you will be ashamed to contradict your self however said she and laughed perhaps you love me already a little and that which makes me believe it is because I observe you shun me and because I am terrible unto you This is a very exttaordinary sign of love said I unto her As extraordinary as it is said she still in Rallery it is a sign for my glass tells me that my face cannot fright you my company is not so dul as to make you shun it and therefore I must needs conclude that you flie me because you fear I should overcome you and captivate you Captivity indeed is so great a misery said I unto her that though I avoid it for that reason yet am I excuseable But Madam since I am sincerely plain I must tell you that is not the reason why I decline your conversation but the real reason is because I know not how to talk with you to admire your beauty I cannot because I am not sensible of it to discourse of wars is not a fit subject for Ladies to talk of gallartry that would seem as if I did dispute with you to speak of liberty unto one who every day captivates so many slaves were indiscreet to profess against love will be thought 〈…〉 ustick and barbarism so that not knowing what to say I flie your company as much as 〈◊〉 can handsomely Since you are in an humour to speak so freely unto me said she to him I pray tell me really what are your thoughts of me Are you indifferent or have you any aversion against me Do you hate me or scorn me or esteem me or love me I do protest unto you said I unto her and laughed except it be the last of these I have a little of all the rest For I am very indifferent of you by reason of the conquests you use to make I am very averse to your humour of favouring so many men as you do I hate you and scorn you for some of your servants sakes and I esteem you for the greatness and vivacity of your spirit But to speak in generall said she unto me what is the result of all these thoughts together and what do you think of me I think you are one of the fairest women in the world said I unto her but the less amiable because too much loved It is well said she unto me that I can draw so much commendations from one that is a professed enemy unto all Gallantry and Ligdamis you must know that Commendations is the first step to Love However said she still in railery if it chance ever to be my hap to wound you I promise you to release at least six of my Captives for the love of you They think themselves so happy in it said I unto her that it is much better to let them alone in their chains then to loaden me with them I shall never see you in private said she unto me but I shall ask you what progress I have made in your heart This Madam said Ligdamis was the discourse between Artelinda and my self About three days after meeting me in a place where she shewed me some Verses composed by the famous Sapho which were sent her from Mitilene I desired her to lend them unto me but she refused saying she would send them to me and so she did indeed that very same night with a Letter the answer unto which you have already That I may the better believe what you say said Cleonice unto him I wish I could see this Letter That will be no difficult matter replied he for as I remember I writ somthing upon the backside of it concerning the fortification of Ephesus which the illustrious Cleander entrusted me with You will not tell me then replied Cleonice that you have kept it out of affection to the Sender I will not indeed answered he for I should think my self a very fool if I had the least tenderness of Artelinda in me and therefore far from love However Ligdamis to lose no time sent one of his servants to look in his Closet for this Letter and accordingly he brought it but though it was torn in some places yet Cleonice read these words after she had very circumspectly looked upon the back-side to see whether Ligdamis had spoken truth or no. ARTELINDA unto LIGDAMIS TO testifie how much I profited by your last conversation know that my desires were so much to please you as I have not captivated any these three dayes Send me word I pray you what consequences this will effect upon your heart to the end that if I cannot make any further happy progress therein I may stop and engage my self no further but I pray you consider seriously before you answer ARTELINDA After Cleonice had read this Letter and seriously looked upon it she told Ligdamis that it was not written by Artelinda You must know Madam said he unto her that she writes severall hands she does not write unto her friends in the same character that she useth to write unto her Lovers and if you will be pleased to ask Phocylides he will shew you that I speak the truth But Madam Ligdamis spoke so well in his own cause that he moved Cleonice to believe him and causing her to compare his Answer with her Letter she found not the least cause of suspition Moreover Cleonice remembring that Artelinda told her it was her pretended Lovers desire she
having some businesse unto Sardis went thither a few dayes after the departure of Thrasimedes and the marriage of Cleoxene So that Parmenides being willing to be far from her and Lycaste desiring him to goe this journey with her he came to Sardis with her with Cydipe and Arpalice For my part since my Fathers Mother was in Sard 〈…〉 was glad to finde an opportunity of such good company Thus came we all unto Sardis leaving Menecrates in Lycia But at parting Arpalice and I writ unto Thrasimedes and Philistion to acquaint them where we were and that we should not hazard any Letters in our absence which was like to be long and we came to Sardis a little before the beginning of the War yet we could not beleeve that Cyrus would be so forward in the Siege of that Town Thus for a time were we without any trouble but Menecrates followed after us You may well imagine how his journey angered Arpalice and though she treated him as sharply as possible yet did he not alter his design of being where she was Moreover since the businesse of Lycaste could not be quickly dispatched we must have patience The greatest of our perplexity was that every day we heard of the progresse of Cyrus and that his Army approached Lycaste then thought upon return but was prevented by a sicknesse which caused her to keep her bed untill Sardis was besieged Then you must know that Menecrates thinking the reputation he had got in the War would move Arpalice to treat him better he did so signall himself that Croesus and the King of Pontus obliged him to take upon him a very considerable command So that when we through your favour came out of Sardis he durst not ask leave to follow us for as things were he knew Croesus would not give it However not being able to abide in a besieged Town not onely because his Mistris was out but also because doubtlesse he apprehended that Thrasimedes was before the Town he leaped over the ditch to follow him The adventure was more rare because Thrasimedes knowing we were in the Town was taken the same day by the men of Cyrus as he attempted to get into the Town After this I beseech you judge whether it doe not meerly concern your fair Cosen that you should know all I have told you to the end you may move Cyrus to reconcile these two Rivals to end all their differences and let Arpalice marry Thrasimedes One thing hath happened which may facilitate the Marriage which is that Parmenides to comfort himself for the losse of Cleoxene doth look upon Cydipe who perhaps will admit of his affection seeing she cannot obtain the love of Menecrates as she thought So that I am confident Parmenides will consent that Thrasimedes marry Arpalice Candiope having ended her story Doralisa did assure her that she would write a Letter unto Andramites though she did not use to doe such favours unto any which should move him to negotiate so with Cyrus as that this happiness of Thrasimedes should be so established as nothing could molest it Then did she craftily ask her whether Philistion was in the Town for me-thinks said she and smiled that since he came out with Thrasimedes hee should be with him I assure you replyed Candiope and both blusht and laughed I should have thought so also but since I did onely see Thrasimedes I could not enquire of him and to tell you both truly and sincerely the friendship that is between Philistion and me stands upon such termes that whensoever I see him I must accuse him of infidelity for there being no promises between us but to esteem each other as long as we live I have reason to think that he may doe the same for me wheresoever he is that I doe now for him As Doralissa was ready to reply she was told that Lycaste Arpalice Cydipe Cleoxine and all the other prisoners were come from the Princesse Araminta and were returned every one to their owne Chambers by another way then which they intended and which they yet knew not so that Candiope went to finde out Lycaste and left Doralissa at liberty to write unto Andramites though it was something against her minde yet she used such phrases as though her letter was long he could not finde one word which spoke any advantage unto him for Doralissa hinted at nothing but according to her friends intentions concerning Thrasimedes and Menecrates but as good luck for him was the servant who carried the Letter did not finde him in a condition to make any long reflection upon the rigour of Doralissa for having in hand some great important businesse concerning Cyrus he only writ two words unto Doralissa that he would most punctually obey her after which he went unto this Prince and assoon as he was in his Tent Cyrus asked him whether the predictions of the Telmissians unto the first King of Lydia were true that if he caused a Child which the Gods had given him to be carried round about the Walls of Sardis the Towne should be impregnable in all places where he could passe This beliete is so generally received replyed Andramites that I cannot chuse but wonder at the generall revolt which is amongst the inhabitants of Sardis who seem so confident in the strength of their VValls that they never trust unto the promises of their Gods but when the danger is farre off and not likely to happen For I remember when news came to Sardis that you had taken Babylon I heard many men of courage say that their Town was happy in not being exposed to that danger and that is was under the protection of the Gods assoon as it was built Yet I remember I heard say at the same time that the first King of Lydia who received this odd command from the Gods for so it seemed unto those who consider not that it is the way of the Gods to bring great things to passe by small meanes and to hide their intentions from the sons of men had made the scituation of Sardis so that the VValls and this Child could not be carried round but the place where he could not be carried is so inaccessible of it selfe that there needed no greater security then nature it selfe had given unto it and it is on that side where yet you never made an assault and which seemes so inaccessible that though it selfe cannot reach it also the Lydians keep such feeble guards there as it seems to trust to the strength of it 'T is true said Cyrus I think they have reason to trust nature with the strength of that place and need not fear the taking of Sardis in that place yet there is a report amongst the souldiers that there is a quarter of this Town where it may be taken and that it is impregnable every where else therefore it must needs be this you speak of added he and seemed not to neglect the advice of the souldiers you
of that they have good wits that they can speak well and write elegantly but I would not have it said of them that they are learned Not but that those who are not called learned may know as much and perhaps more then those unto whom they give that Title yet I would have them conceale their knowledge and witts Then I perceive said Philire That there are some things which either they must not know or else they must not shew them though they do know them It is most certainly true replyed Sapho that there are some sciences which women ought never to learn and that there are others which they may yet they ought never to confesse they know them though they may let people guesse as much But I beseech you unto what purpose is it for them to know such things as they must never be known to know replyes Philire it wil help them to understand what those who are more learned then them selves do say replyed Sapho and to speak also to the purpose without speaking bookishly but only as if naturall ingenuity instructed them Also there are a hundred delectable Sciences which are not necessary to be kept secret for they may very well speak forraigne Languages they may confesse that they have read Homer Hesiod and the excellent works of the illustrious Aristhius without any shewing too much Schollership Also they may give their opinions in so modest a manner without any unbecommingnesse to their sex as they may thereby make their witt their knowledge and their judgement to appeare They may and ought to know all the helps unto writing well for in my opinion it is a most grosse error to say they would have women speak well and write ill and the priviledge of ignorance which they pretend unto is so shamefull unto all their sex in generall that if they understood it they would blush The truth is said Nicanor There is so little coherence in the letters of Ladies and such odd Orthographie as if they writ them purposely not to be understood yet those very same Ladies said Sapho and laughed who commit such grosse faults in their writings and have spent all their stock of wit in the first line they will mock a whole day together at a poore stranger who hath only mistaken one word for another yet it is much more strange to see a witty woman commit a hundred faults in writing her own naturall Language then to see a Sythian speak all Greek Alas said Philire and laughed how deeply am I concerned in your discourse yet you speak so very well replyed I as I cannot think it possible but you must write well also I do beleeve replyed Sapho that Philire writes as well as she speakes but by your leave there are some women who speak well and write ill and all merely by their own negligence I would gladly know how that comes to passe said the faire Athis The reason is replyed Sapho because most women do not care for reading or else they doe not read applicatively but run on without any reflection upon what they read So that though they have read the very same words which they write a thousand times over yet they visite them wrong and mislocating the letters they patch up confused nonsence by a custome All this is most true replyed Erinne For yesterday I made a visit unto one of my friends who is newly returned out of the Countrey and I caryed all the Letters which she had writ unto me that she might read them unto me T is plaine therefore replyed Sapho that I had good reason to wish women would use to read much and to read with application And when they are a lone to make choise of some merry or serious book according to their humour for it is most certaine that reading doth sooner and better refine wit and informe the judgment then conversation alone can for truely Conversation doth only give us the first thoughts of those who speak which often are tumultuous and so undigested that the speakers do condemne them within a quarter of an hour after But reading gives us the concocted Opinion of those who writ the books we read So that though they read simply for their delight yet it will imprint something in the mind of the Reader which will better it and preserve them from falling into many grosse errors which ignorance would plung them unto For my part said Alces I know one of those bold Ignorants who will be talking of every thing though she know nothing who talking the other day unto a stranger which was relating his Travells she discovered her ignorance so farre as it appeared she thought the Caspian Sea greater then the Egean and that the Euxine Sea was beyond the Caspian And that the Egean Sea was the least of all others I would advise all women replied Sapho not to talke much of what they know well and not to talk at all of what they know not And indeed I would have them never to be very knowing nor very ignorant but only to manage well those advantages which nature hath given them I would have them as I said before be as carefull to beautifie their minds as their Persons But I beseech you said Phylire how can women find leisure to read and learn any thing That time which Ladies lose in doing nothing or in doing things nothing to any purpose replyed Sapho would serve to let them know enough to conceale their ignorance Moreover do not imagine I would have any woman such a perpetuall Reader as never to talk No but on the contrary I would have her read only so much as will teach her how to speak well And would advise them to Conversation as well as to the other provided they never transgress the modestie of their Sex But I wish with all my heart that women were not such sluggards as they are and I wish that I my selfe may apply these Councells unto my self which I give unto others Madam replyed Phaon your modesty goes too farr and you need not say that of your self which none does think The truth is said Nicanor the fair Sapho is very unjust unto her own merit She is so just unto the merit of others replyed Athys that it were strange she should not be so unto her owne Her advantage is replyed Cydnon that every one renders her that justice which she denyes her self And though she conceals her self as much as she can yet her excellencies are known unto all Greece You clip the wings of Fame replied Phaon and smiled For I am certaine that the name of Sapho is famous throughout the whole World For Heavens sake said the most admirable woman interrupting him and blushing speak not thus in my presenceâ— for I cannot endure it should be thought I take any delight in such high Applauds since I am most confidently perswaded and I speak it with all the sincerity of my heart that I do not deserve
since for his ransome he might obtain his Daughter he therefore kept a reserve of ten thousand men the best of all his Troops who had Orders not to fight until a certain sign was given which should be when they were informed where Ciaxares did keep his Quarter then they to fall upon him and take him Prisoner These Orders were punctually obeyed The King of Pont and the King of Phrygia seeing that the victory did poise in an equall balance and having discovered the place where Ciaxares was in person they give the signall The ten thousand men fell furiously upon us and put our Army into great confusion Artamenes had the good hap to be near the King when he was compassed about and ruffly assaulted by his enemies Indeed if he had not been there at that time beleeve it Ciaxares had not been now in a condition to keep him his Prisoner for all the world did see he had there else perished Artamenes seeing this fresh storm fall upon the King took the boldness to come to him and said Sir though I am but an unfortunate stranger to you yet if your own Subjects will but do like me you should overcome I warrant you then not staying for any answer from the King Come Come Follow me my brave men said he to them which were about him trembling for fear If you will but take heart and follow me I 'le warrant you we will preserve the King and yet honour enough besides These words and the confidence which they saw in the eyes of Artamenes did so rouse up their dull spirits that they began to courage up then he led them on and charged the enemy with an unimaginable fury Now since the Enemy had commands to spare Ciaxares his life and to take him prisoner only therefore they durst not fight so tumultuously lest then they should perhaps kill him unawares yet Artamenes slew such a Number of them though they defended themselves as well as they could that it was a wonder he was not tired with killing But whilest he was in this gallant Fury he heard many cry confusedly The King is taken and immediatly after The King is kil'd At the sound of these sad words he turn'd about and saw a body of Horse who guarded the King whom they had taken whether alive or dead he made straight towards them Then animating those Cappadocians which followed him and spying Feraulas and me cal'd us by our Names Come away said he to us Let us go and relieve the King and let us not be less valiant in delivering him then onr enemies have been in taking him Then we charged that body of Chivalry in the midst of which we perceived some confusion and as it were a fight The Gallant Artamenes brake the ranks of the Enemy and gave a death to all he met Being come to the middle of the Squadron he saw Ciaxares with some fifteen or twenty who having got Arms in their hands would not render themselves unto those who compassed them about And when the Enemy saw that Artamenes was like to relieve Ciaxares there was one desperate fellow amongst them who thonght it was more advantagious for the King of Pont that Ciaxaees were kil'd rather then escape therefore he lifted up his arm which held a great Sword to strike the King upon his head which was then bare for he had lost his Helmet in the Combat the buckles being broken This blow had inevitably kil'd him if Artamenes had not stept in with his Sword and run this rash man through the heart and made him fall at his feet just as the blow was falling upon the Kings head The King seeing this called him his Preserver and Deliverer And my Master thinking the like chance might hap again took his own helmet from his head and put it upon the Kings Then without speaking a word or losing a minute of time he went immediatly out again to fight resolving his buckler should defend the blows from his head This act which was observed both by friends and enemies wrought different effects The King was amazed at it and would needs give him his head-peece again But his enemies when they saw better then before the admirable beauty of Artamenes and that martial disposition which did so easily become him in Combat they thought some Divinity had descended to preserve Ciaxares from his enemies and against whom it was no boot to resist therefore their fears did encrease and many thought their heels to be the best arms Artamenes followed them and drave them upon the left wing of their own Army which put them into disorder so that he had absolutely defeated them if night had not been so near which hindred his pursuit and caused both parties to retire unto their colours Philidaspes though he was not present at all these passages yet did he much contribute unto the happy success of this great Action for it was he who kept our right wing from giving ground and who sought with the left wing of the enemy whilest we had our hands full in delivering the King so that if he had not beeen we should have had the main bodies of both the Kings upon us and then could never have been able to do as we did And so that it may truly be said it was only Artamenes and Philidaspes which preserved Cappadocia at this time yet since the art of Artamenes had the fortune to have the King for a witness who thought it Artamenes only which saved his Crown and his life therefore he had the greater honour and better fortune Mean while night invites all unto their Tents the Victory not being absolutely declared Artamenes bethought himself of two slight hurts in his left Arm which though it did not cause him to bed The King also received a little hurt in the hand but we understood by one of our Souldiers who had been taken Prisoner and escaped that the King of Pont had a considerable wound with an Arrow and which was a cause neither side had any minde to fight again Ciaxares was no sooner come into his Tent but he sent to seek out his deliverer and to bring him thither yet since none knew the Name of Artamenes it was next day in the morning before Ciaxares could satisfie his extream desire to salute and thank him for saving his life at last my Master being found out and being so commanded from the King he comes unto him but he addressed himself with such modesty and reverence as if he had done him no service at all After his first appearance before the King every one accosted him and desired acquaintance Philidaspes also gave him a respective Complement for his good fortune the day before all admired his hansome presence and were inquisitive to know the place where he was born The King no sooner saw him but he went to meet him and embrace him After these first welcomes the King did commend him so much as the modesty of
Artabes at these words stayed and did not press upon me so hard I began then to speak of a hundred things notwithstanding my hate and my resentments to bring him unto reason though I could not do it Why said I to him do you not remember that I was your friend Yes said he but I remember better that you are my Rival and such a Rival who is to marry Amestris The Gods are my witnesses said I to him I would yield her to you if it were in my power notwithstanding all your treasons against me So would not I answered this desperate man if it were my case for if I thought my heart could stoop to yield her unto any one I would run my Sword through it for a punishment for a thought so base and unworthy of Amestris But replied I though I should not marry Amestris perhaps Artabes would never be the better but another might be more happy then us both That other replied he should be unto Artabes as Aglatidas is at present that is a man whose sight nor life I could endure If I look upon you a 〈…〉 friend I am confounded at my treacheries which I cannot reperit of If I look upon you as the Vanquisher of my brother I must revenge his dishonour If I look upon you as my Rival I must hate you and kill you if I can But said I to him must I sight with you with the Sword of Megabises and wound you with the Arms of your brother My brother said he is my Rival as well as you and you imploy none but the Arms of an enemy against me when you imploy his In the name of our former friendship said I to him do not force me to fight In the name of our hatred and love to Amestris replied he discourse no more Upon these words he fell upon me and I was forced to look to my self I was a long time only putting by the blows he gave so long that I observed his anger and fury had lost him his judgement he struck at random and laid himself open all the while and if I had a minde I could have run him through a hundred times But when I observed how he fought I pitied him and he should not have died if he himself had not caused his destruction When the Combat had lasted a long while he observed how I spared him and then that which should have relented him did the more exasperate his fury so that making a Pass at me and stepping on the wrong side with great violence he ran himself upon my sword which pierced him to the hilt I drew it out instantly but it seem'd I gave a freer passage for his soul for he died immediately without speaking one word I confess to you Sir I never found my self more troubled then now for indeed I loved Artabes very dearly more I was sorry it should so fall out as as to be with his Brothers sword but that which I was most sensible of was because it would retard my marriage and force me for a time to forbear the Court since Artabes was a man of that Quality yet it so fell out that Artabes fell upon me there were divers people Spectators of our actions and such as were able to testifie in my behalf if necessity should require it But as my sorrows were extream after I had entreated those people to take care of the body of my unfaithfull and unfortunate friend I went unto a Kinsmans house not far off that place I was no sooner there but I dispatched a Letter to my Father to Artambaces and to Amestris to acquaint him with the accident and I neglected nothing which was fit to be done upon such an unlucky occasion I will not lose so much time as to relate the various censures of several men since you will easily conjecture them The death of Artabes made a great noise throughout the Court The chance to fight with two Brothers in a day and to kill Artabes with his Brothers Sword were circumstances that in appearance did aggravate the matter but in substance did not at all make me more guilty yet notwithstanding Astiages seemed much incensed and Megabises thought his Brother had betrayed him and was his Rivall yet he could not chuse but shew much resentment of his death and cloak the interest of his Love with Revenge of his Brothersdeath Artambaces therefore and my father resolved that for a while I should keep close and get from Ecâ—atrn as I could to the end a new quarrell with Migabises might be prevented and they did both of them contribute all their endeavours to compose the matter they had no sooner resolved upon my departure but I was acquainted with it and that I did foresee as much yet I could not chuse but be much surprised at it The thought of that felicity wherein I was before and the condition wherein now I was fallen did so much sad me as I hardly had the power over my own reason I therefore sent to beseech my Father that he would be pleased to give me a little time to resolve upon this irksome departure and to prepare my self for it which was easily granted unto because he knew I was in a House which you safely conceal me and he thought though Astiages was much incensed against him yet he supposed that he would not long continue so against the Son of one who had so long time served him I stayed here some few daies during which time I want three Letters unto Amestris to obtain leave of her that I might come and bid her adien but notwithstanding all my urgent praiers and reasons I beleeve she would never have suffered me if I had not employed a Kinsman unto net who was also a prevalent friend of hers In conclusion Sir I obtained License to come one night into the stately Gardens which are about a hundred paces from Ecbatan upon the South side and whose vast extent was such that it deserved the phrase of a great Park rather then a great garden Hither it is where those who are weary of the tumultuous Town use to come and walk there being much lesse company then in the Kings Garden or upon the Bank of Orantes Perhaps you remember Sir that in that place there is a great Border whose Partitions are grasse in the midst of which there is a stately Fountain whose Bassin is half sable half argent whose sides are coloured Massie green whose largeness and coolness affords a very pleasant neat unto those which desire to rest themselves Then Sir this great border is environed with a Table and thick wood in which is many paths cut and which by a hundred turns and returns makes the walk very long and difficult to finde the way out Also it is much less frequented that not at all less pleasant then the rest But because the other borders are neerer the entrance therefore they were more used and none but solitary and melancholy persons
all the Baggage of both Kings was all taken so also they met with many things which the King of Phrygia had formerly taken from Ciaxares in a war which was betwixt them Philidaspes made use of all the rich Plunder to make the Pomp more proudly Magnificent He caused two thousand men of war to march first in the head of which were carried abundance of Ensignes gained from the Enemy and the better to set forth the death of their General they which carried them were in mourning Fifty Trumpets followed these Ensignes in black Mantles and Pennons afterwards followed fourty Coaches covered with black all fil'd with magnificent coats of Arms Head-pieces Plumes of divers colours Bucklers of a hundred several fashions Swords Bowes Quivers Arrows and Lances And all this in so handsome a mixture and so well set out with order and with confusion both that as they who were there told us nothing could be beheld more beautifull and Pompous Six other Chariots followed these fourty first all fil'd with that which Ciaxares had formerly lost to wit magnificent Pavilions great pieces of Plate both silver and gold prised at an inestimable rate and value both for their huge Prodigousnes and rich engravings a Throne of Gold richly beset with Onyx Topaz and other rare Pretious-stones After these Charets marcht the King prisoner on horseback but without a sword invironed with a hundred for his guard in mourning Cassocks and followed with fifteen hundred Prisoners chained four to four Immediately after marched Philidaspes alone cloathed in mourning and his horse furniture sutable with the Baston of a General in his hand The rest of the Regiments followed marching in the same order as the first As this Triumph came into the great Plain within twenty furlongs of Sinope they of the first Rank saw a Litter which crossing the way about an hundred paces before them did stay as if it were to let the Souldiers passe yet they were no sooner within compasse of looking into the Litter but presently making a stop they began to run out of order and cry out It is Artamenes it is Artamenes This word passing from the first Rank to the second and from the second to the third and so thorowout all the glorious name of Artamenes did in an instant fill the mouthes of friends and enemies Captains and Souldiers Conquerors and conquered all stopt and in a moment all would advance to be better certified of the matter Philidaspes who was afraid it should be some stratageme of the King of Phrygia to put his Souldiers in disorder whilest he relieved the King of Pontus commanded every one to his place and advanced to the place where the noise began But oh Heavens how was he surprized when looking into the Litter he saw that it was really Artamenes which was within it who held his hand out to the Souldiers and cherished all them which came near him This sight did doubtlesse astonish Philidaspes and perhaps made him sad But as he was one of a great soul wit and generosity so he partly hid it without expressing much joy or much sorrow he lighted from his horse and came neer my Master Artamenes said he in coming to him and presenting him his Generals Staff could never rise in fitter time he who died in the day of Victory revives again in the day of Triumph In the case that I am in replied Artamenes smiling and most civilly saluting him I may more aptly be taken for a vanquished then a vanquisher And to tell you truly I think that I am neither fit to follow a Chariot nor to go before it Chariots of triumph answered Philidaspes are not difficult to be conducted for commonly fortune guides them Artamenes had not leasure to answer this nice complement for all the Officers whether Philidaspes who commanded them would or no did quit their places and acknowledge him no more but came to salute their General Artamenes All the Regiments not daring absolutely to quit their Ranks because of the Prisoners which they guarded yet they pressed so that all the Souldiers might at least see the Litter where he was The King of Pontus impatient to embrace his glorious Conquerour sent one of them who was appointed for his guard to ask leave for him to come neer The souldier coming neer and presenting what the King of Pontus desired my Master with an unparalelled modesty making a signe to him with his hand It is Philidaspes said he and not Artamenes which can grant him that leave and of whom he must ask it since he received the last Orders from the King and commands in Chief Philidaspes being even confounded and half angry at my Masters sweet civility said unto him That his power was nothing since he was present and therefore the command was in him I care not for commanding others answered Artamenes when I am not in a condition to do that my self which I bid others do You must at this time answered Philidaspes endure this inconveniencie for I do not think there is any will take your Office out of your hand Why you may better take it upon you then I replied Artamenes Your Souldiers will not consent replied Philidaspes and I think they have good reason for it In conclusion Sir after this modest contest Artamenes took upon him that Command which belonged unto him and turning towards the messenger from the King of Pontus My friend said he to him tell the King of Pontus that if I were able to goe I would come where he is and do him that reverence which is his due and tell him that he may do what ever he pleases This generous Royal prisoner came then with great joy to salute the man who had captived him I could not but grieve much said he in coming to him at your losse and I never had any thought of my liberty untill that minuit you were beleeved to be dead Sir answered my Master with much sweetnesse if I were not so wounded as I could not sustain my self Artamenes would not receive the King of Pontus after such an uncivil manner and doubtlesse he would let him know that he thinks his Victory very unfortunate that he is not had in more Veneration Never speak of unfortunate answered the King of Pontus my fetters are not base since you did put them on nor have I need of all my Victories to follow Artamenes as my Conqueror Such as you who deserve to Conquer answered my Master ought to be but little troubled at being conquered and it is a greater argument of your valour then mine that you find such consolation in your misfortune The King of Pontus drawing back a little to give room unto those who yet had not saluted Artamenes my Master had a desire to know whether or no the Victory was compleat he asked of the King and the Princesse he enquired particularly of most part of all the Officers and he had the goodnesse to ask where Chrisantes and where
with Hidaspes were all of them friends unto Artamenes this Prince said unto those who were not acquainted with his story that he would engage his word unto them Artamenes was the most faithful servant Ciaxares ever had and that it would be a piece of good service unto the King of Medes to hinder him for acting such a piece of great injustice That moreover it was easie to be seen how Metrobates the old friend of Aribeus was imployed in this businesse and that it was to be feared this revengeful man did much incense the King That in the mean time it is expedient to keep the souldiers still in their good opinion of Artamenes and his innocency and to that end it were requisite for every one to go immediately and give out all necessary orders in the Camp accordingly and most of that illustrious company went in all haste to divulge the report of a new piece of injustice which had been due unto the famous and innocent prisoner and none remained there but such as knew the story and life of Artamenes To wit the King of Phrygia the King of Hircania Persodes Thrasibulus Hidaspes Aâ—usius and Feraulas and then they consulted what was most expedient to be done in such a disasterous businesse They all imagined that Chrisantes would never speak a word neither concerning his Masters love nor his birth what torments sover they put upon him but they imagined also that the more he denied to tell who Artamenes was they more apt would the King be to believe that his condition was base and also thought him more criminal They had some fears of Ortalques lest he should confesse something which might prejudice for Feraulas understood from Artamenes what his businesse was at Pteria They apprehended also that Martesia out of her fears of death would discover nothing but the innocent affection of Artamenes unto the Princesse and being desirous to justifie Mandana she would never tell who Artamenes really was In conclusion of all the apprehended nothing but apparent causes of fear and so no greater hopes in any thing then force and they conceived that it was no certain way to save his life neither since Ciaxares kept him in the Castle and might chop off his head before they could be in any condition to relieve him they resolved then to see how things would go in the morning and in the mean time to keep themselves in a readinesse to resist all manner of violence if there should be any need Feraulas spent that night in continual stirring he went out of the Town unto the Camp and there from Tent to Tent from Hut to Hut to infuse fresh desires into all the Captains and Souldiers to save the life of Artamenes and returning unto the Town at break of day he passed through four or five several places before he could come at the house of Hidaspes Never was such a disorder seen all the inhabitants of Sinope said that they never could nor would suffer such a man as he to perish The Souldiers both of the Town and Camp spoke high and said they would not endure it The Kings private Guards did but unwillingly obey and if Metrobates had not been very cautious he would have found himself in a very sad condition but he had no sooner arrested all these whom by the Kings orders he was to imprison but he sent in all haste unto Artaxes to send him a thousand men ready at the Gates of Sinope in the beginning of the night and at the same time he told the King that he brought them from a Town whereof he was Governour And Metrobates carried it so that he caused these rebel Troops to enter into the Town and Castle that night so that the next morning the friends of Artamenes were amazed to see all strange faces and Souldiers they knew not Mean while Chrisantes Ortalques Artucas Andramias Araspes and Martesia were to answer Metrobates unto these three equstions The one who Artamenes was The other what was the intelligence which he held with the King of Assyria And the last when he began to be in love with Mandana Chrisantes fearing to prejudice his Master in saying he was Cyrus and conceiving that he should as much prejudice him if he left him in the conceipt of his mean original took therefore the medium betwixt those two extreams and said that he was descended from the most noble family but that it was not permitted him to tell any further as for the matter of intelligence with the King of Assyria he said that it was advantagious rather then any thing prejudiciall unto Ciaxares but he would speak no further concerning that particular As for his demeanure towards Mandana her to him he said that since she was somuch obliged unto him was a debtor for the life of her father for so many victories which he had obteined for him it was not at all strange if she did much estem of him but forany further he knewnot any thing Ortalques for his part he said that he knew nothing of any particulars between the King of Assyria and him which could be any way obnoxious unto the Kings service for he knew they were enemies one to another Andramias could make no answer but all in the negative unto all the questions for indeed he knew nothing at all concerning them As for Martesia she told Metrobates with as much prudence as boldness that though her mistress had trusted her with any secret yet would she never discover it and that since she was placed with the Princesse by the King himself so she would render an account unto none but him All this while Artamenes was unconceivably perplexed What said he in himself shall ever I be the cause that the King does accuse my Princesse cannot her virtue her severity and rigor keep her from their suspitions but that they will blame her and perhaps unjustly condemn her oh most imprudent man that I am to trust in those hopes they gave me ought I not rather to have feared the capritious humour of my fortune which did not promote me but only to throw me down with more precipitation Alas Mandana will the King think that you gave me that picture which he saw and from thence will conceive a hundred false imaginations and all as false as it Somtimes Artamenes fearing the fury of Ciaxares towards the Princesse did rather wish her in the power of a respective Rivall as the King of Pontus was then in the power of a violent and incensed father as Ciaxares was These apprehensions lasted not long but he repented himself of his former wish and when he considered that all hopes of his liberty was lost and that he had caused the misfortunes of so many innocent persons and how little appearance there was to avoyd them otherwise then by death he fell into extream despair his great soul notwithstanding did alwaies endeavour to resist his sorrowes And if it had been only
of you as well as I concerned in this publike interest said he unto all about him except Persians It is your Tyrant who is in prison one whom all the Magi say will subvert all Asia and become our Master And if any thing can perswade me that Artamenes is Cyrus it is his most prodigious exploits But Sir said the king of Hircania all his prodigious exploits conduce unto your Majesties advantage All his Combats Victories and Conquests are yours and he findeth no other share in them but his Fetters No replied Ciaxares because by the favour of the gods I have prevented him But said he in looking upon Feraulas does Mandana know he is Cyrus Sir replied he I know nothing concerning the Princesse further then that I am certain there is no criminous intelligence between her and my Master and that his affection towards her did never cause him to neglect his respects neither to her nor you The affection which your Master has replied Ciaxares very sharply is onely an unlimited Ambition and a thought of horrible revenge he intends to punish Ciaxares for that which Astyages in the behalf of all Asia did intend to do in his Cradle but I shall without any scruple at all do that which he attempted not without much fear fo 〈…〉 have more convincing Arguments inducing me unto it and also morâ— convincing Rea 〈…〉 〈…〉 ied the king of Phrygâ—a to avert you from it Cyrus replied Ciaxa 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 le to hurt But Cyrâ—â— is 〈…〉 lpable for t 〈…〉 thing and to execute what he 〈…〉 It 〈…〉 â—lso a man who attempts 〈…〉 execute all 〈…〉 Cyrus 〈…〉 very true 〈…〉 you ser 〈…〉 Ra 〈…〉 King in 〈…〉 He comes 〈…〉 Court and 〈…〉 in a disguise 〈…〉 was to â—educe the minde of my Daughter Doubtleâ—se 〈…〉 discovered himself unto her he has infused Ambition into her soul She looks up 〈…〉 as the Conqueror of all Asia And without considering that he cannot make him 〈…〉 Master o 〈…〉 unlesse he throw her Father out of his Throne she hearkens unto him 〈…〉 uffers him she loves him But thanks be unto the Heavens I am able to punish them 〈…〉 h at once since if she love Artamenes as I make no question but she does then she 〈…〉 ill suffer a death in the person of this rash man untill I can get her unto such a place as 〈…〉 shall make her suffer in her own Oh Sir cried out all the men which were in the Chamber we beseech you either grant us the life of Cyrus or else we beseech you give us our deaths How replied Ciaxares extreamly astonished my Subjects my Vassals and my Allies all ask life for their Tyrant or at least will be so one day We beg the life said they all with one voice of a man whom the gods did send to be the Legitimate Master of all men and have adorned him with Vertues accordingly and one who although he was able to have got out of prison added Hidaspes yet would not attempt it A man pursued Gobrias who would not live but to do you service You may say added Gadates a man who would never have vanquished but for your Glory A Prince pursued Thrasibulus who has made all the Wise men of Greece adore him And one added the king of Hircania who has converted all them whom he has vanquished to be his friends Say rather pursued Feraulas one who has made his most mortall enemies admire 〈…〉 Adde unto these said Aglatidas that the destiny of Artamenes is so extraordinary and glorious that his most mortall enemies do owe their lives unto him You may further say added Artibies that those who hardly know him are so much charmed by his Vertues that they are ready to die for him For my part added Thimocrâ—â—es I should think my life could never be better employed then in saving such an Illustrious Prince as he Indeed replied Philocles your lot would deserve envy if you could obtain that favour for what applause did not that man deserve who should have the honour to reprieve so vertuous a Prince A Prince replied Megabises who is valiant in the highest degree Who is as liberall as valiant pursued Artabases who is as prudent as couragious added the Prince of Licaonia Who is as milde and sweet after a Victory as he is furious in fighting replied Madates Whose reputation is fam'd thorowout the World said Leontidas Who is owner of all the Vertues added the Prince of Paphlagonia And to summe up all in few words pursued Ariobantes he is a man who never did any ill but alwayes good 〈…〉 ow said Ciaxares in a great fury did Cyrus never do any ill has he not rendred himself so prevalent and powerfull in the mindes of my Friends my Enemies my Allies my Neighbours and my Subjects that it seems as if I durst not punish him Is not this crime great enough to ruine him to the end that I may teach others to be more respective unto me But as it possible added he that there should not be one amongst you all who loves his liberty and is a hater of that man whom so many Predictions might move you to look upon as a Traytor In the meane while since you neither respect my Interest not your own nor the Interest of all Asia I will look onely to my self and will punish this pretended Cyrus as a man who is come into my Court to betray me as one that has conspired with my daughter against my life as one that has voluntarily let the king of Assyria escape as one that holds a criminous correspondency with him and as a man who indeed would ruine me Take heed Sir said Hidaspes what you do for after all this Cyrus is not your Subject and the King my Master knowes well enough how to be revenged upon you for such a piece of high injustice In the name of the gods Sir said the king of Phrygia do not resolve upon any thing in the heat of your choler In the name of the gods replied Ciaxares speak not a word more unto me either concerning Artamenes or Cyrus But be ye all assured that I take him for my secret Enemy for a 〈…〉 uce 〈…〉 f my Daughter and for the Tyrant of all Asia and nothing shall save him and therefore 〈…〉 since his destruction is inevitable prepare your selves to hear presently of 〈…〉 th In saying so he caused Feraulas to be guarded a 〈…〉 d left them Immediately 〈…〉 r the king of Phrygia was advertized that Metroba 〈…〉 〈◊〉 given Orders that the 〈…〉 s should suffer none to come into the Town from the Camp none to go out of the 〈…〉 So that when he made it known unto the king of 〈◊〉 and all the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 s about him they â—â—d 〈…〉 oubt whether they sho 〈…〉 have liberty â—â—go out 〈…〉 le and whether Artamenes were not already dead For Metrobates spoke unto 〈…〉 alow voice since he came into his Chamber and
were no calmer within the Town then without for all the people were so animated that nothing could be more terrible The Kings of Phrygia and Hircanâ—a did wish that things would have looked with another face and they were extreamly vexed to be constrained to make use of such a dangerous remedy since there is nothing in the world more to be avoided then the Rebellion of the people But that which cannot be helped must be endured and they endeavoured to qualifie this Popularity as much as they could thinking that this striking some apprehensions of fear into Ciaxares would be enough to save Cyrus Mean while the Gates of the Town were broken open and those who defended the walls forsook them who not knowing whether to retreat were all killed both by them without and within the Town This great Army being entered in several places of the Town did not stay to plunder but presently inviron'd the Castle Metrobates would fain have fled if he knew how but Guards were set on all sides both by Sea and Land That Ciaxares himself had no other thoughts but to die in defending himself after he had first put Cyrus to death whatsoever Thiamis and Ariobantes could say was vain for the King was all fury and despair Mean while Metrobates the vilest wretch upon earth not knowing what to do went to the Chamber of Cyrus and counterfeiting both pity and generosity told him that if he would promise him two things he would set him at liberty this Prince having no mind to promise him any thing he was forc'd to express himself that if he would bestow the Government of Pteria upon him for his security he would then kill Ciaxares and shewed him ways how he could bring it to pass For Sir said this villanous man this is the only way to prevent your death and to make you Lord of all Asia This vicious Proposition was so horrid in the apprehension of Cyrus that he thrust Metrobates out of his Chamber and as good luck was a Souldier which guarded this gallant Prisoner heard all their discourse This Traitor then seeing no way but ruine thought how to make all in the Castle perish with him yet since he imagined that some accident might fall out wherein the Person of Cyrus might stand him in some stead therefore he was not so hasty to kill him Mean while the noise and tumult increased and all that the Kings and Princes could do to restrain the Souldiers was in vain for since the greatest part of them were not Subjects unto Ciaxares they were extreamly animated by the thirty thousand Persians who would deliver their Prince They cast off that Reverend respect unto Kings which ought to be imprinted in the souls of Subjects insomuch as they were ready to act any violence They had already brought the Ladders unto the Castle and I am verily perswaded they would have set it on fire if they had not feared the burning of Cyrus among the rest The Battering Rams were brought unto the Gates and two thousand men ready to make an Assault when the breach was made and also an hundred thousand men more to second them when presently a great noise upon the left hand was heard which ought to be understood notwithstanding the tumultuous confusion of voices to be a noise of joy Presently after the Kings of Phrygia and Hircania accompanied with Persodes Artibies Adusias Artabases the Prince of Pophlagonia Thimocrates Philocles and many others did so see Hidaspes Thrasibulas Aglatidas and the faithful Orsanes conducting Cyrus whom they had happily delivered out of a window by breaking the bars as soon as ever Metrobates had left him This sight did produce a prodigious effect and every one that had a tongue pronounced the Name of Cyrus or Artamenes for as yet they gave him both names indifferently In the mean while this generous Prince as soon as he perceived the Ladders and Rams and all ready to assault the Castle speaking not a word of his intentions unto his illustrious friends did upon a sudden with his sword in his hand for he had one given as soon as he was delivered seperate himself from them who were about him and went straight unto the Gate of the Castle so that Ciaxares who was then in a Balcone to see what the Cry of Joy should be did see Cyrus separated from his deliverers and at the Gate of the Castle in a posture to defend it against them who for his liberty did assault it This Act being seen unto an hundred thousand several persons did cause as many admirations in their souls and moved them to suspend their Action Ciaxares who a minute before thought Cyrus to be a prisoner did not well know whether what he saw was true In the mean while this generous Prince being before the Gate holding his sword in one hand and making signes unto the people with the other that he desired to speak he did in an instant cause as husht a silence as before there was tumultuous noise Do not think my Deliverers said he unto Thrasibulus Hidaspes Aglatidas and Orsanes that I will accept of any liberty which shall be imployed against the King No no I do not value Glory at so poor a rate as to prefer my life before it If I did come out of prison it was only my-Companions said he looking upon the Souldiers to come and teach you that reverend respect which you ow unto your Master Force me not to turn this sword against you which heretofore has rendered you victorious Obey obey the Kings Commands without the least contradiction and if he demand my head of you you ought to give it him without resistance Did I ever teach you said he and doubled the fervency of his speech to rebel against your King Did you ever perceive by any of my actions that I would allow of what you have done No no deceive not your selves I can never be woon unto an act so criminal which makes me culpable as well as you For after all this which you have done I am not a whit more innocent then I was before but I rather find that the King without any injustice and may â—hop off that mans head who hath raised all his Subjects against him Lay down your Arms then and if you desire to serve me cause all the souldiers to return unto the Camp and all the inhabitants to their houses whilest I after I have begged your pardon from the King will return unto my fetters Cyrus having ended his speech a great huming noise was heard all over those who understood not what he said asked of others and those who did understand him did with admiration Cry out and every one did absolutely say that they would die a thousand deaths rather then he should perish When he perceived that they would not obey him he then turned towards the Castle looking up to the Balcone where Ciaxares stood and speaking as loud as ever he could Command Sir
me as his friend and resolved some time or other to speak sincerely unto me concerning it and coming one morning unto my Chamber he said unto me that he thought himself the most unfortunate man in the world because he imagined that I was in love with Philista as well as he and protested unto me that if he had observed any inclination in her to love me he would rather die then be any obstacle to my felicity but since he saw her mind was so far from any advantagious thoughts of me he thought he was not injurious unto me 〈◊〉 falling in love with one whom I could not love before him since we saw her both together the first time and since the first minute of her sight was the first beginning of his passion Indeed he spoke unto me with as much generosity as I Lover who would not quit his Mistress could do and I answered him with as much discretion as a desperate man and one who had some vertue was capable of speaking unto a Rival that was more happy then himself and one who he esteemed as his friend I confessed so ingeniously unto him that I had no lawful cause to complain against him but I told him further that for all that it was impossible for me but to be infinitely angry at his good fortune That it was but a piece of raillery to think that two Rivals could ever be true friends and that all which generosity and prudence could do in such cases was to prevent them from being mortall enemies Moreover since I was too just to desire him to give over his designe so I desired him not to take it ill I continued mine and told him he might well enough agree unto so much liberty since there was very small appearance it would any thing advantage me In conclusion after a long conference we agreed to discourse no more together concerning Philista but both of us to endeavour all we could to obtain her love and that he who of us two could arrive at that honour should move that fair Lady to pronounce a sentence of death against him she loved not After this Antigenes and I lived better together and was as civil one to another as any men could be who endeavoured all they could to ruine one another since the Prince Cleobulus would retain me a long time with him and since I had received new Orders from Periander which would imploy me longer there I had the leisure to put in practice such expedients as are usually advantagious in matters of love I followed Philista whithersoever she went I was perpetually in conference with her I spoke of her eternally unto all my acquaintance and I applauded no other beauty but hers but was continually whensoever I had any occasion extolling her to the Heavens I composed verses in her honour which were better relished by all the Court then those of Antigenes though perhaps his were more ingenious I added musick unto my poetry I composed Aires as well as words and sung them my self with all the art I had so joyning the charms of harmony unto my expressions I sighed as I sang and endeavoured to enchant her heart by her ears I was at vast expences in clothes in Balls in Collations and Banquets and in all manner of Liberalities I got the friendship both of all her friends and all her Lovers Alasis her father loved me very well a brother she had did not hate me her women and all her Domesticks were all woon by my gifts I spoke unto her with as much reverence as he who approaches unto the Gods I expressed my passion both in Verse and Proes my tears also did often plead in my behalf The violence of my love did sometimes whether I would or no blow furie into my eyes and dispair into my discourse I saw I was vexed jealous my face changed and to say all in few words the most miserable man in the world yet I could not alter her heart from that stubborn â—version which she had towards me I remember that one of her intimate friends who afterwards became mine also asked her one day Whether it was possible she should not esteem me since I had the good fortune to get some share in the esteem of all the world besides she did then acknowledge unto him that she knew very well I did not deserve those rigid treaments I received from her yet for all that she could not help it and that since some men do fall in love when they know no reason for it so it was no wonder if there were some which hated when they had no cause But said that friend unto her those who love as you say do ordinarily resist against their passion It is true replied she but it is only because that passion might move them unto some dishonourable actions And do not you replyed her friend act some unjust ones No answered Philista for I am not bound to love all the gallant men which are in the world but esteem my self very happy that I have so good a remedy against so terrible an enemy But said this charitable Confident further unto her why do you not defend your self with the same Arms against Antigenes which you use against Philocles since you do only fight for your own liberty Cruel friend said she unto him urge me not so far I conjure you and force me not to tell you that which I dare not think upon without a blush Content your self with this consideration only that love and hatred are two tyranical passions which oftentimes do mock both at Reason and Prudence all that I can say unto you is that I have not resisted that strong aversion which I have unto Philocles because it can never do me any harm and that I have much resisted against that sympathy and inclination I have towards Antigenes because it may be prejudicial unto me Thus did this conference pass whilest we were every day with the Princess unto whom all the Ladies resorted but amongst the rest Stesilea who indeed was a very passable beauty was most frequent This Lady had a good wit but such a jealous and envious mind that she wished her self the only fair one in all the world yet was my heart so altogether taken up with Philista that I perceived not things most visible So that I not knowing she abhorred her Rival in beauty did sometimes discourse with her she was so crafty and full of spirit or at least made many believe so that indeed she suited her self with my humour she began to disswade me from my passion afterwards to pity me and complain of the incivilities of Philista towards me and of her indulgence towards Antigenes and carried the matter with so much art that her company was more agreeable unto me and requisite to comfort me Then did I discover the bottom of my heart unto her I laid open all my imbecility before her and conjured her to become my friend I asked
this Prince had a desire to engage the Milesians to his party but the wise Thales did oppose it I understood also from Leosthenes that the Prince Tisander knowing that Craessus would send unto the King of Armenia desired that imployment and obtained it chusing rather to travel since he must needs be from Alcionida then to stay in a Court so gallant as it was So that coming to Artaxates just as you came thither he was shut up in it and was forced to follow the King of Armenia into the Mountains conceiving he might more easily escape from thence then out of Artaxates if he stayed in it And indeed his designe was to escape at this time when he was so dangerously wounded and to go and render an account of his negotiation unto the King of Lidia Leosthenes told me further that the Affairs at Milete had much changed faces for Anthemius who never set up Alexidesmus but only to ruine him had brought his designe 〈◊〉 pass having stirred all the people against him so that he was forced to retire to Phoc 〈…〉 with his mother his wife and Philodicea So that now Milete was as a free Town whe 〈…〉 popular Government was begun to be established Notwithstanding Thales and all my friend◠did resist this new alteration yet Leosthenes told me the fear was that if the people were once accustomed unto liberty they would never receive any Master again and he told me also that in the mean time the Prince of Phoceus was combining with all his Neighbour Princes to promote the interest of Alexidesmus But Sir Dare I after all this tell you that Leosthenes who had married her he loved told me that Alcionida was never so fair as now and will you excuse my weakness if I neglect all my State affairs to discourse of such things as only concerns my love Cyrus seeing Thrasibulus had no more to tell him did express much grief for his misfortunes and resolved to apply all expedient remedies for the satisfaction of his ambition for as concerning matters of love my dear Thrasibulus said he unto him it must be the same hand which wounded must cure you And though Tisander be your Rival yet I find him so worthy of assistance that I extreamly commend you for your cares of him As Cyrus was advising Thrasibulus of such expedients as he thought best for the recovery of his Dominions Leosthenes entered into the Tent very hastily Sir said he to Cyrus who understood all languages I ask your pardon for my bold interruption but the Prince Tisander being at the last gasp I thought it fit to advertise the Prince Thrasibulus of it At the last gasp replied Cyrus Yes Sir replied Leosthenes for having a great desire to write notwithstanding all my endeavours to disswade him as he ended his Letter all his wounds opened and he lost so much blood that he fell into abundance of weakness and swounding is not yet come unto himself Thrasibulus did then ask leave of Cyrus to go and assist his most faithful friend and Rival whom he could not love in one respect nor could not hate in another But Cyrus calling to mind the high valour of this Prince would also go himself As they entered into the Tent the Chyrurgeons had revived him out of his swound yet with such small hopes of life that they told Cyrus who asked what they thought he could not out-live that day yet since he had a free mind and a great soul he was not at all terrified at the looks of death and he carried it as one that was worthy to be Son unto such a Prince who was reputed the wisest in all Greece He patiently submitted unto the wills of the Gods and neither asking death nor life he prepared himself for the first of these with most admirable tranquility of mind and was contented to leave the other with unparalleld contentedness he knew Cyrus as soon as he came in so that addressing himself unto him Sir said he you see the Gods have punished me for lifting up my hand against so illustrious a life as yours since it had been much more glorious for me to have died by the invincible hand of Artamenes then by the Souldiers of great Cyrus It is also more advantagious to the Prince Thrasibulus said he that I die since then he would not be so miserable as he is Cyrus answered him with all possible civility and would have infused some hopes of recovery notwithstanding all the Chyrurgions said But Tisander interrupting him No no Sir said he I cannot live and therefore I beseech you let me imploy the last minuts of my life in remembrance of one who in causing my highest happiness has made my dearest friend most miserable In saying so he turned his head towards Thrasibulus and giving him the Letter which he had let fall after he had writ it and which was given unto him again upon his coming to himself Here my dear Thrasibulus said he unto him take this and I make you my Executour of my last Will give it if you please unto our dearest Alcionida and since I did not murmur when I heard her bestow some sighs for your misfortunes so I beseech you do not murmur when she bestows some tears in memory of my death since I shall no longer be an obstacle unto your happiness let me have the integrity of your friendship and look not upon me any more as your Rival I do acknowledge you merit Alcionida more then I and I will do that which fortune would not I give up all my interest in her unto you In pronouncing these last words Tisander blusht and tears trickled from his eyes so that Thrasibulus being extreamly moved with the generosity of his friend and not being able to contain his sorrows he came nearer him and taking him by the hand Live most generous Prince said he and be assured that I will never more envy your enjoyment of the incomparable Alcionida Indeed I shall ever love her but it shall be as she is yours without any other pretence unto her No no replied the weak Tisander that must never be Live you and let me die all the favour I ask is that you will sometimes speak of me unto my dear Alcionida Let me have this last satisfaction my dear Thrasibulus and I will leave you an unvaluable Treasure in the Person of Alcionida for her soul has an hundred thousand more shining beauties then her face But in recompence of so rich a Present promise me here in the presence of Illustrious Cyrus that you will tell her I value not the loss of life or Grandure or kindred or any thing in the world but only her and that I find no bitterness in death but only my sorrows to leave her and when you have done this enjoy her quietly all the rest of your life and live happy longer then I have done Thrasibulus was so grieved to see his Friend in this condition that his love
you not now so much as heare the complaints of a miserable man on whom out of your goodnesse it was your pleasure to bestowe some sweete language when you banished him for then you told him hee might pretend unto your esteeme and friendship and that if you had not beene engaged by the command of a father and your owne inclination to prefer Aglatidas before all the World you would not have scorned him Now Madame since Aglatidas hath broken your chaines and assumed those of Anatisa before all the world in so much as you married Ottanus tell mee I beseech you if after all this I have not some pretence unto your heart which Ottanus unworthily possessed and which Aglatidas hath rendred himselfe unworthy of by his inconstancy Moreover Madam grant that hee never was really in love with Anatisa and that by orders from you hee did dissemble with her yet I will maintaine hee never did love you rightly that could doe so much At the least I am most certaine that if you had imposed any such command upon mèe I should never have beene able to obey it Obey me only in this replyed shee Never visite mee any more nor speake of your pretended passion and I shall impose no other difficulties upon you Had I not seene you change your minde replyed hee doubtlesse I should obey you since heretofore I have done so but since I have seene you make choice of Ottanus before all the most compleat men in Medea It is not possible Madam I should cast off all hope how rigorous soever you are for I thinke I may speake it without any vanity that there is not so great a difference betweene mee and Aglatidas as there was betweene him and Ottanus Amestris hearing Megabises speak thus and his discourse bringing into her memorie all those misfortunes which hee had been the cause of shee was extreamly troubled shee wondred that none came in all that time and turned her self towards the dore upon every least noise that her women made however Megabises doe or say what shee could did passe away the greatest part of the afternoon with her and in answere to the last thinge which hee had spoke unto her shee told him in generall termes that her marriage with Ottanus was caused by a secret which none could dive into and that shee was resolved never to declare it discovering noe futher unto him but that hee himself did much contribute towards it I Madam said hee in a great amazement Yes you replyed she and therefore looking now upon you as the cause of all my misery Judge your selfe whether I can ever hearken unto what you tell me I am so ignorant of the crime whereof you accuse mee said hee unto her that I cannot tell how to justifie my self However it bee answered Amestris you shall never alter my heart therefore if it be possible alter yours and assure your selfe that this is the last time that you shall speak with mee in private as long as you live Megabises would have replyed but that she rise up in a great chafe that none should come in to relieve her and commanded that her Coach should bee presently made readie saying shee would goe and visit Menasta You see said shee unto him after she had given that command how dangerous it is to give an ill example for if you had not failed in those respects which you owed unto me certainly I should not have failed in that civility which I owed unto you After this without hearkning unto his answer she took up her hood and going unto her glasse to put it on she constrained Megabises to goe out yet hee did wait upon her unto her Coach but when the Porter heard them coming down he went and hid himself that he might have some excuse when she returned in case she should come to know that half of the Town came that day to see her hee intended to tell her at her return if she spoke unto him that hee thought shee was gone out on foot at the garden back dore and that most of those who came to ask for her came since shee went out to visit Menasta In the mean time Aglatidas passed away many a restlesse minute for be pleased to know Sir that we went that afternoon very timely to Amestris and the Porter told us she was not within and because we saw her Coach in the Court we asked him whether any of her friends had borrowed it or whether she was gone out on foot and he answered us that she was gone out at the back garden dore Then did wee seek out all the neighbourhood for her but could not hear a word where she was After wee had made many a short visit wee came to the house again and asked whether shee was come home and the Porter answered No Then since Aglatidas was to give her an account of a businesse which she desired him to doe for one of her friends unto Ciaxares hee had an extream desire to meet with her to let her see how ready hee was to obey her So that wee went out again to seek for her in all likely places wee sent also unto divers houses to enquire in the name of Menasta for handsomenesse sake whether she was there Whilest we were going thus from quarter to quarter from street to steet and from dore to dore through all Ecbatane we met with Tharpis and Artemon several times who were searching as well as wee and I think we met most of any qualitie in all the Court but amongst them all wee met with no Megabises so that â—easting with Aglatidas I told him that fortune in depriving us of the sight of his Mistris was yet favorable in delivering us from his rivall Aglatidas blushed at this and laughing as well as I told me that it was no laughing if Megabises should bee all this while with Amestris But Sir after we had the second time visited all the quarters of Ecbatan we resolved to come unto her house again and if shee were not there then goe and lament with Menasta but presently after wee were answered that she was not yet returned staying some twenty or fortie paces from the house wee saw Amestris come out of her house in her Coach and Megabises on foot without any servant following who crossing the street went into a house opposite the house of Amestris Judge Sir what operation this fight had upon the heart of Aglatidas At the first hee looked upon me and afterwards turning hastily to see which way Megabises went and which way Amestris hee lost the sight of both for the Coach turned into another street close by and Megabises went into the house I named before And indeed it was happie that hee was out of sight for I am perswaded hee had quarrelled with him without any more delay Now Artaban said hee unto mee What doe you think of this It is very odd Sir said I unto him yet since the like hath
after he had told him of his perfidiousness towards him and his injustice towards Amestris yet that virtuous Lady notwithstanding all his cruelty to her did with much importunity beg his Life and Liberty He told him also that at her request he had consented unto the first of these but denyed her the second unless he would solemnly promise never to carry Amestris any more into the Country or any manner of ways use her unkindly Ottanus hearing the King say so in lieu of thanking him or accepting of his offer was so insolent as to ask whether these Conditions were mentioned by the consent of Amestris The King wondering at this strange effect of Jealousie answered him very sweetly that Amestris on the contrary desired it without any conditions at all Yet say what the King could Ottanus could not directly promise it but asked three days time to consider during which time doubtless he endured intolerable torment for he apprehended that unless he would ruine himself he must punctually keep promise with Ciaxares and he perceived by himself that he was so absolutely unable to do it that he knew not what resolution to pitch upon yet since present miseries are apt to lay hold upon present remedies he sent word to the King that he would promise what he desired so he might be set at Liberty he was caused to solemnize this promise with all possible Ceremonies that might make it inviolable and afterwards he was released maugre all the secret solicitations of all the Lovers and Friends of Amestris and maugre all the malice of that declared Enemy unto Ottanus who opposed it as much as possibly he could But here Sir may be admired the contrivances of the Gods for as soon as Ottanus was out of prison and had rendered thanks unto Ciaxares he met with this declared Enemy whom he knew had solicited against him he began to speak fiercely unto him and to affront him so far that he drew his Sword which moved Ottanus to draw his also and fighting Ottanus was left dead upon the place before any could come in to part them his old Enemy was in little better state then he for within three days after he dyed of his wounds though Amestris out of her constant generosity caused him to be apprehended and resolved a revenge upon him for the death of her Husband Since Ottanus was once thought to be dead when he was not every one to satisfie their curiosity would see him whether he were really so or no and to speak the very truth every one rejoyced at it except Anatisa Tharpis Megabises and Artemon for though it be the natural disposition of all Lovers not to grieve for the death of him that enjoyed their Mistress yet since these three Rivals were sure that Aglatidas would now enjoy her before any of them they had rather she should have still continued the wife of Ottanus then become the wife of Aglatidas All this while Amestris carried her self according to her accustomed modesty and wisdom But that Dinocrates might be punished for all his â—navery at once it chanced that coming one night to Ecbatan to fetch away all that he had there intending to change his habitation for he had heard of his Masters imprisonment when he was bringing Souldiers secretly unto his house he met the night after Ottanus was killed a servant belonging to Aglatidas who knowing him by the help of a Candle which accidentally passed by did assault him so vigorously that Dinocrates flying away and not knowing what he did came to save himself in my Lodging where he fell being wounded in three places just as I entered But though I knew him yet since he fled into my house for sanctuary I my self stopped the servant of Aglatidas which followed him who out of respect to me retreated yet his life could not be saved for he dyed within six days after yet before he dyed he confessed many things which I was very desirous to know amongst the rest the plot of Anatisa and Tharpis In the mean while I was vexed to the heart that I could hear no news of Aglatidas of whom I durst never speak unto Amestris but continually unto Menasta But at the last he whom I sent unto him returned and told me it was long before he could find him and at last found him sick of extream sorrow three days journey from Ecbatan Then Sir to trespass no longer upon patience let me in short tell you that the news of Ottanus his death was such a present cure of Aglatidas that within eight days he was able to take horse Before he would come into Ecbatan he sent me unto the King to obtain permission to return with as much earnestness as he asked to depart commanding me to acquaint Ciaxares with the true cause of his departure and desire of return Then went I presently unto the King who was most willing to do any thing in advantage of Aglatidas and assured me that he would perswade Amestris not to be over ceremonious in her mourning for Ottanus but it was not possible to obtain it of her for notwithstanding all the requests and desires of Ciaxares of Menasta of Aglatidas and my self she would by all means continue out the time of mourning according to the Custom of Ecbatan In the mean time to prevent all new misfortunes Ciaxares gave express command unto all the Rivals of Aglatidas never to think any more of Amestris and that so absolutely that they were forced to yield obedience After this I shall not need to tell you Sir how great was the joys of Aglatidas and Amestris not how blank all the Rivals were nor how furious Anatisa was for if I should the day would be too short to relate them all But give me leave to tell you that as soon as Amestris had left off her mourning the day of Marriage was appointed all the Gallants of the Town came to the Feast all her rejected Lovers absented themselves as well as Anatisa our two happy Lovers swimmed in a Sea of Joys and were married in the presence of the King and all the Court. After this Sir I have no more to tell you but that though Aglatidas does love Amestris much more then ever he did yet the love of Glory and the honour to serve you Sir is so prevalent with his Soul that he most willingly accepted of the employment which Ciaxares conferred upon him to bring ten thousand men unto you though let me also tell you Sir that he did not leave Amestris without abundance of sorrow and I can assure you that as we conducted this fair and admirable Lady a days Journey from Ecbatan for she resolved to spend all her time of absence from her husband in the Province of the Arisantines I saw them both as sad as before they were full of joy And so Sir you shall see Aglatidas again both a Husband and a Lover as unquiet and reserved as he used to be
Balls and Walks and Feasts and all delights wherein others have a share but a serious and real lover the more amorous and faithful he is the more reserved and more close he is to himself and rather troubles then communicates any joys unto others But Ligdamis said Cleonice do you speak really as you think without any dissimulation But Madam said he I beseech you tell me truly is it possible a woman that is admirably fair and infinitely loved can have a soul so great as to contemn those triffles in which the felicity of fair ones do most commonly consist Ha Madam if you be such a one certainly men ought not to love you but infinitely to adore you for there is nothing upon earth more Rare then to see a fair woman not desire that her eyes should burn all those they shine upon for Madam all fair eyes are most commonly malevolent stars the influence of which brings misery upon men For fair ones to speak in general are not contented that men should only render homage and offer Incense but they require more sad sacrifices a thousand hearts reduc'd to ashes can hardly appease them a quick and speedy death cannot satisfie their cruelty but they must inflict long and violent torments Their highest felicity is to make men miserable And since so Madam how can I believe that you whose beauty transcends all others that ever I saw can so absolutely renounce all the sweets of this imaginary Empire which beauties does pretend to have over all hearts you especially who can more sollidly establish that Empiredom then any other I cannot consent said Cleonice that I have beauty enough either to conquer or raign But had I as much as were requisite for it yet the examples of others should preserve me from any such imbecility for really I thing nothing so cruel as to make all that comes near us out of their wits and to hazard the being out of them our selves for let them talk what they will love is a most pestilent contagious disease You your self replied I were never yet infected by any though I have often seen some in your company who had that disease upon them When by chance such a misery is upon me replyed she I have such admirable Antidotes against it that I do not fear my loss of that health which I enjoy Madam replyed Ligdamis though you cannot love any nor will permit any to love you yet I hope you will admit upon terms of friendship without offence and will not forbid me to hope for the happiness of obtaining that honor from you otherwise I should blame you The choise of friends replied she is a business of so great a difficulty that there is a necessity of more prudence then civility or generosity but I do think that friends and confidents to be a high happiness yet as I said unto Ismenea before you came in I will never have any amorous friends nor one that is wholly engaged nor any that is courted with a thousand gallants neither will I admit of proud ones or fools or dotards nor of one that wholly is taken up with the aeconomy of his house In a word were I to choose a friend he should have a pure minde a good wit and a high soul one that I might love as I might love a brother without the least thoughts of gallantry and idle courtship one to whom I might impart all my thoughts and consequently one that is rational but above all one that is not in love and gives me good assurance that he never will be Ligdamis and I began to laugh at Cleonice's discourse Madam said I unto her why do you not make choise of Ligdamis to be this intimate friend you look for I have not all those good qualities which she desires replied he and Cleonice is too fair to assure me of her friendship since it is not credible but some one of that thousand of her Lovers and the disease which she hath caused in them will be too strong for that Antidote which she saith she hath I perceive Ligdamis saith Cleonice that you are afraid to be too far engaged but let it not trouble you since in the humor I am in I shall not be over hasty to dispose of my friendship You have good reason said he unto her for friendship is a thing too precious to be contracted in so short a time however Madam I beseech you give me leave to esteem you with all the faculties of my soul and stay until you shall think me worthy of your friendship As they were thus in discourse Artelinda came in with two or three of her servants at her heels and made her change the subject of her discourse Ligdamis staid still and changed not his place but did sit all that afternoon between Cleonice and me Presently after her five or six other beauties entred and after them Phocylides and Hermodorus who since they could not get near Cleonice were so melancholly and disordered as I could not chuse but laugh After general discourse had lasted a long time wherein the talk was of news of horse-races and fashions and such like Artelinda whispered one of her servants in the ear and whilst she was holding him talk a long while it was good sport unto us that had nothing else to do but observe to see how nettled the rest were at it and I never passed an afternoon away with more pleasure sometimes Cleonice would purposely ask a question of one of them and then he would answer two words and turn presently away to observe Artelinda in hopes to guess by her countenance at what she said unto their Rival When she laughed we might see three or four of them at a time knit the brows and frown so that it was impossible but we must laugh for company Then Artelinda to appease one of them which she had netled would quit the other she had whispered with and talk unto him then would she look whether any of the rest were jealous and to comfort them also she would talk with every one of them in their turn on the other side Phocylides was no less busie then Artelinda for being desirous to make Cleonice and three or four others believe he loved them his looks his heart his minde his wit and tongue were all so divided amongst them that he seemed to be a little distracted for he had no sooner done speaking with one but he immediately accosted another he looked upon one and talked with another he sometimes talked and sometimes sighed so much and was so extreamly puzled that we pitted him All this while the poor Hermodorus spoke not a word and was so vexed that he could not speak in private with Cleonice that it was good sport also to observe him when he was forced to speak he would contradict every thing in the world unless when one commended the beauty of Cleonice But to augment the aversion which Cleonice and Ligdamis had unto love
answered Cleonice I should make you my Friend and Ligdamis should be no longer a Lover Yet Madam said be unto her is it not possible to accustom your self to endure I should love you a little more then I did before and to acquaint you with my sufferings You promised as much when I parted from you and told me you would receive my services as testimonies of my friendship I have every day for six moneths together suffered a thousand torments and in lieu of accepting my obedience according to your promise will you prepare new punishments for me That would not be just said I and interrupted them and if Cleonice will follow my advice she should not be so rigorous Why do you say so Ismenea said she unto me Can you be so much byassed by your affection to Lygdamis as to counsel me unto any gallantry with him That word said I unto her is a little too much but I do confess I know no reason why you should treat Ligdamis as if he were not so much as your friend for we are obliged to love our friends in miseries as well as in happiness I do confess said she that they who do not so are only the false friends of prosperity and deserve not that glorious title of friend Then if Ligdamis said I unto her hath lost his reason by any manner of misfortune and seeks all remedies to cure himself of all his miseries and follies but can finde none would you not endeavour to ease him and much pitty his misfortune Doubtlesse I should replied she Then why do you not said I unto her and laughed for do you not see that he is not master of his reason though you do not grant him so much affection as perhaps his folly desires yet receive his affection with some kinde of sweetnesse for it is not the part of true Friendship to forsake him in so great a misfortune as his is to love one that is insensible And for my part if you use him so you must give me leave to think you make no other use of your friends but to serve your own ends and to divert you since you cannot endure they should trouble you once in their lives Cleonice hearing me say so began to smile and Ligdamis to thank me And he afterwards joined his most perswasive Rethorique unto mine and we so overcame her that after two hours converse we obtained that Ligdamis should stay in Ephesus and that he should see her but still upon condition never to speak unto her of any Love matters Thus then were some days spent but since it was not possible for Ligdamis to lock up his love so close in his heart but that it would break out in some of his actions or words there was not a day but Cleonice and he had two or three quarrels But Cleonice did insensibly accustom her self to answer him and though it was always with a spirit of contradiction yet it was a great comfort unto him to talk of that which took up his whole soul And indeed it came to that pass at last that Cleonice became the Confident of his Passion and could not endure he should speak of any thing else And though she always advised him never to hope for any thing and often commanded him to quench his flames yet in the end she had no desire to be obeyed She would often be so melancholly that every one would chide her At the first this surprised me because I never saw her in such an humour before but after I had discovered the phantastical cause of her melancholly which took her often and left her often and I found the fit would always take her when contrary to her intention she had spoken a little more sweetly concerning Ligdamis then she intended and when her memorie did chide herself for being not sharp enough with him she would be sure to be dogged all that day both towards her self and all that came near her and on the contrary when she had the power to treat him ill she appeared more pleasant and nothing but joy could be seen in her eyes Also one could never see them both in a good humour at one time for when Ligdamis was ravished with joy at some favourable word which Cleonice had spoke then she was always melancholly and when he was sad at any harsh passage from her then would she be exceedingly pleasant so great was her care to hinder him from seeing she was not insensible Yet it is most certain she did not hate him and though she would not call her affection by the name of Love yet her change was so much that it deserved no other name For a hundred trivial passages which slipt from her unawares did sufficiently manifest as much I remember that whilst he passed under the notion of her friend only she cared not in what dresse he saw her and I have seen him in her chamber some daies when her dress was so careless that any other beauty but hers would have lost its lustre and I am confident she did never once in all her life consult with her glass how to please him But since his return it is otherwise for Ligdamis never could see her till she was dresâ— She made a shew as if her design in it was only to wean him by degrees from that familiarity he had with her but the true design was that Ligdamis might think her more fair I humblie ask your pardon Madam for making such an exact relation of every trivial passage for since you commanded it I hope my obedience will plead for my excuse Be pleased to know further that as love cannot lie long hid so Hermodorus Artelinda and Phocylides presently came to know that Ligdamis was in love and in love with Cleonice So that the Passion of Hermodorus augmented the Love of Phocilides revived and the Hatred of Artelinda renewed and became more violent for she was so vexed to see the heart of Ligdamis resist her charms and be captivated by Cleonice's that she uttered a hundred symptoms of envy Moreover as it is the custom of many Ladies that are a little too gallantly inclined to justifie themselves by accusing others she divulged it in two or three dayes throughout the Town that Ligdamis was in love with Cleonice adding further that Cleonice was not so hard-hearted as she was wont to be saying in her railierie that Love had wounded two hearts with one blow The noise of it was so great in so little time that it did not only come presently unto my ears but it reached Cleonice's also who heard it with more sorrow then I can express for I saw many signs of anger break out at her eyes but I could not tell whether it was against Ligdamis or against Artelinda or against herself and she would not explain herself but spoke many things which much puzled me Yet I certainly knew that Ligdamis was upon better terms in her heart then he believed
was one amongst them unto whom she was so much obliged When Cyrus had stayed as long with her as he thought Panthea might be in writing her Letters he left Araminta to give her the same liberty and returned to the Queen of Susiana's Chamber who would needs shew him the Letter which she had writ unto her Husband He did a long time refuse to see it testifying a compleat confidence in her But since she would needs have him understand it she began to read aloud what she had writ These were the words PANTHEA unto her dear ABRADATES SIR WHen I shall relate unto you all the miseries of my Captivity I have nothing to say that troubles me but the deprivation of your self Questionless it troubles you to be an Enemy unto such a Prince as knows so well how to use a Victory and who renders me as much respect in his own Camp as I was wont to receive at Susa when I was there Wonder not then if I intreat you to become a Mediator and a Patron unto all the Prisoners which Croessus hath or shall hereafter take especially unto the Prince Artamas who is infinitely dear unto the illustrious Cyrus I do not intimate that you may do him most acceptable offices in the Person of the Princess Mandana for you may judge by those which he doth unto me how he will resent those which you do unto him I say those good offices which you do unto him because I question not but you will repay that debt which I owe unto this generous Conquerour However let me assure you that notwithstanding all his favours and goodness to me I must needs think my self the most unfortunate woman in the world as long as I am separated from my dear Abradates PANTHEA This Princess had no sooner done reading this Letter but Cyrus rendred her a milion of thanks and as he was ready to take his leave the Princess Araminta comes in and brings hers which was no less obliging then the other needs would she have him see it before she sealed it so that after he asked the Queen of Susiana's leave he read these words The Princess ARAMINTA unto the King of Pontus SInce I know what thoughts you entertain of the invincible Cyrus I know you will be very glad to understand that you may most sensibly oblige him in behalf of the Prince Artamas whom I beseech you to Patronize and protect for I doubt not but that in all things which relates not unto your love you will be ready to do him all possible good offices I thought it my duty to give you this advice and to conjure you for my own sake to take especial care of one Prisoner whose name is Anaxaris unto whom I am a debtor for the life of the Prince Spitridates I thought it also convenient to tell you that since our last meeting when I could not obtain my desires of you the Illustrious Cyrus hath not altered his course of treating me most civilly and that the bad success of my negotiation has not made him more rigorous Be therefore I beseech you a prevolent Defender of all the Prisoners which the King of Lydia took especially those whom I named if my prayers have any prevalency with you or if you value the friendship of unfortunate ARAMINTA I wish unto the Gods said Cyrus after the reading of the Letter that it were permitted me to restore unto you your absolute liberty thereby to testifie my acknowledgments unto you both but I hope I shall not die without that satisfaction In the mean time since I must lose no time I beseech you give me leave to go and dispatch Aglatidas and then after that these Princesses had returned answers unto his civilities he went out but without taking any leave because he intended to dine there Then did he give full instructions unto Aglatidas as well what to do in behalf of the Prisoners as to enquire concerning the Princess Mandana He did also hint unto him to have a most tender care of Feraulas then going unto the Chamber of Araspes who seemed alwayes to be extremely melancholly he writ unto Croessus in these words CYRUS unto the King of Lydia THough I doubt not of your generosity in using those prisoners well whom the Fate of Warre has brought into your hands yet I must needs write unto you in behalf of those prisoners which one of your Lievtenant Generals did take neer the River of Hermes especially for the Prince Artamas Consider I pray you that he ought not to be treated as a Prisoner of State but only as a Prisoner of Warre with whom you ought to deal according to the Lawes of Generosity and Justice both in treating him most kindly and civilly his quality his vertue and the services which he hath done you oblige you unto it If this be not sufficient to induce you thereunto let me add further That I have not hitherto been so unfortunate but that I have a good ground of hope before the Warre be ended to retaliate civility for civility transact then the matter more justly for my friends then you have equitably for the Princess Mandana you may put an end unto the Warre whensoever you shall please to restore her unto the King her Father and be assured that when you do so I shall as zealously fight then for your Interest as now I do for hers CYRUS As soon as Cyrus had writ this Letter he gave it unto Aglatidas he enjoyned him also to inquire whether the King of Assyria had seen Mandana and to negotiate in his behalf as well as for the other prisoners Not but that it is a piece of difficulty said he to be so officious for a Rival yet since my word is ingaged and generosity exacts it I must needs do it He put him in mind also of the stranger Anaxaris of Sosicles and of Tegeus and he was just ready to dismiss him when Ligdamis who followed Cyrus to the end he might have a sight of his dear Cleonice came unto him and told him that since he understood Aglatidas was preparing for Sardis he thought it his duty to acquaint him with some things there which happily might be advantageous to him Cyrus both thanked and imbraced him and told him that it appertained unto such a man only as was deep in Love to have compassion of another Lover Then conjuring him to be as good as his word to the end Aglatidas might more easily meet with exact intelligence concerning Mandana Ligdamis in order thereunto gave him a Letter to be delivered unto a friend of his in this Lydian Court unto whom he might safely intrust himself especially since the transaction was a good office to the interests of the Lydian King Then after Cyrus had seen the Letter which Aglatidas was to carry and had once again repeated the most important matters which he was to negotiate bidding him endeavour to see the Prince Artamas he dismissed him and stayed still
chuse Since you force me to tell you replyed Abradates I will preserve Panthea I will defend my self and not assault you unless I must in my own defence This is all Sir that either Love or Respect can exact from me I wish that I were able to yeild the Princess of my Soul unto you but indeed I cannot and though my resolution is to do nothing against those Respects I owe you yet will I not do any thing against my Love When Abradates had said this he saw Mexaris go towards a thick Bush which grew close by a Christal Fountain in the middle of a Walk and that he pull'd out two Swords giving him one and saying that since he could not yeild Panthea he should win her if he could for he would dispute it with him until death Abradates at the first would not take it but only to defend himself from the blows of Mexaris in whose face he saw so much fury as might well exasperate him but when he saw that the better language he gave him and the more he recoyled the more did his choller augment and more furiously did he assault him Love and Jealousie being at last stronger then his respects unto Mexaris he then kept his ground and fought like one that would vanquish In the mean time since I beleeve you desire to know how Mexaris could find these two Swords in the Bush be pleased to remember that I told you at their going from the Princess that Prince whispered with one of his servants and let me tell you that he then commanded him to carry those two Swords unto the place appointed which was very remarkable because of the Fountain neer it and after this command executed he charged him with another purposely to send him away from that place and appointed him to go and seek for a man that dwelt in the furthest part of all Sardis expressely charging him not to speak a word of these two Swords But as he went out of the Garden to seek this man his Master sent him unto he met one of the Princess servants at the door who was his intimate friend unto whom he imparted his business and asked his advice for the servant of Mexaris thought that his Master intended to fight with him he sent for But the Princess servant having more wit then he and knowing that Mexaris and Abradates went out together he suspected some mischief and after he had advised him rather to return into the Garden then go upon his message and to tell his Master how he understood the man he sent him unto was not at home he himself went hastily unto the Princess whom he found in discourse with Perinthus and acquainted her with what he knew He had no sooner spoke it but the Princess cried out and changed colour so much that Perinthus could not chuse but see what a particular interest she took in the life of Abradates for he knew her cares could not be for the other I leave you to judg Madam in what a pittiful perplexity he was when looking upon the Princess he saw her eyes all tears and fears for the death of Abradates and since she knew that in such occasions as this a very minute is precious she came to Perinthus entreating him with extream earnestness My dear Perinthus said she unto him you will infinitely oblige me if you will go and prevent all mischief that may ensue upon this quarrel and to oblige you to make more hast let me tell you that it will be the most considerable service that I ever injoyned you You moy easily judg how Perinthus was surprized and vexed at this imployment which the Princess did put him upon he offered to speak two or three times but the Princess would not hear but bad him make all hast So that poor Perinthus much against his mind went to part two men whom he would rather have fought with if he durst True it is he was not the first that came in for the clashing of Swords being heard by those who were in other walks they ran in with all hast yet came too late also for the combate was first ended I shall not relate unto you Madam all the passes of it it will suffice to tell you that Abradates was Conquerour and Mexaris wounded and disarm'd and confessing that Abradates was of an invincible valour But I beseech you Madam imagine a little what might be the cogitations of Perinthus when in the incertainty of the event of this combate he went unto these two Princes He hath since confessed unto me that he could never compose or reconcile himself unto his own wishes Sometimes he wished them both killed sometimes that at least Abradates were vanquished and sometimes again finding much injustice and baseness in his wishes he wished his own death especially when he reflected upon the sorrows and fears of Panthea least any misfortune should befal Abradates Moreover to his further misery he met this illustrious Conquerour of Mexaris whom one of his friends with chance brought into the Garden did follow him and to compleat the miseries of Perinthus Abradates no sooner saw him but he addressed himself to him If I can without any incivility said he unto him desire you to tell the Princess of Clasomena that it is she only who hath preserved me from being vanquished by Mexaris I will desire so much favour from you and to assure her that I attribute the happy success of my combate unto the passion which I have towards her Perinthus was so confounded with this discourse that he silently hearkned unto it without any other answer then profound reverence But Abradates taking his silence for a consent unto his desires left him and went to expect what Croessus would think of his action In the mean while many of the Court did transact in his behalf and amongst the rest Andramites who to serve Perinthus had disswaded Croessus from consenting unto the Marriage between Mexaris and Panthea did now all he could to appease this Prince thinking it as serviceable to Perinthus as the other So that Croessus was so qualified that he reflected all the fault upon his Brother and excused Abradates It was also his pleasure they should imbrace each other as soon as Mexaris was recovered But the most cruel part for Abradates was that Perinthus moved Andramites to perswade the King that the only way to prevent all future quarrels between them was to charge them both equally not to think of any Marriage with Panthea And Andramites to colour the matter told Croessus that the Princess her self was in such fears lest either of these two Princes should come to untimely death by reason of her that she her self desired it so that Croessus charged them both to give over all thoughts of her 'T is true he spoke unto these two Rivals in different manners for he absolutely commanded Mexaris and entreated Abradates treating the one as a Subject and the other as a Stranger yet
Subjects of Croessus had orders to bring their victual for the accommodation of the Camp every City and Tovvn being taxed and rated at a certain quantity vvhich they vvere required to furnish out Cyrus then understanding that his Enemies vvould presently come unto him if he vvent not unto them did forecast how to prevent them And in order to that he commanded a General Muster of all his Army which he found to consist of about a hundred and forty thousand Men he held a Councel of War to consult how he might assault the Town of Nisomolis where he was to pass the River The King of Phrigia the King of Hircania the Prince Tigranâ—â— Phraartes Persodes Gobrias Gadates Hidaspes Adusius Chrisantes Artabases and many others were of this Councel Where it was Resolved That they should not make a formal regular Siege of it but that it were better to lose some Souldiers in storming of it then to lie lingering before it until the Enemy came to relieve it with his whole Army This was no sooner resolved upon but Cyrus thought how to execute it so that the day following his Troops began to draw forth yet the first day he made a false March purposely to deceive the Enemy and indeed they were much deceived for making no question but Cyrus intended to pass the River at the Castle of Hermes and thither therefore they sent away the greatest part of their Forces contenting themselves with as many only as would keep the Garison of Nisomolis As Cyrus never used to neglect any thing that was his duty he went to take his leave of the Queen of Susiana and the Princess Araminta Most of the Princes in his Company did the same and amongst the rest Phraartes whose passion did dayly encrease though the coldness of the Princess should rather have lessened it The Conference of Cyrus with these two Princesses was upon some things of concernment he did yet comfort them as much as he could always assuring them that he aymed at nothing but Mandana's releasement and that if the Fate of Arms were so favorable to him he would for their sakes remember the persons who amongst his Enemies were so dear unto them After which he took horse and went on his Journey In the mean time maugre the remembrance of so many angry Oracles and fatal Predictions which might well have made the heart of Cyrus to tremble yet he did gloss his sorrows so well that all the Souldiers who were ignorant of them did march with as much alacrity as they were wont to do when they went unto a certain Victory And when they saw Cyrus put on his Arms and take horse there appeared a most noble Fury in his eyes and indeed this Prince was so unlike himself when he prepared to fight or give out Military Orders that there was not a greater alteration in the countenance of the Pithian when she gave her Oracles then in the face of Cyrus when the sword was in his hand One would have said that a new spirit did animate him and that he himself was become the God of War his complexion grew high and lively his eyes more sparkling his action more free his voyce more clear and every way more majestical so that at his least beck he struck terror into the Souls of all about him Yet did there always appear a calm serenity in his Soul maugre this heroique agility which made him perpetually change his place and be in every place to give Orders throughout all and certainly he did it with so much prudence as never any could ever tax him with commanding any thing to an ill purpose Also he was always obeyed with most exact diligence and blind obedience as soon as ever he spoke the word all were ready to execute and his presence had something in it so divine and terrible both that when he was in the head of his Army only with his all-commanding Trunchion in his hand one might very well say he made both his Friends and his Enemies to tremble and wrought different effects in the hearts of both for his Enemies out of very fear did often fly and his Friends out of fear to displease him became incomparably more valiant and certainly that divine heat which warmed his heart and sparkled in his eyes did communicate it self throughout the Army and begot such an ardent desire of fighting as was often a great Cause of Victories Thus did Cyrus appear when he had a sword in his hand and in the head of his Army when he went to storm the Town of Nisomolis Since it was very concerning to carry it in a short time do what the King of Phrigia and Hircania could he himself would needs be the first that fell on and many have assured me that he carryed the first Ladder and was first upon the Enemies Rampart This is without all dispute that had he not been there this little Town vvould have held out maugre all our men above eight days yet by his incomparable valor it vvas reduced in less then tvventy four hours vvith the loss of very fevv men though half of the Garison vvas cut in pieces and the rest listed themselves under Cyrus Thus did the King of Lidia in a little time lose a most considerable Pass over the River Hermes and at least three thousand of his best Souldiers This good beginning put joy into the vvhole Army of Cyrus and struck such a terror into all the Country along the River Hermse as if all Lidia vvere conquered In the mean time after a Garrison vvas put into the Tovvn Cyrus caused all his Forces to pass over the Bridg at Nisomolis so that in a day and half this great Army did over-spread all the Neighbouring fields carrying vvith it such a horrid fear that from the banks of the River Hermes unto the River Pactolus there vvas not a Lydian heart vvhich did not tremble the Army of Croessus it self vvas astonished yet since it vvas much more numerous then that of Cyrus it presently took heart again But since some of their Forces vvere not yet come up Croessus vvas not over-forvvard to take the field but thought it most expedient to let the fury of this storm vvhich made such a noyse to cool a little conjecturing that the Army of Cyrus vvould lessen vvhilst his increased yet he sent 20000. men under the conduct of Andramites to check the over-forvvardness of Cyrus his Army until such time as he vvas ready to march and still confiding in the Oracle vvhich he received from Delphos so much that though his Army had been vveak as it vvas strong yet should he hope for Victory and that he should ruine the Empire vvhich Cyrus vvas in expectation of In the mean vvhile Cyrus possessed himself of all passages became Master of the Field and left not a Tovvn on his back vvhich could annoy him but took all in his vvay and terror vvas spread so far that most did render themselves as
to release unto him that Princess whom they love as well as he doth For this Madam I have quitted my Desart unto which I had confined my self To this end I came into Lidia under a disguised Name and it is my real resolution to get you out of Prison And the Gods have so far smiled upon my Project that if you will Madam you shall be released from hence and carryed into the Camp of Cyrus As soon as Mazares had spoke these vvords he sighed so seriously and in such earnest manner as one might see his repentance was real But yet for all that the Princess Mandana could not believe it yet sometimes the feeling expressions of this sorrowful Prince would something stagger her thoughts but then immediately after diffidence would wholly seize upon her heart and she could not possibly believe that the design of Prince Mazares was really to set her at liberty She perceived he had a great and powerful intelligence in the Cittadel and she was well enough perswaded that he who could so cunningly come in could as vvell get out But her belief told her at the same time that his end was to carry her away the second time and not really to release her so that all his perswasive arguments could not move her but she resolutely told him she had rather stay where she was a prisoner still then to be fooled in following him Alas Madam said he unto her Will you not believe me when I protest repentance and to explate my crime would set you at liberty I must ingenuously confess that I have not power to say I do not love And Madam I am resolved not to make a mixture of any lyes and truths together but I do most solemnly protest in the presence of those Gods which must make all my projects prosperous that this passion is without the least spark of any hope or any pretention unto you in the world I desire no more but a pardon of my crime and to set you at liberty if it be obtained I shall not murmure at my death It is but just that this tormenting passion be still in my soul as a more severe penance for my fault and so be pleased to look upon it and questionless you will allow it especially considering that I sue for no other recompence However be not so preposterously resolute as to believe me vvhen I told a prejudicial lye and not to believe me when I tell you a most real truth which shall set you at liberty No no Mazares said the Princess neither you nor any else shall deceive me twice I trusted you before because I thought you incapable of deceiving me but since you have deceived me once I will never trust you again Do not think Madam replyed he that it is now possible I should have any ill design upon you How if I had any such How could I put it into act 'T is true I can get you out of prison because the Camp of Cyrus is neer and a safe place of retreat But should I have any design to carry you for any ends of my own how is it possible I should effect it Sardis would be no safety to hide you in it all the Country is full of Forces belonging unto Cyrus what therefore could I do with you I know not said she neither where Cyrus is or what course you would take but I know very well I cannot trust you Why Madam said he unto her Will you refuse your liberty because it is offered by a Prince whom you do not love The reason why I love him not replyed she is because I do not believe he has any intention to release me and designs no further then to make me change my Chains and truly I had rather since I think you only intend to remove me from prison to prison be with the Princess of Lydia then with you To make it apparent Madam said he That I have no ends of my own in it be pleased to know that my design is not only to release you but the Princess Palmis also and that it is by a devoted servant unto a Woman of hers that I have this intelligence in this Cittadel and therefore Madam you need not doubt the sincerity of my intentions I doubt all replied she For I had rather suspect your words then that they should deceive me again But Orsanus said she and turned towards me I did not think it possible that you should second your Master in such a piece of service as this and I have alwayes known so much virtue in your mind that I rather will think he deludes you then that you have any intentions to delude me as he hath Madam replied I give me leave to assure you that the Prince Mazares hath no intentions to deceive you Alas Orsanus said she it seems you are not so wise as I am if you think so Truly Madam said Martesia speaking to the Princess Since Orsanus sayes it methinks credit ought to be given to his words because he is not in Love and by consequence more to be believed then the Prince Mazares To testifie unto you Madam said my Master speaking to Mandana I will remain in your prison after you are gone out and an illustrious friend who I met with in my solitude shall conduct you to the most happy Cyrus whil'st I stay here and patiently indure the death which Croessus shall give me and I promise you to accept it with much joy so you will promise me a favourable memory And I will do more then that also if you please said he being transported with the violence of his Love and dispair to see she would not believe him for I will kill my self before you go out of that prison which I will open unto you If I could believe what you speak replyed the Princess I should tell you that your death in that manner would extreamly trouble me but in truth I cannot believe you However I beseech you acknowledg thus much at the least that if hereafter you once believe me you will then lessen your hatred towards me I shall do more then that said she For if ever I once believe you I shall be able to forget what 's past and to pardon you and I think liberty so sweet and your act so generous that I should afford you my esteem and friendship But the worst is I neither do nor can trust you and looking upon you as a Prince who would deceive me once more I look upon you with anger and hatred Was ever misery comparable to mine cryed he out You tell that you vvould pardon me and afford me your friendship if what I speak were true and yet you are so unjust as to look upon me with anger and hatred though truth it self is not truer then that I would release you I beseech you tell me what I should do to perswade you of this truth and to lay open my heart unto you I know not
which hand it is that gives a present for so you will love me I care not whether it be by revenge or by inclination However Hermogenes said Cleodora I will be obeyed This is some favour yet replied he that you will absolutely command me after you began with intreaties 'T is true said she but least you repent do as I bid you Hermogenes seeing with what resolution Cleodora spake thought it his best course not to resist her so that to gain a little more time for the execution of a designe which hee had he conjured her to allow him six dayes onely to consider at the end of which time hee would demand one hours audience Since Cleodora did very much esteem Hermogenes shee consented unto his desire and so they parted Cleodora hoping she had banished Hermogenes and that Belesis would return unto her and Hermogenes hoping that as soon as hee obtained one thing of Belesis which he intended to ask he should make Cleodora change her mind And to that end he went to look him the very same hour and as hap was found him in his chamber As soon as he saw him Belesis came to meet him and gave him many thanks for applying himself so closely unto Cleodora that day for hee had thereby given him good opportunity to talk with Leonisa to his exceeding delight I am extremely joyed said Hermogenes to him that I was able to contribute any thing to your felicity But my dear Belesis said he unto him and embraced him you must do something also to keep me from being miserable You need not use any such conjuration replied Belesis for can you doubt but that I will do any thing I can to serve you In good earnest Hermogenes your way of proceeding does offend me since prayers are not to be made unto reall friends 'T is doubtlesse enough to let them know we stand in need of them and that will oblige them to our service Speak then I conjure you and tell me quickly what you would have me do for you You must since you will not have me intreat you replied Hermogenes let Cleodora know that you love her not and let her also know that you love Leonisa Ah Hermogenes replied Belesis it is yet too soon to appear inconstant in the eyes of Cleodora and why would you have me so soon discover my crime is it because you are weary of talking so much with her and does it vex you to be tied too long unto a businesse which concerns you not if so I had rather you would cease seeing her then to tell her what I would not have her know so soon and which indeed she will know but too soon No no said Hermogenes you do not understand me but to explain my words unto you know cruel friend that when you shaked off the fetters of the fair Cleodora you enchained me with them and the truth is you never loved that fair Person so well as I love her nor would I quit her for a thousand of your Leonisas How said Belesis in a great astonishment do you love Cleodora yes replied he I do love her and thank the gods you love her not but are in such a condition as to pitie me and give me leave to do as I desire of you Belesis seeing Hermogenes was serious did not question the truth of his words but the strangenesse of the matter was he was so surprised at them that he walked up and down the chamber and could not speak a word so that Hermogenes wondering to see him so amazed importuned him still to let his inconstancy be known unto Cleodora For truly said he unto him if you will for my sake permit it you will be a gainer by it as well as my self since if Cleodora do not pretend any thing unto your affection she will not then torment you as she doth Though her affection replied he will not torment me yet her hatred will therefore I intreat you heartily not to tell her positively that I do not love her and it will also reflect something upon Leonisa and consequently it will augment your miseries and not lessen mine For I cannot see what advantage you can draw unto your self by letting Cleodora know that I am in Love with Leonisa Since I must tell you replied he know that it is because Cleodora who thinks you jealous of me and who thinks you counterfeit love to Leonisa to spite her loves you a thousand times better then she should so that my affection to her cannot have any influence upon her heart unlesse I can expel you out of it move her to hate me if you can because she loves you replied Belesis but I beseech you do not endeavour to make her love you because she hates me me thinks said Hermogenes and smiled this is too much fantastical nicenesse for you do either love Leonisa or you Love her not if you do not love her then you ought to tell me positively that you love Cleodora still and that you are my enemy because you are my Rival But if on the contrary you do love Leonisa I do not see any reason why you should not permit me to tell Cleodora that which will advance me and free you from her affection for I am fully perswaded that though it be onely to revenge her self she will treat me much better However not to dissemble with you let me tell you truly that if you do not consent unto this request know it is her will I should neither love her speak to her nor see her any more and then he told Belesis all the passages betwixt Cleodora and himself Whilst he was telling him the story he observed a strange agitation in his minde though he could not well conceive the reason unlesse it was his shame to be known so inconst 〈…〉 But so it is said he after he had related all unto him that Cleodora will certainly â—ere long know you love her not and that you love Leonisa and since so is it not much better she knew it now when some advantage may be gotten by it then to stay till none can be reaped by the knowledge of it The more you hide your crime the more Criminal you will appear and therefore I conjure you let me endeavour to obtain that which you would willingly part with Consider that you have no reason to denie me because you are the cause that I love her since it was for your sake I undertook such familiarity with her I saw her long before you and never loved her and certainly so I should have done all my life but since onely in your behalf and for no interest of my own I was so complacential as to see her and am desperately in love with her me thinks it is but just you should contribute all you can to cure that wound which you have caused I wish I could replied Belesis much amazed But I must confes unto you I cannot so far preuaâ—l with my self as
to save his Crowne But the King of Pontus had so cunningly carried the matter as Cressus was not Master of the Cittadell for this Prince had so complyed with Pactias and all the souldiers that Cressus could not dispose of it insomuch as this unfortunate King was not Master so much as of his owne Daughter nor of the only Towne which was left him In the meane time Cyrus being advertised by some spies which Andramites imployed and which went in and out of the Towne that the tumult began to grow high resolved to let them alone and try what it would produce before he would give a second assault also intending to assault in all places of the Towne which were accessible he found he had not Ladders enough for it so that he contented himselfe with keeping that quarter which he had made and to repulse those enemies which two or three times did indeavour to dislodge them that guarded it but as oft as they fallied Cyrus beat them back so sharply that at last they thought no more upon it As all things stood upon these tepmes Leontidas accompanied with an Envoye from Philoxipes came from Thrasibulus and Harpagus to acquaint Cyrus with the particulars of the happy successe which before he hinted unto him presently after the Battle was won Cyrus no sooner saw them but he was as much Joyed as possible for since he loved Thrasibulus very well and exceedingly esteemed Leontidas he hoped for much consolation from them Yet he could never look upon this jealous Lover without a remembrance of all his jealous passages which he related at Synope or without calling into his memory at the same time the unjust jealousie of Mandana so that notwithstanding his joy to see Leontidas he embraced him with a sigh yet he gave a sudden check unto all his sad resentments purposely to expresse how great satisfaction the victory of Thrasibulus did give him I assure you said he unto him after the first complements and after he had asked the Envoye from Philoxipes how that Prince did I have made no fewer prayers for the felicity of Thrasibulus then for my owne and his happinesse keeps me from murmuring at the continuation of my owne miseries You have reason Sir answered Leontidas to interest your selfe in the good fortune of the Prince Thrasibulus for as his good fortune keepes you from murmuring against the Gods for your miseries so your miseries keepe him from thanking them for his owne happinesse But I pray you relate unto me not only all his Victories said Cyrus unto Leontidas but also all his and your adventures and tell me also how fares all your friends is Philocles yet cured of his passion does he love still without being loved againe is Thimocrates still Amorous and absent and are you yet jealous All that you aske replyed Leontidas doe questionlesse deserve answers except the last which concernes my selfe for Sir it is to no purpose to aske a man who is naturally jealous whether he be jealous still since certainly he can never be otherwise This answer of Leontidas did much grieve Cyrus conceiving that according to it the jealousie of Mandana would last Eternally for the excesse of his passion would not permit him to distinguish between a jealousie naturally rooted in the heart without cause or reason and a jealousie which hath some colour and cause and which by consequenc continues no longer then the cause yet he concealed the disorder of his thoughts and moved Leontidas to satisfie his curiosity in letting him know all the passages concerning Thrasibulus Harpagus Philocles Thimocrates and himselfe conceiving it would be a great joy unto him to heare that these lovers who were so unhappy the last time he saw them are now in a better condition also since Leontidas came upon the day of Truce when Cyrus had no great businesse in hand knowing that Sardis was not in any condition of reliefe he imployed this leasure in hearing of the particulars of both the Victories and amorous adventures of Thrasibulus But since Leontidas knew that the Envoy from Philoxipes whose name was Megasides had something to say unto Cyrus from his Master which would be more pleasing unto him than all he could say he resolved to satisfie his curiosity in few words Sir said he unto him the Prince Philoxipes hath sent you such joyfull newes by Megasides that lest your soule should be too much surprised at it I thinke it is expedient for me to prepare you for the reception of it by relating things of lesse consequence yet I must not keep you too long therefore I will tell you all you desire to know in as few words as possible Cyrus hearing Leontidas say so did beleeve that what Megasides had to say related only unto Philoxipes and not himself at all so that though he much esteemed him yet since he loved Thrasibulus better he did not interrupt Leontidas who at first put him in minde of the state wherein things stood concerning the Prince of Milete when they parted from each other But Cyrus interrupting him Ah Leontidas said he you wrong me much if you think I forget the interests of my friends no no I have not forgot any thing which concerns Thrasibulus or your selfe I very well remember how the people of Milete drave out the wicked Melasia the ambitious Philodice the unfortunate Leonce and the Tyrant Alexidesmas and that all these abominable wretches retired to the Prince of Phoceus brother of Philodice who endeavoured to contract a league with all his neighbour states and that in the meane time Anthemeus in lieu of calling back his Prince as the wise Thales advised him he employed all his endeavours to make the people cry up Liberty and not to acknowledge their Master I remember also that the fair Alcionida stayed at Mytelenes whilst the Prince Tysander came to Sardis and from thence went into Armenia where you know he dyed declaring by his last words and by a Letter unto Alcionida and that it was his will Thrasibulus should marry her And to shew you said Cyrus that I remember all that concerns my friends I remember also that the last absence of Thimocrates was caused by a combat which hee fought with one of his Rivals whom he killed for which he was banished from Delphos for three years Nor have I forgotten how the unfortunate Philocles who never was beloved was absolutely out of all hopes to be so cause the fair Philista was married and returned into Ialissa And for your part said Cyrus with a smile which he seconded with a sigh I remember very wel you were jealous of all both above and below your quality and that when you left Samâ—s after you had fondly consulted with the Philosopher Xanthus you left three of your Rivals with the fair Alcidamia And after this I pray judge whether it be necessary to call into memory what I have so well and so often thought upon I must confesse Sir replied
whom the King of Pontus moved Croesus to give protection How could this Lady said Cyrus get into Sardis since it is compassed about with two hundred thousand men No Sir said one of those prisoners she came in before unknown for whom shee was though they say she is of some great Quality There is also a man whose name is Heracleon who is a most gallant man that promiseth Croesus to bring great succours unto him They say also that he has been long in Sardis concealed but I can give no further satisfaction in the adventure onely this that he is a man of some great Quality After this Cyrus retired and most part of these prisoners took up arms under him The day following those Deputies which Leontidas spoke of arrived and in the name of the people who sent them did swear inviolable fidelity to him They came from Gnide from Cavia from the Territories of Xanthes and from Licia the Cauniens also and the Melesians sent their Deputies so that Fortune smiled upon Cyrus from all sides And truly if ambition onely had been his aim and if glory onely had been his wish he had full cause of contentment but since Love onely was the engine of his soul he relished nothing but what conduced to Mandana's releasment and he would freely have quitted all his Conquests upon that condition However he received all these Deputies with much sweetnesse and treated them most magnificently He assured them of protection against all their enemies and told them he would so mediate the matter with Ciaxares as he should look upon them like antient and faithful Subjects In conclusion they were so charmed with his sweet expressions that he made himself as much a Master of their hearts by his sweetnesse as he had made himself Master of their Country by force of Arms. Their greatest admiration was to see a Prince so young so expert in all their Customes and Laws and able to give them as sound advice in the management of publique affairs as if he had been brought up amongst them and had nothing to doe but govern them He spoke unto them all in their severall Languages and filled them all so full of wonder that they returned not onely charmed with his presence his spirit his virtue and his sweetnesse but also with his gifts and went with resolutions to incite their Citizens unto some act which might redound unto the glory of Cyrus And they did constitute every year for ever a day of thanks to be rendered unto the gods for bringing them under the power of Cyrus In the mean while to testifie more confidence in the people which expressed so much affection he confirmed all their Laws and Priviledges remitted unto them all Tributes and required nothing from them but assurances of unalterable fidelity Calling back the Army which Thrasibulus and Harpagus commanded sent orders for the first of these to march with them unto him and leaving the other in the arms of his dear Aleionida And though Cyrus was so well versed in the Politiques as that he knew it contrary to custom to draw off his Army so soon from a new conquered Country yet since this Lydian War was the main hinge upon which all the rest moved and since he left Garrisons in some places of greatest strength he did not think the hazard was great but thought it better to fortifie his own Forces not knowing how long the Siege might last and knowing that the taking of so great a Town as Sardis might require as great an Army as his However Cyrus neglected nothing he sent to see how Sesostris recovered who was so well that he sent Cyrus word he should ere long come and hazard that life in his service which he had preserved Cyrus also sent a complement to the Princesse Araminta and was as good as his word in not suffering Phraartes to come unto her during the Siege nor did he forget Cleonice and Doralisa nor any of the Lady Prisoners But though he did most gloriously acquit himself of all he had to doe either as a Lover or as a Friend or as an Enemy or as a Prince or as the Generall of an Army or as a Conquerour yet Mandana's unjust charging him with infidelity did grate upon his very heart and as oft as this angry thought came into his mind he thought also he had some reason to fear her constancy Since commonly those who lightly suspect others are guilty themselves yet did he presently repent of such a thought which had much more troubled him if he had not received intelligence that the people of Sardis began to consider that their riches would not fill their bellies and that there was likelihood of a hungry sedition to rise amongst them so that their Town would be thereby more pregnable And indeed there was great probability of it though Croesus and the King of Pontus did all they could the one to save his Crown the other his Mistris but they were in extream fears of both Yet lest the people should despair they concealed their fears and divulged that Relief was coming that the Army of Cyrus wasted every day and that he would in a short time be forced to raise his Siege That the people which he had conquered did revolt and consequently he would not be in any condition of new Conquests Moreover the King of Pontus gave out that Cyrus did not now care for Mandana who was the cause of the War but that he was in love with the Princesse Araminta so that within this short time all would be made good friends So that these reports being divulged the people suffered their miseries more patiently in hopes ere long to see an end of them The King of Pontus also received another advantage for this report coming out of the Town into the Cittadell and from the mouthes of the people unto the Souldiers So that Mandana's women heard what was talked in Sardis the Guards told them aloud thinking it would bee welcome newes that they should ere long come out of prison that the Peace was almost concluded between the King of Pontus and Cyrus adding that the first of these was to marry Mandana and Cyrus Araminta Martesia did not credit these reports though they confirmed Mandana's Jealousie and though they made no impression in the spirit of Martesia yet they did in Areatina who told all she heard unto a woman belonging to the Princesse Palmis and in so loud a voice as Mandana in the next room over-heard her It did so surprise her that the Princesse of Lydia who was with her did ask her why she did so suddenly change her colour Mandana being one who loved not to confesse her own weaknesse but what confidence soever she had in the discretion of the Princesse Palmis yet she concealed her jealousie but now seeing it was become publique talk she resolved to acquaint her desiring leave first to ask Ariamta where she had these reports Arianita being
ignorant that the Letter was a little torn or defaced so that to be better satisfied he writ unto one of his friends in Elephantine but before he began to write he looked in his Table-book in which he had put dying Ladice's Letter before he was sick and there miraculously found a little bit of the Letter which made it apparent that Ladice left a Daughter and not a Sonne So that then apprehending the mistake of Amasis and knowing how he had formerly expressed himself that if it were a Daughter Heracleon should marry her hee thought that he had found out a way to undeceive the King of his errour to make Heracleon happy and to raise himself a fortune And therefore he carefully sealed up this little bit of the letter and as weak as he was he came to Elephantine in the night going streight unto Heracleon's house and found him in the company of Tanisis as I told you At first he desired to speake with him in private but Heracleon telling him that nothing was so secret which Tanisis should not know he began to tell him how he had found Ladice's Letter and how he had lost it and how he had found that which would convince Amasis of his errour in thinking Ladice left him a Sonne for it would be easie to prove it unto the King by that little bit of the Letter which mentioned a Daughter and which was torn out of the Letter so that comparing this bit with the Letter it self he might find them so evenly jump that the King might be put out of all errour Heracleon was beyond all expression glad that he could render the birth of Sesostris doubtfull but to goe surely to work he would have this Officer concealed in his house and examine all things at more leasure conjuring him to have a speciall care of that which must take the Crown from his Sister and Sesostris and put it upon his own head for he made no question but Timareta was daughter unto Amasis Yet could he not devise why Traseas should disguise the truth But since it appeared that Ladice had a Daughter it must necessarily follow that there was some imposture in the relation of Traseas So that to sift the matter before it came to the King Heracleon and Tanisis resolved to tamper with Traseas and either by promises or menaces to screw the matter out of him This course being resolved upon Heracleon and Tanisis went to the house of Traseas and came thither before the Sun was up or Timareta awake But the more to oblige unto a true relation Heracleon would tell him at first what he knew I come hither said he unto him to make you confesse the truth of the businesse which I know as well as your self but to know what reason you had to tell the King a lye and to make him most injustly to acknowledge Sesostris for his Son and to obscure that Daughter which the Princesse Ladice left him Speak Traseas said he tell me your reason for it but never goe about to maintaine Sesostris to be his and Ladice's Sonne for know that the King within these two dayes must see all that wants in Ladice's Letter which will apparently prove the King is gulled and that Sesostris is not his Sonne and that all tortures that can be devised will be inflicted upon you to make you speak the truth yet if you will trust me and tell me truly why you put this imposture upon him and where the Daughter of Amasis is I will promise not onely to protect you but to keep you in the Kings favour And if you will confesse unto me that Timareta is his Daughter and doe as I would have you I will promise you a recompence much above that which Amasis gave you Whilst Heracleon was speaking thus Traseas was extreamly perplexed for he perceived by his manner of speaking that hee knew all the truth so that fear damping his spirits he could not reason upon the matter yet he perceived that though Heracleon knew Sesostris was not the Son of Amasis yet he did not know him to be the Sonne of Apriez therefore hee conceived him to be ignorant of it otherwise hee would most certainly have intimated it unto him So that af-after he had seriously considered with himself he resolved to confesse unto Heracleon that Timareta was the daughter of Amasis conceiving it was that which he principally desired for Traseas being a man of a quick wit and spirit enough and knowing that the King when he was in the Isle said if he had a Daughter he would marry her unto Heracleon he doubted not but it was his own interest which he sought after But as he resolved to confesse the truth as relating unto Timareta and to say she was the daughter of Amasis So he resolved also not to discover that Sesostris was the Sonne of Apriez for it was a horror unto his conscience to deliver the Sonne of his Legitimate King unto the hands of an usurper who perhaps world put him to death so after he had well consulted with himselfe and seeing Heracleon multiply both promises and threatnings Sir said he unto him If you will solemnly swear that you will save my life I shall confesse all I know and as much perhaps as you desire to know Heracleon then swearing unto him Traseas confessed that Timareta was the Kings Daughter Adding that Sesostris was his own Sonne and that Fatherly indulgence prompted him to make him King in prejudice of Timareta and then King also to get a better recompence for finding the King a Sonne then a Daughter But said Heracleon unto him It appears Sesostris passed for the Sonne of Amenophis and not as yours and you confessed as much to the King 'T is very true Sir replyed Traseas boldly the better to colour his lie but the reason was because when the contagion did almost depopulate our Isle and when the Queen and the Prince Sesostris her Sonne dyed and spared this Sesostris whom now you know Amenophis with a thousand promises of recompence desired me to let my son pass for his never telling me his reason for it and indeed I consented knowing my Son would be more rich by passing for his Sonne then mine so that all the shepheards in the Isle never thought Sesostris to be my Sonne After this Heracleon and Tanisis began to whisper low one to another and to examine what Traseas had said concerning Sesostris For they saw Amenophis had a design to make Sesostris passe for the Son of Apriez and they began to suspect that Traseas had not told the truth but that Sesostris was really the Sonne of Apriez Yet they did not conceive it expedient to dive too deep into the matter for knowing that Amasis of late was much stung with remorse of conscience for all that was passed they feared that if he should come to know that Sesostris was the Sonne of Apriez and afterwards should heare of the affection between Sesostris and Timareta
or second c. But Andramites added she this is not the business which I desire of you and therefore unlesse you would have me repent of my request and be sorry for giving you an occasion of obliging me speak not a word more unlesse it be to bid me adieu Give me leave Madam said he onely to tell you that I depart the most For Heavens sake Andramites said she and interrupted him with a laugh speak not a word more unlesse you be well assured that what you say will not anger me for since the request I made unto you concerns one of my friends I should be glad you would not put me to recall that request which I have made unto you and therefore it is better that I interrupt your speech and leave you and indeed Doralisa making him a serious reverence as if she had done her businesse left him and went unto Arpalice to tell her that Andramites would doe as she desired All this while Ligdamis was bidding adieu unto his dear Cleonice with whom he was alwaies upon constant termes of amity Thus Andramites and he returned to the Camp and left all these Beauties together who did not part untill Lycaste was forced to tell them it was full time to retire unto their rest In the mean time since it did nearly concern Arpalice that Cyrus in reconciling Thrasimedes and Menecrates should know that he could not protect the last of these in prejudice of the other unlesse he made her most miserable she consultted with Candiope who was her dearest friend and close confident in all her secrets upon the best expedients For my part said Candiope unto her if the case were mine considering the credit which Doralisa hath with Cyrus both by her self by Araminta and by Andramites I would open my heart unto her and tell her the whole truth She hath already desired replyed Arpalice that I should doe as you advise me and I have promised her Why then doe you ask my advice upon a thing replyed Candiope which is already resolved Because I have promised more then I can perform said Arpalice for though it be a great weaknesse to be timerous in relation of any thing which is not a crime yet I must confesse I cannot my self tell Doralisa what is requisite she should know thereby to engage her in my business Then I must say replyed Candiope and smiled that you are very rigorous unto Thrasimedes if you dare not tell Doralisa that which a whole Province knows for is there one in Licia which knowes not that Thrasimedes is in love with you No said Arpalice but there is none except you and Thrasimedes who knows that I love him and it is but a while since hee could guesse at it nor yet knows so well as you doe Therefore you would infinitely oblige me if you would spare me many a blush and would take the pains to relate all my imperfections unto Doralisa You are well acquainted with the originall of our affections and I beleeve your self is the greatest cause But dare you trust your self unto my discretion said Candiope unto her are you not afraid that my ill memory will make me misreport your words and perhaps alter some of them or make you speak too obligingly unto Thrasimedes As Arpalice was going to answer Doralisa came into their chamber who after shee had told Arpalice that she was glad to see by her complexion and quicknesse of her eyes that she had slept well she asked whether or no she remembred her promise Candiope knowing very well what Doralisa meant laughed and told her that Arpalice was not very well disposed to perform her promise telling her afterwards all the discourse which was between them So that there was a very pleasant conference between these three persons For my part said Doralisa after she had heard the difference between them I cannot think Arpalice ever did or said or thought any thing which she may not tell me and therefore I am perswaded that it is rather out of vanity then modesty that she will not let me understand her adventures from her own mouth rather then from anothers since it is not possible any should know anothers story so well as themselves But the truth is one shall not speak of themselves so well as others will do Most true said Candiope Doralisa hath found out a good reason to stop your own mouth for you would rob your self of a thousand applauds which I shall give you and which really you deserve Yet I cannot phrase your way to be a vanity but rather a desire of glory and you desire to get Doralisaes esteem therefore desires that she may know you the better by my reports then your own I pray you tell her what you please replyed Arpalice so you do not put me to say any thing And indeed so it was concluded that Candiope should relate all the adventures of Arpalice Then Doralisa and Candiope agreed that as soon as dinner was past they should carry Lycaste Cydipe and Arpalice unto the Princess Araminta where they would leave them and return into Doralisaes chamber And so they did for they were no sooner entered but shutting the door and Candiope leaning upon a table of Ivory inlayd with Ebony she began her discourse with a Complement thus The History of ARPALICE and THRASIMEDES YOur Reputation amiable Doralisa being such as makes it dangerous to speak ill before you might well silence me from making any long discourse in your presence if it did not meerly concern a person who is most dear unto you and deserves to be so unto all those that are capable of her extraordinary merit and her interest being more considerable then my own I will begin that relation which you expect as if you had never heard of our Country of our Town or of Arpalice her self for though you be very near in alliance of blood yet you never were in Licia but alwayes at Sardis or Susa never saw each other since you were five years of age when Lycaste came to Sardis I conceive it convenient to begin as if you knew her not at all Be pleased to know therefore that Arpalice was but seven years of age when she lost both her Father and her Mother and that Parmenides was not of a fit age to govern himself therefore a Brother of Lycaste their Uncle was their Tutor who having no Wife put the young Arpalice unto Lycaste who hath brought her up with as much care as she did Cydipe The Father of Arpalice holding an intimate correspondencie with a man of Quality named Amphidamas who was of the same Town and had but one Sonne and one Daughter he ordained by his last Will and Testament that Arpalice should marry his Son when she came at age That which caused the great riches of Arpalice though she had a Brother was that they were not both by one Mother And since it is the custom of our Country that Mothers give ranks
only is not enough but a high spirit and a great heart are essentially requisite and I am perswaded that the haughtiness of a fair fool hath such a neer resemblance of Pride and comes so neer a kind of foolish idle vanity as it doth much misbecome them and renders them insufferable I know that if this person who hath this loftiness of behaviour have not also a great and generous heart she will be bitter and tart and surely in lieu of being stately this I do not wish to be in any accomplished person Sullenness and Stateliness are two different things the first is Ugly the other is Majestical the one a sign of a melancholy Spirit the other of a great and noble soul Yes the stateliness which I speak of is a spark of Divinity which distinguisheth those who are so from the common herd of people which makes them feared and respected of those who love them and which without the least incivility forbids too much familiarity with those who are so stately and which quality I do every day admire in Elisa and therefore wonder not that I should desire her to part with any other quality then with this noble Pride which I so much love in her and which also hath rendred you so good offices To me replied Phocilion For heavens sake do not offer to perswade me that I am any Debtor unto the haughtiness of Elisa Indeed you are replied Poligenes For can you think that she being so fair so amiable and so much adored as she is her heart would have been at this time to dispose of if she had not been as stately and majestical as she is or if she had been so affable and sweet as you seem to desire her she could never have seen so many denied Suitors at her feet without having pity upon some one of them insomuch as when you came unto Tire and courted her acquaintance you would have found her heart ingaged whereas now you find it free and so disingaged from any affection as the most passionate of all her Lovers cannot find in her behaviour the least cause of any jealousie 'T is true replied Phocilion But on the other side they cannot find any foundation of hope Yes replied Poligenes very much since there is no fear that any will be more happy then your self But I beseech you said Elisa and interrupted them Wherein does this stateliness you speak of consist I pray tell me that I may know how to be more or less lofty as occasions shall be offered Is it in the Aire of my visage that it appears or in all my actions in general Is it in my words Or in the accent of my voice Is it in somthing which I cannot define replied Poligenes For truly you are more civil then many others who pass for more sweet and affable then they are you are essentially good you are ready to do all good offices to your friends with an excellent grace Also upon some occasions you are pittiful and tender but with all these you are high-minded and stately as I would have you to be and to say truly I think that this brave and noble Pride hath its source from the root of your heart and from thence it passeth into your Spirit into your eyes into your face and into all your actions and words Since so said Elisa then I must be as long as I live the very same I am at this present for I must needs confess unto you that I would not change my heart for any others Though your highness of behaviour should make you have no other thought but that replied Poligenes yet I should for ever love it for as I said before I should not be sorry if others cannot enjoy that thing which I cannot my self enjoy Phocilion was not yet satisfied with the reasons of Poligenes but this discourse lasted so long that night summoned us to leave Eliâ—a who doubtless was gladder to see her stateliness commended then any other Quality for she heard every one applaud her beauty her voice and her Spirit and somtimes she met with some who found fault with her stateliness and extreamly complained against it This was the state of things Madam when the Brother of Poligenes whom I told you was travelling in Greece returned unto Tire He was then about four and twenty years of age and there being such a difference of age between Poligenes and him he respected him almost as his Father and indeed Poligenes took as great a care of Agenor as if he were his Son he was therefore extreamly glad to see him so handsom and pleasing every way and I assure you Madam a man could not be more handsom then he was he was not only handsom and of a good garb but he was also exceeding agile in all the exercises of his body especially in danceing Moreover he had an admirable wit but it was a merry and diverting wit which infinitely pleased all companies Moreover he was the aptest of all men to make secretss to discover those of others and to hide his own when he would 'T is true this humour lasted not long nor took him oft for he had a vanity which caused that he could not be loved without desiring it should be known yet the passions of his soul were very violent but vanity would not permit them to be strong in his heart and certainly if Agenor had not had this fault he had been much more amiable in the eyes of those he loved then he was For as for others except his Rivals he was the sweetest and most civil of men towards them his vanity being only confined unto his Gallantries Agenor being such a one as I have described he returned to Tire whilest Straton Barce and Elisa were gone for fifteen daies into the Country In the interim Poligenes shewed his Brother all the Court who got in it extraordinary reputation especially among the Ladies In the mean while Agenor having a soul naturally disposed unto Gallantry could not live without a business of that nature he applied himself unto one of the Queens women named Lyriope one both of beauty and merit but of an envious and revenging spirit such as would not permit her self to be at rest Indeed Lyriope looked upon any thing that was advantageous unto any of her companions with a spiteful eye and I believe she never saw a good face but she had ill rest all that day I think also that she wished her self both fair and brown both at once that she had eyes both black and grey and indeed to be all that others were yet be what she her self was also Lyriope was not only envious at the beauty of others and their Conquests but at their very cloaths also not enduring any should have more riches nor better made then her self without extream regret You may then imagine Madam that a woman of this humour was extreamly joyed that a man whom all the Court most talked of and
he saw then she named many of the Ladies unto me and amongst the rest Lyriope For my part Madam replyed I unto her I never heard him commend any so much as you How said she does he commend me more then he doth Lyriope Oh Telamis it cannot be Yet it is very true replyed Agenor that I never commended any so much as you I perceive answered she you do not beleeve I know that you are in love But Agenor I have better intelligence then you think I have and the Report of Lyriope's Conquests did fly into the Country And I must also tell you added she and laughed that for my own glory I was very glad she had made this Conquest before my return because now I cannot be upbraided for my inability to do it People newly subjected replyed he and looked upon her are oft-times very glad to revolt Ab Agenor replyed she I would have no Subjects rebel against their first Masters And I am perswaded the chains wherewith Lyriope hath captivated you are so strong that though you would you cannot break them however I think you very bold in telling me that you commend me more then her I confess Madam replyed he that you do a little puzzle me yet I do conceive that without any injury unto Lyriope I might say as much as I have done for truly said he I am of such an humor as I no sooner perceive my self to be in love but I must immediately tell it Also I conceive that in saying one loves one hath made a long speech unto her he says it nor will I answer that I can commend you long as I have done This way of commending replyed Elisa should never be my custom but Agenor you have better expressed your self then I imagined however I must tell you that I am very glad you are in love because I shall be more apt to contract friendship with you I do know many persons Madam replied I who will never contract any friendship with a man in love If I had any secrets to keep replyed Elisa I beleeved should not say as I do but all the friendship which I desire with Agenor is only a bare complacency and a petty kind of exchange of indifferent secrets which hardly can be termed secrets which yet help very well to furnish out discourse and for such a friend it is no matter if he be in love Oh Madam replied he if I be not much mistaken you are a most dangerous friend Poligenes hearing these last words could not chuse but draw neerer and assure his Brother whilest Straton was talking with one of his men that he was mistaken in what he said since Elisa was as good a friend as she was a dangerous Mistress As he spoke these words much company came in which caused discourse to be more general However though first Visits use not to be very long yet Agenor continued his until night and he grew as well acquainted with Elisa as if he had known her all his life But wheâ— at night he went to the Queens Lodgings he was put to a puzzle how to render an account unto Lyriope of his actions in the afternoon As soon as she saw him she observed that he had spruced up himself that day and that he was finer then on the first days when he designed to please her not but that he was always very handsom yet passionate people can spy day at a small crany and find a difference betwixt a natural neatness without design and an extraordinary tricking up which proceeds from some secret design So that since Lyriope had not seen Agenor all that day she was extreamly desirous to know where he had been She no sooner saw him but she began to question him yet without any discovery of her thoughts I pray Agenor tell me said she unto him how you have spent this day and how comes it to pass I have not seen you I have been in a hundred places and could not meet with any company replied he and at last Poligenes having promised Straton to bring me unto his house would have me go along with him Well Agenor said she and blusht what think you Elisa You made such an ugly description of her replied he that I beleeve it caused me to think her fair The fate of this woman replied this envious person is very strange for I am perswaded that though they say every Nation hath a kind of beauty which is particular to it self some affecting the fair others the black and some the brown others red some would have them tall and gross others little or of a mean stature some one complections and features some others yet I do beleeve that if all men from all parts in the world did see Elisa they would all consent to commend her beauty As she was saying this in a low voice unto Agenor one of those who had been at the house of Straton came into their company and asked Agenor not knowing what he had told Lyriope whether he stayed long with Elisa after he came away But Agenor had no sooner told him a confident lye and said he came away immediately after him but another entered who had stayed there late and came away when he did who asked Agenor if ever he saw a fairer then Elisa And to drive him the more upon the Rock of a non-plus a third came in who knowing Agenor had never seen Elisa before that day and having seen him enter so soon after dinner told him that he did very well in making his visit so long and coming so timely to see the sunshine of Elisa's beauty at the height of the day Lyriope no sooner heard this but she blusht for very shame spite and jealousie for she plainly understood Agenor went to the house of Straton very timely and was all the whole afternoon there so that he told her a lye when he said he had been in a hundred places and could find no company Then she sternly fixed her eyes upon his as if she did upbraid him with it but he not being ignorant of the power he had over the heart of this woman did not much trouble himself at it beleeving it no Herculean labor to make his peace And indeed he used such arguments as perswaded her that she was beholding to him for the lye he had told For said he as we understood afterwards you may well imagine that though I should fall in love with Elisa and be an Infidel unto you yet I could not in so short a time become so deeply engaged as to make a mystery of a passion which yet had taken no root But beleeve me it was only my complacence unto Poligenes which moved me to so long a visit and my fear lest you should take it ill that I had been there all the day moved me to invent and tell this lye However added he most craftily I am very glad that I have discovered a spark of jealousie in your soul
that it must either be a Husband or high walls which only can preserve their virtue After this falling into a general discourse of Marriage Lyriope who was never of Elisa's opinion spoke as one who thought that much happiness was to be found in Marriage and Elisa on the contrarie maintained that all married people were almost unhappie For truly said she take for example one of the most accomplished men in the world and one of the most perfectest women in all Phenicia though they do love as well as they can though they be young handsom rich and think themselves verie happie in Marriage yet I am most infallibly confident that they will not long continue so For my part replied Lyriope I am not of that belief but conceive that much happiness may be found by marrying a compleat man who both loves and is loved I concur with you replied Elisa That they may somtimes esteem themselves happie in Marriage but I tell you this happiness is not lasting For consider a little the qualifications of this condition her husband must be a verie accomplished man they must reciprocally love each other he must have an estate suitable to her Quality he must be neither phantastical jealous or covetous Moreover she must enter into all his interests and become ambitious if he be ambitious entirely subject her self unto his humour obey him without murmure even in things most difficult and never be at libertie or Mistress of her self She must further be turmoiled with the oeconomical cares and conduct of a great house be exposed to all the peevish consequences of Marriage lose perhaps her health and beautie both before she be old be exposed to be jealous or suffer her husbands and at last perhaps have wicked ill-favoured and ungrateful children These things Lyriope are ordinarie consequences of Marriage and whosoever looks upon such a Precipice methinks should be so affrighted as they should not dare to throw themselves into it Yes Lyriope Marriage is a most terrible thing and all those who venter upon it are certainly verie fool-hardie Though I know very well said Phocilion that the fair Lyriope needs no second yet I beseech her to give me leave to help her in defence of this cause which she maintains Give me leave I beseech you Madam pursued he and looked upon Elisa to tell you that in speaking as you do you are most injurious unto the Gods for if there be not any two persons in the world who can love happily together without any of those inconveniences which you do aggravate with so much zeal it may be said that the Gods are unjust and imprudent How can you without extraordinarie impietie maintain this against them I must confess replied she that I admire their providence but neither know it nor will penetrate into their secrets yet in the mean time I must maintain that as they do not accuse the Gods when they blame a man who is Shipwrackt because he set out to Sea in a Storm and in a rotten Vessel so I do not accuse the Gods when I blame those who knowing the crabbed consequences of Marriage will yet ingage themselves in it Whil'st Lyriope Elisa and Phocilion were thus in discourse Agenor was all silence not daring to enter into the thoughts of Elisa In the mean time since he was more in love with her then with Lyriope he was pittifully perplexed in being between these two for he would not do any thing which might perswade Elisa he was in love with Lyriope nor would he make the last of these think he loved her less then he had So that to have the delight of looking upon Elisa without disobliging Lyriope he did sit down by her but his chief reason was because she did sit opposite to Elisa Thus sitting on Lyriopes side and a little behind her he enjoyed the sight of Elisa without any notice taken by the envious Lyriope but otherwise by Poligenes who easily observed that the cunning Agenor did sit purposely by Lyriope that he might the better look upon Elisa As for Phocilion he was so busied with his own passion that he never minded others for since he saw the high virtue of Elisa he never feared his Rivals and he was so confidently perswaded that she would not marry as he never doubted her preferring another before him Thus the company parted with several apprehensions Poligenes went out in a fear that his brother would become his Rival Phocilion was extreamly troubled at the insensibility of Elisa and her aversion to Marriage Lyriope was infinitely envious that Elisa was fairer then her self and Agenor was much less in Love with Lyriope and much more with Elisa who never minding the turbulencies she had caused in the mind of others rested in her ordinary tranquility yet the procedure of Phocilion did extreamly oblige her and invited her to do what she could to convert an obsequious Lover into a real friend But this miracle was impossible to be wrought he was resolved to content himself with Elisa's commands of silence yet he offered once to speak unto her again but she retired her self in such sort that he imposed upon himself so strict a silence as he durst not so much as sight it in secret 'T is true Elisa to comfort him did make a promise that if ever she changed her mind and took a resolution to marry the change should conduce unto his advantage yet conjuring him to believe that she did not think such a time would ever come she earnestly entreated him to live with her as if he were her brother And indeed Phocilion whose most secret thoughts I knew durst never after this be so bold as to speak one word of his passion unto Elisa In the mean time Lyriope still thinking her self more sure of Agenors heart did continue his favours and gave him a thousand testimonies of a violent passion In the mean time all the Court perceived it and talked broad of her All the Advisoes of her friends were in vain for she had a Maxime which was most dangerous for such as would keep their reputations unstained which was to believe that so she were not in any crime she needed not to fear any reports But her behaviour coming to the Queens ear she received so sharp a check for it that she began to find her indiscretion Yet perhaps this had not restrained her nor changed her behaviour towards Agenor without another reason which much induced her For be pleased to know Madam that Poligenes being perswaded the faintness of Agenors love to Lyriope proceeded from the easiness which he found in her Spirit he thought that to help it and to hinder the growth of that passion which he saw began to take root in his heart towards Elisa his best course was that Lyriope should mix some security with her complacencie towards him So that bethinking himself how he might compass his design he pitched upon one of the Queens women named Phocinde who
restore Mandana and that he would give liberty to the King of Pontus because he would not move him to betray a Prince unto whom he had given retreat Cyrus hoping that if this Prince would not accept of this offer yet it would stir up the people against him and would hinder the King of Pontus from carrying away Mandana So that having sent a Herald unto the Prince of Cumes to tell him that having some advantageous Propositions to make unto him he desired a man of some credence might be sent to receive his intentions This Prince after a consult with the King of Pontus answered that their two interests being inseparable he could not receive his message without his participation but that they would send joyntly the next morning to know what the will of Cyrus was that in the interin there might be a cessation of Arms Though this answer of the Prince of Cumes was not according to the wish of Cyrus yet he took him at his word and to obtain his ends he resolved to transact with equal generosity unto his Rival So that the next morning after the Truce was published and after he who the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes sent unto him were come into the Camp Cyrus would needs shew him all his works to the end the negotiation might better proceed So that he carried him from Line to Line from Fort to Fort and let him see there was no hopes of ever relieving Cumes by Land Also what Cyrus said unto him was so full of generosity that he could see no reason why any of his offers should be refused for he demanded of the Prince of Cumes Mandana only and yet offered unto the King of Pontus all the conditions which the Princess Araminta heretofore offered from him which was an Army to reconquer his Dominions I do not offer this said he unto the man out of the least doubt of taking Cumes presently but it is because I am obliged unto the King of Pontus ever since I wore the name of Artamenes and having a high esteem of the Prince of Cumes courage I should be sorry any occasion should force me to ruine them and to tell you truly I desire to shorten the captivity of Mandana by a happy negotiation After this Cyrus did much oblige the man to whom he spoke and without any unworthy Proposition he made him extreamly satisfied with his generosity but the more reasonable the Propositions were the more sharp were they unto the King of Pontus and he laboured to put things unto the utmost extremity and the Prince of Cumes protested never to shrink from his interest and though he was most desperately in Love yet he could not chuse but consider that since he was not able to keep Mandana it were injustice wilfully to ruine a Prince who had given him retreat But for all this though he did know it to be both unjust and imprudent yet his passion had no ear to hear of any Proposition which had any clause of Mandana's restitution in it yet notwithstanding not dare to tell the Prince of Cumos in plain terms that rather then restore Mandana into the hands of Cyrus he was resolved to see both him and himself to perish he gave him such language as might gain a little time and if possible recover some hopes and therefore he thought it expedient to tell Cyrus that they could not return him any positive answer without imparting these Propositions unto the Xantheans and Caunians and also until they knew from Pactias and Licambes in what condition their forces were and therefore desired until they were satisfied in these things that the Truce might continue so that they sent back this answer unto Cyrus who accepted of it provided there were a time limited unto this negotiation and that the term were not long and thus the Truce was continued The King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes sent out an Envoy unto the General of their Army and another unto the Xantheans and the Cauneans Cyrus sending Heralds with them to carry them thither and to bring them back In the mean time the King of Pontus who had never consented unto this negotiation but that he might thereby have longer time to consider which way he might save himself or at least defer his ruine a little longer he now pumped all his invention for an expedjent how to get Mandana out of Cumes But whilst he was vainly seeking for that which was so difficult to be found Cyrus and Mazares admired what was become of the Assirian King they could not imagine where he should be nor how it was possible he should be living and not before Cumes Somtimes Cyrus thought him dead and otherwhiles had a jealous phancy that he was in Cumes and some way or other transacting his ruine though yet he could not imagine which way he was able to do it In the mean while the Truce being published as well in the Sea as Land-Army there was a genearl idleness amongst the Souldiers on both sides and a kinde of a dim image of Peace amongst them all Things standing upon these terms and Cyrus being one morning upon the top of a Fort which he had made upon a hill in the Quarters of Mazares he discovered a Fleet which with full Sail made towards his He no sooner saw this but his passion moving him to suspect some foul play he changed colour and would send unto Cumes to clear his suspitions but as he was upon the point of sending an Envoy came unto him from the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes who came to ask him whether this Fleet did come to strengthen his Army and whether he would keep within the limits of the Truce So that knowing by this the Fleet were not his Enemies he concluded they were for him knowing how he had negotiated for Ships in several places and indeed he was not mistaken After this he dismissed the Envoy with orders to assure the King of Pontus and the Prince of Cumes that he would make no attempts until the Truce were ended or broken And as for the Fleet which appeared they had no orders from him to approach nor knew he from whence they came yet he would ingage his word to make no use of them until those Princes had refused the Propositions which he made them After this Envoy was gone Cyrus and Mazares saw that Thrasibulus sent out two little Vessels to meet those which were making towards him and that those two Ships returned with the Fleet as friends towards Thrasibulus so that rejoycing to see fresh aid he thought it would conduce much to make the people of Cumes revolt if those Princes should not accept of those offers which he made them Also he conceived fresh hopes of seeing his dear Princess very shortly yet he was very impatient to know from whence this Fleet should come but he was not long without full satisfaction for the two Fleets were no sooner
so much against him How replied Thrasiles hath Lysidice complained of me to you Yes replied I seeming to know more then I did But why did you tell her that which you told her the other day What I told her replied Thrasiles ought rather to have obliged then to have angred her But Lyriana I pray tell me what she did tell you concerning me For heavens sake if you know the cause of her coldness to me do not conceal it for I do profess I cannot understand why any thing I said unto her should provoke her to treat me as she did I must confess Madam that when I heard Thrasiles say so I thought that he had indeed advertised Lysidice how some one of her friends had either done or said somthing which deserved her anger and that it was out of this reason he should say he never said any thing unto her which might provoke her to treat him as she did So that without moving him to tell me what I desired to know I told him that Lysidice complained against him for causing her to lose one of her dearest friends This accusation did at the first surprize Thrasiles but afterwards he thought that Lysidice because she would not tell me that he had spoken unto her of his Love had invented this little lye to excuse it So that giving no credit unto my words he told me that it was impossible Lysidice should think so of him for he had been so far from making her lose any friend that he ever wished all the world did adore her She did not say replied I being angry that I was not credited that you made her fall out with this friend but she said that you have either done or spoken somthing which hath made that friend fall out with her I understand you worse then I did before replied Thrasiles do for I know that I am not naturally any Mischief-maker nor any Tale-teller and I am sure I never spoke any thing of any body unto Lysidice Certainly then replied I some or other hath done you an ill office to her But Lyriana said he and interrupted me you think you did rightly understand her Yes certainly Thrasiles said I and let me tell you that if you do not quickly justifie your self you will be excluded out of her favour How can I justifie my self answered he of an accusation which I understand not To give you a good occasion replied I I will permit you to tell her how I acquainted you that she complained against you and that she said you were the cause of her falling out with one of her dearest friends since she did not make her complaints any secret but on the contrary made a mysterie of a thing which she might well have imparted to me I am willing you should tell her it was I who told you and so you may justifie your self I spoke this so confidently unto Thrasiles that he could not chuse but believe me and fancying more sweetneâ—s that Lysidice should be offended at him for any thing else rather then at the Declaration of his love he resolved to go the next morning unto her and did so and he we it so opportunely that he found her alone Since I hear from Lyriana Madam said he unto her that you make some complaints against me and that you accuse me for causing you to lose one of your dearest friends I come to know Madam whether it be true Yes replied she sharplie I did say all that Lyriana told you but I have not yet said all I think upon the business Why Madam replied Thrasiles Can you say that I did â—ver mâ—ke you lose any friend I who have ever spoke enough to make all the world love You have spoke that unto me replied she which is enough to make all the world love You have spoke that unto me replied she which is enough to make me break off with him I would gladly know Madam replied he who this friend is unto whom I have unwittingly done so ill an office You shall quickly know him said she and all the world shall know that I will see him no more But Madam answered he if this friend be faulty you are unjust to grieve for him and punish me Lyriana replied she hath already said as much as you but to no purpose for I have better reasons then either of you for what I do For Heavens sake Madam replied Thrasiles tell me who this friend is who on my score hath lost your favour It is your self replied she and blusht for anger who might have enjoyed my friendship as long as you had lived and who hath forced me against my will to banish you and also who hath deprived me for ever of your company which was verie pleasing but which now is odious unto me How Madam answered Thrasiles in a great amazement Am I he Yes certainly replied She You are I beseech you Madam said he what did I ever say against my selfe that could move you to hate me You have told me said She that you loved me and that is enough Yet I would gladly know replied he whether your anger proceeds from because I love you or from because I was so bold as to tell you so It proceeds answered She from because you told me so for to be sincere one cannot be angry at being loved Then Madam replied Thrasiles if it be not my passion which incenceth you but only my bad expressions of it which angers you I will not Madam speak anie more and be contented to let you know it by my looks by my services and by all my actions If you had done thus before replied she we had been friends but since what 's past cannot be undone I must do as I resolved And indeed this was all that Thrasiles could obtaine of Lysidice that daie and he parted from her in a belief that she would cast him off Lysidice also for her part thinking to see him no more After Thrasiles was gone from her he came to me who was extreamly desirous and impatient to know who this friend was who Lysidice was so much out with Well Thrasiles said I unto him do you now know the name of him unto whom you have done such ill offices Yes Lyriana said he I do know him and I come hither to tell you and to desire your pitie for him You see then replied I that I did not lie Nor do I think said She that you told the truth For Heavens sake said I unto him explain this riddle Thrasiles then seeing I was very earnest with him and hoping for some pitie from me began to acquaint me with his love to Lysidice and afterwards to tell me of the passage between them letting me understand that this friend whom Lysidice would banish and himself were both one and the same Thrasiles had no sooner told me this but I began extreamly to pitie him Alas Thrasiles said I unto him how infinitely do I pitie you for being
so much and whether Atergatis acquainted you with what he said unto me in the gardens of Semiramis when you have related your conference sister with Atergatis answered Intaphernes I shall then relate unto you mine with him Istrina hearing her brother say so began to tell him very ingenuously all that Atergatis said unto her so that Intaphernes finding her words concur with what his friend had told him he acquainted Istrina with all he knew concerning his Combate and his Love and did so highly applaud the generosity of Atergatis and hate the injustice of the Assyrian Prince as he did what he could to make her love the first and hate the second And certainly there was no great difficulty in effecting his design for the Princess Istrina thought her selfe so obliged unto Atergatis for hazarding his life to prevent Armatrites from carrying her away and was so mortally offended at the Prince of Assyria that there could not be greater dispositions both to love and to hate then was in her heart So that not resisting the desires of Intaphernes which were that she should content her selfe with the Dominion of Atergatis his heart and reject the Assyrian Throne they consulted together how they should negotiate with Nitocris but since they could not acquaint her with this last piece of injustice in the Prince her sonne without extreamly grieving her and without exposing Atergatis to the fury of that robustuous Prince if he should come to know it they could not resolve upon that course so that Intaphernes disposed himselfe to return unto Atergatis As he was ready to leave the Princess Istrina shee kept him a little longer But brother said she unto him and blusht doe you intend to acquaint Atergatis that you have told me how he loves me I must acquaint him Sister answered hee if I would be welcome to him However replyed she I beseech you do not tell him that you have perswaded me unto any thing I cannot tell said he and smiled whether I should or no for it would not be very advantageous for mee to let him know that you would not give any credite unto my words To save your honour replyed she you may tell him that I did not doubt of your words but because I suspected his for truly brother if you put me to the necessity of receiving Atergatis as a Lover and as a declared Lover too you will expose me to the greatest perplexity in the world I pray Sister said he unto her what would you have mee tell him would you have me so damp all his hopes that he shall never dare to tell you that he loves you or would you only oblige me not to deprive you of the delight in hearing it from his owne mouth which you cannot so pleasingly receive from mine You know so well brother what I would have you say replyed she that I need not tell you what words you what words you should use all I require of you is that you would not engage me into any Conference of open Gallantry unless you would have me use that man over well unto whom I am extreamly obliged After this Intaphernes went out of Istrinas Chambers and returned to Atergatis unto whom he related all the passages between the Queen and him also what the Prince of Assyria sayd unto him and what the Princess Istrina answered him to the end he might prepare himself when things were brought to such a pass as he might see her to fit his talk unto her desires In the mean time the Prince of Assyria used all his arguments to perswade the Qeen that the Combate of Atergatis ought rather to incense then oblige her but he could not do it On the contrary the Queen took this occasion to tell him that he affected alwayes to hate whatsoever she loved and whosoever loved her and spoke so sharply as he went out very ill satisfyed And he was that day in such a huffing Chafe and gave such harsh language unto Intaphernes as that Prince as wise and respective as he was did reply so sharply as the Prince of Assyria commanded him to keep out of his sight In the mean time the Queen to calme this Storm sent Atergatis word that considering the violence of the Prince her Son she should be glad if he would depart the Court for a while untill she had appeased the Kindred of Armatrites and till she had sweetned the spirit of the Assyrian Prince So that Atergatis out of his respects and obedience unto the Queen prepared for a departure out of Babylon But since he could not go before ht took his leave of the Princess Istrina he intreated the Prince Intaphernes to obtain that permission for him No no answered that Prince you must not do so and it seems that you do not perfectly know the person whom you love since you do not think it requisite to deceave her and that way oblige her unto such a business as this but that you may receive your desired satisfaction I will put an innocent Fallacy upon her Atergatis then thanked Intaphernes and told him that his fear was that he should esteem him more then he loved his Sister However sayd he I am sure you have obliged me more then ever she did In the mean time Intaphernes to keep his word with Atergatis did perswade the Princess his sister the next morning to go walk in a Garden which is upon the Banks of the River Euphrates telling her that now she need not fear to go out of the Pallace since the Prince of Assyria had no more men with whom he could chaffer to carry her away Yet Istrina did a long time deny him but Intaphernes was so very earnest as she did suspect some hidden Design in it but her curiosity having got the mastery of her mind she resolved to suffer herself to be deluded And indeed the next day Intaphernes carryed the Princess his Sister unto the Garden which he propounded where Atergatis by break of day had got before them and stayed there untill Evening For since the Owner of that place was an intimate friend nnto Intaphernes he was very safe there so that the man carrying Atergatis in a great and magnificent Closet he watched there very conveniently for the Princess Istrina In the mean time she was no sooner come into the Garden but Intaphernes motioned to go and see the house But sayd she unto him You propounded to bring me out to walk and now you have no will unto it If it were best to be in a house certainly it were best to be in the Queens Palace which I beleive is much better then that you would have me go into yet Sister replyed Intaphernes you shall see somthing in the house which you could not in the Queens After he had sayd so he carried Istrina into a great Hall from thence into a Chamber which looked into a great pleasant Meadow so that finding this Prospective very delectable she looked ovt of a
the Army under the name of Philidespes at the same time when Cyrus under the name of Artamenes got victory upon victory in the Wars then against the Kings of Pontus and Phrygia So that this man considering the importance of his Prisoner did look very carefully to him and acquainted Arsamones who no sooner knew it but he came presently from Heraclea to the place I mentioned before to the end he might the better dive into the design which the King of Assyria might have in coming into Bythinia But being a Prince who never used to impart his thoughts unless there was an absolute necessity for it he kept this intelligence very close so that though the Village where the Court was was within fifty furlongs from this Castle yet we knew not who was in it nor why we were there In the mean time since Arsamones was concerned in all the harsh usage of the Assyrian King heretofore unto Intaphernes and Istrina he should not have any great disposition to treat this Prince very well Yet since the rule of all his actions was only his own interest he never had any Friend with whom he would not break if it wovld be advantageous for him nor ever had he any Enemy unto whom he would not reconcile himself upon the same reason so that having this Prince in his power he considered what use might be made of him Then he apprehended that when Cyrus had released you Madam his desires of bringing all Asia into subjection would move him to make War upon himself and the Princesse Araminta would prompt him to it for he knew not yet how the Prince Phruartes had carryed her away Arsamones then considering all these things he thought fit to give the valour of Cyrus some employment and to make unto himself an Allie so brave and couragious as the King of Assyria was Then his design was to propound unto him a marriage with the Princess Istrina and for the better acceptance he offered to kindle a Rebellion in Babylon by some correspondencies which he had there and to joyn with him against all his Enemies For knowing very well that Gadates was very zealous for this Match and seeing there was no hopes for Spitridates he thought it would not be a hard matter to bring Istrina unto obedience Moreover since he had indeed discovered that Intaphernes was in Love with the Princess his Daughter his plot was to give her unto him upon condition he would moove Istrina to marry the King of Assyria And upon that condition he would solemnly declare that Spitridates should never be King either of Pontus or Bythinia And in order to this he sent Atergatis unto Chalcedonia under a pretence of some popular stirrs there which indeed were already appeased to the end his presence might be no obstacle to his design Atergatis then was no sooner gone but Arsamones went to see the King of Assyria whom he treated with as high Civilities as if he were upon his own Throne But Madam I cannot tell whether I ought to go on with my relation and whether you will think good I should speak so particularly of a Princes love who hath been a cause of your many miseries Yet the King of Assyria's busines is so intertwisted with the history of Intaphernes Atergatis Istrina and the Princess of Bythinia as I cannot relate the one without the other Since they are inseparable replyed Mandana I had rather hear you speak of a Prince whom I do not love then not to know the sequell of their Adventures whom I do infinitely esteem Besides you know that sometimes one may be as inquisitive of the actions of an Enemy as of Friends Therefore Orcames I pray tell me all the passages in Bythinia as if I had not interest in them and as if I did not hate the King of Assyria Upon this command Orcames went on with his relatiou Arsamones then being with the King of Assyria and treating him as I told you with all possible Civilities did at first condole his misfortunes and after many obliging expressions told him that it should only be long of himself if he were not more happy Then he offered to cause a Revolt in Babylon to give him a considerable Army And that he would joyn inseparably with him to oppose the Conquests of Cyrus provided he would marry Istrina as the Queen Nitocris wished As soon as Arsamones had done speaking the King of Assyria did sharply answer that hee would most willingly accept of his Proposition without the Condition annexed to it butotherwise he could never think of it For indeed said he unto him since I could not love Istrina at a time when I was in Love with none Certainly I can never love her now when I am in love with the fairest and most divine Princess that ever lived Therefore never offer me such a thing as I cannot accept of but let me go and seek out the King of Pontus who hath ravished away the Princess whom I adore and that I may gratifie you for my liberty by ridding you of an Enemy who will be a perpetuall thorn in the Crowns that you have conquered Since Cyrus seeks him with a hundred thousand men replyed Arsamones it is probable he will find him before you Sir Therefore I beseech you let not that be any hinderance unto your acceptance of this advantageous Proposition The King of Assyria hearing Arsamones say so did think he jeered at him and began to be angry And Arsamones being as violent as he this Conversation which began with Civilities was like to end with Injuries Yet the King of Bythinia thought his design might take and that desire of liberty might bring the King of Assyria unto his Bent so that desiring to prepare Intaphernes for his ends he took him aside the same night and after he had told him how the King of Assyria was his prisoner he began to propound the marriage of Istrina with him Arsamones had no sooner pronounced those words but Intaphernes being transported with som violence How hath Sir said he unto him can I ever consent my Sister should ever marry a Prince who hath most injuriously affronted me and that she should cast off one who is my intimate friend Fye no Sir it is not possible nor do I take the heart of Istrina to be so base as to have any such thoughts though the King of Assyria were upon his Throne Be not so hasty replyed Intaphernes coldly and to let you see that I know a way how to make you like the motion know that if you do perswade Istrina unto my desires and unto what you know very well the Prince your Father desires I will consent you shall marry my Daughter whom I know you love upon condition notwithstanding that you promise me never to restore the Kingdom of Pontus nor the Kingdom of Bythinia unto the unworthy Spitridates This Proposition did so amaze Intaphernes that for a time he was not able to answer but
one of the goodliest places in the world and so Famous that it was a kinde of shame for a man of any spirit not to have been there and to be ignorant of what was there to be seen In the mean time as chance would have it you must know that Artaxander found in that place a company of Themiscyrian Ladies who came thither upon the same occasion he did to wit onely out of Curiosity Amongst the rest there was a Lady whose name was Clorelisa who was very pleasant and so is still though since she hath much been vexed This Clorelisa had neither father nor mother living and therefore dwelt with a brother named Belermis having no mind to dwelt with a sister which she had who was called Isalonide because she was one of the most imperious persons in the world To spare you the labour of describing her said Martesia and interrupted her I must tell you that I have acquainted Doralisa what she is to wit foolishly proud that she cannot be accused of too much Gallantry Nor is it necessary that you tell us what Belermis is since I have told her he might well represent the God of war But as for Clorelisa you would do me a pleasure in telling me of what humour she is at this present Clorelisa replied Erenice is opposite unto Isalonide in many things and resembles her in onely one For the truth is her inclination is unto Gallantry But though she seem to be very Civil and when she pleaseth is Complaisant enough so her Complaisance may serve her own interests yet she is as imperious in her Gallantry as her sister is in her way Moreover she is as full of revenge as one can be 〈◊〉 for she will attempt any thing to satisfie that humour being none of those who say that they ought never to be revenged upon themselves for she is of such an humour that she had rather do her self harm then not hurt them she hates However since Clorelisa is fair and witty and since her imperious humour never appears unto those who jarre not with her it is very hard to look upon her and not love her so that Artaxander meeting her at this Town in which are the ruins of Orithias Castle he was as civil to her as any well qualified man ought to be unto a Beauty and a Beauty who being but a child when he went from Themiscyra had now all the graces of novelty Also he applied himself more to talk unto her then unto all the rest of her Company But as these kind of meetings do often cause others so after they had viewed all that was to be seen at the Castle of this great Queen of the Amazons they designed to go unto another place where it was said that Hercules and Theseus arrived when they defeated those valiant warriers and where might be seen the place where those two sisters of that Queen the one named Hippolite and the other Menalippe were taken prisoners by those two Heroes So that Artaxander and Clorelisa being many dayes together and using much familiarity and talk there grew betwixt them a kind of league which I know not what to call For I understood since from Artaxander that his heart was never really touched with any love and that the affection he had unto Clorelisa was onely in his mind and truely said he unto me one day when I pressed him to tell me his thoughts of her to testifie that my heart is free I love Clorelisa because I would love her and I love her without any distemper But for all that amiable Doralisa Artaxander during this journey was as full of his Gallantry as his wit could furnish out If he talked unto her of Hippolite with whom Theseus fell in love after he took her prisoner it was to let her understand that he should have had the same distance if Hippolite had resembled her And if he talked to her of Hercules when they shewed him how he overcame the Amazons it was also to tell her that she was more valiant then ever they since she could get victories and make prisoners without any Armes To be short though Artaxander did onely esteem Clorelisa yet he carried the matter as if he were in love with her Insomuch as Clorelisa who had opinion good enough of her self beleeved that he thought as he said and looked upon him as her slave So as returning unto Themiscyra with the glory of her Conquest there was none who at her return did not think her much embellisht so well did her joyes become her beauty But amiable Doralisa before I tell you how Artaxander was esteemed at Themiscyra I must tell you that our Town being much divided into Factions there was a Family which was enemy unto that of Artaxander whose eldest sonne named Tysimenes was of the same age with him so as chance so ordering it that his Parents sent him unto the same places where Artaxander was So it happened that both of them being young both well born and never had any jarres one with another meeting both in a strange Countrey engaging themselves in the same businesse in the same pleasures and being farre from those who bore all the hatred they came at length to love one another and fortune sent them many occasions wherein they had need of each other and accordingly they were serviceable unto each other with equall Generosity Insomuch as these two reconciled enemies did promise an inviolable affection and went unto the warres together against Polycrates I shall not insist how they signalized themselves but shall tell you that since this warre Artaxander was called home by Amaldea and so Tysimenes and he parted But at parting they agreed that they would not publish their Reconciliation untill they met at Themiscyra for since the father of Tysimenes was violent and fantasticall he feared lest it should incense him and lessen the exhibition for his subsistence Thus this friendship being as mysterious as love it was as violent and tender In the mean time this Reconciliation made no noise in the Court and at the return of Artaxander the talk was that he fell in love with Clorelisa at the Castle of Orithia but not a word that he was become the friend of Tysimenes during his travells Then to return unto the joyes which Clorelisa had to think she had subdued the heart of Artaxander I must tell you she talked of nothing else 'T is true this joy was a little qualified by the sharpe reprehensions of Isalonide for going that voyage for though she went with the permission of her brother and with excellent Company yet she must needs make a strange hurley-burley about it upbraiding her that there was a hundred famous Temples in Cappadocia unto which she never had any Curiosity to see and yet upon a businesse of Gallantry she must go to a place where nothing was remarkable unlesse an old story of Amazons However Clorelisa being accustomed unto her severity she cheered
to desire But after he had concluded that nothing could either make him happy or Cyrus miserable May I not hope said he unto himself that the gods who have ruined all the Rivalls of Cyrus or changed their hearts will either ruine or change mee as they have all the rest Yes ye just gods pursued he you will either give me the Fate of the Assyrian King or else the Fate of Mazares Doubtlesse ere long I shall either be in my grave as the first or else become as vertuous as the second But truely in the choise of these two I had rather have the King of Assyria's Destiny then that of Mazares and I had much rather die the Lover of Mandana then live without her Love But whilest Anaxaris was reasoning in this manner upon the King of Assyria's death and upon his own Passion one came to tell him that Cyrus asked for him so as feeling some extraordinary turbulency in his soul he had much ado to obey him but at last striving extremely with himself he went unto his Chamber into which he was no sooner entred but Cyrus carrying him into a Closet which was within his Chamber he spoke unto him with abundance of Confidence and Tendernesse You know my Dear Anaxaris said he unto him that I have already trusted you with my honour and all that can make me live with felicity or die with Consolation And to testifie that I have not altered my opinion of you I will reveal a secret unto you which I will never impart unto any but you onely and which Feraulas himself that Dear Confident of my Passion shall never know 〈◊〉 for since he is in love with Martesia I will not let him know that the King o 〈…〉 Assyria is alive Is the King of Assyria alive replied Anaxaris and wondred Yes replied Cyrus and when you heard it reported that hee was very ill of his wounds and thought him dead then did he mend or was perfectly recovered for since I intended to keep my word and fight with him before we come to Ecbatan I thought it most expedient to let this lie passe for a truth for I observed that as long as that Prince was well all my friends were so watchfull over me that it was impossible for me to give satisfaction unto my enemy so as to be revenged upon him for all those miseries which he hath caused the Princesse and me to endure I thought it best to deceive the world and publish the King of Assyria's death to the end I might turn my fable into a history and fight him without fear of being hindred The King of Assyria himself desires it so as when hee sent me word that within this three dayes he would be within fifty furlongs of this place neer unto an old ruined Castle which he very precisely marked unto me I caused it to be published that he was dead And I see all the world is so fully perswaded of it that two reasons induced me to discover my designe unto you though one of them is now invalid for indeed I thought I should have stood in need of your help to deisingage me from so many eyes as were over me by a device which I had imagined But now I shall onely stand in need of your help to hinder my Rivall from getting Mandana into his power if I should chance to fall in the Combate with him for though I made him a promise to fight with him before I enjoyed her yet I never promised him to render her into his power And therefore my Dear Anaxaris I conjure you that if I be overcome to shew this Order which I have writ with my own hand and which I will leave in yours unto all the Princes and all the Commanders in the Army to the end that when they shall see that I have put into the hands of Mandana all the Authority which I received from Ciaxares they may the more readily obey her and oppose the King of Assyria for truely there is cause of fear that so many new subdued Princes will be ready to joyn with the King of Assyria to get out of servitude unlesse prevented by your fidelity I know very well your rare valour hath got you much credit in the opinion of the Souldiers I know the Princesse would be glad you should be the second time her deliverer I know your fidelity cannot bee suspected and you have heretofore promised me rather to die then leave Mandana in the King of Assyria's power I did promise it Sir answered Anaxaris and I promise it again assuring that I am inclinable unto nothing more then to oppose his designe Cyrus being extremely satisfied to see with what zeal Anaxaris answered his desires did expresse himself in most obliging Language and afterwards gave him severall Orders both what he should say unto the Princesse Mandana and what he should do to keep her safe in case he were overcome Not but that I hope very confidently my Dear Anaxaris that all these Orders are to no purpose and that I shall conquer the King of Assyria But my affection unto Mandana is so violent and my hatred of my Rivall so great that I am resolved to fight him to his grave and therefore I ought not to forget any thing which may conduce unto the safety of my Princesse And therefore once more I conjure you to make sure of all your companions to prepare the spirits of all your friends and to flatter the Souldiers as much as you can Cyrus added unto all these one considerable piece of Prudence for he put into the hands of Anaxaris more money then he needed to appease all manner of mutinies amongst the Souldiers so that neglecting nothing which might prevent the King of Assyria from having Mandana in his power he spent his three dayes before the Combate in continuall cares yet they were cares as appeared unto none but Anaxaris and Cyrus was such a perfect Master of his own mind that whether hee talked unto Martesia Doralisa Mandana or any of those Ladies which the River stayed in that place there did not appear any signe either in his eyes or discourse that any thing troubled the calmnesse of his soul On the contrary since the River began to confine it self within its owne limits and since it was likely that within a few dayes the Bridge in the place might be passed over and since nothing hindred their journey but this inundation of waters they would all remove presently from that place On the other side Anaxaris seemed to be very busie but since Cyrus knew the cause of it he was so farre from being disquieted that hee was extremely glad he had found out a protectour of Mandana so diligent so zealous and so faithfull In the mean time since Cyrus had intelligence every day from the King of Assyria he understood that he was not farre from the place where they were to fight which was to be the next morning so that renewing
squable and a reconcilement In the mean time Ariantes being still more and more in the fetters of love and not being satisfied with the bare civilitie of Elibesis he resolved to tell her his mind But since her resolution was to cast him off and to engage no further with him he shunned being alone with him but still continued her complaisancy so as by this means she satisfied Agatherses and arrived at her proposed end which was to keep this Prince still in love with her as long as he stayed at Issedon only by being complacential and civil Thus as great a desire as Ariantes had to express the thoughts of his Soul he found it a hard matter to do and the harder because Elibesis had a friend called Argyrispe whom she entreated never to be out of her presence as long as the Prince Ariantes was at Issedon So that these two Ladies being continually together this lover could not meet with his desired opportunity Again since love cannot long lye hidden he came to know that Elibesis did not hate Agatherses but this in lieu of diminishing his passion did augment it and it grew to that height that he was capable of any undertaking to satisfie it Also he did so vigilantly watch his opportunity of talking in private with Elibesis that he found it mauger her intentions a few dayes after he sought it I understood since from her self that this Prince did express himself as passionately as ever lover did For after he had aggravated the Grandure of his affection he let her know how he was not ignorant of that esteem she had of Agatherses And afterwards he took an odd course of obliging her to prefer him before that Lover Moreover Madam said he unto her after much of her discourse do not think I will blame you for the esteem you have of Agatherses and for preferring him before all others For truely it was your choice before I had the honour to be known unto you and Agatherses is a most perfectly accomplished man so I cannot condemn what you have done for him before I knew you and before I loved you And to shew you that I am just I do not blame Agatherses for continuing his affection though he do know I love you because I know very well that you have not forbidden him But Madam as I am just both unto you and Agatherses so I expect you should be just unto me and that you will be pleased to take so much pains as to examine both my passion and his to the end that without any consideration of our conditions and qualities you may chuse him who loves you best But I beseech you examine the business very carefully ask both him and me the most difficult proofs of our loves And if you finde that there is a greater difference between his Passion and mine then there is between my birth and his I consent you should believe I do not love you and that you should hate me Sir replied Elibesis I will not say that there is no intimate affection from Agatherses to me or from me to him for the honour you have done me merits more sincerity from me than so but I must tell you that though I should do as you desire and should find that you love me more than Agatherses doth yet I ought not to cast him off For truely Sir our qualities are alike and it hath pleased Fortune to put me much below you so as since I cannot imagine there should be any innocent affection between two of unequall qualities doubtless to follow the rules of reason I ought to be just unto your merit and not suffer my self to be dazled with the glory of captivating such a heart as yours Truely Madam replied Ariantes you cannot in more civill tearms tell me that you will not cast off Agatherses but know too charming Elibesis there are no words which can make me receive so cruell an answer without abundance of grief and anger Eloquence may indeed sweeten the harshest news and sometimes it is used in telling the deaths of dearest friends but when it is imployed to take hopes out of a lovers heart it is too too weak to do it without abundance of sorrow But that you may assure your self it is impossible for me to lose my hopes I declare unto you that I will never do it For I find such an absolute impossibilitie of living without hopes of your love that my very reason tells me I must keep it alive in my heart Since so Sir replied Elibesis and smiled It is in vain to wish you would despair and therefore I conceive it better to give you the liberty of believing as you please provided I may keep to my self the same liberty of doing what I ought and what I would If you doe what you ought Madam replied Ariantes you will doe nothing against me For truely though it were so that you gave Agatherses some hopes of happiness it was in a time when his happiness would not have been my misery But now when his happiness will be my death you ought not to desire it nor I consent unto it Therefore Madam I beseech you consider seriously what you resolve upon Moreover I am so well acquainted with your inclinations that I know ambition is the predominate Passion of your soul So as if the poore merits of my person do not move you yet I beseech you let my qualitie finde acceptance and make amends and let Agatherses pay more respects unto Elibesis as a Princess then he can do as her Lover Sir replied she much perplexed your language is the most obliging in the world and hath a most sensible operation both upon my heart and my spirits But since I must not dissemble with you Sir I must tell you Sir I have already told Agatherses I will never cast him off unless it be to be a Queen Therefore Sir since I am not your Subject since you have no absolute command over me and since I have promised unto him eternall affection I beseech you be so good as to let me live in quietness If you Madam would let me live in quietness replied he after he had studied a while certainly I shall let you but since you will not take it not ill I beseech you if I let not you but I conjure you Madam to promise me two things The first is that you will not marry Agatherses within the compass of one year The second that if in the mean time a King do come and prostrate a Crown at your feet you will accept of it and cast off Agatherses Alas Sir replied Elybessis and laughed How can I give any answer unto such an impossible supposition For truely I do not frequent the Court of any strange King Long live Thomiris our Queen and Spargapises is so young that I shall be old before she know how to love and therefore I profess I know not how to answer you Since the thing is so far from
talk too much of their Wives and since it was so short a time since he was married that he talked of her more like a Lover then a Husband It chanced one day whilst the Commissioners were conferring together a friend of Sitalces told him in the presence of Adonacris that he had more reason then any other to perswade Agatherses unto an accommodation and to end the War For truly said he unto him it is one of the hardest adventures that can befall a man who having been whole years in love with a Beauty should part from her three daies after he had married her 'T is very true replied Sitalces the Adventure is very cross and I must confess I wish an end of the War as much because I would return unto Noromata as because I am a Lover of my Countryes Peace Whilst Sitalces talked thus Adonacris spoke not a word but sighed in secret Yet this friend unto Sitalces being a man that would put a hundred questions and Sitalces being one who though he had wit enough yet was not so delicate as to know one needs not answer precisely unto every question which is asked Such Questions and such Answers passed between them as made Adonacris desperate for this impertinent friend did oblige Sitalces not only to relate his passion unto Noromata but all passages since his marriage which Sitalces did aggravate in such tearms as so sadded the soul of Adonacris that he was ready to lose his patience and utter such things as might make it known that he was the Lover of Noromata yet he could not part from the place where he was because resentments of love would not let him forbear audience of all that could be said concerning Noromata But at the last he gathered some comfort from the words of Sitalces for his friend asked him after a hundred impertinent questions whether Noromata was not as sad at parting as she was glad of his company And whether she did not water her cheeks with tears Sitalces answered him that it seemed he never knew Noromata since he did not think her able to Mistress her self in all things For truly said he she hath such a command over her self that when I married her there was not the least sign of any joy in her eyes and when I parted from her there appeared not the least sorrow in her countenance And I am perswaded she can love and hate to the height if she please without being discovered and when I parted from her she did so well hide her thoughts from me that she seemed to be neither glad nor sad onely modest and serious As soon as Sitalces had said so the discourse changing subject Adonacris retired to injoy the consolation of thinking that Sitalces never saw any joyes in the eyes of Noromata since he married her and this thought was the sweeter because he remembred how often he had seen joy dance in her cheeks and eyes when he had given her any testimony of his love and how by a sweet communication of looks without any words she imparted her heart unto him So that not doubting but Noromata was capable enough of joy and knowing by experience that she was not alwayes a mistress of her self since she had more than once in vain striven to hide her thoughts he therefore thought to his comfort that she did not love Sitalces when she married him and that perhaps she loved him still at least grieved for him So that his love increasing he was so vexed that he was married as he had almost as much ado to keep himself from hating Argarispe as from loving Noromata For truely said he in himself since my affection to Noromata is not brutish onely grounded upon sence if I were sure that Noromata loved me as well as I loved her though she be the wife of Sitalces and as absent as I am yet I should entertain my self with many a pleasing thought and injoy many a sweet minute But alas how should Noromata ever believe I love her since I married Argirispe since she knows not how I was forced to it nor can consider that my affection to her is the cause of it Perhaps she is glad that my design of marrying did not take effect since I was so apt to change but alas Noromata you are much mistaken if you think so for Heavens know I never loved Argirispe but still you and shall do ever But alas what should or what would I have Noromata do Sitalces injoyes her she is all vertue and I shall never see her again stifle a passion Adonacris which will do nothing but torment thee and be not so foolishly fond as eternally to desire things impossible and to love where there is not the least hope Adonacris had good reason to consult with his reason how to quench his flames for I assure you his love augmented by suppressing it and he was the more overcome by striving against it In the mean time the Treaty being ended as I told you before Octomasades and Agatherses parted both very glad that nothing was done But as Adonacris was going away Agatherses came to him and speaking in his high and excellent Tone I Pray Adonacris said he unto him do me the favour to tell the fair Elibesis that it is not long of Octomasades but me the peace is not concluded and that I hindred Ariantes from being King by a Passion less interested then that by which Octomasades would hinder Thomiris from being Queen since his is ambition and mine revenge Since perhaps you shall be the Subject of Ariantes Sir whether you will or no replied Adonacris I will do you so good an office as not to tell my sister a thing which may offend her but will tell it her from my self Alas replied Agatherses in a fury and went away if ever I be Subject unto Ariantes be confident that I will be a very rebellious one After this Adonacris returned a sharp answer but Agatherses did not hear him And the truth is he did so dislike the proceedings of Elibesis with Agatherses that he retained the one half of his resentment out of a thought that she had done him wrong In the mean while as the state of things then stood a battell had decided the business and quite ruined the side which lost it and therefore both sides were very cautions of fighting untill they saw a great probability of being victorious But since both sides had officers admirably well known in Martiall affairs Since Ariantes of his side and Agatherses of the other were both very circumspect it was not easie for either side to suppress each other Moreover since Thomiris hoped every day to recover of her languishing disease which her sorrows for your departure Sir had caused she would not hazard her Army And to tell you truely what I think I am perswaded she had a mind to keep her Forces for another design then to punish Ariantes whom she alwayes believed would be reduced into his duty
entred into her Conntry to break or burn your Bridg of Boats by which you passed over the River to the end she might be sure to have you in her power if she got the victory as she hoped she should by reason of those difficult passes you would be ingaged to take and that 's the reason as she told me why Thomiris does not advauce with her Army but will suffer you to pass over and come to seek her She told me further That Aripit s who is still in love with that Princess does bring her great aid But never was the like reports heard as of their unequalled pains which built the Fort which Ariantes erected and which is called the Fort of Sauromates because it was the Sauromates which made it for that people being used to work in the Mines in their own Country they can carry and remove the earth with such ease and haste that they will do more work in one moneth then others can do in four Moreover Gelonide told me how she had discovered That not long since Arsamones had sent secretly unto Thomiris and was negotiating some business of great importance with her And Sir she had told me further if one had not told her that Thomiris sent for her and doubtless there had been some combat between some persons of note for the Messenger from Thomiris to her said That there had been some disorder about a quarrel but since he did no further explain himself and since I was to leave him and depart the same hour with Anacharsis I could know no further But since Adonacris does stay a day or two longer in hopes to work upon Ariantes you may happily at his return know whether this great disorder will any thing advantage you Sir or no And Anabaris can also by him send you word what he can gather from his friends for he hath conferred with them and will send their answers by him After this Cyrus desiring the advice of all the able men about him upon a business of such importance he held a Council of War at which he entreated Anacharsis to be present but that Sage Scithean told him that he would be ever ready to execute his orders but desired excuse from medling in mysteries of so high a nature So then Cyrus assembling Croessus Artamas Mazares Myrsiles Intaphernes Gadates Gobrias Indatherses and all the rest who used to sit in Councel he propounded the state of things unto them At the first the plurality of voices was that Cyrus should send unto Thomiris to tell her he was ready to retreat three daies journey from Araxes so she would her self in person come over in the head of her Army to meet him so she would bring the Princess Mandana with her and so she would promise to restore her if she was overcome and so she would engage her self to give battel within three daies after she had passed over the river But Cyrus not being accustomed to go back and not being able to stir a foot further from the place where he was to deliver Mandana it was evident that this Proposition did not please him and he was very glad to see that Croessus and Mazares were not of that opinion but of his And the truth is said he to all the Assembly to go back before a Queen after our vanquishing so many valiant Kings were to dishonour our Army Moreover who knows whether after we have overcome them they will yeeld unto us the fruits of our Victory though they should promise it And whether in coming over the river whereof they are Masters they will not defend it with the remnant of their broken Army and hinder us from delivering Mandana So that to act prudently and with glory both I conclude it best to accept of the offer which Thomiris makes of leting us pass over the river Araxes for pass we must though she should defend it But Sir said Indatherses to him the advice which was given you does merit very good consideration For your Army cannot advance towards Thomiris by the Plains by reason of water and to pass through the woods where she hath built a Fort the pass is so narrow that I dare not answer for the event if you pass that way with your Army When we are on the other side of the river replied Cyrus then will we finde out which pass is best for indeed it is to no purpose to capitulate with Thomiris and to tell her that if she be overcome then she shall restore Mandana but if she be that will follow of it self and therefore it need not be demanded And though I should be beaten and my Army shattered I would fetch another and renew the war and as long as there is a man left in all the Countryes I have conquered or in the Countryes of Ciaxares or my Fathers I will still fight for Mandana's Delivery and therefore over the river Araxes we must pass some way or other I understand this morning that Boats and all things necessary to make a Bridg are ready and without staying for any answer from Thomiris they shall begin the Bridg this very day in the mean time I will send Chrisantes to tell Thomiris that I will ere long come and bring my answer my self in the head of my Army Cyrus spoke this with such a resolute voice that none durst oppose his will So that every one conforming themselves thereunto this Prince assured them that his resolution would succeed happily and indeed he made his words good for he bestirred himself with so much diligence and gave out orders with so much judgment and they were executed with so much quickness that the Bridg over Araxes seemed to be made by enchantment for the Boats were brought so suddenly and tyed unto one another in so short a time that the Troops of Thomiris did not know the Bridg was made before the Van-guard of Cyrus his Army was over 'T is true to deceive them this Prince caused some Boats to be brought unto a place over against them and began to work as if the Bridg was to be made in that place And whilst they were amusing themselves about this feigned Bridg Cyrus was making another much below the other in a place where on the other side there was no houses So that this Bridg being made without any obstacle there was two Brigades drawn up into Battalia by break of day on the other side of the river to facilitate the Pass of the Army if any opposition come But Cyrus needed not to fear that for there was such a terror amongst the men of Thomiris when they knew of certainty that the Army of Cyrus had passed the river as they knew not what to do yet the Commanders after they had a little heartened their men they forced them to march towards the place where this Army passed over But when they came there they would not permit them to attempt any thing for the whole Vanguard of Cyrus
in the Meadow and this year was a most rare year for abundance of company Indeed there was Ladies from all parts of Greece some from Athens some from Thebes others from Magares Argos Corinth Chalcis Delphos and a hundred other places and I do verily believe except from Lacedemon there was company from all the principal Towns in Greece Moreover there was Musitians from all places in the world which had any fame for excellency Indeed there was no pleasure but it was there to be found and more pure then in any other place for there was not a man who had the face of business or domestique occasions upon him all their care was only to divert But Madam be pleased to know that the hours of the womens bathing being an hour before Sunset as the mens was an hour after the rising Pisistrates and I came to Hermopiles when the Ladies were in their Tents So that Pisistrates having been there formerly he knew the custome of the place and we alighted from our horses at the side of the Meadow then went to walk as the rest did for since we had not come far we were in equipage well enough to appear before the Ladies Also Pisistrates who as good luck was was not in one of his negligent humours he had on a Country habit the most magnificent and gallant that possibly could be seen But we had no sooner walked twenty paces in the Meadow but an Athenian man of quality called Aristâ—n named us unto the company with whom he was and came to meet us with them and it being the custom of the place for those who came first to do honors unto such as come after they received us very civilly For my part being altogether a stranger I viewed these several Tents with much delight and informed my self from Ariston of all I desired to know But after the first civilities were over Pisistrates and I being parted from the rest with Ariston we asked him if there were any beauties of Fame there that year And after he had told us that there was many who were very fair others less fair others less then they and others not fair at all I spied among the Tents of the Ladies one walking alone very reservedly whose garb was extreamly noble and habit very gallant Indeed Madam I forgot to tell you that they use to dress themselves after a very particular manner in that place which truly is very pleasing and delightful for the habit of the 〈◊〉 is resemblant unto that which Painters dress the Nymphes of Diana in and the r 〈…〉 the custome is that since they must undress themselves to bathe such a dress was in 〈…〉 as was both gallant and convenient for that purpose But to return from whence I digressed I told you that I saw one walking alo 〈…〉 not seeing her face I asked Ariston who she was Though you know her no 〈…〉 r walk said he unto me yet she is one of our Atheâ—ian beauties At these wo 〈…〉 â—isistrates looking more attentively upon her and she turning her face towards us 〈…〉 w her to be Cleorante of whom I spoke in the beginning of my discourse and 〈◊〉 was Daughter unto Megacles a principal Athenian He no sooner knew her but 〈…〉 ed her though he had never spoke unto her for since there had been an opposite faction between their Fathers there was no familiarity between their Families Yet 〈◊〉 Athens was then all in tranquility Pisistrates and Megacles were upon civil terms though they used not to visit each other But Megacles not being at the bathe only his Wife called Erophile this did facilitate the acquaintance of Pisistrates and Cleorante In the mean time since this fair one returned her salute so civilly she obliged Pisistrates to talk longer of her and to ask Ariston how long she had been at the bathes So little a while replied he that if you had been seen privately at Athens with her I should have thought you had held intelligence together for Erophile and she have been here only two daies But how comes it to pass said I unto Ariston that Cleorante does not bathe For I finde her fair enough to preserve her beauty The reason is replied he because she is so fair as she think should wrong her self should she use a thing which has a reputation of imbellishing it I thought indeed said Pisistrates then that Cleorante was very fair at least I remember very well that in the time of our divisions at Athens I saw her one day in the Church at a neerer distance then now I do and I said unto one that I was very sorry Megacles had so fair a Daughter You speak of this in such a pleasant manner replied Ariston as would move one to say you had no eyes I assure you said he unto us that I have not eyes alwayes for that which I look upon for if my minde and my eyes do not hold intelligence together I know not well what I see As Pisistrates said so we saw many Ladies coming out of their Tents after they had bathed themselves who meeting with Cleorante began to walk together towards the Gallery and since we were very neer them we saluted them But as they turned back staying for other Ladies to come out from bathing Ariston at the request of Pisistrates spoke unto her I beseech you Madam said he unto Cleorante do not so soon deprive us of the happiness in seeing you but give me leave to present two Athenians to you who are sorry they have need of my mediation to make themselves known unto you and that they have not hitherto the honor to be acquainted Ariston being a particular friend unto Cleorante she stayed and kept one of her friends with her named Cephise and coming then out of the Gallerie with as much grace as civility If these noble Athenians said she would know me better then they do they must disclaim from those civilities you tell me of It appears very plainly Madam replied Pisistrates that I have not the honor to be known unto you since you think I can disclaim from what Ariston hath said unto you For my part Madam added I I think it is sufficient that the fair Cleorante does know her self not to doubt but that as soon as any sees her they must needs be sorry they saw her no sooner At least I am sure said Ariston to her that Silamis thought you so fair as he wondred why you should not bathe your self since the bathes have a reputation of preserving beauty Since I do know my self very well replied she and smiled I have good reason to think that your friend finding so little of beauty as I have in my face he thinks I should wrong my self if I should hazard the losing of it in a thought that if I should lose any there would not remain so much as would let me be endured I profess Madam said the Lady who was with her you do wrong unto
adores in the same Coffin which brought my Sonne As she said so the Prince Ariantes coming to her and hearing these words hee grew pale with fear and wonder So that his love of Mandana moving him he was necessitated to justifie his Rivall lest the violence of Thomiris should become dangerous Also shee had no sooner pronounced terrible words but Ariantes spoke unto her with as much reverence as sorrow you know Madam said he unto her that Fate hath brought me into that condition as I can never be a friend unto Cyrus but have many reasons to hate him Yet for al that honour bids me tell your Majesty that I can never believe that Cyrus did either use ill or kill the Prince Srargapises for he is one that stands more upon his glory then to have his hand in any base act and I must tell you Madam that Mandana being in your hands it is not credible he should ever do such a thing I know said she unto him that this Prince had no reason for it but I know better that howsoever it was he was the cause of my sonnes death and if I cannot be revenged upon him yet I ought and will upon Mandana and therefore added she transported with fury I take it ill you should set limits to my vengeance and justifie the murtherer of a Prince in presence of his Corps and unto whom you should have been subject For Heavens sake Madam said Atacharsis then stifle all these thoughts and let your reason surmount your sorrows for I am most confident that to morrow you will repent of this daies thoughts I have already told you replied she that I will hearken no more unto you yet tell Cyrus that if within three daies he will come and put himselfe into my fetters I will spare Mandana's life if he will not I will take my course and in lieu of seeing her in triumph as he hoped he shall see her in Spargapises Cosfin Anacharsis and Ariantes seeing her so incensed would have said something to appease her fury but abruptly left them after she had given three commands The First to set the Corps of Spargapises in one of her Tents in the hands of Religious men the second to double the guards upon Mandana and the third that Anacharsis should depart that very minute and not speak unto any one living And indeed this wise and victorious Scythian was forced to obey this unjust Princess and carry unto Cyrus the saddest news that ever he received since Mazares told him at Synope that Mandana was drowned The end of the Ninth Part. ARTAMENES OR THE GRAND CYRUS THE TENTH AND LAST PART BOOK I. SINCE Ortalgues was not with Anacharsis when he had audieence from Thomiris because he was busied in discharging himselfe of those Letters which he took upon him to deliver Those who were to see Anacharsis depart that very houre from the Tents Royall never thought upon him So that Anacharsis with those who waited upon the Corps of Spargapises went away without Ortalgues But when Anacharsis came to the last guard of the Massagettans which was at the strait passage in the wood and began to think upon the Gulfe of sorrow which the soule of Cyrus would be plunged into to reflect upon all the miseries of this life and to consider the sad consequences which do commonly follow all violent Passions How happy did he think himselfe in that he had wholy subdued all his passions unto his reason and that he was above the reach of fortune in scorning all that shee was able to do unto him and in applying himselfe only unto the love of vertue and study of Philosophy yet he stood in need of all his wisdome to keep himself from murmuring against the gods whom he adored for exposing Cyrus unto so many disasterous adventures But his greatest care was to find out such words as might sweeten that message which he was to deliver unto him from Thomiris yet that labour was saved for this revengfull Princesse imagining that Anacharsis would not deliver her message in such tearms as shee expressed did send an emissary of her own unto Cyrus not only to see that her message was fully delivered but also to know his precise answer So that though this envy from Thomiris did set out two hours after Anacharsis yet making more hast then he did he overtook him before he came to the Fort of Sauromates where Cyrus was Thus this wise Scithian had not power to lessen his sorrows by concealing a little the fury of Thomiris for he was sure that this messenger would speak her message in her own words However this great and miserable Prince no sooner knew that Anacharsis was returned with a messenger from Thomiris but his heart and spirits did begin to beat a turbulent and disordered pulse hopes and feares did successively raise and deject him There was then present with him Mazares Artamas Atergates Intaphernes Hidaspes Araspes and Aglatidas But though much inquietude and impatience appeared in all their faces yet it was easie to discern that Cyrus and Mazanes had such a curiosity to know the business of this envey from Thomiris as could not possibly proceed but from one and the same passion Indeed they had both of them such a desire to heare how that Queen received the news of her Sons death and were so affraid least she should have some revenging resolutions upon Mandana as they expressed their sorrows and their feares in every wrinkle of their faces They did communicat their sadnesse and impatiency by their very looks Though Mazanes did still strive as much as ever he could to hide some part of his resentments purposely to hide his love from his generous Rivall with whom he neither could nor would dispute for Mandana yet he had much ado But at last Cyrus commanded that Anacharsis should enter and the messenger from Thomiris to â—â—ay in the next Tent untill he was a little instructed what to say unto him Come wise Anacharsis said Cyrus to him as soon as he appeared how has Thomiris received you Alas Sir replyed he and sighed I would the fidelity that I owe unto you would permit me to disguise some part of that Princess sury from you But since you must know it and since this messenger will not mince it I must tell you that this unjust Queen did receive me so unworthy both of you and her selfe that even the very worst is to be feared and nothing that is good is to be hoped for Alas Anacharsis cryed Cyrus out so there be nothing to feare concerning Mandana Let fortune do her worst any way else and I will freely abandon my selfe unto the furie of Thomiris But what 's her greif and what unjust revenge does she draw from the death of Epargapnes Sir said Anacharsis then since it is not impossible but her mind may change since I left her I conceive it fityou know what this messenger will tel you before I impart what
Madam Hydaspes was so over joyed to know by this Letter that Meliantes was treated ill and that he had hopes Arpasia was not in love with any as he grew more in love with her than before yet he knew not what to do with this Letter for he conceived that Arpasia would hereafter know how it fell into his hands so as he told him who had confessed from whom it came and to whom they were addressed that he should take speciall care of not bettaying the secrets of his Master After which he went to see Arpasia having these Letters in his Pocket After she had talked with him of severall things she asked him whether he heard any news from Ciaxares or from Artamenes No Madam sayd he unto her but I have this day received a Packet which is not directed unto me which I will impart unto you in saying so he took the two Letters from Meliantes out of his Pocket and telling her how the Guards at the Gate had stopped him who brought them he told her afterwards that since the man would not tell unto whom he was to carry them he would first before he restored them unto him know whether she was that fair severe One unto whom they were intended for certainly Madam sayd he and gave them unto her that it must be unto some person of Quality Arpasia was exceedingly perplexed at this because as soon as ever she saw the Letters she knew they were from Meliantes to her so as to get out of this perplexity she told Hydaspes that she was so scrupulous in point of Letters as she would not see whâ—ther they were to her or no nor did she think it honesty to see too far into the secrets of others yet Arpasia spoke this after such a manner as let Hydaspes know that she knew them to be the hand of Meliantes but he was so joyed that she should think her self so little concerned in those letters that he could not choose but let his joyes appear in his eyes yet notwithstanding since Arpasia did not think he knew she had any interest in them she would have been very glad that they were out of his hands for she perswaded him to restore them back to the mâ—n or else to tear them in peeces Since Madam you give this advise before you know what they contain replyed Hydaspes I think that as much as I do respect you yet I shall not follow it If reading them will oblige you to burn them sayd she and took them I had rather see them and indeed Arpasia having really a desire to know what was in them she took them and turned towards the light to read them as if she had not well enough seen purposely to hide her blushes Yet all would not do for Hydaspes turned as she did and looked attentively upon her as long as she was reading these two Letters which I can shew you for by chance having them about me the same day Arpasia was carried away I kept them ever since and therfore not to trust unto my memory I will read them unto you that you may the better know what thoughts Hydaspes and Arpasia had that unto me was thus directed Vnto the most cruell Confident of my PASSION Madam I Wonder not so much at the cruelty of that most admired Person whom I adore as at yours nor do I wonder so much that she should never answer me as that you should write unto me to assure me that she will never write for since I cannot leave loving her I would delude my self and live less miserable and not run into mad despair as you would make me I am resolved to come ere long and see whether your words will be better than your Letters In the Interim be so good as to shew this unto her who raigns in my heart and tell her that it is so absolutely impossible for me to be only her friend as I shall disobey her as long as I live if she continue obstinate in so unjust a command As long as this Letter was in reading Hydaspes all the while looked upon Arpasia who seeing there was nothing in it which would admit of an ill construction did so well recouer her disorder that she began to read this which I shall read unto you without any agitation of spirits though it was intended unto her in these words Vnto the most fair but most inhumane Person in the World Madam YOu are so very unjust that no Patience can indure it without complaint for you are pleased not only not to answer me and to cause another to write that you will not write any more unto me but you command me by her that my love should turn it self into friendship and if I do not that then your friendship would turn it self into hatred I cannot tell Madam whether your Soul be capable of such a Prodigious change or no But I am sure my love cannot become friendship and no more Beleive it Madam I beseech you that all your transcendent Merits are not able to work this change in me But on the contrary know that be as rigorous as you can unto me yet I cannot choose but still love you After Arpasia had read this Letter she told Hydaspes that since it appeared it was intented unto some virtuous Person it was pitty it should be made publike therfore to prevent it she would be keeper of it for sayd she and smiled since she unto whom it is intended does not answer him who writ it I have changed my opinion do not think it fit to be restored unto the man who brought it least since it hath been opened he should abuse it Also it is fitter to remain in my hands than yours Sir for since she unto whom it was meant is very virtuous reserved I will spare her the sorrows of any ever knowing that any is in love with her I do imagine Madam replyed Hydaspes that you do know who this fair and virtuous Person is and if it be as I do imagine added he and looked her in the face I am contented to leave these two Letters with you upon condition you will promise me that she shall never return any answer to them or at least not answer them favourably I profess Hydaspes sayd Arpasia and laughed I do wonder you should speak thus for you know not who writ those Letters nor unto whom they were written and yet you would interest me in this innocent business Indeed Madam replyed he I do interest my self more in this business than ever I did in any other and therfore I conjure you to honour me so far as to promise me that she unto whom this unknown lover hath written will not make any answer All I can do replyed she is to promise you that if I do come to know her she shall not answer with my consent I ask no more Madam replyed he for so she will never answer But Madam pursued he and would not give
message for her in that Boat unto a certain â—slâ—â—d And in recompence of his Service she made him so fair as he was Thus without any other ground for this Fable unless because Phaon contrary to custom of men was not so fair when he was a Child as since he became a man all the people of Lesbos do beleive this Fable as really as if it were a very truth But Madam as Phaon is amiable in his Person so is he also in his humour and spirit for he is very civill sweet and affable and without too much mirth or too much melancholy he is all that is imaginable to please besides this his Aire is naturall easie and agreeable he speaks well and home to the purpose moreover he had a naturall inclination of Gallantry and there was such a sutableness between his Person his Humour and his Wâ—t as one would say they were made for one another As for Thimistogenes he did not at all resemble him not that he was very ill favoured but because he did not please and because his Aire was forced and constrained Nor was it that he is without any wit at all but because that wit he has is wrong biassed and he was very seldom in the right but is so accustomed to be in the wrong that one may be almost assured to choose well if they only take that which he chooseth not And he is very much addicted to love all excellencies and to Court accomplished men though it is beyond his reach to know them These two men whom I have described had long travelled together without any great affection or without much Society together for as soon as they came into any Town their inclinations parted them and that which pleased the one did never please the other Thus they wree together upon the high-waies but never in any other place According to this their custom as soon as they arrived at Mytilene they severed so as I also sought them severally but could not find them for as I sought them they were seeing others insomuch that it was the next morning before I saw them But as soon as I found the difference between Thimistogenes and Phaon I changed also as they had done for I loved Phaon better then I did Thimistogenes However since I was not the first whom they had met with in Mytilene I found them already informed of the great beauty in Sapho yet not by men who knew how to commend her according to her Merit For they had only told them that she was a great Wit and understanding Person and one that had a most admirable faculty in composing Verses But the wonder was that though the same Character was given unto them both yet it produced severall effects for Thimistogenes out of the curiosity to see all Excellences was extreamly impatient of seeing Sapho And Phaon on the contrary who had seen Damophile the night before as she came from the Musick house had no desire at all to be acquainted with Sapho and indeed he was so far from desiring it when I spake unto him and offered to carry him thither that he refused the Visite in lieu of desiring it But Thimistogenes was so eager that he was extreamly importunate with me to carry him unto Sapho though I would not because I found him unworthy of her acquaintance And I was as importunate with Phaon to see her though he would not out of a conceipt he had that it was a thing almost impossible for a woman to be learned and not ridiculous or at least not troublesome Also the little experience with Phaon had in matters of Love had suffered an error to grow in his mind which was quickly rooted out That it was better to be in love with a faire foole than a woman of a great wit So as one day when I had pressed him to goe and see Sapho and he obstinatly had refused I was very angry with him for not giving credit unto what I told him For said I unto him what reason can you give me why you will not see Sapho First said he unto me they say that Damophile is a Coopâ—e of Sapho Secondly I profess that if she be it is impossible the Original should ever please me for I have found Damophile such a ridiculous piece of follâ— that I would run from Country to Country rather than meet with her whom she resembles Oh most unjust friend said I unto him did you but know what wrong you have done unto the most admirable Sapho you would abhor your injustice and repent of the injury done unto me in accusing me of ignorance in true merit I accuse you not said he unto me but friend you know every one has a severall gust and a severall fancy and for my part I desire only the sight of such Ladies as will divert me and not teach me for I am most terribly afraid of such as swell themselves into bigg words for small matters such as are alwayes upon the top of Parnassus and never talk unto men but in the language of gods And if you will needs have me discover the secret of my soule unto you I must confess that in Sicily I was in love with a faire foole and I will not run the hazard of being in love with a faire wit who perhaps will make me despaire Therefore I conjure you to trouble me no more For if Sapho be such a one as I do imagine her she will make me most horribly hate her And if she be such a one as you say she is perhaps I shall love her too well to keep my self in quietnesse But is it possible said I unto him that you could fall in love with a foole The truth is replyed he and laughed I was not in love with a foole but I must confesse that there was such a faire foole whom I did not hate I perceive then said I unto him that one may love beauty wheresoever it is though in a fair woman without any wit but I cannot imagine one should love her person be she never so faire Also I perceive you do not know all the delicate delights of rough passion since you never loved any but a faire foole I know not whether I knew all the delights replyed Phaon but I am sure that I know all the torments Alas my deare friend said I unto him you are but a Novice in love for none are ever happy in it unlesse they be first miserable Those doe not deserve the sweet which will not tast the bitter a thing must be desired with inquietude before it can be enjoyed with delight and before one can know all the sweets of love he must love a woman that hath wit For my part continued I I love a faire Picture which cannot talk foolishly better then a faire woman who tattles and committs a thousand impertinencies As we were thus talking Themistogenes came in whose mind being opposite unto Phaons he entreated me to carry him
all Friendship yet I thought my self not at all the more miserable for since I knew that I had some share in her esteem and that she promised me her friendship I thought that I might pretend unto her love But to carry it according to the common Maximes of all prudent Lovers I did not declare my self at the first but stayed untill her heart was a little engaged before I openly told and divulged that I was in love with her However I was very assiduous in my Visits and courted her with all imaginable submissions for the friendship which men held with her did exact from them the same services almost that Love did and I was so happy in my behaviour that in a short time she did me the favour to admit me into the catalogue of her friends yet I must confess this rank did not altogether please me for since she was ranked higher in my heart I could not be contented with that rank which I had in hers The truth is I flattered up my self with hopes that as soon as she knew I loved her she would then distinguish me from the rest and though I know she made open profession never to admit of any Gallantry yet as one is apt to flatter ones self with what they love so I thought that I might happily be excepted out of that generall rule So as not being able to endure this cruell incertainty I resolved to discover my passion unto her and I resolved upon it after I had spent a whole day with her in extream melancholy for I was perswaded that all her friends would at other times be so much about her that I could not find a fitter opportunity So as I staying the last with her I began to speak unto her and desired her to tell me whether I was as much in her heart that day as I had been in her Chamber Doubtless you are replyed she as all my friends are Oh Madam sayd I there is no justice I should be thronged with such a croud of friends in your heart since you are single and alone in mine and therfore Madam I must either be excluded out of your heart or else all those men you croud with me in it must for otherwise I must confess that I cannot be at any rest there Alas Madam continued I and would not give her time to answer me it is extream injustice to mix me with them for I am not of their rank nor are my thoughts like theirs Indeed I am so far from entertaining you as some of them do with my ambition that I do declare the height of my ambition I to be loved by you I am so far from telling you of any Intrigues and Caballs like theirs that I will never be of any in which you are not I have so little to do with domestick business and cares that I never think of any but what you have caused in me and so far am I from talking of any love which I bear unto others that I can talk of nothing but my love to you and therfore Madam I beseech you judg whether it be just you should rank me amongst such men as nothing resemble me Doubtless it is not replyed she and smiled for if you be such as you say I must exclude you from my heart and admit another in your room for it were not just added she by way of rallary that I should banish a hundred out of it to admit of one but much better it is to banish the one and keep the hundred and therfore Meriontes It is in your own choise if you be my friend as I ever thought you be quiet in my heart as all the rest of my friends are but if you be not take it not ill if I do exclude you However since I do not well understand you nor will take so much pains as to examine whether what you say be true I will beleive you upon your word Since it is so Madam replyed I I beseech you beleive that I am not only your friend but your Lover also for I profess that I am not able to live in such a press of friends Since it is so sayd she you must out of my heart and you would do me a pleasure if you would drive me out of yours for since I am there alone it is very likely considering my humour I shall be very weary of being there Madam sayd I unto her you answer me with so little seriousness that I beseech you neither look upon me as your Lover nor as your friend Seriously replyed she I know not well what to think but Mereontes if you will beleive me you will content your self with the Rank of a friend for I must ingeniously tell you that otherwise you must loose me were it a thing which were in my own choice answered I I would choose rather the quality of a friend then of a Lover for I see all that are under that notion are well pleased satisfied and at rest But alas Madam it is otherwise with me and though you should rank me in the first Sphere of your friends yet I must whether you or I will or no be your Lover and be so until death Since Sir replyed she you may happily be mistaken in your affection to me and think of it more then it is I will not yet exclude you out of my heart but will stay a little untill you be better satisfied whether you are only of a temper in friendship somthing different from others such a temper as being neither love nor friendship yet so like unto both that either name without injustice may be attributed unto either of them Oh Madam said I my affection to you is not of that nature for I ma most certain that friendship hath never any desires nor inquietudes nor jealousie in it Oh Mereontes said she unto me I plainly see that you know not what a tender and gallant friendship is for such friends as I desire will desire to be loved they will be unquiet when they have been long absent from their friends and be jealous to see any others about them But Madam said I unto her since you cause jealousie and have such abundance of friends I wonder they should not quarrell The more you speak of this tender and gallant friendship which I mean Sir replyed Dorinice the more you seem to be ignorant for the jealousie which it inspires is not of the same nature as that which Love dâ—tâ— cause is but on the contrary it is a sweet pleasing and ingenious Spirit which helps discourse which augments friendship which is never melancholick lumpish or sad and which produceth no other effects but such as make men more courtly more neat and more complaisant such as rather makes others jealous of them then they of others So as it may be said that the friendship of which I speak hath all the sweets of love without any of the bitters Moreover added she I mean
the Crown more then the affection of Sesostris she had all the joy possible yet she thought it somewhat strange that the Prince so full of spirit as he was should look upon her onely with eyes of civility But the predominate passion of her heart being satisfied she cheered up her selfe especially seeing that in all appearance nothing could hinder her marriage the reports whereof were so generally divulged that none made any question of it It seemed as if the ceremonies were to be performed at Elephantine at which the King was well pleased and she hoped her happinesse was now so nigh that nothing could prevent it But what she called happinesse Sesostris called misery and indeed his soul was so wholly devoted unto Timareta that the Luster of her fair eyes dimmed all the other beauties of the Court since hee saw the noise of his marriage was so loud as it might reach her eare he could not rest untill he found an opportunity to steale away and visit her and to that end hee went unto his Chamber one evening very timely and took horse immediately at the Palace Garden dore and went unto Tamareta hee knew Traseas went not to bed so soone as others because his flocks of sheepe were late in the field But we were much astonished to see this Prince arive so late with one servant which used to bring his letters unto Timareta who then was in the walk towards the Lake where the Trees not being very thick the light of the Moon was light enough A young shepheardesse who served Nicetis was in the same walke where the Prince came to seek Timareta after he had given me order to keep Traseas from interrupting them Sesostris was full of most tender expressions to her he offered her a hundred times the very same he did in the Isle where their love had originall Hee profered to renownce all Grandure Court and Crown so she would but follow his fortune And this Generous shepheardesse did a hundred times conjure him to doe nothing unworthy of that Grandure unto which he was raised and to propose nothing unto her unworthy of his virtue But say what she could he was still in the same tune and said he would never marry Liserina conjuring her not to let any reports or appearances delude her but constantly to believe that he would never be anies but hers Timareta contradicted this last expression of Sesostris but it was very faintly for she had not so much power over her self as to advise him unto a marriage with Liserina but shee told him resolutely sheeâ— would not have him quit the Court nor carry her away but when hee talked of his marriage with Liserina her tongue could not betrayher heart all her expressions were blasted Little and weak perswasion was in her Eloquence Moreover Timareta being very prudent she thought not fit to acquaint Sesostris with all the visits of Heracleon For since she knew him to be in favour with Amasis she thought it not wisdome to sow any seeds of division between them But on the other side she thought it not discretion to say nothing to him therefore she told him that sometimes as his hunting chase drew him that way he would call But since Sesostris had observed that Heracleons heart was wounded with the beauty of Timareta though she spoke nothing of it yet he beleeved him to be deeply in love But yet he feared not to drive him far enough from the heart of this lovely shepheardesse so that hee parted very well satisfied from her and likewise she from him considering the state present of their fortunes In the meane while Heracleons heart being torn in pieces by three unruly passions he could not chuse but open himself unto a friend of his named Tanisis whose spirit was not onely subtile but capable of all villanies and cheates in the World respecting neither Divine nor humane Lawes and followed no other rule of life but what would please or profit him yet did he appear in the eyes of all the World in another vizard and having spirit and wit enough he palliated all his villanies with virtuous semblances the better to compasse his ends yet had he no intimate friend but Heracleon onely but the League between them two was so great and close that none could be greater In the mean time as I told you Heracleon acquainted Tanisis with the present posture of his soule so aggravating the Grandure of his love of his jealously and of his Ambition that he perceived the miseries which he endured required extream remedies And that let them be what they would he was able to serve him First Tanisis who thought it more expedient to satisfie the Ambition of his friend then his love because himselfe had more interest in that passion then the other told him that at what rate soever it was he must hinder the marriage between Sesostris and the Princesse Liserina In order to which he must so protract it that Amasis who was not well might first die before it was accomplished since it was likely he would not live long It was thought that he advised to poyson him to the end he might hinder Sesostris from being acknowledged his successor and that he might be successor himself As for the satisfaction of of his love Tanisis could not imagine that the heart of a simple shepheardess could hold out against a man of Heracleons quality he advised him first to have recourse unto presents and afterwards to carry her away As they were thus busied and Heracleon saw nothing to doe but to put the advise of Tanisis in execution one of his servants came to tell him that the Kings Officer who had been unjustly accused for raising that tumult which was in a Town within the Province of Thebes desired to speak with him But Sir before I acquaint you with what this Officer told Heracleon give me leave to put you in memory that it was the very same man who found dying Ladice's Letter where Amenophis lost it and who afterwards let it fall in Elephantine where he was forced to retire untill his friends had procured his Justification After this Sir be pleased to know that when he came within two dayes journey of Elephantine unto one of his friends he fell sick with sorrow and to that height as a Feaver seised upon him which for some dayes bereft him of his reason but after he was recovered and enquired of the passages in the world he was much surprised to understand that the King had that Letter which he lost and the more to hear that Sesostris was acknowledged for his Sonne For Ladice's Letter not being sealed when this Officer found it he read it and remembered very well that Ladice told the King she had left him a Daughter and not a Sonne So that not knowing what to thinke he wondered that Amasis knowing the Princesse his Wives hand should not give credit unto her words for those with whom he was were
think my self deceived for indeed from whence do you think proceeds the fantasticalness and inequality wherewith Poets Musitians Painters and all those who make profession of the Liberal Arts are charged Have they not all their raptures Do you think the Rules of Poetry the instruments of Musique colours and Pencils are tyed to the same evenness of temper Fie no not at all but the very same temper which makes the highest Poets the greatest Musitians and the best Painters makes humours a little unequal and fantastical Moreover it is a gross error to think that one alters humour alwayes without cause or reason and most certainly there are reasons which are not visible unto others for when the imagination is quick and the mind very sensible a very small matter will be a great vexation In my own particular my very own thoughts will put me into a bad humour and when I am not pleased with my self I am never pleased with any nor can I please others But I pray said I unto her how is it possible that having so much wit as you must needs have to speak as you do you should not imploy it to bridle the vexation of your humour which alters the very ayr of your countenance and which somtimes makes the sweetest and most amiable woman in the world become imperious and as Peevish a thing as is imagineableâ— The reason is said she because I am such a lover of liberty that I cannot be a slave to my own reason in a thing almost indifferent and which does not expose me unto any crime and also my reason it self tells me that I am obliged to change my temper for as I do not know almost any one who has not some quality or other which is to be desired she had not my friends ought to bear with my faults as I bear with theirs This word Fault is very rough replied Thrasiles to express any quality that can be found in Lysidice If you consult with Lyriana replied she I am confident she will think the word mild enough Since you are not in your retting humour replied I unto her and that one may speak any thing unto you I find it so strange a thing you should be capable of such extream inequality that I think it not rough enough for you who can judg so clearly of others who can make such good choice of your acquaintance and who can hardly endure those who are but meanly qualified men Ah Lyriana said she when did you ever see me fret or vex but when I do see men that please me not or that I have seen some such or that I know I shall see them or that I only fear to see them I beseech you Madam replied Thrasiles do me the honour to tell me which of these four did cause the coldness in your face when Lyriana and I entred As to that said she and laughed I must ingeniously confess that I do not know the reason After such a sincere acknowledgment we continued chiding Lysidice who was in so good an humour that day as that she was not at all angry Presently after a friend of mine coming to fetch me from Lysidices I left Thrasiles alone there for Egesipes would needs carry me to my Coach and went with me I understood since that Thrasiles finding such a favourable occasion he would not let it slip not knowing when he might find Lysidice both alone and in a good humour also the last discourse with her did give him a good subject to talk unto her and since I knew he was in love with her I turned towards him at my going out and told him thus If to to your misery said I to him and laughed you be in love with Lysidice I would advice you to tell her now as much for in the humour she is now I think you may tell her any thing without fear of anger The counsel you give replied Thrasiles perhaps is more dangerous to follow then you imagine Not at all replied I and laughed still for as Lysidice useth to be angry at every thing when she is in the fretting humour I am confident she will not be angry at any thing when she is in the pleasant fit After this I went out with Egesipes and Thrasyles stayed I understood since from himself that as soon Lysidice and he had taken their seats he resolved to discover himself so that making use of my advice as a Prologue to the business As dangerous as the counsel of Lyriana is said he unto her yet Madam I will follow it And after I have a long time adored you in silence it is just you know what thoughts your beautie hath inspired me withal I beseech you Thrasiles replied she do you think that the sharp language of Lyriana need engage you to give me anie sweeter for I am confident she knows not what she said unto you nor what you answered I know not why Madam replied he you should speak so much of Lyriana But for my part I do protest I know very well what I do say and that I never in all my life spake more sincerelie then now I do when I assure you that there is none upon earth that loves you better then I do and that I never loved anie neer so much as I do you Fie Thrasiles said she unto him you have said too much to be believed for I am confident you have loved three better then ever you loved anie else Truth is the first passions are ever most violent and I think it may verie well be said that the more often one loves the less he knows how to love I know not Madam replied Thrasiles whether it do often fall out so as you say but I am most sure it is not so with me for I loved Atalia much better then I loved her who caused my first passion I loved Cleocrite much better then I loved Atalia and I love Lysidice much better then them all three Since you have told me the several degrees of your love unto three such amiable Ladies replied she and smiled I pray tell me also unto what point did you arrive in obtaining the love of them I thought I had obtained the love of the first replied he and I was in hopes of obtaining the love of the other two but did not obtain the love of anie of the three yet for all this I must love the fair Lysidice and not despair to obtain her love Certainly said she and smiled to love and not be loved is not so great a miserie as is reported since you are so resolved to endure it so often I beseech you replied Thrasiles hearken a little more seriously unto what I say and do me the honour to tell me how you would have me live I dare not undertake to regulate your life answered she but I shall be verie willing to regulate your words for truly Thrasiles you have spoke so much that I cannot desire you should speak any
more Content your self therefore with the qualitie of my friend and never offer to perswade me that you are my Lover Moreover I must tell you that you would not be so happie as you imagine if I should suffer you to love me For first you may be assured that though I would have you love me above all the world yet I would do all that ever is in my power never to love you again But I beseech you Madam said he unto her did you not condemn indifferencâ—e in Cleocrite 'T is true said she and I condemn it to you for I would have had her to love you but it should have been by virtue and not by insensibilitie This distinction replied he is verie nice but though there cannot be a more miserable condition then to love and not be loved by the person one loves yet Madam I would with all my heart that the fair Lysidice were once put to the necessitie of striving not to love me You see said she and laughed that I begin it now since I do what I can to believe you do not love me and that you speak as you do only because Lyriana hath engaged you Oh Madam replied Thrasiles do me not so much wrong for if you do I shall be induced to tell all the world I love you to the end you may not be ignorant of it Take heed replied she lest you do as you say for though it be true you do love me yet I had rather know it only my self then that every one should know it not that I would make any such secret of your Passion as should be advantagious to you but because I do hate above all things in the world that any one should be known unto the Court to be my Lover for if I would treat him ill it were good for him they should not know it and if I would treat him well it would be good for me they did not know he loved me lest they should suspect I love him therefore Thrasiles if you do not love me you ought not to tell any that you do since that would be to tell an unprofitable lye and if you do love me yet you ought not to tell it for whether I should be mild or rigorous it is equally requisite that this pretended Passion be kept close Then Madam said Thrasiles I will tell it unto none but your self and provided you will be pleased to let me tell it unto you I will be silent unto all the world besides I beseech you Thrasiles said Lysidice to him either hold your Peace or talk of somthing else for believe it my crabbed humour will come upon me if you continue any longer Then Madam it 's best for me to leave you before it come said he unto her And indeed Thrasiles seeing company coming in as he said so did retire not knowing whether he was more to hope or to fear yet he thought himself very happy in that he had discovered his love unto Lysidice but the Gods do know his happiness did not last long for this changeable humoured woman was so ill satisfied with her self after Thrasiles was gone from her and thought that she had spoke too kindly unto him as to repair that fault she resolved to treat him the most sharply the next time she saw him And indeed she was as good as her word for she would scarcely look upon him or answer him when he spoke yet Thrasiles could not that day discerne perfectly whether this rigid usage from Lysidice was only a simple effect of her unequal humour or proceeded from what he had spoke unto her the last time But a few daies after I gave him light in the business as I am going to tell you You must know Madam that going to Lysidice I found her in her Mothers Chamber where there was so many women that there was scarce any room for me but there was not one man amongst them all I cannot relate every particular passage of their discourse but I must confess it was not very pleasant for it was composed only of this and that dress and of such trifles and I may very well say that I never in my life heard so much spoken and to so little purpose I easily perceived that Lysidice was in a fretting humour and perceived it with delight because it was a kind of whetstone to her wit As she was very weary of this tumultuous company which went against the grain of her inclination one of her Cozens came in But the most observeable thing was that though this man who came in was far from one of the finest wits but of a very common form of men yet the discourse did presently alter and became more regular more witty and more pleasant though there was not alteration at all in the company but only this man who was none of the best Speakers The truth is though I cannot give a true reason for it they talked of other things and much better and the very same persons who before did weary me as well as Lysidice did now extreamly delight me However when all the company was gone I stayed with Lysidice who seeing her self at liberty did upon a sudden lay aside her crabbed humour and assumed her pleasant Well Lyriana said she unto me do you yet condemn me for preferring the company of men before the company of women and must it not needs be confessed that if all were written down that fifteen or twenty women together should talk it will be the most pitiful book in the world I do confess said I unto her and laughed that if all I heard this day were written it would be found a very fantastical piece For my part said she I am almost mad at my own Sex especially when I am in company whose talk is all of dresses of houshold-stuff of Jewels and such like not but that I would have such things talked of for truly I have somtimes so well dressed my self as I should be glad to be told of it and somtimes my Gown is so rich and well made that I love to hear it commended but I would have such things spoke of but seldome that they should talk of them handsomly as it were by the by without making it the main business and not as certain women I know who make it the whole business of their lives to talk of such things and never think of any thing else and yet do think upon them with so much irresolution as that they have not yet determined the question in their minds whether the Red becomes them better then the Blue or the Yellow then the Green I must confess Madam Lysidices discourse did make me laugh and the more because there was a Lady in Cumes whose mind was wholly upon such things and never talked of anie thing else whose greatest glorie did consist in the guilding of her Palace in the richness of her housholdstuff in the fineness of her clothes and fairness of