hath made entrance into my heart that I would willingly both pittie Ornatus and grant him his request for that with often remembring him I cannot forget him neither doth any thought please mee but when I thinke of him But there are so many slips to hinder our loue that though I loue him I shall neuer enioy him For should my parents know hereof they woulde prie so warily into my actions that it were impossible for mée once to haue a sight of him whome I doo scarce remember I haue so seldome séene him You may quoth Syluian both loue him and inioy him and since you haue begun to like of him he being worthy thereof and equalling you in affection increase that loue might I but once come to speake with him I woulde not doubt but â—ffect all things with such secrecie that you should with quiet enioy him Well quoth Artesia I commit all to you my life for that dependeth on my loue being willing to doo any thing that shall not disagrée with modestie Destring you to kéepe my counsells secret for to bewray them may indaunger both his and my life After many other spéeches past betwixt them Adellena entered the garden Artesia espying her at the first thus gréeted her God-morrowe Adellena I know not whether I may salute thée as a friend or a priuie foe for that by thy meanes I am brought into bandage I pray thée tell mée without dissembling which I feare mée thou canst doo too well when thou sawest Ornatus and yet I know thy answere before I aske Dost thou not know this letter didst thou not hide it in this garden that I might finde it did not Ornatus hire thee to say that hée was departed from his fathers whilest he lyeth at home in thy house I knowe thy aunswerâ— will bee no but howe may I beléeue that Doest thou not likewise say hée loueth mée when thou knowest the contrarie and doest but dissemble If thou harborest any vertue in thee tell mée the truth and dissemble not for in doing so thou shalt greatly conâ—ent me discharge thy conscience and peraduenture doe Ornatus a good turne Adellena hearing her spéeches was so astonish at theyr strangenesse that for a good while she stood as one sencelesse but at the last she made this answere Your demaunds are such as that I know not how to answere them but heauens punish mée if I dissemble I saw not Ornatus since the time hée came to mée to know how you accepted the letter I conueyed into your Casket For that Letter I am altogither ignorant therein neither did I euer sée the same before now I neuer spake with Ornatus sawe Ornatus or heard from him since I last gaue him your answere neither doo I know where hee is but this I know that hée is not to bée found but poore Gentleman languisheth in loue which I dare protest loueth you most dearely neither neede you misdoubt that hée is absent or thinke that hée is hidden at my house for it is too true hée hath taken such gréefe at your vnkindnesse as will I feare me indaunger his life I would it were not so but that he were at my house then would I counsaile him rather to forget to loue then indaunger his life thereby May I beléeue quoth Artesia that this thou sayest is true Heauens let me liue no longer quoth Adellena if I dissemble Then quoth Artesia howe should this Letter be conueyed into this garden but by himselfe With that the Christall teares fell from her eyes CHAP. VI. Howe Ornatus loue was hindered by the newes of Arbastus death Howe Floretus to attaine Sylulans loue both confest hee slew Arbasius and intended to poyson Artesia TO augment Artesiaes teares a messenger hastily running came in and brought this newes vttering the same with a gastly countenaunce O Artesiâ— heare my tragicke discourse your Father as you know rode forth this morning to chase the fearefull Déere who wandring from his company at last by his long stay was mist and all of vs comming together studied amongst our selues what should be become of him at last wée were commaunded by Floretus your Vnckle to poste seuerall wayes in search of him whom at last we found most gréeuously wounded and dead Artesia hearing his words with suddaine gréefe fell downe deade Which when Sylnian perceiued caught her in his armes rubbing her pale chéekes vntill shée was reuiued againe Then they conueyed her to her bed in such extremitie with that suddaine gréefe that they feared to loose her life which exceedingly tormented Syluian to behold Then was there such an vprore in Arbastus house as al séemed in vtter dispaire one coniecturing this an other that of Arbastus death but all in generall concluding that it was done by Allinus in reuenge of his brothers death Arbastus wife likewise conceiued such sorrow at this vnexpected euent that with very gréefe thereof shée dyed Artesia with both together was readie to yéelde vp her latest breath and had done so had shée not beene carefullie preserued by Syluian and Adellena Who by their counsaile and indeuours pacified the extremitie of her perplexitie This newes was soone spred into most places of the countrey but because there was no iust proofe of the murtherer there was no great question made thereof Arbastus hauing neuer a trustie friende to prosecute reuenge Floretus now tooke vpon him to rule and gouerne all that belonged to Arbastus as his brother and soone caused him and his Lady to be worthily interred and built a sumptuous monument in their remembrance Which being ouerpast he came againe to Artesia as in the meane time he had oftentimes done and finding her very weake vsed many spéeches to comfort her giuing such as were about her speciall charge to minister all things necessarie to restore her to her former health Séeming to bee most carefull of her guard promising and protesting to bée vnto her instead of a Father Syluian all this while was excéedinglie gréeued in mind to sée his loue growne so weake and in such danger of life not once forsaking her in all the time of her siknesse but continually comforting her with heartie spéeches carefull tendance not so much as once departing her chamber but taking excéeding pains to pleasure her that shée tooke great comfort in her supposed Syluian who oftentimes would steale a swéete kisse from Artesiaes lips which she permitted taking the same to procéede from a curteous minde when Syluian did it of déepe affection accounting the estate wherin hée liued to excéed all ioyes and his delight past compare profering many familiarities that Artesia tooke in kind part which otherwise she would haue refused had shée knowne whom her companion Syluian had beene Ornatus marueiled that all this time she spake not of him which he deuised to vrge her to do by many occasions but these extremities had bannished all remembrance of him out of her minde Which excéedingly tormented Ornatus fearing this delaye
Lenons loue to her might eyther by perswasion of his death force affect of dignitie or other meanes winne her to consent to him especially for that shee hadde no parenteâ— to gouerne her nor hee neuer a faithfull friende to counsaile her The next day Alprinus and hée went out to méete Lucida whome they met at the entrance into the Forrest and after many kinde salutations past betwixt the two louers they altogether went backe into the Towne to Lucidaes Fathers house who that morning was departed to a Hauen about businesse of importance Ornatus was most kindly vsed of them remaining there vntill Alprinus had wedded Lucida but then hee thought it high time for him to depart And on a time finding Alprinus alone who had showne sufficient tokens of his friendship hee declared vnto him the whole truth of his forepassed loue to â—rtesia requesting his helpe for his passage into Phrygia Alprinus with great regard attended the whole discourse promising his vttermost assistance which quoth hee none can effect so well as Lucida whose father is a merchant and sendeth for ships into sundrie Prouinces who onely may pleasure you which charge I will vndertake and cause her to deale so â—ffectually with him that you shall attaine your desire Ornatus continued in good hope somewhat abandoning his former dispaire whome for a time wee wil leaue attending the time that some of the ships should depart to speake of Artesia his carefull Louer CHAP. X. How Lenon caused Artesia by violence to bee caried from Adellenaes house to the greene Fortresse of the miseries she indured there How shee was rescued from thence by Allinus and from him taken by Pyrates And how Allinus accused by Lenon for her death was imprisoned AFter that Artesia by Adellenaes carefull teÌ„â—ance had somewhat recouered her health Lenon began to visit her againe béeing vnable to indure the heauie burthen of burning loue thinking her sicknesse had procéeded from feare of Floretus not for want of Ornatus company finding an occasion saluted her in this sorte Most fairest Artesia my heart is so firmely inthralled to your beautie and my affectionâ— so admire your vertues that I am constrained to vtter my minde and to tell you I loue your Beautie Vertues and other most rare perfections wherewith you are adorned That I humblie sue to you for fauour and prostrate my selfe your thrall desiring to be inriched with those Iewels of inestimable price which hauing once attained I shall thinke I had more wealth in my possession theÌ„ all the world besides my selfe doth conteine Your vnkinde vnckles crueltie you néed not feare nor other misfortune neither haue you any parents to ouerrule you in making your choyse then vouchsafe to accept my sute and yéelde consent to my loue My Lord replied Artesia I thanke you for your good will but I know not how to accept of your loue being yet so far from knowing what it is that if I should but dreame thereof my heart would be out of quiet besides many cares continually attend the same and my meane estate so farre vnworthy thereof with innumerable other discontents and cares that I would make my selfe subiect vnto that I had rather a thousand times remaine in the estate I am now in Therefore I intreate you to settle your loue elsewhere more agreeable to your estate and fancie for I shall thinke my selfe most fortunate if I neuer fall into that labyrinth of disquiets but will during my life labour to kéepe my selfe free from loues bands Lenon would not take this for an answere but with many other spéeches continued his sute whom Artesia still put out of hope that he departed for that time excéedingly disconteÌ„ted leauing her no lesse disquieted in her thoughts how to auoid his loue In this sort did he daily visite her still growing more importunate amongst many other this conference past betwixt them Artesia quoth he how long shall I sue and be frustrated in my hopes by your vnkindnesse is your heart hardned against me Or am I of so base conditions that you cannot conceiue well of me Or is it possible you beare so hatefull a conceit of loue as you make shewe for then may I accuse mine eyes that haue betrayed my sences in making them your thrall then may I thinke my woe began when I first began to loue O Artesia be not so cruel as to punish me with this disdaine My Lord replied shée I séeke not your disquiet for at the first motion I tolde you my minde which shall neuer alter neither is my heart hardened against you more then others for I am determined not to loue then seeing you sée my intent it were a point of wisedome in you to shake off this fonde and foolish loue which is but a toy and an idle fancie that is bred by vanitie and doo not séeke to make loue growe without a roote for in my heart it shall neuer take roote but rather when it is rooted I will pull out heart and all but I will â—oote it out Then quoth be you are led by obstinacie and not by reason for that you are subiect to loue you cannot denie then why not me before another considering my loue is more faithfull then any other And I being most worthy why should I not be first accepted Artesia was wearie of his spéeches hauing her constant thoughts onely bent on Ornatus therefore to rid him from her she said It is in vaine to vse many words neither am I like to those that will at the first séeme â—oye but afterwards yéelde but I desire you to bée satisfied with that which I haue alreadie sayde that I cannot loue Faire Damosell how can I be satisfied with that vnreasonable answere when my life dependeth on your consent which your deniall will finish then giue mée leaue to say I cannot bée so satisfied but being extreamely refused I must growe perforce to be as vnreasonable in my request Consider you not what dignitie I might aduance you too by making you my wife consider you not the pleasures ioyes and abaundance of all contents you might enioy with me and how faithfully I loue you and with what humilitie I séeke your loue and yet notwithstanding you remaine obdurate My power is great that whereas I sue I might commaunde and by authoritie compell you to consent then bée not so ouerconceited as so obstinatelie to reiect your good And think that if my loue were not constant I might vse extreames which would soone alter your minde Suppose replied Artesia I were so péeuish as you terme me yet being borne frée I am not to be made bond by constraint and were you the greatest king in the world you could not rule the heart though you might by iniustice punish the bodie for it is not kingdomes wealth nor crueltie can turne hatred to loue but it may sooner turne loue into hatred But by your spéeches I may partly know your thought and the lippes vtter what the heart
to your selfe and me and my fathers safetie are reasons sufficient to perswade your consent besides many other causes more forcible then these too tedious to recite Then I beséech you denie me not for when it shall be knowne that my father was in armor in the field and I in this place not regarding to aide him it wil turne to my great dishonour and those which before did estéeme well of me will then begin to hate me then let not your doubt and true loue to me hinder my determination for on that mine honour your safetie and my fathers life dependeth Artesia seeing shee could by no meanes disswade him thought not to let him depart so suddenly but claâ—ping her tender armes about his necke a thousands times kist his lippes whilest with her abundant teares shee bedeawed his manly cheekes Ornatus tooke great sorrow at her heauinesse and delight in her imbracings that the contrarieties of his conceits were excéeding pleasure it selfe séeming more pleasant intermingled with care and care a pleasure to be endured with such delight Artesia was loath to let Ornatâ—s depart that night for that shée déemed hée should be in daunger the next â—ay and hée as vnwilling to leaue her in sorrowe shee on the one side sollacing her selfe in his company and hée by her kindenesse making him forget to depart that before they were aware night was come and well spent and Ornatus then bethinking himselfe thought it was too late to depart And Artesia hearing him make a motion to be gone desired him to staye And yet my deare Ornatus quoth she doe not you indaunger your selfe for my sake for should Lenons seruants finde you heere it might redoâ—nd to our great disquiet Ornatus likewise well considering the inconuenience tooke his leaue of her and left her sheadding aboundance of teares Ornatus being gone found the seruants awake and watching his comming out one of them saying Pilgrim what maketh thée so sawcie as to court my Maisters Loue Is this a fitte time of the night to be in her chamber my Lord shall vnderstand your behauiour and what familiaritie is betwixt you wee take you to be some counterfeit else would not such behauiours passe betwixt you as we haue behelde Therefore héere shall you staye vntill we giue him knowledge of your dooings and fidelitie with that they lockt fast the doore not suffering him to goe out or in Ornatus by that perceyued that they haâ— seene the kindenesse betwixt him and Aâ—tesia which he knewe if Lenon should vnderstand hee would finde out what he was these thoughts troubled his heart excéedingly that hée was assured vnlesse he could bée rid of them there was no meanes to escape death if Lenon should knowe him With these studies hee sat a good while silent till hee perceiued them inclinde to sleepe and casting his eye aside espied a bill hanging by the wall to which hee stole secretly and taking hold of the same he drew towards them entring into these meditations And shall I now commit murder and indanger my soule by so hainous a sin what will Artesia say if she know thou art so bloodily bent and that thy heart is so hard as to shead thine own countrey mens blood Ornatus be wel aduised before thou do this déed and bethink of some other meane auoid the danger thou art readie to fall into Other meanes Ornatus yea but what other meanes hast thou none at all dost thou not sée how they haue betrayed thee and made thée prisoner what then needest thou make a question to saue thy selfe and by their deathes preserue thine owne life which thy liuing will be indangered and being once done thou art safe but by delay thy owne life may perish With that lifting vp his armes with more then woonted force hée smote the one on yâ— head beate out his braines wherewith yâ— other began to awake but in his awaking he strooke him so full on the brest that the bill piearst his heart and hée laye breathlesse sprawling in his gore This done Ornatus fouÌ„d a vawâ—e and into the same hée coÌ„ueied their dead bodies purposing neuer to reueale what he had don Then returning he bethought himself of the keies of the dores that hee had thrown into that vawte with their bodies deuising how to get out without suspition of the deed he had done yâ— hée was inforced to take the bill by maine force and often striuing wroong asunder the locks His minde being excéedingly affrighted with these cares he entred into Artesias chaÌ„ber to sée whether he had disquieted her or no with the noise her he fouÌ„d in bed fast a sleep with the light still burning by her-beds side her brest vncouered downe to the waste and nothing to shrowde her from his perfect view but the single sheete that say carelesly cast ouer her tender bodie her armes câ—st to either side of the bed and her head leaning on the one side with so sweete an aspect as would haue rauished a thousand beholders Ornatus heart was reuiued to behold this swéet sight that the remembrance therof had bannished all remembrance of his troubles past and affected his heart with incomparable delight that he stood like one amazed to behold her swéet beawtie and to take a surfetting viewe of those her perfections so amiably faide forth Artesia sodainly awaking blusht to see him so nie yet therwith more comforted then dismayed she caught the clothes and couered her selfe whilest hée folding his hand in hers desired pardon for his boldnesse but she viewing him well behelde his pale and gastly countenance which draue her into feare and raysing her selfe vpright in her bed caught him in her armes asking what he ayled to looke so pale Mâ— deare Artesia quoth hée since I parted from you I haue endured great danger past through â— hell of calamities which now I feare not With that he let his head fall into her sweete bosome and there made the period of his spéeche feeling her tender heart pant with the motions of her troubled spirits In which pallace hée rested it a good while whilest she with her soft hand curled his haire and with swéet kisses mollified his lips Vsing many other familiarities sweete fauors procéeding from the depth of kinde loue wherwith Ornatus was so rauished that hée not onely took heauenly comfort therin but also desired a further content possession of her loue which he neuer before asked nor thought she wold grant but being hartned by the assurance of her Loue hée vsed more bolde behauiour which shée permitted but at last growing more bolde then shée thought conuenient for her modestie to permit with a kinde and louely behauiour shée both blamed and hindred him but the motions of affection so far preuailed with them both that hée desired and shée inwardlie yeelded though outwardly shée refused but his behauiour her owne Loue the present occasion so fitte opportunitie their hearts vnitie and other sweete enticements
Ornatus man but poore Ornatuâ— himselfe that languish with desire to attaine her loue which I would my selfe prosecute if the discords betwixt our parents did not hinder the same Therefore I beséech you once againe doo something in my behalfe for you sée how cruell desteny hath shut mée from all meanes to bée put in practise by my selfe and you may pleasure mée without any hazard at all for which I wil rest so thankfull vnto you as that you shall account your paines taken wel bestowed Sir replied shée I would vndertake any thing to further you if I knâ—w which way but I perceiue Artesias frowardnesse is such that nothing I shal bring her wil bée welcome but if you wil aduise mée what I shal do I wil once againe hazard the losse of her good liking for your sake Which said Ornatus wrote a Letter which hée desired her by some meanes to conuey to her sight the contents whereof were these To the faire Artesia FAirest of creatures bee not offended with my boldnesse but rather fauourably censure of my good meaning for being bound to honour none but most vertuous I thought it my dutie to giue you knowledge thereof desiring you to pittie the extremitie of my passions procured by the attainture of your conquering perfections I confesse you may alledge many things as reasons to disswade you from giuing credit to my speeches or yeelding me the least fauour in your conceits yet I beseeeh you make but triall of loyaltie loue and dutie so farre as shall agree with your liking and you shall finde mee constant in the one and perseuerant in the other as one that hath submitted himselfe to your commaund vowed his deuotions to purchase your fauour and euerlastingly bound himselfe to be onely yours vnable to expresse my humble meaning vnwilling to be offensiue and desirous of fauour then I beseech you be fauourable to me though bearing the name of an enemie in whom you shall finde the true heart of a constant friend whose safetie comfort and preseruation resteth in your power The first viewe of your bewties which was in the valley when you were last hunting surprised my heart with such humble regard to your vertue that euer since my heart hath indured the bitter torments of feareful dispaire which vrgeth me to this presumption desiring from your sacred lippes to receiue my sentence of comfort or affliction rather then to spend my life in languishing vnreuealed torment Then be you gracious to him that is otherwise most miserable and shewe fauour to an vndeseruing vnknowne friend so shall you not onely shewe that you are mercifull but also saue a miserable louer from vtter ruine Your humble friend Ornatus Adellena hauing receiued this Letter tolde him shée would deliuer the same which the next day shée performed in this sort Being come to Arbastus house shée continued most part of the day in Artesias company not once renuing the least remembrance of the talke shée had with her the day before but espying her open her Casket wherein shée put her workes whilest Artesia was busie she priuily conueyed the Letter vnseene into the same which by and by Artesia locked for none but her selfe had the vse thereof Adellena thought long till she was gone fearing least Artesia should vpon some occasion open the Casket againe and so find the Letter whilest shée were there therefore shée soone founde meanes to depart When the time of rest was come and Artesia alone in her bed taking a booke according to her vsuall manner to reade a while shee suddenly fell a sléepe and in her sléepe was possessed with a dreame wherein her thoughts called to remembrance Adellenas speeches which mooued such a disquiet conceit of anger in her brest that thinking shée had chid her with the motions of her spirites shée awaked féeling and excéeding distemperature in all her parts and séeing the light stil burning she maruelled at her drowsinesse that had before forgate to put the same out and by this meanes called to remembrance Adellenas spéeches maruelling what hee should bee that was in loue with her and suddenly againe reprouing her selfe for giuing her mind libertie to think of loue she would haue banisht al further remembrance thereof out of her minde but the more shee laboured the more vnable shee was to preuaile in ouermaistring her fancies that being both vexed with her selfe and Adellena shee vttered these speeches What disquiet is this possesseth my heart procureth such vnwonted cogitations to rise in my fancies and disturbeth my rest I was not wont to trouble my thoughts with such vaine cogitations which the more I labour to suppresse the more they encrease Coulde Adellenas speeches haue such force which I had welnigh forgotten as thus long to sticke in my remembrance Or what reason haue I to regard them that were not worth the regarding but rather tended to demonstrate the affection of some ouerfond louer that seâ—keth to intrappe my chastitie Accursed be her lippes for vttering them and would to God I had bene deaffe that I might not haue heard their inchaunting sound This saide she catcht vp her Booke thinking by reading to driue away all remembrance thereof but her heart was so fully possest with a kinde of cogitation what hée shoulde be that she neither coulde reade or when she did reade remember what shee did reade and finding this meanes not auaileable shée started from her bedde opening her Casket to take out her sampler wherein shée tooke most delight when suddenly shée espied the Letter and reading the superscription was halfe astonished thereat especially howe it should come there and what the contents should bée béeing oftentimes in minde to teare the same in péeces and not to reade it which her hearte woulde not suffer her to doo before shée had séene what was the contents yet striuing to ouermaister her affections shée tore the same in the midst which done such a remorse rose in her fancie vnited with a desire to know further thereof that leaping into the bed shée closed the same togither and betwixt a willing and vnwilling minde redde the same throughout With that fetching a déepe sigh shee said Aye me poore soule how are my affections betraied to mine enemie Was it Ornatus shée ment can it bée that hée wil proue my friend that is my professed enemie O no hée intendeth nothing lesse then loue but rather vnder colour thereof séeketh my ruine Was it hée that I beheld in the valley or it is possible that hée shoulde bée so déepely in loue with mée vpon that small sight No no I wil not credit his spéeches but stil repute him as an enemie as indéed hée is and henceforward abandon Adellenaes company by whose meanes this Letter was conueyed into my Casket then tearing the same into a thousand péeces shée abstained so neare as shée could from all thought of yeelding the least consent to loue and sought to increase her disdaine and suspect of his falshood spending
the rest of that night in coÌ„fused contrarieties of doubtful thoughts Early in the morning shee gat vp and within short time met with Adellena who was come as desirous to know what issue her deuise had taken and â—â—ading occasion fitte when none was by she vttered these spéeches Adellena I maruell what follie ruleth your minde that you whom I had thought had bene vertuously giuen should séeke my ruine wherein haue I showne my selfe so vnkinde that you should requite me in this discourteous sort You remember the spéeches past betwixt vs the other day in the Gardein when I finding out your intent by your spéeches desired you to giue ouer to vse any more talke to that effect which you faithfully promised but now most vnfaithfully haue broken and more impudently haue betraied my quiet with your disquiet ill sounding news if your rudenesse had beene such that you could not desist you might then haue deliuered Ornatus false and fained inchauntment into my hands and not so secretly haue conueyed the same into my Casket wherein you haue made me amendes for my loue to séeke to betray my life into the hands of mine enemy for otherwise I neither can nor will estéeme him Therefore henceforwards come no more into my coâ—pany for I forsweare your familiaritie hate your counsell and wil cause my father to banish you his house and alienate his friendship from you for euer Adellena would haue answered but Artesia refusing to hear her departed and left her so much gréeued that for extream vexation she immediately departed towards her owne house CHAP. IIII. How Ornatus dispairing left his fathers house and disguising himselfe was entertained of Arbastus ORnatus desirous to heare how Artesia had accepted his Letter came to Adellenaes house and found her wéeping for anger desiring to know the cause thereof which shée declared to him at large which wrought suche an excéeding passion of griefe in his mind that without yéelding her either thaÌ„ks for her paines or other spéech hée departed being so much ouercome with inward sorrow that finding a solitarie place hée laide himselfe downe vpon the earth vttering these lamentations O miserable castiffe what haste thou to do but lament when thy ill fortune yéelds nothing but cause of lament Why shoulde thy life last to endure these tormentes and not rather to dissolue into vnséene essences Could any thing haue happened to mée more miserable then to beholde Artesia and now to endure her crueltie or more fortunate if shée had bene mercifull But my Destenies haue drawne mée to like her that hateth mée and to become thrall to a cruell vnrelenting enemie Well my loue is swéeter then my life and therefore I wil venture life and all to purchase her liking Hauing said this hée a while sat silent when suddeinly to fauour his extremities hée behelde certaine of his familiars passe by with whome he departed home Earely the next morning being excéedingly troubled in minde and impatient of delaie hee lâ—st his fathers house to visite Adellena againe whome hée had the day before left so vnkindly whome hee founde readie to goe to Arbastus house againe saluting her saide Adellena bée not offended at my last vnmannerly departure for my hearte was so muche disquietted at the ill successe my sute tooke that I coulde not vse that behauiour towardes you your paines deserued but nowe I am returned to craue your counsell what is further to bée done herein Syr replied shée I know not what further meanes to vse neither dare I any more attempt to trie Artesias curtesie who is alreadie so much offended with me that I feare to loose her friendship for euer if I should vtter that againe that is so vnwelcome to her Ornatus hearing her spéeches thought shée was vnwilling to prosecute his sute any further with a heauie hearte left her entering into many thoughtes and cogitations which way to comfort himselfe Oftentimes vtterly dispairing and yet purposing to leaue no meanes vnassaied nor daunger vnattempted though with hazarde of his life to purchase some rest to his troubled heart At length hée thought with himselfe what should make Artesia so hard hearted as to giue no credit to my spéeches it is not her want of lenitie pittie or wisedome for shée is yong and therefore subiect to loue bewtifull and therefore to bée wonne wise and therefore wil with consideration pittie my sorrowes What then should alienate her good liking from mee more then from an other My Name for by that shée reputeth mée an enemie then were I not Ornatus she woulde peraduenture giue some regard to my sutes Therefore I will chaunge my name and bée an other then I am that shée not knowing mée may if not loue mée yet disist to hate mée then beganne hee to studie what meanes to vse to enioy her sight without the which hée could not liue and yet not be knowne what he was Amongst many other deuises this tooke déepest roote Within fewe dayes after hauing prouided all things necessary he attired himselfe like a virgine of a straunge Countrey which hée might well be esteemed to be by his youth And taking with him his Lute whereon he could play excéedingly well in the silent of the night he departed towards the sea coast which was neare vnto Arbastus house and seating himselfe vpon the Rockie shoare beganne to play vpon his Lute Early the next morning a shepheard happened to passe by that way and espying his straunge disguise and hearing his swéete Musicke was so excéedingly delighted therewith that he stayed to sée what he was Ornatus turning himselfe about espied the olde man stand gazing vpon him wherewith he drew towardes him and saide as followeth Good Father muse not to sée me in this vnfrequented place being by shipwrack cast on this shore and preserued from a gréeuous death by sea to perish for want of comfort on the land in a straunge place where I neither haue friendes nor know which way to get comfort Therefore I beséech you yéeld comfort to my distresse and succour â—o my want Faire Damosell quoth the shepheard if my homely Cottage can yeeld you any comfort so please you to accept therof it shal be at your command whither so please you go without more circumstance of spéeches you shall be most hartily welcome I thanke you quoth Ornatus and I accept your gentle proffer so they departed togither And when they were entered and the shâ—pheardesse in the best maner she could had welcomed him and he had tasted of such foode as was set before him hée tolde them his name was Syluia and telling a tale of sufficient countenance to beare credite of the maner of their shipwracke and the cause he vndertooke that voyage by Sea Which the olde folkes beléeued Likewise framing himselfe to such a kinde of behauiour that it was almost â—mpossible to discerne but that he was a woman indéede Where Syluia for vnder that name he shall a while passe staied some two
daies yet without any hope how to enioy Artesias company But the third day it fortuned Arbastas being abroad hunting was by a violent storme driuen to séeke shelter and must fortunately lighted on the shepheards Cottage where he boldly entered without calling and suddenly espying Syluia was halfe astonisht to beholde a damosell so bewtifull and richly attired in that homely place but after that he had a while viewed her well Syluia being alone with a curteous behauiour he thus spake Faire damosell pardon my boldnesse if I haue disquietted you I little thought to haue found such guestes in this homely place Syluia knowing him to be Arbastus arose but made him no answere when presently the olde shepheard came in vsing great reuerence to Arbastus who demaunded of him what damosell that was whereupon the olde man declared all that he knew Arbastus then thus said Damosell I vnderstand by this shepheard some part of your misfortunes which I so much pitty that offer to do any thing resteth in me to do you pleasure And for that this homely place is not agréeable to your birth which may be greater then I can iudge of let me desire you to accept of such entertainment as my habitation yéeldeth whither you shall be welcome Syluia being glad of that profer yet fearing to be discouered by his willingnesse to yéeld made this answere Sir this homely place is best agréeing to my poore estate being by misfortune brought to miserie which I am also vnworthie of for that I know not how to make my hoste amends desiring rather to liue in this quiet pallace voyde of care then in places of more dignitie but for that I shall be too chargeable to this poore man and you so earnestly desire me I wil be so bolde as to take your profer though vnable to be so grateful as I would Many other spéeches past betwixt them and in the ende they departed towards Arbastus Castle where Syluia was kindly and worthily entertained hauing his hearts desire which was to enioy the sight of faire Artesi◠Ornatus being alone by himselfe began to meditate of the good successe he had in this attempt and how fortunatelie all things had fallen out to further him in his loue But most of all hée meruailed how the eyes of all that beheld him were blinded that they could not perceiue what he was In these many such like comfortable meditations he spent some thrée or foure dayes taking most great content in beholding Artesiaes perfections that he was more and more inthralled in the bands of vowed affection hearing her spéech noting her behauior admiring her vertue commending her curtesie affecting her bewtie and imprinting each liniament of her diuine torme in his deuoted affection with such immooueable resolue of constant loyaltie that hée did not onely loue her but also honor her as an I doll beeing by Arbastus admitted her companie that at all times hée was with her Artesia likewise tooke no little pleasure in Syluians company in whom so much curtesse abounded that euery one both liked and commended her CHAP. V. How Adellena brought newes to Arbastus house of Ornatus suddaine depature How he naming himselfe Syluian a long time enioyed her company and what successe he had in his loue ADellena hauing heard of Ornatus departure from his fathers house and of the excéeding care and grief his parents tooke fearing least he might by some trecherie be murdred with which newes shée came to Arbastus house and soone published the same that the newes came to Arbastus hearing who was excéedingly sorie to heare the same for that hée estéemed well o◠Ornatus And now comming into the garden where Artesia was walking with Syluian she could not withhold herselfe from speaking but vttered her minde in these words Artesia bée not offended with that I say but rather bée displeased with your selfe who are the originall of this woe Ornatus whom you supposed your enemie though indéede your most faithfull friend taking your vnkind refusall most heauily and accounting himselfe not worthy to liue if you dispised him eyther hath wrought his owne vntimely death or dispairing to finde fauour at your handes hath abandoned both this parents countrey and acquaintance to liue in exile What will bée sayd of you when the cause of his sorrow◠shall be knowne how may your owne concience accuse your selfe of hard-hartednesse that would not yéeld pittie to the distresse of so woorthie vertuous curteous a Gentlemā who for his humble sute was spightfully disdained and his heartie good will disdainfully reiected Which cruell déed of yours no doubt will be one day repayed with the like disdaine where you shall most affect I know his loue was firme constant and immoueable which maketh me so much the more pittie his estate I know his meaning was both vertuous honorable his birth you know what vertues abounded in him all can witnesse and how hartily he loued you the heauēs cā witnesse Poore Ornatus farewell Hard was thy hap to place thy true loue so firmly where thou reapest so little reward Artesia hearing her spéeches could not tell whether shée might blame her or accuse her selfe sometimes doubting whether she spake this of pollicie to try her or of truth Being as readie to blame her selfe as Adellena and yet willing to do neither For she thought if she spake true shée had good cause to say that shée did and her selfe more to be blamed then any For notwithstanding she had giuen Adellena so flat a denial yet her conscience knewe that some sparks of loue were kindled in her breast That her heart being somewhat opprest with these thoughts caused the water to stand in her eyes Ornatus séeing all this took no little comfort therat especially whē he perceiued Artesias heart to relent but for that by his disguise being known no other then a woman he kept silence when saine hée would haue spake least he should discouer himselfe Adellena séeing she had disquieted Artesia being her selfe full of griefe and vnwilling to vrge her any further departed And Artesia withdrawing her selfe from Syluians company into an Arbor vttered these spéeches And can it be that Ornatus loue was so great that for my sake hée hath done this Coulde hee loue her so constantly that was his professed enemie is loue of such a force to draw one into these extreames Then may I compare it to the hearb Artas found in Persia who being but holden in the hand causeth a heat through all the bodie so loue but entertained in thought disquieteth all the sences But why do I conceiue so well of Ornatus when I know not the truth of Adellenaes report it may be he hath hired her to doe this and thereby I may be deceiued yéelding to pittie when there is no cause and with the bird Akanthu◠readie to come at euerie call Admit it were so I am not bound to fauour him is he not my enemie sonne vnto my fathers cheefest foe
if I should shew any signe that hée were liuing or neare shée would presently eschew my company which being as I am I may enioy thus am I voyd of all meanes of attayning her loue yet liuing as I am I shall still enioy her loue Why Ornatus thou hast better meanes to giue her knowldge of thy loue in this disguise then if thou liuedst as Ornatus Suppose thou shuldest make knowne to her what thou art thinkest thou shée would bewray thée considering thou offerest no other behauiour towardes her then that which agreeth with vertue Or what if shée did betray thée wert thou not better to indare the greatest extremitie by her don then pyne away with griefe in her absence Yes Ornatus in being as thou art thou art more happie and therefore maiest thou be in some better hope of comfort What if shée will not loue thée yet for thy good will shée cannot hate thée And though shée know what thou art shee will rather conceale thée then bewray thée then try whether she loueth thée or no but how Make my selfe knowne No. I will write a letter which I will leaue in some place where she may finde it and so by that meanes I shall sée whether shée will loue or no. And taking pen Inke and paper he wrote as foâ—â—oweth To the most vertuous Artesia the forsaken Ornatus sendeth humble greeting WEre you but so mercifull as fayre I woulde not dispaire of pittie Or were you willing to know my truth and loyaltie you woulde though not yeeld to my sute yet pittie mee I cannot vse protestations nor dissemble greefe but be you most assured that what proceedeth out at my lippes commeth from my heart xtremitie maketh mee ouerbolde and dispaire maketh me more desperate in vttering my minde I cannot chuse but say I loue you for that I loue indeed I cannot set foorth my loue with fyled termes but in plaine truth protest that my loue is constant loyall vertuous immoueable and though you hate I must loue and though you for euer denie to loue yet will I persist in constancie for the woorst I can indure is death and that my soule alreadie inwardly feeleth I haue forsaken my parents friends and all to become acceptable to you for whilest I was Allinus sonne you did hate me then I beseech you now that I am not Allinus sonne nor Ornatus pitty mee For without your pitie I die litle can my death profit you but letting me liue you shall for euer enioy a faithfull seruant So most vertuous Artesia I commit my cause to your wise consideration Your inseparablie neyther Ornatus nor himselfe but your poore seruant When hee had written this Letter and sealed the same the next morning he laid it in a place of the garden where he knowe Artesia would walke And from thence comming to her chamber he found her readie to go forth Artesia welcommed Syluia kindely and forth they went together and walking vp and downe a prittie while Artesia espied the white paper and desirous to sée what it was took it vp reading the superscription maruelled what the contents shuld be and how it should come there and turning to Syluian sée you this letter it is directed to me I maruell how it should come here vnlesse it were laide of purpose well howsoeuer that was I will reade the contents and you shall be partaker of them When she had redde the same and well vnderstood that it was Ornatus at the first shee was so excéedingly vâ—xed that she said I now perceiue that Ornatus was wiser then I tooke him to bée for I sée he hath committed no outrage vpon himselfe but wiselie will trie me first and if I will not yéelde to loue him what will hée doo marrie returne to his father againe This is Adellenaes doing and according as I thought they are agréed shée left this letter here and her may I blame and not him For did not she promise him to do it he would neuer of himselfe attempt it Syluian I pray thée counsaile me what I should do herein for my heart is oppressed with many thoughts that I will not vtter vntill I know thy minde Syluian thus answered since you haue giuen me licence to speake that which my heart thinketh first I say iâ— Ornatus loueth according as he protesteth as no doubt but he doth you haue good reason to pittie him for that by your owne report he is euery way worthy thereof which if you doo you shal be sure of a constant friend preserue his life and make vnitie betwixt your parents As for Adellena if it were her déede she did but the part of a friend but it was very vnlikely for that shée was not here since yesterday Neither can I think any man can dissemble so much as to make these protestations and yet be false For his words in my fancie beare an euident likeliehood of truth Therefore if I may counsaile you yéeld to that which is vertuous and in so dooing you shall purchase your owne good his content and perpetuall quiet to both your families Would you haue mée then quoth shée yéelde to loue mine enemie How is hee your enemie quoth Syluian when hée loueth you Hée is mine enemie because his father hating me how can he loue me Nay rather quoth Syluian his father not louing you how can hee chuse but loue you because he seeth them hate you that are worthy to be beloued besides their haâ—red being vniust it sheweth his vertue the more to loue those his parents hate and it is commonly séene where there is hatred betwixt the parents the children haue loued most dearely as in common experience it is séene haue you not red the Histories of Pryamus and Thysbe Romeo and Iuliet and many other whose loue was the more constant by so much the more their parents hatred was deadly I remember such Histories quoth Artesia but what was the end of their loue was it not most miserable I grant it was quoth Syluian which was procured by their parents crueltie but not their loue wherein notwithstanding they tooke such felicitie that they rather chose to die togither then to be parted which argueth that the enmity twixt parents caÌ„not break off loue twixt the children yet might such tragical euents haue bin preuented by wisedom But how know I said Artesia whether Ornatus loue bée so constant or no Can you haue any greater proofe thereof then his own letters the forsaking of his parents and liuing peraduenture in pennurie but if you doubt of that once againe trie him Well said Artesia I asked but thy counsaile but in stead thereof thou vsest perswasion but séeing thou art so forward to doo me good which I hope is thy intent if thou wilt keep my counsell thou shalt know both my minde and what I intend Assure your selfe quoth Syluian I will rather loose my life then prooue vnfaithfull Then said shée I confesse to thée Syluian that loue
Therefore make no doubt of my resolution for I am absolutely purposed to do it O thought Syluian rather shalt thou sée my blood then spill one drop of hers why Floretus would you haue me do any thing therin You onely may doo it quoth he with more safetie then any other and the maner how is this Within some mile from this Castle Arbastus hath a banquetting house in his Parke where oftentimes hée would for his recreation lye whither I will perswade Artesia to goe for a season to take the aire and to recreate her sences dulled with gréefe and none but you to keepe her company and some two seruants whose trustinesse I am assured of This done I will get a drinke to be made the force whereof shall expell life and yet by no meanes nor any cunning or skil be found out when you shall thinke it most conuenient giue vnto her being once dead who will make any enquirie but that she died of a naturall sicknesse and then you shall be mistresse both of her heritage and my selfe Syluian said when shall this be put in practise Within these two daies at the farthest said he in the meane time frequent you Artesiaes company in such familiar sort as heretofore you haue done and my selfe wil vse her with no lesse kindnesse Many other spéeches being past betwixt them at that time they parted CHAP VII How Ornatus told Artesia of Floretus intent and vpon what occasion he discouered himselfe Floretus being by himselfe began to consider howe rashly he had committed his secrets to Syluian entring into these meditations Doth Syluian thinke that my policie excéedeth not her shallow capacitie poore simple straunger she hath vndertaken a matter of great importance for me that meane nothing lesse then good wil to her she for my loue hath promised to poyson Artesia and is likely that once done to taste of the same sawce for loued she me neuer so well I will not trust her with my life but peraduenture she hateth me and will reueale my drift to Artesia No Floretus thou art deceiued she is so farre in loue that she doteth and would I am sure to any thing at my request What a world is this what villanie can be intended that some either for fauour or reward wil not execute If I should trust her that is so easily wonne to do such a hainous déed might I not be accounted madde yes and therefore I wil not trust her Artesia being once dispatcht she shall follow next Ornatus on the countrary part was glad that he had felt the depth of Floretus counsell thinking likewise that he was so farre in loue with him taking him for a woman that for his sake he sought Artesias death which was the onely meanes to helpe him attaine her loue which he likewise determined to giue her knowledge of and discouer himselfe hoping that when she sawe his innocencie his faithfull loue and how by his meanes her life was preserued she would yéeld him due guerdon for his good will Whilst he was in the depth of those cogitations he espied Artesia enter the garden and taking his Lute founde her seated vpon a flowrie banke vnder the shade of a mirtle trée and perceiuing that she was somewhat heauily inclinde he satte downe by her and with his swéete melodie brought her a sléepe when she had slept a good while being excéedingly affâ—ighted with a dreame she started vp looking earnestly vpon Syluian saying I pray thée Syluian do not poyson mée Syluian séeing her so affrighted was excéedingly amazed and she her selfe not yet fully recouered séemed to be affraid of him till at last Syluian said I beséech you what is it that affrighteth you O Syluian said she I drempt thou wouldst haue murthered me Heauens forbid quoth he that I should attempt to hainous a deede But woulde you vouchsafe to heare my tragicke report you should be rid of that doubt though Syluian is much tempted to do such a déede who estéeme your life more dearer then mne owne and would rather with my owne hands teare out my wofull heart then thinke the least thought to wrong you But because I haue so fit occasion and I hope your patience will permit me I will reherse a most monstrous and hainous intended michiefe The other day I remember you were excéedingly offended with me for naming Ornatus for that you supposed him to be an actor in Arbastus death but both he and Allinus are innocent and farre from any such thought for your vncle Floretus was his murtherer which hée tolde me himselfe he hath béene oftentimes importunate to win my loue which an other possesseth but I suspecting as much as I now find to be true held him of with this delay that he had not wealth to maintaine me Which when I had often alleaged hée tolde me all that belonged to Arbastus was his then I demaunded how that could be since you were liuing Quoth hee sweare but to be secret and I will tell you how With that vpon my protestations he tolde me that he had murdred Arbastus and ment to poison you perswading me to consent thereto for that hée said I onely could do it with that I not purposing to do it but to preserue you promised him my vttermost assistance which he tolde me should be done in this manner I will quoth he perswade Artesia to forsake this Castle and to soiâ—â—rne some few dayes in a house Arbastus hath in his Parke where none but you two others seruaÌ„ts whose secrecie I nothing doubt shall kéep her company where I will giue you such a potion as shall end her life and yet by no means be perceiued neither can there be any doubt thereof for that I and none else am left of her kindred to search the truth This is the summe of that he tolde me Artesia hearing her words sate like one without sence a good space being so farre ouercome with greefe and feare that she could not speake a word but at the last burst foorth into these lamentations Ay mee vnknde and most vnnaturall Vnckle canst thou speake me so faire and intend me so much harm Who would haue thought so foule impietie had ben shrowded vnder so faire pretext Couldst thou be so vnnaturall as to murther thy owne most naturall louing and dear brother and not contented with his tragedie to séek my vntimely death What frenzie or follie doth possesse thy brest that I estéemed replete with vertue How canst thou suffer so impious and haynous a thought to sink in thy brest much lesse to act such a notorious outrage against him the loued thee as his life her that honoreth thee as her friend O Syluian may I credit thy words and not rather accuse thée and excuse him May I thinke him so simple to trust thée with his secrets no I feare mee this is some pollicie inuented by thee to some bad cud Yet I pray thée pardon me for what canst thou
intendeth doo with mée what you will I cannot loue neither will I loue you were you Monarche of all the world Leanon was so much gréeued and vexed at her spéeches that hée was readie to tare his hayre his loues extremitie making him rather madde then sober that presently hée departed saying no more but this Farewell hard-harted Artesia Shée was glad hée was gone presently telling Adellena all that had past betwixt them and how peremptorilie shée had answered his importunate sute telling Adellena that since Ornatus was for her sake bannished shee would neuer loue any but him and preserue her life in hope to sée him once againe but the first knowledge of his death should bée the latest date of her life both shee and Adellena thinking that Lenon would neuer returne to prosecute his loue But hée beeing come to the Pallace betooke himselfe to his chamber raging more like a mad man then a passionate louer sometimes swearing cursing and stamping yéelding so much to that mad fancie that in the end he vowed to obtaine Artesiaes loue though he hazarded his life honour and good name that ranging in this sort vp and downe his Chamber hée espied an olde Gentlewoman named Flera going by his windowe whom hée called vnto him and thus saide Flera because I haue assured confidence in thy fidelitie and purpose to reward thée liberally I craue thy counsaile and with it thy consent to be faithfull in concealing my secretes and very diligent in dooing my commaunde The olde hagge making an euill fashioned lowe curtesie sayd My deare sonne Lenon be it to do you good I will hazard my life and rather bée torne into a thousande peâ—ces then reueale what you shall vouchsafe to tell me Then quoth hée counsaile me which way I should begin to win a faire Damosels loue Marrie my Lord quoth she giue her knowledge thereof and then with faire speeches woe her iâ— that will not preuaile giue her gold and there is no doubt that faire bayse will catch her No no quoth he these are of no force I haue made my loue knowne to her by humble sutes submisse behauiours and by all kinde of curteous meanes intreated her consent yet for all that she remaineth obstinate she is rich and therefore gold with her is of no force she is fayre vertuous noble and chaste then what engine hast thou to vndermine that chastifie Meanes enough quoth she peraduenture shée is ruled by others counsell which may preuaile more then your sute but might I haue accesse vnto her I would not doubt but to alter her minde for being faire young and rich she cannot chuse but delight to be praysed subiect to loue and therefore yéeld to desire Doest thou thinke quoth he thou couldest winne her wert thou her kéeper I warrant you quoth she I would doe it Then shalt thou bée her kéeper sée that thou beest to morrowe at my fathers Castle in the gréene forrest where to morrow by night this Damosell shall be whose name is Artesia daughter to Arbastus lately dead vse her kindly let her want nothing nor be not in any wise knowne that thou knowest mée nor that the Castle belongeth to my Father nor speake not of loue in any case vse her in this sort vntill I speake with thee for thou onely shalt haue her custodie Flera being gone about her businesse be fouÌ„d out two of his trustiest seruants to whom he imparted both his mind and intent willing them the next morning with spéed to go to Adellenaes house and either by force or faire meanes to take Artesia from thence and carrie her vnto the gréene â—ortresse in the gréen Forrest where they should find Flera â—o to whose custodie they should commit Artesia and themselues should remaine there to prouide all things necessarie vntill his comming Early the next morning the seruants rode to Adellenas house whereinto they boldly entred and comming to Artesia first spake her faire but afterwards tolde her shee must goe with them iâ— not willingly by constraint Artesia then began to buâ—st into teares wéeping and lamenting excéedingly vpon her knées intreating them not to offer by violence to carry her from thence but if they would néedes that they would take Adellena with them but all was in vaine for they constrained her to mount vp béehinde one of them and away they rode in great haste this heauie parting was so sodaine that Artesia coulde not a bid Adellena adue but with teares nor Adellena speake a word for griefe their sences being so farre confounded with care that their harts were readie to burst therewith Artesia thought this was Lenons dooing and therefore sorrowed the more not that hée vsed her vnkindly but that hée loued her not fearing his crueltie but his lust not regarding what crueltie hée could vse by hatred but fearing his loue would make him seeke her dishonour Béeing come to the Fortresse and committed to the custodie of Flera the olde woman began to speake her faire and vse her kindly yet her verie wordes and countenaunce bewraying her guiltie conscience to whome Artesia would not speake a word least thereby shée should giue her occasion to prate meate shée brought vnto her but shée refused to taste thereof and when shée came to her Chamber shee laie on the rushes refusing the bedde tormenting her heart with care vexing her head with thought and busying her sences or meditating to what issue this vsage would sorte sometimes calling on Ornatus name for comfort sometimes accusing Lenon of barbarous crueltie and cursing her crooked destenies vttering such plaints as would haue turned tyrants to ruth wéeping her eyes drie and her garments wet tearing her hâ—ire and tormenting euery one of her sences with vexation refusing sléepe rest ease or quiet The next day Lenon came thither asking Flera howe shée faâ—ed who tolde him that she would not speake eate nor sleepe but â—ared like one madde and sencelesse But let her alone quoth shée and you shall sée this fitâ—e will soone bée ouer the extremitie whereof being once past I will vse my skill to trie her Lenon giuing order to haue all thinges necessarie prouided departed Dinner time being come and meate set before Artesia she refused to eate likewise supper time being come she determined to do the like Which Flera perceiuing said Fayre gentlewoman to behold your outward appearence would make one iudge your minde harbored many hidden vertues but I comparing your actions with your apparant shewe suppose that you are either mad or carelesse this behauiour to séeme dumbe to refuse sustenaunce and to refraine from sleepe are instances of follie not of wisedome What if you speake what if you did eate or take rest should you be euer the worse or refraining can that doo you good or banish griefe and not rather make your estate worse doo you thinke to preuent any thing by dooing your selfe harme no fonde Childe eate thy meate and preserue thy â—fie for liuing thou maiest attaine thy desires
had giuen himselfe many gréeuous wounds enforcing him to yéeld Who taking from him all that was good constraining Aâ—tesia to go with them and hasted to their ships when hauing conueyed her aboord to preuent the worst hoysed saile and launched into the déepe Then was Allinus left in most miserable estate with all spéed hasting to his house Lenons seruants likewise were by that time it was mindnight gotten to the Pallace and called their Lord out of his bedde to cerâ—ifie him what was happened who presently mounted himselfe and with a sufficient company rode to the Fortresse and entring found Flera slaine and all else fled then began he to muse who should do that déed and what they should be that had carried away Artesia by this time it was day-light and Lenon rested in excéeding vâ—xation to be dispossest of his bewâ—ifull Loue yet he commanded his men to poste by companies seueral waies if it were possible to finde those that had done that deed whilst he himselfe remained there bewailing that misforâ—une his seruants had not rode far but by the light of the day which discouereth things done in darknesse they found Allinus two seruants whose dead bodies they carried back to the fortresse Lenon séeing them presently assured himselfe that Allinus was a partie in this action and that hee had taken away Artesia to séeke her death To preuent wihch mischiefe as he thought then or neuer to be done hee presently rode home to the Court and humbly vpon his knée intreated his father to graunt him licence with a sufficient power to rescue Artesia from Allinus who intended to murder her declaring how he himselfe found her in Adellenas house and how that he had placed her in the gréene Fortresse to defend her from Allinus and others crueltie being left fatherlesse and how that night Allinus had taken her from thence by treason and intended no lesse then her ruine The king hearing his sonnes speeches graunted his request Then presently diuers to the number of tâ—ree hundreth men with as much speed as could possibly be armed themselues and in haste with Lenon went to Allinus Castle into which they violently and vnawares to any within entred Lenon presently laide hands on Allinus whom he â—ounde sore wounded asking him for Artesia who thinking some of his seruants had before bewrayed what he had done presently confest the truth of all both of his intent and howe Artesia was rescued from him but by whom hee knewe not and howe at that time two of his seruants were slaine Lenon giuing no credit to his spéeches neuer left till hée had searched the whole Castle throughout but not finding her accused Allinus that he had murthered her commaunding his men to binde him and carry him as a Traytor to the Court. Who being come before the King confest the truth as before he had done vtterly denying that hee neuer sought Artesias death but her safetie but yet notwithstanding the King was so ouerruled by Lenons accusations and perswasions that he committed him to prison his goods and lands were seized vppon as a Traytor his Ladie wife turned out of doâ—res in poore array and al crueltie and outrage committed against his seruantes and kinâ—folkes and commaundement giuen that none should succour them Allinus being in prison laden with yrons and hardly vsed yet endured that affliction patiently but hearing of his Ladies calamitie and how she was vaiustly constrained to beg that all her liâ—e long had bene tenderly brought vp thought those sorrowes woulde soone bring her to an ende and entered into many bitter lamentations for her and his owne misfortune which were too tedious to recite his seruants were constrained to disguise themselues and trauell into farther places of the Countrey to liue vnknowne otherwise none would haue entertained them His Ladie was compelled to séeke out kinswomen of hers that liued in the countrey of whom she was entertained and there liued a poore life far differing from her former life which she tooke most patiently And thus was Allinus house defaced his goods and lands seized vpon himself imprisoned his wife in poore estate his seruants driuen to wander from place to place readie ofâ—en to perish for want of succour and all his dignitie turnd to miseâ—ie onely by Lenons malice who had no ground for those accusations he vsed against him but onely of a vaine suppose and mad franticke affection that ouerruled his heart which so much preuailed with him that he sought by all meanes he could his death CHAP. XI How Ornatus gatte shipping into Phrygia Howe Allinâ—s was set al libertie and how the Pyrates cast lottes who should possesse Artesia ORnatus all this while remained in the countrey of Natolia with Alprinus and Lucida in great griefe for want of meanes to depart into Phrygia to sée what was become of his deare Loue Artesia but being a long time frustrated by reason none of the ships that were at sea came home he began to dispaire thinking that Artesia supposing him to be dead by reason of his long absence would now marry Lenon which griefe and many other doubtfull thoughts opprest his heart with such passion that he began to waxe sicke and afterwards fel into an excéeding feuer which held him for the space of thrée moneths in great extremitie which surely had abridged his dayes had hee not bene most carefully nourisht by Lucida who had an especiall care of his good During which time of his sicknesse certaine ships of Phrygia arriued on the coast of Natolia some fourtéene miles distant from the Towne where Ornatus was of which he had intelligence by certaine Factors belonging to Lucidas Father which newes reuiued his spirits with ioy before drouping with care that within few dayes he recouered his former health which greatly reioyced Alprinus and Lucida whose hearts were linked vnto him in hands of vnseparable friendship who likewise dealt so effectually for him that they attained warrant for his passage and furnished him with all kinde of necessaries and sufficient store of gold to beare his charges Lucida likewise intreating her father to agrée with the Phrygian Marchants for his conuoy for that himselfe would not be knowne disguising himselfe into the habit of a Pilgrime whicâ— kinde of people might without disturbance passe vnexamined and without molestation And the time of his departure being come he tooke his leaue of Lucida Who tooke his departure with such excéeding sorrow that the abundance of her flowing teares stopt the passage of her spéech Alprinus likewise with many curtesies bad him farewell and wished his prosperous successe Thus departed he the confines of Natolia where he was in so short space so well beloued and so kindly vsed that had not his loue to Artesia and hope to finde her in safety constrained him he could haue bene contented to haue spent the terme of his life in that place The Merchants of Phrygia had not sailed many dayes but they arriued in a hauen some
so farre preuailed that shée yéelded vp her vnspotted body pure chastitie to his possession and the impression of his attempt dissolued her Virgin zoâ—ne giuing full interests of her heart Loue and body to him that pursued the possession of those riches with earnestnesse Sometimes blushing sometimes shréeking and yet yéelding denying and yet graunting willing and vnwilling yet at last she gaue that she could not recall and let him possesse her spotlesse virginitie which béeing past her heart panted with the motion and she felt her sences sadde a little repenting yet not alâ—ogither sory sighing for sadnesse and yet not sad at all whilest hée bathed himselfe in that hauen of Blisse passing the rest of that night in such vnspeakeable pleasure as cannot be desciphered Early the next morning hee arose taking his farewell with a swéete Adieâ— leauiâ—g Artesia sad for sorrowe and lamenting his absence but yet with earnest and hearty prayers inuocating his happie successe bathing her heart in luke-warme tâ—â—â—es thinking she had béene too prodigall of her fauours to him and yet estéeming him worthie of a thousand times greater gyft if shée had it in her possession with repentance reioycing though déeming herselfe metamorphose and other then shée was wâ—nt to be beeing glad shée had no more companie to conuerse withall least her guilt should make her blush and so bewraye her fault And when Phoebus began to lighten the Chamber with his splendor the hid herselfe within the bed as if the day-light had accused her of that shee had done in the darke Ornatus béeing come to the Campe found out Phylastes and brought him to Artesiaâ—s lodging by the way instructing him howe to order their businesse when Lenon should come Where béeing entered Phylastes hauing saluted Artesia and a while conuersed about their affaires they chaunged their habits Ornatus with many a sorrowfull sigh taking his leaue of her whilst her heart bled warme â—rops of bloud Ornatus againe tooke his leaue of Artesia and entered the Campe framing himselfe to such kinde of behauiour that hée was of all taken for Phylasteâ— Nâ—wes camâ—â—hat the Armenians were landed and had brought their Forces within a dayes march of Tâ—aeons Campe the King â—ssembled all the chiefe Leaters together to â—ppoynt euery man his charge and consult what to doe Ornatus in Phylastes stead had vnder his charge foure thousand men whom by his owne séeking hee was appointed to conuoye into a wood that stood fitly to offend the ennemie and the rest appointed to other places that seemed for most aduantage Ornatus hauing his souldiers alone thought it time to execute what he intended and therefore called vnto him such as were Captaines and chiefe vnder him vttering these speeches Fellow souldiers I would willingly vtter my mind which is troubled in some sort with remembrance of the iniuries Allinus hath alreadie causelesly indured against whome now wee addresse our selues to fight wherein in my mind wee deale vniustly for he was neuer traytor to his countrey nor now commeth to disturbe the land with oppression but only to claime his own inheritance and libertie which our selues do permit therefore I thinke it best before wée drawe our weapons to consider against whome we drawe them and whom we offend one that loueth vs his Countrey and people and would not willingly shead a drop of our blood Now if I could find a remedie for all this which standeth with equitie would you follow my directions With that they all at once said they would be ruled by him Then hée said Thaeon that is now our King destroyed all his familie and such as are in any degrée neare to him in blood the last of whome is Allinus whose vtter ruine hee now séeketh not by iustice but that neitheir he nor any of his progenie should hinder his succession Therefore if you wil follow my counsell when the armies arâ— met let be not offer to offend the Armenians but kéepe our selues from fight vntill Lenon affrighted therewith and fearing the peoples reuolt will peraduenture yéeld to performe the articles the Aâ—menian Embassadors demaunded and by this meanes shall wee restore Allâ—nâ—s to his right saue the effusion of blood and yet not wrong our reputation The people hearing his spéeches generally gaue their consent crying Phylastes Phylastes With that Ornatâ—s bestowed the golde among them that Lenon had before giuen him which preuailed with the multitude excéedingly Ornatuâ— hauing effected this according to his desire went vnto the Aâ—mâ—nian Campe desiring to speake with Allinus the Generall to whom he declared what he intended in his behalfe not discouering him to be other then Phylastes For which Allinus yeelded him many harâ—y thanks Whilest Ornatus was absent a Captaine named Ortonus drawne by desire of reward and aboue the rest fauouring Lenons party stole from the wood and comming into the Campe to Lenon bewrayed what Phylastes intended and how that hée was now gone to the Armenian Campe to confer with Allinus Lenon hearing that thought it best not to send for him by warrant but amongst the rest to assemble him to councell and to that effect sent a Herault Ornatus being returned had knowledge of the generall assemblie and willinglie went little suspecting what Lenon intended and being entred the Camp Lenons Tent he was before all the Estates by a Herault arrested of high treason Ornatus theÌ„ thought his intent was bewraied demanding what they could lay to his charge Wherevpon Ortonus before them all declared what he had done which he could not denie vppon which accusation he was presently sent to the Court and there imprisoned CHAP. XV. Howe Ornatus was deliuered out of prison carried Artesia from the court How Ornatus in a single combat ouercame Lenon and caused Thaeons flight And how Artesia to escape Thaeon fled to Adellenaes house TThe newes of Ornatus imprisonment was soone blazed through the whole camp court and country at last came to Artesia hearing who with excéeding lamentations bewailed his misfortune but Phylastes comming vnto her coÌ„forted her all that he could promising to set Ornatus at libertie if quoth he at Lenons next comming yoâ— will request his signet to keepe as his warrant for your safetie The next day the armies should méete and therefore Lenon that night visited Artesia finding her very sad demanding the cause thereof my Lord quoth she how can I be otherwise then sad when I am ready euery houre to fall into more miserie not knowing whither your life may be indangered by these warres and I thereby subiect to some misfortune Therefore in signe you loue mée graunt me your signet to bee my warrant and priuiledge against all iniurie yâ— may bee offered mee with yâ— shee kist him which she had neuer beâ—ore done not drawne by any good will but with desire to helpe Ornatus Lenons heart was so ouercome that hée presently gaue her the same staying sometime with her intreating her consent to his loue He was no sooner
gone but Phylastes taking the ring of Artesia went vnto the place where Ornatus was and comming to the Iayler tolde him that hée must deliuer Ornatus to his custodie shewing him the Princes signet as his warraÌ„t the Iailer séeing the same and knowing that the Pilgrim was of great credit trust with LenoÌ„ made no doubt but presently deliuered Ornatus vnto him both departing together to Artesia who séeing her beloued so fortunately deliuered shead teares of ioy for his escape After salutations in the kindest sort past Ornatus declared what hée intended and howe hée was betrayed by Ortonus Phylastes then counselled Ornatus that night to conuey Artesia from theÌ„ce vnto some place of better securitie who sometimes thought to carrie her to Adellenaes house but he thought Lenon wold misdoubt that place at last he concluded to conuey her to her castle where Arbastus her father dwelt which was still kept to her vse by certaine of her fathers seruants Foth Artesia Phylastes liked â—his well and therefore leauing the court they departed thitherwards Artesia not woonted to trauell could scarcely indure to holde out but by their help they arriued there at midnight knocking awaked the porâ—er who looking ouer the battlemeÌ„ts demanded who was below at that vnreasonable time of the night My friend quoth Ornatus it is Artesia that commeth in time of her most need for harbor in this place The Porter viewing her well by the bright light of Scynthia knew her calling vp the rest of his fellowes came running down and opened the gate where he and the rest receiued her in with great ioy Ornatus was glad of this happie escape but yet excéeding sad that he could not assist his father against Lenon but that he must perforce be absent from his rescue which filled his heart with such care that all that night he could take no rest and though hee enioyed Artesias company without controll he could harbor no rest or quiet to his distempered thoughts that Phylastes demanded the cause of his sadnesse My assured friend Phylastes quoth hée the remembrance of my fathers estate and feare of his mishap maketh me thus sad and griefs excéeding torment possesseth mee that I cannot be present to aide him against Lenon that by towardly malice not with valour will seeke his ruine before any others O were I but present to defend him though I offended none my heart would bée at quiet Artesia hearing his speeches said Good Ornatus do not againe hazard your selfe as you lately did for had not fortune and Phylastes wisedome assisted vâ— both your life and with it mine had bene cast away My dearâ— Artesia quoth hée that misfortune hath taught mée wisedome and by remembring it I wil learne to eschâ—e such mischiefes and know whome I trust therefore I beséech you grant I may once againe go to do my â—utie in ayding my father which I will nowe do without daunger for that I wil make none priuie to that I intend nor attempt more then I am able to performe Artesia seeing howe fully hée was vent to goe preferd his will before her owne desire knowing her dutie not to contradict but to counsell him and therefore said My deare Ornatus my dutie bindeth me to consent but my loue willeth me to denie feare of your mishap maketh mée vnwilling but will to fulfill your desire maketh mée giue â—n vnwilling consent onely let me request this that you will take Phylastes in your company and leaue me to the custodie of my seruants whose fidelitie I am assured of for hauing him with you hiâ— aidâ— and counsell may much auaile to preserue your life which if you loose as heauens forbid with the same shal mine expire for if so impossible Artesia should breathe Ornaâ—us being breathlesse Ornatus with a fewe teares that by excéeding griefe were wroong from his heart participated her laments First requesting the seruants to be carefull of her good and then without delaye both furnishing himselfe and Phylastes with rich armor and horse of which there was great choyce in that Castle and for that the day began to appeare they thought it time to depart least their comming from thence might be discouered There might one behold sorrow at parting in his right forme hart-breaking sighes breathing sad Farewels and sorrowfull teares at so sad a parting when their lippes were parted their hands still fast their hands disioynd then their voyces oftentimes vttering that woful word Farewell and when they were past hearing their eyes vnwillingly leauing each others sight he being without looking backe and shée within looking after so long as she could perceiue the glimering glance of his bright armor and he being pass sight of her with watry eyes beholding the place of her abode thus parted they as if they had parted neuer to méete Drawing nigh the armies they beheld them met and in hot skirmish standing still a good space to sée to whether partie it was likely the victorie would incline and in the ende they beheld the Armenians begin to retrait and Lenon with Thaeon his Father in the midst of the throng making excéeding slaughter and proud of their déemed conquest which set Ornatus heart on fire that hée rusht amongst the thickest of his Countrey men yet not once offering a blow nor sheading a drop of the bloud he loued but onely making way to come to Lenon which made them not offer to staye his passage but admiring what he was let him goe frée after whom Phylastes hasted The Souldiers séeing those two newe come Knightes offende none admired what they should be not one of them all offering a blow because they offered none By this time Ornatus was come to the place where Lenon was who euen then not before had met Allinus betwixt whom many blowes and some woundes were giuen and receiued but Allinus had the worst by reason of his age Ornatus knowing his Father by his armour came betwixt them with his sword drawne saying Lenon staye thy hand let age goe frée and let thy youth cope with mée that am come to challenge thée before both the Armies and therefore as thou art the Kings Son a knight and honorest arms giue order by thy Herault to staye the furie of the Battailes till thou and I haue tryed our valours otherwise this Knight and I haue vowed to huht thée from place to place and neuer giue ouer vntil wée haue spilt thy bloud Lenon hearing this Champions proud challenge sayd If thou art a knight a gentleman as I am and canst shewe wherein I haue wronged thee I will answere thée otherwise knowe that I scorne thée although I know my selfe of sufficient strength to abate thy haughty presumption were it neuer so great With that two heraults were sent from either General to part the souldiers which done Ornatus before the open assembly said Lenon first I saye I am a Gentleman as absolute and as good as thy selfe Prince I am none neither