rest Leaue not that to me since but for my ill Which punish may and millions of hearts kill Then may I lonely sit downe with my losse Without vexation for my losses crosse Forgetting pleasures late embrac'd with Loue Linâ—k'd to a faith the world could neuer moue Chainâ—d with affection I hop'd could not change Not thinking Earth could yeeld a place to range But staying cruelly you set my blisse With deepest mourning in my sight for misse And thus must I imagine my curse more When you I lou'd add to my mischiefs store If not then Memory continue still And vex me with your perfectest knowne skill While you deare solitarinesse accept Me to your charge whose many passions kept In your sweet dwellings haue this profit gaind That in more delicacie none was paind Your rarenesse now receiue my rarer woe With change and Loue appoints my soule to know When he had made this and committed them to that keeper who yet would not be perswaded to set him at liberty but continued the more to molest him like a soare that one beates to cure yet smarts the more for beating So did Memory abide with him Then walk'd hee on to meete his friends who were all in their kinds as much perplex'd as himâ—elfe Amphilanthus alone and so the abler to be bold in speech began thus walking with his armes folded louingly for loue one within the other along a sweet Riuer Vnhappy man sigh'd he that liues to bee vexed with the same that once most delighted thee who could haue thought inconstancy a waight if not to presse me on to more delight Leâ—â— I till now any wherein change brought not vnspeakable content When I tooke Antissia thought I not I was happy in the change When I before had altered from and to that loue did it not bring a full consent of blisse But now that I haue changed and for and to the best alas how am I troubled How afflicted How perplexed Constancie I see is the onely perfect vertue and the contrary the truest fault which like sinnes intices one still on of purpose to leaue one in the height as the height of enioying makes one leaue the loue to it I haue offended all you powers of loue pardon me and if there be any one among you that hath the rule of truth gouerne mee direct me and hencefoorth assure your selfe of my faith and true subiection error makes me perfect and shewes me the light of vnderstanding But what talke I of truth Why commend I faith when I am vncertaine whether these will winne She alas shee doth loue and woe is mee my hope 's in this quite lost shee loues and so I see my end yet neuer shall that come without a noble conclusion and that her eyes and eares shall witnesse with my losse Dearest once pitty my sad lookes shall tell thee I doe loue my sighes shall make thee heare my paines my eyes shall let thee see if thou wilt but see mee that onely thy sight is their comfort for when from thee they stirre they must finde a new seat to turne in and a head to dwell in and so now they haue for nothing see they but thy delicacy nothing viewe but thy perfections turne from all to thee and onely turne vnto thee My soule hath also eyes to see thy worth Loue hath now fram'd me wholly to thy Lawes command then heere I breath but to thy loue from which when I doe swarue let me loue vnrequited but dearest be thou kinde and then haue I all blisse Why shouldest not thou leaue one since for thee I le leaue all Be once vnconstant to saue me as 't were from death who for it will be true I vow and this vow still will keepe that onely thou art worthy and alone will I loue thee Then casting vp his eyes he saw before him a rare meadow and in the midst of it a little Arbour as he so farre off tooke it to bee but drawing neerer he found a delicate Fountaine cricled about with Orenge and Pomgranet trees the ground vnder them all hard sand about the Fountaine as next adioyning was a hedge of Iesamnis mingled with Roses and Woodbines and within that paued with pauements of diuers colours plac'd for shew and pleasure on the steps he sate downe beholding the worke of the Fountaine which was most curious being a faire Maide as it were thinking to lade it drie but still the water came as fast as it past ouer the dish she seemd to lade withall and iust thus said hee are my labours fruitlesse my woes increasing faster then my paines find ease Then hauing enough as hee thought giuen liberty to his speech he put the rest of his thought into excellent verse making such excelling ones as none could any more imitate or match them then equall his valour so exquisite was he in all true vertues and skill in Poetry a quallitie among the best much prized and esteemed Princes brought vp in that next to the vse of Armes When he had finished them he sate a while still then looking on the Fountaine he said Deare hopes spring as this water flow to inioying like this streame but wast not till my life doth wast in me nay dye runne to my Loue and tell her what I feele Say and say boldly till I knew her selfe I was but ignorant and now doe know that only she and she alone can saue or ruinâ— me Many more and far more excellent discourses had he with himselfe and such as I am altogether vnable to set down therfore leaue them to be guessed at by those who are able to comprehend his worth and vnderstanding such may expresse his passions all else admire and admiringlâ—â—steeme so incomparable a Prince who for a little while continued â—hus but then leauing the Fountaine he went strait on and followed on his way till he came vnto a Hill the sides appearing rocky the topp hee might discerne greene and some trees vpon it he by little and little climb'd to the topp where in the middle of it he saw a hole and looking in at that hole perceiu'd fire a pretty way below it and that fire as if it were stir'd by some hands whereupon hee concluded that this was some poore abode of some miserable people either made so by want or misfortune which likewise might bee want that being the greatest misery Round aboâ—t the top hee sought but at last thought with himselfe that there was no way to see the Inhabitants but by some way in the side of this Rocke wherefore he went downe againe and halfe about the Hill when he found a little doore of stone the euen proportion of the opening making him knowe it to be so else nothing could haue disordered it so close it was appearing but like chinkes or clifts He pull'd at it but it would not stirre then he knock'd when straight a little window was opened and out of it an vgly old Dwarfe looked whose face
so obserue as their merits may purchase from him so great a grace as to be able to choose fittest loues his power must not be limited nor his gouernment mixed as if he had a counsell set about him or a protector ouer him his knowledge wanting no aduice his knowledge neuer knowing partner who is in truth all wisdome all knowledge all goodnesse all truth he must not haue it said that loue with discretion is the truest loue since in truth of loue that is but a bastard brought vp at home like a right borne child and yet is his iudgement such as hee makes discretion shine through all his acts but how as a seruant to his greater power as if your heart should command your tongue to deliuer what it thinkes but discreetly to doe it so as offence may not proceede from it here is discretion and yet the tongue is but the hearts messenger Leandrus whose end was to procure fauour not to contend wittily tooke hold of this last speech thinking it better to make this the introduction to his loue then any longer to waite or expect occasion offered which if once but let slip seldome comes againe so as letting her louelinesse and her owne words to be the beginning and meanes for his affections knowledge he answered thus Madam said he it is most true that the tongue is but the hearts messenger yet messengers from such a part are to haue and carry credence then let my tongue bee the deliuerer to you of the most feruent affection that euer heart bare to Princesse with the truest and vnfaigned loue disdaine not then my affection since I will with loyalty and seruice deserue your fauour as wel or better then any man breathing a Crowne I will adde to yours and the soueraigne command of Leandrus but what talke I of a Crowne to her who weares the crowne of all vertues My Lord said she I cannot but thanke you for your princely offer but it must bee my fathers liking with the consent of my nearest and dearest friends that can set any other Crowne on my head then that which my people haue already setled there and the consent of so great a people and so louing to me must not be neglected what vertues are in me shall appeare through the obedience I owe and will pay to his Maiesty and the rest therefore I am altogether vnable to giue you satisfaction any further then this It is you that must may say all said he Then can you haue no answer said she Why are you not cryd Leandrus soueraigne of your selfe by Iudgement yeares and authoritie vnlimited by fortunes by gouernment and the loue of your Parents which will goe with you in my choice These still are but the threads that tie my dutie replide the Queene but if they consent said he wil you eternise my happinesse with your agreeing Giue me leaue first said Pamphilia to know their minds and that can be no hinderance nor furtherance of your affaires nor shall my answere bee more displeasing to you then now it might be Your doubtfull answer will breede despaire in me cryd he It were much safer said she to doubt then vainely to nurse hope Then bent she her walke homeward which he durst not withstand though fearelesse of any man or monster yet trembled hee in her presence both they went and so continued both louing both complaining and neither receiuing comfort he beholding her and in her seeing no affection nor cause of hope shee seeing him but with eyes of thankefull respect without loue yet went he further and so still made the greater distance Yet was not this all for her loue was set not to be stirred or mooued to other course then whether the fortune of her choice did guide her She sigh'd he thought it did become her and so sigh'd too she grew pale and sad so did he wanting what he sought Shee oft-times would discourse of loue he thought it was the prittiest theame and answerd her in that Shee would complaine of men accuse their fickelnesse and change hee ioyned though contrary in sexe to speake of women and their slightings Thus they agreed though in a different kind and both did please because they both did loue He stroue by some pleasing talke in a third person to bewaile his case she would not know his meaning yet with wit would let him see she loued and not himselfe Cruell it was to vnderstand her affection was else-where placed yet sometimes would hee flatter himselfe and giue his fawning hopes leaue to dissemble and cast a glasse of comfort on him but glasse-like was it brittle although faire faire in hope broken to dispaire Loue violentest storme that can bring shipwrack to a quiet heart why doe you trauell thus to bring home gaine onely of losse Bee fauourably kinde loue should be mild while loue you are most curst and this did poore Leandrus know whose spring-time ioy was turned to winter-griefe yet still hee did pursue and so vnfortunately must proceede Pamphilia loyall louing and distressed because passionate that night after this discouery which though kind yet to her was displeasing when each retired to their rest shee went vnto her watch of endlesse thoughts into her chamber she hasted then to bed but what to doe alas not within that to sleepe but with more scope to let imagination play in vexing her there did shee call his face vnto her eyes his speech vnto her eares his iudgement to her vnderstanding his brauerie to her wit all these but like that heape of starres whose equall lusture makes the milky way One while shee studied how to gaine her loue then doubt came in and feared her in that plot his lookes shee weighed if out of them she might but gaine a hope they did assure her ioy then did her heart beate quick vnto that blisse but then againe remembrance threatned losse how he had lou'd might again chuse new False traitor cryd she can thy basenes be so vild wicked in bringing thus in mind what thou in goodnes shouldst haue cast away what if one errd must that bee registred what vertues hast thou laid aside which in him dwell and thus vncharitably bringst his worser part in sight to harme him but thou faylest now I know his worth and doe excuse that fault and here I vow to liue a constant loue and louer of his matchlesse excellence then turnd she to the window poore dull night said she keepe still thy sadnesse till thy Sun appeare and mine together shineing as light Darke art thou like my woes dull as my wits with that she laid her downe to rest but it 's not granted her it must not yet bee shee must more endure Then rose she and did write then went shee to bed and tooke a Candle and so read awhile but all these were but as lime-twiggs to hold fast her thoughts to loue and so to all vnrest which gouern'd her for till the day did
passionately in loue with her as Antonarus saw if he accepted her loue he must with that kill his friend rather then to doe so foule an act hee would seeme cruel and wrong and harme himselfe sooner then hurt him yet oft hath he told me that he hath from his soule wish'd my brother had neuer discouer'd his affection to him for then ignorantly hee might haue made himselfe happy in her whose happinesse onely consisted in him and yet was denied bâ—cause he loued his companion O friendship excellent vertue to be embraced and cheerished yet herein would such friendship had not beene Still did Terichillus tell Antonarus how he lou'd and how he saw she slighted him and yet cri'd he she loues would I were the Dogge she so kindly treats and playes with all or that little bird which she still kisses and carries in her breast or any thing saue wretched me my selfe so loath'd and hated by her Then did he comfort him telling him patience and constancy might solicit for him and his still presenting himselfe in her eyes might win if any thing could preuaile by loue At last my brother plainely discerned the loue she bare to Antonarus then he grew furious and for all these former passages mistrusted this firme friend hee finding it and no way to kill this Cancor tooke leaue of the Court and my brother at his parting telling him that whatsoeuer he imagined of him he should finde him true to him To the Lady he went not but priuately in the morning he stole away and pass'd many Countries with much honor but now comes the wofull part of this Story She seeing him gone and Terichillus stay quickly guess'd the matter then grew rage in her and whereas before she would vse him ciuilly for Antonarus sake now she plainely shew'd the hate she bare him who she beleeud to be the cause of his going that beliefe told her she must not suffer such an iniury that iniury being aboue all where loue was by it barr'd his sight grew odious to her when she remembred that with him Antonarus vs'd to come now she saw nothing but the foule Coppy of an excellent worke his presence made her see the absence of her sole content as the bare shelfes do of the ebbed Tyde and as bare without liking did he seeme yet could she not beware of the flowing ill which followed by his spite nor did shee striue to shunne any thing but his presence he infinitly louing she terribly hating let her passion grow to such violence as it grew infectious and he that but now sought still continued in search but of what Not of loue but meanes to beâ— reuenged of her whose loue he could not compasse but whose ouerthrowe he meant to gaine Eyes which lately seru'd to bring his comfort to him in seeing her are employd to be curious spies ouer her affections howres spent wholly in examining her worth and vertues chang'd to plott her ruine admiration of her goodnesse to admiring why hee could affect such a body of disdaine alteration so beyond expectation as vnderstanding when this happened was to seeke yet did he dissemble still and made loue the honour of noble hearts the colour for his wickednesse making his malice spring and ouergrow his loue as Nettles doe Violets or Hemlock Pincks yet did his counterfeit affection grow with it At last he wrought so cunningly as hee intercepted a Letter which shee sent to Antonarus which hauing opened and read he made the answer counterfeiting his hand so well as none could discouer it or know it to bee other then his the messenger he made safe for telling tales making bloud accompany his Treason Thus he continued heaping more ills vpon his soule then shels in number are vpon the Sea-shore alas that he were not my brother since I must thus speake of him or rather I would his last act had not made me the vnwilling and vnfit relater of his ill The poore Lady still louing him writ and with all the zealous affection shee could perswaded his returne with whom she would goe and bring him to the famous Duke her father where all honour should be done him He still answerd with deâ—layes at last or indeed his vnappointed Secratatary made this answere that good manners had made him thus long answer respectiuely but since he found that nothing but his company and marriage would satisfie her shee must be contented to be plainly told that he despised her forwardnesse and as much her selfe his heart being set already on one farre more deseruing then her selfe who deserued nothing of him to alter his former affection nor could merit any thing of the world if not by marrying Terichillus who affectionatly loued her and thus she might honor her self in requiting him and that if she desired to haue so much as a good thought from him shee must performe this or else to bee assured of a mortall hater of her selfe and house She alas whose heart loue had made tender and tendernesse pitifull could not but so much pitie it selfe as to breake with this vnkindnesse yet died shee not speedily but which was worst yet in a kind happy for her her woman wrought such meanes as a brother of hers found Antonarus to whom he discouered the pitifull estate of the Lady and what complaints she indured the absence and cruelty of him who sought to murder her for faithfully louing him This discourse made him resolue to see her and if it might be to saue her dying or shame of it working more in him then liuing loue could purchase so as he went to the Court where he found her ready to depart yet not past sense but that shee knew him or rather hauing only sense of loue tooke quick apprehension so as she looked vp and spake chearefully to him desiring all else to auoid the chamber when that was done she took him by the hand and weeping thus spake Antonarus what fault haue I committed that hath brought this cruelty from thee If extreame and loyall affection can offend then haue I infinitely offended But alas blame your selfe your vertues made me choose you your winning eies made me your subiect your worth commanded my fidelity you onely I loud and you onely murder me with vnkindnesse yet pardon me that I speake thus boldly since I feare my former boldnesse made you despise me Chide Loue alas it was he offended and I did but by directions write those Letters so reiected and despised by you He hearing her speake thus and touch vpon Letters desired to be resolu'd of that she admiring at his seeming ignorant of that yet loath euen at the last to seeme harsh to him told him of his curst answere and to satisfie him shew'd him the Letters themselues with the Copies of hers which said shee I had burnt had you not come as you did When he saw them no man could manifest more furious sorrow for he could not speake but wept and sob'd toare his haire
proue my lot O turne Say it was some other harme And not your still sought for Charme Did make me burne 4 Thus may you all blame recall Sauing me from ruins thrall Then loue Pitie me I le no more say You to cruelty did sway But loyall proue 5 Else be sure your tricks I le blaze And your triumph Castle raze Take heed Conquerours cannot remaine Longer then mens hearts they gaine Worse will you speed 6 You a King set vp by loue Traytors soone may you remoue From by Take this counsell serue loues will And seeke not a heart to kill Least both doe cry She heard him and liked neither his tune nor words her heart another was flying or staying but to flie further as taking breath for a longer iourney He looked towards her she from him he went as to her she rose and walked towards the Groue he followed and sigh'd she went on and was deafe to his sorrow he cried to her she was silent and answered not as not taking his words to her He ouertooke her and with teares told her his paine she was sorry for him and could be so her owne being so great Hee said her sight had killed him she answered he liued yet and she hoped should to be cured of that wound He said none but she could cure him She replide shee was an ill Chirurgion else she would not be vncured Alas said he pity me O pitie said she haue compassion on me It is you deere Shepheardesse sigh he can and must pitie me Pitie said she hath so little acquaintance with mee as I cannot inuite her to me how then shall I spare so much to you Your first sight said he murdred mee Alas that first sight said she should hurt vs both it is my case and certainely this is but a charitable paines you take to helpe me to discouer my paine which is so intollerable and past remedie as both with our best and I thinke addition of wits cannot relate or discouer I but saw you and my heart was made subiect to you I but saw him and I was his slaue cryd shee Would I were that He said he So would not I said she for then I should not haue this pleasure in grieuing nor tormenting you Why hate you me because I loue you No answered she but because I am reiected I loue to see others tortured I will suffer all tortures crid he so you will at last commiserate my woe I shall in a generall kind said she for I shall lament mourne and feele my torment such as I shall pitie all that smart and so may pity you but with no more fauour then a priuat man may take a Kings thanks when thousands crie God saue him Will you permit me to liue and serue you here said he I neede no defendants said shee and for seruants I haue those sitter for my command then you can bee but Sir let not falshood or beguiling hopes abuse you this is no life for you this no place for your abiding be your selfe and fruitlesly follow not what you shall neuer gaine proceede in your profession and as armed against enemies arme your selfe against this fond affection I wish you well but am vnable to aide you my heart is disposed of you a braue Knight may better fit your selfe with a deseruing and gallant Lady I wish you all good fortune but that now you seeke and as a friend aduise you to leaue this sute endlesse and gainelesse With that she came to a Gate which opened into a fine Groue she had the key and opening it went in yet at the entring turnd and with a sigh a scornefull looke to him and a slight curtesie bad him farre-well shutting the doore after her He as in that Country they haue a Phrase returned with a cold fire to warme himselfe if not with his owne flames yet straight hee went not thence but a while looked after her when hee perceiued her cast her selfe on the ground at the roote of a Hauthorne speaking to her self but the words he directly heard not at last shee sang with a sad voice a song the delicate Rossalea had once made she being perfect in Poetry it was but finished when an other Shepheardesse came to her as sad and grieued as she was no difference but that the former had the greater and curster spirit this as much but milder and softer she wept and had done so long this distressed Maid did so too at last they came nearer to speake and thus they discoursed What accident said Celina hath brought you hither Sadnesse and mischance said the other What procured them said the first Loue cryd the second the Lord of hearts and of yours too I hope and so should seeme by your lookes Mine eies and lookes are but true to my heart said Celina If they tell you so they are but the glasses which I see my selfe in said the other drawne to misery We are all picturd in that piece said she a large cloth and full of much worke While they were in this discourse a third came singing a song merrily and carelesly of either being heard or the power of loue it was this LOue growne proud with victory Seekes by sleights to conquer me Painted showes he thinks can bind His commands in womens mind Loue but glories in fond louing I most ioy in not remouing Loue a word a looke a smile In these shapes can some beguile But he some new way must proue To make me a vassell loue Loue but c. Loue must all his shadowes leaue Or himselfe he will deceiue Who loues not the perfect skie More then clouds that wanton â—lie Loue but c. Loue yet thus thou maist me win If thy staidnesse would begin Then like friends w'would kindly meete When thou proou'st as true as sweete Loue then glory in thy louing And I le ioy in my remouing Finely sung said Celina but it is an idle subiect you sang of because t is loue said shee because it is not louing said the other Louing cryd the new come Lasse then I would sweare 't were idle indeed why sweet Celina said shee I hope you are none of those poore Vassels his baby Kingdome consists of I am one if you call his royall gouernment such and I thinke one of his truest seruants Now in troth I lament your mischance said she it is a fortune I would not wish mine enemy yet your friend said Celina is fallen into it then pitie her and pray for her I thinke I were best said shee for sure all his subiects are in miserable case I am in it aboue helpe or hope of returning then said she both we see nothing is impossible I reioyce in your company smilingly said the first come Lasse and I lament for you both cryed the last And I thanke you both said Celina and for you I hope ere long by such an occasion or some worse you may fall into my fortune The Prince seeing all the
as day light Iust as Truth constant as Fate ioyd to requite Then Loue obey striue to obserue his might And be in his braue Court a glorious light 4. ANd be in his braue Court a glorious light Shine in the eyes of Faith and Constancy Maintaine the fires of Loue still burning bright Not slightly sparkling but light flaming be Neuer to slake till earth no Starres can see Till Sun and Moonâ— doe leaue to vs darke night And second Chaos once againe doe free Vs and the World from all diuisions spight Till then affections which his followers are Gouerne our hearts and prooue his powers gaine To taste this pleasing sting seeke with all care For happy smarting is it with small paine Such as although it pierce your tender heart And burne yet burning you will loue the smart 5. ANd burne yet burning you will loue the smart When you shall feele the waight of true desire So pleasing as you would not wish your part Of burthen should be missing from that fire But faithfull and vnfaigned heate aspire Which sinne abollisheth and doth impart Salues to all feare with vertues which inspire Soules with diuine loue which shewes his chast Art And guide he is to ioyings open eyes He hath to happinesse and best can learne Vs meanes how to deserue this he descries Who blinde yet doth our hidn'st thoughts diserne Thus we may gaine since liuing in blest Loue He may our Prophet and our Tutor prooue 6. HE may our Prophet and our Tutor prooue In whom alone we doe this power finde To ioyne two hearts as in one frame to mooue Two bodies but one soule to rule the minde Eyes which must care to one deare Obiect binde Eares to each others speach as if aboue All else they sweete and learned were this kind Content of Louers witnesseth true loue It doth inrich the wits and make you see That in your selfe which you knew not before Forcesing you to admire such gifts should be Hid from your knowledge yet in you the store Millions of these adorne the throane of Loue How blest are they then who his fauours proue 7. HOw bless'd be they then who his fauors proue A life whereof the birth is iust desire Breeding sweete flame which harts inuite to moue In these lou'd eyes which kindle Cupids fire And nurse his longings with his thoughts intire Fix't on the heat of wishes form'd by Loue Yet whereas fire destroyes this doth aspire Increase and foster all delights aboue Loue will a Painter make you such as you Shall able be to draw your onely deare More liuely perfect lasting and more true Then rarest Workeman and to you more neere These be the least then all must needs confesse He that shuns Loue doth loue himselfe the lesse 8. HE that shuns Loue doth loue himselfe the lesse And cursed he whose spirit not admires The worth of Loue where endlesse blessednes Raignes commands maintain'd by heau'nly fires Made of Vertue ioyn'd by Truth blowne by Desires Strengthned by Worth renew'd by carefulnesse Flaming in neuer-changing thoughts bryers Of Iealousie shall here misse welcomnesse Nor coldly passe in the pursutes of Loue Like one long frozen in a Sea of yce And yet but chastly let your passions moone No thought from vertuous Loue your minds intice Neuer to other ends your Phant'sies place But where they may returne with honor's grace 9. BVt where they may returne with Honor's gâ—ace Where Venus follies can no harboâ—r winne But chased are as worthlesse of the face Or stile of Loue who hath lasciuious beene Our hearts are subiect to her Sonne where sinne Neuer did dwell or rest one minutes space What faults he hath in her did still beginne And from her breast he suck'd his fleeting pace If Lust be counted Loue 't is falsely nam'd By wickednesse a fairer glosse to set Vpon that Vice which else makes men asham'd In the owne Phrase to warrant but beget This Childe for Loue who ought like Monster borne Be from the Court of Loue and Reason torne 10. BEe from the Court of Loue and reason torne For Loue in Reason now doth put his trust Desert and liking are together borne Children of Loue and Reason Parents iust Reason aduiser is Loue ruler must Be of the State which Crowne he long hath worne Yet so as neither will in least mistrust The gouernment where no feare is of scorn The reuerence both their mights thus made of one But wantonnesse and all those errors shun Which wrongers be Impostures and alone Maintainers of all follies ill begunne Fruit of a sower and vnwholesome grownd Vnprofitably pleasing and vnsound 11. VNprofitably pleasing and vnsound When Heauen gaue liberty to fraile dull earth To bring foorth plenty that in ills abound Which ripest yet doe bring a certaine dearth A timelesse and vnseasonable birth Planted in ill in worse time springing found Which Hemlocke like might feed a siâ—kâ—-wits mirth Where vnrul'd vapours swâ—mme in endlesse round Then ioy we not in what we ought to shunne Where shady pleasures shew but true borne fires Are quite quench'd out or by poore ashes won Awhile to keepe those coole and wann desires O no let Loue his glory haue and might Be giu'n to him who triumphs in his right 12. BE giu'n to him who triumphs in his right Nor fading be but like those blossomes faire Which fall for good and lose their colours bright Yet dye not but with fruit their losse repaire So may Loue make you pale with louing care When sweet enioying shall restore that light More cleere in beauty then we can compare If not to Venus in her chosen might And who so giue themselues in this deare kinde These happinesses shall attend them still To be supplide with ioyes enrich'd in minde With treasures of content and pleasures fill Thus loue to be diuine doth here appeare Free from all foggs but shining faire and cleare 13. FRee from all foggs but shining faire and cleare Wise in all good and innocent in ill Where holy friendship is esteemed deare With Truth in loue and Iustice in our Will In Loue these titles onely haue their fill Of happy life-maintainer and the meere Defence of right the punisher of skill And fraude from whence directions doth appeare To thee then Lord commander of all hearts Ruler of our affections kinde and iust Great King of Loue my soule from faigned smarts Or thought of change I offer to your trust This Crowne my selfe and all that I haue more Except my heart which you bestow'd before 14. EXcept my heart which you bestowd before And for a signe of Conquest gaue away As worthlesse to be kept in your choice store Yet one more spotlesse with you doth not stay The tribute which my heart doth truely pay Is faith vntouch'd pure thoughts discharge the score Of debts for me where Constancy beares sway And rules as Lord vnharmd by Enuies sore Yet other mischeifes faile not to attend As enemies to you my foes
youth Iusts Tilt and all other such warlike exercises being proclaimed Hearing this I would needs shew my selfe one as forward as any stranger to honour the Feast The first day which was the wedding-day Armes were laid aside and only dancing and feasting exercis'd after supper euery one preparing for the dancing againe With the sound of trumpets there entred one in habit and fashion like a Commander of horse who deliuer'd some few lines to the new married Paire dedicated as to their honour and ioy which they receiu'd most thankfully promising freedome and welcome to the whole company Then entred in twenty Gentlemen presenting souldiers and so danced in their kind making a braue and commendable demonstration of Courtship in the brauest profession honour abounding most where noblenes in valour and bounty in ciuilitie agree together After they went to a rich banket the braue Masquers discouering themselues were found to be gentlemen of both Ilands equally diuided in number as their affections ought to be to either and therefore had put themselues into the euenest and perfectest number often and ten But to leaue sport and come to earnest the manner of that place was that from the banquet the Bride must be stolne away to bed the meaning is but she tooke to the fields Most did misse her for there wanted no respectiue care of her but al were satisfied with the fashion correcting such as spake suspiciously and expecting to be call'd to see her in bed waited the calling But the time being long some hastier then the rest went to the chamber where they found she had not been This was instantly blowne abroad all betooke themselues to Armes who could beare any the Ladies to their teares euery one amaz'd and chiefly the Bridegroome perplext The old fathers vext the mothers tore their gray locks such disorder in generall as cannot bee exprest but by the picture of thesame accident Some mistrusted the Masquers but soone they clear'd themselues putting on Armes and being as earnest as any in the search I a stranger and louing businesse would needs accompany them which the fauour of a Nobleman with whom I had got some little acquaintance did well aide me in whose fortunes were in finding them more happy then any others ouertaking them when they thought themselues most secure being together laid within a delicate Vineyard a place able to hide them and please them with as much content as Paris felt when hee had deceiu'd the Greeke King of his beautifull Hellen laughing at the fine deceit and pitying in a scornefull fashion those who with direct paine and meaning followed them commending their subtilties and fine craftinesse in hauing so deceiu'd them Kissing and embracing they ioyfully remain'd in their stolne comforts till wee rudely breaking in vpon them made them as fearefully rush vp as a tapist Buck will doe when he finds his enemies so neere yet did not our comming any whit amaze them but that they were well able to make vse of the best sence at that time required for their good which was speech vttering it in this manner My Lords said they if euer you haue knowne loue that will we hope now with-hold you from crossing louers We confesse to the law wee are offenders yet not to the law of loue wherefore as you haue lou'd or doe or may pity vs and be not the meanes that wee too soone sacrifice our blouds on the cruell altar of reuenge while we remaine the faithfull vassals of Venus Let not your hands be soild in the bloud of louers what can wash away so foule a staine You may bring vs it is true vnto our iust deserued endes but then take heed of a repentant gnawing spirit which will molest you when you shall be vrg'd to remember that you caus'd so much faithfull and constant loue to be offred to the triumph of your conquest ouer a louer vnarm'd wanting all meanes of resistance but pure affections to defend himself withall and a woman only strong in truth of loue For my part she wan me my companion was by him gaind so as promising assistance in place of arms and helpe in stead of force we sat down together he beginning his discourse in this manner To make long speeches striuing to be held an Orator or with much delicacie to paint this storie the time affoords not the one our truth and loue requires not the other wherfore as plainely as truth it self demands I wil tel you the beginning successe and continuance of our fortunate though crost affections I lou'd this Lady before she had seene this yong Lord she likewise had onely seene my loue and onely tide her selfe to that before he saw her loue made me her slaue while she suffered as by the like authoritie I sued she granted I lou'd she requited happinesse aboue all blessings to bee imbraced Our eyes kept iust measure of lookes being sometimes so inchain'd in delightfull links of each others ioy-tying chaine for so wee made vp the number of our beholdings as hard it was to be so vnkindly found as to seperate so deare a pleasure Our hearts held euen proportion with our thoughts and eies which were created nursed and guided by those or rather one harts power But Parents hauing were it not for Christianity I shuld say a cruel tirannical power ouer their childrē brought this to vs disastrous fortune for discouering our loues set such spies ouer vs scorning that I being the yonger brother to an Earle should haue such happinesse as to inioy my Princesse as we could neuer come to enioy more then bare lookes which yet spake our true meanings after it was discouer'd This course inrag'd vs vowing to haue our desires vpon any termes whatsoeuer alwaies consider'd with true noblenesse and vertue Thus resolu'd We continued till her Father concluding this match shut her vp in a Towre wherein he then kept in her his choisest Treasure till this day of her Marriage which opportunity we tooke purposing More he would haue said as it seemd truely to manifest the vertuous determination they had in their accomplishment of their desires when he was hinder'd by the rushing in of others with their Horses Rising We discern'd the deceiu'd youth with some others in his company Fate like his Loue hauing guided him to that place In charity wee could not leaue our first professed Friends nor could I part my selfe from such and so true Loue wherefore resolutely taking my companions part defended the Louers pitty then taking the place of Iustice in our Swords the Husband being vnfortunately slaine by my Companion truly I was sorry for him and glad it was not I had done it But soone followed a greater and more lamentable misfortune For one of the yong Lords Seruants seeing his Master slaine pressed in vnregarded or doubted vpon the vnarmed Louer who was this while comforting his Mistris and not expecting danger was on the sudden thrust into the backe as he was holding his onely comfort
being perform'd the Pilot againe began to vse his skil which first had meanes to let him know that so farre they were from the place resolu'd on as in stead of the coast of Italy they were within sight of the Iland of Ciprus this not onely amazed them but much troubled them considering the barbarousnes of the people who there inhabited and their extremity such as of necessity they must land to replenish their wants caused by the rigor of the tempest yet were they come to such a part of the country as there was no harbor or port to ride or land at wherfore they were forst to coast the country night again like an euil spirit possessing them almost all tired and weary with the length and violence of the storme Some were laid down to see if rest would possesse them others falne asleep none enduring it like the excellent Vrania which brought comfort though in sorrow to the louing and noble Parselius neuer shewing feare or trouble incouraging all And yet she did feare but seeing his she dissembled hers in care of not further harming him She I say when all were gone to rest stood as Sentinel but by her owne appointment loue coÌ„manding her soule to take no aduantage of restfull houres which she obediently did sleep neuer but by loues liberty possessing her eies which freedome her passion had not yet allowed her but molesting her patient sweetnes caused her to walke vp and downe in the maze of her trouble The Moone though coldly smiling on her and her loueâ— she perceiued a great fire whereupon she called the company demanding what their opinions were of it they could not giue her a direct answer till being come somewhat neerer they pereeiued it was a Ship was falne a fire in the midst of the Sea and right against it a very good Harbour Pitty and noble compassion straight moued in them so as they haled to the burning Barke to know if there were any by ill fortune in her and if so to succour them but hearing no answer they concluded shee was empty wherfore passing on they landed in the Island which no sooner was done but their former wonder was encreased by the sudden falling a fire of their own Ship which had but deliuerd her self of theÌ„ and then as a Martyr suffer'd for the paine they had in her endur'd But this past admiration brought new sorrow to them considering they were in a strange Country among barbarous people depriu'd of all hope to get thence any more but there to continue at the mercy of vnchristened creatures Parselius wished but stil found himselfe further from succour of any but his fruitles wishes all his tormenting griefe being for Vrania Vrania did as he did iustly requiting his paine for all hers was for him All lamented and pittied Vrania and the dainty Selarina who mildly yet with a more Woman like manner â—uffered these afflictions louing and pittying Vrania being an obligation they were all in their hearts as they found bound vnto Leandrus sorrowed for her and bewail'd the two young Princes whose Father had lost his Kingdome for his loue to his Father which stirred in him a commiserate passion Thus all for others grieued pittie extended so as all were carefull but of themselues most carelesse yet their mutuall care made them all cared for Parselius with a braue courage at last aduised them to goâ— on yet left it to their owne mindes fearing to perswade least harme might after follow grieue feare perswade they did and all distractedly so much they feared and most was for Vrania so much can worth sweetnesse and Beautie worke in noble mindes His aduise was to goe on and this was allowed for what could hee propound that Vrania liked not of And if she consented what spirit could deny Thus on they went but as in a Labyrinth without a thrid till they came within sight of a rare and admirable Pallace It was scituated on a Hill but that Hill formed as if the world would needs raise one place of purpose to build Loues throne vpon all the Country besides humbly plaine to shew the subiection to that powerfull dwelling The Hill whereon this Pallace stood was iust as big as to hold the House three sides of the Hill made into delicate Gaâ—dens and Orchards the further side was a fine and stately Wood. This sumptuous House was square set all vpon Pillars of blacke Marble the ground paued with the same Euery one of those pillars presenting the liuely Image as perfectly as caruing could demonstrat of braue and mighty men and sweet and delicate Ladies such as had been conquer'd by loues power but placed there as still to mainetaine and vphold the honour and House of Loue. Comming towards it they imagined it some Magicall work for so daintily it appear'd in curiositie as it seem'd as if it hung in the ayre the Trees Fountains and all sweet delicacies being discerned through it The vpper Story had the Gods most fairely and richly appearing in their thrones their proportions such as their powers and quallities are described As Mars in Armes weapons of Warre about him Trophies of his Victories and many demonstrations of his Warre-like God-head Apollo with Musicke Mercurie Saturne and the rest in their kind At the foote of this Hill ranne a pleasant and sweetly passing riuer ouer which was a Bridge on which were three Towres Vpon the first was the Image of Cupid curiously caru'd wiâ—h his Bow bent and Quiuer at his backe but with his right hand pointing to the next Towre on which was a statue of white Marble representing Venus but so richly adornâ—d as it might for rarenesse and exquisitenâ—sse haue beene taken for the Goddesse her selfe and haue causd as strange an affection as the Image did to her maker when he fell in loue with his owne worke Shee was crownd with Mirtle and Pansies in her left hand holding a flaming Heart her right directing to the third Towre before which in all dainty â—iches and rich delicacy was the figure of Constancy holding in her hand the Keyes of the Pallace which shewed that place was not to be open to all but to few possessed with that vertue They all beheld this place with great wonder Parselius resoluing it was some Enchauntment wherefore was the nicer how they proceeded in the entring of it while they were thus in question there came an aged Man with so good a countenance and graue aspect as it strucke reuerence into them to be shewed to him by them He saluted them thus Faire company your beholding this place with so much curiosity and besides your habits makes me know you are strangers therefore fit to let you vnderstand the truth of this braue Building which is dedicated to Loue. Venus whose Priest I am thinking her self in these latter times not so much or much lesse honour'd then in ages past hath built this calling it the throne of Loue. Here is She dayly seru'd by my selfe and others
and seeing it to make vse of her light for though the sight which she desired was hid from her she might yet by the light of her imaginations as in a picture behold and make those lights serue in his absence Euen as the morning seemes for cleerenes fairenes and sweetnesse so did she rising that daintinesse wayting on her that the greatest light could say he excelled her onely in heat but not in brightnesse and in some kind he gain'd at that time aduantage on her whom absence held in cold despaire Quickly was she ready and as soone left her Chamber going into the Gardens passing out of one into another finding that all places are alike to Loue tedious Then opened she a doore into a fine wood delicately contriu'd into strange and delightfull walkes for although they were fram'd by Art neuerthelesse they were so curiously counterfeited as they appeard naturall These pleased her onely to passe thorow into a little Groue or rather a pretty tuft of Ashes being inuironed with such vnusuall variety of excellent pleasures as had she had a heart to receiue delight from any thing but Loue shee might haue taken pleasure in that place for there was a purling murmuring sad Brooke weeping away her sorrowes desiring the bankes to ease her euen with teares but cruell they would not so much as stay them to comfort but let them slip away with as little care as great ones doe the humble Petitions of poore suitors Here was a fine groue of Bushes their roots made rich with the sweetest flowres for smell and colour There a Plaine here a Wood fine hills to behold as placed that her sight need not for natural content stray further then due bounds At theiâ— bottomes delicate Valleyes adorn'd with seuerall delightfull obiects But what were all these to a louing heart Alas meerâ—ly occasions to increase sorrow Loue being so cruell as to turne pleasures in this nature to the contrary course making the knowledge of their delights but serue to set forth the perfecter mourning tryumphing in such glory where his power rules not onely ouer mindes but on the best of mindes and this felt the perplexed Pamphilia who with a Booke in her hand not that shee troubled it with reading but for a colour of her solitarinesse shee walked beholding these pleasures till griefe brought this Issue Seeing this place delicate without as shee was faire and darke within as her sorrowes shee went into the thickest part of it being such as if Phoebus durst not there shew his face for feare of offending the sadd Princesse but a little glimmeringly as desirous to see and fearing to bee seene stole heere and there a little sight of that all-deseruing Lady whose beames sometimes ambitiously touching her did seeme as if he shin'd on purest gold whose brightnesse did striue with him and so did her excellencie encounter his raies The tops of the trees ioyning so close as if in loue with each other could not but affectionatly embrace The ground in this place where shee stayed was plaine couered with greene grasse which being low and thicke looked as if of purpose it had beene couered with a greene Veluet Carpet to entertaine this melancholy Lady for her the softer to tread loth to hurt her feet lest that might make her leaue it this care prou'd so happy as heere shee tooke what delight it was possible for her to take in such kinde of pleasures walking vp and downe a pretty space blaming her fortune but more accusing her loue who had the heart to grieue her while shee might more iustly haue chid her selfe whose feare had forc'd her to too curious a secrecie Cupid in her onely seeking to conquer but not respecting his victory so farre as to allow so much fauour as to helpe the vanquished or rather his power being onely able to extend to her yeelding but not to master her spirit Oft would shee blame his cruelty but that againe shee would salue with his being ignorant of her paine then iustly accuse her selfe who in so long time and many yeares could not make him discerne her affections though not by words plainely spoken but soone was that thought recalled and blamed with the greatest condemnation acknowledging her losse in this kinde to proceed from vertue Then shee considered hee lou'd another this put her beyond all patience wishing her sudden end cursing her dayes fortune and affection which cast her vpon this rocke of mischiefe Oft would shee wish her dead or her beauty mari'd but that she recall'd againe louing so much as yet in pitty shee would not wish what might trouble him but rather continued according to her owne wish complaining fearing and louing the most distressed secret and constant Louer that euer Venus or her blind Sonne bestowed a wound or dart vpon In this estate shee stayed a while in the wood gathering sometimes flowres which there grew the names of which began with the letters of his name and so placing them about her Well Pamphilia said she for all these disorderly passions keepe still thy soule from thought of change and if thou blame any thing let it be absence since his presence will giue thee againe thy fill of delight And yet what torment will that proue when I shall with him see his hopes his ioyes and content come from another O Loue O froward fortune which of you two should I most curse You are both cruell to me but both alas are blinde and therefore let me rather hate my selfe for this vnquietnesse and yet vniustly shall I doe too in that since how can I condemne my heart for hauing vertuously and worthily chosen Which very choice shall satisfie mee with as much comfort as I felt despaire And now poore grasse said shee thou shalt suffer for my paine my loue-smarting body thus pressing thee Then laid shee her excelling selfe vpon that then most blessed ground and in compassion giue mee some rest said shee on you which well you may doe being honor'd with the weight of the loyallest but most afflicted Princesse that euer this Kingdome knew Ioy in this and flourish still in hope to beare this vertuous affliction O Morea a place accounted full of Loue why is Loue in thee thus terribly oppressed and cruelly rewarded Am I the first vnfortunate Woman that bashfulnesse hath vndone If so I suffer for a vertue yet gentle pitty were a sweeter lot Sweet Land and thou more sweet Loue pardon me heare me and commiserate my woe Then hastily rising from her low greene bed nay said shee since I finde no redresse I will make others in part taste my paine and make them dumbe partakers of my griefe then taking a knife shee finished a Sonnet which at other times shee had begunne to ingraue in the barke of one of those fayre and straight Ashes causing that sapp to accompany her teares for loue that for vnkindnesse BEare part with me most straight and pleasant Tree And imitate the Torments of my
much admir'd as admiration wrought so farre as to permit him to thinke that she equal'd Vrania this was a sudden stepp from so entyre a Loue as but now hee vowed to his Shepherdesse being an Heresie as he protested for any man to thinke there liu'd a creature like his Loue. But into this hee is now falne and will lead the faction against her Vncertaine Tyrant Loue that neuer brings thy Fauourits to the topp of affection but turnes againe to a new choice Who would haue thought any but Vrania's beauty could haue inuited Parselius to loue Or who could haue thought any might haue withdrawne it till this sight Which so much mou'd as he loues Vrania but for being somewhat like to Dalinea but her for her owne sake He was not so struck with wonder when he first saw Vrania though with it he lost his liberty as he was now wounded to death loosing life if no compassion succeeded this first sight wonne him and lost his former Bondage yet was he freed but to take a new bond vpon him He went towards her who with a Maiesticke yet gracious fashion met him who saluted her thus My fare leading me I hope for my greatest happinesse I 'm sure yet for my best content bringing me thus to behold your excellencies fâ—om farre places vnlooking for pleasures am brought to the height of them most incomparable Lady in comming thus into your presence whereto I was emboldned by the loue I bare your Brother by the curtesies of your seruants the honour your selfe granted me in licencing my approach but most by my owne soule which told me I must not passe without paying the tribute of my best seruice to the Princesse of all women for how would my conscience accuse me in such a neglect How would my heart blame me for such an omission But how might braue Leandrus chide Parselius if hee yeelded not himselfe at the feete of his worthily admired Sister Dalinea hearing him call himselfe Parselius with a sweet and pleasing blush desired pardon that she had so farre forgot her selfe as not to doe him sufficient reuerence but yet a little blame your selfe great Prince said she who vnknowne and vndiscouering your selfe to any you come among vs pardon this rudenesse and be pleasâ—d to accept my submissiâ—n for it to deserue which fauour I will striue in giuing you the best welcome to deserue it He took her hand aâ—d kissed it which although she could in respect haue hindred yet so delicate was his hand as shee was content to let him hold and kisse hers Then she brought him vnder the State where two Chaires being set they passed away some time discoursing of aduentures and of the sweet content the Companion Princes enioyd in their youthes shee infinitely delighting in those stories especially when they touched on her brother whom entirely she loued Parselius finding which way her affection lead her made his attend her and all his stories either beginning or ending with the praise of Leandrus Thus one pleas'd and the other contented that it was in him to content her they passed some dayes loue creeping into the heart of Dalinea as subtilly as if he meant to surprise and not by open force take her Discourse procur'd conuersation sweet conuersation liking of it selfe that liking desire to continue it that desire louing it and that the man that affoorded it and thus farre come I should wrong her if I should not say shee yeelded in her heart to loue his person whose discourse had made his way by taking first her eares prisoners now her eyes likewise execute their office brings his excellent shape his beauty his absolute braue fashion then her vnderstanding besets her tells her how excellent his wit is how great his valour how matchlesse his worth how great his descent and royall possessions all these alas ioynd and made a curious and crafty worke to compasse that which loue himselfe without halfe or any in comparison of these assistants could haue made his subiect But as the rarest Iewell is not to be had but at the highest rate so her peerelesse perfections must haue all this businesse to gaine her but now she is wonne and he almost lost not daring to thinke so or ventring to winne it He would with his eyes tell her his heart with kissing her delicate hand with a more then vsuall affection let her feele his soule was hers She found it and vnderstood what hee would haue her vnderstand nay shee would answer his lookes with as amorous ones of her part as straightly and louingly would she hold his hand but knowing modesty forbid shee would sigh and in her soule wish that he would once speake but bashfulnesse with-held him and woman modestie kept her silent till one afternoone walking iâ—to a most curious and dainty Garden where all manner of sweets were ready in their kind to entertaine them Flowers of all sorts for smell and colour Trees of all kinds of fruits and walkes diuided for most delight many Birds singing and with their notes welcomming them to that place At last a payre of innocent white Turtles came before them in their fashion woing each other and so wonne enioying their gaine in billing and such like pretty ioy Parselius taking aduantage on this how blessed said he are these poore Birds in their owne imaginations thus hauing one anothers loue T is true said Dalinea but more blessed are they if the story bee true that they neuer change Hauing once said he made a perfect choice none sure can after change I neuer heard man accuse himselfe said she but rather when he had runne into that fault finde something amisse in his former loue I am sorry replide the Prince you haue so ill an opinion of men since that I feare will hinder you from honouring any with your loue Why should you feare that answerd shee Because sigh'd hee I would not haue such admirable Beauties vnaccompanied but ioyn'd to a worthy associate These must said shee for any thing I see remaine as they doe if such as you say long enough before they wil be sought feare cryde he makes men speechlesse and admiration hinders the declaring their affections A poore louer said shee such a one must be who wants the heart of one such little Bird as this I see most perfect Lady said he then that this bashfulnesse is neither profitable nor commendable wherefore I wil now incouraged by your words rather commit an error in honest plainnesse then in fine Courtship and if it be an error take this with it it is not meant amisse though it may bee rudely performed asâ— what but rudenesse can come from a wandring Knight Not then to colour that which is most cleare and perfect in it selfe with fine and delicate Phrases or to goe too farre about from the right way of discouering giue me leaue most excellent Princesse to say that so excelling was your power ouer me when I first saw you and so
scarce could parly much lesse foes get in Yet worse then foes your slighâ—ings proue to be When careles you no pitie take on me Make good my dreames wherein you kind appeare Be to mine eyes as to my soule most deare From your accustomed strangenesse at last turne An ancient house once fir'd will quickly burne And wast vnhelp'd my long loue claimes a time To haue aid granted to this height I clime A Diamond pure and hard an vnshak't tree A burning house find helpe and prize in mee Being ready she went into the Garden Woods where shee saw Antissia sadly walking her eyes on the earth her sighes breathing like a sweet gale claiming pitie from aboue for the earth she said would yeeld her none yet she besought that too and at last passion procured alteration from mourning she began to sing a Song or rather part of one which was thus STay mine eyes these floods of teares Seemes but follies weakely growing Babes at nurse such wayling beares Frowardnesse such drops bestowing But Niâ—be must shew my fate She wept and grieu'd her selfe a state My sorrowes like her Babes appeare Daily added by increasing She lost them I loose my Deare Not one spar'd from woes ne're ceasing She made a râ—ck heauen drops downe teares Which pitie shewes and on her weares Assuredly more there was of this Song or else she had with her vnframed and vnfashioned thoughts as vnfashionably framd these lines But then Pamphilia came to her saying Sweete Antissia leaue these dolorous complaints when wee are parted let oâ—â— hearts bleed teares but let vs not depriue our selues of this little comfortâ— at least let vs flatter our selues and thinke wee now feele some and when absence makes vs know the contrary then mourne Alas said Antissia I foresee my harme my Spirit tells mee once being gone gone will my ioyes bee altogether sadnesse will presage any thing said Pamphilia especially where that may procure more sadnesse melancholy the nurse of such passions being glad when her authoritie is esteemd and yeelded to and so much hath it wrought in me as I haue many houres sate looking on the fire in it making as many sad bodies as children do varietie of faces being pleased or displeased or as mine owne fancies haue felt paines and all this was but melancholy and truely that is enough to spoile any so strangely it growes vpon one and so pleasing is the snare as till it hath ruind one no fault is found with it but like death embraced by the ancient braue men like honour and delight This I haue found and smarted with it leaue it then and nip it in the bud lest it blow to ouerthrow your life and happinesse for my sake bee a little more chearefull and I will promise you when you are gone I will as much bewaile absence Antissia tooke her hand and though against her will kissed it saying Admired Princesse let your poore vnfortunate friend and seruant bee in absence but sometimes remembred with a wish to see her with you and that will bring an vnspeakable content to that distressed creature on whom fortune tries her curstest power in despitefull rage and cruelty Doubt not me more deare Antissia said shee for those wishes shall bee and attended with others for your happinesse then distrust not me for Pamphilia must bee iust Thus in kind discourse they continued promising to each other what was in loue demaunded to demonstrate their affections till it was time to retire Little meate that Dinner serued them whose hearts had filled their Stomacks with loue and sorrow after Dinner going againe to that sad place that night being the last lying together and with sad but louing discourse passing those darke houres day being loath to see Antisius teares but greiu'd and afraid to see Pamphilia weepe did hide her face till the Sunne greedy of so pretious and sweete a dew looking red with hast came into the roome where they blushingly ashamed so to bee surprized put on their clothes not to be in danger of his heate No sooner were they ready but Antissia was call'd for who the sweetest Lady accompanied to her Coatch with maine teares and sad because parting kisse taking leaue of each other Antissia by her sorrow foretelling her comming or indeed but shewing her already befallen losse Pamphilia was sorry for her going because she was now assured of her loue the Court did in generall lament such loue and respect she had gain'd by her courteous and sweete behauiour many wishing her married to Parselius that so they might still keepe her with them so many well wishes she had as surely made her iourney more prosperous for safety and speedily considering the way shee arriued at Constantinople being louingly and kindly entertayned by the King and affectionatly by her Vncle whose ioy was greatest knowing what hazard she had suffer'd ayming now at nothing more then how to get the braue Leandrus to performe what before was determined betweene their Parents She gone preparation was made for the iourney of Pamphilia rich Chariots Coaches furniture for Horses and all other necessary things that could bee demanded for seruice or state the Liueries for her seruants being of the same colours the Chaâ—â—ots and other furnitures were and them all of her owne chosen colurs which were Watchet and Crimson as the Chariots were Watchet embroydred with Crimson and purle of Siluer one with Pearle all the rest alike The King and Queene did accompany her to the sea-side al the other Princes bringing her aboord and there kissing her hands Thus away she went sailing with gentle and pleasant wind till the Pilate told the king that a great fleet followed them by their colors and the shapes of the ships shewing they were Italians Wherefore they not knowing the businesse prepared for the worst when they perceiued out of the greatest and fairest of these ships Knights vnarmd and Ladies armd with beauty able to conquer worlds of hearts to issue and enter a delicate Galley which straight made way by oares towards them The King seeing it and Pamphilia being aboue any Princesse courteous commanded their ship to strike saile least harme might befall them in their comming aboord Straight came they into the ship the first and chiefe of those Knights with a graue and manly fashion deliuering these words holding a Lady most exact in all perfections by the hand Most incomparable Princesse the fame of whose worth the world is fild withall and yet wants another to be able to comprehend the fulnesse of it Be pleased to know that this Lady and my selfe are your deuoted Seruants Perissus and Limena of Cecillia rescued and saued from ruine and death by your magnanimious brother Parselius to whom we were now going to manifest our gratefulnesse to him but hearing by a ship which came from Morea iust as we were putting a shore that the Prince is neither there nor hath been of sometimes heard of withall of your iourney we resolued to
attend you and to you doe the seruice we owe him which by him I know will be a like taken as to himselfe such is his affection to you such admirable perfections liuing in him as loue and affection to his friends are plentifully flourishing in him wherefore we beseech you to accept of our affectionate seruices which shall euer next to Parselius bee most deuotiouslie obseruing to your commands Him wee loue for his vertues and the benefits wee haue receiued from him you were loue for him and your owne merits whose name doth duly claime all eies and hearts to loue and admire Pamphilia whose modesty neuer heard her owne commendations without blushing pretily did now expresse a bashfulnesse but her speech deliuered with confidence shewed those words nor the speaker of them neede for them blush they were these Braue and renowned King of whose vertues mine eares haue long since been witnesse bee pleased to heare your seruant say shee doth blesse her eyes that presents such worth vnto them and esteeme this as my chiefest happinesse that for the first encounter in my iourney fortune fauours mee with the meeting of such excellent Princes in whom are all the powers of true worthinesse that can be in either or both sexes and in you most happy Queene the rare vertue of matchlesse and loyall constancy and much doe I blesse my destine thus to enioy your companies which Parselius shall thanke you for and I him for you Then she presented them both to her Vncle who kindly welcom'd them being glad such royall company would â—ttend his Neece to honour her Coronation which he meant should be with all speed after their arriuall he determining to retire to a religious house he had built to that purpose Thus with happy and pleasant content she sailed towards Pamphilia while Parselius all this while continuing in sweet delight it is now fit time to let him see his fault committed in the greatest kind of ill being breach of faith in loue One night in his sleepe Vrania appeared vnto him seeming infinitely perplexed but as if rather fild with scorne then sorrow telling him hee was a Traytor to loue and the subtillest betrayer of truth Now may you ioy said she in your shaâ—e and change your cruell falshood hauing vndone my trust but thinke not this troubles me farther then for vertues sake so farre are you now from my thoughts as I study how I neuer more may heare of you and to assure you of this you shall see me giue my selfe before your face to another more worthy because more iust This in soule so grieued him as he cried sobd groand and so lamentably tooke on as the kind Dalinea lying by him awaked hauing much adoe to bring him out of his wofull dreame But when he recouered his sences they were but to make him more truly feele paine continuing in such extremitie of weeping as she feared his heart would breake withall which made her heart euen rend with compassion Much shee intreated and euen besought him to tell her the cause but this of any secret must bee kept from her shee begged hee continued in laments till at last he saw hee must not leaue her thus in feare Wherefore after hee had a little studied how to bee more deceitfull or as equally as he had bin before weeping still and she accompanying him in teares seeing his fall so fast which hee finding made him weepe the more both now kindly lamenting each other they remayned the most perfect soules of affliction that euer had earthly bodyes about them Compassion he had in great fullnesse to Dalinea torment for Vrania's scorneâ— affliction for her losse hatefull loathing his fault condemning himselfe more â—ruelly then she would haue done all ioyning as it were for his vtter destruction yet remain'd hee in his bed framing this excuse to satisfie his wife telling her that he imagined hee saw all Arcadia on fire the earth flaming and in the midâ—st his father burning who with lamentable cryes demanded helpe of him wherfore said he certainely some ill is befallen or befalling him which makes me resolue instantly to goe vnto him O take me with you said she My deere said he pardon at this time my leauing you for should I carry you where troubles are no Sweet remayne you here and be assur'd you soone shall heare of your Parselius and if all be well in short time I le returne for you besides our marâ—yage not yet knowne may wrong you if not carefully carryed then deere loue bee patient and stay heere She could not deny for words fail'd her only she sob'd and washed his face with her teares who was as much afflicted Then rising he sent her Maides vnto her and so departed to his chamber where he arm'd himselfe then being ready to goe to her hee thought the word or shew of farwell would but giue new wounds wherfore writing some few lines he deliuer'd them to the Steward so with charge to giue the letter to her owne hands he tooke his horse hasting he knew not whither regarding neither way nor any thing else then came he to the Sea side his Squier nor daring to speake one word to him all that iourney when he sent Clorinus so was he cald to prouid a boat for him he thought it not fit to deny nor durst he venture to councell In the meane time came a little Barque into which he went turning his horse loose not considering what griefe trouble might come for his misse But he who sought for death thought of no earthly content he being in they put againe from the Land and at Clorinus returne were quite out of sight He finding his Masters horse without his Lord fell into pittifull complayning not being able to guesse other then the worst mishappe long he was resoluing what to doe but in conclusion hee vowed to spend his life in solitary search of him and so to dye but by no meanes to goe to Dalinca nor to bee an ill newes bringer to his Parents Heauily and afflictedly hee pass'd on by the Sea side till hee mette the Squier of Leandrus who ioyfully asked him for his Lord hee as sadly replied he had lost him then followed Leandrus who knowing the youth asked for his friend but to him hee could make no answer but in teares Sraight feare possessed him the youth still wept Leandrus sigh'd and taking him aside coniured him to tell what he knew of his Lord. Then did hee relate all vnto him hiding onely what might touch Dalinea this much mooued the Prince yet he sought to comfort Clorinus telling him he did not see by this any other harme likely to follow but some priuat grief had made him take this course and therfore willed him by any meanes to make no busines of it but goe and seek him as carefully as hee could aduising him by reason of his loue which he knew he bare to Vrania to goe to Ciprus least thither hee were gone to
Amphilanthus following his way to Ciprus with his friend Ollorandus quickly landed there taking their way as they were directed by passengers the Countrey now full of people that came to see the end of this businesse to the throne of loue the plaine before it being all set with Tents and couered with Knights and Ladyes The first Tent Amphilanthus knew to be some Italians wherfore hee went into that and finding it belonged to the Duke of Millan whose opinion of his owne worth and the beauty of his Mistresse had made him aduenture the enchantment was therein inclosed hee discouerd himselfe vnto his seruants who presently made offer of it to his seruice which hee accepted yet did hee charge the men not to let him be knowne by any but themselues there they rested for that night the next morning going among the Tents finding many braue Princes and excellent Ladyes some come to aduenture others only to behold the aduentures of others many of these the two excellent Companies knew but they keeping their beauers downâ—â— were not knowne of any One Lady among the rest or rather aboue the rest for exquisite wit and rare â—pirit so perfect in them as she excelled her sexe so much as her perfections were stiled masculine This Lady as her iudgment was greater then the rest so her obseruation was likewise more particular cast her eyes vpon these strangers but most on the Italian shee sigh'd at first sight aftergrew sad wondring why shee was so troubled not knowing the face of her trouble neuer then resting till she had got the truth of whence he was and so the meanes to see him hee hauing inquired of euery ones name and title came also to know her to bee called Luceania Daughter to a noble man who was Brother to the famously vertuous but vnfortunate Lady Luceania wife and Mother to the first and this last Antissius King of Romania Wife she was to a great Lord in the same Countrey who though vnable to flatter himselfe with conceit of worth sufficient to end so rare an aduenture yet partly for nouelties and most to please his spiritfull wife hee came thither louing the best company for these reasons The Prince was glad to here this because he was now sure of acquaintance quickly there As soone as his name was knowne shee studying to haue her ends by his knowledge watched the next fit opportunitie which was offered the next day by a generall meeting of all the Knights and Ladies Hee seldome bashfull put himselfe among them Luceania must needs know him wherfore shee asked those that accompanied her who that stranger was they all answered they knew him not nor could they learne of any who hee was Is it possible said she so braue a Prince should be vnknowne many desiring to doe her seruice she being for noble behauiour courtesie wit and greatnesse of vnderstanding loued and admired of all such as could bee honord with her conuersation to please her euery one indeuored and one forwarder then the rest as more bound in affection went to him telling him that a faire Lady much desired to know his name Can it be answered the King that any faire Lady should so much honor mee as to desire so worthlesse a thing as my name There is one Sir said hee who curiously desireth the knowledge of it which must bee more worthy â—hen you doe accound it otherwise could she no couet in and such an one is shee said he as if you can deserue beauty you will acknowledge only deserues honor and seruice Thâ—y bâ—long said the King to all such excellent creatures yet Sir 〈◊〉 it is my ill fortune at this time that I am not able to satisfie her deâ—â—â—â— although this grace shall euer make me her seruant The Knight acâ—â—â—nted with such vowes went back to Luceania truly telling her all that â—â—â—had said which although deliuered by a farre worse Orator yet gaind â—â—â—y more fauour for him shee esteeming witt beyond outward beauty bâ—t both there ioyned it is necessary for to yeeld as she did for before shee desiâ—'d his name only now finding iudgment and braue Courtshipp shee long 's for his society and these accompanied with seeing his excellently sweete and euer conquering louelinesse did ioyne as to the conquest of her for shee who before had knowne loue rather by name then subiection now shee finds her selfe loues Prisoner affection before but companion likeâ— now mastring and now she finds it expedient to know that delightfull cruell who had with so pleasing a dart wounded and ceazed her till then commanding heart The next euening was resolu'd of for her gaine of knowledge and rather then misse there shee would employ the same louesicke Knight againe who to bee graced with her commands would doe any thing The euening come and Amphilanthus his companion assuring themselues they were vnknowne freely came into the company Shee who now was by the art of loue taught to watch all opportunities and neuer to loose any was walking with her husband forth to passe away the time in the coole ayre Amphilanthus and his friend discoursing of their owne passions finding the greatest misse euer in most company their Ladyes being absent were so transported with their passions as they were close to this amorous Lady and her Lord before they discouerd it which when they found asked pardon for their rudnesse they would haue returnd but shee who was now not to put of her hopes till the next meeting resolud to make vse of this so with as inticing a countenance as Caesar vnderstood Cleopatras to be shee told them shee saw no error they had committed that place being free to all but turâ—ing her selfe towards her husband she smiling said Would you thinke my Lord this Knight were ashamed of his name I see small reason that hee should said hee why thinke you that he is because hee refuseth too tell it said shee Although excellent Lady answered Amphilanthus it may be my name is not so fortunate as to haue come to your eares with any renowne yet am I not ashamed of it a vow onely hauing made mee conceale it May not that vow bee broken said shee This may and shall said hee to satisfie your desire though some vowes are so deare as nothing nor any force may preuaile against them With that shee saw Ollorandus had vndertaken her husband which gaue her more libertie in her desires againe vrging with fine and amorous countenances the breach of his vow The commanding power said he which your perfections carrie with them must preuaile then bee pleased to know I am Amphilanthus King of the Romans Pardon mee my Lord said shee that I haue been thus bold with you which was caused by with that shee blushing held her peace desiring to bee thought bashfull but more longing to bee intreated for the rest Nay speake on excellent Lady said hee and barre not mine eares from hearing what you surely once thought mee worthy to know Well
who accompanied her into her sad fine walkes being there alone saue with her second selfe surely said she you that so perfectly and so happily haue loued cannot in this delightfull place but remember those sweete yet for a while curst passages in loue which you haue ouergone speake then of loue and speake to me who loue that sweete discourse next to my loue aboue all other things if that you cannot say more of your selfe then your deare trust hath grac'd me withall tell of some others which as truly shall be silently inclosed in my breast as that of yours let me but vnderstand the choice varieties of Loue and the mistakings the changes the crosses if none of these you know yet tell me some such fiction it may be I shall be as lucklesse as the most vnfortunate shew me examples for I am so void of hope much lesse of true assurance as I am already at the height of all my ioy Limena beheld her both with loue and pitty at last my dearest friend said shee fall not into despaire before ioy can expresse what surely is ordain'd for you Did euer any poore drop happen to fall but still for loue Will you be poorer then the poorest drop of raine which for the loue to earth falls on it raise vp your spirit that which is worthy to Monarchise the world drowne it not nor make a graue by sad conceits to bury what should liue for royalty yet if you doe desire to heare of Loue and of loues crosses I will tell you a discourse the Sceane shall be in my Countrey and the rather will I tell it since in that you shall see your selfe truly free from such distresse as in a perfect glasse none of your true perfections can be hidden but take not this tale for truth In Cicilie not far from the place which gaue my Father birth and where I much was bred there liu'd a Lady mother to many and delicate Children but whether her fortune fell with the losse of her Husband as many wofully haue with that felt their vndoing or that misfortune so great a Prince ought not to be vnattended I know not but she affecting her friends as friendship could challenge a young Lord came with one of her neerest allies to visit her this visitation made him see her daughter elder then three more that at that same time were in her house he receiuing welcome tooke it and occasion to come againe those againe commings brought mischeuous affection that affection mischiefes selfe for thus it happ'ned The Lady lou'd him hee liked her he sued she innocent could not deny but yeares did passe before they did enioy At last three yeares almost worne out he found a time or rather her much vnprouided for refusall both extreamly louing nothing was amisse as they imagin'd nor was ought denyde some yeares this passed too in all which time shee who did onely loue for Loues sake not doubting least that might bee a touch vnto her affection or spot in so much clearenesse as her heart held to him let busie speeches pass vnregarded smil'd when friends bid her beware esteeming her constant opinion of his worth richer then truths which she thought falshoods while they were against him Thus the poore Lady was deceiu'd most miserably vndone he falling in loue with one so inferior to her in respect of her qualities compar'd with hers though of greater ranke euery way as his neerest friends condemn'd him for so ill a choice but she was crafty and by art faire which made him looke no further At last it shewed so plainely as she must if not wilfully blinde see with the rest but how did she see it alas with dying eyes all passions compar'd to hers were none the ordinary course of sorrow abounded in her rising to such a height as out flew dispaire melancholy was her quietest companion while monefully she would sit dayes without words and nights without sleepe Oft would she tell these paines before him though not to him pittifully would she lament and hee take no more notice of it then if he heard it spoken of an other Alas would she cry I am no more worthy to liue I am a shame to my house a staine to my sex and a most pittifull example of all mischeife shamefull creature why liuest thou to disgrace all thy friends poore soule poore indeed but in true goodnes leaue this vnhappy body take thy selfe away and when thou hast left me it may be thou mayst be better and win pittie hence foorth must blame infould me now must shame couer me and dispaire with losse destroy me yet hadst thou chang'd to a better and constanter it would not so much haue vext mee but when I see my deserts my loue and my selfe cast off onely by subtiltie betrayed and in so vild a place alas it rents my heart both with losse and your fault Can worth procure no more fauour must all yeeld to outward fairenes she is faire I confesse so once you thought I was and if not so perfect thanke your owne strangenes and my teares shed for your falshood which haue furrow'd worne wrinkles where smoothnesse was with their continuall falling Had you no way to shun me or my loue but by your change you might haue iustly dealt yet and but say'd I can no longer loue you I had then sate downe alone with losse but now doubly afflicted as loosing and being deceaud your want of truth is a greater plague to me then my misery in that I lou'd you better then my selfe so much is your vnworthines my extreamest torment Oft was I told that I would hurt my selfe in trusting I reply'd I had rather bee wretched in losse then vnhappy in suspition these now befall me yet suspect I not for apparent truth tells me I am forlorne Once I remember I was to speake to him and foole I tooke the time when she was by with what scorne did he put me off and slightnesse heare the businesse which concernd himselfe yet cōming from me was vnpleasing would yet I could be more lucklesse so it came not from thy worthlesnesse for 't is that not my misfortune tortures me While yet shee thus continued in her woes her beauty dying as her fortune wasted he carelesse man of any good or respect saue of his owne desires would many times come to her rather as I coniecture thinking to betray her then for any affection hee then bore to her while she poore haplesse louer neuer deny'd what he commanded Poore soule how glad would she be to receiue one looke one word gaue her new life againe but a smile made her hope which lasted to make her the stronger to suffer againe the misery he allotted her Well so it continued and she was vndone imagine then braue Queene in what misery she was and most when he that should haue comforted her harme held still his curst neglect Till being neere her end as it was thought rather and
would come with it else desird he would wedd me to my graue rather then to any but Alanius whom onely I did or could loue and one whom I had not placed my affections vpon alone but life and all hope of comfort How he was moou'd with this alas sigh'd shee imagine you truely so much as being by nature cholericke I verily thought he would haue kill'd me his eyes sparkled with furie his speech was stopp'd so as not being able to bring foorth one word he flung out of the roome locking mee fast vp for that night without hope or comfortable company but my owne sorrow and teares which neuer left me and those were more pleasing to mee when I said to my selfe thus doe I suffer for Alanius The next morning he sent one of his seruants to me a young Ladd who loued me well but was faster tied in seruice to your command said she to me once ouerioy'd when you sent him to attend a Knight and after your going away also left that Iland whether to seeke you and so to serue you or hating the poorenesse of that place when you were absent but this youth being sent by my Father to know if I continued in the same disobedience I was in the night before I sent him word that I should hate my selfe if my conscience should euer be able to accuse me of such an offence but true it was my loue continued as firme and vnremouable to Alanius as it did for alas what can change a constant heart which is fixed like Destiny I could not let any thing come neere me which might be mistrusted to lead one piece of change or carry one ragg of it abroad my heart like the Woole the briars catch torne and spoil'd rather then pull'd from it O intolerable seruitude where fast holding is a losse and loosing a gaine yet rather had I lose while I keepe vertuous constancie With the answer I gaue return'd the youth wherupon without seeing me he sent me to a Sisters house of his to bee kept and sorry I am I must call her his Sister or keepe this memory of her for a more diuellish creature neuer liu'd there I was halfe a yeare without meanes to let Alanius know of my imprisonment he sought guided by loue for mee but hauing no truer a director found me not till one day comming with his Flocks as hee was accustomed to doe into the faire Plaine where we were wont to meet he mett this Ladd who seeing him sadd asked what he ayl'd Alanius replide how can he choose but mourne whose heart is kept from him Indeed said he I cannot blame you hauing such a losse and yet sure you haue a heart in place of it else could you not liue to feele and discouer the want of yours but did you know what tormenting sorrow she feeles for you you would yet be more perplexed Wretch that I am cryed he can shee bee tormented and for me and liue I to heare of it without redressing it Yet what talke I foole that I am Can my cries ayde her Can the baying of my Lambes assist her Can my poore Flocke buy her freedome Can I merit her release Or can indeed my selfe thinke I am worthy or borne to such a blessednesse as to releeue her vext and harm'd for me What power hast thou but ouer thy teares to flow for her What assistance but sheepe innocent as thy selfe and loyall passion What Armes but thy Sheepe-hooke which can onely catch a beast while thou vnworthy crâ—ature art not able to helpe her The poorest thing can assist a friend of the same kinde but thou canst neither helpe her nor thy selfe worst of things created end and rid the World of such corruption for why should I breath if not to serue Liana You may serue her and relieue her said the youth if you will heare and but take aduise and more will I doe for you then I would for any other since I find you loue her as indeed you ought to doe Then be satisfied thus farre if you will trust me who will neuer be but true I will tell you where she is and giue you all assistance towards her deliuery She is in yonder house vpon the top of that hill which shewes it self as boldly boasting in the cruelty is committed there by warrant of a cruell father with her Aunt she is yet still your Liana so close kept as none saue my selfe may see her who from her father visits her once a day though not for loue that he sends but to trie if by his vnfatherly tortures shee may bee wrought to leaue louing you but so much he failes in this as it is impossible by famine to make one leaue to wish for food but rather with the want to increase the longing to it which he seeing threatneth the forsaking her Oft haue I carried this message and as oft returnd sorrowfull receiuing his doome but direct deniall to his demaunds and truly it hath euen grieu'd my soule to see how terribly she hath been perplext and handled by those rude and merciles executors of his will who can no way alter her if not to blame them for their curstnes who neuer was but mild to them and this morning did I see her when she vtterd these words Alas said she vnhappy Liana how art thou afflicted for thy constancy yet this tell my father his kind commands had more wrought in me then his cruelty yet neither against my loialty in loue but now so hardned I am against paine with vse of paine as all torment and millions of them added to the rest shall haue no power to moue the least in my affection to vnworthy change for then should my soule smart as onely now my body is subiect to these torments This I told truly to my Master who nothing was mou'd by it but to more rage sending another of my fellowes to his sister coniuring her that since neither perswasions nor the begun tortures would preuaile she should vse any other means with what affliction she could to alter her sparing none so her limmes were not harmd by them which no doubt shall bee executed Wherefore you must thinke speedily to aide her who indures for you still resolud to beare misery for you and assure your self she wil indure al can be laid vpon her rather then faile in one title to you or Loues fealty and no way I know more sure and speedy then to write her a letter which I will deliuer and therein let her know the true and constant affection you beare her which will bring sole comfort to her dolefull heart and that if she wil venture to bring her selfe to happines in freedom and to make you mutually contented she must meet you in the little wood next below the house where you will not faile her carry her from these miseries into all delight and pleasure Ah my deare friend said he how hast thou bound me by thy friendship and
on their mistaking did arise you shall heare that some other time Nay sweet Vrania said Amphilanthus let vs heare it now where can we be better then here what company so pleasing or dearer to vs If Pamphilia be agreed said she I will continue it Take no care of me said she for belieue it I am neuer so happy as when in this company eyes then spake and shee proceeded Wee sat then downe and Alanius kneeling before vs began The first part of my life and the happy part I am sure this Shepherdesse hath related and brought it to the full period of it nay to the height of my misery wherefore I will begin with the succession of that and as I imagine where shee left which was with her leauing mee in the plaine or better to resolue you of the deceit with the night before wee were to meet she coÌ„ming before me to the place appointed saw as she imagined my selfe her louer wronging my loue and her well and ill for me she might conceiue of it so but thus in truth it was There liu'd a Shepherd then and my companion he was who bewitched with a young maydes loue that vnluckily had plac'd her loue on me plotted to deceiue her and in my shape to winne what his owne person could not purchase him wherefore that in that vnlucky night he came vnto my lodging and stole away my clothes I vsually on solemne dayes did weare in these habits he went into the Groue being so like in stature speech and fauor as he oftentimes was taken euen for me Knowing her walke in the euening to be towards those woods in the Plaine he saw her and followed her into the Groue ouertaking her iust in the same place appointed for our blisse being a little darkish she mistooke him and hoping it was I was content to be blinded but wherein I doe most accuse him was he vsed some words to giue her true assurance 't was my selfe concerning deare Liana These vnhappily â—hee heard and these I must confesse gaue full assurance of my faulsest fault I cannot blame thee sweet loue made thee feare and feare inraged thee and yet my heart thou mightest haue heard thy poore Alanius speak yet as this honest Ladd told me thou didst neuer hate my person though condemne my disloialtie which in my greatest misery gaue yet some easie stopp vnto my paine and that thou didst assure me of for in all thy fury and flight thou seemedst to wish me bless'd She hauing made more hast then I came thither first and so perceiu'd as shee mistrusted my amisse I following my first directions likewise came but in her stead onely I discernd the footesteps of a woman hauing gone in hast I had no thought nor end of thinking but of Liana fear'd some danger to her selfe or harme which had ensued as the night and vnfrequented places might produce Not dreaming on this harme I followed those steps for hers I knew they were her foot so easie was to be discerned from any others as a dainty Lambs from any other sheepe long had I not persued and euen but newly in the meadow when I did see my deare but she as much offended therewithall as I was ioyd at first fledd from me giuing mee such language as my fate appear'd by that to be vndone I cry'd to her shee â—ledd from me accusd me and yet did wish all happinesse attend me this was comfort in despaire I followed still till I lost not my selfe but my witts growing as madd and doing as many tricks as euer creature distracted did or could committ From Pantaleria I got into Cicilie in a boat taken vp by a Pyrat for a booty but finding in what estate I was he landed me at Naples There I passed some time where yet the fame liues of my madnesse distemper'd as I was I fell in company with a louing Knight as since I vnderstood by this my dearest friend who was in the next degree to madnes louing ouermuch and with him came into this kingdome where I haue lost him but heere gained my friend Menander who conducted me vnto a vertuous Lady skilfull in Physicke who neuer left with curious medicines and as curious paines till I recouer'd my lost wits againe Then being sensible and most of my distresse I tooke my leaue and with Menander came vnto this place being directed by as sadd a man as I then was now come againe to life by you my deare forgiuer and my onely ioy What man directed you so neere the Court said Liana an vnlikely place to finde my sorrow by A poore and miserable Louer too said Alanius who we found laid vnder a Willow tree bitterly weeping and bewailing the cruelty of a Shepherdesse who had vnwillingly made her selfe mistris of his heart We went to him to demand some things of him which as well as griefe would suffer him he answered vs but so strangely as appear'd he desired to speake of nothing but his Loue and torture for it telling vs that he was a man whose Destiny was made to vndoe him louing one who no griefe teares praiers or that estate they held him in could bring to pitty hauing setled her loue so much vpon another as shee hated all that sought though for their good to worke her thoughts to change By the discourse and description we soone found it was no other then your sweetest selfe my deare Liana that brought vs hither where wee are assur'd of you and what we hoped for before vnder that tree we left him where he vowes to remaine while he hath life and after there to be buried that being his bed and then shall be his Tombe Liana modestly denied the knowledge of any such matter so with much affection and such loue as I yet neuer saw the Image of the like they welcom'd each other hearts eyes tongues all striuing to expresse their ioyes Then did they returne with me to the Court and were those two strangers you deare brother commended so in the Pastorall Menander I tooke to waite on mee who confâ—ss'd hee had as Liana told me left Pantaleria to finde me and now is hee here attending in my Chamber This sweet discourse ended they rose and went into the Court the Princes liking this which so kindly concluded with enioying But that being so blessed a thing as the name is a blessing without the benefit must be now in that kinde onely bereft some who deserues the richest plenty of it Ollorandus continuing in the Morean Court newes was brought vnto him of his Brothers death by which hee was now Prince of Bohemia and besides desired by his old Father to returne that he might see him if possible before his death which both for age and griefe of his Sons death was likewise soone to befall him The Prince met Amphilanthus iust at his returne from the walks hauing left the Ladies in their chamber and was going to seeke him to discourse some of his passions to
one of their fellow prisoners in the Castle of loue wherefore desirous to heare that discourse especially louing to heare loue descâ—ibed and related by a woman out of whose lipps those sweet passions more sweetely proceeded hee gaue occasion for it as they walked along a dainty pleasant brooke the bankes whereof were of such sweetnesse as the plenty of the most delicate smelling flowers could yeeld vnto them being shadowed from the Sunnes parching by Mirtle and that Mirtle preserued by high and braue trees whose breadth and large boughs spread to giue content to those who vnder them would submit to solitarinesse This place said Amphilanthus were fitter much for louers then such free Princes as liue here Is there any free from that passion my Lord said she Only such said hee as you are whose sence of loue doth rather from you command harts to your seruice then presume to bring you into the fetters being rather his commandres then subiect An vntoward gouernment answered she assuredly I haue yet had I neuer hauing enioyed quiet minut since I knew this state but that rebellious passions haue euer tormented me Can that be cry'd Amphilanthus I am sensible of them said she Alas said Amphilanthus that I might be so fortunat to merit so great a happines as to vnderstaÌ„d the way that bold loue takes to coÌ„quer such perfection That may soone be gaind said shee for requite me with your story and I will truly discourse my fortunes to you Neuer let mee bee rewarded for my paine said hee if I refuse this noble offer Begin you Sir said shee I will obay in that also said he and then did he tell her the whole story of his affection onely keeping her name secret because Ollorandus knew her and had mistrust of it but no assurance after which she began thus My Lord so ill it seemes loue hath carried himselfe as it is a kind of fault in a woman to confesse any such matter yet I knowing my selfe innocent of ill and now ingaged by your freedome to make a requitall I will venture to speak of this Lord Loue. My father had a sister married to one of the noblest and greatest Princes of this Countrie as rich in possessions as any yet possessed he not so much treasures as hee did vertues being richer in them then any other of this land true noblenesse and noble hospitalitie abounding in him He had to inherit his estate two Sonnes and one Daughter children fit for such a father truly and lawfully being heires to both his estates of riches and vertuous qualities Many yeares this good Lord liued but age claiming the due belonging to time and a sore disease taking him hee dyed leauing his honours vertues and chiefe estate to his eldest sonne called Laurimello who had been much in my fathers house his father putting that trust in his brother in Law as to leaue his dearest part of comfort with him besides my Fathers estate lay neare to the Citie of Buda which was a conueniency by reason of the Courts lying there for his seeing and frequenting that by reason whereof after his fathers death he brought his sister likewise thither betweene whom and my selfe there grew an entire friendship She being great and her brother beloued and honoured aboue any other Prince many sought her for wife but shee knowing her perfections and greatnesse was nice in accepting any nor indeed had shee much mind to marry louing her liberty more then mariages bondage Among others that offered their seruice to her there was one called Charimellus who by his friends and parents was sent to sue for her fauour thither hee came but I comming with her into the roome where her suiter was and her brother with many more hee cast his eyes on mee which brought him that misfortune as to bee so suddenly surprised as he knew not scarce how to salute her which made her scorne him laughing at his bashfulnesse which caused so much blushing and trembling in him I regarded not his traunces beginning so much as to thinke from whence it proceeded but out of good nature was sorry for the man who in troth deserued much pitie and merited great respect but my heart elsewhere placed held mine eies in their set way not marking any thing but mine own fortunes no more then one starre troubles it selfe with anothers course but my cosin who would not keepe her thoughts from imparting them to her friends liberally vsed her wit on him whose part I tooke ignorant of the cause I had till some dayes being passed in which she gaue him refusall he discouered his loue to me and withall protesting how he was surprised at my first sight I told him I could not belieue one fight on such an instant could worke such an alteration nor if it were true that I would so soone accept of a refused suiter since my fortunes I trusted would not be such as to bind me to take my cosins leauings This answer grieu'd him yet did it no way allay his affection but rather like snow which plaid with all doth make ones hands burne so did the cold despaire of my words make his hart hot glow in loue towards me my friends liked and lou'd him he being of a sweet and mild disposition valiant and accompanied with many braue and noble conditions and such a one as none I thinke could haue disliked that had been ordaind to marry with iudgement onely or had not their heart before settled as mine was Long he pursued his loue at last he gained my fathers consent my mothers and most of my friends the estate and antiquitie of his house besides his person meriting any subiect for wife When I saw this and the danger I was in to bee bestowed I then wholly employd my time in studying how I might gaine mine owne desires and finely put this off While this was in my mind a third businesse came in which was another match offerd my father for me whose estate was greater and neerer to our dwelling to which my father being more then ordinarily affectionate to me quickly harkned and willingly embraced Then was I in more danger then before my heart so perplexed as I knew not what I did Poore Charimellus came vnto me wept to me presented his affection to my memory and eies I pittied him and truly had as much compassion vpon him as I or any other whose soule was in anothers keeping could haue of him and so much fauour I did grant him as to promise to speake with my Father and directly to refuse the new proffered match This contented him hoping my refusall had been onely for his good I performed my promise and spake with my father telling him how much he was afflicted how passionately he loued me what reasons I had rather to accept of him then any other how the world had taken such notice alreadie of his two yeares suite as it would be a disgrace to him and a touch to me to take
all this makes you I perceiue run further in your error therfoâ—e not to hold you any longer in this doubt it is the Shepherdesse that sat on the right hand of the fairest that I seeke to gaine and now I hope shall win for she lookes kindly on me takes my presâ—nts smiles vpon my flockes cherisheth my Dog when he fawnes on her who as if he knew his Masters mind stil waights on her lyes at her feete when God knowes I could be he and oft do enuy his good luck when she doth stroke him on the backe and playes with him she takes my Songs and â—ings them happy lines that euer gaind such blisse to kisse those sweet lippes passing into ayre as scorning other place then her breast when she will expose them vnto eares should harbour them she sometimes likewise will giue mee some of her making and commends my voice makes me sing to her which I doe and yeeld her owne words to her best knowing iudgement She requires mee presently and sings mine vnto me then I say they are only good when she doth grace them so she answers best our songs befits our mouthes and eares these are not onely signes but I doe thinke or much do flatter my poore selfe they are assurances and thus Sir now I hope that you are satisfied I am said he doublie tide to you for your relation which doth speak iust truth and for your loue which in this shews to me While they were thus discoursing they heard a pitiful cry as it were the shriks of womeÌ„ which made them hie to the Plaine where they saw the same fierce Beaâ—e hastily pursue the glory of those parts ready almost to close her in his iawes the rest of the women crying and assisting her onely with their lamentable voyces the only helpe that sex can yeeld in such a danger yet now came it wel for the noise brought Leonius to her aide who only sought to saue her selfe by flight but cryde not like the women No neede there was to desire or intreate him to assist for carried by the wings of loue he flew to her succour she seeing him runne to helpe her turned her course that way as shee ran her dainty leggs were seene discouering such excellency in shape and swiftnes as that had bin enough alone to conquer she passed by him hee standing still to encounter her enemy yet did his eyes cast amorous wishes after her his spirit raised in hope to meete the Beast who gaped as wanting breath to hold the ioy hee had in expectation to deuoure that sweete portion of excellent daintinesse furious to be deceiued he sought to execute his furie on him from whom he got a sharpe and sower encounter Leonius his sword passing into his throate wherewith he fell then strake he off his head for hauing let a presumptuous thought enter to hurt the delicatest Shepherdesse now Vrania had left that habit This blow being giuen the before flying beauty returnd but in a more quiet and soft pace which let the Italian with more leisure behold her crying within himselfe Oh that she had but as much affection as I haue loue then would she with as sweet swiftnes run to me as from the Beare which sight did in feare yet content so much as he could haue found in his heart but for her harme to haue indured the Beast and haue clasped her in his armes as she ran by him her danger hindred his attempting pleasure and so shee was saued taking her sight into his heart in stead of her longed-for selfe into his breast passions were as full in him as Motes in the ayre flying vp and downe like flies in a hot day buzing and swarming like Bees that for all their profitable hony bring stings with them or like a neast of Waspes that one time beset one with their fury and giue no profit if shund or ouercome except their owne poore bodies worthlesse and gainelesse those thoughts hee gathered together as like a Fisherman that in his net catcheth all that comes within it yet pickes hee out the choicest and appoints some to keepe some to sell some to giue and some to throw in againe as not fit for keeping so did he cull his seuerall passions some he chose to present her withall some to hold in himselfe to please her withall others not to be seene by her he cast away into the floud of his forgetfulnesse whence none should arise to giue her distaste a commendable vertue in Youth to shun what may by Youth shame to offend hee loued and therefore was curious not to displease his best beloued his highest desire being to content her by whom hee must only bee contented hee shunnes all else as she did the Beare which yet he loues because hee brought him meanes to doe her seruice When hee had killed the Beast hee tooke the Head Paw and Heart to present her withall Speeches hee framed to deliuer to her with those won reliques Prose and Verse hee summoned doubtfull which should please he stood as if musing what hee might doe to please her best hee feared one while the hideous face of the Beast would fright her therefore thought the heart fittest and enough to shew her as her prey the Paw hee thought fit because it was lifted vp against her and if that the Head as necessary which hatched the treason of these three and with these three he danced the Hay in discourse and still ended iust as vncertaine and apt to begin againe as to conclude a faire victorie made him thinke a fairer acceptance must be yeelded him a bold attempt to saue her boldnes might be waranted in that respect to speake to her desert then claimes reward how should the claime be answerd if not made he must then aduenture and asâ—e it refusall cannot bee where knowledge and instant sight sayes it is requisite Valor must be adored and loue cherished Tremblingly hee stood as if afraid of that dead which hee kild his hands shook that held the head his other hand strake off his eies vncertainly rold that were â—ixt to his ruin his legs shakes vnder him that against his enemies like pillars vphold his strength and courage and this is loue that made him seeme so weake a piece and it was loue that made him so fierce against her enemy he looked towards her and sigh'd within himselfe these lamentations Alas said he that that face the heauen of mildnes and sweetnesse should carry with it such cruell force as with delicacy to destroy why should those eyes my soules only comforts looke and not with as much loue as mine since they are fairer mine more louing they more beloued those dearest lipps let them not seuer if not to speake requitall to me let them not tel my bane yet rather then not suffer me to heare that voice speak any thing but if possible O speake but loue those feete and leggs the rich and matchlesse supporters of this our
torture thee Take it from her who too too well Can witnesse it is so Whosâ— hope seem'd Heauen yet prou'd a Hell And comfort chang'd to woe 27 For I was lou'd or so I thought And for it lou'd againe But soone those thoughts my ruine brought And nourish'd all my paine They gaue the milke that fed be'eife Till wean'd they proued dry Their latter nourishment was griefe So famish't I must dye 28 Then see your chance I cannot change Nor my affection turne Disdaine which others moues to range Makes me more constant burne My sighs I 'me sure cannot you please My griefe no Musicke prooue My flowing teares your passions ease Nor woes delight your Loue. 29 If my sight haue your freedome wonn Receiue it backe againe So much my selfe I finde vndone By gifts which proue no gaine As I lament with them that loue So true in Loue I am And liberty wish all to proue Whose hearts waste in this flame 30 Yet giue me leaue sigh'd he with teares To liue but where you are My woes shal waite vpon your feares My sighs attend your care I le weepe when euer you shall waile If you sigh I will cry When you complaine I le neuer faile To waile my misery 31 I will you guard and safely keepe From danger and from feare Still will I watch when you doe sleepe And for both sorrowes beare Make me not free I bondage craue Nor seeke else but to serue This freedome will procure my graue These bonds my life preserue 32 For life and ioy and ease and all Alasse lyes in your hands Then doe not cause my only fall I ty'd am in such bands Part hence I cannot nor loue leaue But heere must euer bide Then pitty let my paine receiue Doe not from mercy slide 33 If that said she you constant are Vnto your comming ill I le leaue this place yet let all care Accompany me still And Sheepheard liue and happy be Let iudgment rule your will Seeke one whose hart from loue is free And who your ioy may fill 34 For I loue 's bond-slaue am and ty'd In fetâ—ers of Disdaine My hopes are frozen my Spring dry'd My Sommer drown'd with paine I lou'd and worse I said I lou'd Free truth my ruine brought And so your speech the like hath mou'd and losse for gayning bought 35 With that away she hasted fast Left him his cares to holde Who now to sorrow make all hast Woes driue his hopes to fould Now he can see and weeping say His fortune blind he finds A heart to harbour his decay A state which mischeife binds 39 This now he feeles and wofully His birth and life he blames Yet passions rules when reasons lye in darke or quenched flames That place he first beheld her in his byding he doth make The Tree his liberty did win He cals his Martyr stake 37 And pleasingly doth take his fall his griefe accoumpts delight Freedome and ioy this bitter thrall His food her absent sight In contraryes his pleasures be While mourning giues him ease His Tombe shall be that haplesse Tree Where sorow did him ceaze 38 And thus did liue though daily dy'd The Sheephard Arideame Whose causlesse teares which neuer dry'd were turnd into a streame Himselfe the head his eyes the spring Which fâ—d that Riuer cleere Which to true harts this good doth bring When they approch it neere 39 And drinke of it to banish quite All fickell thoughts of change But still in one choyce to delight And neuer thinke to range Of this sweete water I did drinke Which did such faith infuse As since to change I cannot thinke Loue will death sooner chuse She that was before wonne what wrought this in her seeing loue seeking loue expression moouing admmiration and that so much as to admire him in her choyce at first sight so well to chuse but the truest worke or weft of her Loome was to doe which was to winne him winne shee would and at last as nothing or very little is hard to purchase in a mans breast a kind pitty or rewarding loue as if but exchanging and the latter part of that their marchandize She compassed her desires like her selfe the worst way for she made the poore louing Cauterino be the meanes to his losse vrging very much and earnestly shee replied that if hee loued so much as hee said hee should expresse it by bringing Dorileus to speake with her framing the cause to be concerning a Sister of hers in the house whom she said was farre gone in loue with him Hee gladdest of this that thus hee might serue her seuerall wayes went straite to his friend and most friendly brought him vnto her into a Garden appointed for it going away as kindly as shee wished leauing them together who then priuate she began My Lord said she you may well taxe me of boldnes but impudence I beseech you cleere me off since Loue the powrefull god of hearts commands mee to this adventure in which yet I blush least you should otherwise iudge of me then of feruent affection which hath stirred this vnusuall manner contrary to a womans modesty in seeking you but my Lord my loue is so violent to you as that blinds me to any course but this which is to beg pitty of you and compassion for my paine The hardest heart could hardly denye such a request much lesse his which was neuer in that kind cruell wherefore he went the neerest way to content her granting her request and appointing that night to waite vpon her what a busines shee kept then her Chamber was so perfumed and sweetely furnished her selfe so delicate to entertaine as when hee came hee thought it a braue Iourney and dainty conquest of himselfe for shee wooed and he had now the labour saued of Courting louing and all other troubles but yeelding which is easie on such conditions for the best of that Sexe to doe The night is come and hee prepared went to his Mistris the other amorous Duke being extremely molested with his passion could not sleepe but vexed with doubt and loue rose from his bed and went to his friends chamber to discourse and so ease his burdned burning breast but thither arriued he found only a light burning his Page asleepe in the chayre at the beds feete and the Duke absent this strake him into a iealous passion as thinking none so worthy as his Mistris none so likely there fore to be serued and so concluded none other then this wrong to him Then he complained against his friend for breach of friendship since hee knew how much he loued but straite came this againe that that tye without breach might be broken for loue cannot be resisted and none can command that power so as force not will did heere offend but all women for this tricke he reuiled and cursed himselfe for being the meanes and helpe for thus betraying him making him the instrument as in scorne for her satisfaction in loue and
but fiue and vnarmed attempted to rescue her from vs being all these and two of them so amorous as they in that raging passion loue being at the best a mild frenzie would haue been able or thought themselues so to haue withstood them and many more especially their Mistris being in presence This noise also brought forth the good womaÌ„ wife to the honest merchant where began so pitifull a monefull complaining betweene her and this Princesse as truly mou'd compassion in all my heart I am sure weeping for them yet the mad Louers had sense of nothing but their worst desires With these words the Princesse fell into a new sorrow which the Knight perceiuing whose heart was neuer but pitifull to faire Ladies perswaded the sad Antissia so well as he proceeded Then being possest of the Ladie my Master led the way bringing his brother and vs to this banket this place being set downe for her dishonor but destin'd for their graues Then grew a strife for the first enioying of her so farre it proceeded as from words they fell to blowes and so in short time to this conclusion for they fighting wee following our Masters example followed them in death likewise all but my selfe and I now at your mercy He had but concluded his storie when I pulling of my helmet kneeling downe to the Princesse told her who I was and likewise my search for her which she with as much ioy as on a sudden could enter into so sad a mind receiu'd with gratious thankfulnes Now had the black Knight in like manner discouer'd his face which so excellent in louelines I cannot say fairenes as the whitest beauty must yeeld to such a sweetnes and yet doth his mind as farre excell his person as his person doth all others that I haue seene and so will all allow for this was Amphilanthus who with mild yet a princely manner told the Princesse That she might leaue her sorrow being falne into his hands where she should haue all honor and respect and within short time by himselfe bee deliuer'd to her father But first hee was to performe his promise to his dearest friend and Cosen Parselius in meeting him in Italy the time prefixed being almost expired and his search vtâ—erly fruitlesse But I pray sir said Parselius how came that braue Prince againe into Morea By a violent storme said he wherein he suffer'd shipwrack This done Amphilanthus Antissia the Hermit and my selfe tooke our waies to the Merchants house whom we found return'd but ready again to haue left his house fill'd with discontent and passion for the vnhappy accident his wife in that desperate griefe as hardly could shee haue endured with life had not the blessed returne of Antissia giuen comfort like life vnto her sorrowes The seruant to the slaine Knight guided vs within sight of the house but then with pardon and liberty of going his owne way he departed That night we rested there the next morning parted our selues Amphilanthus Antissia the Merchant and his wife took their iourny together towards the Court there to leaue her till he had found Parselius and so end his vow the old Hermit returnd to his priuate deuotions my self took my way to the next port to ship my selfe for Romania in the same ship was also this man who hearing me discourse of my aduentures with the Master of the ship gaue ill language of Amphilanthus then of Parselius saying they were Cosoners and not Princes but some odde fellowes taking good names vpon them since it was very vnlikely so great persons should be so long suffered abroad and trauell in such a sort alone and more like runne-awaies then Princes These much moued mee but to put mee quite out of patience hee went on giuing vilder and more curst speeches of my owne Lord this made mee strike him and so wee fell together so close as one or both had dyed for it had not the company parted vs and after wee had againe gon to it but that this ship came and tooke vs and so made vs Prisoners to saue our liues But now Sirs if you doe not iustice you wrong your selues in not reuenging so great an iniurie done to the brauest Princes Parselius replide Wee were not worthie to liue if wee did not right so worthy a Gentleman as your selfe and reuenge the wrong done to so great Princes whose greatnesse yet cannot keepe ill tongues in awe sufficientlie but that in absence they are often wronged and therefore friends must reuenge that which they ignorant of otherwise may suffer But herein wee may bee thought partiall for this Knight you see is Leandrus my selfe Parselius one of the cousoning Princes as it pleased his honestie to call mee I would aduise therefore that this rare Shepherdesse should appoint him his punishment The young Knight kneeled downe to haue kissed the handes of the two Princes they taking him vp gaue him thankes for his discourse commending him much for his loyaltie and valour Vrania who was as heartily angry as the Knight seeing her Parselius thus wronged could find no lesse punishment for him then death But then the Prince did with sweete perswasions mitigate her furie but brought it no lower then to publike whipping submission and recantation Lastlie humbly on his knees to aske pardon of the Romanian Kâ—ight All now satisfied but Vrania who could not easilie forgiue an iniure done to her other selfe sent him a shore to the next land they saw Then did the knight againe speake My Lord Parselius with your leaue I beseech you permit me to take so much boldnes as to beseech my Lord Leandrus to doe me so much honour as to tell mee the aduenture which caused the report and suspition of his death they both agreeing Leandrus thus began After I had left you most noble Parselius I went to my owne countrie to visite my father where still I heard the noise of Antissia's losse the likelihood of her beauty the griefe of Parents and the wrong done to my selfe these did not only inuite but command me to be diligent in making al these pieces ioyne again in the first body of coÌ„tent which I perswaded my self able to doe by seeking and finding of her The one I resolu'd the other I nothing doubted then with my fathers consent I left Achaya taking my way among the Greek Ilands and passing the Archipelago I left no Iland that had a league of land vnsought or vnseene then shipt I my self and past into your Morea so after I had seene all those places I went againe to â—ea resoluing afterwards to take towards Italy whither for farnesse it might bee the traytors had carried her my companion then leauing me to go to his heart which he had left in Cecillia But being in the Iland of Cephalonia there was a solemne and magnificent Feast held which was by reason of a marriage betweene the Lords daughter of that Iland and the Lord of Zante's sonne a fine and spritefull
make her feele seeing him her soule had onely loued after so many cruell changes and bitter passions in their crost affection This being past the wounded Knight began thus First said hee let mee know by whose hand I haue receiued this worthie end and indeed too worthy for so worthlesse a Creature who now and but now could discerne my rash and wicked error which now I most heartilie repent Now are mine eyes open to the iniuries done to vertuous Limena her chastity appeares before my dying sight whereto before my eyes were dimme and eares deafe seeing and hearing nothing but base falshoods being gouern'd by so strong and vndeserued Iealousie Next I must aske pardon of you my Lord Perissus deny not these Petitions I humbly beseech you both vnto a dying man who in his life did offer you too foule and too vnpardonable an iniury Perissus seeing his speedy end approaching hauing the noblest and freest heart forgaue him that offence which proceeded from the same ground that his crosses came from both taking roote from Loue and yet Loue in that kinde chang'd nature with madnesse when attended on with so much iealousie then with a milde voice he spake Philargus said he I am glad your punishment is accompanied with so happy and true repentance I doe freely forgiue you and thinke no more of that past then if neuer done But this I desire you will demand the like of your excellently vertuous wife who hath beene the patient of all your fury That I doe said Philargus and let my soule enioy no happinesse if I wish not her as well as it Then deare Limena haue you pardon'd me if not O doe and forgiue vnfortunate and ill-deseruing Philargus My Lord said she I most sincerely and heartily forgiue you and so I pray doe you the like for me my dearest then said he I happily and thrise happily now shall welcome death For your other demand said the braue Prince my name is Parselius Prince of Morea Philargus kissing his hand gaue him thankes and weeping for ioy said Most fortunate end how doe I embrace thee comming so luckily and brought thee by such royall hands Then taking Perissus by the one hand and Limena by the other he said I haue yet one request more to make which granted I shall dye with all content and this is only in you two to consent to they promised that then he should not be refused These misfortunes said he which now are past and I hope shall haue buriall in mee haue neuerthelesse it is most likely left some false conceipt remaining in the hearts of some people which to remedy and vtterly take away desiring Limena's honor which without questioÌ„ remains spotted might flourish as deseruedly as the clearenesse of it selfe is without so much as the shadowe of a thought to the contrary I beseech you for your owne best fortunes and my quiet departing to promise mee that after my death you will marry each other One more worthy my Lord more loyall more chaste the world holds not and this are you bound to doe for her who for you hath been wrongd and Limena deny not this to your dying husband being the last he can euer aske you He needed not vrge them much to what they most coueted and purposed in their hearts before yet to giue him full satisfaction though on her side with bashfull and fearefull consenting they yeelded to him Then my Lord said he take her and my hearts prayers with best wishes to you and my best belou'd Limena in witnesse of my loue to you I bestow on you this most worthy Lord far better befitting you and my whole estate with that embracing them kissing her and lastly lifting vp his eyes to heauen he departed they like true friends closing his eyes Being now growne late 〈◊〉 that night they went into the Caue which but lately had been the priâ—on of sweet Limena with them they caryed the body laying it in the further part of the hollownesse Then did Parselius tell them how infinitly happy he esteemed himselfeâ— in hauing come so luckily to serue them of whom and whose vnfortunat affection hee had heard hauing had it from the rare Shepherdesse Name her he could not his breath being stopp'd with sighes and his teares falling down in all abundance sent from his heart which dropp'd like the weeping of a Vine when men without pitty wound it Perissus seeing his sorrow made hast to ask the cause fearing some great harme had befalne that Diuine Creature of whom he gaue such praises as Limena thought they were too much which hee perceiuing left with demanding of her safety and why his greeuing was which Parselius hauing passionatly and truely related he desired most earnestly to heare the rest of Limena's story which she thus began My Lords after I sent the Letter and the time expired Philargus came for my answer or to performe his vowe which with desire I attended although he contrary to my wishes prolonged it When hee had what I resolud to giue him for satisfaction which was a direct deniall being in these words I know as your wife I am in your power to dispose of then vse your authority for so foule a staine will I neuer lay vpon my bloud as to betray the Prince name you in truth I durst not least at the last that might mooue my affections Then did he command me to goe with him to my death I hoped when he brought me into a great Wood in the midâ—t whereof he made a fire the place being fit and I thinke sure had been vsed in former time to offer sacrifice in to the Siluan Gods Then hee made mee vndresse my selfe which willinglie and readily I did preparing my selfe to be the poore offring but the richest that richnesse of faith in loue could offer When I had put off all my apparell but one little Petticote he opened my breast and gaue me many wounds the markes you may here yet discerne letting the Mantle fall againe a little lower to shew the cruell remembrance of his crueltie which although they were whole yet made they newe hurts in the louing heart of Perissus suffering more paine for them then he had done for all those himselfe had receiued in his former aduentures therfore softly putting the Manâ—le vp againe and gently couering them lest yet they might chance to smart besought her to goe on longing to haue an end of that tragicall historie and to come againe â—o their meeting which was the onely balme could be applied vnto his bleeding heart She ioyfull to see this passion because it was for her and sorry it was Perissus did sorrow proceeded And after these threatning many more and death it selfe if yet I consented not But seeing nothing could preuaile hee tooke my clothes and with them wip'd the bloud off from me I expecting nothing but the laâ—t act which I thought should haue been concluded with my burning his mind chang'd from the first
till being laid in his bed and carefully lookt vnto his old Father being there grieued in heart yet the better contented since if he died it would be to his honour for euer to end his daies in so noble an aduenture life againe possessed him but weakely expressing it selfe for many daies yet did he rocouer When this company came into the Hall straight came the King vnto them running to Pamphilia and weeping with ioy to see her free againe so as in a pretie space he could not speake vnto her but when O my deere heart said he what treason was there here against mee to depriue mee of thy sight Shee comforting him and letting some teares fall as dutifully shed to wait on him besought him since shee found that blessednesse as his so great affection to her that he would thanke those who restored her to him then taking them all one after another in his armes he desired to know the blacke Knight Pamphilia then answerd Sir said shee this Knight is so ingaged by a vow as he can hardly let his name be knowne yet since this liberty was giuen that vpon extraordinary occasion hee might reueale himselfe I will vndertake the discouering and fault if fault there be in this vpon mee and then turning to him Braue Brother said shee comfort our Fathers age with the happinesse of the sight of such an incomparable Sonne wâ—th that Rosindy pulling off his Helme kneeled downe But when the King beheld him he fell vpon his necke with such affection kissing him as if all his loue were at that instant in him and ioynd together to expresse it to him Then was command giuen for a rich Chamber for him whither he was lead Selarinus accompanying him being lesse hurt then he yet had he not escaped free from remembrance of that diuellish creature All now at peace no discourse was but of the valour of the defendants but especially the honor of Rosindy was blazed abroad hauing with his own hand kil'd one of the Brothers wounded another and wearied the third to death slaine many of the Knights and by his example done so much as incouraged the weake bodies of the rest whose hearts neuer faild Then Selarinus was commended exceedingly and indeed with great cause for his valour was â—quall with most his care that day exceeding others Pamphilia being saued from imprisonment by him Lisandrinus will all honour respected who made manifest proofe of his valour and affection to the Court The Prince of Elis did so well as made all assured of his being a braue Knight this the first of his aduentures hauing so manfully performed for had not an vnlucky blow in the legge hindred him from standing he had also slaine his foe The two last Knights were of the Court one Sonne to the Marshall cald Lizarino and the other Tolimandro Prince of Corinth The Traytors were all carried to a strong Tower where they remaind till the Knights were well againe recouered which in short time was to the great ioy and comfort of euery one Now did Pamphilia thinke it fit to acquaint the King with her Brothers businesse wherefore first asking leaâ—e of Rosindy shee did the King being infinite glad of this newes went straight vnto his lodging whom he found alone but for Selarinus who neuer left him as strict and firme an affection growing betweene them as euer liued in two mens hearts one vnto another Then did the King impart vnto him what Pamphilia had told him which was confirmed by Rosindy the match liked and commended by the King the resolution was as Pamphilia before had told him and hee chosen Generall of the Morean forces Selarinus his Lieutenantâ— and thus with preparing for these wars and euery one contented except the louing Ladies Loue must againe be a little discoursed of Parselius who making haste after Amphilanthus â—ooke his way thorow Morea but after not as hee was directed by the Squires but along Achaia crossing the Gulfe of Lepanto which course might make him misse the King if hee came short of the Combate they resoluing to take their course backe againe by sea to Morea aswell to trie aduentures in the Islands as to hasten the forces that being a shorter way but here did Parselius as destined for him for till now hee still obeyed the other meete a greater force then hee imagined being in a Forrest benighted and hauing none with him except his Cousins Squire and his owne In that solitary place they layd them downe for that night The next day going on in that Desart till they came to a strong and braue Castle situated in a litle Plaine a great moate about it and ouer it a draw Bridge which at that time was downe and some Seruants vpon it looking vpon the water which was broad and finely running when the Prince came neere the place they turnd their eyes to him who courteously saluted them and demaunded whose Castle that was they replied it was the Kings and that there liu'd within it his faire Daughter Dalinea Is shee said the Prince to be seene If so I pray let her know that heere is a Knight desires to kisse her hand well knowne to her Brother and who had the honour to bee his Companion One of the seruants instantly ranne in others went to take their horses while Parselius lighted and put off his Helme wiping his face with his delicate white and slender hand rubbing his haire which delicatly and naturally curling made rings euery one of which were able to wed a heart to it selfe By that time the Messenger returnd leading him first into a stately Hall then vp a faire paire of stone staires caru'd curiously in Images of the Gods and other rare workmanship at the topp they came into a braue roome richly hang'd with hangings of Needle-worke all in Silke and Gold the Story being of Paris his Loue and rape of Helen out of that they passed into another roome not so big but farre richer the furniture being euery way as sumptuous if not bettering it but what made it indeed excell was that here was Dalinea sitting vnder a Cloth of Estate of Carnation Veluet curiously and richly set with Stones all ouer being Embrodered with purle of Siluer and Gold the Gold made in Sunnes the Siluer in Starres Diamonds Rubies and other Stones plentifully and cunningly compassing them about and plac'd as if for the Skye where they shin'd but she standing appeard so much brighter as if all that had been but to set forth her light so farre excelling them as the day wherein the Sunne doth shew most glorious doth the drowsiest day Her Ladies who attended her were a little distant from her in a faire compasse Window where also stood a Chaire wherein it seemed she had been sitting till the newes came of his arriuall In that Chaire lay a Booke the Ladies were all at worke so as it shewed she read while they wrought All this Parselius beheld but most the Princesse who he so
you heede faire maid loue is a power that will though once gainsaid the second time come in with armes and make your chastest thoughts contribute to his taxe had you beene in the chamber or but mark'd the piercing darts hee sent by lookes of loue such as had beene enough to burne a heart that would contend but yeelding to make ioy glory in greater pride then euer ioy did know I found some verses too which hee hath made and giuen his mistresse by them you may ghesse in what estate his restlesse burning soule continues flaming to my vtter shame and ruine of my name Then tooke hee forth some verses which indeed I doe confesse I made and most vnfortunately lost those lines gaue full assurance of the truth and bred as true a hate in her to vs which though she stroue to couer and dissemble with show of sorrow onely for my griefe yet hee perceiu'd as hauing eyes of Art and those directed by a diuellish wit these found what hee did seeke then wrought hee still on that and so at last came to his practise end which happened the day before the feast had full conclusion in this haplesse kind The iealous and despightfull Melinea when dancing did begin of purpose let the paper fall but so as Selinea must bee next to take it vp which soone she did and opening it discerned it was my hand and that the subiect of those lines was loue which was most true but alas falsly held from her to whom they and my firmest thoughts were onely bent and dedicated with affections zeale and zealous loue these and my negligence in not seeking to confirme her trust confident of her loue made her alas belieue too soone The paper was with faigned anger snatched quickly from my mistris shee with blushing said Why Melinea I thought you had not beene one so much giuen to Poetry till now I made them not said shee No sighing said the other I know that with which shee looked on mee but with so cruell eyes and yet affection went with them though shadowed with her scorne which might be pitty call'd These strake my heart in sunder with their sight O mee cryed I haue I fram'd these to spoyle my fortunes which should haue procur'd my blisse by telling what I could not vtter speach tyed by a power of a greater might Alas that euer I did take a penne in hand to be the Traytor to my ioy this griefe made me as guilty seeme by shame and silence which did then possesse my most distracted senses as if I had been as false as they made me appeare The dauncing went still on but she who was the best like to her heart she rul'd her feete in sad and walking pace now was the plot well forward hee wrought still and finding fault there was no nimbler sports came and intreated me to take his wife and so begin a more delightfull daunce Hee saw my griefe she found his drift two hated mee to death all were disorderd but I onely lost thus pass'd the night the morning come to part we were directed by our words giuen at the meeting Faine I would haue spoken but shee who thought me false auoided it and gaue but liberty to say farewell which euen with teares I did She loath now to behold me who of late she lou'd cast downe her eyes not gracing me with one poore looke which though disgracefull yet as hers had beene more welcome then the sweetest smiles that euer louer ioyd in from his Loue. Thus we were parted to dispaire and losse yet meant I not to leaue my mistris so but quickly found a meanes to visit her when she continuing still her cruell frownes to mee I got yet liberty by my cares watch to speake with her although against her minde but then more cruell then the fiercest Lyons enrag'd by famine did bring forth these words False man said shee haue you not yet enough that your deceipt hath come vnto mine eyes For false you are else had you lou'd me still you would haue diligently cleer'd this doubt but O you thinke this not enough nor I sufficiently afflicted with your fault but more you would intice me for more paine glory in your iniustice and make triumphes for your ill blaze to the world the sinne of your ingratitude and change and that once done hope then to winne againe but who none but so lucklesse and vnblessed a soule as I was who did trust you cruell you the worst and falsest of your changing sexe This being said but force could hold her wherefore for feare of further rage I let her goe remaining like the Creatures Metamorphos'd into stones Yet at last I went into my Chamber and there framd some lamentable lines to let her see how cruelly shee had with scorne and strange mistaking martyr'd mee When I deliuered them shee tooke them with these words I le reade them said shee onely to perceiue how well your vaine continues in this change or if you please I le be you messenger and giue them Melinea from your selfe These wounded mee more then the sharpest Sword but more alas grew my mishapp for she hating so much as once before she lou'd desir'd me to loue my selfe so well as to refraine to shew my eyes to her where so much false ingratitude did dwell and for my sake shee would not onely doe the like for mee in keeping from my sight least I with seeing her should see my shame but would for my foule fault hate all mens loues this I besought her to recall she said it fixed was then went I thence and mourned a while vnseene at last my Fathers miserie called me to succour him that done againe I sought to gaine her pardon but alas in vaine for she resolud to nothing but my griefe shunn'd as she promisd my then loathed sight After her husband dyed I then did woe her offered marriage sought with more then Vassal-like desire but nothing mooud her vntill loue againe did take anew the conquest of her heart making her contrary to all her likings which shee till then had publish'd choose a braue yong Lord in truth a worthy man but contrary in all the outward markes which heretofore she said could winne her loue When I saw this I knew there was no hope I left her and the Countrey blaming fate that thus had made me causelesly accursed Farewell said I deere Lady of my soule and farewell all loue to your wayward sex where iudgement liues but in the shallow being of an outward sight curst is that man that puts least trust in you more certainely the ficklest weather hath more staidnesse feathers and more profit drops of raine in Snow which melts with it while you spoile onely me thus I departed when she married last and then for her sake vowed as she had done but with more manly constancy to hold a true and a loyall oath neuer to loue or chuse a Creature of so light a kinde as
him since his departure for your loue it is so rare a thing to bee found in one of your sexe in such constant fury as to procure and continue such a iourney as that of it selfe without the mixâ—ure of such perfections as you see in your selfe were enough to conquer one that could be ouercome but for his loue to my daughter there she is to answer you if she please and cleare that doubt since it is more then euer I knew that the Albanian Prince did loue her more then in respect vnto her greatnesse Nereana turning to Pamphilia earnestly and one might see curiously and like a riuall therefore spitefully beholding her thus spake Well might hee braue Princesse bestow his affections where such vnusuall beauties do abide nor now can I blame him for prostrating his heart before the throne of your excellent perfections Pamphilia blushed both with modesty and danger yet she gaue her this answer Madam said she I know you are a Princesse for before your comming hither I heard the fame of you which came swifter then your self though brought by loue and in truth I am sorry that such a Lady should take so great and painefull a voyage to so fond an end being the first that euer I heard of who took so Knight-like a search in hand men being vs'd to follow scornefull Ladies but you to wander after a passionate or disdainefull Prince it is great pitie for you Yet Madam so much I praise you for it as I would incourage you to proceede since neuer feare of winning him when so many excellencies may speake for you as great beauty high birth rich possessions absolute command and what is most matchlesse loue and loyaltie besides this assurance you may haue with you that to my knowledge hee loues not me and vpon my word â— affect not him more then as a valiant Prince and the friend to my best friends Thus are you secure that after some more labour you may gaine what I will not accept if offered me so much do I esteeme of your affectionate search These words were spoken so as though proud Nereana were nettled with them yet could she not in her iudgement finde fault openly with them but rather sufferd them with double force to bite inwardly working vpon her pride-fild heart and that in her eyes she a little shewed though she suffered her knees somewhat to bow in reuerence to her Answere shee gaue none scorning to thanke her and vnwilling to giue distaste hauing an vndaunted spirit she turned againe to the King vsing these words For all this said she great King I cannot thinke but Steriamus loues this Queene for now doe I find a like excellent mind inclosed within that all-excelling body such rarenes I confesse liuing in her beauty as I cannot but loue his iudgement for making such a choice and the rather do I belieue he loues her because he affects hardest aduentures and so impossible is it I see to win her heart as it may prooue his most dangerous attempt yet brauely doth he in aspiring to the best Then braue king and you faire Lady pardon me and iudge of my fault or folly with mild eyes since neither are mine wholly but the Gods of loue to whom I am a seruant The King told her more cause he had to commend and admire her then to contemne her since for a woman it was vnusuall to loue much but more strange to be constant After this and some other passages Amphilanthus and Ollorandus came and saluted her giuing her many thankes for their royall welcome she kindly receiued them desiring them to giue her some light how to find Steriamus they answered her that from Delos he was directed to an Iland called St Maura but more they knew not nor heard of him since his going thither with another good Prince calld Dolorindus Hauing this little hope of finding him she gaue them thankes and so took her leaue nor by any meanes could they perswade her stay in her soule hating the sight of her who though against her will had won and then refused that which shee for her onely blessing did most seeke after yet would she honour her worth which openly she protested but neuer affect her person Thus the strange Princesse departed neither pleased nor discontented despising any passion but loue should dare to thinke of ruling in her but because she must not be left thus this story shall accompany her a while who tooke her way to the sea thinking it better to trust her selfe with Neptune then the aduentures which might befall her a longer iourney by land She taking ship at Castanica meant to passe among the Ilands and by power commanded the Saylers to bend their course for St. Maura which they did but in the night the wind changd and grew high turning towards day to a great storme not meaning to be curst but when the fury might be seene thus were they with the tempest carried another way then they intended and at last safely though contrary to their wils being in the Mediterran sea were cast vpon Cecily at a famous place cald Saragusa Then she who saw there was no way to contend against heauenly powers would not in discretion chafe though blame her fortune on land shee went to refresh her selfe and so passed toward the Citie of Seontina where shee determined to stay some dayes and then proceede or rather returne in her iourney the weather being hot and trauell tedious One dayes iourney being past shee wild her seruants to set vp her tents hard by a Wood side where shee had the benefit of that shade and before her a delicate greene Playne through the which ran a most pleasant Riuer shee liking this place which as shee thought humbly by delights sought to inuite her stay in it as a Woman that would take what content shee could compasse for that time laid aside State and to recreate her selfe after her owne liking went into the Wood pretending her thoughts would not bee so free as when shee was alone and therefore bid her seruants attend her returne they willing to obay her and best pleased when t was for their ease let her goe who taking the directest way into the heart of the Wood and so farre not for the length of the way but the thicknes and the likenesse of the paths and crossings as she wandred in amaze and at last quite lost her selfe straying vp and downe now exercising the part of an aduenturous louer as Pamphilia in iest had call'd her a thousand thoughts at this time possessing her and yet all those as on a wheele turnd came to the same place of her desperate estate One while she curs'd her loue then dislike of her folly for aduenturing and rashly leauing her Country she raild at the vncareful people who permitted her to haue her fond desires without limiting her power but that she check'd againe for said she rather would I be thus miserable then not
ranne to death But one day as I past among the rocks which were both steepe yet easie to ascend the countrie hilly the earth blacke the mourning onely couerd with Heath and stones to expresse the ill nature of that soile I went still in it till at last descending one of the steepest and most ragged of those hills the top of which was crownd with milke white rocks in bignesse strange and fashion farre more rare I sat downe in a stone of mighty height which like a chaire in iust proportion did giue mee roome and ease Yet some thing vnsafe it was to looke downe for those whose eyes will dazell if on any high place for the height was great and that stood as if onely framd to sit and see the bottome directly vnder Looking a while I saw some folkes below and as it were a Spring where they did drinke I left the rocke then and did straight descend vnto the Plaine the descent was not tedious but slippery When I thither came of all the company one man was able to declare any thing of the nature of it for the rest were strangers and not the same Countrimen I ciuilly demanded if that spring were medicinable or what made them with so much affectionate ceremony to drinke and as it were adore it That man made answere it was that diuine and sacred water which did cure all harmes I blamd him knowing he had said too much since only one was fit to bee termed so but he more seruant to adoration then diuinity told me many strange works that water had performd I did for nouelties take of the streame drinking of it I found it did me no harme Then I demanded what it would procure he said Quiet of spirit comfort in this life How long I demanded ought we to drinke thereof Seuen times he replied and thrice seuen dayes I liuing not farre off resolu'd the task and dranke and found such good as soone I was alterd in al things but my truth which now alone to me remaines vnharmd my whole condition alterd I grew free and free from loue to which I late was slaue Then finding this true vertue in my selfe and my poore selfe returnd to me againe I did embrace it in the same true sort that loue held me and so we did agree I loue my selfe my selfe now loueth me But after to auoid all new delights or to bee sued too or intised againe â— put on these habits hoping by purenesse and vowed chastity to win Diana's fauour which now is all my ambition and my hope Thus here I liue in expectation not assurance of her acceptance into this Brooke I oftentimes doe goe and now was going iust as you did come remembrance of my faith I keepe and ioy alone in that without desire or thought of loues varietie My daies remaining I haue giuen to truth and as a Nimph I still will here remaine my name I also changed with my life from Allarina to Siluiana these habits keepe me from discourse with men my vow from yeelding so I now liue free and vncontrold of Fortunes selfe My Mistrisse I adore â— keepe her Feasts deuoutly and thus I doe remaine your humblest Vassall mighty Princesse else sole Mistrisse of my thoughts and freedomes rule Happy you are said the excellent Queene so to bee able to master your selfe but did you neuer see him since you wore these habits Oft-times great Princesse said she I haue seene him and so perceiued desire new in him to win me back but now it is too late I must confesse who once had told me I could haue beheld his face without my soules affection to it I should hardly haue belieued it much more to find my heart so free from loue as now it is and as he made himselfe to me euen a meere stranger so are now mine eyâ—s and thoughts as farre from touch of loue as if I had been borne neuer to know loue or such passions when as once my eyes hung after him as steru'd without his sight my soule lou'd him as a blessing and I was indeed only his now am I free my selfe void of those troubles loue prouoked in me I can with quietnes heare all his acts see him this day intolerably fond of one I hated then change to a new all that mooues not me saue only that I out of pity pity their ill haps Once I was iealous vext if hee did throw by chance a looke on any but my selfe that fault he punisht with his sterne neglect plagueing me in the sharpest kind striuing to make me see his change and scornefully expressing to my sight disdaine of me and fondnesse in such loues These are requited now he growne to pitie when I scorne to take it he to loue me when I am vowed else-where thus loue rewarded is with scorne and scorne with pitilesse regard returning home I cannot yet belieue said Pamphilia but you loue him still for all this liberall and excellent discourse I neuer will liue houre said Siluiana to hate him though I am made free from bond of vaine affection thus much truly I doe still remaine his friend and seruant to defend him from all harmes I may by my respect make void and were it in my way to doe him though a iust ill turne and many leagues off I might doâ— him good that iourney I would take yet loue I not ought but faire chastitie This sweet discourse concluded the braue Queene tooke leaue of the fine Nymph and so returnd with promise when she hunted in those parts she would find her then going to the Court she went into her chamber to take rest little of that sufficed her for though great as any yet in loue was as much subiect as the meanest borne Pamphilia said she can thy great spirit permit thee to bee bound when such as Allarina can haue strength to master and command euen loue it selfe Scorne such seruilitie where subiects soueraignize neuer let so meane a thing ore-rule thy greatest power either command like thy self or fall downe vassall in despaire Why should fond loue insult or venture in thy sight let his babish tricks be priz'd by creatures vnder thee but disdaine thou such a gouernment Shall blindnes master thee and guide thee looke then sure to fall Shall way ward folly rule thee looke to be despis'd Shall foolish wantonnes intice thee hate such vice Shall children make thee follow their vaine tricks scorne then thy selfâ— and all such vanities Yet when all this is said and that the truest knowledge tells me these are true my wounded heart with bleeding doth professe vassalladge to the great and powerfull might of loue I am prisoner guard me then deere loue keepe me but safely free from yeelding and keepe me as thou hast already made me thine Much of the time she had to be at rest she thus imploy'd then rysing the day telling her all brightnesse waited on her she rose and went to the sweete Limena
onely sure for his owne honour then her safety hee sent often to her this made her take ioy assuring her selfe he now felt he was bound to loue her since thus she was neere death for him this made her hope he would be gratefull in affection though not passionate Much did he flatter then and protest respect of her aboue his life and that her life and safety were more deare to him then his owne heart bloud Expresseles consolation were these vowes but broken greatest plagues what should we trust when man the excellentest creature doth thus excell in ill No sooner was she amended but he sent againe with all shew of affection his comming he excused as out of care to her lest others would haue visited her too and so might trouble her in weakenes bring danger to her health These glosses were to her like faith beleeud cheerish'd til soone was she made to know mens words are onely breath their oathes winde and vowes water to begin with her ensuing griefe her new borne hopes soone died those tyes she had knit vp were broken asunder in more violence which death brought heauy misery vnto the mother of these misaduentures for soone after fell his direct leauing her not scanting any contempt or scorne but turning all shew of fauour to her after that fell a new change for then this dainty woman must yeeld her fortunes to a new choyce in him and to an other whose beauty wins him from her craftinesse Then did she likewise fall to new dislikes crying out 'gainst disloyalty complaind of her misfortune cursd her credulity and fond hopes neuer ceasing complaints nor reuilings for her thoughts chusing the first forsaken louer to heare her accuse him euen vnto her face he who had from her chang'd lately to her and now from her vnto an other loue cruell this needs must bee to see him blamd and for that fault which she had suffered for alas then would she say what hap haue I to accuse my Fate and still to heare the accusation from an other to the same purpose Disloyall Lincus hath thy poore louer Alena deseru'd this hate canst thou without shame consider my wrongs thinke on my deserts I challeng none but leaue them to thy selfe to iudge I am your lost forsaken I am yet your truest loue and I am indeed the vnhappiest sufferer of your blame Pelia complaines of your disloyalty and to mee from whom you flew to her if shee dislike what shall I doe who beare the marks of shame and losse for you my reputation marr'd my honour in the dust are these requitalls to be scornd despised and hated at the last vnkind man for worse I cannot call you yet turne backe againe and look on my desearts if not on me and you shal find cleerenes in them to discerne these other faults by purenes to tel you none but it self deserues you griefe to mooue all your compassions to it lastly iust claimes to make you gratefull but you I see despise all vertuous wayes goe on your course then while I mourne for you and my extreamest crosse Thus did she oft complaine yet neuer shund his sight least he should thinke his change could alter her◠the more he saw her patience the more and insolentlyer did hee presse on it striuing of purpose to afflict her most which the sight of his alteration needs must bring when she beheld him kisse his new loues hand with melting heart and passionate respect smile in her eyes begge for her grace write to her praise and expression of his loue these alas cryd shee were the baites that first betrayed me thus once he did to me thus fond was hee of mee thus careles of all else but now transformed as is his truth and faith Many perswaded her to keepe away to scorn as much as he to hate as much as he no would she cry his fault shal neuer make me il nor wil I chang though he so fickle bee yet bee assured I loue him not nor can bee more deceiued by him or any other onely thus far the remnant of my loue extends that I wonll take any course though painefull dangerous and hazard my life to keepe him from least harme Thus did a loiall louer liue and this is cōmonly the end of loyaltie to men who neuer knew but the end of their owne wills which are to delight only Perissus excepted And to satisfie you I haue giuen you this short example of true loue faigned I confesse the story is yet such may be and will bee louers Fates Pamphilia gaue great attention to it and the more because her last aduenture and this discourse did somewhat neere concurre as ending in misfortune why said she to her selfe should all chuse these or such like wofull histories of purpose to torment me with feare that I may liue to see like woes alas Loue sheild me from such harme I now behold cleere ioy so did Siluania and Alena and Pelia yet what conclusion haue they vtter ruine and distresse for reward These thoughts so inwardly afflicted her as she sat still her colour not changing nor any motion in her outward part while the soule onely wrought in her yet not to let the world be ignorant of her operation sent teares from out her eyes to witnesse the affliction that she felt teares which did fall with such louelynes as louelines did fall and bide with them So much did Limena loue her as shee greeu'd for those teares and with cryes gaue testimony of her sorrow while she vnstirr'd still let them slide vpon her softest cheeks as if she did consent to honour her true teares with touching that earths-heauenly place her heart did beate with paine and I thinke greefe that her eyes should be more happy in ability to demonstrate her paine then that which best knowing her mind could attaine vnto I feele said it the torment they shew it like players of an others part and so did it swell as Limena was forced to helpe and with comfort and perswasions appease the rage Thus they continued till Nanio the dwarfe came to them telling his Lady the happy tydings of Rosindy's arriuall with Selarinus this awaked her and made her melancholy companion yeeld to her better friend ioy back they went together and with much content met the King Rosindy and his companion in the Hall where the King and all the Court were assembled ioy plentifully disposing it selfe to euery one Amphilanthus holding his course towards St. Maura was thither brought safely and speedily then going to the Rocke he tooke Vrania in his armes vsing these wordes My dearest Sister and the one halfe of my life Fortune neuer fauourable to vs hath ordain'd a strange aduenture for vs and the more cruell is it since not to be auoyded nor to be executed but by my hands who best loue you yet blame me not since I haue assured hope of good successe yet apparent death in the action I must
and shining This Philistella had conquered the hearts of many but Selarinus was the man that sought her with most hope the others either not daring or knowing they were not fit for her contented themselues with beholding her and knowing they fruitlesly did languish in that loue Now had Selarinus broken this secret to Pamphilia who at this time tooke occasion to speake againe of it which was such content to him as nothing could be more and moou'd that passion in him as his face and eyes spake for his heart that it was vpon the rack of hope and feare Leandrus seeing this belieued it had been for Pamphilia which mooued him to greater hatred against him verily thinking it to be this Prince whom she affected seeing how willingly shee did embrace his company Amphilanthus then came in whom Leandrus straight went vnto desiring him that he would giue him one thing that he would demand of him Aske said hee any thing of mee whereto I am not engaged and I will grant it you I know not how I may secure my selfe in that said hee for if you haue a mind to refuse vnder this you may deny me all Nay said he mistrust not me causelesly nor touch me with such basenesse for neuer yet dealt I but truly with all men Pardon me my Lord said hee and I will take your word if you will first except some number of things whereto you are ingaged Only two said he and on my world I wil grant any other Then said Leandrus My suite to you is that since I haue been a long earnest and passionate suiter to your faire but cruell Cosin now hauing got the consent of her father her mother her brothers and most of her friends that you will likewise ioyne with them and speake vnto Pamphilia for mee I know she respects you much and will be as soone directed by you as by any friend she hath wherefore I beseech you grant me this fauour and by it tie me perpetually to your seruice The King replied that it was true they had all seene his affection to her they confessed his worth and deserts to bee equall with any Prince and to merit any wife whose answering loue might meete his but for his Cosin she was of her selfe and as farre as he could vnderstand by her she purposed not to marry if he had gaind the consent of her parents and brothers hee had purchased the surest to preuaile with her but for himselfe although he confessed in that his happinesse that shee did so much esteeme of him and fouud that she would heare him as soone as any other yet it was his misfortune in this that he could not doe him that seruice he desired to doe to make manifest his loue vnto him for he had now lighted on one of the excepted things since but this last night said he speaking of marriage shee said shee was already bestowed vpon her people and had married her selfe to them I vrging her youth and the pitie it would bee she should die without leauing some pictures of her self so excellent a piece She said her friends she hop'd would keepe her memory and that should be enough for her But I striuing further to perswade her to the altering of that determination My Lord said she it is settled and as you will euer make mee see you loue mee and would haue me confident of your well-wishings to me let mee begge this of you that you will neuer speake to me of any husband I swore it and seal'd my vowes on her faire hand Wherefore my Lord Leandrus you see how I am bound otherwise belieue it I would not deny your noble request but speake for you I protest truly as soone or sooner then for any other liuing The Prince Leandrus was contented with this answere belieuing him as iustly he might doe for he had said but onely truth to him Then parted they Leandrus giuing him many thankes for his noble freedome going to Philistella who with Selarina was passing the time Pamphilia bringing Selarinus to them and so pretily did discourse while Steriamus earnestly did pursue his affection to Vrania which although she willingly entertain'd yet she meant to be as wary as she could hauing been once deceiued wherefore with much modesty and mildnesse she denied and yet with her sweetnesse in denying gaue him hope and heart to proceed which at that time they being together he gaue witnesse of hauing gaind the fauour of her standing alone with him in a window protesting all the true and zealous affection that a man could beare vnto a woman She told him that these protestations hee had so often before vsed to Pamphilia as hee was perfect in them for said shee my brother hath told mee and many other what a power her loue had ouer you though shee neuer receiued it or did more if so much as pitie you It is most true said hee that your brother found me a miserable piece of mankind made anew by loue to be lesse then any of my sex and yet his greatest slaue shee reiected mee I now thanke Heauens for it since I was kept for this happinesse shee for a greater then my selfe which I wish â—hee may enioy and I bee blessed with your fauour which as my onely blessing I doe wish for and aske as my onely blisse But what let can my former loue bee to your receiuing mee I am not the first that hath lost my Loue What blame then can that bee to mee my choice being so good did not I pray you Parselius your Cosin loue before he married Dalinâ—a and Vrania I thinke liked before shee was throwne from the Rock Cast away then all former faults and burie them in the Deepes where those loues were cured and take a perfect one new borne vnto you and with you Shee blushed and told him hee grew bitterer then louers vse to be He smild and told her none that had a spot should find fault with anothers vnlesse theirs were cleane washed away and the other remaining But I feare said shee you will not now bee true Nothing said hee but that water could haue cleansed my heart from that ranckling wound nor now shall any thing alâ—er my truth to you Another charme may cure you said she Neuer said hee nor helpe if not your loue It grieues mee said shee that I cannot then present you with my first affection yet truly may I in a kind for I liked you before I loued the other Giue mee this second said hee which as the first I will esteeme and cherish it for a new created one it is and so shall liue in me neuer more blessed then now neuer truer shall any loue be to one nor more iust then mine said she Thus they giuing these prety assurances of eithers affections he presented her with a Bracelet of Diamonds She the next day requiting it with a much more pretious one to his thoughts being a brede of her haire No day passed
thought I enuied that Countrey where such good fashion was After this shee desirous of the honour to be with me often and I embracing her desire louing her conuersation we grew so neere in affection as wee were friends the neerest degree that may be Many times we walked together and downe the same walke where first we met with our eyes one day wee fell into discourse of the same subiect we now are in freely speaking as wee might who so well knew each other she related the story of her loue thus I was said shee sought of many and beloued as they said by them I was apt enough to beleeue them hauing none of the worst opinions of my selfe yet not so good an one as aspired to pride and well enough I was pleased to see their paines and without pitty to be pleased with them but then loue saw with iust eyes of iudgement that I deserued punishmeÌ„t for so much guilty neglect wherefore in fury he gaue me that cruell wound with a poysoned dart which yet is vncured in my heart for being free and bold in my freedome I gloried like a Mary gold in the Sun but long this continued not my end succeeding like the cloasing of that flowre with the Sunnes setting What shal I say braue Princess I lou'd and yet continue it all the passions which they felt for me I grew to commiserat and compare with mine free I was in discourse with my reiected suiters but onely because I desired to heare of it which so much rul'd me like a Souldier that ioyes in the trumpet which summons him to death Those houres I had alone how spent I them if otherwise then in deare thoughts of loue I had deserued to haue beene forsaken Sometimes I studied on my present ioyes then gloried in my absent triumphed to thinke how I was sought how by himselfe inuited nay implor'd to pitty him I must confesse not wonne as most of vs by words or dainty fashion rich cloathes curiositie in curiousnes these wonne me not but a noble mind a free disposition a braue and manly countenance excellent discourse wit beyond compare all these ioynd with a sweete and yet Courtier-like dainty Courtshippe but a respectiue loue neglectiue affection conquered me He shewed enough to make me see he would rather aske then deny yet did not scorning refusall as well he might free gift was what he wished and welcom'd daintynes had lost him for none cold winne or hold him that came not halfe way at the least to meete his loue I came much more and more I lou'd I still was brought more to confirme his by my obedience I may boldly and truly confesse that what with his liking and my obseruing I liued as happy in his loue as euer any did and bless'd with blessings as if with fasts and prayers obtain'd This happines set those poore witts I haue to worke and so to set in some braue manner forth my true-felt blisse among the cheifest wayes I found expression in verse a fine and principall one that I followed for he loued verse and any thing that worthy was or good or goodnes loued him so much as she dwelt in him and as from ancient Oracles the people tooke direction so gouernd he the rest by his example or precept from the continual flowing of his vertues was the Country inriched as Egypt by the flowing of Nile gaines plenty to her fields But I a poore weake creature like the Ant that though she know how to prouide yet doth it so as all discerne her craft so I although I sought the meanes to keepe this treasure and my selfe from steruing yet so foolishly I behaued my selfe as indaingerd my losse and wonne all enuy to mee I considered not I might haue kept and saued but I would make prouision before such as might be certaine of my riches This vndid mee carrying a burthen which not weightâ—er then I might wel beare was too much seene an empty trunke is more troblesome then a bag of gold so did my empty wit lead me to the trouble of discouery changing the golden waight of ioy to the leaden and heauy dispaire but that came many yeares after my happines for seauen yeares I was blest but then O me pardon me great Princesse cryd shee I must not proceed for neuer shall these lipps that spake his loue that kiss'd his loue discouer what befell me Speake then said I of these sweete dayes you knew touch not on his fault mine deere Lady cryed she it of force must be hee could not err I did hee was and is true worth I folly ill desert he brauenesse mixt with sweetnesse I ignorance and weaknesse hee wisdoms selfe I follyes Mistris Why what offence gaue you said I speake of your owne I cannot name that but it must replid she bring the other on for how can I say I saw the clowd but I must feele the showre therefore O pardon mee I will not blame him I alone did ill and suffer still yet thus farre I will satisfie you Hauing search'd with crurious and vnpartiall iudgment what I did and how I had offended him I found I was to busie and did take a course to giue offence when most I hoped to keepe I grew to doubt him to if iustly yet I did amisse and rather should haue suffered then disliked I thought by often letting him behold the paine I did endure for being blessd tooke away al the blessing wearying him when that I hoped should haue indeered him but that though somtimes is away yet not alwayes to be practised too much businesse and too many excuses made me past excuse I thought or feard or foolishly mistrusted hee had got an other loue I vnder other mens reports as I did faigne did speake my owne mistrust whether he found it or being not so hot in flames of yong affection growne now old to me as once he was gaue not such satisfaction as I hoped to haue but coldly bidde mee be assur'd hee lou'd mee still and seem'd to blame me said I slact my loue and told mee I was not so fond This I did falsly take like a false fier and did worke on that so as one night hee comming to my Chamber as hee vsed after a little talke hee was to goe and at his going stoop'd and kiss'd mee I did answere that so foolishly for modestly I cannot call it since it was a fauour I esteem'd and nere refus'd to take hee apprehended it for scorne and started back but from that time vnfortunate I liued but little happier then you see me now Pamphilia smild to heare her come to that the King was forc'd to couer his conceits and wish her to proceed She tooke her selfe pray God said shee I doe not play the Brittaine Lady now They both then did intreat to heare the rest that soone you may said shee for this was all only in a finer manner and with greater passion shee did then
courteous as he was proud and kind as he cruell the renowned Princes Amphilanthus and Ollorandus tooke shippe I could not but pursue in folly as in loue and so tooke a troublesome and tedious iourney to Morea I came of purpose to see her who was my vndoer for hee loued Pamphilia and shee would I behold desiring or so gayning my end no more contented with hearing it but like Procris would seeke it and gaine it There I had entertainment like my search smiles in scorne and losse in hope for in that Princesse I confesse worth to conquer hearts and thus I yeeld his choyce most perfect But this could not hold me from accusing my want of iudgment in going thither to behold her as if I would wash mine eyes the cleerer to see my ill What folly said I led me to this Rocke of mischeife to be cast downe and ruin'd on the ground of scorne yet did not this hinder my iourney for me thought I was more deseruing him then the rare Princesse so partiall are we to our selues that I could almost haue belieued she seemed excellent because mine eyes like a flattring glasse shewed her so yet againe thought I why should I commend her who vndoes my blisse My spleene then swell'd against her and I was sicke with anger that I as abruptly left Morea as Steriamus did Stalamina thence I was by the braue Amphilanthus directed to Saint Maura but a storme brought me hither where with a greater tempest I was molested falling into the hands of a madâ—man who dress'd me as you see and with diuersity of franticke fits perplexed me I haue since liued in these places and seene Winter in cold despaires and Sommers heat in flourishing misery nor saw I any of whom to demand fauour these many months first shuning all till now wherefore from your hands I implore it let not my outward meanes hinder your noble mind from pitty but rather shew it where most want claimes it I confesse contempt is likelyer to bee my reward whose pride was such as that punishment best fitteth me but I am humbled and my former fault looks more odious to me then thought of this fortune would haue done in my height of greatnes The King had before heard of her and tooke compassion of her carrying her to the Towne where that night she was to lye in his owne Charriot which was led spare she rid thither where he cloathed her according to her dignity But when she had her greatnes againe in good clothes put about her she began to grow to her wonted accustomed humours like a garden neuer so delicate when well kept vnder will without keeping grow ruinous So ouer-running-weedy pride in an ambitious creature proues troblesome to gouerne and rude to looke on Feare to see her poorenes held her from looking in either the face of a fountaine or Riuer but now her eyes tels her shee is her selfe which is enough to make her remember she was and must bee againe as she was directly Shall I said shee change from lownes to noblenes and not come to my noble spirit then were I more vnfortunate to haue such an alteration then if held in raggs the mind is aboue all but it selfe and so must mine bee Oâ—ght I not to glory in my good that I am redeemed from a priuate life nay must I not loue my selfe who I see Heauen hath such care of as not to let me be obleiged to other then one of mine owne ranke for the fauour as esteeming none other worthy to serue me Steriamus would thou didst but see this and thy disdainefull Mistris behold my honor it might worke good vpon you both and teach you how to esteeme of those or indeed her who the highest powers obserue and reuerence Alas what a â—oole was I to be molested with my former fortune had I beene able but to see what now I discerne I should haue reioyced at it since without question it was done for my greater honor and of purpose to shew me how much the highest would expresse affection nay respect vnto me Marke but the whole carryage did not all adore me the mad-man were his fits other then worshipping me as Sheephardesse Nimph or any thing did he not humble himselfe most respectiuely vnto me Then bee thy selfe absolutly bless'd Neraena all creatures made to secure thee and of all kinds command then and shew thou art worthy of such happy authority Soare like the Hobby and scorne to stoope to so poore a prey as Steriamus who now looks before mine eyes like a Dorr to a Faulcon my mind preserued for height goes vpward none but the best shall haue liberty to ioyne with me none Master me Ignorant Prince what glory did'st thou shunne when thou didest dispise the most reuerenced of women the fauorite of the louing Gods and Goddesses Dull man to loue any but Neraena the most loue-worthy of her sex and her whom all may glory in for affecting and that iudgement I discerne in this King who was euen at first sight rauished with beholding me true loue that only regards beauty not apparrell to that end did loue cloath me in ragges to conquer a King Poore Perisâ—us I pitty thee that thy constancy must loose the strong power it had till now and yeeld to my victory who cannot requite thee yet faine would he couer his affection but tâ—s plainely seene how doth he steale looks on me cast vp his eyes then sigh these tell me that his heart is my prisoner and the contention is twixt his difficulty to part from so long a fixed affection and feare of my refusall which he must finde if hee pursue in it Alas I faine would helpe it if I could but constancy though a fruitlesse vertue gouerns me With that the King came to her whom she vsed after the same manner as if he had beene in loue as she imagined which was nothing so but made him coniecture that she had beene with good feeding growne into her fury againe and fullnesse had renewed her madnesse he was sorry to see her so that she accounted passion which was pitty of her hee being the worthylest constant and who would not let one spot come to touch or blemish that purenes which remayned in him like the fixed Starrs shining with ioy and giuing light of purest content vnto his excellent soule but at last he found her false imagination grow troublesome to auoyd which hee meant to bee rid of her wherefore at the Port where he was to take Shipping he appointed a Barque of purpose for her to carry her to her owne Country and some seruants to attend her besides some of her owne who came vnto her when her finding was noysed abroad and vpon submission were receiued When shee saw her selfe thus slighted as she term'd it because the King heâ— new seruant as she called him did not attend her in his owne person shee froun'd Hee found she disliked it and therefore sought to
began againe My Lord said hee yet heare me there is a way whereby you may let her see your loue and yet not speake it your teares thus continually shed your sigh's still breathing out your passions your groanes foretelling death will all truly witnesse your affliction and sue for you pull off these habits vnfit for these passions put on such as I wil prouide for you so well agreeing to your humour as the cloathes and the action shall make her vnable to withstand so much pitty as must breed loue and that loue if you then discreetly gouerne it will procure your happinesse Direct me deere friend said hee and let me enioy her loue and be assured I will make thee see I am not vngratefull Then my Lord said hee you shall put on the habit I will tomorrow morning bring to yonder Groue but be sure you be there before the Sunne appeare least they be there before vs and after follow my aduice so shall you I feare not come to your wishes end but withall you must promise and performe assistance to me Leonius could but with kind teares and straightly embracing him giue him thankes and promise thus they resolued the youth went to the next towne to buy things fit for the Prince while he with sad thoughts vncertaine wishes and wrestlesse passions spent the time till his returne The Sheepheardesse who poore soule before knew but her owne beauty now found anothers to master her I would said she the Beare had deuoured me rather then this torment should perplexe me Why did this Stranger succour me of purpose was he sent to torture mee must I be made a subiect to one I know not and suffer afflictions for one I shall no more behold fie vpon this strange loue which makes me so strangly loue as to affect impossibilities but I see I am but iustly punished for disdaining all the Youths of these parts thinking none worthy of me now I must loue one that knowes me not will no more see mee and surely loues an other Pride it is you haue vndone mee I confesse my fault I sorrow for it yet Venus helpe me Pan our Sheapheard-God assist mee let not one of your seruants nay poore me your seruant thus distressed liue I recall my former scornings I repent my disdaines I accuse my selfe more then you can blame mee O ayd me then Thus she pass'd the night in millions of such like complaints till morning being come she rose and hastely dressing her raysed her flocks before their vsuall time as shee was raised by this vnusuall passion to the plaine she went there awhile she stayed yet rested no where sometimes shee walked a pace as if she would leaue that paine behind her but seeing it so closely follow her lay downe embracing it yet blushing would turne her face on the ground and seeme ashamed of her owne thoughts O Chastity said shee why doe you wholy possesse mee deere Diana take me to thee but then did Venus as in rage increase her flames making her forget all but her affections Then rising to the next tree shee went which was a Willow and of those branches she puld and with them crowned her selfe casting off her strawne hatte her Sun-beame haire falling downe at the full length which with a little fine and naturall curling reched to the small of her leg and the rich thicknesse spread it selfe ouer her shoulders there awhile she stayed grauing some few words in the Barque of the tree agreeing to the paines shee felt and condition of that tree whose softnesse concur'd with the yeelding hearts of loâ—ers but the Fate giuen it to be forsaken and made it to be the Garland for such haplesse creatures Well poore Willow said she thou shalt yet be my companion and I will honour thee though happier folks despise thee then went she into the Groue but as little stayd shee there flying the company she saw there assembled seeking new places as all doe that seeke ease and hope for it by trauell so shee pass'd along the side of one of the little Brooks her eyes still fixed vpon it speaking sometimes at last shee said these words Poore Brooke said shee how like my paines are yours I seeke to flye from the Spring of my sorrowes so fall you from your head how fast sweete Brooke you runne in hope of eafe so fast doe my poore hopes flye from my hart stay turne your course and I shall hope to liue notwill not be you runne and I continue in my paines As she went on sadly bemoning her solitary thoughts she heard as pittifull a voyce vtter these vnperfect ioyn'd words Leonia poore Nimph said it where is thy vowe must Venus make thee change O loue coward loue to steale thus to my heart couldest thou not haue come brauely and contended with me in the Chase or taken me in the time when I did reuile thee and scorne thy power but to set vpon me when I was quiet and safe as I thought treacherously to lye in wait and betray mee when I was vnarm'd naked and without power to resist and more for my shame when I had sworne to Diana what punnishment will that chast Goddesse lay vpon me for this offence But foole why talke I of these poore things which in comparison of my woe are but blossoms I loue and must loue what then I will loue and die in loue then shall that Cruell see written in my heart that murther thus committed vnkind alasse my soule melts as these teares and yet to thee my paines are no more waighed then bubbles my hart weepes blood pitty me then say you do pitty and saue me pitty said the Sheepheardes is that I want what new companion in my woe haue I found heere with that she went towards the place from whence as shee imagined that sad voyce did proceede when as a little from the banke vnder the shade of mirtle trees which made as it were a Cabine of them selues lay a Forrest Nimph her apparrell of colour and fashion like Diana buskins vpon her leggs of white her haire tyd vp only some of the shortest and about the temples curled crowned with Roses Hyacinths she lay with her head toward her who with a soft pace went on till she came iust behinde her then viewing her earnestly her eyes being so full of loue as all louing creatures found a power in them to draw them to her call especially those eyes which were so much hers as they could not stirre but to her will commanding them so as shee could with her looking on them with louing force bring them to her owne and so it now prooued for those eyes which full of teares were seeing themselues in the streame shewing their watry pictures to each other her earnest viewing the Nimph with a naturall humblenesse to hers drew her lookes to her ioy then appear'd in the Nimphes face yet straight was that clowded with sorrow She rose and with a timerous though she
a looking-glasse betweene two which to haue wherein she might see her faire follies best yet if euer prid were to be commended it was there to be esteemed for certainely that held her vertuous and so by that meanes one of the greatest sinnes grew like a vertue but no neerer being one then the shadow of the purest Lilley in the water is one neither hauing colour or sweetenesse of the Lilley only shape but blacke and nothing of it selfe no more good is in pride but as it is sometimes and here especially vsed for a shadowed vertue Ollorandus when Amphilanthus resolud to aduenture this place did likewise thinke to doe so too for such a friend he was as he imployd himselfe wholly to be his imitator then did he best in his own opinion when he did any thing or said any thing like Amphilanthus but yet he kept an vnuiolable affection to his Melysinda whō he went to fetch to the aduenture but as he went he met the newes of the Emperours death which hastned him home faster if it could be or if wings can be giuen of more speed then those of loue with which hee flew yet hee had the fortune that trauelling Princes haue for this chanced to him A Gentleman he met all in mourning his face more expressing it then his cloathes though in the exactest fashion for shape and blacknes armes he had none but his owne armes foulded within each other his hat downe in his eyes his pace slow his sighs many his teares had spent themselues so liberally before as now he had none left to shed the spring dry and stop'd with heauy sorrow his speech when vrg'd by Ollorandus to speak was as if frozen and only melted or thawed by good manners to giue answere though but no deeper the thawe peirced then to make a little moistnes to freeze the harder on it for so few was his words and so long before gain'd as it was almost like a hope of great content a louer promiseth himselfe when he thinkes after a long absence he shall enioy his loues sight a whole day when that day comes his fed imagination in conceit is so soone made to sterue againe with the speedy passing of that time as it is worse then if not had and indeed scarce is it had because the expectation so much excells the enioying so did the King in this for when he had got him to answere once he prouoked him with such discourse as he thought should procure a large scope of replye but he only looked on him sigh'd cry'd I am the perfect scorne of fortune what neede I or can I say more The Bohemian would not thus be satisfied but stil vrged the Gentleman stood still bare-headed in respect to him but more words hee got not of him for a great space at last fearing that too great inciuility would bee layed to his charge hee thus spake Sir said hee what offence haue I giuen you that you should seeke this reuenge on mee to make mee wound my selfe with my owne miseries relation Alasse consider when misfortune is befalne on how doth euery one that loues him striue to keepe his discourse from his friends eares if hearing bee painefull what is the telling it when the soule euery word that is spoken feeles torment insencible tasting the harme knowing euery corner of it as an Architecture doth in the framed building his imagination casteth yet seeing their satisfaction can be obtained but by this I will speake what I am loath any but my owne heart should know out of two reasons being so deare to me one because my dearest deare was the Actor the other that the fulnesse of the griefe stor'd vp might choake and kill my heart and so send me to her but your importunity hath preuaild and I haue now set open the two gates of my silence to the ruine the enemy speech will bring to my soule I was borne to honour and dignity wealth and what men most esteeme I had plenty of I was fauoured by the King imploy'd by his Maiesty in office and command but what did I gouerne when I was ouerrul'd by loue A Lady I affected she loued me and spar'd not to giue me all testimonies of it another sought me I grew proud of it and accepted her affection likewise the former saw it wept to me and tax'd me for it I protested against it and yet was guilty shee at last by my vnpardonable offence being certaine of it for I neglected her this second I doted on bewitch'd by her charmes she onely had power ouer me shee could onely make mee doe any thing I left the Court almost for her neuer thinking my selfe at rest but when I was with her businesses were tedious to me sought before by mee for I did loue imployment till I imployed my selfe so ill as to bee her seruant◠shee as I thought as fond of mee I ioyed in that and to satisfie her left all the world vnsatisfied of me and as many to scorne my weaknesse as in former time admir'd and loued my readinesse my poore true loue liu'd this while disdaind forsaken and almost contemn'd more wretched creature I who was ordain'd to doe that ill to spoyle my selfe with all In this time of my blindnesse another got my place in my masters brest growing so powerfull and dangerous as I was forced to oppose him for hee spared none to worke his owne ends on I was vnfortunate in that likewise for then was hee so mighty and besides so ill as hee forgetting all but himselfe brought many into the Kings displeasure I repin'd at that and seeing at last no remedy tooke armes with many other my friends but too weake wee were and I taken by composition in mine owne Castle yeelding on condition all the rest should bee spard that was granted and I alone carried to the Prison the greatest Traytors are carried vnto being called the Kings Prison there I lay ten dayes till euery thing was ready for my arraignment then was I brought forth and after by the great men condemn'd I could not say they did vniustly for a subiect ought not vpon any termes to weare armes against his rightfull King I was contented with the censure setled my selfe to dye and was grieued for nothing but that I should not kisse my loue before my death The night before my appointed execution when I was meditating on my end my Keeper came vnto me and with teares told me the compassion he had of my estate I desired him to forbeare putting me into thoughts that might withdraw me frō those more necessary befitting me at that time He would not as hauing a furder purpose giue ouer but proceeded till at last I found by him he had some plot for my deliuery then I was more troubled between two doubts one of the truth of this thing whether it were for my good or only a trap to take me in so to make my death more terrible
man or creature but heard wild beasts roare and make hideous noyses his Squire and he pass'd on he thinking of his Loue the other how to auoid the danger of that place if suddenly surprised by those fierce inhabitants As thus they trauelled a Gentlewoman came riding very fast towards them her countenance shewed distresse her apparell good and comely but her face sad and perplexed â—hewing frightfulnesse so perfectly as shee was one might say truely disturb'd or a very exact dissembler When she came nere Leonius she cast her eyes vpon him O cry'd shee that courtesie were lodging equall to beauty in this Knight hee hearing her Faire Gentlewoman said hee what reason haue I giuen you to doubt my desire to serue you should not answer any outward person Truely Sir said shee my owne misfortune makes me doubt which hath beene such hitherunto as neuer any could so iustly say liued forlorne of happinesse and this makes me suspitious of any but misery Alas said he how can it be that you should bee made faire to fall into so foule mischance I am said shee the most afflicted liuing and will let you see it although you assist me not for you shall heare my story and if that may mooue I may be bless'd but first I beseech you tell mee your name I am call'd said hee Leonius Sonne to the King of Naples and brother said she I hope to the famous Emperour Yes indeed said he it is my happines to haue that honour You are most happy in that said she and now haue I a little share me thinkes of content that I haue mine eyes bless'd with the sight of his brother who wants no harts but tongues sufficient to set out his praise hauing all that are created already to the full that blessing can enioy My fortune Sir said shee is this I had a Father and he many children but in the number had as Merchauts haue among their wares some good some bad mixed as the mothers were of disposition which being many had seuerall heires for foure wiues he had my mother the last by whom he had my selfe and one brother who lines and is all if any comfort I haue this youth and I bredd together increased affection and loue most betweene vs so as we loued more then any other two the elder scorning vs what for our young yeares and so want of discretion fit to accompany them or for being but halfe in bloud had but halfe affection shewed towards vs. I know not the truth but sure I am I feele the hurt and want At last my father died leauing vs to the eldest sonne who vsed vs well and kindly but hee died soone after leauing the second to succeed him which he did for the estate but not for goodnesse hee being as vnkind and curst as the other was affable and louing he kept vs t is true but how only from staruing for plenty wee were scanted both of meanes and content while frowardnes and ill natures was in aboundance Then did this brother marry and wed more ill humours for she was richer in ill nature then he that was like a sacke of woole stuffed with wickednes A third and then second Brother liued whose ill out-sprung though an after plant the elder hee went so far as hee left no ill vnpractised not so much as that he ventur'd not once to attempt the staine of my chastity and his shame in me This indeede made my hate vncurable and like a fire hapned where Oyle pitch rosin flax and all such cumbustable matters are together can be quenched with nothing till the ruine shewes the tryumph so my wrong can be heal'd by nothing but the deadliest reueng This I was not able to obtaine my selfe but I was forced to demand helpe and acquaint my deere brother withall who twise met him in the feild but both brought home hurt alike and like resembling death none knowing the quarrell but my selfe or had all beene assured of it none like me could haue grieued now perceiuing that thus no end would be of the iniury we alone but for our selues trauelled from that place to a Castle not far hence the desertnes of it and this place only furnished with wild beasts making it abandoned of them and most that loue pleasure We were suffered to be quiet heere whether out of loue to themselues or hate to vs hoping to heare daily of our ruine but contrary to their wish we haue continued heere three yeares vnhurt yet not vnharmd because I haue beene the cause of hurt too many braue Gentleman like your selfe who haue honour'd me and truth with aduenturing cheering yet haue perished my brothers being infinite strong and lucky in their aduentures This I confesse hath so much perplexed me as I haue almost resolued neuer to entreat any more to fauour me rather then that they should dye to reuenge me so worthles a creature yet Sir you are of so braue a Stocke and brother to so happy a King as I may me thinkes hope on you yet as you are bound most for these besides the hopes your owne person may giue I will not vrge you least I should be so luckles as to procure least harme to you for Sir there is no pitty nor good to be expected fâ—oÌ„ them if you fall into their hands wherfore I will sooner more willingly cousent to remaine thus wronged dishonor'd ouerthrowne then seâ—ke to be ayded by your harme Leonius the more cunningly and finely she insinuated by intreating and denying won more on him so as he told her if it pleased her to put that confidence in him he would lay that life at her feete and the feete of Iustice which she seemed so much to respect and that he would encounter her brother to right her honour touched by him She humbly thanked him and so led him towards a Castle standing in the middest of the wood where he was receiued with much respect by him who was her Lord and brother to her as she said into the Castle they went the gate shut againe and a Mote being about the Castle a Bridg was drawne vp Leonius liked it not extreamely well yet she telling him t was for their safety he pass'd on satisfied with her answere the Lord with al respect kindnes in a friends part acted welcom'd him at supper delicate and fine fare was set before him no truth in affection nor exact counterfetting could better be acted sad Leonius was whether foretelling his danger or the hideous noyses and roaring of the Beasts made as melancholly a passion on his minde as their voyces were to the eares of the hearers After supper he walked vp and downe seeming iust the picture of his braue brother who seldome was other then a noble retired spirit to it selfe demanded To his chamber he then was carried by the Lord and Lady there found he a braue roome furnished with stuffe and Plate fit for a Prince his lodging he weary and
your owne the strangenâ—sse of her worthines in truth makes me to speake so much of hers mine being but as shadowes to them though true substances of miseries and the more perfect in being like hers who is the perfectest louer she I say said he who neuer yet saw storme to stirre her thoughts though Shipwrackt in his scorne no wind blew her to change nor change had gliding neare her much lesse stay but to my paines Sir this it is The Lady beloued and sought had a Gentlewoman attending on her who had and hath full rule of mee shee faire and delicate knew shee might bee or ought to bee beloued looked like a Princesse secure in her estate where all hearts were hers so shee smiled on mee as on a subiect I tooke it more kindlie and so wrapped my selfe willingly into the Snare for when I came to her and out of hope imboldned craued her fauor she told me she was not Marchandise nor to bee gaind that way but her loue was free and freely should be giuen I quaked at that instant like a child before the rod but after I tooke courage and againe persued but yet preuailed not for her affections were placed on a Gentleman Steward of the house a fine man and such an one as meriteth the title delicate in his apparell Courtly in his discourse and as a young man passionate in shew and curious in his behauiour like a Courtier these preuailed with her his perfumes ascended aboue my desearts his neatnes beyond my estate and his fairenes exceeded my merits but I enuy not his fortune nor did I hate any thing but my misfortune nor haue I reason for hee enioyed her not so much as to marriage which would he had though I had euer lost and gaind but only sight of her deerer to me then millions of inioyings of Kingdomes were they offer'd me while I must still want her who being too too rich a prize for man or Earth is calld away and only Heauen fit for her she doth inioy that place Hells tormenting furyes lying still in me shee 's dead deere loue and perfect beauty ending with her But by your fauour said Leonius I should lesse lament her losse since she was an others then had shee beene mine owne in part what is an others treasure to mee but more what is the griefe to see that which my selfe most loueth and coueteth to be possest by an other the possession would so much afflict me as the second losse would neuer trouble me You assuredly Sir said he are no louer if one but a faint one and such an affecter as gaine is your loue nor can losse trouble you for you being a selfe louer loue but for your owne ends if they be denyed the loue remoues to an other place as we of our profession if our Trade faile in one Country we transport and transplant to an other but loue can haue on such liberty remoues are not suffered there one place containes the scope of one mans loue and my hart is the staple of fruitlesse Constancy Thus he lamented telling Leonius that that place pleased him best because he could from thence view Corinth or part of that where his affection liued in life and death The Prince then tooke his leaue of him and taking Shipping arriued on the other side and shortly at the Court which was held at Corinth great content was shewed generally in all mens eyes and their hearts did answere it the Ladyes were glad because they all loue'd him as a braue young Prince and receiued from him the assurance of their seruants well-fare but long he stayed not carrying Veralinda his deerest selfe to her father into Frigia this gaue fit opportunity to Pamphilia to desire leaue also to visit her Country which with much importunity was granted her but first she resolued to goâ— into Arcadia to find Siluiana drinke the water with her and then visite Pamphilia These delicate and matchles Ladyes tooke their way leauing the Court like the Skye when the Starrs only shine and the nights fairest light appeareth not in this voyage they shall be left being time for Bellamiras iourny to be spoken off After she had prouided her selfe of all necessaries fit for her she trauelled towars Saint Maura arriuing there within short time being neither hindred by wind not aduenture her Father shee found and her finding him gaue such ioy to the aged Lord as he thought all those passed yeares renued againe in youth in him Quickly she got him thence leauing that place only possess'd with the richnesse of well wishes both of his and all that know it especially those who had receiued the excellent benefit of forgetfulnes in it At their returne into Dalmatia the King hearing of his arriuall sent vnto him intreating his presence which he obayed his Daughter going with him and both receiuing all honour from his Maiestie hee looking on her as one would doe on a faire field after the Corne is reaped so was the haruest of his affection to her passed There she met a Gentleman in good place then vnder the King who had formerly serued and beene Gentleman of the horse to her yet loued loue this Gentleman out of old acquaintance and beloued familiarity brake somewhat boldly with her concerning her affection the continuance of it and lastly whether she would bee so kind as to accept of his loue againe if heâ— offered it assuring her that hee was in far better estate for his affections returning to her then she seemed to credit Much shee maruelled at this discourse and his new boldnes who had neuer before aduentured to speake of it in all his time of happines feare shee might haue done but that she weighed his honesty neuer in any thing touched being alwaiâ—s held and found a sinceere man and iust yet so finely she carried her selfe as she found by him he had commission to say what hee did yet not to let it be knowne she would not be too busie but answered them as she thought fittest concluding vpon much vrging that no earthly blessing could bee such to her as his loue and the returne of it He only smild and bid her take heed she was not the losse of it She was so wary and her former beloued and louing Lord so passionate as quickly they were as once they were no iniuries pass'd remembred no recounting of pass'd vnkindnesses but as if only absence had held them assunder so meeting made their loues as at the beginning happines aboue it selfe and this shee felt going soone after to her owne house whither her father went and her loue with many others no ioy nor content like theirs Her Father was called againe to serue the King and made Marshall of Dalmatia thus Dettareus is againe a Knight and Bellamira once more contented which she shall continue but Dettareus must be yet punnished for his former fault and offence Pamphilia being in Arcadia went to seeke her friend and companion as
as still visited with company and gaue by the fauours testimony of quantity of victuals which well ordred had been noble now a little troublesome but it pleased reasonably well this company who free and hauing rid hard had gaind good appetites it appearing to them like a Garden full of fruite when the hot weather troubleth them they sat downe the Lady most kindly freely and busily bestirring her self entertaining them the fine Gentleman ciuilly discoursing with them Leonius at last growing so farre in with him as he got him to tell this story I am great Prince said he called Curardinus borne of a good Family in this Countrie beloued and serued but as all things must see conclusions so did Fate appoint our greatnesse to conclude thus My father liued after his fathers death many yeares will esteemed of by the King oâ— these Countries emploid in office by him and held among the best in ranke of his fauour but matching himselfe after the death of his first wife with a young Lady of a great and noble family but too great as the King imagined or was perswaded by his enemies suspition grew into his heart or rather shewed it selfe for few Kings are without that seruant to attend them against my father who to auoide all cause giuing left the Court and retird himselfe to his owne home where he liued pleasantly and was for an addition of his happinesse blessed with children a blessing to a father what euer the being borne proue after to the children I was his first and after some yeares before I came to perfectablenesse to gouerne his estate at least according to the lawes of this place hee died leauing mee heire to his fortunes honors and dislikes of the King I then desired leaue to trauaile that was refused me and all things as offices commands and places soeuer my father held of the Crowne giuen away to others This was a disgrace and truly a vexation vnto me and most that hee would not permit mee the fauour granted to euery subiect but obedience taught mee patience and I was contented by necessitie In this forst pleasure I went vp down among my friends where I was desird and so liu'd a solitary and priuate trauelling life where remouing imitated trauell and each odde accident an Aduenture By my mothers side I had and haue many noble and braue friends as any man can haue the men equally or aboue any valiant and wise the woman in that height of excellency for beauty and witt among them I haue much liued who haue found the like fauour so as we are not only neere it in blood but allyed in thwart fortune kept backe by all meanes from any aduancement or honor vnlesse the imployment were such as might giue a blow if not a certaine ruine to any of vs a comfortable estate when Subiects liue in such dislike with their Prince yet did he vse vs openly well let vs come to waite vpon him wee shall be welcom'd and smil'd vpon sometimes but aske any thing and bee surely denyed after not for a good space look'd on this hath cast vs much downe and greeued vs more then hurt vs. Are you a single man said Leonius No Sir replyed the dainty melancholy I am married and haue beene long the more my misfortune in some kind because I haue with that marryage lost one loued me more then I could aspire to hope of requitall and loue 's me still I was not altogether to blame indeed for I knew not her affection so great to me she not aduenturing to speake it I not thinking my selfe so happy daring to imagine it but after some time she tould me of it How did I then curse all my fortunes and yet at last chid my selfe for it since said I I was borne to be wretched and all other crosses haue beene but as forerunners of my misery this the only Master peece of affliction wee met wept many times together and yet those teares produced pleasure because so shed and then we could be merry and neuer but in the highest griefe contented because together for therein our last happinesse consisted But her father marryed her whose iudgement told her obedience was requisite to a rich but worthlesse fellow this was an other vexation to her and doubly by that meanes it wrought in me to see her greeued and such a Clowne to posses what I most loued and held deere he no more esteeming her nor indeede vnderstanding her worth then a Beast or one of his Goats Miserable Lady but most miserable I that saw and could but grieue for it besides this he grew yet more brutish and vsed her ill growing so intirely iealous as none went away vnsuspected her worth beauty and noblenes inuited all eyes and hearts to her seruice but so chast and iust she was as but with courteous requitall any preuailed but her worthlesse Mate thought so ill of himselfe as that made him thinke well enough of any to wrong her withall Iealousie 's roote being selfe knowledge of vnworthynes Thus most sweete Creature she liued discontents brought her to many harmes bringing diseases and the worst sicknes of mind finding still additions to her first disquiet and miserable losse as her affection was pleased to call the missing of me which surely she could neuer haue know had I but guessed her thoughts A good space I held in with him but at last fell like the rest and most dangerously in that time I met her my hearts ioy and soules delight at her fathers she was sad but most louing to me I sad to see her so but most glad to see her loue holding her I remember by the hand if said I thou wert vnmarryed would'st thou not marry againe No I protest said she but liue wholy to be directed by you which I had euer don had I knowne how to liue with honour and fit to be your seruant Yet should you bee free you would not doe so much Yes I vow said I and bound it with a kisse vpon her fairest hand deerest remembrance how dost thou yet please me to bring before me these pass'd yet sweete delights to make tryall of her faith and word keeping she was by heauenly assistance vntyed from her bond and freed from her clog the rude and brutish Thing her Husband being taken from her no hand but the hand of the best and highest parting her as from aboue seeing and commiserating her estate all that were vnmarryed in the whole Country came and sought her shee refused all Widdowers Batchelers all were alike to be denyed old young middle-aged runne one race of being refused Her father much disliked it her friends and kindred and such perswaded but endlesly her resolution was like the Earth fixed and her constancy like the Sunne certaine and richly faire some also came to me seeing the grace I had with her to get mee to preferr them alasse how far they went astray yet I answer'd all of them
instantly withdrew her selfe from the windowe threw her selfe vpon her bedd ctyed out onely against misfortune and so brake her heart and dyed her last words being yet though honour and life bee lost I dye iust and truely thine my onely deare Ala and this Ala was all for all my name shee spake death either then wholly possessing her or shee desirous still to hold mee neere her kept that last part in her for her to ende with and mee to liue by yet truely had I like to haue gone with her with her though asunder I may say for our soules vnited had gone together but alas I was not so happy though had I had a spirit like hers or weapons suffered mee I had soone ouertaken her or came to her as her soule parted but I was hindred and â—he had all my powerfull spirit the shew of my falling and the truth of her death was thus The Villaine had dressed mee and a stuff'd-man-likeâ—thing in sutes alike his intent being this and such was the performance in some kinde though too hasty they were that if the King ouercame I should bee throwne downe if the other the counterfeit piece should bee cast foorth that all hope being taken from her shee might the sooner yeeld to him but the Executioners seeing the King downe threw out the framd Alarinus which brought as much mischiefe as all ill could doe for shee seeing it imagining it to be mee dyed and left all misery to dwell with vs especially in me I fell from the window in â— swound thinking the day lost they heeded not any thing more but confident of the Champions victory tended mee striuing to saue me to this misery The doores within a little while after were opened and I fetch'd foorth to death I thought but so it happened not nor neere so much good befell mee for I no sooner saw liberty with the King who came for mee but I mette the cruellest of deaths encountring her death O Myra my best and last Loue thy memory liues in mee and I liue but to remember thee now let mee know if so much loue so much misfortune chastity and deare true Loue rested in your Mistresse else I must not yeeld Hee then twin'd his handes one in another wrung them and sighing wept then lay downe on his side leaning his elbow on the ground and his face on his hand when the Bauarian followed thus Loue I confesse you haue had plentifully shewed vnto you yet as grieâ—e is felt but by one's selfe none being able to compare with the knowledge vnlesse hee felt the equall weight no more can I yet see but that my losse is the greater My selfe am called Peryneus Duke of Bauaria but vassell to misfortune my Lady was called Elina daughter to the Duke of Saxony that now is brother in law to the Emperour that then was she was brought vp with the Empresse and there I fell in loue with her she asmuch did affect me although at that time there were three of vs fiercely wooing her the other two were the Dukes of Brunswicke and Wertenberge the one infinite rich but as poore in naturall perfections for hee is weake in iudgement and discourse else faire and white The other as louely as a man can bee or indeed a woman for delicate clearenesse and sweetnesse but wanting in estate as the other in wisedome My selfe the third and such as you see gained the loue from the other two and the hate of the one while shee was liuing now hee vseth mee well but so shee had beene still would I had still beene hated My ill fortune it was also that the Empresse liked mee shee was not so true a wise as Vlisses had but yet shee was and had a braue Woman and belou'd of many shee nobly requiting most for gratitude is a great matter in Louers This sweet Bird of beauty and vertue Elyna saw the Empresse Loue as clearely as her owne could make it transparent through which shee saw likewise sorrow and was sad as dispayring I hauing that countenance as carefully beholding her as her loue cared for mee I fear'd shee lou'd I sawe shee lou'd and grieued because shee loued For O me I durst not thinke it was my selfe the King of the Romans then now my Lord the Emperour after his receiuing that Title for ouerthrowing the vsurping Duke of Sax in whose place and to whose honour and estate my Ladies Father by the Emperours and Princes fauours succeeded came to Prage where the Court was to entertaine him all triumps were prouided none thought enough to welcome him who had saued the Empire from ruine Sports of Field were most in vse the King most affecting them at those excercises I was one and then called the seruant to the Dutchesse she pleased to honour me with a fauour but the greatest honour was that she sent it by Elina who comming into the Chamber of Presence hauing layd it on her Fardingale I approached like the rest but aboue all others in affection to her shee that day honoured me more then vsually wee was wont turning from the rest and looking on mee bashfully for feare of them sadly because imployed against her selfe as for another sweetly but slowly bringâ—ng foorth these words I am said shee O dearest shee entreated by many to giue fauours this day but my Lord I am determined to deny all because not able to conâ—tent all yet to you who haue not asked I must present this Scarfe giuing me a maruellous rich one of Crimson Tafaty embrodered with gold siluer and dainty coloured Silkes euen to the height of richnesse and delicacy but the delicatest delicacie was that shee presented it mee I kissed my hand to take it and kissed that part where shee had touched it blush I did and tremble with ioy and wonder till shee looking on me my Lord said shee are you amazed me thinkes you should know the Sender this shee spake so low as none but I heard it and I was sorry I then had hearing rather would I haue beene deceiued and thought graced by her then assuredly honour'd by the Dutchesse I bowed lowe vnto her saying I had been richer in content if she had giuen me a Shooe-string of hers She starâ—ed smil'd and with her eyes kindly shewed shee liked my words but gaue no answer so I departed and with the rest of the Court performed what was expected of vs oft times I confesse I looked vp to to the window were shee stood and thence tooke spirit anâ— hope grew then and still increased when I sawe shee entertained and not reiected my humble affection Thus were wee fortunate but how much longer can that word last then it is spoken Alas no longer for no sooner were wee truely assured of what our soules called blisse enioying hearts wishes in loues happy remembrance that yet said this is and was when miserable Fate her Aunt discerned it wearing quickely then glasse eyes to make euery mote seeme thousands and so
in a solâ—id body appeare beames to her mistrust stumbling on all occasions that might bee harmefull to vs. Elyna then grew sickly what with griefe and this iealosie faint and weake vnable to suffer both the weights of loue and suspition the former the Empresse tooke to be the cause and so told her walking in a Garden and through a hedge spying me told her who was saying she must take phisick There is the Phisitian said shee that best can cure you The sweetest soule blushed guiltinesse and feare seeing her stearne lookes moouing her bloud Her Maiestie seeing that still built vpon the first ground and so suddenly in a fret flung out of the Garden I attented Elyna into her Lodgings where she related this I was sorry and glad at one instant for still this increased assurance of my happines bâ—t being for her trouble I was grieued The Empresse then disgraced her and vsed her with that scorne as her hart greatnes and freenesse could not suffer But what could shee doe remedie she had none her Father demandâ—d the cause troubled that shee had lost her Mistrisses rauour shee could not giue him account without infinite wrong to both the Empresse being besought by her friends who all tooke notice of her fall could gaine but what the rest had that shee was offended and iustly but the cause none should know At last to some Ladies who were mortall enemies to Elyna and her house shee said that the cause was such as out of loue to the honour of her Familie and Blâ—od shee was sorrie and vnwilling to tell it although her owne bacenesse merited no other then publishing for it for would you thinke it said shee all her pride haâ—tinesse scorne of Louers disdaine of Dukes and Princes despising any estate of a lesse man then a King thinking her selfe worthie of the Emperours successor all these I say are fallen and how fallen not slipt or leant aside or crackt that hope might bee of mending but quite sâ—nke vnder the bace burden of loue or lust rather and of whom no better nor other then Tolmulundus my Gentleman Vsher. They though hating Elyna not louing the Empresse belieued her not nor could haue so meane a conceit of her whose worth had increased their dislike ioâ—ned with the succession of their Spleenitike passions answered as after wee came to knowledge prettily well for her but this madded the Empresse when shee saw that friends and enemies and all were for Elyna who when shee heard by these Ladies who instantlie acquainted her with all either for hate to her or her Mistrisse she was afflicted with this more then with any thing crying out O diuelish fortune cannot my miserie bee sufficient to glut her withall but my honour must bee her prey Well yet your Maiestie is happie that I know the true reason and that so much I loue the Bauarian Duke whose safetie I prefâ—rre aboue all other fortunes as I will perish thus in silence rather then to speake to your ruine which is in my hands to draw on yoâ— since so I might harme him Was not this an expression of true loue What greater since what greater wrong can bee then for a great Lady to be Slandred and by so bace a vilany and so much vntruth honor is to noble heaâ—â—es esteemd beyond life so it was by her who dearest of all to me held that so pretious as the touch of it strake so deepe into her as the biting of a Viper taking away all hope of recouerie by present fainting or safety to returne to her for womens honours especially theirs most admired the admiration working against it selfe are so nice to be touched as they are like little Sluses that but opened let in Riuers and Ocâ—â—ns of discourses and so blots neuer to be salued any more then a Floud can be withstood or turned backe This she apprehended and this molested her yet said she to me my Lord all these in this kind are comforts and ioyes to me since for you I suffer rather chusing as she protested iniurie for me then fame without me and that which onely vexed her was that she did not rightly accuse her and say it was I shee loued that said shee had been honour this shame At last shee obtained leaue to leaue the Court and so retired but then though free and brauely liuing yet this was a corsiue to her many came to her at fiâ—st but the report blowne abroad of her loue to mee made all giue ouer suing yet a young Count of Germany and a true Germaine he was in face and fashion would needs make himselfe belieue he loued her and her that hee desired her but hee sâ—ake not and shee would not vnderstand his signes He would gaze on her haue fits of sighings and almost swoundings before her shee would like a charitable creature gaue him Cordials but the true Cordiall Loue she only gaue to me Poore man would shee say what doth make him cosen and hurt himselfe to trouble mee At last shee told a tale before him of himselfe his wooing so dully her scorne and affection to another all in the third parsons but so plainely and finely as he left her to her pleasures The Empresse whose malice grew as her heart filled with rancor for being left by me for her who was more loathsome then plagues to her then to thinke vpon since the robber of her choice hearing how finely she liued enuied that because she was contented plotted al she could at last she told the Duke her father of the loue betweene vs he inraged knowing we could not marry I being contracted in my youth to another flew into such furie as he made the whole Court ring of the noise of his dislike and the iniury he thought he receiued and his whole Family by her dishonoring her selfe and him this which he called dishonour being his owne indeed because hee blazed that which was not but by his owne bawling thought on neuer committed A foule bustle he kept and shrewdly threatned me behind my back but I went to him and satisfied him so far as we parted friends and he grew to his old good opinion of her yet he aduised playing then the Counseller as before the Champion that I should refraine my often coÌ„ming to her which to please him I did because I saw my Elyna desired her father should be pleasâ—d but alas not in that kind for my absence grieued her and molested mee shee pined with loue and griefe grew pale and weake I lamented for it but sâ— farre it grew as she fell sicke I cherished her shee tooke it so I watched with her shee was glad of it as louing to enioy mee â— neuer left her till liâ—e left her which by a cruell Feauer depriued her dainty body of her daintier breath which was the richest treasure and which for my ioy then but eternall sorrow now shee breathed into mee I kissing her as she departed giuing me that and her
a Lady whom I met sigh'd the Florentine and who hath tyed me as fast as you are in the bonds of Loue but not of slauery for you are a little to far gone but Leurenius here is good newes the Emperor is found and we must straight repaire vnto him Celina to be thus causlesly cruell alas but is the Emperour found and you vtterly lost cryd his friend I feare feare not deare friend said he she will not yeeld her heart made of these Rocks cannot be pierced her soule hath no compassion nor will heare more to pitty then fire will by sâ—pplication when it is ruining the rarest buildings then feare not I shall goe with you but said the Florentine you are much alter'd in your speech your discourse differs nor is so certaine All is in mee vncertaine but my loue that is fixt cry'd hee I am Loue I loue and will loue His friend bâ—held him with infinite griefe cursing the accident that parted them on the ground hee cast himselfe a banke by chance being there greene and cleane rouled on it wept and groueling on the ground wiped his face againe with it thus thus cryed hee would I haue done at Court cursing the order that held me from it my heart swelled with bearing my paines and all the honours done me were but corsiues to my soule shee she Celina hauing banished me Leaue these vain passions said his friend I must leaue my selfe first cryed he I loue deare friend and if you could loue so you would not wonder at mee but enuy my happinesse in being such an one Such an one cryed hee God forbid I loue and this Countrey I may thanke for it also this charming Countrey for no better shee is fil'd with inchaunting beauties fram'd to tye and ruine men reuile not this blessed Realme the flower of peace beauty honour vertue happinesse and most of Shepheardesses I loue this Countrey and I loue did not the valiant Hercules loue Yes said the other and spin almost as wise a web as you goe about to doe certainly deare friend I shall in my extremity gaine helpe by seeing your affliction but man what thinke you of the Emperour God blesse him said Leurenius and make Celina knde els I dye His companion was discreet and louing so he vrg'd him no further but made the Squire tell the story of the Emperour as his Master the Duke of Burgundy had related it to him and commanded him to deliuer it to the Princes and as hee found any of them to send them still home When that vnfortunate hunting was past wherein Amphilanthus was lost the Queene distrest and all the Princes scatter'd the Emperour hauing got his armes followed in search of Pamphilia who was as he by a villaine was inform'd stollen away by Theeues in the wood hotly pursuing the quest rage and reuenge boyling in his brest hee hapned on a strange place for thicknesse and obscurenesse yet the vndaunted and louing Prince proceeded till he found a Crowne of stones of infinite and huge bignesse weary with trauell he allighted and thinking to rest tyde his horse to one of those stones no sooner was it done but a terrible fierce and mighty boare issued out of the wood running mainly at Amphilanthus but he thinking to shun the encounter and take aduantage of the Beast in his passing the Horse vnruly at the sight of him did his best likewise striking at him but missing him the Boare with his tuske strake the Horse into the body so he died The Emperour troubled as well for the loue hee bore the horse as for his want and danger hee remain'd in with this cruell beast watch'd opportuniâ—y with vow of reuenge and so as the Boare ran at him hee step'd aside and nimbly skipping in againe thrust him to the heart before he could turne This was no sooner done but many men arm'd set vpon him he valiantly like himselfe defended his honour and life one young man vnarm'd but aboue all most harming him and pressing more then the rest vpon him he slew the rest all at the instant vanish'd and with a blow giuen that was on the head which cut him to the eyes a voyce cryed Farewell Amphilanthus the voyce he knew and presently in stead of that young man hee saw to his thinking Pamphilia slaine and by his hand hee threw himselfe on the ground striuing to helpe her but shee was carried into a stone which lay in the middest of the Crowne by whom hee could not see but how did he labour to hold her backe or keepe her with him who liuing neuer sought but to be with him nor now left him deceipt onely abusing him by this inchauntment intreat pull all would not serue stronger powers had hâ—r as hee beleeued and made her inocently offend and part from him shee intirely and loyally louâ—d and from whom she neuer slid into the stone shee was carried vp hee then rose with his sword striking at the stone as to hew it asunder and take her out but his sword stuck therein wilt thou leaue mee too said he then his armour he pul'd off which with the blowes those inchanted men strake was much hacked and blood thrown of purpose as if shed by him vpon it when hee was vnarm'd he laid the pieces on the stone vowing that should be his monument being the richest her heart inclosing him and there would he dye a Ring of iron hee then saw which pulling hard opened the stone there did hee perceiue perfectly within it Pamphilia dead lying within an arch her breast open and in it his name made in little flames burning like pretty lamps which made the letters as if set round with diamonds and so cleare it was as hee distinctly saw the letters ingrauen at the bottome in Characters of bloud he ran to take her vp try how to vncharme her but he was instantly throwne out of the Caue in a trance and being come againe to himselfe resoluing to dye or to release her since he found her loyalty he saw these words onely written in place of the entrance This no wonder 's of much waight 'T is the hell of deepe deceit Admiring it and the words he was called to for helpe by Musalina her hee saw she must be followed Pamphilia is forgotten and now may lie and burne in the Caue Lucenia must bee rescued also her hee saw madly carried by a sauage man he ran towards the place hee saw them goe into as he thought then were they there rudely handled and they carried seuerall wayes all that night in the wood he lay three passions distract him tyred with running and laded with griefe in sleepe Lucenia wan him all passions now but how to recouer her hauing abandoned him three dayes hee did wander thus till at the end of them towards night hee came vnto the Sea there hee saw a sauage man take her vp in his armes and throw her into a Boate leaping himselfe after and when she
her right He laughed and said the gloue did well become his hatt hauing put it into it in that time and that there he would weare it in despite of him or the best Knight Steriamus strake his hat off with all giuing him such a blow in the face as he made him stagger then took out the gloue and kissing it told Vrania that thereby hee had the happines to begin his seruice to her being long before ingaged vnto it if she would take it from him she had the power to doe that and what else she pleasd since he desired to be but accounted her humblest seruant yet his desire was so much to be honourd as to bee permitted to weare it as her fauour till he brought him humbly to submit for so great a presumption She who had euer loued Steriamus from his youth and by this was ingaged besides his aduenturing to saue her in the sea to gratifie him yet tender of being cause of harme to him she only spake thus My Lord said she your merits so farre beyond my deserts make me amazed in what manner to carry my selfe I am doubtfull yet I will rather offend in the good then ill weare not this I beseech you too meane for you since taken from so ill a place but let me haue it and accept from me a more worthy and a fitter fauour and one vntoucht by any hands but those that present it with all true respect vnto you He gaue her the gloue and tooke from her a scarfe which with infinite content he tyed assisted by her also about his arme then went she to the fire into which she threw the gloue wishing that there the danger of Steriamus might end with the consumption of that leather Then did the disgraced Prince goe out and instantly send to Steriamus t o giue him satisfaction which he presently did yeeld vnto and kissing Vrania's hand went downe to arme himselfe in a priuate place and in an armour not known being ruâ—set and as plaine an one as could be his riches consisting in his worth and his Mistrisses fauour Straight was the Court fild with the newes that two braue combatants were entring the Lists the King Amphilanthâ—s though weake and all the Court came except Parselius who could not so well stirre abroad as Amphilanthus by reason he had lost much more bloud his staying within made Steriamus not missed so all assembled the proud Prince comes in suted to his humour his attendants many and shewed they had receiued their education from him the other had none with him but carried his speare himselfe the Iudges were made the Prince of Sauoy his Cosin-german chosen by him and Amphilanthus desired by the other the Trumpets sounded and they encountred Steriamus was struck backe on his horse and the other his horse fell with him so they fought on foote fierce and cruel was the fight lamentable was the sight of it for except those choice Princes none could equall this Piemountois and that he knew which did incourage or made him more prize his power then his worth as one might say a Horse were a brauer Creature then a man because he draweth or beareth more Steriamus fought for honor and that to be receiued from Vrania the other to repaire his honour touch'd for Vrania thus they past no fury no strength no harme shun'd or spar'd which was not calld to the highest accompt nor any skill wanting which was not if a little stirr'd renewed and payed with iudgement and discretion Most sayd no combate except the last could compare with this yet in some sort did this exceed as being one more bloudy ground hate and all curst additions being ioynd together in them to be at heigth and gouerne nay spend themselues in the furious and deadly conclusion At last much care was had to saue them when euen their eyes dasled and their legges grew false to their bodies no longer willing to support them Then fell the Piemount Prince and Steriamus vpon him not of purpose but by weakenesse his helme he puld off and would haue killed him but his spirit ended in shew with his fury for then he fell off from him in a swound appearing as dead as he The Iudges came in and finding it was the braue Prince Amphilanthus fell downe by him the King came from the window Vrania ran to him and wiping his face rubbed his temples with her hand when life againe possest him and how could it be otherwise being in her armes where life of loue did dwell When he beheld where he was and remembring what hee had began for her fearing he had lost his honour by the others victory he offerd to get vp and being on his knees scarce able to rise higher crying out Miserable Steriamus to liue to see thy shame and before her where honour striues to be and from whom all my honor must proceed he cast his eies and saw where the other lay dead then was he satisfied and well might he bee so since this was none of his smallest but one of his chiefest victories the strength valour and skill of the other being so well knowne as none could yeeld him conquered but by an vnconquerable spirit Steriamus gaind the victory and so as great honor as could be giuen to any in a single fight he was not the strongâ—st but as valiant as any and except the cosin and brothers equall with any This past they were taken vp in the raising them the Prince breathed and looked vp wherupon Steriamus would stay and heare him speake he vnwilling yet by him before he would be drest was forst to confesse his folly and in as humble maner as he demanded asked pardon for presumption to Vrania then he for gaue him and kindly reconciled themselues so embracing the proud Prince departed proud now that he had liued to goodnesse shaking off the other pride with his life Steriamus was conducted to his lodging where Vrania visited him often the body of the other to a place appointed till his buriall the Prince of Sauoy taking order for him not with excessiue sorrow for his death who in his life time neuer cared for him nor any that had so much vertue for this was a fine young Gentleman vertuous and valiant and now by his cousins death Prince likewise of Piemount Euery day were new showes and triumphes and by reason these braue Princes could not be any of the number martiall exercises were for a while layd aside and Court sports gain'd the place Amphilanthus Parselius and within few dayes Steriamus beeing spectators but one afternoone with sound of Trumpets there entered into the hall a braue Knight and with brauery vnusuall hee was attended with many seruants all in one colour liuery which was Sea greene and crimson as coats of seagreene veluet embroderd with crimson silke in the fashion of hearts stroke through with darts twenty of these he had euery one of them carrying a picture then came two richer
then the former holding one fayrer then the rest or he was deceiu'd for this was the picture of his mistris the Knight then commanded them to set them downe which they did on both sides of the chamber the faces to the States he standing in the middle with his mistrisses thus speaking Famous King of Naples and no more famous then truely meriting that fame I am hither come vpon command sent by a power that onely hath soueraignty ouer me else free my name is Polarchos sonne to the King of Ciprus but subiect by loue to the Lady of Rhodes I went to the Court of her Father desirous to see all places there did loue surprize mee and I sacrifice my liberty on the altar of her commands Oft times I went afterwards to see her and was like the fulfilling of wishes welcome to her though not to her father after hee discouerd our loues which though his dislike could not alter our affections being strong and young yet it opposed our oft delightfull meetings subtilty was then to come into freedom's place and danger where safety was wont to dwell we only secure in our loues tryals I had many put vpon me but I passd them all the more to increase her liking and her fathers hate to mee Then was there an inchantment wherein faith in loue and valour was to be shewed and approued but since the rarest liuing Prince your most excellent son had the power as iustly deseruing it to conclude those charms I will let the description of that passe since how impossible is it but that you haue heard the whole relation of it by him Then to proceed I was so much honord as to be carryed to Rhodes and peace made with her father and his consent gaind for our marriage then departed he with his royall company leauing me assured and so certaine of all content as then I imagined but after there departure some two dayes before the solēnizing of the marriage we were discoursing of many things among the rest of the aduentures at Ciprus which brought on the pleasant Iust we had there begun by matchlesse Amphilanthus and his worthy companion Ollorandus with whom I did well enough but was by your Son layd on the ground this I tooke for no disgrace but as a due when I presumed to meete him who was to be yeelded to by all but though I thought this no dishonor the hearing it bred disdaine in my mistris wherefore she told me that vnles I would wipe away this staine she would neuer look vpon me and though she could marry no other yet she would not performe it with me this greeued me and so much was I vexed with the teller of this to her as to begin I could haue found in my heart to kill him but what would that auaile She was angry and wilfull in her resolution and being Princesse of that Iland I had but a small party there to force her to performe her word and faith ingaged yet thus farre I brought it I vndertooke to carry her picture through all Greece and Italy and Iust with all that would venture their Mistresses Pictures against mine if I ouercame I was to haue her instantly vpon my returne and all their Pictures as my gaine to present her withall only I excepted Amphilanthus and Ollorandus whom I had before beene so much ingaged to Shee was contented with this and so I tooke my way Most of Greece I haue passed and all good fortune hath yet attended me neuer receiuing the worst of any but I must confesse my Destiny hath yet held mee from meeting the renowne of Knighthood the three Brothers and their Companions the last I mett withall was a Romanian Knight and he brought as assured gaine this Ladies the Princesse Antissia but hath courteously left her to grace the other Ladies Now Sir my humble request to your Maiestie is that I may haue permission to try my fortune here The King rose vp and embraced him giuing him welcome and liberty so did Amphilanthus Parselius Steriamus Ollorandus and lastly Dolorindus came vnto him but not with so louing a countenance for he was resolued to encouter him so much had the resemblance of Antissia wrought on his minde then the King desired to haue the orders of the Iusts proclaimed which were That no man must come into the Field to Iust without his Ladies Portraiture That if he were ouercome hee must leaue it behinde him as his signe of losse That he must not offer to defend that with the Sword which he lost with the Launce That they were to runne six courses if done equally to continue till the Iudges decided it And lastly if the Challenger were ouercome the Defendant had free liberty to dispose of all the Pictures before conquerd this being don◠for that night they parted Polarchos to his Tents which were set vp at the end of the Lists being infinit rich and beautifull The princes brought him thither though faine they would haue had his company in the Court but that was contrary to her command who he must wholly obey The morning come there assembled all the Court the Iudges were the foure first named Princes then came in the Prince of Milan attended on like himselfe two Knights of Milan carrying his Ladies Picture which was indeede as louely as any could be but browne of complexion Daughter shee was to the Duke of Florence and who at that time he was extreamely passionate of being to be his wife within fewe weekes after this Prince ranne finely with an excellent grace and delicate Horsemanship but Polarchos had runne with Amphilanthus with equall strength for some courses wherefore this young Prince must be contented to leaue his picture behinde him which he did at the fourth course and thus did his misfortune bring in many for that day he gain'd seuen to the number of his Victories the second day almost as many Now was he to stay but sixe daies in euery Kings Court not as long as he found Knights to Iust with but those that would must within that time doe it or not else The third day he had but few by reason the Knights were vnprouided but the fourth and fift he had enough to doe to conquer so many as came The sixt day there entred a Knight in gold armour his plumes furniture to his horse liueries all yellow and gold so as he was called the iealous Knight before him was carryed the picture of Antissia so he came to the Iudges as the custome was but they refus'd him liberty saying that since that Princesse had beene once before brought in it was not lawfull to bring her againe since so it runne to infinitnesse yet he much vrging and the challenger beeing as curteous as valerous consented on this condition that this should be the last example so they parted and encountred with great force and finenesse the yellow Knight had a while the worse but hee recouerd himselfe prettily wel again