complements and salutations Galathea desired him to tell the reason why Egides did falsly report his death unto Silvia Madam answered he I desire nothing more then to obey you but I cannot possibly tell you the story before I see her that is the cause of it Why replied Galathea have you not yet seen Silvia upon this she commanded Leonide to bring her thither I believe answered Leonide it will be as great a difficulty as it was this morning to drive the sacred nails Alas said Ligdamon is it impossible to mollifie her obdurate heart both living and dead Do not complain said Galathea and smiled until you have seen her I am afraid Madam replied he that sight will make it worse and not only hinder me from complaining but from living Love replied the Nymph does allow that person to love who is loved O Madam cryed out Ligdamon that general does hold in any but in Silvia for never was any more loved then she Then said the Nymph let it so continue My affection replied he is no less then an eternity and I have loved her in the cradle and in the grave all this is not enough replied the Nymph unless she knew as much Is it possible Madam replied Ligdamon she can be ignorant of it both my life and my death hath told her of it Assure your self replied Galathea that if you do love her well and that she does perfectly know it she will pay unto you that tribute which love does exact from all true lovers provided still you persevere and be not weary As Ligdamon was ready to reply Silvia came into the chamber with Leonide and with such a lively aspect as made it apparent that the return of this Cavalier was not displeasing unto her yet with so much modesty that she was as much admired for it as for her beauty for every one had heard that she did extremely grieve and lament his loss and at that very time did seem silently to sigh but now when against all her hopes she saw him returned he seemed unto her as a person only indifferent When she came first into the room Ligdamon looked upon Galathea as if he had begged leave to salute her in her presence The Nymph who understood his looks did signifie unto him by her looks again that she would have it so so as he went immediately unto her and falling down upon his knees kissed her hand but she pulled back as thinking it an incivility before the Nymph No no Silvia said Galathea his return is extraordinary and so ought your reception of him to be Sylvia then seeing it was the Nymphs pleasure to have it so she permitted Ligdamon to kiss her hand but not without a blush and retiring presently amongst her companions did hardly give him time to express the continuation of his service and because he followed her seeming very desirous of some conference she said unto him in a low voice if you be the same Ligdamon you were wont to be take another opportunity of speech with me and before all this company use the same discretion you were wont to do Upon this hint Ligdamon making an obedient legg turned towards Galathea but so transported with joy at the sight of that beauty which was so dear unto him that he could hardly retire from him which Damon considering I believe Madam said he unto Galathea that Ligdamon thinks it a hard penance to satisfie your commands before he has a little longer entertained this fair Nymph and I perceive by his eyes that he would be dispenced with all if so answered the Nymph my curiosity is too great Madam replied Ligdamon I have no greater desire then to obey you in all things only I beseech you be pleased that I make as short a relation as possibly I can of such things as you seem desirous to know Then after a short pause he began thus The Sequell of the History of LIGDAMON HE Madam who speaks that which is not true is not alwaies a Lyar if he thinks it truth which he speaks for it is not a perfect lye unless the Lyar knows he lies If this qualification be necessary to make a Lyar Egides was none when he reported my death because he thought me so as well as my self I say my self for indeed it was my full intention to die but heaven would not permit it to shew that the Gods will have our lives absolutely in their own dispose Silvia who all this while took particular notice of every word which Ligdamon spoke and every one casting their eyes upon her not being able to endure it she slipt amongst her companions and as well as she could got to the door unseen by Galathea or Ligdamon till she was just entring into her chamber where shutting the door after her she resolved to stay unseen until this discourse was ended In the mean while Ligdamon continued thus Since Egides has been so observant of all my commands I assure my self Madam he has related unto you how I being a Prisoner amongst the Neustrians I was taken for a Cavalier named Lidias whom certainly I did much resemble since his own Mother and all the rest of his Kinred would not be perswaded but that I was he This Lidias had killed in a Duel his enemy called Orontes and was condemned for it to lose his life and I being taken for him must suffer for his Crime but the Gods so guided my Sword that being put into a Den of Lions I killed two of them rather by chance then strength At the same time she for whom Lidias had fought with Orontes taking me as all the rest did for him whom I so much resembled she came and demanded me for her husband for it was a customary Law amongst all the Gauls that any woman might take any condemned person for her husband and so save him By vertue of this Law I was reprieved and a few days after carried into the Temple to marry her I must confess Madam that my prison my sentence of death my combate with Lions and all my misfortunes were nothing so intollerable as this and therefore when I came into the Temple and seeing no way to avoid this unfortunate marriage I resolved to live no longer Not but that Amerina that was her name whom I was to marry was very fair very wise and no way deficient but I could not violate that fidelity which I had vowed unto the fair Silvia without thinking my self worthy of death Some few days before I had provided a certain kind of wine so mixed as might be a draught of immediate death I drunk a full glass of this mortal potion and before I was aware so did Amerina also by force of which with a firm opinion that it was poyson I fell down as dead and presently after Amerina also I believe Madam that Egides might relate my fortune thus far but certainly all afterwards was unknown unto him for he went away immediately as well to
but since there was no remedy I resolved to keep this Orange comfit from being stoln from me lest if any one should have discovered the cunning of Sileines they might think I consented to the invention The Queen at the same time retired and as soon as I saw my self alone in the chamber I began to dispute with my self whether I would open it or throw it into the fire but my curiosities being above all other considerations I broke it in two and saw a little paper inclosed within it I took the paper and opening it I found these words written in it The Letter of SILEINES unto PALANICE Pardon me my fairest Palanice if I made use of this device to deceive your cruelty and put not an unhappy construction upon my love though the first testimony of it be a piece of juggling If your pity do afford me any favour I shall blesse the invention which my passion prompted me to use with a vow never to use it again in the expression of my devoted service which you cannot refuse without making me the most miserable men in the world I had no sooner read this paper but I resolved to shew it unto you and not to let Sileines know I had seen it until I had consulted with you what to do and therefore I told you the whole truth to the end you may advise me unto the same course you would take your self if the like accident should befal you This was the first discourse that Palanice and I had of it together by which I was fully informed of the passion of Sileines and of her inclination to entertain his courtship so as having in some sort found out her humour I solicited in his behalf that after removal of some small difficulties she permitted him to serve her upon condition he would behave himself so discreetly that his very thoughts could not be condemned which Sileines promised with so many protestations that I believe the earth would have opned and swallowed him up if he had been perjured Ever since that time he continued his courtship with so much love and assiduity that the heart of Palanice had been a hundred times harder then Marble if she had not been sensible of his expressions I remember one day he desired her to give him a favour she desiring time to consider of it came unto me the very same day and entreated me to tell her whether it were just she would give him some testimonies of her affection to which I answered that since she did really love him and knew his discretion so great as might assure her of his love she might well let him know that she esteemed him above any other but yet I advised her to make triall upon some occasion whether his love was answerable to his expressions Palanice hearkned unto my advice and first she gave him a favour which was a bracelet of her hair woven with gold thred into letters which made these words Better the Heart then the Arm The first time Sileines saw her he begg'd again for a favour I will said she give you a testimony of my amity but withal I would have you give me in exchange a testimony of your obedience Sileines who to obtain this honour would have promised impossibilities did swear whasoever she desired Then said Palanice all that I require of you consists in two things that you will not laugh at this favour which I give you though it be unworthy of your merit Secondly that after I have tied it about your arm you will not look upon it in three dayes As to the first of your commands answered Sileines there is no great difficulty Madam in obtaining it for nothing can come from you but is more worthy of admiration then laughter But Madam as for the second pardon me I beseech you if I do not promise more then I am able to perform for I am so infinitly desirous to see that which is a testimony of your affection as I dare not swear I will abstain a day from the sight of so dear a favour Well replied Palanice then promise me you will not look upon it until you be come unto your own chamber I will Madam replied Sileines since you desire it Upon this Palanice causing him to hold his hat before his eyes and charged him not to take it away she unbuttoned one of his sleeves and after she had put on the bracelet she buttoned it up again As soon as Sileines had leave to take away his hat he fell down upon his knees and taking the hand of Palanice fairest hand said he and kissed it which this day daigns to admit into the number of Palanices sleeves I do swear by thy fair self that I will never break the marks of my captivity and that there is no consideration whatsoever that can indure me to cast of my bonds Upon that not staying so long as till Palanice could speak one word he ran out of the chamber and as fast as he could unto his own As soon as he was there he went into his closet and locked the door Then opening his sleeve his eye and his mouth went both at once to that part of his arm which he perceived to presse him a little But O in what a wonder was he when he found it to be Palanices hair compos'd into a bracelet of fine curiosity he has told me since that his astonishment was the greater because he expected it to be only some of her knots which she used to wear he stood a long while and looked upon it not daring to utter one word for interrupting his ravishment afterward upon a sudden kissing every letter in it one after another Yes yes fairest Palanice said he it is most true that this favour is better upon the heart then the arm After this he was silent again and kissing it a thousand times pardon me O ye great gods said he if I do commit this Idolatry and adore the giver of this as the most perfect work of a great divinity Fair Phillis it would be superfluous to relate all his expressions upon this pleasing subject it is sufficient I tell you that he stayed in his closet above two howers and would have stayed there much longer if Lucindor had not called him who came to invite him from Sigismond to a course at the ring which was to be held within two or three dayes by the Queens command It was not long before I knew from Palanice her self that Sileines had this bracelet and therefore I told her that she had already done much at the request of this young Cavalier and that I thought it expedient for her to try by some artifice or other whether he did really love her Palanice told me that she would and that before eight dayes were over she would tell me what she had done but it it fit I should tell you how she went to work that you may see the quicknesse of her wit I told
because Amilcar and I entred into the room and presently after us entred Cerintes and Silcines for my part assoon as I had saluted all the company I applyed my self unto Cercinea Cerintes he began to court Florice and Silcines and Amilcar sate down by Palanice whom we brought along with us I must confess that I was not very attentive unto the discourse of the company being so joyed to have found her alone whom I desired as I thought heaven was very favourable unto me I say alone though all this good companâ— was there because I esteemed it so since Clorian was not present for if he had I could hardly have had any opportunity of discourse with her Seeing her therefore to wear the same Gloves in which I had writ I swear fairest Cercinea said I unto her that all in those Gloves is full of Truth I doubt it not said she unto me for my hands are in them and they are true Your hands replyed I ought to have not only the Epithet of true but also of the fairest hands in the world but there is something yet in your gloves which you have not spoke of She who seemed not to understand my meaning there is also added she some rings which I wear upon my fingers which are likewise true rings There is yet replied I something else What can there be said she and seemed to wonder for my part I neither see nor feel any thing else O Cercinea then answered I and sighed there is small hopes of any happiness unto me when my heart is in your hands and you feel it not nor will so much as look upon that writing which touches them She then smiling how should I feel your heart said she if it be not there then pulling her hand out of her glove see said she if any heart be here But see replied I if it be possible so fair a hand should be there and not have an infinit number of hearts Then taking the glove and shewing the writing unto her See here said I whether I say truly or no for I see there what my heart did write She seeming as if she never saw it before truly Alcander said she you are very bold with me in writing thus in my gloves do you think I take any delight in such foolery Then taking a pair of sissers she seemed as if she would scrape it out but interposing my hand I said unto her I most humbly begg a pardon Madam upon the gradure of my affection and the boldness whereof you accuse me and believe it fair Cercinea it is in vain to scrape out that writing since they are so engraved in that heart which I have devoted unto you or rather you have ravished from me that neither time or death it self can ever deface it Alcander said she I value neither your heart nor your tongue knowing neither the one nor the other to be true but though they were I will not burthen my self with any such kind of merchandize I must needs confess answered I very faintly that this merchandize not being worth much and you esteeming it less you have no reason to be burthened with it for if ever once you take it upon you you can never shake it off that is not my meaning replied she and smiled but on the contrary I know your merit and esteem you as I ought to do but this merchandize whereof you speak is of such a nature that though I had it in my hands it would not stay long there it being like to those quintessences which vanish all into smoke But Alcander to be plain with you my meaning in effect is that I have no inclination either to love or to be loved 'T is strange replied I you should be so ignorant in a thing wherein you have been so well taught Alcander Alcander said she with a smiling eye and giving me a gentle blow upon my hand you are a very dissembler and assu re your self I take all you say under that notion Fairest Cercinea answered I if I be not most really devoted your servant then I am not Alcander and I wish heaven may never let me live longer then I love and adore you with all the faculties of my soul and body She would have answered and had half opened her mouth to speak when she stopt upon a sudden and changing countenance and behaviour towards me she seeming to become quite another This alteration did astonish me but looking back towards the door I saw Clorian with Lucindor enter Imagine Hylas you saw a little child under the rod after he had committed some fault just so looked Cercinea and Florice when Lucindor and Clorian surprized the one with me and the other with Cerintes and though I had interest in them both yet I could not chuse but laught But to shew my discretion towards Cercinea seeing in what trouble she was when Clorian saw me alone with her I made a shew of going to receive him and Lucindor also and of doing them the honour of the house Florice did the like and therefore every one for company rose up but for all this Clorian took notice that Cercinea did talk with me and Lucindor observed Florice talking with Cerintes so as when they first entred their faces were full of severe and surly looks and seemed to be much troubled but Cercinea much more yet they endeavoured as well as they could to put good faces upon the matter and clear up all clouds of suspition Clorian did not yet know of a certainty that I loved Cercinea but his doubts of such a thing and his humour of suffering none to speak unto that Lady did make him knit the brows and look so surly as he did I must confess this demeanure of Cercinea's did much displease me and I was in a hundred minds to love her no longer but then as soon as ever I looked upon her face I yielded unto the power of her beauty and shrugging my shoulders complained against my unjust fate that had made me a slave unto a slave At the last night drawing on every one retired homewards and Cercinea gave me such a cold good night as if I had committed some grand offence against her yet thinking it was only because of Clorian I would not as I used wait upon her to her house but went home When I was at my own house Florice related unto me all her discourse with Cercinea and afterwards added Shall I tell you brother what I think certainly she will be more easily taken off Clorian then ever I thought she would and the truth is he is so very imperious over her as I wonder she should so long indure it as she has Sister answered I and smiled that which you wonder at in another you do allow of in your self believe it you are both alike and if without offence I may speak it you may well be ranked in a medium betwixt creatures irrational and rational Alcander said she unto
pains to relate the passages of this affection at the return of Clorian he might instance more particulars of it then I can for I know that this Cavalier made use of him in the businesse and that Hylas afâ—er he had taken upon him to be his mediatour unto Cercinea he began to speak for himself and to forget all his promises as well as the interest of his friend It is so long said Hylas since I have related all those follies unto a hundred of these Shepherds as I think it needlesse to speek any more of them since their memories is good enough to remember them all I do not speak it replied Florice to trouble them with any long and tedious relation but I only say that you were a long time his rival and that you left him peaceably to the courtship of this beauty But O our equitable Judge do but observe how heaven is pleased to dispose of us Clorian was no sooner out of those apprehensions which the courtship of Hylas had caused unto him but as they say he fell into a feaver of a cold strain for Alcander my brather being returned out of that countrey into which my Father had sent him to better himself in all noble qualities he no sooner cast his eye upon Cercinea but he loved her and his passion made him so assiduous unto this fair one that Cloan in a few dayes became jealous upon good terms At the first the resentments of it were not of a deep strain for he imagined that the authority of Palanice would give a stop to the matter But at last seeing that neither the perswasions of his Sister nor his own vigilant assiduity for he was hardly ever out of her sight could not divert her from Alcander but on the contrary every thing made worse for him he was so extreamly transported with jealousie that he could not enjoy any manner of rest To relate all the passages that were fuel unto his fits of jealousie and to tell you how Alcander courted the affection of Cercinea will not be very pertinent It will be enough to know that he had in a short time so ingratiated himself that he might boast himself to be as high in her favour as Clorian yet Cercinea being extreamly soth to disoblige Palanice unto whom she was so much beholding and engaged for marrying her uncle and not being able to downright hate Clorian though his jealous humour did as much displease her as the discreet behaviour of Alcander take her therefore she carryed her self swimmingly betwixt them both and is without regret ready to receive him whom the gods by you and your doom shall ordain and command As for the affairs of Palanice I can very easily exactly give you an accompt of the greatest part of them for she and I have been long very good friends and being both of us a little elder then Cercinea we had contracted a more intimate league of amity then we had with that fair one And this was the reason that as soon as ever Sileines fell in love I knew of it almost as soon as the sister of that Cavaliers for Palanice had no sooner a glimps of it but she did communicate it unto me and desired me to give her my opinion of it To be ingenious and plain I did not disswade her from him but on the contrary Sileines seeming very amiable in my eye and seeing what esteem every one had of him I thought it â— glory unto her to be courted by a man whom every one esteemed I found the humour of Palanice did rellish my opinion whether because she had already some inclination to love him or whether she was swayed by the good opinion I had of him I do not know but so it was that as soon as I advised her to entertain the affection of Sileines she expressed her self unto me in these terms I have good reason dear confident for so we used to call each other to ask your advice in the carriage of my self towards him for you must know that the day after he danced in a Masque wherein he represented Narcissus who was in love with himself he met me at the Queens lodgings who is the mother of Sigismond and discoursed with me upon matters of meer indifferency but as soon as I talked of the Masque and told him how admirably well he danced O heaven I my fairest Palanice said he unto me do not put me in memory of a grosse fault which I then committed and which were I out of hopes to obtain a pardon for I should not live I who did not understand what he meant did answer him that I knew of no fault he had comitted but on the contrary took notice how every one admired and commended his behaviour If every one did so said he then am not I like unto them for I know that I did commit a very great fault in personating to be in love with my self whereas it ought to have been in really personating my self in love with you God knows how strangely I was surprized when I heard this discourse come from him I swear dear confident it was discourse which I little expected and because I could do no other I blusht and in a little anger answered Though you should Sir change the object of your love yet you cannot change your destiny since you cannot hope ever to obtain any thing from me more then from that Image which you personated to adore in your glasse In saying so I removed a little from him imagining he would not pursue any further because my companions advanced but he putting his hand into his pocket he pulled out some sweet-meats and presented them Every one took some and I to testifie that I had no cause to complain against him I took an orange comfit which he presented unto me but as soon as I bad it in my hand I began to play with it and tosse it up and down like a little ball He who feared that it would fall came to me and said aloud do you fair Palanice make so little account of my present I who did a little better understand his mind then before and that he tacitly alluded unto the affection which he had already expressed unto me I do not at all slight it answered I but the reason why I thus play with it is because it is so light Take heed said he that it fall not into the power of some of your companions for perhaps they will make better use of it then you do There is none of my companions answered I that will offer any such thing then casting down his eye and speaking in a low voice though it be only to shew said he that I am not your deadly enemy I beseech you eat it believe me it is not poyson unlesse love by my carriage of it has given it a tincture of that which hath infected my heart Upon this he retired and I must needs confesse I suspected his craft
perfideous man but would have me also resent the sorrows of a sad and terrible solitude And as I had forsaken all for this mans sake so was I for his sake also left destitute of all humane help and consolation As long as I could see her I did accompany her with her eye but when she was out of sight then began I to be apprehensive of my fault At the first I went into the thick of the Wood to hide my self but impatience soon invited me out again fearing lest if Sigismond should come and not find me he would not stay but return back again otherwhiles I was afraid left some Wolf should do me harm somtimes I had a design to go after Dariana and setting forward in the way two or three times I either saw or heard some passenger which made me retreat again into the Wood These frights were nothing unto those that seized upon me when the Sun was set and more yet when all light was gone Oh Heavens In what a horror was I then The least blast of wind made me start and shake like a leaf and when any Bryer took hold of me I thought it to be some Wolf or other wilde Beast that would devour me When I heard any noise or any Owl scrick I was ready to fall down for fear There was not a tale of Hags Hobgoblins and night walkers that ever I had heard in my life but they came all into my fancy and seemed real unto me And being neer a high Road I heard Horsmen pass by several times and God knows how careful I was then to hide my self in the thick of the Wood. I cannot relate all the Tears the sighs the groans and complaints that I made against the perfidie of Sigismond and against the hollow affection of Dariana who then I believed went away purposely to forsake me in this extream necessity because she would not run the hazards of this enterprize Oh how true it is said I unto my self that every one is afraid to keep company with an unfortunate person Oh the misery of us humanes that can never know our friends till we be in adversity And as soon as we know them we are sure to lose them Oh the dismal lodging of a dark wood in a cloudy night unto one whose spirit was so timerous and afflicted as mine was at that time So it was that it was day before I durst offer to close an eye to sleep When the Sun appeared I was so weary with my walking so tormented with my fears and so hungry having eaten nothing all the day before that as I had taken a little better heart at the coming of day I fell asleep and slept so soundly that it was late before I waked and then seeing the Sun somthing low fear and hunger forced me to take the next path I set my foot into and to follow it until I came to some Vilâ—age or till I met with some charitable person who perhaps out of pity would direct me in the way I was to go Now did my tears renew and my sorrows to see so many high hopes all dashed and I that the day before thought of nothing else but being Queen of the Burgundians now saw my self the most miserable and desolate woman in all the Kingdom And in this consideration you may imagine that the Tyrannie of Gondebaut was not forgotten This thought brought into my memory all the fair promises of perfidious Sigismond who as I thought did seem to love me only because he would shew himself to be a man and consequently a Traytor But what a fool was I said I to my self and where was my judgement that I should ever believe him to be other then a Traytor if he was a man And since all men are so how could I think him only to be different the rest Could I be so silly as to think Crab Trees would bear any other fruit then Crabs And could I hope that a son of the perfideous Gondebaut would not like his Father be disloyal These sad considerations entertained me till it was almost night whilst I hardly took notice which way I went at last recollecting my self a little and seeing it so late I looked about to see if I could spy any Village or Cottage where I might receive some consolation and by Fortune I saw a little house thatch'd with straw upon my left hand and not far distant from the way I turned my self therefore that way in hopes of meeting with some good woman who perhaps would compassionate my case for I had such an horrour against all men that I feared meeting any as much as the most salvage beast in the woods When I was come neer this homely house I saw six little children about an old man who in wooden dishes was giving them some milk the eldest of them could not be above eight or nine years of age but so cleanly and neat as they seemed to belong unto some better people then used to inhabit in such a poor place as soon as these little ones saw me they left the old man and flocked about me the youngest offered me to eat such as they had and the eldest invited me into the house The old man wondering wither his little children were gone he looked about for them and seeing me alone he came presently unto me offered me his house or any thing in it and was so curteous and civil as I thought that heaven having some pity upon me had moved the heart of this old man to be so kind and though he was a man yet perhaps I should find him pitiful and truly I was not deceived for having received me with so much kindness and seeing by my eyes and face that I was extreamly troubled he made me sit down by the fire offered me some milk and some fruit which hunger made me eat afterwards seeing me cry continually and sigh Daughter said he unto me for my age will allow me to call you so the Earth they say is not firm and immoveable heaven only is so the place where we are never rests one moment in one point to teach us that we must not be too much elevated nor too much dejected by any prosperity or adversity that happens unto us for as a wheel which turns that part which is lowest one while is highest another even so it is with men as long as they are upon this inconstant earth we must look upon prosperity as a thing that will vanish and fade away and also we must look upon adversity as a thing which will not last long You see I have lived long enough to have tryed variety of Fortunes the wheel has often turned and in what state soever I was I alwaies found the sweets and bitters of this world to be less then the apprehensions I had of them you will think the same of this misfortune which now troubles you Time will tell you that by experience I speak truth But in
astonishment but he could not hear a word for he spoke very low their discourse was very long and in the conclusion he gave the King a Letter and went away Gondebaut in a great sume as one might see by his countenance and eyes did sit him down in his chair and shewing the Letter which Ardilan gave him here 's news of our hunting said he then holding it unto Avitus who knew it presently he commanded him to read it which he did yet in reading it did sweeten the sharpest places as well as he could What do you think Sigismond said Gondebaut had not I good cause to say that you were going to course the Hind Do you think that any of your designs can be concealed from me Can you believe that I am ignorant of your fond and foolish affection and unto what height it is grown And yet because I seemed deaf unto all reports that was told me and would not see what all the world did this connivance has made you forget your duty both unto me and your self Sir said the Prince if you will be pleased to hear my reasons without being swayed with too much prejudicated passion you will not think me so culpable as I am falsely reported to be Can you think it possible replyed Gondebaut that I should not be extreamly passionate in a thing which so much concerns you For you have forgotten the duty of a son yet I cannot the duty of a Father But to let you see how much you are mistaken in thinking me so swayed with passion I will give half my Kingdom upon condition that I were now in the wrong and you in the right I had rather the fault should be branded upon me then you for alas I have almost finished the course which the Fates have destined me to live and for that poor pittance of time which remains for me it is no matter what opinion is conceived of me but you who are beginning that course which I have ended O Sigismond did you know how much it concerns you to keep an unstained reputation you would esteem your loss of it by this occasion to be the greatest of your life I know very well Sir replied the Prince that I can never satisfie those obligations wherein I am bound unto you and I would beseech you to add this unto the number and tell me wherein I have stained this reputation which I ever held so dear unto me You have judgement enough replied the King to know it without my telling you but since you desire to have it from my mouth is it not true that you do love Dorinde most true Sir answered he I do love her but I never knew that it was ever any shame to love a fair and a wise Lady But said the King she is below your quality If Kings and Princes replied he ought to love none but Queens and Princesses then truly I should confess my fault but if it be a fault it has been committed by example Though it be permitted us replied the King to love persons of lower rank then our selves yet their loves ought not to go so far as to marry them for when I bestowed some good language upon Cryseide do you think it was ever my intention to marry her for my part Sir said the Prince if ever I should promise any marriage I would perform it as religiously as if all the Druides in Gaul had married me What said the King would you marry Dorinde I do not say I will Sir answered the Prince but I say that if I did promise to marry her I would perform it though I became the poorest Cavalier in your kingdome The King then pulled down his hat over his eyes and said unto him I know most assuredly that you have promised to marry her Sir answered the Prince you are ill informed It is very true indeed I did promise that if I were at my own dispose I would marry her and whether I have not in this made my duty unto you appear I refer it unto your self But I hope to find you so kind a father as not to give me any occasion to complain against you O Heavens replied the King is Sigismond of so a base a spirit as to marry such a woman if I should give him leave and ask wherein he has stained his reputation Well well I will take an order to apply such remedies as shall prevent any such inconveniencies Uoon this Gondebaut rose up and commanded Sigismond to his house and to stay there until he received further commands then the Prince went away extremely vexed and gave no reply Their discourse had continued so long that before they parted the sun was low and the Prince by fortune as he was going to his lodging he saw a great crowd of people in the street which caused him to stay as if his heart had told him that perhaps they had found Dorinde and were carrying her away her thoughts were partly true for he saw that it was Dariana whom he knew better by his habit then her face which was so dawbed with durt as he wondred that any should know her As soon as ever the Prince saw her he went unto her took her by the arm and by his authority carried her to his house The poor wench did tremble so as caused all that saw her to pity her But when she was in the Princes chamber she took some heart O God Sir said she to the Prince what do you think is become of my Mistress where is she said the Prince presently at the brtdge answered she where you assured her to be with her And who is with her asked the Prince Alas Sir said she with tears in her eyes she is all alone and if some good Angel have not pity upon her I cannot tell what will become of her you must know Siâ—â—hat we were up very early we consulted with the Oracle as soon as any day appâ—â—red and seeing the time of your appointment past we thought you were gone to the bridge unto which we went and finding none there my Lady commanded me to go back and see if I could find you and as ill luck was I was seized upon by those out of whose hands you have rescued me who seeing me alone and my face so dirty did at the first nothing but laugh at me but afterwards one of them looking better upon me did unluckily know me and but for you Sir would have set me in the stocks By the way they asked me many questions concerning Dorinde but I alwayes answered that she was not with me for I was come into the town to seek her Ardilan was at the Port with the keyes of the gates when I was seized upon and gave most base language against the honour of Dorinde which I shall never forget nor forgive But Sir when fortune will run a business see how all ill chances will fall upon the neck of one another as this Traitor Ardilan was thus
she and smiled for the gift deserves it I believe said she that the gift is very precious unto him who is the cause of your giving them unto me and if I should present them unto him from you he would thank me with all his heart Take heed of such a trick replyed Cercinea for you may chance do me an extream displeasure Why should I take any heed replyed Andronira I do not know who it is And if thou didst said Cercinea wouldst thou do it Never doubt it Madam answered she for I am extreamly pitiful unto those that are in love and besides I am sure Clorian would give me hearty thanks for informing him As for Clorian replyed Cercinea if you would have me live in peace with Palanice and him be sure you do not acquaint him with it What need you care Madam answered she as long as you know not who it was No matter replyed Cercinea I would not have him see them and then feigning as if she had not read what was written let me see them again Andronira said she that I may read it and she having given them unto her Go go to bed said Cercinea thou art such a fool that thou shalt not have them Ah Mistris cryed she then restore me back the thanks which I gave unto you If that will content thee said Cercinea prithee take them with all my heart and I will give thee another pair of Gloves besides Then calling for a Cabinet where she kept such things she gave her another pair of Gloves Mistris said Andronira and thanked her you have taught me a way never to want Gloves How asked Cercinea Why Madam said she when these are worn out I will get some body to write a little upon those you wear and you will presently give me a new pair in exchange of them Thou sayst right said Cercinea but in the mean time leave me to my rest Now Cercinea knew very well that it was I who writ upon them and though she had no thoughts that were advantagious unto me yet would she not upon any terms let Clorian see them and lest this wench should shew them unto him she chose rather to keep them yet it was impossible to avoid that which heaven had decreed as you shall hereafter understand In the mean time this trivial passage was not altogether unprofitable for Cercinea remembring the words that I had spoke unto her and seeing with what observance I behaved my self she was better assured by the reading of these words that I did really love her and though she was far engaged with Clorian yet could â—he not reject this affection After she had a while consulted with her self whether she should cherish this humour in me or give me cause to quit it and her at last she resolved to let this have its free course thinking she could give it a stop when she pleased Some few days after she came to see my Sister and by fortune I was not at home having then accompanied Amilcar unto Palanices house and taking my Sister aside she shewed her those Gloves upon which I had written Flories presently knew the hand but making a shew as if she thought it the act of Clorian What said she will this love last always How said Cercinea last always What love do you mean It had been a much more pertinent question to have asked when it began Why answered Florice all the world knows that Clorian loves you I do believe it replyed Cercinea and am sorry for it I believe every one sees the folly of Clorian but such passages as this are not usual with him Pray look upon it a little better and see if you can know the hand Then taking the Gloves and looking upon the writing a little more precisely she cryed out Oh Cercinea I know it very well it is the hand of one that is very neerly allied unto me I have often advis'd him to make no further attempts upon that designe and told him it was better to retreat betimes then be foyld in a business which he would never bring to pass Ah Florice answered Cercinea what strange offence have I committed against you that you should wish me so much harm Assure your self answered Florice that I never entertained the least thought of any harm unto you but I was loth that Alcander should attempt a thing wherein he should be baffled And how do you know things future replyed Cercinea I do not know them ceâ—tainly answered Florice but I can foresee by probable conjectures and you your self if you will can tell it as well as I. Then I will tell you seriously replyed Cercinea 't is true Clorian has such a Fancy in his head which might well move you to speak thus but it is more true that if I continue in the same mind wherein I am he shall never bring what he intends to pass not that I would by these expressions engage Alcandâ—r any farther in his designe which he seems to have for besides my unwillingness to put him unto so much pains I have no desire to be loved But take this for a most certain truth That I am very sorry the indiscretion of Clorian is such and so disadvantagious to me as makes me weary of it and him Since you are pleased to speak so freely unto me answered my Sister let me tell you again that I think the courtship of Clorian is not disadvantagâ—ous unto you unless it be in this that he does seem in publique to have so much authority over you as makes the world believe he has more in private and whether this be prejudicial unto you I leave it unto your own judgement For my part I think you would do much better if you by degrees get this absolute authority out of his hands for so you will let the world see that the fault is not yours and that those whose profession is to censure the actions of others are grosly mistaken in the discretion of the man Oh Florice said Cercinea this counsel is easie to give but very difficult to execute and did you know the humour of Palanice you would confess as much when we have more leisure I shall more fully inform you But in the mean time continued she and smiled do not think I desire Alcander should trouble himself so far as to love me and to tell you truly I think my self obliged unto you for disswading him also you will add unto the obligation if you continue it though I know you will find no great difficulty in so doing for I assure my self he does but jest At these words my Sister observed that she blushed a little which made her think that what she said was not the desires of her heart yet seeming to believe her according to her words she answered her I wish Cercinea as well for your own interest as my Brothers you would free your self from this importunity but I fear you will not Upon these words they parted
of I know that Alcander since his return has a great aim upon you and would make you believe that he loves you he is a young man and has not yet sold his merchandize he has been abroad and swelled his mind full of wandring fancies be sure Cercinea you do not believe what he sayes and though you say never so little unto him he will be sure to take you at your word we know yet of what humour he is and I should be very sorry we should learn it at your charges what I say is meerly for your own good and as for the affection which my brother bears unto you I am most confident his worth will oblige you to wish him well and did he know thus much it would trouble him most excessively I see that for your part you have not contributed any thing unto it further then an affable complacency which is ordinary amongst women of your age because they think it a high honour to be courted by many but sweetheart I beseech you be not you of that opinion for there is nothing more discomendable in a young woman then to be followed continually by all sorts of men for things that are common are not estimable and persons of merit will not walk in a crowd Dear Cercinea take this advice which I give you in good part and make your advantage of it like a wise and a prudent woman as I know you are Cercinea was very attentive to the discourse of Palanice and though she knew all her sapient advice aimed only at her Brother yet she took it handsomly without any dislike or so much as the knitting of a Brow so as after a complement of thanks for her good advice she beseeched her to continue it and her usual favours towards her and as for her part she knew not what I intended but would with all discâ—etion divert me if she found any such designe in me but above all she beseeched her to hide it from Clorian because she honoured and esteemed him and would not upon any terms give him any cause of dis-satisfaction This was the first discourse they had together upon that subject and see I beseech you how prudently she needed to carry her self in such accidents 'T is true this counsel of Palanices caused her to carry her self more coldly towards me then before but withal she treated with me as with her servant I mean she was so perswaded that I loved her as let all the world say the contrary she did not doubt it so as the counsel which Palanice gave her with intention to do me harm did more advantage my designe then all my courtship would have done in a long time My Sister who saw this alteration and that Cercinea durst hardly name me without a blush that when I came into the room where she was she presently cast down her eyes or turned them another way that when I came to her she then changed place and went into other company that if I presented her with any flowers oâ— fruits as I used to do she refused them and briefly considering how much displeased she seemed to be with me one day when we were both together at home she could not chuse but speak unto me about it and represented this scorn to be so insupportable to a man of courage that if words had been able to have altered my opinion doubtless those of Florice had been sufficient to have diverted me from that affection which I bore unto Cercinea But the disease had taken too deep a root or to express it a litâ—le better the Arrow was struck too far into my heart to be pulled out by any thing but death And she saw it very well by the answer which I gave her for when she had represented unto me the wrong which that woman did me and how every one admired to see me so obstinate or rather insensible that upon all other occasions I shewed courage and judgement enough but in this I seemed as if I had forgotten what I was and briefly after she had set before my eyes both who I was and who she was and that our alliance was all honourable and advantagious to her as that of Clorians or any others that could be propounded unto her Dearest Sister said I unto her and smiled you make of those Chirurgions who when they have looked upon a wound do think they have done enough thinking that when they have declared what Nerves and whar Atteries are offended to shew how mortal and dangerous the disease is and the great pain which the Patient endures but never apply any remedies to cure them Alas Sister I do know too well all that you have told me I see Circinea does not love me I know very well my services are not pleasing unto her and I am not ignorant that Clorian is the happy man in her eye But Sister what am I the better for knowing all these things since it is still but a bare knowledge which sets before my eyes the grandeur of my wounds If you have any pity upon my misery make me know what remedies are necessary to cure it for otherwise I assure you Sister your pity in lieu of doing me good will cause the end of my days for to think that these consideration can divert me from the love of that Fair one is only to deceive your self since I am so wholly hers that she may use what cruelties she please against me and my heart not murmure nor complain I obâ—erved that when Florice heard these expressions she changed colour and was even ravished with wonder After she had looked upon me a long while without a word at last she said thus I must needs confess Brother that never any loved like unto you if at least it be love to give ones self entirely away but I must tell you that your affection deserves to meet with a reciprocal return unless heaven have decreed you for the most miserable man that ever loved Truly Sister answered I there is not a word which I spoke but I will signe it with my blood But to what purpose is all this Will you let me try my last remedy said she unto me Alas Sister replyed I to what purpose should it be delayed unless to make me lose my life Then Brother said she assure your self that I will employ the endeavours of Lucindor and if he obtain no contentment unto you from his Sister let him never look for any one good word from me again In the mean time use your utmost endeavours for several Batteries will sooner cause the Fort to yeild Upon this resolution we parted she seeking for an opportunity of speech with Lucindor and I beating my brains how to win upon the good will of this cruel Fair one I have already told you that I had a Garden belonging to my house where I often used to entertain my Fancies At this time as it was my custome I went thither so taken up
you sing I am afraid Belisard that if you be my servant I must ere long go look out for another No no Andronira replyed he but however I will dance and sing and she shall love me and I will seem to love her Upon this because he would not lose the opportunity he went up to Cercineas chamber in such a singing dancing and jolly manner that as soon as the Wench heard him Oh Madam cryed she and clapt her hands together for joy yonder is Belisard At the same time he entred and seigning not to see Cercinea in bed he ran to the wench with open Arms as if he would have kissed her but when he came to the middle of the room he stopt upon a sudden seeming as if he had not spyed her Mistris till then Madam said he unto her had I thought you had been in bed I should not have presumed to enter Belisard said she I know your discretion and therefore you are welcome this is not the first time you have seen me in this place 'T is true Madam answered he but now you are sick what pretence can I have for my coming hither To comfort me in my sickness replyed she Madam said he then very gravely unto her If you would take one medicine which I can tell you I swear by Jupiter it would presently cure you Are you in good earnest said the wench and interrupted him Yes replyed Belisard and I wish she would believe me Did I think answered Cercinea that your medicine were a good one I would use it Belisard who desired to give her the Letter under this pretence Madam said he when did I ever tell you a lie Or wherein did I ever deceive you Never said she but I am so weary of all Physicians who torment me with so many lothsome drugs as if I thought your medicine were a good one I would take it with all my heart Madam said Belisard never let me live a moment longer in your favour if it do not most perfectly cure you Cercinea knew wel enough that this medicine was somthing which was more proper for the mind then the body and being very willing to be deceived she hearkned unto him What said she must I take any lothsome potion No Madam answered he This medicine does consist most in the vertue of some words Perhaps then replyed she it is some charm No replyed he I am no Sorcerer The words may be well understood they are no unknown Characters nor has any thing like Sorcery in them Then Belisard said she I am willing to make use of them tell me therefore what I must do This remedy replyed he must be kept very secret for if it be divulged it will lose its vertue Upon this he kneeled down by her beds side and taking the Letter which I had written unto her Do you think said he aloud that I mock you He who give it unto me did write in this paper the directions which are to be used and which I will let you see then feigning to look it out amongst many other papers that he had in his pocket he gave her the Letter which he first unsealed to the end the wench should not suspect any thing Then she read these words ALCANDERS Letter unto CERCINEA OF all the torments that a mortal man can endure none are more cruel then those of Love and amongst all the torments of Love absence is the most intolerable and of all absences mine has the most bitter Qualifications To lose the sight of her for whom only I desire to have any eyes to leave her sick in bed and not to hear any news of her health are the tortures which are reserved for me If the miserable condition of a most sadly afflicted heart can move you unto it let me hear how you do but let passion and not compassion obtain this favour from you Well Madam said Belisaid aloud how like you the receipt is it not a good one I do not know answered she and smiled whether it be a good one but it is very pleasant But Madam replied he the man who gave it unto me did give me this also which is a more particular direction how to use it I would have you to see it also that you may be as skilful as my self Then he presented unto her the Letter which I wrote unto him Cercinea not daring to refuse it lest the wench should enter into any suspition she took it Belisaid said she in a low voice this is a fine invention to make me reade Letters Madam said he we must delude the eyes of this troublesome wench upon this she began to read that Leter which I sent unto Belisaid ALCANDERS Letter unto BELISAID O My dear friend how infinitely do I envie the happiness which thou enjoyest all the contentment which I enjoy here is to think of those felicities which you enjoy there and every thought ends with this wish that I were as happy as Belisaid But dear friend I must accuse you of neglect that can let it be so long without letting me know the state of my life Of my life I say since it must be the place where you are from whence that news must come be thou a little more careful of thy master who loves thee I would say with all his heart if I had it here but thou knowest very well where I left it Here is in this said Cercinea aloud more business then you told me of and the worst is I am afraid your receipt will not work those effects for methinks it is very uncertain believe it Madam replied he there is nothing but what is true and I will die rather then tell you a lie Well said she what must I do to make tryal of it Madam said he and spoke low you must love my master not only according to his merit but according to his love of you and for a testimony of it you must honour him with a Letter Ah Belisaid replied she that is too much I had rather make use of other more common medecines The wench who was busie about some trivial work in the chamber she came then unto her mistress Madam said she you have been so long in the hands of Physicians and cloyed with their potions that it were not amiss to make trial of Belisaids receipt I beseech you tell me is it a thing that is difficult to be taken sweetheart answered Belisaid and interrupted because he was afraid that Cercinea could not set so good a disguise upon it as he could I will tell you what you must do Do you see this Paper said he taking the Letter which I writ unto Cercinea all that she need to do after she has read it over three times is to say I do believe it with all my heart and kiss the Paper then that she lap it up and hang it in a string about her neck so as it may touch the nearest place to her heart for nine
dayes together and never trust Belisaid again whilst you live if it do not cure her O Madam cried out the wench this is a fine easie medecine and soon done It is not such an easie matter replied Cercinea to keep it so long to the place next my heart especially when I am asleep there is the greatest difficulty said Belisaid and that none do read it but your self for if they do after you have begun to apply it they will infallibly have the same disease which you have and will make you also worse then you were before and therefore when the nine dayes are expired it must be burned and so said the wench all the pestilence of the disease will consume away No doubt of it answered Belisaid and when it is burning you shall see several colours in the fire O Madam said the wench then this remedy must needs be good and I will help you to hang it about your neck so as it may hang just to the place of your heart but first let her read it thrice over said he and get you out of sight unless you will repent it Cercinea upon this could not forbear laughing to see how quick the wench was to be gone and then she took the paper and read it but the wench was more careful of not seeing it then Belisaid could desire her and therefore he called her again and said there was no danger to be feared if she did not read the words so as she came in again they lapped the paper about with silk and hung it about her neck in a ribband and because Belisaid said it must be applied just to the place where her heart did beat the wench would needs feel with her hand where it was but Cercinea who laughed to see how officious she was would not permit her to feel her heart beat Madam said the wench you are not so wise as you should be pray let me place it right for I know if every circumstance be not observed the medecine will do no good at last this wench having put the paper where it should be nine dayes Madam said she will be quickly exspired take a little pains for nothing so sweet as health ere long you will be able to walk in the Athenian Gardens and enjoy all the pleasures about the Town As Cercinea laughed at this piece of Sorcery so did Belisaid in his thoughts But at last because he feared left Palanice should return from the Temple This Madam said he is not all I will now tell you the last thing that you must do then approaching near unto Cercinea Madam said he in a low voice I beseech you after all this sport that you will be pleased to have pity upon my master and favour him with the honour of one word in a Letter Belisaid answered she in a low voice though I would yet I cannot do it because of these two impediments First I have neither pen ink nor paper and secondly I am so watched that the eyes of this wench are upon me both night and day for Andronira and she lie together upon that Pallet in the night For the first difficulty replied he it is easie to find a remedy for I will bring you pen ink and paper As for the other does not a candle burn all night in your chamber If it do Andronira when the other wench is asleep may give you the candle and you may write what you please Belisaid said she I would gladly be excused this No no answered he aloud you must observe all circumstances very exactly so thinking he had ordered every thing very well he went his way lest Palanice should return At his going out of the chamber he found Andronira and falling into a fit of laughing said that her mistress would acquaint her with the most rare invention that ever was in which she must be assistant but he durst tell her no more for fear of meeting Palanice This wench who was very subtile went into the chamber and asked Missina for that was the other wenches name what was the matter with Belisaid that he went away so contentedly We have all reason to be so also answered she if his receipt be good What receipt asked Andronira Ask my Lady replied Missina I swear she looks better on 't already and she said truly for Cercinea had laughed so heartily that a very high colour was come into her face Madam said Andronira I beseech you what strange Physick have you taken Then Cercinea told all passages aloud and afterwards told her every thing in private at which she could not chuse but laugh though she seemed to believe it more then Missina Belisaid who desired my contentment above his life did not fail to come in the evening with an inkhorn and paper in his pocket but it perplexed him extremely to find Palanice at Cercineas bedside when he came into the chamber Come said he in a confident way how does your Physick Cercinea smiled at Palanice Do you know said she unto her that Belisaid hath given me a receipt I come to know said he and interrupted whether our receipt have cured you How Belisaid said Palanice can you cure Ladies Yes fair ones answered he and therefore when you are sick pray come to none but me I know you to be a man of much merit and knowledge replied she but I never knew that your knowledge reached so far till now But by the work answered he it may be known what the workman is I will give you my life if within three dayes this fair sick Lady do not lose that name What of fair said Palanice no of sick replied he However said Cercinea I shall not be so cloyed with this Physick as I have been with others Palanice would have inquired more particularly what the Receipt was and perhaps had made a better discovery then Missina but as fortune was she heard a voice in the street which she knew presently to be Sileines brother unto the fair Cercinea and she ran to the window to look upon that Cavalier who was her professed servant and in the mean time Belisard conveyed Pen Ink and Paper under the pillow of that fair Lady beseeching her to have pity upon the most faithful Lover that ever lived Well said she and smiled I will take the advice of my Councel Clorian and Palanice Belisard shaked his head and without any answer went unto the window to avoid suspition and to hear Sileines sing Palanice who was skulking under the window lest those in the street should see her caused Sileines to enquire whether she was in the house and hearing that she was he entred and was doubly glad to see his Sister recovered and to meet his dear Palanice with her If Belisard would have talked with Cercinea he had opportunity enough for Palanice and Sileines had so much serious business of their own that they never minded others But he not thinking it necessary to stay any longer there
was I when opening Cercineas Letter I found her hair in it I kissed it a thousand times and it was happy that none was present when I opened them for it had been a thing impossible for me to have concealed my extream contentment At last after I had kissed and over-kissed this fair hair I read the Letter which was in these terms CERCINEAS Letter unto ALCANDER Your passionate Desire and Wishes of my Health do infinitely oblige and please me May Heaven in requital give you that happiness and contentment which you merit and desire This wish comes from her who loves you above all those that profess any affection unto Cercinea When I call to memory those contentments which I received at that time I cannot chuse but charge them with want of affection who say that there are more pains then pleasures in love For Hylas no mortal man can be capable of greater felicity and no less then two hearts and two souls are requisite to gust it Had any seen my actions certainly they would have said I had been out of my wits but I will abridge the relation of them into as narrow a room as possibly I can and tell you that the dayes which I was to stay amongst the Veragrois seemed longer then they were wont to be and therefore I made such haste as within six dayes after I departed and came to Lions As soon as I saw my beloved Belisaid I was so transported with joy at those good offices which he had done me in my absence that I could not Carress him enough He on the other side who loved me extremely well had so great a desire to talk with me in private that he would hardly give me leave to see my mother and my brother But after our first salutations having given a general relation of my baseness I pretended to be very weary that I might retire with my dear Belisaid and I believe my brother took notice of it for I saw him smile two or three times at my impatience and measuring me by himself Belisaid on the other side who was no less impatient then I did follow me so close into my chamber as I was no sooner entred but he had shut the door Then did I redouble my Caresses and asked particular questions of all he had done during my absence He answered unto every thing with more satisfaction to me then ever I durst hope for or desire Thus Hylas we spent above two hours which seemed to me not a quarter and I believe had we not been interrupted by beeing called to supper our separation had not been soon but it was not without a million of caresses and thanks Because Belisaid told me that Cercinea would be glad to see me the same night as soon as we arose from the table we seemed as if we would go to the Court but went straight to the house of that fair Lady and to have better opportunities of talk also my brother being as desirous to see Palanice as we Cercinea he went along with us and by this means we were welcome to the house for Palanice was very glad of my brothers company Lucindor who was a servant unto our sister saluted us with all possible currasses and Sileines as it fortuned was not there not thinking that Palanice would go that night unto Cercineas house both she and Palanice were a little surprized to see me so unexpectedly Cercinea blusht and turning to Belisaid after all complements and salutes were done Ah Belisaid said she unto him why did you conceal the coming of Alcander from us Madam answered he it was concealed from me almost as much as from you for he is but newly returned but going a little nearer her whilst I was in some complements with Palanice yet said he if he had come in the morning I would not have acquainted you Why said he for two reasons replied he the one because I would not be the relatour of any thing before Alcander And the other is because I thought you would not care for the news and because she looked upon us and did not answer him what Madam said he do you not consent unto what I say What would you have me answer replied she and smiled but that you are a lyer in both Upon this because I came towards her she left him I am glad of your return Sir said she because now I hope to see Florice shortly who cannot be long absent from so dear a brother I thought Madam answered I you would have been glad of my return upon another consideration more advantageous unto me but I see that as you are as fair as you were wont to be so you are no kinder then when I departed what reason have you Alcander replied she to accuse me thus because Madam replied I you do not say you are glad of my return for my own sake who honours and adores you above all the world I believe Alcander said she that Belisaid and you have conferred notes together in your chamber that you may agree both in one tale Truth is Madam said I Belisaid and I do often talk of you and had I said that we talk of nothing else in private I had said truly for I have as great a confidence in him as in my self but as for conferring of any notes together whereof you speak we never so much as thought of any such thing for there being but one truth we never agreed together upon any thing else Well said she seeming desirous to change discourse I will believe what you and Belisaid please But pray Alcander tell us how you have lived since we lost you Madam answered he if you would know of Alcanders life you must ask the fair Cercinea for it is only as she is pleased to ordain it Come come said she you are a dissembler tell me what adventures you have met with in your voyage and what contentments you have received in it Madam said I unto her never was man more miserable then Alcander in his absence from you nor ever any so happy as he when he received the honour of hearing from you and therefore I had reason to say that my life was just as you were pleased to have it nor ever shall be any otherwise but this is not it I would know of you said she and interrupted him tell me whether you have effected your business well and whether your voyage has been to good purpose Belisaid sent me word Madam said I unto her that my business was effected better then I could hope so did the fair Cercinea also and that 's the reason of my return so soon not only to kiss your fair hand for so great a favour but also to pay that Homage which I ow unto you as unto her who may dispose of my life and all I have as she pleaseth She would have answered when Palanice not being so attentive to my brothers discourse as to forget Clorians business she observing how
she took a pair of Scissars and with a trembling hand began to open the Taffaty and found a paper which contained these words The Answer of ROSILION unto the Princcss ROSANIRA YES My Fairest Princess I will hope since you command me But what is it you are pleased I should hope for Oh that it were the honour of your Favour which Favour would raise me above all the good fortunes of men and would surpass all the merits of humanes But it is absolutely impossible for me to give thanks equal unto such superlative benefits She blushed extreamly when she read this Letter and yet she could not chuse but like it thinking that if he were too bold it was she that taught him to commit the fault and therefore easily excused him and lest Merisin or those that waited in the anti-chamber should enter into any suspition she writ back this answer The Princess ROSANIRAS Reply unto ROSILION PErsevere still and hope for that which will afford you most contentment for in doing so you do but as you are allowed But remember that Fidelity Discretion and Silence are the Victimes which ought to be offered upon those Altars on which you will sacrifice Thus lapping up these short lines with more care then did the first she called for one of her women and commanded her to give that Receipt unto Merisin to carry speedily unto his master and to tell him that if he looked in it this time let him never hope for any more Rosilion understood very well what the Princess meant when Merisin delivered his message yet he had such a longing desire to see what answer she returned that he was all impatience to be alone that he might kiss that happy Paper when he received it there was much company with him for he was very well beloved and a Favourite is always followed by many of those flies which use to fly away as soon as any misfortune comes so as to be handsomly rid of them he seemed desirous to take his rest and commanded Merisin to leave him alone and not to come into his chamber till he called for him When he was alone he took the Taffaty and after a thousand kisses he read the Princess Letter with such an excess of joy and contentment as he was hardly able to contain it within the narrow compass of his soul but when he was a little cooler and had long looked upon this paper he remembred that many people were present in the chamber when Merisin delivered his message unto him and especially an old Cavalier whom the King had sent unto him and who without all doubt would make relation of it unto the King again which might move some or perhaps the King himself out of curiosity to see this Receipt He took out that therefore which the Princess had written and placed in lieu of it another paper scribled over with a few odd Characters such as his pen did drop at random and hung it about his neck as he did the Letter And happy it was he did so for the King being desirous that every one should know how much he esteemed Rosilion to the end all the Court might imitate him he himself would needs go visit him as soon as the wound in his thigh would permit him and carried with him the two Princesses Cephise and Rosanira telling them that the great generosity of that Cavalier and the good service which he had done him did very well deserve their extraordinary care of him Though this unexpected visit of the King did surprize him yet the sight of the Princess Rosanira was the height of contentment unto him and such as not knowing what thanks to return for such an unaccustomed favour he could not find words to express his resentments of it Policander came up to him took his hand asked him how he did and whether the Receipt which his daughter had sent him had done him any good Very much Sir answered he and so much that I think I do owe my life unto it 'T is very well answered the King for both she and I are obliged to have a care of your recovery But Daughter said he and turned towards the Princess pray tell me who gave you this Receipt Sir answered Rosanira and was a little surprized it is so long since I first had it that truly I have forgotten who gave it unto me but I do very well remember that whosoever it was he told me that it would not fail yet having no experience of it I laid it up and made no reckoning of it The King then turning towards Rosilion I believe said he that this which you wear about your neck is the Receipt It is Sir answered he and since I found so much benefit by it I would not leave it off Policander very desirous to know what it was did take it from his neck and would have opened it But the Princess who trembled for fear of discovery did presently lay her hand upon it and would not let him Sir said she if you do see what it is it will be unprofitable to Rosilion And did not you see it answered he I did replyed she but it was because otherwise I could not make it yet if any other see it the vertue of it is lost These superstitions said Policander are to be observed by little children and their Nurses and to tell you truly I have known so many of these kind of Receipts which never wrought any effect that I will see what this is Then calling for a pair of scissars he opened the Taffaty and took out the paper Judge Madam in what a perplexity Rosanira was she was indeed more dead then alive and could not devise what excuse she could use to cover the crime which she had committed yet when she saw it was not the same paper which she had written she took a little heart but she was presently surprized with a second fear not inferiour to the first for she thought it to be some reply which Rosilion intended to send but casting her eye upon him she saw him smile which gave her some courage and more when she observed that nothing but Cyphers and Figures were in the paper Oh how glad she was and how she applauded the prudence of him whom a little before she condemned for suffering it so easily to be seen when it so nearly concerned his life What Daughter said he and was astonished after he had a while considered it does your Receipt consist of nothing but such odd Characters and scriblings as this You see Sir said she and smiled all there is I hope then said the King and laughed that it will cure me if I be ill Then lapping up the paper as it was he put it himself about Rosilions neck who kissing his hand assured him that he had received so much good from it that he would keep it most carefully as long as he lived But said the Princess it will not now do you any good
their age not gray and ready to drag into their graves This answer and message which was no better then a reproach did make a deep wound in the soul of the Queen who ever had entertained a most zealous affection unto Policander but this did blast all her hopes and made good the old Proverb that from great love proceeds great hatred For she conceived so great a hatred of him that she did abhorre the very name of Policander and all his and as she did for his sake love the son which she had by him better then the son of the King her husband so now she changed her mind and wished he had never been born for she never looked upon him but she thought she saw the ingratitude of his father imprinted in his face Now did she heartily repent she ever put him in the place of him of whom he bore the name thinking it a most just judgement of the gods upon her for that imposture This regret went so near her heart that she sent unto the Port of the Santons to enquire of the right Celiodantes but she heard that he was long since carried away by certain Pirates and his father also for so was Verances esteemed and that his mother was lost at least never seen since in those parts This news which took from her the foundation of her intended revenge did more aggravate her displeasure and blew it up to such a height that she resolved to make Policander and her self a most notable example unto future ages for all such as should run the same fortune The supposed Celiodantes was then about the twentieth year of his age and by the indulgent care of the King of Santons and Argira accomplished with all the excellent qualities of a great Prince He was every way so compleated both in parts of body and mind that though he had not been the son of a King yet was he worthy of a Monarchy But as formerly she looked upon him with the eyes of love as Policanders son so now she lookt upon him with those of hatred and revenge she was long in debate with her self before she could resolve what way of revenge she should take at last she made choise of the greatest that then presented it self before her eyes The King of the Cenomanes had some variance with the King of the Turonians and commonly arms being alwayes judges between such persons and the sword the best Justice both of them begun to Levy men and list Souldiers and Commanders The King of the Rhedonians and Condates as allies unto the Cenomances came presently to their aide The King of Venetes and Darioriques having married the sister of the Turonian King came almost uncalled with all his forces to the assistance of his brother in law so as these two Kingdomes were like to be the Theaters of many cruel and bloody Tragedies when by the advice of these four Kings Celiodantes was chosen to be the Arbitratour of their differences Though his young experience in such weighty matters might make him seem unfit for such an undertaking yet the wisdome Prudence and Justice had already wrought such incredible effects in all his other actions as got him so great a repute that by the a common consent they referred themselves unto his arbitriment and doom and suspending arms and actions of hostility for a time they waited for his Judgement This happened to be at the same time when the Queen Argiras anger was hottest against Policander As fortune was the two Kings of the Armorique Cities were deadly enemies unto Policander because when they were young he assisted Suenon the good Duke against them under the notion of a Knight errant and had caused them to lose some certain terrritories of which they had been long Possessours On the other side the King of the Cenomanes and the King of the Turonians loved Policander no better then they because his ministers had confiscated some boats upon the river Loyre loadned with arms because they had not a safe conduct This offence though but small yet was so fresh that it sought for revenge Argira thought then that if Celiodantes did compose all matters between these Kings he might easily move them both against Policander as well to satisfie his request us to be revenged for their particular injuries All the difficulty was to find a good colour of warre for Celiodantes which she could hardly do for Policander though a neighbour had carried himself so free from any offence as he took away all occasions of complaint yet hoping that time might perhaps afford one that which she recommended most unto the Prince her son and to those whom she had imployed to councel him was to make a peace betwixt these Kings and to consider that the best warre was not so good as the worst peace and that the fire of dissention being so near them some sparks might fly into their own houses briefly she so instructed them that a Peace was made and so as gave full satisfaction to all parties each in particular thinking the advantage to be on their side This did oblige them so deeply unto Celiodantes and got him so high a repute that all of them desiring before they parted to make a firm alliance they chose him to be their general in case they assembled any forces together An honour indeed so high and unhop'd for he being so young as in all likelyhood he would have been the lust that should have been chosen for such a dignity But see Madam how fatally-unavoidable some things are the Queen was seeking out for a colour of complaint against Policander and could not find it when by Fortune some of the officers of Celiodantes pursuing some pilfering robbers that fled into Policanders dominions the people of the town and some souldiers to maintain their Priviledges did not only receive these thieves but killed a great number of his men and took all prisoners but such as saved themselves by flight This news being brought unto the Queen she thought it a very good pretence and such an offence as she sought after And because she was sure that if she made complaint unto Policander he would give her satisfaction therefore she said nothing but sent some souldiers immediatly to sack the place and use all manner of hostility but in lieu of revenging the first injury it did but beget a second for those that went found such hot entertainment that the Commanders hardly escaped with their lives after the loss of most of their men Argira was sorry for their loss but she was well contented to have such a colour to move those Kings to revenge the injury which she said Celiodantes had received whilst he was out of his Dominions And in order to this she presently dispatched such a messenger as she thought most fit to aggravate this offence and move those Kings unto anger and certainly he did negotiate according to her desires for he used all manner of arts and
arguments to exasperate those Kings and prompt them to revenge all who remembring their particular injuries which they had received and finding arms ready in their hands they all agreed without more delay to fall into the Dominions of King Policander whom they found sleeping in a dull security all unarmed and never dreaming of such an unexpected invasion A long and drowsie peace had so lulled him asleep that he had lost all his old souldiers and he knew not where to get new ones besides the people were all so drowned in an universal tranquility that they hardly knew what a sword was It was an easie matter for Celiodantes finding him in this condition to foil him at every encounter Now the Queens designe was observe what a strange animosity she had against Policander either to make the son kill the father in this warre or else the father to kill the son and though they knew not themselves to be father and son yet it was a great satisfaction unto her to know that she was so revenged Policander did what he could in this urgent extremity and making a virtue of necessity did muster together some Cavaliers as well of his own Vassals as of his Allies and took the field with the Prince Arionthes his son And though he knew it was full of danger to hazard a battel yet not being able to endure to see what plunder and ravage our Army made in his Dominions although he was the weaker yet he resolved to venture it I will passe over all the circumstances of the battle and only tell you that Celiodantes got the day and Arionthes the only son of Policander was killed and that the father had much ado to save himself by getting into Avarick with some reliques of his broken Army but the inhabitants of that town and those that fled thither were so affrighted that I believe if our Army had pursued close the gates had been opened unto them But it was thought better to forrage the countrey for victuals and so besiege that great City which they foresaw would continue long because it was fortified with great ditches Towers and Ramparts and because of the great abundance of men as well burgers as strangers which fled thither but the main aim was the person of Policander who against the opinion of his councel would needs shut up himself in the Town with a resolution to be buried in the ruines of his Kingdome The Corps of Arionthes was found amongst the dead and with all honour and civility sent unto his father to shew that hatred did not go beyond life nor that any revenge should be taken of the dead Policander received the body of his son with a dry eye and shewed so much constancy and magnanimity in the sad conjuncture of woes that the virtue of this King began to melt the enraged heart of the Queen and in some sort to pity his misfortune Come come Argira said she unto her self canst thou find a heart to see him who once loved thee to be so miserable is the sight of thee so fatal as to bring ruine upon all those that look upon thee Consider that he whose Kingdome thou wouldst now demolish and whose life thou wouldst have is the same person whom once thou didst love above all the world and one who is the father of thy son Is his fault without any excuse and though it be wilt thou remember one single displeasure more then all the services which thou hast received from him These considerations and many more such like did so mollifie her heart that she began to seek for a good pretence of letting him alone in Peace and to withdraw our Army out of his Dominions but not daring to declare her mind unto any lest she should offend the united Kings she laid siege before Avarick her design was when she consented to the siege to make Policander her prisoner and then after she had made him acknowledge his offence to restore him unto his Crown of Kingdomes But things fell out farre otherwise for a while after Rosilion who was following his adventures in Germany and the Macromands he was advertised by common fame how these Kings had invaded the King of the Boyers and how he was blockt up in the City of Avarick which could not long hold out When he first heard this news he could not believe it because he knew Policander to be a King of great equity and Justice and would not give any of his neighbours the least occasion of warre Yet not to slight it he wended his course towards the Boyers and Ambaries And by fortune as he was going out of the Countrey of the Lepontes he met a messenger which the Princess Rosanira had sent unto him who had wandered several dayes all over the Alps after the fame of his exploits he met with him then in this place and because Rosilion han not changed his arms he knew him by the Lion that he wore upon his shield with some strange words which he had taken for his devise which was a cause that many called him the Knight of the Lion Sir said he unto him and presented the Letters from Rosanira I have been in quest of you above this moneth to tell you that you are extremely desired by her that writ this Letter and wish'd for by all the Boyers as the only remedy and hopes they have in all their misfortunes Rosilion gave no answer but opened the Letter and found these words The Princess ROSANIRAS Letter unto ROSILION YOur victories are great but not so great as our misfortunes our Army is defeated all the countrey undone Arionthes dead and Policander and Rosanira lockt up in their lost town Iudge you whether this be not a large field in which Rosilion may imploy his Arms and his Courage I shall not need Madam to relate the astonishment and sorrows of Rosilion when he had read the Letter and heard all the particulars from the mouth of the Messenger But so it was that taking the way towards the Boyens and making all the haste his Horse would give him leave he came into the Territories of King Policander where he found many Cavaliers and Officers already assembled and wanted nothing but a General whom they would obey for the principal of the Boyens and Ambares some were slain with the Prince Arionâ—hes and others were shut up with Policander in Avaricke so as these who wanted no good will but only a General to conduct them received Rosilion with a common consent as well for the love they knew the King bore unto him as for the brave exploits which Fame had reported of him And though the number of these Cavaliers and Souldiers were not above five hundred Horse and three thousand Foot and though our Army consisted of above eight thousand Horse and forty thousand Foot yet Rosilion trusting in the justice of Policanders cause and in the good Fortune which alwaies accompanied him he was not at all dismayed
Majesties honour forces me to this language as to advise the King when he got the advantage over his enemies and has them prisoners to pay their ransomes and become a slave himself will you Sir suffer future ages to record it in perpetual memory that Policander King of the Boyers did buy his peace with his Neighbor by giving away his Daughter his Scepter and his Liberty Nay rather then so why did not these wicked Counsellours advise you at the beginning of the war to go with a chain about your neck and give it and your kingdome unto your enemies you then would have done as much as all your victories have and have spared the lives of many a Cavalier and the ruine of many a Town He would have proceed further when the King knowing him to be partly in the right yet willing to deceive himself and not being able to endure these remonstrances Rosilion said he unto him there is none about me who have such intentions as you mention and as for the Counsel which they gave me concerning peace if you call them Traytours for it you must put me into the same number with them and all the rest of my people When I did communicate this affair unto you it was not to require your advice because it is a thing already resolved upon but only because I took you for one of my best friends and servants I thought you would share with me in my contentment and in the welfare of the people And in this general joy I have not forgotten the services which I have received from you but have disposed my daughter unto you so of four kingdomes which it hath pleased supream Fate to submit unto my Crown you shall have two of them and the other two are designed for the King of the Picts and Santons Thus will I unite six kingdomes together which by the good correspondency betwixt Celiodantes and you will become but one Rosilion hearing the King speak of giving his daughter unto him though he heard before that he would give Rosanira unto Celiodantes yet he perswaded himself that he had misunderstood him Sir answered he the fovours which I have received from you are such as transcend all capacities of requital and yet Sir it seems you will add unto my infinite obligations unless I do misapprehend you for you say you will honour me so far as to give your daughter unto me and yet methought you said before that for a conclusion of the peace you would give her unto Celiodantes Most true replied Policander for I will give the one unto you and the other unto him to you my daughter Cephise as I promised and to him my daughter Rosanira Sir said Rosilion and interrupted you did promise your daughter unto me but Cephise is not so she is not indeed replied the King but only in name and yet I loue her no less then if she were Sir replied Rosilion you named Rosanira in your Letter unto me I cannot tell answered the King whether the Secretary mistook but I am sure my intention was her I now mention unto you Ah Sir said Rosilion and looked the King in the face will you do me so much wrong as to prefer Celiodantes before me Celiodantes who hath ruin'd your kingdomes and reeks still with the blood of your son and who will certainly make you King without a kingdome before me I say who has set the Crown upon your head revenged the death of your son by the death of so many Kings and have brought into your prison the plunderer of your kingdomes and murderer of Ariontes O Sir can your heart ever let your eye see this Celiodantes sit upon that throne where that Prince should have raigned had not the bloody Prince prevented him Certainly the blood of that Prince will perpetually ring in your eares and tell you that this marriage is unjust and a horrour both to gods and men The King not being able to endure these reproaches Peace Rosilion said he unto him no more of this discourse for Celiodantes shall marry Rosanira and be you contented with this marriage which I have proposed unto you Upon this Policander in a discontented manner would have retired into another chamber But Rosilion extreamly offended at these last words did run before him as if he were almost out of himself Sir said he I have no designs but what aims at your glory and I would not have so great and so just a King be blamed for favouring me above my merits and therefore I do declare unto you that I will not receive this honour which you offer unto me as being conscious of my own unworthiness but will think my self sufficiently recompenced for all the services I have done you by the gift of this sword which I wear by my side at the point of which hangs your Kingdoms and Empires But Celiodantes may assure himself of this that none shall ever marry the Princess Rosanira but he that gives her the head of Rosilion These words of rapture uttered with so little discretion did so exasperate the already incensed spirit of the King that he looked upon him with an enraged eye Ungrateful and impudent fellow said he unto him Darest thou speak thus unto me Hast thou already forgot the price I paid for thee when I bought thee as a slave Hence out of my sight and see me no more unless thou wilt feel the fury of my justly incensed dsspleasure These words were pronounced in so loud a tone that all those in the antichamber heard them and ran in so fast that Rosilion had not time to answer but gnashing kis teeth and stamping upon the ground he was constrained to retire unto his lodging where by the Kings command he was presently arrested by a number of Souldiers who seized upon all the doors and advenues As you may see Flies upon the first frosty day vanish away from that place which swarmed with them while it was hot so upon the first noise of Rosilions disgrace all those importunate guests which swarmed about him with so many offers of service were all fled and not one of them to be seen in the place where one would have thought they came for the love of him Oh the miserable condition of those who go upon the legs of tottering Fortune for in prosperity they are even smothered with the importunities of such horse-flies as in time of chill adversity are all vanished and scorn those that before obliged them Rosilion begun presently to resent this change but the falling off of these hollow hearted friends was not it which troubled him it was the Kings reproach only which stung him at the heart When he saw himself alone in his chamber and had shut the door he began to walk up and down a great pace not uttering a word nor so much as knowing what he did or where he was At last making a stop in the midst of the room Ungrateful and impudent fellow said he
such sweet language that none would have believed him distempered and this was no novelty for when at any time they would have him to do any thing if they told him that Rosanira would have it so he presently obeyed with so much willingness and alacrity as if his mind had not been disordered Verances seeing him in this condition could not refrain from tears but before he made himself known unto him Sir said he the Princess Rosanira has sent me to know how you do and to see whether the Rose which you have upon your left hand be worn out Worn out said he presently No no neither the Rose in my hand nor the Rosanira in my heart will ever wear out She hopes the same replyed Verances but because some had told her the contrary she sent me to see and report the truth unto her Then he held out his hand unto him see Cavalier said he how Nature knowing I was decreed by destiny unto Rosanira has given me a Rose which I will keep as long as life Poor Verances knowing him very well by that mark Ah Kinicson said he unto him is it possible you should see Verances and not know him Upon this he started back two or three paces and after he had looked a while upon him Are you Verances said he all amazed the husband of Lerina that was the name of his Nurse whom he thought to be his mother I am the very same answered he that was taken with you upon the Sea side by Pyrats and who never since enjoyed one minute of contentment till I came hither To see the good nature of Rosilion he ran unto him with open arms embraced and kissed him and for very joy tears came into his eyes afterwards as if he were in his perfect senses he enquired of his and Lerinas fortune and why he had been so long absent from him Verances then acquainted him with his long imprisonment and how he was set at liberty by the general Peace At the word Peace he began to sigh and to be very extravagant in discourse of the War which he had enterprized against Celiodantes with whom he would joyn Battel and would have Verances there and roved so far from any purpose that Verances not being able to conceal his sorrow and tears Sir said he unto him what message will you please to send unto the Princess Rosanira Tell her said he that I will ere long send her Celiodantes a Prisoner but I do not intend the second victory shall be so disadvantagious unto me as the first Then Verances would have gone away But dear Verances said he unto him take heed you be not again taken by Pyrats if you go by Land I will be your convoy with half my Army but be sure you return presently unto me again if you love me Verances with abundance of tears returned to the King and Queen and reported what he had heard and how Rosilion remembred the name of Lerinda and Kenicson of which the Queen was so glad that she held up her hands thanked heaven and wept for joy At last after much rejoycing they all resolved not to publish their toys until they saw the rest of the Sybils prediction verified and in order thereunto to carry Rosilion into Forrests And also it was then concluded upon that if he were cured Rosanira should be his wife and Cephise be given unto Celiodantes Verances then addressing himself unto King Policander Sir said he unto him will you be pleased to give you most faithful servant leave to put you in memory of that which my duty obligeth me unto Most freely answered the King Be pleased to know then O most great King that you can never hope for any blessing from heaven nor earth as long as you continue in that injustice wherein out of some reason of State you have lived several years Have I done any injustice said the King and was a little moved Yes Sir replyed Verances and the greatest that ever was done for is it not the height of injustice to break all your promises made unto so good and so wise a Queen as this great Princess in Do you not remember how I am a witness of all those solemn Oaths and Gods which you mocked at the making of those promises Assure your self Sir that all the misfortunes which hitherto you have received are but fore-runners of greater unless you do satisfie all those solemn promises which you made in the presence of the Gods The King upon this was in a strange confusion I do confess Verances said he unto him thou sayest most truly and to make all due satisfaction if the Queen will please to forgive and forget the offence which I have committed against her which as thou sayest was committed only out of reason of State I will this very hour take her for my legitimate Wife and Queen of the Boyens and Ambarres which she accepted of with much joy Thus the grave old man made an end of relating the cause of the Queen Argiras coming into that Country and beseeched the Nymph to keep it secret until it pleased the Gods to restore Rosilion unto his health Unto which she answered that she thought it very expedient so to do although she had very confident hopes of his cure for said she besides the predictions of the Sybil which hitherto have proved all true the coming hither of him who must cure him which was but the day before Rosilion came seems as if the Gods had sent him purposely for it For the Prince Godomar the second son of the Burgundian King came unto this Town but yesterday and was conducted hither by a most unexpected piece of Fortune Madam said Argira you do put me into great hopes and joys but I beseech you how do you conceive it should be him whom the Sybil means I do conceive said she upon good reason for before your coming we were resolved that he should drive a sacred Nail for the cure of a Shepherd that is troubled with the same disease and this will be a means to keep it the more secret for under pretense of the Shepherd both may be done as you desire And I do think the Gods did send Prince Godomar hither purposely for it because it being necessary that he who drives the Nail should be Soveraign Magistrate I cannot think of any more fit for it then he whose quality is above the common rank How Madam said the Queen Argira Is then the young Prince of the Burgundians here He is Madam answered the Nymph and I cannot conceive any danger in acquainting him who you are to the end that if he should come to know it afterwards he should not be offended at our diffendence in him With all my heart said the queen I will therefore send unto him with a tender of my service and acquaint him with it Madam said Adamas unto the queen I conceive it very necessary for many reasons that all haste be made in the
not stir from you but keep a vigilant eye that no such things shall hurt you Then said she you shall be my Guardian so I made her a pillow of some of my clothes and covered her face with my handkerchief then set my self down by her Mean time the young man was got a good distance off I took notice that he pulled his hat over his eyes stamped upon the ground with his foot crossed his arms looked up towards heaven and often cast his eye upon me then would he bite his fingers lay his hand upon his sword walk two or three paces towards us and turn back upon a sudden using such raptive gestures as I thought him either mad or else had some questions of quarrelling importance to ask me yet I seemed to take no notice but kept my self close and observed what he did At last when he saw Amarina asleep he came towards me and when he perceived me to look upon him he beckned unto me I rose up as gently as I could and coming to him asked him what he would have with me but he without returning any answer looked earnestly upon me and going back again made a signe with his hand that I should follow him which I told him I would but would not go far from that Lady he looking upon me with eyes of fire Does that Lady said he hinder thee from restoring that which thou owest unto me thou wicked and perfideous man Am I said I in amazement so wicked and perfideous unto you Stranger thou art either out of thy wits or else art weary of thy life Life indeed answered he is nothing pleasing unto me but much more then thy ingratitude and unworthiness Upon this he recoyled two or three paces and drew his sword Then coming towards me This life said he which Melander could not lose in twice saving thine thy sword and thy ingratitude shall ravish from me Upon that without staying for any answer he fell inconsiderately upon me and I only standing upon my Guard he hit his right arm upon the point of my sword and received a wound so deep that his sword fell out of his hand and presently after his heart failing him he fell down saying Well Lidias now I thank thee since not being abâ—e to live without thee thou art pleased to give me my death Upon these words Amerina waked and seeing our swords drawn she ran unto us but seeing him upon the ground and in a swoon thinking him dead friend said she unto me let us make all the haste we can from hence lest if any should come in we should fall into the hands of Justice Indeed said I unto her I am unwilling to leave this young man thus for I cannot think it possible he should die upon so slight a wound If he be not dead replyed she so much the better some will come and do him that charitable office which he should receive from us but however it is wisdom to secure our selves Upon this taking me by the hand she carried me away and passing by the place where she rested she took my clothes and gave them unto me with all possible haste Observe Madam how affection will somtimes foresee a danger unto the person loved as if we had a knowledge of future things I observed that Amerina from time to time looked back unto the place from whence we came and after a two hours walk when we were almost close to the Town of Neomagues one of the prime Cities of the Ambarres six Souldiers upon full gallop overtook us and carried us away prisoners where Amerinas wit appeared to be most admirable for undressing her self with all possible haste she constrained me to change clothes with her for said she if the man be not dead when he sees me doubtless he will say that it was not I who wounded him and so we shall be released Now so it chanced that a while after we had left this stranger the Governour of that Province passed by the Place where this Duel was fought and asking some Shepherds which saw the passage who it was that committed this murder he understood that it was two persons who went towards Neomagues and on foot The Governour being desirous to do Justice dispatched six of his Guard to seize upon us as they did and in the mean time caused the Corps to be carried away with intention to bury it but being only in a swoon as soon as they began to undress him he revived so as they bound up his wound and set him upon his own horse with one to hold him left he should faint again and fall He was no sooner upon Horseback but seeing a young man riding fast upon the way oh said the young stranger yonder 's the man who did me the wrong Some that heard these words acquainted the Governour yet not so soon but the young man who had a very good horse and rid very fast was got a good distance off so as do what they could they could not seize upon him till he was entred the Town but enquiring at the Gates where he lodged he was no sooner alighted but they took him and brought him to the prison where we were yet into another chamber and we were advertised of it by the Goaler at night when he brought us our meat But I must needs confess I was never in all my life more grieved then when I saw them fetter with Irons the feet and hands of the fair Amerina especially when I considered that it was for my sake she suffered yet she took them with incomparable courage and cast such an eye upon me as intimated that all chains and fetters for my sake were welcome unto her But indeed when she saw that they intended to separate us she began to be somthing troubled as well because it grieved her to be absent from me as because she was to stay alone in that place which made me use all possible endeavours to prevent it I used all my Rhethorique and Prayers that we might keep together for we said that we were man and wife but the man was no more moved with any prayers or tears then if he had been a Rock I offered him to put as many fetters upon my hands and feet as he pleased I kneeled unto him held up my hands would have kissed his feet but all would not do any good At last remembring that gifts will somtimes strike a thunderbolt out of the hand of Jupiter I took a very fair Diamond from off my finger and presented it unto him beseeching him to take that in part of what we intended to do for him He took this testimony of our good will very willingly and I presently perceived that the luster of the stone did begin to mollifie his obdurate temper And after he had looked well upon it I perceive said he that you deserve to have some favour shewed unto you I pity your condition and am sorry your affections to each
great Bodies of Horse which came to meet him so as those whom Amasis sent were forced to retreat a little hastily which caused no small noise in the Town Adamas then seeing that all was discovered and that no longer delay was to be used Madam said he unto the Nymph these tears which you shed for Leonide and Silvia does indeed argue your natural sweetness but at this time the necessity of your affairs requires you should shew the courage of a man and have recourse unto remedies of prudence and not offices of pity I conceive it expedient to assemble the Magistrates of the Town and that you acquaint them not only with the loss of Prince Clidemant but also with the Treason of Polemas and Climanthes also at the same time to shew them by what mean you intend to subdue this Rebel For the best way to content the people is to put them into great hopes and to hide all dangers from them Godomar concurring with his opinion the most notable of them were called and curiosity brought thither abundance of the common sort Then the Nymph commanded the grand Druide to let them understand the occasion for which she convened them together which he did in such eloquent terms that when he mentioned the death of Prince Clidemant there was not one in all this great company that did not testifie his sorrows by his tears and sighs But when he proceeded and mentioned the enterprise of Polemas and Climanthes not only upon the state but upon the person of Galathea as he made it apparent by his Letter and the taking of Leonide and Silvia thinking the one of them to be Galathea Then all the people began to cry out with one voice Murder the Traytor and long live our great Nymph Amasis But when to verifie the truth of all this he caused the body of this Impostor to be brought out and related his tricks his designs and his death First the children next them the common sort of people and at last almost all fell upon this Corps and drawing it by the legs almost quite out of the Castle and threw it in a ditch But as if this were not revenge enough the people went again unto him and hurried him by the heels out of the Town doing all the ignominy imaginable unto it The chief of them in the mean time and the most notable did not remove until they heard all that Adamas had to say unto them from the Nymph And when Adamas had done Clindor who for his Age Quality and Prudence all the Assembly made choice of to give the answer he spoke in this manner THe loss Madam which you have had does not concern only one Person or one Family but it is general and not only all this Country has a share in it but also all the Gauls nay all Europe may bewail the loss of so great a Prince You see how our Tears and our Groans do accompany your grief and how we give you this outward testimony of the inward resentment of our Souls I must confess all this is but a feeble remedy against so great a disaster yet it may be some comfort unto you to see how sadly all your faithful Subjects do take unto themselves a share in all your griefs and misfortunes But Madam we must all needs confess that this second News which you have told us does pierce us to the very heart with more stinging resentments then the first For the death of a Prince whom none of us did ever think mortal unless in his Reputation and Honour is not so hard to be endured as is the stain of Perfidie and Treason upon this Country which before was never seen nor so much as imagined Oh Heavens Madam that such Monsters should be found in Forrests amongst us and in our days I wonder our Earth unaccustomed to such an ignominious burthen does not swallow them up alive We know not what to say nor think unless that Heaven being offended at us for our sins will punish us more grievously then all ages past This stain upon us does swell us with so much grief as we cannot lift up our eyes to weep nor open our mouths to lament and sigh for so great a shame Yet since the good ought not to be charged with the crimes of the wicked we will lift up our eyes unto you Madam and speak in behalf of this Town and we dare say of all the Country if we had time to confer with them Madam as becomes your faithful Subjects we do offer unto you all that is within these Walls our Estates our Children our Blood our Lives Protesting before Hesus Belinus Tharamis our great Tautates that as long as we live and as long as you live we will not have any Soveraign over us but Amasis And we will as soon fail in our Duties to the Gods as in our Fealty to you not sparing either Estates Children or Lives And in testification of this let every one lift up his hand and his heart and cry Long live the Nymph Amasis Upon this the hands of all the Assembly were seen above their heads and such a shout that it was heard further then all over the Town As the Nymph was returning them hearty thanks for the demonstrations of their good wills Adamas was advertised that the souldiers which had been levied in the province were very near the gates which caused the Nymph to abreviate her speech that she might view this welcome and necessary succour Be pleased to know said the man that brought the news That they are at least fifteen hundred the best armed and in the best order that was seen a long time for they imagined that they came upon the Ceremony of the Misleto so as they had trimmed up themselves to the best advantage Thus all the Assembly parted with such extream forwardness to serve the Nymph that she was exceedingly encouraged In the mean time Adamas causing the gates to be opened these souldiers entred in such an excellent posture that all those who saw them thought them to be men of very good service all their caps were crowned with oak leaves for so was the custome of all those that were called to the Ceremony as they were They were no sooner drawn up into a body but they were appointed Captains Lieutenants and other military officers unto whom they were to be obedient presently after they were distributed into quarters as well for the defence of the walls as to guard the streets and passes in the Town Then taking a view of all the horse counting those which the Queen Argira left and those which Prince Godomar brought the number was two hundred and fifty which also were divided into five troops fifty in each all the foot were put under charge of Damon who not being perfectly recovered of his wounds could hardly wear arms or get on horseback yet he went into the Town and visited the walls and works On the other side Alcedon
with halbards and others with clubs knocking down the enemy from the Walls But such was the resolution of the Assailants that some were no sooner knocked down but others were in their places At last those within be-thought themselves of great Sythes sixed unto long Poles with which they cut in pieces the cordage of their Ladders Cranes and other Engines and these Engines being that which most troubled them this invention was well thought upon But Polemas who would needs shew unto Alerantes the valour of his Army he caused his other great Engines to be brought called Tortoyses and with them they mounted a great bridge of hurdles as high as the walls on which fourty men might go abrest Then he caused three thousand men with targets and swords the stoutest in all the Army to mount this bridge which they did and came to handy blows with them on the walls Now was the Town in great danger to be forced and had not Damon come to that place it had been impossible they should have made any long resistance but his coming was such an encouragement to his men and so great a terrour to his enemies that it became a fierce dispute besides he caused a great quantity of boyling oyl and brimstone to be brought and threw it upon the enemy with so many artificial fireworks that they were not able to endure them Many were wounded and many faining to be so began to retreat which Prince Godomar perceiving he opened a Sally Port and sent out two hundred men under the conduct of Ligdamon who setting artificial fires to their bridge of Hurdles which bore up the Tortoyses and which kindled upon such a sudden that most of those that were upon them were destroyed In this disorder the two hundred which sallied out made a most miserable slaughter for fear entring into the hearts of Pomas his men they made no defence but leaving all their Engines and their Arms they fled away In so much as those of the Town had time enough to burn all their Engines Ladders Hurdles and Faggots Polemas who saw his men thus killed and burned and then not able to relieve them for the bridge was all on fire he began to curse both against heaven and Fortune for failing him in his first attempt and he was so extreamly vexed at this repulse in the presence of Alerantes that had it not been very late doubtless he would have made a second attempt but his councel advised him to defer it until next morning when the fire would be extinguished telling him that his Souldiers were weary that it was late and necessary to lodge them in such a place of security that those within the Town could not hurt them in the night The Army therefore making a retreat some two or three miles distant they encamped themselves that night under a hill whose scituation was so advantageous as they thought themselves in safety and so contented themselves with that natural fortification for that night In the mean time those that were sent to the banks of Lignon to seiz upon Alexis were conducted by their guide into a little grove close by the house of Astrea where hiding themselves they stayed till it was day O what what a strange alteration did those trees now find Formerly they were wont to be the harbour and shade of harmless of lovers but now become a receptacle of ravenous Rebels and inhumane ravishers As Fortune was Celadon waked that morning betimes and as it was his custome very often he put on Astreas clothes Then after he had looked a while upon her as she lay in bed with Diana and Phillis and seeing her to sleep very soundly he had no mind to wake her but went to walk in the hasel wood which was close by the house and there entertain himself with his own thoughts Those who lay hid in the next Grove saw him come forth but thinking him to be Astrea by reason of her garments they stirred not but kept as close as they could assuring themselves that Alexis would not be long after in which they were not mistaken for Astrea waking presently after and finding the windows open and Alexis neither in bed nor in the chamber my companions said she and waked them we are very sluggards Alexis is up and gone to walk without us upon this putting her arms out of bed she took the Druides clothes and her extream desire to be with her made her use all the hast that possibly she could and went out of the chamber sooner then her companions and before they were half drest assuring her self to find Alexis in the grove of Hazels for there it was she most delighted to walk She had no sooner set her foot out of the house but those that waited for her discovered her and lest they should fright her back again to the house they lay still untill she was a good distance thence then compassed her about seized upon her and do what she could set her before a horsman who held her before him in his arms whilst she wept and cryed out for help Great was the wonder of this woman to see her self hurried away in this manner but much greater grief and wonder was it to Celadon who running to the place where the Shepherds used to meet in hopes of help to rescue could do nothing but cry out for help but knew not what to do he enquired which way these Ravishers went and ran after them still not knowing what to do but to die near Astrea He followed the track of their horses more like a mad woman then a Shepherdess of Lignon crying or rather howling after these Ravishers calling out for help from the gods from men from animals from trees from rocks from the river Lignon from all things he either saw or could think upon but all in vain for these Souldiers having got what they came for they rid away as fast as they could and thinking to find Polemas at Surieu they took that way but when they came near and heard he was gone to Marcelles but they went thither and by Fortune came when Polemas having lodged his Army was harking unto Ligonias and Peledontes who were telling him what loss they had received at this assault the number of the dead amounting to above two thousand and the wounded as many more at the least And when he was in the height of his anger these Souldiers presented Astrea unto him under the notion and habit of Alexis when he first heard of it he rejoyced exceedingly and commanding her to be brought into his presence his anger had so transported him that it was a hundred to one but he would have done some violence unto her yet she keeping her self at an humble distance and sad behaviour he was ashamed to offer any violence to a woman especially in the presence of Alerantes and some other Cavaliers that were in his Tent. But having looked a while upon her Come hither said he unto
her thou child of the most wicked father that ever lived what do you think I caused you to be brought hither for I cannot tell Sir answered she and looked sweetly upon him But O the unresistable power of beauty This Polemas who flamed with fury and breathed nothing but death and blood against this woman he was no sooner touched with the Luster of her eye but as snow melts before the Sun so his fury and his rage did vanish at her beauty yet making some resistance against the first glance O most miserable daughter of a Father far unworthy of such a child To morrow said he thy body shall be a covering to my whole Army for I will have thee fastned to the points of several Pikes and opposed against the blows of those wicked Rebels in the Town and in this condition shalt thou go with a torch in thy hand and set fire to the gates of that Town Sir answered Astrea if ever I did you any wrong let the gods forsake me and if I be innocent let them defend me as she uttered these words tears flowed from her eyes which moved compassion not only in Polemas but all that saw her Yet seigning the contrary if these tears said he could mollifie the heart of Adamas and make him open the gates of the Town they might do you some good but otherwise assure your self they will do no good at all Astrea now saw that they took her for Alexis and though she looked for a most certain death yet would she die rather then discover her self hoping by this means to save the life of Alexis who otherwise would doubtless be taken and brought into her room Her desire therefore to die for her moved her to say thus I with Sir my father had no occasion to wish you ill but to think that the consideration of my life or death will move him to do any thing against his duty is infinitly to deceive your self for what will it advantage him whether I live or die you know Sir that we who are as it were cast out into the world are commonly but hindrances to our parents We shall see said Polemas how he will take it for let him assure himself henceforward that he has nere a daughter The loss wherewith you menace him replied Astrea will not much trouble him nor me Upon this Polemas commanded he she should be safely guarded until Silvia came and afterwards to be bound together because the next morning they should run both the same fortune This command was no sooner given but they brought a Shepherdess who desired to speak with her As soon as Astrea saw her she knew her to be Alexis in her clothes Oh how it grieved her to the soulâ— for knowing that all the ill they intended unto her was only because they thought her to be the daughter of Adamas she feared that if Alexis was known all the harm would fall upon her and to give her a hint of it Oh fair Shepherdess said she unto her what fate brought you hither where they seek only for me as being the daughter of Adamas It is fate indeed answered Alexis that brought me hither and the best that ever was Astrea since it brought me hither to undeceive those that took you for me Ah Astrea cryed out Astrea Why should you offer to Sacrifice your self innocently for another Alexis giving her no answer but turning towards Polemas who heard them yet knew not their meanings Sir said she unto him you see how I am all wet and dirty but it is by reason of the haste I made to prevent your errour What errour said Polemas do you mean Your errour replyed she in taking this Shepherdess for me who am the Daughter of Adamas How said Polemas are you the daughter of that wicked man Sir answered she if you call Adamas wicked I am the daughter of him you call so Sir answered Astrea believe her not some distemper in her Brain makes her speaks thus she is Astrea the daughter of Alces and Hyppolita and I am the daughter of the great Druide Adamas as indeed you may see by my habit And because those who were tying the hands of Astrea did stay upon this dispute she held her hands unto them Nay nay said she tye only mine for I assure you I am the Druide Alexis But Alexis on the contrary opposed her Sir said she thrusting away the hands of Astrea and holding her own let not her clothes deceive you for we changed them this morning as we many times were accustomed to do Consider that she is too young to have been so long at Carnates as I have been If you please to ask her any particular questions concerning the Druides daughters and of their Statutes I dare say her answers will let you see she attributes to her self more then is her due Polemas and all the company were even ravished with admiration at this contest which of them should be the party exposed to death After he had a while looked upon them both and considered how vehemently they maintained their cause Alas poor silly wenches said he unto them Why should you thus dispute about the matter Do you think any great recompence will be given unto her that is the daughter of Adamas No no you are much mistaken for all she must expect is a most certain death and to morrow she shall be tyed to the points of our Pikes with a Link in her hand and shall set fire upon the Gate of the Town where she can look for no less then death either from their hands or from ours unless paternal affection move the heart of her wicked father to open the Gates and let us enter Sir said Alexis I knew as much before and my compassion upon this innocent Shepherdess moved me to make all the haste I could left she should suffer those pains that are due unto me And why said Polemas do you think them due unto you Because they say answered she that the child is to bear the iniquity of the Father and since so It is not reasonable that I who am Alexis should not suffer for Adamas who is my Father but Astrea who is only an innocent Shepherdess Sir said Astrea and interrupted these arguments which Astrea urges moves me to tell you again that she is out of her wits and that I am the same whom my habit speaks me and I would not have that harmless Shepherdess expose her self to death for me It is I that ought to pay for my Father and not you Astrea whom it nothing concerns Alexis then interrupting Ah fairest Shepherdess said she unto her What a most strange errour are you possessed withal Why should you without any reason soon desire to end your days Preserve your self for the happiness of him that must enjoy you he still the glory of Forrests and an honour unto the Banks of Lignon Let me pay what I owe unto Nature as the daughter of Adamas and
and perfidious Lidias but when I was in greatest despair of ever getting out of that miserable place The Franks one night I know not how became masters of the Town the Gaoler hâ—mself set open the prison doors and unsetterd our feet in hopes that some Franks who were prisoners amongst us would save his life for it But I who extreamly desired to see Lidias that I might in his and Amerinas presence sacrifice my life I was no sooner at liberty but finding some horses which had no owners I took one and got out of Callice having in my company only one young man who conducted me and being prisoners together were become friends with him I went unto Rothomagues where I no sooner entred but I was informed by a reverent Matron of whom I enquired for Lidias that he was at a house of Amerinas his wife not far from thence and beseeching her to tell me the way she told me that it was in the way towards the great city of Paris Judge you whether this news did not sting me to the soul but hasting out of the Town and overtaking the young man who conducted me for he durst not enter in by reason of some enemies And I talked with him but truly I know not what nor which way I parted from him But so it was that presently after I came to this house where they told me that Lidias was gone three days before with Amerina his wife towards Forrests upon some business I presently followed after and by the way heard oft-ten of them At last one day after a large journey and when the heat of the day had almost sweltred my horse I saw a shade by the high way side which I thought would shelter me from the extream heat of the day The weariness of my self and my horse made me alight and I had no sooner tyed him to a Tree but I spied a woman who by what I have heard from you I now think was Amerina I went unto her and asked her if it would be no offence to participate of her shade To which she gave me a very civil answer At the same time you came with some boughs to make the place more shady As soon as ever I cast my eye upon you I took you as I did now for Lidias whom I looked for and thought that woman to be Amerina I must needs confess that I was moved with several passions for once I was in a mind to fall upon Amerina whilst she slept and first to run a ponyard into her breast and then into my own before your face Another time I design'd to let the innocent woman alone and to open my own breast and as I was dying to take some of my blood and throw it in your face upbraiding you with your infidelity But some good genius diverted me from those cruel resolutions and constraining me to go a little further off after a hundred different conceptions I thought it best to die by your own hand and not by my own to the end you might the more lament my death This being my design you know what signs I made unto you to separate you from Amerina and how violently I cast my self upon your sword with which indeed I was wounded in my arm but I know not how it missed my heart for there was my intention to receive it and I had such an opinion of receiving it there that when I felt the point of the sword I fancied that it had reached my heart so as having heard that all wounds of the heart were mortal I fancied my self to be dead and when I returned to my self again I found that I was in the hands of the Governour of Neomague I understood since that he finding me in a swoon he caused me to be taken up as dead but the motion of those who carried me did revive me so setting me upon a horse they carried me away when to my thinking I saw you pass by my horse very well mounted Certainly said Ligdamon and interrupted it was some other for I was on foot and never left Amerina till we were both taken together If so replyed Melander either it was Lidias or some other who resembles him as you do But so it was that I told the Governour with a deep sigh it was he who had put me into that condition and as soon as the Governour heard it he caused him to be pursued and brought to prison When night came I began to think how I should be a cause of punishing Lidias and therefore was very sorry for what I had said And as I was in bed the next morning they brought me a woman in your clothes to see if it was she who hurt me and I said she was not But I was extreamly astonished when they brought him whom I accused for truly I took him for you I mean Lidias And left he should know me I turned my face the other way as I lay in my bed and though I knew I had reason enough to wish him ill yet I could not find in my heart to do him any harm so as altering my voice I declared that it was not he but some other who had taken the habit of that woman Upon this discharge he was released I beseech you said Ligdamon what became of the woman for it was she who saved me The Governours wife said she took her off from all punishment and is so far from all harm that to morrow I believe she will return home But to continue that discourse of my miserable fortune In the night time when I could not sleep by reason of the wound not in my arm but in my heart I made a hundred propositions to my self one while I would write unto Lidias and let him know what wrong he had done me but I was presently off that thinking he would but mock at my Letter and with his Amerina laugh at it Another while I would send for him not telling who I was and in the presence of the Governours wife who was of a sweet and pitiful disposition upbraid him with his persidie and ingratitude as thinking that shame perhapâ— might work more upon him then my love could Upon this design I slept with a resolution to put it in execution the next morning but I was disappointed for that very night as soon as ever he was set at liberty he went privately out of the Town none knowing which way he went When I heard of his departure I was almost even mad against my self for letting such an opportunity so imprudently slip for said I had I accused him doubtless he had been stayed and I might have executed my design in speaking unto him before the Governours wife And as for my fond fears of doing him any harm by way of Justice what greater punishment could he in Justice receive then a while of Imprisonment since my wound was not neer mortal But all this reasoning with my self was in vain and after a long
it doubtless you would die No Sir said I unto him for do you not know that Iron touched with a Loadstone does participate of the quality of the same Loadstone and will draw Iron also I know it answered Clidemant and have seen it but what 's that to the purpose Why this answered I these chains though of Iron yet having touched the fair hands of Melander have received a certain virtue and quality as they can touch hearts and not make them die as the fair Melander can do her self Upon this Clidemant shrugg'd his shoulders and went away but Lindamor very sorry to see me so distracted he came unto me and did all he could to divert me from such thoughts and by little and little his kind words and the pains I saw him take to reduce me to my understanding did so operate with me that I was perswaded by him for though these actions did make me seem as if I were mad yet I was not so but the Grandure of this new passion as the splendour of the Sun does dim the Stars so this at the first did dim me from the sight of all other things or at least made me despise them Eight dayes did I continue in this sort at last the kindess of Lindamor was such that seeing me so unmeasurably sad and melancholy and that I grew worse and worse every day he took pity upon my affliction and drawing me aside did use all possible arguments and considerations that could comfort an afflicted person and afterwards offered me so many favours as have created me his servant as long as I live Unto all which I returned no other answer at the first but sighs yet at last being pressed unto it I let him understand in the best language I had how deeply I resented his extraordinary kindnesses and told him that my griefs did not proceed from my imprisonment or my losses but only because I understood that Melander was gone after Lidias and I not able to follow her and that love had so wholly devoted me unto her that if in this quest she received any harm it would most infallibly cost me my life because I thought my self the cause of all the harm she received Lindamor who I believe was not ignorant of loves power went the same hour to procure my enlargement and did so solicite Clidemant that he obtained it of the Childerick who was newly arived at that place Upon this Lindamor returned unto me with a smiling aspect Cavalier said he leave off all your sorrows and any afflicting your self for the Prince Clidemant at my request hath obtained your liberty and I come to bring you the news to the end that before you go away you may promise me one thing which is not at all prejudicial unto your affection but on the contrary it will oblige you to observe it Upon that condition said I unto him I shall thankfully receive the favour you have done me Then promise me said he that you will never bear Arms against the King of the Franks nor against Clidemant and you are obliged unto it by the courtesie which you now receive but much more by the affection which you bear unto Melander who is so affectionately devoted unto Clidemant for the favours which in good time you may know she hath received from him that certainly if she have any power over you it will be one of the first commands she will enjoyn you Sir answered I I am extreamly glad the observance of your desires will sute so well with Melanders for I shall with more courage make a promise of it unto you But assure your self Sir that though she should stand but as indifferent and not positively enjoy the contrary I should think my self the most ungrateful man that ever wore a sword did I not most religiously observe it Upon this promise replied Lindamor I give you your enlargement I did admire at this kindness and magnanimity for avarice does often choke those virtues in many men I took his hand and by force would have kissed it by way of thanks and because he would not suffer it you know Sir said I that this is the least testimony of my gratitude I can pay and it should be greater if I were able but at this time I beseech you receive it with assurance that as long as I live I shall never forget my great obligations unto you and going along with him I made the same protestations unto Clidemant and Childerick and after I had taken my humble leave of them all I went in quest of that fair one First I went towards Rhothomagues but not being willing to enter in because I knew not how the Lords would take the loss of Callice and therefore went unto a kinsmans house not far from the Town where enquiring how all squares went I understood that every one was well satisfied concerning me though the loss of that place was of great consequence for they all knew I was betrayed and that there is no guarding of ones self against a Traytour But that not being the business which brought me thither I fell into discourse concerning Lidias and then he told me how he would have poysoned himself to prevent his marriage with Amerina then did I conclude with my self that his love unto Melander was the cause in this opinion I asked him what was become of Lidias and he answered that both he and Amerina were lost and that it was reported they were gone into Forrests none knowing the cause I thought that I knew enough for that time so as the next morning pretending that I desired to know more particularly what the Lords did think of me I would go as secretly as I could unto one of them that was my professed friend but I went quite another way assuring my self that Melander was infallibly followed after Lidias And yesterday by fortune I came into this Army where curiosity invited me to stay and see the discipline of that Country and finding that the General of the Army did think to carry that Town at the very first onset I had a desire to be there and at the last Salley I stood upon the side of a ditch looking upon the valour of your men and the flight of the Assailants having no disposition to draw my sword on either side But I know not how casting my eye upon you I thought I saw the generous Melander whom you held by the Neck and ready to run your sword into her Breast Oh heavens Cavalier how infinitely was I surprised at the sight I lept into the Ditch with full intention to be killed in killing you and I know not what had hapned if the voice of some who ran after me had not warned you of my intention for upon it you guarded your self But now I thank the Gods that my intention took no effect as well because of that vertue and merit which I find in you as because I am yet preserved to serve that generous
your desiled hands upon the most perfect workmanship of the gods and not shut your eyes but seeing Polemas himself coming to look how they were tyed O thou most cruel Tyger cryed Alexis unto him hast thou a heart of see die the fairest and most innocent woman that ever was If Adamas have offended thee discharge thy chollour upon me that an his daughter but what injury has Astrea done thee or Alces her father yet all this was to no purpose and seeing a Souldier take the arms of Astrea to ty them he grew wild and furious and was so transported with rage that pulling out the Souldiers sword for his hands were not yet tyed he gave him such a blow as laid him dead upon the ground and ran to another and doubtlesse had done some brave exploit upon Polemas or the Captain if many Souldiers had not upon a sudden fallen upon him and certainly had killed him if the Captain had not restrained them saying that it was not for the service of Polemas but that he was to be preserved alive to make the gates of the Town be opened unto them The Captain thus got him out of their hands and afterwards coming nearer unto him brave woman said he unto him it is better for thee to shew thy courage in taking thy death patiently then in fury for thou seest that force cannot save thee Cavalier said Alexis I value not my life at a straw for I have kept it but too long and I care not how soon it be taken away but I cannot endure to see this poor harmlesse innocent woman so unworthily used I had rather you would run your sword through my heart for I cannot endure fo see it and live What is it said the Captain that you call unworthy usage you know we have command to ty her unto the end of a Pike and to drive you before us to the gate of the Town with burning links in your hands to fire them if they be not opened I know it answered Alexis but generous Cavalier since without offence to the gods you may do it command that she be not treaed as a person culpable for I do protest before the gods she is innocent and if she must be tyed let her arm be tyed unto mine let the knots be as fast as you will but if you will oblige me in the highest degree of courtesie let both the Pikes be tyed unto me and that she who is without crime may be only subject to the shot of the Town which she may receive at randome and not unto the thrusts of the rude Souldiers who perhaps fancying she has a mind to run away though she have no such intention may be so barbarous as to pierce her sides This stranger a little moved at the earnest entreaties of Alexis it shall never be said answered he that I will refuse so small a favour unto one that is going to die and taking a cord he tyed their arms together and putting Astrea between him and Silvia he tyed the other arm unto the Nymph and the other arm of that Nymph unto Lidias and Silvia all the while turning her head the other way thinking Lidias to be Ligdamon Afterwards he tyed two Pikes unto Alexis and one a piece unto Silvia and Lidias so as Astrea only was without the point of a Pike to her sides When they began to march the whole Army was moved to pity them and if any one would have begun certainly these would haue been a tumultuous mutiny But Polemas accompanying him he restrained the compassion of many and though he saw Astrea had no Pike tyed unto her as the rest had yet he seemed to take no notice of it because her beauty had infused some resentment of pity unto him In the mean time Alexis had several motions to tell Astrea now at the end of his dayes that she was tyed unto Celadon but defferring it till he saw himself wounded he still pressed to be before her and to put her behind him purposely to guard her from the shot that came from the Town but she perceiving his designe pressed also forward to get before him so as in lieu of being backward they went forward faster then those that followed after them desired The walls of the Town were all lined with souldiers who sent whole showeâ—s arrows and stones upon the enemy But when they saw those four persons appear tyed unto Pikes and followed by those â—â—to whom they served for Bucklers they were all amazed at this novelty and as iâ— their arms were fallen out of their hands they ceased shooting without any command given so to do only to behold what would be the issue of this spectacle But Ligdamon who with Lipandas and Melander were upon the battlements of the gate no sooner cast his eye upon them but presently he knew Silvia Whether it was that he knew her by her habit or whether the eyes of a lover can see their Son as soon as ever it begins to shine I know not but he knew her and the horse no sooner opened to make a lane for them but he cryed out like one that was desperate and desired he might go out and deliver her out of the hands of those Barbarians And because the Prince Godomar was unwilling to suffer him he beseeched Alcidon by Daphnide and Damon by Madonthe to intercede for him that the gates might be opened He begged it upon his knees and conjured the Prince as he was a Cavalier and obliged to relieved distressed Ladies that he would let him go to the place where Silvia was so unworthily treated And because Godomar told him that he would only ruine himself by it and that when it was fit time he might and should do what he pleased for her O Sir answered he my life is spent unprofitable if I now do not imploy it for Silvia and if you will not let me go I vow by all the gods these hands of mine shall deprive me of life But the Prince being unwilling that upon any terms the gates should be opened and those without the Town coming nearer Melander as she thought saw Lidias tyed unto Silvia O God cryed she out and pointed with her hand yonder is Lidias And Lipandas speaking because Ligdamon as one out of his senses answered not certainly said he it is he who doubtlesse will pay very deer for his resemblance unto Ligdamon Ah Ligdamon said she and clapped her hands together will you suffer Silvia to die and shall I see Lidias perish and we not perish with them Ligdamon then seeing that the Prince would not yield and that every one gazed to see what the enemy did he embraced Lipandas and recommended Melander unto him desiring him not to forsake her and after he had bid adieu unto them both he set his foot upon the battlements and leaped down into the ditch in the sight of the whole Army and all those that were upon the walls Melander though a
unto him The truth is Sir you have to do with stronger enemies then ever you imagined to meet with Is it not a miracle that a Princess whom we thought destitute of all humane assistance should in so short a time have her Town so full of valiant men as it is impossible to take it without the favour of some Forrain help Ah Ligonias said Polemas 'T is true indeed I have very potent enemies but those whom I most fear are the Gods and Galathea I am not so well read in the book of Fate answered Ligonias as to know what destiny the Gods have ordained you but the very truth is Galathea has no great cause to love you for can you think to oblige her by doing the very same things that are proper to make a mortal enemy Does slaves use to hold their Lords in captivity Why you do kill her people strike at her and are as careless in observing her Laws as any Satyre I must confess and I beseech you pardon the freedom of my language that this designe has too geat a tincture of tyrannie and your cause having no pillars of Justice to underprop it you had need be very careful that it fall not upon your head and ruine you Upon this Ligonias held his peace and Polemas spoke I should think said he that I have greatly offended the Gods if the greatest of them all had not connfessed me to use these violences against Amasis Love is the only Author of all these disorders and since a god cannot sin the actions which he hath done in me cannot without blasphemy be called crimes and therefore I hope they will regard my passion and pity my sufferings for Galathea since certainly they would never adorn her with so many perfections unlesse they had desired she should be adored As concerning the strength of Amasis I have resolved upon your departure tomorrow with Alerantes to conjure and solicite Gondebaut about hasting away those Auxiliaries which he hath promised for if they come in time it is impossible she should resist us perhaps we shall do something in the mean time for if my designe with Meronthes hit handsomly doubtless before your return I shall be master of the place and of Galathea also Nothing goes so near my heart as the taking of Peledontes and certainly it had been better if he had been less valiant and more prudent for he was much to blame in fighting with the enemy when I sent him only to discover especially having not above thirty or fourty horse and the enemy doubtless six times the number Perhaps said Ligonias he was constrained to fight and being dark may be he went nearer then he determined and was first assaulted so as he cou'd do no lesse then defend himself Well replied Polemas I will think upon his deliverance in the interim make your self ready for I go presently about your dispatch upon this Polemas went into his closet and began to write In the mean time Amasis was in her chamber with Godomar Damon Alcidon and almost all the Nymphs and Ladies that were then in Marcelles and because it was yet too soon to go to bed the Nymph commanded Silvia to relate the particulars of her imprisonment and how she liked the entertainment of Polemas The young Nymphs interceded to excuse her because they thought she could not make a right relation without interweaving the causes of her complaint against Ligdamon But being obliged to obey the command of Amasis and solicited by Godomar she made a relation of it unto them yet with so much discretion as she did not at all touch upon her relation to Ligdamon but that Cavalier by chance coming in to do his reverence unto her for he had not yet seen her since the recovery of her liberty she changed colour two or three times and afterwards retired her self into another room none taking any notice of her but Leonide for the eyes of all the company were wholly upon Ligdamon whose handsome grace and becoming carriage did wheresoever he came beget esteem and admiration At last Amasis intending to present him her self unto Silvia she rose up and took the Cavalier by the hand but when she turned about to look for Silvia and saw her not she was extreamly astonished the turning to Leonide what have you done with your companion said she and smiled have you imprisoned her again I do not think Madam answered Leonide that she is far from hence go then replied Amasis and command her from me to return Leonide went into the next chamber where finding Silvia sitting in a sad and serious study how now said she unto her does your heart fail you Truly answered she and blushed for anger my heart is vexed to see Ligdamon live after so many testimonies of his infidelity There is something said Leonide which I do not understand but since my Lady asks for you let us go in and in the mean time consider that you ought not to condemn before you hear I hear replied Silvia ah sister I will never neither see nor hear him again by my good will and I beseech Amasis to pardon me if I do not obey her command as long as he is in the room for I cannot endure the very sight of the Traytor Leonide knowing that she had a spirit that was not easily bended did not importune her any longer but returned into the chamber and told Amasis in a low voice that Ligdamon could not hear how angry her companion was at which Amasis knowing how much Silvia was obliged unto that Cavalier she could not chuse but wonder yet not being willing to enquire any further then well said she I will for this time content her melancholy humour Madam said Ligdamon perhaps Leonide has failed in her commission or else may be she is troubled at something in which I may satisfie her I beseech you give me leave to go and see what it is It may be said Amasis she may receive a remedy from him that hurt her hurt her replied Ligdamon what hurt have I done unto Silvia unlesse you give that phrase unto the love I bear unto her I know not answered Leonide but I am most certain that your presence at this time cannot cure her Ligdamon being astonished at this alteration in Silvia and a little offended at her action if this be an effect of my absence I will suffer it as long as her cruelty is pleased to appoint and to begin my submission to her will she shall not now be offended at the sight of him whom she cannot endure upon this he retired but being impatient to know the cause of Silvias discontent he turned back again and finding the door of the closet which belonged to the chamber open he got as near as he could behind the hangings supposing they would be talking of his affairs And indeed Amasis sending again for Silvia she entred and being importuned by Godomar to tell the cause of that hatred which
and yet this shall contain no expressions of my sorrows for it but only tell you that Polemas has besieged me in Marcelles where I am like to see the loss of my son seconded with the loss of my state Lindamor is now all the hopes I have in my affections he need not now any longer shew his valour in a strange countrey since he has a more glorious occasion for it in his own I conjure you therefore by the tears and sighs I spend in the memory of Clidemant to come hither and give liberty to a Princess who is deprived of it by a rebellious Subject O thou most impious wretch said Lindamor if heaven do not punish thee it declares it self a sider with the unjust Upon this opening Galatheas Letter he found these words GALATHEAS Letter unto LINDAMOR THough the Letter of Amasis should not have any power over you and though I were deprived fo the command which once I had upon your will yet I am confident that the delight you take in glorious actions will invite you to relieve us Polemas will needs triumph over Galathea without any other pretence or title but the injustice of his Arms and whilst Lindamor is striving to crown himself with Laurels he is striving to ravish from him those Mirtles wherewith love would recompence his fidelity Iudge then my Cavalier whether any punishment can equal his crime or any interest more considerable unto you then that of your own good Come therefore and visit Polemas and Galathea both to keep him from living and me from dying both will be equally advantageous unto you since in ruining an enemy you will save a lover who will no sooner be out of hopes of your relief but will have recourse unto sword or poison as thinking them not so bad as the presence of Polemas in the disobedience of Lindamor Think therefore upon what I say Come and all the gods be with you Lindamor read this Letter twice over and thinking a while upon it Yes yes fairest Galathea said he and pulling his hat over his eyes I will come through fire and blood to pull down the arrogance of that rash man Upon this he presently sent for two or three of those in whom he had greatest confidence and communicating the Letter of Amasis unto them it was concluded that Lindamor who had appointed all his troops to meet a Rendezvous to pay and dismisse them off should now keep them on foot for the service of the Nymph The Cavalier thought this to be the best expedient he could chuse so as having paid all his Souldiers and asked them whether they would continue still under his command there was not one who thought it not an honour to serve him And therefore he resolved to go and relieve Amasis with all possible haste and vowed not to take any rest until he had done that Princess some service worthy of his valour but his had been very small if it did not surpasse that of Polemas all that while and particularly that night wherein Peledontes was taken for though he lay upon the bed with endeavour to sleey yet could he not reconcile his eyes and before he could compose the ingratitude of his mind the night was gone The Moon shined very clear and Astrea waking in the middle of the night and having no mind to sleep again she rose out of her bed and went to the window as soon as she was there she began to study a little at last upon a sudden she said as this night will not be long so mine methinks ought not to be eternal and then I should receive some consolation But what a desperate condition is mine for my sun once set will never rise again afterwards fetching a most profound sigh Ah Celadon said she is it a signe of love or hatred that I should suffer my self to live so long after I have been the cause of thy death Alas I am afraid it is a testimony of hatred in thee since thou dost now want the company of her in the Elizian fields whom thou didst court in this world with so much passion but also it is an argument of thy love since thou dost still suffer her to love thee and in her tears to wash away that crime which she committed against thy fidelity upon this tears flowing in great abundance down her cheeks and dropping upon the window where she leaned Alas poor tears said she why do you not the same unto me that Lignon did unto my dear Shepherd and drown'd me but I know the cause you are dryed up too soon by the fire of my love With such thoughts as these she entertained the memory of her Shepherd and the window where she was being towards the place where Polemas gave the last assault upon the Town the good office which Semires had done her came also into her mind Poor Semires said she thy death has well repaired the wrong which formerly thou didst against me and presently remembring the last words he uttered but why said she didst thou pray heaven to keep Astrea for her happy Celadon Didst thou imagine that Shepherd to be still alive since I am so thou hadst indeed some reason for thy thought since the soul of Celadon does still live in me or wast thou deceived by the resemblance of Alexis and took her for him If thou wert I would to heaven I could be so mistaken also and that I were not so sure Alexis as the daughter of Adamas as I have some kind of suspition that Alexis may be Celadon But alas alas I know too well that Celadon is dead and I have not so much forgotten his favour unto me but I well remember how I saw his Ghost Why then Simires who in this I must call cruel shouldst thou offer to torment me thus May heaven didst thou say preserve Astrea for her happy Celadon If none be happy till after death and if Celadon be happy then it follows he is dead and how can I be happy then unless I be dead as well as he Perhaps and I believe this is thy meaning the heart of Celadoa and mine being but one and the same thou prayest heaven I may preserve it intirely for him and not suffer my soul to take the impression of any other object but his If this be thy request Semires assure thy self it is granted and heaven it self cannot warm me with any other flame But pardon me valiant Alexis for pleasing my self in these vain fancies and for remembring the name of this Shepherd so much as in some sort to forget my duty to you I have but only two contentments in thr whole world and they are to think upon him and see you Astrea entertained her self long with these thoughts after which seeing the night was far spent and knowing by her eyes that she wanted sleep she went back unto her companions where insensibly she fell asleep and waked not until the rayes of the Sun jealous of
alwayes necessary without which she will proceed no further Did you live only for the contentment of another and not your self I should not condemn this thought in you but since you are the person most concerned in it and the weal or the wo of all your life depends upon it most undoubtedly you were much to blame if you do not rather follow your own humour then theirs who not knowing your inclination aim more at their own conveniences then yours What then would you have me do replied the Shepherdesse would it become me to proclaim at the Market that I will have Silvander and not Paris Believe it Shepherd my honour is dearer unto me then my life and I had rather endure all manner of torments then fail in my duty and will sooner refuse all happinesse then do any thing that becomes not a woman of virtue To take one and refuse another answered Silvander does not at all stain the reputation of a woman and though you should say you love Silvander better than you do Paris cannot your affection plead a full excuse for it if those upon whom you have dependency will allow you some particular means which hast please your taste ought they not as well to allow you the choice of that man with whom you are to live and die No no fairest Diana you are not in the condition of slaves whose tongues are not their own you may speak and speak boldly in a business which concerns your self the most and in which none but your self must answer for the successe Silvander expressed himself so very affectionately that the heart of Diana began to melt and so far as to testifie it by her tears and the Shepherd seeing that she did not speak but wavered in her resolution he would try if he could make a compleat conquest and therefore he said thus unto her When the gods told me I should die they knew my fairest Mistresse that your rigour would be the cause of it and I shall soon verifie their words since you are not pleased to afford me the consolation of a word I beseech you consider into what raptures I am ready to fall and how excuseable my fury will be since it seems you have flattered me only to betray me and has raised my ambition high only that it might have the greater fall I shall not greive to see my self an object of scorn by every Shepherd since I am the object of your cruelty but it will be ten thousand deaths unto me to see my enemies triumph over me without any other arms but your want of affection Shepherd said she you may lose me and see me in the possession of another but you shall never lose my affection The knowledge that I have of your merits and of my obligation unto your discretion are chains strong enough to retain it eternally The gods are my witnesses how I desire your contentment above my own life Hope therefore Silvander in the goodness of the gods and in their justice as she spoke these words her eyes did so overflow with tears that they took away her sight so as she took no notice when Silvander leaning his cheek against hers did kiss her Dearest Shepherdess said he let this kiss inspire that life into me which you would have me preserve Shepherd said Diana your boldness does extreamly displease me Discretion and Fidelity are the arms wherewith you have overcome me and without which your victory will not continue long and this is the way to make me dry up all my tears and never grieve for the losse of you The Shepherd began to ask her pardon for his offence when Adamas entred so as she made all the haste she could to tell him that if he did acknowledge his crime and promise to offend no more she would pardon him and Silvander said she commit not such a fault again upon pain of my extream displeasure upon this he rose up to do reverence unto the Druide Adamas did not expect to find so much company with Alexis and was at first surprized at it yet considering they were all his friends he was better satisfied and was not sorry for their visit of Celadon After the first complements he went to the bed of the supposed Druide and told her that it was convenient to dismisse all the good company that her wounds might be dressed Celadon obeyed him and after thanks unto Astrea Diana and Phillis those Shepherdesses took their leaves and went out of the chamber with the rest of the company but parted not from Celidea Stella Phocion Silvander Hylas Licidas and the rest until it was dark night Polemas amidst all his discontents did not forget the resolution he had taken with Meronthes by the negotiation of his soon so that as son as day appeareed he pitched a Tent as near the ditch as he could get where having erected a light he gave his level unto those that were to work in the Mine and commandad them that as soon as ever they saw another light in the Town they should fix their level to point at and be their guide in the work But Adamas who extreamly desired to surprize Meronthes and to know whether Peledontes told him truly he no sooner perceived the Tent which Polemas had erected near the ditch but he suspected their dangerous design He took therefore a good party of Souldiâ—rs and entreating Damon and Dalcidon to go with him unto the house of Meronthes they were no sooner come but they broke open the door and went presently into the cave where the Traytour had prepared all things necessary for his intended work The noise which they made in breaking open the door did so surprize Meronthes that when Adamas came to him he looked as pale as death And the Druide seizing immediately upon his person Traytor said he unto him is this the way to pay that fidelity which thou o west unto thy Princess Father answered Meronthes I am a most faithful subject and never failed in the service which I owe unto my Soveraign Thy works are testimonies of what you are said Adamas and in saying so he put him into the hands of the Souldiers afterwards asked him to what purpose he placed a light upon the top of his house To this he answered with a confident Brow that in doing so he did the part of a good subject for his house being neer the Walls he always set a man in that Tower with a light to discover whether the enemy made any approaches Then Adamas asking him what was the meaning of all those spades hatchets and mattocks He answered that they were such as he was wont to use in the Country about the husbandry of ground and when he doubted the rebellion of Polemas he brought all his houshold-stuff and other moveables out of his Country house into the Town for safety The Druide admired his impudence in lying and commanded he should be searched to see whether he had the Level about him
that I am the most happy man alive and that the love which I bear unto you joyned with the assurance which you give me of your affection is a thousand times more dear unto me then my Fathers Scepter O heavens said Dorinde the Scepter of Gondebaut and the affection you bear unto me are two things which will sute very ill together For the one will no sooner come into your hands but the other will go out of your heart All my oaths vows and protestations answered the Prince should methinks remove all such suspitions out of your mind and believe it my fairest Dorinde the effects of my fidelity may well make you cease doubting of my faith if you would but please to call them into your memory but to my great happinesse you do not judge rightly upon my humour and are perswaded that the name of King can exclude that of Lover but No no my dearest Dorinde the discretion which you have seen in all my actions is a most evident demonstration that I do not pretend unto any thing which can offend you and that entertaining no passion but what is legitimate I shall still preserve it as pure and sacred when I have an Empire as now when I am only in hopes of it I wish I were more free then I am that I might be able to give you a better assurance of it but since I do absolutely depend upon the power of a father and a Father incensed I cannot at this time do any more then make a most faithful promise to marry you as soon as ever I am at liberty Dorinde flattering her self with the title of Burgundean Queen and imagining that this Prince might raise her fortune as high as her ambition she did fully build upon these last promises and suffering a pritty kind of shame mixed with incomparable joy to appear in her cheeks she returned this answer The good will Sir which I bear unto you does not proceed from these great hopes which you are pleased to give me for I dare say and that most truly that I do love your person above your Crowns and Scepters and your merits above your quality yet since you are pleased to assure me that your love is so great unto me as to make me a sharer in the glory which your birth doth cast upon you I do most willingly accept of the offer which you make unto me and promise never to dispose of my self but according to those commands which I shall receive from you and in testimony of what I say continued she pulling out a ring which Sigismond gave unto her and breaking it in two let this be the Symbole of our union The time whilst the pieces of this ring do remain separate shall emblem our absene and when you are in a condition to accomplish what you have promised their conjunction shall be ours also Then Sigismond taking the one half of the ring and kissiing it several times I do swear said he that I will never believe my fairest Dorinde defective in her fidelity until she send me back the other half of this ring which remains with her and I would have her think the same of me in saying so the Prince took her hand and laid it to his heart be assured my dearest Dorinde said he that this heart over which you lay your hand is much more yours then my own and will sooner die then fail in the least tittle of what I have promised Dorinde looking silently upon him and the eyes of the Prince meeting with hers they both swore an unalterable fidelity unto each other by the language of their eyes which though mute yet did more eloquently expresse their passions then any tongue could tell At last Dorinde fearing to lose her self in this rauishment she first withdrew her eyes and blushing a little she beseeched him to go unto the rest of the company Lindamor in this interim had not ill imployed his time for as soon as he saw Rosilion apply himself to Rosanira and Sigismond to Dorinde he went unto Galathea and knew so well how to set forth what she owed unto all his labours that he obtained leave to court her openly and though he had a great confidence in the good will of Amasis yet he thought it not expedient to consult with her without communicating his design unto the Druide who beside the power which his virtue had gotten him with the Nymph had a very particular inclination unto him He propounded then unto Galathea that desire which he intended to acquaint Adamas withal and that Nymph thinking it to be very just Lindamor sent to seek him but word being brought that he was gone out of Marcelles I perceive said Galathea that he was very desirous to carry home unto their habitations those Shepherds which Clindor entertained and truly I am very sorry that he did not acquaint me before he went but I will entreat Ligdamon to go unto him and solicite him to return as soon as possibly he can Upon this Galathea beckning unto Ligdamon who was then entertaing Silvia that Cavalier came unto her and had no sooner received her commands to go but he went immediatly and took horse Amasis came out of her closet at the same time and because she had been a long while cloistered up in Marcelles she was very desirous to ride out into the fields to take the air she caused therefore her coaches to be made ready and going into one with the three Princes Lindamor Rosanira Galathea and Dorinde the first place she visited was the place where Polemas had pitched his Tent and his Camp from thence she went unto the plain where the blood of that Rebel was still to be seen and remembring the fears she was in she related unto them the extream perplexity and anguish of spirit in which she was when they fought At last after they had sufficiently aired themselves they returned to the Castle where Amasis did all she possibly could to Carresse them so much did she acknowledge her self obliged unto them for the great care they had in delivering her from the insolence of her enemy Ligdamon in the mean time came unto the house of Adamas whom he found walking in his gallery with the Shepherds and fair Shepherdesses of Lignon when the Druide first saw him he was a little surprized and was afraid that some new disorder had hapned in Marcelles yet when he aked the cause of his coming he was very glad that it was only to desire him from Galathea to come unto her as soon as he could He intended therefore to go very early in the morning that he might be there as soon as the Nymph was ready and beseeching Ligdamon to be his guest till then he took him by the hand and carried him to the rest of the company They were no sooner there but they perceived Cercinea Palanice and Florice were standing all about Phillis unto whom Cercinea spoke thus But fair Shepherdesse or
you before that within two or three dayes after Sileines had the bracelet the Queen was to bestow a ring at which she would have Sigismond to run and with him all the Cavalry of the Court and Sileines being one of the greatest Gallants in it he was invited unto it by this young Prince The next morning then he went to acquaint Palanice and she who was very glad of that occasion to execute her design as soon as Sileines began to speak of it and say that he thought none was able to dispute with him for this ring since he ran at it for the love of her You answered Palanice shall not dispute for it with any for you shall not run at all Pardon me Madam I beseech you said the Cavalier for Sigismond commanded me unto it by Lucindor And I replied Palanice do forbid you I hope replied Sileines you are more just and a greater friend unto my reputation then to forbid me the performance of what I have promised Ah Sileines said Palanice this is but a slender argument of any power that I have over you Why Madam replied the Cavalier were it that your service called me another way I protest I would excuse my self and had rather displease Sigismond then you or if you do positively command it so I will obey Then said Palanice disengage your self from your promise for if you do love or will obey me do not run but stay with me all that day whilst the rest are at the sport Sileines was a little importunate to know the reasons which moved her unto this but Palanice her self knowing none it was impossible she should give him any The very same night he went unto the chamber of Sigismond and being not able to think upon any thing but the commands of his Mistresse he took his opportunity so fitly that as he was coming to this young Prince his foot slipt and he fell down to the ground At the first none thought he had received any hurt but Sigismond himself began to laugh but when they saw him get up with much pain and that he complained every one came to him to know how he did he told them that his ancle was out of joint and the young Prince believing it caused a coach to be immediatly made ready to carry him unto his chamber afterwards sent several Chirurgeons with special charge to have care of his cure but Sileines who would not be visited lest a report should be made of his heart contrary to his intention he told them he had sent for a Chirurgeon of his own in whose experience he had a great confidence The noise of this mishap which was believed to befall Sileines was quickly spred all over the Town and Palanice was not the last that heard of it yet seeming to be ignorant of the cause she entreated Cerintes to go and see him but Sileines hearing that Palanice was pleased to have any care of him I beseech you Sir said he unto Cerintes assure Palanice that since she is pleased to pity my mishap I feel no pain and were I freed from my displeasure that I cannot wait upon Sigismond at the Course there is nothing now that would trouble me which Cerintes having told unto his sister she presently understood his meaning so apt are Lovers to expound the words and actions which do any thing concern them The day assigned for the Course at the ring came and Sileines with a staff in his hand as if he could not go without it coming to the lodging of Palanice he waited upon her unto a friends house whose windows looked towards the place where the Course was to be It was not long after before Sigismond came and with him a great number of Cavaliers all whom after a long dispute yielded the praise unto the agility of that young Prince who carried it away to the great contentment of all the Court. Whilst they were running at the ring Palanice and Sileines did nothing but talk and if it were true which she since told me their discourse was to this purpose They leaned both together upon the same window and Sileines looking upon his Mistresse as if he were ravished at so fair a sight how infinitly have you obliged me Madam said he unto her in forbiding me to appear amongst these Cavaliers that I might enjoy the happinesse of being so near you Some answered she are often near in body who are far off in heart That misfortune said Sileines is inevitable unto all such as are owners of so little merit as I am Truly replied Palanice I must confesse you have qualities enough to win esteem but I cannot perswade my self you have such as will make all the women that look upon you run out of their wits for the love of you I swear replied Sileines and smiled a little that as I have not the power to do it so I have not so much arrogance as to think it and should I desire to be perfectly loved by any one I mean not so far as run mad for me I protest I should wish it were your self whom I adore and for whom my life is only pleasing unto me you will quickly leave off that wish answered Palanice since you can never gain any thing upon me who am inviolably resolved to hold all men alike indifferent O heavens Madam said Sileines and interrupted her do you not remember those oathes and protestations you have made in my favour I do remember replied Palanice all the promises that I made unto you and if your memory be as good as mine you will find that though I did swear to love you yet I did not thereby swear to hate all other men but will on the contrary carresse them equally without giving one more credit or authority over me then another May then every one replied Sileines pretend unto the same favours which I have obtained from you how can I put any high value upon them if your melting kindnesse make them common unto all the world Then he held his peace to hear what Palanice would answer but seeing her to look another way O most cruel fair one continued he is it possible you should in so short a time change your inclination and do you intend to recompence my obedience no better I perceive said Palanice you think that you have done a great matter at this time and think me much beholding vnto you for depriving your self of the pleasure of one poor day but Sileines since you have so good an opinion of your self and aspires unto so great a recompence for so small a matter I pray look betimes for some that will give them unto you as for my part I will not and swear unto you that I shall be very glad if you will trouble me no more Sileines astonished to see her so angry and not knowing what in the world should be the cause Fair Palanice answered he if it be my love that troubles you pardon me if
I tell you my fidelity will not suffer me to give you lesse but if it be my presence which vexes you you shall not long languish in that displeasure for I do protest not to present my self before you until I be well assured that you desire my company In saying so he went from her and would have gone out of the chamber but Palanice who followed him with her eye called him back as he was opening the door As soon as Sileines heard himself named he turned back and coming to her she said unto him with a scornful look since you intend to retire your self Sileines it is not reasonable you should keep a companion with you that may trouble you in your solitude therefore said she pray râ—store me back my bracelet for I will have it again I wish with all my heart answered Sileines that I were able to give you that contentment but having sworn never to part with it as long as I have life you must if you would have it back command me to die Die or live said Palanice I am indifferent so I can but obtain what I ask and have my own hair again Fair peice of cruelty replied the young Cavalier can your rigour find a heart to kill me before I know the cause of it Will you use me with more Tyranny then those whom they use to doom unto death before they be convinced of any crime Do not accuse any for the treatment which you receive answered Palanice but the shallownesse of your own merit and unlesse you will most mortally displease me restore unto me immediatly the bracelet which you had of me But Madam replied Sileines you gave it unto me freely without any condition therefore replied Palanice I would have it freely again without any condition As long as I have done nothing said Sileines which renders me unworthy to enjoy it is it not extream injustice to ravish it from me tell me no more of injustice replied Palanice all the reason in the world allows me to take my own where ere I find it I am afraid replied Sileines that you will have much ado to unty it for there are a thousand knots upon it No matter no matter answered Palanice I have a pair of Scissers which will do that office excellently well if you will but hold out your arm Well well persidious woman said Sileines in a rage and holding out his arm satisfie your fury and take your fill in ruining me I will not give you so much advantage as to say hereafter that ever I opposed your will in any thing Upon this Palanice did cut the ribband which tyed it together and having put it into her pocket Go now said she unto him even whether you please and say that you are beholding unto me for cutting your chains and setting you at liberty in saying so she went to the window not so much as casting a look upon him and poor Sileines sunk in sorrow went away but quite cured of his lamenesse for his rage had made him forget his staffe and to counterfeit a cripple as he did when he came His humour said Hylas who sat and said not a word till now point blank contrary unto mine could I with any patience ever endure she should call me troublesome and accuse me of too little merit for her Let me dy if I would not have given her not only the bracelet but dublet shirt and all to be delivered from the Tyranny of such a peevish piece Sileines did not so replied Florice but being enraged at such treatment from that fair one he resolved to come no more where she was and began to prepare himself for travel so find some remedy against his sorrows As soon as the running at the ring was ended Palanice came to give me an accompt of all she had done and because I knew by her looks and speech that she repented of it I advised her to think upon a remedy We went therefore to see Cercinea and though that fair one was his sister yet she knew nothing of his secrets for Palanice durst never trust her because she was very young Though we had known nothing of what had hapned unto her brother yet we might well have imagined it by the disorder in the house for the inquietude wherein Cercinea was and those tears which somtimes fell from her eyes did give us sufficient knowledg of it yet seeming to be ignorant of all we beseeched her not to conceal from us the cause of her sorrow She was not at all shie in telling us all very freely how about two hours ago she had seen her brother so extreamly troubled and offended that it greived her very heart for said she he asked some money of me which he gave me to keep he caused all his clothes to be packed up he commanded his horses to be made ready and I saw him in such strange disorder as it troubled my very soul I wish said Palanice that he were here for he would not hide from me the cause of his discontent Alas said Cercinea innocently never believe that I think he loves me very well and that I have as much power with him as any in the world but all my prayers and desires could not get one word from him In saying so they saw Sileines enter and passed by not seeing who was in the chamber Palanice thinking all that Cercinea said of her brothers despair was true she seemed to have something to do out of the chamber and went unto the Hall dor out of which Sileines must of necessity passe before he could go out of the house Sileines so troubled in mind that he never took any notice of me he took his cloak and sword but when thinking to go out he saw Palanice at the door he was extreamly astonished She who stood in the midst of the door-stead and held out both her arms to stop the passe with her face from the house as soon as she heard him coming who is there said she and turned a little about Sileines then not so much as lifting up an eye it is I answered he that would go out Out said Palanice what out of my heart or out of the house out of the world replied Sileines since your cruelty will not suffer me to live after this striving a little wiâ—h her as being desirous to passe whether she would or no Palanice catched hold of his arm I wonder said she you should so much forget the Laws of civility as to force those that have taken the pains to come and visit you No no replied Sileines you love your own contentment better then to take any pains to come and visit a man that is so troublesome and of so shallow merits as I am Palanice who knew well enough what he meant whether you be troublesome or welcome unto me said she unto him I will not now dispute but be it which it will I would have you stay in the house and if I
continued the expressions of his love and contentment had he not though himself obliged also to thank the Druide who thought it fit that before the day was done he should go unto Marcelles to give thanks unto Damon and render him an accompt of Celideas cure Thamires prepared himself for that journey and Adamas not knowing what was become of Silvander asked aloud how he did and Hylas taking upon him to speak for all the Shepherds did answer that he left him in the company of Tircis and that as he thought they were discoursing upon some businesse of great importance The Druide asked whether he knew the subject of their discourse and Hylas in a smiling manner answered Father said he I do not certainly know the subject but probably their discourse harps upon the old melancholly string and Silvander who as they say can Philosophize upon the ribs of a Gnat or the beard of a Mandrake is perhaps perswading something which the other cannot easily vnderstand Belinde was well pleased to hear him talk in that manner for she had heard tell of his humours and therefore to make him the freer in his discourse she addressed her self unto him and said that she had formerly heard of all the passages in the love of Tircis and Cleon but she admired at nothing so much as at the passionate humour of that Shepherd in still doting upon the cold ashes of his dead Mistresse Sage Belinde answered Hylas were that fine judge here who condemned Laonice he would by his Sophistry make you believe that he should sin extreamly against the Laws of Love if he did keep that affection inviolable but this Lesson he did not learn in my school It is a most grosse and absurd ignorance and the worse because it has no ground and because there is no Law which commands us to love that which is not but this constancy which he so much cries up and would fain make a goddesse and erect altars unto it is that which makes him maintain all these fond opinions and infect this Province with a doctrine which ought to be condemned by all those that love liberty and quietnesse I wish he were here replied Belinde for besides the esteem I have of his merit I would gladly know what he would answer unto your discourse of him Madam said Hylas were he here Lignon would sooner leave running then his tongue and the devil on it is besides his most pernicious doctrine in matter of Love he can so glosse over his arguments with fluent eloquence as almost all are charmed with it With such discourse as this Adamas Belinde and the rest passed away the time until dinner was ready whilst Silvander who was indeed walking with Tircis and using all the arguments he could possibly device to divert that sad Shepherd from his intention of leaving Forrest but all his arguments and reasons would not do for this poor desolate man was weary of having so many witnesses of his melancholly and was fixed to his resolution imagining that now the banks of Lignon were likely to have too many delightful objects to sute with his sad temper and therefore as soon as he met Silvander in a place convenient for his discourse he said thus unto him It is needlesse for me sage Silvander to tell you the subject of my affliction because you do already know a great part of it and therefore I will only acquaint you with my design of seeking out my best conveniency to render what I ow unto the memory of my dear Cleon. You know however since the judgement which you pronounced in my favour against the importunities of Laonice I have been persecuted by her until I heard from her own mouth the Treason which by way of revenge she intended to use against you and against Phillis and then I began to be so extreamly incensed against her as immediately upon it she forsook Forrests And certainly it was well she did for I verily believe I should have transgressed what I ow unto her sex to have done her some signal displeasure Now being rid of this troublesome woman who I hated as I doe a divil and desiring never to meet with her again I am resolved to retire my self into some solitary place where none can come to interrupt my meditations nor divert mee from expressing my fidelity unto my dear Cleon. I must confess my self ashamed to depart with out bidding my last adieu unto Adamas and the rest of the shephards of my acquaintance But I hope dear Silvander that you will excuse mee to them and move them rather to pitty my misfortunes then to bee angry with me for my faults Upon this Tircis held his peace and Silvander having observed what he said concerning the treason of Laonice he beseeched him for a relation of it which Tircis did And Silvander admiring at the artifice which she had invented to revenge her self he learned also at the same time what was the cause of Dianas anger which Phillis had so subtily dissembled This sign of jealousie in his Mistress was unto him a main argument of her affection And though this contentment was enough to take up all his thoughts yet he did put Tircis in mind of the little reason that he had to absent himself from a place where every one loved him and to go and live in a desart where will beasts were ready every minute to devoure him But the poor dejected man in leiu of being moved by his reasons The cruelty of those beasts answered he cannot torment me so much as that vast number of cares which continually afflicts me such is my despaire as it makes me love any thing that is likely to advance my end and I wish with all my heart I might without offence doe the same office my self Thou should'st then know Cleon how little value I doe set upon my blood and thou shouldest see how soon I would present thee with the soul of Tircis which languisheth in a torment ten thousand times worse then any death in staying untill I see thee and have the honour to enjoy the heaven of thy imbraces with out disturbance In saying so his eyes which he lifted up towards heaven began to flow with tears at which Silvander was so much moved as he was not able to restrain his and whilst he stopped the course of them with his handkerchief he thought upon the constancy of Tircis and afterwards making reflections upon himself he considered in what a sad condition he should be if by the like accident he should lose Diana Thus they stood a while with out uttering one word but walked together in the wood At last Silvander broke silence I doe find dear Tircis said he unto him That your resentments are so just as nothing in your sadness can be condemned but that excess of it which moves you unto a desire to leave us For having contracted here some habitudes which may conduce much unto your quietness I conceve that
Astrea did not assign you any time you ought to stay till she prefix it or till the weaknesse of your humanity does exact from you that tribute which all creatures pay Fair Nymph said he then unto me Astrea did not assign me any time because she knew I ought to be as ready to execute her commands as she to pronounce them questionlesse she meant the same day whereon she let me know my fault should be the day whereon I should be punished I do therefore conjure you not to crosse my desires any longer tell that unthankful fair one for doubtlesse you will find her full of joy at my misfortune that I dare not so much as grieve at my death lest my sorrows should provoke hers unto the like assure her that of all the favours she ever shewed me I hold this for the greatest since in a moment she has delivered me from all the torments she was able to make me suffer for when I am dead that fair one will not be angry at me but if by ill fortune her mind be not enough revenged even for pities sake move her to pardon the surplus of my crime I would willingly come and do my pennance before her but not having time nor knowing how to do it better then in the losse of my life Tell her fair Nymph that I am going to finish it for the love of her and that as there is none but she for whom I would live so there is none but she for whom I would dy Fair Shepherdesses I must confesse that I heard all this without saying any thing unto him for my heart was so sadly compassionate that I could do nothing but dry up my tears which began to trickle down my cheeks so as when I began to speak he interrupted me thus but why am I so slack in such a noble act Why do I resist the will of Astrea who would have a fresh cause to condemn me did she know how I delay the pleasure which she will take in my death Adieu fair Nymph adieu sage Leonide be not as Astrea is insensible unto the motions of compassion Give me leave I beseech you to steal one poor kisse upon your fair hand in assurance that you will obtain one from the Shepherdesse or at the least that you will take so much pains as to ask it as a testimony that she will forget all my offences upon this O how sad my soul is to think upon it he took my hand and having lifted it to his lips three times he ran away from me as fast as ever he could and though I made as much haste after him as possibly I could yet I lost the sight of him presently This accident made me almost mad I knew not what to do I was out of all hopes to find him and yet I could not find in my heart to return without him At last in this confusion of thoughts one while apprehending the harm that might happen unto him and another while blaming your too sudden rigour I saw the day did bid farewel to the world so seeing no possible remedy against this disaster I returned back still calling Alexis Alexis Celadon Celadon but hearing none return any answer unto my call my sorrows began to be almost intollerable and imprinted in my face such signs of death as doubtlesse you saw when first I came unto you Such was the discourse of Leonide which infused such strange affrights into the mind of Astrea that she was even rady to run out of her wits her eye was not at this time able to drop a tear for her heart was so infinitly oppressed with sorrow as it was impossible she should weep but in exchange sighs and groans issued in such abundance as did quite take away the liberty of speech Phillis who knew the humour of her companion and feared lest this last dispair of Celadon should drive her into dispair also she resolved to apply some remedy fair Nymph said she unto Leonide since Licidas is abroad I am very confident he will remedy all these disorders and will never return until he has set all streight again or at the least till he have shared in his brothers sorrows Alas alas sister said Astrea and could hardly speak it is to be feared that the fury of Celadon will prevent the help of Licidas or that the despair of the one surmounting the perswasions of the other cannot save him from the same precipice in which perhaps both are already fallen And should it be so I should be doubly criminal by committing two murders in the person of Celadon and in making my revenge to reach the innocence of Licidas Upon this Leonide rising and taking Astrea by the hand the very truth is said she unto her I cannot tell how to excuse your cruelty for indeed it has been extraordinary but since you are not now in a condition to help it I conceive it best to talk no more of this accident unlesse unto such as are in a capacity to apply some remedy Diana Astrea and Phillis finding this motion to be good all four took the way unto the house and came thither just as Adamas had concluded the Articles of Paris his marriage the conditions whereof were not so secretly carried but some of the Domestiques came to know them and divulging it frome one to another the noise of it went through the house and from thence into all the neighbouring Towns Belinde no sooner saw Diana but calling unto her she gave her an accompt of what was concluded upon with the Druide at which the Shepherdesse was so surprized that notwithstanding all the good councel which her mother gave unto her she was ready to fall into a swound yet being a person of a most admirable judgement and discreet above all the Shepherdesses in Forrests she dissembled her sorrows as well as she could and addressing her self unto Belinde but Madam said she unto ber methinks the businesse is done with a little too much precipitation Daughter answered Belinde a good action can never be done too soon besides I have not long time to stay here for you know that my profession calls me another way and therefore this very night the marriage must be consummated As soon as she had said so she went unto her chamber to make some prayers unto Hymen for a prosperous event of this match and left Diana alone This Shepherdesse whose soul was over-swelled with sorrow she would needs go immediatly out of the house perhaps to do some desperate act upon her self but Phillis who was also by her self whilst Adamas was talking unto Leonide and Astrea she ran unto her and began to talk with her Diana who could not hide her displeasure though she had been the cunningest woman in the world and who besides knew that she might confidently open her soul unto her companion she began to hold this discourse but with so many sighs and tears that Phillis was extreamly moved to
stood still lamenting and complaining whilst as ill luck was two great dogges wherewith one of the neighbours used to bait bulls at Publique shews did come into the streets and being greedy of blood they presently began to licke that which the slave had innocently mingled with the poyson They had not lapped with their tongues above three times but they tumbled with their feet upwards and died imediately at which the owner of them was so extreamly angry that needs would he kill my slave the very same instant and to know the cause of so suddain and strange an end he seised upon him and carryed him to his house where the poor slave having given him an accompt of the business wherin I imployed him he gave him the paper also assuring himself that it would serve for his justification The man did quickly find out my design and conceiving it most fit to acquaint the King he went presently to advertise him of it I understood since that Genserick was ready to fall down at the sight of my letter but at last recollecting himself and turning all his fury against me he commanded twelve or fifteen of his guard to go imediatly to my house and seise upon me and to put me in that prison where traytors used to be locked up which command was presently obayed And I being prepared to die staying only for the return of my slave they found my dores open and a glass upon the table full of the same poison which I thought Eudoxe had received I will not tell you in what a condition I was when I saw this obstacle unto my resolution it will suffice you know that imagining the Princesse to be dead I did exceedingly rejoice at all those tortures which I conceived were preparing for me Thrasimond was returned from hunting a little before and being extreamly impatient to see his Mistresse that he might know what effect his letter produced he went unto the Palace where Eudoxe was and telling her all the storye which you have heard he made the Princesse think that her resolution was not unknown unto him no more then the wicked design of Genserick Eudoxe then seeing all was discovered and fearing least the King should that night execute what he threatned she thought good to make use or Thrasimonds love hoping that the honest and legitimate passion of the son would give a stop unto the burning and unlawfull lust of the Father And indeed she armed her eyes with all the persawsive charmes she could to move pitty she took her hand-handkercheif and listing it to her eyes two or three times she began to speak unto him in this manner Since Sir you know what intentions Genserick has upon me it is impossible but you should approve of the design which I have to prevent by my death that shamefull staine wherewith he would sully my honour and reputation Though nature had not made me the Daughter unto Theodosius and though fortune had not twice submitted the Emperedom of the East unto me yet it is enough that I do know what a wife and a woman does owe unto virtue never to consent unto the loss of a thing the price whereof is beyond all value And certainly what tiranny soever Genserick is resolved to use unto me his passion shall still find resistance That which his violence will not let me execute upon my own person my rage shall attempt upon his and perhaps he shall to his woe find what dispair can do in the incensed spirit of an honest woman if he be weary of her life which he has undertaken to protect and if it anger him to hear himself accused for violating faith let him with all my heart take away this life with I live with sorrow and if he will let me die gloriously and with honour he shall see how little I will startle at death By this generous Thrasimond you may perceive that if there be no remedy to stop the fury of Genserick there is no hopes of my life or of my two Daughters whom heaven has only left me for witnesses or rather Companions in my misfortunes If as our last refuge the love which you profess unto young Eudoxe be grounded upon honour certainly you will be her Protector and will be ashamed to marry her after her Mother has lost that only thing which will be a glory unto her in the match shall it be ever recorded to future ages in history that Genserick would glut his brutish lust upon Eudoxe the captive and that Thrasimond the glory of his time stood still and would never offer to be an obstacle unto such a blacke design Oh good Sir do not suffer such a blur to dim the story of your life And if the young Eudoxe have any power with you or if you have any pitty upon miserable persons let me execute what Olicarsis had prepared for me And good Sir let not that mans innocence bear the blame of that crime which I only committed it was I who forced him to prepare that poison and his feares only that I would attempt upon the person of the King made him consent unto it Now Sir if for any particular interest you may have in my life you do intend to hinder my death turn if it be possible the mind of Genserick I conjure you I do conjure you unto it even by Eudoxe if you love her by these teares which I drop at the memorie of my miseryes by your self and by these armes which I fixe about your knees which I will never let go untill you promise what I implore from you In saying so she fell down at the feet of Thrasimond and clasped about the leggs of that Prince with so much strength as he was not able to rise so soon as he would at this he was so milted into pity and Eudoxes desires to preserve her honour did please him so well that his love encreased and made him think that no greater advantage could be unto his fortune then to marry the Daughter of so virtuous a Mother Besides this the glory to see at his feet a Princess whom so many millions of people had obeyed did so pleasingly flatter him that from thence forward he resolved to use his very utmost endeavours for her delivery out of those paines which her feares had infused into her and therefore unloosing Eudoxes armes as well as he could he presently kneeled down upon the ground and helping her up Madam said he unto her hope well in the goodness of heaven and in my love Genserick shall joyn my death unto yours or if his pity preserve me his passion shall never hurt you Upon this he left her to go unto the King but he found him not in the Castle for that Barbarian having no thoughts in his mind but the ruine of Eudoxe and fearing that by the accident which hapned the death of that Princesse would be some obstacle unto his desires he resolved to prevent it and therefore when
prevalent as the love and impatiency of Belinde it was resolved upon that she would make one of the company They set forward then altogether and the Druide asking Phillis how and in what manner Astrea and Diana were found you must know Father answered she that this morning we all parted every one taking a several way as we did yesterday Licidas he took towards the Fountain I told him also which way I would go and in case any of us heard any news of them we agreed to meet all at noon at the same place where we met yesterday which was by the side of the river Lignon I came unto the rendezvous before him for to tell you truly I began to despair in my quest After I had been there a while I saw him coming a great pace towards me but as sad as he was in the morning when we parted As soon as he was come unto me Ah Phillis said he very sadly if you would see Astrea and Diana they are not far from hence I saw them close by one another fast asleep Then I interrupting him have you seen them said I in a great amazement for god sake good Lycidas conduct me to them and make no more delay Indeed answered he I did see them and will let you see them also but if you love me do not oblige me to speak unto them or go near them for if I do it will prove as fatal unto me as death it self You think said I unto him that Astrea is angry with you but you may very well be satisfied since she has asked you pardon Alas alas replied the Shepherd words are never able to repair that injury which I received from her in the person of my brother whilst we were thus talking we came nearer and as soon as he shewed me the place where my companions were or at the least where he left them Do you see yonder old Altar said he unto me which time hath demolished They do lie at the feet of those stairs upon which it is erected I did see the place to which he pointed with his finger but being unwilling he should leave me I still went on and seemed as if I did not see it At last when I began to perceive Astrea and Diana me thinks said I unto him that I do see something but it is so confusedly as if you do not go along with me I shall hardly hit the way unto them Alas Phillis answered he why will you be any cause of so much sorrows unto me upon this looking up and seeing we were nearer then he thought unless you be blind said he you cannot miss the place where they are as he said so I observed that he looked upon them very attentively but said he I see something there which was not there when I left them perhaps said I it is Alexis This hope made us go something nearer but when we were within fourty or fifty paces Licidas made a sudden stop Mistress said he for gods sake go no further for I see two fierce beasts with them and if I be not mistaken they are the Uâ—nicorns which use to guard the Fountain of verity in Love I must needs confess Father that a secret chill fear glided through all my veins and I was glad that at the very same instant Hylas and Adrastes appeared in sight for under pretence of going to advertise them of this Novelty I got further off from their fury but yet taking a little courage I returned with them and finding my self more strong in their company I looked more confidently upon my companions I saw them in the same condition as Licidas told me to wit lying at the stairs foot of that Altar Moreover I observed they embraced each other and the two Unicorns leaned their heads upon them I could have wished with all my heart that these two cruel creatures had stood in as much fear of me as I did of them that we might have had more free access unto my companions but they would not stir from those fair Shepherdesses and there was not a Shepherd that durst stir a step nearer them Seeing then that my stay there would not at all advantage them I thought best to come and acquaint you and in comming I met Celidea Thamires Stâ—lla Doâ—is and severall others whom I told where they might be witnesses of this adventure Alas alas said Adamas this is a most sad adventure for Astrea who feares the world has an ill opinion of her virtue by reason of Celadons disguisement will have this way to be a tryall of her purity because it is the property of those beasts never to come near any have been once poluted Thus all the Company talked as they went whilst at the same time Alexis and Silvander were in their way to execute that enterprise which they resolved upon the day before They awaked not so soon as they desired for they feared that if the Sun were up they should meet some who would be obstacles unto their design yet being fully resolved to go on through all difficulties and thinking upon nothing but this last munite which would free them from all the Tyrannies of fortune they went so fast that they came in a very short time unto the Altar where Astrea and Diana lay asleep Alexis was the first that espied them and being suprised at this encounter she made a sudden stop Silvander who observed her astonishment and asking her the cause Alas dear freind answered Alexis would not you be a most supprised person if as Astrea does present her self before me Diana should once more honour you with a veiw of her fair face Indeed I should said Silvander but that were a happiness which is so far beyond my hopes as I think it impossible to be Yet replied Alexis if you turn but your eye towards yonder altar which is a little raised up above the levell of the plain and which is not far distant from us you shall see with Astrea a shepherdess to whom you wish no ill Silvander then looking that way and seeing Diana his colour went and came into his face two or three times and in this amazement being hardly able to speak Oh heavens cryed he out oh Diana Upon this making more hast towards them they came so near those shepherdesses that they could discern every feature in their faces and Alexis who fell down at the feet of Astrea cruell fair one said he in a low voice and with a deep sigh heaven is unjust to grant unto you so much rest after you have by your hatred cause myne to cease And you Diana said Silvander unto her do you come unto this alter to thank the gods for giving you the possession of Paris or do you come to complain against them for ravishing you from the inviolable love of Silvander after this both being silent a while But fair Astrea replied Alexis who maugre all your rigours is most dear unto me cannot I
sent forth a thousand sighes of love whatsoever you make conjecture I am fully perswaded but she has done some violence to keep her self from falling into the power of Paris and the condition wherin now she is me thinks is a strong argument that the marriage is not consummated For why should she come with Astrea unto a place so little frequented since the inchantment of the fountain but only to conceall her self from Bellinde for some dayes and to give her time of consideration how little inclination her Daughter has unto that alliance alas said Silvander and interrupted her this small absenting her self and this self are arguments more strong to confirm me in a beleif that my dispair is just and that her infidelity is true For may I not well think that this ungratefull woman did absent her self to kindle the flames of Paris the more and that this sleep is part of that rest which my rivall would have stoln from her the first night by his carresses oh what dismal causes of jealousy do I find and how this passion transports me into fury Can you think it just Celadon that I should live to be a witness of all those kisses which this husband will gather from those lippes which have pronounced the sentence of my death and his happines Do you not think that those favours which this fickle one publiquely conferres upon him as innocent as they are yet do not appear unto me most horrid crimes alas you do not love aright if you think they are not enough to kill me assure your self every look she casts upon him is a dagger to my heart No no shepherd I had better let them alone to enjoy their delights freely my presence will but disturbe them every thing does invite me unto this design more then you who has no legall warrant to authorise the resolution which you have taken but only the bare passionate humour of Astrea which perhaps has made her weep a thousand times since and repent she ere concealed from you the good though secret acceptance she had of all your services Therefore dear Celadon if my prayers have any prevalence with you I beseech you let me only run this adventure it is a faithfull lover who ought to die do not dispute the matter any longer with me And pardon me if I say out of the knowledge I have of my love and humour that it is most impossible to find one man in the whole world who can excell me In saying so he embraced Celadon and conjured him again to let him obtain this favour which he required but Celadon seeming ill satisfied with his request truly Silvander answered he you do resemble him who received as a sharer only in a treasure yet will needs become the sole master of it and drive out him who first admitted him only at a sharing Companion in his fortune It was I who first designed this disenchantment by giving my life and now I have communicated my design unto you it is you that would hinder me from the execution of it and would your self take all that glory which the gods reserved only for me Dear Celadon said Silvander and interrupted him do not blame me for desiring to take that advantage from you which will procure you a far greater I mean the enjoyment of Astrea I dare swear that fair shepherdesse would think your presence at this hower her greatest happiness Take my advice Celadon present your self before her once more if she do not forbid you to die I will confess my self injurious in advising you to live Nay answered Alexis that cruell one shall never have the pleasure of condemning me the second time I know what obedience I owe unto all her commands and will not put her to so much pains as to pronounce them often But as for you Silvander live and live for Diana since you know she desires it and did never command the contrary all the arguments perswasions and reasons that you can possibly devise can never alter me from that resolution which I am fixed upon to die by the mortal claws of these furious Lions which cannot be so cruel but will leave me so much time as they are tearing me in pieces as to remember that Astrea is more pittiless These last words stole some tears from the eyes of Alexis who seeing how contrary her end was unto those sweet hopes which she had conceived in the beginning of her affection her heart could not chuse but melt at the memory of those kind promises which Astrea once made unto her and Silvander who also had the same considerations he began to embrace Alexis and saw those tears which dropped from her eyes they embraced each other a long while and perhaps had done longer if Alexis who alwayes looked towards Astrea had not espied a great company coming towards them he presently advertised Silvander of it and both looking earnestly at them it was not long before they saw it was Adamas Belinde and Phillis but Silvander knew not Galathea Rosanira nor the rest of the Nymphs because of the change in their habits Fearing then that if the Druide saw them he would hinder them in their designe Come come dear Silvander said Alexis and rose up hastily let us not dispute any longer upon this point let us go and see to which of us the gods will judge the price of fidelity and since they only can decide our difference it is folly to consult upon it any longer here Upon this she went towards the Fountain and Silvander following her if it happen said he that we both die we shall have this advantage at the least to shut up in one Tombe two friends who have almost the very same Fates in their loves would suffer the same deaths In saying so they were come so near the Lions that those fierce Animals heard them and looked upon them with most affrighting looks but the Shepherds were so far from any signes of fear that there was a fresh vermilion in their cheeks and as if an horrid object were an object of joy and felicity they began to smile and to shew that their courages were not lesse then the Ferocity of those mercilesse Guardians Alexis who came thither only to die and not to fight did at the first prepare her self to receive their cruelty whilst the Lions at the sight of this new prey did beat their sides and the ground with their tails and were rowsing up anger enough to devour these Lovers she kneeled down upon the ground and looking up to heaven O ye merciful gods said she who have inspired me with this remedy to keep my miseries from being infinite as is your power accept I beseech you of this sacrifice which I offer unto you of my body and I would say of my soul also did you not know that it is still a captive in the charms of the fairest but most ungrateful Shepherdess that ever was even for pities sake O most
banish you from seeing mee yet my grief for Palemons death would not be the lesse Neither your absence nor your death can make him alive again nor ever cure mee I would not therefore have you absent your self but on the contrary I hope that your presence will be some comfort unto mee especially because in seeing you I shall imagine that I do see something of him for it may be said in point of friendship you were both one All that I desire from you deare Adrastes is That you will not go beyond those limits which I shall prescribe unto your affection and that loving mee in the degree of a sister you will never disoblige mee unto any other will then to take you as a brother This was the injunction of Doris unto which Adrastes would not promise obedience for hee knew not whether it was in his power to obey hee vowed to serve her eternally and having made the same vow long since hee would observe it unto the last minute of his life After this they parted and when the God of sleep did summon them to take their rest they disobeyed and spent almost all the night with their own thoughts Doris shee mused upon the disaster which had hapned unto her and in the dark desired a thousand times that the Ghost of Palemon would appeare before her eies as well as in her memory Darknesse was not so horrid unto her as the consideration of this losse and when shee considered that it was without a remedy this did almost kill her with grief Amidst these sad imaginations Love did sometimes represent unto her thoughts the passion of Adrastes to make her sensible of that shepherds fidelity Then did Doris a little repent shee had commanded him to love her only in the degree of a sister but presently thinking those thoughts in some sort offensive unto the love which she ought to preserve for Palemon and that it would be a wrong unto him to admit of any sharer with him shee stifled all those thoughts in their birth and repelled all those arrowes wherewith it seems Love would have wounded her the second time Adrastes on his side amongst all his sorrowes for the losse of his friend hee began to conceive a secret hope that hee should one day enjoy that happinesse for which hee had already suffered so many miseries But for all the joyes wherewith this sweet imagination did flatter him hee disputed with himself whether his sorrowes for the losse of Palemon were not greater then the joyes hee had in conceiving some right of pretense unto his Mistresse Day had almost surprised him in this Combate for it was very late before hee slept but had hee slept only one minute yet had hee done more then the Druid did who was so ill satisfied with Merindors discourse that being extreamly stung with anger and spite shee was not able to close an eye Shee spent all the night in plotting how to be revenged for the injury which shee thought was done her But Astrea and Diana rested better For the paines they had endured the day before and the little sleep which they had of two or three nights before did now cause them to sleep soundly untill it was broad day Adamas Bellinde Celadon Silvander and the rest of the Shepherds did rise almost at the first blush of Aurora and had no sooner set all things in order but Amasis came bringing with her Rosanira Galathea Madonthe Daphnide Silvia and the afflicted Dorinde who carried in her face all the signes of displeasure A while after Leonide Astrea Diana and Phillis came out of their chamber Likewise all the shepherds of the neighbouring townes arrived and came purposely to wait upon the Grand Druid When all was ready Amasis went out the first and took Bellinde by the hand with whom shee talked concerning the worship of the gods which was the particular profession unto which she was called Dorinde she faigned hee self indisposed and desired the Nymph to leave her the coach to the end that in case she found her self better she might follow after them Rosanira Daphnide and Madonthâ— mixed themselves with Leonide Phillis and Licidas Adrastes took care of Doris Hylas and Thamires would needs wait upon Stella and Celidea and all the rest of the Shepherds and Shepherdesses did follow in a troop together Adamas would be with Silvander and that poor Shepherd seeing himself forced to yield unto Paris the entertainment of Diana she was all the way so melancholly and silent that the Druide could not get one good word from him Galanthea fully resolved to imploy well the time that she had to stay with Astrea she took her in one hand and because she would not quite take her away from her dear Celadon she took that Shepherd in the other Thus all this great company went from the house of Adamas to hear the Oracle which the God of Love was to pronounce and certainly it was a most pleasant sight to see them in this order and the beauty of their persons for Astrea who had now nothing to trouble her she trimmed up her self with all the graces that either Nature or Art could use to imbellish â— face her eyes were not red and swelled as they were wont to be when her sorrows kept them in a perpetual moisture but they were as clear as sparkling as that Planet which gives both light and life unto the whole Universe her hair did not hang so loose and carelesly as when all her thoughts were how to preserve Celadon but now it was set in such lovely order as every curl was able to captivate a world of hearts upon her head was a Garland of several flowers and though they were the fairest of the season yet were they ashamed to see themselves so far surmounted by the luster of that complexion which was in their cheeks In fine this Shepherdess appeared so fair in the eyes of Galathea as that Nymph thinking she never had seen so perfect a beauty she began to excuse the disdain of Celadon and to think that after he had burned in so glorious a fire it was not possible he should be touched with any other flame Celadon for his part he appeared the handsomest and most lovely Shepherd that ever was seen upon the banks of Lignon the memory of his disguisement and many other accidents of his life did bring such blushes into his cheeks and tempered his complexion with such luster as Galathea had much ado to preserve that fidelity which she had sworn unto Lindamor she had never seen so many charms in the eyes of that Shepherd as she observed now and calling to memory the condition wherein she first saw him and relieved him O heavens said she in her self if this Shepherd had then had so many darts in his face as now I see in lieu of being in love with him I should have downright died In this thought she never removed her eye off him unless to look
are of such a nature as can never be paid They are not such replied Galathea but may easily be acquitted and if you have a mind I will shew you how Madam answered Astrea there is nothing in the world but I would do it to content you else may I not live one munite longer and for my part said Celadon I do protest there is no command which I will not obey unless it do contradict that love which I do bear unto the fair Astrea That which I do require said Galathea and turned her self towards Celadon is only to make your joyes the fuller and therefore know shepherd and you fair Astrea also that I shall think my self fully recompenced for all I have done if you will this day solemnly swear before me that the union betwixt you shall be inviolable and that no accident whatsoever shall be able to seperate your wills I have heretofore feared this alliance as the greatest misfortune that ever could happen unto me but now I wish and desire it as the greatest advantage I can receive from you Great Nimph answered Celadon this which you require do only depend upon the will of that shepherdess and not of me and as for my part I protest and swear by that can make an oath inviolable that I will adore her eternally and were I not conscious of my own demerits I would this very munite vow my self hers in that quality and vow with all to observe it for ever I do accord unto this vow which Celadon hath made said Astrea and I swear Madam by the power which you have over me never to fail in what is due unto his love and your commands Upon this she was silent since so said the Nimph and embraced them both let this be the first testimony of it and Astrea give Celadon a kiss in earnest of that secret marriage which you have now contracted and of which the gods and I am witnesses Astrea would have answered But Celadon even ravished with that happiness which Galathea would procure for him did withall possible hast kisse her least she should oppose that felicity Thus this shepherd did kisse her as with such infinity delight as if he would have left his soul upon the lips of his fairest shepherdess and Astrea was so ashamed of this favour which she had granted him as she hardly spoke one word in an hovre after Mean time Paris entertained Diana with discourse and because he knew not any other reason that she had to be so forward in dying then the affection she bore unto her Companion fairest Diana said he unto her is it in the happiness of Astrea that I must exspect the beginning of mine untill now your resistance has been such as was able to stagger the the constancy of any other but mine but now that shepherdess may well serve for your example to accept of your servants good will and bestow your affection upon me upon this he began to sigh and seeing Diana did not answer Oh fairest Mistresse continued he your severity to me is as rigorous as ever and as insupportable I have served you by your own permission and courted you by your own commands The gods Adamas and Bellinde are all consenting unto my good fortune your own cruelty is the only impediment Oh the torments I have endured since the flight of Astrea Tortures and racks are not so sharp and yet I find no spark of compassion in you and should I compare your heart and marble together I think the marble the more sensible of the two In saying so his eyes were ready to gush out into teares which caused him to be silent and to take his handkercher So as Diana seeing her self obliged in civility and respect to say something and having no mind to drive him into dispair as well because she had some little inclination to him as because she feared her denial would incense Bellinde she turned towards him with a smiling aspect sage Paris answered she what you are pleased to call rigour in me is rather an argument of that esteem I have of you then of any ill will I have often told you that my consciousnesse of my own small merits is the reason of that reservednesse wherein I have lived conceiving that without too much presumption I could not pretend unto any farther then some share in your friendship but since what I thought to be an effect of my duty is termed coldnesse and cruelty I will hereafter become more free upon condition you will assure me that for three whole dayes you will not solicite my Mother for the accomplishment of our marriage I do ask this term only for my consolation after which we shal be both satisfied according to your own desires Diana had much a do to make this answer but setting such a face upon it as might best hide her design she perfectly contented Paris who not knowing that she took this term only to invent some way to deliver her self from the tiranny of Bellinde he verily believed that at the end of the three dayes she would consent to marry him Therefore he gave her thanks as for the greattest favour she could do him and kissing her hand fairest Mistresse said he unto her not only these three dayes but also all my life I shall be yours in all love and obedience This was the discourse which Diana and Paris had together whilst Adamas in his talk with Silvander did all that he possibly could to discover from whence that grief which he found in the face of that shepherd did proceed and because he had already observed some secret passages betwixt Diana and him he harped much upon that string but found Silvander so cold or rather discreet as he could gather no satisfaction from thence Therefore he changed his discourse and therefore conceiving that he might give in generall that consolation which he was resolved to apply unto a perticular subject Sage Silvander said he unto him do not think it strang if out of an inquisitive curiosity I do intrude my self into your affaires you know that we are naturally sensible of their interests whom we love so as having a most particular affection unto you I must needs be extreamly desirous to know from whence those displeasures which I have observed in you do proceed Revered Sir answered Silvander the affection which you say you have unto me does proceed from that compassion which makes men sensible of the miseries of one another and though in this you do no more for me then is common unto all miserable people yet am I extreamly obliged unto you and wish that the gods had as much pity upon me as you have The gods replied Adamas will do according as they please and not alwayes as we desire yet not that our condition is ere the worse because all that they do is for our good but commonly we do judge according unto our unruly passions which will not let us waite with patience
to the very soul that his Shepherdesse was to be thus used for his sake and when she was rudely treated by the Officers of Justice is it possible said Alexis that in Forrests such savage spirits and inhumane courages should be found as are not moved at the beauty of Astrea Does this countrey where sweetnesse and civility so long raigned now produce and nourish Monsters more wild and keen then Africa Certainly you have no eyes nor heart for if you were not blind you could not chuse but honour and reverence the most excellent work of the great gods but all his words were uselesse and he was no sooner in prison with her but he fell down upon his knees Oh Astrea said he I conjure you by the love you have unto me to have pity upon your self and since 't is only I whom they aim at be not guilty of your own death Could you exempt me by it haply I should excuse the excess of your affection in bearing me company but since your death will do me no good alas why will you add unto my grief by seeing you die You know that I do love you with all my soul and what wrong did I ever do you that you should make me the Author of your death You know that homicide is abominable unto the Gods and why will you incense them by committing it upon your self Be not more guilty of your death then those who bring you unto it Celadon would have continued longer but Astrea interrupted him All these arguments and perswasions might avail if you were not to die said she but the Gods in depriving me of my most dear Alexis do know that they deprive me of my life also for I neither will nor can live without her and in putting you to death they do the same to me Tell not me that I am guilty of my own death if I die with you for the threds of our lives are so interwoven and knit together that the Scissars which cut the one does also cut the other And as for being an addition of sorrow unto you by this action Oh Mistris Is it possible you should think I can live without you Will you wrong me so much as think I love you so little A common Souldier will run through that fire which burns him unto whom he hath promised fidelity nay he will be scorned if he do not and may not as much be allowed Astrea when Alexis dies Let not I beseech you any such thought harbour in your soul but if you will have me die contentedly say unto me Astrea I would have both our hearts pierced with the same spear that our souls as they pass out of our bodies may unite for ever as our affections already have conjoyned our wills with a love inseparable I use Mistris these expressions of affection and love which perhaps becomes not the inequality of our conditions and ranks but you have allowed this familiarity formerly and well may now since death is to remove all terms of inequality and level us all alike Celadon did listen long without interruption for first he thought it indiscretion to do otherwise and secondly he was so pleased to hear and receive such expressions of affection from her he loved as he was even enchanted with her words At last my dear servant said he unto her those who love well as I know you do Alexis will always value the contentment of the party loved above their own I doubt not but it is some comfort unto you to end your days with Alexis but do not you consider what a grief of soul it will be unto me to see you die Ah dearest Mistris said Astrea if those who love well ought to have this consideration why not you the same of me And why do not you consider what a most intollerable despair it would be unto me to survive you No no Mistris let us not resist the will of the Gods if it be their will that one of us should live most certainly they will preserve the life of the other and if I die I believe you will not live 'T is true answered Celadon And it is more true replyed Astrea that I cannot survive Alexis one minute Thus Alexis and Astrea sighed away all the night in giving new assurances of the affection which they bore unto each other and though it was upon a sad occasion yet Love did draw even out of their most bitter tears most incomparable consolations Alexis at last seeing his Shepherdess would not be diverted from the resolution which she had taken did often think it now time to declare who he was and to undeceive her in the opinion which she had of his being the daughter of Adamas but yet some consideration restrained him Somtimes he would say unto himself why should I any longer conceal my self since now we are both at the very brink of death But then again said he and reprehended himself why should I make any discovery of it since that will also be a very death For the knowledge of it will either please or displease her If it please her will not her death be more displeasing unto her And if it displease her why should I add more grief unto her when we are both going to die Thus was he long disputing with himself at last he thought it the fittest time to declare himself as he was falling at her feet thinking that if the transgressing her commands did offend her he would wash away the crime with his blood In the mean time day began to dawn and the whole Army began to move and march towards the Town circling it about as the day before and causing abundance of hurdles and faggots and engines to march before them it seemed they intended to fill up the ditch as they did before but because they of the Town began to salute them with many clouds of Arrows and throw such heaps of stones upon them they kept at a distance further off Then a body of horse and another of foot did open and make a lane for Astrea Alexis Silvia and Lidias whom they took for Ligdamon to passe through accompanied with a hundred Pikes and as many Halberdeirs conducted by a Captain that was no Segusian and so chosen by Polemas because he feared those of that countrey would be too favourable unto those innocent persons which had relations to the principal of the countrey They had tied them all four together by the arms and lest they should make any resistance or difficulty at their going before they had each of them a Pike fasted hehind them to the end that he who held it might thrust it into their bodies if they would not go They had each of them tyed to their hands of a flaming link and so were driven forward towards the gate of the Town O most barbarous and prophane wretches said Alexis unto them that tyed them together is there no spark of humanity in your hearts Dare you lay