confest that in that advice she had exprest a great deale of understanding and spirit Palamede added that since it was so resolv'd he would intreat his uncle to suffer him to be President of the games to this end that being for that day the Chiefe of all the youth of Syracuse he might have the power in his owne hands to make Diocles appeare and to arrest him if he would avoyd the judgement All being thus concluded on they expected that day impatiently In the meane time Melintus saw Ariana often and receiv'd of her as many sweetnesses as he could be sensible of being assur'd of her affection Never did two persons make so great an esteeme one of another and never did two soules meet with so much sympathy They had both of them a greatnesse of spirit so perfect a wit so discreet a quicknesse in conversation so sparkling and a modesty so majestuous besides the beauties wherewith nature had so liberally endowed them that never couple encountred together with so much perfection and equality and so admiring one anothers faire qualities they framed within themselves so relevated an affection that every other thing had beene to them but a subject of contempt had they not yet more despis'd to be presumptuous Pisistratus too saw Ariana often and his love increasing every day he ceased not to give her new testimonies of it but she receiv'd them so discreetly that he had no cause either to boast himselfe or complaine and Pisistratus beleeving that her vertue and modesty enjoyned her to use him after that fashion could not esteeme himselfe so farre off as he was of his hopes At length the day arriv'd and Palamede having obtain'd of his uncle that he might preside made himselfe Head of all those that would present them at the Playes Melintus put himselfe under his Conduct so did Pisistratus who that day had a designe to shew that he was worthy of Ariana Amyntas that was one of the most accomplish'd of Syracuse joyned him to them with some others and Misander himselfe that had a mind to mingle his melancholious humour to the publike rejoycing Ariana was led to the Temple in the morning by her brother and the Maids of her traine by Melintus Pisistratus and the others Shee was drest in a white robe the bodies whereof were close fitted to her waste and made her good shape appeare and in the skirts it was enlarg'd with a thousand folds and training upon the ground made her looke very majesticall She was crown'd with a hat of floures and her delicate haire in tresses falling upon a necke of snow did so well set forth the beauties of this divine face with the whitenesse of her necke whose splendour dazled mens eyes so that there was not any one that could support unhurt the sight of so many wonders She presented the sacrifices upon the altar of Liberty and made the ordinary Vowes but her faire eyes mock'd at the words her mouth pronounc'd and sought with their divine beames to ravish from all that beheld her that very liberty which by her vowes she wish'd perpetuall to them Melintus was so rapt with seeing her and thinking that this ceremony should presently be followed with another that would place him in the very height of felicities that these deare imaginations serv'd him for a pleasing entertainment Pisistratus regarded her too full of admiration and desires accompanied with hopes and the others conceiv'd wishes which they themselves confest unprofitable and that were as soone smother'd by the little hope they had reason for After the Sacrifices were ended and the solemnities that followed them shee was led up to a Scaffold that was erected in a great meadow out of the Towne and all the Ladies came about her after the same manner they had done at the Temple The ordinary Judges of Syracuse that were also to judge the prizes were plac'd lower among whom was Diocles that never expected to be judg'd himselfe that day Melintus was drest in the same scarfe and mounted on the same horse Ariana had heretofore presented to him but besides all this that very day shee had given him a Bracelet of her faire haire and tyed it to his arme Palamede had desir'd a favour of the gentile Epicharis that from day to day made him more enamour'd of her and shee not willing to refuse him that contentment in such an occasion had taken the paines to braid all his haire for him with ribbands of silke of her colours for they were all to goe bare-headed The rest were accommodated as much to their advantage as it was possible for them The first exercise was horse-races where the greatest part presented themselves and after they had made the Tower of the place with many a passade they ranged them at the entry of the barriers At the same time the Trumpets sounded it hapned that a Larke pursued by a Hobby came to save her selfe in Ariana's hands thereupon there rose a cry of all the people and Melintus turning his head and considering with pleasure Ariana's actions delayed the time to start with the rest but perceiving his fault and spurring up his horse with fury he soone passed the last and seeing Misander that was well mounted and in hope to get first the end of the course hee came justling against his side and overthrew him and his horse to the ground Pisistratus that followed him could not keepe his horse from falling neither when he encountred Misanders that disorder stayed the course of the rest that came after the most of them falling also and not able to keepe themselves up in the heat they were in and this number of men and horses laid along together made a spectacle ridiculous enough In the meane time Melintus that saw none but Palamede now as forward as himselfe slackned the speed of his horse being willing to yeeld this victory to his friend but fortune would needs acknowledge this generousnesse of his for one of Palamedes ribbands of his head untying flew away and came to encircle Melintus his that ran behind him in a little gallop and girt him after the fashion of a Diadem as if Palamede seeing how Melintus yeelded him the crowne of the victory had desired in recompence to crowne his friendship some others interpreted this action to portend a great Soveraignty that Melintus should one day attaine to Instantly there followed great applauses when this action was knowne and Ariana her selfe in her mind admir'd at Melintus his gentile courage Palamede having had the first honour and Melintus the second the rest to put off the shame they were in thought of appearing again in sundry other games wherein part of them in one kind and the rest in others acquired some glory Melintus had the prize for having best throwne the Javelin Amyntas that of the bow and Pisistratus that of the foot-race since the horse-race had beene so unfortunate to him The faire Ariana gave all the prizes that were
you have more strength of wit than I but above all never perswade your selfe that the affection you have for Melintus can be annihilated whether by resolution or by time for feare you abandon not upon that hope all the prosperity of your life See then Ariana when by a mature knowledge of vertues and deserts two wils are encountred equall 't is now no more a passion but 't is reason that loves We cannot hope that ever such affections should be separate from our soules there arrive many times accidents that may trouble us and make us receive false opinions but when those fancies are dissipated the first impressions that cannot be dissolved appeare as ingraved as ever before and are felt in their whole strength and judge you in what estate one is if during the trouble of judgement one has committed so great a fault as cannot afterwards be repaired We must confesse answered Ariana that men have much more force in resolutions than wee for when they have once conceiv'd a designe that is of importance to the good of their whole life they maintaine it to the very last breath and doe all things possible to put it to effect Contrariwise our spirit slackens to the least obstacle we know not what will become of us and our feeblenesse hinders us from clearing the meanest passage for the attaining of supreme felicities 'T is true pursues Cyllenia but why should not one woman be found amongst us to expresse a resolution and to relieve the honour of our sex Faire Ariana if I have thus failed for want of courage doe not you the like acquire to your selfe with much glory much contentment Nature hath given us secret desires not onely to conserve our lives but also to make them happy for the first she has given us the love of our selves and for the second she will have us love some other thing but because the love of our selves is first the more the thing we love resembles us the more happy are we when we can possesse it So when two soules meet alike in goodnesse sweetnesse and vertue 't is a treasure cannot be esteemed and such a rancounter is made but once in an age and these are to despise all the hinderances they finde of uniting themselves together to the end they may enjoy the perfect contentments of so faire a friendship for after they be once knowne and lov'd one of another if it chances they be divided it cannot be without an insupportable violence and without suffering afterwards as cruell punishments as they had promis'd to themselves pleasures of eternall conversation together We must needs thinke replied Ariana that these felicities are exceeding great since the onely hope I have to live one day with Melintus ravishes mee for to tell you the secret of my thoughts I doe not beleeve that any thing but the death of one of us can ever be able to keepe me from them I thinke the time long till he be here arriv'd with my brother that you may judge whether I have reason to love him and that we may all together take counsell how we are to divert my uncle's designes for the favouring of our owne I shall be very glad answered Cyllenia to give my advice in those conferences and assure your selfe my resolutions shall not be lesse generous These faire Maids entertain'd one another often thus during the absence of Palamede and attending with impatiency his returne and Melintus his sometimes the gentile Epicharis interpos'd her counsels being lov'd of them both as much as her wit and discretion deserv'd Dicearchus many times came to see them and pursued his Neece to consent to his designe whereupon she referr'd her resolution to the returne of her brother Neither did Pisistratus faile of his respects to her hoping to gaine by the expressions of his affection what Melintus had already acquired by so great a number of merits and services that Ariana's dis-acknowledgement had farre surpassed that of her uncle if she should have so much as made a doubt of satisfying the promises shee had so solemnly sworne to him The end of the first Part. ARIANA. The Second Part. The first Booke SInce the cruell depart of Ariana Melintus had banish'd from his soule all kinds of joy and seem'd to have lost by absenting her from his sight so many faire qualities that made him admirable This spirit so generous so sage and courteous now languish'd overwhelm'd with griefe without any appearance of vertue receiving his friends respects without expressing a resentment to them and altogether carelesse of returning any He hated as much as his disease the divertments that might ease him and cherish'd nothing but that profound sadnesse that consumed him He had no contentment but when he redemanded of his memory the deare pledge it had in keeping the divine Idea of his faire Ariana which never presented her to his imagination but with a pomp worthy of her accompanied with lights that rendred her all bright full of charmes and graces and who seemed to send him amorous regards for to comfort him in this absence and assure him of her fidelity But still this pleasure was troubled with many vexations presently was bred a wish to see those beauties otherwise than by Idea then followed an impatient desire if not to possesse them at least to enjoy the favours that were heretofore permitted him but this unfortunate desire being acknowledg'd impotent and destitute of all succours replunged him into the excesse of his afflictions They are but senslesse people that can be happy by phantasie because their judgement nothing operative and unable to discerne the false from the true they receive and resent their imaginary good things as true ones Melintus on the contrary was not miserable but for having too much sense the solidity of his judgement repelled in despight of himselfe these vaine illusions and brought him to see and feele the truth of his disgrace with all the miseries that accompanied it If he sometimes laboured to releeve himselfe by meditations of vertue which teacheth to contemne humane accidents as things that are without us and whereof wee have not the jurisdiction and if his courage made a hard strife to find comfort in this separation considering it was to end and that evils that have a terme prefix'd receive consolation from hope suddenly a thousand cruell suspitions overthrew his resolutions He found that the hasty voyage of Dicearchus had no apparant thing in it that could be to his advantage hee consider'd the prosperity of Pisistratus who seem'd to triumph over him having had the power to carry away in his ship and to hold in his owne disposition his deare Ariana with those that dispos'd of her the advantage of this rivall to be in his owne countrey assisted by his friends favour'd with a thousand meanes having Dicearchus present Ariana and her brother whom hee would endevour to overcome by all the wayes he could invent whilest himselfe in the meane time
have beene glad to have beene at Syracuse with Ariana for that he suspected lest Marcelin losing Camilla's favour might not make his addresses to her and give them many crosses that way And so had he purpos'd but that which confirm'd Melintus in that apprehension was because Marcelin impatient to see againe at leisure her that had so well touch'd him with love in so little a time staid not long to counterfeit a desire to goe see Palamede and parted from Melintus to goe into the other chamber where he found her no more so as he was forc'd to entertaine her brother thinking he might have need of his helpe to see and be well receiv'd by her but they had strange plots one upon the other That entertainment was not of continuance because when there is question of feigning the discourses are not long-breath'd each fearing to discover himselfe and so the time pass'd away the greatest part of it in silence As soone as ever Melintus could come to speake to Palamede he counsel'd him to goe out of that lodging that very day and told him he had perceiv'd the displeasure Aristides tooke for finding them there that it were better he went his way alone than stay for him that they were to tell the Ladies how Aristides weary of the journey was fallen sick for him that he would follow him the day after and so they ought to retire one by one for feare the depart of them both might not at one time too much surprise them Palamede resisted some time this advice for the passion he had to Camilla whose sight he enjoyed with such commodity Neverthelesse it became him to give place to that friends counsell he had too much neglected to his losse and this resolution taken they were to take leave of the sisters Emilia that had never observ'd in Melintus any strong passion what-ever favour she had exprest to him began to be in doubt of the cause of his coldnes to her since the arrive of Ariana This stately woman who all her life time saw her selfe ador'd without having ever any love died for despite to finde her selfe sleighted and when she heard the newes of his retrait at first shee gently replied to the courteous words of Melintus but to his replies shee us'd reproaches and from reproaches she enter'd into fury That rage brake all the chaines of discretion and modesty What said shee after I had disdain'd the most powerfull men at Rome am I brought to this passe to become suppliant to a stranger and a man unknowne This ingratefull man this Traitor after receiving so much honour at my house after having bin drawne by me out of the hands of death dares yet forsake me and refuse a few daies at my intreaty Melintus to stop the current of those words said to her Madam I am neither traytor nor ungrate I have lost neither the respect I owe you nor the passion I had for you it needs not to employ intreaties where you may command and that which makes me be accus'd for disacknowledgement is that should rather let you see how well I can acknowledge the cares it pleas'd you to take of me since I desire to free you of them Will you reduce mee to that never to be able to satisfie the obligations I have to you by never ending my importunities and that I suffer all my life to be serv'd by you without a power to doe you service Beleeve you that when I am at home I shall have the lesse affection to you and will you not so much as permit that I put my selfe in the way to render you my duties Although I honour your favours extremely the excesse of them begins to be weighty upon me seeing I no more obtaine them by my services Madam if you have hitherto taken pleasure to expresse so good will to me envy me not at my turne the contentment of offering you my cares and obliging you by my submissions to continue this affection to me I beleeve that to a person of courage there is no punishment comparable to this without ceasing to receive and never give and this is that you would have mee eternally endure Emilia something stayed by these speeches stedfastly regarding him said How happy should I be Melintus if you were true but I feare this faire language proceeds not from the heart too much order has it to expresse a passion and you seeme rather to affect to speake well than to love well t is no matter I will beleeve you so you will grant me yet two dayes more stay during which you may find your selfe in better health Melintus not willing to put her into desperation answer'd her that shee might dispose not onely of two dayes but all those of his life without asking him leave So they were at accord together And Camilla much better assur'd of Palamede's affection not being made to oblige her by any compulsion suffer'd him to goe his way well knowing she should ere long see him againe The displeasure this stay brought to Melintus came from hence that hee saw himselfe depriv'd in that time of seeing Ariana and knowing Palamede would not faile to report to her the cause that retain'd him he would write this Letter to her Melintus to Ariana T Is not my sicknesse now that retaines me here but another's that is more insupportable to me than my owne rather out of despite than pitty I have of it 'T is a cruell thing to be unfortunate by too much good fortune and not to be able to escape out of that is in my owne power I beleeve I am destin'd to contemne all my time the good things are offer'd me and to consume my selfe by desiring those I cannot possesse When Fortune uses me the most cruelly she makes me become cruell too then ordaines a punishment for my disdaines in stead of rewarding them being so just But since she is blind I appeale from her to your judgement and aske of you not that which I refuse to take of others that were too great presumption but that I even refuse them which is a little compassion though it may seeme I am unworthy of it in that I deny to give it Melintus gave this Letter in Tables to Arcas his faithfull Free-man to whom alone was the secret passion of his master disclos'd who would not hide himselfe from him in many things he had occasion to employ him This good servant the day after that Palamede was return'd to Maximus with his father tooke the occasion to goe see how hee did from Melintus and gave his letter secretly to Ariana who receiv'd with it so much content that after she had read it she promis'd to give him an answer Never had she done him that favour but having lately had intelligence of so many vertues and merits by her brothers report of the contempt hee had made of one of the fairest Ladies of Rome for not giving offence to her love of the honours he
his custome was beleev'd it was but to make him a more honourable refuse yet for all that they were exceedingly amaz'd when Palamede having prayed his uncle to resolve on the marriage of Melintus hee gave him this answer that it was necessary he went first to Corinth with him and his sister to see their kindred and advise with them about it that for this purpose they would goe in Pisistratus's ship that was to returne and that they should both prepare them for this depart Palamede would oppose some reasons to this resolution but all was in vaine and when he brought this newes to Melintus and his sister he fill'd them both with confusion Melintus made Dicearchus be intreated by Palamede that he might accompany them in this voyage to make himselfe knowne to their friends at Corinth but he said that was not fitting and it would seeme he went to speake of a thing resolved if he were with them That answer troubled Melintus still more not knowing for what designe he intended that voyage and made those difficulties For hee thought he had sufficiently oblig'd him by saving of his life and more againe by his oath to make him forget those ancient enmities Neverthelesse all prepare to depart and Melintus one day finding Ariana amaz'd for this necessity of parting full of sadnesse said to her Madam what signifies this wofull voyage I know not what end it may have but the beginning is too sad to promise me any good When I thought my selfe the happiest of men I finde that good fortune absents her the more from mee and forbids me so much as following her Melintus answered Ariana I know not what my uncles designes are but mine shall ever be like yours and finding that I am seconded by my brother there is no force can possibly over-rule me Live I pray you in repose as much as you may during this absence and if my being away causes sorrow in you let the assurance of my affection diminish it Madam return'd Melintus how happy doe these expressions make me in so unfortunate an occasion but may I be assured that no constraint shall ever change your minde You ought not onely to beleeve this said she but you doe me wrong besides to make any doubt of it for it seemes you judge me capable of lightnesse and ingratitude Pardon Madam said he never thought I these defaults could have place in your heart but losing so many blessings by your absence me thinks nothing can ever restore them againe to me What may I hope for more after the losse of those deceitfull assurances that have these late dayes flattered me Will you have this misfortune of seeing you no more promise me any good when my very greatest contentments have brought me nothing but so cruell a disaster Melintus sayes she all contentments are followed with displeasures and all sadnesse with joy things that are contrary succeed one another we shall have a little to suffer being separate so long but after a while enduring the returne will be more glorious and more agreeable to us afflict me not I pray you with your sorrowes my owne are sufficient for mee and after I shall know that you support with constancy this separation I shall have courage enough to imitate you I am of the opinion replied he that to have so much courage is to have but small love for what strength can be able to resist the displeasures of my soule being depriv'd of the happinesse of seeing you Resolution can doe nothing to ease an evill which judgement finds more hard to master the more it seekes wherewithall to give it consolation to give over sorrow I must of necessity give over remembring you and that can I not but with my life Melintus sayes Ariana I know this very well that our misfortune is great but doe you complaine of it to me to this end that by my reasons I might endevour to comfort you or else that I by knowing it might be sure to suffer as much as you For the first you confesse your selfe that reason can doe nothing and for the other you would be cruell to desire an augmentation of what I endure Let us rather comfort us on both sides and as I betray my griefe to expresse a constancy to you so doe you seeme to have one too that being content with our miseries we may at least be deliver'd from those we seeke to bring one upon another These words that came from the excesse of a rare friendship brought the teares into Melintus eyes and it was a paine to him so seized was he to frame this answer Madam that I had a meaning to increase your griefe were impossible having so much love for you but I am brought to that passe as not to know how to speake to you for if I expresse my sufferings you complaine of me and if I expresse them not at all to you what will you thinke of my affection Ariana perceiving his difficulty of speech to give him comfort interrupted him and said I will have no more expressions of this affection for if I still had need of them you should not already have receiv'd so much of mine No my deare Melintus I am more assur'd of you than of my selfe but these mutuall assurances serve for nothing but to make us be more sensible of this accident if we loved one another lesse we should be lesse touched for this separation let us then esteeme our griefe glorious since it hath so faire a cause and not complaine any more since we would not have lesse affection to suffer the lesse paine Melintus full of seizure and touched besides at these deare speeches could not pronounce a word himselfe but only kist Ariana's hands that were all wet with the great teares that fell from him He was a good while in that posture and Ariana giving way to an object so sensible let fall too some teares from her faire eyes which she dried willing to hide her affliction from Melintus who at last addressing him to that he held never lifting himselfe up said Faire hands must I forsake you and abandon the sweet pleasures you favour me with promise me at least never to receive others in the place of mine Sweare it to me faire hands by your sweet restraints I will beleeve you will never be unfaithfull to me for you are too delicate to enterprize my death and too white not to be innocent Ariana answered I promise you for them all you desire and will have you said she in presenting them to him kisse them againe for pledge of their fidelity then she rose up to divert her from her sorrow and that shee might not be taken in this trouble by any one that came in For Palamede chanc'd to arrive a while after with whom they discours'd upon the occasion of this voyage whose true causes they could not understand He promis'd Melintus to advertise him by his letters of all that passed and to come
great City What interrupted Melintus are you brother to the vertuous Eriphile wife of Ephialtes Yes replied Lepantus Give me leave continued Melintus to embrace you then since you are brother to one of the wisest women I ever knew at whose house I was a long time brought up and to whom I have a thousand sensible obligations Then they express'd a great deale of kindnesse one to another and Palamede that had shared in the friendship of the sage Eriphile would also mingle himselfe with their embracements Afterwards Melintus referring to some other time to tell him all the causes he had to love and serve him for his sisters sake prayed him to continue his story Lepantus went on In the end I resolv'd with my selfe to depart from Greece and to passe into Asia I arriv'd in Eolida from thence I went into Lydia and Phrygia but there befell me no remarkable thing but in Galatia where I ran a great hazard of perishing by an infamous death As I was comming neere to arrive at the principall City I passed by a wood where some murther had beene committed I saw my selfe incompassed with a number of horsemen who tooke me for one of the murtherers and carried me away to the City what innocency soever I was able to alleage They that did the murther were presently after apprehended and put in prison with me and when they knew that I was accused of their crime they mocked at me among themselves and swore they would not discharge me though they knew me not that I might die with them for company I was much perplexed having no meanes to justifie me but by them and in great displeasure that I was to dye so shamefully as a way-robber and a murtherer One day when I thought they came for us to be led to punishment I saw comming in an Officer of Justice who having assembled all the Criminals declar'd to them that each was to choose his advocate for to plead his cause before the King to the end that the most eloquent of all should beare away for his Client the grace that was yeerely accorded I enquir'd what that grace was and learn'd that in Iulius Caesar's time Dejotarus was King of Galatia who after he had followed the party of Pompeius and beene received into favour by Caesar was accused for having dressed Ambuscado's for him when he was at his house in Galatia For that cause he was cited to Rome where making his appearance he was ready to be condemn'd to dye by Caesar and the Senate but for the succours of Cicero's marvellous eloquence which had so much force as to make Caesar change his determination and pardon Dejotarus The King being return'd to Galatia that he might remember this benefit receiv'd by eloquence ordained that every yeare on a certaine day the Criminall persons should make choyce of Advocates amongst whom he that should be judg'd the most eloquent should carry away for his Client the grace of his life besides the advocates prize to whom was given a Crowne of great value After I had learn'd this I knew that the most famous advocates were retained of a long time by great summes of money and I saw it would be very difficult for me to hope for that grace having no meanes nor any acquaintance in the Country Neverthelesse I tooke heart and said all aloud to this Officer that I demanded leave to defend my selfe Every one tooke him to laughter to heare my proposition for they saw me in an estate too miserable to beleeve I could have any science but for all that I gave in my name to the end I might be heard before the King as well as the rest In eight dayes space that were given to prepare the Orations that should be made I had leisure enough to thinke of mine and when the time was come they brought us all to the Palace We were put into a great Hall round about certaine barres that hindred any approaching to the King who was within upon a seat raised with foure or five steps and had on each side of him his chiefe Officers that were the Judges When they would begin to heare the pleadings the barres were open'd to let in the first Advocate that was to speake who standing before the King began a very studied speech wherein hee labour'd to defend a criminall that was present with us When he had ended there rose a little noyse of the different judgements were made of him then they opened to another who discours'd with a great deale of vehemence and so many were heard one after another I was in a wonder to see so many Advocates but they told me there were come of them from all parts of Asia and out of Greece too some sought to by the Criminals and others invited by the ambition of making their knowledge appeare and carrying the prize This number troubled me much yet order was taken that the speeches should be short for else one day had not beene sufficient to heare all that presented themselves At last they said there were no more Advocates to plead The King was now demanding the Judges advice and I thought to have step'd forward to intreat audience but an Herald prevented me that told the King there remain'd no more but a poore Criminall called Lepantus who desir'd to defend himselfe Well then answered the King wee will not deny him that justice Then I entred within the barre and being before the King I said in a few words what I had premeditated with all the assurance and modesty I could Brave Lepantus interrupted Melintus doe not deprive us I pray you the repetition of that Oration we have time enough to heare it and since it is but short it cannot be grievous to you Grant this at least to the desire of Cyllenia who so attentively hearkens to the accidents of your life during her owne vexations 'T is to command me answer'd Lepantus so to intreat and since you will have it so I will recite what I spake then I began thus GReat King and you equitable Iudges I cannot complaine of fortune for the strange accident I am fallen into since she gives me the happinesse to be heard of you And wherefore should I be aggriev'd at her since both before and after my calamity she provided me meanes to releeve my selfe As soone as I entred this Countrey she hath rendred me criminall before I was culpable but at such a time when a grace is offer'd which she puts me in hope to obtaine having made me to be instructed from my infancy in all sorts of Sciences and Arts foreseeing the need I should have of their assistance The gods beside had beene unjust and cruell to permit the adventure is arri'vd to me if they had not knowne in what sort I could secure my selfe Accuse me not of presumption for being assured to carry away this day the prize is given to the most eloquent it 's impossible you should refuse me it seeing
than a simple friendship Polydamas seeing that he had need of this melancholicke man gave him in the meane time all sorts of duties for Ardania had but a mother who was very old and all the power of the house was in the hands of this Misander who though of a weake and heavy spirit had yet the authority because of the harshnesse of his disposition which they were afraid to displease Ardania and Polydamas perswaded him for the most to what they had a minde to by gentlenesse of spirit but they feared him when he should have come to know of their love for he had other projects for his sister One day Misander whether out of simplicity or of purpose intreated Polydamas to perswade Ardania to a marriage she resisted Polydamas found himselfe oblig'd to speake of it to her and it chanced to fall out in my presence He represented to her all the considerations that ought to move her for the choyce of that husband whereto at the beginning she replied with laughter as if she thought he did but mocke her but he urged her so in speaking seriously concerning this affaire in plot as I beleeve to prove her that at last she was angry and said to him that she tooke this ill at his hands more than at any other She discover'd her selfe thus and it was the first word had escaped her whereby she shewed that she approved his affection Then he appeased her and would make her beleeve he had so spoken to know her thoughts and to tell them to her brother She feined not to tell Polydamas often that she should be the most miserable woman of the world if the resolution she had prosper'd not but although he knew that he was well lov'd of her yet he knew it not then so well as I did to whom Ardania told a thousand things touching his affection that made me see never woman was more in love Afterwards there was presented a party to her which gave them many fears and troubles The businesse had beene debated amongst the kindred before communicating it with Ardania because they would not so much as doubt of her will in such sort as all was in a good forwardnesse when shee learn'd the newes of it Consider her then full of apprehensions and all she could doe was to represent some difficulties She acquainted Polydamas with it who knew not what remedy to invent and their affection not daring yet to breake forth they were both of them in great paine One day he came in to Ardania's when the friends of either party were assembled to remove some difficulties concerning that marriage Misander came out to meet him and Polydamas signified to him that he would be gone since they were busie No no said Misander you shall stay if you please because you have as much interest in this affaire as any one that is here As little said Polydamas to himselfe then suffer'd to be led to the place where they were that debated the differences Ardania was present as pale as if she had beene ready to be condemned to death but when shee saw Polydamas enter shee conceiv'd some hope and tooke a little courage He was in the esteeme of so great vertue and so good a judgement that presently they propos'd the difficulties to him for to consider and judge of them himselfe At first he pretended that he would accord all things having for all that no other designe than to breake this assembly and said that they were to yeeld on either side and that small respects ought not to hinder an affaire of great importance He insinuated himselfe by this meanes into the credence of both parties but when they would precipitate the marriage he said that was not reasonable and that that which regarded the whole life deserv'd to be thought of at more leisure In the end he was so skilfull in managing their wits that he brake this assembly and made the resolution be deferr'd to the next day Ardania at the beginning knew not what to thinke of Polydamas hearing him speake but seeing he had so well brought about his designe she was very wel satisfied Then being alone with Misander and his mother he declar'd how they were to distrust those that would dazle their eyes by so sudden a resolution as they oblig'd them to take that there was some great defect conceal'd under it and time were necessary to finde it out After he had put these suspitions into them they made so many adjournments as they gave despite to the others and at last all was broken off to the great contentment of Ardania and Polydamas who were of opinion that they could not alwayes so turne off the stormes that should be presented and that it was time for them to declare The succours Polydamas had given Ardania in this last occasion had so obliged her that she was intirely bound to him and gave him all the honest assurances Love is able to accord They consulted of the meanes they were to use and provided them of persons that might make her mother consent There was but this troublesome Misander who was too wild a beast to be easily governed so as there were but few to be found that could perswade him Polydamas that had an empire upon his minde had beene the onely man sufficient to bring him to any thing he was willing to have him if he had beene to speake to him for another but for to serve himselfe of him he remain'd without force Upon these attempts the mother sickens and dyes Ardania after having rendred her the last duties receiv'd no consolation but from the faithfull company of her deare Polydamas who beleev'd not that any thing was able to hinder their good fortune since she was left Mistresse of her selfe There was made betweene them a renuing of assurances they lived in so strict an union and had as particular cares for one another as if they had beene already married together Then were presented more parties for her so as they resolved to conclude their affaires and to make the proposition of them to Misander to whom she had purposed to declare her absolute will and to pray him to consent thereto if not to passe forward Polydamas made choyce of one of his friends to speake to Misander and he acquitted himselfe so well shewing him a thousand respects that ought to oblige him to desire that marriage that if he had been of any judgement he could not have refused to consent to a thing so desired of all He receiv'd this overture with a great deale of sadnesse neverthelesse he promis'd to speake of it to his sister but within his minde he conceiv'd a furious hatred against Polydamas in stead of the neare friendship was betwixt them and he beleev'd as there was much appearance for it that Polydamas had not express'd affection to him but for this designe So unworthy soules faile not to acknowledge their owne defaults and the merit of others through the
hoping that if I satisfied my passion thus to revenge me on all sides I should not at least be depriv'd of all pleasure I practised all sorts of meanes to ruine him and having made a league against him I possessed my minde with all the designes I could thinke of upon this subject to the end it might be entirely busied with those considerations and I the lesse thoughtfull of my domesticke miseries This league made me powerfull and I found my selfe in estate to resist whatsoever hee propos'd in the publike assemblies and to overthrow all his designes but finding againe that he sometimes over-ruled it by the authority he had acquired and the love was shewne him I let my selfe be carried away more than ever with a desire to ruine him intirely To this purpose I made use of craft to make the Syracusians beleeve he affected tyranny and by the Armes I made be found at his house gave a colour to my accusation which notwithstanding had easily beene discovered false but for the artifices I employed to make the Roman Pretor judge of this cause but the Syracusians that loved him prevented me and yet not daring to absolve him altogether they banish'd him onely for five yeares according to their ancient law I was not content with this judgement but contrariwise I esteem'd it advantageous for Hermocrates whom the Syracusians had exprest so much affection to I feared lest they recalled him not very soone from his exile to place him in greater authority than ever By fortune a little before certaine Pyrats had beene taken upon the coasts and Hermocrates pursuing their punishment I attemted to save them onely in contradiction to him I was visited secretly by some Sea courses of their company that labour'd to corrupt the Judges and who having had intelligence of the designe I had to oblige them offered me all I could desire of them for the safety of those were taken I refused all their presents but at the same time Hermocrates being condemned to banishment and knowing how he was resolved to goe to Carthage I sent for them and bound them by oath faithfully to execute what I desir'd of them and I would returne into their hands their companions They promised to serve me against all the world and presently I made be delivered by my sole authority those that had beene taken because I governed all at that time and having them all at my house together I intreated them to joyne their quarrels to mine and so to order the matter as they might take Hermocrates their enemy and mine as he went to Carthage and carry him away with his wife so farre off that no more should be heard of him within Sicily that for this cause they were to sell them to some Barbarians and I desired too of them it might be done separately to the end I might thus dis-unite those whose union had given me so much jealousie and torment They all receiv'd this intreaty with much joy as well for having occasion to expresse in what sort they desired to serve me as to be reueng'd upon Hermocrates for having prosecuted their death and all of them sware to mee they would inviolably execute my desire I prayed them beside that if Euphrosyne who was very big should be brought to bed in the time she were with them they would throw into the Sea what should be borne of her to extinguish for ever this race After they had promised to performe exactly all I recommended to them I made them yet some presents I received also some of them for not shewing a contempt of them and after many mutuall protestations they went their way to attend Hermocrates in the passage neare the Port of Lylibeum They fail'd not to accomplish faithfully what they had promised me for they tooke away Hermocrates and Euphrosyne but they were wanting onely in this that they sold not Hermocrates so soone as they had assured me but kept him some time with his wife amongst them I had no newes what they were all become of but about foure yeares after during which time being rid of Hermocrates that before wholly possesed my spirit I relapsed into the lively resentment of the evils of my house and to ease them in some sort I enterpris'd to build a stately house in the Countrey and at the same time made a Tower be erected with an intention there to inclose Acidalia the remainder of her dayes But at the end of those foure yeares I heard that certaine men demanded to speake with me I sent for them and knew them to be the very same Pyrats that came to give me an account of what they had done They told me they had taken Hermocrates and Euphrosyne whom they had not yet beene able to sell in place whence they might not returne againe that when they had Euphrosyne she was already deliver'd of the childe she had beene big with but that since being with them she was brought to bed of a daughter that seem'd so faire to them as they could not resolve to put it to death neverthelesse for not failing in that they promised me they had brought it me to dispose of as I should thinke good Then they presented me this young girle of about two yeares of age whose beauty surpriz'd me but when she open'd her little armes to embrace me in saluting I was touch'd with love and pitty for her sake and resolv'd with my selfe rather to nourish it than be so cruell as I had resolv'd I am very sorry pursued Dicearchus addressing him to Euphrosyne and Melintus that I cannot at this time present you with this nurse childe of my bringing up 't is the gentile and courageous Epicharis who is the daughter of Euphrosyne and your sister said he to Melintus Euphrosyne knew not who this Epicharis was yet she rejoyc'd that her child had beene preserved but Melintus and Ariana cried out at the same time Melintus said What is Epicharis my sister And Ariana Alas Melintus my deare Epicharis is she then your sister Ah! what joy will this newes bring my brother that loves her so passionately and what griefe too will he receive by it for not knowing where she is Dicearchus caus'd a little ceasing to all these admirations and joyes in continuing thus 'T is true this young childe made her selfe alwayes so agreeable as I was constrain'd to love her maugre the hatred I had against those that brought her into the world She had a wit so gentile and quicke that she forc'd me many times to laugh when I had but small cause in Acidalla's presence and when she was more advanc'd in age I was pressed by some of my friends to marry her thinking she had bin a slave to one call'd Asylas a servant borne in my house but I had in horror that proposition comparing the noblenesse of her bloud with the basenesse of Asylas and could not hinder my selfe from saying how the gods would never pardon me for mingling
and the faire Ariana who in this fray let Melintus see beauties which his imagination could never have so perfectly represented to him The little Damis a young slave of Maximus came to advertise his Master that was in their company that looking out at a window he had perceiv'd a man that held a Torch in his hand and set fire to one side of the house that made them doubt of Treason and they had besides greater assurance of it when upon the Tibers side they heard two slaves of Maximus crying out as they were killed who were gone out to fetch water at the River Melintus and Palamede issued out to succour them but they were assaulted by ten or twelve Souldiers with such fury that the best course they could take was to retire into the house againe defending themselves as they went Melintus thought there was none but Marcelin could be Author of so fearefull a villany and could not tell what they should resolve on seeing they were environed with fires on all sides and a certaine death whether they stayed there or whether they went out He look'd upon Ariana the teares in his eyes and strucke with griefe that so excellent a beauty should dye so cruell a death came sadly to her and said Madam into what misery are we brought and how have the heavens permitted that all the furies together should come to assaile us to make our losse inevitable Is it possible that I cannot by some enterprise or yet by my owne ruine preserve your life And can I not have at least this joy in dying to see you out of danger Melintus answered she doe not hope from me either counsell or consolation this accident so troubles me that it leaves me nothing but teares and plaints but if it be true that Marcelin bee chiefe of this conspiracy I had much rather dye with you than survive and fall into his hands Seeing the gods have suffered this mis-fortune to come to passe I beseech them it may have his full course rather than that I be reserv'd to live after you to be expos'd to the insolence of these desperate people Madam replide hee I cannot beleeve we are ordain'd to an end so miserable and though the fire on all sides seemes to shut up the passage to all hope the way of heaven from whence succours may be sent us is yet free Let us yet hope Madam and moderate your weepings and complaints whilest I goe to see by what means we may be saved and whether some god may not inspire me what we are to doe in this extremity She answered him not but with a sigh and Melintus having kist her hand left her hiding his teares as well as hee could then hee look'd round on all sides and after having search'd in vaine a thousand inventions in his wits at last passing by the Stable he advised with himselfe to get up upon the strongest and fleetest of his horses He advertis'd also Palamede and the rest to take what horses there were and after having covered Ariana's head with a cloth for feare the fire might offend her he lift her gently into his armes and making the gates be open'd tooke his sword in his hand Then putting spurres to his horse he went furiously away and after he had struck off the arme of a Souldier that would have got hold of his bridle hee saved himselfe by running carrying away his deare Ariana through the thickest of armed men and flames that already devour'd the neighbour houses Marcelin seeing Melintus passe that held Ariana and that he was not able to stay him although he had cast himselfe in the way before him and encourag'd the rest to kill him was now in despaire seeing himselfe on foot not able to overtake him and as he return'd he saw Palamede his principall enemy who after Melintus example would have got away carrying his father with him but they so closed themselves together to hinder him that Palamede seeing how it was impossible for him to force them being loaden with his fathers heavy body entered in againe and gave Aristides to Hermes one of his men then having carefully recommended to Arcas the safety of Epicharis he gave them charge to follow him as soone as hee should have made a passage with his sword He tooke a buckler and going out againe set upon the boldest of them that would have stayed him and charg'd them with such fury that with two blowes he gave he strucke downe two of them at his feet the rest sustain'd him with much resolution and he had much adoe to ward all their blowes but in the end mingling him amongst them he put them in such disorder as he gave time to Hermes to get away and save Aristides Arcas did likewise beare away Epicharis and the others taking the rest of the horses saved with them that that was most precious Palamede seeing they were farre enough off now dispatch'd him of his enemies and went away in a gallop after them Marcelin inraged to see his wicked designes thus ruin'd strucke his owne men also accusing them of cowardise and seeing a slave of Aristides passing that went away later than the rest getting at last a horse with much adoe he gave him a blow on the head with his sword laid him dead upon the place Then mounting a horse-backe upon his owne horse he pursues those that saved themselves and gave order to his companions to find horses and come presently after him to ayd him Melintus finding no security in the City which he saw all on fire and full of his enemies was got out of the ports and when he was in plaine Champian he could not complaine at this accident that gave him the favour of daring to embrace his faire Ariana who did as sweetly cleave close to him for feare of falling She was become so dazled with the swiftnesse of the course that Melintus after he had put his sword into the scabberd and taken away the cloth that covered her head found her seeming to have lost all remembrance but considering how this happened but by astonishment and seeing her faire necke bare because the handkercher that covered it was fallen by the violent motion he used nothing to make her come againe to her selfe besides sweet and chaste kisses which he gave one while to this admirable neck another to her diuine eyes and sweet mouth He was transported in these pleasures then full of respect he accus'd himselfe of rashnesse to steale the favours which at another time he would scarce presume to conceive a desire of and presently before he could resolve whether he had done amisse or no carried away by the power of those admirable objects he kist them againe with so much ravishment that in this estate the losse of his judgement excus'd the losse of his respect and his senses busied about so pleasing a fault mocked at his reason whose severity also being charmed gave consent to their thefts and refus'd
not to take part in their delights Ariana after a great sigh at last opening her eyes with one looke only banisht all the liberties of Melintus and remitted in place of them a respect as great as ever then she said to him Alas Melintus where are wee Wee are answers he in safety I am only in paine for Aristides and Palamede and but that I am afraid to forsake you I would returne to helpe them As he was thus speaking he perceiv'd by the light of the moone and flames a man running after him whom he tooke to be one of their troupe So as alighting from his horse and setting upon the greene grasse the sweet charge he carried he prayed her to rest her while the rest of the company were come together They began to behold that great City on fire and to be amaz'd at the accident when seeing to approach him that followed them Melintus knew him to be Marcelin suddainly getting up a horse-back for feare of being surpris'd which his enemy Ah traitor sayes he darest thou at length alone assault me Marcelin not answering him at all came straight towards him and gave him a blow with his sword Melintus avoyded it giving spurs to his horse and soone gaining the crouper thought to have struck his sword into the very reines of Marcelin but it brake having met with armes under his casack I was in a great wonder said he then at thy valour but this shall not hinder but thou shalt pay for thy trecheries and seeing that Marcelin could not mannage his horse after his minde he set foot to ground and at the same instant leaping up behind him got hold of his armes with one of his and with the other was going to strike into his head that which was left of his sword But Marcelin striving hard Melintus was forc'd to let himselfe slide downe in pulling him back-ward and having laid him along upon the ground snatch'd from him his sword He was about to kill him but at the very instant he heard Ariana crying out to him for helpe This sweet Lady had seene the beginning of that combat being but in a desperate condition yet although she judged that if Marcelin remain'd conquerour she should fall into his hands neverthelesse being confident in Melintus valour she could not resolve of going farre away But when she saw his sword broke she fell downe in a soune and was no sooner come to her selfe againe but she saw she was in the armes of a souldier that was alighted from his horse to carry her away Then was it that she call'd Melintus and this name that demanded succours was at the same time succourable for that Melintus looking where she was saw behinde him two men a horse-back that were about to kill him He lift up himselfe suddainly and sustain'd the first with Marcelin's sword in one hand and the rest of his owne in the other Never had man so much choler and griefe together He desir'd to defend him from these and at the same time to helpe Ariana but seeing he could not save her but by the death of those that set upon him he gave one of them such a blow that if he had not beene armed he had divided his shoulder from the body and yet the sword entred a good way into the coat of armes The second came up to him and thought to have stab'd him into the belly but Melintuus defended it with the guard he had in his left hand and at the same time gave him a blow under the curasse which made him fall dead from his horse He that had beene first struck by him set on him behind and Melintus was not so skilfull but that he was a little hurt in the shoulder but in turning about he gave a reverse blow upon the horses head and making him caper he tooke his time and thrust his sword under the thigh of this last man and plung'd it even into his bowels This wretch falling back-ward brake his neck and the fall stop'd his breath which now on all sides dropped away with his bloud Melintus seeing himselfe freed of these two men and having about him none but Marcelin living which had much adoe to returne from the dazeling of his fall left off finishing his death to run towards Ariana who had till then hindred by a thousand devices this souldiour from setting her upon his horse to carry her away Melintus cryed out to him afarre off Insolent fellow wilt thou let alone that Lady thou art unworthy to touch But he seeing him comming and willing to prevent him left Ariana to get up a horse-back and presently setting spurres pricked towards him thinking to overthrow him Melintus lightly turned him aside and as he passed struck him on the left arme with so great a wound that he filled with bloud all the place where about he ran At the same time Marcelin recovering force and courage lift himselfe up and taking one of the dead mens swords came to second him that Melintus hard hurt and rather filled with rage than resolution rash't him upon him Melintus husbanding the forces and advantage he had after warding of two or three blowes gave him one in the thigh and went to redouble it when he that had beene hurt came to put himselfe betweene for the safety of his Masters life but he paid his owne for it receiving the blow which Melintus struck so deepe in that he clos'd up his sword within his armes This man dying let go the reines of his horse that ran away Melintus unwilling to let his sword goe so followes him and at last drew it out with paine and with that violence and the amazednesse wherein he was he fell back-wards In the meane time Marcelin that felt his strength diminish seeing Ariana standing still and troubled with so many fears went towards her his sword in his hand for to kill her to the end that if he dyed another should not enjoy his loves The comming of this furious man and brightnesse of the sword awakened the lost senses of Ariana and gave her wings to run to Melintus whom she call'd to her aide and it was just then he was fallen and Marcelin was in good hope to vanquish him yet thinking he was hurt Neverthelesse Melintus prepar'd himselfe getting up and then they began the combat hand to hand and more equall though Marcelin were arm'd because the bloud that ran out of his wound lessened that advantage Untill then Melintus had not fought but for saving his owne life but now he reveng'd the injuries of Ariana and that desire encouraging him with the presence of his faire Mistresse he made account he should soone see an end of that adventure so having warded some thrusts of Marcelins he with one blow from all the force he had overthrew him and therewith cleft his head Another Souldier came on running in all speed and Melintus wearied with so many travels thought this combat would never have